never ending story sweater

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I've been working on the Never Ending Story Sweater.  I absolutely love the look of this pattern but my work looks sloppy to me.  I'm hoping things will all even out in the blocking process.  I really struggled with the neckline.  More on that later.  
Loving the yarn choice and definitely will make more summer sweaters out of this lovely cotton.  It may be discontinued soon as I bought it on sale and it doesn't look like Purl Soho is replenishing their stock.  
 We have been travling out west visiting two of our kids and this knit has been lucky to be along for the fun! 

biscotti

cookie of the week

Last week while I was swimming my morning laps I had an urge to eat a biscotti.  Not a usual craving for me for as I am swimming.  I am usually thinking about toast.  And actually, any toast will do.  Must be a carb craving.  But this particular morning it was Biscotti.  Orange walnut to be exact.   

As soon as I arrived back home I searched my recipes for a particular recipe that someone gave me years ago.  I had never made them but remember eating hers and enjoying the soft texture which I really like in a biscotti instead of the traditional crunchy ones.  
While my hair was still wet I was mixing the dough and sneaking in tastes that made my mouth wanting more.  I made one batch of orange walnut and then while they were baking made more dough to make an almond version.  I made two smaller "logs" with this batch instead of the one big "log" I used for the Orange Walnut. One log will give you a big biscotti and two logs will give you smaller biscotti.   In the end I couldn't decide which flavor or size I preferred more.  
Easy Biscotti
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt 
3 eggs
1 1/4 cup sugar
1-2 tsp extract of your choice
1 cup of nuts of your choice

Preheat oven to 300˚.  Combine flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.   Mix eggs and sugar.  Add extract.  Mix in dry ingredients and then nuts.  Form into either one big "log" or two small "logs" onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  Slightly flatten dough.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool slightly.  Cut with serrated knife into one inch strips.  Turn on side and bake for 2 minutes.  Flip onto other side and bake an additional two minutes.  Let cool on rack.  

If you like a crunchier biscotti bake longer durning this second baking time.  (6 minutes per side.)
For the orange walnut, I used 2 tsp of orange extract and 1 cup of walnuts.  For the almond version I used 1 tsp almond extract, 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1 cup of slivered almonds.  

After baking, grab your knitting, a cup of hot tea or coffee and start dunking!  

simple stripes sweater

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This is without a doubt one of those sweaters that when it came off the needles I slipped it on and felt a huge "I LOVE THIS SWEATER" sort of feeling!
Is it the softness of the yarn?  Definitely.
Is it the weight of the yarn?  Absolutely.
Is it the colors?  Um, YES.
Is it the delicious visual candy?  Of course!
Is it the fit of the sweater?  Y.  E.  S.  

I've made this sweater before in a brighter palette and didn't think that one could be topped.  But for this time of year, this will certainly be the one I gravitate towards.  
I love how each mini  has its own show going on.  Some gave a soft speckle (SPARKLE!)  and some gave a more bold speckle. (SPARKLE!) And some just did a little stripe dance all on their own.  

I knew I liked this pattern because of my first go around.  And this just confirmed what a great pattern it was.  And although I adore stripes and the feeling that comes once a color is completed, I'd love to try this out in some sort of a solid yarn or variegated yarn.  My mind has been racing with ideas.  

 Pattern:  Simple Stripes by Suvi Knits
Needles:  US 4
Size:  M
Mods:  The pattern is written for 5 colors and repeat of the colors 3x.  However, the Perfect Palette comes with 15 mini's in 15 luscious colors.  For this version, I omitted 3 of the colors in order to make it a little shorter.  Each body stripe has 13 rows and each arm stripe has either 10 or 11 rows depending on how much yarn I had.  I'm not too fussy in the fact that they both have to match perfectly and in the end they both ended up the same length.  

You can see this sweater in action during this YouTube episode.

eat cake

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Hi!  In my blogging lifetime (almost 16 years!  WHAT?!)  I have mentioned how summer tends to kick my butt and this summer is no different.  You know when your kids fly the coup and you think life will probably slow down?  Well, I'm here to tell you it doesn't.  And, I am totally okay with that.  I currently have two children at home and I am loving every minute.  Andrew has been home since December as he took a semester off of school and in June I flew to Denver and drove home with Libby.  Libby will be home until September and then she will be moving to Madrid for at least a year to teach English.  
(Super exciting times!)

