Hey gift givers!
Wanted to let you know that one batch of this granola will give you 12 gifts!  Yep, you can fill 12 jars with granola, resulting in 12 gifts of joy.  Give one to your friend to knit with, or one to your neighbor or your work friends or a teacher or as a hostess gift.  All those people on your list.  And if you don't need 12 gifts then you get to keep some for yourself!

How is your holiday knitting going?
I don't have many people I'm knitting for or things I am making.  Just a couple of pairs of Beatrice Mitts and one pair of Ringleader mitts.
I loved the Ringleader mitts I made so much mostly because of the scrumptious yarn.  40% merino wool, 30% silk, and 30% alpaca.  The perfect blend.  I noticed that Knitcrate listed it in the shop so I decided to order a few skeins just to have on hand for the pattern.
The yarn is from Knitologie Glowing Worsted and it looks like they have already sold out of the blue.  However, the other two are still available.
Truly, one of my favorite yarns.

I love New Orleans. I hadn't traveled there in years and it seemed like the first time I had ever seen it. Cleaner, maybe because we stayed off of Bourbon street, but definitely cleaner.
Brennan's may have been our favorite dining spot.  We stopped for brunch and it was out of this world.  Super creative with their dishes.  Since I try to mostly eat plants, I did find the food somewhat hard in New Orleans.  I should have done a little research before and looked into some healthier choices.  But when you are traveling with other people that can be hard!
Cafe Du Monde definitely a spot to stop!  Knitting on my Beatrice Mitts happened there.  I brought a little powdered sugar home intertwined in my yarn.
SO much happening in this city.  Music on every corner.  Just so much life!
We went to the unbelievable game of the Saints vs. 49ers.  It was truly an awesome game.

But the real reason for this post is a little FYI:

On my way into the Superdome the security took my knitting needles.  And, they informed me that there was no way I could retrieve them on the way out.  They would be headed to the landfill.  (So sad!) They were size 2 metal needles.  Like traveling to Mexico, maybe bamboo would have been okay.  But metal, no.  So, just in case you think you might want to knit at a football game, consider making sure you have wooden needles, not metal!

I'm always searching for cool, quality, affordable readers.  I seem to loose these things more often than I care to admit.  They usually do turn up in a bag or a coat pocket and then I am pleasantly surprised.

I've mentioned before what a big fan I am of Readers.com.  And they just announced that they have collaborated with Foster Grant.   They have 12 new styles exclusive to Readers.com.  And their glasses have smudge resistant AND scratch-resistant lenses.

I love the Tristin.  Although, my sisters just ordered the Hannah and the Harvey and I think those will be next on my list.

The sweet peeps over at Readers.com would like to offer 40% off to my sweet friends to knit with.  SO... if interested, enter code FRIEND40 at checkout.  The coupon is effective on any glasses.

Happy Thanks Giving Friends!

I'd like to give you this pattern, sweet knitting friends. And I don't know how to add it to my shop on ravelry without attaching a price. Is there a way?  I'd love to know!  But in the meantime please enter the code KNITTINGROCKS at checkout to receive this pattern for free.  By the way... you don't have to buy this yarn to make these.  You can use any sock yarn you have in your stash. ❤️

I hope you had a wonderful day filled with everything that makes you happy!  Forever grateful for my knitting friends!

xx, leslie

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

The beautiful blue Knitcrate box is always a fun mail day.  In my mind, November's Knitcrate patterns were some of the best. Every pattern, crochet and knit, were fabulous.  I truly would be interested in all of them.  The theme is "beneath the waves" which explores our planet's extraordinary undersea life and landscape, through colors, shimmering textures and unique patterns.
My knitcrate favorite yarn made another appearance and I was thrilled to see the yarn and color (Betta) pop up in my crate.

Pattern: As usual there are always a choice of Knit or Crochet patterns.
        Knitting :: Caudil Fin Cap & Mitts
        Crochet  :: Antidunes Cowl 

Yarn:  2 skeins Knitologie Glowing Worsted.  40% Merino Wool, 30% Silk, and 30% Alpaca.  Truly a new favorite yarn,  It's so soft and squishy!
The extra ::  Ahmad Tea  - I drink so much tea in the winter, so this is a perfect partner to my knitting!

