Winter Knitting Plans - The Fruitful Hands

[@alovelyyarn]

Hey ladies! I love your sweater, Diana! As a former alpaca owner, suri is a type of alpaca. There are two types - huacaya and suri. Huacaya alpacas have tight, curly fiber and they literally look like big puff balls before they are shorn. Suri are long fibered alpaca and their fiber is more straight and long than tight and curly. Hope that makes sense! This was a super fun episode. I enjoyed it so much!

[@thefruitfulhands]

Thank you friend! I’ll definitely share this information on our next podcast. Love watching you on A Lovely yarn and seeing what you are up to. Happy New Year!

[@robinrothe2915]

Thanks for all the great podcasts this year! So many beautiful projects.

[@jomeurer9444]

Thank you so much for ending 2024 on a beautiful note…Diana the Alpine - well exquisite comes to mind! Katie I can’t wait for the Songbird Mittens! Wow! I’m like you Diana-every month I plan to 1. knit/crochet at least one donation project to give back for all His blessings, 2. Knit/crochet a hat, socks, and Christmas gift, 3. Stash bust some yarn on a scrappy Sunday project! Beyond that..who knows! ❤ Happy 2025 everyone!

[@carolinelaplante5857]

I remember my Granny never cleaned, cooked or did laundry on New Year’s Day😂 Everything was prepared the day before. Unfortunately, it never worked😂 She still had to do all the household chores the rest of the year 😂

[@chitchatknits]

Love your cast ladies! I laughed at the end because I am a knitwear designer and I have yarn coming for two new designs today. Thanks for all your fun inspiration. ❤

[@gerimorrison2892]

Your Mabel Cardi looks fabulous! It is so funny that is what I am knitting while watching your show ❣

[@celiaflinn7737]

Lovely podcast again today. And your beautiful Alpine sweater. Diana, if you want to change a pattern because you can’t get the gauge, you can use the formula……… your gauge/pattern gauge X the chest circumference. So if your gauge is 18 st/4” and the pattern is 20 st/4”, divide 18/20 = .9. Then multiply .9 times the chest circumference ( say 45”) and get 40.5”. So you make the size sweater closest to 40.5”. It is really easy and has always worked for me. I only do 1 swatch and if I like the fabric feel, then I just figure out which size to make.

[@thefruitfulhands]

Thank you, Celia, I’ll definitely try this next time. Happy New Year!

[@alecsgirl]

I love the colour choices for your Hydrangea Sweater. It’s going to be so pretty!

[@thebooknitter]

Diana your autum alpine is. Beautiful ❤ suri is a type of alpaca my favorite fiber ever and one of my favorite animals too. I love the clove green you chose

[@leitesta1725]

What a wonderful video!! I am so shopping my own stash this year!! My goal is literally to not purchase any new yarn in 2025. I can support my lys by purchasing classes, books, and notions ❤ and she is my buddy and she understands 😊 I made a spreadsheet to track all the yarn I use 🎉 and I am so encouraged by your comment about how many yards we actually knit if we stop to count it! So thank you Diana!! Happy New Year Y’all!!!

[@swennedammer9218]

Thank you both for the lovely podcasts in 2024! What a surprise to receive the last one on the 31st December! Diane, your Lumme, Alpine sweater and Mabel cardigan are gorgeous. The Mabel cardigan looks very lovely on Kaity. You inspired me to start the Lumme sweater in january. Diane, let's roll up our sleeves and finish the Garden cardigan before Easter. 😉 Kaity, knitting on the Musselburgh is much better than knitting socks ;) I'm looking forward to see your Helia sweater when it's ready! Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2025 for you and your family!❤

[@thefruitfulhands]

Deal friend, Garden cardigan by Easter! Thank you for your kind words. Happy and healthy New Year to you and your family!

[@8Gammie]

Really, really great video! such beautiful and fun items to look forward to. Congratulations on 35 Yeats, Diana!! Love,hugs,prayers.

[@thefruitfulhands]

Thank you, friend! Happy New Year!

[@MichelleBilodeau-r7p]

Love your Autumn Alpine. Already in my Ravelry list!

[@anne-mareehern]

Happy New Year Girls, thank you for all your inspiration and enjoyable podcast, look forward to spending more time with you in 2025

[@teresabenson7759]

I plan on knitting New Year's day finishing my Pacific Crest Trail sweater!! Because we have little grandkids, we do "Noon Year's Eve" counting down to noon on New Year's Eve....lots of festive snacks, so they can enjoy the celebration😅. ...so fun and exciting!! Hope you and your families have a healthy 2025!!

[@reginamay76]

How sweet I love this ❤

[@teresabenson7759]

I read it in one of the grandkids Highlights magazine years ago...we have done it ever since! We video chat the other family members on the East coast, West coast, and us plus some grandkids here in Missouri....so special!)

[@thefruitfulhands]

What a great idea! Definitely need to remember this for next year. Happy New Year to you and all your family!

[@gillmatthews5869]

Diana those colours in your Alpine bloom look amazing on you ❤ and I love those colours Katie has selected for her Celeste jumper, it’s going to look beautiful

[@tacistudio]

What a wonderful year with you. I love all of your plans for 2025. Happy new year to you both 🎉🤍✨

[@raneahasstedt6653]

Oh my gosh I'm want to copy everything you two do. ❤

[@annotlewski1104]

I love all your knits and am looking forward to what you’ll do in 2025. Happy New Year!

[@maxx6050]

Hello Ladies, Happy Holiday!

[@conwayblankenship6292]

I just enjoyed listening to your podcast for the first time. Thanks for sharing your plans for 2025. I look forward to listening to you again.

[@KarendLugo-gu7me]

Happy New Year and congratulations on your anniversary! Love the background with all the yarn!

[@karenbudnick]

You make me chuckle - too many designs - "I'm delirious..."

[@Macasmum]

Have a great new year full of love and laughter. Thanks for the joy👩‍🌾🐑🐮

[@reginahobbs7627]

I like making DK socks for wearing around the house and in my big boots. I plan to be knitting with my daughter after dinner:) You've inspired to TRY to plan some knitting projects but I really plant to FINISH lots of bits of things. Happy New Year.

[@kimplumer2122]

I love, love, love all your podcasts. I'm currently making the Sophie Hood. It's a quick knit and it's cold here in Kansas so I can't wait to finish it. I've only made one pair of DK socks, Njord DK Socks by Nancy Wheeler. I love them so much that I sleep in them every night. Very cozy and a quick knit.

[@virginiaanderson8875]

Happy New year - always love your podcasts - you are both so down to earth!!!

[@ANorfolkKnitter]

Lovely to see your knitting plans, happy new year 🎉

[@marygonrowski3725]

Hey ladies, love your podcast. I am currently knitting a pair of colorwork mittens. I have recently tried colorwork and I am enjoying it so much. This will be only my second pair of mittens and my first pair of colorwork mittens. Thanks for sharing all your projects !

[@Donna-s9l]

Thanks for the wonderful content and sharing. I was lucky to test the Hello Friend and it was a fun knit

[@bg7491]

Always a treat when you two pop up on my feed. 🤩 Both of you are wearing beautiful sweaters, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your F.O.s in 2025. Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2025! 🤗

[@melissaemery8686]

It was great to see your plans for winter knitting. Plans for the new year is to finish advent socks and blanket. I subscribe to Row One and I need to finish my 2024 cozy memories blanket. I think I’m going to use next year’s minis to make a North Easterly blanket.

[@JadiesJars]

Thank you for the extra podcast. I love your podcasts and look forward to seeing you in my notifications.

[@knitssinprogress]

I’m knitting the my jose hood now ! I want it before it gets too cold !

