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Hello and thanks for visiting my blog. I have been knitting on and off for 50 years and I recently learned to crochet. I love looking for wool bargains and making them into something useful. I mainly knit for charity. I occasionally knit for myself and family members if I find a really good pattern or if they ask nicely!!

Tuesday 9 April 2013

The peach wool challenge.....the result is a draw



Here's the finished peach dress.  The pattern called for a moss stitch bodice but I decided that the knobbly peach yarn and the bobbly moss stitch would have been too much.  I tried a ribbed bodice but the weight of the dress just pulled it down into holes.  I didn't think garter stitch would look good, so I tried stocking stitch.  I'm glad I did as it made the most of this beautiful pink yarn.  It is called Soft Cotton by Sirdar and definitely lives up to its name.  I can't remember knitting with cotton before but I am now a convert.  I think I had a strange idea that cotton yarn would be hard when, in fact, it is as soft as feathers.

This dress is my least favourite of the dresses I have knitted from this pattern.  The peach yarn was hard to knit with and has made the dress very "full".  On the plus side, there will be plenty of room for a baby to kick its legs.

I had enough yarn left to knit a matching hat.  To coin a phrase, "the photo doesn't do it justice".  The cotton yarn is so soft and perfect for a baby hat.  As both items are going off to a charity in Africa, it is unlikely that they will be worn by the same baby.  But they are both newborn size, so the possibility remains.

I won't give a link to this hat pattern as I found it very difficult to knit.  To be fair, lots of people have knitted this pattern and left good comments on Ravelry.  So maybe I was just not in the zone.  I have been meaning to knit this for some time and I'm glad I did.  But I found the topknot part VERY fiddly to knit.  It took as long as the rest of the hat and I even dreamed about it.....more of a nightmare really.  I was unhappy with my first attempt, ripped it out and knitted it for a second time.  Boy was I pleased when I finished it.  


15 comments:

  1. Hello Una
    I love the sweet dress and little hat you've made.
    They will be loved and appreciated by whoever is the lucky person to receive them.
    The hat looks lovely and good for you for sticking with it!!!
    I meant to tell you when we first met on GYB party that your surname was my maiden name!!!
    Wishing you a happy week.
    Shane ♥

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  2. I want to reply to your comment from my blog, but I do not have your email address - when you have a minute, please email me at knitpurlmama at gamil dot com & I'll reply - thanks!

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  3. I think it's pretty but I understand the frustration when a pattern or a yarn doesn't work well for you. :)

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  4. How cute! And yay for soft cotton, I know what you mean about worrying about it being 'hard', I have the same fear for some reason.

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  5. So cute! I really love the hat, but I can see what you mean about the topknot, it really looks difficult to knit. But it was worth it, though, you've done an excellent job!

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  6. I'm so glad you persevered with it, it looks lovely. Well done

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  7. Hi Una,

    Thanks for popping over to my blog - glad to have you along! I'm very envious of knitters as I am completely useless and after years of trying to master it decided to take up crochet instead. Have added you to my bloglovin list.

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  8. I love it! And so will some lucky baby. And thanks again for posting your circular needle instructions on my blog. Now it makes sense:-)

    Hugs,
    Terri

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  9. una, both items are really lovely - well done xxx

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  10. They are lovely - and the stockinette stitch is perfect for that little bodice. I can see the softness of that cotton yarn.

    P.S. Rosie over at Old Magnolia Tree has sent out a call for knitted/crocheted items for the Special Baby Unit of her local hospital. I thought you might be able to help. Here's the link:
    http://oldmagnoliatree.blogspot.com/2013/04/campervan-blanket.html?showComment=1366166515978#c5185012054024421009

    (The relevant portion is at the bottom of the post.)

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    1. Thanks for thinking of me. I popped over to the Oldmagnoliatree blog and read the article. I think I missed the name of the actual hospital. I'll pop back over when I'm more awake. Best wishes, Una.

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  11. whoever receives your lovely outfit will be very lucky - I looked through your posts and your pink blanket is beautiful you do such good work. I made a couple of Billie blankets for charity recently so hopefully we are keeping some little babies warm x

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    1. I had a look at your blog and love the new cushion you are working on. The crochet blankets are very pretty as well.

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  12. Thank you for dropping by my blog and leaving such a lovely comment (not the first time of course). Your comments come up as "no reply" blogger so I can't email you directly. As for the backings of my quilt, I try to make them as nice as possible so the quilt can be reversible if desired! I think this one looks a little like a beach towel -- must be the stripes! LOL

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    1. There must be something in my blogger settings. I'll have a look and see if I can change it.

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