The Month in Knitting (February 2025)
First of all, welcome to my new knitting subscribers! For those of you who don’t know, I am a historical fiction and mystery author, and last month I shared a bit about my journey learning to knit and sew with my readers over on my
Substack. If you are joining me over here on The Writer’s Knitting Basket from that article, hello! If you have no idea what I’m talking about, give the link below a good read.
Finished Objects
Moby Sweater Men
Pattern Designer: PetiteKnit
Yarn: Knitting of Olive Heavy Merino in Brown Bear
Made for: The Gentleman (my husband)
It is done! This month I finished my second involved cabled knit, and I couldn’t be happier with it. The fit of this jumper is just right, and I am pleased to say that The Gentleman pulled it on and spent much of the following week wearing it when it truly was cold enough in the UK for such a garment. I really enjoyed this pattern, and I have plans to make a version for me in the future once I’ve taken a well-deserved break from cables. (I also recently finished Sari Nordlund’s Book Club Cardigan.)
Current WIPs
Half Fisherman’s Rib Jumper
Pattern Designer: Adapted from a vintage Patons pattern that is simply listed as “Man’s Jumper” with no designer attribution
Yarn: Knitting for Olive Heavy Merino in Bourdeaux
Intended for: Dad
This is the project that got the bulk of my attention this February. After finishing The Gentleman’s Moby Sweater, I turned to Dad’s hacked Half Fisherman’s Rib Jumper adapted from a Patons pattern so that I don’t have to make an entirely seamed jumper. I will admit, working 45cm of half fisherman’s rib in the round on the body was…dull, but now that I am to the front V-neck of the jumper, things are flying. I expect to finish this jumper by mid-March.
Vignette
Pattern Designer: Helen Stewart
Yarn: The Camel’s Yarn Standard Sock 2024 Beachcoming Advent Calendar
Intended for: Me
This shawl continues to be my project lingering in the background for when I need a bit of a break from whatever else I’ve been working on. However, I’ve recently been so focused on finishing the Moby Sweater and working on the Half Fisherman’s Rib Jumper that I have been neglecting this one. I suspect it will get more attention as the weather warms up as it is a fingering weight shawl and therefore much lighter.
Cozy Autumn Socks
Pattern Designer: This Handmade Life
Yarn: Murky Depths Deep Sock in Ironclad Beetle (from my 2024 NYC yarn haul)
Intended for: Me
I have had two simultaneous realizations that 1) I am wearing through my commercially bought socks and 2) I really enjoy making and wearing handmade socks. Enter a new cast-on this month in the form of the Cozy Autumn Socks! I have already made this pattern (socks for my mother-in-law gifted this past Christmas), and I’m happy to be working on another pair. This pattern is just involved enough to be low-level interesting but is simple enough I’m not tied to a chart at all times.
Acquisitions
None! Those of you who read last month’s knitting roundup will know that I am on a strict yarn buying ban in 2025 as I work down a stash that has exploded in size since I moved temporarily to live with family. Continuing to acquire into that stash without making serious in roads into working it down is not sustainable for me for a lot of reasons, so I am happy to say I didn’t bring anything into my stash this month.
Long may the ban successfully continue!
Plans for Next Month
Entering March, the crunch is on to cast on a pair of anniversary socks for The Gentleman to give him on the anniversary of our first date. I’m planning to make the Armais socks by Caoua Coffee, and I’ll be asking him to stash dive to pick a yarn he likes the look of.
I am also chasing the British weather a little bit with this one, but knowing that spring is a fickle thing, I think I will next cast on the Candlemaker’s Coat by Sydney Crabaugh. Part long cardigan, part jacket, it is a pattern adapted from vintage designs. I have long been curious about Sydney’s Squid’s School of Vintage Knitting patterns, and I’m excited to start my first one!
Knitting, sewing, or crocheting, what are you currently working on?