the (short) leafy pull

Another item off my knitting list, and about time too. I clearly wasn't very eager to finish it, since I knit several other pieces in between. The pattern is lovely, and I will definitely make another one in the fall, but this time in wool, which I think will make all the difference. Knitting this in cotton was a trial, and up until I seamed it all together I really didn't feel the love for this project. Reverse stockinette in cotton just doesn't look that good and shows off every tiny mistake, of which there were plenty. I did learn a lot though, so my next one will hopefully turn out perfect.

And this one, now that it's done and blocked, is actually kind of cute. I love the leafy design, of course, and the actual knitting was easier than I thought. The yarn is also quite nice, although it has a tendency to split easily. On the other hand, it doesn't look like it's going to stretch much, which is always a concern with cotton.




Pattern: Pull #460-T6-275, from Phildar magazine nr. 460 Tendances
Yarn: Garn Studio Muskat (about 6 skeins)
Needles: 3.5 mm




Changes: I made a lot of them ... Let's see:

. Used smaller needles in order to obtain the right gauge
. Knit the body in the round up until the armholes. This was actually a wise decision, since my reverse stockinette in the round looks way better than doing it back and forth
. Added a couple of inches to the length. It was barely enough, but I could've added some more (next time I will)
. Made it short sleeved instead of long sleeved



To add to the difficulty, I worked with the French pattern, and made my translations as I needed them. I think it helped that I had already knitted another Phildar pattern, because their instructions are not written the usual way. And I'm sure there were a couple of things I missed, or didn't understand at all, but then I like to improvise and in the end I guess it turned out ok.

on the needles ....

I've been obsessively knitting the Phildar Leafy Pullover recently. It helps that I love knitting reverse stockinette, but to see the leaves design taking shape is even better. I'm knitting this in mercerized cotton, so I can use it in warmer days, and I think I'll probably make it short sleeved (or a 3/4 sleeve ? What do you think ?)
If this goes well, then I might knit a full sleeved version later in the fall, because I have a feeling this will be one of my favorites when it's done.



Finally done, and just in time, a baby jacket for little Ema, my friends' second child who was born this week, who is totally adorable and behaved so nicely when we went to meet her last night. The pattern is the February Baby Sweater in two needles from Elizabeth Zimmermann, and the yarn is Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (it just took a little less than 2 skeins). The pattern is incredibly easy and the yarn is so nice to work with.





And just to let you know, the next shop update will definitely take place next week. Bookcovers only, this time, but then I hope to follow the week after with some bags as well. Have a great weekend :)

(note: and by the way, did you know that Blogger allows you to schedule posts to be automatically posted at a certain date now ? I just found out by accident ... )