I tend not to be a monogamous knitter…

(That might be a bit of an understatement!)

I enjoy the variety of knitting on different things. A sock one day, a shawl another, and at the weekend I might even work on a garment. If I’m in the mood.

There are heaps of reasons why this flitting between projects generally works well for me. But there are also a few downsides…

When you work on a number of projects in rotation it can feel a bit like you don’t make much progress on any of them. It can also take a little while to remind yourself of the stitch pattern, or what section of the instructions you are working on. And much as I love the variety, I’ve decided that it’s not the most efficient process if I want to Get Things Done.

Right now, with so little else to do in terms of leisure time (there’s plenty to do at work!), I’m in the mood to Get Things Done! And to that end I’m giving myself a little push to finish off a couple of projects before the first Confident Knitting KAL starts on 1st March. Not long to wait now!

This was the state of my Dambisa Socks last time I talked about them here (see above). I think it was back before Christmas when we were doing the Bringing Joy KAL. I got just past the heel and then other things cropped up and I lost momentum. This is a lovely pattern by Noma Ndlovu (coincidentally one of the fabulous designers for Confident Knitting), and I picked them back up again a couple of weeks ago, and now I’m on to the second sock…

Hurrah! I found that I got back into the rhythm nice and quickly when I picked them back up. And the beautiful Old Maiden Aunt sock yarn is just a joy in this stitch pattern. There is just enough semi-solidness to give depth and interest, but not so much as to obscure the lace stitch pattern. Lovely!

And since I’m not entirely capable of being single minded (and my hands like some variety too – to stave off repetitive strain), I’ve also been working on my Assembly Scarf, from our Something to Knit Together Winter Edition collection by Natalie Warner. It has grown quite a bit since I took this photo last week, and I think I now only need to do a couple more repeats before it will be time to cast off. I really love this lawn green shade of our Something to Knit With Aran, and it is going to make a super-cosy scarf. Probably just in time for the weather to warm up!!

So that’s what I’m up to. Trying to clear the decks a bit, and to Get Things Done. I do like a bit of a clear out, and it feels good to tidy up a few bits and bobs so that I’m all set to focus on the first Confident Knitting pattern in just 12 days time. Whoop!

If you have already bought Confident Knitting, you might find it helpful to have some information about the first project, so that you can organise your yarn and needles… Remember that the pattern and tutorial update will arrive by email on 1st March if you have purchased already.

March’s Project will be… …the Flux Hand Warmers by Martina Behm

SIZES
Small (Medium, Large, XL)
To fit hand circumference above thumb: 16 (18, 20, 22) cm [6¼ (7, 7¾, 8¾) in]
Actual wrist circumference: 12.5 (14.5, 16.5, 18.5) cm [5 (5¾, 6½, 7¼) in]
Actual hand circumference above thumb (rib, unstretched): 10.5 (12, 14, 15.5) cm [4¼ (4¾, 5½, 6) in]
Length: 15.5 (16.5, 18, 19.5) cm [6¼ (6½, 7¼, 7¾) in]

YARN
Schoppel Wolle Zauberball Crazy (4ply/fingering weight; 75% superwash wool, 25% biodegradable nylon; 420m per 100g ball)
Garden Party / Gartenparty 2355; 1 x 100g ball in all sizes

Approximate yardage
100 (120, 150, 180) m [110 (130, 160, 200) yds]

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
1 set 2.5mm [US 1.5] circular needle, 80cm [32in] long, or double-pointed needles, or one size smaller than size needed to match tension, or your preferred needles for working small circumferences in the round
1 set 2.75mm [US 2] circular needle, 80cm [32in] long, or double-pointed needles, or size to match tension, or your preferred needles for working small circumferences in the round
A small quantity of smooth waste yarn of approximately 4ply weight
2-3mm crochet hook
Spare double-pointed needle or cable needle
Stitch markers, Tapestry needle

TENSION
30 sts and 42 rounds to 10cm [4in] over stocking stitch worked in the round, using larger needles, after washing and blocking
36 sts and 40 rounds to 10cm [4in] over twisted rib worked in the round, using larger needles, after washing and blocking

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
Photo tutorials for the following techniques will be included in the pattern:
Crochet provisional cast-on method
Folded hem

The following video tutorials will be found on our website at http://www.acknitwear.co.uk/confident-knitting from 1st March 2021:
Folded hem
Stretchy cast-off method

PATTERN NOTES
These hand warmers start with a crochet provisional cast on, and the inside edge of the folded hem is worked with smaller needles. A turning round with yarn over holes is worked to form the picot edge (a knit or purl round may be chosen instead), before larger needles are used to complete the outside edge of the folded hem. A joining round completes the folded hem before the wrist is knitted in stocking stitch. A thumb gusset uses purl stitches to give a textural contrast to the hand and then the thumb stitches are left on a holder before the hand is completed in twisted ribbing. Finally, the thumb stitches are worked in twisted rib to complete the hand warmer.

The pattern is provided in four sizes, but if you wish to make further adjustments it will be straightforward to add or remove an even number of stitches to give a smaller or larger hand circumference. You can also very easily add length by changing either the plain rounds worked at the wrist, or the rib rounds worked at the hand, or both.

KNITALONG
You will find lots of friendly knitters to knitalong with while you try the folded hem, over at The Knitalong Hub.

Going forward, each month we will include information about the next month’s yarn and needle requirements so that you can get together any supplies you need in advance. I hope you will find this helpful.

Happy clearing the decks!