Friday 24 June 2011

Clearing the decks

I think this must be some sort of knitter's version of nesting (in which case, baby: it's a little early just yet, how about you stay put another few weeks), but recently I've felt the need to work my way through various WIPs that were in various stages of completeness.

With the result that...

 I finished off my Centrique in Scrumptious DK from Fyberspates. After getting inexplicably stuck halfway through it was amazing how quickly I finished it once I sorted out the problems
 I did the seams on my February baby sweater. It still needs to be blocked and have some buttons sewn on. I love this pattern and will have to find a lighter weight yarn to do a smaller version

 I grafted the underarms on this little Owlet that has been sitting in my WIP pile for months. I'm not 100% happy with it, but I'm sure when it's actually on a baby it will look cute.

And I weaved in ends on two baby blankets.

The striped one still needs a backing sewn on, but the cabled blanket (based on This is Knit's Cuddles and Cables Blanket) just needs to be blocked.

All of which means, I've only got WIPs left that are either completely ancient, or just started. And it also means I may not be able to put off steeking the baby cardigan for much longer.

Saturday 11 June 2011

Taking a leap...

I have just cast off my 'self-designed' (based mainly on Elizabeth Zimmerman's percentage system) baby cardigan. 

I can spot a few issues straight off... I think the ribbing is too deep, and the arms are a little long (although the cuffs can be folded up), and the body a little short. It's not completely awful though, which leads to the big issue. 


You'll note that there's no divide in the front, no button bands or place to put them. This is all because I had the crazy idea that I would steek this cardigan. Yes, take a scissors to my knitting and merrily cut up through it. 

And now, it's almost time. I can put it off just a little longer - weave a few ends in, graft the underarms, give it a good soak and block it. But very soon I'm going to have to bite the bullet and just do it. 

Or perhaps I could wait until after this baby comes so at least I could have a stiff gin to help me on my way....