Project Updates (April 2024)
Do you ever have one of those months were you feel as though you’ve done much knitting and yet you’re surprised by how little you actually have to show for it by the end of the month?
Well, April was that month for me.
There are good reasons for that. Some areas of my personal life are requiring more after work attention than usual, and that means there’s been less opportunity to knit. However, my attention has also been scattered across a few different projects, so I’m working to bring my focus back to one or two things with an eye to finishing those project. (See yesterday’s post about this for more details on how that should go.)
Finished Objects
Anker’s Summer Shirt
Pattern designer: Petite Knit
Yarn: Debbie Bliss DK Cotton in Ecru
Intended for: Me
Feeling motivated by the spring, I dug out this hibernating summer shirt I had started last year. Actually, I started a different project with this yarn three years ago, set it aside, and then frogged it to make Anker’s Summer Shirt. Well, now that Summer Shirt is officially off the needles! Despite having languished for so long, it’s actually a perfect little neutral top to go with skirts and trousers this summer.
Cumulus Blouse
Pattern designer: PetiteKnit
Yarn: Knitting for Olive Soft Silk Mohair in Bordeaux held double
Intended for: Me
I’ve already written about knitting my first Cumulus Blouse a bit more extensively, so I’ll simply leave a link here and reiterate that I love this finished object.
Current WIPS
Ranunculus
Pattern designer: Midori Hirosi
Yarn: The Camel’s Yarn Non-Superwash in Deergrass
Intended for: Me
This is my first Ranunculus—the famous pattern that is one of the most popular on Ravelry—and it’s…fine? I will admit that I’m still working on the body, but I’m not 100% sold yet on the Ranunulus of it all. It hasn’t been nearly as fast as promised, and the drape of the fabric is good but not incredible. My hope is that it will come off the needles in the next couple weeks and I’ll get some good spring wear out of it, but we’ll have to see if the stubborn British weather will agree with these plans or not.
Anniversary Socks (pattern is Socks for Dad)
Pattern designer: The Crazy Sock Lady
Yarn: Ainsworth & Prin Classic Sock 4ply in Don’t Tell Him Pike
Intended for: The Gentleman
After a bit hitting a bit of a slump following the heel turn on the first sock, I’m flying on these again. As of writing this, I’ve reached the slip stitch heel flap on the second pair, and I’m hoping that I will be able to hand these to The Gentleman this week. (Admittedly a little late for the anniversary of our first date, but I think he’ll forgive me.)
Hermoine’s Everyday Socks
Pattern Designer: Erica Lueder
Yarn: Baa Yarn La Jolla in Call of the Wild
Intended for: Me
These have been solidly on the back burner while I’ve been working on The Gentleman’s anniversary socks. I plan to get back to them as soon as his socks are off the needles, making them my sole commuting project.
Classic Pleated Tea Cozy
Pattern designer: Patons
Yarn: King Cole Luxury Merino DK in Merlot and Midnight Blue
Intended for: The house
The Gentleman has been asking me to make a tea cozy for awhile, so over a quieter weekend I bumped this up the queue. I’ve started it, and I’ll pick it up and put it down during quieter times.
Hibernating
Hiedra Mitts
Pattern designer: Fiber Tales
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash in Camel (1961) (stash yarn)
Intended for: Me
We’re out of season for mitts so my motivation to finish these has gone completely out the window. It’s a shame because I know I’m only about three hours away from completing them, but they’ll be a quick win at the end of the summer/early autumn.
Acquisitions
Arctic Knits: Jumpers, Socks, Hats, and More by Weichien Chan
While I love the look of colorwork, it doesn’t really integrate that well into my personal wardrobe. However, when I saw this book by Weichien Chan I snapped it up because of the very classic look of these jumpers. I know my sister is also keen to get her hands on this book, so I’m certain it will get a workout.
4 skeins of John Arbon Textiles Knit by Numbers DK in 19 (Red) for a Rosa Cardigan
6 skeins of De Rerum Natura Candide in Sucre Glace for a Kuutar Cardigan
Plans for next month
As I mentioned above, I wrote extensively about my project plans yesterday, however, I thought I’d lay out my immediate plans for May.
Rosa Cardigan
Pattern designer: Along avec Anna
Yarn: John Arbon Textiles Knit by Numbers DK in 19 (Red)
Intended for: Me
Sock pattern TBD
Pattern designer: TBD
Yarn: Emma’s Yarn Beautifully Basic in Salt Water Taffy
Intended for: Someone who reads this so I can’t say
Oaken Shawl
Pattern designer: Tin Can Knits
Yarn: Malabrigo Rio in Fresco y secco
Intended for: Me
Kuutar Cardigan
Pattern designer: Sari Nordlund
Yarn: De Rerum Natura Candide in Sucre Glace
Intended for: Me
Again, I’m positive I will not get through all of those projects in the month of May. However, I am nothing if not an optimistic knitter!