Project roundup

It's been another of those weeks when I haven't had much time for creative activities, so here's a quick update on my various works in progress.

My Wool Fair cardigan has taken a bit of a back seat, as it's been unseasonably warm here in the UK, and it seemed a bit silly to be working on an Aran (worsted) weight cardigan. However I did, finally, complete the back with its endlessly long rows. At this point you cast off 18 stitches at the centre, and then continue to work on one of the fronts.

Starting the front at last

The pattern gives all the instructions for shaping one front and then blithely states, “work left front to match right front”. This sounds like a recipe for disaster, so I am following the advice of several people who have knitted this cardigan already, and am knitting the two fronts simultaneously.

Well, both fronts, actually

This means that the rows are still pretty long, and each one takes me a while to complete. This isn't ideal for knitting at my mum's, where I need something that I can pick up and put down more easily. So when I'm there I work on my new Close to You shawl, and have completed almost half of it. My yarn choice for this one is a definite success; I love the way the colours work together.

Blues, greens and golds

When I first knitted this pattern, I had wondered if it would be possible to add beads between the eyelets. A browse through completed examples on Ravelry confirmed that yes, it was possible, and several people had done it. I followed this tutorial, and am using dark and light gold beads - from my stash, so size unknown.

Close-up of the beads

I've still got a lot to learn about different yarns, so I'm amazed by just how different this wool is from the one I used before, even though they are both 4-ply (fingering). This one is 50% Corriedale and 50% British Mohair, and gives an almost lacy effect on 4mm needles.

Held up to the light

The weather has finally turned here; it's cooler, very windy, and some much-needed rain is falling as I type. I'm feeling personally responsible for this change, as my new sewing project is a sundress. No sooner had I started to cut it out than the skies clouded over!

I'm making view 2

It's another one of my beloved 1979 Style patterns. The fabric is a crinkle viscose which has a nice drape, but is proving tricky to handle. More updates to follow - hopefully quite soon!