something new

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I started something new last night.  I took my first ballet class!  I have been wanting to take ballet for years and finally jumped in.  I loved it!  I showed up 30 minutes before the start time.  (I hate to rush. And, I was a little nervous.) While waiting,  I knit a row on my Half + Half Triangles wrap.  
I woke up in the night thinking that I needed to knit a pair of legwarmers.  I had the perfect gradient yarn in my stash.  Pink.  Obvisouly!

 {Waiting for class to start.}

I think I'll use this pattern.   However, I may change my mind after looking at all of these!

cake + socks

cookie of the week

My friend/neighbor and I decided to have a little KAL and knit a pair of the Ultra Easy Ruffle Socks.  A super easy pair of socks to maybe get some sock mojo going over here.  Maybe, maybe not.  The construction of the heel is super simple.  Not a completely defined heel.  It's a perfect pattern for beginner knitters.  I'm using yarn from my stash acquired from one of my past Knitcrates.  
 
I whipped up an Orange Ricotta Cake over the weekend using my sourdough discard.  If you have been visiting this space for a while, you know how much I love to bake.  However, over the years I haven't done much baking because no-one seems to want to eat it.  Including me!  But, doesn't a baked good and knitting just go together?  I think so!  

This cake is a keeper.  And, I plan on making it on repeat this summer!  I left off the glaze topping this time but definitely want to try it the next time.  

my june knit

cookie of the week

I started the FreeStyle Shirt on May 25th, however, I am calling it my June knit. I like to save my black yarn for when the sun is high and the days are bright.  
I'm using Onling No. 21 holding two strands together.  It is a cotton/linen blend and I am hoping will work beautifully for this pattern.  

 I also made a Chocolate Chip cookie that supersedes any I have made in the past.  I know that is a tall order, however, it's true.  I have tried to duplicate the delicious Levain cookies from New York.  This is the closest I have ever gotten.  I followed this recipe.  (I'm going to also jot it down below in case the link one day expires. )

INGREDIENTS

  • ½ cup (112g) unsalted butter, slightly softened

  • 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar

  • ¼ (50g) cup granulated sugar

  • 2 large eggs, cold

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 2½ (300g) cups all-purpose flour, sifted

  • 1½ tsp baking powder

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt (or 1 tsp kosher salt)

  • 2 cups (250g) walnuts, roughly chopped
    (if omitting walnuts, you can add roughly 50g extra AP flour)

  • 2 cups (325g) dark chocolate chips


    Measure out 3 oz balls. Refrigerate balls for 30 minutes or longer. Bake at 375˚ for 11-13 minutes.

CMC Sweater

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 I love a quick knit.  And I love a quick knit that fits right into my wardrobe.  As a matter of fact, I'm not sure how I ever lived without a pale pink sweater in my wardrobe!
I spoke all about this on my latest podcast.  

You can find that here.

Pattern:  CMC Sweater
Yarn:  Blue Sky Fibers Extra  5 skeins.  (I think I could have gotten by with 4 skeins.) Color 3513
Needle Size: US 9/5.5 mm
Size: Small
Modifications:  I made the neckline a crew by knitting for 1 inch instead of 4 inches.  I also continued the pattern that runs down the sides so that it also runs down the inside of the sleeve.  

may... now that was quick!

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Looking back through the photos on my phone, it seems like this happened a while ago. Yet, May seemed to have flown by.
d

 I mean we had a big graduation, there was Mother's Day, plants were planted, and there was a 10 day power outage.  Yes... 10 days.  I made the most of the time without electricity (or hot water!) however, when the electricity finally came back on, I cried.  Seriously.  
I set up the dining room table like I was hosting craft days.  Only, the only crafter was me!  
I would get up, swim my laps, head to Starbucks for a coffee and hit the craft table.  
If you were a loop and you happened to be in my house, you were becoming a pot holder.  Pronto!  
In the end I made 6 dishcloths (HIGHLY REWARDING!) and eleven (I thought it was one a day... hmmm maybe the power was out for 11 days.  It's all a blur.)  potholders.  

