Time to knit

With all that spinning going on, it was time to cast on a few projects too. I like to have more than one thing to knit so I can flit between them when one thing is getting tiresome.

I have a long term aim of knitting cushion covers for numerous cushion pads we have with covers that have seen better days. So earlier in the year I cast on the first cushion cover, only I completely got the gauge wrong and had commenced knitting a cover way too big.

However I do have a large cushion that needs a cover so having checked it it was the correct size. So I have continued knitting it. But because it is bigger than I expected to be knitting, it's taking a while. Although I cast on using the Judys magic cast on and am knitting it in the round so no seams and once it's cast off all it needs is a zip sewing in. Here's the cushion so far - using oddments of  chunky/bulky yarn. Other cushion covers to follow to use up oddments of DK yarn around the house too. Great stash busting, completely random.

Cushion cover No. 1

With the handspun yarn stash increasing I have been looking at patterns and projects. I have cast on the blue sparkly yarn recently spun as a shawlette/scarf. It's going to be long and narrow and I'm kind of making it up as I go along - simple increasing maths for now switching between the Shetland 2ply and the Sparkly 2ply yarns. Once it's a certain size I shall pick a stitch pattern to complement the yarn.

Blue sparkle shawlette

I have also cast on some more blue yarn (yes, I love blues) - spun last year with some pre-dyed wool and some I dyed with Imogen using Koolaid. I had intended to knit something for me with this but the yardage just didn't give me enough scope so rather than trying to spin more to add to it I'm knitting Imogen a tunic style top. Using elements from a couple of patterns to get the exact item I have envisaged. I've added some contrast with some Cotswold handspun which is lovely and has a lovely sheen.

Blue tunic for Imogen

The Monet yarn is going to be wound into balls soon too so I can cast on for a bag that I then intend to felt. And finally I think I want to cast on some socks. Maybe just plain, maybe with a pattern, maybe for a gift; I just haven't decided on that one yet.