Here & Now | June 2017 Link Up

Welcome to this month's Here & Now - I hope you'll take a few moments to document your own happenings either on your blog or on Instagram! The guidelines for doing both are at the bottom of this post.

Cast Off | Clara Bow Sweater

It's finally done. I couldn't quite believe it when I cast off the very last stitch of my Clara Bow Sweater. After spending so long working on it, I have to admit that the finished pieces sat in my work basket for a week or two before I summoned up the courage to stitch them together.

Caravans & Craft

Aren't damp days just the best for baking and crafting?
Today was cool, misty and rainy. There was the whir of the dryer going for most of the day, along with the unfamiliar sound of a little old twin tub washing machine. Our normal machine broke down late last week, and a friend kindly dropped around the twin tub to borrow until the repair people can get here next week. Whilst there is certainly nothing automatic about this machine, it's more convenient than tripping to town and sitting in the laundromat. I think.
There was also the comfort of the oven warming the kitchen this morning as I baked apple cake, more chocolate sourdough cookies and an overnight loaf. There was also more cups of tea than I care to keep count of.

Here & Now

Letting Go & Beginning Again

This is the third time around for the front of this sweater. Many of you will remember the time Spud ate my knitting, causing me to have to restart the front all over again. I've had to start it yet a third time because I cast on the wrong size when I decided to recommence it.
I tell you, I've wondered whether this sweater is cursed!
Hiccups aside, I'm making speedy progress on it now, and nothing has gone wrong with this third attempt at the front. I'm determined to get this jumper finished and ready to wear when the first cold days of Winter arrive.

And Then Spud Found My Knitting

I was so excited the other day. I was so close to getting my sweater finished. Or so I thought.
The warm weather arrived for a few days - March has been awfully strange - and stopped me in my quest. But the heat subsided and I had every good intention of getting back to my knitting.

I was sitting outside one afternoon, doing some paper work and enjoying a cup of tea and chatting with my Mum. Spud went running past, but I didn't take any notice.
"Sarah, is Spud supposed to have your knitting??" 
As Mum spoke, I glanced quickly at Spud and screamed (I'm not usually the screaming sort, not even when I see a snake).
My book, notes and iPod went flying. My scream had made Spud drop the knitting in fright and I rushed over, grabbed it and ran inside like my stitches depended on it...which I suppose they kind of did.
I frantically darted to my needle jar and started jabbing needles into all of the dropped, unraveling stitches, desperate to save them.

I actually thought I had saved them, and was busy figuring out how to ladder back up the couple of rows he had unraveled when I realised there was no point. Right on the cast-on edge, Spud had chewed two generous sized holes.

I am glad that he only attacked the front, and left the completed back undisturbed. If he'd ruined the whole thing it'd probably be in the bin right now and I'd be choosing my next project. Which is slightly tempting....not the bin part, just ignoring the fact I have to knit the whole front all over again and beginning something new.

I told Spud he's lucky he's cute. I'm not sure he knew why.

I'm joining Yarn Along again over here

Knitting for Victory

After several years of knitting, I have finally bitten the bullet and decided to knit myself a garment.
I've knitted hats, beanies, newsboy caps, scarves, toys, half a blanket and various other items, but I've never been brave enough to knit myself a jumper.
It's the sleeves I'm scared of. I've heard stories about people having trouble with their sleeves and armholes and shaping and bodices and all manner of knitting conundrums.

But I've decided to get over those fears. Afterall, there is no technique in this pattern that I am not familiar with. And everyone used to knit their own clothes, so it can't be that hard, right?
To ensure that I don't shy away from the more difficult parts I've decided to join a knit-along.
I saw By Gum, By Golly's Knit for Victory Knit Along back in November, when it started, and seriously considered joining, but decided against it.
But after a recent trip away, my dear sister brought me back 8 balls of the most delicious yarn. So I decided to cast on and join Knit for Victory.

The Knit Along gives you until the 31st of January 2014 to complete any 1940's inspired garment, be it a jacket, hat or even a pair of gloves.
I have a whole book filled with treasures from the 1930's, 40's & 50's so finding a pattern wasn't hard.
It'll be getting it finished that will be the hard part.

You see, as of today, the 1st of December, it is officially Summer here in Australia. Summer is hot, and sticky, and not ideal weather for knitting a winter jumper.
And because I have joined the knit-along a whole month late, I have just 62 days to get my jumper finished.
If it were winter I wouldn't be worried, but it's not. I seriously doubt that I'll get it done in time, but I'm going to try anyway! I like a challenge. And luckily it doesn't usually get too hot here in summer, except in the days before a storm. Then it is almost unbearable.

So wish me luck in my knitting ventures.
If you'd like to keep up to date with the Clara Bow Sweater progress, click here to see all future posts or subscribe to have posts delivered straight to your inbox.

The Details:

I'm using Morris & Son's Empire 4ply, a lovely Australian Merino yarn, in Kingfisher Blue

I'm making it into the Clara Bow-Panel Sweater from the gorgeous book Knit Vintage