[@bekahgoodgame3458]

Finally finishing this ep and looking forward to seeing all your projects, especially your Esther jacket with fisherman’s wool, Katie! I may have to copy you. I’m working on a Monday sweater and want to finish it before I cast on a Polina pullover I already have yarn for. And I also want to knit a textured dk weight cardigan but don’t know what yet…. 🤓

[@PamKnitsToo]

Another great episode! So exciting to look at possibilities ❤ Happy New Year! I will be in my pj’s, knitting when the new year arrives. I’ve gotten hooked on socks lately and that’s just great!!

[@katrinaknits08]

I have just cast on the turtle dove cardigan and also want to cast on a vest. I’ve been looking at the Hello Friend or the Cambridge vest. Love watching the two of you. You have the best relationship!

[@Cindy_L]

Just love you guys! Thanks for making time to be with us!! ❤❤😊 Happy new year! 🎉

[@labethbrewer]

I'm doing my 2nd Eva right now. It is really nice and I wear my first one so much. Speaking of stashing down, I did that last year and am working up my last sweater quantity right now. In the new year, it's going to be so fun to purchase the yarn so intentionally for my next project. I still do have about 20 skeins of sock yarn, but don't mind keeping a small stash of sock yarn It's been very liberating and exciting. The dedication to stashing down feels so rewarding!

[@thefruitfulhands]

What an accomplishment! I may need to put blinders on so I don’t get distracted by all the new yarns. Hoping I make a large dent in my stash you give me hope!

[@deniseengel1451]

There are two types of alpaca fiber, suri and huacaya. Suri has nothing to do with first shearing. So fun to see what you are planning on knitting. Happiest of New Year to you both. Happy anniversary to you Diana and your husband. ❤️

[@thefruitfulhands]

Thank you for letting me know about he Alpaca types, I’ll definitely share this information with our community on the next podcast. Thank you for the well wishes friend. Hoping you and yours have a wonderful year ahead.

[@Nardaa-ox3be]

Hi ladies, I love seeing what projects are planned. I’m about to finish my Eva cardigan! It’s my first garment ever and it’s knitting up beautifully. Winter plans are the Billie pullover by Sari, Eun sweater by November Knits and Lana Vest by Irene Lin. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

[@mendyelliott9495]

Happy Anniversary! What a pleasant surprise to end the year with you all! Tonight (New Year’s Eve) we are having our four grandkids stay 🎉 I’m working on the Salty Days Sweater. For the new year I want to knit my first cardigan. Happy New Year 🎉

[@kathyradic3368]

Happy New Year Kaity and Diana and families. 🎉 This podcast was so fun. Kaity, the Jose hood is on my want to knit list. I might go stash diving and cast it on Jan. 1st. Diana, I am knitting Bergman sweater by Caitlin Hunter. I'm using Knitting for Olive for the first time. Love it! Wishing you both the best in 2025. ❤

[@karenparker9113]

Making the My Jose Hood now, and then making the Bees Knees with wool from Scotland!

[@mongrain8934]

Happy New Year !!! ❤❤❤

[@deborahsimpson2732]

Yes. Use the yarn you already have. I told my daughter that the other day. She agrees and will do the same thing with all the beads she has for jewelry making. It's funny. She loves to bead which I consider torture, and I love to knit which she just looks at and furrows her brow; hahaha. We both have said that we will up our game regarding our crafts this year. Along with all the [hopefully] exciting changes in our country starting 2025, we all personally will have exciting plans as well. Really like what each of y'all are wearing.

[@janet_Luv2_Knit]

I have started a Norma pullover that I saw on another lovely podcast “Where we knit” from Minneapolis. She also recommended Suri Silk by Fiber Macgyver who is a dyer local to her. I ordered some yarn from her last month and it’s lovely.

[@annotlewski1104]

You inspired me to order the book My Year in Yarn. It was sold out in several places but I did find one!

[@dorothyrainey1141]

Thanks for sharing your plans! Happy New Year!

[@kendram7511]

Your knits are all so beautiful! I’ve got lots of knitting intentions for 2025, we’ll see what happens. Am casting on the Vertices Unite shawl today as part of a KAL with the pjknits podcast community. Should be fun! Happy New Year!

