Happy Thanksgiving

Here in the States, it's Thanksgiving week. I like to think of this as the time of year for sitting back and sharing time with family. Reflecting on what you're grateful for is critical for me to do everyday.

It will sound cliche, but I'm so very thankful for my family. This has been a tough year for so many reasons, but having the opportunity to share time with family has been such a blessing. Thankfully, a a wedding (not a funeral) was the catalyst in seeing my dad's side of the family.

Holidays lead to time with my in-laws. Here is an image of my mother-in-law's bread turkey as an appetizer. I tried to find the instructions and recipe online to add a link, but to no avail. Cathy made this look so easy.

This is the lovely Molly. Our most recent addition to the family. I like to joke that she's the only daughter I'm ever going to get. We are so happy that we can share our home with her.

I've been frantically knitting hats, mittens, and other gifts. The last few weeks of the year fly by quickly. My Scheepjes Folk Bookazine arrived and I'm trying to get through my other projects first. The temptation to start making any of the projects in the Bookazine is killing me. I'm thinking about the Farrah Scarf for my new staff in San Diego. I'm planning to use a cotton blend so that it can be useful through most of the year.

I have a confession. I've never owned any Scheepjes yarn. I asked some family who wanted to have a present under the tree for me for a few balls. If I get a couple balls of Whirl, I hope to make one of the Read Between the Lines shawls. There is a knit version and a crochet version. The illusion knitting is so beautiful with the gradual color changing  yarn. Don't you agree?

Also, I need to start making seat covers for our dining room chairs. I had started some basic patterns about a year ago that I was adapting for seat covers. Sadly, cream color cushions don't mesh well with having kids...and messy grown ups. With the lovely patterns in the Art of Crochet Blankets book, I can experiment with the patterns and beautify my dining room. When I want a little break, I'll work up a motif and post the results.

Lastly, there has been a lot of Lego fever at my home. Buying some used sets on eBay and a few from the local store, my younger son will have a very Lego birthday and Christmas. Shopping for the nine year old is tricky. We're planning to get him some camping gear for scouts. I'm making gifts this year...not buying very much. I really want to make stuffies for both my boys, but time is limited. Maybe I can plan for next year.

Have a great week and happy crafting!!! See you in December.

November...how is it over halfway gone?

Last week's post wasn't very personal, and I know some of you readers are family and friends that want to see what I'm up to. It's been a busy week between work and home. I spoke at a panel this morning, so work continues into the weekend.

My NaNoWriMo progress...I've made it to over 26,000 words. After making it past the halfway point, my motivation has lessened. I'm hoping to try to catch back up this week. We'll see how it goes.

WIPs - I'm almost done with my first quadrant on Andrea Mowry's Rose Cardigan. This is my selfish knitting project. Generally, you knit this sweater with hand painted yarn, so the colors fade together. I'm liking the more noticeable fade with the solid colors. Starting with the beautiful burgundy and going a faded orange is not for everyone.

I've made progress the Marled Mania Cardigan for my sister-in-law. I'll post a pic when I'm a bit farther along.

I finally found the pattern I want to use to make my mother-in-law's gift. I haven't openly told her about this blog, so I think I can get away with showing. You might recall that she loves Halloween and Day of the Dead. I found the cutest crocheted skeleton stuffy and I want to make it and stuff it with some lavender scent. Check out Spinayarn's blog that has this creepily adorable free pattern.

I'm going to start on the cute gift for my mother-in-law tomorrow. I've agreed to a couple of text knits. A hat and a pair of mittens. I'm planning to make the items as presents for family and I'm excited to work on the beautiful patterns. One of them is "secret." I'm not sure how much time I'll have to make the things I wanted to for my own kids for Christmas.

The Art of Crochet Blankets arrived this week and I'm planning to use design concepts to make some awesome decorations for my little dining room. I want to use different patterns to make cushion covers for the chairs and I want something pretty to decorate my table top. I can't wait to show you what I pull together. After the holidays will be my true start date. So much crafting to do in so little time!

