handspun swoncho

When I started working for Windy Valley Muskox, I had the pleasure of traveling with and getting to know the owner, Dianne.  She is a fantastic spinner!  Originally, we were introduced through some of my knitting friends who are part of her family.  I started out with WVM designing a pattern.  Once Dianne saw my finished pattern with modeled shots, she hired me to reshoot several patterns, and eventually I shot all of her product photos, provided pattern support, and went to several trade shows.  Traveling together to yarn shows, we became friends.  

At one of the yarn shows, we discovered the Glenfiddich Wool Swoncho in the booth across from ours, and thought it was really cute.  One size, easily modified, it looked great on everyone who tried it on.  Later that summer, I was visiting Dianne's ranch, and she gave me a bag of her handspun yarns to knit with.  She can knit, but doesn't spend as much time on it as I do; I will never be able to spin like her, though she has given me a lesson or two!  We agreed that, at some point, I would knit a swoncho for her, and she would spin some yarn for me.  Years went by, Dianne sold the business, and we lost touch somewhat.  

Fast forward a few years to this past summer, and I was telling someone about the yarn and pattern.  Inspired, I dug up the pattern and yarn from among my many projects.  Many knitters have told me they don't use their special yarns because they're afraid to ruin it.  Here I was, doing the same thing, and I realized that the yarn was sitting, being of no use.  Reading through the pattern, I thought the worst that can happen is I end up ripping it out.  Seems like a small risk when on the other hand, I could end up with something really beautiful!  I laid the yarn out and got started.  After a couple of weeks, I had this wonderful swoncho!

Dianne was in town to see family for Thanksgiving and I had the opportunity to stop by and surprise her with the finished swoncho, all these years later.  It looks pretty terrific on her - she loved it.  (Although I had to try it on before I gave it away.  You understand, right?!  Thanks to my middle son, who snapped some shots for me.) 

What's a swoncho?  Simple; it's a poncho with sleeves - a sweater-poncho. 

 the front? 

Most of the ribbing is Dianne's qiviut/silk - SO lucious!!   

Do you have a precious skein, yard of fabric, vial of beads that you're holding on to?  What are you saving it for?