2015 - The Knitting Year in Review

After a year of upheaval, change, strangeness and settling in, I finally feel a sense of getting into the groove of my new life in Australia's beautiful east coast.

   

Beautiful as it is, it did take me a while to settle back in to Oz after 19 years in Blighty!  Work has been great but unexpectedly all-absorbing, and I am trying to complete a thesis as well, meaning my crafting time is somewhat rationed...

However, some knitting has happened. 

At first, I struggled to feel like knitting in the humid late summer weather, before we got the a/c installed, and languidly knit on socks - my usual Vogue basic top-down vanilla pattern -although I did LaLa's afterthought heel in the second pair below to change things up a bit.

A few small housey projects came off the needles early in the year too:

Then, as the weather cooled I tried a few winter weight objects:

And attempted a cardigan (the Kolmarden from Knitscene); rather a failure due to gauge issues, yarn shortages and pattern issues, I tried modifying it to a gilet but will rip it in the new year, as it doesn't really work although I wore it a couple of times.

So far, so meh. I really needed to find my knitting mojo in this new place.  And I did - when a large commission of two vintage sweaters came my way, I took it, and the long but satisfying slog through these fired me up to knit for myself.

Immediately after, I knit up the One Night Coat, for some instant gratification.

I joined a MKAL (London Shadows) by Wild Prairie Knits as a birthday treat to myself, and I'm one clue away from completion.

I am knitting socks again - Hermione's Everyday, rather than my over-used Vogue vanilla pattern.

I am working on another mustard yellow cardigan, and another shawl - they will be my holiday season finish-off projects - photos when complete.

And I am close to finishing Gemma's wedding wraps, using the braided hug pattern.

There was a bit of sewing this year, but not much to speak of, and no spinning, although recently I acquired this through a contact:

This, my sewing machine, my beginners weaving kit and new adult colouring book are all going to have to wait until that full draft of the thesis is done - and I am looking forward to that!  It will be my "reward".

Have a wonderful holiday season.