friend to friend

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Have you made a Friend to Friend yet?

Honestly one of the most rewarding knits!  Not only to knit but to wear! 
I spent about a week at my sisters house in Orient, New York at the end of June.  While there, I decided she needed a Friend to Friend as it would be perfect for her mediation practice.  She decided she needed two!  
She is going to have to wait for her second one as my list is long.  I have a growing queue of these fun knits!

I have made 8 so far and now have 6 in the queue.  But they are so easy and fast that as soon as I cast off, I cast back on for a new one!  I actually finished one in Belini today (pictured in rear) and will be casting on for one in Magic Hour this evening!   It's one of those knits that can definitely be made in a weekend.  It's affordable and machine washable.  I throw it in the dryer, too!  Perfect for gift knitting!  


Pattern:  Friend to Friend
Needles:  US 11

Happy Weekend friends!  

mini mock neck tank

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Okay. So this is one of those knits that will mostly be layered but it definatley can be worn on its own.

I absolutely adore the yarn I used and the color is the most delicious brown I have seen in a while.  I am totally crushing on browns at the moment and this was love at first sight.  

 I used one ball of the Trio yarn and the only reason that worked is because high rise jeans!  Otherwise this would be extremely short!  
The finished garment is meant to be tight... with a negative ease of 4.5"- 6.5"!  That is second skin negative ease!

Size: S
Needles:  US 4/ US 2
Mods:  The only thing I did differently was to add length to the body of the tank.  The pattern calls for 6" from underarm for my size.  I knit an extra 2" for a total of 8" and then added 2" of ribbing.  

Would I make this again?  Absolutely!  Libby is already requesting one!  

Lento

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I have been wanting to knit a Lento Sweater for quite a while.  And back in the winter/spring the amazing girls Amy and Rebecca were hosting a KAL.  I knew I wanted to jump in, however, i missed the mark by a couple of months!    

That certainly didn't stop me from stash diving and finding, what I believe,  the perfect yarn to use for this pattern.
I bought the yarn back in 2019 on a trip to Barcelona.  I had stumbled upon a darling shop call "All you knit is Love".  In the shop was a Steven West Shawl made out of this combination and I was smitten.  Until I actually started the project and then decided I probably wouldn't wear the shawl as much as I would a sweater so rip went the shawl.  The yarn had been waiting patiently to become something and I must say I think it was happy with the wait!  As this was the perfect marriage.  

I adore the softness of the colors with the delicate details of the knit.  

Pattern:  Lento
Yarn:  All You Knit Is Love Bokeh and MurMur
Needles:  US 6
Size: 2
Mods:  The only modification I made was the eyelet raglan.  All mods on my Ravelry page.  
Notes:  This is an amazing pattern and a pattern that can be created over and over.  I can't wait to make more.  Oh how I would love it in a lovely camel color!  

I talked all about the Lento on episode 38 of my YouTube Channel.  You can find that here.  

stripes and more stripes

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I have always had a thing for stripes. And I have wanted to knit with Lamb & Kid yarn for some time.  I waited for the L&K update and set my alarm.  SCORE!  I was able to land a few of my favorite colors! Cultivating my wardrobe for pieces that can last a long time has been my goal for the last couple of years.   And I think these things will fit nicely into my closet.  

Pattern:  Fancy Sweater by Lamb & Kid
Yarn:  Big Birdie by Lamb & Kid in Peanut and 
Needles:  US 11
Size:  S
Mods: The pattern is written in a solid version.  I have notes for how I striped this on my Ravelry page.

Pattern:  Saturday Shrug by Jackie Rose
Yarn:  Big Birdie in Vintage (2 skeins) and Peanut (1 skein)
Needle Size:  US 9
Mods:  None.  All notes on my Ravelry page.  

Pattern:  Saturday Shrug by Jackie Rose
Yarn:  Diamond Lane Birdie held with Tod 
Needle Size: US 9
Mods:  None.  All notes on my Ravelry page.
And there I have it!  Three pieces that I made in the winter/spring that have already had quite a bit of body time!  I have worn both of the Saturday Shrugs quite often... even this summer!

        {me + libby  July 9, 2023}
I talked all about these projects on Episode 36 of my YouTube Channel.  You can find it here.  

Oh my!

