Rowan "Lichen" Aran

There's nothing like a few long train journeys down to Devon to get on with a lot of knitting! Finally, after what must be about 8 or 9 months (on and off) I've finished my new cardigan. This one was a chore so I'll admit there were a few breaks, but once I got stuck in again I found I couldn't motivate myself to do much else!
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Rowan Big Wool Cardigan

This pattern is from one of the Rowan Studio books. I wanted to make a cardigan thick enough to be worn as a jacket, and this is definately warm enough. It was supposed to be the other way round (seams on the inside) but the way the pattern was meant that the collar wanted to turn in. After trying it on inside out I much prefer it with the seams showing, so that's how it is now. I can't decide on where the buttons are going though, I keep moving them around, I'm sure they'll find a home sooner or later!

Owl Jumper (Kate Davies)

I came across this gorgeous pattern for a jumper knitted in the round with a cabled yoke by Kate Davies. The pattern is for sale on her blog http://needled.wordpress.com/designs/
The cables are knitted to look like owls and I'm sooo loving it!
The wool is Rowan Cocoon and is very very soft, very fluffy and very warm :-)

I think it might just be the best thing I've made yet!

Cocoon...

I just bought this wool for a third jumper I feel the urge to make. Its so soft and lovely I can't wait to get started on it, I'm sure it'll knit up pretty quickly as well as its quite chunky...

Rowan "Lichen" Aran

I love this cardigan. Its fun to knit and looks really impressive, but its really time consuming and I just want it now!



I've discovered that knitting on circulars is definately the way forward for big stuff like this. It makes it 10 times easier to carry around and it means the weight is in the middle and not on each arm when it starts getting big. Also, my tip for cable - use a hairgrip rather than a cable needle - it stays there easier without slipping out and you're much less likely to drop a stitch :-)

This pattern is from Rowan Knitting and Crochet Magazine Issue 40