WIP: Susette arms.

Its taken a little longer than I thought to finish the arms, but they are done. It was relatively easy too, just a couple of increases every 10 rounds 9 times, after the fair isle chart!

I've tried to edit the photos to show the actual colours but most of them have come out more red whereas the main colour is more of a deep wine/maroon.

The best match for the colours I've captured.

Looking forward to blocking and straightening it all out!

I adore the little halo this alpaca yarn leaves.

 So from now I just have to start on the body, will be posting an update when I can, but its safe to say I'm getting excited now!

This weeks inspirations.

Apologies for the lack of posting, I've been terribly busy these past few weeks, but the good news is I am two sleeves into my Susette cardigan. I'll be posting a follow up post with photos shortly, but while I'm waiting for my camera battery to charge, I thought I'd make a short post with some ideas and posts that have caught my attention on Pinterest this week!

This week includes: a gorgeous chunky knit scarf; some adorable paper crafted owls and a sophisticated nude and silver nail art idea.

What has inspired you this week?

Blogging schedule and organising.

I take inspiration from a lot of the well known and popular knitting blogs, the main thing I've found is that most of them have a schedule of posts with a topic for each day, I like this idea as it means I'll be motivated to post, and to keep a nice regular flow of themed blog entries for people to (hopefully) read! I'm going to one every other day, as I'd like to keep quality over quantity when it comes to my blog posts.

This is what I've come up with so far for a schedule, this may change over time but I'm hoping I can keep up with it!


Tattoo Tuesday - as I am a tattooist and its a large and exciting part of my life, I'd like to have a day to focus on what I've done in the past week, as well as artwork.

W.I.P Wednesday - this will be a post dedicated to whatever I'm currently working on, with progress and thoughts.

Inspiration Friday - a post for pictures and articles of crafts and art that have inspired me.

Planning Sunday - showing whats ahead for the incoming week, this to look forward to.

Waiting to cast on...

I've had my eye on a particular pattern since I finished the Holden Shawlette, and since I've had a few days off knitting, I am ITCHING to start again! This one is called Susette (Ravelry pattern link) and I adore it. The subtle draping, the fair isle motif, and mainly the fact its the first knitted cardigan I've really liked! Here are some scans from The Knitter, which is the magazine I found it in.

I'm not a huge fan of the colours selected for this, mainly because it just isn't "me". I usually wear darker colours, and that beige would wash out my skin tone. I've instead gone for a maroon/dark pink main colour, with the fair isle motif being a mix of teal blue, forget me not blue and black, a little more rock 'n' roll!

I've just ordered 12 balls of Artesano DK, which is the recommended yarn, and I'm excited to recieve it, its 100% alpaca which is the first i've ever bought. I usually stick to wool as the more luxurious yarn scares me! But I'm going to try and make a quality garment for myself to wear with pride. Which I should considering all the yarn cost £59!

I found some pictures of the yarn on the Artesano website, so hopefully you can see what kind of colour scheme I'm trying to achieve.

The main body colour

Fair isle motif

Fair isle motif

Fair isle motif

I have a few days to wait now for it to come through the post, and then I'll be happily casting on! I'll be sure to make a blog post showing all the colours and the first few hours work.

Til next time!

F.O - Holden Shawlette.

I've done it. I've really done it. It might not seem like much, as many knitters have done it before me, but it's a massive achievement for me, and a massive step up to what I believe I am now capable of.

May I present my latest finished piece, the Holden Shawlette!

Being blocked on an old folded blanket

Closeup of the lace detail

Closeup of lace whilst being worn

I had to take a photo of myself wearing it before I gave it away!

From casting on to binding off, the entire thing took me 9 days, I'm not sure whether thats alot or a little, but I've burnt myself out a little now, I've been wanting to do this for so long and now I'm not sure what to do next! But I'm sure a quick browse of Ravelry will sort me out.

I have to say the most painful part of this project was the picot bind off, first time I've done it and it took FOREVER! I had 309 stitches to bind off with it and you had to keep casting on more! My hands ended up very achey and I had to take breaks, but I'm glad I pushed through!

For those of you who'd like to knit the Holden Shawlette for yourself, here is the Ravelry Link.

'Til next time!