If interested in ordering a Knitcrate (SO fun!  And such a great gift!) use the code FKW20 to receive 20% off of your first Knitcrate!  The code works on all crates and truly does make a happy mail day!

Like I said... I am crazy about this yarn.
And, I feel like I get extra bonus points for lining up the stripes!  (Always the hardest part for me!)

Yarn:  Trench Coat by turtle purl  approximately 225 yards.  The yarn is shipped in two skeins of approximately 225 yards with a total of 450 yards.  One pair of mitts uses one skein.  Therefore, you are able to get two pairs out of one order.  (Two skeins.)
Pattern: Beatrice Mitts
Needle:  US 2

I am crazy about this yarn.  ( And so happy I finally have a pattern to use for some of my stash sock yarn. I'll be sure to write it up when I am finished.)  And here is the great thing.  You get two small skeins in the order.  One skein makes one pair.  SO, two pairs or two gifts can be made with one order.  Love it!

A note about the yarn if you happen to purchase it.  Apparently, it is not colorfast.  Meaning, it will bleed when washed.  (WHAT?!!!)  I found a great tip which I will definitely try before I wash them.

Happy Monday Friends!

Back in September I spent a few days in Nashville.  Of course, I hit one of the local yarn stores, Bliss yarns.  The store was lovely.  I love when a yarn store has a lot of updated sample sweaters.  Really makes it inspiring and changes the shopping mood.  (Take note yarn stores!)  Upon walking in,  I immediately spotted a sample of the Rain or Shine sweater and knew I wanted to make one for myself.

Pattern:  Rain or Shine
Yarn:  Manos Del Uruguay Milo color 12800, Natural 3 skeins.
Needles:  US 7
Gauge 5 st = 1"
Size:  Size 1, cropped
Mods:  As per the shop owner at Bliss Yarns, I went up a needle size.  This threw off  the gauge  but since it is such a boxy sweater, it didn't matter.  I was going for the drape, not necessarily the fit.


Happy Friday, friends!

Hi there friends! So the sweet peeps over at Love Crafts nominated A Friend To Knit With for a love Craftie award.  I was so thrilled to hear this.   The Craftie award recognizes bloggers and gives you a chance to show your love too!  I would love (so much Love!) and so appreciate it if you could take a few extra minutes and head over to LOVE CRAFTS to give AFTKW a vote!  You just have to scroll down a little and hit the "Vote For Your Fave" button.  There is a list of top blogs in several different categories so you might just find a new favorite and become even more inspired to Create!

Voting ends November 18.

Thank you so much in advance.  ☺️❤️

xx, leslie

I have been wanting to purchase some of these cool faux leather labels, to sew on hand knit items, for some time.  Just really never took the time to research the selection out there.  Finally, I headed straight to etsy and entered my search, settling on this cute shop.  This exact size label wasn't offered, but the shop owner had no problem making what I wanted and she was really great to work with.
She has a lot of font's to choose from... this being my hardest part of the process!
I am absolutely thrilled with how they turned out.
And these mitts?  Oh boy do I love them.  The faux cables were so much fun to make and the yarn is dreamy.  This pair took only one skein of the two skeins included in my July Knitcrate.  Since these are a gift for a friend, I will be able to make another pair.  Yippee.
Pattern:  Ringleader Handwarmers
Yarn:  Knitologie Glowing Worsted 40% Superwash Merino, 30% Silk, 30% Apaca by Knitcrate
Size:  B

Labels by Paper Sushi

Well, hello friends!
I just can't believe it has been a month since I have been here.  I think time is going faster than ever.
Life has been busier.  And does anyone with an empty nest feel like you are busier than when the kids were young?  How is that even possible.  I guess we just trade different aspects of being "busy".

The last month has been spent packing and unpacking my suitcase.  Had a fun trip to Cabo for my husbands job, the best trip to Boulder to visit my college girl, Libby, a really awesome trip to Aspen to see friends, and a loving trip to Florida to be with my sweet mom.

I have been knitting all along the way.  Made a sweater.  A pair of mitts.  And the two tone twist up there.  We are approaching the coziest time of year and that one is perfect for it.

