Signs of spring calling for WIPs review and needles refresh

Spring is almost here, and I'm starting to feel this urge to clean, renew my goals and projects, refresh my dreams, plant new seeds (both real and imaginary ones). Spring feels so fresh and energetic to me.

It's been uncharacteristically cold the last few weeks here, but I know it's just the final songs of Lady Winter.

In my knitting and making, I'm starting to feel new ideas visiting, but also this need to close the chapter of certain darker colours, of thick woolly wools, heavy cardigans.

I did a quick WIP review and can already see that my almost finished Shift cowl by Andrea Mowry will not get much year until next winter. But I'd still like to finish it. And have it ready for future me.

There are two other Andrea Mowry shawls in there, the Attune shawl, which was great brioche practice, but which I want to make in a different yarn in the future. So I will frog this, probably. And a second Satellite shawl that I'll just be knitting slowly on throughout the year.

I recently started a cotton knitted triangle shawlette, and I will continue that.

Then there's my Monday jumper that I might get some use of if I hurry, and a crochet project that didn't turn out how I wanted and will frog.

I'm thinking to make a striped vest and to jump straight into summer knitting projects if I actually want to have them ready to wear when the heat comes. Decisions, decisions.

What I am making

I felt like knitting something small and fun, and I started a tiny scarf. I used up some leftover mohair and held two different strands of it with a strand of lace weight linen. The linen and silk give it drape and structure at the same time, while the mohair fills the space with fluff. I don't like mohair very much, but it's so pretty.

Book of the week

5 Ingredients Mediterranean by Jamie Oliver

Spring is a good time to try new recipes and enjoy the new in-season produce. Hearty, cosy meals make room for lighter, fresher dishes.

Each recipe in this book only requires 5 ingredients, and the way the recipe is visually presented makes it very easy to get inspired and start cooking something new. Seeing the ingredients listed makes it very easy to substitute with things you have at home or adjust to your dietary needs.

For example, in this grilled asparagus on polenta with jamon recipe, you could easily replace the ham with another, plant-based umami filled ingredient made from mushrooms, seaweed, tomatoes, soy. Or switch the polenta for a veggie purée.

The recipes are easy to make and the photos are beautiful.

I'm looking at these recipes I selected here, and I think I just found my spring colour palette for my future making projects. Like a friend likes to say, it's all connected. :)

May your days be filled with mindful moments. Until next time, be present.

Sky