Lots of Cute Fuzzy Alpacas (and their Yarn!)

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you know I had an awesome experience at Que Sera Alpaca Farm in Santa Fe. I took so many pictures, and I know I was probably annoying everyone with my multiple posts. So here, in all their glory, are the cute alpacas we met that day.

Patching a Huge Hole in Knit Socks

I knit a pair of socks for my dad every Christmas, and recently he showed me a pair from 2016 that were loved and well worn. He was planning to throw them away. GASP.

It seemed like such a waste to just throw away the socks. (I could never do that!) So I decided I'd try to patch them. I had no idea what I was getting into.

I posted the holey socks on Instagram and received so many awesome suggestions from other knitters. Many suggested traditional darning, but looking at the hole (the hole above in particular), it needed a much heftier job than that.

Softest West End Knit Cardigan Ever

Cardigans might be the best sweaters in the world. I starting knitting this one back in the winter, but I only had the opportunity to wear it once or twice before the weather warmed up. Even now, it's proving to be a great layering piece.

Also, the yarn. Looooove it. Want more.

Pattern: West End Cardigan by Hannah Fettig from Texture

Yarn: Purl Soho Flax Down in 1620 Lavender Opal 

I bought this yarn in New York last summer when Alex and I went on our annual visit to see his family. My friend Jessica and I hit up Purl Soho, and we could've stayed there all day! We totally enable each other when it comes to buying fabric and yarn; that's why I love her so much.

Epic Fail: Men's Knit Boatyard Pullover Sweater

Sometimes projects don't work out the way we think they will. That's the case with my latest sweater that I knit for Alex.

Pattern: Boatyard Pullover by Hannah Fettig from Texture
Yarn: Berroco Remix in 3972 Fern

This pattern is lovely, but I don't think the yarn I chose pairs well with it. The idea for all of Alex's sweaters is that it's a yarn we can wash in the machine, but maybe dry flat.

Magic Loop Basic Brimmed Hat Tutorial and FREE Pattern

I'm a big fan of magic loop, so when Craftsy asked me to design a magic loop hat and tutorial, I was more than ready to share my obsession with knitters who are new to the technique.

I originally started using magic loop only for socks, but then I went crazy and started using it for things like two-at-a-time sweater sleeves and even mittens. Sometimes I still pull out my trusty 16" circulars, but magic loop makes things so much easier, especially for things like hats that require multiple needle sizes and different types of needles.

Pattern: Basic Ribbed Brim Hat designed by me (FREE!) plus Magic Loop Tutorial

Yarn: Cloudborn Superwash Highland Worsted in Charcoal Heather (hat) and Graphite Heather (pompom)

Sunset Highway Knit Sweater

Wooooo! I have to admit it: when I first started drooling over this sweater, I never actually thought I'd make it. Luckily, one of my LYSs, Black Mountain Yarn Shop, hosted a knit-along starting in January. It was the perfect selfish knitting project after months of focusing on holiday gifts!

Pattern: Sunset Highway by Caitlin Hunter

Yarn: Hedgehog Fibres Sock in Shiver, Hurricane, Budgie, and Electric

More Stripey Knit Socks for Alex and Knitting in the Car

Socks are that pattern that I always have going on in the background in addition to another bigger project. Usually those socks end up going to Alex.

Recently, I went on a ladies' road trip with my friends to Hilton Head, SC, for my friend Cat's birthday. I always bring a project, but right now I'm working on a cardigan that I'll probably only get to wear one time before summer. I knew my fellow knitter Sami would be knitting on the trip, but I didn't want to bring that huge sweater with me. So I started some travel-worthy socks instead.

Pattern: I made one up! Basically a P1, K4 ribbing across the top of the foot, toe up, short row heel.
Yarn: The Fiber Seed Sprout in Acorn