King Cole Aran Little Hoody Jacket in Stylecraft Knitting Yarn

This is one of my all time favourite knitting pattern books, King Cole Aran Book 2.  The designs vary from simple stocking stitch like this one to quite complex aran patterns that require more concentration.  With a young baby to look after I went for a simple pattern this time.

The size range is fantastic, from new born to 7 years - although I was initially disappointed to find that the garments actually start at 6 - 12 months and only the blankets are from new born.  Having said that, with a mother's hindsight I no longer make any clothes for babies under 3 months old as they grow out of it so quickly, it doesn't seem worth the effort.  

Hubster picked out this yarn and I think he made a lovely choice.  This Stylecraft Special with Wool Knitting Yarn Aran is lovley and soft even though it's 80% acrylic.  It was nice and easy to work with although the colour choice of Black Watch made sewing up tough - especially as my day light bulb was packed ready for our impeding house move!!  It looks black overall, very smart and practical for kids but when you look closely there's little flecks of blue and green.

I'm sure Little Miss will love it and Little Pickle after she's outgrown it.  No pictures of her in it yet as it's currently 2 sizes too big - I learned the hard way to always size up so that when (not if, lets face it) life gets in the way I can still finish my project before it's too small.

I paired it with some wooden buttons.

This yarn is currently on offer at Minerva Crafts at just £5.99 a ball - bargain!!  I'm very tempted to grab some of the Oatmeal for my next project as i'm craving one of the more complex patterns . . .

King Cole Aran Book 2 Knitting Project - Little Blue Gansey

Knitted on 5mm needles with Hayfield Bonus With Wool Knitting Yarn Aran in Navy.  

I made a pigs ear of the neck band!  I put the shoulder flap on the right side, thought it was the wrong side and then put it on the other side.  I got myself into a right muddle and made a total mess of it.  I sort of managed to save it with a lot of messing about and an extra bit of flap.

Cosy Alpine Cardigan from King Cole Aran Book 2 in Martha Stewart Crafts Merino Yarn

Wow, this cardigan has been on my needles for MONTHS.  It is very heavily cabled and the most challenging knitting project I have done to date.

It's taken from Aran Book 2 by King Cole written by Sue Batley-Kyle.  This is my current favourite pattern book.  I love arans on little kids, they look so adorable and cosy.  I also love knitting aran style patterns, they generally include just the right amount of stitch variation to keep me from getting bored but are still simple enough to do in front of the telly.

 

Like everything I buy this pattern book was very carefully chosen.  

It contains a very wide range of sizes from birth to 7 years.  Although to be fair I was misled by this.  Only the blanket and sleepsack patterns are from birth the actual garments start at 6 months.  

The patterns are mostly jumpers and cardigans of course in lovely aran styles with a range of complexity.  This particular cardigan is the most complex, there is also a simple stocking stitch cardigan.

The yarn I chose was Martha Stewart Crafts Merino Yarn from Lion Brand which has now been discontinued.  I had to swap down to 4.5mm needles to make the gauge fit the pattern.  The knitting has come out looking a lot tighter than other garments I've made from these patterns but it also has a lot of stretch being so heavily cabled so I think it'll be alright.  

I'm really disappointed with my button placement.  The actual pattern didn't include buttons but I decided to include some.  I wish I'd put more thought into adapting the ribbing and including bigger button holes.  These buttons are fiddly to fasten (just what I need with a toddler to dress!) and I've stretched the right hand side so the neckline doesn't level up.  All that effort for such a glaring mistake that'll be bugging me for years!

The hat is a very slight variation of the Teddy Edward hat in that I didn't bother to add the ears.  They seemed wrong in this color or yarn.  The stitch pattern is a lot more pronounced in the cover picture but it still looks very cute when a little stretched.

The best bit about doing this pattern was that it forced me to learn how to cable without a cable needle.  It was taking so long picking up and putting down my cable needle every few seconds, it was way too fiddly.  I figured there must be a quicker way!  

It's a really scary concept I know but bear with me.  To cable without a cable needle you drop the stitches, yup, really, drop the stitches instead of putting them on a cable needle.  

Bring the right hand needle behind your work (if you would hold your cable needle behind, in front if your cable needle would be in front) and slip it through the stitches that will be crossed.  Drop the cable stitches and pick them up with your left needle.  Put the unworked stitches on your right needle back onto your left.  Then knit across the cable stitches.  

Honestly, once you get the hang of it it's way easier than messing about with a cable needle.  I'll put some step by step pictures together next time I do a cable, which may be a while as I'm pretty sick of them after this project!

Little Red Cardie

King Cole Aran book 2
Knitted in size 6 - 12 months

Little Vintage Dress Coat

King Cole Aran Book 2

Knitted in Robin Aran.
Size 1 - 2 years.