Stash Busting

Just to let you know - There are two direct links to Ravelry in this Journal [specified in brackets].

During the first lockdown all I wanted to do was finish things… I was really struggling to cast on anything new or do anything too taxing. I was very happy to finish these three cushions!

I think I felt a bit lost when our normal routines/structure disappeared, and finishing things gave me a sense of purpose and helped me to feel productive. Also - when our brains are busy, it’s difficult to make decisions - so choosing a new project felt like hard work!

My making habits during lockdown #3 have been the complete opposite... I want to cast on ALL the things and I’m really not in the mood for finishing things! I’m just going with whatever I feel like making because quite frankly - none of us need to be putting pressure on ourselves right now so lets just do what brings us joy and contentment.

I’m very close to finishing my denim shirt-dress which was on my make-nine-2020 plan. It’s literally just the buttons and buttonholes that need sewing… but buttonholes scare me so I need to be in the right mood! I might also make a waist tie as I have plenty of fabric left and that would give me options on how to wear it.

On the needles right now I have Beardie’s cardigan (which is blissfully easy stocking stitch) and my Isla jumper from KIY by Emma Wright.

I’m planning to make Isla longer because I love comfy jumper dresses with leggings. I’m using up some Rowan Felted Tweed stash for this and spent ages shopping my own stash to choose colours!

I have a large amount of Watery and Seafarer, so they’re my main colours, and I decided to just do the front in two colours rather than using third shade in the middle of each square/blob… purely out of lazyness!

For the contrasting shades on the back I’ve chosen Scree, Tawny and a discontinued pink (which I think was called Paisley?). I’m also adding in a bit of Turquoise, which is pretty similar to the Watery, but brightens up the palette and will make the pink go further (as I don’t have much and can’t buy more as it’s been discontinued for years).

I’m really enjoying knitting it, but won’t be surprised if it takes me all year! I’ll probably work on it alongside other things throughout the year.

I also shopped my stash for yarn to crochet something from Animal Friends of Pica Pau [rav link] by Yanina Schenkel. I want to crochet everything in this book! I have appropriate stash yarn for Hector Rhinoceros and Ramon Donkey, so I’ll start with them.

In case you’re matching my current mood of switching between things and wanting easy knitting/crochet, small projects and/or stash busting projects… I thought I’d share a few patterns to enable your bitting & bobbing!

Above left: It’s the perfect time to knit a Comfort Blanket or Wrap! The pattern is super simple making it comforting to knit and comforting to wrap up in.

Above middle: I really enjoyed making these Origami Booties [rav link] by Sarah Hatton when our nephew was born. They would be a good, quick and simple project to make… and you would have a gift ready to go next time someone announces they’re expecting!

Above right: Ted Bear remains my most popular download and makes good use of those odd balls. I have also written a step-by-step guide with images to help you with knitting and sewing up the feet.

Above left: The Hexi Blanket is made up of separate hexis knitted in the round and half-hexis knitted flat. Each individual hexi feels like manageable little project… and before you know it - you have a whole blanket! A perfect lockdown project.

Above middle: I know that lots of people are knitting socks at the moment. I’m planning to knit myself some Snuggle Socks for cosying up on the sofa. The cats are going to love the pom poms!

Above right: And why not knit Little Stars all year round?! They would be a nice thing to pop in the post to friends and family.

Above left: I love the new jumper that Eleanor from Knit Nottingham has crocheted! She used the Granny Rocks pattern by Iron Lamb (pictured) and it’s a great stash buster.

Above middle: Also a good simple stash buster… my Rag Rug from Cosy Alpaca Knits. The pattern is written for Rowan Handknit Cotton, but you could use any oddments of a similar weight. Cotton works well for a firmer textured floor rug, but it would be lovely in wool as a throw and could easily be made bigger. And there’s no sewing in ends… you just tie them in knots to create the tassels!

Above right: I’ve also been lusting after the Stash Buster Sweater by Rosee Woodland for ages!

Well, this journal has made me want to start even more projects! I’m off to do some knitting x