How cute is this?

Not so long ago, my friend Julie who is so gifted at all things crafty, sent me a link to a new knitting website called   Loveknitting. ( www.loveknitting.com ) 

There, while I was drooling over an amazing variety of yarns and projects,  I found a free pattern for this adorable little cardigan. It was by Australian designer, Georgie Hallam. Her version was knitted in a beautiful 8 ply White Gum wool, a boutique Australian merino yarn and is pictured below.

I downloaded the pattern, printed it out and was impressed by how clear and detailed her instructions were. Nevertheless, as I perused the pattern, I was a little concerned. The cardi is knitted in one piece from the neck down on circular needles. I had never attempted anything like this before!  However, I had suitable wool in my stash, a lovely angora, bamboo and merino wool mix.  So nothing ventured, nothing gained, I would give it a go.

Wool and circular needle in hand I looked at the first instruction: Cast on 50 stitches using the long tail cast on method. What did she mean by long tail? Who could I turn to in my time of need?  Youtube!  I watched a couple of clips and chose one to follow closely. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn4rcAnnS7U) This cast on method created a very firm and defined edge. Mmm looks quite professional, I thought to myself.

I knitted the yoke, and found the increasing very easy to follow. Soon I was down to splitting for the sleeves and body and Georgie’s instructions were excellent. Crossing this hurdle, it was a simple matter to knit down to the hem incorporating the garter stitch bands as I went.  And there were no seams to sew up later! At this stage, I was wondering why hadn’t I done this before!

Then I came down to earth. I had to pick up stitches for the sleeves. Georgie stipulates in her pattern that you use 8inch/20cm circular needles or your own preferred method for knitting in the round. I have avoided knitting in the round as much as possible in my knitting career so I certainly didn’t have a preferred method! I tried to buy the right circular needles. At first, I was unsuccessful. I found some. (www.luciatapestrieswoolcrafts.com.au)  They were made by Addi.  While they were coming, I knitted one sleeve on four needles – a painfully slow process, but the end result was nice.

Then the Addi needles arrived. And the knitting was easy.

That left only the buttons to be sewed on, a couple of strands of wool to be woven in and I was finished.

I’m with  Georgie, when she says that this “cardigan is perfect for welcoming babies into this world and into your heart.” This pattern and  others by Georgie are available on both LoveKnitting and Ravalry. I must confess, I can’t wait to see this cardigan on little Genevieve!