Knitted Wrist Warmers

These were knitted from a kit that came with a knitting magazine.

I reversed the colours and made the background in the darker colour. When I do any stranded colourwork, I find the dark floats show through the light background, and I thought dark might show dirt less!

The opening for the thumb is dissappointing. I would have liked a more sophisticated finish than just leaving the seam open. I expect the mag and pattern designer were trying to make it less complicated for beginners. I've never seen a pattern that offers different methods by level of experience, but that would have worked well in this pattern.

They took me about a month to make but that was over a holiday period and we were travelling. They were a nice, portable project to take with me with minimal thinking and counting to stop me from being sociable while knitting.

Doll Cardigan

Finished just in time for Valentine's Day.

I took two tries to knit this doll cardigan. But it was fast so worth it in the end.

It would be a good pattern from which to make a doll coat. I've been planning one for Emily Bennet for some time now, but at least she has something to keep her warm now!

Detailed Ravelry notes here.

Knitted Doll Dress

Finally, the doll has a winter dress to wear - I've been so worried about her!  (Kidding. I still think she's a bit creepy... )

I am very pleased with the dress. The pattern is free from ABC Knitting Patterns. They have so many free patterns and they all look great. I'll definitely be making more from this designer. The yarn was a cheap acrylic that I got at the local general store. Unbelievable: £2.45 per ball and I used half! My Ravelry notes are here.

I re-worked the back fastening quite a few times. I did a chain of single crochet to make buttonholes. They were originally ties but it was impractical to expect children to be able to untie the knots. I got these cute buttons at Michaels when I was in Canada.

I am often told that I could do this (knit) for a living. It is meant as a compliment to my knitting and I am very flattered. But I do always answer that I could never pay myself properly for my labour. I spent 2 weeks on this and I easily knit for 2 hours each night = 28 hours. Of course, I enjoy this and do it as a hobby but even if I paid myself minimum wage, plus materials, who wants to pay £177.91 for a doll's dress?! I spent 5 hours on just one sleeve.

It's a labour of love.