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Well I just finished #knitting a shawl. I decided 2025 will be the year I knit anything except shawls! I want to improve my skills in knitting #vests #sweaters #socks #fingerlessmitts and #hats . Give me a shout if you have a favourite #knittingpattern in those categories. #knitting_inspiration #recommendations #handmade #handknit
@BabetteFfest I’ve got some hat patterns I’d be glad to share! I’m looking to stretch my skills too so I have some brioche hats and a herringbone hat that starts with a provisional cast on
@communiteatime please do share! What are names and where can I see and buy them?
If you want to do some somewhat challenging socks, I recommend the designs from General Hogbuffer
https://www.ravelry.com/designers/general-hogbuffer
I've made two of his patterns - patrona bavariae and Bernice. Both extremely well written.
He has all levels, from plain stockinette to lace, cable, twisted stitches to intricate color work.
And many are free.
Edited to change the pronouns.
@FanCityKnits both are stunning patterns. That's very generous that quite a few are free. I do like to see how a designer writes patterns before I buy one. I am in my wheelhouse with more lace charts. Patterns with just words for instructions can baffle me!
@BabetteFfest I love Kate Atherley's Custom Socks (I got mine from Blackwell's). She shows you what measurements/calculations are needed, and then, using just *your* guage and her tables, takes you through how to do a cuff down and a toe up sock.
There are other patterns in the book but I just use her basic patterns and adjust other sock patterns accordingly, so that I can get socks that fit properly.
@BabetteFfest I do want to make one of the colour work socks that she has, but I don't have enough nice plain colours yet.
(Most of my sock yarn is WYS Birds range, but I don't think competition l colour work would look good with self striping/patterning yarns.)
@Ebly I like self striping for vanilla socks.
I did a complete change on patterns and yarn! I looked at the book and just felt it was more than my brain could handle. I chose a pattern by Helen Stewart as her patterns have a row map. I also opted for a yarn I already wound which is a blend of cotton, merino and nylon. I think this will be a nice choice for the warmer weather... when it comes 
#knitting #handmade #yarn
@BabetteFfest looks at the layers and thermals in wearing today - warmer weather? Yeah, right!
That yarn looks nice though - a lovely spring colour. Where did you get it from?
@Ebly It was just under 10c for us in the day but down to 0 at night. I am ever the optimist and consider that the advent of spring 
The yarn is from https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Piratenwolle. I bought it before Brexit and the price was about half of the current price.
@BabetteFfest it was 10°C here today (and perhaps yesterday) but it felt much colder (unlike Saturday, when it was 8 and sunny)... And even though I'm seeing buds appearing on branches and little green things poking out of the soil, it still feels like spring is far away.
So much so that I bought another pair of thermal leggings in the sale, today!
@BabetteFfest ooh, they have some nicely coloured yarns.
I haven't bought anything online from the EU since Brexit, because I don't want to be stung by customs fees and whatnot. (And I've come across vendors who won't send items to NI, let alone the EU, because of the mess we're now in.)
@BabetteFfest I mean.. there's loads.
But maybe Camp Out Fingerless Mitts by tante ehm
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/camp-out-fingerless-mitts
Or this cabled jumper if you like cables. I love it.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/boy-friend-sweater
@communeva those are great mitts. I can see creating my own fade with all the scraps of beautiful yarn. I also love the sweater. I am a bit intimidated by all over cables. I need some pattern however as I will get bored by stockinette .
I'm really in love with Musselburgh hats, it's so easy to knit with all yarn and no need to swatch.. and easy to modify, I've made several already - only pattern so far I have knitted more than once.
As for sweaters, I have no favourite yet, but some I'm considering making again because I like my first attempt and wear it often... Alpine Bloom sweater, The Weekender sweater, and a cardigan I'm wearing constantly but forgot the name I'll have to look it up ^^
I mean this one:
Armor Cardigan, by Anke Strick https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/armor-cardigan
I made it with two yarns held double with a marled effect, i would also like to knit one in a solid colour to make the patterning more visible.
