Here’s a philosophical question for you? What’s the point of having skills in the internet age unless you’re going to show them off to the online world?
Since I have a blog, I thought I’d share what I’ve been knitting and crocheting over the last couple of months. Please indulge me, because I love seeing other people’s finished crafts!
Most of these are wintery items, and that’s partly because we didn’t actually get real spring weather here in Canada until halfway through April. Knitting was a cheering activity when I was feeling miserable and cooped-up.
Fingerless Mittens
Info on Ravelry here. Pattern from this book.
After I knitted Lydia a pair, a friend requested a pair as well. I ordered my first boutique yarn for the job — Malabrigo Arroyo, in the colourway Vaa — and it was positively d–r-e-a-m-y to work with. Photos cannot capture the beauty of this marvelous hand-dyed yarn. The subtle variations of green — from emerald to lime to olive to aqua — shimmer like jewels in sunlight. I am completely in love.
Adult-Sized Fox Hat
Info on Raverly here. Free pattern here.
After I crocheted Lydia a Sly Fox Hat, my little sister admired it so much I decided to make her an adult-sized version. (The original pattern doesn’t include an adult version, but offers some suggestions.) It took a couple of tries to get one big enough, but I finally managed it and I’m quite pleased with the finished product.
Chunky Cabled Hats
Info on Ravelry here. Free Pattern here.
I really wanted to learn how to do cables, and I conveniently realized I didn’t have a nice winter hat for myself, so I bought some chunky merino yarn and knit myself a Northward hat. I added a faux fur pompom to make it super on-trend. (Because as you know, I am sooooooo trendy. Evidence: I am still writing on a blog in 2018.)
Then I knit one for my middle sister, so she wouldn’t feel left out of the homemade hat club.
Whimsy Pixie Bonnet
….And finally, another pixie bonnet. Details on Ravelry here.
For some reason I just LOOOOVE this silhouette on young kids.
I had “inherited” some hand-spun, hand-dyed, fingering-weight alpaca wool from a friend’s grandma, and I didn’t know what to do with for the longest time. But I knew it was a really expensive, high-quality yarn that I didn’t want to go to waste. I finally landed on this pattern. I adore it. I’m a very slow knitter so it took me forever but it was worth it. And I finally had to learn how to make I-cord, and I’m a fan.
Juniper Bonnet
Details on Ravelry here. Pattern here. Okay, okay, one last thing. I participated in an Instagram knit-along and knit this lovely little bonnet. It was my first time knitting lace and it was a real challenge at first. But I’m delighted by the result!
Okay, that’s everything! Dang, I just realized how many new skills I learned over the course of the season. My kids definitely don’t need this much knitted headwear but I just love tackling new challenges.
Thanks for sticking around! And I always enjoy seeing/hearing about what you’re making!
AHHHH Ι recognized the Malabrigo Arroyo in a heartbeat!!! I used that same colorway once to knit some seaweed for an herbalism class*
How tough were cables? I’ve wanted to try them but they look super scary! (Geez, that and lace too?! You’re fearless!)
*that was the most hippie sentence I have ever uttered.
Once you use a yarn like that, you never forget! :) I love that you knitted seaweed, haha.
And cables are not tough at all!! They are surprisingly easy if you have a cable needle. I promise. It’s just a matter of slipping a few stitches on the cable needle, holding them in the front for a few stitches, and them slipping them back onto your main needle. I found the lace significantly more difficult, actually. But now that I’ve done it once it would be a lot easier, I think.
Hi Kathleen, thank you so much for sharing your creation with us. You did actually great! I’d like to know where do you usually find good knitting kit materials? Once again, thank you for sharing these tips!