Winter Knitting round up

 I have had some quite successful knitting projects of late. I find knitting kind of goes in waves for me; sometimes fantastic, sometimes farcical. 

Bloke bought me a lovely new book for Christmas called Ready Set Raglan. If you like knitting top down jumpers is a must have book. It acts as a kind of pick and mix book where you choose your neck finish, hem finish and size followed by the kind of raglan pattern you would like. I love these kind of books because I like a long sleeve and short body fit. 

I chose a split hem because I was trying to trick my jumper into NOT flipping up on the ribbed waistband. You might notice here I am holding it. It is to stop it flipping - it is flipping annoying! 

I blocked the edge which stopped it happening but I think I need to go down more than one needle size when I rib my knitting. It happens on everything I do.

Anyway, the raglan is joyous and so easy to achieve. When I knit another one out of the book, which I surely will, I will do the German short rows at the back neck to make the front neck a little lower but I am really 'knit-picking'

The yarn was a huge hank I bought in a bargain bin at WonderWool last year. My usual shenanigans - you know the drill - no ball band, no washing instructions, no yardage...no idea. But it felt enough for a sweater. It was quite a light mustard colour so I ran a strand of Isager Kid silk mohair from Ippikin (not a bargain!) with it and the resulting fabric was suberb. It fit the gauge requirements, is super soft and warm and took the tone of the yellow down a peg or two.

Next up to ease the budget a little after the Isager purchase I made a birthday present for a two year old with some bottom-of-the-basket left overs. It is one of my favourite tops to knit called Like Sleeves which you can find on ravelry here. It is two rectangles with a row of decreases at the empire line and the sleeves you see are purely an optical illusion! I striped it out to get the antique rose yarn to go the distance. All wrapped and ready to go.

OK, wait for it.....

I finished my tank top and bought a shirt to go underneath. I was due a new white shirt because the two I owned had turned the colour of old chewing gum. I decided now was the time to finally yay or nay the monster top from 2022. 

When I see it in the top photo, I really like it. When I see it below I don't like it because it is all uneven but you know what - I will wear it this spring and see, nobody knows the armholes are different depths. I simply couldn't leave the one armhole unfinished therefore I added a small row of rib. 

I mean weird shape or what?

Finally, I have crocheted a jumper. I am a little late on the show and tell for this little number. I made it over Christmas but it is really ready for Spring. I have a craft group and a few people wanted to make a jumper so we have been making them together. This is stylecraft bambino which is delightful against the skin. This jumper came in at under £20!

We are going skiing next week to Austria. I always like a little portable project for the airport and on holiday so I have cast on a new pair of socks. 

Any knitting/crochet success of late? Jo xxxx