Wool news

Happy New Year Folks! I have been away skiing in Andorra with our family which was a nice change for New Year celebrations. Back home now with a stonking cold but lots to busy myself with.

I finished a crochet cardigan over Christmas. I was driving everyone crazy by saying, "These sleeves are sooooo boring!" over and over again but they seemed to take so long to make. I just about made it on the pink yarn which I only had one ball of. The pattern is called a Good Vintage cardigan here but on reading the reviews many said the sleeves were too tight so I changed mine up to be a more balloon shape and I think it has really made it a fab spring throw over.

I have also been making a few things to bust out some stash. I have boxes with collections of wool in but none of them are enough to make a garment but enough to be taking up too much space. I bought, yes bought, this nativity pattern from ravelry which is fantastic. The instructions are so well written. I am thinking I will add to the collection over the years adapting the body shapes to include other characters. They are tall - about 25cm which makes them perfect for a Church Window or big window display. The yarn is Drops lima which has a lovely natural looking colour palette and a is great value. I really don't like a vibrant acrylic looking nativity set. Meh!

I always cast on a pair of socks for holiday knitting, it is a good way to pass the time in the airport and can be shoved in a small drawstring project bag. 

This shoppel yarn was from Wonderwool 2023. Two identical balls rolled separately ready for matching sock knitting. I have to admit to be being super excited about the yarn but on knitting up I was a bit disappointed the dye runs are so short it wouldn't have really mattered if they matched or not because a definitive pattern didn't emerge anyway! 

Anyway, because the wool held promise of being used up completely in two matching socks, I decided to knit some toe up socks with an afterthought heel. After knitting the first sock, I was really pleased with the fit so the wool has certainly made me flex my sock pattern choice. I am using a sock 'recipe' book called Socktacular.

That is all of my wooly news. I have some sewing news too which I will catch up on next week. Off to read your blogs. Jo xxxxx