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Four reasons to be happy. . . Squeeee!!!!!!!!

7/21/2015

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Reason #1 - My children are old enough for me to join my spouse on an occasional business trip. Like tonight, for example. Can you say "hotel spa bathtub" and "room service?"

Picturephoto courtesy of http://www.inernations.org
Reason #2 - We're taking our first whole family vacation in about 15 years. We're going to France. Wait. . . . let me say that again. . .

WE ARE GOING TO FRANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Picturephoto courtesy of The Telegraph, which is a London based newspaper. The article that accompanied this photo was written in 2012 and covers a housing slump in France that sounds like it mimicked the slump experienced in the US after 2008. Interesting. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/house-prices/9244152/France-faces-40pc-house-price-slump.html
I bought a hat to protect my very fair and burnable skin. France is HOT, humid and very sunny in the summer. The major heat wave the country experienced a couple of weeks ago seems to have let up for now, but it is not yet the hottest time of year there. I do not plan on suffering or burning. I do plan on excellent coffee and baked goods in the morning, drinking wine, canoeing down the Dordogne river with my kids, drinking wine, watching a petanque game or two, touring Notre Dame and ascending the Eiffel Tower, drinking wine, visiting open air farmers markets in Sarlat (which are fabulous), freaking my kids out in the catacombs in Paris, drinking wine, and maybe eating a little bit of bread and cheese. With wine. It's going to be fun!

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Le chapeau
Reason #3 - my freezer is FULL of beautiful and delicious berries waiting to be turned into jam when I have time. Frankly, it's really the weather that's holding me back. Knit Country has been doing it's best weather impression of Death Valley lately, and heating up the kitchen with jam making sounds like a really bad, not fun idea. I could whip out the big camping burner an do it outside, but it's a pain to get all that stuff out. Plus. . .it's hot out there. Why would I stand over heat IN the heat?  All the berries got frozen the day they were picked. They can wait.

Black and red currants---one of my husband's favorites!
Delicious Tayberries, which are the same as Loganberries, just larger with more juice
Reason #4 - I finally found a pattern company that might not hate women over size 14 as much as every other pattern company seems to.  And . . .the patterns aren't expensive. They are downloadable, and customizable.  Interested?  Check out  Lekala Sewing Patterns  here. I will admit that I haven't sewn anything from one of their patterns yet, but I plan to make a skirt before we go to France. I'll do a review when I'm done. Right now, I'm just so excited to have found them!!!!!!

This last reason is a pretty big deal to me, as I am completely enchanted by the Handmade Wardrobe movement (well, maybe it isn't a movement yet, but it is popping up quite a bit on podcasts and in the blogosphere). I totally blame my knitting friend, Emily, from Fibre Town. Really---it's all her fault (lol). It's all good.

I'm enchanted with hand making clothing for a few reasons. First, it's sentimental. My mother and  HER mother were both professional tailors and sewing teachers. I remember our house full of fabric almost all the time. Did I appreciate it then? Absolutely not. While I wanted (and did) learn to knit and embroider, sewing clothes was seen (by stupid me) as tragic and unfashionable. I didn't know anyone who wore home sewn clothes. Fortunately, I have since pulled my head out of my ass in this regard, and deeply appreciate the skill these women posses. Luckily, they both still like me enough--despite my former unappreciative nature of  sewing-- to teach me their thready ways.

Second, handmaking one's clothes offers lots of freedom. I will not claim that it's less expensive than off the rack (because I don't think it is anymore), but I like the fact that I can choose lines and silhouettes that flatter the different parts of my body and put them together. I like that I can pick the fabrics, prints and colors I like best. Clothes shopping is often joked about as a demoralizing experience, but if you are outside the average fashion standard, it's hell. Not only is it difficult to find sizes, but the clothing is frequently proportioned incorrectly, shows little to no thought about the direction or size of patterns (e.g. - vertical stripes as opposed to horizontal stripes), and is often shapeless or misshapen.There are exceptions, of course, but not many. A shopping trip has the potential to be not only challenging from the "I need to find something to wear that I like" standpoint, but a direct and pointed attack on one's existence. Fashion hates tall people, wide people, petite people, and people with any shape.  I'm so tired of it. 

