Hi Everyone!
It’s another cold snowy morning here in Minnesota.
As I sit here at the computer, I think about how this view has changed in the last 2 months.
I love the changes in the season, which is why you are getting so many winter pictures right now. By February, all you will be hearing from me is complaints about the long winter. But for now, I am enjoying the winter wonderland.
As you can see from the railing, we got another 6-8″ last night. School is canceled again. Last week, we had enough of a storm to cancel school for 2 days, so that makes for lots of happy kids.
There is also someone else that is happy about the snow . . . Daisy.
The snow is so deep, that she has to hop through the snow like a bunny.
With all this bad weather, I am happy to be working from home, all tucked in where it is nice and warm. It just doesn’t seem to be worth it to go out into the weather if I don’t have to. With all my Christmas gifts pretty much ready to go and shopping done, I have been focusing on finishing other things around here – and possibly starting a few new things too. I’ve been doing some quilting and more decorating, but I think for today I will show you a few knitting things I have finished. As you can see from the first pictures, I finished this sweater a little while ago – before the snow anyways. That tells you how long it’s been since I’ve done a knitting post!
Details: Mountain View Cardigan
Designed by: Connie Change Chinchio of Physics Knits
Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted Linen
Ravelry link here
Speaking of yarn, I had a little trouble with pooling. It’s my own fault for not rotating the skeins properly throughout the project. You can totally see it in this shot, right under the waist band.
I wanted to be sure to mention this for the knitters out there who don’t know that hand-dyed yarns require a special technique. It doesn’t say so on the skein, so I didn’t know about it until I happened to mention my problems to a knitting friend. She said you need to work with two skeins at once, using a different skein on every other right side row. I have since gone in and done some hand painting on this sweater to minimize the look of that band and I think it worked well enough that I can still wear it.
The reason I selected this pattern, was that I just loved this detail on the back
and this cute detail on the sleeves.
The whole project was fast and relatively easy.
My next project is another fast and super easy one. I actually started it last winter, so all I had to do was finish up half of the sleeves and sew the body together.
The self stripping yarn really does all the work for you.
The back is exactly the same as the front.
This pattern just requires knitting four rectangles, then sewing them together. See, I told you it was easy! It’s a great beginner project.
Yarn: Boku by Plymouth Yarns
Pattern: Klaralund by by Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton
Ravelry link here
That’s it for now. I better get back to work and finish up this quilt that I want to show you next.
Trends and Traditions 
I love your sweaters, and on you they look gorgeous!! makes me want to knit…never tried knitting a sweater, for some reason following recipes doesn’t entice me…I like to create…this simple pattern you showed gave some ideas!!
Thanks for sharing!
Ilona
I’ve got so many projects going, but would really love to learn to knit. It must be a ‘bug’ cause I can just imagine the feel of the yarn & the click of the needles. I don’t see the problem with the sweater. Is it not suppose to have those ribs in front?
The snow is beautiful. All we got here was a little sleet, but that was enough for an early school day out yesterday. The south just can’t handle that kinda stuff. Today was in high 50’s.
love the sweater and glad that snow is yours
Heather – I have a question. Someone told me that they don’t think the 108 inch wide fabrics are as high quality as the 44 inch wide ones. I have seen some Henry Glass fabrics that are 108, and I’m wondering if you know if there is any difference in quality between the 44 inch wide and the 108 inch wide.
Thanks!
I love that you share the seasons on your blog since we don’t really have any here! Love the sweaters too….someday I might have to try knitting…if I ever get all the quilts made on my list! Can’t wait to see the new quilt as well!
I am interested in your response to Diane as well. I have heard that the 108 inch fabrics (including Moda’s) have a lessor thread count. What do you think? I bought a Moda 108 inch backing that matched a 44 inch just like it. I couldn’t tell the difference just by looking, but perhaps the feel of it was slightly different.
Both of your FO’s are stunning!!! You really are a wonderful knitter, everything you knit turns out so well!! I have bought myself some Knitpro knitting needles for Xmas and enough wool for 3 new knitting projects so I am trying to finish up a pair of socks and another sweater that I have been busy with since the beginning of the year. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely scenery photos with us. I live in South Africa, so dream of your lovely snowy weather. I am much more a winter type person!! 🙂
Please tell me you have a knitting machine – please! I just don’t see how anyone could knit that fast. Do you have a secret? I can do bulky and get finished but it looks like what you use is much finer.
Heather,
You are so stinkin’ gifted and talented. I love your sweaters and your photos of Daisy are awesome! 🙂
The Mountain View Cardigan is just gorgeous! I’ve marked that pattern as a favorite already, but truly, until I saw yours, I didn’t notice the details quite so much. That yarn REALLY brings them out in spite of a tiny bit of pooling~really, not bad at all. You hand painted how and with what? Interesting.
Love the simplicity with the 2nd project too. Looks like that is one to mark as well for a fast, easy, fun, no thinking one.
Knitting truly is obsessive, more so than any other craft I have ever done, and I’ve done a bunch of them! It is such a portable craft unlike most others.
Love seeing all your snow and the great views in every season from your house. Can’t wait to see more of your decorating. I think you have a disease in that area as well~so fun to watch the changes!
Love the projects you make with knitting. The colors you select look really nice on you. That is another “someday” project to learn. Right now I am so into my quilting and I have some “UFO’s” to finish. That is my goal for the new year is to get those projects done!!! Have a great holiday with your family.
Love the sweaters and the yarn. That’s something I will have to learn in another life. have a lovely Christmas.
Great pictures! I don’t miss the snow at all, since my move from NW Indiana to Texas 18 months ago!
Your sweaters are lovely!
Daisy is clearly having a blast! Love that dog. I’m envious of your knitting. I really love your cardigan. So glad to see your beautiful home is back to looking lovely. The stonework on the fireplace looks terrific. Have a wonderful Christmas!
LOVE the one with the self striped yarn. And I love the winter wonderland as well. We don’t get as much snow in Chicago, but we have a good share. Merry Christmas!
WOW! You knit so amazingly. I wish I could knit. You must have a lot of sweaters. I love to look at the sweaters you make. I love your fabrics and patterns too. Merry Christmas!
I loved the sweater so much, I rushed to the internet to buy the book and the yarn. ( the Klaralund) I like knitting and your finished items are so inspiring. But I love the fact that it is only squares. Maybe I will finally finish one.
Thanks for your blog. I still love your patterns and books. You are my favorite designer.