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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…
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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…
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2 New Gift Ideas for Baby
I’ve just added a couple more gift items for baby. I’ve put all of my handspun handknits at really good prices, much lower than I would usually need to ask for a special order. I had a great time knitting these throughout the year and got to do exactly what I wanted and love to do. If I can do that and even recover the price of the yarn I would consider myself a winner and hopefully you would too. That’s what I call a “win win” situation. Hope you enjoy the Handknit Smocked Baby Sweater and Handknit Lace Baby Sweater
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A Few of my Works in Progress
I’ve been getting TONS of requests for custom work in the last few months. Part of that is because the Custom Handknit Sweaters page managed to get to the number one position in google for any related search terms. I know that’s a good thing but I just can’t knit that fast 🙂 The Mohair Vest: I had a friend bring me a bag of various mohair yarns from a yard sale and ask me what I could do with them. It was a wonderful challenge because she knows what to wear and always looks so fabulous in everything. There was only enough for a vest so we agreed upon…
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A New Design in Progress Grace
A new design in progress – I guess that would be a DIP, right? Along with the Custom Fit Sweater for Amy Herzog and her team (beta testing) I’ve been working on a few custom orders and a new designs that I will call Grace after my Mom who just passed away last year at this time. Mom was my mentor, my soul mate, my best friend and the one who taught and inspired me to knit and be creative in so many way. She was also my biggest fan and alway gave me so much encouragement. Well, anyway, the new design is Grace. It will be an elegant but casual…
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Custom Fit -New Sweater Design Software from Amy Herzog
One of the things I really enjoyed doing this summer was beta testing an awesome new online software for sweater design. Amy Herzog a Fit and Flatter expert and sweater designer “extraordinaire” has come up with something really new and wonderful for all knitters who want a custom fit sweater without all of the math that is usually involved in designing from scratch or even customizing the fit of a purchased pattern. The software is called Custom Fit and its available online to a select few premier users right now but is expected to go live to the public some time in October. Here’s what Amy says about Custom Fit:…
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New Pattern Release “Atherton” Top Down Hoodie for Kids
I am just thrilled to be releasing the final edit of my latest knitting pattern for download. “Atherton” A Top Down No Sew Hoodie with Cable Trim for Kids This is a design that is very close to my heart. One of my own personal favorites developed over years of refining the pattern to fit well, look good and be a joy to knit. Available now as an instant download Here Also available at Craftsy Ravelry Etsy A versatile basic Hoodie Sweater Pattern to knit from the top-down all in one piece. For kids in 10 different sizes from 2T to size 16 or Adult small with about 4″…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
Simply Elegant Timeless Classics – Handspun and Handknit Luxury Heirlooms