Sewing and knitting things just the way I want them makes me feel powerful----like I can change the situation from frustrating to fabulous. This is the final reason I am so enchanted with the idea of making a handmade wardrobe. Unfortunately, there are limits to what's available in the most widely available pattern resources. Just browse the plus size patterns online on McCalls, Vogue, Simplicity, etc. Not much choice. Knitting patterns have done a much better job increasing the variety of sizing available in patterns. I think this is great. I had a friend (who is a designer) tell me once that she didn't understand why people get upset about limited size ranges; maybe people should just get over it and accept that you probably shouldn't wear that garment anyway. "Some designs are not for certain people" she said. While I agree that not every style is flattering for everyone, I vehemently disagree with her attitude. Let people decide for themselves. If a design is to be mass marketed, please be as inclusive as possible. I know it takes extra work, but I know MANY people (including myself) who would be happy to pay for it.

Anyway - enough ranting except to say, this is why finding Lekala Patterns is so exciting. Armed with that and a few really good books on sewing, I feel ready to start turning my wardrobe into a true reflection of me, and that is a really good reason to say SQUEEEEE!!!!!!

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June 18th, 2015

6/18/2015

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I'm just dropping in for a quick update. I thought I'd be back with a full post a little sooner, but. . .It's been an interesting spring around Knit Country, full of extreme highs and lows. Seriously.  On the wonderful highest high side, our oldest son got married to a wonderful young woman. They are very happy, and the wedding was tons of fun! The new couple lives in Knoxville, TN. My darling daughter-in-law's family lives there too, so we traveled for the wedding. I honestly think the Smokey Mountains are one of my favorite places in the world.  I can't even begin to describe how they make me feel. The wedding was in the Tea Room at Norris Dam State Park. If you are ever looking for an event venue in Eastern TN, I highly recommend this state park's Tea Room. It was built in 1936 as part of  Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps projects as a dining hall for the workers.  It looks like a log cabin. There is a full kitchen, and a river stone fireplace, and all kinds of charm. The state park offers extremely nice, very reasonable housing close by. I could see this as a wonderful fiber retreat venue. Hmmmm.........

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 I'm not going to go into the lows, except to say that our family has been in an almost constant state of mourning for the last two months. We are finally seeing our way out of the sadness. I am so grateful for the joy we had at the wedding. Being able to draw upon those memories saw us through some large and tragic loss.

And the tulips. The tulips helped too. Skagit Valley, just to the north of us (and my birthplace) is an internationally important tulip bulb and bloom area. Many of the bulbs that come from the Netherlands (which is also known for its tulips) actually have their origins in Skagit Valley.  April is probably the biggest bloom month, and it's always beautiful. This photo only shows a very small slice of a very large and colorful flower pie. Not only are there tulips, but irises and daffodils. Walking up and down the rows of blooms is very cathartic, peaceful and comforting.


Of course, knitting, spinning, sewing and cooking all jumped in to help out.
Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn Clark. I think this is the third one I've knit. (Handspun baby camel/ silk)
A lovely pile of Shetland (a gift from my friend, Sam) getting carded for some woolen spinning.
Embroidery sampler I found in my grandmother's belongings gifted to me.


PictureMeet Jack Sparrow, the Pirate Cat. You aren't imagining things. . . He only has one eye. . .




So did the cat, although his "helpfulness" is debatable. . .

I'm grateful for the hobbies I have, and the comfort they provide. The best part is ending up with a lovely object that can be kept or shared.
Thanks for popping in. Our house really is returning to normal, and it feels good.


Happy Knitting!


