duffle trouble

My knitting needles have been in overdrive lately with the advent of the cold weather. For non-local readers, who are wondering exactly how cold that weather is, the answer is Very! -13 degrees C the other morning according to my car, after I had chiselled my way in and careered off down the road to work. I know it's a bit of a maternal cliche but I can't help but worry about rubbishknitterjunior's general wellbeing in such climes. So I am very happy now this little duffle coat is finished. Pattern is Roo from the Twist Collective, yarn is Aragon Yarn Classic Romney, donated to the keep-the-rubbishknitters-warm fund by the lovely Kate B. There was just exactly the right amount, no more than a couple of metres left over. When I first touched this wool I immediately thought of duffle coats - it is a fat, sturdy feeling single ply almost like roving which is super warm to touch.

Modifications: I put an extra half pattern repeat into the hood, because my child has a massive head. My tension was a bit off, so I made a size down, and it came out just right. (More details about these tinkerings on the Ravelry project page should you require them). This was a great pattern, I enjoyed it a lot. Doing the fastenings was fun. Ideally I had wanted leather triangles, but in the local fabric store they only sold what the lady pleasingly described as Pleather. I wasn't sure about it initially but it was both cheaper and easier to sew, and looks enough like leather to fool a blind man on a galloping horse, so it'll do. I cut out equilateral triangles and handsewed them on with thin strips to hold the toggles. It worked pretty well I think. My only slight reservation with this fastening method is that there is a bit of a wind-admitting gap in the middle. If I have time I might put a zip in as well to pull the sides together a bit, although it is possible I am overfussing with such a thick warm coat. Mmmm snuggly, I want a duffle coat too now...


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happy christmas

Fortunately for the wee man, last year's christmas jumper still fits. Mostly due to me making it about fifty times too big originally. A little bit snug over that fat belly, he'll have to go easy on the roast potatoes, but he will be glad of its warmth this year... brrr! It looks like a scene from Doctor Zhivago outside, the trees are covered in ice right up to the top branches. Going out of the door is like walking into a vat of liquid nitrogen. Fortunately I have plenty of mince pies, knitting and wine to keep me occupied indoors.

A very merry christmas and a happy new year to you all! May santa bring you a sackful of yarn!
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