Heeeeeey, it’s been a minute, huh?
Life has been a lot over the past few months — work’s been chaos, my dad was in the hospital again (he’s okay now, thankfully!), the geopolitical climate is a nightmare, and my Drafts folder looks like a graveyard of half-finished posts.
In spite of the mayhem, I’ve still found time for knitting. Here’s what I’ve been working on lately:
D&D Inspired Vests: My husband and I are heading to our first ever Renaissance Fair this summer on my birthday weekend, in Vegreville of all places (yes, the tiny town with a giant Easter Egg). In preparation for the momentous occasion, I am working on matching vests — a modified version of Tin Can Knits’ Vest Friends pattern, with cotton-linen blend yarn for breathable comfort, a dragon scale stitch pattern for medieval flair, and the pièce de résistance: D20 buttons!
Dark Academia Sweater: I’ve been practicing my fair isle skills for a while now, and I finally felt confident that I could knit a stranded colourwork sweater again without it turning into a lumpy nightmare. The Dark Academia sweater by Sharon Hartley is a gorgeous design with a cathedral window motif, and the variegated yarn I chose makes it look like stained glass. Have I made a few mistakes? Sure. But I’m leaning into it — let’s just pretend the windows are aesthetically decrepit.
Cable Crush Cardigan: Knitatude is one of my favourite designers, and I’d been dying to get my hands on any of her collaboration patterns from We Are Knitters. The Cable Crush Cardigan is a bolero-style sweater featuring enormous, squishy cables and moss stitch. It’s currently on summer break, but I love how it’s shaping up — and I suspect it’ll be my go-to cozy layer when the temperature drops.
Achievement Badge Shawl: Stephen West is another favourite designer of mine, best known for his many, many different shawl knitalongs throughout the year. Camp Craft — this year’s Yarnalong theme — features three packages. Three shawl patterns. Three mystery yarn palettes. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to partake for the first time this year! The Achievement Badge pattern boasts sections of delicious texture — eyelets, cables, slip stitches and more. I’m excited to see it take shape, and to see what the other two shawls will look like!
Now hopefully, I’ll be able to finish my WIP pile and my Draft graveyard before too long!
Your Dark Academia sweater looks fantastic!! Glad to hear your dad is ok. I hope your father is like my husband, seems to have nine lives. Unfortunately my husband is using up a lot of them. I’m worried that 5th time might be the charm. Love my Stephen West Twisted Cables shawl.
I’m so sorry to hear that! Sending love to you and your husband.
All your projects look great. Those buttons are especially awesome!