Back from a successful there and back again trip to the east coast to visit my folks. My mum was getting over a nasty bout of pneumonia so we had a pretty quiet visit, although my dad and I went out for coffee and a bookstore visit, and I tagged along while he led a tour of the historic (1763) church they belong to, as well as the attached graveyard and cemetary, for some history buffs, which was fun. Air travel, while not fun, does provide some good knitting hours so here’s what I’ve been working on for this week.
First up, I finished another Musselburgh Hat. This one is in a soft and warm MCN blend and I used up all but a couple of yards of the single skein of sock-weight yarn. It’s a nice neutral and it will go into a charity/giveaway box one way or another. This really is a perfect pattern for those odd single skeins of yarn and a fairly mindless knit once you get the crown increases set up so there will likely be more in my future. (This was #3).
I have also been working on my Spirea shawl and have worked through 6 of the 8 written repeats although I think I can get at least another half or maybe full repeat out of the yarn I have – I haven’t started the second skein (of 2) that I have for this project. I will come clean and say I thought this project was going to be kind of meh. I didn’t like the main color very much in the skein, but I have fallen in love with this super soft and bouncy single ply from A Verb For Keeping Warm and the texture is gorgeous, especially with the addition of the pretty little embroidered flowers. After some trial and error, I’ve found a way to work them that makes me happy and I’m embracing the fact that they are all a little bit different – but remind me of millefleur fabrics of the medieval period. I’ve also started a pair of plain vanilla socks using a sock set in vibrant spring flower colors, so I guess I’m ready for warmer weather!
I’ve been working on 3 of my crochet blankets as well. (I have 5 if anyone is keeping track….). I’ve been keeping up with my 100 Day Project, working on minis for a Weekender Blanket. I’ve also added in several more rows to my scrappy blue/teal sock yarn granny stripe blanket and finally, I’ve added another 10 blocks to my Origami blanket pile, so 20 out of 120 blocks done for that one.
Still also working on my second braid of handspun merino from PortFiber, and I’m just about done the first bobbin of the second half. No photos of that project – it’s pretty boring right now but will keep chipping away at the singles.
And finally, another 1000 stitches so far this month added to my full-coverage cross-stitch project, Winter’s Encounter. I decided to work on the very pale pinks and lavenders in the sky as I’m afraid if I only focus on the horse (which is much more interesting to stitch), I’ll get bogged down on this one if I only have boring sky or background left to stitch. So, while difficult to see here, I’ve been working across the top, adding in pinks and just started working on a pale lavender to add to the skyline.
Hard to believe we are creeping up on the halfway point of the year in another month! Have a great week YOP’ers.
Knit One, Spin Too 
You’ve got so many wonderful things on the go. I can definitely see the pink sky and think it really makes a difference from the plain background. I feel I should cast on more things but then for me on the July to June timetable my YOP year is almost over so I’ll keep trying to tick things off my existing list and avoid temptation 😂 yeah right!
It’s hard! Cast-on-itis is a real struggle. 🙂
You have such lovely projects on the go, I don’t know how you manage it. I either have things I love and have finished, or things I hate that languish in the bottom of the bag. I’m not much of a active multi project person (although I tell myself that’s what I am to make up for all the languishing projects 😂). I love seeing how your stitching is coming on.
I actually find having a bunch of things to work on helps me stay interested and motivated to work on them. But I totally get that’s not everyone’s method of working. I’m enjoying my stitching – despite the fact it’s a very long long term project 🙂
As always, everything looks great, but that cross stitch is really going to be a stunner. I’m always a sucker for anything with a horse in it, but this particular project is exceptionally nice. The details are amazing.
I was on the fence about starting this one because of the detail in the original. This, believe it or not, is a “mini” version with less detail than the larger version with more colors, but I think the fact that there is so much detail in the horse’s head is what makes this one so engaging.
Wow, you are sooo busy!! Agree the shawl looks great with those flowers added. Love your granny stripe blanket. The reds and pinks hexagons will be such a beautiful blanket too. I feel cold just looking at your cross stitch.
Thank you! I sort of earmarked the gray hat for your son’s students but now am not sure if adult sizes are okay or not?
I’ve been informed kids actually have pretty big heads so adult is fine. I’m actually going to up the size I was planning. Thank you so much. He is thrilled to be able to offer handmade items for kids.
These look great! I love how the flowers turned out so far on the shawl.
Thank you! I’m quite happy with how pretty and delicate they look.
You have some beautiful projects in progress. I imagine you are very happy to be home. It’s nice to visit but nice to come home too.
Thank you and yes! I am delighted to be home and sleeping in my own bed again. I am definitely a homebody!
Oh my, they are all beautiful, but the cross stitch is amazing!
Thank you so much!