Have you joined in our #ShetlandTrader3KAL yet? It has been so fun seeing the stunning patterns from Gudrun’s latest book hop onto needles the past few weeks! And I (whispers) have actually already finished a project!

Say hello to my Smora Beret!

How lovely is that? I used one of our Shetland Trader 3 kits for this, and I have to say, I did not anticipate how quickly it would jump off my needles. But as it turns out, it was just the sort of fun knitting project that I needed in my knitting rotation. To be honest, I’m a little sad it’s already done – I was enjoying it that much. It’s a gift for a friend though, and I am excited to be able to give it to her. And, thanks to the magic of splicing, I’ve basically got no ends to weave in!

We’ve been talking about the Russian join a lot this month, which is a great way to manage ends when you’re working with a yarn that doesn’t felt. But, when you’re knitting with something like Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight, which thanks to its 100% Shetland wool content, is highly felt-able, I would alllllways recommend splicing in your new colours. It couldn’t be simpler to do … a few snips, some moisture and a bit of friction and you’re done! You’ll find our YouTube video tutorial on splicing here, and we’ve also got a detailed step-by-step photo tutorial in Boost Your Knitting. It means no tangled end spaghetti to contend with when you cast off the last stitch. Win.

I know sometimes knitters can get a bit stressed about getting the join in just the right spot. In the video tutorial, I give you tips for how to get that measurement right. But I think it’s also worth saying, it doesn’t need to be perfect! If you end up with one leg of your stitch, or even the whole first stitch of your round, in the “wrong” colour, I promise you, no one is going to notice! Especially when, as is the case in the Smora Beret, the colours are shifting in a pleasing gradient. And if it bothers you, you can take what you’ve learned and adjust for the next join. No need to let perfect be the enemy of good here!

Now, the only question remains is, can I cast on another project for the KAL? We’ll be knitting from The Shetland Trader Book 3: Heritage together through until January 2022, so there’s certainly time. I’ve got lots of secret work knitting busying my needles, but I am ever-so-tempted to cast on Bunaberry! Watch this space! And if you’d like to join in the fun, you’ll find all the goings ons over in The Knitalong Hub, and we’ve got a one-stop shop for Shetland Trader Book 3: Heritage and yarn kits over in the online shop. (How nice would it be to find one of these yarn kits under the tree?) Happy knitting, and let us know if you give splicing a try!