May 2025 – birthdays, wedding fun and wobbles

May was a real patchwork of moments. Some gentle, some absolutely gutting, some that still feel rather raw. Quite frankly I’m glad the month is over, so I can make a fresh start, but as I’m writing this blog it’s bringing all of the lovely highlights back into focus, which over the last few weeks had been overshadowed – thank goodness for the therapy of writing!

I’m going to start with the worst of it, and trigger warning: pet loss (skip the next couple of paragraphs if you don’t want to read).

At the very start of the month, we had to say goodbye to our dear cat, Otis. It was sudden, and we’re still adjusting. I no longer have to move my knitting off the sofa at the end of the night to make sure it’s all in one piece by the morning. And strangely, that’s the part I’m struggling with the most.

All those small accommodations we made for him, quiet rituals woven into our daily life for this beautiful creature (read: beloved member of the family) suddenly don’t matter. We don’t need to keep the doors ajar anymore. Or leave food out overnight. Or straighten the blankets in the corner of the sofa so he can knead them into shape and sleep. It’s in those tiny absences that my grief is living the absolute loudest, and it’s still catching me off guard weeks later.

In amongst the difficulty of adjusting, we celebrated my birthday with a BBQ at a friend’s house, and managed to carve out two weeks off together as a family, which was a mixed bag if ever there was one. Our little one got chicken pox, I managed to get two back-to-back (completely different) infections that needed antibiotics. My stomach is staging a protest. And the car decided to break down at the worst possible moment.

Yet somehow, even in the middle of the stress and the sadness, we found some lovely moments. I had my first wedding dress appointment with my mum – I maybe found the one, but there’s time to keep exploring. We then had our first proper wedding meeting at our venue, and it all suddenly feels real.

Then there were sunny evenings at friends’ houses, our son digging happily in the dirt (it’s what summer is made for). An impromptu visit to the British Motor Museum which our little one loved – it was worth the long car journey just to see his face light up at all the cars!

I started running again, I’m aiming for a 10k in July, and I’ve been quietly chuffed to find I’ve still got some pace in me since stopping pre-baby. I’m enjoying prioritising myself a little more, making time twice a week to get out for a run, on top of my weekly Sunday climbing session. Life’s starting to feel a little more balanced.

We also had a lovely day out at a National Trust property with Granny Scooter (formerly known as Granny, now upgraded thanks to us borrowing a mobility scooter for her to get around). It was another beautiful highlight – she had the time of her life, and so did we. There were catch-ups with old friends, a long-overdue lunch date with Mr Shortrounds, and another lunch out the next day with a friend. Two meals out, sans toddler, in one week. Who even am I?

So there’s May – what a month! But that’s life right? The painful, downright miserable living right alongside some of the loveliest, happiest moments. Knitting was a solace and a comfort these past few weeks, and the quiet rhythm of working on my WIPs has definitely helped keep my sanity in check!

FOs

I finished two small but mighty triumphs this month – both for my little one.

• I cast off another Hans Sweater by Pernille Larsen in Knitting for Olive Merino in Blue Whale. I love the simplicity of this raglan sweater and this colour is the perfect dusky dark blue. I have no doubt this won’t be the last one on my needles.
• I also finished the Storm Sweater Junior by PetiteKnit in Knitting for Olive Merino in Cream. Like I said last month, my plan is to knit myself the same and I have the yarn all ready to go. And there’s no motivation like knowing your son is growing faster than a hungry caterpillar in a cabbage patch, to get my own cast off and ready to wear!

Sadly no adult FOs to report, but these tiny knits felt like a lovely balm in a month that really needed it.

WIPs

The Martin Sweater by Lamana is still plodding along. Knitting fisherman’s rib, it turns out, is not so much a race as a very polite amble. It’s in Knitting for Olive Merino in Dark Ocher, and I keep reminding myself that slow and steady is the only way.

I cast on a Market Bag, aiming to get it finished in time for our holiday in mid-June. It feels good to work on something that’s both pretty and practical – two birds, one tote.

I’ve swatched the Lyon Sweater Junior by PetiteKnit in some Drops Belle in Sand and Moss Green that I had in my stash. I’m looking forward to making my little one a light, summer-friendly sweater to see us through those (fingers crossed) warm evenings.

And I’m finally going to cast on the Chantal Sweater, using up some old Knitting for Olive Merino in Morning Haze and Drops Kid Silk Mohair in Moonshine. I’d swatched it months ago, completely forgot, and rediscovered it at the bottom of a basket – the knitting equivalent of finding a fiver in an old coat pocket.

Yarn acquisitions

Still valiantly holding to the no-buy challenge – though I am going to need to grab two more skeins of Drops Kid Silk Mohair in Moonshine to finish the Chantal. And I’ve been eyeing up some Juniper Moon Farm Moonshine* in Bristlecone for a jumper or maybe the Darcy Cape I mentioned last month.

