Sunday 28th June

Hello friends, it is the end of June already, how the heck did that happen? So much has been lost this year so far and yet I feel so much has also been gained. We have discovered new ways to live and communicate and I can't help but think that without the wonder of the internet this period of such uncertainty would have been so much worse. We have been able to stay in touch easily across the oceans and some have even had the chance to see others using video apps and such. It is comforting to know that things are slowly beginning to a type of normality and here in Scotland things are starting to open up. I can only hope that things go smoothly and we all remain healthy.

I have been thinking a whole lot about needles this past week as I was getting ready to start the MKAL I mentioned last week. I ended up choosing a 3.5mm needle for my project and it got me remembering that way back in the '70s when as a wee girl I was learning to knit I thought that 4mm needles were tiny and everything went so slowly, too slowly for my wee impatient mind. Nowadays with my love of sock knitting and fingering weight shawls 4mm is about as big as I can handle comfortably. Oh, how times change.

Talking of the MKAL, the designer has asked that no spoilers be shared so as to keep the mystery for everyone so I will abide by that request and just share a picture of my beautiful yarn here.

I am going to take weekly update photos of the project as it grows and will share them all with you at the end.

I also have another knit by the same designer, Helen Stewart of Curious Handmade, on the needles. The Habitation Throw was designed for those lucky people who can afford the beautiful yarn advent calendars which talented dyers bring out each year. I have decided that it is just perfect for leftovers and have started this one using blues, pinks and purples.

I am already planning a second using the greens, browns and other colours. It is a most soothing knit that is great for TV knitting.

A shawl I have seen a lot of popping up on Ravelry is The Painting Bricks by Stephen West and the more I see of it the more I love it, so yesterday I caved and bought the pattern. Now once again it is beyond my means to get the yarns suggested but I had a rummage in the deep stash and found some KnitPicks Palette in the beautiful Tranquil colour which I will use for my main colour and have paired it with some Drops Delight in bright rainbow tones which will give me the desired finish. 

And now for the promised finished items. I have had a huge commission from my mum to knit 5 cowls and some baby items for her to gift. Here are the first three cowls.

And the baby items

These are all now packaged up and ready to post in the morning.

Well, I think that is enough for this week. Stay safe and healthy.

Mary

Sock it to Me

I have been working mostly on larger projects recently, trying to finish some of my huge pile of WIP's. My sock needles had been sadly put to one side whilst I tried to get on. However all that is history now due to seeing a finished pair in one of the groups I follow on Ravelry. The Ripplescrafts group has a great bunch of folk all sharing their projects and one of the ladies happened to show off a finished pair of socks. I was immediately drawn to the pattern and was delighted to discover it was free. It was duly downloaded and I was itching to start. Oh the dilemma, did I carry on with my resolve to reduce the pile in the WIP basket or did I cast on some socks? Well the socks won out.
The first sock was cast on, rib quickly finished and on to the leg pattern. After the first few rows I can tell you I was hooked. I am sure from now on this will become my go to sock pattern. An easy two row repeat with great results which will work with solid, semi-solid or variegated yarn. Along with the Fish Lips Kiss Heel I have an inkling I have found my perfect sock.
It has all the elements I need for men or women. It can be magic-looped (my preferred method), knit cuff down or toe-up and is perfect for TV or travel knitting. I am a truly happy bunny. The first pair will be for himself. He has been poorly lately with a dreadful stomach bug which has been doing the rounds.
Mind you, not to be outdone I have also cast on a toe-up version for myself. I will work on each in turn to keep the interest alive by having the different colours to work on. And this pattern is, I hear you ask? It is Jeck by Regina Satta.

Have you a favourite go to sock pattern? If so please feel free to share it in comments so I can have a look and maybe you will even change my mind.

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary