Welcome 2016!

I know it's January 13th and it may be a bit late for a "New Year's" post but hey, I'm going to do it anyway. So first off "Happy New Year!" January is a bit of a strange month, it can tend to feel like a real let down after all the excitement and activity that December has to offer.  Many of us spent a lot of time knitting gifts for loved ones the past couple of months, myself included, and so for me January is about indulgent knitting.

I've had several patterns calling my name over the last several months and now it's time to give them the attention they deserve. First on that list is my The Doodler by Stephen West. I had to put this project to the side in order to get some other items finished and now it's time to finish that off. My colours are bright and cheerful which I like as the weather here has been so dark and dreary lately, it's a good antidote for that.

I'm also taking the time to make myself a new pair of socks. I've chosen Orville from Coop Knits Socks Volume 2. I don't like too much fuss on my socks but I want an interesting pattern to work, so I think this is a good fit. I'll be using SweetGeorgia Yarns Tough Love Sock in Nightshade. I LOVE this blue, it's deep and rich but still luminous in the way only a hand dyed yarn can be. I'm very excited about a pair of new hand knitted socks for myself and I'll admit I'm preparing for Kate Atherley's visit and her Custom Fit Socks class as I haven't knit socks in a while.

As the temperature has finally dropped to a winter chill here in the UK I can also justify making myself Julie Weisenberg's lush Stranded Cowl pattern. I love how the stitch pattern on this makes it look more woven than knitted. I'm going to be using The Fibre Co. Tundra and Knightsbridge for this project. Knightsbridge will be a new yarn for the shop and should arrive next week, it's a gorgeous and super soft blend of Baby Llama, Merino and Silk.

So that's what I'm up to this month, how about you?

-Carmen