Volcano Trail

I gave a glimpse the other day, and here's the finished cowl.

Volcano Trail.

This has been my project for Zoom calls.  The pattern calls for four colors of fingering weight yarn held double.  The design features an interesting construction that gets wider across the shoulders.  The cowl is mainly garter stitch . . . a very relaxing knit.

The pattern calls for duplicate stitch down the center.  I like the marled look and was feeling ambivalent about the duplicate stitch.  I can always add it later if I feel like it.

The yarn is a Lillian Bundle in the colorway Pond Scum + Pinks.  There are a variety of color options listed on the website plus more project ideas for the Bundles.

One Off, One On

The ebb and flow of knitting projects is a recurring cycle.  There are always a few projects in the mix, but I try to keep it to a reasonable number.  It's hard to finish anything with too many projects on the go.

My knitting was bogged down for a couple weeks, but now productivity is up.

Finish one project.

Cast on a new one.

Of course it's easy to go overboard with casting on.  One little slip and I've cast on five new projects.  I try to follow this simple formula:  one off the needles, one on the needles.  That way I can keep the cycle moving.

Stress-Free Knitting

It's been a topsy-turvy Friday . . . far from the productive day I had planned.  There may be a couple smoldering embers, but I think I put out all the fires.  I've earned an uneventful weekend.

It's good I have a relaxing project on the needles.

Mind Your Step.

I started this the other day, and now it's the only thing I want to work on.  Garter stitch with simple eyelets . . . a recipe for stress-free knitting.

I'm always on the lookout for positive things that have sprung up during the pandemic.  I'm convinced that creativity and good old resilience will help us survive.  The Wool Channel is the latest venture from Clara Parkes, and it promises to be an adventure in all things wool.  Follow the link and read all about it.

I sense a theme between my new project and this week's color inspiration.

Soft neutrals.

Witty's Trail Mitts

Off the needles and ready for chilly spring mornings . . .

Witty's Trail Mitts. 

These mitts were done in no time.  The pattern is very well written.  It includes seven sizes - everything from toddler to extra large adult.  There are twisted rib details on the cuffs.  The design offers two different stitch patterns.  I made the broken rib version.  

The yarn is Marybelle DK in Sunflower.  These mitts are sturdy, cozy and comfy.  I'm sure they'll get a lot of wear.  I never have enough mitts, and this pattern will likely land in my regular rotation.

Knitting and Zoom

Over the last year, many knitters have developed creative strategies for dealing with Zoom calls.  Let's face it.  If you're not actively presenting during a call, it can be a great opportunity to knit a few rows . . . or more.

The other day I was on a call.  I ran into issues with my Zoom project and had to set it aside.  As luck would have it, I had a couple spare projects near my desk.

I picked up my Volcano Trail.  This one seemed like the best option for Zoom knitting, and I'm glad I grabbed it.  It got me through the call, and I made decent progress too.

Now I'm on a roll with this cowl and will probably give it more    attention - even when I'm not on Zoom.  What's been your favorite project for Zoom knitting?

On a Whim . . .

First things first.  There's one kit from the spring club up for grabs over on Instagram.  Leave a comment and mention a favorite pandemic knitting project.  The pandemic has gone on so long you might have more than one favorite.  Feel free to mention two or three.  There are a lot of good project suggestions in the Instagram feed.  Give it a read if you're looking for inspiration.

If Instagram doesn't work for you, leave a comment below and I'll add it to the mix.  The winner, chosen at random, will have a choice of either fingering or DK weight yarn.  Comments are open through Sunday, March 21.

I had a moment of serendipity on Wednesday evening.  A mitts pattern popped up when I was scrolling through Instagram or Ravelry.  I don't remember the exact source right now, and it doesn't really matter.  I glanced at the pile of yarn next to my desk and knew I had to cast on right away.  And so I did.

Witty's Trail Mitts.  In less than 24 hours, I had finished the first mitt and had cast on the second one.  I prefer to do both thumbs at the same time, so the thumb on the first one still needs finishing touches.

The design includes two stitch pattern options.  I'm making the broken rib version, and I'm using leftover Marybelle DK in Sunflower.  If this yarn looks familiar, it's because I used it for a sweater last fall.  I'm certain these cozy, cushy mitts will be a favorite.

