June 2025 – trains, tans & tiny stripes

Work came at me like a runaway skein this month, so we did the only sensible thing you can do when you’re stressed and legged it to the south of France for ten days. Travelling by train with a two-year-old might sound like a stress-sweat nightmare, but it actually turned out to be the loveliest exercise in seeing the world through tiny eyes. Crawling down the map from home ➜ London ➜ Paris ➜ Avignon, felt gloriously old-school, and every croissant was treated as culinary high art by the toddler. A win.

Back home, I laced up for a charity walk with one of our clients: trekking the length of the local tram network to raise money for Vicky McClure’s Our Dementia Choir. 22,000 steps, plenty of waves from the tram drivers as they passed and quite sore calves. Worth every twinge.

There were the customary bookshop mooches, and since coming back from holiday (perhaps in large part due to how HOT it was both on holiday and at home since we’ve been back) my little boy cannot stay out of water. Swimming pool, paddling pool, bath – you name it, he’s in it! So we’ve started weekly swimming sessions, which are a comforting weekly ritual for us that I’m really appreciating right now. I also had a second wedding-dress try on (fifteen gowns, one very strong contender…eek!), so June has felt busy in the best kind of way.

Finished Objects

None. Zip. Zilch. Most of my projects are pure wool, and I was not about to drag a lap-full of merino into 35 °C Provence.

WIPs

No change here…

Martin Sweater by Lamana – still rolling for Dad. I had to frog two inches of sleeve because Knitting for Olive Merino grows so much when blocked, but we’re back on track. Thankfully I know how long it needs to be now, so the second sleeve will go by a lot quicker. Then it’s just finishing off the body and I’m done! (Yes, I’m that person who has to try and finish the sleeves before the body, or the whole sweater will sit dormant for literally months.)

Market Bag by Davina Choy – parked. Missed the holiday deadline, so it can wait until I’ve cleared a sweater or two.

Chantal Sweater by Moreca Knit – I’m making great progress! I’ve done the saddle shoulder construction and have joined in the round for the body now, so it’s become more of a mindless knit for me. Great for an evening in front of the TV.

Lyon Sweater Junior by PetiteKnit – this cotton striped beauty made it to France and back with me. The body is flying along, I’m finding the colour changes are so addictive.

Yarn acquisitions

Holding the line! I almost spent my birthday gift card on some Woolfolk Flette for the Penny Tote by Moreca Knit, but I resisted. (Ask me again next month.)

Patterns I’m eyeing up

Ooh there’s so much good knitwear coming out right now!

• Amy Top by Mochi Knits– I bought this perfectly constructed masterpiece faster than you can say “just one more skein”.
• Casual Top by NakedKnit – this looks so classic and exactly the type of thing I would wear over a dress, with a skirt or jeans. What a versatile piece!
• Odd Row Arches Sweater – because I fall asleep thinking about that shoulder detail.
• My Favourite Things Knitwear Dress No. 1 – the dream dress if I ever commit to that many metres of stockinette.

Notions I’m not loving

Note the change on this month’s section. And for good reason. My ancient row counters (veterans of 2011) are finally giving up, the numbers worn off, the clicker gets jammed. I’m eyeing up the wearable ones but can’t decide if they’re clever or gimmicky. Let me know if you have any recommendations, I’m in the market as it were.

What I’m watching

I watched Khaddi’s Knits first podcast recently and love her immediately, as do quite a lot of people! Khaddi is very relatable, down to earth and I love her style. Her first podcast is full of beautiful patterns that I would 100% make myself – it’s always a comfort to stumble upon someone with such similar tastes. I’m so pleased to see it’s not taken Khaddi long to upload a second video all about summer knits. I’m an instant subscriber and I love her!

What I’m listening to

I’ve actually been listening to audiobooks for the first time in ages, and making decent progress rather than just starting and DNFing. My reading streak started with I May Be Wrong by Bjorn Natthiko Lindeblad – an inspiring read on being open to different perspectives, Lindeblad speaks about not ruminating over the little things, knowing that there are things outside of your control and accepting life’s uncertainties. These are all subjects people talk about all the time, but something about his take on this got through to me in a way that it never has before. And as a mum who’s arguably never been plagued with more self-doubt than in this period of my life, I found this book such an affirmation. Very few books have such an immediate impact on my approach, but this one most certainly has.

What I’m Looking Forward To

July brings summer plans with the family, a flurry of toddler parties and – please knitting gods – at least one long-term WIP off the needles.

A Note on Life

After May’s emotional roller-coaster, June felt like a breather. Problems still popped up (when don’t they?), but sunny days and a train-window view of vineyards put everything in softer focus. Maybe it was the audiobook, maybe I’m just done with drowning. Either way, I’ve clawed back enough headspace that knitting feels restorative again and not another task on the list. Does anyone else get like that? Where stuff is so full on, even their hobby can’t offer the relaxation they need?

Comfort Corner

An odd one, but my current joy is The Productivity Method Daily Planner by Grace Beverley. I picked this up a couple of months ago in an attempt to get on top of some of my thoughts. I wanted to approach my to do list a little more rationally. And it’s been working. I love the way it encourages me to prioritise and group things into quick ticks, tasks and projects. I mainly use it for work, but I also love the goal setting at the front of the planner for year, month and week. I don’t use it religiously, but on the days I do, it feels like mental decluttering with pretty stationery.

Snapshot of the month

We only had two hours before our train on our way home via Paris, but that morning my brother, my little one and I marched up the steps alongside the funicular at the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur to admire the city view it affords – knowing at that time in the morning it wouldn’t be packed with people. She looked beautiful stood atop her hill, watching over the city. It’s been years since I’ve stood in this spot, and the nostalgia totally got me.

Your turn

I hope you enjoyed this latest knitting diary. Personally I really look forward to recapping each month. How was your June? Any heatwave knitting hacks, audiobook gems or pattern rabbit holes I need on my radar? Pop me a note below!

Beth x