Another reading challenge?!

I was in two minds as to whether I should share yet another reading challenge for fear of running over old ground. But I had such success with my 2017 reading challenge, I had no reservations continuing in the same vein for 2018. Once again Popsugar released yet another inspiring list of 40 book prompts to broaden your literary horizons and I jumped thoroughly on board at the start of the year.

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Latest yarn haul

It’s been a while since I shared a yarn haul on Shortrounds. And following a jaunty trip to Fibre East, and me finally giving in to gazing longingly at Eden Cottage Yarn’s latest additions, it’s a bumper haul to be sure!

Let’s start with beautiful Yorkshire hand dyers – Eden Cottage Yarns. Earlier this year, I chose their Bowland 4ply yarn in colourway Misty Woods to create my Hessian Shawl, and loved the quality and outcome of my shawl so much I treated myself to a few skeins of Hayton 4ply – cashmere and merino gorgeousness! This time in Misty Woods and the ever-so-complementary Apricot Tulip. I’m planning to turn this into another original Shortrounds design – so watch this space!

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Popsugar Reading Challenge 2017 update – halfway there

In between knitting for my latest pattern release – Hessian Shawl, I’ve been reading reading reading. Audiobooks are a knitter’s best friend and I’ve really enjoyed broadening my reading horizons, whilst being able to thoroughly ‘crack on’ with my various knitting projects.

I’m halfway through my journey to read at least 40 books this year, with the help of a little reading challenge by Popsugar. You can check out my progress on my shawl and reading list below!

What have you been reading lately? How do you balance reading and knitting in your spare time?

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A year of Hessian Baby Blankets

It’s been over a year since the release of my first knitting pattern. And in that time so many wonderful knitters have picked up this woven baby blanket pattern and made it their very own. I’m so unbelievably happy with the feedback that I’ve had from knitters, and was genuinely amazed (and still am) that it’s been as popular as it has been! I just had to share a few of the finished Hessian Baby Blankets right here! You can see all of these in more detail over on the Hessian Baby Blanket Ravelry project page.

Fancy knitting a Hessian Blanket for yourself? You can pick up the pattern over on Ravelry and Loveknitting.com

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Best of British yarn – part 2

I could go on all year about the amazing British hand dyers, spinners and fibre farmers available to us now. It was difficult to narrow this down to just two blog posts! But the follow up post to this blog contains six more of my pick of the crop. I already have a stash of The Wool Kitchen and Eden Cottage Yarns in my possession, ready to cast on. And I’ll certainly be buying from each of these beautiful indie knitters this year.

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