Good Morning Everyone!
Happy New Year!! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to start this new year with a renewed sense of inspiration and optimism. I thought the first 2 days of 2021 put me on the right path, Friday was full of sunshine and blue sky. Saturday I woke up to a beautiful blanket of fresh snow that created a serene, calm setting for Bernie & I to take our very early morning walk. There wasn't a soul out, not even the plows, it was peaceful and quiet, the perfect way to start the day and the year. I felt such joy watching my crazy puppy bound through the snow so full of excitement, knowing my reward would be a sleepy puppy when we got home, it worked. But while we were out it wasn't hard to immerse myself in the solitude and reflect on the promise of a new year. 2020 certainly had it's challenges, but it has helped me gain some perspective, to move forward, to learn my lessons and appreciate the little things in life which usually bring the most happiness.
What better way to start the new year than with casting on a new project or two. Of course finally completing a beautiful sweater just sweetens the deal and gives the proper permission. I posted my blocking Westland yesterday on Facebook and Instagram, thanks for all the kind words. The color combination is unusual, but one I've always loved, blue jean blue and brown, it reminds me of my favorite pair of Levi's and my cowboy boots. I cannot wait to put that sweater on, Thursday is looking promising. I was going to cast on my Birkin sweater next, but I'd been eyeballing those 2 huge hanks of fluffy Artesia leftover from Paula's special order, hmmmm wheels are turning. I took a look at the pattern support for Artesia and found a sweater paired with Ultra wool worsted, it knits up on 10.5's. If my memory serves correctly, I believe Isabell Kraemer's Il Favorito Grande is the same gauge, BINGO!! I cast on my third Favorito and this one is my favorite so far, OMG!!! The subtle colors of the Artesia paired with Oat are stunning and it's sooooo soft. I seriously cannot knit this thing fast enough, don't worry I'll be posting pictures today so you can see it. I will also have it with me in the shop so you can feel it. I cannot impress enough on you how delightful it is to strand with mohair, you are seriously missing out if you haven't made the attempt. Carrie is almost finished with a custom order cardigan using Vintage and Aerial, it feels like cashmere. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's NOT the picky mohair sweaters from the 60's I've worn one and this isn't it. Done preaching, I know I'm right.....
I am also working on a new pair of thrummed mittens, I've never done thrums before. I bought the roving over a year ago at Vermont Sheep and Wool, lovely green, gray, purplish alpaca roving. How do you think those feel on the inside? Seriously so cozy and squishy warm, like new shearling mittens. Making the thrums is a bit tedious, but Kathleen and I sat across the table (properly social distanced from each other) one evening drinking Switchback and making thrums, nice way to spend an evening. I've had to FROG it once, one of my thrums pulled out, and I decided I wanted to use more green so I could see the design. They are fun to make for the most part, and will be worth the effort as they are going to be the warmest mittens for these cold Vermont days we have coming our way.
I've had a few folks ask me about doing either a Zoom KAL or Facebook Live KAL, what do you think, and what would you like to make? I truly miss our group of knitters, especially my Wednesday evenings with everyone. I don't have a Zoom account, but would certainly get one if I thought you would be interested in seeing each other virtually. Give it some thought and let me know what you'd like to do, personally I think it would be a lot of fun. I cringe a little at having to host one of these things, but I'm guessing Andra will be helpful in giving me some advice, she's a pro at it now.
I'm going to check to see if my Westland is dry and my Favorito is screaming at me, dying to get out of the project bag, I miss her too. Make it a great day, and I hope to see you soon!
Katy