I made the most of my time.  :)

The dish cloth recipe using Crafter's Secret Cotton or Sugar and Cream:

Using a US 6/4mm or US 7/4.5 mm needle (I prefer a US 6 because I light a tighter cloth)
Cast on 3 stitches.
Knit 2, yarn over, knit to end.
Continue until 44 stitches on your needle.
Knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to end.
Repeat until 3 stitches remain.  
Bind off.




on my needles

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How can it possibly be April 25th already!  Can time please slow down?!
We have been busy around here.  Mostly traveling.  Always knitting.  Much to share, however, I am going to start with the present and share what is currently on my needles. It is bringing me much joy.  
Aureliano by Claudia Quintanilla.  
This knit is delicate and delicious.  And requires me to be fully present.  It's a nice change from many of my mindless knits.  

 The weather has begun to change.  Windows are open and fresh air is flowing into the house.  I moved some things around and it is crazy how much small changes can change the energy in a room.  It feels like a fresh space.  

Happy weekend!  

Friday Shrug

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This was such a fun, quick knit!  And... it has color!  
All of a sudden, I am into knitting with color.  I don't know how long it will last, however, I am going to embrace it while I can!  
This pattern has intrigued me for a while.  I found the fade and the marling to be quite addicting.  So much so that I truly had a hard time putting this project down.  It took me 5 days to knit this.  
All of the yarn I used was from my stash.  I have a lot of singles from the KnitCrates I used to receive.  I found this to be the perfect use of them!  You hold two fingering weight yarns together throughout.  
While at my friend Susy's house we started looking at her incredible collection of the feather brooch she sells on her site.  True works of art!  

 We thought this was the perfect addition to the Friday Shrug as well as most of my wardrobe!

Pattern:  Friday Shrug
Yarn:  Fingering weight held double.  
Needle:  US 8/ 5 mm

I talked about this knit here.  

a new year

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 Each year I make a calendar using last years knits.  Each month features the knit I made last year during that time.  It's fun to see them all in a collection.  Creams, browns and grey were predominant.  I may need to add a little color this year!  

Hello Friend!

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 Hello Friends!  WOW!  It's been a minute!

It has been almost a year since I have visited this space.  However, I just blew the dust off and plan on being here a little more this year.  I have missed you!  

The big news last year was that I took a class from Clare at Sister Mountain and I wrote my first true garment pattern!  I have written patterns in the past, but have never graded one for 9 sizes.  It was a bit of a learning curve for me and I couldn't love and be more proud of the work I put into writing this pattern.  
It's called Hello Friend!  

It's basic.  It's simple.  It's for beginners.  It's for advanced.  It's to wear alone.  It's to wear over a blouse, or a t-shirt or a turtleneck.  It's to wear under a sweater.  It's to wear under a blazer.  It's to wear under a jacket.  

If you a new knitter, I have put together a YouTube Tutorial to help you.  And I knit right along with you.
If you are an advanced knitter maybe you will learn a new technique.  Either way I hope you feel as if you are knitting with a friend.

And, if you are still reading this blog, THANK YOU!  I'd like to offer you a pattern at half off.  Please enter the code HELLOFRIEND to download your pattern on Ravelry.    

I hope you are having a lovely start to your year and you have something you love on your needles!

See you soon!  xx, leslie

the Dart-a-long

dartmoorkal


 Wow!  Meant to get over here and let you know about the fun Knit a-long we have going on.  It started on March 1 and ends on May 1.  But don't worry, it's already the 4th and I haven't even cast on!  

If you are interested we would love to have you join!  You can join the Dartmoor group on Ravelry or just use the #dartalongkal on Instagram.  We will find you!

It's gonna be fun!  And one of the best things... you will have a new sweater at the end of it!

