Signs of Autumn

I love the first signs of autumn. Pretty greens and golds and lovely warm reds, and soft warm sunshine that takes the edge off the crisp cool air. 

Yesterday was my perfect autumn day. Sunny and crisp, with autumn cheerily peeking through summer. Today it’s dull grey and bloody freezing. I look like a freaky weird hobo with an old woolly cardigan and my fingerless mitts. But no matter, I’ve only got texbooks and lecture notes for company today. And the ever present cups of tea of course.

 

I am glad to see the lilacs still hanging on to summer though, for now at least.

Knitting progress has been slow this week. It was the first proper week back at uni so things were kind of crazy and jumbled trying to figure out what I’m supposed to be doing and where and when I’m supposed to be doing it. The past couple of nights I’ve managed to get some knit therapy in, but it’ll probably start to stall when the coursework starts rolling in (although I think I’ll probably bribe myself with the odd row here and there :)). I’ve managed another couple of inches on the Baktus, which is shaping up to be lovely and cushiony with all that garter stitch.

Progress is being annoyingly slow, partly because I haven’t picked it up for a while, and partly because I always forget how s-l-o-w garter stitch can be. It’s also showing up all my little tension mishaps, but hopefully they’ll block out. Can’t wait to wear it in all it’s squishy soft glory :) I also went to my local SnB last night, and had a really lovely time meeting everyone, so am definitely up for a repeat experience next week. I cast on for some Primavera Socks for a present for Ro as she liked my handknit socks that I was wearing the other week. Although I’ve actually cast on for them 3 times now. The first time I cast on too loose, the second time I decided I didn’t really care for 1x1 rib, and the third time (now with 2x2 rib) is the charm. I hope. We shall see.

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New semester…

Almost through my first week back at uni, I’m reading myself blind and there hasn’t been a single chance for me to pick up the needles. Baktus has been dolefully sitting by the bed for about a week now. I managed to get a fair bit done last Friday, but not a stitch since. Grump. I need to learn to how to knit and read textbooks at the same time otherwise this is going to be a really dull year!

I did manage to wander into Fenwicks yesterday though, after lunch and in between lectuers, and saw that they've had a bit of a shuffle round of the yarn department. I could just be imagining things, but it does look like a slightly bigger selection, and they had some new sock yarns in. I just wish I wasn't so broke! I might have to wait until I've paid off all the boring things like my travel pass and course fees and books before I can splurge though. Le sigh. I've got to get back to my accounts reading before my 9am lecture now. Oh the joys!

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FOs: Socks, Ishbel, Springtime Bandit

Pattern: My basic sock pattern
Yarn: Regia Color 4-ply /4-fädig

Really wasn’t a fan of this yarn at first. I bought 3 skeins of it in the Fenwicks sale, naively assuming that it was self striping, but soon finding out otherwise after casting on. I do love the colours in the yarn but I’m not a fan of random variegated yarn. Luckily the boy likes it so I made one pair for him, and by the end of it decided the colours weren’t all that bad anyway so cast on for a pair for me. Still not a big fan of variegated yarn and won’t be in any hurry to buy more, but these socks have definitely grown on me.

 

Ishbel by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze

I really loved knitting this, I can understand why it’s everywhere at the minute. If I make another I’ll probably knit the large stocking section, this one’s a teensy bit too narrow to comfortably tie the ends in the front. I also love this yarn, it’s so soft and squishy and very warm, and although I thought the colour might be a little too bright, I think it’s just right for taking the edge off a gloomy winter. I wasn’t too keen on sharply blocked points, so I just blocked a fairly gentle scalloped edge.
This is going to get a lot of wear this winter…

 

 

Springtime Bandit by Kate Gagnon Osborn
Yarn: Sirdar Just Soya

Another little scarflet I finished a little while ago. I had started knitting it in Teddy Sonnet wool, but that was way too scratchy to be worn as a scarf, so that was frogged and I started again with some lovely green soy I picked up in a sale for crazy cheap. I really enjoyed knitting this too, it was a pretty quick knit and the lace pattern repeats were easy to memorise for each row. It’s the first time I’d ever knit with soy, and I do quite like it. It’s very slippery and quite splitty too, but it does have a lovely sheen and drape and it does feel rather nice and silky on the skin. It’s surprisingly warm, I wore it out today in horrible blustery wind and rain, and felt quite toasty. Truth be told, I’ve actually worn this a few times now, and still haven’t blocked it which might be why it curls so at the edges. Ho hum.

I headed out to Kemps today (my last day of freedom before I start back at uni, sob!) and picked up a few bargains. I got some RYC Cashsoft 4 ply (above), which is in the early stages of becoming a baktus. I also picked up some Emu superwash which I think I might turn into a Boneyard Shawl. I also picked up some lovely red yarn for some snuggly cowls I’m making so lots of yarn related fun to keep me busy in the next few weeks.

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