Well, hello February. I see spring around the corner!
It dawned on me I forgot to mention the beautiful Knitcrate that arrived in January.  Such happy colors inside that beautiful blue box.  I LOVE this subscription box and if I don't make what they suggest with the yarn, I get to grow my stash yarn supply.  Always a good thing.
In January, Knitcrate collaborated with Louis Boria of Brooklyn Boy Knits.  I really like the knit pattern, the Upside-Down Cowl, inspired from the Netflix show "Stranger Things".  (I am a big fan of that show!)  It's a double layered reversible cowl.  Really looks like a fun knit!
Knit Pattern:  Upside-Down Cowl  
Yarn:  Knitologie Safari Sunset and Knitologie Golden Lion  Both 100% SW Merino.  (There are also two other color ways.)
This was the adorable "extra" in my box.  Not sure exactly what I will do with it, but it does fit perfectly on the top of my wine bottle!  😍

As always if you are interested in ordering a Knitcrate use the code FKW20 to receive 20% off of your first Knitcrate!  The code works on all crates and truly does make a happy mail day!

I've been wanting to make a hat that the boys in my life would LOVE. Jane mentioned that this was her go to pattern for her guys so I decided to give it a try. I sent a photo to my Charlie and he was all in! I'm glad I asked him to choose the color as I would have gone with a totally different color scheme.
I ordered the yarn from Monarch Yarn and literally had it in two days.  The yarn was on the needles that night and off the needles 6 days later.  Truly a enjoyable, quick knit!
I've mentioned before that I love my new faux leather tags but decide to omit it from this project.  I didn't want it to look like Charlie had his name sewn on his cap as to not loose it. 😂

We traveled to Big Sky Montana last weekend to see Charlie as he is working there for the winter.  (Living his dream as a ski instructor!)  That place is gorgeous.  And I was so happy to see that the morning walk hat even fits under a ski helmet!

Pattern:  Morning Walk Hat
Yarn:  1 skein Woolfolk TYND, 1 skein Woolfolk SNO
Needle:  US 3 and US 4
Size:  Large

Here's the thing to remember about your knitting. You can always make it a size or sometimes 2 bigger!
My mom always taught me not to sweat the small stuff in life.  And that refers to my knitting!  I knew when I was working on this sweater that it was going to be too small.  But I forged ahead because of some of the basic knowledge I have regarding my knitting.  Blocking can be magical!
This sweater was too small.  I mean like really too small!  I could never have even worn a t-shirt under it let alone a blouse.  However, if you wet your project and lay it flat, pinned to the measurement you are trying to achieve, magic really does happen!  You must, and I mean must, let it completely dry.  Resist the urge to unpin it.  Trust me.  I have unpinned sweaters just to try them on and things can get a bit wonky.

This is a pattern I came up with a while ago.  It is intended for a solid color, but I didn't have enough of any one color so decided to combine a few colors from my stash.   The yarn was from a few of my Knitcrates.   I started off with the neutral and then I changed stripes whenever I felt the urge.  I did match the sleeve pattern to the stripe pattern in the body.  Not my usual color pallet, but I think I will get some wear out of this sweater.  Heck, I'm wearing it as I'm typing this! :)

I plan on writing this pattern up and making it one of those sweaters that encourage knitters to trust themselves and get creative.  Make the pattern unique and a one of a kind!

BEFORE.
Yes.  This sweater came out way too small.  It's too tight just about everywhere.  But I wanted to remind you that beautiful things can happen when you block a sweater.
I gave the sweater a quick hand wash, rung it gently in the sink and then rolled it in a towel.  Stepped on it several times and did a little dance.  Changed towels and repeated.   I then stretched my sweater so that it would be about a 40"- 42" when it was finished drying.  Pinned it in place to let it dry to those measurements.
I tried it on this morning, and I can honestly say I love it!
I'll be back next week to show you the AFTER.  😊

Happy Weekend!  Happy Knitting!

I'm sure like you, I have a list of things I want to make this year. Also on my list is to use up some of my ever growing stash yarn.
I had a couple of skeins of the natural color and really wanted to make a solid sweater using this oatmeal yarn. (Hello, beautiful natural color!)  However, a couple of skeins wasn't enough to make a sweater.  I fought the urge to get online and order a couple more skeins.   The voice inside my head told me to use what I had.  To make it work.  I had a skein each of the green and the purple.  But, I wasn't sure if I liked these colors. (Hello favorite colors natural, black and grey.) I went back and forth but in the end, I decided to listen to the voice.  I'm not sure exactly how I will like this.  Or how I will wear it.  (Usually one of the first things is envisioning the outfit)  But, I am going with it.  I started a sleeve yesterday and since I'm at my mom's, I plan on trying to finish it this week!  Fingers crossed.

