sweet peasy

Nelly's latest cardy is so inviting. It's light, but oh so soft and warm, since it's 100% Alpaca and isn't the colour just fantabulous?! It positively begged for bright red buttons, the shinier the better. Gabriel kindly assisted with this photo shoot because sweeties weren't enough of a bribe... he blew bubbles to keep her from walking off.

The pattern is fun. It's a child-sized version of the very lovely adult cardigan Peasy. This little one is called Sweet Peasy. It's another top-down, raglan sleeved construction with a very pretty lace bodice. I like that it's pretty but so obviously comfortable all at the same time. Trendy kids clothes have never been my thing. I'm all about wrapping them up in warm, comfy and hopefully clean clothes. I can't say they've always been too keen on that approach. Some claim they are naturally warm, others would prefer to look trendier and all of them raid the washing basket for clothing they want to wear over and over. Still, I persevere... ;)

The yarn was from my stash. I bought it several years ago (thinking I'd make something for Gabriel) from a stall at Spittlefields Market in London. I've been back to the market several times since but haven't seen the stall again. The Alpaca is Mirasol by Du Store Alpakka which seems to be Norweigan. Anyhow, it's a lightweight DK weight and although it's slightly splitty as you knit it, it's silky and warm and knits up beautifully. 

I didn't make any mods except to do my usual picking up extra stitches at the armholes before knitting the arms. Anytime I pick up around a circumference like an armhole (or the thumb in my Nalu mitts) I pick up an extra stitch at the beginning and end of the picked up stitches and on the next round I ssk that extra stitch with the first existing stitch (in this case from the yoke) and then k2tog the last existing stitch and the extra stitch picked up at the other end. I hope that's clear? I find it closes the wee holes that you inevitably get at the corners under the arms. If you still notice a hole when you've finished, gently pull yarn tighter at that point and feed the slack along your knitting until it evens itself out. Gosh, that might make the whole thing totally confusing? If you're wondering, just ask and I'll try to explain it better :) My Ravelry project page is here.

I'm nearly done with stuff for the girls. I've finished a sweater for Tess and it's blocking and waiting for buttons, so I'll show it to you soon. I've still got one more cardigan to make for Zoë but after five cardigan's and one sweater my enthusiasm for childrens' clothes is waning! At least the girls are warmer.

So, before I start the last one, I might have a breather and do something else... maybe for me :)