Kimberly
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That does it. . .I'm coming back

5/16/2015

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Because Wordpress just doesn't meet my needs. Not that there is anything wrong with it. I just like the Weebly platform better. New posts are in the workings. In the meantime, feel free to join my facebook page, KnitCountry, or follow me on Instragram (Knit Country  again because I'm not good at catchy name creation.)

 - Kim
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Announcements

6/3/2014

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1. Jen has a new blog!!! She is SO much better than I am about showing off and talking about her ACTUAL PROJECTS than I am! You should check her blog out!!!   http://sweetlifeknits.com/

2. Slowly, but surely, things are getting done to get the podcast going. Because of plug in issues with the version of Weebly I'm using, I will be moving this blog to Wordpress. We will be FULLY active there by July 1st, however, feel free to update your feed now.  http://knitcountry.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/moving-on-over/

3. We have a new group over on Ravelry! Join us! http://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-country

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Apps and Quickies

5/19/2014

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Quickie post today! I'm working hard on being consistent!!!

1) Ellen - I owe you a set of stitch markers!! Thanks for leaving a comment. Do you prefer angels or stars?

2) The alpaca fleece is almost dry. Thank goodness for a few warm days because it's looking like rain is coming in a few minutes at the moment!!

3) I am writing final drafts for the first three episodes of the podcast!! I will be starting a Ravelry group for it this week. If you are a Rav friend, watch for your invite! If not - please join me! I am kimberlyspins.

I have discovered two iphone apps that have revolutionized my stash management. Hooooollllllyyyyy Moooollleeeeyyy!

The first app is YARMA, a 99 cent app from untested, ltd. It's like Instagram for Ravelry! Pros: app contains fun filters, links to stash and allows uploads to Flickr as well as saves the original photo on your phone memory card or camera roll. Cons: what you are photographing must already be listed in your stash in order to match the photo to it. There is no way to add stash from the app. I have a feeling that will get added in the future, but for now. . .nope. The other con is that the app only acknowledges yarn stash, not fiber. But. . .Ravelry has a good workaround for that. Just add your fiber to the yarn stash, add the photo, then convert that item to fiber stash. It's easy. The app is totally worth the 99 cents.

I am also really enjoying Stash2Go by Wurzelkraut. It grants access to patterns in Ravelry, searches for yarn stores, and a few more features. There is a free version, or the full version for under $5 ( I think it was $3.99). Adding stash can be done, although I think this could be smoother. You have to do a yarn search before you can add anything and it uses a bar code reader to do that. Meaning -  you hold your phone over the bar code and the program reads it. If the yarn is in your stash, it will turn up with no additional info. This is only going to work with commercial, widely distributed yarns, but hey - the apps have to start somewhere and I think they will evolve rapidly as they get feedback from users. The biggest benefit to this app is the access given to your uploaded stash, needles, favorites, forums, etc. in a format that is MUCH easier to read on an iphone. Stash2Go has an amazing support site which includes VIDEO on how to use its features, and comes in multiple languages. The creators seem really responsive to clients. TOTALLY WORTH THE MONEY!

Have an app you really like??? PLEASE share it!

Talk to you all soon!

Kimberly






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Sunny Days are for. . .

5/12/2014

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It's a gorgeous and warm day here in Knit Country. Truly lovely. I decided I would take advantage this awesome burst of spring and wash that very last alpaca fleece that I have hanging around. (I know it doesn't necessarily need to be washed before spinning but I hate spinning unwashed fiber, and dirty alpaca turns my fingers black).

I am now wet.

I am dirty.

I smell like grass.

My cats and dog are following me around sniffing my legs and they won't leave me alone!!

I am never ever ever ever washing another fleece. It sucks. I would rather pay someone else to do it.

On the other hand, if you have to wash a fleece, this is a pretty perfect day to do it. Next time, though, I'm just going to sit outside with my spinning wheel and a nice glass of iced tea.