[@graceyj7996]

I was so happy to see this video pop up today! Diana loved seeing all you yarn hanging in the room! Happy new years!

[@shelleycraft4273]

Happy New Year ladies! I recommend knitting dk weight socks. I knit my first pair in November because I wanted to gift socks for Christmas, but didn't have time to get 3 pair of fingering finished. I don't consider myself a fast knitter and I was able to finish and gift 4 pair!

[@the3milestitcher]

Happy New Year to you both and all your loved ones. I was so pleased when I saw this podcast come up in my list. I just wanted something sweet and full of love to listen to. I'm working on the Jenny Shawl, based on the shawls worn in the 'Outlander' series. I'm knitting it in an indie dyed burnt orange and I have to say it's getting all my knitting attention at the moment. I'm loving it. Kayti, you'll be interested to know I'm knitting it in merino and cashmere!! It's LUSH! Love from here in Shetland all the way to Kentucky xx

[@KathyLandry-o8i]

Happy New Year and I also plan to knit on New Year’s Day. Right now I’m trying so hard to get this quilt binded off by tomorrow for a gift though I want to knit on the scarf (making the basket weave pattern in my grandson’s HS colors) that my daughter requested. I also casted on a pair of dk socks. I love your ideas to make a hat or mitten(s) once a month possibly socks too. That inspires me to do the same. Thank ladies, love watching you❤❤❤ Kathy from Massachusetts

[@thefruitfulhands]

Kathy, you sound like me doing all the things! How blessed we are… Thank you for watching.

[@shereeh4541]

Enjoyed the podcast again today! Happy New Year to you both. I plan to start on my Stromboli sweater by Caitlin Hunter on New Year’s Day. Great idea to “ stash down” in 2025!

[@lanaparker293]

Diana, That sweater is beautiful on you!

[@mostlyknitting]

Your Autumn Alpine is gorgeous, Diana and the Mabel cardigan looks so elegant on you Kaity. Can't wait to see your Eva Cardigans. Love the greens. That is on my 2025 must knit list as well. I know what you mean about needing the designers to slow down - too much inspiration!! Happy New Year! x

[@skhoyt6024]

Every January I say I’m going to work on finishing things I’ve already started. I did some of that last year, but also got caught up in new things, and I’m sure that will happen again to some extent, but there are lots of languishing wips left. So, I’ll try to do better this year. They’re all things I like and want to do but it so tempting to do the new thing everyone else is doing.

[@JoyZane-s8r]

I was so inspired by Diana’s Lumme sweater she wore recently, so purchased the pattern and waiting for my Knitting for Olive order to arrive.

[@kimsechrest2202]

Regarding your chat about alpacas...there are two breeds/species of alpacas. Huacaya is the most common representing 95% of all alpacas and Suri (5%). Mohair-as you said-comes from goats-specifically the Angora goat. Thanks for sharing your knitting plans with us. Happy New Year.

[@cwanlin128]

Happy New Year to you both! Diana, you made me laugh when you said you would like the designers to slow down!! So funny!! All the projects you talked about made me anxious!! I have so much yarn and so many projects, but we are moving. So, I have boxed my yarn and projects up trying to leave out just what I think I will work on in the next few months of chaos. Right now I am working on a scarf and a shawl that are from Advent KALs. That will keep me busy and not too stressed for awhile. Of course, I did leave yarn out for a hat for myself and a couple of sweaters with yarn I purchased in 2024 from our UK/Norway trip. I am trying very hard to not buy anymore yarn, but I said that last year, too. Yikes!!

[@loriflaglor5686]

Happy New Year, sweet ladies!

[@claricebruckner5309]

I'm planning on casting on the Stars Hollow pullover by Sari Nordlund, a Rib welt scarf & a few babyblankets for new grand babies

[@alovelyyarn]

Kaity, you might want to check out the hooded scarf pattern by Purl Soho. It is a free pattern. I'm making it for my daughter, Lily. It calls for a sport weight yarn, but I think I might try making it with a fingering and mohair held double.

