F.O - Elleby beanie

First FO of 2013 finished! Considering I'm notoriously a starter and not a finisher, this has made me quite a proud little lady. Since I started knitting in september 2011 I've only properly finished under 10 FOs. My new years knitting resolution is to finish every project that I start, only do one at a time, and blog each step appropriately. I think it'll be nice to look back and see how I'll improve over the years!

So Elleby finished blocking this morning, it's truly magical, before blocking it looked like a scrunched up maroon tube. I looked at it and wondered how it would possibly end up looking "slouchy". But lo and behold the lace has opened out and the slouchy look is there. I'm really happy with how it looks, and cant wait to wear it out and about! Here are a few pics:

The slouchiness is great, I rarely suit beanies but love the shape of this.

The lace shows through nicely after blocking.

Close up of the lace pattern

Off now to do a few hours on the Holden Shawlette!

Elleby, FO's and recent Knits.

Elleby - A success with simple lace!

My Elleby lace beanie with my Signature needles.

Elleby (Ravelry Pattern)

I'm about halfway through this gorgeous little slouchy hat, in all honesty when I picked the project I was looking for something to use up the last of my maroon yarn and to knit something with my new Signature needles! But I'm so glad I did, the pattern is well written, I learned how to read lace charts, and I'm able to memorise it quite easily. I haven't spent much time on it, but rather picked it up and knit a few lines here and then when I feel like it. 

I'm still DYING to get started on a proper sweater/cardigan for myself, I bought the latest Knitter magazine and found a beautiful cardigan there which I've decided I'll knit. Just have to finish this little beanie first!

On a quick note on the Signature needles, I love them. I love them so much my heart feels like it'll burst when I use them. At around £29 ($42) a pair they are pricey, but I'm more than willing to pay for a new pair every now and again! I currently have a 3.75mm, 4mm and 6mm, all my recent FO's have been using these. I look back at my Addi Clicks a bit sadly, as I feel like they wont quite match up to my expectations (although I've always DESPISED their rubbish kinky stiff cables) but I WILL still use them until I complete my Signature collection.

Itty bitty baby jumper!

Another excuse to use my 4mm Signatures, plus I wanted to try a top down sweater and thought if I could do a baby version, I could do a full sized one eventually! I used a single ball of James C. Brett Cotton On (very soft and nice to knit with) Ravelry link to my stash here. I cant remember where I found the pattern, it was somewhere on Ravelry so if I find it I'll edit the post with the link.

Bird mittens.... when you see it :|

Bird Mittens (Ravelry pattern)

Yeah.... yeah, this was my ultimate DOH knitting moment. Nearly 80% through the second mitten and I didnt flip the damn chart. I have 2 right handed mittens and I wanted to cry. But all is not lost, I have plenty of yarn left so I'm going to knit it again when I stop being so pissed at myself.