Moving on

So now what am I working on now that Olivia is done and dusted?

I started a Lily cardigan, suing some mohair/wool blend I got from the Wagtail Yarns farm a few years back on one of our trips to see David's family.

Coming along swimmingly! First sleeve is done, I've actually started the second.

But, oops! Shiny, shiny syndrome bit. I decided that I absolutely had to have a grey cowl. Like, yesterday. So I picked up some Rowan Wool Cotton in Misty and made some executive decisions. Couldn't find a pattern that I really liked, so I made one up.

I picked up three balls, and I'm halfway through the second. Three looks to be about right.

But then, the new Kim Hargreaves book arrived. Trying to avoid the temptation, but theres some Kidsilk Haze and Rowan Fine Lace in my stash that is just begging to become Pippa....

Apologies if you haven't received a reply to a comment. The web host has implemented a "fix" that has resulted in my not receiving comments by email, which makes it much harder to respond. The guru is on it, he tells me. This is after the blog software upgrade that went wonky and refused to accept any comments so it had to be downgraded. And not related, I'm told!

Olivia!

I was extremely nervous about the Felted Tweed I needed after I ran out six rows short of finishing the neckband on Olivia. I'd got it from Calico & Ivy quite a while back, and it's a popular colour. I knew we were short of that particular colour, an I was sure I wouldn't be able to match the dyelot.

We had two balls left when I got in on Monday, and one of those balls was the right dyelot. Oh, the relief! If worse had come to worst, I could've ripped out the neckband and done the neck and wristbands in the new dyelot, but thankfully it didn't come to that!

And so she is done!

So happy with it, I love it!

Specs: Olivia by Kim Hargreaves from the sadly discontinued Thrown Together book.
Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed DK in Rage
Needles: 2.75mm & 3mm Addi Turbos
Mods: I made the sleeves longer. Which is why I ran out of yarn! I'm not a fan of three quarter sleeves. The current fad for them perplexes me. If I'm cold enough for sleeves, I want long sleeves. The pattern also calls for you to do the sleeve cuffs before seaming. I did the seaming first, then did the cuffs in the round. I just think it gives a neater finish, but it wasn't a huge mod.

I really like the pockets, a little too small to be really functional, but a fun detail. And I love the buttons I got! I got them from an etsy seller called Buttonalia . They're ceramic and a little heavy, but so perfect!

Which just reminded me of one other mod. The buttons were pulling on the band a little, and I wasn't 100% happy with the way it was sitting, so I sewed the band closed between the top and the second button. It's not a cardigan I'd wear open anyway, so it wasn't a big deal, but it is sitting much better now.

And I wore it three times this week - new favourite!

A knitter's nightmare

Look at Olivia!