Completed Cellini

Yesterday I finished sewing up the Rowan Cellini. It looks a bit big, but it is on the lines of OSKA clothes and looks good on. It hangs well and I am looking forward to wearing it. Of course now it's finished , the long cold spell we have had has now come to an end and it may be too warm! it has been the coldest winter in France since 1996/97 according to our Meteo service.

Happy New Year and resolutions...

I'm not normally one for New Year resolutions. But for some reason today I felt drawn to the many bags of knitted squares I finished probably about 3 years ago. They are for a throw from Debbie Abraham's book. The thought of the sewing up has put me off finishing it (it is my pet hate). Half of them needed blocked and pressed too.

I spent this afternoon laying them out; I am just doing my own thing with the design and mixing the colours as I think. I am starting to think this is an omen and it WILL get finished this year. Now, I've put it down in black and white I'm committed!

Another Christmas pressie

I didn't manage too many knitted pressies this year, what with the finishing of Gary's sweater and ongoing work on the Bellini (but on the last sleeve....). But this wee cutie, which featured in the first issue of the Debbie Bliss magazine went in with a parcel of foodie goodies for my friend Margaret.

Close up of cable stitch detail

Ready in time for Santa!

Gary's Marion Foale sweater did get finished in time for the big day. He is delighted with it and it is a perfect fit too.

Knitting group

This week I had my first knit and natter group. I had been promising to start this for ages, but we're on track now for the first Wednesday afternoon of each month. A small but dedicated band turned out. Margaret was knitting like mad trying to finish Christmas presents; Catherine was working on her self designed stripey tank top; Evelyne wanted help to finish of the collar on her Debbie Bliss Edwardian jacket; Joan screamed up at the last minute needing wool for a project for her new grandson and I did a row or two of the Cellini.

The target is to have Evelyne's jacket complete and to be finishing off Catherine's tank top for the next session. Maybe pics will follow....

Plain Cellini

Top of the list for me from Rowan 33 was the plain Cellini, as I just love Felted Tweed and I couldn't wait to start it. Although these tunic shaped long line sweaters are on trend this season, I think this will be sufficiently classic to endure for a seaon or two. Gary's Marion Foale is complete, and very nearly sewn up. It will be part of his Christmas, which will give me the push I need to finish it.

Vintage beret

Tracy fell in love with the pattern for this beret, when she visited in September. It was a lovely quick knit and I substituted the Apple Rialto for Wool Cotton, because it will be much warmer for the winter. The Rowan 33 magazine, their 30th Anniversary issue is the first for a long time, where I like lots of the patterns. It is far more classic and a return to Rowan's roots.

Project updates

I feel a burst of blogging coming on...

Lots of projects to report on - I can't believe my last post was in June.