I'll be back to share more soon!

I must say, I am pretty happy this sweater is off the needles and I can honestly say I like it.
As I mentioned, I wasn't happy with the neckline of the Weekender on me.  It's not that I don't like how it looks, I think it truly is one of the most darling sweaters out there, I just didn't like how the boatneck felt on me.
So, I decided to rework the neckline into a simple crew.  This feels so much better on my neck.  This I can wear.
I've put the changes I have made over on Ravelry.  But, only for my size.  If you would like help, however, I am happy to help.

Oh!  And one small thing.  This yarn is Malibrigo Rios.  A superwash yarn which can be machine washed and dried.  Um.  I did just that and it shrunk!  I need to rewash and pull and try to reshape it to the original size.  It's a lot smaller than it was.  Ugh.

Pattern:  The Weekender
Yarn:  Malabrigo Rios, 063 Natural 5 skeins
Size: S
Needles: US 7 and 8

 It's amazing alone but the cream cheese frosting is the real show stopper.  It's truly AMAZING.
 Charlie showed up just in time and snagged the plate I was photographing.  Pretty fitting that he was wearing a gingham shirt that matched my napkin!

Pumpkin Bread:
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
1 cup oil (I used avocado oil)
1 15 oz can pumpkin
3 1/2 cups flour
3 cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp clove
(you can also use pumpkin pie seasoning)
nuts (optional - i don't use them)

-Beat eggs; add oil, water and pumpkin.  Add dry ingredients.  Mix well.  Bake in a greased and floured loaf pan at 350˚ for 45-60 min until cooked through.  Makes 2 regular sized loaves or 4-6 small depending on the size of your loaf pans.  A good rule of thumb is to not fill your loaf pan more than 1/2 way full!  

Cream Cheese Icing:
1/2 cup butter
8 oz cream cheese
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

-Beat until creamy!

Enjoy your weekend.  Temps have just dipped in the last 24 hours and all I want to do is knit.  (Naturally!)
I finished my Weekender.  I quite like it!  Pics next week.
Onto my new project!

My sweet mom was a nurse.  During this point in her life she was a school nurse.  At the high school where my sisters and I attended.  It was pretty cool to have her as our school nurse.
I love this photo of her in the nurses office.  Knitting away.  And I remember that sweater with it's stripes wrapping around the sleeves.  Her fingernails painted as usual.  I just wish I knew what was on that piece of paper that was making her so happy.

Happy Birthday Mom.  I love you with all of my heart.

I've reworked the neckline of my second Weekender.   I'll be sure to share if I like it!  It's going to be just a simple crew.  Like many sweaters, the weekend is knit both flat (stockinette) and in the round.  I've never noticed my tention being off so much like it is with this Weekender.
I have a goal to get this lovely off of the needles by the end of the week.
P.S.  It's almost sweater weather!

But things just couldn't go on any longer like this.  I'm sorry.  I'm going to need to break up with you weekender.  But please know.  It's not you beautiful Weekender pattern.  It's me.  It's all me.

And I was pretty darn happy with that.
The pattern really is super darling.  It's from one of my Knitcrates.  May's knitcrate to be exact.

Time in the Sierra Nevada's.  With my man, my sisters and my Hipster Shawl totally put me in the mood.  I LOVE hand knits!
And my family.  ❤️

Membership Crate:
Yarn:  Knitologie Glowing Worsted. 40% Superwash Merino, 30% Silk, and 30% Baby Alpaca  Available in 3 colors.  This is the color way Flying Trapeze.
Pattern:
    Knitting: Ringleader.  A super cute fingerless mitt pattern.  I'm all over it.  Actually winding my balls of yarn today!
    Crochet:  Risley Cowl.
And this is the August Knitcrate.  (Can you believe it is almost September!)
     Extras:  Well, I forgot to take a photo but the crate included a cute little elephant progress keeper.  I was already using it on my Weekender!
Membership Crate:
Yarn:  Knitologie Worsted Merino.  100% Superwash Merino Wool  Available in 3 colors.  This is the color way Kestrel.
Patterns:
     Knitting:  Eklutna Lakeside Shawl.  The perfect knit in preperation for fall.  Created for the late summer scene in mind.
     Crochet:  Alpine Leg warmers.
The extra:  just a couple of darling stitches.  I immediately put them in my knitting journal.  Cause you know, I love stickers and pens and all the paper things.

