This episode of my knitting podcast features the knitting projects I made progress on during January and a couple of new cast ons. There’s also an update on what I've been reading.
The patterns, designers and links mentioned in the video (links are to designer / maker websites where available) are linked below.
Finished Objects
Mae Scarf (further post wash and block update)
Pattern : Mae scarf by Ysolda
Yarn : Triskelion yarns Hama 4 ply in colourway Ffestiniog (not currently dyeing)
I was a bit sceptical that this little scarf, knit in the round, would sit flat after blocking, but I needn't have worried. The blocking gods did their job and the result is a beautifully soft and warm small triangular scarf that ties at the neck perfectly.
Deep Shadow Socks
Pattern : Deep Shadow Socks by Ysolda
Yarn : unlabelled yarn - fingering weight - but it’s a Crafthouse Magic yarn.
Now that these are blocked and have been worn a few times I'm finding the fit is good. I usually knit my socks with a 60 stitch cast on (I prefer a snugger fit than the standard 64 stitch cast on) but I chose to knit these to the 64 stitch cast on set out in the pattern, mainly because it was a new heel to me and I wanted to test it out before working out how to knit it on fewer stitches. Now that I know I both like how the sock fits and also enjoy knitting this new heel, I'll knit another one but with 60 stitches instead.
Long colour block scarf
No pattern (read on for basic recipe)
Yarn : fingering weight Loom Wool monthly minis
I used three months' worth of the Loom Wool monthly mini club (fingering weight) to knit a long tube scarf. I cast on 88 stitches, knit each end with 16 rounds of 2x2 rib and in between I knit 30 rounds of each colour from the mini skein sets. I was aiming for a short scarf I could hang around my neck and tie once and that is what I have got. I'm very pleased with it - so much so that I'm considering knitting another. For reference, each colourblock stripe uses about 10g yarn.
Works in Progress
Olga Sweater
Pattern : Olga Sweater by Petiteknit
Yarn : Sandes Garn Peer Gynt in colours 5591 (night sky) and 2512 (almond tweed). Purchased from Knitt.co.uk
I've now knit the body of this sweater and have been enjoying working with the yarn. The round and round of knitting the body of a sweater is my favourite type of knitting; simple, easy to see progress and I can relax and switch off from everything going on in the world. Next up, collar and sleeves and we're done. I'm slightly worried about having enough yarn to finish the job so let's hope I'm the winner in our battle of yarn chicken.
Le Bandana
Pattern : Le Bandana by Aimee Gille
Yarn : Drops Alpaca in colour 9032 Dark Ivy
This was an experiment. I love the Le Bandana pattern and I wanted to see if I could knit a wearable size using a 50g skein. My previous version of this pattern comes in at around 70g. I was close. My skein weighed exactly 50g and I needed to break into a second skein with just a few rows to go. In the end my project weighed 51g so I with a little tweak here and there I can get one in at 50g.
Sock tube
Pattern : none so far
Yarn : leftovers from my Loom Wool scarf
In an attempt to leave nothing behind following my Loom Wool scarf (above) I decided to knit the leftovers into a sock tube and use the afterthought heel technique to finish the sock off. The tube has been successfully knit, each stripe taking around 1-2g and I'm now on the hunt for an afterthought heel tutorial.
Reading Lately
When I'm not knitting I love to read. Here's what's been keeping me company recently (star rating for finished books in brackets).
Books
Wild Dark Shore - Charlotte McConaghey (3.5)
The Moving Finger - Agatha Christie (3)
That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz - Malachy Tallack (4)
Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont - Elizabeth Taylor (still reading)
Audio
Dear Life - Rachel Clarke (5)
What I Know About You - Eric Chacour (4)
Prisoners of Geography - Tim Marshall (still reading)
What's coming up for Eldenwood Craft
February will see me working through project bag orders and pulling together a new set of project bags for a spring update which I hope will be in early March.
I’ll also be working on stock to bring to The Big Flock (May 16-17, Bristol - tickets now available here.
Find out more
Head over to YouTube to watch the full video
And read more on my Ravelry Project pages
