Oh for the history of this sweater....... I *absolutely* HAD to finish this sweater that I started a LONG time ago. Too many times I almost frogged it and then I remembered where the fiber came from :-) The black yarn is a blend of my girlfriends Llama and one of our original Icelandic breeding ewes (since deceased). The memories I have of those animals still make me smile :-) The ladder pattern is made of angora----again from one of the Angora rabbits the kids used to play with. It's funny how memories can keep you going!!

They're done!! I completed my fair isle gauntlet mitts in 4 days flat..... which is a HUGE accomplishment for me haha :-) It was such a simple pattern, I think I'll make some for my 'lil sister. I used the following fibers: Gray mohair, white mohair, French Angora rabbit, black Icelandic ewe. They're WICKED warm and too comfortable. I may shorten up the gauntlet if I make a pair for someone else, but I like the long ribbed gauntlet-----I typically wear a wool sweater outside, so the big mitts really keep my arms/hands warm.

Sean's hoodie is pissing me off again...... it's working its way back to the bottom of my knitting basket. The entire sweater is complete, however, I purchased the wrong zipper for the front so now it's just sitting up in the loft on my sewing machine. We're snowed in right now, so FAT CHANCE of me making it to the store for a new zipper anytime soon...... that's what happens when you take 4 kids to the sewing shop (I couldn't concentrate for ANYTHING). I started this sweater a heckuva long time ago (and have since lost the pattern) so I'm kinda makin' it up as I go. I'm not overly pleased with the ribbing around the hood, but it'll work. The darn thing is curling so bad at the front opening, I'm not sure if the zipper is going to look right..... RIBBIT, RIBBIT.... I hear a frog.

Awwwwrighty then!!!! I've decided to get a little more organized with my projects (haha)..... Ravelry has some AWESOME tools for 'knitting project management'. I'm really getting into it---right down to joining some GITTERDONE kinda group contests :-) Let's hope it helps. At any rate, here is a sneak preview of some of my 2010 projects:

In addition, I'll FINALLY be knitting the following items: Daddy's sweater, Dale of Norway headbands, Lana Grossa felted slippers, Scarf/Hat for mom, and Lyndsay's 4H project. Yeah.... ok, I'm starting to believe I'll finish these by the end of 2010. All of these projects are part of the 10 in 2010 Ravelry Group I joined. OHHHH..... the best laid plans :-)

OK..... anyone who knows me, KNOWS that I LOVE A&F. If I were younger, and had fewer wrinkles, I'd work there. Ryan and I decided to brave the crowds on Black Friday and pay A&F a visit.



We were greeted by 2 hip looking young adults as we entered the store. We were 'Oh So Focused' on finding a sweatshirt for Ryan when out of the corner of my eye I spy this MAGNIFICENT sweater vest. All hopes for Ryan's sweatshirt went out the window as I tripped over myself getting to the NEW FIND. Where's my camera when I need it??? I really didn't need the camera, as the sweater was so basic. Stockinette stitch in fat handspun singles..... high, thick-ribbed collar.... no finishing on the sleeves or waste. This sweater had to take all of 1 hour to make. The price tag?? $140.00 US.
HELLO..... ANYBODY IN THERE???

I'm off to the races. I came home and immediately dug thro' my roving stash. Staring me in the face was that crappy ole light gray Shitland..... I mean Shetland. Now, I have nothing against Shetland wool, however, this particular roving I purchased (years ago) was processed VERY poorly. Nonetheless, this roving would do the trick. I spun about 4 oz. and it was so much fun :-) All lumpy and imperfect!! I'll re-create that A&F sweater vest !!

I bought some beautiful Merino variegated roving from the Blackhawk Spin In this year and decided to use it for Lyndsay's sweater. Yes, I spun another 2-ply bulk yarn. Knitting goes much quicker for me with bulk yarns (too many sweaters to make :-). I used a seed stitch pattern on the bottom and will duplicate that on the sleeves and possibly the neck. The sweater will have drop shoulders.

Finished Product

Here's a comparison of the fair isle pattern next to the actual.... I modified it a bit to suit the sweater. I used a red line as a 'separator' in order to reverse the pattern colors.

Grrrrrr....... that darn hoodie is going to find it's way back into a ball of yarn !! I started it about a year ago and lost the pattern. All I have left to finish is one sleeve and some ribbing.... easy enuff, right? WELL..... I began knitting from the cuff up and screwed the whole thing up. I stuffed it back into my knitting stash and that's where it's going to stay until I can stand to look at it again.


On a brighter note, I've finished Ryan's sweater and he was able to wear it to his ice skating get together (he looked handsome for Hannah). It's such a simple pattern and that's exactly what I need right now. I'm 'cyphering' out how to use the same pattern for Lyndsay but on a bigger needle with thicker yarn . I spun some oversize variegated wool top-----wool top, what's with that?? What kind of wool?? Nope, doesn't say what kind of sheep, only that it's WOOL TOP. Alrighty then, it's just an amalgamation of wool that's had the holy crap processed out of it ?? At any rate, I'm going to do the same reverse fair isle with a snowflake pattern. I'm just a little concerned about the bulk of it all.... that bulk yarn can make some sweaters look sloppy. I spun up some bulk Icelandic Lopi from one of my older sheep to go along with the WOOL TOP :-) Call me anal, I like to know the breed of animal I'm spinning :-)