Per Lei Schel

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You can't really tell from this photo, but this scarf is loooooonggggg. And super cozy and squishy and cool! While in Berlin in December Steve fell in love with a gorgeous scarf in the most beautiful yarn shop.
Although, the sample scarf was knit in a bulky yarn.  Steve requested something softer.  Cashmere?  Well, yes.  That will do!  


Pattern:  Per Lei Schel  (Free pattern on Ravelry.)
Needles:  US11/8mm
Yarn:  Lang Cashmere Light, 6 skeins.  88% cashmere, 12% nylon
Mods:  I followed the pattern, however, only used 3 colors.  I knit each ball until the end and changed colors when I completed 2 balls of color.  

this and that

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Spending the week out in Lake Tahoe and it's been very very relaxing! 
I started this pair of socks the day before we left and finished them up 2 days later. Such a rewarding knit! I'm not a huge sock knitter. I just don't find them fun to make and when I put on a shoe while wearing them, I can feel every stitch on the bottom of my foot! (Although, I have never tried cashmere!)

When I saw this pattern I thought a home sock is something I can get behind!  And these totally fit the bill.   I dug through my stash and found some Quince & Co from an earlier project.  I grabbed my needles and cast on.  They were not only fun to knit but they are fun to wear.  They are super cozy!  

Patttern:  Sunday Socks by Petite Knit
Yarn:  Quince & Co Owl 
Needle:  US 6/4.0mm
Size:  I made the 6.5"-7.5" and wear a size 8 shoe.  

My favorite Tahoe winter activity! (Instead of skiing!) Water temp 40º Land 41º.
In other news...

I made my 2024 calendar right before we left.  
I choose a knit from the month the previous year and use it for this years month photo.  It reminds me of past time and knits and what I was working on during that month last year.  This is my 4th or 5th year doing this and it brings me such joy!

Happy weekend, friends!  

warm friend - a hot water bottle pattern

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A Hot water bottle is one of those things that just adds a little something special to the day!  It is amazing how much it can warm you up and when kept in the bed all night (I scoot it away from us but keep it under the blankets) seems to keep the bed at a nice temperature during those freezing nights.  A true quiet luxury.  

Cast on for this today and you will be sleeping with a Warm Friend tonight!  

Pattern:  Warm Friend 
Yarn:  Hue + Me by Lion Brand
Needles:  US 11/ 8mm

Hot Water Bottle from Amazon (affiliate link):  

We woke up to snow and it is lovely!  Happy weekend friends!

 

the Fancy

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It's my first sweater of the year and I am so happy it came at the coldest time of the year.  With snow on the ground it is Winter White at it's finest!

This was my Christmas cast on, however, I cast on December 26th.  Originally, I had other plans for this yarn but, wow, it decided to be HUGE so Plan B was made.  
 
Since I had already made a Fancy out of Big Birdie, I knew it was the perfect combination of yarn and pattern.  Thanks to my friend, Margaret, I acquired a ball of MYPZ kidsilk Mohair to add a little bit of detail.  It's hard to tell from the photos, but it is a deep, rich plum and it is delicious!  

I added it to the inside of the neckline as well as the edge of the sleeve cuffs.  

Project:  Fancy by The Lamb and Kid
Needles:  US 9/5.5mm US 7/4.5 mm
Yarn:  4 skeins Big Birdie in Oats
Size:  2 (84 Cast On)
Mods:  The only modification was using the contrasting color on the neckline and sleeve cuffs.  

birthday scarf

birthdays

 It's my husband's birthday this weekend so what's a girl make her guy?  A scarf and a hot water bottle cozy that's what!  HA.

Well, poor guy.  He will get the Warm Friend (pattern coming soon), but the scarf will be wrapped "as is" and finished as soon as, well, as soon as I finish it!

Steve chose the yarn for his scarf while we were traveling in Germany last month.  I know they sell this yummy Lang Cashmere here in the states but it was so much fun to have him pick it out and purchase it there.  It's like I am knitting the memories of our trip into the scarf.  I love having a memory of where I buy the yarn and the places I knit the project.  

