The Bluebird Box Knits | Ep14: Christmas sweaters, a free pattern, and lots of new yarn and plans.

[@roxannetarjan1411]

Anna, all your submissions are gorgeous. It would be amazing if you self publish them. I can feel how that rejection is tough. Their loss. Just keep designing you have an amazing vision. Your love of fibre shines through in each of your designs. ❤️

[@Cstarsmoon]

Sweater is so pretty and looks great on you! Your knitted is always so pretty. The knitted side of sleeve looks better. Enjoy all your podcasts and all your knitted wips.

[@cozyupknits9077]

oh my goodness... your drama with the tire and the flying parking lot thingy!!!!!!! Also can I just say.... THAT SWATCH with the textured color work!!!😍😍😍 Gorgeous!!! As usual, a fantastic episode and it was sooooooo great to get a hug!!!!

[@thebluebirdbox]

It was something! 😂😂

[@cruxfibres]

Oh goodness. The story time! What a night. You had such a long day and came back the next day. Bless. Amazing story and miracle.

[@thebluebirdbox]

It would’ve been difficult to make it back with a flat tire! 😅😂

[@lovannahsirois4932]

I think your “throughly rejected” designs are quite lovely, especially the camisole ❤

[@lindarathburn735]

Lovely podcast. Sorry you missed your supper 🥲Your flock and dog are beautiful!

[@suemccord9723]

Anna, I loved the colorwork swatch and the colors you chose to do it in are amazing together. I hope you do publish something with that design it looks Beautiful. Congrats on your 10 year pattern, it is such a sweet looking hat and Thank you for sharing it as a freebie, so kind and generous. 🤗

[@anitawessels3932]

Congratulations on your first pattern turning 10 years old. Thanks for helping us with gift knitting patterns. I have written my first pattern but it still need to go for test knitting. Please do not get discouraged when your design does not get picked. Remember not all people have the same taste. You are an amazing designer and I love your podcast.

[@thebluebirdbox]

And congratulations to you on developing your first pattern! That’s a big step. Yes, 10 years is a long time. I think I published my first one before even Andrea Mowry did 😂 I might be Ravelry’s least successful designer lol

[@Lisamakes]

Such a brilliant idea to line a scratchy neckline in superwash. 👍

[@thebluebirdbox]

Thank you. I hope I get a lot more use out of it this way :D

[@Diana-mn1fe]

Your color work design is beautiful. Try not to be discouraged and keep on following your heart.

[@thebluebirdbox]

Thank you so much for your encouragement 💕

[@allisonbumgardner1421]

WV, West Virginia. Loved the swatch you showed early in the video😍. The snowy scene from your window is beautiful.! Thank you for the free pattern, I have lots of grandchildren, hope to make it for some of them.

[@JeanetteWalker]

I love your new tank pattern...looks so feminine and comfy. I look forward to knitting it once it's released. Thanks for creating another lovely podcast to keep us company while we knit. Enjoy the snow!

[@thebluebirdbox]

Thank you, Jeanette! Im definitely into the holiday spirit this year, with all the snow!

[@lauraberkholtz7959]

That colorwork swatch is so beautiful. It would be gorgeous as the hem of a sweater.

[@danielafranchini7890]

Wow! Your chat about wool sustainability is very interesting and inspiring! I love that sample you showed for the gilet….please please please do not give up on it. I can’t wait for the cardigan to be finished…but I’d go for garter for the sleeves, personally. That tank top is super cute as well. Such a shame that it has been rejected. Much love and thanks for everything❤

[@thebluebirdbox]

💕💕🥰

[@mynorthknitcorner]

Thank you for keeping me company while I am knitting socks for christmas gifts. Your alpenglow and The classic are both so beautiful! And I love your tank top. Hope you have a wonderful end of November☕️🧶✨️

[@thebluebirdbox]

Thanks Anne! You as well 😘

[@dorothyrainey1141]

can't wait to see the finished cardigan! Your winner is from West Virginia. :)

[@alecsgirl]

I think your swatch is lovely! I’m sorry that it got rejected and discouraged you. I like your colour combinations as well as the patterning itself and I think it deserves its time to shine! And I’m so looking forward to your garter cardi! I’m currently four months pregnant and realized that I don’t have any hand-knit cardigans to keep me warm. I hope it’ll be ready soon!

