INSIDE: Finished objects (hooray!), swatches of my latest yarn tastings (so soft!) and whatâs next on my needlesâŠ
First up, Iâve got something finished to show you⊠Drumroll please! đ„
Tada!
The Venezia Shawl has been a delightful knit, not only the pretty lace border that kept my interest but the feel of the soft merino in my hands.
I donât think Iâll ever tire of knitting with merino wool!
The finished dimensions for mine were smaller than whatâs mentioned in the pattern. The length from tip to tip is 68 inches (172cm) and the width at the widest point 15 inches (38cm).
Joji Locatelliâs was 76 1/2â (184cm) long and 16 3/4â (42cm) wide.
Blocking revealed the glorious lace structure and opened up the twisted rib middle section. How I adore the transformation after blocking. So rewarding!
I gave the shawl my mother-in-law the other day and sheâs very pleased with it.
When Iâm working from a pattern, I use my phoneâs notes app to track my progress. (You can take notes by drawing as well as typing them.) So I use:
The pen option to cross out each row as I complete them.
The neon yellow highlighter to mark the section Iâm up to.
I also draw with my finger to write what row Iâm working on.
I donât have a printer so Iâm grateful I can markup a digital pattern on my phone.
Itâs pretty cool! đ
My latest yarn tastings were the following Knit Picks yarns:
Palette Fingering: 100% Highland Peruvian Wool (Tidepool Heather.)
Both were lovely to knit with!
The colorway, Tidepool Heather, is so apt with the greens and blues.
The camel brown color of Aldous is natural. No dyes or bleach are used to process it. I adore the soft furriness of Alpaca fiber!
I cast on a cowl with the Simply Alpaca yarn.
Iâm using the stitch pattern from the Honey Cowl which is a 4-row repeat using purls and slip stitches with yarn in front (Slip 1 wyif).
Iâm considering alternating with blocks of stockinette stitch.
Another project Iâve started is a 1x1 rib beanie with Knit Picks Simply Wool Worsted in âWilburâ. (Featured in my yarn tastings a few weeks ago.)
The pattern is Ribelation by Anne Gagnon.
I can smell the lanolin of this 100% Eco wool as I knit with it which I find comforting. I also enjoy the rhythm and soothing effect of knitting 1x1 rib.
Switching between different projects is fun!
I now appreciate the appeal of having multiple knitting projects. This a new thing for me. In the past, Iâve stuck to knitting one item at a time.
I also managed to redo the unraveled crown of my Conifer Cap that was accidentally placed in the washing machine!
Itâs shorter now, I think it shrunk in the wash! Iâm unable to fold up the edge but thereâs enough length to keep my ears warm.
Let that be a lesson to you, future Jodie! Always check the dirty washing! đ
And I just found out about a bulky yarn that looks like it's been handspun. There are gorgeous colorways and the 3 ply twist creates a lovely effect for projects.
Chroma Twist Bulky is a superwash wool and nylon blend so it can be machine washed. It's currently on sale check it out here.
And another question for you: Do you find that your mood dictates what project you pick up to knit?
Press reply or leave a comment!
Mystery Quote Of The Week
âA creative life is an amplified life. It's a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life.â
Who said this? Comment or press reply! No cheating! đ
(Youâll find out if you were correct next week.)
Last weekâs quote and author wasâŠ
âArt is an experience, not an object.â
â Robert Motherwell
Comment below if you got it right.
Crafting Trivia Question Of The Week
âWhatâs the name of the Egyptian god associated with craftsmanship and artisans?â
Whatâs the answer? Leave a comment or press reply! No cheating! đ
(Youâll find out if you were correct next week.)
Last weekâs question and answer wasâŠ
Which English noble had a popular knitted and crocheted garment named after him?
Earl Cardigan
Did you get it right? Leave a comment if you did!
P.S. Coco & Pepper are looking forward to sharing all the fun with you on Sunday!
(Disclosure: Any purchases made through links may earn me a commission.)
Before you goâŠ
Absolutely! When I'm calm, I can knit socks. When I'm not, I stab my needles into big bulky afghans! That says it all, for me.
INTERESTING Jodie that you have learned that it's good to have several projects on the go at once.
i have learned this from my mosaics teacher.
jenny