FO: Helena Cardigan for Isobel

I finished this ages ago but have only just got round to blogging it.

This is my Helena cardigan made for my niece Isobel in Artesano Superwash Soft Merino DK in Navy from Pack Lane Wools.  I made the 12 month size and that took 4 50g balls. 

 

This is my first proper item of clothing that I've knitted so I was quite worried about the sizing and how it would all work together.  This is a top down pattern with no sewing as the sleeves are knitted in the round.  It took me about 3 weeks to make and I'm pretty pleased with it.  The yarn was lovely to work with, very good stitch definition but it did make my fingers blue when working with it for a few hours.  Lovely pattern, very easy to follow and I only made a few mistakes with the lace pattern when I miscounted, I ended up using stitch markers at the end of each repeat so it would be obvious if I'd gone wrong.

Booties, Clothes and Crochet

Wow, such a lot has happened over the past 6 weeks.  I've finally sold my flat and I mean sold, it's gone, I no longer own it, I am no longer a home owner.  It was a long slog filled with stupid questions from solicitors and waiting for other people to do things but it's over.  And what did I buy with the money I released?  A lovely new (used) car, I got rid of my 9 year old Seat Ibiza and bought a 1 year old Seat Ibiza, they are lovely cars and the new version is much more spangly.  I bought my car while visiting my family in Leeds, Isobel is growing so much and is quite a good baby (at least she was when I was around).

 

What a cutie!

I knitted some booties for her using Laughing Yaffle tiny temptation yarn.

The colour ranges from deep red to orange and will go really well with a red dress I bought her.

This afternoon while watching the British Grand Prix, I started a crochet granny square, my first ever!  I really want to make a ripple blanket with some lovely bright rainbow colours so I'm practising the basic stitches with some left over yarn.

Not bad for a first attempt.  This is basically a square of triple (UK) or double (US) stitch and it's kind of even and was quick to make.  I feel a yarn shopping trip coming along to buy some goregously coloured DK yarn.

Yesterday I had a fantastic day with House of Colour, I've already had my colours done (I'm a Spring, which means that bright, light colours look best on me and no black) and had a make-up class (using my colours and getting some tips of how to apply) so the final step was an Image Day.  My body shape was analysed and basically the consultant shows me what styles, cuts and clothes suit me using my personality as well as my proportions.  I have quite long legs and a narrow waist so should dress to emphasize them.  It was really good to have someone who knows how to dress people to flatter their body shape no matter what their size.  I analysed my lifestyle (how much time I spend doing things which require certain clothes) so I know what I need in my wardrobe to get the most wear out of everything.  I had a lightbulb moment when Alison (the consultant) asked me what it would be like to absolutely love every item in my wardrobe ... I said it would be like being on holiday every day.  Wow!  How wonderful would it to start each day with a wardrobe full of fabulous clothes for all occasions in colours and cuts which make me look great!  I can't wait to go shopping for clothes either!

Back to work tomorrow after a week off, not really looking forwards to that.  But it does mean I can shop during my lunch time ...

Isobel Skye McDonald

I spent this weekend in Leeds visiting my family, specifically the newest member of my family, my neice Isobel who was born on Tuesday 25th May 2010.

I gave my sister the baby blanket I finished in early May, she was delighted.  I also gave her the blanket bunny I knitted, she nearly split her stitches laughing so much (see the photos in my previous post to understand).

However Isobel seems to quite like horror bunny (note they placed him happy face up).

She's an absolute darling, very loud but lovely.  Karen and Magnus are doing really well apart from being rather dazed from lack of sleep, their house is very calm, they are going to be fabulous parents.