When my sister and I took Andrew to Amsterdam last May, we googled yarn shops in the area. When I visit a city or country I always like to check out a yarn shop.  This one did not disappoint.  (I posted about it here.)  I bought one skein of yarn and one canvas bag.  I knew I would make a pair of toast, but was pleasantly surprised to have a lot of yarn left when I finished.  SO... I cast on for a pair of toasty and was thrilled that I had a pair of both.

Have you made toast or toasty?  If not, now's your chance.  To celebrate the shopping weekend, Toast and Toasty are 50% off now through the end of day Monday.   Follow this link and use the code "friendsgive" at checkout.

Also... The ultimate guide to Black Friday/Cyber Monday all things knitty sale can be found here.  (Thank you Knit Like Granny!)

Happy Weekend, Friends!

There is always so much to be thankful for.  However, this year, I am overwhelmed with how grateful I am for this life.
So thankful for this Tribe of knitters.  Truly a gift.
Hope everyone has a heart full of Love and a hand filled with yarn.
xx,
leslie

It truly is a great day when I see this blue box in my mail delivery!  I was so excited to see the word cozy as soon as I opened the box.  That seems to be one of our favorite words in our house!  So the "cozy" theme is perfect.
The patterns:  For intermediate/advanced ::  Sage Cowl.
For the beginner ::  Fawn Hat & Mitts
The extras:  My very own first pair of ChiaoGoo needles!  I have heard a lot of people talk about these and love them.  I, quite honestly, love the name.  I'm super excited to give them a try.

I should have been telling you the retail value of these boxes.  I guess I'll start now!  The retail value of this crate is $75.00 (The cost for the Artisan Crate is $34.99) If interested in ordering, use the code FKW20 to receive 20% off your first Knitcrate.  (That code works for any crate!)

Happy weekend!

Thank you so much for all of your prayers and friends on my last post.  Things are progressing with all of the boys and healing is happening.  Praise the Lord.  Andrew had the drain and all of the stitches removed and I gave him his last Lovenox shot!  (YIPPEE!)  He will start PT next Monday.
Because I love showing you what is in the Knitcrates, and documenting it for myself, it seems that I can't move forward with November's crate  (which arrived today!) until I show you October's crate.
October was good.  Very, very good.
The yarn:  A hundred Ravens, Raven's Wing, 100% Superwash merino wool.  I just love this gorgeous purple, especially appropriate for Halloween and the theme of Octobers crate... wicked!

The pattern:  Always two patterns.  One beginner, and one intermediate.  The beginner is a pair of Moonwalk Legwarmers. (I'm wondering if Libby would like these.)  The intermediate/advanced is a pair of aeronaut armwarmers and a hat.  I'm crazy about the arm warmers.
The extra:  An adorable magnetic bookmark by Crafted Van.  I forgot how much I love magnetic bookmarks!

As always, if you are interested in ordering, use the promo code FKW20 to receive 20% off your first knitcrate!

Three weeks ago, Steve and I headed to the Oregon Coast.  It's been on my list for a while.  We felt it was just what we needed after recuperating from my broken foot and ankle.  That all seems so silly now.
Our first morning there, I received a text that rocked my world more than anything I had ever been through before.  You see, my sweet Andrew had been in an auto accident.  The text came through in a group text that included the parents of Andrew's golf team.  Andrew and three other members of the golf team were involved in an auto accident.  Andrew was driving.  I crumbled to my knees.  The SUV hit a bank, flipped and hit a utility poll.  The utility poll fell on the car.  Three boys were rushed to the ER at Children's Hospital.  My son, Andrew, was pinned in the car.  It took the fire department two hours to get him out.  Once out, he was rushed to the trauma unit.
I was totally helpless on the other side of the country.
The next 20 hours are a complete blur.  Getting ourselves to Portland Airport.  We purchased tickets to Pittsburgh via San Francisco.  The San Francisco flights were cancelled due to the awful fires.  Rerouted through Newark, we finally made it home at 11am the next day.
Andrew had been through the first of 3 surgeries to repair his femur.  Three of the four boys had to be hospitalized.  Each sustaining injuries that will take care and time.
The accident has left scars on all of the boys.  Physical and emotional.  To say that I have been afraid has been an understatement.  I've worried non stop about all of the boys.  About their families.  I hate that they have all gone throw this extremely difficult time.  The love and support from our community along with the power of prayer from friends and family will never be forgotten.  God has answered our prayers and eventually all of our boys will be back to themselves.

The fragility of life is always present.  But has been even more so during these past few weeks.  Please, remind your people not to speed.  To pay attention.  To live life carefully.  It's beautiful and precious and by the grace of God they are all here to enjoy it.  Thank you God.

