Review: Peter Pan Pattern P1189 and Ricobaby So Soft Dk

Review: Peter Pan Pattern P1189 and Ricobaby So Soft Dk.

Hello crafters,

So on boxing day, I gave my other half specific instructions to send over the knitting project I received on xmas to my parents. He didn't do it! But all was not lost, my mum gave me her new knitting project. (We decided to do a swap, I've yet to give mum her's oops).  Mum and I decided we didn't want to get off the couch, we wanted to sit on the sofa, watch movies, and knit. We totally did that, we watched Tom Hanks movies all day, ate cake and knitted. It was bliss.

The new knitting project was of a new pattern and two balls of yarn. I announced not long ago that I am expecting a little baby :D. So obviously it's baby orientated hehe.

 Rico Baby So Soft Dk

This was my first time working with this particular brand. The colours I used was Light Yellow (03) and Light Gray (17). I personally wouldn't have put these two colours together, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well they complement each other. Yellow is a nice calming colour and next to the gray it works brilliantly. With this yarn I used 4mm needles, which was recommended on the label. The yarn is so soft, perfect for using to knit/crochet baby garments.

When knitting, the yarn didn't split, fluff up and there was no irregularities with the finish of the yarn. There was only one knot which I luckily managed to conceal  on a purl row.

I'm really happy with the stitch definition, my tension is usually on the tighter side, but I am pretty impressed with how the stitches look. I was very happy that the yarn didn't snap whilst using it. (This has happened to me with cheaper brands! Much to my annoyance!)

Peter Pan Pattern P1189

This is your straight forward st st stitch pattern. I found it very easy to follow. The only gripe is that you knit the button band separately and then sew it on. I knitted them up quick enough, just felt it was a bit of a faff. I've always picked up stitches for borders and done it that way.

I didn't use the buttons the pattern asked for, I went off and bought some fun ones. I bought them from a local shop called 'The Button Hole'. It's a lovely place, with lovely staff. The buttons I picked are of little pencils! 

Over all the project was very easy to do, I would probably do it again when I know the sex. I knitted the first size, and it will probably fit my baby at 3-6 months.

Here is the finished product;

My next project, which I have yet to begin, will involve King Cole Cuddly Yarn. It is so soft. 

Happy 2015!

Happy New Year. I am so looking forward to 2015 and all the new possibilities and mystery's that lay at my feet. I wanted to take some time to reflect over my crafty creations from 2014. I have learnt so many new skills, which I am using a lot.

I learnt how to knit on double pointed needles! Yippee. I was wary about trying dpns for the longest time, but I wanted to have a go at knitting socks. I had heard that hand knitted socks were the best socks in the world. So off I went and bought a ball of sock yarn...and the rest is history. I found it fiddly at first,with the cast of, and getting to grips with handing so many needles, but once I got going, it was so easy. I've no idea why it took me so long give it a go. 

Tah dah! My first pair of socks completed. I loved knitting them. Took me a while to knit them because the yarn is fine, but never the less I did it. Even my other half was impressed and he wanted a pair.

So obviously I used this excuse to try another pattern to make more socks. I knitted these ones in Aran weight yarn for a more chunkier feel. Which I thought was the best option for a men feet. These took no time at all to knit up, with these ones I knitted them using 4 dpns, whereas my first pair was with 5dpns. I prefer knitting with 5dpns, I find there is less strain on the stitches.

In 2014 I also developed a taste for the more fancier yarns. Don't get me wrong, some of the bargin yarns are brilliant, but sometimes I just fancy some of the fancier ones! I recently went to a knit and stitch show and there were so many hand dyed, hand spun yarns I could have stayed there forever and be quite content.

Now in 2015, my resolution is to knit, crochet more and to do more sewing. Last year my hobbies got pushed to the wayside because of university. In the past few months, I have learnt that I can do both, IF I organise my time properly. Even though I love what I do at Uni, I will always love to knit and crochet more. One of the career paths I can take with my Textiles degree is a Yarn Designer...think I may look into this.

Ciao for now

Nikki x