I’ve had lots of lovely knitting time lately, June has been a quiet month compared to the May madness, so without further ado here is what has been occupying my needles of late 🙂
First up, the Helix socks are FINISHED!! I stayed up late last night to be able to cast them off and block them this weekend. So here they are pre-blocked. I am so happy with how these turned out, it felt like they had been on the needles forever.
They weren’t the easiest thing to make as it got quite fiddly with the cable needles and I had to frog them back a few times where I messed up the lace pattern. But for my first attempt at two at a time toe up socks I am over the moon with them 🙂 The yarn is gradient cakes from Rosie’s Moments, specially dyed so that the colour changes are identical for each sock.
One project I haven’t made so much progress with is the double knit Kitty Cushion. I have now finished the back section.
But realise now that I shouldn’t have jumped straight into the front without knowing what the flip I was doing when it comes to double knitting! I have made it this far…
I’ve got the hang of getting one colour on each side but it’s the colour changes that are foxing me. So I have parked that one for now and downloaded the free Basic Double Knitting Tutorial by Cassie Castillo so I can practice.
So what am I working on now? Well this gorgeous book by Kate Davies Designs and Jen Arnall-Culliford, featuring patterns from a host of different designers arrived last week…
There are so many beautiful patterns in this book – I want to make them all! But I am starting with Happenstance by Romi Hill. And it just so hap-pens (if you’ll excuse the pun!) that I have the perfect yarn in stash. A while back I won this lovely Moorfields Alpaca yarn on the Bakery Bears podcast.
I only cast on this week so haven’t got very far…but just look at that lovely squishy garter stitch, this is going to be one cosy shawl 🙂
And do you remember my post about the shawl pattern I was trying to write up? Well I am pleased to say that it’s now back from my tech editor and apart from a few amendments I need to make it’s good to go! Here is a sneaky peak at the pattern…I’ll be looking for test knitters in August when I am back from my hols so if you are interested please let me know your Ravelry name.
I’ve also had another shawl, a cowl and a hat go for tech editing so I am excited that I will be able to release some new patterns in Autumn.
Oh and I have also been doing some work on my knitting course, C&G module 5 that I have been stuck on for far too long now. I WILL get that done 🙂
So that’s what has been occupying my time and my needles. What about you?
Happy knitting! x
jemarrowsmith.wordpress.com 
What lovely socks! They are so beautiful!
Your photography is delightful really delightful! Have you finished your photography course?
As for the kitty cushion I always struggle because you have to read the chart from left to right for the front and right to left to knit the back, it does my head in! lol I wish you all the best the picture is lovely I am sure the cushion will be worth it!
Thank you so much! I’m so pleased that the socks are finally off the needles, there was a point where I thought I would be knitting them forever! Oh I didn’t know that about double knitting charts….I have a lot to learn 🙂 I’m determined to crack it though as I need that cushion in my life!
Hi Jemma, I’m in awe of your achievements!
Your shawl looks wonderful. I’m still stuck on moduke 6 of level 2 C and G…..cardigan…. still searching for the perfect buttonhole for a moss stitch button band!
I’m so scared of lace but your knitting inspires me so maybe I’l try your shawl!
Jackie
Hi Jackie! Good luck with finding the right button band and finishing module 6 🙂 I haven’t progressed far with module 5 since we met in March but I’m going to do some C&G work today. Oh yes you should give lace knitting a go, it’s really not as scary as it looks 🙂
love all the things you are making – I am jealous that you have the hap book. I hope to acquire that soon. 😉 how nice that you won the perfect yarn for it. 🙂
The hap book is lovely, not just the patterns but also reading about the history of haps. I was very lucky with the yarn, it was meant to be 🙂
The colours of the new socks are just wonderful Jem – your feet will feel so good wearing those 🙂 I never got past the cast on method in that 2 at a time sock book, it’s been shelved for the time being. But I am still determined to knit a pair of socks – I just purchased three gorgeous colours of sock wool from Artesano I’m that determined ………… Wish me luck!!
The shawl looks delightful and it sounds like you are going great guns with your designs, I’m really happy to see that.
Your photos are looking so lovely, you are an inspiration! I must try sitting Siddy amongst a flower or two, that might inspire me to write a post 🙂
Thanks Pauline, they took forever to make but I’m so pleased with them. I had to resort to youtube for the cast on, but after that things were a lot more straightforward. Which pattern has caught your eye from the book? I really fancy the Ballet ones next, they will probably keep me going until Christmas, haha!
I’ve missed seeing your posts, I hope you will write again soon! x
Duh – I never thought of going to youtube for the cast on!! I love the Ballet socks – was going to start with the Raindrops because they looked simpler … Geez, I’d better get going if I want to make a pair before I die of extreme old age!!
Oh yes the Raindrop socks are really pretty, they are on my list too 🙂
I love cats, but the back of that cushion is gorgeous! And I’m super jealous you have the Hap book already. I am having to wait for my birthday in July (fingers crossed anyway!)
Me too, I can’t wait to master double knitting so I can finish the pattern! At least July is not too far away…the book will be worth the wait 🙂
I never knit two socks at a time – won’t go into my long boring reasons – but it never occurred to me that it encourages you to make mistakes two at the time. The socks look lovely now though – and all your other knitting.
Thank you! It was my first attempt at TTAT and I’ve enjoyed learning a new process, but I don’t think I am a natural sock knitter, not when it takes me 3 months to make 1 pair….
🙂
Oh wow, you really have been busily knitting away behind the scenes! Congratulations on getting such good feedback on your pattern, and your new socks look fab too 😀 My knitting this month has been Beastie-centric as usual, but I am hoping to tackle the We Are Knitters kit I treated myself to for my birthday sometime soon!
Yes it’s been so nice to be able to finish some things off, I need to as my knitting-to-do list is getting longer by the day, I just want to knit ALL the things 🙂 Have fun with the We are Knitters kit – can’t wait to see what you make! 🙂
It’s going to be my treat when I finish up all July’s commissions 😀 Happy knitting to you too!
So many great projects! Your socks turned out fantastic, the yarn you won is perfect for the shawl (it couldn’t be any squishier) , your cat pillow will be a little masterpiece when finished and you have patterns on the way! You busy duck! 🙂
Thank you! I am really pleased with the socks, especially now they are blocked, I’ll get some better pictures this week. The hap is coming along nicely, I’m nearly at the triangle decreases already 🙂 And now I have space for a new project on the needles…but I don’t know what to start with first!
The socks look really lovely! I love the matching gradients. Well done!
Thank you! 🙂
Hi Jem! I enjoy reading your blog, so I nominated you for a Liebster Award! More details here: https://aprilgreene.com/2016/08/01/i-got-some-kind-of-award/ Cheers!
Thank you! 😀