--Kimberly



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Knitting Bucket List

4/27/2014

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There hasn't been much knitting going on for a few weeks. Unusual, but true. We had out of town visitors, I started a new volunteer position at a local community art gallery, and spring fevers have been making the rounds through our house. My daughter is the latest victim. Poor thing.

 I did manage to think about knitting quite a lot. Longingly. I came up with (sort of) a knitting/ spinning bucket list. It isn't complete, but it's a start. Hopefully, it will be useful if I ever run into knitter's block (y'know. . .like writer's block). Regardless, it was fun to create. Do you have a knitting/ crafty bucket list? List 10 items on your list in the comments by May 15th and I think we will have our first raffle. I have a beautiful little set of stich markers my mother made. Pictures later - I'm coming up with this off the cuff and wasn't prepared tonight. . .bad me.

Kimberly's Knitting/ Spinning Bucket List:

1) Knit a sweater for each of my kids (2 down, 1 to go)

2) Knit every sweater/ scarf/ pair of socks in A Fine Fleece by Lisa Lloyd

3) Take a class from Franklin Habit - any class, but especially a photography one (and get his autograph)

4) Knit at the top of the Eiffel Tower

5) Get Hannah Fettig's autograph

6) Knit a full sweater out of Elsawool

7) Buy one of every color of Lisa Souza sock yarn and knit a plethora of socks

8) Knit in front of the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and the House of Congress.

9) Knit something that could be considered artwork - a wall hanging, sculpture or the like

10) Get a spinning wheel with a large enough orifice for spinning art yarns

11) Spin art  yarn - especially with beads

12) Finally get that podcast up and going!!!!

13) Meet Meg Swanson and get her autograph too!

14) Travel to Norway and buy yarn there, while wearing my great grandfather's sweater

15) learn how to spin with a Navajo spindle

16)  Knit while sitting in Monet's garden

17) Actually complete a KAL

18) Knit 5 things off my Ravelry cue in 2014

19) Learn to steek

20) Knit a sock yarn scrap blanket (in progress, but I don't have enough sock yarn scraps yet)

21) Learn to crochet

22) learn how to design a lace shawl

23) Knit red mittens ala Little House on the Prairie

24) Knit on the ferris wheel in London

25) Completely turn over my stash within a year (possible - I don't have a ton, really)








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Whidbey Island Spin- In

4/8/2014

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Getting away once in a while is good for the soul. I gave myself a little get-away this weekend; I went to a spin-in hosted by the Whidbey Weavers Guild, in Oak Harbor, WA. The guild did an outstanding job hosting the event. There were interesting vendors, plenty of coffee, and about 200 spinners. Even the weather cooperated. It was just chilly enough to make being inside desirable, and pretty enough to make the drive up to Whidbey enjoyable.
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If you aren't familiar with Washington State, Whidbey Island is the 4th largest island in the continental United States. It forms the boundary between Puget Sound and the Straits of Juan de Fuca, which go up into British Columbia, Canada. Eventually, the Straits become the Salish Sea, then the outlet to the Pacific Ocean on the northern BC coast into Alaska.

There are two ways to get onto Whidbey Island from where I live: ferry boat or a drive through Skagit Valley to Deception Pass, through Fidalgo Bay, then onto  Whidbey. I chose to drive up, and take the ferry home.  It is an absolutely stunning trip along WA Hwy 20 W this time of year. Tulip season is just starting; it was uplifting to see the start of acres and acres of red, yellow, pink and white as I drove toward Deception Pass. I was born in Mt. Vernon, one of the largest "cities" there, so it also feels sort of like going home every time I go there. I didn't stop for pictures of the flowers, but will return in two weeks just for that. You have to see them. You really do.
Deception Pass (pictured above) was beautiful in its own way. The water was turquoise colored and nearly see through, believe it or not. The pass is known as "Deception" pass because it's such a narrow channel through Skagit Bay that George Vancouver (1792 expedition) thought Whidbey was a peninsula instead of an island. If you like camping, there are lots of campgrounds in this area. Most of it is state park. The beaches are worth a visit, and the fishing is good.


