Happy Halloween, sweet peeps!
Sorry for the delay regarding the book giveaways.
The random number generator did its thing.

Cowl Girls 2 :: #23,  Lise Jackson
Knit a square ::  #42, Mandy
60 quick knits for little kids ::  #14,  Meg
Please email me with your address, and I'll make sure the books land in your mailbox.
My friend, Amy, shared an article.  I think you are gonna love it.  I believe the author to be true.  Knitters really are kind!

These quick knit books are my favorite.  And, I think you can probably tell this is my favorite of all three giveaways. Oh my gosh!
My favorite thing to knit are items for my kids.  It just seems, as if, that window of opportunity for me, was smaller than I would have wanted it to be.  Once they hit middle school, there was very little knitting for the boys.  And, just a little more for Libby.
Thankfully hats and gloves have always been a nice constant.
This would have been great for my Andrew who didn't like coats.  I could have just thrown this over his head and off we would go.
Boy and girl sweaters.  Pull overs and Cardigans.  Ponchos and capes.  Bow ties and dresses.
This truly is one of the cutest kids books I have seen in a while!

If interested in 60 quick knits for little kids, please leave a comment here.  I'll be back after the 27th to announce who the random number generator chooses of all three giveaways.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

Okay. I have knit a monkey and a snake before, but I can honestly say that I wish this book was around when I did!
Wait, you can knit a square and turn it into a cute penguin?!
Or a turtle?!
Or a panda?
Or a pig?
Or a frog?!

There are 35 critters in all.  All constructed from a single square.  Seriously?!  And, I SO wish I would have taken a photo of the elephant.  Oh my cuteness!

If interested in Nicky Epsteins Knit a Square, Create a Cuddly Creature, please leave a comment here.   I'll announce the winner next weekend.

Sorry to keep you waiting on the KnitCrate discount code. I've received word that it's working now. SO sorry about that! (Two posts ago.  Down there. )
I haven't done a book giveaway in quite a while.  And this week I have three to giveaway!
I'll post each one on a separate day, that way you can enter each one or only the one you want.  All three might interest you, but maybe not, so I thought it would be confused having them all in one post.
I'm headed out of town until the 27th, so I'll just keep them all open and announce the winners when I return.

Remember the book Cowl Girls?  Well, Cathy Carron has now added 35 new designs to the list of cowls and came out with Cowl Girls 2.   With a large range of styles and knitting technique, there is something to fit everyones love of cowls.   Color work, beading, cables, textures, embellishments, zippers, ruffles, hoods, bobbles.  You name it.  It's in there.

If interested in Cowl Girls 2,  please leave a comment here and I'll announce the winner next weekend.

 So, this Pop Life Cardigan is one of those quick knits that I will wear over and over.
 It's one of those sweaters that I will wear in warmer temperatures.  Spring.  Summer.
 It's one of those knits that I will keep near me all summer long. I'll throw it over my jammies in the morning.  I'll throw it over a dress in the evenings.
 The cotton is dreamy.  I can't remember a time I called cotton "dreamy".  But it is.  It is soft on the hands and easy to work with.  It's just lightweight and nice.  Ya know?
The pattern is easy to follow.  And truly simple.  The right front and right back are knit in one long piece and then seamed in the center to the back of the left side. You then add the sleeves (which are short due to the dropped shoulders) and then add the ribbing around the front and neck.
Somewhere along the way, I measured the first piece wrong and knit everything else based off of those measurements.  So, mine is shorter than the pattern suggests.  Honestly, I would have loved it to be longer.  However, this doesn't stop me from loving it.  It's sort of the summer version of my beloved slouchy cardigan.

Pattern:  Pop Life Cardigan
Yarn:  Wool and the Gang Billie Jean Washed Out Denim
Needles:  US11
Size:  one size

Happy Weekend, Friends!

Have you heard of KnitCrate?  It was totally new to me until a couple of months ago.  Here's how it works:  Every month you receive a fun, red, shiny mailer, including yarn and a project.  KnitCrate has different "crates" to fit your interest.  This was the regular KnitCrate, however, you can subscribe to one with socks, or if you are new to making socks, there is a "newbie sock" one for you, and if you are just plain new to knitting, there is one for you!  Such a fun surprise to receive once a month.  (You can cancel at anytime.)  I think it is a genius idea.  I love the idea of receiving something you would have never have tried, and in turn, perhaps finding something you love!
I was pretty excited when I opened the package, back in August, and saw yarn in Charlie's school colors.  I never even knew about Echoview yarn and now I am in love.  It's 95% fine merino wool and 5% silk.  Pure deliciousness.   I decided to forgo the pattern that was included, and make a stripy pair of mitts instead.  (See, you can make whatever you want!)  I'm sort of making it up as I go, but I'll be sure to share the pattern when I'm finished.

