Lady Mademoiselle Starstruck

Pattern: modified Lady Mademoiselle Dandelion by Along avec Anna
yarn : King Cole bamboo cotton 4ply - denim
Notes on the Vneck and the stitch I used on my Ravelry project here

Lady Mademoiselle Dandelion

Pattern: Lady Mademoiselle Dandelion by Along avec Anna (Ravelry link here)
Yarn: Bergère de France; coton fitfy, col ficelle (almost 8 balls, 400g)
3mm needles (3,5mm to cast on)

Mods:
fitted version, V neck, different raglan line (because I didn't have the pattern with me when I started the raglan decreases and I couldn't face undoing it!)

It's a fantastic basic pattern for a fingering ranglan cardi. Very easy to customize by changing the neckline, stitch pattern, length and fit. 

I'm not keen on bottom up constructions but it was necessary with the dandelion stitch. 

I've already got another version on the needles... it should be finished soon!

a few detail shots:

Totoro Baby Gift Set

My friend Jess introduced me to Totoro a few years ago. She's a big fan AND she's a knitter. Let me tell you I really enjoyed putting this together for her and her future baby!

First up, a little cardi:
Pattern: Puerperium Cardigan by Kelly van Niekerk, free on Ravelry here
I sized it up a bit
Yarn: merino cotton DK by Drops

I was planning to do a very ambitious Totoro border in stranded knitting but it didn't quite work out (several hours to do a few rows on a swatch... no thanks!). So duplicate stitch it was.

Here is the chart for Totoro:

Next we have a simple drawstring bag that can be used as a laundry bag to put the cardi in the washing machine or as a project bag. I used some scrap fabric for the leaves, Bondaweb then narrow zigzag all around.

And finally, let me tell you about those stitch markers...
I have always been arts and craftsy (with more or less natural talent...) so I had some polymer clay in my stash already. Fancy stitch markers and clay charms are big at the moment so I thought I'd have a go... How hard can it be? (ha ha, insert crying emoji face)
After several hours feeling like i have sausages instead of fingers, I have a decent set of stitch markers.
I used a video tutorial from TheLittleMew to help me out (youtube video here)

Lucky (me) - Really

Pattern : Lucky (me) by Solenn Couix-Loarer (Ravelry link here)

Yarn: Drops Lima  (wool-alpaca mix) shade 701 Petrol (the colour is so difficult to photograph properly...)    x10 balls

I LOOOOVE thit pattern. The fit is amazing (waist shaping and slightly wider hips: dream come true for a pear shape body!).

Mods: a bit shorter, more fitted sleeves, K2P2 ribbing on the neckband (I did try the rolled edge but I didn't like the result so BO in pattern on the wrong side for a neat finish)

A few extra pics

 

Mardi Gras Costume - Arlequin

This is what happens when your students tell you you can't wear your Pierrot costume again...

Based very loosely on Simplicity 9800 (that I used for the previously mentioned Pierrot costume... ) but I could have drawn around pajama pants and have better results. Anyway, Big hit with the kids! I might have to wear black for a few days though... :p

Drawstring Bag

This is a really nice way to personalise a baby present. Monogram, cute bear, washing line... possibilities are endless and bonus points for using up cotton scraps or FQs! I used some bondaweb to fix the M to the green fabric, then zigzagged all the way around (slowwwly...). The bag itself is pretty easy to make. There are a lot of tutorials on youtube or blogs.

I'm really pleased that I have overcome my worries about picking up the sewing machine after so long. I've only done project bags so far but I could could thread the machine (and serger! woop!) without the manual, so that's a good start :p

More Winter Than Primavera

Pattern: Primavera by Sarah Cooke (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Cascade 220 Fingering, Castor Grey, 200g
Needles: 3mm (ribbing) and 3.5mm
Mods: jumped between sizes for fit, no pockets and slightly shorter sleeves.

I will definitely do this pattern again (maybe a different lace motif on the sleeves?). Fit from the bust down is spot on but I could get a better fit on the yoke. It was my first garment with fingering weight, I thought it would take forever and be soooo boring but it was great to catch up on podcasts and binge-watch Netflix. I was also quite anxious to handwash it (I didn't swatch... shhh, don't tell the knitting police!) but it was fine. I hope the wool wears well...
I can't wait to wear it to work!

Detail pics: