Can you believe that tomorrow is March 1st?!!! SO crazy!
So, before the calendar actually flips, lets look at February's Knitcrate!
The theme is Good Vibes Only, a wish for 2019 to be better for everyone in our community and beyond.  A time of reflection on ourselves and our attitudes, and a call for us to be supportive of each other.  I personally try to live my life this way, so I totally felt as if I shouted a big "Hell Yes!" when I read this theme.  To support each other in every aspect of life... it truly is that simple.
Membership Crate.
Yarn :: 2 skeins Halo DK.   236 beautiful yards of 50% Alpaca, 30% Wool, and 20% Nylon.  A surprise of either two color ways.  Iridescent, glowing green Malachite and luminous purple, Electric Abalone.
Pattern ::  As always, 2 patterns.  The knitting pattern featured knitting designer Kiri Fitzgerald's Belita scarf, a combination of lace and squishy stitches.  It looks like a super fun knit.  And the crochet pattern by Jennifer Hayes.  Belle Askew is a shawl with a triangular shape featuring surprising details even to the knitter!  
Sock Crate.
Yarn :: Snow Stylish.  Well, this is one colorway I truly flipped over.  And doesn't the yarn knit into something so gosh darn amazing?!!!  Pure happiness!
Pattern ::  Maeve Zana designed this awesome pattern named Striped Lightning.  Maeve utilized the pooling of this variegated colorway in a truly exceptional way, celebrating the color changes with high-relief twisted stitches.

As always, your first crate is 20% off by using code FKW20 at checkout.    

Hi there friends!
Wow.  I feel like this space needs a bit of dusting off.  I think it's been an entire month since I have visited here.  I believe that is the longest I have ever gone without checking into this space.  (In 12 1/2 years!!!)

My sweet mother fell on January 27th and broke her hip.  At 83 years old, that is a tough surgery to recover from.  My sisters and I spent 2 1/2 weeks with her, making some tough decisions and getting the new chapter of life implemented.  It truly is heartbreaking but we are so grateful to have this beautiful time with her.  Dementia sucks.  Totally sucks.  But, we are certain our mom feels the love when we are with her.  And that is what is all that matters.

While we were all together, my sister Shelly and I made 60 of these darling hearts for a friend's birthday.  From start to finish you can make a heart in about 10 minutes.  We used scraps of Lion Brand wool ease yarn.  They were totally therapeutic and came at the perfect time.  A lovely memory we will always have.

Hiya Friends! Sorry for the crappy iPhone photo. I don't travel with my camera anymore and just rely on my iPhone. It's just so much easier. Except when I don't get the same quality photos.

But we will have a LOVE-ly time.  Can't wait!

If you have been here for a while, you know Greetings from Knit Cafe is truly one of my favorite books. It was published in 2006 and I still love it as much now as I did then. I'm not exactly sure how I ever heard of it, or how I received it. Did I buy it from my local yarn shop? Did my mom give it to me? I wish I could remember. But, what I do remember is that it's pages were turned by my hands so often that they are worn and remind me of this time. My kids were young. I knit every single night from 8pm-11pm.  I'm not kidding.  At one point I wanted to challenge myself to make everything in this book!
My mom loved the pattern equally as much and made four of them!  This is her sporting one last week when Libby and I went for a quick visit.   The original book has a few pattern corrections.  I'm pretty sure they are on Ravelry.  Feel free to reach out if you need any help.  I also made some changes to the cap sleeve.   Those are documented here.
The bell sleeves are such a love of mine.  As are those hands.

(I have a hardcover but it looks like you can get a hard or soft cover here or here.)

 But this one?  It's just so darn wearable!  And the yarn is D R E A M Y.  Yes, a bit pricy, but, to me, it's worth every penny.  It just was a dream to knit with.  Truly feels like cashmere.
I love all of the simple details constructed into this pattern.  Soft turtle neck,  long ribbed sleeves, split hem.

I did make a few modifications to fit my body and needs.   (Listed below.)

Pattern:  Turtle Dove
Yarn:  Woolfolk, Luft Color L06, 9 skeins  (I bought mine here.)
Size:  S
Needles:  US 10 and 10.5  (I didn't have size 10.75)
Modifications:  I added 2" to the body + 1" to the ribbing of the body.  (So, total of 3".)  To the sleeves I added 2" + 2" to the ribbing of the sleeve.

Last year I introduced the "a friend to knit with" journal and I wanted to share with you how I use mine.  Of course, with the new year, I cracked open a new journal.
I developed a new way of organizing my projects and I really think it kept me on track with my knitting goals.  Maybe it can help with yours, too!
Okay.  So, I decide to break the year into quarters.  3 months is a very doable amount of time to accomplish a project.  Or at least 5 projects... of all different sizes.
In each quarter, I like to work on individual projects for the head (a hat or a scarf/neckwarmer) the hands (mittens, mitts) the heart (sweater, shawl/wrap) and the feet (socks/slippers).  I also like to try to come up with something I would like to knit on my own without using a pattern.
My 2018 journal went everywhere with me.  Well, at least everywhere my knitting went.  This journal is 50 pages of the most perfect grid of graph paper.  It contains a ruler inside the front cover for those time you forget your tape measure.  A pocket in the back will hold those extra yarn labels, receipts or love notes.  And, there is a calendar in the back to keep you on track with your knitting goals.
I had a page of projects that I might consider making.  And, I would list the project I actually worked on and check it off when I finished.  A total sense of accomplishment!
In the actual journal I jotted down ideas, recipes, to do lists.  But always my notes on a project.  A great way to keep track of charts and graphs.  Start and finish dates, as well.  
Of course, you can do this in any notebook but the "a friend to knit with journal" will be a constant reminder of this bond we all share.  :)  We all have a friend to knit with!

To celebrate the new year, I am going to offer 15% off journals until January 9th at midnight.  No code necessary, I dropped the price by 15%.   (It is usually $17.00)  Orders will ship on January 10th.

Happy journaling!

December sock crate is full of self striping fun.  The skeins cycle through four bold stripes of color (ending and starting with the same shade).  I am super excited to cast on for these and see these come to life.
And this cute little pin came in the sock crate as well.  I'm thrilled to start a little collection to decorate my bag! :)
Yarn: Vidalana Ember sport in Holly  (70% Merino wool, 20% nylon, 10% silk)
Pattern:  Holiday Candy by Myna Vayner
December membership crate included 2 skeins of heathered chunky.  And as always, two patterns.  One knit and one crochet.  I love that you can always just stash your yarn or use it for a different pattern.  I'm thinking of a chunky knit beanie with a faux pom for this yarn.

Yarn:  Vidalana Heathered Chunky in Clementine  100% wool
Pattern: knit, Breaks in the Line
             crochet, Snow Bonnet

As always, your first crate is 20% off by using code FKW20 at checkout.

New Year!
New Projects!
Now let's get knitting!

Pattern:  The Soleil   (My sister used the yarn that the pattern called for.)

Happy New Year dear friends!  May 2019 be one awesome year for you!

xx, leslie

The last day, a storm rolled in.  It was a great time to work on Turtle Dove, capturing all of the warmth I could into that sweater.  

I am now fully excited about Christmas.  Both Charlie and Andrew are home and I'm leaving in about an hour to pick up Libby at the airport.  All babies under the same roof tonight!  Yippee!

Have you seen this pattern?  I'm truly and utterly in love.
I'm not a turtleneck person at all.  I just don't like anything permanent around my neck.  I can do a scarf or a cowl because I know I can remove it if I get too confined.  I just don't go for a turtleneck.
That is until I saw Turtle Dove.  It's just so beautiful.  And the yarn is to die for.  It's knit top down, and I'm about to separate for the sleeves.
Turtle dove + morning Celery Juice = A beautiful way to start a day!

I can't even begin to tell you what a treat it is to open my mailbox and see this lovely blue box.  And then when the beauty drops out, I fall in love each and every time.
I'm not sure the photos show the beautiful sparkle in these yarns but it's there, I promise!  Twinkle toes ahead with this sock crate!  A sparklying, Stellina-laden yarn for a new pair of socks.

Yarn:  Uru.yarn  Sugared sock.  Available in two exclusive colorways.  I received the Apple, but Amber was lovely as well.
Pattern:  A sweet ankle sock.  Ribbons of Gratitude.

I had a friend to knit with contact me and tell me she was ordering her friend a year subscription of the sockcrate.  Every other month.  What a lovely gift.

As always, your first crate is 20% off by using code FKW20 at checkout.

Happy December, Friends!

I ended up having to space my tassels a little more resulting in fewer tassels, but I'm okay with it.   This was the first time I ever did the Indian Cross Stitch.  (That stitch up there with the crossovers and holes.)  I found a helpful YouTube video here.

Pattern: Hipster Shawl
Yarn:  Baby Yak Medium by Myak, Desert.  5 skeins.  (100% Yak)
Needle Size:  US 8

It's been really fun/busy around here lately. My kids are home for Thanksgiving Break!  Nothing better than having all of your babies under one roof!  Speaking of babies, I made a Barbie Lou for the sweetest little new gift to the world!  She is a friends baby and is only 4 months old.  Holy Cow.  I wish my babies were 4 months old again!
The pattern calls for Classic Elite's Liberty.   Did I ever mention that Classic Elite went out of business?  Yes. I fell in love with Classic Elite years ago.  A true love affair.  Whenever I found a new pattern, I always hunted for a Classic Elite yarn.  And many times I used a Classic Elite Pattern.   I am just heartbroken that soon I will no longer be able to get their yummy yarn.  It was always that yarn company that was rock solid in my mind producing quality yarn that would always result in a beautiful finished piece.  I did manage to find Liberty on a closeout sale here.  I really need to order some for my stash as this really makes a great Barbie Lou.  

Pattern:  Barbie Lou
Yarn:  Classic Elite Liberty.  3 balls MC, 1 ball CC, 1 ball CC
Size:  Large (1+ year)

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

My newest obsession. And I mean obsession.  The Hipster Shawl.
I'm in one of those phases where one of the first things I think about when I wake is my knitting.  They Hipster might be to blame. I truly can't wait to get to it.  Simple, interesting and on size 8 needles, it shows progress!  Love a project like this.  This wasn't my first color choice for this project, however, upon looking EVERYWHERE for this MYAK yarn, I pretty much took what I could get.  And to be honest, it is totally growing on me.  I think it is a nice neutral that will blend with most things in my wardrobe.
I made a mistake yesterday, and had to rip out a couple of inches.  It didn't really bother me though... more time to knit!

Happy weekend, friends!

I must admit, however, I do have a few things I would do differently if I would ever make this again.  Things that I would tailor to my body type.
The first is the length.  I guess I must be a little longer waisted then the model.  So... if I made this again I would add a couple of inches to the body.  Don't know why I didn't check that as I went... I usually do.
The second thing I would do would be to add more length from the underarm to the shoulder.  I would prefer it to be a bit roomier through the arm since this is a dropped shoulder.
The only modification I did make was to add a couple of inches to the length of the arms.

Pattern:  Oak
Yarn:  Owl by Quince & Co color Elf, 8 skeins
Needle size:  US 8
Size: S

Well,  my travel schedule kept me from getting to this space much in October.  Now that I have some time to hunker in, I plan on spending more time here.  Although it is November, I still want to share with you October's knitcrate.  It's one of those things I feel that I can't move on until I do!
This months theme is Verdigris.  The patina of time, faded, peeling and rubbed-down boards; pastel-soft matte finished, ceramic smoothness, and the play of shadow and light on everyday surfaces.

The sock artisan crate has me equally excited.  A superfine fingering weight yarn double stranded for this months sock pattern.
Yarn:  Artistic Ewe Yarns in Celery Stalk  75% Superwash Merino, 25% nylon
Pattern:  Doubledown  a quick ankle sock that uses the yarn double-stranded for a quick effect!  (Super excited as I love ankle socks!)
Extra:  Chiaogoo 40"  US size 2 needles to make the socks extra quick using the magic loop method.

If you haven't tried a Knitcrate and are interested in making mail days exciting, you can get 20% off your first crate by entering code FKW20 at checkout!

I'll share it down below.  I don't know how to do a printable, but will work on changing that.  If interested, you can just copy and paste and then print.
Opal yarn is some of my favorite.  This was colorway was Rainforest Monarch.  I have had this in my stash for a while so not exactly where I picked it up.  However, I did find a website that has a nice selection of Opal sock yarn.

(NOTE, I by all means do not have skinny ankles or calves.  In fact, I have been  told in the past that I have Cankles.  It's ok.  I'm over that.  No, really.  I'm over it.  😉 And, I wear a size 8 shoe.)

My favorite sock pattern ::

Using size US 2 needles, CO 56 st onto double point needle.
Divide onto 3 dpn as follows:  28st on N1, 14st on N2 and 14st on N3.  Join being careful not to twist stitches.
Work in rib 2x2 (or 3x1 or 1x1, whatever your heart's desire!) for 2".  Change to knit stitch and continue until piece measures 6".  (Or again, length desired.)

Heel Flap
With N1, kfb, K28.  With N2 and N3, Knit.  57 st.
Work back and forth on the 29 st on N1 as follows:
Row 1 (RS) *k1, sl1, repeat from *, k1.
Row 2 (WS) purl
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until heel flap measures 2 1/2".

Heel Turn
Row 1:  Sl1, K15, SSK, K1, turn.
Row 2:  Sl1, P4, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 3:  Sl1, K5, SSK, K1, turn.
Row 4:  Sl1, P6, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 5:  Sl1, K7, SSK, Ka, turn.
Row 6:  Sl1, P8, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 7:  Sl1, K9, SSK, K1, turn.
Row 8:  Sl1, P10, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 9:  Sl1, K11, SSK, K1, turn.
Row 10:  Sl1, P12, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 11:  Sl1, K13, SSK, K1, turn.
Row 12:  Sl1, P14, P2tog, P1, turn.

Gusset:
Knit across 17 heel stitches, Pick up and knit 16 st along edge of heel flap.  With new needle, knit across 28 stitches of instep.  With new needle pick up and knit 16 st along heel flap.  Knit across 8 stitches of heel.  This is the new beginning of round.
Next round N1, Knit to last 3 st, K2tog, K1.
With N2, knit.
With N3, K2, SSK, K to end.
Round 2, Knit.
Repeat last 2 rounds until 56 stitches remain.  You will have 14st on N1 and N3 and 28st on N2.

Foot
Continue knitting until foot measures 5 1/2 inches or 2" less than desired length.

Toe shaping
Next round.  With N1, knit to last 3 stitches, K2 tog, K1.  With N2, K1, SSK, K to last 2 sts, K2tog, K1. With N3, K1, SSK.  4 sts dec'd.
Knit 1 round.
Repeat last 2 rounds for 8 times more, then rep dec end once more- 16 sts.
Divide sts evenly on 2 dpns.  Graft toe closed using Kitchener st.

 It was a glorious day in my Cabana.  The sun was high in the cloudless blue sky.  The sea was calm as I listened to the waves crashing gently against the shore.  The breeze was warm against my skin. I was spending the day alone, on the beach in Cancun, as my husband was in meetings all day. My first sock was almost finished and I was already dreaming about casting on for the second sock.   If I cast on today, I thought, I can probably finish by the end of the week.  This day could not be anymore perfect, I thought.  One last row, and I am ready to close the toe with the kitchener stitch.  I reach into my travel notion bag and hunt around for my darning needle.  Panic sets in.  What?  Where in the world is my darning needle?  I quickly dump everything out only to fully realize... there is no darning needle.  My dreams of finishing this pair of socks is shattered.
Well.  I do have washi tape.  And my double point needles.  If I tape the yarn to the needle, then I will be able to thread it through like a darning needle.
Voila!  Makeshift darning needle.
The day is once again perfect.
(Note to self ::  always carry washi tape.)

Well, hello there! And hello October.   I realllly love October. Everything pumpkin, everything orange.
As soon as the calendar turned to October, I wanted to ditch these socks.  I started them at the end of July when the sun was high and the day was long.  These Five O'Clock Somewhere socks were my summer socks or my 3rd quarter socks.  I was trying to knit a pair of socks each season.  Did I mention that?  That I divided up my year into quarters or seasons?!  (Ya.  More on that later.) Anyhow, I needed to finish these so that I could start my 4th quarter socks.

This yarn and pattern were part of a Knitcrate that I received over the summer.  You know what a fan I am of this yarn subscription.  And, this crate made me cast on for these socks almost immediately.  It was a fun repeat pattern that kept things interesting.  It did require me to keep track of every row so I usually had to be focused to work on them.  I'm super excited to tuck them into Libby's halloween care package.  :)

Yarn:  Knitcrate
Pattern:  Five O'clock Somewhere socks.

Knitcrate membership crate:
Yarn:  Vidalana Dream  75% Merino, 15% silk, 10% cashmere.  (100% dreamy)  There are three possible color ways.  Lavender night, Pimento and I was so happy to receive Tapenade.
Pattern:  The knit pattern is Westward by Anne Podlesak.  A beautiful shawl worked from one short corner to the opposite edge, and is designed to be worn on the bias.
The crochet pattern is Las Mananitas De Blanca by Cecelia Losanda.
The sock artisan crate.
I honestly wish I was a faster sock knitter.  I would have an entire drawer full of hand knit socks.
Yarn:  75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon  450 beautiful yards of fingering weight.
Pattern:  Falling Petals.  A simple but lovely pattern that still gives the yarn the ability to show its beauty.
Extra:  A petal wheel highlighter set!  This fun little extra made this highlighting lover super happy!

If you haven't tried a Knitcrate and are interested in making mail days exciting, you can get 20% off your first crate by entering code FKW20 at checkout!