I have to get going on some other things on my list!

I posted my granola recipe a while ago and mentioned how I loved to use it to sprinkle on top of my smoothie bowls. I also mentioned that I would share the recipes. I feel terrible it's taken so long!
I'll share more as we go along, but this is my favorite as of late.
The Vitamix is truly the key.  I don't know what I would do without it.  I use it on a daily basis, and most days more than once a day!

Banana Mango Smoothie Bowl
serves 2
2 Frozen Banana's, cut into pieces
2 cups Frozen Mango chunks
1/4 cup water

Blend in Vitamix until creamy.  You will have to use the tamper tool and this may take about 5 minutes to get it this creamy.  You can add a Tablespoon of water at a time.  But you don't want to add too much water.  You want a thick bowl, not a soupy bowl.

Top with granola and other fruit.  Enjoy! 😋

I love a clean slate. A fresh start. A new day.  A new year.
I love new goals.  Looking forward to discovering new things.
Cheers to my sweet friends to knit with.  May 2020 be everything YOU want it to be.

xx, leslie

The only item I knit as Christmas gifts:

Project:  Beatrice Mitts
Yarn:  Trench Coat by Turtlepurl
Needle:  US2
Labels:  Custom faux leather labels

Hey gift givers!
Wanted to let you know that one batch of this granola will give you 12 gifts!  Yep, you can fill 12 jars with granola, resulting in 12 gifts of joy.  Give one to your friend to knit with, or one to your neighbor or your work friends or a teacher or as a hostess gift.  All those people on your list.  And if you don't need 12 gifts then you get to keep some for yourself!

How is your holiday knitting going?
I don't have many people I'm knitting for or things I am making.  Just a couple of pairs of Beatrice Mitts and one pair of Ringleader mitts.
I loved the Ringleader mitts I made so much mostly because of the scrumptious yarn.  40% merino wool, 30% silk, and 30% alpaca.  The perfect blend.  I noticed that Knitcrate listed it in the shop so I decided to order a few skeins just to have on hand for the pattern.
The yarn is from Knitologie Glowing Worsted and it looks like they have already sold out of the blue.  However, the other two are still available.
Truly, one of my favorite yarns.

I love New Orleans. I hadn't traveled there in years and it seemed like the first time I had ever seen it. Cleaner, maybe because we stayed off of Bourbon street, but definitely cleaner.
Brennan's may have been our favorite dining spot.  We stopped for brunch and it was out of this world.  Super creative with their dishes.  Since I try to mostly eat plants, I did find the food somewhat hard in New Orleans.  I should have done a little research before and looked into some healthier choices.  But when you are traveling with other people that can be hard!
Cafe Du Monde definitely a spot to stop!  Knitting on my Beatrice Mitts happened there.  I brought a little powdered sugar home intertwined in my yarn.
SO much happening in this city.  Music on every corner.  Just so much life!
We went to the unbelievable game of the Saints vs. 49ers.  It was truly an awesome game.

But the real reason for this post is a little FYI:

On my way into the Superdome the security took my knitting needles.  And, they informed me that there was no way I could retrieve them on the way out.  They would be headed to the landfill.  (So sad!) They were size 2 metal needles.  Like traveling to Mexico, maybe bamboo would have been okay.  But metal, no.  So, just in case you think you might want to knit at a football game, consider making sure you have wooden needles, not metal!

I'm always searching for cool, quality, affordable readers.  I seem to loose these things more often than I care to admit.  They usually do turn up in a bag or a coat pocket and then I am pleasantly surprised.

I've mentioned before what a big fan I am of Readers.com.  And they just announced that they have collaborated with Foster Grant.   They have 12 new styles exclusive to Readers.com.  And their glasses have smudge resistant AND scratch-resistant lenses.

I love the Tristin.  Although, my sisters just ordered the Hannah and the Harvey and I think those will be next on my list.

The sweet peeps over at Readers.com would like to offer 40% off to my sweet friends to knit with.  SO... if interested, enter code FRIEND40 at checkout.  The coupon is effective on any glasses.

Happy Thanks Giving Friends!

