There's good news...

Well, the good news is that when I saw my delightful great niece on Monday she tried on this cardigan and it looks as if it will be a great size for her this summer! This is great news which makes all the sweat worthwhile because I was starting to think it would be too wee after all my delays.

The pattern appeared in a Women's Weekly Stitching Special, although no specific designer's name is given. The suggested yarn is Elle True Blue Denim, but I made the largest size in Sirdar Indigo, which I believe works in much the same way.

I worked on circulars up to the armholes to make fewer ends, but I broke off the yarn after each colour change to "make the edges less bulky" in my fevered imagination. BAD IDEA. If I ever knit it again, I will carry up the yarns at the side and slide the work to the correct end of the circs if the yarn is at the wrong end.

I added a few extra rows in length before the shaping as the fabulous Miss Anja is long and slim. She won't stay very slim though if she keeps eating Hula Hoops at such an alarming rate!

Then I panicked because the designer had, you know, designed it (The clue is in the job description Kathleen) so that sleeve striping would work with the body. So, to avoid headaches and because time was marching on, I did the sleeves in the main, mid-blue denim colour. I had of course acquired a ball or two at the Hobbycrafts and Creative Stitches show at the SECC by this point. Much the same motivation for the hood.

I really like this pattern, and although there have been hairy moments, none of them were actually down to the instructions or the yarn. That'll be me then, eh?

So, the bad news - I am having the devil's own job finding the correct zip for this baby. If I am sensible, I may just make do with a good rather than a wonderful zip to make sure Miss A can get the use of this cardi. Every stitch a kiss Miss Hula Hoop.