Outfit Along 2016

When I saw the outfit along being announced on Lladybirds blog I was like "yeah like I'm gonna try that? do I look stupid?"

Then I started to think about it and thought, hmmm it might be nice to knit and sew something that corresponds, and I did say I'd do more blogging community things this year..... even if they do push me out of my comfort zone.

So I'm going to give it a whirl....

But its me so I'm only going to give it a whirl if I can play by my rules! [and according to their rules as long as you knit one item and sew another and it makes an outfit you can pretty much do what you want!]

1. I'm not using the official skirt pattern. They are using the Hollyburn by sewaholic patterns, I'm using a self drafted pattern that's a pretty similar style to the Hollyburn. I'm using the two fabrics pinned in the picture below, one is a suede and the other is a floral which I'm going to use for the pockets.  

2. I'm not using the official knit pattern either the zinone by Andi Satterlund, As much as I love Andi's patterns I just don't see myself wearing this one. Which made me think about buying some wool and maybe making another miette. But then I was like "oooh that's a bit extravagant" and we are still on a spending ban due to the whole buying dinner for 60 people in October thing [wedding!]

 So then I thought, well lets take a look at what's in the old wool drawer

lot and lots of small balls...... So I'm going for a ww2 make do and mend stripy, ombre jumper....thing. [or at least that's what I hope I'm going for, to be honest I'm flying by the seat of my pants]

I took my inspiration from these images 

But I'm using the smokey earl grey pattern from raverly because I like its style and as a bonus its free. [I'm coming across as someone who doesn't really like parting with money aren't I? well its true.......]

I've actually made a pretty good start, I cranked about 5 inches out whilst watching soccer aid, and the euro cup starts soon which is always prime knitting time for me!

So yeah that's my plan for this years OAL2016 Hopefully I can get it finished! is anyone else taking part!?

Much Love

Frankie

Eeny beanie miney moh

I'm still plodding along with my efforts of having a fully wearable wardrobe, and as a stroke of luck I've recently come into a load of boots and shoes and some coats and scarves from a relative. 

And luckily for me both of the coats are black! Mr knitwit got me a lovely coat for Christmas but it's very pale and I'm worried about making it dirty so a black coat was just what I needed! 

And if I'm having a black coat I'm going to need a black hat! Especially with how the weather is now on the nursery run! 

It's a really simple garter stitch hat that you knit in "short rows". Basically you knit the hat across so the garter stitch ridges are vertical. It's pretty simple to do and I'll link to the pattern I used on raverly as soon as I'm on a computer and not my phone. I'd say it's a pretty good pattern for those who are starting to knit and can't stand the thought of making a scarf or a dishcloth.

I'm pretty happy with it as a first attempt, but I have already cast on another one which I'm making a few alterations to. First of all I'm making it longer so I can turn the brim up, I'm using a slightly thicker wool and I'm hoping to add a furry Pom Pom to the top when it's finished. Furry Pom poms seem to be quite "in" this season and I think they look adorable! 

In other news I went to see my lovely friends lovely baby yesterday and although little knitwit was unimpressed I thought she was lovely! I had big snuggles, and have been thinking of ways to spoil her since! 

I've still got two projects to photograph but the way my face looks today it just wasn't happening!!! 

I'm still watching the sopranos and have even reached the point in my obsession where I'm texting my brother to clarify my thoughts on the plot. Luckily for me I can text him "how long was pussy talking to the Feds for?" And he knows what I mean !!! 

Much love Frankie 

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The glorified tea towel!

I knitted a blanket! A baby one of course, I followed the honeycomb stroller blanket from raverly. And I'm happy to say not only was it easy as pie to knit (even for a beginner like me!) it turned out super cute too!

 

I didn't have enough of any one colour so I used a selection of blue, green and violet tones from my stash. And I used a fluffy aqua wool as my main colour, I have oodles of this wool but I hate knitting with it because the fibres make my hands sore. 

I'd say it's pretty gender neutral? People don't tend to stick to the whole pink for a girl blue for a boy thing anymore do they? 

The only real problem with it is that it's pretty dinky , probably because I didn't have the right sized needles so I used a smaller pair. I think it's a good baby size (I mean they are pretty small) but mr Knitwit says it tea towel sized. 

As with all matters of the world the male is wrong! 

In fact the pattern is so pretty that I've cast on another one and written out the pattern for mr knitwits nan! 

This time I'm using a colour change yarn, and I've cast on more stitches to make it bigger! I'm using a colour change yarn becuase weaving in all those ends is such a snooze! 

This time I might forgo the border aswell because  I seem to be in solemnly of picking up stitches evenly! 

Much love

Frankie

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