My boys are going to my nephew's 2nd birthday party tomorrow. I can't believe how quickly time flies. James is so adorable! He has the same blond hair that my Jeffrey had at his age. Then, cub scouts stuff, conferences, and Thanksgiving...what a week! I do love two paid days off from work and family time.

I'm not sure where the time has gone, but I'm happy to have 2018 all wrapped up.

One last thing, if you'd like to see some fun WIPs and yarn on YouTube, check out episodes 36 and 37 from PotionYarns.

Have a great week and happy crafting.

November Releases!!!

I hope your November is off to a great start. Work and home are busy. My nephew turns two years old very soon. I haven't had as much time for crafting this week, which is why I've been so drawn to some big pattern releases. I always think you buy more when you don't have time. I wanted to post about my top three pattern collection releases that I'm super excited about. All the images below are from the publishers, not my own images. My goal is to entice you into finding some craft-spiration. The advertisements in between posts and on the sidebar, might pay me something at some point, but note of the embedded links in my posts themselves are for profit.

Yarn Book 6 - Folk (Knit and Crochet Patterns) - Released November 2

I had been following Sheepjes for some time now. They have great CALs (crochet alongs). I hadn't ordered any of their pattern collections because it looked like I'd have to order internationally. Rachele Carmona has a beautiful pattern in the book and had posted about it on her blog. I was entranced with every pattern in the collection and pre-ordered it from the Knotty House in Canada. It released on November 2, but I won't get it until November 21 based on the current estimate. I guess there is a strike with the Canadian Post. Good things are worth the wait...but I'm impatient. I need to be working hon holiday gifts anyway. There is a US based online shop that sells Sheepjes...the yarn is so tempting. Check out Sheepjes for a give away that ends very shortly.

The Art of Crochet Blankets (all crochet) - Release Date November 13

Rachel has also been posting a lot about this book release. The patterns are now listed on Ravelry, if you want to see pictures of the 18 patterns. I'm eyeing so many of them. To start on of the patterns in this book or the Yarn Book? So hard to choose. I've pre-ordered the book, so I'm likely to get it by Thursday or Friday. Check out Rachele's blog for giveaways that began on November 9, 2018 that will end upon the release date. I'm hoping for some free yarn.

Winter of the Fibre Muse Quarterly (all knit) - Release Date November 20

I've had the fun of seeing Frenchie's next batch of designs for her next quarterly come together. Here is a link to the lookbook. There a four lovely patterns for three accessories and a sweater. Each design has one of the four fibre muses in mind. I'm considered a mystic, but there are aspects of dreamer, giver, and seeker in me as well. If you like the designs, I recommend pre-ordering the book to get a discounted price. The KAL (knit along) will start on November 26 and run into January.

Happy crafting and have a great week!!!

After a Wedding and Halloween...two weeks later...

I'm sorry to have missed you last week. My cousin had a beautiful wedding day and we were traveling on Sunday. I hardly ever get to see my extended family so it was a big treat.

Here is a great image of my dad, his older brother and my two cousins playing Parcheesi. This was quite the epic game.

You would think that I'd have so much time to craft, but I only stuck to one large project the majority of the time. I was working on the Marled Mania Cardigan. With the markers in place, it's a mostly mindless knit, which was perfect for the flights, the frequent waiting around, and relaxing at night. Some of the smaller projects that I've been doing needed a chart or if I forgot what row of lace I was on...disaster! I'm having fun bringing in different colors to the cardigan. I hope to make one for myself after the holiday season is over.

We had a new addition to our family this week. Meet Molly.

Halloween came and went so quickly. My boys were happy to dress up and I think I have a picture of me in my little costume. We didn't coordinate this year and I'd be surprised if you could guess who my older son was dressed as. Can you guess who I am?

