Here we are on the downhill side of August already! This week, I wanted to share an update on my current makes, and I also needed a bit of a kick in the pants to finish some projects instead of starting any more new things. So, welcome to Work In Progress (WIP) Wednesday! Let’s dive in…
My first WIP is one I have shared before, but this month I am finally getting very close to finishing it! As you can see from the photo, I am in the middle of knitting the front panel of the “Smiling Honey Top” by Drops Design (knit in Viking Bambino, color 434 Olive). Actually, as of the time of writing, I have cast off stitches on either side and am working on the armhole shaping. I am unhappy with the final cast-off on the back neckband, so I do plan to unravel that and redo it to match the cast-off of the front neckband when I get there.
The second photo is of a new craft project that my daughter and I picked up on a recent thrift store trip. I had been thinking I would like to work on some kind of embroidery or cross stitch, but I didn’t have something quite as daunting as this 18 x 22 vintage piece of needlepoint! I have never done needlepoint before, so I am learning as I go, but I am enjoying the challenge. I even have this potentially harebrained idea of finding more similar sized needlework kits, one for each season of the year, so that I can rotate them out as seasonal display pieces. But the price of comparable vintage kits is high enough to curb my enthusiasm a bit and just focus on this one piece and keep my eyes out for others on future thrift store outings.
Now we move deeper into the WIP pile and pull out my Feather and Fan Comfort Shawl (knit in thrifted alpaca-wool yarn) and Honeycomb Vest (knit in Viking Trend Merino in color 455 Warm Red). Both of these projects are at a problematic point because I put them both down due to losing a bit of track of where I was in the pattern, or at least being a little stumped about my next step. As such, I have been rather hesitant to pick these project back up because they are going to require some sleuthing to figure out just what was going on and start making progress again. But with autumn and winter approaching soon, I really do want to get these things finished in time for me to wear them both when the weather turns cool again.
Speaking about autumn and winter makes, my last two yarn-y WIPs are also items I really do want to have this coming season. My Broken Seed Stitch Socks (knit in Viking Sportragg, colors 513 light grey and 566 multi pink purple) would be easy to finish very soon if I just start working on them again. I just have a couple of inches to go before starting the toe, I think. So that will very likely be my next finished object after the Smiling Honey Top.
The granny square vest/cardigan project went on hold because of all those stupid ends to weave in. I also have not yet decided how to approach the bands around the front/neck and bottom band since I want them to be knit ribbing. I also am undecided about adding sleeves or just knitting a ribbed band around the arm holes as well.
Finally, two small yarn acquisitions, also from the same thrift store shopping trip. It is unusual to find yarn in natural fibers at the thrift shop, so I snapped these two up as soon as I saw them. I don’t have specific plans for either, but I am sure they will come in handy sometime. The Bernat Carina is a discontinued mercerized cotton in an icy blue. I don’t know if the rust red yarn is the same bran because it didn’t come with a ball band, but it is some kind of cotton. The Lionbrand Wool Ease Roving Origins is a nice natural white aran-weight yarn that I could see making a pair of very cozy mittens with a matching hat and/or cowl.
That about sums it up for this month! I do have lots of say about sewing projects I have planned, but nothing to show for it except a pile of pieces cut out for a dress I need to make before summer is officially over. So I will wait to ramble on about those until some other month! Until then, happy crafting, everyone!
Kiel
