Glam rock

Or should I say Glampyre rocks. I've just finished my Simple Knitted Bodice and I love it. This was my March knit for the Sweater-a-Month KAL and despite being the third month of the year it's the first sweater (for me) that I've finished.

It's in Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora in Vintage Rose which I believe is now discontinued but still widely available on the likes of Ebay. It's a dream to knit with and doesn't feel like cotton at all. I describe it as like downy puppy fur running through your fingers as you knit (which makes me Cruella De Vil in the eyes of my friend Adam). On the downside though it sheds and pills like you wouldn't believe even after a few hours (under the arms and where I was carrying my bag) so because of that I'd be wary about using it again despite loving the feel. I finished it late last night and wove in the ends in the car on the way to the shopping centre this morning and put it on straight away so it's as yet unblocked.

This was my first top down pattern and I really liked that I got an early feel for the fit and could keep trying it on as I went along. I made very few alterations to the pattern. I added in an extra two rows after I'd joined it in the round so the purl ridges weren't right at the join and I dropped the lace panels on the sleeves to match the level on the body. I also changed the neck to a mitred V worked in the round rather than a wrapped across piece knitted flat. I also added a little extra length to the lower body. I love this pattern and could definitely see me making another but would perhaps change the whole neck so the V isn't so low. With this version I have to wear something underneath it and it has a tendency to drop so it's slung back over my shoulders. I also think I could get away with a smaller size as I thought it was a generous fit. All in all I really love it and will definitely be getting Stefanie Japel's Fitted Knits as I'm a huge fan of her designs.

Fetch!

I've finally finished my Fetching. This is the fourth pair I've made but the first for myself. These are in Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk Aran which is a gorgeous yarn. You can get a pair out of one ball so it's ideal as a sub for the Debbie Bliss yarn. I did mean to take action shots with the creature out on our walk this morning but I forgot to take the camera and Cassie was far too tired to play when we got back. I started these when I was in hospital last year but found it difficult to knit with the cannula in my hand. I ended up knitting one from each end of the ball as I didn't have the pattern with me and could only work up to as far as I could remember. When I came home they got dumped in my work basket and have been there ever since with the yarn in the middle transforming into the mother of all knots and the whole thing ending up a bit scruffy. Still I like 'em and they look great with my new coat.

I also have some fab froggy goodies that I've been kindly sent that I want to show off. Apologies for taking so long to do so.

These very cute pens were sent to me by Hazel and Bad Amy sent me this hilarious calendar and frog heart purse. The smaller purse came from my friend Emily.

I've also been sent this great yarn stamp by the very talented Carrie Anne which came with this block print card she made herself. You can now buy both in Hazel's shop - they're great for making care cards or tags for your knitted gifts. Thank you so much everyone, I've had a rough few months and when they've arrived they've really made my day.

I also meant to tell you ages ago to go along and see the very cute version of my Twister pattern that HPNY made. I really liked the much shorter version as it's more practical for some coats than a long scarf.

Mostly knots and frogging

This rather sorry looking mess is all that's left of the project I've been slaving over for the last two weeks. It's one of my own designs but despite trying 3 different techniques to get the result I want, I can't get it to look right. I was starting to dread picking it up. Rather than carry on regardless I came to the conclusion that nobody was holding a gun to my head so if I didn't want to finish it now then I didn't have to. It's too fabulous an idea to forget so I'm going to tuck the yarn away somewhere safe and come back to it when I'm more in the mood for it. Knitting is supposed to be fun so I've moved onto something a lot less stressful.

I've been working on my Simple Knitted Bodice which is going a lot more successfully and I definitely won't run out of yarn on this one! I don't see any problems with finishing it by the end of the month now it's got my full attention. This is my first top down pattern and I'm really enjoying it, it makes a lot of sense and I love that I get to try it on as I go to check the fit sooner rather than later. It's in Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora and it's divine to work with. It feels like downy puppy fur as it runs through my fingers and not like cotton at all. I can't wait to finish it as I know this is going to be a firm favourite.