Christmas Sweater WIP

About a month ago I mentioned that I was swatching for a sweater that I was hoping to make my husband for Christmas this year. I can't believe it's been a whole month since then, but I thought I'd check in and show you how it's going.

I've got the back just about done, which I'm really excited about as it's nice to see it taking shape. I'm a little nervous, however, because it's taken me just about a month to knit this since I can only knit when my husband isn't home, and I only have a month left to knit the front and both sleeves... But I'm really hoping to take things up a notch and just try knitting a little faster and to make sure I'm really utilizing all of the time that I have. (aka don't stop knitting for any reason). Hopefully in one month today this sweater will be wrapped and under the tree.

The pattern that I ended up using is called Squall and it's by Michelle Wang for Brooklyn Tweed. The pattern is really clearly written out and the cable pattern was really easy to memorize which makes it a joy to knit. I also love that she gives you instructions on how to work the cable without a cable needle because that really helps to speed things along (which I so desperately need at this point!!!)

Anyway, I just wanted to show you how the sweater was looking so far. I hope if any of you are partaking in some festive knitting that it's going well for you! 

Starting My Braid Hills Cardigan

This summer has absolutely been flying by! I'm shocked at how quickly both July and August have gone, and can't believe we're staring down September and the start of Autumn. Lately I've been trying to get out as much as possible to go camping or to the beach to enjoy the warm weather while we have it. I recently finished spinning that yarn I was talking about a couple posts ago and so I got to start my new cardigan while we were camping recently. I'm so excited with how my handspun yarn is knitting up, and I'm in love with this "Braid Hills" cardigan by Kate Davies. I can't wait to see how the finished sweater looks.

I'm so loving the cables beside the button band! Although summer is coming to an end faster than I'd like, hopefully I'll have this new cardigan done by the time it starts cooling off.

Flower Cabled Socks WIP (And a little Rain)

This summer has had far more rain than any other summer I can remember. Compared to the record breaking cold winter we had it's not too intolerable, but it's to the point that a thunderstorm is not a surprising thing to happen every second or third day.

While most of the plants on my patio are absolutely loving this new concept of being consistently watered, all of this rain has been keeping me mostly indoors. The only upside to this, I suppose, is that I haven't slowed down my knitting the way I usually do in the summer time.

Lately I've been working on a design for a pair of pretty little socks that have tulips running up the front. I'm basically done designing them, and I now get to actually work on knitting them up, which has been enjoyable. I will say that this yarn I grabbed is way too dark for a detailed cable pattern, but I'm thinking I'll re make them in a lighter colour once I'm sure that the design is exactly what I hoped it would be.

I love how the cabled flowers look going up the front of the sock and the way the little twists interlock the flowers together. ^^ This stitch design is so beautiful and I was so excited when I first saw it. I knew right away I had to make something with it. 

Hopefully we'll get some sunshine soon, but for now, at least I'm on my way to a new pair of socks.