Winter Knitting
Posted on March 8, 2023 by prairiemoonquilts in Knitting and CrochetBack when the weather turned cold, I once again picked up my knitting projects. I tend to not knit as much in the summertime; not sure why, but this winter, I’ve really been at it!
At the end of last year, I was bound and determined NOT to carry my 2019 Temperature Scarf over into 2023. The only thing left to do was weave in all those blasted tails. So before I would let myself work on anything else, I forced myself to weave in the rest of the tails and finally get it finished. And finish it did — at 22″ x 107″ — it’s gigantic! But I’ve already wrapped myself in it a few times — it’s cozy. And very soft. I used Stylecraft DK yarn to make it. You can find the pattern I used HERE.
Also last year, actually on Halloween Day, I finished up this Bandana Cowl, which I may have already shown you, but you can look at it again, OK? I have worn this several times this winter. It’s also very soft and warm. It has its mistakes, and I learned a lot on this one, but it was still quick and easy. The pattern came from Purl Soho.
Then I sorted through my yarn stash, because, just like my fabric, I need to be using it up. I found these two skeins of bulky yarn, and made this quick scarf that I’ve dubbed the Hot/Cold Scarf. It’s just garter stitch on size 13 needles. I used both skeins and simply knitted till I used up all the yarn.
And I had this Seed Stitch Scarf started a long time ago from a skein of Mandala that My Cowboy got me on clearance one day on one of his trips out and about. Isn’t it sweet that he thinks of me like that? I just used seed stitch and knitted till I ran out of yarn, letting it change colors naturally as it went. It came out fairly nice, I think:
But then we got a kitten, and this happened:
My Cowboy looked at it, and said: “Seems I heard, back when I’s just a youngster, that kittens like that sort of thing.” Haha! So now I don’t do as much knitting downstairs as I used to. My knitting of late has been done at the laundromat while waiting on the washing machines to finish or the clothes to dry. But I keep telling myself every stitch counts!
And they do add up, because here’s one of my laundromat projects . . . I bought this yarn in a small kit a few years ago from Gruber’s Quilt Shop in Minnesota on one of my retreat trips. The pattern came with the yarn, and it’s called the 3-Color Cowl. It was also very quick to finish, and is nice and soft — and done!
And I’m also working on a Honey Cowl:
That cute little bag was gifted to me by my friend, René. You can find the Honey Cowl pattern free HERE. It’s a super fun and easy pattern. I am also making one for my sister that I’ll show you later.
My current laundromat project is another cowl from the In a Twist pattern from Purl Soho. I’m actually using some yarn I bought from a local yarn dyer and spinner, and it’s lovely. I’ll be back to show you that once it’s finished.
So there’s hopefully a bit of inspiration for you, if you’re a knitter. I’m always amazed at the number of quilters who also knit! I use it as my break from quilting, so I generally do quick and simple projects that I don’t have to think too hard about. Wish me luck using up my yarn stash — I’m trying to get it all to fit into one bin, too!
And before I leave, I have one question for any of you who are knitters:
What’s the best way to keep track of what sizes and types of needles you have? I keep worrying that I’m buying duplicates because I simply can’t tell what I already have. Plus, I may need to buy some that I don’t yet own!
I collect.
So I’m not concerned with duplicates,
Pretty, different, old needles catch my eye.
Sometimes the project says ‘I want wooden,
sometimes metal or circular’
I listen.
Your knitting bag is adorable. I love all your pretty color yarns. I haven’t been knitting as much since I took up quilting! I still have projects to finish up – I tried to organize them all in a box last year hoping the box would be empty. Sadly that hasn’t happened but there is hope for this year.
I don’t know how to keep track because I almost never go out intentionally to buy yarn or start a knitting project. What usually happens is that I wander into a shop and see something that I “have to make” – do I go ahead and buy the pattern, yarn, and (often) needles so I’m sure I can get started right away😩
The first ‘crafty’ thing I ever learned to do was knit. My aunt taught me when I was 13. Have done a lot of knitting over the years but I have pretty much retired that hobby. I only get out my needles to make cotton dish cloths. I think I might rethink that and pick up some really nice yarn and make a scarf in the future. My fingers and hands don’t cooperate as well as they used to so it’s easier for me to work with fabrics and a sewing machine. Love your work.
The link to the cowl pattern accepts the order but won’t finish it to the end. I wonder what I’m doing wrong?