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Once I made it to the spin-in on Saturday, I found these lovely ladies. From left to right - Jen (also of Knit Country), Barb, and Christina. We had a blast spinning and chatting with each other, and with Corky, who (unfortunately) managed to escape my camera every time I aimed in her direction. All of us hit the vendors, but I was firmly told that "what happens at Whidbey stays at Whidbey" so. . . .I'll 'fess up and admit I bought soap and more than just a little fiber.  The apocalypse emergency stash was feeling a little low. It needed (ahem) feeding. Kinda like sourdough starter. . .yeah. . .It has to be fed once in a while or, eventually, nothing can be done with it.


The vendors were awesome. All local folks. I love that. I love meeting the people my money is going to. I love supporting small businesses. I love to hear people's stories.

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Like the story of this family, who own Olympic Spinning Wheels - Gary, Amy and Rebekah Peterson (I think this is Rebekah in the photo). These people are so incredibly nice it's crazy, and the work they do is simply amazing. Gary is an artist from Alaska, transplanted to Washington. The story of how he got started is told well on their website, so I'm not going to retell it here, but PLEASE GO VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AND LOOK AT ALL THE FABULOUS SPINNING WHEELS!!!!!!  I definitely have one on my bucket list. I want something  very First Peoples/ Pacific Northwest Tribal looking.

http://www.olympicspinningwheels.com

Here are some more photos of some of the wheels I saw at the spin-in. The website has more. Each one is unique because it is a collaboration between the artist and the client. I want one of these so bad.. . .

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Here is a photo of the man himself, the carver of that beautiful swan (and by the way - those rocks on the wheel are painted, not real stone. I had to touch it to be sure. Gary has realism down), the rooster, and Henry the Dragon ( who is reading a book on knitting for dragons).


He could be justifiably braggy about his craftsmanship and product here, but I am telling you - I chatted with him for about 15 minutes and he is incredibly humble. It was a privilege to chat and get a chance to touch these wheels. They are good spinners, too. The set up looks similar to a pocket wheel, but the maidenhead doesn't look like it's quite as high, which I like. I like to see the fiber going on to the bobbin, at least a little bit. <sigh>.

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Sunday, Sarah Anderson did a workshop on spinning beehives and cocoons onto fat singles yarn. I loved it. I loved the talk she gave on Saturday, too. It was about "makers," who are people who feel compelled to make things. Might not always be art - could be whatever, but the compulsion to fiddle with things, engage in multiple projects, and explore is irrepressible in a maker. Sarah's theory is that makers are born, not raised. I think I agree.

Anyway - my attempts at beehives and cocoons were okay. It's a technique that requires practice, but that's fine. It was fun.

I was beat, but extremely satisfied and happy at the end of the weekend. I feel like my creative energies have been a little restored.  I also spent a couple of hours visiting with a friend who lives on the island, so I got an extra treat! The weather on Sunday afternoon was overcast, but warmish, which made a walk around the town of Langley on the south end of Whidbey almost mandatory.


 I heard from one of the shopkeepers that some whales had swum through in the morning. Sometimes they swim back in the evening, but I didn't get lucky enough to see any.  Maybe next time.


 - Kimberly
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Throwback Thursday and Thank you!

4/3/2014

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First, the thank you. Although there weren't many comments posted to the blog, I did receive an incredible amount of truly useful input on repair solutions for my great grandfather's sweater. Knitters, you are amazing people. Thank you for the generosity of the time you spent thinking about this sweater, and offering what you could for its preservation. I received an offer to do the repairs from an amazing knitter for whom stranded work is a profession and a passion (I don't want to blow her cover, as I didn't ask her permission to post her name before writing this morning). Her offer has meant the world. I can do stranded knitting, and I know that the repairs are not out of line with my skill set, but she has skills beyond what I can currently do.  I am over the moon, and there will never be a way to thank her that reflects how grateful I am.
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It's probably going to push this blog an icky step toward sickly sweet, but I thought I'd share one more treasure with you. This sweater is also from Grandma's closet. She knit it when she was a girl. It is Norwegian wool with a tiny bit of something mohair-esque in it.The fabric is very firm (did everyone knit with a freakishly tight gauge then?) with no sign of any kind of damage. The buttons appear to be resin. This would have been knit in the late 1930's - very early 40's. Grandma married my grandpa in 1944 so the late 1930's is more likely. My grandmother was so tiny! I think the sweater would fit a 10 year old these days.

