Project Sweater Chest

When Susan B Anderson talked about #ProjectSweaterChest I thought I want to be part of that! She was looking to make approximately 12 sweaters that she could use for everyday. Since I work from home I mostly knit sweaters for wearing around the house, to the bus stop and grocery store. I have quite a few sweater designs all worked up that fit my needs perfectly. Now about getting them photographed and published is another thing. I finally took the time today to get most of my hand knit sweaters together and photographed in the beautiful wooden chest my grandfather built for me. It has a custom stand to, but I found that if I put it up on my little table the light was much better.  Oh I love hand knits sweaters!

I am currently working on a new sweater pattern for myself. I was SO EXCITED when I was able to buy a Fat Squirrel Bag! I always try to buy one when she does the updates, but she sells out so quick! I think they are all usually sold out in 30 seconds. So I was so so excited when I got this beautiful Aran Sweater bag into my cart!  I was even more excited when I got it in person and realized that it matches the sweater I am working on right now! That was pure dumb luck!!

And not to look like an entirely selfish knitter the kids have sweaters too.

Tiny has two sweaters (Arshile the red one and Tiny's Orange Sweater) . But only one fits him. But for the record they have refused to wear my hand knits. But now they love to!!! I plan on filling their chests up with hand knits too!

Brady's gray sweater is a new pattern of mine. I'm still working out sizes and details. But in the mean time he has loved wearing it.

Do you like the boys toy boxes??? I do!!! I designed them along with my brother-in-law Nick. He built them custom for me.  I know they will be pieces the boys will have forever. Hopefully someday with some hand knit blankets that...... I have been promising them for a few years now.

And in super exciting knitting and fiber news I'm heading to Rhinebeck this weekend!!!!!!! My sister Leanne and I are going together on Saturday.  I am so excited I can't stand it.  Rhinebeck is so the prom for knitters. I love seeing everyone in their hand knits! I am going to be stalking out a lot of other bloggers, podcasters and designers! I have my shopping list together and I can't wait to be in a place with thousands of other crazy fiber loving people too! Only a few more days!!!! My sister and I are planning on joining up for the Ravelry group photo so maybe I'll see you there!!!!!!

Joining with Ginny's Yarn Along

Oh I almost forgot for reading I finished listening to the third book in the Outlander Series "Voyager". I am so obsessed and I can't wait to start the next book!

ps- If you haven't seen Susan video's of her trying on her sweaters you must go watch this one and this one.

Yarn Along

I have some fun finished items to share on the yarn along this week.

 

But first I have to say congratulations to the Ginny and her family for their newest addition!!!

God Bless your family.

 

Now onto knits. I finished my Coyote Trail.  I was hoping to get better pictures of it, but I had left my tripod in my father's car after the alpaca show and my battery was dead for my remote shutter for my camera. So I had to use my manikin instead.  I love how this turned out and I love the colors of the Fable Fiber Novel Yarn. I used Amelie and Fairy Garden.

 



The pattern says you can do one, two or three repeats of the lace edging. I did two repeats.

 

I was a little worried about the lace edging, but it was such a simple edging. It was so easy to keep the pattern in my head and there were lots of check points so I didn't make any mistakes which was very nice.

 

The pattern calls for the use of like one million stitch markers. Okay maybe more like a hundred or so. I used jump rings.  I usually use jump rings for my stitch markers. I like that they are small and cheap and I can have hundreds of them and they only cost a few dollars for a set of 100.  The designer suggests cutting up straws to use as markers. So that is an option too.

 

I got some finished pictures of my Celes Shawl. I love this knit. I can't wait to get some use out of it.  I used Isager Alpaca 2. It is a blend of 50% alpaca and 50% merino.

 

 

 

 

I also can share pictures of my Antrorse Sweater. I finished this back in September, but the pattern was just released so I can share it here.

 

 

The pattern was designed by Shannon Cook.  She and Jane Richmond just published a book called Journey. I am very excited that as a gift for test knitting I got copies of all the patterns in the book and a copy of the book.  The book is available for pre-order now you can find out more info here.

 

I wanted to get better pictures and hopefully I will soon, but remember my tripod was still missing and I still didn't get a battery for the remote shutter.

 

I wanted to show off the seamless construction of the sweater. I love when I can knit a sweater in the round!

