Delft

This is the latest to be cast on. I started the Judy furlong's Delft cardigan in Knitter magazine, but wasn't entirely happy with the pattern. I was unsure about the style of the shaping at the front and the shorter sleeves. I got as far as the first few rows of the pattern, and decided against it and laid it aside. The wool, however, is just too beautiful not to use in something similar because of the exquisite colours, especially when the three shades of blue are combined with the light cream. It's from New Lanark Mills, and smells wonderfully woolly!  So, I've cast on in the round again, and am adapting the pattern to a sleeveless pullover, and am much happier in my mind that it will work out well. I'm enjoying knitting it, and don't want to put it down, and that's the sign of a happy knitter to me!

Knitted sheepie

Another knitted destined for the County Show. I enjoyed knitting this, but was a lot of wee fiddly bits,  22 pieces in all, all shaped by increasing, decreasing and darts; not a particularly well written patter I felt, but I got through it with patience and a bit of knitter's licence! It was purchased as a kit from e-bay , described as 'new and unused', but the pattern had rows marked off on it, and several yards of the black wool had been knitted up, taken back and wound around the rest of the bal.. No matter, it was all there, mainly intact, and not very expensive.I omitted the plastic goggly eyes and nose in favour of softer textile ones, as it's a toy. Am pleased with the overall result, it's definitely got sheepy character :)

Granny bunting

I've made this for the County Show next month:

Rosebud cardigan

I knitted this with a view to entering it into the County Show in  September, it just needs the right buttons to finish it. Knitted in a beautifully soft pink cotton with tiny ribbon rosebuds twined through it.  I enjoyed knitting it, although the stranded yarn was sometimes a bit of a pain as it was loosely plied, and you had to be sure and ick up all the very fine strands in a stitch at once. Lovely pattern, simple but effective lace, from a Supplement given out with The Knitter magazine.

Bookmarks

Done for a swap with online friends; I love this yarn, and think I may have enough of it to knit something for myself :)

First of four............

This is the first of the four Shetland Museum Fair Isle kits knitted up; it's been done a while, but just got around to photographing it.  Very pleased with it, but can't decide which to tackle next- scarf, gloves, socks? Very enjoyable to knit, if a little addictive!

Highlight of the day

At the Smallholder Show at Ardingly was able to choose my sheep and watch them being shorn, then buy the fleece and bring it home, Poll Dorset, to add to my growing collection!  Felt the £2 he was asking was an insult, so gave him £10 for the two, still not enough really for what I got.