Lily’s poncho (the pattern is called “Ruby” by Debbie Bliss (rav link), hence the post title) is FINALLY finished.

She expected it the week after Christmas. Or for Christmas, I forget. Either way, it’s a little behind Lily’s ideal schedule.

Having only bought the yarn in late January, this was always going to be the case. I’m not willing to spend the money required for the yarn the pattern is written for (DB Cashmerino Aran. Is it possible for yarn to *sound* more expensive?!) so Wigan market provided. And then I went to The Black Sheep in Southport and found better colours when I was half way through. But let’s not dwell on that – I’m not making another one just yet.

I knitted the poncho top-down in the round rather than casting on the hem at a bazillion stitches then decreasing to the top and sewing the two halves together. It may indeed have been a better poncho if I had, but the conventional way just didn’t appeal. Plus, I added a fringe, which I’m hoping will settle down once it’s washed/blocked. Also, I forgot to increase a few times – mainly when doing the patterned stripes.

Anyway, here it is:

She’s very happy with it. It made her want to do this:

and this…

and finally we had a bit of a music show…

I’ll get her to model it as a skirt another time. I don’t think the camera can take any more brilliance!