Recently I found myself in need of a quick project. I chose a skein of bulky handspun yarn from my shelf and started searching for patterns on Ravelry. At some point during my search Beatrix climbed into my lap, grabbed the yarn, and asked me what the tag on the skein said. I replied, “Oh, it just says that this is bulky yarn.”
Later, I found her sitting with the skein in her lap, the attached card open in her hands. She was “reading a story” aloud. It began like this: “Once upon a time there was a bulky yarn….”
She never said what happened next (probably because I burst into laughter) but as you can see, that bulky yarn was wound into a ball, hugged a few times, and then knit up into a pair of fingerless mitts for me. The project took me all of an hour and a half or so and was just what I needed. I’m pretty sure that Beatrix had fun as well.
p.s. I am truly loving the yarn swift that I got for my birthday. I very much prefer it to my umbrella style swift whose bolts stripped out after a few uses. I am not affiliated with the shop that sells these, nor do I know the mama who owns it. However, I did meet her at our local fiber festival last fall (she wouldn’t remember me, but I didn’t forget about her handmade swifts when I was ready to buy one.) I believe she has ten kids, and she and her family run the hand dyed yarn and notions shop together. The bottom line is that I love this swift and find it so much easier to use than my old one. A perfect birthday gift it was.
p.p.s. I can’t thank you all enough for all your feedback on Seth’s post yesterday. Seth (and I) read every single comment and he was pretty darn thrilled. You made his week!
Pina says
It looks like that this yarn would be perfect for Beatrix’s shawl or hat… 🙂
Ngo Family Farm says
Heehee, too cute! I want to hear more chunky yarn stories!
-Jaime
renee ~ heirloom seasons says
How sweet Beatrix is with her little story! Now I need to go read Seth’s post…
rachel says
Oh sweet Beatrix. She reminds me of my four-year-old – who also loves helping me wind wool.
Your mitts turned out so lovely!
Mary says
Your daughter is adorable! Her imagination is amazing too 🙂
Cynthia says
Oh she is so cute! I love the fingerless mitts and the yarn! I have an unnatural love for my yarn swift so I get where you are coming from.
Kelly says
Beautiful yarn, and what a lovely “story.”
lori says
lol! i love that girl. your mitts are super cute and cozy. and my next swift is going to be that one too. thank you for the link!
Dee says
What a coincidence, I was just looking at table top swifts today! Love the mitts.
A little bit sheepish says
A super speedy project. I pull that excited face using a swift and ball winder too 🙂
Anna says
Sweet story. I am glad Seth was pleased with all of his comments. I linked up to two things on my Friday post and had so many comments on my wedding plans/decor. Its always fun when people enjoy what you have written. Esp when it takes time out of an already busy schedule!
Mary says
Sweet story and pictures – thanks for sharing…
swanski says
Cute mitts! I am all for instant gratification 🙂
Sherri says
It is so precious to see the excitement on a child’s face over yarn, the pictures are beautiful. I love your swift too, do they have a website or Etsy shop? The yarn and your mitts are so pretty too.
Ginny says
Here it is!
http://www.knittingnotionsonline.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=1
(that’s a link to the swifts)
molly says
i think that’s the best fairy tale beginning i’ve yet read.
go, beatrix!
Meryl says
I got a swift like this for Christmas this year and I love it too! It’s so handy to be able to easily take it apart and stash it away (in our piano bench, of all places) when it’s not needed.
Only In Louisiana ~ documenting the Adventures we call Life says
I love the way you captured determination and then elation when she completed the task! Great photography…I just recieved the photography book you suggest and am looking forward to reading it!
Heather says
We continued watching nuggetnoggin videos yesterday afternoon. Again thanks for more metal detecting encouragement.
I am needing a quick project as well. I have pledged to tackle my sock yarn stash this year, but they take a bit longer. I need some instant gratification.
I love when I find my kiddos reading. Perhaps her story ended in a finished pair of mitts!
Bridget says
Hi, I want to make your newborn hat with a touch of lace. But I don’t have any double-pointed needles, and I only have a long size four needle. Would it work id I used the magic loop method for the whole hat? Thanks!
Ginny says
I am sure it would, I just haven’t learned that method….
Bridget says
Thanks, and which yarn did you use? Was it pound of love?
Ginny says
It was just a random handspun merino single.
Bridget says
Ok. So sorry for all of the questions, but how do you block? Thank you!
Ginny says
No blocking necessary
Knitty Gritty Homestead says
Sweet chronicle of journey from skein to garment! Her little face is so delighted!
Dawn says
So lovely, the pictures remind of my daughter who loves using my ball winder and the stories she makes up are just magical. I love quick knits like mitts too.
Krystin Rowley says
Oh, Ginny!! I’m in a puddle over that yarn!! It’s so beautiful, and I would imagine..soft!
Your knitting talent is inspiring! It’s been a few weeks since I’ve put anything on needles, and I’m just starting with dpns, but you make a mama want to cast something on.. RIGHT NOW!
God Bless you!!
Joy says
Beautiful, beautiful yarn and the mitts look lovely too. That swift is pretty neat, although I haven’t had any trouble with my wooden umbrella style (with the wooden bolts). Love the expression on Miss Bea’s face in the center picture. 🙂
Nadja says
Love the swift! I have a picture I downloaded from google for one like it, and hope that Bret will make me on for a birthday (hm…Mother’s Day is a lot closer!…)
Love the mitts, too…I have to make some for Una, who used them a lot. She is a writer of novels, and is on the keyboard for long periods, and I do keep the house rather cool. I do love bulky yarn on occasion–when I need near-instant knitting gratification!
Louise says
Was fun to join in the commotion!
Emily T. says
That’s a really nice shade of yarn! It reminds me of pebbles in a stream.
have you made little fingerless mitts for your children?
And.. did the fabulous Miss Bea cut her hair again? I was looking at the pictures from over the weekend and wondered if she gave herself a new ‘do recently.
Tracey says
Ginny, I just wanted to say thank you ! Everytime I see a photo of one you your children it makes me smile! They are just beautiful and I am honored to be able to watch them grow.
Have a lovely day.
Maria says
I love that yarn! You don’t by any chance remember where you got it, do you?
PS I forgot to ask Seth how he could tell the difference between the top row of bullets and the bullet that was in the bottom left that he didn’t know where it was from (they all look the same to me). Also what happens to the musket ball after it’s fired to make it explode like that? Sorry if someone already asked this! There were so many comments I didn’t look to check…
Ginny says
The yarn is from The Spun Monkey
http://www.etsy.com/shop/thespunmonkey
I am hoping to sit down with Seth in the next couple of days to answer questions!