Knitting is like riding a bicycle...

...once you master the skill, you never really forget it.

Nearly a decade ago, on a weekend trip, I bought two 50gm balls of luxurious alpaca wool in this beautiful lilac colour with the intention of knitting a pair of socks. Over the years, I never got around to making them, yet the wool patiently waited.

Knitting always brings back sweet memories and connects me to my past. It's been years and years since I really knitted, but every now and then, I feel the urge to pick up my needles and enjoy the cosy feel of wool in my hands.

I'm not a great planner and often find it hard to stick to patterns. It makes me laugh when I encounter problems and have to unpick seems or unravel knitted pieces. I always promise myself to follow a pattern or do all the calculations before starting a new sewing or knitting adventure, but I never keep those  promises because I love making things up as I go.😀

For a long while, I had wanted to knit a vest, and finally, that urge took over me when I remembered the alpaca wool I had on hand. Even though I knew that two 50gm balls would not be enough and I would eventually have to order more, I just could not wait. I started knitting without holding off for the additional wool - and that turned out to be a mistake. By the time more wool eventually arrived, I had already knitted quite a bit. I was excited because the lot number was exactly the same as what I had bought a decade ago.

However, I soon noticed that the undertones of the colours were different. You might not see it clearly in the photo, but the old wool (the bottom ball) is more muted and warm compared to the new wool (the top ball).

It did not take me long, just an afternoon, to knit the same piece with new wool. In the end, it turned out to be a positive thing since my first piece was a bit too wide, giving me a chance to reduce the size of my vest.

I love knitting! I learned to knit when I was about nine years old and spent many years experimenting with different patterns, wool, and needles. What I love most about knitting is how forgiving and portable it is, much more so than English Paper Piecing. 😊 Larisa xo