If you are unaware, every year Stephen West does a mystery shawl knitalong that takes place in October. For years I have wished to take part in this event of sorts, but never have because I was on the fence about dedicating a whole month to a single project while trying to clear my knitting needles for the next year. This year I decided to change this and join along regardless of what is on my needles.
The main reason I want to take part in this knitalong is to learn some new techniques, every year there seems to be different things integrated in the pattern that are new to me. I always love to challenge myself so this is a win-win for me because he creates videos for each clue that is released. The second is because I want the challenge of keeping up with the weekly clues that are set to releases on October 2, October 9, October 16 and October 23. While that is a very busy month for my personally, I think I will be able to do it if this is my only project or at least my main project I worked on.
screenshot of yarn order
As for the yarn, I was going to buy a kit, but with all the unknowns with tariffs and international shipping I didn’t want to take a chance. I am hoping maybe one day in the future I will be able to. I ended up buying from Cape May Fiber who I have met a few times as well as test knit for. I decided to get their sock base to ensure I have the right yardage and picked a pale neutral yarn called Shellfish, a light purple color called Luscious Lavender, a really beautiful peach tonal called Jersey Peach, and a neon yellow/green color called Chartreuse Button that is inspired by the movie Coraline.
I decided to take it easy on myself and use a premade calendar from printabulls: September 2025. Other than that, I stenciled the word September and used this months washi tape along the bottom. I also utilized my Mildliner to highlight the days of the week on the calendar.
This month I really wanted to focus on the season of fall even though it does not officially start until the end of September. I ended up using canva to make a collage for my fall reading plans and my fall knitting plans. The templets were made by aestheticdstudio. For the fall reading plans I am hoping to read With a Vengeance by Riley Sager, reread Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, Even Thought I Knew the Ens by C.L. Polk and lastly reread The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
As for my knitting plans I plan on working on and completing, Waltz by Miki Teragaki, DRK Everyday Cardi by Andrea Mowry, Maple Vest by Yun Jeong, The Weekender Light by Andrea Mowry, Yuki No Hi No by eri shimizu and Twist Loop Top by Other Loops. A lot of these I mentioned in my Fall 2025 Knitting Plans post from a few weeks ago if you want more details on my plans!
I also have two test knits that are due in September so I gave them each a page where I put a picture, title, due date, size made, yarn used, and a place for some notes to jot down on the go. These are very simple pages, but I needed a place to keep myself organized so I through them in.
I also added a page for my knitting log where I highlight a square a day to coordinate with a project that I worked on. It allows me to see which projects I am paying more attention to and really ensure I am working on the wide range of projects. Funny enough, I actually finished two of these projects before the start of September so I only have 4 WIPs instead of 6, which is a nice feeling.
This month I wanted to try a different weekly layout and got inspiration from teanbujo on instragram, speficially this post. I did not copy it exactly, but I really liked how the days were grouped on one side in their own little squares and then the other side allows for a mini calendar, money tracking and notes. I only took a picture of the first week, but each of the four weeks will look similar to this, but I tweaked each one to see which adaptation I liked the best for my own personal uses to bring into October.
Hello and welcome to a post I should have done closer to the start of the year, but I figured better late than never! I decided this year I am going to be doing a make 9 in regards to my crafting, in particular my knitting and crochet.
My make 9 for 2025 is a mixture of WIPs or Works in Progress that are already on my needles, but also some projects that I really want to make this year and am inspired by. Anyway, here are the pattern I want to make this year!
Honey Bucket Bag by PetiteKnit, this is a small draw string pouch with a honey comb type stitch that I think would be perfect to take when I need a small little purse or a really cute project bag. I have the yarn all ready to go for this project, but it has not been cast on as of right now.
An Italian Autumn Cowl by An Italian Knitter, I am in need of a nice long scarf that I can wrap around my neck a few times for the really cold winter days. I actually bought some yarn at The NY Sheep and Wool Festival at Rhinebeck this past year. I love the mixture of the eyelets and how long this loop scarf is.
Frostina Poncho Vanessa Reyes aka Vanrey Knits, I actually got this pattern as part of my 2024 advent from Chelsea Luxe Yarns. I really loved the look of this textured poncho with some fringe, but I wanted to see all the colors to see if I wanted to change the order. I am hoping to pick this up in the spring to complete.
24 Birds Shawl by Curious Handmade aka Helen Stewart, this is my longest standing WIP. I really love how this pattern looks and the circle design, but I find myself passing over it for other projects. This originally was a mystery lace shawl knitalong from May of 2024 I believe and I cast it on when the first clue came out and then just never really picked it up again. I did get to 5% complete though.
Hazel Kjole by Sandes Designs, I have had the yarn for this project for over 2 years at this point. I saw this relaxed and oversized dress in their catalog and instantly fell in love with it. I really would love to have it for the fall time as a transition piece because I picked up a mauve yarn that I think would be a lovely pink for that time of year. On top of that it is made with alpakka yarn, so it will be nice and toasty.
Heirloom Quilt Cardigan by Katryn Seeburger, this year I really want to make this lovely cardigan. Not only is it a super cute wear, it will be how I use up all of my scraps and mini skeins that need to find a home in a project. What drew me in for this pattern is how the designer really made the knitting look like quilt blocks and how oversizes it is.
Pressed Flowers Kerchief by Amy Christoffers, this little kerchief that is lined with really pretty mosaic flowers along the edges. I have the yarn already picked out for this and ready to go. It is even wound up! I really want to make this on a long weekend or something and make it a little challenge to complete for some reason.
The Traveler by Andrea Mowry, this is a pattern I am currently working on, but it has been on hold for about a month because honestly, this sweatshirt inspired pattern is a huge slog to knit. It is interesting because everyone I know who has made it has felt the same way. Thankfully I only have the back and sleeves left to do. I am hoping to be done in February or March with this one.
Trifle Wrap by Curious Handmade aka Helen Stewart, This has been a WIP for some time, if you want to see more information about this one I actually talked about it in the following post. Current WIPs & Reads | July 2024.
Classic Bhaer 