I'd like to give you this pattern, sweet knitting friends. And I don't know how to add it to my shop on ravelry without attaching a price. Is there a way?  I'd love to know!  But in the meantime please enter the code KNITTINGROCKS at checkout to receive this pattern for free.  By the way... you don't have to buy this yarn to make these.  You can use any sock yarn you have in your stash. ❤️

I hope you had a wonderful day filled with everything that makes you happy!  Forever grateful for my knitting friends!

xx, leslie

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

The beautiful blue Knitcrate box is always a fun mail day.  In my mind, November's Knitcrate patterns were some of the best. Every pattern, crochet and knit, were fabulous.  I truly would be interested in all of them.  The theme is "beneath the waves" which explores our planet's extraordinary undersea life and landscape, through colors, shimmering textures and unique patterns.
My knitcrate favorite yarn made another appearance and I was thrilled to see the yarn and color (Betta) pop up in my crate.

Pattern: As usual there are always a choice of Knit or Crochet patterns.
        Knitting :: Caudil Fin Cap & Mitts
        Crochet  :: Antidunes Cowl 

Yarn:  2 skeins Knitologie Glowing Worsted.  40% Merino Wool, 30% Silk, and 30% Alpaca.  Truly a new favorite yarn,  It's so soft and squishy!
The extra ::  Ahmad Tea  - I drink so much tea in the winter, so this is a perfect partner to my knitting!

If interested in ordering a Knitcrate (SO fun!  And such a great gift!) use the code FKW20 to receive 20% off of your first Knitcrate!  The code works on all crates and truly does make a happy mail day!

Like I said... I am crazy about this yarn.
And, I feel like I get extra bonus points for lining up the stripes!  (Always the hardest part for me!)

Yarn:  Trench Coat by turtle purl  approximately 225 yards.  The yarn is shipped in two skeins of approximately 225 yards with a total of 450 yards.  One pair of mitts uses one skein.  Therefore, you are able to get two pairs out of one order.  (Two skeins.)
Pattern: Beatrice Mitts
Needle:  US 2

I am crazy about this yarn.  ( And so happy I finally have a pattern to use for some of my stash sock yarn. I'll be sure to write it up when I am finished.)  And here is the great thing.  You get two small skeins in the order.  One skein makes one pair.  SO, two pairs or two gifts can be made with one order.  Love it!

A note about the yarn if you happen to purchase it.  Apparently, it is not colorfast.  Meaning, it will bleed when washed.  (WHAT?!!!)  I found a great tip which I will definitely try before I wash them.

Happy Monday Friends!

Back in September I spent a few days in Nashville.  Of course, I hit one of the local yarn stores, Bliss yarns.  The store was lovely.  I love when a yarn store has a lot of updated sample sweaters.  Really makes it inspiring and changes the shopping mood.  (Take note yarn stores!)  Upon walking in,  I immediately spotted a sample of the Rain or Shine sweater and knew I wanted to make one for myself.

Pattern:  Rain or Shine
Yarn:  Manos Del Uruguay Milo color 12800, Natural 3 skeins.
Needles:  US 7
Gauge 5 st = 1"
Size:  Size 1, cropped
Mods:  As per the shop owner at Bliss Yarns, I went up a needle size.  This threw off  the gauge  but since it is such a boxy sweater, it didn't matter.  I was going for the drape, not necessarily the fit.


Happy Friday, friends!

Hi there friends! So the sweet peeps over at Love Crafts nominated A Friend To Knit With for a love Craftie award.  I was so thrilled to hear this.   The Craftie award recognizes bloggers and gives you a chance to show your love too!  I would love (so much Love!) and so appreciate it if you could take a few extra minutes and head over to LOVE CRAFTS to give AFTKW a vote!  You just have to scroll down a little and hit the "Vote For Your Fave" button.  There is a list of top blogs in several different categories so you might just find a new favorite and become even more inspired to Create!

Voting ends November 18.

