Favourite Patterns

It was entirely a coincidence that when I went to the last Knitting and Crochet Guild meeting – where the topic was “Favourite Things” – that I was knitting one of my favourite patterns.  It is an old 1980s pattern for a baby jacket which was published by Littlewoods.

The original was a fair-isle pattern but it can be knitted in any way.  I have done stripes and checks as well as using multi-coloured yarn.  When I decided to knit a couple of baby coats for the Oxford Baby Bank – it was obvious that I would choose to use my version of this pattern.

I have knitted this one in Stylecraft Tweedy and I am now working on a second one using Stylecraft Special for Babies.

During the meeting we discussed things that could be knitted to raise money for the Guild.  Babies coats are something that are easy to knit; can be sold fairly cheaply and that people like to buy as a gift for a new baby.  Bootees were also suggested as well as little hats and gloves.  These are all popular for the same reasons.

A Few Favourites

I managed to finish the shawl that I was knitting for my mother at the end of last year.  There are several other shawls that I would like to knit.  I had Stephen West’s latest book for Christmas and some red yarn which I intend to make into a shawl.

Tomorrow is the latest meeting for the Oxford Branch of the Knitting and Crochet Guild.  This month’s topic is a discussion of favourite designers, patterns, yarns etc.  In anticipation of this I have been thinking about my favourites.

I know I have written about my favourite yarns before.  Some of them are discontinued!  My top 5 all-time are:

1                     Colinette Fandango

2                     Noro Kureyon

3                     Sirdar Highlands and Islands

4                     Rowan Felted Tweed

5                     Debbie Bliss Rialto Sock

I have a few patterns that I have knitted many times – most of these are for babies.  I am currently knitting a few little coats for Oxford Baby Bank.  My liking for shawls and multi-coloured knitting influence liking for particular designers – my current top 5 would be:

1                     Horst Schulz

2                     Kaffe Fassett

3                     Valentina Devine

4                     Brian Smith

5                     Patricia Werner

I could have also added Martin Storey – but that would have been 6!  I just had another thought – I could have added Sirdar Escape to the yarn list – so that would be 6 as well.

I would like to start knitting another shawl, but I am going to take the little baby coats to the meeting because they  are much easier to knit when you are talking.  If I take the shawl – I will have to unravel it when I get home which will be really frustrating – so I am going to stick to knitting something “boring”.