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 I have some catching up to do!

{Lavender Farm / June 28, 2023 Orient, New York}

My schedule the last few months has been providing a lot of packing and unpacking.  All fun,  but that left little time to get organized enough to visit this space.

I'll be back tomorrow as I have plenty of past things to share as well as current!  

march?

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Oh dear! It's March already?! That was fast!

I'm going to do a little catch up here before I dive into what is currently on my needles.  
This sweater has moved to the top slot of my favorites.  It is the perfect combination of yarn + simplicity of pattern that made me fall in love.  
And the color may have something to do with it as well.  
I have my sweet Libby to thank for this as she sent me a picture of the sweater and asked me if I thought she would be able to knit one.  I said, absolutely and purchased enough yarn in order for both of us to make one.  
I can't wait for Libby to finish hers so that we can be twins! 😍

Pattern:  No Frills
Yarn: Onling no. 10 (70% Mohair, 30% Silk) color 115, light blue and Onling no. 11 (90% Superfine Merino, 10% Cashmere), color 36, baby blue.  COMBINATION IS DREAMY
Size: Small
Needles:  US 4 and US 6
Mods:  Twisted rib instead of standard rib.  

****Notes regarding the pattern:  I found the pattern easy enough to follow, however, I have feedback from Libby and my friend Denise.  They have not found it the easiest pattern to follow.  If you are new to reading patterns, you may need some help deciphering some of the directions.  

beatrice mitts class

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 Did you ever make your pair of Beatrice Mitts?  I truly adore mine and wear them A LOT!  

If you have ever wanted to cast on for a pair and haven't, nows the time!  I actually filmed a class for the Rebecca Page Summit which started yesterday.  The class is free for a day and will be live on January 27th.  If you would like to watch it anytime from anywhere you have the opportunity to buy the class for $59.99  Sign up here!

a kuffel is born + episode 34

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The Kuffel came off my needles and I seriously wasn't sure if I was going to ever wear it.  

My floats were causing a lot of puckering and I thought it was far from being able to block out.  
Jeez am I grateful I didn't throw it into the garbage!  

                                                  
 The stitches really did settle themselves and decided to lay down nicely.  I still want to use a steamer to sort of blend the stitches.  
You can see why I thought this would never be worn!  It was a puckered mess!
The reason for this is because I was using a 24" cable while knitting.  I thought I was being mindful enough when working each new color but turns out it was not enough.  
Blocking is EVERYTHING!  


Pattern:  Kuffel by Alexis Winslow
Yarn:  Hudson & West in Ash and Aspen
Size:  2
Needles:  US 5 & US 7
Mods:  I made this sweater long sleeve instead of 3/4.  I knit twisted rib instead of standard rib.  I made the neckline a little tighter by picking up the recommended amount of stitches and then on the first round of the rib, I decreased 10 stitches evenly spaced.   

If you want to hear me talk all about this and get the pattern for the two tone twist I pared it with, head over to my latest YouTube.

kuffle

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My first sweater of the year is currently blocking.  

Can't wait to try this one on and see the final fit.  I hope I can block out some of the bumps and bulges caused by my lack of spreading out the stitches on my 24" needle.  

*Note to self... switch to a longer needle when working color work.  

happy 2023

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 Just wanted to pop on and wish you all a very happy new year!  I hope you had a wonderful holiday full of good food, lots of love and yarn stranded through the moments!

Heres to a new year full of great health and all of the things that make you happy!  And I know yarn and knitting are high on your list.  

Cheers friends!  

i finally made a ranunculus

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Happy December! Can you believe it! Just like that it's another December! Today I put away the fall decor and this evening we are going to bring out some of the Christmas decorations. I'm always a little sad to put away fall but I am excited to see the house decorated for Christmas!


 I finished my Ranunuclus a couple of weeks ago and couldn't be happier.  I've wanted a white sweater for some time and don't know why it took me so long to make one.  
Well, actually, I do know why... the same reason so many other knitters shy away from white.  First, your hands need to be clean when knitting with white.  And second you need to be careful when wearing white.

Well, I'm taking a different approach.  I'm going to wear it.  And wear it often.  I'm going to drink coffee and wine and eat all sorts of food while wearing it.  I'm going to treat it well but not baby it.  And if something shall fall onto it and stain those precious stitches I will promptly ship it to my friend Gina from SkeinCocaine and ask her to dye it and remake it into something beautiful.  

