Aussie Battler Jacket

The Aussie Battler button I found in the last post was used to finish off my first ever cardigan. Knitting a cardigan has been on my crafty to do list for a while now. Ok, I might have meant an adult size cardigan for myself ... but this is a good start :)

Pattern: Top down Garter stitch Baby Jacket by Nancy Munroe. It is available as a free download on Ravelry.
Needles: 4mm circular (although the cardigan is knit flat, apart from the sleeves).
Yarn: Bendigo Wollen Mills Rich Alpaca (60% alpaca, 40% wool) in the colour rich grey.

It was a pretty easy knit with a few new techniques to learn such as a stretchy cast off. While I love the finished jacket, I would not choose an alpaca yarn next time. It is quite a hairy yarn and I am not sure how suitable it will be for a newborn. But it will definitely keep him warm!

To go with the jacket I made a pair of socks ... crochet this time. For some reason I loose interest when knitting socks and usually stop at one! But these were quick and easy to whip up.

Pattern: Arianna Baby Socks

Hook: 3mm & 3.5mm

Yarn: Sock yarn from the stash (I have lost the band)

I think a crochet toy would complete this handmade gift perfectly. I have until the 19th ... better get started :)

Luv Neen

The Perfect Button

I have just been searching for the perfect button to finish off my latest knit project. I could picture the ideal button in my mind ... it was just a matter of finding it.

Unfortunately my buttons are not sorted by colour, or by shape, or even by size. Nope .... just three large jars full to the brim with buttons, collected over the years. So I upended them all onto the floor and amongst the pile I found this little beauty. Not the one I had in mind. But perfect for the project all the same.

More on that project later .... when the light is better to take a photo.

My problem now is what to do with the pile of buttons ... I think it is a great time to join in the button swap hosted by Taz over at Butter and Buntings.

Do you have a pile of buttons you'd like to share?

Luv Neen