 

I used Cascade Eco Cloud yarn for this sweater. It is soooooo soft. It is a blend of merino and alpaca in natural colors. This sweater is so comfy and I am so glad that the pattern was released so I can enjoy wearing it out and about.

 

 

For my mindless knitting these days. I frogged my Kex scarf and casted on a To Infinity & Beyond Scarf. I just made that name up. I am not following a pattern I am just knitting in around over and over again and occasionally changing colors. I am using the Isager Alapca 2 for this project. I want a big long squishy scarf and I think this will be perfect. I might join the ends together to make an infinity scarf. We'll see. This is truly a mindless knit and it lives in my car and I work on it here and there completely aimlessly.

 

 

I have decided everyone is getting handmade socks from me this year for Christmas.  I have no money, but lots of sock yarn. So let the sock extravaganza begin.  But first I am making myself a pair of Simple Skyp socks. I have made these socks quite a few times before, but never for myself. I am using mystery yarn. I am not totally sure what it is. I think it might be a Miss Bab's yarn, but I'm not 100% sure.

I've also been getting a lot of spinning done. I'm hoping to use the yarn for some socks :)

 

For reading I finished listening to "The Woman in White". I really like it. The audio book was 26 hours long and it got me through the knitting of my Celes.

 

Now I'm listening to "The Dirty Life: a Memoir of Farming, Food & Love". It is the memoirs of a girl who goes from being a city girl to a farmer.

 

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along

 

 **Update**

A pattern I had test knitted was just released so I'm adding it to this post.

 

Temperate Mitts

 

I used Juniper Moon Farm Sabine yarn. It is a combination of cotton, merino and llama.

I love how quick these knitted up. I think they would make a great gift.

BTW it is extra hard to take pics of fingerless mitts without a tripod :)

 

 

 

 

Knitting

I finished my Aidez sweater vest.  I did make the sleeves for this, but because of the mild winter we are having I decided to leave the sleeves off. I have enjoyed wearing it as a vest.  I knitted it with 100% natural undyed baby alpaca yarn.  It is a nice weight yarn for this project.  It isn't too hot it is just warm enough and extremely soft.

Ravelry link- Andee's Aidez Vest

I will probably attach the sleeves next Fall when it gets cooler out.

I purchased the yarn from my parents farm Arrow Acres Farm.

I also made this Scarf of Many Uses.

I made this as a gift for my cousin who is expecting her first child in May. She is having a girl and I wanted to make her a baby sling / Hooter Hider.  But I also wanted it to be able to used as a blanket, swaddle, shawl, cowl or infinity scarf.  I think this should fit perfectly over a baby in a car seat as a little blanket.  I used a Super Fine Merino yarn that is machine washable.

Ravelry link- Andee's Scarf of Many Uses

I didn't follow a pattern to make this. I knitted rows in stockinette, then purled a row, then knitted some rows, then did some eyelets.  I changed things up as the colors changed in the yarn.  I purchased the yarn from The Mannings in PA.

For Reading I just read an article Jersey Shore Magazine did on my parents alpaca farm, Arrow Acres Farm, in their Spring 2012 issue.  The full article is available to read online. Starting on page 8, you can click the picture below to go to the link.

Also fun and noteworthy a man came to the farm last week and did a video about the alpaca farm.  My mother and sister Liz are in the video as well as the alpacas.

Click here or on the picture to watch the video.

this post is being shared with Ginny of Small Things

Yarn Along

I have had my hands full giving knitting lessons lately.  But I have snuck in a little of my own knitting on the side.  I am still working on my Aidez sweater. I am making it out of Eco Baby Yarn it is 100% baby alpaca.  It is a natural alpaca yarn that is undyed.  It is such a rewarding pattern. It doesn't take much concentration to make this sweater and I can keep most of the pattern in my head which is always a plus. I have the back panel and the front left panel done.

I also made a Simple Skyp Sock out of the Eco Baby Alpaca yarn. One of my students wanted to make a sock, so I had to freshen up my sock making skills.  I do like this sock. Now I just have to make a second to match. 

I am joining along with Ginny from Small Things

Also be sure to check out our farm's Blog with Leanne's post.  I will be at the farm (Arrow Acres Farm) today from 10:00 - 6:00.  If you are in the area swing by and meet the alpacas!