I finished a pair of vanilla socks in the loveliest blue-green tones (yarn by Nicole C Mendez). This was some perfect knitting for my current somewhat chaotic and stressed state. Since this winter seems to be never ending I’ll even still get a chance to wear them before spring arrives.
I’ve been pretty overwhelmed with work lately, and the fact that it feels like the deadline for my PhD thesis is creeping closer is giving me a lot of stress. So even though I’m not necessarily getting a lot of knitting done, I am trying to find moments to knit some stitches. Just little moments where it does feel like time stops for just a bit, as I let myself be hypnotised by the rhythm of the needles.
But somehow I still let myself be stressed by the process as well. As much as I love things like instagram to follow what other knitters are getting up to, it’s also frustrating when it feels like sweaters are flying off needles left and right, and I’m just working on some plain stockinette socks. I started to feel like I had to make time to sit down and plan bigger projects. But the winding of all that yarn, the swatching, the planning, is all just a bit too much for me right now.
So I had a little chat with myself to remind me that if I’m forcing myself onto some knitting project, it completely bypasses the goal of why I’m a knitter in the first place. So for now I’ll happily continue with my simple sock projects, and if I find a day on which I have the energy to make bigger things again that would be great, but I’m not going to force myself to do so.
For those curious about the pics: the vanilla socks are being made with self striping sock yarn from Nicole C Mendez, the gray socks are in Spun Right Round sock yarn (bug jar) in the Wheathly pattern.
Pattern: Asklöv hat by Nicolina Lindsten
Yarn: Geilsk tynd uld
It is still FREEZING outside so go me for finishing a hat! I got inspired for this hat by the last autumn issue of Pom Pom Quarterly. I’m so in love with this magazine, and have been a subscriber for over a year now, but still this is the first FO resulting from it (although many more project are in my queue).
But despite it being my first finished Pom Pom project this is actually my second FO by this designer! Remember the cute Saffran baby cardi? Yep, from the same brilliant mind. For both projects it’s very calming colourwork to knit, once you get that dreadful twisted rib brim done. But I can’t complain too much, because the brim does look lovely.
I used some Danish yarn for this, Geilsk tynd uld is a 100% wool light fingering yarn with a lovely natural palette. As the name says it is quite thin wool, but with the folded brim and colourwork making for a double layer it is nice and warm. The only thing I disliked a bit is that the yarn seems a little easy too break, so don’t put too much tension on it.
Oh and I also finished a pair of fraternal vanilla socks. The yarn is regia that I got for my birthday, accidentally they bought me mismatched yarn but I didn’t think it mismatched at all! A lovely pair and already the third pair finished this year!
2017 is certainly giving me a sock-y start. Pair nr. 2 of this year again feels like it just flew off my needles.
Pattern: Home Grown by Jessica Gore
Yarn: Stranded Dyeworks Oasis in Naive Watercolour
I’m a little surprised by myself for knitting two pairs of toe up socks in a row, and you know what? I actually didn’t mind all that much. Sure, give me the option and cuff down is what I’ll pick, but having repeated the toe up way a couple of times now, at least it feels less wrong.
This pattern is very easy to memorise, so it was perfect for mindless after work knitting. Actually these socks accompanied me while blasting through all of the seasons of Orphan Black. Anyone else watched this show? I really loved it and cannot wait for the next season.
The yarn and pattern are a match made in heaven in my opinion. I adore the colours in the yarn and knew I shouldn’t let them be overwhelmed by a super busy pattern. I think the slice of stockinette running over the front of the foot is perfect for showing off the variegated yarn, and the lace and texture helped with keeping the knitting interesting. I’m one happy sock owner.
(here’s a bonus picture of Sibbe showing off her posing skills)
Pattern: Flying North by Maria Montzka
Yarn: Spectrum Fibre sock yarn in Koi colourway
I think there’s no need for me to say that part of the attraction of casting on is this out of this world yarn. I’ve been discovering a wealth of indie dyers in the last year and I love how despite the fact that they all dye yarn, there’s still this signature look you can find back in the colours. I think when you’ll peep through some of the other colourways from Spectrum Fibre you’ll see what I mean.
Neon orange and green is not a bad start of a year right? Some brightness into this grey winter now that the Christmas lights have disappeared. The pattern is one that appeared on my list of a great match for speckled yarns and I love these two together.
Knitting these feels like a slightly more interesting version of a vanilla sock. The pattern is very straightforward and easy to remember. A relaxing knit which kept me company during the last week of my winter break.