[@bettyfockler551]

Thanks for another fun podcast. You two are quite ambitious ! On the Suri alpaca. I raised llamas and many of my friends also had alpacas. There are two kinds of fiber, Suri which is long, silky and drapey. The other is Huacaya which is dense and curly. I’ve never heard of the first clip referred to anything other than the virgin clip (first shearing.). Suri alpacas are quite distinctive from Huacayas and quite regal, in my opinion. There are distinct color names for alpacas fiber. It’s all lovely! My llamas had lovely fiber too, but llama has no memory so it’s usually blended with other fibers. At least I always did and it was easier to spin. Good luck with your projects. I’ll be watching! ❤

[@thefruitfulhands]

Thank you, Betty, for all the good information! I’ll definitely share on our next podcast. Happy New Year!

[@liasilva3750]

I have decided to make the Hoodola by Laura Nelkin. That’s a good hood to make too. Love the podcast. You guys do a great job.

[@cherylcameron9972]

Hopefully I can cast on the mokosh sweater for New Years , go for a walk, and of course watch knitting podcasts. Perfect sort of day in my opinion. Happy New Years ladies!

[@bek-bek-bek-bek]

What a wonderful way to start the New Year watching your first video of the year ❤🎉 Thankyou both for another great video and catch up. I LOVE the 'yarn shop window' back ground...to begin with I wondered where you were! The room is looking yarntabulous!! Wishing you and your families are wonder-filled 2025. I plan to make a few more things for myself this year, 'tis a new season afterall, and also to make some things I have long wanted to. To use up stash yarn yes! and also to use patterns I already have! Summer here and I am working on the 'Shana' top pattern by Hanna Maciejewska - I will add sleeves and also a test cable hat. There is always a list of things to do, and the only way to get anything done is to do a bit everyday! Take care and enjoy!

[@thefruitfulhands]

Thank you for your sweet message! Happy New Year and good luck with your projects!

[@CeeCeeCrafts]

I get so excited when I see a new video from you. I love seeing your knitting plans and yarns. I plan to knit my first socks, and since I missed my Christmas Eve cast on, I'm planning to begin on New Year's Day. Happy New Year, Ladies!! 💝

[@59lauralou]

Thank you for another great episode, very inspiring! Katie, I love all the yarn colors you picked to do color work sweater. that is going to be gorgeous. And thank you for reminding me about the Merrick Inn. I love that place and I’ll have to go there next time. I’m in Lexington. I am making a pair of Perfect newborn socks for a friends daughter who is having a baby. Thank you for telling me about that pattern Katie. So cute and what a sweet gift. Laura and Bardstown.

[@thefruitfulhands]

Laura, so good to hear from you. Baby socks are the sweetest, I love to knit socks for little feet. The Merrick Inn is definitely a favorite of mine. I hope you get back to Lexington soon and our paths cross again.

[@59lauralou]

@ 🥰

[@trudydelich2920]

Happy New Year from northern MN! As always a real joy to visit. The alpaca types are like people's hair. Some have silky fine hair and some curly but not silky. I see here a former owner just explained the two different types of alpacas. I had alpacas once also, but never suri alpacas. Only huacaya.

[@thefruitfulhands]

Thanks Friend, Happy New Year!

[@deborah-k-IN]

I plan on starting a Vertices Unite shawl with a group of friends on New Years Day. I also will start a Darth Vader sweater for my grandson. (I made him one as a baby and his father requested a new one now that he is 3 and won’t outgrow it as quickly )

[@jenniferbarkey5712]

You two are so sweet and I love your channel. I've been knitting like crazy the past couple of months to get a pair of socks made for everyone in my immediate family (9 pair)! Unfortunately I had to miss my Christmas with my family because I got very ill. Feeling a bit better but probably won't get to give the socks to them until January or February.😢 My knitting plans for next year is the Anker sweater by Petite Knits, Field Sweater by Camilla Vad, the Calliope by Espace Tricot and the Turtle Dove cardigan by Sonder Yarn co. I am also on making a couple of the French Cancan scarves by L'Atelier de Mademoiselle C.

