flourpower

Since today is the hottest day of the year so far, I thought it would make complete sense to put on a long-sleeved wool sweater, go outside and take some pictures.  We must seize the day here in BC, because tomorrow it could be pouring rain.

I finished my middlefield pullover over the weekend, and took advantage of the warm weather and the hood of my car for a very quick wash and block.  I love being able to dry a sweater outdoors in hours as opposed to the days it seems to take inside during the winter.  This pattern was the reason why I purchased New England Knits.  I’ve been trying really hard to use the knitting resources I have on hand instead of making more impulse purchases of patterns that I end up not using.

It’s been some time since I knit a pullover as I tend to favor cardigans.  Cory says this is his favorite sweater that I have knit…and I tend to agree with him.  The color is gorgeous, it fits like a glove and it is so soft and warm.  Is it wrong to wish that we could skip over summer so I can start wearing this one right away?

• Pattern: Middlefield Pullover by Melissa LaBarre from New England Knits
• Yarn: Primo Worsted by The Plucky Knitter in Bleedin’ Armadillo Groom’s Cake, 5 skeins
• Needles: 5mm

Pepper playing peekaboo.

Potatoes growing.

Hayley the unicorn.

A three day old chick.

Almost caught up.  Almost.  If I started a pair of socks right now, I bet I could have them done by the end of April and be back on track.  (That’s not going go happen.  I’ve finally hit a groove on my latest sweater and can’t put it down.)

Classic stockinette socks.  In dk weight yarn.  Not nearly as thick as I thought they would be, if fact I think I could still wear these with most of my shoes.  I chose a colorway slightly out of my comfort zone, just to be different.  Because you can do that with socks and not regret it, in my opinion.

Pattern: basic socks from churchmouse yarns and tea
Yarn: malabrigo arroyo in archangel, 200m
Needles: 3.25 dpns

While I am behind in socks, I am ahead in sweaters.  It’s not even the end of March and I have already completed the same number as I did in 2011.  And…I have number three on the needles.

This cardigan is pretty much perfect.  It’s lightweight and goes with everything.  I have a newly acquired skein of tosh lace in cobalt that I think would make a lovely version.  Maybe later though, right now I am enjoying the speed of knitting worsted weight.

• Pattern: featherweight cardigan by hannah fettig
• Yarn: berroco ultra alpaca fine in pea soup mix, 2 skeins
• Needles: 3.5mm circs and dpns

I started them in February at least.  Finished them in March.  I appear to be a little bit behind in the self-imposed sock club.

Pattern: jaywalker by grumperina
Yarn: sweetgeorgia bfl sock in stormchaser (club colorway)
Needles: 2.25mm dpns
Goat: Aria, 2 days old

I wanted to knit something simple for a friend.  I started by choosing the yarn – a skein of tosh merino light in my stash.  in a color that suited the recipient.  The pattern was more of a challenge.  I didn’t want to do a scarf or shawl and I had already knit her a hat.  Mitts it was.  Fingerless ones for the spring.  After scouring patterns, I just the most simple ones I could find.  Colorblock handwarmers from the purl bee.  I chose to knit these in one solid color, but multicolor ones would be so much fun!

Pattern: colorblock handwarmers, free from the purl bee
Yarn: madelinetosh tosh merino light in mare
Needles: 3.25mm and 2.75mm dpns

I couldn’t pick just one!  Introducing Anna (left) and Arwen (right).  Farmer Cory is the one in the middle.

Allow me to apologize in advance for the onslaught of goat posts. Knitting will more than likely be taking a back seat while the kids are born.

Another boy and girl, named Awk, were born this morning!

This time Lucy decided to go out and chase birds. KK, though, took the opportunity to express her disdain for our guests.

You might have caught on that the girls are getting names that start with the letter A this year. We have a few up our sleeves (better than Awk, I promise. That one was not mine), but if you have any ideas please share!

The first two new arrivals of 2012 made their way into the world today!  We are off to a much better start this year with one girl, Ada, and one nameless boy.  (If you remember last year we had nine boys in a row to start off with, not exactly what you are looking for in a dairy)!

They are in the farmhouse keeping warm right now while we get the kid pen set up.  Lucy, although she was born in a barn herself, isn’t quite sure what to make of our temporary house guests.

For the other two lady cats this is old hat.  They are napping on the couch.

Fresh off the needles is the newest shawl from veera valikmai – color affection.

Rather that agonizing over what colors to use myself, I let the plucky knitter choose them for me.  I ordered the parlor games kit made up of three colors of primo fingering.  The green is my new favorite shade, I think I need to find a sweater’s worth immediately.

This shawl is very long crescent shape that is very versatile.  I seem to favor wearing it either as a scarf or a kerchief.  It will also be great in the summer draped over my shoulders, but that seems like it is still a long ways away.  I have another kit on order, so expect to see another one of these knit up in the future!

Pattern: color affection by veera valimaki
Yarn: the plucky knitter primo fingering in faded grandeur (green), elegant elephant (grey) and en vogue (pink) – 1 skein each
Needles: 4mm