What’s on my needles: October/November 2023

These final months of 2023 are really flying by!

This edition of my WIP update series will be a bit of a mishmash: an actual work in progress, a preview of a recently finished piece, and some upcoming aspirational projects.

House Dressing

I’ve wanted to knit a dress for some time now, to further expand the possibilities of my knitted wardrobe. House Dressing is a fingering-weight pattern by Icelandic knitwear designer Chantal Belisle, a.k.a. The Flying Yak. The bodice and skirt are knit separately and then seamed together. The skirt is supposed to be knit from the bottom up; however, after struggling to keep 540 stitches from twisting on my needles in the round, I modified the skirt to be knit from the top down instead. It’s proving to be much more manageable so far.

Geogradient

I started Geogradient on October 4 and finished it on November 12. Stephen West’s Mystery Knitalongs turn the knitting side of the Internet into a cascade of spoiler alerts and progress updates throughout October. Geogradient is the name of the 2023 mystery shawl, inspired by geometric shapes. When I first heard the name, my mind first went to “geode” instead of “geometric.” I was inspired by Thunder Egg Agates, and the vibrant colours of the crystals within.

It was a harrowing experience, with plenty of complex and unusual stitch patterns throughout. I do plan on putting out a full write-up about my shawl, so that’s all I will say about it for now!

Vintage Knitting

My curiosity for knitting fashions of the past has been piqued ever since I found an online database of knitting booklets from WWII-era Canada, which included styles for both military service and everyday fashion from the early 1940s.

I couldn’t stop there, though. So I went on an adventure to the Old Strathcona Antique Mall in downtown Edmonton and brought home two knitting magazines: one from 1955 and the other from 1962; I also brought home a jar of buttons to help complete the vintage vibe for which I am striving with this series.

I’ve got grand plans for the new year, and I can’t wait to see where my knitting takes me!