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I'm glad Grams put a note in with this sweater. Aunt Tina's full name was Berenthine Amanda Aase. She was Great Grandma's sister and also from Egersund, Rogaland, Norway. I can't help but wonder if Grams worked on this sweater while Great Grams knit Great Grandpa's?

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Here she is today. Still beautiful!





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It's nice to put a face with a knitted piece.Here is Grams. She is 94 now. We used to have a great time doing crafty things together. I learned how to knit washcloths from her when I was 13.

Have a great weekend, everyone! If YOU have a knitted treasure somewhere, we'd love to hear about it!


Kimberly
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Help! Vintage Sweater Repair Advice Needed!!

3/28/2014

3 Comments

 
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This is my great grandfather, Martin Theodore Martinsen, from Stapnes, Egersund, Rogaland, Norway. I have such great memories of him. I remember him laughing and smiling and playing with all of us great grandkids (there were a lot of us). He always had a silver dollar in his pocket ---one for each kid. I still have every single one he ever gave me.

He passed away in 1977, when I was almost 11. It was the first experience with the death of a family member that I had, and I remember it vividly. My  father and my grandmother got into an argument because grandma didn't think I should come to the funeral and my father believed that I should be give the opportunity to say goodbye. In the end, I was given the choice, and I chose to go. I'm glad I did. I loved him so very much.

The other day, my mother pulled another memory of Great Grandpa out of the closet - a handknit sweater that I remember him wearing practically every time I saw him. My mother remembers him wearing it when she was a child as well (and she wasn't even married into the family at that point -but it was a small farming community so everyone pretty much knew everyone else.)

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Isn't it stunning?

 I don't know much about it other than it was handknit.

 My Great Grandma Martinsen knit, but I never heard stories about her making anything like this--mostly just boot socks. I come from farmer and fisherman stock. There was a lot of boot wearing in my family. My father says it is still pretty likely that she knit this sweater. Dad can't 

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remember much, but he does recall  sitting with Great Grams while she knit very clearly . She was his go to person when he was sad or upset or just wanted a cookie. She even taught him to knit too.  Anyway - enough with the family stories. I need your attention on the sweater because I need help with it.

First - Check out the pewter button! 
There are neat leather patches on the elbows, too!

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See the beautiful tension on the inside? I wish I could strand knit like that. Yes - this sweater really is handknit - probably circa 1940's or earlier. Anyone who could really tell me doesn't have much of a memory anymore. It's sad.
Anyway - to get to the point, this sweater has some pretty significant damage to it and I would really like to fix it if I can.  I need help, though. I'm not sure where to find the right kind of wool (I'm pretty sure the wool came from Norway) or the best way to begin repairs. The gauge is about 5 stitches to 2.5cm (1 inch) and the hand of the fabric is firm. The sweater needs cleaning, and I think that it needs to washed with the same methods an archivist might use and I......just need advice.  Here are some photos of the damage:

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If you have ANY ideas, resource links, or anything else you think might help, please leave me a comment or email me directly at knitcountry@gmail.com.


I'm anxious to preserve this family heirloom.


Thanks in advance,

Kimberly

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    About the Author

    Kimberly is a longtime knitter, spinner, sewist, and generally crafty person. She resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, where sweaters are a good thing year round, knitting in public is normal and handknit socks with sandals are considered (almost) fashionable.

    Kim can be found on Ravelry as TeaselKnits, and on Instagram as Knit Country.

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