I haven't knit many shawls in my life.  Actually, maybe only a handful.  But, wow.  I can see why so many knitters love to knit them.  SO much versatility when you wear a shawl.  And it truly fits anyone.
This was a pattern that was in the March KNITCRATE.  (The monthly subscription where you receive yarn + pattern.) I saw the pattern on Ravely thinking it was the same one.  Which it is.  However, the pattern on Ravelry uses a worsted weight yarn.  And this one used a fingering weight yarn.
Knit out of Crock -O- Dye.  65% Superwash Wool, 20 Nylon and 15% silk.  Super soft.  Super airy.  Warmth without weight.  Gotta love that.

Happy Weekend friends!

Super excited to share my latest finished knit with you guys.  I truly am in love with it.
But first... the winner of the Seed stitch K1 P1.  The random number generator chose #67.  Emjay in NE Montana.
Congrats Emjay! Please email me and I'll have the sweet peeps over at Sterling pop your new book into the mail.

Happy Thursday friends!

In this book Seed Stitch, Beyond knit 1, purl 1, Rosemary Drysdale uses seed stitch and incorporates it into color work, cabling, geometric patterns and more.    It's pretty amazing to think of all the combinations that can be made from using the two stitches we all know;  knit and purl.
There are over 60 swatches of show you what combining different textures and patterns can do for a project.
Drysdale has an introduction in the book that explains the beginning of our beloved passion.  I'm shocked I have never taken time to learn more about the history of my love!  I learned that until the early sixteenth century, the knit stitch was the only stitch used.  Working in the round with every round knitted produced the "stockinette stitch" pattern.  Purl stitches first appeared in the mid-sixteenth century and earned its name because their stitches represented beads, or "pearls".
Combining stitches Drysdale designed twenty-five gorgeous projects ranging from pillow and bags to cowls and sweaters.  I'm really thinking I want to add some knit pillows to our family room this winter!

The nice peeps over at Sterling would like to giveaway a copy to one of my readers.  If interested, please leave a comment here before Monday, October 2nd at 5pm EST, and I'll have the random number generator choose a number.

These mitts truly are journey mitts.  Journey Mitts are made from a cashmere that works perfectly with cables or any other interesting stitch combination you would want to work with.  The yarn begins it's journey in Kyrgyzstan where it is gathered from goats of small family farms goats.  It then travels to Britain where it is finely spun.  From there it lands in Maine at the Saco River Dye House.  What a wonderful Journey it has had before it even lands in the hands of those who love to work with yarn! To me, it wasn't the typical cashmere "feel".  So, I decided to check in with the fine folks over at June Cashmere so that I could understand what this yarn was all about.  I reached out through email and a phone call (a little stalking happened) and received the most wonderful reply from Amy.
Here is what she said:


To answer your question, yes--when you wash your finished garment, it should bloom and soften and you should be able to own your garment for a long time.

I wanted to share so that you, too, will know that this yarn is a cashmere that will show and hold the love and joy that went into each and every single stitch for many, many years.

Pattern:  Journey Mitts
Yarn:  1 skein  DK June Cashmere  in Slate.

You guys!  I am in love with this yarn.  It is truly dreamy.  To me, it feels like cashmere.  Looks like cashmere.  But it's not.  It's 100% Orvis 21 Ultimate Merino Wool.
I'm making the Gradiant Poncho out of Woolfolk Far.  And I hope to be sporting it at this years Rhinebeck.  Anyone else going?
This is the first time I have ever worked with a yarn that has been wound like this. I am crazy about it.

Episode 2 of "a friend to knit with podcast" is up over on YouTube.  I am a work in progress. 😊

This exfoliating coconut scrub is so nice.  Exfoliating, moisturizing and refreshing.  It can be made with or without the lemon oil.  No essential oils?  Fresh lemon juice would be totally great, too.  And if you don't have lemons in the house... leave them out.  That would be great, too!
Coconut Scrub:
1/2 cup Coconut Oil
1 1/4 cup Sugar
10-15 drop Lemon Oil  (Lavender would be nice, too.)
I'm coming up on two years of using Young Living Essential Oils.  I still have SO much to learn.  But Ashley over on Story Oils is always there to help.  (She sells the oils, too!)

September's Artisan crate was beautiful just like the others.  I just really love how these colors move me right into autumn.
The yarn ::  2 skeins Lorna's Laces Haymarket- 100% Bluefaced Leicester Wool  215yds.

The pattern :: Christine Marie Chen Westgate cowl (beginner) and Rocky Canyon Cowl (intermediate/advanced).

