Sweet Farmhouse Country Whites

I can knit, but I am not great at it and the tension is all over the chart. So, it was a sweet deal to bring this vintage sweater home for five dollars. It's made of wool, mohair and acrylic. It is so soft and lightweight and great for a cool summer evening like tonight. Isn't this white kitten precious? More softness and beauty. White flowers make even dirty barns look beautiful...or at least I think so.
Connecting up with White Wednesday,   Katherine's Corner,  Common Ground,  and French Country Cottage

Sweet Baby Knits

This sweet sweater is darling in a 3 month old size. It's from baby Gap, I didn't knit it even though I wished I could have.

Sweater Chair Slipcovers - Recycle

A pure wool sweater gets a new life on the farm. I had the washed burlap to make slipcovers, but when I laid this thrift shop sweater 3.00 across the chair. The light bulb went on. Make a sweater slipcover!

That is what I did. The sweater was too large for me so I bought it because it was beautiful and would make quite a few mittens. Wool is warm and cozy and I'm always trying to save wool sweaters and recycle them.

Today was it's been drizzling but warm. I took the chair outside for better lighting, but then I went under the pine trees, so it was probably darker there than in the house. I just wanted to be outside enjoying the weather maybe that was it. I tucked the bottom ribbing under, but you could leave it out. I turned the sweater inside out and stitched about an inch under the arms all the way across the chest and back together. I used pinking shears to cut an inch above seam. Instant slipcover for your head, neck and shoulders. I have plenty left. Should I make wristlettes? ;-)

Now we have a bit of irish in our livingroom. I love the color of natural wool. I do not think it scratchy at all. Connemara is a beautiful area of Ireland.

The recycled sweater before picture.

My lambie giving the heads up approval.

I had all kinds of stylists taking breaks around and on the chair! This is Bravo.

Our westie ruffles and curls match the burlap on the chair. The chair is from Ikea. I washed and washed burlap earlier to make slipcovers, but now since this is a work in progress I might make the bottom cover out of burlap and add a ruffle or two or maybe pleats. Til then I am stitching away.

I am joining these friends:

Tip Me Tuesday

A Little Birdie Told Me

White Wednesday.

Stop by and look through some lovely ideas and photographs.

Wooly Dogs

Magnificent in miniature. These two terriers will steal your heart. Each one is tiny and are handmade, wool felted dogs.

Kiparoo Farms Yarn for Knitting/Crocheting

We went to Kiparoo Farms and met Annie Kelley and saw her beautiful studio. It's on a working farm of sheep and cattle. She has 150 head of sheep and if you raise sheep you know the work that involves. Annie is as petite as a clothes pin, but has more energy radiating from her than the lit White House Christmas Tree. She is a fine example of hardwork, a love for what she does and a super personality! We had such a good time there.

This is Annie's helper who lived on the farm before Annie did and now lives royally. Friendly as can be. The lacey crocheted tablecloth...gorgeous. When can we move in?

This is Annie above on the left. Her studio is in several rooms of the old farmhouse. She refinished the floors and the walls are white with high ceilings. It's decorated in her beautiful scandinavian-heritage style. Lots of bright whites and beiges with a little pink here and there.

She sells her own wool yarn from her sheep in every texture and color combination imaginable. A real bonus is that there is the actual handmade item next to each of her patterns which really sells them. Some with more than one color variation to show the possibilities. Look at these little cute purses above.

I didn't begin to capture the ambience of her shop, Kiparoo Farms, you have to experience it yourself. Then you will know what a joy it is. Her website is here.

Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival Yarns and Fibers

Saturday afternoon I did get over to the Sheep and Wool Festival...everything there was eye candy if you love sheep, llamas, angora goats, angora rabbits, fibers and yarns galore! This shawl and sweater caught my eye. Aren't they beautiful? Made from wool. The one on the right...so vintage looking, but it's brand new.

These yarn colors I just oohed and aahed over. I did buy one crochet scarf pattern. The exciting part is that some of these vendors also sell online and some on etsy! I have more pictures and will get them posted soon. When we left my head was spinning with ideas and wanting to learn new techniques.