I gained two more certifications in wool from Woolmark Learning Centre – ‘Introduction to wool processing‘ and ‘Sustainability and wool‘. It’s a really useful resource for learning about wool. 🐑
Knitting
Everyday Sweater
I can’t believe I actually finished a jumper not in summer for once.
This is the #everyday_sweater pattern by @atelierknits_strandsoflife knitted for Min.
I used two yarns held together:
🧶 No Waste Wool @knittingforolive in chocolate (RWS certified, 50% recycled wool, 50% extra fine traceable non-mulesed Merino) from @myivoryroom
🧶Titicaca by @holstgarn in Frv. Mahogany (100% alpaca)
I was initially going to knit it with a contrasting hem, but I didn’t like the look of it. I made some test swatches and decided to go with a two-colour fisherman’s rib with the more orangey yarn at the front and the deep brown at the back. It looked quite good, but I kept making mistakes and having to undo huge chunks, so in the end I just went with the standard 1×1 rib, which l think looks great anyhow.
As per usual, knitted with @hiyahiyaeurope circular sharps and moral support by the @knittingsos crew.
Oatmeal sweater
New finished object… Nice big, soft, warm jumper for me. Already packed away for a triumphant return in cooler weather.
Pattern: #whatamansweater by @nynneeh
Yarn: Pura Lana + Cashmere Lace by @gepardgarn from @myivoryroom – thank you Valentina for help with yarn selection
Needles: @hiyahiyaeurope sharps
Coffee and chat: The @knittingsos crew
Blue cardigan
A simple blue cardigan. This is the #yourscardigan pattern released this week by Naoko Ogawa @atelierknits_strandsoflife
It’s very comfortable and will be perfect for the cooler Autumn days. This is the first time I’ve done test-knitting (knitting a pattern before it is published) and the process went really smoothly. Test knitting also gives a deadline for motivation to keep knitting.
Knitted with West Yorkshire Spinners Exquisite wool/silk blend in Regal 438. Size 6, on HiyaHiya needles.
Blue Tie
Another finished object! This one’s special as it’s for me 😂
Karin at the brilliant Beautiful Knitters yarn shop in Pimlico kindly gave me her own pattern for a tie, which I’ve knitted up in Positive Ease pure merino using HiyaHiya sharp circulars.
I followed the pattern mostly, but inadvertently went a bit off-piste for the main front section of the tie, as I didn’t add end-of-row purl stitches. It turned out ok as it gave those edges a rounded finish which I think looks quite nice.
The yarn has a really great (but difficult to capture!) colour and shine to it, and has a good weight and elasticity to it when knitted, so the tie hangs nicely, as well as being soft and silky.
I haven’t blocked the tie yet as I rushed to get it finished in time to wear to an event.
Vegar Fairisle Jumper
A woollen sweater, nicely timed for summer 😅
Inspired by Icelandic Afmæli patterns, in blue representing Shetland, this design by Barbara Cheyne is the first piece of Fair Isle knitting I’ve done. I was drawn to this Vegar Jumper design as I think it looks elegant, especially in the cool blue and grey colours.
Pictures of the process are available in the story highlights on my profile.
If you have any suggestions for future projects, please get in touch.
Pattern: Vegar Jumper by @cheynebarbara via Shetland Wool Adventures Journal Vol. 03.
Yarn: Shetland Spindrift from Jamieson’s of Shetland
Needles: HiyaHiya sharp interchangeables
Learning to machine knit
Last weekend I took a class in machine knitting with Timothy Andrews at Knit Works London and knitted this scarf. It was really enjoyable, a good pace, and I learned a lot of the basic techniques in just a few hours. Soo much quicker than knitting by hand! I’m now very tempted to pick up a second-hand machine and get some experience.
Purple cable socks
I finished my first pair of socks. The knitting pattern is #dearbjörnsocks – designed by @fibre_creative – knitted in LYC Sock yarn from @londonyarncompany.
This was my first time cabling. Each knitting project I’ve chosen has included something I haven’t done before – I’ve continued to challenge myself, hoping to learn and improve.
Knitting project – Nick Drake tribute jumper
“You have to knit something for yourself!”, was the advice from Aneeta and friends at Knitting SOS , after the last few projects were garments knitted as gifts for others. So rather than make something that I might just as easily be able to buy in a shop, I decided to make this one-off Nick Drake tribute jumper. It’s based on a knitting pattern by Katrine Hannibal which I’ve modified to mimic the throw/blanket worn by Nick in a photoshoot by Julian Lloyd in ’67/8.
It’s taken me ages to finish, but my skills have definitely improved. I think I’ll take a short break from knitting to focus on other projects, but I’m already wondering what to knit next, so drop me a message if you have any ideas.
Music is an excerpt from Black Eyed Dog by Nick Drake (19 June 1948 – 25 November 1974).
And another…
This time in Wool Fibre Science 🧶🧪🤓