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My knitting has taken a hit this year. I've just not been in the mood. I learned early on that it was not a good idea to take any thing that required thought to the knitting group. The natter part of knit and natter tended to take precedence and there was always plenty to listen to.
I would sit up late on Sunday evening getting round the heel and flap on socks so that I could work on the mindless stocking stitch of the leg or foot as I took in all the latest. The South Wigston group is the same I understand, "a lot of sorting out gets done," the organiser told me, "and I don't mean yarn."
Last winter, usually prime knitting time, was taken up with extra work as we tried to rescue and then had to shut down a charity. As far as I remember, it was work, eat, sleep, repeat. Ironically, I had a note from the liquidator a week or two ago (ten months after they were appointed) that various queries had been resolved and they were ready to distribute remaining funds to creditors.
Then back and forth through the summer trying to get the work on the house finished and never feeling quite settled, while keeping up with recruiting new staff and family weddings and visitors from abroad. It was all good, a good year, but not for knitting.
As the house wasn't ready, I was at the caravan right up to the last knockings when the site closes for six weeks. It's a tiny space to heat and the fuel bill for the year was very modest, but it's not especially cosy in the cold dark days of December. I quickly found the draught-free spot in the corner between the picture windows, stretching out along the fitted bench seat to get my feet off the floor, swaddled in one of the duvets.
Effective as they are, duvets are not the most convenient way of keeping warm when you're sitting knitting. I had several garment quantities of wool and looked through my pattern books for something suitable. The Amore Jacket by Quail Studio (pictured above) fitted the bill - an over-sized relaxed jacket with a hood. It's knitted in brioche rib, a pattern which holds a lot of air creating an extra layer to keep you warm. It's also dead simple so ideal for the knitting group.
I'd bought sufficient wool several years ago when it was on sale, it may even have been half-price. I had started other garments several times, but they hadn't quite worked out and then my ideas changed and I was less interested in chunky garments.
But this one is perfect for the purpose, warm and cosy for snuggling up on cold evenings in the caravan, but much more manageable than a duvet, plus you can keep wearing it while you make a cup of tea instead of leaving the warm duvet nest to venture into the chilly kitchen.
I'm about two thirds of the way up the sleeves which I'm knitting both at the same time, both fronts are knitted. Just the back and hood to do, attach all the pieces together and make the band that finishes the hood and front edges. I should finish just as the warm weather arrives, but it'll be ready for next winter.
I got some brand new with tags fleece-lined Ugg snow boots from Oxfam, too. They're perfect for wearing on that uninsulated floor.
I suppose all's well that ends well, even if it's a long winding road to get there.
