Stitch in Time Volume 2 Cardigan, a closer look...

My Kasha from A Stitch in Time, Volume 2

Isn't this cardigan just ridiculous?! As you probably know from my previous posts including it I have fallen pretty hard for this completed cardigan (Kasha from A Stitch in Time Volume 2) and I can't wear it enough. It's definitely my favourite new knit of this year! A lot of you expressed an interest in it so I thought I'd give you a closer look...

The original Kasha

Although the pattern may look complicated I actually found it fairly simple once I had gotten used to the repeat. It was really fun working on something intricate for a change as I've been facousing on colour work quite a lot recently. I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner as I think it would be a bit overwhelming and it doesn't grow particularly quickly, but if you're a fairly competent knitter and can read patterns well then you shouldn't have any problems. Give it a go, it's too pretty not to!

Here are a couple of close-up shots to emphasise the prettiness...

This is the first pattern I have worked with from A Stitch in Time Volume 2 and I loved working with it, it's a beautiful book and I'm already planning my next project. All in all this was a really fun project, using a great pattern and resulting in a gorgeous knit, so I couldn't be happier!

I love my Kasha!

Have any of you knitted anything from A Stitch in Time Volume 2? I'd love to hear about it :)

Katie x

Another Knitting Project Done!

I have literally been on fire with the amount of knitting I have gotten done over the past couple of days, I have gone from complaining about unfinished projects to having two lovely new jumpers in no time at all! You saw my completed Briar Rose a few days ago, but this most recently completed project has been going for quite a bit longer, so I'm thrilled that it's finally done!

This jumper was knitted from the pattern "Enchanting in Black and White" from the wonderful book "A Stitch in Time", the third jumper that I have made from this book and I love each and every one! As you can see from the picture below I stuck to the original colours for this sweater, my version is pretty much identical to the pictures in the book.

The original version of this sweater

I love the black and white combination, it's a nice neutral look without being boring and bland. Plus the contrast between the types of wool is pleasing enough without over complicating things with too many different colours! 

This pattern was really lovely to work with, the different stitches (stocking stitch for the main body and then a lace pattern for the yoke and sleeves) keep things interesting as does the use of contrasting yarns. One thing I would say is that this pattern falls prey to a fairly common problem with "A Stitch in Time", and that is that it is only printed in one size. Now this was fine for me as the size on offer was my size, but I can imagine that this must be rather frustrating for those who cannot alter knitting patterns and who need a bigger or smaller size. This is an issue that is promised to be resolved in "A Stitch in Time, Volume 2" (have I mentioned how extremely excited I am about this book??!) which I think is a great testament to it's writers - they are giver their readers what they want :)

I paired the sweater with my red pencil skirt today, and although I liked the look I feel it would be better suited with a fuller skirt, so I think a circular skirt project may be on the cards for me some time soon! 

I below picture shows the yummy lace detail of the yoke of the jumper, and also the crochet of the neckband (my first foray into crochet work, and I enjoyed it!). I should probably apologise for how posy these pictures are, but I'm not going to :)

Jumper - made by me, "Enchanting in Black and White" from "A Stitch in Time"

Skirt - made by me

Belt - Topshop

All pictures taken beautifully by my long suffering Sweetheart!

Briar Rose Knit Along - Completed!

Since berating my inability to finish knitting projects I have endeavored to spend as much time as possible finishing things up rather than just starting new things, and result! My Briar Rose Knit Along is finished! And I LOVE it!

Looking into the middle distance thinking:
"God my jumper is totally awesome!"

Isn't it the cutest?!

And now of some close ups of the amazing details of my beautiful new jumper :)

Front details

First up, the collar:

Collar details

I used Tasha's technique of picking up the stitches of the neckline and knitting the collar straight onto the sweater, I think it looks much neater than if I'd stitched one on after knitting it separately. Pretty stitches!

And now, the sleeves:

Pleated sleeve caps. Oh yeh.

I knitted the sleeves as per the pattern, slightly bigger so that to set in the sleeves you have to make a pretty set of pleats. I love them, they are so cute!

Next up, the buttons:

I love buttons

My perfect little vintage buttons are now in their rightful home, and aren't they lovely? They look really cute and pearly, a slightly different blue than the jumper but perfect nonetheless. 

 And now the final touch, the pocket:

This pocket rocks my world

I think that this pocket is my favourite part of the jumper. I love the shape of it, and the fact that it's worked in garter stitch makes it really stand out. It's cute, I love it, have you got that yet? :)

I think that this is a highly successful knitting venture. Never before have I knitted from a vintage pattern, or adapted a pattern so that it fits me perfectly (which this jumper does by the way!) so it has marked some pretty big knitting mile stones for me! I also really love wearing it, I've worn it three times already! It is perfect for the warm but breezy weather that we've been having. Basically I love it love it love it, bring on the next knit along Tasha! Because I'm going to be there with bells on!

I'll leave you with some more shots of the jumper, my goodness I love it!

Happy Weekend everyone :)