weekend plans

my knitting life
I'm working on the second sleeve of Madge.  Trying hard not to get second sleeve syndrome.
If all goes planned this should be finished over the weekend.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

a new project

featured
So, I'm over here still working on Madge.  (Soon to start the second sleeve.  Yippee!)  But just couldn't help myself and had to cast on a We Are Knitters kit; the Folie Vest.  I am C R A Z Y about this stitch. It's called the Loop Stitch.  I can't believe that I have never done it.  The first row I was all thumbs.   But it doesn't take long to get going.  
It will soon be a new vest for Libby.
I'm thrilled that she wants me to knit for her.
I knew she would come back around. :)

toast

finished knit
 You know I love Toast.  Really the easiest, most useful little project.
I just love to wear them.  Inside or outside.  It's just that little extra warmth I need most winter days.
The pattern is always above under the "patterns" tab.
Or on ravelry.
I used Lion Brand Wool Ease for this pair.

Oh.  And that's my word for 2016.  A L I V E .  Be present.  Pay attention.  Be engaged.  Listen.  Do.  See.  Walk through this year with my eyes wide open.  Cause being alive is a miraculous gift.

Happy Weekend Friends!

Twix Thumbprint Cookies

cookie of the week
This was Monday.  
Monday, January 18, 2016.  Martin Luther King Day.  The day I had marked on my calendar as the start date for my Conscious Cleanse.  And the day that I just happened to make the most delicious looking cookies.  
It was all I could do not to eat the caramel right out of the bowl.
You see, I feel as if I eat extremely well 80% of the time.  The other 20%? Well, let me just say, I like cookies.
And I like coffee.  And wine.  And cheese.  And mostly tortilla chips.
But, I pulled out my willpower from my back pocket and I didn't have even one little taste.
Even though I fell completely and madly in love.

(Andrew LOVES them.)

mini mitts

knitting
It's SO cold here!
I remember when my kids were babies and I made little hand covers for them.  Just a little cover for that little fist they keep so tight.  No thumb required.
I recently made a few for a friend's baby and thought you might like to, too!  Super quick and easy.
You can find the pattern here.

bella in blue

finished knit
I made a few modifications to this Bella Cowl since I was making it for a friend of Libby's who is petite.  Instead of using size 13 needles I went down to a size 11 needle.  And, instead of knitting for 14 inches, I knit for 12 inches.  I think it works better for a smaller person.

Pattern:  Bella Cowl
Needles:  Size 11
Yarn:  2 skeins Wool of the Andes, Navy

Happy weekend friends!

no needles required

finished knit
So, I bought a bunch of Wool-Ease Thick and Quick when it was on sale at Joann's,  knowing it would somehow be used. (Hello cowls.)
I also ordered this book a while back.  I just loved the big chunky projects and the idea of teaching myself knitting without needles.
After a bit of practice, I started the oversized pillow project and seriously from start to finish (sewn together and all) it took me an hour and a half.  And i am a slow arm knitter!
Andrew has declared it the coziest of all pillows.

The skinny:

Pattern:  Oversized Pillow.  Knitting Without Needles.
Needles:  No needles.  Just your hands and arms.
Yarn: 4 balls Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick (Holding 4 strands together.)
Mods:  I did do a gauge (I never do a gauge) because I wasn't sure if I had the same tension as the pattern.  I cast on 12 stitches (instead of 15) and knit for 14 rows (instead of 21) for a 23"x23" pillow form.

closing chapters

Life
My sisters and I traveled to Florida last week.  To be with my mother and say goodbye to a couple of places that have been special to us for a very long time.  I didn't realize how emotional this would be until I was on the airplane flying home.  And the floodgates opened and just wouldn't stop. 
Jupiter Florida.  My parents have had a place there for over 35 years.  My blog documented the last time I was there.  August of '07.   I was shocked it had been so long.  That place holds a million little memories.  And now it will start memories for someone else as we said our final farewell.  
Vero Beach.  My parents have lived there for 16 years.  They moved into their dream house a couple of months before my Andrew was born.  We spent every spring break and a summer vacation there every year.  My mom and I spent many hours knitting side by side.  
{Andrew, Libby, Charlie,  April '09}
Vero Beach has been such a big part of our lives.  I guess I just didn't realize it until I sat down on the airplane.  (Oh boy.  My poor seat mate.) 
Now that my mom is on her own, she will start a new chapter in Orlando near my wonderful sister, Shelly.  (What?!  No beach!)  
The move starts many new beginnings and adjustments.  
As I sat on the airplane crying and thinking of all that has been, I decided to dry my tears and treasure and be excited for all of what is now.  

a few firsts

Life
We all wrote down five "some first for me" for 2015.  It really was a great year.  Loved reading my kids firsts.
My five firsts:
::  drove a mini cooper  ::  zip lined over and into the lake ::  learned how to arm knit  ::  went to a football game at the Rose Bowl ::  made a YouTube video ::

Cheers to firsts in life!

2 0 1 6

Life
Happy New Year, Friends!

Here's wishing you a beautiful new year full of Health, Love and A LOT of creative Projects!

Cheers!

xx,
leslie