Cardigans & Catching Up

Wow! It's been a while since I posted. Thank goodness for Wednesday Yarn Along day.

It's always a nice way to start my morning and post what we've been up to over here lately.

Thought I would catch up on what we're knitting and other things that have been going on around the farm compound.

First.....

My sister, Andee, just released her new pattern.

Postcard Cardigan by AndeeKF

She's a miracle worker! What talent.

I did the graphic design for the pattern layout and I was amazed that she can design patterns.

I don't have that brain. I can knit it and make the pattern look nice...but design? Nope.

Pattern Page Link Here

Postcard Cardigan

 

Andee also started a Ravelry Group Page for pattern support, KALs and fun.

So hop on over and check it out. I did the design for her banner. Glad I could help!

Now onto my knitting and reading...

I am knitting non-stop on my Goldfinch Cardigan.

It's a joy to work on and I'm determined to get it done before the warm weather arrives.

At this rate, the winter is hanging on way too long so I might just finish it in time to wear!

The pattern is the Channel Cardigan by Jared Flood.

Knitting with Beaverslide Yarn, worsted weight in Winter Wheat colorway.

That's me knitting in the coop last week.

Yellow is impossible to photograph. That's what I've decided.

 

Body is blocking....started the english rib button band collar.

 

I'm reading My Notorious Life. Based on a midwife's journal from the late 1800's in NYC.

So far it's ok....keeping my attention but not the greatest.

Onto other things....

A bit of catching up around the farm and family.

My parents were away last weekend at the National Alpaca Show.
We kept down the fort and helped with the animals.

Maggie is such a ham and likes to get very close. Hard for taking her picture!!!

A brief warm moment for some swing fun.

 

My son Garrett celebrated his 10th birthday last week. He asked for brownies to take into school.

While they were cooling he asked if he could have one. I said yes.

This is how he cut a piece for himself. So Garrett....

 

Curly head

That's it for now! Have a great week and happy knitting!

Joining in with Ginny for the weekly yarn along.

-Leanne

Spring Classes Announced

In celebration of spring, we are excited to announce our

SPRING CLASS SCHEDULE!

Now is the perfect time to learn a new skill and enjoy the warmer weather

outside at our farm!

Watch the alpacas play in the fields while you enjoy taking a class.

Classes held rain or shine (classes held in farm store if bad weather)

______

Learn to Knit!  

Mother/Daughter Class 

(or just bring a buddy!)

Session #1: Saturday May 17th & May 24th 10:00-12:00

Session #2: Saturday May 31st & June 7th 10:00-12:00

Instructor: Leanne • Fee $110 per/couple or $65/person

 For Ages 10 & Up- Class Limit is 6 people per class • Please register early to reserve your spot!

Register by emailing: Leanne

 

Includes: 4 hours of instruction (broken up into 2 sessions)
Per student: 1 set of straight needles, yarn, & written instructions

 

This class is for beginner knitters. For people with no experience or very little.

You will learn the basics of knitting. 

How to cast on, knit, purl, bind off.

 We will be making 2 cotton dishcloths with your new skills!

A perfect project for the spring and summer months. 

The skills you will learn in this class will give you all the basics of knitting

to get you going onto bigger and better projects.

We will also teach you how to make felted soap!

A perfect addition to your washcloths.

Each student will take one completed felted soap home with them.

Instructor: Liz and Leanne

________

Knitting in the Round

Have you always wanted to knit a hat on circular needles but aren't sure how to do it?

Now is the time to learn! Join us as we learn the basics of knitting in the round.

 Session #1: Saturday April 26th 10:00-1:00

Session #2: Saturday May 17th 2:00-5:00

  

Instructor: Leanne

Fee: $45 for 1 (3 hr session)

To Register please email: Leanne

Limit 6 students per class

Project: Knit a hat in the round (adult, child or infant size)

 Supplies you'll need to bring:

Size US 7 14" circular needles • Size US 7 double pointed needles (1 pack of 4 or 5)

Yarn of your choice (worsted or dk weight)

ruler, stitch markers, blunt needle and scissors

__________

Reading Charts 

Intermediate Level

You have moved past the basics of knitting and would like to knit patterns with charts.

This class is for you! I will show you how to read a chart as we knit

The Guernsey Wrap

 Session #1: Saturday April 26th 1:00-3:00 & Saturday May 10th 1:00-3:00

Session #2: Sunday May 18th 1:00-3:00 & Sunday June 1st 1:00-3:00

  

Instructor: Leanne

Fee: $65 for 2 (2 hr sessions)

To Register please email: Leanne

Limit 6 students per class

 

Class includes instruction and printed pattern.

