Well... it's finally done!

My little She-Shack / Yarn Studio is officially finished, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Everything is organized exactly the way I wanted it. The shelving is in place, my books are where they belong, the KALLAX cubes are filled with my yarn stash, and the little loft is holding all those boxes of yarn I have collected... or should I say bought... over the years.
My knitting machine is set up and just waiting for me to get started. Every time I walk in there, I smile. Everything is exactly where I wanted it, and it just feels so comfortable and peaceful. I finally have my own little place where I can knit, design patterns, organize my yarn, and enjoy doing what I love.
Now the fun begins! Time to stop organizing and start knitting. I can't wait to share my next projects with all of you!

Another project from my knitting archives!

I knitted this infinity scarf several years ago, and it remains one of my favorite cold-weather accessories. The combination of off-white and deep purple creates a striking contrast, while the repeating pattern gives the scarf plenty of texture and visual interest.

What I love most about infinity scarves is how easy they are to wear. No ends to tuck in, no fussing with how it hangs, it just hangs around your neck keeps you warm and comfortably with a touch of style.

This project was enjoyable to knit because the pattern was repetitive enough to be relaxing, yet interesting enough to keep me engaged. 

Looking back at older projects always reminds me how many stitches, ideas, and memories are wrapped up in every piece we make. This infinity scarf is one of those projects that still makes me smile years later, especially when I see my daughter wearing it in the wnter time. 

Question: Have you ever gone back through your knitting projects and rediscovered an old favorite?

Some yarns do most of the work for you, and Noro Silk Garden is definitely one of them. This beret is a great example. The colors flow naturally from one shade to the next, making even a simple project look special. As I knitted, I never really knew what color was coming next, which made the project even more fun.

Noro Silk Garden has always been one of my favorite yarns because of its rich colors and unique texture. The blend of silk, mohair, and wool gives it a soft feel with a little sheen, and it creates a lightweight fabric that works beautifully for a beret. The ribbed brim helps the hat keep its shape, while the top has just enough slouch to make it comfortable and easy to wear.
What I enjoy most about this yarn is that every project turns out a little different. The color changes create interest without needing complicated stitch patterns. The yarn itself becomes the star of the project.

It was a relaxing project, quick to knit, and one of those pieces that still makes me smile.   

Nancy’s creativity...

Nancy, from our Wednesday knitting group started out making a little flower potholder, but somewhere along the way it turned into the sweetest little hat, and it fits Lu perfectly! That’s one of the things I love most about knitting: sometimes a project has plans of its own. The stitches, colors, and shape came together so naturally, and seeing Lu wear it made all of us smile. Handmade pieces always seem to carry a little bit of the person who made them, and this tiny hat is full of Nancy’s creativity.

I just finished another sweet little sweater, like the raglan sweater, this pattern too was created using the Knitting App Aompanion I built. It’s always exciting to see a design go from digital concept to real stitches on my needles.

The sweater in the photo has been beautifully styled with a decorative background added by Microsoft Copilot, giving the finished piece a soft, inviting presentation that really highlights the texture and colors. I’m very happy with how it turned out and can’t wait to share more projects with patterns created by my Knitting app and sharing it on my here on my Knitting blog,

Pictures with and without background changes:

                       

Verona's Knit & Crochet Companion

Apps can be wonderfully resourceful, especially when they’re designed with real makers in mind. I recently used an app, which I created to generate a full raglan‑style pullover pattern for a child, complete with measurements and stitch counts. It was a reminder of how empowering it can feel when technology supports creativity instead of complicating it. A simple tool can take the math off your shoulders so you can focus on the fun part, choosing yarn, settling into the rhythm of the stitches, and watching something handmade come to life.

Using my app, Verona's Knit & Crochet Companion, and it crated the pattern below: 

VERONA'S CHILD'S RAGLAN PULLOVER

Size 3 Years, Bottom Up

Yarn: Cascade Cherub Aran

Needles: US 7 for body, US 5 for ribbing

Gauge: 19 stitches and 26 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch

ABBREVIATIONS

CO means cast on. K means knit. P means purl. K2tog means knit two stitches together. M1R means make one stitch leaning right. M1L means make one stitch leaning left. PM means place marker. SM means slip marker. BO means bind off.

MEASUREMENTS USED

Chest circumference is 24 inches. Body length from hem to underarm is 9 inches. Yoke depth is 6 inches. Sleeve length from cuff to underarm is 11 inches.

BODY

Using US 5 needles, cast on 114 stitches. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches. Place a marker to show the beginning of the round.

Work ribbing as follows. Knit 2 stitches, then purl 2 stitches. Repeat this all the way around. Continue this knit 2 purl 2 ribbing for 1.5 inches.

Switch to US 7 needles and knit every round in stockinette stitch until the body measures 9 inches from the cast on edge.

