Sunday, December 09, 2012

Rocio Cardigan

It took three months to finish this cardigan---three long months of knitting with lace weight (thin!) yarn and miles and miles of stockinette stitch. But the final result made it all worth while.  I love this "Rocio" cardigan. The pattern, designed by Joji Locatelli, is so well written and easy to follow, and I'd definitely knit another one of Joji's designs again.  I participated in a KAL on Ravelry, and I even won a skein of handspun yarn (thanks to those of you who "loved" my photo) and another of Joji's patterns.  (I chose the Flyaway Hoodie).  But before I start another cardigan, I have a few Christmas gifts to finish knitting and a lot of baby items to knit.  I'm ready to kick into baby mode (two new grandsons coming in the spring), but first things first, right?  Like Christmas.  :-)  We are certainly enjoying the Christmas banner (see previous post) hanging over the fireplace, but really, I must start the Christmas baking.  Chocolate covered cherries, tomorrow!  

Ruth
 
When I found this clasp at Hancock's, I knew it would be perfect. 

 The detailing on the back is the highlight of this design and the most difficult part to knit.  


 
The sleeves a slightly too long, but that's okay. I'd rather they be too long than too short.

Monday, December 03, 2012

Christmas Banner


  
After seeing so many beautiful Christmas banners on Pinterest and other websites, I decided to make one for my own fireplace mantel.  Because I couldn't find any printable letters to my liking, I ended up making my own banner letters using the "Flakes" font, a free font from RAFwebdesigns.  Making the letters took a long time, but I was happy with the way they turned out.  

I found all kinds of ideas online for ways to put the banner together, and I incorporated some of those ideas in my banner.  Assembling the banner was not difficult but it did take time to cut out all those ornaments!

The banner is now decorating the mantel in my living room, and it looks so pretty there.  Now I just need to get up the rest of the Christmas decorations! (This coming weekend, hopefully).

Merry Christmas!
Ruth