This post has been a long time coming... It's been nearly three months since I last blogged!
It's not because I haven't bothered to make anything. It's because I've not been up to making much recently due to feeling unwell.
I started knitting the Miette cardigan back in October with a deadline for the New Year, but alas I had to stop working on it for two months over winter as it was taking all my strength just to go to work and back. Most nights I was fast asleep on the sofa by 7 o' clock!
Luckily I started feeling a bit better a couple of weeks ago so I finally have a finished garment to show. And I am so chuffed with it - my first, proper knitted garment!
I made a few modifications with the help of Gail from gksagenda - without her, I don't think I'd have even got past the first few rows so a big, fat THANK YOU!! And thanks also to Jo from makingitwell for the inspiration and tips!
- I moved the bust darts to the side seams (I'm very glad I did this as I think it may have looked a bit weird worn unbuttoned with the "bust cups" on show!)
- I lengthened the body and the sleeves a little (I wish I'd made the sleeves longer; even tho I tried it on as I went along and thought they were full length, they've turned out to be three quarter length)
- I did plain 2x2 rib rather than the twisted rib in the pattern
I learnt so much new stuff doing this - new stitches, how to make buttonholes, how to make changes by calculating the differences between what the pattern recommends for gauge and what I actually knit, how to use DPNs (double pointed needles), how to steam block and lots of other new techniques.
Talking of buttonholes, I made them just as told only to find that the cardi doesn't actually do up as it's a teeeeny bit tight across the bust. Oops! So I only put the top button on. To be honest, it doesn't matter a jot as I never wear cardis done up anyway.
I love this cardigan, it's great for wearing with dresses and skirts and very comfy. I think I will almost certainly be making another one in a different colour! Oh yes, the yarn is Kirkton House aran weight, funnily enough from Aldi of all places!!
Right now I'm making myself a new hot water bottle cover (my current one is a bit holey) while I wait for some yarn to arrive. Kat and I are going to do a little knitalong together next month using the awesome o w l s jumper pattern from Kate Davies. If anyone else fancies joining in, let us know!
At some point I will do some sewing too but I'm easing myself back into crafting with knitting at the mo... I have some plans which I will share over the coming months!
