:: Herbarium ::

Back in November I had the pleasure to test knit a pattern for a talented knitwear designer, Nadia Crétin-Léchenne. I've done some test knitting for her in the past and it's always been a great knitting experience. Those of you who read my blog from time to time or follow my projects on Ravelry- you all know that I'm a big fan of Nadia's patterns. I find them very clear and easy to work on. And Herbarium is not an exception.

It was a very smooth and pleasurable knit. For this project I considered few different yarns but in the end I decided to use Holst Garn Noble. I had this yarn in my stash for a long time, saving it up for the right pattern. While I was knitting my Herbarium, I did not like this yarn at all. It splits a bit and feels like a thread. It doesn't have any springiness to it and it is not very soft. I had my doubts. But after blocking- it just won my heart. It blocks absolutely beautifully, it gains softness in the first wash and the lace pattern unfolds gorgeously. I rarely get the feeling of getting the pattern AND the yarn right but in this case I'm 100% satisfied. 

The pattern, as I said, is very straightforward; the instructions are clear and easy to follow. The lace pattern is easy to remember and there are lace charts there to help you keep track of your work. Herbarium is, of course, completely seamless.

Project notes:

Pattern: Herbarium by Nadia Crétin-Léchenne

Yarn: Holst Garn Noble, 95% wool, 5% cashmere, 2.7 skeins in blue stone

Needles: US2.5 / 3 mm and US3 / 3.25 mm

Modifications: none. I knit size XS while I'm size S: I wanted a more snuggly fit with little (or no) ease and I'm happy with the result I got.

More photos on my Ravelry project page, here.

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!