FLOWER POWER........

Good evening to you! Hope everyone is full of the joys of Spring. I'm very pleased to be able to show the finished baby set, that I've made for the friend of a friend. I'm always anxious when the knitting is for someone else and usually rush to get it all finished quickly. This little lot has taken a week. All the pieces were very quick and easy to complete, with minimal sewing up and came from two of my favourite baby knit books, both by Erika Knight.

The little cardi is made all in one piece and takes two (although it says three) balls of Rowan 'wool cotton' . There are only the side seams and underarms to join! It has three-quarter sleeves and the garter stitch gives a lovely thick, warm texture to this gorgeously soft yarn.

The little hat was made in Rowan 'fine milk cotton' . I love the pretty edging!

Last, but by no means least, come the little bootees. I used the remains of the 'wool cotton' to make the flowers, using the pattern from the hat design. I cast on 31 stitches, rather than the required 49. You could make the flowers any size you like, as long as you cast on a multiple of 6 plus 1 stitches. They are each made all in one piece, with just one seam to be sewn up.

 

 Such a quick, easy but pretty little set. Well, I think so anyway! I really enjoyed making them. 

I've begun a new pair of socks to have as my 'travelling' project. The delectable cake of Juno Fibre Arts Buffy sock yarn that I had planned to use fot the 'Spriteling' has sat beside me all week. I've squished and fondled and couldn't leave it alone, so began the search for an easy but interesting pattern. Firstly, I tried 'Jaywalker', one of my old favourites, but the yarn was beginning to pool just a little too much for my liking. After a quick Ravelry search, I espied the perfect pattern amongst josiekitten's WIPs. I decided upon Anne Hanson's Cinder Block Socks. So far, so good..... although on looking at them again just now, I think the pattern would work better with a plain colourway. Never mind, I'm sticking with it now.......... or am I? Hmm, just watch this space. I'm soooooo indecisive.

Oh dear! I'm putting all this indecision down to 'near holiday brain meltdown'. Not long to go now, thank goodness. Mind you, there's a whole 'Norwich Exhibition' to put up this week at school ....... and take down again. Perhaps I'll show you a few pics next week, if all goes well. 

I've downloaded clue 1 of 'Spriteling', the Alice Yu Knit Nation Mystery Shawl, sat down, read it through, cast on, completed four rows, made an error and ....... given up........ well, at least until next week, when I am on holiday and can fully apply my brain to a lace pattern.

Just time to leave you with a little splash or two of Spring colour that's made me happy this week. First up is a view of our garden, with the magnificent Magnolia tree about to burst forth.

Next, a view across the lake on Tuesday evening, as we walked Oscar.

Lastly, the gorgeous tulips that arrived this morning from my eldest 'lovely girl'.

 Plenty to make me smile! Have great week everyone.