Finally some FO's

I've been so seriously behind in photographing and cataloguing finished objects, but today I managed to take a few photos this morning whilst there was still some natural light available. Since lunchtime there has been a heavy snow laden sky and it has been snowing steadily for a number of hours now.

Before I reveal my FO's a little update on my last post. Unfortunately, no the pigs aren't mine. I intend to have one or two at some point soon but I'm starting with chickens in April and working my way up. Also all the yarn that went from the middle of the room went in a number of directions. Some on top of the bookcases, some into the outhouse/utility/laundry room which fortunately is heated and some at present into the loft whilst it gets sorted.

And now, finally, for some FO's. The first two are from A Stitch in Time. The first is The Rose Jumper, knitted in Blue Sky Alpaca Silk (one of the most gorgeous yarns on the planet).



I love the crocheted flowers. The front neckline has small tucks sewn into it under the flowers to improve the drape over the bust.



I have a beautiful wool tweed fabric which has the wheat colour of the jumper running through it, which I am making into a skirt - but its not finished yet.

The second FO from A Stitch in Time is Variation on the Cross Over Line, for which I've used Rowan wool 4 Ply in this lovely old blue. This is a very forgiving sweater and I could possibly have done a size smaller - I did the large - but there is no gape at the front which means I don't have to wear a brooch with it unless I want to.





It is knitted in a really simple rib stitch which creates this great textured fabric with the most phenomenal stretch. And for those of us with an ample bosom it is extremely flattering. The front is knitted in three pieces (four sections) two of which cross over each other as can be seen. The two centre pieces extend over the shoulders to form this triangle detail at the back.



I really think this is a timeless garment. So flattering and wearable.

A while ago I mentioned that one of my designs was in Knits to Share and Care and I was given the garment back the other day so I could belatedly take photos of it.

The design is called Babys Coming Home and is for premature babies to come home from hospital in. Its made using Rowan fine milk cotton so its super soft on the skin and in a natural cream shade. Unfortunately in the book it looks beige - still lovely, but beige.



This is the full set of matinee coat, pants and hat.



This is the detail of the 'triangle' pattern around the yoke, neck and on the hat. The coat is knitted in the round, sleeves are knitted on DPNs.

I have two more FO's from A Stitch in Time waiting to be sewn up and a third on the needles. But taking a break from all this vintage knitting, I found two balls of Rowan Scottish DK lurking around and also this lovely beret pattern on Gudrun's site. I've been wanting a great hat for ages and this really has knitted up beautifully.





I think the yarn almost looks like a rock formation.

Much more to share but now sitting in total darkness so

for now
Ruby xxx

P.S. Update on that Galliano pattern coming soon.

Some signs of progress

There is a lot of frantic knitting going on behind the scenes, but so much of it I am unable to share, which is so frustrating but them's the rules.

However, I finally managed to take some photos of a couple of WIP's which have been hanging around for a while but are slowly but surely progressing.

Here's Miss Scarlett No. 2 - for me. This is to fit 40 inch chest - Dita is about 32-34 so it looks rather large on her, but its looking nice and the RYC Cashsoft DK is a joy to knit with. I have a family function to go to next weekend but I don't think it will be ready for then I'm afraid.



And here is my Teva Durham sweater. I thought this would be a quick knit but to be honest its not at all.



I'm really enjoying knitting it (despite the 'squeeky' yarn) but every row is different and you really can't get into any sort of rhythm. I found it easier not to use a cable needle and hold the stitches on my finger instead which has speeded the process up quite a lot.



and the cables are really beautiful, like a landscape in blue.



The back is already done and I've started the raglan shaping on the front. The two sleeves are different to each other aswell so that's going to take time, but I do think it will be worth it.

I'm also working on a 'top secret' project which has to be ready in the next week or two, and I'm using Rowan Fine Milk Cotton, which is a cotton and milk protein mix. I've no idea how they use milk protein in a fibre. All I can see in my head are the huge vats that milk is put into when first being turned into cheese and it gets stirred with a big paddle. I can imagine the cotton being put into the vat with the milk and then being mixed together.!



Looks quite ordinary on the swatch , but has a beautiful handle. It actually feels 'creamy' if that makes any sense, and the drape is far superior to a pure cotton.Its a gorgeous yarn. Not particularly cheap but really really nice if making someone a baby gift and you need to avoid wool but want something softer than pure cotton. I'm definately going to use it again.

I spent all of yesterday knitting and I couldn't believe my luck with films on the TV one after the other,

garment back to Roman Holiday - the serene Audrey Hepburn and the dashing Gregory Peck.

garment front to The Prince and the Showgirl - a rather bizarre Laurence Olivier and a breathtakingly beautiful Marilyn Monroe, who had the tighest, sexiest dress on throughout the film and made me proud to have a large bottom!

Sleeve one and half of sleeve two - The Da Vinci code - too much set in the dark for knitting to really, but ok for stocking stitch work, and you know the story so you can sort of cope when you miss bits.

Sleeve two now finished and on to yoke (?) and then sewing up.

Oh, one last bit of very good news. Earlier this week my dad got the all clear from the cancer specialist and he now doesn't have to go back for twelve months. Big sigh of relief.

for now
Ruby xxx