Christmas knitting round-up

Now that all the chocolates are eaten and the remainder of the turkey is frozen I can take a moment out from the non-stop consumption that's been going on around here to catch you up on the knitting (I occasionally put down my knife and fork for long enough to pick up the needles).

We have, in order of completion:

Cashmere little pyramid scarf.



This is the perfect scarf for anyone who has a relative who wants a plain, flat scarf, but who doesn't want to be bored out of their minds whilst knitting it. The equal numbers of knit and purl stitches mean that it's perfectly balanced and it blocks a treat. Lesley's Devon cashmere yarn is deliciously soft and just gets softer with age and wear - I knit my sister (who is modelling the scarf here) one of these two years ago and this year she commissioned one for her sister-in-law. You can get a little scarf that will wrap once around the neck (with knot) or twice (without) from just two skeins of cashmere 4-ply

Stitch pattern: Little Pyramid from A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara G. Walker
Needles: 3mm
Yarn: Devon Fine Fibres cashmere yarn (2 skeins)
Ravelled: here
Recipient: Jane (my sister's sister-in-law)

Sheep Yoke baby Cardigan by Jen Little



This the the fourth of these that I've knit. I rang the changes a bit by knitting the sheep in stocking stitch (not an entirely successful idea) for than in garter stitch and putting in a fence for the sheep. I added about 4 extra rows and 16 extra stitches to the yoke so that it would fit a two year old. The fit was pretty good although I did forget that Laurie would be wearing long sleeves underneath it so it's a tiny bit tighter in the arms than desired. Anyhow, the parents like it (which is the main thing and Laurie, when asked what was on her cardigan, said "sheep" and "Lizzy cardigan" which was rather gratifying*.

Pattern: Sheep Yoke baby cardigan
Needles: 3.75mm circular
Yarn: British Breeds Yarns Blue Faced Leicester DK in Natural (2.5 balls), Denim (0.5 balls), Sage (0.5 balls), Sienna (0.5 balls), Lilac (0.5 balls)
Ravelled: here
Recipient: Laurie (niece)

Stripey mittens for baby Joshua



A quick knit for Christmas night. Just about finished in time to visit my uncle, aunt, and cousins (including my new baby first cousin once removed) on Boxing Day. These make a very neat and pleasing last minute gift!

Pattern: Djevel mittens by Sigurlaug Eva Stefansdottir**
Needles: 3mm
Yarn: Rowan Cashsoft 4-ply
Mods: Worked over 28 sts rather than 32 to make newborn size.
Recipient: Joshua (baby cousin)
Ravelled: here

Cirrus sweater for baby Joshua



I was so happy when my cousin produced a little baby boy for whom I could knit this lovely sweater designed by the very talented Katie (longtime Bluestocking). Again this is a very quick knit (two evenings at most). Knitters will like the subtle stitch pattern and cunning colour changes at the yoke and mums (and dads) will like the button placket at the shoulder - so much easier to get over baby's noggin!

Pattern: Cirrus by Katie Hanrott from Petite Purls
Needles: 3.75mm
Yarn: British Breeds Yarns Blue Faced Leicester DK in Natural (just under 1 ball), Denim (just under 1 ball)
Recipient: Joshua
Modifications: I accidentally carried the garter stitch edging of the bottom tabs all the way up the sides of the sweater (oopsie!). Still it give the sweater a nice tunic-y look I think!
Ravelled: here

* she has also (completely unprompted) asked "where Lizzy knitting?" on one of the rare occasions when I didn't have needles and yarn in hand.

** check out her patterns - I love the Nemo mittens!