-
Sunshine and Valentines
What a stunningly beautiful February day. The sun is shining like crazy and there is snow piled high on tree branches and fence rails. The birds even look happy. They flit about with joy and a spring in their step. Just 2 more days until Valentines day and the anticipated arrival of our newest little family member. We are just so excited. I’ve spent the last few weeks on custom work for a few of my customers. Becky was looking for a luxury baby gift with a difference. We decided on a hand spun Angora and silk handknit baby shrug and matching hat. I call it Whisper. I searched through…
-
It’s Winter
Winter Weather It’s often cold in Southern Ontario, Canada in winter and it does snow here but this winter has been a winter to remember. We’ve had lots of days with record breaking low temperature and snowfalls, an ice storm with power outages to tell the grandchildren about and enough snow days to keep the kids really happy. Even though we spent our life savings on propane just to stay warm, and I didn’t really enjoy having my gall bladder removed, I really have enjoyed this winter overall. It’s so pretty to look outside at all that snow. We’ve been feeding the birds and they’re just such a joy to…
-
Blarney Vest
When a customer requested a custom knit sweater vest with a round neck I quickly found out why it had to be custom-made as well as custom designed. It is surprisingly difficult to find a vest without a v neckline in ready-to-wear or even in a knitting pattern. There were a few measurements that I felt were critical to fit. I had my customer email me the finished width (1/2 circumference) of the vest as well as the desired length and finished width at shoulders. I usually suggest that if they have a sweater that fits well this is the most reliable way to get out new one to feel…
-
Slow Cloth Polwarth Socks Finished at Last
They started life as a lesson in preparing and spinning a raw fleece for worsted spun yarn. You can find that post here “Hand Spinning a Worsted Sock Yarn – Slow Cloth” so I though you might like to see the finished product. The socks are a slightly modified version of Gladysby General Hogbuffer. This pattern is available as a free Ravelry download. I had a bit of difficulty keeping the yarn consistent. This was probably because I was spinning too many other projects at the same time. I do find I can be completely consistent to the point where I can match yards per ounce in skein after skein…
-
More of my March Spinning Adventures
Meredith has just sent me a few pictures of the sweater vest she created with the last of the Mango Merino Wool and Silk that I spun up into a yarn for her. She’s amazing. When I spin for Meredith she doesn’t ask for yardage or WPI and I don’t have to match a gauge. She lets the yarn do the talking and doesn’t even decide what it will be until she’s had it in her hands for a while. This is creative freedom at it’s best. Meredith has also generously sent me a testimony for our testimonials section. Here’s what she says about the yarn and a few pictures.…
-
Finishing Jacob The Sweater my Guys Like
A few months ago I shared the pattern for the Hat my guys like and now here is the sweater that falls into that same category. With lots of input from DH, the eventual wearer of this pullover, I designed another sweater to match the one I knit him almost 30 years ago. Not only did the original sweater last for 30 years, but hardly a day went by that it was not called into service (except those hot summer days, of course) and it’s still all in one piece even if it is showing a little wear now. As you can imagine, I’ve knit him a few sweaters over…
-
More on the Spotted Fleece – Jacob
I thought it was time to post an update to “Spinning the Spotted Fleece”. The sweater now has a name. It will be called Jacob. I will probably do a pattern for it after I’ve knit it in another colour pattern for variety. I’ve had quite a few orders for handspun yarns so the knitting is coming along rather slowly. I’m at the neck shaping. We tried it on and it’s within an inch of exact measurements which makes me very happy. That can definitely be worked out with washing and blocking.
-
2 New Luxury Angora Baby Gifts
I am working really hard to get some of my special hand knits listed here on the web site and in the Etsy store. Today I got 2 more really special Angora garments listed that would be perfect for baby gifts. One for a baby boy and one for a baby girl. These are both one of a kind garments. There is no pattern available yet and I have not knit them again in any other form. Each was designed specifically for that particular special garment. They are both luxury items which would be perfect heirloom gift. Ok, enough talk, lets see the pictures! Little Boy Blue Whisper Angora and…
-
2 New Luxury Items Bison, Cashmere or Baby Alpaca
It ended up taking me far too long but I managed to get 2 new luxury items posted for sale here, on Etsy and in all of my Social Media pages as well as new projects posted in Craftsy and Ravelry. Handknit Lace Wrap Bison and Cashmere Peru Baby Alpaca – Baby Surprise Jacket in Newborn size Enough talk, here are the images 🙂
-
Little Boy Blue
Sneak Peek Angora baby sweater coming next week for sale here in the shop and on Etsy. Angora Rabbit Fiber: Spun, Dyed, and knit by hand Now Available to order One of a kind Angora rabbit baby sweater handknit in the softest and finest handspun and hand dyed angora yarn. This is definitely next to the skin soft! An original design that I created just for this cardigan so it is truely a One of a Kind (OAK) garment. The front band features 5 handmade buttons. A very special little sweater that would make a wonderful heirloom quality gift. SIZE: The sweater will fit a baby or toddler of approximately…
Simply Elegant Timeless Classics – Handspun and Handknit Luxury Heirlooms