Next, set up for the raglan join as follows. Knit 57 stitches for the front, place a marker, knit 57 stitches for the back. You now have two sections marked off.

Bind off 4 stitches at each side seam marker for the underarms. You will bind off 2 stitches before and 2 stitches after each marker. Set the body aside with 53 stitches each for the front and back, and 106 stitches total on a holder or spare needle.

SLEEVES, MAKE TWO

Using US 5 needles, cast on 32 stitches. Join to work in the round and place a marker.

Work knit 2 purl 2 ribbing for 1.5 inches.

Switch to US 7 needles and begin sleeve shaping. Knit one round. Then increase as follows. Knit 1, M1R, knit to last stitch, M1L, knit 1. This adds 2 stitches.

Repeat this increase round every 8th round until you have 48 stitches on your needle.

Continue knitting every round without increasing until the sleeve measures 11 inches from the cast on edge.

Bind off 4 stitches at the underarm, 2 stitches before and 2 stitches after the marker. You now have 44 stitches on each sleeve. Set aside on a holder.

JOINING FOR THE YOKE

Using US 7 needles and your circular needle, join all pieces in this order. Knit across 53 front body stitches, place a raglan marker, knit across 44 stitches of the first sleeve, place a raglan marker, knit across 53 back body stitches, place a raglan marker, knit across 44 stitches of the second sleeve, place a raglan marker.

You now have 194 stitches total on your needle.

RAGLAN DECREASES

Round 1 is a decrease round. Work as follows all the way around. Knit to 2 stitches before the raglan marker, K2tog, slip the marker, knit 1, SSK. Repeat this at each of the 4 raglan markers. This removes 8 stitches per decrease round.

Round 2: Knit all stitches.

Repeat these two rounds until 74 stitches remain on your needle.

NECKBAND

Switch to US 5 needles. Work knit 2 purl 2 ribbing for 1 inch. Bind off loosely in pattern.

FINISHING

Close the underarm gaps using the Kitchner Stitch, using the yarn tail and a tapestry needle. Weave in all ends. 

Block gently by soaking in cool water, pressing out the excess water in a towel, and laying flat to dry.

Red & White Houndstooth Beanie

This little red‑and‑white houndstooth beanie was such a fun project, and the free pattern from Yarnspirations made it even better. The two‑color repeat settles in quickly, and before long, the fabric turns into that sharp, classic houndstooth look that always feels stylish. The red gives it a bright, cheerful punch, while the white keeps everything crisp. It’s a simple knit with a lot of personality, and a great pick if you want something quick that still looks impressive.

Seed & Reverse Stockinette Cable Hat

I saw a hat on Facebook the other day and really liked its look, so, of course, I had to play around with the idea myself. I studied the pattern. The mix of seed stitch, soft reverse‑stockinette sections, and a simple left‑leaning cable worked together really nicely. It’s an easy knit once you get going, and the texture is great. I’m calling it the Seed & Reverse Stockinette Cable Hat, because that pretty much sums it up. I added gloves and a scarf to complete the set. 

Baby Sweater made of Arvil Raw Silk

I’ve been working on a toddler sweater in size T2, using a reddish mix of Avril Raw Silk Multi-color yarn, and have just finished it. A dear knitting friend gifted me the skeins, and it’s been "parked" in my yarn bag waiting for the right project. The colors are a mix of green, red, yellow, and a touch of blue. They shift as you knit, so every row feels a bit different. It gives the sweater a fun, playful look that feels totally unique.

It took me a couple of weeks to finish. Some parts were smooth, others a bit fiddly, but I’m happy with how it turned out. Raw silk is lovely in its own way, but it has a mind of its own. The strands like to split if you’re not careful, so I had to slow down, keep my tension steady, and sometimes loosen up the stitch just a bit to let the yarn do its thing.

The sweater itself is simply shaped, just right for a toddler. No extra frills, which lets the yarn’s natural drape stand out. I don’t think I’ll be rushing back to use this exact yarn again; it’s a bit finicky, but I’m glad I gave it a go. The texture is special, and it taught me a few things along the way.

I’ve got enough yarn left for a beanie, maybe with a pompom. I’m thinking about making a little set. If I do, I’ll try to echo the sweater’s clean lines, perhaps a ribbed edge or some color blocks to tie it all together, and maybe add a pompom.

Alpaca Merino Winter Set

A matching scarf and beanie worked in a soft, warm blend of 70% alpaca and 30% merino. The alpaca adds drape and luxurious warmth, while the merino gives structure and elasticity. 

This set is ideal for beginners building confidence or experienced knitters looking for a relaxing project. 

Scarf Stitch pattern: Garter stitch throughout

Texture: Squishy, reversible, and beginner‑friendly
Look: Soft ridges that show off the natural halo of the yarn

Beanie Construction: Worked in the round
Stitch pattern: Stockinette stitch
Look: Smooth, classic fabric with gentle stretch.