FO: Katniss (and a top)

I have been really lucky lately to have the chance to test knit a few patterns for a very talented designer and friend, Julia Stanfield.  One of these tests is a super cooper secret squirrel affair that I will reveal later when I am able, one is still on the needles, and the third is this super cute wee tunic with cable detailing.  When I saw Julia's prototype of this design I fell in love with it and I am so pleased I have had the chance to knit one up for Miss M.  Tunics are all 'in' this winter and this is so cute and girly without being over the top.
So here is my version of Katniss.

The tunic is top down and seamless with pockets knitted sideways at the end and stitched on.  I love the way the cable detail is carried through from the hood and raglan to the edge of the pockets.

Miss M is currently about 19.5 inches in the chest and I knit the 20 inch size which is perfect on her with a long sleeved top underneath.  The tunic is A-lined which is perfect for wee ones with cloth bums to fit underneath it and as you can see here even with jeans underneath there are no weird bumps and bulges anywhere :-)
I went a bit mad getting photos of this because I love it so much but here goes.

Now I really mustn't forget to absolutely gush about the yarn that this is knitted in.  It is Olive & Emma hand dyed yarn which I had customer dyed specifically for this project in a colourway that Emma named 'Roses for Meg'.  Isn't it just fabulous and it is oh so soft and scrummy too.  I got the 20 inch size out of 200g of 8ply as well so now I have an extra skein to decide what to do with :-)

And while I am here I will just quickly add that I made the wee white top Miss M is wearing under the tunic as well.  I actually sewed this a few weeks ago but never got around to putting the snap at the back of the neck (typical for me really).  Once again it is an ottobre pattern (4/2007, design 6) and is a simple wee long sleeved tee with binding at the neck and sleeve edges,  a keyhole at the back and snap closure.  I made this out of some nice thick white cotton lycra I had in stash.

Here are a couple of fairly rubbish shots where you can actually see the top.

I'm not 100% happy with the way it sits at the back of the neck, I should have crossed the snap over a little more but it seems warm and comfy which is the main thing.  Now I just need to find time to make more.