@nobyeni you won't believe this but I am just about to frog a sweater knit with John Arbon Devonia and I see this is one of the recommended yarns! I spent hours yesterday looking for another sweater for this yarn! Love it! Thanks for the recommendation. Is the pattern easy to follow?
I testknitted this pattern and found it easy to do. But that really depends on the knitter... she is a wellknown designer and people generally seem to like her patterns. (I haven't knitted any of her other patterns yet.)
There is also an armor sweater pattern, if you want a sweater, not a cardigan. The only thing I would change when making this armor cardigan again, is that to decrease the sleeves a bit more, they are balloon-like which is too much to my personal taste.
@nobyeni thanks for that. I have bookmarked both and will do a study to see which I prefer. II am leaning towards the sweater. I assume knit in the round
@nobyeni I do find some patterns really complicated for me... But she has a Rav group so I can go somewhere if I get stuck. I really admire people who can knit sweaters that fit perfectly. Time for me to get stuck in and conquer my fears.
And also don't hesitate to ask for support here. I have received so much help here along the way. The Mastodon #knitting community is my local community <3
@KarenStrickholm @nobyeni I have not been very active on Mastodon but given the response to my post, I discovered knitters are here! 
@BabetteFfest @nobyeni Lots of us, and a warm welcoming group it is. 
@KarenStrickholm @nobyeni That's great to know! I shall post more often about #knitting !
@BabetteFfest @nobyeni Hi Babette, as you probably already know, your experience here is driven by who you follow (including groups), and hashtags you use. Here are a bunch I've collected for fiber and crafts. Hooe it's helpful! 
#Knitting @Knitting #Knitstodon #FiberArts #FibreArts #NeedleArts #Maker #Creator #Crafts #HandMade
@KarenStrickholm that's really helpful especially as I was just about to ask about hashtags to use!
@nobyeni by the way I love both sweaters! You choose great patterns. Amor and Alpine Bloom are my goals for sweaters this year!
it's good to have goals! And also good to change them along the way ;)
I befriended you on Ravelry, I think that means you can also see my enourmous queue there of projects I'm looking forward to maybe one day making??!!
@nobyeni oh my goodness, so many people have recommended that hat but I have been so nervous about the cast on! I shall jump in. Ysolda has done so many great videos, I just need to trust I can do it! Are you on Rav? I would love to see your Musselburgh! If you are, I am Carol-Alyce
@BabetteFfest @nobyeni wearing my Musselburgh right now
@venite post a photo!!! Please!
@venite oooh, love that yarn! What is it! Are you knitting on 2 circulars or 1. What size needles are you using?
@BabetteFfest this is a hand dyed tweed yarn by Nervus Fibres in Glasgow. I used 3mm, sometimes I do the cast on on dpns and sometimes on a single long circular, but 2 would also work. I switch to a 40cm circular as soon as it’s big enough.
The most important thing with the Musselburgh is not panicking when you’re done with the increases, it looks much too small but it will work :)
@venite just looked at Nervous Fibres website. DROOLING!
@BabetteFfest beautiful aren’t they? She has a style of her own. The only dyer I’ll ever get mystery bags from, because I know it will be all great.
@venite which base did you use for your Musselburgh? I might just have to splurge.
@BabetteFfest the donegal tweed, but she doesn’t seem to have it at the moment. I’ve made one in Exmoor Sock as well, not dyed by her but one of the John Arbon colours. It works in any yarn really!
@venite looooooove it!!!! Great photo! Made me smile
There are several options for the cast on, so just dive in and try something new. I found it took a bit to figure it out but it wasn't really difficult in the end. And so relaxed to knit after that... Great for on-the-road knitting.
@nobyeni I am going to cast on this weekend as I am travelling a lot this month. Everyone who has recommended that pattern has said it's great for travelling, zoom calls etc once the cast on is done. Now to choose yarn!