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

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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!