Ethan is dash. My sister-in-law was Anna to coordinate with her son's Olaf costume from the movie Frozen. It was super cute. My brother-in-law's costume didn't turn out so he seemed comfortable in the non-costume. If only I had a picture of them.

I've started NaNoWriMo...just keep typing...just keep typing. My current goal is 2,000 words per day to give me some wiggle room. Friday night, day 2, was the first night I couldn't meet the goal, but I've been feverishly working on the writing this weekend. I'm hoping to catch back up and have 8,000 words before Monday. I was thinking of some pattern designs that could go with the book...if only time was allowed for such ambition!

Exciting news! The Colorblock Slippers pattern from Kelly White that I tested last month is live. Check it out. It's a great pattern for holiday giving and you can whip up a pair in a weekend. The size range is great, from toddler to men's. Even if you're not looking for a slipper pattern currently, please give it a heart.

Lastly, I wanted to take a moment to remember my grandfather, Harold. His birthday was on November 1. He passed away a few years ago, but I still miss him. My mother-in-law was planning to do a Day of the Dead celebration. The first person I thought of who I wanted to remember and ask to come visit me was my grandfather. Earlier I had been thinking about him at my cousin's wedding. Knowing that he was with us, but wishing he could have been there in person crossed my mind several times. He had been very sick and was in a lot of pain when he passed, so there is some consolation in the fact that he free from the suffering. Ultimately, I feel so blessed to have been able to share time with as much of my family as possible last weekend.

Happy crafting! Have a great week.

A Big Week

After surviving the tax deadline on Monday and catching up on personal matters, I've been crafting and cleaning so much this week.

The Colorblock Slipper test was a big focus this week. They are drying today and I'm hoping to get the pictures later today. Kelly White has a nice quick and clever design for a set of slippers with sizes for the kids to grown ups. It's not difficult to customize the sizing as well.  Here are some images before blocking commenced. I'll post when the pattern is available.

I'm trying to catch up on the day of the dead mittens: Till Death. I'm about halfway through the third clue on my first mitten and I'm hoping to start the second one soon. Now that I have a better grasp of what the picture looks like, I'm tempted to them again with more strategic colors. I like the subtle hues, but I can imagine them other colors. I love that you make the mittens the exact same way. There is no left or right mitten differences :). I chose the fun cuff instead of the challenging version. I can't wait to see one completed!!!

My other key focus right now is making hats for my nephew James. He turns 2 in about a month. I shared a picture last week of a hat I really like and now I've found another that I want to pick up and make. It's Powder from Kniterations. Allison's pattern is a lovely textured fisherman's rib based hat (it's on sale through October 22, 2018). I'm using smaller yarn and smaller needles...so I added a few stitches too many to offset. The next one I knit will fit better. However, I love to have a final version to size up or down. I'm doubling some Knitpicks Mighty Stitch worsted. It's a washable, mostly acrylic blend (the touch of wool is nice).

My pick up and set down project is the Marled Mania Cardigan that I posted about last week. I'm simply doing the ribbed collar when I need a simple mindless project. Maybe that will be what I bring on the plane...or maybe some simple hats.

Very briefly I brought up the Ubuntu CAL last week. I'm planning to get started this week...about halfway through the CAL. The images are so beautiful. The meaning and background of the the word or philosophy of Ubuntu is complex and interesting. For now I'm following the meaning "humanity towards others." I'm Kicking it off this week should be fun. It's not the best traveling pattern, since they recommend that you do the rows in an assembly line fashion. Bringing 6 separate skeins isn't impossible, but switching back and forth on a flight isn't the easiest.

We're gearing up for the big family wedding next weekend. I'm so excited to see my dad's side of the family. My cousin is getting married and I can't wait to see all the details come together. Sharing these special days is such a gift.

