FO: Hetty

Well I can hardly believe it, but pretty much as soon as Hetty went on the needles it flew off again. With only 6 days between casting on and binding off this was a pretty quick knit. Much of that is due to the amount of down time I had between Christmas and starting work again after new year, but it was still pretty surprising how fast it grew.

Because this was such a fast and enjoyable knit I was beginning to wonder if there was a catch, maybe it wouldn't fit or would look awful but I really like it. This cardi is a total win! Literally the only issue I have is that I should have used a stretchy bind off for the waist because it is under a bit of strain, but hopefully that will be a bit of a non issue once I've walked off all of the Christmas pudding and mince pies that may have fallen into my mouth over the last few weeks.

The yarn I used was DROPS Air in peacock blue and I am completely in love with it. Before it arrived I was a bit concerned that it would be really fuzzy and my cardi would end up looking kind of twee but now it's all knitted up I really like it. It's very soft and cozy and while it has a little halo, it's not super fuzzy or tickly. The yarn is constructed by the fibres being air blown into a polyamide tube and that has given my cardigan an extra bit of interest as the polyamide shows through at certain points and creates a slightly variegated effect. In case I was in danger of not sounding like a salesman, it's also a really light yarn so the yardage is quite generous. I used less than 200g for my cardigan and because I bought it in the alpaca party sale my entire cardi came in at less than £12. Bargain!

Pattern: Hetty by Andi Satterlund

Next on the agenda is finishing my Driftwood which for some reason was left with a sleeve and a half and the button band left to be completed. It's pretty cold here at the moment so it's definitely time I finished it.

 

Selfish Knitting

With all of the Christmas knitting finished (in a mad panic I might add, the little Julian vest went straight off the needles, into a giftbag and off to the recipient without even a second spare to photograph it.  Oops!) I thought a spot of selfish knitting as in order.  I have plenty I want to knit for my girls and their unborn cousin, but a bit of me-knitting was too tempting.  Luckily there's a knitalong for that!

This year everyone is knitting one of Andi Satterlund's cardigan patterns and the deadline is Valentines Day.  I'm thinking I should have no trouble hitting that deadline because I'm already here:

After a lot of thought and procrastination I finally plumped for the Hetty pattern (although Myrna was a close second) and I am really pleased with how fast it has grown.  I was a little worried because I have a terrible track record of making a right pigs ear of all over lace patterns, but this is a 6 stitch repeat with stockinette for 6 out of the 8 rows so it's been fine so far.  To be fair I have had a lot of time to knit, both Stu and I are off work until after new year and the girls have been kept very busy with all of their new Christmas toys so I've just been parked on the sofa knitting away.  I wonder if I can get it done before the year is out and add to to my 2015 FO total?  Best get back to it.....