I am going to be led astray, I just know it!

On Saturday my very best friend is going to lead me into temptation, she is going to take me to a great wool shop and I am going to be her yarn consultant... I am not going to buy, I am there merely to advise... (yeah, like that is going to happen)


As you will remember, I have known her since I was 11 and we had coat pegs next to each other, I am God mother to her boys... in fact I taught them to blow raspberries and I know my role is to lead them astray wherever and whenever possible... she really should have thought this through.  But on Saturday, she goes to buy wool and I will be there... not buying you understand, merely to temper her choices (only if someone steals your purse and chops off your hands will you not buy).


Her niece is expecting a little girl in May, I have been through my patterns... I know this one is perfect:

My friend Pat made it, Pat is knitting perfection, the only woman I know who knits a swatch for a swatch, and it was fabulous, soft to the touch and gorgeous to look at.


So why do I think this is the one, well Pierina is Italian as is her niece, her niece lives near Milan, fashion centre of the Universe... so this is the one.  It has an elegant simplicity, (matching booties, too) the bow details on the pocket lifts it above ordinary but the challenge is making a border which fits precisely and lies like a dream. This was made for Cashmerino, to be touched by relations and cooed over by friends, never to touch a child for fear you might have to wash it before the knitter sees it on the baby.  


Otherwise I may need to look at my mother's 1940s stash of patterns and we could be bringing the pixie hat to Italy for the first time:

And she is still my best friend... well at least till she sees this post.


P.S. She still thinks I am only going to advise, I have to be honest I reckon the least amount of damage will be socks, just to keep me busy on the train!

A little bit of luxury - Alpaca Wrist Warmers

I have finally had the chance to write up the pattern for the wrist warmers... as you may remember they came about because a sample ball was sent to the LYS and I got to play with it.

The Pattern


Set of size 3.25 Double Ended needles (set of 5)
Set of size 4 Double Ended needles (set of 5)
1 Ball of Alpaca - 4ply (109m in length) - I used Alpaca Dreams which was the lovely sample sent to Roses and Rue
Crochet hook size 2.5


Abbreviations
K1 - Knit 1
P1 - Purl 1
K2 tog - Knit two stitches together


Left Hand Wrist Warmer
Cast on 45 stitches divided equally between the four needles - so N1 = 11 sts, N2 = 11 sts, N3 = 11sts and N4 = 12 sts
First row -  Check that your sts are not twisted and slip the last st on N4 onto N1 and K2 tog - this will give you a really smooth join, then K1 P1 to form your rib (44 sts)


Work 8 rows in rib (including 1st row)


Change to size 4 needles, work in garter stitch for 10 rows.


Heart pattern


Row 11: K 11, P1, K to the end of the row
Row 12: K 10, P3, K to the end of the row
Row 13: K 9, P5, K to the end of the row
Row 14: K8, P7, K to the end of the row
Row 15: K 7, P9, K to the end of the row
Row 16: K6, P11, K to the end of the row
Row 17: K6, P11, K to the end of the row
Row 18: K6, P11, K to the end of the row
Row 19: K6, P11, K to the end of the row
Row 20: K6, P5, K1, P5, K to the end of the row
Row 21: K7 P4, K3, P4, K to the end of the row
Row 21: K7 P4, K3, P4, K to the end of the row
Row 22: K8 P2, K5, P2, K to the end of the row
Row 23: K 9, P1, K5, P1, K to the end of the row

Knit 5 rows
At the end of the fourth needle, turn (this is going to be the start of your thumb opening, so yes there is meant to be a hole!) K1 and P to the last st, K1.
Next row, Turn and K to the end.
Repeat last two rows, three more times.
Now continue to knit in the round for 6 rows - in order to keep the tension tight around the top of the thumb hole, I slip the first two stitches on N1 onto N4 for a few rows, before slipping the sts back onto the correct needle.


Picot edging cast off

Cast off 2 sts, *slip the st on your right hand needle back on the left needle, cast on 2 sts, then cast off 5sts* Continue until you have 2 sts left, slip the st on your right hand needle onto R hand needle, cast on 2 sts, now cast off the remaining stitches.

Take your crochet hook and double crochet (single crochet if you are in the US) around the thumb hole, use the stitch at the end of each row as your chain stitch and slip stitch together when you have completed the thumb.

Sew in your loose ends.  Now take a piece of velvet ribbon (about 1/4" width x 18 inches long) and starting above your heart, thread the ribbon through the holes created by your picot edging and tie into a bow.

Right Hand Wrist Warmer

Work as for Left side until ** Knit across the first two needles and turn, now continue as for the left wrist warmer until the end of the pattern.

And now because I think they are very cute, here is a Sunday smiling Alpaca... 

Now, over you go and take a look at this week's Handmade Monday hosted by the VW Campervan Diva - Wendy.  I never cease to be amazed by the diversity of crafts which are posted up there.