Hieta

I love challenges when it comes to knitting. Though, sometimes the challenge can be to set out to design something truly simple.

What: Hieta / Own pattern

How: Circular needles 3.25 and 3.5 mm

From: WalkCollection Cottage Merino, 211 g

That's what I set out to do and I think I nailed it.

Hieta is a wonderfully simple sweater for fingering weight yarn. It's worked seamlessly top-down. The pullover has a round yoke with a couple simple lace bits on it. The rest is stockinette stitch.

The sweater has no waist shaping and the 3/4 length sleeves make it super light to wear. I can't believe I almost managed my sample with two skeins.

The lace rounds on the yoke are easy to work. I especially love the elongated stitches that are worked by wrapping the yarn around the needle several times and then dropping those extra yarn overs on the next round.

It was really fun to get to work behind the camera for a change for some of the photos as my summer trainee was willing to try modeling.

Little Woodland

Back when I started working on Strands of Joy book, one of my first ideas was for Woodland cardigan that has this amazing enchanted forest on the hem. Many thought at first that it was a kid's design but no. I wanted it all for myself but now, I've gone and done a kiddo version as well.

What: Little Woodland / Own pattern

How: Circular needles 3.5 and 3.75 mm

From: nurja merino sock 3ply, 116 g

It was fun to do a new version of an old pattern. For kids, I chose a softer yarn that can be machine washed - hence the superwash treatment. I also turned the cardigan into a pullover because buttons can be tricky with children that don't want to stay put.

The pattern comes with sizes from 6MO to 12YO. The hem pattern features the same trees and animals as in the adult version but for this pullover, I fitted the patterns in every size such that it goes around the sweater unbroken.

The neckband worked with the contrast colour is a fun little detail. The neckband stays stretchy enough with using tubular bind-off.

I made my little sample in the size 18MO and one skein of MC was plenty enough for that.