So.Many.WIPS

plus one finished sweater and more I can't wait to start

It is 2025, and the days are crisp and cold, with single-digit mornings and icy nights. The sun is shining clear/crisp, and these New Mexico mountains are finally getting a bit of snow—though we’re behind this year.

My two dogs (now just two, as we lost our sweet 16-year-old buddy this summer) are stretched out on the brick floors. I think they’re appreciating the coolness because our wood stoves are cranking out enough heat to keep the rooms super cozy.

I’ve been finishing some projects that I’d love to share with you. Here’s my new favorite sweater to wear:

The Polaroid Sweater designed by Kraftling

It is called The Polaroid Sweater by Kraftling and I can’t even describe how much I enjoyed knitting it. The colorwork was never more than 2 different colors at the same time, the yarn was a fingering wool and provided me with hours of easy knitting satisfaction. And it fits so well. I wore it every day for almost 2 weeks after completion. The main comment I receive on the sweater is that the colors are really happy colors. I agree, I think I choose colors based on the way they make me feel.

I’ve started another colorful sweater, a modification of The Woolly Thistle’s Victory Cardigan. I took a chance and decided to make it with all the leftover wool I had brought back from the Shetlands and made The Lerwick Hat with. The Victory Cardigan was made with a thicker wool weight, but I am using DK and just went up a few sizes and I am loving how it is turning out. I think this may be illegal - no swatching and no math - only hoping. I got lucky and it worked. You can’t go wrong with these drenched Shetland colors. Here are some process photos….

Modified Victory Cardigan

I have been using this beautiful leather bound knitting journal and I’m in love with it. You can’t see it here, but there are some zippered pouches and some pockets to keep everything in one place - I have my measuring tape, some tapestry needles, barber cord, tons of stitch markers, a knitting needle measurer (What are those called!?) There are pockets for those paper patterns you are carrying around in your knitting bag. A spot for your pen, pencil or highlighter. I love that it is refillable, and will age so well. It is timeless. Anyhow, if you are curious about it - here’s a link for you to check it out for yourself.

Not including the above pictured modified Victory Cardigan, here are the patterns I am either working on now, or ones that I will be beginning this week:

Goldfish Cardigan by Tin Can Knits (Not started yet, but I need it to be done by the end of February!)

Flower Power by Lindsay Degan (This is a tiny two person KAL, with a friend from knitting group. We just cast on this week together!

Audrey in Unst by Gudrun Johnston from the Shetlands - (Really hoping to get picked to do her test knit. The details aren’t out yet, but I am definitely going to apply.

A very simple basic 2x2 knit/purl wool scarf with fingering weight wool from Taos Wools

Another (!!!) Hipster Hat by Petite Knit with my new absolute favorite yarn Juniper Moon It’s silk, alpaca and merino. You can’t even imagine how lovely it is!

I know I’m not the only one with multiple projects on the needles. I’m also dreaming about some gifts I want to start early for Christmas next year! How early do you start making? What projects are you working on? I really would love to see!

I’ll leave you with this murmuration I was lucky enough to see at the Bosque del Apache, a little south of Socorro, New Mexico.

Enjoy your crafting!

Kiersten