Pam Alison Knits

I am feeling quite proud of myself. Throughout 2024 my knitting didn’t go quite as I wanted it to. I don’t think it would be fair to say it felt like a chore, but I got myself into a place where I would prefer not to pick it up, which is silly as I enjoyed it when I did make the time for it. Fast forward to today and knitting has once again become a pleasure, which is largely due to the fact that I took the time on New Year’s Day to start setting up my knitting nook.

I have had big plans for this corner of my living room since I moved my desk to its home near the window. I’ve been wanting a place to knit; somewhere cosy, with sufficient light to see what I’m doing, and storage for the bits and pieces I’m always reaching for. When I say that I have made a start, I have really only scraped the surface – moved toys off the armchair and relocated the things I need for my current knitting project. Phase one of the transformation, if you like. This small action, though, has had a transformative effect on my enthusiasm. I found the same thing with getting my desk set-up right – if I have somewhere to focus on a particular aspect of life, I am much more likely to make some headway. If I try to do everything sitting on the settee, I just end up lounging.

Let’s talk a bit about the elements I’ve put in place so far, starting with the armchair. This belonged to my grandparents so, like my knitting, it has been in my life forever. I find it very comfortable for even extended knitting sessions so long as I have a good cushion behind me. The ones I’m using are a short-term solution. The larger orange one travels back and forth from the settee to the chair and the smaller one with the abstract pattern lives on the chair. I’ve been looking for something that might better complement the chair’s upholstery fabric, and I wonder whether a golden yellow would work as it would also pick up the yellow accents in the tablecloth.

Arguably the most important item in the whole setup is the lamp. I have a love-hate relationship with lamps. I love the light they give, but I hate those stupid in-line switches which never, ever sit at a position where you can easily reach them to turn the lamp on and off. This one, bought years ago at Laura Ashley, has a switch just under the lampshade which makes it perfect. However, thinking of my colour scheme and given that I’m buying a new cushion, perhaps I should also think about a new lampshade.

The third thing which I’m finding very useful is having moved some of my most regularly-used notions (the little bits of paraphernalia like scissors, stitch holders, tape measures) from a zipped bag that lived in my knitting basket to a mug on the table. So easy to reach and so easy to put away again. If it’s to hand, we will use it.

I’m sure I will expand upon the plans I have for this corner in the coming weeks, but right now I think it’s time for a little catch-up on how I’m doing with my current project – The 1986.

As you can see, I’ve completed the front and this is giving me the opportunity to think of ways that I will wear the finished garment. In this first outfit idea I would pair it with my William Morris dress. On its own, the dress feels a bit like a posh frock and I’ve been searching for something to bring it down a notch. Make it the sort of outfit I’d feel comfortable wearing during the day rather than needing a formal event, if you get my drift. I like how this shade of wool picks up on the pale blues in the dress fabric.

Now that the front is done I can’t imagine why I thought I would have to modify the pattern to make the neck and armholes the right depth. I actually followed the pattern to the letter and there is plenty of space to complete the borders around the neck and armhole without things becoming cramped. This does make me wonder why the photo on the pattern looks so ungenerous. I’ve yet to decide whether I will go with the written pattern and do a simple ribbed border, or finish the edges slightly differently. One option that I’m seriously considering is a “rib and roll” edging with perhaps half an inch of ribbing and then a couple of rows of stocking stitch which naturally roll to the outside of the garment. I used that on a jumper a few years ago and I really like the finish it provides.

Well, that’s enough progress to report for today. There is research to be done into cushions and lampshades. I’d love to hear if you have special places for different hobbies, or if you have a single favourite spot to hang out and will happily tote the bits and pieces you need for your hobby to that location.