The Bluebird Box Knits | Ep17: pockets!, mohair woes, a third yoke, and I have a lot of jobs.

[@theknittystew]

Thank you for your peaceful podcasts and beautiful designs Anna! My mom always used to say that there are not enough hours in a day, and how true that is at certain seasons of our lives!! It’s no small task balancing it all. You are rocking it. Bless you. When you showed your Brooklyn Tweed yoke I clapped and yelled out loud at my laptop “WHOA - THAT is sooo good!” My husband doesn’t even bat an eye anymore when I freak out over this stuff.

[@thebluebirdbox]

I did a happy dance in front of Brent's face when I learned that Brooklyn Tweed was going to provide yarn support - he just doesn't get how exciting this is. XD

[@ingermalmberg7138]

The hoar frost against the brilliant blue sky, so beautiful. We also have had our fair share of hoar frost here in Central Wyoming, USA and an abundance of ❄️ winter. I am amazed at the amount of work you all get accomplished with family and life and I remember those days of feeling overwhelmed but as you say things will pass and get more manageable. Thank you as always for your content, I come from ranching background and have had darn right mean boys. Best wishes always

[@chrissy24-7]

Anna, your cardi is truly beautiful! It doesn't even look like you used scrap, it looks truly planned. Such a natural l fade 👏 I love your whole aesthetic, peaceful, natural, wholeness. Remember to recharge! 🌺

[@annmorris6732]

As you say, this is a knitting podcast. However, separating certain sheep for the safety of ‘ALL’, is also parting of the whole story of knitting!! You certainly have a lot on your plate…. Your new design is absolutely exquisite! I have enjoyed your podcast and appreciate the time you take to provide such wonderful content. Thank you 😊 🧶

[@gilainevanwezel6278]

Thanks Anna for taking the time, even though you have no spare time! The Cardi looks great, so joyful ! Looking forward to the unspun/mohair combo, such nice colours. I know what it means to have dangerous male sheep, you can not be careful enough. Keep up the nice work. One day you will be able to devote more time to your design and knitting work. I will stay tuned. 😃🎵

[@hollyscott8772]

Hi, Anna. I love your cardi - addition of pockets is wonderful. I also appreciate your sharing real life rather than glossed over perfection. You did a great job of sharing how you know that life comes in stages of busyness and free time, joy and sorrow. I understand that some days it's hard to feel that in your soul and you feel like it's all a permanent situation. Best wishes to you - that your joy and free time are just around the corner!

[@22mononoke]

Your cardigan is beautiful and thanks for telling us stories about your sheep - even the gory ones 🙂

[@julieknitsandspins]

I absolutely LOVE the black and white swatch and can hardly wait to see your magic 😊 As for the sheep, it is farming pure and simple. Sheep➡️wool➡️yarn. I hope you find some time to be, just be.

[@leonieryan3139]

Thanks for all the updates Anna, love your new designs. Take care of yourself, you have a bit on 😊.

[@lindabrabant5744]

Hi Anna! Thank you for an other lovely episode. I really enjoy hearing your design process, all of your stories and experiences. Looking forward to the next episode 😊

[@allisonbumgardner1421]

I love your cardigan😍

[@denisewessman1079]

I would live in this comfy sweater. Weekender,

[@professorpurl]

Your cardigan is EVERYTHING. It's hard to imagine 800g of yarn is in that! but wow, it's so so good! I am 100% knitting that and I love your vest too. MJ was watching this with me. She said: "that girl has more snow than even grandma and grandpa."

[@thebluebirdbox]

I bet we do, MJ! Even though most of it is gone now.

[@sixty4stitches850]

😮 I can’t wait for the cardi pattern release!

[@jenniferwiltrout1975]

Your sweater design that you are wearing is gorgeous. Takr care and be sure to take some ME time.

[@emmabutcher]

I agree with you Anna with regard to the Spin cables. And, I wasted my money on something I now never use. The red cables are great though. Your faded marled cardi is very beautiful.

[@lorikoury120]

It’s great to see you again. I really like your vest pattern and look forward to a pattern in the future. I also love your swatch options. I’m sorry about your misbehaving boy sheep but your little farm can only be successful if everyone is behaving. Safety is the priority. And obviously you want your time with your animals to be enjoyable. It’s still hard though. It sounds like you’re going to be very busy but I’ll be here, ready to see what you’ve been up to! Take care dear 💕

[@Beeboo1903]

Enjoying your podcasts! I love the vest, happy that it will turn into a pattern!

[@SheepandOak]

The dark color on the garti cardi is gorgeous and really brings the entire piece together. It is a perfect choice for your beautiful pattern!

[@thebluebirdbox]

Isn't it perfect? I have yet to find a colour it doesn't go well with. It is Blackberry by Sassy Strings Yarn Studio, a hand dyer here in Alberta, Canada.

[@christinaredmond5546]

I love your cardigan.

[@ruthswarthout1115]

Loved your podcast, hope that things even out for you love your cardi cant wait till it comes out sorry about your sheep and dog all things will work out, happy knitting

[@KnittingThrough]

I so enjoy your podcasts and your process! I'm so glad your finding a good mohair. I've definitely heard that the prickle is more noticeable if it's not quite cold enough to wear. (I've found that to be the case with some more rustic wool yarns as well!)

