Normal Knitting Has Been Resumed

This is the Cupcake Hat, just before cast off. I cast on 100 stitches and knitted the base quite a lot deeper.

And here it is with the cherry on top.


All Rowan Kid Classic from the leftovers bin.

I think I might send it to the Australian baby you've seen recently, as it's autumn over there and she will need a warm hat soon.

I blocked the Pinwheel Blanket in white Jet that I finished a while ago. This has been hanging around because there is a choice of babies involved and I haven't decided who's getting it, so there was a lack of urgency. One of the babies has arrived, so I had better get my deciding cap on.


Also in white Jet, I've started a Baby Cocoon. There is a vogue nowadays for photographing tinies in pods or cocoons so there are now patterns for such. This is for my cousin's daughter's baby, whose big sister got a lot of hats a while ago. I don't know that she'll actually use it for a photo shoot, but it might amuse her and I think it'll be quite a practical little kicking bag. It's fun to knit, on 10mm dpns.

And I've nearly finished a very plain cowl with the Road to China that Raveller gave me.

I think this will be worn the other way out, with bumps of reverse stocking stitch, but I can't be sure until it's off the needles. I think it would trap more air that way, and thus be warmer.

I am quite happy with all of these things and have enjoyed the yarns (especially the Road to China, sigh) but so much stocking stitch adds up to a sort of sensory deprivation. I must must must start something soon which isn't vanilla knitting, and preferably not on four needles. I'm very taken with this top called Liesl but it's more stocking stitch so I must resist it for now. I won't be knitting it in the preferred yarn, because that would cost about £72 but I might finally break out the Habu Shosenshi that I've been sitting on for so long - but not now.

I think there may be a tremendous lace cast on over the weekend. I have been looking at shawls and shawlettes and all sorts, and am torn between repeating something I know I like, and plunging into the unknown. Which will it be?

Looking ahead, I was talking to Lindsay, my Woolfest companion of last year about the likelihood of our visiting again this year, and I had to face the awful fact that I haven't used any of the yarn I bought last year. Well, I started a Baktus with one ball, but I haven't finished it. The way I reckon I could square this with myself would be to decide beforehand that I won't buy any irresistible skeins of gorgeous colous, but will buy a sweaterfull of something splendidly authentic instead. Something organic, spun within feet of where it walked and bleated. That would be nice.