Lucille

This week has been all about sorting out my Red Hill Show entries.  I've sorted out my frustrations of a couple of weeks ago, wrote my list (oh, I love a list!) and I'm now feeling much more in control of the situation.

Follow your Arrow will be one entry, as well as a couple of other pieces from late last year.  
Projects knitted specifically for the 2014 Show will be a baby cardigan, a tea cosy, and a pair of baby booties

After the disappointment of my previous baby cardigan knitting, I have already had much better luck with this project.

The pattern is Lucille, from Kelbourne Woolens and I'm using some Berocco Ultra Fine Alpaca in the colour "Turquoise Mix ".

The beautiful alpaca yarn and it's rich colour are perfect for this wee vintage-insipred pattern.  I love strong colours on babies, and this particular shade is so pretty.  It's probably a little more vibrant in real life, but it's hard to capture on camera. 

Originally I cast on using bamboo dpn needles, as they were the only 2.5mm's I had at hand. My thoughts were as the stitches increase, I'd just add another dpn.  Easy, like the old-school style you see in charming European photos.

Ha!

Seriously, do I not know myself by now??  By the time I got to 200+ stitches and 5 needles, I was done with that foolish notion.  It was SO cumbersome; I kept losing stitches off the ends, and my tension around the needle transition was terrible. Plus I was about to start the lace. I could my future, and there were tears.

I hunted through my needle stash and found some circulars in the required size and now we are all much happier.

The lace is absolutely lovely in this pattern. A little more geometric than floral, it's lacy but not too lacy. Pretty without being prissy.  I think I've rediscovered my baby-knitting love, and the key is definitely vintage or vintage-inspired.

I've only got one skein of yarn, so there might be a bit of yarn-chicken happening on the sleeves, but I have my fingers crossed. If the worst happens and there's not enough yarn for full length sleeves, I still think it's rather sweet with short sleeves anyway.   

I'm a little sad not to be able to complete the matching bonnet though.  I do love a sweet bonnet!

making plans

I’m currently finishing up my 2013 projects, putting to bed a year in knitting and spending some time both reflecting on the year that was, and beginning to make plans for the year ahead.

I've been thinking about how much I've enjoyed my little personal challenge of 24 projects in 12 months, and have decided to set some more such challenges for 2014.

I’m at that delicious stage of the planning process where every project on my list is exciting me, and I keep finding even more new and wonderful things to add! 

Firstly, I know in 2014 I want to work on pieces that form a collection, rather than a more random, individual project methodology.  Accessories and garments that come together to compliment both each other and my existing wardrobe pieces.

A Year in Sweaters by Season

I've loosely put together the idea of working in seasons.  The aim of this set is to pick 4 garments that relate in some way to the season they are to be finished by – be it in a design attribute, a gauge, a yarn…

Jan-Mar: Autumn 

Autumn

Peasy cardigan, using Rowan Felted Tweed DK in Seasalter.  Such a versatile pattern and yarn/colour – I have tons to wear this with, from dresses to skirts, to jeans and shorts.  Perfect transitional wear, in my opinion

Apr-Jun: Winter    
   

Winter

Miette cardigan, using Cascade 220 worsted in Yakima Heather to wear with a cute little mint coloured floral dress, tights and cowboy boots!  

Jul-Sep: Spring

Spring

Fieldwork cardigan, using Berroco Ultra Fine Alpaca in Redwood Mix.  This colour looks fabulous with a lavender top I have, and I can see it with cuffed jeans and Converse.

Oct-Dec: Summer           

Summer

Hexacomb cardigan, using Louisa Harding Ianthe in Raffia.  An oldie of a pattern, but still very relevant to my wardrobe, with its slightly vintage styling.  The ¾ sleeves and wool/cotton blend will make it a lovely little summer cardigan for sunfrocks and skirts.

Showtime

In this set, I’m putting a concentrated effort into making pieces for Show competitions in 2014, starting with the Red Hill Show in March, then Bendigo Sheep & Wool in July, and finishing with the Royal Melbourne Show in September.  They will hopefully also work back with the Seasonal pieces, so I'm thinking they will mainly be accessories and homewares.

At this stage, I’m still working out which pieces I want to enter in which show, but I do know that I definitely want to attempt a lace-weight baby shawl for the Royal Melbourne.  I want to make an heirloom piece for Lily, and I’ve found a couple of great shawl patterns (one is even named “Lily”!)

I know I am going to see things, new things, throughout the year that I am going to Have. To. Knit straight away, so I’m trying to leave enough leeway within my planning to accommodate this spontaneous aspect too.  As much as I do enjoy my little quests and challenges, I think I’ve established that it’ really important to me within my craft to have some freedom to just cast on and work away on a whim.  So I’m also setting the additonal goal of an accessory a month – free choice!  (Free choice, but I’m naturally I'm already making lists, hahaha!!)

Oh, and the Gingko Crescent shawl is finally cast on ;) 

I’m just about to start the lacework.