When my niece was little (well, littler), my sister dressed her in a sweet baby Aran sweater. It was densely cabled and handknit by some “local knitting ladies” for the charity shop. At village fetes they had a stall, piled sky-high with sweaters and booties in pastel acrylic.
“Those local knitting ladies are my rivals,” I said.
“Don’t be silly,” said my sister, buying another sweater.
I could never hope to march the output of an entire squad of retirees, but instead decided my niece should have a new sweater annually. In merino, preferably.
Now I have a new niece and a new nephew too (twins!), bringing my Auntie-loot up to a total of five wee ones to knit for (and those are only the ones I’m directly related to! I have another almost-niece who’s similarly swaddled with wool).
As a practised Auntie I can be a bit more strategic. Right, you Ike a densely cabled baby Aran sweater? Well then you shall have a densely cabled baby Aran sweater. Pure wool, but as washable as acrylic, naturally.
The pattern I settled on is Timberline by Sarah Cooke. The cable pattern was nice and simple – once I’d figured out row 4. I whipped through the body in about a week, and packed up the sleeves and the finishing to take to my sister’s and hang out with the twins.
Thats why I only have a rubbish finished picture. Instead of a careful blocking, I rinised it and hung it over the radiator to dry.
And you know what? It was worth it. Brand-new baby hugs are about the only thing nicer than knitting.
Creative Crochet Projects is a fast, fun book of delightful patterns which are accessible to beginning crocheters (and a treat for more advanced hookers).
I was happy to be a beta knitter for the new Woolly Wormhead Hat collection. The Perceptions Hats are all stranded colourwork (hello, my fave), and each has a beautiful crown. I mean – look at them! I choose Number Three, which turned out to be Hermes: “the Greek god of travel who bridged the […]
In the last six months, I’ve sewed a whole bunch of face masks. Most face masks fit well, but none were perfect. We picked up a couple of ready-made reusable face masks to try out, and J decided he preferred them. The pattern is easy as anything to make – easier than any other pattern […]
A cake recipe so delicious, no one will ever suspect its vegan.
Like a lot of us, I’m making face masks. Here’s the free pattern I used (and how they look on).
I'm a kiwi living in Geneva. Knititng and crochet are just two of my passions! Read more about me. or working with me.