While some beings might have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, I on the other knitting hand, have had visions a chunky vest with handspun yarn for about as long as I have known how to knit. That makes it almost 9 years now!
But, I kind of imagined it for myself.
As most knitters know, family comes first, children have priority and husbands always need socks. So when I spun this yarn for my own use, it was not surprising that it seemed to be destined for something else…
Browsing patterns on Ravelry I came across this Girly Swagger Vest and with our upcoming trip to Italy in mind, a recent purchase of organic yarn and a brand new pair of birch Brittany needles size 13 (9.0 mm) in hand, my dreams turned to the stashed materials and a vest for a toddler began.
My handspun merino was plied with aran weight Organic Shetland from the UK on my Ashford Country Spinner and a single strand became a large ball.
Let the knitting begin!
A couple of days later between the daily tasks of living on a homestead the chunky vest finally takes shape…
Then the handmade buttons crafted by her grandfather and crocheted button loops created the finished vest.
Once the vest was handed over, it took off outside and it ran away. I dream of it skipping on the mountainside near Lago di Como and of course down by the lake itself. Warm, cosy and a perfect fit for a little nature lady!
At the end of the day, sleepiness sets in and play will come again another day.
Knitting with handspun yarn changes everything! It makes a handknit even more personal. You spin the thickness, you control the twist, you ply as you wish. This vest is slightly modified from the original pattern because I believe that clothes should be made to fit – no matter what your age. When you truly understand how to knit, why some wools stretch more than others and how increases and decreases take shape, then your knitting will soar to new heights.
What have you handknit, or spun lately?
About Cheryl
Oh so cute–the vest and especially the model! Yeah, once you start knitting with handspun, everything else pales in comparison.
Now, back to my wheel and my Shetland :)
Good for you, I know you knit such beautiful things! :)
The vest turned out so cute , Csermely looks so adorable in it. Hopefully you can knit one for yourself before you go to Italy.
Oh I will! I have the yarn and a pattern in mind, this winter isn’t over…yesterday was beautiful, but before we went to bed I asked Roland “Can’t you smell the cold?” – he said no, this morning there is more snow :)