All Fingers and Thumbs

One month, three Honey Cowls, sounded just the right side of not possible when I started, am one cowl done (in the rich, bright blue of Rico Essentials Merino DK) and one a strip in (in a much more lovely in person green Shilasdair) and just two weeks left to go. Hmmm, well at this stage only one thing about whether I can get three done is certain, typing on a keyboard isn't knitting.

did I buy enough yarn? Looks like that's a yes! The top haul are treasures from Nest and Loop where I travelled yesterday on a super fun yarn crawl. Both shops are overflowing with beautiful things, and I particularly loved Nest which has a little cafe area and is such a welcoming place. That super pink lace-weight was the only off plan purchase yesterday, it's Scrumptious in every sense of the word. That was what I was hunting for in the also fabulous Wool in Bath for a couple of lovely Ysolda patterns but they didn't have a colourway in Scrumptious that called to me. They had some rather fine alternatives though with this cream and soft blue green . Hmmm seem to have acquired a substantial yardage in lace-weight suddenly. Better get back to the gift knits so I get a chance to get on to these treats this year!

Just coming to the end of a week away, here's my current holiday knitting spot. Some may say I have more projects than required, I make it five plus the patterns and now the yarn after a stop at Wool Bath for a few more. A perfect amount, something for every mood!

I tried not to take too many photos of this overwhelming glory. Knowing all the time how futile it was to try and photograph it and remembering to just look at it and let it sink in as well. Still you can't blame a girl for trying and I think even the half glimpses the camera has captured of tonight's sunset are worth holding on to.  

Since coming back from SquamItalia! it's a wonder I haven't cast on thirty new projects. Spending that time with inspiring teachers and knitters has led to me feeling much more creative than I have all year. Combined with the bite of autumn, I've found a wellspring of ideas for new projects has bubbled up. As I sat down to write this I was thinking of the shawls and cowls that have been catching my eye: Xeni by Kitman Figueroa  This beauty is from Amirisu an online knitting magazine like Twist Collective  which is published in English and Japanese and was co-founded by lovely Meri who I met at Squam. It's only the feeling that I want to finish my Aestlight before I begin my next lace shawl that has caused me to pause before jumping in to this one which has so much texture to it as well as a beautiful lace pattern. Aranami Shawl by Olga Buraya-Kefelian Time spent with my Rowanspun has got me wondering whether I have enough in different shades for a shawl I...