The other day Libby was asking why cake isn't made more often.  It's true.  I don't know about you, but I only make cake for birthdays.  Or holidays.  Or I make a breakfast cake.  Like banana bread, or zucchini bread or coconut bread, but those are really considered bread so those don't count.   I never whip out the Kitchen-aid mixer and make a good old fashioned vanilla cake for no reason.  
Libby and I decided we should change that!  Libby scoured the internet and found a recipe that looked delicious but required amounts of ingredients that we did not have, so she cut the recipe in half.  
And let me ask the question... Why isn't that done more often either?  Because hey!   A single layered cake is the perfect size for dessert.  You know, just to satisfy the cake craving!  

My heart grew a few sizes when Libby wanted to make a stencil to decorate the cake just like I have for all those years decorating birthday cakes.  

Eat Cake!  

best friend butterfly blanket

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 I don't think I have mentioned this blanket in this space before.  Only on my YouTube channel.

However, I want to make sure you have access to it also!

This baby blanket was born of a love for my grandmother, Lillie, and her butterfly blankets.  If you were lucky enough to be my grandmother's friend, then you were lucky enough to receive a butterfly blanket and most certainly had one on thrown on the back of your sofa.  My sister and I decided to rework the vintage style into a more modern solid color version and gift it to the newest generation: babies!  We like working it in acrylic yarn.  That way, the parents of the baby don't have to be too fussy and the blanket can be dragged just about anywhere and everywhere.  Then it can be thrown into the washing machine without any worries.  Trust me, the new mother will thank you! 

Head on over to grab a free copy of the pattern.   

P.S.  I have a tutorial demonstrating exactly how to make the butterfly stitch here.  

the classic

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The Classic.  Truly a sweater I can't recommend enough.
I love everything about this sweater. 

It hit the sweet spot on needle size, on yarn choice, on wearability and on a piece that will fit into my wardrobe for many years.   
I'm not going to lie.  The twisted rib is a bear.  Even more so trying to rip it out.  I mistakenly took the back for the front and the front for the back, ribbing for 4.5" on the front which the pattern didn't call for and had to rip out 2.5" of twisted rib.  Ouch!  I tried the freezer trick but this did not help one little bit.  
I ended up cutting off the extra 2.5 and miraculously getting the stitches back on the needles.  
A simple raglan sleeve is my favorite fit.  


Pattern:  The Classic by Espace Tricot  (Free pattern!)
Yarn:  Held Double:
           Sonder Yarn Co. Sunday Morning 4 ply.  3 skeins in Cover to Cover.  
           Sonder Yarn Co. Halo.  3 skeins in Rocket
Needle Size:  US 7
Size:  I knit a smaller size than I normally wear because I did not want the 10" of positive ease.  I have about 5" of positive ease.  
Modifications:  I knit 2" more on the sleeve before starting the twisted rib.  

summer of stripes KAL part 3

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Welcome to the accessory portion of the Stripes Inspiration for the KAL that will be starting on June 21!  Grab your scraps, your stash or head to your LYS and join Gina and I for some summer fun!  There will be fun prizes and you may even meet a new friend!  
I found a few stripy socks and accessories that caught my eye!

Top Left:  Weekend Shorty Socks by Summer Lee.  Are these the cutest or what!  I downloaded this free pattern immediately!  I think I need a pair of Weekend Shorty Socks!

Top Right:  Spotty Socks by Paintbox Yarns.  Another free pattern.   I mean, come on!  Aren't they just the cutest?

Bottom Left:  Trusy Toe up Socks by Tanis Lavallee.  Okay.... If you need a basic sock pattern with just enough instruction this is it!  And talk about a scrap buster!  If you need any inspiration just head to the project page.  SO many fun socks!  Again, a free pattern.  

Bottom Right:  Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes.  The name has me craving a latte every time I read it!  I've knit these socks as a solid version but have always been drawn to the detail and the stripes that are present in this recipe!  Again, head to the project page if in need of some inspiration! You guessed it, a free pattern.  

Top Left:  Stripe Study Shawl by Veera Valimaki.  I just adore Julie Hoover's version of this beauty.  Something I would love wrapped around me on a cool summer night!

Top Right:  Ashford Baby Blanket by Kaleidoscope Knits.  Looking for a fun baby gift that uses your stash?  This is it!

Bottom Left:  Agate Cowl by Nick Davis  This totally caught my eye.  There is just something about it.  Sort of like a updated Little Red Riding Hood!  This is made in a self striping yarn.  No need to weave in all those ends!

Bottom Right:  Stria Hat by Andrea Mowry.  This is Andrea's latest pattern which was knit during her latest KAL. A great pattern to try you Half Fisherman Rib skills.  I love it.  Another perfect scraps knit!  

Happy Weekend, friends!  

summer of stripes KAL part 2

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Part 2 of the Stripe Inspiration to get you excited about the Summer of Stripes KAL starting on June 21 and running until September 21!  Gina (SkeinCocaine) and I will be your friendly hosts and hope we can all get excited about stripes.  If you've never knit stripes before, now is your time! 

 I honestly can't believe how many cute striped sweaters there are!  Honestly something for everyone.  And if you are not into knitting sweaters, I completely understand.  Stay tuned for more accessories full of stripes.  And remember to check out part 1 as there are some there, too.  
Top Left:  Simple stripes by SuviKnits.  This is the sweater that started it all.  I LOVE this sweater.  This is the one I will be making (again) as I have the Perfect Palette in Pastels.  I knit mine a little different with a 3/4 sleeve instead of a long sleeve.  It's a top down knit and the pattern is available in either fingering weight or dk weight.

Top Right: Stripes!  by Andrea Mowry.  This cute sweater has been very popular.  And I do love those 3/4 sleeves!

Bottom Left:  Chunky Rib Sweater by Knitting for Olive.  Remember... Stripes don't have to come in contrasting colors!

Bottom Right:  Rock it Tee by Tanis Lavallee.  My friend Christine reminded me of this cute summer wear.  Looks as light as a feather!
 
Top Left:  Sea Glass Sweater by Wool and Pine.  Oh how I love the idea of this sweater!  It is THE stash buster in my opinion.  It is knit top down in the round in a 1x1 color work pattern.  It truly offers endless opportunities to use up this scraps, minis and stash yarn!  

Top Right:  Diagonal Stripe Sweater by Patons.   Definitely an interesting knit as I'm not sure how those stripes are achieved but sure looks fun to knit!

Bottom Left:  Stripes of Joy Sweater by Tif Nielan  A worsted weight top down construction that looks very easy to wear.  I think it's the eyelet detail gives this piece that extra bit of joy!

Bottom Right:  Scrappy Striber by Pia Trans.  Another stash buster using as few or as many colors as you would like.  I love the play this gives the knitter.  I also love how the designer included instructions on how to make the long sleeve version if you would like. 

summer of stripes KAL part 1

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If you watched my last YouTube video you might remember the KAL that Gina (Skeincocaine) and I will be hosting starting on June 21. We are SO excited about it and hope you will join in the joy! I feel like it is always fun to be part of a community and there will be great prizes to boot!
The KAL will run from June 21 (the first day of summer) till September 22 (the first day of autumn). 
We will be using  #summerofstripeskal on Instagram.  
I've been doing a lot of research and coming up with Striped knits to inspire you! This has been pretty challenging because there are so many cute ones and I don't want to overwhelm anyone (especially myself!).  I'm breaking it down into a couple (few) blogposts.  This is part 1!  


 Top Left:  Kunos Cushions by Anne Ventzel 
I LOVE the look of these pillows!  I also love the idea of knitting them and hope to one day.  (After all of my sweaters are knit.  HA!)  They are composed of slipped stitches and are knit on a US 9.  I think they would make a great summer project.  

Top Right:  Nice by Anne Ventzel
A top down easy to wear short sleeved sweater.  Looks like it would be great to wear all summer long.  Knit on US 4's.  

Bottom Left:  Sailor Sweater by Anne Ventzel
I just adore this sweater.  And would like one just like this please.  A top down in the round construction and I am drawn to the angle of the sleeve cuffs.  US7 needles.  

Bottom Right:  Bag and Cover by Anne Venzel
This is one of those knits that would be great for on the go in the summer.  The pattern consists of 3 parts. A canvas lined bag, a tablet and a phone patterns are all included.  Knit on size US2.5.


Top Left:  Beatrice Mitts.  Hopefully you picked up this pattern and yarn!  And if so, would be a great summer on the go project.  A quick knit on size US 2 needles!  (I adore the burberry colors!)

Top Right:  Oyster Sweater by Sanne Fjalland Knit-Wear 
Another Sailor Knit inspired sweater with a cute twist on the sleeves.  Not the quickest knit on US 2.5's but would be great to use stash fingering weight yarns!  

Bottom Left:  Ravello by Isabell Kraemer 
Thanks to Jennie Atkinson for sharing this one!  If you aren't into all stripe sweater this has just enough.  You can even omit a few if you like less.  Would be fun to play around with colors on this one.  And I love the neckline for summer.  US 4 needles.  

Bottom Right:  Vertical Stripes by PetiteKnits
REMEMBER... All stripes don't have to be in contrasting colors.  Some can be accomplished by texture.  If you aren't into color stripes you can always knit this beauty.  I just might have to put this one in my queue.  I adore it! I'll take it in this color! US 7 needles.


Beatrice Mitts

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Oh boy! It's so hard to believe that it's just past the middle of May! I don't have kids in school anymore and I have been blaming my busy-ness on the end of the school year! HA!

 I have managed to finish a pair of Beatrice Mitts.  I adore this Trench Coat Color way and yarn from Turtle Purl.  


Pattern:  Beatrice Mitts
Needles:  US 2

We have been busy traveling the last week.  Spent a glorious night in Chicago and then headed to Denver to watch my girl, Libby, run in the Denver Coalfax Half Marathon.  I was uber proud of her!  I think my heart grew 2 sizes.  

I finally wrote up the butterfly pattern and it is currently being edited by my tech editor.  Shouldn't be long until I share that.   (Fun Fact that my friend Winsorhouse mentioned... A group of butterflies is called a Kaleidoscope!)


spring crate

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I've been remiss in mentioning my wonderful blue boxes of KnitCrate that brighten my day once a month!  Oh, how I love that day!

The March Crate's had me swooning over the colors.
Their theme this month was Metropolis. 
 A city rises between the desert and turquoise seas; the faded chalk colors of stucco create channels for busy passerby.  

The standard crate carried the classic Knitologie Worsted,  A 100% Superwash Merino made in Peru exclusively for KnitCrate.  Four different colors that together form a gentle gradient.  Each individual skein is 112 yds totaling 448 yards one the four skeins in the crate.  
I can't wait to make something out of this!   
The sock crate featured cozy La Brebis Warmer.  70% Superwash Merino, 20% Sure Alpaca and 10% Nylon.  400% yards of this fingering weight goodness in my perfect shade.  I truly would love to finally knit Steve a pair of socks and this just might be the skien!  

As always you can get 20% off your first KnitCrate by entering FKW20 at checkout.  

Happy Mail Day!  

daily pullover .2

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You know you have a good pattern when you knit it twice. And want to knit it again!
This is my second Daily Pullover and I truly can't love the ease and simplicity of it any more.  
I have become more and more mindful of what my wardrobe needs and what I need to knit in order to fill that void.  I want to wear my sweaters over and over and enjoy all aspects of them.  The process and the project.   That's not to say I will throw something colorful in the mix every now and then but for now I am craving Classic pieces.  Pieces that will wear easily.  
I will be making Libby one in Kettle Black because she loves mine so much.  And then I'm sure I will have another one in my future.  I truly would love a stack of Daily Pullovers!

Yarn:  Linen Quill in Fresh Nutmeg
Needles:  US 3
Size:  2
Modifications:  I added length to the body making my body 12" before the short rows.  I also knit a twisted rib instead of the standard rib.  On the hem and sleeves I did the Italian Bind Off and on the neckline I did a Standard Bind Off, binding off tightly in order to bring up the V.  I truly don't think I would go to the trouble of doing either the twisted rib or the Italian bind off again.  (IF you do a twisted rib with an Italian bind off you have to untwist the stitches before you begin the bind off.  That part was not fun.  There is a way to accomplish it without untwisting, but that was not fun either!) 

a glorious morning

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We had two kids home for Easter this year.  Not a full table, but I'll take it.  

Coffee, Latte's, Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice, Glorious Morning Muffins, Spinach and Ricotta Crepes, Glazed Carrots, Deviled Eggs and a Spring Mix Salad with Watermelon Radishes and a Lemon Vinaigrette Salad Dressing.    It was a lovely brunch.  
I've been making the Glorious Morning Muffins since my kids were little.  A true favorite.

Glorious Morning Muffins:

2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups grated carrots 
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 apple, peeled, cored and grated
3 large eggs
 1 cup avocado oil
2 tsp vanilla

*Preheat oven to 350˚ Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.  Set aside.  Beat eggs with oil until just combined.  Add vanilla.  Add dry ingredients until just combined and then add carrots, coconut and apple.  Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling them to the top.  Makes 12 muffins.  Bake for 35 minutes.   Cool on wire rack.  Eat and have a glorious morning!  

daily pullover no. 2

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Have I told you lately that all I want to do is knit? It's true. ALL I WANT TO DO IS KNIT!

And I am extremely grateful that I can.  Knitting truly is physical and mental therapy.  Unbelievably  grateful to have it in my life!

Why second Daily Pullover is almost finished.  Soon I will cast on another one in Kettle Black (again) because  Libby requested one in black.  

Remember to keep track of your decreases with the little bulb shaped stitch markers.  They truly make life even more fun!

my project book

diy
I'm a paper and pencil kinda girl. Always have been. Always will be.  (I really miss back to school notebook shopping with my kids!)
The first week after my wrist surgery may have been the roughest.  I missed my mom.  I missed my knitting.  And I missed the connection that knitting has to my mom.  I was all around just sad.  

I decided to get on line and find all sorts of inspiration for when I was able to knit again.  I scoured fashion websites and stores.  Looking for sweater inspiration everywhere.  And then I decided I needed to get on Ravelry and look for similar fashions that caught my attention.  Knowing that before I added anything to my Ravelry queue, I needed to start purging some patterns that I knew I would never make.  Boy did that feel good! (I have a habit of just adding things I like to my queue without actually using it for how it is intended.)
Then, I started taking screenshots, adding 4 to a page and printing them.  I then cut them using my handy dandy paper cutter and glued them into an old journal that was sitting in a pile of empty journals.

I started filling the pages with colorful photos and all of the project details.
Name, yarn weight, yarn suggestion, needle size, yardage and size. 

I have empty pages to fill as I see a pattern I would consider knitting.  
Tada.  All of my inspiration in one place.  When I need a new project, I know just where to look.  

So many projects, so little time.

Happy weekend friends!  

hello friend

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 Well, hello friend!  It's been a while.  

What an interesting first quarter it has been.  Not only for the world but for myself personally.

If you follow me on Instagram or watch my YouTube channel you will know that I broke my wrist while skiing at the end of January.  10 days later, on February 4th I had surgery.  Everything went well, however, because of the way my wrist was broken,  I was not allowed to use my fingers for the next 5 weeks.  No typing, no knitting.  

So, knitting did not happen and this space became a little dusty. 
I am over the moon happy that I am able to knit again.  It was a little slow going but things are almost back to normal in my knitting world.  Full movement will take some time, but I am thrilled that I can knit. 
As I dreamt of knitting, I dreamt of what my wardrobe needed.  
A vest?  Definitely.
So, I made a simple vest!  Every time I picked up this project I greeted it by saying "hello friend".  It was as if I was being acquainted with an old friend.  And it felt soothing and wonderful. 

Pattern: Hello Friend Vest  (My own... I am going to try to write up the pattern.)
Yarn:  Brooklyn Tweed Dapple.  This light as a feather yarn is the perfect blend of wool and cotton for this type of garment.
Needle:  US 7

barbara workman farmer

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If you have been visiting this space for any amount of time you know that my mother was my everything.  The source of all of my knowledge in life and in knitting.  She was our "Google" and before that our "Ask Jeeves".  My mother knew more than my sisters and I could ever dream of knowing.  She had the most magical way about her where if you were around her you just felt good.  She had love in her heart for all things in life.  People and experiences.  She loved to travel (mostly with Shelly) and told us she was ready to go anywhere and that her bags were always packed.  She was gifted at just being lovely.  

My mom passed away in the early morning hours of January 7th.  The house was quiet and the four of us were together under the same roof, exactly how she would have wanted it.  

It was as if a conversation happened between my mom and God and she organized her entire death experience.  She finally figured out a way to get just her and her girls under the same roof without anyone else around. "Give Lisa Covid", she told God.  And he did. ☺️ That way we had to send home all of the caretakers.  Then it was just the four of us.  

The three of us gathered around my mom.  We played soft music.  We painted her nails with her favorite color (OPI, Cajun Shrimp) we lathered her skin with lotion and essential oils.  We made sure her lips were moist. We kissed her and hugged her.  We told her how much we appreciated all she has done for us and how much we loved her for the billionth time.  We told that it was alright to leave us, that we would be okay, even though we've never been good liars.  

We all went to sleep on the night of January 6th checking on her throughout the night.  It was the first night my mom hadn't had someone sleeping in her room for three years.   We think we finally gave her the space she needed to get those final things into her bags.  And she peacefully took flight from this beautiful space to another.  

 My friend, Carol told us that God puts YOU were you are supposed to be.  Sometimes they want to share and sometimes they want to spare.  

We love you forever, mom, and you will be missed more than we could ever imagine.  

happy 2022

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Happy New Year, Friends!
Taking down the Christmas decorations today. It's one of my favorite days of the year. I love when they go up, but I love the clean slate of the new year. This is the day my mind races and I think about my goals in Life and Knitting. I'm so excited about the new year.  I understand it will have it's challenges, but I also understand that I am the one in charge of my attitude. 

Libby and I had a little photo shoot yesterday on the last day of 2021.  This photo was completely inspired by the shop where I work and a photo they took.  

Libby's Christmas Sweater
Pattern:  Hotline Sweater    by Wool and the Gang
Yarn:  6 balls of Take Care Mohair in Lipstick Red
Size:  Size 1
Needles:  US 11

Happy New Year Friends!  Here's to all the things that make you happy and make your heart sing!!!

Now... LET'S GET KNITTING!  
xx, leslie

Christmas knits old and new

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Merry Christmas Friends!
I hope everyone had a very Merry day!
Libby made a cameo appearance on my latest 
YouTube video.  

She wore her Christmas sweater I finished for her.  She also wore it on Christmas Eve and that made my heart happy!

I'm wearing a Christmas sweater I made back in 1997!!!  It's one of the only sweaters I saved as I tend to give away sweaters I don't wear.  I haven't worn this sweater for at least 20 years.  That sounds crazy. I'm thrilled that I saved it.

Libby's sweater
Pattern:  Hotline Sweater by Wool and the Gang
Yarn:  Take Care Mohair
Needles:  US size 11

Libby's WIP
Pattern:  Trefann
Yarn:  Lion Brand Wool Ease
Needles: 

My sweater
Pattern:  #13 Fall/Winter '96-'97 Vogue Knitting

My hat
Yarn:  Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky (Hue and Eye)
Needles:  US size 11

Happy week between Christmas Day and New Years Day.   I think it's the best week of the year!

gift knitting

finished knit
I'm not usually that organized when it comes to gift knitting.  But, I always seem to find a few things I want to make the closer we get to Christmas.  
TOAST.

There are always a few people I think about who may need a pair of TOAST mitts.  

I made my hair stylist daughter a Barbie Doll sweater from a book I have had since Libby was little.  Now THAT was FUN!
And a simple hat in a cute color is always a winter brightener!  
Pattern:  I winged it.  Cast on 50 stitches.  Joined to work in the round for 5.5" then started decreases evenly throughout.  Yarn is Malabrigo Rasta.  They make such fun colors!

I have a couple of more hats on the needles (The Savante) and a pair of socks for Steve.  I think sock knitting is tricky business.  Not only do I hope I can get them finished but I hope they fit!