As always your first knitcrate is 20% off by using the code FKW20 at checkout!

Last month I had the honor and complete pleasure of being invited to Nantucket. Wow. What a magical place that is! Honestly, If you've never been, grab your flock and get yourself there!
Hahaha.  I crack myself up!  You see,  fLoCk just happens to be the name of the most awesome yarn shop in Nantucket!
Well, the sweet/cool/creative owner, made the pattern using 2 skeins of knit collage yarn.  I agree, it's not an everyday hat.  Or maybe for some it is.  It's just one that I wouldn't wear everyday.  It's more of a statement hat, don't ya think?  (Whatever that means.)
Of course, I bought the yarn to make one.  I just had to!

I"m waiting on the pattern.  The owner just sort of winged it and she needs to write it down.  And she really needs to find the time to do that.  I totally get that, as time is scarce and lives are busy.  I'm good waiting.  Cause the yarn is great to look at all on its own.
By the way... fLoCk sells homemade sourdough bread made fresh daily.  How awesome is that?!  I never wanted to leave.

So, I'm in Chesterton, Indiana with my Andrew for a golf tournament and for some reason I was reminded of my Weekender sweater.  You see, I have had some issues with it.
For those of you not familiar with the Weekender sweater, this is what it should look like.  The slipped stitch seam down the center of the front and the back is what is particularly appealing to most.  And, quite honestly, what makes this sweater special.
The sweater is worn on the purl side, but is knit on the knit side.  Andrea did this because most of us prefer the knit stitch over the purl stitch.  (Yes, definitely me!) So, when you are finished knitting, you just flip it purl side out.  However, when I was knitting mine, I alternated the balls of yarn to prevent pooling.  (Turns out that was unnecessary as there wasn't any pooling.)  And I ran my yarn inside (on the purl side) and that was the RIGHT side of the sweater.  🤦‍♀️ I didn't realize this until I was separating for the sleeves.  I decided to just leave it and wear this one so that the knit stitch would be the right side of the sweater.  (Confused yet?)
So here it is before I blocked it. (Knit side out.) I was pretty happy at this point.  I tried it on, it fit nicely.  I decided it would be one of those sweaters I can wear a lot.  I have been wanting a navy sweater so the color is pretty much perfect.
Last week while visiting my sweet mom, I had some time to block it.  I thought drying it in the Florida sunshine would be nice.  Well, Malibrigo Rios is superwash.  And superwash yarn grows.  So, from the washing machine to the dryer it went.  It was reverted to the original size and all was well.  However, it wasn't.  Because, a hole was found in the front of the sweater where the yarn broke somewhere in the process. 😫 I have never had this happen before.   It's currently sitting in time out until I decide what to do. (Chances are I will probably see if I can mend the hole.But I may consider ripping it out. )
In the meantime... I"ll work on a pair of socks.  ☺️

Hiya friends!
Well, I finally perfected my favorite kind of granola, and I want to share it with you.
So, dump all of the dry ingredients into the roasting pan.  And give it a quick stir with your clean hands.  Easy peasy.
Next, mix the melted coconut oil together with the honey and pour it over the mixture.
And you guessed it.  Mix it with your hands.  This part is a little messy.  And sticky.  But don't be scared.  It washes off rather well.
Next you are going to bake in a 350˚ preheated oven.  It's gonna take about an hour.  So leave yourself enough time.  Here's the important part.  You are gonna need to stir every 15 minutes to get it evenly browned.  So get your knitting ready, pour yourself a cup of tea, and set your alarm for 15 minute intervals.  At the hour mark  (your 4th time stirring) I start stirring every 3 minutes or so.  Just to get it that right golden color.
My favorite way to eat this these days is on açaí bowls or any smoothie bowl.  (Do you know how to make those?  Super easy.  Let me know if you need help with those.  Maybe I should do a blog post on the how to's for a bowl.)  But you can eat it in a bowl with your favorite milk, over yogurt or ice cream.  And there is always the just grab a big handful.  The skies the limit!