If you are interested in subscribing,  KnitCrate would like to offer 20% off your first package.  Enter code FKW20 at checkout.

How cute is that pumpkin paper tape?!  A thin strip on shipping tags and voila!  You have yourself cute gift tags.
This is my girl version.  The spider garland will look super cute above her window!

I would love to know if you have any other fun ideas for college care packages.  I saw this great list and I am looking forward to making and sending this, but would love to know if you have any other ideas!

So, Kim made these cookies and posted a pic on Instagram and I was all over it.  Oh my goodness.  A fall version of the classic pecan snowballs.  Delicious.  They have the perfect amount of fall flavor.
Let's talk cotton.  100% cotton and to be more specific Billie Jean Yarn.  This is some of the yummiest cotton yarn I have ever knit with. However, I forgot a few specifics about 100% cotton.  You know how you can break wool?  Quite often when knitting with wool, I don't even use scissors,  I just break the yarn.  Well, pretty impossible to do with cotton.  And also, the cotton threads can separate and that one little thread can cause I big snag.  I caught it when taking a pic last week for Instagram.  It caught on a little chip of paint.  (See that beautiful pull up there?)
After much debating in my head, I finally came to the conclusion that I should rip it out.   Ugh.  Steve thinks it's so cool that ripping is part of the process of getting the right knit.  Gonna definitely go with that attitude.
Seaming is happening tonight.  I plan on finishing it over the weekend.

Awe.  Thank you so much for all your kind words.  I SO appreciate all of your sweet comments on the big 10 year anniversary!  Of course, as always, I wish I could send you all yarn. I really do.  If only I was Ellen!  :)  The random number generator chose number 177, Nia.  Congrats, Nia.  Please email me (lesliemfriend at gmail dot com) your mailing information.

If you have been coming to my blog for a while, you know that I am a big fan of Classic Elite yarn. It has been a true constant in my knitting life. To me, their yarn is always reliable. Always yummy.
Arietta is Classic Elite's latest fall yarn and is knit on US size 5-6 needles with a gauge of 5-51/2 stitches to the inch.
The book includes a couple of sweater patterns, hats, scarves, and my personal favorite above, Avera.   I honestly LOVE that thing.  Avera is a scarf, and a wrap, and a sweater all in one.  Super cool!

If interested, please leave a comment here before Sunday, October 2, 5pm EST.  I'll have the random generator choose a name.  And as always, thanks for visiting!  xx

Hiya Friends!

Can you believe this little blog is 10 years old today!  I know!  It's so hard to believe that today, marks a friend to knit with's 10 year anniversary!  I remember this day ten years ago so clearly.  Our computer (our "office") was in the basement.  Andrew, my youngest,  had just started kindergarten and I felt as though I now had some to dive into a blog.  Right after I put the kids on the bus, I headed down to the basement, coffee in hand,  and started this blog.  I was super nervous to hit publish.  (I actually still get a little nervous!)   I didn't have a laptop. I didn't have a DSLR.  Just a little point and shoot camera and a big 'ol desktop in the basement. And, it became the beginning of my little space on the internet.

I can't even express what this blog has meant to me.  And I can't even express how much I appreciate each and every visitor and comment I have received.  Finding like minded people with the same interests and passions is a true gift. Blogging in the knitting community has been a complete honor.
These past few months, I have become very emotional about the passing of time.  I have been so grateful that I have my blog to go back in time.  If you are ever on the fence about blogging, I say DO IT!

To celebrate ten years, I'd like to offer $10.00 off your purchase of Chalk Lots Placemats.  Use coupon code AFTKWis10 at checkout.  And please, feel free to pass along to your friends.  Chalk Lots make great holiday gifts for those who like to plan ahead! :)

I'll be back tomorrow with one of my best giveaways.  Yarn, of course.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

xx, leslie

 I love fall.  So so much!  My heart gets a little happier with the cooler mornings.  Makes me want to knit and bake.   All. Day. Long.
I made these cookies a couple of weeks ago to ship to Charlie and Libby.  They were a huge hit. Not too sweet and hold up well in the mail.  I think it's the tablespoon of vanilla that makes these extra delicious.  I definitely think they will be a new favorite.
Feeling the halloween, fall vibe, I decided to add orange sugar crystals this time around.  I almost always roll the dough into a log when I can.  I roll the dough in the crystals and then pop them into the freezer for about an hour before cutting and baking.
I thought this was so funny.  Libby face timed me when I was photographing the cookies.  So she joined me in the photo shoot. :)

Happy Monday, Friends!