So no purchases yet, but the willpower is weakening…aaaaand I have a Loop London gift card burning a hole in my pocket as we speak.

Patterns I’m eyeing up

Three new temptations have crept onto my radar:

• Boho Style Mosaic Cardigan by Irene Lin – I spotted this on Anna Kwon‘s Instagram feed and haven’t stopped thinking about it. I’ve got enough plain cardigans in my wardrobe and in my favourites list, that this really would be something so unique, but versatile enough to get a lot of wear out of.
• Coastline Mini Dress by Ögla Knitwear Design – I’ve got the itch to knit a summer dress, and this feels more achievable than a full-length maxi. In my mind, it’s just a long jumper without sleeves – surely I can muster up the motivation to manage that? Let’s not kid ourselves that it’ll be done this summer, but if I start soon, next summer for sure!
• Lyra Tee by Irene Lin (again!)– This one found its way straight onto my list after I shared my Summer Edit. It’s light, airy and I just love the beautiful twist detail in the cuff and ribbing – this one’s definitely in my summer knitting plans.

Notions I’m loving

My ChiaoGoo TWIST Shorties are seriously coming into their own. These beauties changed the game of sleeve knitting for me when I got the blue set (small – 3.5mm to 5mm) a couple of years ago. I also invested in the red set (mini – 2mm to 3.25mm) not long ago and they too have blown my tiny knitting mind. They’re definitely an investment but 100% worth it for the kick up the bum it’s given in my knitting motivation. I wish I’d had these when I was knitting the sleeves on my cumulus tee – I nearly canned that whole project when I reached the sleeves.

I hate magic loop method and I want to poke my own eyes out when I use DPNs, so these two sets of interchangeable needles have made the process of knitting those smaller circumference projects – sleeves, baby knits, socks – so much more enjoyable. I no longer reach sleeve island with a feeling of dread. And I’m even considering making another cumulus tee…maybe.

What I’m watching

In the land of YouTube I’ve been really enjoying catching up with Helle on Danish Musings. I’ve been in the mood for more conversational, mellow content this month and Helle fits the bill for this perfectly. I love how she introduces her podcasts with quiet reflections, that go beyond knitting and sit in my soul long after I’ve finished watching.

Otherwise we’ve been glued to Last Of Us Season 2, scratching that zombie apocalypse itch me and my partner have. And I’m as surprised as you that flesh-eating monsters pair quite nicely with a meditative knitting project on the needles.

What I’m listening to

I’ve been hooked on the Wellness Scoop Podcast since it started back in January. It’s been a gentle, encouraging presence for me in a month that’s been a little too loud. I find health and wellness advice massively overwhelming, so Ella Mills (off of Deliciously Ella) and Rhiannon Lambert (a certified nutritionist advising both government and clinical trials) are a breath of fresh air, breaking things down so conversationally it doesn’t feel overfacing.

What I’m looking forward to

Our holiday in June! I can almost taste the croissants and hear the poolside knitting calling.

A note on life

Things got a bit full on in all areas of life this May, and I realised I needed to step back and prioritise looking after myself – before the wheels well and truly fell off. And you know what? It’s been working surprisingly well.

Before, it always felt like I was shoehorning in the things I enjoyed (knitting, writing, or even cooking) into an already chaotic life, so I didn’t actually enjoy them. It felt like I was ticking a self-care box just to be able to say I’d done it, not because I was present or rested enough to actually appreciate it. (Anyone else do this, or is it just me?)

This month, I’ve found some gentler ways to close the door on the things that were piling on the pressure (they can wait, rest is important too). So when I do pick up my needles, or write a post for Shortrounds, or go for a run, I’m not doing it with half a mind on the next thing I need to tick off. Instead, I’m doing it because I want to, and that small shift is making all the difference.

Comfort corner

I bought this Gisela Graham mug from a nearby National Trust property about a month ago, without realising quite how much joy it would bring to me. I love a season-appropriate mug. There’s something about sipping out of a spring-themed or winter-pine tree cup that feels symbiotic with the world outside. My goal is to have one for each season so I can rotate between them. But whenever I pick up this mug in the morning (as part of my aforementioned coffee ritual) it makes it feel that little bit more special and considered.

Snapshot of the month

Not one photo, but many, of the beautiful food I was treated to on my weekend of indulgence – two lunches out on the trot!

Your turn

How was your May? Any small wins or gentle joyful moments that kept you going? Leave me a comment below – I’d love to hear what’s been on your needles (or your mind).

Beth x

*Just so you know, some of the links in this post are affiliate links — which means if you click through and buy something, I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). It helps keep the yarn cupboard stocked and the kettle full. Thanks for supporting the blog!