Pumpkin Sunrise

Golly is it dreary outside as I type this blog post.  March is such a fickle month, it's not quite winter and it's not truly spring.  I am ready for slightly warmer sunnier weather.  Everyone I talk to is whining about the weather (maybe I start the whining?).  Everyone is itching for spring, for coatless freedom. The preschooler (well almost preschooler!) is super sassy and makes for a babysitting day a challenging day for me.  I know every month she is growing and this is a phase that won't last forever but I wonder how I did it with my two children.  We both know that the terrible twos is coined that phrase for a reason.  At the end of a babysitting day, I am beat! My son used to lay down and scream his head off in public all the time.  I must have been battle weary, right?  The thing about aging is that memories are softened around the edges and well, I don't remember my frustration or my annoyance.  Time erases facts and replaces fond feelings. I'

Knotions knitting magazine asked me if I would review their ebook, ShawlStar, which is being re-released with an additional three more shawl shapes at the end of this week.  I was thrilled with this opportunity since I knit a lot of shawls and I do love to help out our knitting community. The original ebook was published with 40 shawl shapes in 2018 and comprehensive is THE word to describe this ebook on shawls.  The author, Elizabeth Felgate, goes into detail about the various shawl shapes, discusses the pros and cons of each one and gives a 'recipe' to create each shawl shape.  Guidelines are given to create each shape and includes variations as well.  The amount of information is impressive and will have you itching to design and create a shawl.  The instructions are clearly written with many photos and examples of the shapes as well as schematics indicating the direction of the knitting.  The table of contents makes it easy to scroll to the specific shawl shape or

new peace project Another week has come and gone and I did my very best to stay in vacation mode.  I'm not sure I succeeded.  I didn't knit nearly as much as I would've liked nor did I read as much.  So today after the gym and after a quick tidy of the main floor, I'm scrutinizing my schedule and squeezing out the wasteful habits. My joints have been intermittently bothering me because of the heat and humidity.  I usually declare 'I hate summer' or worse 'I wish summer was nearly over'. I'm working at changing the dialogue that runs in my head.  I want to enjoy summer the best way I can.  For instance, I went to the gym an extra day (usually a babysitting day) to walk on the treadmill in AC and thoroughly enjoyed the comfort of modern technology while reading my Kindle.  A new habit and I was happy. I do not want to wish away an entire season! Changing the dialogue also means I need to be more flexible and accepting while I have a

I LOVED knitting this shawl, truly -- one of the best knits ever to have on the needles.  The color changes were fun and I was eager to sit and knit each night.  While knitting this shawl, I day dreamed over other ones I could knit.  In my imagination, a lace weight version was drifting in and out of my ideas.  I have lots of bits and pieces of lace weight wool from previous projects and I'm sure the colors would compliment each other since I gravitate towards the same colors. This is the second Melanie Berg pattern I've knit (the first one is here ).  Her instructions are clear and concise as well as interesting to knit. Ravelry notes are here .   Okay, onto a giveaway: Please leave a comment on this post and you could win a copy of this pattern gifted by me to you on Ravelry.  Yes!  I will buy you this pattern. I will pick a winner on Friday morning with a random number generator and announce the winner on Friday's blog post.  The giveaway c

Phew!  I finished the tiny tea leaves cardigan well within my self imposed deadline which was as soon as possible.  The toddler girl I babysit will be two years old in a week and I wanted to make her another tiny tea leaves cardi because her mom loved the Christmas one I made .  This time around, I scoured the internet for a DK weight wool/cotton blend that was wash and dry-able.  I wanted the cotton content for transitional spring weather.  I found on Webs Anchor Bay by Cascade Yarns and I loved knitting with this wool.  When I finished knitting, I did a quick soak and upon blocking the sweater, the super wash wool content made the wet garment droopy and stretched out.  I promptly popped this sweater in the dryer and my oh my, magic!  Truly wash and dry, what bliss.  Both mom and little toddler love Disney, hence the Minnie Mouse buttons. Ravelry notes are here THE WINNER for the $25 coupon code to Tributary yarns website is Juliann !!  Dutch Label Shop has giv

Andrea from  This Knitted Life  has been dyeing up some beautiful yarns for her new shop called  Tributary Yarns .  I've known Andrea for quite some time and have test knitted for her in the past.  She is a thoughtful, thorough and dedicated knitter and now indie dyer.  How cool is that? Her shop had a grand opening a week or so ago and Andrea has been busy filling orders and dyeing more yarn to restock. From the looks of it, Andrea is off to a successful business.   Her story about Tributary Yarns can be found here , here and here . I've had the pleasure to be testing out two of her yarn bases, am I not a lucky knitter? The  river silk merino  blend that is a single ply that is 70% superwash merino wool and 30% silk in the lovely colorway  'Dusk at Elk River'.  This decadent wool silk blend is shimmery and the depth of color is simply stunning.  The stitch definition is soft and defined  - I'm currently knitting a shawl for me. T

