knitting neels

I’m reading a very interesting book at the moment. It’s not a new book; I think it came out for the turn of the millennium. It is called ‘The Year 1000: An Englishman’s Year’ and fits neatly into dense-history-for-laymen category. Well-written and to the point, I have found it funny and refreshing. Imagine a time when the number zero did not exist in western mathematics, when the cog had only recently been invented and the button had yet to come!

Anyway, think about enhancing the world we know by participating in an upcoming event: HandmAid Craft Day. This year it’s taking place on September 22nd in Damer Hall, Stephen’s Green. They’re looking for unwanted stash to sell or use for classes, handmade goods to sell, baked goodies for the cake sale. I donated some stash last year and this year will be no different. I have three big bags of yarn, fabric scraps, books and needles. It can be hard to liberate stash but at the end of the day, I’d rather it be used and benefit a good cause. This year, I’ve used it as an opportunity for a good clear out, unearthing unused materials from as long as a decade ago. Check out the website if you have anything to offer or if you’d like more information about participating in classes or shopping on the day.

I’ve turned into a rather good knitter recently, working on only one project at a time. It’s a bit weird but I can see how some like it. This is the vest I was working on in Iceland.

No pattern so the sleeve caps are a bit poofy. I didn’t take into consideration the spread of garter stitch – but I like it anyway. Modelled photos will come soon, I hope. The yarn is Jamieson & Smith’s Jumper weight 2ply (just over 4 balls) and I used 2.5mm needles. It blocked out wonderfully and was nice and sticky to work with. I found it dried out my hands quickly, though that was probably exacerbated by the fact that I was in a dry, cool, exposed climate at the time.

Since finishing it up, I found old stash that made me ‘ooooh’ and I cast on immediately for another Tailored Cardigan. It’s a free Drops pattern and I’ve previously made it in green (see here).

I think my knitting needs and wants have changed over the last few years. I am more content to crank out basic pieces because I know they’ll be worn. A lot of my attention and energy is going into music so I find plain knitting is pretty much all I can handle most of the time. That said, during the course of my clear out, I realised just how much I love some of my knitting resources – my Elizabeth Zimmermann and Barbara Walker books – and I think the time is ripe to re-explore their amazing bodies of work.