[@thebluebirdbox]

Cardigans are so great for pregnancy! Congratulations!

[@denisewessman1079]

Thank you for sharing your talents!!! I’m excited to try the elf hat. It looks adorable!!!

[@thebluebirdbox]

I hope it goes well, Denise!

[@ruthswarthout1115]

Thank you I really enjoyed the podcast

[@oliviaprullage4732]

Love to listen to you. ❤

[@robynstacey9959]

Anna, I recently discovered you. Really enjoy your podcasts. Thank you

[@ingermalmberg7138]

I always enjoy your content and the yarny stories, thanks for sharing. The color work swatch was especially beautiful, along with the sweaters and well everything:) I live in an agricultural community in Central Wyoming, USA and just got an Australian Shepherd corgi puppy I named Yarny, he could probably already herd sheep, chickens, kids or anything:)) Wyoming used to be a very large sheep producing state , I think wool and all of its wonderful properties are making a strong comeback, thanks to so many different groups . Thanks again for the beautiful content and designs.

[@thebluebirdbox]

Yarny! I love it.

[@lynncharlesworth8561]

HI Anna Lovely podcast. Don't be downcast about the rebuttals. They are all part of the process. Something good/great will come of them! Love the colourwork colourway. Design is great - potential is definitely there. Kindest regards Lynn Albany Western Australia PS: I have sent you a message via Ravelry.

[@mindykannon4650]

The tank is gorgeous!!

[@CG-gm8fe]

I think your swatch is lovely.

[@thegratefulfarm]

I absolutely love that swatch! I really hope you decide to do something with it. Thanks for the podcast.

[@beckywhitt7356]

I love that color work swatch

[@meadowsweetfarmfiberartsdesign]

Lovely Podcast!!!! Your sweaters are beautiful!!! I love the early hat design and I am definitely going to give that pattern a try. I was chuckling along with you as you recounted your fiber frolic adventures. I thought those things only happened to me😂. Glad you made it home safe and you didn’t have to patch your tire. I teach at a small University in West Virginia. So nice to see your sheep at the end of the video and your sweet pup! Hugs-B

[@thebluebirdbox]

Wonderful, I love all these West Virginia connections!

[@meadowsweetfarmfiberartsdesign]

@@thebluebirdbox West Virginia is a mountain state very beautiful!! I think you would enjoy the wildlife and landscape 🌺

[@fourtimesfast]

I liked your swatch! Colorwork like that is really appealing to me. That tank is lovely! I feel like your hat has been in my queue for ages, so I will cast on for my kiddos soon. WV is west virginia! Country roads take me home!

[@thebluebirdbox]

That makes complete sense! You mountain mama 😄 hope your package arrives soon!

[@ThePattiw]

What a great podcast! I am happy to see more Canadian podcasters on KZbin, and even happier when the bulk of their material concerns other Canadian makers. And I still remember feeling so shocked when I heard about the wasted sheep fleece. Why dont we use it as insulation? It seems one of the best uses for it. This summer I used some of the discarded skirting in my gardens, a friend kindly brought me three bags of it. Thank you for talking about climate change as well. Too many people hiding away from issues that we all need to address. Looking forward to watching more videos.

[@thebluebirdbox]

I love that you’re using the skirting in your garden! Do you have a trick to stop it from blowing around? Mine always flies out of my garden boxes.

[@ThePattiw]

@@thebluebirdbox i just tuck it in. My boxes have quite high sides and it has stayed put.

[@sueaxon3688]

Thank you for the free elf hat. I have downloaded it in the hope that I get another granchild!lol!

[@melissalampman7214]

Hi Anna, I enjoy your podcast, both your sweaters are beautiful, the fit of the Allen glow was super! I West Virginia, mountain mama!

[@thebluebirdbox]

Of course!

[@genier7829]

I think the v-neck design is beautiful! And the WV is West Virginia ;)

[@melissalampman7214]

Anna, your spin me a yarn tale reminded me of myself, sometimes you have to askWHY?! Glad you made it home!

[@thebluebirdbox]

I definitely thought “what is happening??” 😂

[@professorpurl]

You alpenglow sweater is everything. You are really making me want to knit one!