And that yummy cake up there?  Its absolutely the easiest, quickest little cake.  I usually make it with strawberries, but we have had an abundance of pears from our CSA, so pears it was.  My mom is a huge fan, and we are trying to pack a few extra pounds on her, so this was made twice this week.  It's really delicious with coffee!

Happy Friday, Friends.
Have a wonderful weekend!

My sweet mom is in town for a couple of weeks and when that happens, all we want to do is sit and knit!  I have been in the mood to make mitts (my mitt stash is low!). I also just cast on for my latest Wool and the Gang project.
I just loved this Pop Life Cardigan.  Although, I wish it would have been finished for those cool summer evenings, it will be perfect for early autumn.
Wool and the Gang makes it so easy with every thing needed in one bag.  I just love that.
 This Billie Jean yarn is really great.  Upcycled denim + Cotton.  A truly, lovely blend.

Happy weekend!

 We took a quick trip to Northern California last weekend to celebrate Steve's mom's 90th birthday.  We had a 5 hour drive on both ends through the magical Humboldt Redwoods, so I was able to get the body of the sweater finished.  Knit in the round, so round and round I went.  I just love the cute, little pocket.
I have had a bit of an issue with the dye lots.  However,  some more yarn is on its way, so it should be alright. I just hope I can wait until it arrives.  Once I'm on a roll, I just want to keep going.  I may just knit the sleeves using both lots, alternating rows.  Hmmmm.  Decisions!

Hope you have a wonderful, long weekend.

So... Summer is over?! Say it isn't so. I just can't believe it. I just can't believe that the new school year is here, already.

Yesterday, after I took Andrew to school, I came home and stood in the kitchen.  Feeling an overwhelming amount of sadness.  Although, extremely grateful, I just can't believe that I am left with only one child at home.  I decided to blast some music like I have in the past.  I chose the Brett Dennen station on Pandora and the first song was "Nothing Lasts Forever".  Really?!  I know this!  But, Please!  You don't have to rub it in!

So, I turned off the music and read my old "back to school" blog posts.
Cried a bunch of tears. (Pure torture.)
Made my annual back to school brownies.
Wandered around the house.
Tried for 45 minutes to get contacts into my eyes.  (New to me.)
Wandered around the house.
Sat on our new sofa.
Tried for 20 minutes to get the contacts out of my eyes.
Wandered around the house.
Finally, I knit a few rows.
And, all of a sudden, all felt good in the world.

Remember this sweater?  I started it back in April.  Then ripped it out back in June.  (Remember our friends who like yarn, too?)  And, finally finished it at the beginning of August.
I love the high/low aspect of this sweater. Anything that covers my behind is always a welcome piece of clothing!

Pattern:  Elen
Yarn:  Sanibel, color #1320, horizon
Needles:  US 7
Size: medium

So, I spent the last week getting two of my three settled into college.  Yes, college!  I still have to say it a few times.  I just can't believe it.

Charlie will be a Junior returning to The Ohio State University.  And, Libby is starting her first year at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

It was a tough week, but seeing them happy makes it so much easier.

Now, I get to put all my focus on Andrew.  :)

 Thank you so much for all of your comments and emails regarding out sweet Trouble.  Your kind words, thoughts and prayers are so appreciated.  There really is so much love and goodness in the world.  I am forever grateful.
(Can you believe this heart tomato!)

Also, I had quite a response to the pin stitch markers.  (Over 300 requests!)  My goal is to make sure everyone who has emailed me, gets a set.  It might take some time, but eventually, they will land in your mailbox.  ;)

Happy weekend, friends!

I can't believe how hard this post is to write.  I have wanted to come to this space, but just couldn't bring myself.

A week ago today, on August 1, our sweet Trouble died suddenly and unexpectedly.

Four days earlier I had her at the vet because of a weird cough.  The vet thought perhaps she was developing asthma or that maybe she had a tumor resting on her lung.
Then, last Sunday she didn't want to eat.  (Except for the few bites of alaskan king salmon Andrew fed her right before the photo was taken.)  She didn't sleep all night.  In the morning I called the vet for something to help her breathe.  At 9am, I was on the phone with Charlie (also had my mother on the other line) when Trouble brought herself downstairs.  Her breathing was labored.  I went to get Andrew out of bed to help me get her to the vet.  She died 30 seconds later.   Her sweet heart just stopped beating.

It truly is heartbreaking to lose a pet.  We are forever grateful to have been blessed by this sweet girl.  She brought so much joy into our lives and taught us so much.  This last year, since her return, we felt as if we were on extra, special, bonus time with her.  What a gift.

Please go hug your pets,  give them a treat and take lots and lots of photos.  You truly can never have enough.