The extra :: An adorable Photo Holder by Think Pray Gift.  

As always, if you are interested in ordering, use the promo code FKW20  to receive 20% off your first crate.  And remember to head over to Knitcrates Facebook (look for my live video) and tag a friend to enter to win a September Knitcrate.  Make sure to enter by the 22nd.

Happy Saturday, Friends!

I had the hardest time choosing a fade for the What the Fade KAL.  I was so happy when I stumbled onto Knit Picks site to find that they had a couple of fade kits put together.  Although my eye was caught by the brighter fade they offer (Sunstorm), I decided to go with the darker fade (Dark Mood) considering those are the colors I like to wear in the winter.
Although it took me three tries to cast on and get going (hello brioche!),  I did finish Clue #1 on time.  Still haven't cast on for Clue number 2 but plan on that happening this weekend.

Prayers go out to all of those in the path of Irma. I sure hope her strength weakens.

Happy weekend, friends.

Nothing like jumping right in.  I have a lot to learn.  Glad to know my favorite word is "so"!  Oh, I like "um", too.  And, "and".


Some things I discussed:
Sandy from by the lakeside.  She has a wonderful podcast and a beautiful Etsy shop!  Sandy also has yarn in the works, so you won't want to miss that.
Socks ::  2 at a time magic loop (yes!) using Mrs. Crosby Train Case
Shawl ::  Windswept shawl by Christina Danaee
Sweater :: Byron Bay by We Are Knitters
Cowl :: Texto using Sugarbush Chill
Mitts ::  Journey Mitts by June Cashmere
Dpn Holder by the Steady Hand.   Truly I had no idea how much I would love it.
My newest project:  Woolfolk Gradient Poncho
The 100 x Simple Cowl
What the fade KAL.  Who's in?!
What goes in my kids lunch every. single. day.
Traditional back to school brownies.

I was desperate to get a pick of my socks.
You should have seen me trying to get off the ground.  😜

Socks: 56 stitch, 3x1 rib,
           Yarn:  Mrs. Crosby Train Case, Enchanted Garden
           Needles:  Size US 2, 40".  Magic Loop 2 at a time.  (A game changer for me!)

Knitting:  Windswept Shawl

Wearing:  Pop Life Cardigan 

I had the pin removed from my foot today.  What a wonderful feeling that is.

Posting this here to keep myself accountable.
My hands are already sweating.  😬

I set up camp today outside on the front porch.  It's so nice to be outside!
I'm finishing up March's Knitcrate, the Windswept shawl.  Super excited to get this off the needles.

I have had the What The Fade, Mystery Fade Along on my brain and now my eyes seem to fade everything.  The KAL starts on August 31, so you still have time to order yarn, stash dive or buy yarn if you want to join.  Remember that the concept of the fade is that you start with one skein and then every skein you add should have a color from the previous skein.  (A total of 6 skeins.)

Well, I had every intention to take photos of me wearing the Byron Bay Cardigan.  However, I had surgery on my foot on Wednesday and can't put weight on it for at least a week.  Knitting is taking place.  Lots and lots of knitting.  Just no modeling.
Instead I'm going to share our summer of '17 favorite craft.  😊
I've always been the mom that loves to craft.  Summer vacations usually entailed something for the kids to make. Whether it was glueing shells on small votives, or painting rocks, or tying sticks or anything involving leather strands, or making bracelets or... you name it.  I wanted to make it.
This year, Libby had a friend in Tahoe. (My boys couldn't go... Charlie working an internship.  Andrew playing a lot of golf.)
Two nineteen year old girls?  Right up my alley.  Flower crowns it is!
I headed to the local florist.  Told her what I wanted to make and she helped me choose small, delicate flowers for the wreath.  A little florist tape to attach the flowers.
And, Voila!  We had ourselves our favorite snapchat filter!

So, I was in the kitchen over the weekend, and I wanted to make something resembling the Joy balls from the Conscious Cleanse book.  No baking.  Just mixing.   Unfortunately, I didn't have all of the ingredients in the kitchen.  I decided to get a little creative and start adding things to my food processor. They were such a success, I decided to make them again and jot down the ingredients
Not meatballs are the perfect heathy snack to go along with my knitting.
I finished the Byron Bay Cardigan and love it!  Photos soon.

This little Tina Tape, Wool and the Gang, Woodstock Tank, is one of the quickest little knits.
 Garter stitch.  Minimal finishing.  Thank you, Summer!
Makes for a happy knitter.
And, an even happier girl.

Pattern:  Woodstock Tank by Wool And The Gang