Monthly Recap: October

I'm back on track, blog-schedule-wise! October seemed to go by slowly, yet also in the blink of an eye, all at once. What even is time anymore? I did get up to a bit more knitting than in September though, so let's jump right in...

---

As you might recall from my last post, I've been busy designing a few new projects! The sweater is having a bit of a break though, as I've cast on more WIPs. The lacy-leafy socks, however, are still on my needles, and working up quickly now that I've charted and planned the rest of the way! I'm very excited about seeing them all finished up. As for new WIPs, read on!

Minster Toque by Knit Ewe Up (me!) - Toquepalooza, an annual toque-making fest hosted by Lali (@_ocean_loops), kicked off on October 1, so I decided to cast on one of my own designs! I took apart my original Minster Toque last winter, as I found it was a bit too big for my head. My idea of a solution was to knit the smallest size... which definitely doesn't fit. So I've now got a tiny little toque, which I might gift. Knitting my own pattern made me realize how bulky my crown decreases were, so I reworked the pattern -- and it looks so much better! The lines are much more delicate and even, a perfect match for the "fenestration" on the lower third of the toque.

North Shore Beanie, also by me - Guys, I know I'm biased, but for real: this may be my favourite hat pattern ever. And I know, I know, I'm the one who wrote it, but it's just such a perfect brainless project. I can completely zone out and relax while I knit, and the rhythm of 2x2 rib is so meditative. This version of the NSB is in its second form; the first time, I discovered that I didn't have enough Berroco Andean Mist in "Pantanal" to finish the toque (by a long shot)... and found out it has been discontinued! After much searching, I found a substitute at Beehive Wool Shop in Victoria, BC. In the skein, Lamana Premia "Sage" was a near-perfect match to "Pantanal" -- but when it's knit up, it's slightly more green. But, I'm so in love with this mohair! It is slightly thinner strands than Andean Mist and the result is a delicate halo through which you can still see the subtle colour variations of the Colour Adventures exquisite sock yarn (also called "Sage"), which I find extremely satisfying. I'm excited to get this off the needles -- I think it will go perfectly with my Sizzle Pop shawl!

Even though Halloween this year was constrained by the Covid pandemic, I still wanted to dress up. After lots of Pinterest searching and asking around, I was still unsure of what my costume should be. It wasn't until I reorganized my handknit sweaters that I came up with the perfect idea: I would knit a matching skirt to my modified No Frills Sweater and be Kermit the Frog! Pickles Pure Wool in "Cardamom" was the perfect Kermit green! It took about four days and quite a bit of math, but I had a cute skirt with a split hem just in time for Halloween. One thing I didn't account for, however, was how much this yarn would bloom during blocking; and so throughout the evening I had to keep pulling it up! Perhaps next time, I'd work with more negative ease, and/or, as some lovely friends on Instagram suggested, run a bit of elastic through the waistband.

---

To be completely honest, I've had a hard time reading this month. My brain just doesn't really want to focus, so every time I pick up a book I only get through a few pages. I've got a few books on the go, but I'm not rushing through, rather just enjoying a leisurely pace.

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins - This novel started off super intense! My heart was racing and my breath caught in my chest. Cummins has a straightforward narrative approach, but her descriptions really draw you into the story and make it real. Now that I'm about halfway through, I'm finding the story to drag a bit in places; but overall, Cummins maintains a strain of suspense, and I find myself still wanting to know what happens next.

Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall - This book has been on my Goodreads TBR from the moment I first heard of it. And so far, it's amazing. I'm not very far into this book, so I'll reserve a long spiel until next month, but already I highly recommend it.

---

So that's it for October! Next month will be a frenzy of gift-knitting, no doubt, in preparation for the holidays; so I'm not sure how much I'll be able to share in the next update. If there are too many surprises, perhaps I'll write up a post on the latest updates to my knitting patterns, and give you a bit more info on the design process for my new sock pattern. We'll see.

Also, I have a new shop! Previously, all my knitting patterns were hosted on Ravelry, which is a free database for knitters and crocheters with everything from patterns, to yarn, to discussion forums. Over the summer, Ravelry released a new site design which has caused issues for people who deal with migraines, epilepsy, visual impairments, and more. So as an alternative to Ravelry, and to make sure my work remains accessible to everyone, I followed many designers in launching a shop on PayHip. You can check it out by clicking the "Shop" tab in the header at the top of my website.

As always, you can follow along with my knitting updates on Instagram and Ravelry, and follow my reading process on Goodreads! Want a brain break? Check out the Knit Ewe Up YouTube account, where you'll find process videos backed by chill Lofi tunes!