Friday 31 March 2017

Projects On The Go

I used to be a one project at a time kind of girl but that's all changed over the last couple of years, now there's any number of projects on the go at any one time. Here's what's on my needles at the moment.


Antarktis Shawl by Janina Kallio. That's the photo from the pattern above. I won't say anything about how the shawl is knitted up as it's a paid for pattern on Ravelry but it's made with a technique I've never used before. It's easy enough for anyone with limited knitting skills to make and I like the fact that it only uses one skein of fingering weight yarn. I'm using Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal in teal colourway which was gifted to me by Leah at Faith's Craft Box in a swap. It's a 95% wool 5% cashmere blend and a tweed type yarn. I'm loving how it's knitting up so far.


Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder. This is a free pattern on Ravelry and one which I've knit before. I used a patterned yarn when I knit these last time and I thought I'd see what the pattern came out like with a plain yarn, I'm using Cascade Heritage in the charcoal colourway. I love this yarn, it's so soft and squishy and just as I thought, the pattern is showing up beautifully in this solid colour. I know Eleanor has a liking for things in grey so they might end up being for her, though I'm not sure the pattern will be her sort of thing, she likes things plain. I don't mind either way as I'd quite like to keep these myself.


Neville's Socks. This is another sock pattern which is based on a Harry Potter character and another one by Erica Lueder. This designer has some wonderful free patterns on Ravelry. I first heard of Neville's Socks when I was watching Giddy Knits, a relatively new podcast which I'm thoroughly enjoying. I'm using a yarn from Wharfedale Woolworks, this is a Superwash Blue Faced Leicester in neon iris #2 colourway, and it's been sat in my stash for near on six years now so it's definitely time it saw the light of day. I used something very similar for my Sockalong Socks. The colourway is slightly different this time, there's much more purple/lilac in the mix so it will be interesting to see the difference in colour as it's knitted up. I haven't got very far but the pattern is just starting to emerge.


I'm trying out Drops Fabel yarn for the first time with these plain socks. This is the Lavender Print colourway and I'm quite impressed so far. It's a very inexpensive yarn but is reasonably soft and is knitting up well. I suppose the proof of the pudding will be in the wearing once they're finished but I'm very hopeful from what I've seen so far.


As you can see, I haven't got very far yet with any of these projects so they should keep me out of mischief for quite a while. I'm enjoying having lots of different things on the needles so that I can choose what I feel like working on at any particular time. How about you? Do you stick to one thing or are you like me and have lots of things on the go at once?

46 comments:

  1. I like to have a large project, a pair of patterned socks and a vanilla pair on the go as a minimum.Right now I am knitting some glorious homespun into a scarf monogamously, I can't put it down. I have the yarn and patterns ready for 3 shawls and a Flax sweater is on the plans for April.

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    1. I think having a selection of projects on the go, as you do, is a good idea. Sometimes you want something easy to pick up whilst you're doing something else at the same time and other times, when you've got time to concentrate, it's good to have a more difficult project to pick up. Sometimes a project seems to take over, as you've found with your homespun scarf, it sounds lovely.

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  2. How many socks do you make at once? I mean, seriously?

    Actually I'm a multi-project person and always have been, but usually it's like a tapestry and a knitting project and a crochet project blanket and a bag.... so lots of different project according to mood. But three socks at once. I am blasted by that. Love it, but blasted.

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    1. Ha ha, I'm a bit sock obsessed at the moment, in fact, there's another pair I want to cast on but I've run out of sock needles. These are just my knitting projects, I've also got two crochet blankets and a cross stitch on the go and lots of things waiting in the wings.

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  3. Some lovely coloured socks there & YES, I've always got too many things on the go & as you know from my most recent post, I'm joining in with another blogger on "finishing up". I'm also on a stash busting exercise, to use fabric on hand, also wool & other bits I've accumulated over the years. Look forward to seeing the progress you make on the things above & also the feel of the socks. Have a good weekend & take care.

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    1. It's very easy to start lots of things off, not so easy to finish them all so I think your 'finishing up' exercise is a good one.

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  4. Lovely colours in your projects, busy time in garden, so not much crafting going on here.

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    1. My projects are all such different colours. It is a busy time in the garden but giving up the allotment has allowed me so much more time for other things. I'm sure you'll get back to your crafting when the garden isn't making so many demands on your time.

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  5. I like all the colourways you are using on your projects here.

    Hope your Friday is going well, have a lovely weekend

    All the best Jan

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    1. There's so many lovely colourways in yarn, it's so hard to choose between them sometimes.

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  6. They all look brilliant, you'll definitely be kept busy for a while especially if you get side tracked by something else as well!

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    1. That's the problem, isn't it? No matter how many projects I cast on, there's always more waiting in the wings and some which throw me right off course because I just can't wait to cast them on.

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  7. Hi Jo
    Thanks for inviting me to read your blog. Love your projects. Years ago I was a monogamous knitter but of late I've started more and more as I got bored. My problem is I now have too many on the go, some I've totally forgotten about. I only knit plain socks because I have horrid memories of patterned school socks. I like to create patterns with colour instead.

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    1. I'm so pleased you've popped over. I'm the same as you, I used to knit one thing at once but there just aren't enough hours in the day now to knit everything I want to knit so I end up casting on lots of things. That's the great thing about variegated yarn, isn't it? You can knit a beautifully patterned sock with colour instead of stitches, I just love all the beautiful sock yarn out there.

