#2018makenine

Happy 2018 everyone!

If you haven’t already discovered this amazing #2018makenine doing the rounds on Instagram, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

I think this is a great alternative to setting resolutions for the new year. When do we ever really stick to them?

So I’m 100% jumping on this bang wagon and setting myself nine ‘makes’ for 2018. With the benefit of experience from last year’s reading challenge, I know my goals/projects change and adapt throughout the course of a year, so expect this list of nine to mould and transform across the next 12 months. But for now, here are the nine I’m hoping to tackle and complete this year!

Which nine projects are you hoping to tick off your list in 2018?

Instagram 2018makenine | Shortrounds Knitwear Continue reading

What’s on my knit list?

When I first started knitting I focused on one project, and one project alone until it was cast off, ends woven in, blocked, finished. It was methodical, serene, focused – productive.

Since then and over the years I’ve developed a habit of half-starting several projects, to a point where I can now have five WIPs on the go! Developed from wanting to knit for myself, friends, family, work… It’s certainly a more frantic approach to knitting, and one I’m definitely not wanting to encourage. It’s led to a nasty habit of indecision and procrastination. Not a great combination.

Hessian Shawl | Shortrounds Knitwear Continue reading

Christmas Knitting

We’re well and truly into the Christmas knitting season now. December has started, so it is now officially acceptable to talk about the festive season. If you haven’t already started your knitting your Christmas gifts just yet, don’t panic. There are plenty of inspirational, recent knitting pattern releases from some of the greats. You may not have enough time to get started and finished on some now (bookmark for later!) – but there are plenty of quick knits around. Giving you plenty of time to knit up a speedy Christmas gift.

Wool And The Gang

If quick knits are what you’re after, WATG are smack bang in the middle of their 12 days of making. Releasing ridiculously quick knitting and crochet patterns, as well as handy technique tutorials this week and next. Love the charging cable braid!

Wool And The Gang Christmas Knitting Cable Braid | Shortrounds Knitwear Continue reading

Falkland Aran by Debbie Bliss

Debbie Bliss is one of the greats. A knitwear designer and yarn purveyor with over 30 years’ experience and a long list of accolades and published books attributed to her name.

So imagine my excitement when I was sent her latest pattern book to get my teeth stuck into. Falkland Aran Pure Bliss Collection is a celebration of organic and naturally farmed yarns. The Falkland archipelago are a natural habitat for a large variety of wildlife, not least the Falkland sheep – from which Debbie Bliss’ Falkland Aran yarn derives.

Debbie Bliss Falkland Aran Pure Bliss Collection | Shortrounds Knitwear Continue reading

What is it about Autumn?

It’s been a while since I’ve delved into the new knitting releases world. I had such a growing stash of projects and materials, that I had to reinstate the yarn embargo. That meant no pouring over beautiful skeins on Loveknitting or Loop. No Googling Brooklyn Tweed, Quince & Co. and Woolfolk. It also meant shutting my eyes as I scrolled through my Instagram feed, every time Melanie Berg, Melanie Hoffman or Andrea Mowry post oh-so-tempting knits…

But I’ve caved… Continue reading