SpiderWomanKnits

FO: Simonne's Spring Fling Sweater

After seeing Soulemama's adorable version this sweater just had to be knit. I just knew this would be a quick, satisfying project and it was indeed. In fact, I have knit two already. The first being a cap sleeve version just like the pattern which I really wanted to share but could not get Simonne to sit still for a minute to get a picture that would do it justice! She is all over the place! The second time around was a spontaneous cast on with Lion Brand Wool-Ease that has been in my stash since before there were ever any babies in my life and I was a crocheter and not a knitter. I used up every last bit and am so glad it is not occupying any space in the stash anymore. 

Lengthening the sleeves and using washable yarn were intentional since we have a fifth season here in VT. Mud season. This one she can wear all about and wind up in as many mud puddles as she likes without me worrying/caring at all. I am really happy with the way it turned out except for the bottom which continues to roll despite me adding a "no roll" garter row. Oh well. Makes it even funnier when she's all tarred and feathered with chicken feathers and her sweater is all the way rolled up to her neck :) (Sort of, but really the knitter in me is terribly annoyed about the sweater rolling not the mud play) 

All the details are Raveled here.

All is well here. There has been lots of knitting and nesting going on. Rooms are being painted and then swapped, long overdue home repairs are being made and we are all doing our best to get ready for baby's arrival. I am just a month away now and so amazingly excited and surprisingly energized. The shop has been keeping me good and busy between it all and Greg and I are hard at work on a really exciting business plan I hope I'll be able to share with you soon. Life is hectic and sweet for us. I like that.  

 

Here's a sneak peek at the other sweater for Simonne that was knit with the most lovely and scrumptious yarn given to me and hand dyed by my friend Karin. This photo is a terrible representation of the color and gorgeousness of this yarn. Hopefully I'll get some better pictures soon. Till then OOXX and Happy Spring! 

Spring Chickens

Oh, I don't have to tell any one how wonderful this weekend was. What a literal breath of fresh air. Jorn declared it, "The best day ever!", and it sure did feel that way after a long Vermont winter. Everyone was out, chickens, cats,  bunnies, people, maple sugar-ers, and birds. I woke up this morning to the sound of birds and, well, that just really makes it feel like spring.

Some people were out walking their dogs. We all went out and walked our chickens. 

The ladies were SO happy to be out of the coop today and scratching around. 

And, of course, Hildegarde (otherwise known as sneaky chicken) had to take center stage...

I got to experience the phrase "Spring Chicken" literally today! What fun! Hope you all had a glorious weekend as well. 

Buttons!

I am knee deep in vintage buttons right now and loving it. Oh my. This weekend I came into a ginormous lot of vintage and antique buttons some dating back to the 1800's! Hand carved, Bakelite, mother of pearl, bone, celluloid, wood, leather, glass, obsidian, and none of which are represented in the photo above I might add. The list goes on and on. Some are so breathtaking you can only hold them in your hand and marvel over them wondering how long ago they were made and what project they were intended for. And each one deserves it's own photo (hence the group shot of the lot above or this post would be a mile long!). All of us are having the best time just trying to sort them. We filled up two huge bowls. It's impossible not to stick your hand in and see what you find each time you pass, then in what seems like minutes you realize an hour has passed. I bought them with the intention of putting them up in the shop but right now I just don't know if I can. I was told by the auctioneer that they came from an estate on LI of a very old woman who was a seamstress and doll maker. It really gets me thinking about stashes, whether they be yarn, fabric, buttons, etc. I mean, how many of us will leave behind our treasured collections? I must already have more yarn than I can knit in my lifetime (at least a lifetime with 3 kids and other ambitions). I have found many button lots on my treasure hunts and all have been passed up. But this one is of such high quality and uniqueness that there wasn't even a moments hesitation. I wonder if someone in the future will feel the same about the supplies I have been amassing? I really hope so. Ok. Back to the buttons! 

Time to Clean out the Coop!

I'm having a spring cleaning sale over in The Shop! I just moved a bunch of super vintage goodies over to a Spring Cleaning Section. Here's a little sneak peek...but there is something for everyone, vintage sheets, milk glass, vintage fabric, vintage handmade, the list goes on and on...drop in if you can!