Saturday, March 11, 2017

Once a month, I guess....

Here it's March and I thought I'd better post before the month escapes me.  I finished my Firebirds!


Firebirds is a kit from Virtual Yarns.  The design is by Jade Starmore, Alice Starmore's daughter.   I love the sweater, but boy, I definitely feel I could have done better if I'd had more experience with the various techniques used.

Father type and I went into NYC to Tender Buttons to find the buttons for my sweater.  What an amazing store!





I decided to reinforce my button bands with ribbon on the inside.  And here are the buttons I chose.



While in NYC, we managed to see our sweet girl child as well, and to grab some yummy food.




The last pic shows some mini cupcakes -- so yummy, and just the right size for a bite!

I have since started the Second Grace sweater by Bristol Ivy.  It uses Fiber Company Cumbria yarn.  (i'm actually farther along than this picture shows.)



Back at home.....



I hope everyone has a great week/month!  And let's hope this huge blizzard that's coming isn't as bad as they say.  Ugh.

28 comments:

Robin in Virginia said...

Congratulations on your sweater finish! It is stunning; it looks like a tapestry. I love the buttons you selected for it. Stay warm and be safe if you are hit by the storm.

marly said...

Oh Margaret what a beauty!

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Beautiful sweater! Oh that button shop--I think it would be dangerous for me to visit. We had 2-3 inches of snow in Nashville--it came quickly and melted just as quickly.

Mugwump Woolies said...

Gorgeous sweater...love the buttons and the sheep ribbon! I've been to Tender Buttons...what an amazing little shop! Love seeing you all your beautiful knitting finishes.
Robyn

Vicki said...

Your sweater is gorgeous! So much color and I love the buttons you chose. Stay warm!

Vickie said...

wOw! Margaret! That is just amazing! I do not even comprehend how you make that sweater. Love the buttons and the shop! The new sweater looks pretty as well. Take care and come back SOON!! :D

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Lovely cardigan Margaret, I think that you've knitted it beautifully. The button shop looks amazing - what a place to visit.
Mia is so cute as always - I've missed seeing her as often.

Annie said...

Such a gorgeous and amazing sweater! Beautiful button choice from that fabulous shop!

Love the new yarn colors. Another warm and toasty creation on the way!

Brigitte said...

Oh my, what a finish, Margaret. This sweater looks awesome, and the buttons just complement the fire birds pattern.
If I could go into such a wonderful button shop I would probably leave it without buying something, lol. So many choices ...
Your new sweater already looks very promising.

woolwoman said...

stunning and more stunning Margaret - I was so happy to re-live my experience of visiting Tender Buttons some years ago. I should look up my own beloved button purchases. Maybe they would inspire me to knit a cardigan. I actually think I bought buttons for an Alice Starmore pattern now that my distant memory is kicking in. It is an amazing store and you made a great selection for your Firebirds. I am just in awe of your knitting prowess - you rock GF! LOVE LOVE your new adventure, what great color and colorwork. Hope you enjoy wearing your Firebirds - I know weather is still cold in certain places up north. We are even getting a cool snap this week - YIPPEE! more happy shawl wearing this week for moi' - enjoy your new project! Mel

Rugs and Pugs said...

Gorgeous!
That button store looks like a fun (but deadly!) place to visit.
Hugs :)
Lauren

Rachel said...

A button store!! That's amazing! The ones you chose are so pretty, and go well with that gorgeous sweater, you did a wonderful job. I love the colors.

deb said...

What a gorgeous sweater! Fascinating pattern with all those (scary!) intricate color changes - it's just amazing. The secret sheep on the ribbon reinforcement are a fun touch and the buttons you selected are great (what an *incredible* store!).

And you're well started on another one - beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Your sweater is exquisite! I can't believe all the beautiful colors in it. It must have been trying to keep them all in order. The sheep ribbon trim and buttons are perfect! And your sweet girl child is GORGEOUS!

Evelyne said...

Your sweater is gorgeous, beautiful colours!
What a great button shop!

Have a nice week,
Evelyne

Vera said...

Margaret!! You are a knitting machine! Your Firebirds is GORGEOUS. The buttons are perfect and I love the ribbon lining on the button band. So cute. Wow, I'm going to have to remember that button store for a trip to NYC. It looks amazing, as do the tiny cupcakes. I'm afraid the storm is coming. On the bright side, I'm anticipating a day off work!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Oh Margaret! I love Firebirds!!! So perfect with those buttons. And that button store! Swoon! Can't wait to watch the new one grow. Have a good week!

valerie said...

Wow, your sweater is stunning! I'm not sure how all the color changes didn't drive you batty. Love the sheepy ribbon and the buttons look great with your sweater. That button shop looks like nirvana...i could spend hours just looking at buttons! Wonderful start on your new sweater...the colors are so vibrant! Stay safe in the blizzard!

Maggie said...

Oh my goodness that cardigan looks amazing, i could never in a million years
do such work!
The button shop looks wonderful :-)

Carol said...

Oh, my--that sweater!! I could fill an entire page with "WOWs"--it is absolutely stunning, Margaret. I truly think you are the best knitter I've ever seen and I can't wait to see your next beautiful creation :)

And, oh--the button store! I would love it. You have so many choices available to you in the NYC area--I hope you know how lucky you are (except when it comes to snow storms--ha ha!!).

Stay warm and safe today/tomorrow. We woke up to--nothing!! I was so disappointed as I wanted to stay home from work and play today :)

WipStitch said...

Congrats on your sweater finish! Wow, it is beautiful; makes me want to pull out my needles and try knitting again.

Myra said...

Oh my goodness .... there are no words!! Gorgeous doesn't do it justice. The button shop ... divine. To be able to shop New York ... priceless. Love your blog. Hope you post more soon.

Penny said...

That is a gorgeous piece of knitting!! And the button store reminds me of a little shop my grandmother used to take me as a child. Skimming right past all of the yummy looking food -- love the colors in your new knitting project! And Mia looks like she is going to slap your son. : ) Hope this nasty storm stayed away from your area.

Erica said...

Absolutely stunning sweater!
I want to do some more knitting. The only good thing about this awful snowstorm is that I have been wearing all my knitted socks! What a luxury!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Love, love, love your sweater! I hope you've been wearing it in this cold snap we are having now. It would be nice and warm. Really love the bright colors of your latest project too. What techniques did you feel like you needed more practice on? It looks amazing in your photos and you're so accomplished in knitting already!

Beth said...

The sweater is AMAZING - it belongs in the textile department of the Victoria and Albert Museum! I sent this post on to my aunt - she is a button collector and would go mad in Tender Buttons!

Joy said...

Margaret, your sweater leaves me speechless! Who needs stitching when one can knit so beautifully.

How long were you in the button store? Amazing. . .

From the pictures, it appears your family is healthy and happy. Always good to catch up a bit. Be well.

Kaisievic said...

Margaret, you are such a talented knitter, this sweater is so very beautiful! I love the button store, too. There is a wonderful one up in The Rocks area of Sydney which I am planning to visit when I next go up.