{My Hand Knitted Irish Aran Men's Vest}

At the time that husband Pieter still needed to travel frequently to Portage La Prairie in Manitoba, Canada for Campbell Soup, I did hand knit this Irish Aran Mens's Vest for him from a Burda magazine. That kept him nicely warm. Here in Georgia, it hardly ever is being worn but on Sunday, January 12, we went for a walk and Pieter wore it.

Knitted in Phildar wool in Rustique Naturelle... with wooden buttons.

Knitted from the Dutch Burda Breien en Haken 365 patroon 101

Did knit this from a German description however, since the enclosed pattern got lost...

Here you see husband Pieter, wearing my hand knitted Irish Aran Vest and also his Bailey Trilby Tweed - Wool Fedora Hat from Hatcountry's Italian collection.

Blue winter sky made for a perfect walk...

this is the back part of the Vest with raglan sleeves.

Detail of the cable knitting...

Ribcord jeans are from the Outlet by Ermenegildo Zegna.

Rubber boots are French Le Chameau  click it

Okay, let's walk on...

On January 13, 1985, I proudly show my just finished Irish Aran Men's Vest to my Dublin Mama 'Alice' and to my Thai–American friend Somai.

This photo is taken at our previous Dublin home...

This heavy vest I did knit in 11 days; just in time for a winter trip into Portage La Prairie, Manitoba in Canada for Pieter!

Have you done any Irish Aran pattern?

Related articles:
{My Hand Knitted Linen Top} | previous post by me
{My Hand Knitted Silk Lace Shawl in Peacock Pattern} | previous post by me

{My Hand Knitted Vest} | previous post by me

{My Hand Knitted Leg Warmers Then and Now} | previous post by me

{My Hand Knitted & Hand Embroidered Sweater}| previous post by me

{Mohair blend Peacock-stitch Sweater Knitted by Me} | previous post by me

{AJOUR KNIT JACKET FOR MY NIECE MAARTJE} | previous post by me

{Cotton Ajour Sweater with Lace Effect, knitted by Me} | previous post by me

{30 Years  Ago In My Rose Sweater} | previous post by me

{My Hand Knitted Silk Lace Shawl in Peacock Pattern}

It is about time that I show you my Hand Knitted Silk Lace Shawl in Peacock Pattern. Most bloggers know that it takes time for styling things and it's even harder for items you have to wear! The weather at home had been quite dark and dreary so we thought we take all those pieces with us in the car to Florida - to the SUNSHINE STATE.

Well yeah, SUNSHINE behind those gray clouds...

Here we are again on September 19, at the Hyatt House Miami Airport, our favorite home away from home.

Never mind, their botanical garden is still great for making photos!

So here is my hand knitted (yes, by ME!) shawl from Swiss Lang Yarns in a 100% taupe silk, which  I had obtained from New York by the box, wholesale. 

Closeup of the Peacock Pattern in Silk

As a matter of fact, I did three of these silk shawls. One was a gift for a dear friend in Australia and one I donated to "THREADS OF LIFE: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S TEXTILE ART" from the Georgia State University. You can read more from my LinkedIn profile.

Knitted after this Anna Burda pattern.

The skirt is my own sewing creation in a matching tropical wool from Britex Fabrics, San Francisco with silk lining from Britex Notions.

Shoes are Charles Jourdan from the Outlet.

Pantyhose are Wolford from the Outlet

Bag is from Chanel, from I Magnin, San Francisco.

Cotton peplum shirt is by Escada from the Outlet.

Gold Cameo brooch is a gift from Pieter, bought in Eindhoven, The Netherlands as an estate piece at a jewelry store.

Cane I used only because the model in the Anna Burda held one...

Watch is a Rado from Switzerland; tax free.

Pearl Majolica earrings are from Singapore airport; tax free.

Pearl bracelet by Majolica is from Neiman Marcus at Oahu in Hawaii.

When shopping frugally at Outlets and tax free, one can afford some little luxuries... 

Closing my eyes... dreaming of SUNSHINE.

That's a FULL size 4 or European 34

Related links:
Rose lace pattern with rippled diamond edging | blog by Astrid from Sweden with lace knitting shawl
GEBREIDESJAALS | blog by Mieke who is a Dutch artist in fine lace shawl knitting
Faden Stille | blog by Anett who is German artist in lace knitting, living in France
Träumereien Angel Smile | blog by Brigitte from Germany who does also lace knitting
Bergzauber stricken | blog by Marlies from Switzerland showing a knitted silk lace shawl

Britex Fabrics

Britex Notions

{My Hand Knitted Linen Top}

For summer, nothing feels better on our skin than LINEN. I have hand knitted this khaki colored linen top and LOVE wearing it. So it did come into the suitcase with us to Florida. These photos are from September 19, and are taken inside the gardens of the Hyatt House Miami Airport. One of our favorite Hyatt hotels that feels like home with its suite concept and fully equiped kitchen. 