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  8. I always have lots of things on the go! Years ago I knew someone who doggedly finished a project before she would start another, even if it meant not joining in with the informal worshops we had at our quilting group - she was the most boring person I have ever known!!

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    1. I must admit that I used to be like that myself, though I doubt I'd have taken it to the point where I wouldn't join in with other things. I think I've learnt to relax more where crafting is concerned and go with the flow a little more, it does make it more enjoyable.

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  9. Lots of socks in a range of colours from subtle to vibrant. I'm sure they will all be super snuggly. Love your new shawl, the delicate pattern and also the colour of the tweedy wool.
    Lisa x

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    1. It's coming to the point where I'm not going to be needing socks for a while but I still enjoy knitting them and I'll have some new ones ready for next winter. I'm enjoying knitting the shawl, it's working up lovely.

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  10. I love one skein shawls and am pretty sure I've favourited that pattern. I only have one project on the go at a time - I'm impressed by how many you have!

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    1. It's a lovely shawl pattern, very easy to follow and it's knitting up beautifully. I'm enjoying having a few projects on the go, I can pick up whichever one I feel like working on at that particular time.

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  11. Oh, LOTS of things on the needles at the moment - socks, shawl, lace scarf, blanket, mittens AND a stuffed bunny that I started last year and really must finish up as I would love to give it to my daughter at Easter. Like you, I enjoy the ability to change up what I'm working on depending on my mood.

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    1. You've got more on the needles than I have. It would be nice to get the bunny done in time for Easter. I bought everything I needed to crochet an Edward's Menagerie animal but I still haven't started it.

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  12. Your projects all look amazing, Jo. As for how many I have on the go at one time - at the moment, a couple of crochet blankets, some baby things and let's not even think of the things I have plans for! Oh and then there's the stuff in the sewing room ... :oD

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    1. I bet there's lots more on the needles now that you've got a new granddaughter, it will be lovely knitting baby clothes.

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  13. You are very talented. For the most part I struggle to have even one project on the go. Your makes are looking beautiful. No excuse for cold toes in your house. X

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    1. I must admit that my hand knitted socks have kept my feet warm right through winter, I don't think you can beat them for cosiness. I'm hoping to have a brand new batch ready for next winter.

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  14. Busy, busy, busy. I try to finish one thing before starting the next, otherwise nothing gets done.

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    1. Things certainly get finished quicker if you work on them exclusively, that's for sure. I find my projects take me much longer now that I have more things on the go.

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  15. This may be the way to go for me. I haven't done any knitting for many years and tend to get bored when there are long straight stretches with nothing much happening. But how do you stop the less exciting projects forever remaining in the back of the cupboard as UFO's?

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    1. I suppose the secret is to cast on things which you enjoy, interesting patterns or using interesting yarn. I like variegated yarn because you want to keep going so that you can see how the next bit is going to knit up, and it's the same with interesting patterns too. I tend to knit small things so that I don't get bored with them, it's many years since I knit something as large as a jumper.

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  16. loving your socks and I think I may just have to cast on that shawl!and a new podcast to watch, thank you. x

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    1. The shawl is a lovely pattern and I'm thoroughly enjoying knitting it up. I seem to be discovering more and more podcasts, I think I'm getting a bit addicted to viewing.

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  17. I've 4 different socks on the go and 2 inactive pairs; plus I started a jersey plus a top last week; and there is a shawl somewhere too. I never just knit one thing. I love the Drops sock wool - I've another 4 pairs of socks to knit for other people to start and will use Drops wool on the cuff, heels and toes to use up un-finished ball of it. Love the shawl pattern too.

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    1. You've lots of things on the go then too. The Drops yarn seems to be knitting up okay at the moment, it's really good value. I've never used different yarn for the cuff, heels and toes but it's such a good idea to use up leftover yarn.

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  18. Oooooh you have lots of lovely things on the go!
    I hope you enjoy knitting the shawl as much as I did :-)

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    1. I'm really enjoying knitting the shawl, it's such a lovely pattern with enough to keep the interest going but not too difficult.

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  19. Lovely projects, wonderful colours, busy girl. I like to have different projects on the go so I can pick and choose what to do with regard to mood, ability on the day and here, the weather. I love to keep a project in my bag where ever I go, jut hate sitting around dong nothing. xcx

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    1. I think I'd have smaller projects on the go if I lived where you live, something not too heavy and warm to turn to when it's so hot. I enjoy having plenty to choose from.

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  20. That sure is a lot of projects on the go...I have both these types of needles and have never yet ventured into using them...maybe one day I will...are they easy to use??

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    1. I've only recently started using circular needles myself and I'm enjoying using them, they're very easy to get used to. Double pointed needles can be rather tricky, to say the least, at first but once you get used to them they're fine. I prefer knitting socks on dpns than a circular needle.

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  21. Nice shawl, something I have never knitted, perhaps I should try one. Loving the socks, great colour choices. Thanks for the links to the free patterns, you can never have too many pairs of socks!
    I've usually got a couple of stitching projects and one or two knitting ones in the basket.
    Have a good week. x

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    1. I've only just started knitting shawls and I can see they could become as addictive as socks. These are just my knitting projects, I've got stitching and crochet on the go too.

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  22. You have lots of lovely projects going there. I like to have a few things on the go, it's nice to be able to choose which one to pick up xx

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    1. It is, that's something I've discovered since casting on a few projects at once.

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  23. I love how you have so many projects on the go. If I could knit I'd do exactly the same.xxx

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    1. It certainly gives me a choice of what to work on when I sit down to pick up a project.

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