Month: October 2005

Zara oh Zara

Belinda (hi Belinda!) asked me a question in the comments of my last entry.

you’ve got be thinking about Zara as a sub yarn for DB Baby cashmerino. Isn’t Zara a thicker ply than Baby cash? What size needles are you using to get gauge or have you adjusted your cast on stitches and number of rows…I would love to here from you, as most of the projects I love from DB she has used her Baby cashmerino.

Yes I do love Zara, I think it’s a pretty good substitute for DB Baby Cashmerino. I’ve never used DB baby cashmerino myself though, it’s just a bit pricey for me… Zara is slightly thicker than baby cashmerino (according to the label it’s 23 sts x 31 rows to 10x10cm), but I’m not particularly worried about gauge when it comes to baby clothes.. just as long as it’s not too small… 😀 Me, I live on the edge!! 😀 I’m using 3.25mm (US 3) needles as prescribed in the pattern, but I’m knitting the 18mo size (my daughter Annette would be around 2yo by the time she wears this I guess, seeing that the weather in Sydney is becoming hotter and hotter by the day). Halfway through knitting the back piece I compared it against one of Annette’s cardigans and it looks like it’s about the right size, so I’m happy 🙂

The yarn itself is very nice and soft, very nice to knit with. And although it’s a bit thicker than DB baby cashmerino, the resulting fabric knitted up with the 3.25mm needles look just right, not too tight or too thick, and not too loose either. I wouldn’t recommend using needles thicker than 3.25mm with this yarn though. I swatched with 4mm, and after washing the resulting fabric is just too loose and kind of see-through. But with 3.25mm needles it looks great. I’d definitely use this yarn again, especially for baby clothes. Have I mentioned that I love this yarn? 🙂

27 October 2005

Beaded Cardigan Without Beads

In other news, (gee I must be on a roll! three posts in a day!), I have started a new project. It’s the Beaded Cardigan from Debbie Bliss Special Knits, using the Filatura Di Crosa Zara merino in light purple that I bought last month.

Except that I’m not going to add the beads, since it’s intended for a toddler who loves to poke around things and pull things apart (not to mention putting things in her mouth occasionally), I think beads won’t be a good idea. That, plus the fact that beading looks like a helluva hard work!!

This has been a very quick knit, so quick that I’ve finished the back and both left and right fronts before I get a chance to take photos and write a post about it!

Right front
Back piece Left front

That picture at the top is the right front, just before the neck shaping. I’ve finished that piece since then, I just haven’t taken another picture of it.

I really really really love knitting this. I love the seed stitch edgings, I love the purly bumps texture, I love the yarn, and I love how quick this is knitting up. Going to start the sleeves now!

24 October 2005

I went to the sale, and look what happened…

Tapestry Craft is having a 25th birthday sale (25-50% off), so last Saturday I took a trip there and of course there was some Stash Enhancement! 🙂 Here’s what I got:

6 balls of Cleckheaton Merino Bambino in pink. I bought this with the bow tied bolero from Debbie Bliss Special Knits in mind, but I’m still thinking of other possibilities.

Cleckheaton Bambino in pink

This is a 4 ply (fingering weight) yarn, which I don’t usually use. The balls are very light, only 25g (

These are Heirloom 8-ply Cotton in purple, mauve, cream, and fuchsia. I’m planning to make a striped summer top for Annette with this. Or maybe a summer dress, if the yarn is enough for that. I’ll probably do a top-down raglan with cap sleeves. That way I can just stop when I almost run out of yarn.

And then I got some more of the Filatura Di Crosa Zara merino in light blue, because I just love this yarn. It’s very nice and soft, and knits up beautifully.

Filatura Di Crosa Zara merino

Then there’s this:

Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed

Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed in Beach and Tartan. I’m thinking of a hat for me with these, no pattern in mind yet. Actually the tartan one I bought from The Wool Shack, by looking at the colour card on the website. I thought it looked dark grey, and that’s why I bought it. Turned out it’s dark green (like army green) with white and red flecks. Well duh, I should’ve known, it’s tartan! What was I thinking?? But well, it’s growing on me, and it would probably be quite nice as a hat.

And finally, there’s this:

Katia Cotton Club

Katia Cotton Club in natural and light blue. I’m thinking of making small tote bags with these. I chose this yarn for this purpose because it’s 100% cotton and hopefully easy to wash, it looks solid and durable, and it’s soft!

24 October 2005

Creative Knitting

Got my copy of the latest issue of Creative Knitting! Issue 12 it is.

Issue 12

Apparently this issue is a children knitwear’s special. Yay, just my favourite. 🙂 Well, this issue is not all about childrens pattern, it’s got some adult patterns too. I’d say it’s quite a nice issue, nice patterns (*mentally filtering out the eyelash yarns*), interesting articles.

My favourite pattern from this issue is this one.

Crochet Blouse

A gorgeous lacy blouse and a matching cute little purse! Unfortunately… it’s crochet. I tried learning crochet a while ago, just from a book I borrowed from the local library. But I didn’t enjoy it very much. 🙁 The book was not helpful at all in describing how to do the stitches. And crocheting made my fingers hurt. But this blouse is just soooo pretty that I’m even willing to consider trying to crochet again. Maybe. I’ve even bought me a new crochet hook. And I’ve got some cotton yarn from the stash that would be great for it. Well, even if I don’t get to make the blouse, maybe I can try making the cute little purse.

24 October 2005

Little Purple Riding Hood

Oh how cute is that baby with the fair-isle poncho! (Even if I do say so myself… :))

Little purple riding hood

18 October 2005