Last week the second version of Iced (in green this time) that Torya knit arrived.  It took me a few days to get around to weave in ends, put on buttons and block it but I eventually got it finished up and we took a few photos.  This time it is knit in the small size which has around 1″ negative ease for my bust.  To compensate I put the buttons on the button band so that it doesn’t fully cross over (you can see in the details below).  I’ve also shown a small detail of the side showing the waist shaping which you couldn’t really see in the first version.  For anyone going to UK knitcamp in Scotland next month I’ll have this version with me for the Knitty Fashion show.

I’ve also had a new pattern come out in Interweave Fall 2010 here.  Its called ‘Leitmotif Cardigan’ and I’ll blog very shortly with more details about it and some of my own photos.

Btw if anyone has hairstyle ideas send them to me..I was leaving my hair grow this year (as well as having my MIL’s hairdresser attack me with dye at Christmas!) but I’m contemplating cutting it again.  I just love getting a new hairstyle!

I didn’t expect to be blogging again so soon…2 days in a row, unusual for me!  Yesterday evening I went out for a few hours and came home to a new Knitty!  Lots of fun stuff in this issue, I love the lace back of Milly and Mythos is a really flattering sock weight cardigan.  My contribution to this issue is Iced.

I got a few balls of Drops Ice a couple of years ago.  It is an unusual yarn, a bulky cotton/acrylic blend that has almost a velvety rope texture (if you can imagine that!).  I began by knitting several swatches in different stitch patterns but they really didn’t work with the yarn.  It sat for several months unused until I picked it up again and realized that it really need something simple.  So Iced was born..I knit it in time for a Florida holiday, simple and casual.  Neutral enough to be worn with everything (I pack light and didn’t bring anything else warm!).  This is good TV knitting, top down with raglan shoulder shaping.  The front shawl collar is knit in garter stitch with a little short row shaping at the back. (As with almost all of my designs there is of course some waist shaping!)

When we arrived in Florida we met my sister in law (Nicki in the photo) and she tried the cardigan on and fell in love.  It was made for me so it was a little large on her but that kind of suits here style.

Here is a photo of me half asleep on the beach wearing the cardigan.

I still love the cardigan as a great everyday staple, Torya ( thank you!) has made a second version for me in green that just arrived this morning that fits wonderfully.  When I put some buttons on it and block it I’ll share a few photos.  This version is in the smaller size so there is no ease, if you feel the fit is too loose it works well with little to no ease also.  Anyone inn Knit Camp in Scotland will be able to see this version in the Knitty Fashion Show.

After the last several weeks spent knitting for Christmas presents I’ve had a chance to get started on a project for myself this week. I got some Rowan Chunky print yarn in a lovely dark chocolate and have started on the Blackberry shrug from Knitty.

I am knitting it from the top though with a few more changes. Having recently gotten a copy of Barbara Walkers ‘Knitting From the Top’ I am finding as many excuses in my knitting to work from the top down. Especially when it is for yourself it means that you get a great fit. (Not so important if you don’t have the person around who will be wearing it …or if that person doesn’t want to try it on daily for fitting!)

I have put in a slightly different cable on the arm and left out the bobbles. Also I am tapering the arms a little more and increasing the length of the arms and body. I think I’ll probably do some short rows at the back of the next, I like cosy necks. Will post some photos as I start making a bit more progress.

I have finally managed to make it into the blogging world!  I’m new to all this so it will probably take me a while to get used to keeping it updated regularly but I’ll try my best.  Last month I had my first pattern published in Knitty called Doddy
This pattern really came about by accident, I had a couple of balls of Knit Picks Shine Worsted delivered to me from the States and it felt so soft I couldn’t wait to get knitting.  However I couldn’t think of anything I wanted to knit so I just started making interesting shapes.  Before I knew it I had knit this: