Been busy.

Few days ago I finally finished my Arleen. It was a test knit for Dona and I really enjoyed knitting this project. Large amount of plain stockinette was very relaxing to work on and I absolutely love the button slit: it makes a simple raglan more interesting. It is a lovely detail.  I'm very satisfied with the finished garment and it will be worn this winter a lot. My next Arleen will be with long sleeves.

Pattern: Arleen by Dona Knits

Needles: 4mm/ US6

Yarn: Cascade Yarn 220 Heathers in 'silver spruce', 2.75 skein

Modifications: I modified waist decreases and increases to adapt them to my body shape (3 decreases every 10th round starting at 5cm from underarm, knit 20 rounds straight, 3 increases every 10th round) and made the body a bit longer.

And why is it so difficult to choose buttons...? After few days of searching I bought these coconut shell beauties but wasn't sure about them until I sew them on... 

I had some yarn left from Arleen as well as some old Cascade 220 Heather in 'birch' (roughly 25 grams) that had been sitting in my stash for way too long. I decided to use it for Norwegian Star Earflap Hat (link below). I think this blue and mustard colours make lovely combination together.

I cast on for the hat last night and got so much into knitting it that I got up at 6am this morning to carry on working on it. 6am for a sleepy head like me is quite an achievement :)

I cast on for child size but it turned out to be in adult size. I like it so much that I might wear it (though I'm not a big fan of hats on my head but on the other hand it's getting really freezing here so a hat would be nice).

I will make another one for G. from different yarn and one for C. in darker colours (black/grey or brown/beige). The pattern is easy and fun to knit.

Pattern: Norwegian Star Earflap Hat by Tiennie

Needles: 4mm/ US6

Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Heathers (less than 0.5 skein of 'silver spruce' and less than 0.25 skein of 'birch').

Modifications: I didn't purl the first rounds and applied simple crochet chain for the edge.

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I started making some decorations. I want to be ready whet our Christmas tree arrives. These knitted Christmas trees are quick to make and I'm planning to knit plenty of them (great way to get rid of all unused old yarn stashed in the back of my wardrobe).

Pattern: Christmas tree by Baiba Dzelme.
Needles: 3.25mm/ US3

What are you working on these days?

Happy knitting Everyone!

FO: Something for her: Aidez

Do you remember this unlucky project? I decided to frog it and use the yarn for some more satisfying projects. Aidez, for example. I wanted to knit it the moment I first saw the pattern in Ravelry pattern base. It didn't even matter that this cardigan is knit in pieces (I'm not a fan of sewing pieces together), I just had to make it and I'm so happy I did. This cardigan is definitely my favourite knitted garment so far. It's very warm, just perfect for chilly autumn days.

The pattern itself is fun to knit, cable sections are easy to memorize and it knits up really quickly. It took me some time to block it and sew all the pieces together (and yes, there was some struggle involved) but it was all worth it. This is one of those project I wouldn't mind to knit again.

We had some great fun today in the park :)

"Something for her"

Project notes:

Pattern: Aidez by Cirilia Rose

Yarn: Cascade Ecological Wool, 1.75 skeins

Needles: 6mm/ US 10

Modifications: replaced ear of corn and cross-stitch cable patterns with simple cable pattern (details and more photos are on my Ravelry project page, here)

FO: Prestwick.

I'm so happy with this one that I almost regret it's not mine (it was knit with love for C.)

The story behind the title: my parents were here visiting and last weekend I had to take them to Prestwick Airport for their flight back. We knew we would have to stay at the airport whole night as their flight was scheduled in early morning hours so I decided to take some knitting to keep me awake. I needed something quick and easy and Thermis seemed the best choice. And it was. I cast on on the train to Glasgow and by the time we got to the airport half of the cowl was done. I really wanted to carry on knitting but the light at the airport was really poor and it was so cold: I couldn't feel comfortable knitting with my jacket on. So I finished it the next day, at home.

I liked this pattern a lot and I will definitely knit more of these cowls. My mum ordered one and I'm planning to make one for my sister and my niece. It only takes 0.75 skein of Cascade 220 (large size) and knits up really quickly!

Project notes:

Patter: Thermis by Kris Knits

Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers, 0.75 skein

Needle: 4mm/ US6

And one bonus photo:

Little G., having her bad hair day but still modelling beautifully (and patiently) for her mama. ♥