Thank you so much in advance.  ☺️❤️

xx, leslie

I have been wanting to purchase some of these cool faux leather labels, to sew on hand knit items, for some time.  Just really never took the time to research the selection out there.  Finally, I headed straight to etsy and entered my search, settling on this cute shop.  This exact size label wasn't offered, but the shop owner had no problem making what I wanted and she was really great to work with.
She has a lot of font's to choose from... this being my hardest part of the process!
I am absolutely thrilled with how they turned out.
And these mitts?  Oh boy do I love them.  The faux cables were so much fun to make and the yarn is dreamy.  This pair took only one skein of the two skeins included in my July Knitcrate.  Since these are a gift for a friend, I will be able to make another pair.  Yippee.
Pattern:  Ringleader Handwarmers
Yarn:  Knitologie Glowing Worsted 40% Superwash Merino, 30% Silk, 30% Apaca by Knitcrate
Size:  B

Labels by Paper Sushi

Well, hello friends!
I just can't believe it has been a month since I have been here.  I think time is going faster than ever.
Life has been busier.  And does anyone with an empty nest feel like you are busier than when the kids were young?  How is that even possible.  I guess we just trade different aspects of being "busy".

The last month has been spent packing and unpacking my suitcase.  Had a fun trip to Cabo for my husbands job, the best trip to Boulder to visit my college girl, Libby, a really awesome trip to Aspen to see friends, and a loving trip to Florida to be with my sweet mom.

I have been knitting all along the way.  Made a sweater.  A pair of mitts.  And the two tone twist up there.  We are approaching the coziest time of year and that one is perfect for it.

I'll be back to share more soon!

I must say, I am pretty happy this sweater is off the needles and I can honestly say I like it.
As I mentioned, I wasn't happy with the neckline of the Weekender on me.  It's not that I don't like how it looks, I think it truly is one of the most darling sweaters out there, I just didn't like how the boatneck felt on me.
So, I decided to rework the neckline into a simple crew.  This feels so much better on my neck.  This I can wear.
I've put the changes I have made over on Ravelry.  But, only for my size.  If you would like help, however, I am happy to help.

Oh!  And one small thing.  This yarn is Malibrigo Rios.  A superwash yarn which can be machine washed and dried.  Um.  I did just that and it shrunk!  I need to rewash and pull and try to reshape it to the original size.  It's a lot smaller than it was.  Ugh.

Pattern:  The Weekender
Yarn:  Malabrigo Rios, 063 Natural 5 skeins
Size: S
Needles: US 7 and 8

 It's amazing alone but the cream cheese frosting is the real show stopper.  It's truly AMAZING.
 Charlie showed up just in time and snagged the plate I was photographing.  Pretty fitting that he was wearing a gingham shirt that matched my napkin!

Pumpkin Bread:
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
1 cup oil (I used avocado oil)
1 15 oz can pumpkin
3 1/2 cups flour
3 cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp clove
(you can also use pumpkin pie seasoning)
nuts (optional - i don't use them)

-Beat eggs; add oil, water and pumpkin.  Add dry ingredients.  Mix well.  Bake in a greased and floured loaf pan at 350˚ for 45-60 min until cooked through.  Makes 2 regular sized loaves or 4-6 small depending on the size of your loaf pans.  A good rule of thumb is to not fill your loaf pan more than 1/2 way full!  

Cream Cheese Icing:
1/2 cup butter
8 oz cream cheese
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

-Beat until creamy!

Enjoy your weekend.  Temps have just dipped in the last 24 hours and all I want to do is knit.  (Naturally!)
I finished my Weekender.  I quite like it!  Pics next week.
Onto my new project!

My sweet mom was a nurse.  During this point in her life she was a school nurse.  At the high school where my sisters and I attended.  It was pretty cool to have her as our school nurse.
I love this photo of her in the nurses office.  Knitting away.  And I remember that sweater with it's stripes wrapping around the sleeves.  Her fingernails painted as usual.  I just wish I knew what was on that piece of paper that was making her so happy.

Happy Birthday Mom.  I love you with all of my heart.

I've reworked the neckline of my second Weekender.   I'll be sure to share if I like it!  It's going to be just a simple crew.  Like many sweaters, the weekend is knit both flat (stockinette) and in the round.  I've never noticed my tention being off so much like it is with this Weekender.
I have a goal to get this lovely off of the needles by the end of the week.
P.S.  It's almost sweater weather!

But things just couldn't go on any longer like this.  I'm sorry.  I'm going to need to break up with you weekender.  But please know.  It's not you beautiful Weekender pattern.  It's me.  It's all me.

And I was pretty darn happy with that.
The pattern really is super darling.  It's from one of my Knitcrates.  May's knitcrate to be exact.

Time in the Sierra Nevada's.  With my man, my sisters and my Hipster Shawl totally put me in the mood.  I LOVE hand knits!
And my family.  ❤️