Lastly, are you considering NaNoWriMo? November is national novel writing month and I try to participate each year. I have yet to make it to 50,000 words, but I do keep trying. I have some ideas, so I'll work on an outline. Superpowers, mystery, and knit/crochet...how can I go wrong? I'll try to start with 2,000 words per day to make up for the difficult days. Work is generally pretty busy through the end of the year for me.

Have a great week and happy crafting.

How are we halfway through October?

It always feels like September and October fly by so quickly. We celebrated birthdays today and I happily gave the doilies and cowl/vest I made for my lovely mother-in-law and sister-in-law. They appreciate the handmade gifts...I hope I can keep coming up with ideas they'll like.

I had a very craft focused weekend, since I needed a break from the hustle of the office. Kelly White a very talented designer out of the bay area is running a test knit that just kicked off for some slippers. After starting them last night, I'm almost done with the pair sized for kids (sizes 1-3). They're chunky cute slippers. Once I get the two sizes completed for the test, I'm hoping to make a pair for me. I'm happy because each of the sizes I'm testing will fit each of my kids.

Usually, I fall into a routine of starting too many projects after a work deadline. It's not surprising that I have started a bunch of projects this weekend. Instead of working on the MKAL from Stephen West, I started his Marled Mania Cardigan. It's a simple top down, open cardigan. I have high hopes of making two by Christmas. One for my sister-in-law and the other for me. I'm starting with red for the first one and planning to use lots of pinks, reds, and other light colors. For me I'd like do do something with greens, blues, and speckles.

I want to make some lovely matching hats for my nephew and his parents. I want to use the same color for the body and then have pom poms in their favorite colors. Here is an image from Interweave so you can see the lovely design Lassen Peak Hat:

Now I just have to figure out how size it down to fit my nephew and how to size it up to fit my brother-in-law.

On the crochet side of things, have you seen the amazing Unbutu CAL from Scheepjes? I really want to make this and I've been following the wonderful pictures on Facebook.  It has a lovely shape and beautiful motifs. Once I make more progress on the slippers and the hats I discussed in this blog. I plan to get moving on that project.

I'm keeping it short this week. Happy crafting and have a great week.

Halloween Fun!!!

My household has been bit by the Halloween bug. We're reading spooky stories, listening to the Anything Ghost Podcast, getting costumes ready, and I'm partaking in some lovely Halloween themed crafts. On my own time I listen to the No Sleep Podcast and the Horror on Relic Radio.

Here are the are the Halloween doilies designed by Marsha Glassner that I've completed for my mother-in-law. The crochet is done and I plan to hide the ends and block them tonight. I can't wait to deliver them Tuesday night.

Of course, there is the annual KnitPicks Halloween Sale. So many lovely orange, purple, gray, and black yarns to choose from. I'm abstaining this year in the hopes of saving a bit of money (at least I'm trying to).

This week I found a great MKAL for a pair of Day of the Dead themed mitts: Till Death MKAL. The beautiful ones made in the MKAL last year made me want to partake in the mystery this year. I'm planning to do the less challenging version to keep the knit fun and quick...especially since I'm working on two more KALs currently along with a birthday present for my sister-in-law. I'm hoping to work on the cuffs a little tomorrow just to play. I still have yarn to wind to prep for the mitts.

I started the Nurtured KAL and I chose the deep teal instead of the yellow. I have another idea for the yellow. The teal is such a nice blend of wool and alpaca. The pattern is very quick to memorize and I'm thinking this will be a great plane flight project to have in the basket on the way to St. Louis.

Stephen West's Texture Time started late on Thursday my time. I cast on and tried a bit of the brioche technique last night. I'm only about 5 rows in. Brioche is an interestingly slow process. I'm debating if I'll switch to the non-brioche version before getting too far. I'll share pictures once I've had a chance to make more progress.

With a work deadline, I'm not getting as much done in the evenings, but I keep plugging along whenever possible. Sadly, I had forgotten my knitting to bring during my son's appointment on Friday. Forty minutes to knit seems like such a luxury right now.

I hope you all have a great week! Happy crafting!