Wearing my hand knitted linen top here with my Escada khaki shorts and Escada Sport sandals.

As accessories I wore my tiger eye necklace and bracelet (not visible in photo).

We had three days of rain in Miami, so everything looked rather damp.

The accent on the back... which I did alter.

I went for a boat neck design instead.

More in detail...

This was on the day before we departed to central Florida, on our way home...

Do you love to wear linen in summer?

Related articles:

{My Hand Knitted Vest} | previous post by me

{My Hand Knitted Leg Warmers Then and Now} | previous post by me

{My Hand Knitted & Hand Embroidered Sweater} | previous post by me, wearing brooch

{Guilloché Enamel Brooches, Thimble and Rose Box} | previous post by me showing brooch
{Mohair blend Peacock-stitch Sweater Knitted by Me} | previous post by me

{AJOUR KNIT JACKET FOR MY NIECE MAARTJE} | previous post by me

{Cotton Ajour Sweater with Lace Effect, knitted by Me} | previous post by me

{30 Years  Ago In My Rose Sweater} | previous post by me

{Hand Knitted Easter Gift from Sister-In-Law}

The sweetest gifts are often those that are hand made. We call it here in the USA; Labor of Love. My sister-in-law, Elly Van den Munckhof did knit for me six cute egg warmers. A set of Easter Chickens for placing over a boiled egg. For years already, both of us don't eat eggs but I do use them over some special egg shaped Easter candles. Have a look...

Here they are; that is four out of six. 

The Chickens to the right had a bad hair-day...

I've only given them a new felt crest and silk organdy graduating ribbons around their neck.

They held up really well.

Elly did make the eyes from a glass bead.

Nice Easter grouping... except that the weather was actually too dark to make decent photos...

A tiny bud vase with blooming Pelargonium from our Green House. 

Because we will have frost on Tuesday night, our potting plants are still inside!

Dark days with a mean and cold wind...

The lazy Chick on the yellow plate we got one year in the mail from our 'German son' and family.

The lacquered and hand polished laser cut brass Egg window decorations are from Germany, Jech Kunstgewerbe.

FAKE Egg... it is a candle in a mini-terracotta pot with gold sparkle.

The top plate is from Blokker in The Netherlands where we bough them with my niece Maartje Van den Munckhof... Three out of four survived so far!

The tablecloth is all cotton Le Jacquard Français.

So what do you say about my Easter Chickens?

Related links:
{RARE ANTIQUE ROSE: JEANNE D'ARC (1818 FRANCE)} | previous post by me showing hand crocheted doily by Elly
{Our Garden's Winter Blooms for Christmas} | previous post by me showing hand crocheted doily by Elly
{Easter Season} | previous post by me showing the brass window decorations with link
{Our Organdy Beribboned, Porcelain and Brass Easter Eggs} | previous post by me showing the brass window decorations with link

{My Hand Knitted Vest}

Since it is winter and we are wearing our woolen sweaters and such, I like to show you My Hand Knitted Vest. On January 20, I did wear it for the photo so you can see it on my blog...

Wearing my hand knitted vest with my English woolen tweed suit from Planet.co.uk

Husband Pieter did buy this suit for me in London, many years ago when he was by himself and it still fits perfect!

The entire Planet suit.

Worn with a  Laurèl silk blouse and Escada shoes and +Wolford pantyhose, both from the Outlet at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in New York State. 

 There also is a Wolford Outlet at Orlando Premium Outlets at Vineland Ave. 

Also at Sawgrass Mills Outlets - 1700 Sawgrass Mills Circle -  33323 Sunrise, FL 

This classic tweed suit does have a dark brown velvet collar.

Jacket off and showing you my A-line skirt with the hand knitted vest...

Tiggy-Tiger girl sitting on the Wood Trail.

The vest has cables knit into the front and back. Also a mice tooth edging and knitted-in button holes.

Detail from the cables, two fine ones with a broad one in the center. You also can see the button holes and buttons with mice tooth edging all around vest. 

This is the back, with three of those cable rows knitted in.

Very practical it reads on the side, it was in the Anna Burda, February 1983.

Another classic pattern.

Click here on pink hyperlink: → Cable Vest for the Pdf.