[@alecsgirl]

Your Garti-Cardi is just stunning! And I’m so excited to see that you added an optional pocket. I think every sweater needs pockets 😄 Also, I’m sorry you’re having trouble with your wethers-it is so distressing when animals fight and need medical care and separation, but it did give me a chuckle when you said he was going to the freezer next. When I was little, our rooster beat me up and scared me very badly. He didn’t learn his lesson and one evening we ate chicken and dumplings for supper. I felt vindicated.

[@thebluebirdbox]

We have no tolerance for aggressive roosters, either! They could really hurt a little kid - you poor wee child.

[@lisab.3116]

Love your podcast. A new find for me and so glad that it popped up in my suggested podcasts. Your garter stitch cardi pattern is so pretty in the colors that you chose to make it in. Will look forward to knitting it when the pattern comes out.

[@maureencapotosto9257]

The cardigan is stunning. The colours are what make it so special. This is one pattern I’m waiting on. Your life is full. It’s great that you are producing and sharing as time permits at whatever pace makes sense.

[@janetgillett7122]

Anna, thank you for another enjoyable podcast about life on the ranch, it’s always an adventure when you have farm animals in your family. Your cardi is so beautiful and looks very comfy! Take time for yourself in between all your responsibilities and I’ll look forward to your next share.

[@anitawessels3932]

Thanks for this podcast.

[@denisewessman1079]

I adore this new design. You are so very talented. Gorgeous. I just need to knit faster.

[@kathylagreca9893]

Love your cardi

[@jodydcrawford5470]

I know I’ve said it before, but your cardi is a piece of perfection - that is a design to wear proudly. Plus it looks so cosy and like a hug. I’m sorry to hear about your wethers - and I know it can be uncomfortable when an animal you love is aggressive (that goes for the sheep and the dog). If there is an upside, those wethers are better off in the freezer than causing real harm or injury to your kids - and your dog is just doing his job. I’m also with you on not loving to eat lamb, though - it’s definitely not my favourite.

[@janloughran1503]

The fluff from mohair just gets up my nose and sets the "airborne" allergies off so I need it as far away from my face as possible! The colours you have picked are gorgeous together 😍 I love hearing about the animals and birds you have! Wolf was just defending himself, I guess these Weathers(?) need to cool their jets! Judo won't be harming anyone else, unless he causes heartburn in his next job? Lamb can be very fatty, hard to get a lean joint so I'm not a huge fan myself.

[@thebluebirdbox]

LOL Jan, you always make me laugh!!!

[@amandaunderwood445]

I hope you like the Knitting for Olive mohair/silk, I prefer it to the Isager.

[@vickifenlon2235]

Love your cardi! I've been away from podcasts for awhile, but have really enjoyed this one…

[@chet1051]

Your new cardigan design is exactly what I've been Looking for . If you want to try a new mohair in addition to Isager , Id look for the "Super kid / kid Mohair " on the label, Also I'm finding a little bit more silk ratio even with a tiny amt of very fine merino has been great. As a spinner , I really feel a lot of the itch factor comes from the mohair being past "kid" age . The hair becomes coarser . Agree with you, life seems to have it's Upcycles and the inevitable opposite .. If we only could be in three places at once ❤

[@thebluebirdbox]

I just learned about the age of mohair! I had no idea it affected the softness, although it makes perfect sense.

[@lauriejarboe6087]

Sadly Shubui has closed their doors but with your lovely designs and designer career you may be able to order or request color cards from some yarn companies or dyers to see and feel their mohair and test your sensitivity. Enjoy your busy life and your lovely piece of nature you and your family live in.

[@bettykaropczyc6019]

Regarding your Sheep - Hugs to you .............😔

[@melissaf3409]

Hi Anna, I know it’s a bit late for the mohair & suri alternative suggestions but Malabrigo has a 100% merino lace weight (430m/50g) and I’ve used it as a mohair alternative in my Abydos Top. It’s not as fuzzy as mohair but it’s really soft. I’m not sure if it’s anywhere local, I bought mine from a destash on Etsy but maybe? I also have really sensitive skin and I’ve recently had an issue with wearing suri! 😢

[@thebluebirdbox]

Thanks, Melissa! I hadn't heard of that option!

[@au_fildesjours6911]

So lovely as always, I am 100% casting on both of these sweaters as soon as you release them!😊As for the mohair issue I also find alpaca and mohair very prickly even though I can wear quite rustic wool next to skin. As for fuzz I like to hold a strand of angora rabbit but I do keep rabbits and spin-how do you find angora on your skin?

[@thebluebirdbox]

I would love to try angora - I never have!

[@au_fildesjours6911]

@@thebluebirdbox are you allergic to rabbits at all, like if you handle them?

[@thebluebirdbox]

@@au_fildesjours6911 I used to have pet rabbits, so I don't think so!

[@lovannahsirois4932]

Love your podcast! just a note about shibui...they've stopped their yarn business ;(

[@thebluebirdbox]

how sad.

[@kimsharpe9504]

Anna, my LYS has all of its Shibui stock on sale 50% off. If you want some Shibui Cloud, let me know. Or contact My Sister Knits in Fort Collins, Colorado.

[@janet7640]

♥♥♥🧶💖💖💖 Gardi Cardi 😘❄🐑🐕

[@rockstarkate78]

I can't wear mohair or really anything that's fluffy like that. Even the synthetic versions bother my skin. So, no mohair for me. I do like the look of it, but it isn't worth it to suffer through. I have embraced plain old yarn (and have to be careful about those too).

[@thebluebirdbox]

That's too bad! I hope I don't become that sensitive, but who knows what time will bring...