What is your knitting style?

Now that the Christmas and new year chaos is behind us (although the mince pies that Shirley keeps bring into the office are a constant reminder - particularly for our waistlines) it's time to get down to some serious knitting of our own. Not only are we working on the new designs for the Spring collection but we've actually got time to do some knitting of our own - for ourselves - I know, amazing!!

Carrie for example has cast on the Toft Striped Jumper and is already wondering if the 3.25mm needles are going to get the better of her. It's her knitting style to have at least 3 projects on her knitting needles at anyone time and although that is sort of the case right now (a pair of ugg style slippers 3/4s finished, and a new pattern for an intarsia baby-growbag 1/3 on the way) but a new year's resolution to finish one project at a time and use up the huge stash hidden throughout the house is causing some her some guilt about casting on anything more!

Which made us think. We all have different knitting styles just like our tensions.

Kerry is project in an evening kinda girl - any longer and she's not really interested. Big needles, thick yarn, finshed! Like the Pom Pom Beanie Hat for example.

Myra (she of Toft Alpaca Stud fame) has rediscovered her love of knitting, clicking away over the Christmas period. Having completed the Chunky Cable and Lace Scarf as a gift. So much so that she's missing it now that her projects are finished. We think she's probably in the market for the matching wristwarmers!

So what's yours?

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The need to ski.

It's that time of year when those who love to ski and board are dusting off their kit ready to brave the slopes. Kerry will be heading off in a week or so and with that in mind we thought a little look at the fashion of knitted skiwear through the ages would be fun, culminating in Kerry's outfit of choice for the 80s themed ski day (or could that turn into the whole week?).

Hopefully she'll bring back some pics of everyone wearing their matching alpaca pom pom hats complete with initials! As Vogue Knitting of old says what "Gay Glamorous Gadabouts" they'll be!

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Spot the difference birthday special!

Today is Rob of Toft Alpaca Stud's birthday, we won't say how old. Yesterday Kerry and Shirley undertook a special secret mission to pick up his special present... and here he is, Archie the llama. Isn't he a beaut?! Apparently his face was a picture of surprise and shock (Rob's that is, not Archie's). His first thought was that some strange reverse llama rustling had been going on over night, until Shirley and Kerry assured him that Archie was in fact a new addition to the herd.

So can you spot some differences between llamas and alpacas? Regular Toft followers will notice the difference in shape, height, ears and jaw not to mention the look of his fleece and colouring. We can't wait to show him off during the farm tour on the next knitting workshop at the end of January for some real life spot the difference fun!