[@thebluebirdbox]

Another Christmas sweater! 😄

[@pamroebuck4764]

Blimey what an adventure you had getting home. Really felt for you x.

[@triplesss7229]

Yeah for your podcast. WV= West Virginia, by the way.

[@traciemillar]

That wasn’t pretending! 🤭😉 nice to meet you, Anna.

[@thebluebirdbox]

Oh my goodness, you are the best!!! 🤩💕

[@mylinhpaolieri]

Hi Anna, so sorry to hear about your flat tire experience. Sounds like something that would happen to me too and I would have done exactly what you did. Sorry that you had to miss your super date, what a disappointment. But glad you made it home safe. Thank you for another lovely podcast. I love hearing you speak about your knitting, you have such a soothing, down-to-earth authenticity which I appreciate. Thanks for sharing your little corner of the world with us.

[@thebluebirdbox]

You are so welcome, I’m glad you are here 😘

[@mindykannon4650]

You should definitely make an open front vest with that first swatch. The colors are perfect.....

[@thebluebirdbox]

Thanks Mindy!

[@sonjasonja2222]

Another lovely podcast. I just got alpaca yarn back from rosebud river mill and love it! Alex is fantastic

[@thebluebirdbox]

Amazing! What will you make with it?

[@lorikoury120]

Beautiful work! I can’t believe your submissions were rejected, I thought the pink tank was gorgeous. I loved all your acquisitions too. I’m sorry you had to deal with a flat tire 😳 but am glad you made it home safely. 😊

[@thebluebirdbox]

Thank you! Me too 😄😄

[@CharleneRichards13]

It was so nice to meet you and your mother at the Frolic, I love all your purchases🤗 it’s surreal to actually get to meet the people you watch on Utube, we feel like we know you. Such an amazing community we have as crafters, I love being part of it. I was there both days and still did not get a chance to go into all the booths, but just being able to see and meet everyone was a huge highlight for me. Thank you again for stopping into the lounge and helping out, hopefully we’ll see each other again at the next yarn event xoxo

[@thebluebirdbox]

Hey Charlene! It was great to meet you too. I agree, Alberta in particular is blessed with a very active and inclusive knitting community! 💕

[@ToothFairyPurls]

It was lovely to meet you at the Fibre Frolic and attend Anna's class on Saturday. I was so bummed that I did not wear my Lennox Pullover . . . Oh well, maybe next year 🙂

[@thebluebirdbox]

Yes! Let’s meet up again next time!

[@joanmather7218]

Ooh I like the 'add stockinette and fold it under' hack to get length. The pink tank texture is very pretty. I don't have any grandkids yet but I can just see one in the Elf Hat!

[@thebluebirdbox]

Oh, maybe you could make an elf hat for yourself! 😄😄

[@deekay1641]

The Alpenglo turned out beautifully. Your modifications are very good, you are very talented. I also have a problem with purl 1, knit 2, purl 1. The green sweater is also very nice, I like the collar. Who is rejecting your patterns... they obviously have no taste. The swatch is amazing, the colors are so pretty, hope to see this in one of your patterns. The little Elf hat is so cute. Congratulations on your 10 years of pattern making. West Virginia is WV. Take care and stay well.

[@thebluebirdbox]

That is so kind of you to say!!! I appreciate it so much 💕

[@lisapettit7403]

I love your tank pattern so much! I will be watching for the test knit call, for sure. I also liked your colour work swatch a lot and would have been interested to see a vest with that pattern.

[@thebluebirdbox]

Thanks Lisa 😘

[@jean-jn3nq]

Wow! I am always struck by this fiber artists talent. Such a hidden gem in Yarny community. Thanks so much for sharing all your projects and for the education on the wool industry. Super interesting and informative. Moving forward will definitely be a more discerning purchaser of yarn. Thanks so much for sharing your world with us.

[@thebluebirdbox]

You’re welcome 💕. Thanks so much for being here!

[@julieknitsandspins]

😊 West Virginia

[@edytheneumann4656]

Thanks Anna - 2 gorgeous new sweaters. Love your passion for the Canadian wool industry - thanks for the info. I thought both samples that weren't accepted were beautiful - guess it just depends on what exactly is on someone else's mind.

