Week #38 - Owlet Jumper

Following up on my preview post earlier this week, I'm pleased to announce that I'm ready to show off my Kate Davies creation, having completed her 'owlet' jumper pattern. Have a look at her completed version below:

Photo by Kate Davies Design

This little jumper really was a joy to complete. Because it is baby-sized, it didn't take long to knit up and because the jumper knits from bottom to top, you knit the little owls last which means you build up to and savour working on the best part of the jumper.

I followed Kate's simple step-by-step guidelines, choosing to knit a jumper for size 18-24 months. Though if you wanted to make a different size, the same pattern has easy to follow instructions to knit up a jumper from 6 months to 10 years. The pattern gives clear instructions and advice on what materials and needles you'll need, as well as notes regarding the fit and gauge you are knitting to.

Once you have knit your jumped you can have a bit of fun choosing buttons to give it the right look and really bring your owls to life. 

I'd really recommend this pattern to knitters of all backgrounds - for an expert it would knit up quickly, and for someone relatively new it presents a good challenge with a few new techniques... but without being too overwhelming a project. It is certainly a good confidence builder for knitters of all levels.

Here is how my Owlets turned out:

What do you think? I used a mousey-brown colour with hints of lights and dark highlights to give a nice texture and make sure that the jumper was unisex. I thought the colour was nice and muted, but that the highlights gave it a bit of a warmer tone.  Plus I found dark buttons with a little highlight in the centre to really make the owl eyes stand out.

Now that I've completed one of Kate's projects, I'm afraid I might not be able to stop. I have my eyes on some of the more complicated ones, and think I might rewards myself at the of my 52 weeks : 52 crafts project with a new knitting project in January that will be just for me!

This jumper will of course be on auction for Macmillan Cancer Support. Please see the auction for more information, including size and measurements.

The auction will start tonight (Sunday Oct. 29th and run through to November 5th).

Plus, stay tuned as there are plenty of new auctions to come and as of Nov. 1st I'm launching a little 52 weeks : 52 crafts round up to help you get going on your Christmas shopping and help raise more funds for Macmillan Cancer Support!

Week #38 Preview - Designer Kate Davies

I'm really pleased to give a little preview to this week's craft by featuring Kate Davies, an incredible designer, writer, blogger and knitting expert based in Edinburgh.

I first came across Kate quite some time ago, while having a short internet break at work - I immediately bookmarked her site as something to 'come back to'... but as it often happens, I didn't quite get around to revisiting her site for some time.  Then I came across her site again earlier this year when she was having some trouble with people reproducing and selling her patterns as well as a dispute with Debenhams over the use of the pattern (which I'm happy to say was resolved soon after!)

If you browse Kate's website you'll see that she has produced quite a wonderful selection of patterns, with a range suitable for both beginners and experts... visit http://katedaviesdesigns.com/designs/ to see just a few.

One my favourites is her absolutely breaktaking Yams and Rowes blanket.

Photo: Kate Davies Designs

Now due to my knitting skill level, and the fact that I only have a week to complete each project I didn't quite have the time-resources to take on this blanket, I have however completed another of Kate's projects and will be posting my result and review of the pattern later this week.

Have a browse of Kate's website and see if you can guess which one I made!

Many thanks of course to Kate, who has allowed me to use her pattern and sell what I made to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support!

If you'd like more information on the 52 Weeks: 52 Crafts project, <== click this link to see some of the other projects I made and find out what is up for auction this week.