August 2025 – Steam trains, sweating and slow slip-stitch sweaters

This past month slipped by in a haze of suncream, BBQ smoke and the distant choo choo of my son yelling “MALLARD” at full volume. There were paddling pools, knitting needles and pizza. It was, frankly, a lot. But overstuffing our calendars during the summer months is what we do to prepare for the hibernation that is October through to February, right?

We skipped the chaos of a big birthday party this year and took our “newly-minted” two-year-old up to the National Railway Museum in York instead. And I can honestly say, seeing his face when he clocked the “Actual Mallard” (as he calls it) in real life was one of my all-time favourite mum moments. 100% worth the trip, and one we’ll be repeating for sure.

Later in the month, we followed it up with a trip to a local Steam & Country Show, which turned out to be a little boy’s paradise: rows of old-fashioned lorries, gleaming tractors and lumbering traction engines that looked like something straight out of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He was in his element, completely grime-smudged and wide-eyed, pointing at everything with a breathless urgency. Honestly, I don’t think he’s come back down to earth since.

The heat this month has been, quiet frankly, rude. We’ve been round to friends’ houses for BBQs, children bobbing about in the paddling pool, and me perpetually trying to knit while keeping one eye on whether someone’s about to slip on a wet patio tile.

Mid-August brought blessed relief in the form of a little family trip to Norfolk. It was a chance to flee our house renovations (the kitchen is chaos, we’ve lost our home office and it’s not the best place for a toddler to roam right now). We breathed in the fresh sea air, caught a glorious steam train down at a local station (did I mention my son likes trains?) and watched cheerful holiday-makers crabbing off the Wells-next-the-Sea harbour wall.

And somehow, just like that, all the babies in our little new-mum circle are suddenly two. It’s wild. My own small boy, chattering away about fire engines and Thomas The Tank Engine and demanding “one more story!” at bedtime, feels both brand new and ancient to me. Watching all these little ones shift from babies to brash, muddy-kneed toddlers has been the gentlest (and loudest) reminder that this time is fleeting.

There are days that feel endless, of course. But right now, the pace of it and the way they grow and change and start stringing full sentences together while you’re still trying to finish your toast is enough to make me stop mid-chaos and just breathe it all in.

So quite a lot happened this month, but knitwise – what occurred?

Finished Objects

Three finishes this month, which is astonishing considering how busy we’ve been:

Market Bag by Davina Chow – I love this so much, I’ll definitely be making another for myself. And it’s my new favourite gift knit. Infinitely useful, stylish too and so easy to crush up into a ball and squeeze into the corner of your handbag. I made mine in Sandnes Garn Line in the colourway Kitt.

Lyon Sweater Junior by PetiteKnit – made for my train-loving toddler in Drops Belle, in colourways Light Beige and Moss Green. I’ve made so many merino wool sweaters for him at this point, I really wanted to make something in cotton or linen that was light and layerable enough for late summer/early autumn. The construction and detail on this mini sweater are so stunning. I can’t wait to make another.

Hans Sweater by Pernille Larson – I thought about, cast on and finished this within the month. I used Gepard Wild & Soft in the most luxurious aubergine shade. A gift knit for a friend’s baby, who’s about to turn one! I love this pattern for little ones, because it knits up so quickly, but so rewarding and always gets compliments for its timeless style.

WIPs

Chantal Sweater by Moreca Knit – My Chantal Sweater is… growing. Slowly. Note to self: never cast on two slip-stitch patterns at the same time again unless you enjoy the sensation of knitting through treacle. Lovely texture, but good grief. (Chanting to self “it will be worth it, it will be worth it”.)

Penny Tote Bag by Moreca Knit – Unintentional to have two patterns by the same designer on my needles at the same time, but I’m so excited to have cast this on. Using a combo of Gepard Garn Teddy Dear and BC Garn Lino in a gorgeous burgundy shade. I’m aiming for a proper cosy/autumnal bag situation. It’s already putting me in mind of mulled wine.

Yarn acquisitions

Nothing once again – I’m so proud! Though I will very soon by buying more merino to knit yet another Hans Sweater for a friend’s little boy…now to select the colour…

Patterns I’m eyeing up

So many amazing patterns have come out this year, I need to shut my eyes and get on with my queued WIPs. So I’ll keep it short…

• Rosie Sweater by LE KNIT – It was instant love when I saw this, and in the sample colourway too. I enjoyed working with two colours recently, so I’m ready to cast on another colourwork project soon.
• Jean Cardigan by Johanna Gehrisch – I love the light, airy design of this garment. It’s whimsical, elevated and statement all in one. A perfect layering piece for this time of year.

Quick, let’s move on before we see any more!

What I’m Looking Forward To

We’re taking a much needed week off in September, hoping to get enough down time to process everything that’s going on and finally make some decisions on the house reno. And maybe we’ll get a child-free lunch date squeezed in there too, who knows?!

A note on life

I caved to August’s classic trap: overscheduling. It’s so hard to say no when the calendar fills up with genuinely lovely things – meals out (and in), impromptu paddling pool gatherings, catch-ups with friends you’ve not seen since spring and endless family adventures. None of it’s taxing on its own. Each bit is joyfully unmissable.

But when taken altogether, it’s a lot. And not in a “oh I just need a lie down” way – more the slow-creeping, no-room-to-think way.

I know I need to get better at saying no. Or at least not saying yes quite so enthusiastically. It’s the uncomfortable guilt that always gets me – the fear of missing out, of letting someone down or regretting it later. But the truth is, what I actually need sometimes is to withdraw, even just a little, and carve out a bit of quiet time to myself to decompress.

When I do, I’m better for it. A kinder, more patient, more present Beth emerges. (And I’m far less likely to consider hiding in the bathroom for five minutes of silence.)

Comfort corner

With so much going on – renovations, travel, birthdays and an aggressive quantity of washing up – I’ve found myself stealing tiny pockets of escapism when I can. Enter: my old Nintendo Switch. I’ve been dipping in and out of Tiny Bookshop, which has transported me to a more sedentary seaside life where all I have to do is recommend and sell good books. Bliss.

Pair that with what I’m reading – Swallows by Natsuo Kirino – and it’s been a much-needed balm. A truly beautiful read about a tough subject, the ethics of which are a little close to home. This book snuck into my life right at the end of the month and I’m devouring it during my evenings right now.

Snapshot of the month

This month’s snapshot is simply Stephenson’s Rocket and one small boy, quietly in awe. A moment I’ll carry with me for a long time.

Your turn

How was your August? Did you get up to much? Manage to squeeze in any knitting? Or are you quietly waiting to pick the needles back up for the knitter’s prime hobby season – autumn?
She’s nearly here…

Beth x