Is it spring yet?!
I, for one, am ready for something FRESH.
There's a magic that happens between projects when I clear off my project cart, shake all the stitch markers from the cushions, and re-file all the circulars curling into a tangle on my workspace. It's clean, it's exciting, and this time it's coinciding right with spring.
On my needles right now, I'm swatching in this lovely, vintage-tee-soft, natural-dyed fingering weight wool from Kelcey of Knitting Niqabi, in colorway Mirkwood. It has a downy texture to it that makes me think of gauze scarves and I can't wait to cast on a full project with it. I'm new to natural-dyed wool, and I never imagined it would be so soft!
Dream spring knitting pattern
I got my knitting start knitting lace. I don't knit lace much anymore, but I'm still very inspired by delicate textures. One pattern I keep returning to (literally once per week I try to figure out if I can justify the time commitment) is In Honor of Her, from Mara Licole Knits.
It's so delicate, airy, and feminine - it's everything I want in a shawl. Mara also has an exquisite impetus for this project:
"I wanted to design a shawl that honors women and girls with a particular focus on those who have touched our lives but whose story is tainted, forgotten, or was unfairly ended in a way that makes you want to honor her and rewrite her story. For those women and girls, we knit this project: In Honor of Her."
I actually have never worked a large brioche project, much less a large brioche LACE project, so I'm still working up to casting on. (Please write with encouragement!)
You can see more of Mara's gorgeous work, and get inspired by her Friday Flowers, on her Instagram feed.
Knitting style icon Aro
One of my favorite knitters to follow is Aro, her feminine and ethereal style is a constant source of inspiration. Not only is she the queen of dreamy blushes, creamy pinks, and barely-there rainbow speckles, but she's a critical contributor to the knitting community. If you're looking for ideas on knitting photography, styling, new pattern releases, test knitting, or just want to see more beautiful images in your feed, check out Aro's work!
Little Garden Knits
My daughter is obsessed with bunnies. I estimate that the word 'bunny' is said in my house no fewer than 100 times per day, and that's not hyperbole. This obsession reaches a fever pitch in spring as bunny decor becomes ubiquitous, and honestly, she's in heaven. Spring knits for kids are some of my favorites, and in particular little knits that pair effortlessly with heirloom hand-smocked dresses. And bunnies.
Go further
You already know I love a mood board! Here's what I'm swanning around in for spring: Cloudborn Moodboard.
Last year this time I was working on publishing Early Sowing. "Are you writing an adult version?" was the question I got most. And now, I'm pleased to tell you that yes, I am making an adult version! I expect to put the call out for Herbalist very soon - I send testing calls to my testing pool and my mailing list first, grab a spot on those lists if you'd like to be in-the-know!