New pattern: Barley Twist baby cardigan (and a competition)

Alongside my Hedgehogs and Hoglets baby blanket, the latest issue of Knit Now magazine (issue 65) also features my Barley Twist baby cardigan. The cardigan is a top-down raglan, with simple four stitch cables running between the yoke increases. The pattern is written in one size (0-3 months), but with 5 cm negative ease, it should fit beyond 3 months (and is modelled on a slightly older baby), and can be knitted with just 100g of the beautiful Milla Mia Naturally Soft Aran (100% merino, and it's machine washable), which is wonderful to work with.


Barley Twist cardigan. Image copyright Practical Publishing

I'm giving readers of my blog the opportunity to win a copy of Knit Now issue 65, two balls of Milla Mia Naturally Soft Aran in Cherry Red, and 7 wooden apple shaped buttons (6 should be enough, but a spare button is always welcome!). If you'd like to enter, just leave a comment below, telling me what's currently on your needles; make sure you leave some way for me to contact you (e.g. Ravelry or Instagram username).*

Here's what you could win!

*Entries need to be in by 23.59 GMT on Sunday 25th September 2016 and the winner will be selected by random number generator from all entries submitted. By commenting you confirm that you are over 18. I will pay for the prize to be shipped to the winner (including internationally), but any customs fees and associated charges are the responsibility of the winner.

Yet another Granny's Favourite

A few months ago I bought my daughter an adorable outfit from our local Sainsbury's: a pair of yellow leggings with a pale blue tunic top decorated with daisies. Perfect for spring. The outfit did have one downside though, or, more accurately, the country I live in has one downside: the weather. Beautiful spring clothes don't always get that much wear in the UK as the weather is often stubbornly cold, even when the calendar suggests it should be otherwise.

So I decided to make a cardigan to go with the outfit, and went for the obvious choice: Granny's Favourite. I've made several before, and they fly off the needles. The cardigan is seamless, has just a little lace, and the use of only three buttons down the front means the cardigan lasts for ages as it doesn't really have to fit properly.

I was going to cast on in yellow as I have loads spare in the cupboard (a blanket's worth. I have twice tried to cast on a blanket with it, and both times given up after a few rows. This yarn is ill-fated.). Then I stopped and thought. No. A yellow cardigan should not be worn with a pair of yellow leggings, unless you want your child to look like a banana. So I went for navy blue instead.

The knitting was quick. The yarn (Stylecraft Lullaby) was lovely to work with - nice and squishy, and a little thicker than standard DK, which I liked. I even had the perfect buttons: little white daisies with yellow centres. This cardigan is lovely! No modelled photos I'm afraid as within seconds of putting the cardigan on she split something down it. Oops!

And this outfit was clearly destined to be as my sister has bought the same outfit for my daughter, but in the next size up. This cardigan will be getting a lot of wear!