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Monday, October 21, 2013

spruce trees and purple mittens











These October days dawn clear and cold, with bouts of chilly rain that keep us close to the wood stove. I've promised my children that they will each have a pair of mitts made from hand spun yarn before the snow flies, and Violet requested a purple pair. After spinning some single-ply from a batt I had on hand, I plied the singles to create a lovely two-ply perfect for the project I had in mind. 

Paired with some alpaca yarn I bought a few years ago at a market, this hand spun wool satisfies the eye in this traditional Spruce Tree stitch pattern. I've adapted a pattern from this book to fit the weight of my yarn and have neglected my housework once again to sit with my back to the wood stove, watching the rows of spruce trees grow. 






8 comments:

  1. So gorgeous. And what a beautiful gift for your children. Hopefully they won't lose one the first time they're worn! Knock on wood!

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  2. Lovely photos! Norah looks like she got caught in the act!!! Love this post......to hell with housework. It will still be there where you left it when the knitting is done.

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  3. That's the way to do it! Totally from scratch. I can't wait to see the end product.

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  4. Those mitts are GORGEOUS on their own, but to know that you also spun the yarn yourself? - AMAZING!!!! The yarn itself is dreamy. And that beautiful first photo of M? I want to scoop her up and kiss that glowing hair.

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  5. Beautiful mittens!

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  6. So pretty! And, my goodness, look how big that sweet babe is getting!
    -Jaime

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  7. priorities! I love it, beautiful, all of it. I have always wanted to learn to spin, but can't seem to find a class near me. What a gift to your children indeed, not only the end product, but to be witness to the whole process.

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  8. That is so pretty! I am just learning to spin on my great grand mother's very old wheel. I am wanting to get a new wheel though. What kind is yours? I notice it has only one foot pedal. I tried a few at a store a few weeks ago and liked the Ladybug. I love the color of your yarn.

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