september knitcrate

featured
The first mail I opened when I arrived home from Italy was my Knitcrate boxes.  I mean, come on.  When you see that blue box... your heart just skips a beat!
It also seams like fall has suddenly arrived.  So, these colors were a welcome addition to my knitting bags!
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!

on the road again

featured
{Bolzano, Italy.  Waiting for the train.}
I have so much to share about our trip to Italy.  It truly was amazing.
However, I am packing again to celebrate mothers.
From one side of the United States to the other.
A party for a life well lived for Steve's sweet mother in California.
And, a birthday celebration for my sweet mother in Florida.
Back soon.  xx

my main(e) squeeze

featured
Okay.  So this is the blanket that grew from Pittsburgh to Boulder.  I worked on it the entire road trip so that it could join Libby for her next adventures.  Her junior year of college and beyond.  
The finished project is a dream.  A nice heavy blanket.  Durable and pretty much indestructible.  Libby can throw it in the washing machine.  The instructions said to lay flat to dry, but I told her to throw it in the dryer.  I just can't imagine laying this flat to dry as it is heavy when dry.  I can't imagine how heavy it is when wet!
The yarn is super soft consisting of 80% acrylic and 20% alpaca.  Unfortunately, the yarn sheds like CRAZY!  We seriously had fiber flying around the car the entire trip.  It became pretty comical.  The one day I decided to wear black leggings was a big mistake.  Needless to say, I was covered in fiber.
The blanket also becomes very heavy.  So, while having it on your bed is a great thing, knitting on it can turn into a workout!
My main squeeze with her maine squeeze.  

The best thing is that Libby loves it, and I think she will always tie it to the summer we drove her to college.  I promise Libby was wearing clothes. 😌  I just love this photo.  It reminds me of when she was just a baby and I had her wrapped in a blanket.

Project:  Maine squeeze
Yarn:  Buttercream Lux Aplaca Solid, 14 balls or any bulky yarn.
Needle:  US 13