Pattern is in Dutch but with some explaining and clear knitting example that will be easy to follow, also some translation of key words.

Do you love to knit cable patterns?

I know, there are two blog-ladies whom I admire for their knitting of sweaters and such: Anett from Fadenstille  and Marlies from Bergzauber stricken. Can't compete with them!

Related articles:
{My Hand Knitted Leg Warmers Then and Now} | previous post by me
{My Hand Knitted & Hand Embroidered Sweater}| previous post by me with brooch

{Guilloché Enamel Brooches, Thimble and Rose Box} | previous post by me

{Mohair blend Peacock-stitch Sweater Knitted by Me} | previous post by me

{AJOUR KNIT JACKET FOR MY NIECE MAARTJE} | previous post by me

{Cotton Ajour Sweater with Lace Effect, knitted by Me} | previous post by me

{30 Years  Ago In My Rose Sweater} | previous post by me
Wolford Fashion | FB Page

{My Hand Knitted Leg Warmers Then and Now}

Let me show you some incredibly STRONG Hand Knitted Leg Warmers Then and Now... No kidding, there is a lapse of almost 28 years between getting them off my knitting needles and wearing them NOW. Are you ready?

Yes, this is ME wearing my hand knitted leg warmers; hot off the needles in March of 1985...

What do you think? Pretty close or not...

Now, let's move!

Same legs, same leg warmers but almost 28 years later!

Victoria from the blog Slightly Shabby asked: "I would love if you could do more posts on your diet and exercise, you have such a great figure! I was always very slim but now, in my mid 40's, I find myself struggling."

♥

Okay, I will show you some of my exercise... my diet I will address later.

I did it then...

And now...

By the way, I need another hair cut!

Oh, wait... we will get going, I will show you next!

Just a bit more than only turning around...

Twenty eight years in-between; that's not bad for 60+ or?

Ready...?

All the way to the floor... Keep your legs stretched!

Yes, I can still do that...!

Hurts like hell but never mind.

That's right; swing those legs (both of them!) all the way, past your ears to the floor and hold for 20 minutes.

I'm kidding; you cannot breathe that way...

Oh Lordy... I will probably never get straightened up again!

Yeah, big deal then; when I was 28 years younger and a LOT more flexible.

Hope you enjoyed this Then and Now series.

Now be careful, don't imitate me immediately; you might have to check with your doctor first!

Related link:

{Our Rose Suite's Little Room} previous post by me where Victoria asked the above quoted question in the comments... 

{My Hand Knitted & Hand Embroidered Sweater}

We arrived at that time of year which we call: SWEATER WEATHER. So here I want to show you my Hand Knitted and Hand Embroidered Sweater. I have always LOVED the German, Swiss, Italian style of Hand Knitted and Hand Embroidered Sweaters. But for buying one you need to be a  millionaire. So please view my own humble creation. Below my sweater I will show you two lovely examples from Gorsuch.com, the ones I cannot afford but only dream of.

Photo is taken in May when the Magnolia tree was blooming...

Ajour Knitted sleeves and front, adormed with Hand Embroidery...

Showing you the total sweater...

The sweater also has a total of six cables running alongside the open ajour knitting.

I did add heart shaped buttons...

The back is plain, just in a decorative stitch.

With my guilloché brooch...

Detail of the embroidery in wool.

It was a lot of counting and paying attention...

This was the example I did knit from... following the pattern.

Such a dream from Gorsuch, called Spitze Sweater hand knitted, hand embroidered in wool/silk for only $ 1,818.00

Or this Dornroschen Sweater from Gorsuch for $ 1,498.00 in wool/silk.

Mine is only a very humble creation in comparison!

There are two blog-ladies whom I admire for their knitting of sweaters and such: Anett from Fadenstille  and Marlies from Bergzauber stricken. Both of them no doubt could create such lovely pieces on their needles. 

Of course, there is Mieke from Gebreidesjaals who knits heavenly shawls and stoles in ajour knit with lace patterns. 

Sorry, this is only for the Dutch readers...

Do you knit any sweaters or embroider knitted pieces?

A favorite of many...!

Related articles:
{Guilloché Enamel Brooches, Thimble and Rose Box} | previous post by me

{Mohair blend Peacock-stitch Sweater Knitted by Me} | previous post by me

{AJOUR KNIT JACKET FOR MY NIECE MAARTJE} | previous post by me

{Cotton Ajour Sweater with Lace Effect, knitted by Me} | previous post by me

{30 Years  Ago In My Rose Sweater} | previous post by me