[@thebluebirdbox]

Thank you, yes, it is hard to predict what a company really wants. Thanks for those kind words 💕

[@kirstenarnold7114]

That sweater is absolutely gorgeous!! I am semi-new to knitting (about 1 year) and I would love to see a video explaining how to do all these different types of seaming, especially the stretchy one for the collar/cuffs.

[@thebluebirdbox]

There should be some videos linked in the description 😄

[@80sgma10]

Your modifications on alpenglow are genius! Why waste time ribbing when stockinette is faster, and sw merino next to your neck - love it!

[@kimsechrest2202]

I always learn something from your Podcasts...I LOVE your vest swatch--please don't give up on it. I vote for the stockinette sleeve too (I think reverse stockinette st w/garter is just too busy). WV is West Virginia here in the US. I'm going to look up Juniper Moon Farms sport wt, non-sw....that's my favorite combo of yarn too. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and knitting (and life) with us.

[@thebluebirdbox]

It really is a nice yarn, I hope you love it too!

[@jo-annefalconer6280]

Love your singlet top, would love to make that. WV could be west Virginia

[@lindabrabant5744]

Hi Anna, thanks for sharing what you did with your sweaters, it’s really nice also to have a glimpse of your design projects. I also enjoyed hearing about the lecture/workshop you attended at the Edmonton Frolic. I just applied for your test knit of the Seed Star Hap 😊

[@thebluebirdbox]

Wonderful!

[@fionasteinbrecht60]

Hi Anna, W V is West Virginia maybe ? I'm new here and like watching you and seeing your knits. You're so relaxed. I'm from TO but live on Bavaria so nice to go back to Canada and knit with kindered spirits. Never been to Edmonton but love the Rockies. Wool as insulation and they use fur in the north, good ideas and purchase canadian. I use European wool. Ships use crude oil, the worst, with lots more bad smoke and exhaust. Amazon doesn't help the situation. Shopping less and use what you got.

[@thebluebirdbox]

Absolutely!

[@susankell243]

Your sample with the stranded colorwork is gorgeous and I hope that you design a sweater with it at some time. I do like the look of the sleeve on your cardigan with the RS facing out. When you mentioned creating gussets to pull in the fabric, is this something that you incorporate into your sweater design? I am curious about how you do this as even when I knit the smallest size sweater I still often find it bulky in this area. I just went to the Canadian wool site as I did not know it existed. Thank you for that info. Also a Lennox vest would be lovely 😊

[@thebluebirdbox]

I used underarm gussets in the Moody Hue and Legacy Pullover patterns ☺️. I find it’s great for circular yokes.

[@julieknitsandspins]

Love your whole episode. My first chance to go to a fiber fest was last weekend. Tickets bought. Daughter going with. Her friend and mom were meeting us for lunch. Beyond excited. 🥰 BAM sick 🤒 I have zero luck. So thanks for sharing the Fiber Frolic! Nice Friday evening Thank you

[@thebluebirdbox]

Oh I’m so sorry! How sad! I hope you have a chance to go to another one soon.

[@janeolson-janeolsonart3755]

Lovely episode. I love the garter cardi! Your color choices are beautiful. Can't wait to buy it and knit it.

[@thebluebirdbox]

How sweet of you to say 🥰

[@theknittystew]

Hi Anna 👋🏼 I feel like I may have mentioned this in the comments on the last episode, but if not: I love your customizations of the Alpenglow. Genius! Congratulations on the decade anniversary of your hat pattern! How is 2012 ten years ago?? Weird. Your linen tank top pattern is gorgeous- who in their right mind would not approve that submission? P.S. I haven’t found a mohair or alpaca that I’m not sensitive to yet… I know that not all are created equal but still haven’t found what I’m looking for (as Bono would say). Thanks also for the mention .. team Dickey! You are 😎 amazing.

[@thebluebirdbox]

Thank you very much, Leanne. 10 yrs is such a long time ago, I feel like I should be farther ahead 😂. Glad you enjoyed my Alpenglow chat! That’s sad about your experience with mohair, I was hoping maybe a higher end brand might be better for me 😔. I know Michaels used to carry a lace weight, fuzzy, plastic based yarn, I’m going to try to find it again!

