I’ve gone back to knitting ! For a long time my arthritic little and ring fingers on the left hand wouldn’t enable that – not without a lot of angry screaming in pain, anyway. I managed to (sort of) train those fingers straight rather than curled while holding the object being knitted: a modern miracle !
What’s actually new is that I’m knitting a top-down cardigan ! Top down ? – this is something I have eschewed my whole knitting life. No, I don’t recall what ingrained that habit; but ingrained it was and many a top-down object was scornfully passed over. My US friend Michele LOVES top-down – in fact, I think it might be all she knits – and she is so superb a knitter that I eventually decided there must be sumpn’ in that top-down stuff. (My other genius knitter is a Pom; and Phil does the most astounding fair isle/stranded knitting you’ve ever seen !)
This first effort is a test for me: it already contains split yarn (half-knitted-through) in some stitches, and M1Ls where M1Rs ought be. But I don’t care ! – if I can finish it, it will be A Major Achievement !
The body – which after a few plain rows I shall be embarking on – contains “lace”. It’s not really lace, just some patterned YOs, but it will relieve my far-from-expert stocking stitch.
It’s almost exciting ! 
P.S. Thought I’d better add the pattern photo to prevent anyone else’s thinking my project is a bolero ! PLEASE NOTE: I am NOT the same shape/size of this young lady. I’m taller and not much smaller around the bum; but as I said, she’s apple-shaped and I’m pear-shaped. This means she has big tits and I don’t. Alas.
DOWNUNDER WITH BOODZ 
Top-down, bottom-up, inside-out, whatever! I thought you just knitted!
Seriously though, two things. First, I’m glad you are able to knit. I remember when my Mum’s arthritis got so bad that knitting and then patchwork became just too difficult. She soldiered on for a long time though, because she loved doing them so. I can see you will do the same as much as you can.
Second, what a gorgeous colour your top-down project is. You could stop now, and it would be a beaut bolero!
That’s all from me.
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I think it should be called ‘claret’. No idea what it IS called. :)
Yeah, the arthritis is a worry, Sue, and I’m perpetually anxious it will shut me down.
Fingers crossed then ..
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Having watched my Mum I can understand. It’s a tough thing to deal with but I have faith in you!
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More ‘n I do !
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Oh, glory! That color is magical. And you can try on your top down knitting as you go, to know it will fit. Phil will attest to the number of times I made him try on his Dreyma sweater. You just have to put it on enough needles or waste yarn so your stitches don’t fall off the needles.
Have fun!
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I’m shortly about to do that, Michele, seeing as how I’m not only up and wide awake but also fully dressed. :D
Not sure that the colour is true, but at least it’s not far off.
This is a plus-size pattern, wherein the model is apple-shaped whereas I am definitely pear-shaped. So it might not be an ideal garment ..
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Oh ! – forgot to say that the lovely little stitch markers you sent me have come into real good use ! Never having used s.m.s before, am I correct in thinking that the little bead is to mark whether one has the marker behind or in front of the stitch ? That’s how I use them, anyway; and it works for me !! :)
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I love the color, M-R. I miss knitting. I haven’t completed anything in a very long time, but I have some baby sweaters I’d like to finish. I don’t have any babies around these days, but I’d gladly donate them. I just always found the patterns fun to complete. You’re inspiring me to get started. :-)
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Vile woman, regardless of beauty – we both know you won’t. [grin]
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Almost exciting?
I think it’s looking gorgeous already (I thought it was a bolero), and such a beautiful colour
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The colour seems universally popular – and I’m using it because I had four balls of it, the only DK weight iin my small stash. :D Were I to run out, it’s just a Stylecraft; so I can always get more.
I’d better add the pattern picture ..
Thanks, Su ! :)
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Beautiful colour and I would love it a a bolero too.
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Like any sleeveless top or any shorts, a bolero is something you will NEVER see me wearing ! :D
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Seriously? I love them but feel too old to wear them.
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Oh, VERY seriously !
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Okay!
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