Well this one knitted up so quickly that I didn't even remember to take a photo of it while it was in progress!
This is the Harvest Cardigan from the Tin Can Knits Simple Collection. The Simple Collection is a free learn to knit series of patterns that you can download from Ravelry or the Tin Can Knits website.
I made the 6-12 month size for the anticipated little one of my lovely hairdresser. I figured that it was probably a good plan to make something for the new baby to wear during the winter months, rather than when it arrives in July. I hope it will get plenty of wear! I love the clean lines of this design.
I used New Lanark Aran 100% Wool in the Cherry colour way, and this teeny size took just 133g of yarn! The cardi starts at the back neck and you then pick up around the rectangle of the collar, and work down to the hem - stopping along the way to separate out the sleeves. This might sound a bit adventurous for a beginner knit, but the pattern is spectacular. Alexa Ludeman and Emily Wessel (the brains behind Tin Can Knits) have really knocked it out of the park. The pattern includes simple diagrams to walk you through each step of the construction, the pdf is helpfully linked to tutorials on their website wherever the techniques are interesting, and it's just really clearly written.
You can choose whether to make buttonholes as you go, or whether to use a brooch for fastening the front of the cardigan. As this is for a little one, I found some ace chunky poppers at Millie Moon (my local haberdashery) which finish off the front neatly.
The pattern is written for sizes from tiny baby through to adult, and I'll admit that I'm more than a bit tempted to make another larger one for myself. Or I would be, if I weren't busy dreaming about all the other brilliant Tin Can Knits patterns that I want to cast on RIGHT NOW! One of the things that I really like about Alexa and Emily's designs, is that the majority of the garments are sized (as Harvest is) from baby to adult in a generous range. It's a real skill to design in a way that works from tiny to large, and I think that Tin Can Knits nails it.
If you haven't tried a pattern from Tin Can Knits, then I can only say, go and buy one (or more!)! If you're unsure of paying for a pattern from a designer you're not familiar with (and my recommendation isn't enough!!) then I would highly recommend heading over to their website and having a look through the impressive range of tutorials and free patterns, available to download from Ravelry. It's also well worth signing up to their newsletter as they often have offers and sneak peeks at new designs (you can sign up at the bottom of this page: About Tin Can Knits). I've just bought their new collection, Max and Bodhi's Wardrobe, and I'm looking forward to seeing the remaining patterns in the book, as they are released.
I hope to be back soon with other knitting and some of the projects I've been working on recently...
(I've not been paid to rave about Tin Can Knits today! I just feel enthusiastic about their patterns! I hope that's clear. :) )
