Knitting and Rag Doll making!

I just wanted to share with you what I've been making outside of my work making, starting with my latest knitting project! I've finished this just in time for the snow that's falling outside, a very warm short sleeved cardigan in beautiful Rowan Big Wool. The pattern is from one of the Rowan magazines and due to the fact that it was made all in one piece (LOTS of stitches!) I knitted it on circular needles. As a result I'm now converted to circulars, I found them so much lighter and easier to use than regular straight needles. Looking forward to wearing this!

Another project I've been working on is a Rag Doll for my Nieces first birthday later this week, made using a pattern from Mollie Makes magazine. I wanted to make her something special that hopefully she will want to keep, in the same way that I have kept special toys that I had when I was small.

 I've always used my sewing machine for experimental work with just the occasional bit of dress making, but I've made a resolution to use it more, so I thought a toy would be a good place to start! She is a true Rag Doll, being made from scraps of fabric that I already have, with the exception of her trousers, the fabric for which I couldn't resist and I bought from work (hopefully later in the year I'll make myself a dress in it). Working in an Art and Craft shop means I'm always inspired to make new things, and I've got a waiting list of things I want to make!