Buttons are a bigger deal than I had previously realised. A button can make or break a knitted item, I think, and I was so indecisive about what to choose (thanks for everyone who helped via every social media site that I was deliberating on!). My problem with buttons is that I love all of them and not being at all fashion conscious I'm terrible at making a commitment. In the end, I plumped for the clear crystal style flowery ones, they had a slightly more dressy feel and I'm really happy with them.
Miette is a fantastically simple pattern (and it's free!) which gives you pointers about where you can customise at specific places. I added two extra repeats for the length of the body and had wanted to make longer sleeves too but I ran out of yarn.
I wrote about this project last time and was talking about wanting a whimsical 50s style dress to wear with the finished item and I was so pleased with it that I went ahead and bought one! We never go anywhere that would warrant a lovely outfit but perhaps one will manifest now that I have something fancier to wear.
The other problem comes with photographing. I have been forcing myself to face my fears of being in front of the camera a bit more and finishing an item of clothing gives me a good reason to do that. I'm not really liking what I'm seeing today - I think I need to get out walking as soon as this stormy weather clears and shift some of that Christmas podge!
I'm not sure what to knit next, perhaps something small like socks?
This week I've started reading Making Home: adapting our homes and our lives to settle in place which I found through Yarn Along last week (sorry, I can't remember who). The blurb on the back reads 'The new Good Life is within our reach. Making home is about improving our lives with the real people around us and the resources we already have.'
I'm really enjoying the book, I like that the author suggests that the protest of living our lives according to our beliefs is as important as protesting government etc.
I'm joining in with Yarn Along today.
What are you knitting and/or reading this week?
P.S. There's only a couple of days left to save 10% off in my yarn shop with the coupon code JANUARYSALE
A very pretty sweater and you look lovely. I always feel a little shy in front of the camera. Happy Knitting!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathleen :o)
Deletei love the whole look! and you are now the second person this week reading this book---it sounds like a must read here!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, steph. The book is really good!
DeleteLovely sweater and it looks great on you!! I have it in my queue, must get to it soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lydia :o)
DeleteLove the cardi and you know what you look fab
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you, Jen :o)
DeleteI love your whole outfit! And the buttons do make the sweater. I've already added the book to my to read list (which just gets longer every Wednesday).
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen. I'm really happy with these buttons, now. My book wishlist is getting longer and longer, too!
DeleteBeautiful cardi and I 100% agree about the button dilemna!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Suzanne :o)
Deletebook sounds fab - that's pretty much where I'm at in life these days.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one :o)
DeleteYour cardigan is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you :o)
DeleteThe cardigan is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks :o)
Deleteyou and your cardigan look beautiful, i feel the very same way about photos and knitting. i loved this pattern but wished it were charted.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lori ann. I'm the other way around - I have to write charts out to be able to follow them so this pattern suits me.
DeleteLovely knit and lovely outfit. Don’t save it for somewhere special, make just anywhere special by showing it off :)
ReplyDeleteI like that idea, MumB - thanks :o)
DeleteVery pretty cardigan, either button would have looked grand - I like what you went with.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy :o)
DeleteThat is a very lovely sweater. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathi :o)
DeleteYou look lovely in your sweater and I do like the dressy buttons over the white ones. I also like the length you added to the sweater, I would have done that as well. You look perfect the way you are!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen :o)
DeleteYou look lovely, please continue to model everything and like that little half turn - very chic!
ReplyDeleteHehe, I think it's more like I'm trying to turn as far away from the camera as possible! - thanks, Anne.
DeleteSuch a pretty sweater! The buttons on the left are my favorite, too. You look beautiful in your new sweater!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristen :o)
DeleteGorgeous! Absolutely GORGEOUS!!! I like your 50's outfit and these buttons... they look like little diamonds.
ReplyDeleteThanks :o)
DeleteBeautiful knitting Hannah and excellent choice of buttons too :-) I'm knitting the cable owl mittens from Ravelry for a friend, two colours knit together to make DK yarn. I'm quite impressed with myself. My longer term project is a blanket as part of a CAL...I've made 12 squares already! I also knitted a Gruffalo the other day! Best child reaction to a present ever! Full on intake of breath and mega grin :-D
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading River Cottage Meat when it arrives (£15.44 second hand from play.com rather than £30 on Waterstone's!) I tried pulled pork this week which is on the second meat I've ever roasted (being veggie for 8 years scuppered my meat cooking learning!) I wasn't impressed with the finished result...need a better recipe that cooks for longer, there's a good one in Meat.
Thanks, Sarah :o)
DeleteIt sounds like you're having a very productive time!
Such a lovely cardigan and so feminine.
ReplyDeleteDo do need somewhere to wear this!
Thanks, Elizabeth :o)
DeleteThat is a gorgeous cardi and the color is perfect :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :o)
DeleteHello Hannah (my daughter is also named Hannah), I am a new follower of your wonderful blog. You have so many talents, your baking and knitting are magnificent. Your cardigan is gorgeous and the photo of you just lovely.
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased you found your way here - thank you for your lovely words :o)
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