Hello October!
A little December in September
The December Scarf went out into the world this month, perfect for some autumn knitting, and I’ve been so grateful for the lovely response. I really enjoyed designing it, and it’s nice to finally be able to share something that’s occupied so much of my knitting time.
I’m very fond of a simple, timeless knit. The sort of thing you put on without thinking too much about it, that works with whatever you’re wearing and comes out again every autumn. There’s a lot to be said for making something you’ll actually wear to death.
Simple designs also give the yarn room to do its thing, which is probably part of why I’ve enjoyed making different versions so much. Changing the weight or texture can give the same shape quite a different feel. The chunky one has been a particular favourite of mine, and I’m very excited about the Bouclè one I’m about to cast on!
It’s been lovely seeing the interest in it, and a big thank you to everyone who has bought the pattern, left a kind comment or helped with testing. Sending a new design out never quite stops being a little nerve-racking!
A slightly nostalgic needle moment
I also had the pleasure of trying the KnitPro Symfonie 2 needles recently. I don’t normally work with wooden needles these days, but these are so smooth, and I’ve really enjoyed knitting with them.
They’ve made me feel quite nostalgic too, because my first set of needles was KnitPro. Funny how something as ordinary as picking up a pair of needles can bring you back to those early knitting days.
You might have spotted them in my recent posts. They’ve had a proper outing with the December Scarf and its shadow stitch short rows!
Choosing the yarns, and trying not to choose ALL the yarns
A lot of this month has been spent finalising bases for the yarn launch, and I’m getting very close now.
This sounds like a lovely job, and it is, but it turns out “I like that one” isn’t quite enough of a selection process when you like rather a lot of them.
I’ve been looking at everything from super chunky down to 4-ply, thinking about what I’d want to make with each one and what it would bring to the range. How it feels in your hands matters, of course, but so does the fabric it will make. Do I want something plump with lovely clear stitches, a softer, more relaxed finish, or a bit of texture?
Being a designer probably makes me both better and worse at this. I can imagine projects for everything, which is useful right up until I’m trying to narrow things down.
The super chunky bases are particularly hard to resist. I do love a substantial skein and the prospect of something cosy appearing on the needles fairly quickly. At the other end, the 4-ply has me thinking about colour combinations and projects that I absolutely do not currently have time to start.
Naturally, that hasn’t stopped me thinking about them.
I’m sharing a few of the bases here so you can see what I’ve been deliberating over. Even before they’re dyed, there’s something very lovely about them. All that possibility, sitting there in a skein.
Alongside the excitement, there’s still a fair bit of imposter syndrome. I can spend ages happily making plans and then suddenly find myself wondering whether I’m getting any of it right. I’m trying to accept that I can be excited about doing this and a bit apprehensive at the same time.
And then, just as I think I’ve made a decision, I remember the packaging.
Belly bands, swing tags, labels… who knew there were quite so many ways to have an opinion about a small piece of card?
There’s also the question of whether to keep Etsy alongside the website or eventually bring everything here. I’m still looking for a stock system I feel confident relying on across both, particularly for small batches of yarn. If you’re a fellow small business owner and have found something that works well, I’m all ears. In the meantime, everything else is over on Etsy, including all things autumn notion, and, at the time of writing, a spooky sale too!
For now, the bases are being narrowed down, the colours are taking shape, and I’m looking forward to spending more time dyeing and less time staring at spreadsheets.
Autumn, in theory at least
I do love autumn. Cooler mornings, changing leaves and being able to put on a proper jumper without taking it off again ten minutes later. A walk with something woolly around my neck, then home to my knitting or a book while it gets dark outside. Lovely.
It also makes me want to start approximately twelve new projects, despite the perfectly good unfinished ones already looking at me. (If you follow me on socials, you may have seen my Rosie Sweater fail 🙈). Every leaf, berry and slightly scruffy hedge becomes a potential yarn colour combination too now. All very useful research, obviously.
The garden, however, hasn’t quite got the memo. There are flowers carrying on happily, and I haven’t the heart to pull them out just because it’s October. Meanwhile, the greenhouse is full of winter bits waiting for their turn, including violas, pansies and wallflowers. The next lot have arrived and the previous occupants haven’t checked out!
A proper clear-down is coming, but for now I’m enjoying what’s still blooming. I’m in no hurry to rush through autumn and straight into Christmas, whatever the shops have to say about it. Let me have my flowers and knitwear a little longer before anybody expects me to have bought presents.
Mr Darcy, meanwhile, is getting enormous and has apparently entered his teenage era. Still all kitten enthusiasm, but with considerably more reach and absolutely no intention of listening to me. Being told no seems to be something he regards as the beginning of a discussion.
He remains the loveliest distraction, though. It’s difficult to maintain any authority when you’re trying to tell him off while also reaching for your phone because he looks adorable.
There’s still plenty happening on the design front too, with the New Leaf Bonnet, Wild Leaf Beanie and a hooded scarf all in progress. The scarf is giving me the occasional sleepless night while I work out a few details. I can see what I want it to do; I’m just waiting for the knitting to agree!
So the garden is refusing to grow old gracefully, the cat is growing up disgracefully, and I’m quite happy here with my knitting.
There’s still plenty happening on the design front too, with the New Leaf Bonnet, Wild Leaf Beanie and a hooded scarf all in progress. The scarf is giving me the occasional sleepless night while I work out a few details. I can see what I want it to do; I’m just waiting for the knitting to agree.
Karysha x