[@thefruitfulhands]

Thankful you are feeling better. I hope you get to see your family sooner rather than later so they can enjoy all the lovelies you have made for them. You sound like you will be busy with all your knits in the coming year. Turtle Dove is on my list, we shall see if I get to it this year. Happy New Year!

[@sylvieboulanger8155]

Happy New Year!

[@carolynlambert6989]

G’day, Happy 2025 Diane & Kaity ⭐️⭐️🇦🇺

[@Kathy-r3n]

I'm planning on the pair of socks per month with the Knitty McPurly group, using Summer Lee's The Sock Project I have also signed up for the Berroco blanket project. I'm sure that I will mix in a few other projects as well.

[@booquotation]

I like your comment about catching up. I've decided not to buy new patterns in 2025 because there is so much I already have (pattern-wise) that I know will just get displaced by the newest thing. Happy New Year to you both!

[@reginamay76]

I adore your podcast! You always make me smile 😃. My plans for the new year I’d love to make a gnome every month💕 also I want to focus on knitting some accessories I tend to wear cowls so I need to make some more. A no frills and an autumn league are also going to happen as I have the yarn ready😂

[@hollysweany4234]

Happy New Year to you and yours. I’m hoping to finally steek a sweater this year. I also want to use my makes as blessings to others. I pray as I’m knitting for the person it’s for even if I don’t know who that is yet. ❤

[@thefruitfulhands]

Happy New Year! What lovely plans you have for the new year. Blessings and hugs.

[@marcybrown691]

Frixion erasable pens are my answer to planner anxiety. They come on many colors and different point sizes.

[@EJNowak]

Knit Picks has a yarn called wool of the Andes which is alpaca

[@gillianlay8963]

What a fun filled podcast! So many wonderful inspiring knit plan you both have! I love your green yarn choice and the petite knit cardigan you’ve chosen. Happy New Year!

[@EileenK64]

My plans are to cast on a Mother Bear on 1/1 as I do every year and after that I have no idea! I think I want to focus on knitting up leftover yarn.

[@rachellehergenreter3168]

I am making the Wild Wind Vest by Wild Knits Glasgow. She is a newish designer and podcaster. She has some cute kids patterns also.

[@chebbiereadsandknits672]

Love your podcast ladies. Happy new year to you both!

[@judyanderson6069]

❤’d Watching in ‘24 & Onto 2025 for inspiration!! How Cool if You Both would knit on screen for us to watch & perhaps a color work demo or sthing! God Bless yall

[@debbies8023]

There are two alpaca fiber types. Huacaya fiber looks like sheep fiber and fluffy. Suri fiber is more silk like and hangs off their body in locks.

[@nicolepauly7343]

I am planning on doing a date day with my husband since we were able to get a babysitter for the night. We might go to dinner and a movie and I might stay up and knit if I can.

[@dutch-kiwi]

What do you ladies do with your project leftover. I’m sure you will have some.

[@thefruitfulhands]

I generally use the leftovers in another project or give them to Kaity. I have given some to Sister Cee as well. Happy New Year!

[@dutch-kiwi]

@, Happy New Year to you and your family too. I use my leftover for charity knitting or pass it on for that purpose. Love your podcasts.

[@crystalblue38883]

Fun stuff BUT you got the definition of suri wrong: Definitely an alpaca but a certain type of alpaca is called suri and has long silky wool much different than the more common alpaca known as huacaya. Have not tried the suri alpaca yet but would like to one of these days!!

[@thefruitfulhands]

Thank you, Crystal, I’ll correct myself on next podcast. Happy New Year!

[@sylvieboulanger8155]

I'm finishing a cardigan and a sweater. I'm not using patterns.

[@thefruitfulhands]

Sylvia, I’m impressed! Happy New Year!

[@SwamiMommy]

Happy New Year!