WIPs – September 2020

It’s finally sweater weather!  Well, not really here in Texas, but we have had some mornings in the upper 50s and lower 60s….  And that’s definite progress!  I love fall!  I wish we had more fall color here in Texas, but cooler temperatures are enough to make me happy after our awful summers.  And those cooler temps mean sweaters and shawls….and knitting!  Today I’m going to run through this month’s works in progress, or, WIPs….  

And it’s been a productive month!

Habitation Throw

This project continues to give me joy, as does the Advent calendar from October House (last year).  The colors are so soft and lovely… I couldn’t ask for a better looking throw!

I still knit on this every weekday for about 30 minutes at lunch. It’s a great way to break up the workday – and include some much-needed knitting into it!  

Must Stash Traveling Socks

Since I’m still not going anywhere in my car, these socks are kept by my desk at home.  I pick them up occasionally when I need a break from other projects.  I’m enjoying knitting these on itty bitty circular needles, though they do hurt my fingertips a bit.  

I’m still contemplating an afterthought heel with these….  I’ll let you know what I decide. And I need to decide soon as I’m almost done with the leg!!

Travelers Loop 

This project was unplanned and a bit spur of the moment – for me.  After knitting Cloudesley and seeing the pooling of the yarn – I did not alternate skeins – I decided to finally learn about helical knitting.  This is a technique for minimizing the awkward joins of skeins when you alternate skeins.  It’s great for when you want to knit striped socks using two colors; it creates real stripes (instead of spiral stripes).  But it’s also good for sweaters.

Dawn Barker of Chasing Rabbits Fiber Co. designed the Travelers Loop Cowl to help you learn about helical knitting.  It’s super easy – knit one row, purl the next.  As expected, you alternate skeins and the effect is really nice.  I’m almost done with this, actually.  I just have to weave in my ends and wash/block it.  

FOs

My Shortie Socks, using the Ambient Sock pattern from Helen Stewart, are done!  These were super fun to knit and I loved the yarn from Long Dog Yarn.  I know many people in cold climates do not understand shortie socks but they’re a necessity in this area of the country!   

What’s Next

I’ve decided to finally do Stephen West’s October MKAL.  I’ve never participated as his designs are a bit out there for me….but I want to broaden my horizons.  And no one can do that better than Stephen West.  I found three skeins from my stash to use so I only had to buy two solid-colored skeins to use for the main color.  Pretty good!  I’m super excited for that to start on October 9th.  

But before that, I need to start on and finish a baby gift.  I can do that before October 9th, right?  Sure….