We’ve officially hit that mid-January chapter – the one where the holiday decorations have been archived, the sky is a permanent shade of “frosted wool,” and the snow is piling up outside like an unedited manuscript. It’s the time of year when the siren call of the infinite scroll feels loudest; when it’s far too easy to let the phone become our primary narrator.
This week’s “Analogue Evening” is all about the contrast: we’re pairing the ultimate cosy winter essential with a book that feels like a concentrated dose of July. While the snow settles on the windowsills, we’re diving into the sun-drenched, “friends-to-lovers” trope of Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation. It’s a literary escape to the tropics, paired with a project that ensures when you finally do venture out into the January frost, you’re prepared for the elements.
Book Recommendation of the week
I found myself reaching for Emily Henry’s books constantly last year; they’re the ultimate “one more chapter” kind of reads. With the recent movie adaptation hitting Netflix, I knew I had to officially add this one to the recommended list.
Now, full disclosure: this has major summer book vibes. But in my defence, it also radiates a “plan your next bloody vacation already” energy, which is exactly why I’m recommending it in the middle of January. The story is a classic will-they-won’t-they romance following two best friends on their annual travel adventures. I found the characters so relatable, even if they were occasionally maddening. Like, yes, Poppy – the man who cancelled a free trip to stay home and feed you chicken soup might actually like you. Hello?!
I’m recommending this because, beyond the romance, it’s a love letter to the people who truly “get” you. We’ve all had those friendships that feel like home but also drive us slightly mad, and Henry captures that messy, beautiful dynamic perfectly. It’s the ideal January escape: warm, funny, and the perfect reminder that even if you’re stuck in the winter blues right now, a change of scenery (and a bit of romantic tension) is always just a few chapters away.
Overall book rating
Keeping me off my phone:
Craft of the week
Last week, I was all about headbands, but the temperature here has dropped so low that I finally needed a real hat. I wanted something that felt a bit more substantial but still had that high-end look. This hat is worked in a classic rib stitch, which makes it extra stretchy and cosy. It’s a very repetitive, “mindless” knit, the kind you can work on while getting lost in a good story. It’s simple, fluffy, and exactly what you need for a freezing January afternoon.
What you’ll need to know for this craft:
- Cast on & joining in the round
- Knit & Purl stitches
- Simple decreases (k2tog & p2tog)
Time and Materials
- The Yarn: You can use any yarn you like, though I recommend a wool or acrylic blend for that extra warm and comfy feeling. For these, I used Drops Nepal in Dark Ivy and Deep Ocean. I used about 2.5 balls of Nepal per hat.
- The Needles: Circular 5mm needles, with a cable length of 40cm. Additionally, you will need a tapestry needle to weave in your end and
- The Tension: 17 stitches per 10cm in stockinette stitch. Don’t worry too much about the vertical dimensions for this pattern!
The time required to finish this project will depend on the type of yarn you use (the chunkier the yarn, the faster the knit!). Using the materials described above, it took me around 5 – 6 hours per piece.
Cast on
If your tensions reach the gauge mentioned above, Cast on 96 stitches. You can use whichever cast-on method you prefer, but I usually go for the Long Tail Cast On because it creates such a neat, professional edge.
If you’re new to this method, here is a fantastic short video that explains exactly how it works:
If your preferred tension (gauge) differs from the pattern, you’ll need to adjust your starting point to ensure the story fits the frame. Use this simple formula to calculate your personalised cast-on:
The “Style Guide” Rule
For this specific narrative structure to work, your cast-on must be divisible by 8.
Once you have your result from the formula, round it to the nearest multiple of 8:
- Example A: If your result is 87, round up to 88 (the nearest “chapter” that fits the rule).
- Example B: If your result is 101, round down to 104 to keep the formatting crisp.
The Rising Action: Building the Narrative
Now that you’ve cast on, it’s time to join in the round. Place a stitch marker to note the beginning of your round. Consider this your “bookmark” so you never lose your place in the story.
Welcome to the “Groundhog Day” Chapter.
We are settling into a steady, rhythmic 2×2 Rib Stitch (Knit 2, Purl 2). You are going to keep this dialogue going until your work measures 28cm from the cast-on edge to the needles. It might feel like a long-winded subplot, but this is what gives your hat its cosy, reliable structure.
The Final Edit: Shaping the Resolution
The story is reaching its climax, and it’s time to start tightening the prose. We’ll be using our “Editorial Tools” (decreases) to bring the crown to a perfect point.
- Decreasing Round 1: From your bookmark, [Knit 2, P2tog]. Repeat this edit until you reach the marker. You’ve just trimmed the purls!
After the first decreasing round, you should be left with the following number of stitches:
In the case you started with 96 stitches like me, you’ll be left with 72 stitches on your needle.
- The Bridge: Work 3 rounds in the new rhythm: Knit 2, Purl 1.
- Decreasing Round 2: From the marker, [K2tog, P1]. Repeat until you reach the end. The plot is thickening (and the hat is shrinking).
After the second decreasing round, you should be left with the following number of stitches:
In the case you started with 96 stitches like me, you’ll be left with 48 stitches on your needle.
- The Bridge: Work 2 rounds of simple K1, P1 ribbing.
- The Final Cuts (Rounds 3 & 4): Work K2tog for both of these rounds. We’re down to the final, essential words now.
After the 3rd and 4th rounds of decreases, you will be left with the following number of stitches:
In the case you started with 96 stitches like me, you’ll be left with 12 stitches on your needle.
The Epilogue
Cut your yarn, leaving a tail for the final punctuation. Thread it through the remaining live stitches and pull it tight to close the “plot hole” at the top. Fasten the remaining thread securely on the inside, using the tapestry needle.
Congratulations! Your ear-warming manuscript is finished and ready to take out on a world tour. Look at that professional finish!
A resolution worth keeping
As you thread the final tail of yarn through the crown of your hat, think of it as the final punctuation on a perfect winter day. We may be stuck in the cold “prologue” of the year, but with a finished masterpiece in our hands and the warm, golden glow of Poppy and Alex’s adventures in our minds, the January chill feels a little less daunting.
Put down the phone, pick up your new favourite hat, and take your own “summer energy” out for a walk in the snow. Whether you’re dreaming of a villa in Tuscany or just a quiet stroll through the local park, the best stories (and the best knits) are the ones we take the time to finish.