[@mlpike]

I don't understand why your swatch was rejected. I would love to try that color work pattern!

[@thebluebirdbox]

Oh, thank you for that!

[@danielleboots7032]

I love the open front vest swatch!

[@antonellapavese3724]

Thank you for the podcast and all the information. I like the idea of creating gussets for the body of a pullover, do you know of tutorials showing how to do it or do you have suggestions on how to calculate the rate of decrease and number of stitches to decrease? thank you!

[@thebluebirdbox]

I wish I knew of a tutorial to send you too! I used underarm gussets in my Moody Hue and Legacy Pullover patterns, but they were specific to those patterns and stitch counts, and you would really need to think about how to apply it to other patterns. This probably doesn’t help much, but the goal is to decrease the number of stitches you cast on for the underarm within the gusset. You will want the gusset to end (that is, the final decrease rnd to be) close to where your bust ends.

[@LizBethA63]

Just found you on KZbin and am currently watching my first episode (E14). Wanted to comment whilst I’m still watching so i don’t forget to let you know how much I really enjoyed your content and podcast. All your projects are beautiful. Looking forward to seeing more episodes and have signed up for your newsletter to keep in touch.

[@thebluebirdbox]

Oh, that is so kind! 💕 thanks for being here.

[@MrMonet111]

Have you seen Weaving Steven on KZbin? Stephen West shows how to quickly weave in ends. Beautiful sweaters.

[@thebluebirdbox]

Yes! I should have done that!

[@melaniejanenewton]

I love your swatch. Could you put it into a simple sweater design? Also on the Garty Cardi I like the reverse stockinette sleeve. Thank you for another great podcast. I’m from Lincolnshire in England x

[@24567423ify]

WV is West Virginia where my husband hails from.

[@pamroebuck4764]

Look forward to see what you do with your unspun as I've just bought some too 🙂

[@thebluebirdbox]

Have you used it before, Pam? I never have!

[@pamroebuck4764]

I did a test knit in it. You just have to get used to it as it does break easily. I heard it's better to knit on straight needles rather than circular however not tried that. You'll have to design something. Would love to test knit 🙂

[@CassieDA17]

WV is West Virginia :)

[@cruxfibres]

Oops. The Brown was Beaver Lodge. The Red is Rosehip with a Pickled mini. And the Green is called Pine.

[@thebluebirdbox]

They are all gorgeous, as all your colours are 💕

[@oneitaopyoke226]

WV is West Virginia

[@christinevalentine3373]

Thank you for talking about the pink elephant in the room! CLIMATE CHANGE. We can easily reverse it by not using petrochemicals for everything. We could have a great influence on the reduction of carbon in our atmosphere simply by using 100% natural fibres. I’m passionate about this too therefore, I don’t buy super washed wool or wool with nylon, acrylic, polyamides, or any petrochemical. I just use wool or linen or cotton or silk. I hand wash my natural fibre garments. It is a small price to pay for carbon reduction. I feel so sad about the destruction caused by tornadoes and how the number and impact of tornadoes is increasing. Here in Australia we have the same issues! We are experiencing amazing floods and farmers here have hundreds of bales of wool they are unable to sell at present. We have relied on ‘cheap’ manufacturing in China for so long it has decimated our manufacturing industry. It’s not only about the astute business acumen of the Chinese people, it’s also the greed for greater profits by the people who, without regard for the earth and the environment use those facilities. Our wonderful sheep, alpacas, llamas,goats and rabbits are amazing carbon sinks, you are so right. Keep up the wonderful designs, I like the gilet design too!

[@bonniecawley2487]

West Virginia

[@ruthswarthout1115]

West virginia

[@sharonloewen9368]

May I ask a question regarding Alpen glow ? Did you suggest that the sleeves could be knit cuff up and then grafted on at the yoke ?I thought I heard it but it may have been in reference to the cardigan .This is Sharon working on 2 Alpen glow sweaters and looking to be efficient . Thanks

[@thebluebirdbox]

I was suggesting that for the cardigan pattern I’m working on. I think you could do that for the alpenglow but the stitches shift by half a stitch when you graft so I’m not sure if that would be noticeable. Good luck on your 2 sweaters!

[@beckywhitt7356]

I like the stockinette. Not a fan of reverse stockinette