Knitting for the Long Haul

It's a topsy-turvy world we're living in right now, and I am finding that it helps to have a long-term project to work on each day as a temporary replacement for the usual schedule of my retirement era life.  Something other than sewing face masks, or constantly updating grocery lists in search of that elusive delivery slot, or other activities that are necessary, but are also an ever present reminder of the mess we're in.

For me that project is a knitted cardigan -- Simple Yoke Cardigan, by Purl Soho. It's a fairly plain, easy knit, but it becomes a long-term project due to yarn weight and needle size. I'm using Dream in Color Smooshy with cashmere in color Brilliant and size 1 US needles (2.5mm).

Not much to look at so far, as it's pretty scrunched up on the needle, but I am happy to be cruising along with only 300+ stitches instead of the 500+ I had before putting the sleeve stitches on holders to work later. I'm only a little over an inch beyond the sleeve divide -- at this rate it may turn out to be a lifetime project instead of a pandemic one. 

To mix things up a bit I also have a backup -- also thin yarn, but much smaller.

The Hitchhiker Scarf by Martina Behm. This one is being worked in Rohrspatz & Wollmeise "Fluffy" in color Rosenrot (which I think translates to Rose Red). The color is so rich and vibrant that it makes me smile every time I pick it up. 

I don't have too much more to knit on this one, although the rows do get longer with each set of repeats.  I'll miss it when it's completed and put away for cooler weather.

Other than face masks, sewing has been on hold for a while. I suspect that warmer weather will find me wishing I had done a little garment sewing, but I'm finding it hard to concentrate on that these days.  I've made various mask styles -- most with ties or cords as my thin elastic has all been used -- and family seem to prefer the shaped masks to the pleated versions that most hospitals are asking for.  I never expected that my first Marfy would be a face mask, but there you go.  I've also tried the pattern from Craft Passion as pictured below.

 It uses a long tie (or in this case a shoe string) that loops around the back of the head, through the sides and then is tied in the back.  I found it slightly trickier to get a tight fit on my first try, but was able to adjust it to suit eventually.  It will be interesting to see how various family members rate the wearability of the different styles.  So far only the Marfy version has been road tested.

Stay healthy, keep busy, and stay indoors everyone!