 Supplies Needed: 

Yarn and needles appropriate for project

Recommended: Post It Notes, stitch markers, highlighter, row counter

 

_____

 

Individual Lessons

1 on 1 lessons

Learn to knit

Learn to crochet

Learn to Spin Yarn with drop spindle

 

Check out our website for more information on individual lessons.  

 

More classes will be announced soon....

 

And as always, we have beautiful yarn for sale!

 

 

Sign up now to reserve your spot!

 

Goldfinch Cardigan Yarn Along

Happy Wednesday! It's Yarn Along Day.

A day to share what you're knitting and reading these days.

I am still knitting away on my Goldfinch Cardigan.

The pattern is the Channel Cardigan by Jared Flood.

I have started the body and worked all the waist decreases and added the yarn overs for the belt loops.

Time to separate for the fronts and back. Interesting construction and a pleasure to knit.

I started listening to Sycamore Row by John Grisham on the Kindle.

I don't know why I try to listen. It's impossible. I need to read.

But I had a free audio book on the Kindle as a promotion so I tried. Nope.

Maybe some day I can listen but not with all these little people in my house.

Think I'll have to check out the library for a good book. Any recommendations?

Just read The Goldfinch (hence the name of my cardigan)

Our farm is open today, Wednesday March 5th. 

Stop on by for some yarn, socks, gloves, hats, and all alpaca goodness!!!!

Happy Knitting!

Joining in with Ginny for the Yarn Along

Color, Yarn, Winter Blahs, for Nan & GPop

I don't like to complain. I shy away from those who do.

But I'm kinda over winter. Like really over winter. I love the snow. I do.

I like the cozy days inside, I like the excuse to knit longer than usual and keep some twinkly white lights up on my mantel, I like candles being lit, I like soup, wintery food, sweaters....I do.

But I'm ready for outside. Gardens, walks to the bridge for leaf races, kids running around without frozen faces, sun, warm breezes, fishing in the pond. Watching the alpacas play in the sunshine.

I'm ready. Very ready. This winter just seems to be dragging. Perhaps it is a crazy two year old that is causing me to feel this way. Or the anticipation of windows open and birds chirping.

I don't know....I'm tired of being cold.

OK. Complaining over.

Nan, I did get your voice mail and I'm sorry I haven't called back.

Seems like I don't get a minute of silence with all these crazy great-grandsons of yours around!

So I though I would share photos from the past month.

It's a mishmosh of kids, yarn, farm stuff, etc.

This post is for my smart grandparents that winter in Florida. Smart People this winter!!!

 

New yarn in the process of being spun by my mom. I LOVE these colors!

YARN! We're carrying new yarn at the farm. Tons of gorgeous Cascade alpaca yarn along with our farm yarn, hand-dyed yarn by Liz and baby alpaca yarn.
Love it.

Snow today, but kids were going to have school on Saturday if they didn't get the day in!

I didn't take this picture of eggs. It's from a facebook post but i loved it and wanted to share it.

It made me happy. So....there ya have it.

SNOW PLOWS! Thank you kind people for making the roads passable.

 My 9 (almost 10! year old) is in his first year of playing the trumpet.
I am extremely proud of him and he seems to be a natural.
He comes from a long line of musicians and I'm excited that it's in his blood.
I too have picked up the flute again and joined a band. It feels SOOOO good to be back in a concert band...playing music....escaping for 2 hours a week.  Through the band that I am in, we had the opportunity to see the US Army Field Band and Chorus perform. I took Garrett with me and we had a wonderful time. I was blown away by the talent. It was so enjoyable.

So nice to have a break from the cold 2 weeks ago. Knitting on the coop porch was so nice.

 We threw a little surprise baby sprinkle for Lizzie.
It was great. Turtle cupcakes by my mom....

 Quinn kisses

 Lots of stripes!!!!

 Chase and Tess chilling out on the steps

 Chase wanting to be just like Dalton with his baseball gear on.

I found out this week that Jeter's breed is closest to wolf dna than any other dog breed and the oldest known domesticated dog.
I'm not surprised. We always say he's a wild animal! And we love him.
(he's a shiba inu for those of you that are wondering)

YES! SOON!

Freshly chopped firewood. Man, we've needed this!

 I made MomMom coffee cake. Yum.

 This guy is a good helper.

"working the coop"

Liz giving a spinning lesson

Wishing it wasn't so cold outside....

 More yarn for sale

Liz's hand dyed yarn

Beautiful spring colors in the coop for sale!

6 more weeks until this little baby boy's due date!!!! So excited to meet him.

And there ya have it. Random....yes. But that's life right now!!!!