When I finished the shawl, mentioned in the previous post, I didn’t think I’d have much of a chance to wear it. Spring is (almost?) here and the weather should be getting warmer. As it happens, the weather isn’t warmer yet, and the company I work for switched to working from home 2 weeks ago. The room I work in at home is really cold (2 outside walls, no sun until the afternoon) so the shawl has been perfect – so warm. I’ve worn it every day. Too-tight stitches on too-small needles was the best thing after all!

I’m still missing knitting it though. If ever there was a time for mindless knitting it’s now. Stupid thing is, it took me months to find a shawl pattern I like and… that might be the only pattern I like! I like it because it doesn’t have a middle seam, and it doesn’t have big sections of knit stitch. Don’t ask me why, but I don’t like either of those things. Completely irrational I know. I also like how solid the Almina pattern is. I’m not a massively feminine dresser. I’m not one for lace trims etc (even though I quite like tatting lace trims). I just want something simple, and unfussy to wear. That shawl was perfect. I’m wondering about En Voyage next, maybe? It looks great in black too – even though I did say I should knit in brighter colours. Aisé is another option. I’ve already knitted Jared Flood’s Guernsey Wrap. If you’ve got any suggestions, let me know.

In the meantime I’ve been trying to finish the folks I started:

This is the small rabbit pattern, from Little Cotton Rabbits. It’s knitted in Rico baby classic DK yarn, on 2.5mm needles. I half made it just to see how big it would be.

The one on the left is the same pattern, but in cascade 220, on 2.75 needles. The dress on the right does fit the one on the left. It’s a bit tight to get on, but once on, is fine. But as it fits the one it’s on so well, I might make a new dress for the one on the left.  (Are you still with me?) The one in the middle is the standard pattern, also in cascade 220, on 2.75 needles.

I have a short pair of 2.75 sock needles which aren’t bad for travelling – they don’t get bent when they’re shoved in a bag in a hurry. I had to travel a bit over the last 4-5 months and spend some time away from home, so took these with me. Easy to make a leg on the train, or an arm in a waiting room.

Overall,  the cascade 220 ones are more robust, so better for the children I’m going to give them too. The one in Rico will have to wait to find a new home. She was an intarsia test too – I’m still pretty bad at it to be honest.

So that’s where we’re at. Still some clothes to make. Still looking for The Next Big Thing. How are you doing?