Just a few things this week since my big focus was getting the Oregon Cardigan finished up (more details on that are in my post from Friday).
I have been working away at the preview knit which I will be able to share photos of in another week or so – and I’m in the final section with about 5″ left to knit so may even have it finished by the time you see the first images of it. I’m also prepping some projects to start March 1st for various KALs with more to come about those once I cast on.
Otherwise, I’m working on a sock test knit with some gorgeous chonky cables for Hanks and Needles (who designed my Sonoran Shawl from earlier this year). I’m using Spun Right Round’s Classic sock in the Wool and Pine colorway, which is a softly speckled neutral that I love.
I’ve also started spinning a new braid of Finn wool, hand-dyed by Two if By Hand in the colorway Quick Quotes Quill. I’m hoping to finish up the first half of singles today.
I’ve been working on Winter’s Encounter again, although not a lot of progress on it. I’m still focusing on the lower section/half-page to try to get that finished up while this is out for it’s time this rotation.
And finally, I’ve been wanting to learn to crochet for a while and one of the groups I’m in has a “new skill” challenge happening so I grabbed some tutorials and some odds and ends of yarn and worked through some small blanket squares. The bottom 4 in bright pink are my first (somewhat misshapen) attempts, but I feel like I got the hang of it better with the blocks at the top. I like the puff stitches in the green one on the left but I think the more solid one on the right would be better for blankets for little ones so they can’t catch a finger in the holes. I’d like to try to tackle a blanket to help use up all the sock weight yarn oddments I have. Do you have a favorite crochet blanket component shape?
That’s it for me this week YOP’ers! Have a great one 🙂
Knit One, Spin Too 
I love the idea of a new skill challenge, it can be very easy to get stuck in a rut with things. I’ve never spun Finn before, how does it spin up?
It’s personally one of my favorites to spin. It’s an easy one and while the fiber varies a bit from batch to batch, it’s nicely soft usually but not as springy as merino. It wears a bit better too in my experience. Kind of the best of both words with softness/ease of spinning/wearability.
Right now my “new skill challenge” is relearning everything I forgot about knitting. (Eye roll) That is to say, I forgot it ALL. So yeah, I have my work cut out for me. But you go, girl! Someday I’ll learn to crochet. It’s on the list.
You’ll get it back – I feel sure of it. 🙂
Love that cable sock pattern. Those are going to be terrific. Your spun yarn looks really pretty too. You sure are busy with lots of fun crafting!
Thank you! The pattern also has a new-to-me heel construction so I’m really enjoying them!
The yarn for the socks is really pretty. The pattern looks great so far too. Crocheted blankets go so much faster than knitted ones. There are so many shapes you can make them with or just do one that is back and forth with different stitches in it. I think you did quite well teaching yourself to crochet.
Thank you! It took a bit of time to get the hang of it, but I really love the look of the scrappy blankets so I suppose when you want to do something badly enough, you figure it out!
I LOVE the idea of non-square motifs, but they NEVER lay right. So I generally stick to squares these days.
Also, I totally swooned over your cross stitch! Its magnificent.
Good to know! I also think squares (at least for me here at the beginning) are easier to keep track of where you are in the creation.
Love the sock and the fiber you’re spinning is so beautiful. I love crochet and often enjoy it more than knitting as it’s a much faster to finish. Hurray for learning new things!
I hear that it’s faster. Definitely not for me at the moment, but 10,000 hours of practice should do it. 😉
How fun to see the beginner crochet squares. Are you enjoying it? Your horse stitch is really growing and it is beautiful
I am! I’ve got a blanket project planned to work through lots of minis, but I do love the process too.
I haven’t had a chance to feel any Finn wool, but I know Natasha Smart uses it to felt her handbags with so it’s a hardy wool that copes with lots of use and obviously felts well. World of Wool always seem to have it out of stock when I look, so I’d be interested to hear how it feels and what you’ll use the finished yarn for. I have crocheted some hats just by winging it and not following any patterns or learning properly (except making my Minions) so can’t help with blankets I’m afraid. I love the look of the Battenberg blanket pattern on Ravelry.
I really love it – I feel like it’s a great mix of soft and well-wearing. We’ll see how my yardage turns out. I’ve used it for socks before and it’s held up well but mittens might be nice too. Yes! That is the pattern I want to work towards. It looks like the perfect way to use up minis!
These all look great! Chunky cables can be so satisfying.
Re crochet blankets: the top left square you have looks similar to the squares used in the Babette Blanket, which I made with scrap sock yarn. It was a lot of fun, and currently lives on my desk chair. (Here’s a link to my project on Ravelry if you’re interested: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/bookwyrm/babette-blanket)
Oo – thank you for that link! Popping that in my queue for next as I really like those puff stitches. (Your helper is also quite adorable and obviously approves!)
Good for you learning a new skill and it looks like you’ve already mastered it! Your yarn you are spinning is such lovely colors. I too really like the Wool and Pine colorway on your sock. Your horse XS is simply stunning!
Thank you for that vote of confidence! I’m probably over-critical of my skills but practice really does make more perfect with handcrafts!
Your test knit looks great. I have only mastered squares for the Battenberg so my crochet blanket experience is limited! The cross stitch is amazing!