January

Hibernation month

I know, I know, we’re over halfway through February already, but I had this almost all written up, so thought it would be a waste not to send it out! January for me is always quite a quiet month, which is nice after all the Christmas festivities, but boy did it feel long. Maybe it felt that way because I didn’t do too much other than work and hang out at home, but that’s the way I like to spend the beginning of the year apparently.

As always, I hope you enjoy reading what I’ve been knitting on during January and plan to knit on during February.

What I’ve finished knitting

On the Fence Socks

I finished my On the Fence* (links with a * by them direct to Ravelry) Socks that used my January Making Stories Sock Box yarn, which was a skein of ShopRam from Frau Wollfchen. It’s definitely not a colour I’d pick up myself, but I enjoyed knitting the warm colours in the very grey weather we’d been having. I did run out of the contrast colour I picked (which was a discontinued yarn I had in stash), which is why the toe on one of the socks is a different colour!

Cardiff Gloves

I cast on the Cardiff Gloves* and within a week had a finished pair. Gloves aren’t something I ever thought I’d knit, but I love how luxurious the yarn is paired with the simple pattern.

What I’ve still got on the needles

Cocktail Cardigan

I finally cast on my burgundy cardigan! The pattern is called Cocktail* and I’m knitting it in WoolyKnit British Wool 4ply in Burgundy and Knitting For Olive Soft Silk Mohair in Bordeaux. I haven’t hated the purl rows as much as I thought I would, especially towards the end of the yoke when the rows are long. I think it’s because it was a new to me construction, which kept it interesting and broke it down into chunks. I’m now breaking up the flat knitting by doing the sleeves which are in the round.

Torrin Scarf

I haven’t impulsively signed up to a test knit in quite some time, but when I saw the Torrin Scarf in Rebecca of The Creabea’s podcast where she featured it, I signed up straight away. She’s doing her second sample in Cardiff Cashmere (I purchased mine from Knitted Home), and I’m doing the same.

It’s a little tricky to set up, I just needed to carefully keep track of which row I was on. But once I got going, I had the stitch pattern memorised which made it easier to pick up and put down for short bursts of knitting.

What I’m planning to cast on in February

Moo Deng Socks

My partner is obsessed with hippos, so when I saw the Pigment & Ply Moo Deng colourway, I knew I had to get it. I’m hoping to squeeze both him and I a pair of socks out of it, I got the 20g Chaotic Energy mini that goes with the set, so I think I’ll manage it. Hopefully I can make them in time for a trip to Edinburgh in April to see Haggis the Pygmy Hippo at the zoo there.

Cashmere Hat

The third instalment in my cashmere winter set, and technically this will complete the set. But, I am probably going to use any leftovers to make a simple cowl, so there will be a fourth piece. For the hat, I will be making the Oslo Hat* by Petite Knit.

Green Jumper

Another one of my cone & mohair combinations to use up from stash, this time in Forest Green. I haven’t picked a pattern yet, but I want something plain, that I’ll be able to wear for the office and casually. I’ve got a shortlist of three, but open to other suggestions.

Tracking my yarn stash

In: 100g purchased

Making Stories Sock yarn

Out: 104g used from stash

From my finished socks and gloves

Net Position for the month: -4g

Final thoughts

February has still been quite a relaxing one so far, with plenty of knitting time and a few catch up’s with friends. I’ve really been enjoying the momentum with using up my stash that I seem to have at the moment (long may it continue!)

If you’ve read this far, aren’t already subscribed, and are interested to see how much I get done this month and what’s up next on my to-knit list. Please do consider subscribing to get the monthly updates straight into your inbox:

Feel free to leave any questions about any of my projects or anything else I’ve mentioned, comments or feedback. And I’ll speak to you in next month’s update!

Madeleine

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