A Bit Of A Knitting Update

As the cooler weather approaches, my knitting mojo has come back! I must admit to not being a fan of hot weather so I am always happiest when autumn arrives and I can light the fire and get the wool out for some cosy knitting time.

And it is about time I do some stash diving and use up some of the yarn that has become part of the furniture around here. Some of the wool I used in one of these projects was purchased at the wonderful Wondoflex in Malvern when I used to live just around the corner from the shop. Now this was before I had any children and as I now have grandchildren, you can imagine that yarn has been in my stash for a short while! It is well travelled yarn too - I have lived in three states since I purchased it! 

So here, in no particular order, are some of the projects I have completed in the last few months.

This is the Waiting For Winter beanie designed by the lovely Astrid. This is currently being knitted as a KAL in her Ravelry group, Wattle and Wool. And it is a free pattern on Ravelry - you can download it here. 
As I knit a lot from vintage patterns, I had never done a tubular cast on before. So this pattern also gave me a chance to learn a new skill. 

And I will get to practice again as my daughter has asked for one as well! She has chosen the same yarn but it is cream with a black fleck. These are both Cleakheaton Country Naturals 8 ply which is a lovely soft yarn but is now discontinued (and these balls have been in my stash for 25 years!)

Another free pattern that I have knitted is the Prairie House Shawl. This is knitted in my own yarn from my Banned Books Mystery Yarn Club from last year. This one was based on Lady Chatterley's Lover. I haven't blocked it yet so do not have a finished photo.

And then of course some woollies for the granddaughters!

My daughter accidentally washed the last Milo I knitted on hot! It was knitted in Bendigo Woollen Mills Bloom which I can tell you felts really well as I have made some felted items from it. Now it is a vest for her doll! 

So another Milo was on the cards! I must say, if you want a fantastic pattern for knitting baby/toddler/child gifts, this is it. It is a paid pattern but totally worth every cent. The pattern is sized from newborn to 16 years and you can customise it in so many ways. 

My daughter chose Bloom again, in the colour Sunrise. I just love watching the colours appear as you are knitting.

The Pixie Scarf Hat was also requested for the four year old. Another super easy knit, available as a free pattern on Ravelry. 

Then for the little one - she has just turned one. Sadly, we couldn't be with either of the girls for their birthdays this year. 

The Easy Baby Cardigan is another free pattern on Ravery. Can you tell I have been browsing Ravelry a bit?! 

And it really is easy! You can knit it with either a hood or a collar, in sizes newborn, 6, 12 and 18 months. 
The photo is terrible - it really doesn't show the lovely gold colour of the yarn. It is Bendigo Woollen Mills Bendigo Tweed in the colour Wild Honey. 

And I even squeezed in a little sewing. It was great to get the sewing machine out. As I have to sew on the dining table, it is always an effort to get everything out and put it away at the end of the day, even if I have not finished. But this was a quick little birthday gift project.

This is the Red Riding Hood Cape, a free pattern online from FleeceFun. I made it in quilting cotton and homespun rather than fleece, which meant I had to add in a few steps such as hemming and top sewing around the hood. Still super quick and it looks so cute on her. I was thinking a fleece version in pale blue fleece lined with white fake fur would be a good Frozen version. We will see! 

As part of my plans/hopes/desires to clear out, I have been taking a look at my languishing WIPs. Ravelry is good at keeping me accountable for this as I see them sitting in my Projects tab whenever I add a new cast on. I cannot just hide them away in the house and completely forget them! 

A WIP I really want to finish is my Studio Ghilbi cardigan. And yes, it is a free pattern on Ravelry - surprise, surprise! 
I cannot explain why I have completed so much of this and then left it as I absolutely adore it. I have a total love of Studio Ghibli films - they are totally whacky and gorgeous. And this cardigan has all the motifs from my favourite films.

This is where I am up to. As you can see, almost completed. 

And I have fourteen other WIPs on my Ravelry page! I have some decisions to make!

And let's end with some cute granddaughter photos. We are now allowed to make day trips, as long as social distancing is maintained. So when the first snow fell, the girls had a chance to see snow!

Yes, she is the girl who will wear a tutu anywhere, even to the snow! 

And our little pixie! 
Aren't they adorable?! Not that I am biased or anything! Looking forward to cuddles again soon.

I hope you are all keeping well. What have you been doing during isolation? I would love to hear about your projects.

Linking with Frontier Dreams  for Crafting On.