Good in theory

When I first started knitting, back in February 2023, there was a strong possibility that my blue Wondrella cardigan would be my first and last project. But it was a success, and I got the knitting bug. Even so, I had the best of intentions. I would only knit one project at a time. There would be no UFOs or PHDs. And no yarn stash. Less than 18 months later, how is this going?

Erm. Not entirely as planned!

I am still working away on my Lothian shawl. I wasn't happy with the wonkiness of my first few rows so, on the basis that a special project is worth doing properly, I frogged it and started again.

Much neater

I was far happier with this version, and am now up to 72 rows of the 138 which make up the plain section.

Progress so far

But there is no denying that it's slow going. 4ply feels very thin compared to the DK I have mostly been using, and with the row increases 72 rows is less than a third of the plain section overall. So, I have been tempted away to the dark side of a quicky and bulky project.

Whoops

The culprit is Express Line, another excellent pattern from Tasha Could Make That. Knitted in super chunky yarn, on whopping 10mm needles, I only started it a week ago but already have the body completed.

The image above is a better representation of the colour

I would have even more done if I had picked up the stitches for the buttonhole band correctly. In such a thick yarn it's very obvious that it's wrong, but somehow I only noticed as I was about to start casting off. So again, it was a case of frogging and redoing.

How could I have missed this?

Not only do I have more than one project on the go, but I have had a UFO for ages. Ten months ago I started a third Wondrella cardigan, this time modified to include cable panels up the fronts. I completed the 'full width' section and all of the (plain stocking stitch) back, but put it away in the spring as it is very much a winter cardi. Now that it's autumn, I am thinking of picking it up again once I have the Express Line completed. Unfortunately, I didn't complete writing out the modified pattern, and it's a struggle to remember what I was planning. I will work in out eventually, but it's a useful note to self - don't assume that you will remember what you were doing 10 months ago!

Can I remember what to do next?

Finally, there's the small matter of the stash. A few weeks ago it was the annual Coastal Colours Pop-Up Wool Show in Port Sunlight. This was where I got the wool for my Blue Dahlia shawl last year, and it's almost local to me, so of course I had to go. I was very restrained, and went round all the stalls to see what was available before making any purchases. (Judging from the number of people who were, like me, sitting in the café consulting notes, this approach was being widely used!)

Something which really caught my eye was this beautiful set from Yarn Unique with its glorious rich colours. It was my one 'must buy' from my first look round.

Yummy!

I follow AndKnit on Instagram, and some months ago she posted her version of the Puff shawl (you can see it here). I liked the pattern, and had hoped to find some suitable wool for making my own version at the show. After much deliberation, I settled on these two skeins from Ducky Darlings.

Firepit and Cardomon Spice

The Puff shawl

It will be a while before I get round to making these purchases up, but I don't feel too guilty about making the most of a wool show that's practically on my doorstep. I find that winter is increasingly knitting season for me, so hopefully I will get some projects done before too long.