Sometimes less is more… but then again, sometimes more is more.
I’m continually inspired by my bestie and business partner Alexa, who falls strongly on the ‘more is more’ side of this philosophical and stylistic line 😂.
She gives so much love to her big family and her community. She hosts parties, bakes the best cookies on the block, and, of course, she knits and knits and knits for everybody! She’s forever dreaming up ways to stuff a just a little MORE fun and JOY into every year.
Alexa’s epic family knit photos are a tradition that stuffs in all that JOY and fun, adds knitting, and marks time, and creates hilarious cute family photos to be shared for years to come. Let’s look back!
This knit history is in reverse chronological order… you can see the sweaters reused, year after year, as they pass down the ranks to smaller cousins!
Alexa’s plan for this year includes some old, some new – mostly green and red, but some blue too!
2025 – The theme is…sweaters
Some years have a stronger theme than others, but to keep the big kids coming back, you gotta knit what they wanna wear! Ellis and Arlo were keen on Besties sweaters, Henry and Cody wanted gold and red sweaters, and Hunter, Jones, and Bodhi wanted something soft. Read all about this shoot (including all the sweater details) here.
2024 – Vest Friends Pastel Christmas
2024 was the year of Vestmas. Alexa organized this epic family knit photoshoot with a lovely bright palette, and Vest Friends vests for all! She had help from her knitting sisters-in-law…but it was SO. MANY. VESTS.
2023 Balloon Sleeves and a NEW baby
Baby Raisie joined the family, and Alexa knit sweaters for all her big kids… again! I love this palette with mint, pink, and that vivid kelly green!
I’d say the absolute stars of the show this year are Henry and Cody’s Train Sweaters – Michelle used the Strange Brew recipe and a lot of her own ingenuity here! Read all about our 2023 sweaters here.
2022 Simple Sweaters and Cute Toques!
The theme is really hand-me-downs this year! Hunter and Ripley got new sweaters, but everyone else is wearing pre-loved sweaters.
Baby Ripley joined the family, the cousin count was mounting up! The new sweaters this year included Simple Sweaters from our recently released Basics Collection… so much fun to knit!
Check out all the sweater and yarn details here.
2021 AAAAAALLLL the Colourwork!
This is my very favourite of all Alexa’s Christmas knitting projects… Sisters in law Emily and Michelle of course knit a LOT of these sweaters. Baby Cody was a new addition this year. Michelle’s first year joining in!
More info on this epic feat here.
2020 = Social Distancing
It was a tough year… but that didn’t stop Alexa from pulling off a family photo at the holidays… on the shores of the lake, with much distance between the knit-clad family groups.
2019 Gramps and the Cutest Christmas Elves!
2018 Christmas Tree Farm Chic
This was the year we travelled to Iceland, and released our Strange Brew collection! Alexa’s whole family is dressed in Strange Brew knits. This might be the best family photo ever!
2017 A whole lot of Strange Brew!
2016 – First September sweaters: Flax
You can really see the beginnings of the ‘epic family knit photo’ here… Alexa knit 3, and Emily knit one for little Ellis! These are Flax sweaters, with a sweet rainbow added onto the body! All the details are in the September Sweaters post.
2015 – just the three of them
2014 Black and White Theme
The threesome of Alexa’s children was complete with the arrival of Bodhi in 2012. This was the beginning of the Christmas knit photos tradition… Bodhi does NOT look convinced!
What do you think?
Is this look back through Alexa’s knit and family history inspiring to you too?
Are you knitting something as a gift or heirloom this autumn?