Pattern: Ranunculus
Yarn:  3 skeins Vidalana Ascendance in Limestone 
Needle Size: US 9 (By mistake!  The pattern calls for US 10)
Size: Small
Mods:  I didn't make any modifications but wish I did!  I would have picked up more stitches in the underarm!  Next time!  

bandana cowl

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The Bandana Cowl has been around for a while but I guess it took a KAL for me to become aware of it! I am so happy I finally did!

I can see a bunch of these in my future.  It was exactly what I needed to feel some instant gratification and check a few gifts off of my list.  
 
It's a free pattern over on Ravelry and I followed the pattern exactly also using used recommended yarn.  It's soft and cozy with zero itch factor for my skin.  I wouldn't say I am extremely sensitive when it comes to wool around my neck but I certainly am somewhat sensitive.  And this 100% Extra Fine Merino doesn't bother me at all.
While I was knitting, I was ordering more yarn.  That is a true mark of good wool!
I also asked my husband if he would like one.  He mentioned that he would love a cashmere one.  Ha!  Who wouldn't.  But of course, I aim to please, so I ordered the Jade Saphire for his gift.  (You will need 2 skeins, and make sure you order the 8 ply!)

The Plenty yarn leaves you with absolutely tails of yarn left.  That's it.  I LOVE when I don't have any yarn left!  

Purl Soho is hosting a KAL that started in October and runs to the end of this month, November 30.  Hop on over to check out the prizes (Amazing!) and enter to win!

Pattern:  Bandana Cowl
Yarn: Plenty, 139 yards in Reed Grey and Night Blue
Needles:  US 10
Size:  One size

the peach truck

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Summer has slipped away and although these memories are a bit distant they still bear mentioning.  
For the past two summers, this was a highlight.  It's a simple pleasure and I am very grateful to have had this experience.  
I think everyone has at least one fruit they associate with summer.  
For me, it's strawberries warmed by the sun, ice cold watermelon cut in cubes and peaches that drip down your hand while you are eating them.  
Has The Peach Truck come to your area? If you ever see it, I am here to tell you they are some of the most amazing peaches I have ever eaten.  You can preorder and then pick up from the giant orange truck dishing out 25lb box's of peaches to be exact.  I plan on making it a reoccurring summer activity.  They are just that good.  And it just screams summer!

Delivering since 2012 but I didn't catch wind of this until last year!  
There were a lot of recipes running through my mind and ideas of things I wanted to do with this batch of peaches.  This recipe was definitely on top of the list.  And it did NOT disappoint!  

In the end, I didn't use many peaches in this recipe but this cheesecake is OUT OF THIS WORLD!  
I highly recommend watching her gorgeous video for all of her tips.  I just love the mindfulness she puts into making.  If you want to give your taste buds a lot of joy get to the kitchen NOW!  And maybe throw a little pumpkin seasoning into the batter.  That is what I will be doing.  

robinia sweater

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My latest project off the needles; The Robinia Sweater by Anne Ventzel. 
From the anticipation of receiving the yarn to the completion of this knit, the process was a true joy.  
I received this yarn via special delivery to a hotel in Porto, Portugal arriving from Denmark.  That in itself seems a bit magical to me.
 You see, I had the urge to immediately cast on for this sweater from the first sighting on Anne Ventzel's instragram account.  She dangled her soon to be released pattern in front of our eyes and I fell in love.  I immediately messaged my friends over at önling to inquire if they would perhaps be putting together some kits for this beauty.  I relayed what colors I would be interested in making and önling did not disappoint! 
I wanted to work on this project while traveling, however, we were not sure the yarn would arrive before we left in mid September.  We were headed to Madrid with Libby to help her get settled for her new adventure.   (Teaching English for the next 10 months.)  We then would be traveling to Portugal so arranged for the yarn to be shipped to a hotel in Porto, Portugal.      
You can only imagine my anticipation when arriving to the hotel!  I was met with the most wonderful package filled with not only yarn but a few treats to heighten the experience even more; a beautiful knitting bag to accompany me on my trip.  
I've thought so much about our knitting projects and how they relate to our lives.  It's almost like little flings.  Little bursts of time spent with something you love.  
This one project was like a beautiful love affair.  I took it on my journey both mentally and physically.  

