Sunday 3 April 2011

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.

16 comments:

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hello Ros! That baby set is just beautiful - I love the natural colours and the simple pattern!
Your garden looks beautiful and that tree is unbelievable full of flowers!!!
Have a great week! xxx Teje

josiekitten said...

Lovely babyset - I'm sure they'll be appreciated! I know what you mean about those socks - I've started them in what I thought was a semi-solid colour, but it's proving to be a bit stripy. I think they'd look fabulous in a skein of plain Wollmeise! I might frog mine and start again! Roll on Friday!!

PS - I'm not starting my Spriteling til the holidays either.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog XD That hat is gorgeous. I love the flower detail on the whole set. So springy

AnnaPrasad said...

Oh I love that combo...I would make something (although a little more masculine) for my little man. But he's keeping me too busy to pick up any knitting. What a gorgeous gift!

Sarah said...

Beautiful photos and lovely baby set. I like the lacy feel of it and the pale colours-very Spring like. Have a good week!

Lynne said...

All the baby things are lovely, especially the hat. What a great sock, the colours are fab, and
good luck with the shawl. :)

Kathy said...

Thanks for your lovely comments over at my place!
Your garden is stunning! Good luck with the exhibition .... why do we do it to ourselves? You'll be shattered by the time your holiday starts!
I'm actually finished on Friday so I'm on holiday now ... we're having a spring break this year and we go back before Easter. Very complicated! I'll do a post maybe, to explain.
Have a good week!

kate said...

The baby set is so sweet! You're not the only one who's indecisive, I'm known for ripping yarn out that isn't working in pattern for me.

Your garden - oh I'm jealous. You are further into spring than we are. Cold and gray and windy today. But the forsythia is blooming and the hyacinths are about to bloom, so it's coming....

You do seem to get more school holidays through the year than we do, I'm jealous on that as well.

Jennyff said...

The little baby set is so beautiful, particularly the cardy, the friend of your friend will be absolutely delighted. Plenty of spring in your post this week too, hope the sunshine continues right through to your holiday.

Denise said...

What lovely little knits, and beautiful pictures from your walk.

cmv said...

ooh i ran right over here after seeing this lovely baby set on ravelry. so lovely! i love using neutrals for babies, it seems so clean and natural and scrumptious.
also that picture of the lake- wowza! so beautiful!

Wyatt said...

Your knitting is lovely as always, but this week it was the Magnolia that took my breath away!!

Wyatt's Mom

Sue said...

The baby set is just gorgeous. I adore the little added flowers to them too. Pretty scenery photos as well!

Molly the Airedale said...

What gorgeous shots of your garden! Happy mother's day!
The baby set is just adorable.

Tracy said...

Hi, Ros! LOVE the baby set! The neutral, soft tone and little lovely details make it all wonderful. These will make a very special gift. The spring is looking GORGEOUS there! And love seeing all the flowers... We're still waiting for crocuses or anything green growing here. Soon...maybe??!! ;o) Happy Days ((HUGS))

melissa said...

oh i love this neutral set too - what a sweet perfect baby set.