Husky wool bodice

Quick snap of Husky Wool Bodice

“Husky Wool Bodice” – I suspect this is the very first time that phrase has ever been uttered! Here darling, newly pregnant G. models the Husky Legwarmers that transmuted into my Husky Wool cable-paneled Bodice! I think I may have to type up this pattern because it is really lovely to work. The cable is simple – the same as my Husky Warmers and lovely to knit, it has a nice rhythm.

Modelled by the lovely G.

This garment is knit in four pieces: front, back and two side panels. The cabling allows for nice stretch across the bust which is very flattering and gathers in nicely at the back so it’s not all puffy there. The side panels are made by picking up and knitting stitches on one side of the front and back panels and knitting garter stitch to the length you want to connect the front and back panels. The straps are made by continuing a single cable set one cable in from each side at the front, knitting to the length you want and then sewing at back. You could do button attachment, deer-horn style toggles etc on the front or back. I am really loving knitting with this handspun Alaskan Malamute wool and lambswool yarn, it is so natural and pure.

and her gorgeous wee bump

We did our we photo shoot in a bit of a sudden rush but doesn’t G. look gorgeous?! What a cute wee bump. This cabling stitch would be lovely used in a ‘bump warmer’, ‘bump tube’. I may have to get on to that next – except I am now making a pair of Soya Yarn Gauntlets which is knitting up like silk cashmere and has a beautiful drape to it.

bye, bye pregnant Husky Bodice gal!

One for the birds

luxe avian design

A small digression from urban yarns and knitting – what are these wool spindle things? Let’s call them garden bird nesting material stations! Here in our wee enclave of Scotland our garden birds including pairs and flocks of blue tits, robins, blackbirds, song thrushes, crows, feral pigeons, collared doves, woodpigeons, great tits, wagtails and dunnocks enjoy the height of luxury when feathering their nests – Alaskan Malamute wool undercoat wrapped round some twigs!

Last year we put a couple of these out a bit late in the nest building season and the blue tits LOVED the fur. We even did a test of Malamute wool versus sheep wool and there was no competition at all: the sheep wool was completely ignored and the Malamute wool disappeared instantly. It is so gratifying on some primal level to watch little birds take and use nest material you’ve offered them.

We put these out and within 10 minutes there was a great tit pulling the wool out. (However he/she didn’t take any and was maybe thinking, “what kind of weird bird feeder is this thing – where are the seeds in here?!”)

one of our resident crows on the birdtable