Jojo

I have finished my first knit of the year! It’s a relatively small project but as an incredibly slow and easily distracted knitter I am still pleased with myself. It is Jojo by Martin Storey and is in the Rowan Classic Beach booklet. I’ve knit it in King Cole Fashion Aran in the shade Orkney as I had a pile left over from a cardigan I finished last year (which I was going to knit a jumper in before the pattern was removed from Ravelry, I know not why).

Above: King Cole Fashion Aran

It was a nice easy knit and I just followed the pattern with no deviations though I don’t really like the shoulder shaping and wondered if I might contrive a three needle bind-off were I to knit it again. I imagine the shaping has a point though and I don’t have enough technical knowledge to know either way.

Even though the yarn is 70% acrylic I still blocked it by pinning it out and steaming it.

Above: They reckon you can't block acrylic but you absolutely can if you're determined enough.

The fit is a little bit bigger than I’d hoped but as it’ll be worn over a shirt it should be okay. Here are some photos of it being modelled by the delightful Dolores.

Above: Front

Above: Back

I’ve started my next project; it is Thunder by Kim Hargreaves from the Rowan Plaid Collection. I don’t think I’ve picked a very good yarn as it has zero stretch and I’ve nearly pulled it out once. The fabric does have some stretch though so fingers crossed will be fine. The polo neck is the bit I’m most worried about but I think if it looks like it might be smaller than my melon head then I won’t go down a needle size for it, that’s a way off yet though as I’m not halfway up the back yet.

Above: Early days

Above: What a big fat cable, it's like a pair of slugs having a scrap.

This should be a relatively quick knit as the yarn is hella chunky and the needles are 8mm, which to be honest feels like knitting with drumsticks, so if it does turn out to be a bust then it won't have wasted too much time. I am hopeful it'll be fine though.