Well, I finished a ton of projects last week. It was really kinda crazy. This week I’m starting a new project using Quince and Co.’s new “owl” line, with 50% wool and 50% alpaca…both American grown. It’s much more tweedy and textured than their usual line. It reminds me more of Brooklyn Tweed, but doesn’t have as much “matter” to pull out of it, and you can still feel the lanolin from the sheep on it, which I like. My swatch really changed with wet blocking, so you know those yarns that you absolutely must swatch no matter what? This is one of them. Not only did blocking change the measurement, but the yarn behaves a bit differently after washing. It fluffs up quite a bit, but not in a fuzzy way. It’s really hard to explain.
Anyway, this will be a pullover sweater. It will have a circular yoke with some textural/bit of lace design to it. I have the design all planned out. This one really needed to be bottom up, and I’ve never, ever done a bottom up one before, so I’m a little nervous. I feel so committed in my design, and not able to fly by the seat of my pants like I usually do in top-down design. I really, really hope my math is correct.
I don’t have a name for this design at all. I’m calling it the “owl sweater” even though it’s not Kate Davis’ famous design. It’s just with my owl yarn. It needs its own identity. I’m working on that.
For reading, David and I are continuing to go over Farmer Boy
Let me tell you one thing, I no longer feel guilty, or wonder if I’m giving my kids too many chores. Ever. That’s for sure.
David’s eyes get big as we talk about the different events in Almanzo’s life, and he says it’s one of his favorite books ever. I would 100% love reading this book even if I weren’t reading it to a little boy. My mind is fully opened to this other time, and in awe of what work really is, and the possible lessons to teach your children. The story of how Almanzo bravely asked his dad for a nickel, and his dad gave him a long lecture on what money is and what money does, and then gave him a half dollar to do with as he wanted…I read that part to Knut when he got home from work. We both shook our heads at the wisdom that was taught.
Anyway, I’m adding this book to my “strongly recommend” list.
To close up the post, I think it’s only fair for those who have seen the Tsu Sweater week after week on this blog. My sister-in-law has a photography business, and offered to do a product photoshoot for me, since I was a little frustrated with the pictures Knut took. (No offense, Knut.) Anyway, we just did the Tsu Sweater, and I’m so happy how it turned out. I have the pattern written, but I need a few more hours to finish the grading, (my baby-sitter hasn’t gotten back to me on when she can come) and then it will spend 1-2 weeks with my tech editor. Then it will go to testers for about a month. I’m not putting out an official call for testers yet, but if you have an interest in being let know when that happens, you can send me a message via Ravelry. My user name is nerdygerdy. I just want to keep my list together, so that would be the best place to send a message for that.
Anyway, here’s a little preview:
Linking up with my friend Ginny.
Ginny says
June 19, 2013 at 1:25 pmGretchen! Every time I see a photo of you, I think–Gretchen is so beautiful! I love the sweater, and can’t wait to see what you knit up with the Owl yarn! I’ve been curious about that yarn, wondering what it’s like.
Kelly Ramstack says
June 19, 2013 at 2:27 pmYour sweater is beautiful! I’m reminded of water trickling through a small stream, winding around rocks and slipping through plants.
no spring chicken says
June 19, 2013 at 2:45 pmThe sweater IS beautiful! And I’m wiggly in my seat for you concerning the knit math. Math of any kind makes me wiggle.. 🙁
Farmer Boy. Absolutely one of our all time favorites too.
Blessings, Debbie
Andee says
June 19, 2013 at 2:54 pmI am so glad you stuck with your sweater pattern because it is amazing. I can’t wait for the pattern to be released so I can make one for myself. I just love it and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next.
Hannah@HomeBaked says
June 19, 2013 at 3:27 pmYour sweater photos turned out beautifully – well done!
Your yarn looks really interesting, I love tweedy yarns.
Farmer Boy is one of my alltime favourite books. I read the entire series on a loop because I find it so nourishing and grounding.
Sarah says
June 19, 2013 at 5:38 pmGood golly, that Tsu sweater is stunning. Really beautiful. I am still so baffled by how people can design patterns. So glad to finally see pictures of it all done.
I read Farmer Boy as a girl and was SO not into it… I think I felt like it interrupted the Laura stories that I was so grabbed by and, ewww who wants to read about a little boy when there are so many stories about the girls? That early prejudice has always left me with a (silly) bad feeling about the book, but since it was one of my husband’s favorites growing up, I have long since decided that at some point I obviously need to re-read it as an adult. I better pull it off the shelf and put it in a to-read pile so I don’t keep putting it off.
Amanda says
June 19, 2013 at 8:59 pmLovely lovely sweater. 🙂
Heidi says
June 19, 2013 at 10:34 pmThere are so many things I want to say, but I’ll try to limit my enthusiasm with a few comments:
1. Your flawless ivory skin is a beautiful match for shade of the sweater, and your eyes go perfectly.
2. I love the cut and fit.
3. The soft, vertical, chevron stripes are very modern and chic.
I’m so proud of you, Gretch!
Melissa says
June 20, 2013 at 12:09 amFarmer Boy is one of my favorites–hands down.
Not only did I grow up on a dairy farm with brothers, I also married a farmer boy. 🙂 I come from a long line of farm families.
I like what you said about no longer worrying about whether you were giving your kids too many chores. I often think of Almonzo and his family when I hear others disdain how hard my children work on our farm. They are by no means over-worked. 🙂
Lovely pictures of lovely you!
Mom says
June 20, 2013 at 12:23 amI think this is the sweater that you almost scrapped at one point, isn’t it? And then some very wise women convinced you to resurrect it and modify it? It has really turned out beautifully, and of course no one would ever know that the model is mother to 5 kids! 🙂
Dahle says
June 20, 2013 at 3:17 amI love that book too! I have read it with my daughters and can’t wait to read it to my sons.
Debbie says
June 20, 2013 at 12:33 pmI love that sweater, the patterning is lovely. I have a set of Little House books, including Farmer Boy that I have never got around to reading. You’ve inspired me to start!
elizabeth says
June 20, 2013 at 4:14 pmHow very lovely! The colour, pattern and shape of it are so pleasing!
bookworm-Mary says
June 20, 2013 at 4:53 pmI remember reading Farmer Boy when I was younger, as I was very keen on the Little House books. Thank you for the flash-back to my childhood, and the reminder that certain books can be great for all ages. 🙂