 In the vineyards of the Duorro Valley, on the planes, boats and trains, at the beach and in the cities of Portugal and then back to Spain with Charlie and Shelly to visit Libby.  This knit has all of those memories and emotions woven through the stitches and will be felt every time I wear it.  I am forever grateful.  


Pattern:  Robinia Sweater
Yarn: Held single:  Isager Eco Soft, 3 skeins (actually only used 2, but it is nice to have an extra!)
Held triple:  Isager Tweed 3 skeins in Mustard , önling silk mohair no. 10 4 balls in color 1916 , önling No. 12, 1 cone in color Camel, no. 37. 
Size: S
Needles:  US 6, US 7, US 8
Mods:  Absolutely zero.  I followed the pattern exactly.  I did run into a bit of an issue on the neckline as mine was a bit loose so I rectified that by using elastic thread to tighten.  
I must say holding 3 different yarns can be a bit tricky so I found that when I placed all three next to me on the floor it made it easier to pull from all three at the same time. 

a quarter of a century

birthdays
Wow. When I first started writing in this space, my girl turned nine. Today she turns twenty five. Holy cow.
There is so much magic in her I can't believe she is even mine.  I thank God for my children and the gift of raising them every single day.  
She is living for the year in Madrid, Spain.   I made her a Daily Pullover to take with her and I am always thrilled when she texts me a photo and she is wearing it.  She has told me it is her all time favorite sweater.  She even text me a photo this morning of her Birthday Outfit.  (Photo below.)
We talked about the Daily Pullover on Episode 30 right before we left for Madrid.  It feels weird to not have her in this country.  Especially for her birthday.
But it helps when you copy her outfit.   HA!

Yarn:  Linen Quill in Kettle Black
Needles:  US 4
Mods:  The pattern calls for short rows in the upper back and in the bottom of the sweater.  I decided to omit those rows altogether for Libby's version.  I think it worked out perfectly fine and will omit those sections on my next Daily Pullover.  

dusting off this space

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Well, hello there! It's been a while!
I can't believe it has been almost 2 months since I have been here.

I've been traveling a lot.  

Madrid ✔️
Porto ✔️
Duoro Valley ✔️
Algarve ✔️
Lisbon ✔️
Philadelphia ✔️
Barcelona ✔️
Madrid ✔️
Nashville ✔️
Phoenix ✔️
Sedona ✔️
Los Angeles ✔️

Yep.  That pretty much covers the places I covered in the last couple of months.  It was great.  I mean really great.  But, now it's time to get some things accomplished at home and take care of some business! 
My mind is swirling with things I want to knit and things I want to do.  Basically, I just want to make all the things!

Happy November, friends!  xx 

never ending story sweater

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Okay... I'm going to start off by saying "YAY! It's off the needles!"
I actually have not had that feeling about a project in a long time. This is one I just had to power through.

I'll blame the half fisherman rib for that.  Shouldn't have been a surprise to me as the pattern is clearly a Half-Fisherman Rib knit!  
The thing is, I had never knit an entire sweater in half fisherman rib.
I love the yarn choice and bought this in several colors as it is a dreamy cotton. (I believe it about to become discontinued.)  I had plans to make a few but probably need to search for another cotton sweater to make instead.  

 Pattern:  Never Ending Story Sweater by Susanne Muller
Yarn:  Buttercup cotton by Purl Soho in Woodland Gray
Size: S
Needles:  US 4 for body and US 2 for cuff's.
Thoughts:  I absolutely love wearing this and truly would love one in black.  However, I am just not sure I can power through again.  It wasn't as if I thought this was an "enjoyable" knit.  I felt that the pattern was a bit tricky in some areas.  I also worked on the i-cord neckline a few times trying to get the right side to look like the left.  A friend over on YouTube suggested that maybe picking up stitches on the "down" side is different than when picking them on the "up" side.  Perhaps.  

number 29

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If you are interested in seeing my finished Never Ending Story Sweater and learning where I purchased  this really awesome bag, I talked all about it on the latest episode over on the YouTube Channel.  
 
And this is a behind the scene shot of my very professional set up and the above photo being taken.  ☺️😂