I made Banana Bread last weekend and it has been a friend every morning this week with my coffee.  Coffee, yarn and banana bread, well it just seems to be the perfect combo.

I'll be baking a cake later today.  Birthday cake goes well with knitting, too!   

Happy weekend!

*****

What I'm watching:  Fool me once on Netflix.  

What I'm reading:  One Italian Summer.

happy 2024

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Well, hello!
That holiday season pretty much flew by... and so did that year!  And we are already 5 days into 2024!
Since New Years Day, we've taken down Christmas, I started to swim again, I haven't eaten anything processed, I wrote up a pattern for a hot water bottle, spent a lot of time with Libby, started a scarf for Steve and ripped out my Violeta Pullover!  It's been a lovely 5 days!

I also filmed a few things. 
 On instagram, I put together a quick try on session of all the knits I knit in 2023.  Well, most of them anyhow.  I must have made 12 Friend to Friends that didn't go into the pile.  And, a pop-life cardigan for my sister, Lisa.  That video is here.  
I also uploaded a video of some of the places we traveled in 2023.  I left out Seattle, Orcas Island, Bainbridge Island, Rochester, NY,  Lancaster PA and Philadelphia PA.  Going to try a little harder this year on remembering to film the clip wherever we go!  The places you go (and knit) video can be found here.  
And then I filmed a YouTube where I did a quick show and tell of the same 2023 knits.  That video can be found here.  

This is Violeta.  Isn't she a beauty?!  I have loved working on this.  But that sweet piece of fabric is no longer in existence as I ripped it out because of something I forgot to do.  I should have been adding cables in that stockinette section.  That's what happens when you don't read the entire pattern.  (Note to self!)  That's okay.  The pattern has fully clicked in my brain and I know exactly where I am going now.

If you would like the pattern, it is on sale until the end of January.  Half off!  There is also a KAL going on... the only thing you need to do is start a project page on ravelry.  They are giving away great prizes!
Enter code leslievioleta at checkout.  

Happy New Year Friends!  Here's to you and your crafty endeavors!  I hope your fingers take you to projects and yarns that make you feel incredible in yourself. 

xx, leslie

acorns or knit caps

cookie of the week
This. Now THIS is what I call a dreamy day.

I used to spend a lot of time baking cookies and trying new recipes.  I don't bake as much as I used to.  However, when I do, I get super excited to pair it with my yarn.  It's all just so delicious.  

 And what could be better than Big Birdie by The Lamb & Kid paired with the most amazing fall cookie.  They are called Acorn cookies but all I see is little knit caps.  Still.  Oh, and I don't make them Gluten free.  I used unbleached white flour.  

WIP:  The Lyon Sweater by Petite Knit in Big Birdie by The Lamb & Kid in Oats color way.  

Rhinebeck 2023

my knitting life

Well, the sea of Antique Flora's was all that and more.  For some reason it is just SO wonderful to twin with other knitters!  Gina did the most amazing job dying the yarn so that all the sweaters looked wonderful together!  It was raining on and off that Saturday... But that didn't stop us!

{Gina, me, Sara, Stephanie, Laura}

I do wish mine fit a little like the others.  Ha.  I guess I should have made the 37" instead of the 34"!
Can you stand the cuteness of these sweeties?!!!
Felted.  I mean!!!

Okay.  SO many yarn experts, dyers, companies!  It truly makes your head spin in the most glorious way.  It is just an entire day of everything that makes my heart sing.  And I know I'm not alone!  
I love, love, love seeing samples and obtaining inspiration from them.  I really love that sweater up there and love being introduced to a new company.  Maybe this will be in my future.  
This was during the CAKEpoloosa event.   That's gorgeous Gina loving the rain wearing a no frills in her yarn. (Ha!)  And that is marvelous Margaret from Boboleros sporting her Saturday Shrug in her yarn.  

I'm wearing the Barbie Bubble Wrap designed by Margaret.  I'll be back to tell you all about that.