Selbu Modern……

….in a slouchy way.

This is my first attempt at colourwork after seeing so many pretty Selbu’s on ravelry, I just had to have one for myself. It was really daunting at first, how do you knit with two different coloured yarns? I tried using the english knitting method, working with one colour, dropping it and picking up the other but I got into all sorts of bother with it. Geesh…..this is going to take me forever! So with a little bit of research, put one colour on the left side and the other on the right. Using both continental and english style knitting I began my Selbu.

I tried to match two colours together, so they wouldn’t clash too much but still show the beauty of the pattern. I do love the colour combination. It worked out really well. It was really tricky using both knitting styles, my forefinger on my left hand which was holding one colour, well……was all over the place! But after a little practice, it began to do as it was told.

I first cast on with 2mm needles for the ribbing and 2.75mm for the body of the hat. After reaching half way, I was kidding myself that it IS going to fit me with a little blocking, it will stretch and fit over my huge head. Who am I kidding? It was very tight and more like a beanie and I really struggled to even get it on!

So……what did I do? Frogged it and cast on again using 2.5mm and 3.0mm for the body, adding an extra pattern repeat. Now…after blocking the rib is slightly too big! I just can’t get it right!! Maybe a 2.5mm for the rib would have been better but I still love the slouchyness of the Selbu.

I used : Baby Cashmerino Chocolate approx 75gms and Posh Yarn Lucia (can’t recall the colourway) approx 25gms.

Does it look too big? I’d love to do another one but not quite just yet! My next one, I’ll use 2.5mm for the ribbing, 3.25mm for the main pattern but without the extra repeat.

A really well written pattern, very clear and the design is beautiful and I would say a perfect pattern to start colourwork knitting.

Blanket Cardigan….

Finished!!!! What a relief it is too, all that seaming…argh was driving me up the wall. My neck, my head, my eyes, the black yarn! Believe it or not, its my first attempt at sleeve seaming. I followed the tips from Finishing Techniques for Hand Knitters by Jane Crawford. A nice little book with some very handy tips! I have to say, my second sleeve is much neater than the first.

Sublime Cashmere Silk Merino DK in Black

Needles 4mm

Amount used 12.5 balls

Size M

I added a seed st to the collar as I knew that its going to curl no matter how hard I block it. I’m so kicking myself now as I should have done that on the edges at the start of the sleeve and the body to prevent the curling too…..I’m dumb! I knew in the back of my mind that stocking stitch curls no matter how hard you block it and me being me, just followed the pattern as it is! That’s just me, I very rarely make changes to a pattern and I know that as an experienced knitter (can I call myself that? or should I call myself that?) I should have made changes.

Now after blocking it again, the edges still curl. I guess I will have to sew some grosgrain onto all the edges. So my advice….if you’re planning to start one, add some seed st before you start the stocking stitch. Makes less sewing !

I’m really pleased with this cardigan (apart from them damn curls.) It’s a perfect fit, with a lovely drape. The yarn is lovely to work with but I did find that the dye did rub off onto my fingers a little but thats to be expected from dark yarns…I keep saying to myself. Guess who I found sitting on top of the pieces each time I blocked……Ms Holly AGAIN and this time, she managed to catch a few sts with her nails!!! Shriek! Horror! Naughty Cat!  Somehow, no matter where I block, she finds my knitting and Mr Snobs is no help, he leaves the door open for her!! Yeah..mummy just finished her knitting, go and put your mark on it! I feel like picking Ms Holly up when she does her pee and putting her on his lap…..there Holly, go put your mark on him! MEN!

Brassiere Caresse Point Mousse…..

I really really love this cute little gilet. Lovely pattern by La Droguerie.

It’s such a shame that they don’t publish their patterns in English as the designs are so chic and I am feeling the love for their designs so much. Such a simple design, yet so wearable for the Spring, a cute little number for my wardrobe, don’t you think? Now I just gotta wait for the weather to warm up a little so I strut this little number!

Yarn: RYC Baby Alpaca in Chifon 212 7 balls with just a tiny amount remaining.

Size: L.

Needles: 5mm.

Kindly translated for me by a fellow raveler. Thank you.

My choice of yarn gave the gilet a lovely fluffy effect and a pleasure to knit, however I did find it a little splitty at times. I used the Russian join method to attach new balls. This is my new method which worked well. I also chose a size slightly bigger size as I wanted the gilet to fit more around my bust area, rather than have a gaping gap.

The colour has been very difficult to capture. It’s more of a wine colour as in the first photo. I also chose to have buttons rather than a shawl pin but there are some lovely shawl pins around, but I much prefer buttons. Finding just the right place to add two buttons holes proved a little difficult. I had to frog back a few times, it was either too close to the edge or too far back. I still think it’s a little too far back so at times it tends to curl over but I can live with that………and you all know me by now, I like to make two of everything. Yes….I have some Rowan Kid Silk Haze on order for another together with maybe some Drops Alpaca which I will knit together to make another extra extra fluffy one!

……and guess who I found sitting on top of this in the morning? Yup…..Holly. Bad cat.