Denim Chunky Cable Jumper

Here is a jumper I made this winter that I forgot to post.

The pattern is Aran Sweater by Kate Gunn and Robyn MacDonald. I made the size 6-7, but unfortunately did not pay much attention to the finished measurements - the chest is over 80cm, with the other measurements in scale to this large size, so it fits my 11 year old daughter beautifully.
I used Sirdar Denim Chunky and my tension swatch was just fine. I do think the cotton content has made this jumper a little more stretchy than it would have been in the wool for which the pattern was designed. However, the wool/cotton blend is a much better weight for our climate.

Sirdar denim stole

Margaret has returned to knitting after a break of several years, and wanted to start with a straight forward project. She has just finished this gorgeous stole which she knit mostly on our Monday stitch and knit nights and during a few car trips.

 

The yarn is Sirdar denim, a cotton/wool/acrylic blend in colour Plum duff, weight chunky/12 ply. It knit up beautfully in garter stitch for a snuggly warm comforting wrap, 50 stitches on size 8mm needles. I am sure Margaret's mother will be thrilled with this lovely gift.

Cozy Velour Romper, AS&E Issue 80

I seem to like sewing and smocking out of season. It is very chilly at the moment (for Queensland!) and I am smocking light-as-air batiste. So to keep this blog in season, I am showing you a little something I smocked in summer. I had to send it to a baby in the UK when I finished it, to find someone to wear it. I am very grateful to know of an opposite season toddler for whom I can smock.



This is my very altered version of "Fairy Floss" from Australian Smocking and Embroidery Issue #80. I have used my own smocking design, and changed the pattern considerably. I have described how I changed the pattern in my review on PatternReview. I do like the idea of the pattern, but unfortunately it is not the best knit pattern that I have ever come across for a romper. However, I was still happy with the result. Smocking can really add to a utilitarian garment. I am on the look-out for some more cuddly velour.

Sirdar Denim Ultra Chunky Cardigan Coat

Here is Hannah in her first major knitted project. Hannah has previously made a few scarves and some doll's clothes, but this coat includes her first ribbing, her first shaping, and her first real garment. Hannah is 14 years old, so I can see many more beautiful knitted clothes ahead.


The cardigan coat is knitted from Sirdar Ultra Denim, which is a wool/cotton/acrylic blend, just the right weight for a Queensland coat. It knits up quickly on size 10mm needles.
Hannah adapted a now out of print pattern (with some help from her mother) to make this cardigan. She took around 6 weeks to finish the cardigan, using 9 x 100g balls of yarn.

Artesenal - Twist Front Top

Fabulous knitter Sharon has just finished the Twist Front Top by Adrienne Vittandini. This pattern is available free from the elan website. Sharon has made her twist top from Aslan Trends Artesenal - 40%cotton, 30%Alpaca 30% Polyamide.
The yarn worked really well for the pattern, showing the lace and cable pattern beautifully. Sharon needed to decrease her needle size to get the correct gauge from this yarn for the pattern.
Sharon had an unknitting experience with the unusual twist front construction, but otherwise is very happy with the pattern. She has written a review on Ravelry. She did find that the yarn coped well with the unknitting, with no fuzzing or splitting - nice to know just in case!

Kaffe Fasset Regia Sock Wool

I love knitting socks, so quick, so useful, so warm! I received a very exciting package at the shop this week, beautiful, self patterning sock wool.

 

Only the three projects I already have on the needles prevented me from starting a pair straight away - although I admit to secreting 2 balls of wool out the back of the shop..... Unfortunately, this is a special arrangement of my distributor with Regia in Germany, and there will apparently be no re-orders available. Next year, there might be regular stock, if the yarn does well this winter. I think it will, I sold 4 pairs of socks worth before I had finished putting it on the shelves.

Knit 7 Origami Bolero Jacket

Here is one of our regular customers, Enid, in her Origami Bolero Jacket from Jo Sharp's Knit 7.

 

Enid prefers the jacket in its bolero incantation, to wear with jeans, but says she has some more formal wide leg black pants that she thinks will make a great outfit with the fitted cardigan direction. I am hoping to see this outfit too. Enid particularly likes the asymmetrical back of the shrug section of the jacket. She found the jacket very quick to knit.

 

Enid has used the colourway from version 1, but made long sleeves as in version 2. She did need an extra ball of SSK bisque cotton for the longer sleeves. She has a few half balls left over, and is planning a stripey knitted hat to wear with the jacket.