The before
and after
pictures of fleur should give you an idea of the drap and elasticity of the Rowan Wool Cotton. Before blocking it, it had the appearance of a well used dishcloth.
After blocking, the reverse stocking stitches really come alive and the pattern really stands out off the stocking stitch.. Fleur is a great autumn/spring cardigan and ideal for a child since the wool/cotton is so soft (and not at all plasticky to work with like the sirdar snowflake) and pretty, to boot. The first set of buttons that I picked were too large, so I had to make another trip to John Lewis to get some more. Aren't these pretty? The flowers are echoed in the pattern, and the soft blue complemented the yarn. I always buy an extra button and sew it into the seams. It's just no fun losing a button and not being able to find another one in the same style. ( how many 4 year olds, hand the button over to their parents when it comes off in their hands?)
This is the 3-4 year old size, since there wasn't much difference in # balls between the smallest and largest. You can probably surmise that I always grew up wearing clothes that were too large for me. It didn't help that I was the middle child and was pretty scrawny compared to my siblings , so I was getting hand-downs from both directions.
Of the 4 Louisa Harding Miss Bea booklets, I think Miss Bea's Colours is the best one. However, I am rather biased as I like doing textured patterns. Complex intarsia patterns for children's wear is fine if I want to try out a technique, but otherwise, I wouldn't bother.. it's just not worth the time invested to sew in the ends and the child would outgrow it too quickly or
What I really like is the garter stitch edging for the button band. It's simple and works really well. As long as I knit to gauge, picking up stitches means no anxiety about stetching the band or sewing it into place.
I found the making up for this pattern to be a bit odd and best countered with mattress stitch. It's not often that I see the body of a garment with bind offs for the sleeves, but no decreases or cast offs for the sleeve caps. I would had thought sleeve caps for an inset sleeve would work better. I must find a child to try this on ... does anyone know where I can borrow a 3-4 year old little girl, so that we can check the fit?
So fun to see this post just as I am casting on the Jumping Dress from Miss Bea's Playtime, for Rosie of course. I figured she's so small, and the pattern so straightforward, and the finishing so simple (the shoulder seams and 2 side seams--zippity DOO dah!!!), that I could squeeze it in as 'rehab knitting' between more pressing and ambitious projects (e.g., Elfin!). I chose a weird pink n greens combination from my cotton DK stash....we'll see about that as the stripes start striping!!!!!!! Beautiful job, Polly, and so very very speedy from start to finish!!! You must never sleep! xox Kay
Posted by: Kay at October 18, 2003 02:44 AMLooks great, Polly, love the buttons. Would never have thought blocking would have made such a difference. I'm doing the stripey one out of the same book (I think). I also like Miss Bea's Rainy Day - mostly cables, a bit more boy orientated?
Posted by: Jill at October 17, 2003 05:57 PMThanks everyone for your kind remarks... and ro Louise A, Ginny and Kerrie for offering to lend me your daughters ;-)... when can I expect them to arrive ?
Lis - I love black, blue, purple, greens and red. I enjoyed working with the wool cotton so much when I did Oliver's gansey, that I just *had* to do this pattern
Sarah W - Texture rocks... much fewer ends to sew that intarsia and much less anxiety to mess up fairisle tension
Emma, Louise - It's a good thing that I know lots of people with children. It's so satifying to knit small things
Becky - I'm a sucker for hearts, flowers, well any cute buttons. The money just flies out of my wallet
Sharon - I grew up with acrylic sweaters.. in shades of non-flattering pink and orange. The trauma!
Jo - do you know if it's a boy or girl yet? Are you waiting to be surprise?
Posted by: Polly at October 16, 2003 11:34 PMpolly, it is beautiful, from stitches to buttons. the blocking did work wonders. so, am i to understand that you have a fondness for BLUE not purple or red?????? uh, oh!!
Posted by: Lis at October 16, 2003 05:52 PMMy daughter is in a FedEx box, ready to go. She's 4, doesn't eat much, and will do anything for a chocolate bar.
Isn't it amazing what blocking can do? What a remarkable difference in the sweater. So pretty!
Posted by: Ginny at October 16, 2003 04:25 PMLove that texture and the garter band is just so dainty! I don't think there is anything more charming on a cardi. (I got some pretty flower buttons to put on a cardi I'll be knitting for my niece. Doncha just love flower-shaped buttons? :-))
Posted by: Becky at October 16, 2003 04:09 PMI'll lend you Brooke if you want to try it on for size! She loves modelling...
Oh - and I still need to get that Rowan book over to you don't I? Do you want me to post it? Having said that I should come over to Libertys one night and hand it over shouldn't I...
Posted by: kerrie at October 16, 2003 12:56 PMPolly
It's gorgeous - the buttons are beautiful and really fit with the cardigan's pattern. I hope the recipient loves it!
Jo
xxx
That is an adorable little sweater! Just the right size for Chloé! I'll be glad to send her over for a modeling seesion, if you'd liek :)
Posted by: Louise A. at October 16, 2003 11:32 AMIt's beautiful & I'm sure the recipient will love it! I'm off out this weekend to buy the book. I love knitting texture too (my colours really only extend to stripes) so thanks for the recommendation.
Posted by: Sarah W at October 16, 2003 08:48 AMPretty, Pretty, Pretty - what a lovely little cardi. If only that sort of pattern and yarn was around when I was a little girl I wouldn't have the morbid fear of bottle green acrylic that I have today!
So, now that's finished you'll be roaring along on Saffron then..... just kidding ;o)
Of course I meant I was taking note of all your comments! That's what one G&T does to me.
Posted by: Louise at October 16, 2003 12:00 AMPolly, that is wonderful! I am taking not of all your comments on it because I intend knitting it for my cousin's 2 year old. I only hope that mine looks as good as yours when it is done. I've finished the Digging sweater from Miss Beas colours, well practically! Just need to block it, sew it and do the neck band. A glorious book, thanks for introducing me to it.
Posted by: Louise at October 15, 2003 11:58 PMThat is delightful Polly.And I really like the texture pattern.Very pretty.
I have that book & intend to make a jumper for Oliver with it. When I finish the Felted Tweed sleeveless top for him that's exactly what I'll do.
What's next ?