::this moment::

From soulemama: 

"{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Give Thanks (and GIVEAWAY)

When I began designing these mittens and hat last fall, I really was motivated by thankfulness.  That I have little ones to hug and love, that they are healthy.  That we have enough food to eat and a warm house when it gets cold.  That I have good friends and a wonderful family.

Anyone who knows me well knows I like to complain.  A lot.  When I get overly anxious or down, I try to remember to be thankful for the good things I have.  I am lucky in many ways, even when I'm feeling overwhelmed by life.

So I try to remember to give thanks for the simple and most important things I have:  a home to live in, a family to share it with, and people in my life whom I love and who love me back.

I'd like to give away a copy of both the Give Thanks Mitten and Hat patterns.  I will email the winner a pdf version of each pattern.  To be entered, leave a comment about what you're thankful for.  I'll pick a winner at random next Friday, October 7th.  

Yarn Along...in which I admit that I'm afraid of my book

I'm still working on the sweater I showed you last week.  It's a sleeveless sweater, so I've only got to crochet around the armholes and weave in some ends.  So I should be finished soon!

I took a picture of the sweater sitting on top of my knitting basket.  The basket is overflowing with little projects that need to be finished:  a button missing from a sweater, a single mitten that needs a mate, some hats that need to be hand washed, some swatches that I'd like to catalog somehow, and a scarf that needs some serious attention before Christmas.

I'm still reading The Lost City of Z.  While I admitted to finding Amazon adventure stories fascinating, I think I also have to admit that they've been giving me nightmares.  I haven't been sleeping well this week and I think reading this book right before bed isn't helping.  I've just downloaded a copy of the novel Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan, and I'm hoping to start reading it soon.  I'll save my Amazon reading for earlier in the day.

What are you reading and knitting this week?

Thank you to Ginny at small things for hosting another Yarn Along.

hanging on to summer

I'm pretty sure that yesterday was our last beach day of the year.  At least the last one when we'd wear a bathing suit.  While I welcome fall and wool sweaters and hot coffee and pumpkin everything, I still want to hang on to these beautiful days.

::this moment::

From soulemama: 

"{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Happy Fall (and sale too)!

To celebrate the first weekend of Fall, enjoy 25% off any of my self published designs that you purchase through Ravelry.  No coupon needed.  Just add the pattern(s) to your cart, and the discount will automatically apply.  This sale will run until the end of the day on Sunday.

Happy Fall!

Give Thanks Mitten

Lucia Hat

Lucia Sweater

Yarn Along

Now that school is back in session, I'm hoping I can find a new routine with blogging.  This is my last minute Yarn Along entry for today:

I'm working on a red version of this sweater.  I'm using Knit Pick's Swish Bulky in "Hollyberry."  I've also been working on a fingering weight sweater for my daughter, and it's astonishing how much more quickly bulky yarn knits up.  I'm finalizing the pattern for the cowl neck sweater and if anyone is interested in testing out a girls' size 12 or 14/16, please let me know.

I'm reading The Lost City of Z by David Grann .  I chose this book to read because I find exploratory journeys into the Amazon fascinating.  My most favorite historical non-fiction book is The Mapmaker's Wife by Robert Whitaker.  I read The Mapmaker's Wife several years ago.  It was one of those books that was so interesting, it kept me up late at night.  It chronicles the journey that an 18th century Peruvian upper-class young woman undertakes to find her French husband who has set off down the Amazon.  Imagine traveling the Amazon in the 1700s and starting off your journey in a silk gown.  I can't say enough how fascinating I found this book!

Thanks to Ginny at small things for hosting another Yarn Along.

Please share what you're reading and knitting.  Thanks!

new pattern in the works

Despite the 80 degree days, until just yesterday, and time still spent at the beach, there are hints of fall in the air everywhere.  The mornings are cool, pumpkins are popping up on doorsteps, and some of the leaves are even changing.

I've recently finished up a new design: a girls' sleeveless sweater with a textured cowl neck, worked from the bottom up with minimal seaming.  It's a sophisticated little sweater and cozy warm too.  Perfect for fall. Or not too cold winters.

I'm looking for some knitters to test the pattern for me.  And I'm in the middle of knitting up another one myself.  If you'd like to test  the pattern, you can sign up in the Free Pattern Testers forum on Ravelry.  Thanks!