Tuesday 17 March 2009

Tofu cardigan for the new baby





Here is my little cardigan for the new baby. It is made with an off white yarn from Tofutsies - which is 50% superwash wool, 25% soy silk, 22.5% cotton, 2.5% chitin (made from shrimp and crab shells!). Apparently the crab shells have antibacterial properties!!! Tofutsies is a 3 ply sock yarn, but makes lovely newborn clothes too.

It is totally soft and silky, I could cuddle up and sleep with this cardigan. The photos don't really do it justice, its really nice.

The pattern is from a super old pattern book that was my mums, its called Patons #488, Baby Wool 3 Ply Feathersoft. Yes 3 ply! So it was a little time consuming, but not too bad just because its for a newborn so its small.

The pattern was easy, just K4, P2 for one row then knit the next row. The front bands and neck band is just garter stitch. 4 easy button holes. The body is made in one piece, then just had to make the two sleeves and sew them on. So not alot of sewing. Yay!

This might be the only thing I end up making for the new baby... we'll see...

Tuesday 10 March 2009

Soysilk Diamond Lace Shrug





WOW! What a nice shrug this turned out to be. Its from the Patons pattern book called "All Wrapped Up" - it has heaps of gorgeous wraps/shrugs/Ponchos etc...

Very happy how this turned out - and I can wear it while I'm pregnant!!!

I was supposed to use Patons Zhivago 8ply yarn, but I used SWTC Karaoke in Intensity, the same as I used for the baby sweater. It's 50% wool and 50% soysilk. I had to use smaller needles to get the correct tension with this yarn because it is 10 ply rather than 8ply.

Only change I made was that I made the sleeves a little shorter as I didn't want them too long and with the thumb hole.
It is basically 2x2 Rib you start at the bottom of one cuff, then you work a diamond lace pattern for across the shoulder and back, then go down the other arm in 2x2 rib again, then you cast off! That simple!!! Then just sew up and you're done.

It is really really warm! I was actually a little too warm when I wore it! It will be great for the mountains in Autumn and maybe even Winter. Overall very happy with this shrug!




Saturday 7 March 2009

Cardigan in Karaoke




I made this little cardigan for a friend's daughter for her 1st birthday. I think it came out pretty well, although the front bands could have been longer, and maybe could have made the sleeves a little longer too. I think it will fit her though.

This pattern is a freebie from Ravelry, it was pretty easy to follow and there wasn't much sewing which was great!!!

I made it with Karaoke in Intensity, which is 50% wool 50% soysilk so it is soooooo nice and silky, but it is also very delicate! Probably not the best choice for kids clothes!! :-) But oh well, it sure looks cute!!

Knit in a couple of nights... very quick.

I hope the recipients like it anyway!!!