Work in Progress - July 2023

A monthly update of all the projects piling up on and under my coffee table. You can read last month's update here and all the months here.

This month's update is a short one... but the big news is I've completed the Wonderball Wrap!

This took a while to knit. Mainly because I'm a distracted knitter with an aversion to rectangles. 😆

You can read all about it in our shop sample Gallery and see the Wrap in the Pittenweem shop.

I've also completed another project - a Buggiflooer Beanie.

This is my contribution to the Pittenweem Community Craft Project. It'll be available for sale along with lots of other garden related items during the Pittenweem Arts Festival (5th to 12th August).

The pattern is this year's Shetland Wool Week hat pattern designed by Alison Rendall. You can buy a paper copy in the shop or a digital copy from Shetland Wool Week.

I used Jamieson's of Shetland Spindrift. 

Rosewood for the background (shade A), and Eesit/White (E), Oyster (D) and Sunset (C) for the flowers. Surf (B) for the zig zag and Plum (F) for the one row pops.

I’m planning to make another hat for a shop sample. Really enjoyed knitting the pattern. Once you get the pattern established its actually quite a simple repeat. I found it knitted up quickly because I wanted to see the pattern emerge.

There are three sizes included in the pattern. The different sizes are achieved by using different sized needles. I knitted the medium size. I got the stitch gauge but my row gauge is a bit off... I ran out of yarn 15 rounds before the end! So be warned... if like me your gauge is off, you may need 2 balls for your background colour.

My finished hat will fit someone with a large head or someone with lots of hair. 😆

You only need a small amount for the contrast colours between 5-8g each, even less for shade F. So check your stash. If you need to add some we have over 150 colours in stock.

If you'd like some stranded colourwork help check out these links below or pop into the shop.

• How to Knit Fair-Isle Patterns by Tin Can Knits
• Knitting Colourwork with Two Hands by Andrea Rangel
• Favourite Fair-Isle Techniques by Very Pink Knits on YouTube
• Stranded Colourwork in Magic Loop by Andrea Mowry on YouTube

Of course, with two finished projects there's not been much progress on my other WiPs.

I've only managed a few rounds on Caine (pattern by Monie Ebner, available to buy on Ravelry). It's the limey green slipover top in Rowan Felted Tweed.

I have done about 3" on the body of my Uptown Tee (5" to go).

Uptown Tee by Tori Yu, available to buy on Ravelry

Uptown Tee is a very pretty short sleeved t-shirt. Worked in 4ply from the top down it's a relatively straightforward knit. I'm using Vivacious 4ply in the pinky lilac Heavenly shade.

Fern and Feather by Jennifer Steingass, available to buy on Ravelry

I've also started the second sleeve on the Fern & Feather jumper.

Fern & Feather is a top down jumper with a stranded colour work yoke. It only uses two colours and has a simple fern design. It's perfect for a first colour work jumper. And because it is knitted in an aran weight yarn it is a quick knit too. I'm using King Cole Wool Aran in shades of grey - Steel and Cloud.

The other projects on the table are test knits for new yarn I'm trying out ahead of autumn/winter. More on those projects if I go ahead and get them for the shop. I think the aim for next month is to finish Fern & Feather. It feels the closest to the end...