Debbie Bliss Magazine Autumn Winter 2012

Well, I have had a few days to digest the contents of the Debbie Bliss Magazine Autumn Winter 2012, so I thought I'd share a few of the highlights with you.

The first thing both Kate and myself love is a flattering fitted cabled sweater knitted in Debbie Bliss Paloma, a beautiful blend of baby alpaca and merino (and currently my favourite yarn of the season.)

Next up is a lovely long cabled scarf knitted in Debbie Bliss Rialto Chunky.  I don't think I would make it quite as long as it is shown in the magazine, but it is lovely all the same.

If I need to knit a baby hat this season, I will probably knit the one in this magazine. Simple stocking stitch, but complete with earflaps and a tiny stalk on the top just for fun, it is perfect for winter arrivals and takes just one ball of Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran.

And then I love the waterfall cardigan featured in the magazine in cream Debbie Bliss Andes, a gorgeous so-soft blend of baby alpaca and silk.  I'm not sure cream is the most practical colour for me, but it's on my wishlist!

My son may be the recipient of one of the funky kids hats featured in the magazine.  Choose from owls, foxes, penguins or bears, knitted in the Cashmerino range of yarns.

I think I'll have to give the 'Folklore inspired knits a miss, as they take a certain amount of time and concentration that I lack at the moment with two small children running around.  But the man in my life might receive something for Christmas!  At last men are catered for with no less than 6 cardigan and sweater patterns to choose from!

Finally there are some gorgeous bold geometric knits for the home; cushions, bags, blankets and slippers.  The mitred garter-stitch log-cabin-style blanket knitted in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran really takes my fancy!

Right, on with my current projects, so I can start something new!

Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran transformed into an.....

Angry Bird Hat!!  Dom was insistent that was what he wanted.  so here it is!  Knitting was very easy - Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran is lovely to work with as always.  But I had a bit of trouble with the crochet features as I am not that good at crocheting and I didn't bother to look up what a 'magic ring' is (although I know now as a customer demonstrated!!)  So I ended up improvising the features and knitting the eyebrows instead of crocheting them.

Also I crocheted around the edge of the hat in cream, as whenever I make Dom a hat it never covers his ears.  The crochet has had the effect of making the hat fit more snugly which is good

But the finished result looks OK, and Dom is pleased.  Now onto the next project......(the bit I like the best)!!

Knitting Time!

After a busy day in the shop, I haven't managed to do any knitting yet today! I've nearly finished cooking supper, and then I just need to decide whether to knit some more hearts (total count 5) or whether to start Dom's 'Angry Bird' hat (free pattern from www.ravelry.com). I'm going to knit the beanie in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, simply because Dom's 'pumpkin' hat has worn so well, then crochet the eyes, beak etc in Debbie Bliss Cotton DK I think. I may require help at the crochet stage as I'm not great at following patterns, I tend to just improvise!

Decisions, decisions.....Angry bird hat will require concentration, whereas I have the heart pattern almost memorized!

Dom's Pumpkin Hat

 I couldn't resist!  Dom has been pointing at pictures of hats and his head, and the poor thing doesn't possess a hat that fits him, and I thought since Halloween was approaching.....!!  Of course now i have finished it he is not interested in wearing it!!

This supercute cute pumpkin hat knitted up in 2 evenings using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran (shade 33 pumpkin) and Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran (Shade 09 Green).

The pattern is available for free here:

http://randomstitches.wordpress.com/2008/01/11/hello-world/

It is called the 'Baby Berry Hat' and is designed by Michele Sabatier .  You can make it as a tomato/strawberry in red, a raspberry...the possibilities are endless.  I'll certainly be making some more!

Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran and Manos Wool Clasica: A delicious combination

I'm rather pleased with myself. I suddenly realised on Tuesday it was a friend's birthday today (Friday) and yet again I had left it till the last minute to make something, then I remembered that earlier in the week she had lost her gloves.

So between Tuesday and last night I managed to rustle up these lovely wristwarmers, which are actually from a kid's knitting book, but I had made them for Milly at Christmas and the larger size came up large enough for a small woman's hand.

Using just one ball of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, and scraps of Manos Wool Clasica left over from a Christmas project, I adapted the pattern slightly and made them longer at the top and added a cuff. I think they are pretty effective and she was certainly thrilled with them this morning.

It's a wrap

...or is it? I love it. I made the pattern up and used some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakan which I had previously HATED knitting with, but combined with some Brittany Birch needles, it all went swimmingly. Before I crocheted the edge using some left over Sari Ribbon I had, I washed the wrap and it actually felted slightly giving it a lovely heavier texture. It's so gorgeous, I can't wait to wear it. Intended destination: St Agnes, Cornwall, Time: 3 weeks. Cool summer evenings.

Actually, I've realised now that it would be a great gift for any new mum -she could wear it and it's soft enough, and big enough to wrap baby in too. I think I'll be making a few more of these in the future...