I'm reading some light and easy books this week, you know, summer reading.  I love the pick it up and put it down ease and the low-thinking impact.  I know when the end of August arrives, I'll be craving some serious literary writing. I bought the victorian book on my beach vacation after a delightful old house tour.  If you ask me, we could all do with more manners -  where did they go? Last night I separated the sleeves from the body on my beloved cardigan .  The mindless stockinette is nicely paired with a murder mystery on TV or with a kindle book (kindles stay open on my lap). If you're analyzing my above photo, you will see a glimpse of a different coffee table.  The square one is going to be refinished by my husband.  I called my dad for detailed instructions (he refinished furniture professionally) and we (meaning he) are ready to go!  I hit my limit of water marks on the table even when using sturdy coasters. Sadly, there are some deep marks lovingly

As you know, I'm knee deep in holiday knitting.  I have yet to knit:  two fair isle hats, a wurm hat, and a cowl by Christmas day (and maybe a pair of socks...).  Yet yesterday, I set aside some time to start a lace weight shawl for myself.  Many of you might think this is thwarting my self imposed goals, not so!  I consider this a self care knitting project.  I was quite joyful during my self indulgent hour of knitting. The amethyst shawl is the Asana Shawl and I am thrilled to be facing miles and miles of garter stitch.  Who knew I'd be such a fan of this squishy stitch pattern. I am still reading Alexander Hamilton and enjoying it immensely.  I'll be reading this for quite some time and I'm in this for the long haul.  I started Commonwealth a few days ago.  I have no opinions as of yet but so far I'm enjoying the plot. Oh hey!  I'm having a giveaway  hurry up to enter by Thursday midnight! What are you knitting and reading this week? Joining

I had the pleasure of being a test knitter for Lisa from Happy in Dole Valley .  I finished this sweet little bonnet about two weeks ago and have waited for the pattern to go live!  Well guess what? Not only is the pattern ready but I am hosting a giveaway for the pattern.  Lisa is such a generous giving spirit.  If you are looking for a quick knit for a little someone, this pattern is for you. To enter your must: Leave a comment on this project page with your ravelry name by midnight Thursday, December 1. I will choose a winner with a random number generator and announce the winner on a blog post on Friday December 2. Good luck!!

I asked many of you on Instagram what to knit next with this skein , overwhelmingly you said "SOCKS"....I am so very glad I listened to you, because this skein is delightful and I'm loving the colors popping as I knit and knit.   Sock knitting bliss at it's finest.  I decided to go back to my personal recipe for socks, because I love not reading directions and following my own in my little old head.  Also the yarn is so busy I feel a pattern would be lost. I am still reading The Martian,  I was hoping to finish the novel yesterday (which I am enjoying immensely) but I was sidetracked by the internet and a silly search for a quick getaway before the summer ends.  I didn't find a getaway (yet) but a staycation is looking very lucrative for us!! By the way, there is a giveaway here on my blog for a free pattern by Andrea once it is released. What are you knitting and reading this week? Joining Ginny and Frontier Dreams

My Linto Cowl has been finished for a week or so but I had my son here for a few weeks and so this post was delayed.  I loved this pattern immensely!   Andrea  wrote a clear pattern that showcases almost any kind of fingering weight yarn. If you have some experience knitting and are a beginner knitter looking to stretch your knitting skills this pattern would be ideal.  The directions are clear and concise.  The details Andrea addressed are perfect for dipping your toes into a textured pattern. So there is a giveaway of ONE pattern to a person who comments on this post.  The rules are: -you must have an email or ravelry name so Andrea can contact you. -you must have a ravelry account - the pattern will be gifted through ravelry on ravelry -the contest runs from today until next Tuesday - July 26th, noon eastern time. -the winner will be selected by a random number generator by me -I will announce the winner here on this post on July 26 and notify Andrea. -if for so

Frodo requests a drum roll please.....The winner of the night sky hat pattern  by Karinamaza  is........ Peacefully Knitting  " Such a lovely hat Karen and I love your blog :) Ravelry: TinaSanders" I will forward your name to Karina over on Ravelry :) Thanks for playing everyone!!

Remember this hat I knit up? Well the designer, Karina  is kindly offering a pattern to one lucky winner on my blog!  Isn't that exciting??  I know that this hat would be the perfect hat to whip up when there is a time crunch with the approaching holidays.  All you need is some fingering weight wool and a happy knitting spirit. Here is Karina's  project page of the Night Sky Hat .  The pattern will be live within the week I and I will insert the pattern link here as soon as it is available. How do you win?  Just leave a comment on this post WITH your ravelry user name.  You will be contacted by Karina with your ravelry user name only.  Comments will close on December 1st, Sunday night 9 p.m. and I will use a random number generator to choose a lucky winner.  I will announce the winner on Monday's post. Good luck everyone :)