Haruni

Pattern: Haruni
Yarn: Malabrigo Silkpaca "cuarzo" - a little more than 1 skein
Needles: US3 24" bamboo circulars
Modifications: knitted an extra repeat of chart A

With spare moments here and there, I managed to finish knitting this lace shawl. Haruni is a very well written pattern with a beautiful leaf border. I knitted an extra repeat of chart A to make a slightly bigger shawl. The cast-off was a tedious task but is worth it.

Update

I've been away from this blog for too long! It's a challenge to find the time for knitting and blogging these days while looking after a three year old. But my love for knitting will never go away. Lately, I find myself knitting a row or two when my toddler is not looking.

I recently picked up some Classic Elite Yarns Silky Alpaca Lace (color: 2477) at a local yarn shop. No pattern in mind yet.

I normally don't go for blues but this shade is gorgeous!

And here's a baby blanket that I finished back in January, for my baby due this August.

Pattern: "Shawl" from Special Knits by Debbie Bliss
Yarn: Rowan Wool Cotton - color: 903 "misty" x 7
Needles: US6 32" addi circulars
Modifications: omitted the edging

And this is what's on the needles right now... the Peacock Feathers Shawl by Dorothy Siemens. I'm using JaggerSpun Zephyr in plum. Zephyr is my long time favorite laceweight yarn.

I hope to post more updates soon!

Baby Blanket & Teddy Bear

Pattern: "Shawl" from Special Knits by Debbie Bliss
Yarn: Rowan Wool Cotton - color: 900 "antique" x 7
Needles: US6 32" addi circulars
Modifications: Omitted the edging

This baby blanket pattern has always been one of my favorite. The all over decorative seed stitch is beautiful in a simple stockinette stitch background. When you're knitting a 30" x 30" piece of fabric, it really helps when the pattern is easy enough to knit up quickly.

Pattern: "Cashmere Teddy Bear" by Erika Knight
Yarn: Jo Sharp Alpaca Silk Georgette - color: 750 "briar" x 1
Needles: US3 24" addi circulars
Modifications: none!

I can't think of a more classic toy for a baby. This teddy bear is so adorable! I love the hand-tied ribbon detail. I learned how do french knots for the eyes. It's my first attempt at embroidery!

It's been so much fun knitting for my baby. I'm due end of May. During my first trimester, I didn't think I would end up doing any baby knits because I thought everything would be outgrown too quickly. But as soon as my morning sickness subsided, I find myself looking forward to welcoming baby with some special hand-knitted gifts.

I really like the neutral colors I used. It's perfect since my husband and I want to wait to find out the sex of our baby.

Drops Tailored Cardigan

Project: DROPS 97-18 Tailored Cardigan
Yarn: Rowan Purelife Organic Cotton DK - color: 987
Needles: US4 (3.5mm) addi circulars
Modifications: shortened sleeves

I've been working on this cardigan for a few months. While I was knitting this, I only posted a few photos on Ravelry and didn't talk about it here because I wasn't sure if this project would work out. It's finally done and I'm so happy it fits!

I usually avoid knitting with 100% cotton yarns. It's inelastic to knit with and the finished garment is a bit heavy. But I still enjoy knitting with Rowan yarns. I just love soft neutral colors. When I saw this yarn in the store, I immediately noticed this beautiful shade of almond beige.

I look forward to starting my next project!

Calum

Project: "Calum" from A Season's Tale
Yarn: Cascade 220 - color: 4002 (charcoal)
Needles: US8 (5mm) 24" addi circulars
Modifications: changed the 3x4 sleeve and hem ribbing to 2x2

I knitted this sweater about 3 months ago for my husband. He prefers his clothes simple and low maintenance, so I used a yarn that's sturdy and easy to care for, and picked a classic design by Kim Hargreaves.

The pattern called for a 3x4 ribbing for the sleeves and hem, but I decided on a 2x2 instead so I can use a tubular cast-on. I really like how neat the cast-on edge looks with this method.

Another detail I'm quite happy with is the matching decreases along both sides of the raglan shaping for the WS rows. The pattern didn't specify the types of decreases to use (not that it's a problem). And I was happy to discover that the SSP decrease worked perfectly on the WS rows because it slants to the left on the RS, to match the K2tog decreases.

It's my first time installing a zipper for my knitting. I hand stitched it. It came out ok, but I will use my sewing machine for future projects that require zippers and do a better job next time.

He says it's warm and likes wearing it. I do like how this yarn softens up after washing. It's nice that this design is comfortable and casual for the weekends but not too casual that he can't wear to the office.

Hi!

Budapest, Hungary

It's been awhile, I thought I should stop by and say hello. Hope everyone is doing well!

Just came back from a tour of central Europe. I would like to post again soon and give an update on what I've been knitting. I'll be back!

Still Knitting...

Has it really been several months since my last finished project? Where did the time go?!

This is what's on the needles right now, I'm making a collared, long sleeve cardigan with cables in the front. It's a pattern from a back issue of Vogue Knitting magazine and the yarn is Cascade 220 in a dark brown. The back is done and the fronts are slowly growing. I'm excited to see how this one turns out.