wellington worksock shawl

Darn Instagram! I have become so used to sharing stories and progress there, that I didn't even add this pattern here. A pattern I published last winter, no less! All I can say is: oops.

This is the Wellington Worksock Shawl, named for a town in my favourite area of Ontario and to reference the classic wool work sock which inspired the shawl's design. The shawl's triangular construction is simple and straightforward because the big fun is in choosing your colour combination. I'm still a huge fan of Brooklyn Tweed's Shelter line, and their palette is just so perfect for this shawl. The samples above were knit with Postcard, Fossil and Sweatshirt (top) and Sweatshirt, Fossil and Camper (bottom).

But to be honest, I'm most excited by all the yarn options and colour combinations that other knitters have come up with - which is exactly why producing patterns is so rewarding. Sharing written instructions with others and seeing how they bring those words to life with needles and string?

It's pure magic.

of hats and words

So quick and so satisfying. Is there really anything better than knitting a hat? 

Hats are also the perfect project for when you spot some new wool that you just have to purchase, even though you're aware your stash is overflowing. Within a few days of picking up two lovely skeins of Nurtured by Julie Asselin, the wool was completely knit up and there was nothing left to store away. Phew.

I'm still a little addicted to knitting hearts, but being a modifier by nature, I couldn't resist modifying my own pattern. I used only two colours, added extra height and changed the decreases to elongate the crown shaping a bit. I actually have fairly puffy hair so the beanie style doesn't really work on me as much as I wish it did. The extra height has made this hat super wearable, and I'm loving the wool for warmth and feel (oh, and colour - these two colours are wonderful!). All in all, a successful modification which I'm about to repeat in black and grey for a friend. And I think it's safe to say I could knit hearts every day.

Over the holiday season I worked through a couple of books which cover quite a range of styles. Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen was perfectly satisfying as a light, romantic read (it turns out my light reading has become "magical realism", who knew?). Sadie recommended her all-time favourite novel, Awake and Dreaming by Kit Pearson and it was quite good. It wrapped up a bit fast at the end, but the main character was richly drawn and her experiences tugged at the heart. Sharing these books with Sadie means we end up having conversations about the topics they raise, in this case, how poverty affects children (for this reason alone, I'll happily keep taking her recommendations.) I haven't actually finished Wherever You Go, There You Are, instead I'm reading bits at a time and not rushing through. A book about meditation probably isn't meant to be devoured, right? But I've stayed up way too late the past few nights with Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Sea. I wasn't expecting to be pulled in so much by the characters, but it's been fun to start 2016 with a good, solid mystery.

For more reading and knitting, visit today's Yarnalong. Ginny also has some wonderful news to share!