This week's color inspiration matches my mitts.

Springtime yellow.

No Coffee Allowed

We've had a taste of spring weather over the last week.  It's probably more appropriate to call it a tease since I heard snow is in the forecast for later in the week.  That's to be expected.  March is a fickle month.

No matter what the forecast says, I have been shifting to spring-like colors.  The other day I picked this pair.

This combination is lovely, but I could never wear it.  I'm usually a hot mess complete with spilled coffee.  This gorgeous Pearl color would be stained within an hour.  I'm sure it'll be fun to knit, but I'll have to do it without coffee.

Schedule Update

Here's a quick schedule update to start the week.  Connecticut Sheep and Wool joined the other spring fiber festivals and has been cancelled as an in-person event.  It was scheduled for April 24, and there are plans for a virtual replacement.  Stay tuned for more information on that.

Most of the fall fiber festivals are still up in the air except Fiber Festival of New England.  Organizers have announced they plan to go ahead with an in-person event November 6 and 7.  I'll share details on fall events as they become available.

I bounced around between a couple knitting projects over the weekend and surprisingly made decent progress.  The lure of new projects was calling, so I also spent a little time on Ravelry.

I pulled color options over the weekend . . . a skein here, a couple skeins there.  It all adds up, and this morning the work table was full of choices.  There's a definite blue and purple theme going on.  Who knows what I'll add to the mix today. 

Shocking

These days there's not a lot of color in the outside world.  The seasons are slowly shifting, but the fresh colors of spring aren't here yet.  The other day I had to liven things up, so I cast on a new sock.

This is Shocking, and it was the colorway for the sock club last month.  Normally I'm not a pink person, but I have to admit this bright color in late winter brought me cheer.  If pink is your thing, keep your eyes open.  I'll be releasing Shocking to the lineup later this spring.

This week's color inspiration . . . 

Gritty gray.

At Loose Ends

This week my schedule is relatively relaxed.  After a couple weeks with tight deadlines, I find myself at loose ends.  Instead of making to-do lists that would encourage productivity, I've been puttering about . . . a little of this, a little of that.

Knitting time has been focused on my Vanilla Sweater.

I'm almost ready to separate the body and sleeves.  It's a good thing because the rounds are pretty long right now.

I'm also picking colors for next-on-the-needles projects.  I have all sorts of color options on the table, and I'm not sure where this will lead.  The seasons are shifting, and late winter usually brings a thirst for bold and bright colors.  

Mixing and Matching

I'm coming up for air after a weekend with a lot of knitting time.  I spent most of it with projects already on the needles.  No, I didn't finish anything, but I did make good progress.

And I took a detour to cast on a little experiment.

Mixing and matching is always fun.

Weekend Giveaway

This week has been a blur - more so than most weeks.  That's saying something in a pandemic when the days routinely run together.  Anyway, we've thankfully landed on Friday, and I'm ready for the weekend.

This morning I kicked things off with a little giveaway.

One of the kits from the February sock club is up for grabs.  I'm running the giveaway over on Instagram.  If Instagram isn't your thing, leave a comment here, and I'll add it to the mix.  Tell us what your favorite pandemic knitting project has been.  It doesn't have to be socks.

The winner will be chosen at random.  Comments will be open through Sunday, March 7.

This week's color inspiration . . .

Orange with a hint of red.

Black and White Mystery

I'm working on a couple deadlines this week.

One of them happens to be a secret, so black and white is all you get.  You can see that garter and stripes are involved, but the rest is all a mystery.  It's been a fun, relaxing project.  Stay tuned.  I'll share the details at a later date.

Colorful Options

First of all, thanks to everyone who stopped by the SPA Zoom session on Saturday.  It was fun to see so many familiar faces.

Elizabeth Smith gave an interesting presentation complete with a few swatching tips.  Her talk definitely encouraged interesting questions and discussions.  Thanks also to everyone who placed an order over the weekend.  Busy shipping week ahead.

I have a few new projects at the top of my list, and I'm contemplating color options.

I can easily stay in my comfortable gray zone, but this time of year usually calls for something a little more colorful.  Maybe this combo will make the final cut.