Miss Daisy

A friend in Australia asked me to knit this sweet little cardigan for her baby.  The pattern is called Miss Daisy and it was a delight to knit.
It's a top down seamless pattern, well designed, well written and I am pleased with the outcome.

The yarn was from my stash that I bought last summer during a sale. It's really soft and washes beautifully. While the gauge on the pattern and yarn called for 5mm needles, I found 4mm gave me the correct gauge for the pattern.

The cardigan is size 12 months.

I really like the back details.

I stumbled here and there with the pattern but once I thought the steps through, it all came together. I find reading a pattern is the most difficult part of knitting. Words like "knit wise" don't appear in Webster's! Patterns written by a U.K. designer often differ from those written by a Canadian or U.S. designer and one has to become knitting bi-lungual.

It's been one year since I learned how to knit. Well,  learned how to knit more than creating a cock-eyed garter stitch scarf, and now feel much more confident with each project. Socks are next.

Godspeed little cardigan on your journey Down Under. I can't wait to see it modelled!

Cable knit purse

I saw a cable knit purse in a store the other day selling at $45.00.
I thought to myself that I could easily make a similar purse for much less … so I did.

The pattern called 'Instant Gratification'  is free from Ravelry.

The bulky yarn was on sale and bagged as 'unknown fibres' but since it's a purse, who cares what the content is.

Making the lining was a bit tricky as I've never lined a knit purse before. Actually, I've never made a knit purse before.
There are little pockets on the lining for a cell phone, keys, pens and so on. However the lining isn't sitting flat against the outer knit section.
I'm going back to the store and see if the lining in the $45.00 purse sits flat and if so, see how it was constructed.

I'm pleased with the outcome and the pattern was quick to knit. Instant gratification is certainly a perfect name for this pattern.

I'm going to ask around to see who likes this purse and they can have it.