Family Tree MKAL: Clue 3

I'm so far behind on this MKAL that there is really nothing mysterious about it any more, so knowing what was coming ahead I had a bit of a decision to make. Clue 4 gives the option to either repeat clue 3 on the opposite side or to incorporate a second stitch pattern to make an asymmetrical shawl. Now I knew that there was no way in the world I could do that, I have a strong need for things to be matchy matchy. My brother wears odd socks, on purpose, every single day and it makes me so twitchy I don't know how my SIL puts up with him! However, I had a notion that I might use the stitch pattern from clue 4 and alternate it with the clue 3 pattern just to add a bit of interest.

In the end I decided not to bother, I prefer the stitch pattern from clue 3 and, as both patterns involve knitting 3 together through the back loop a whole heap, the second stitch pattern was no less fiddly to execute. I'm perfectly happy with it but my next post won't be terribly interesting I'm afraid.

 

Family Tree MKAL: Clue 2

Well not only did Cassie's new pyjamas last the night but they still looked pretty good throughout the whole of the next day because she refused to take them off! Now that she's 2 1/2 she is very much asserting her own opinions and if she really wants to wear her jim jams all day and we have no plans otherwise then it is not really worth the argument to me. Of course I was secretly really pleased that she liked them and was comfortable enough in them to want to keep them on. I think we can say they are a great success.

So on to the Family Tree shawl, I'm now a whole 2 weeks behind and the final clue comes out today but I have finally finished the second clue.

Yes, it's a tree! The pattern suggested using beads at the end of each branch, which I thought would be really lovely but unfortunately I wasn't able to get hold of any in time. I figured I can always stitch some on later if I really feel like something is missing.

At the moment I'm feeling like this shawl is really pretty, but not entirely up my alley. I have already have an inkling as to where it's going to end up come Christmas time so I'm not terribly upset. It will be really nice to have a Christmas gift sorted already and I have so many other shawls I want to make for me that it's probably a good thing that I don't think I'll keep this one. I guess this is all part and parcel of mystery knitting.

The next two clues look far more simple, each row is the same all the way across with just a few rows being repeated so I'm looking forward to being able to just knit without worrying that I'll get distracted and confused which happens a lot in this house. I wonder how quickly I'll be able to catch up?

 

FO: Toddler Pyjamas

Don't ask about the Family Tree shawl, I'm still beavering away slowly on clue 2 and clue 5 is due out on Friday. Oops! Unfortunately it's been a little warm for my liking again and, because this clue involves lots of cables which needed all of my attention to knit it's been difficult to find moments where I can just sit and concentrate. I've cheated and had a look a at the next two clues and they look like they are a lot less involved so hopefully I can catch up before too long.

One reason why I've been unable to find a quiet moment is because Felicity is now walking! Properly, actually walking. She's been taking a few steps here and there for a few weeks now but in the last week or so she's really cracked it and is toddling about all day. Given that she's only just 8 months and particularly tiny with it she looks really funny, I'm super proud of her though.

Just giving myself a round of applause, I deserve it

So, onto Cassie's pyjamas. I've been meaning to sew these up for her for absolutely ages, I think the pattern has been in my collection for almost 2 years. I got some really cool fabric with skulls on in neon colours that I thought I would use but it turned out I didn't have enough of that, so I turned to this blue gingham that I've had for so long that it's moved house with me three times. Every time I've thought to use it I've ended up deciding that it's far too school uniformy but who cares when it comes to clothes you don't leave the house in. I've got enough left for a matching pair for Felicity plus a bit more so you'll probably see some more of it again soon.

The pattern is New Look 6932, I went for the boys bottoms because leg ruffles are most definitely not how we roll here and I used the short sleeves, again sans ruffle because NO RUFFLES. It all went together pretty easily, the trousers are super simple and although the yoke has quite a few steps it wasn't too much of a stretch for my rusty skills. I made a real effort to up my game when it came to finishing and I turned and stitched all my hems making the insides lovely and neat.

There's a few little elements that could have turned out better though. My gathering sucks because my gathering always sucks. I also need to move the buttons at the back in a bit because they are clearly in the wrong place. I tried the top on Cassie a few steps before the end and thought the top might be a little snug so I put the buttons quite far out accordingly, but it turned out to fit just fine and now the back is all gapey.

I went with pink buttons for a bit of contrast and also because

A gift from Father Christmas lat year

That huge jar of pink buttons is the reason why I will pretty much always go with pink buttons. Also that's not all of them, there's more that wouldn't fit in the jar.

All in all I'm chalking these up as a win, Cassie loves them and was so excited to have new jim jams at bed time. Hopefully they'll stand up to a night of wiggling about and we'll see just how good a job I did in the morning.