Yarn Along

Joining in the fun of the weekly Yarn Along hosted by Ginny over at Small Things. In Ginny's words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

I'm still plugging away on Rebekah's Hetty.  Doesn't seem like I made much progress this week.  Really there has been too much pulling me outside, the chickens, the garden and such, that knitting really has taken a back burner.  But that's ok.  As I get older I realize there really is a season to everything.  And while I truly love to knit, there are so many other things I love to do as well.  Things that can only happen during this season.  So I will keep plugging away at the knitting stitch by stitch, row by row.  But I wont get perturbed with myself for not getting more done, because really a lot is getting done.


As for the reading, I did finally get a chance to start The Red Tent.  And I am enjoying it.  Hopefully as we settle into our summer rhythm I will be able to spend more time in the evening reading.  We shall see.  The little one may have different plans.  She thinks that is her time to be read to, and you now she is quite right.


And speaking of the little one.  We have been reading  Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe.  What a sweet book.  Thank you to Annie over at Bird and Little Bird for hosting the Read Aloud Book Along.  This was a new book to us and oh so much fun!  Rebekah is now planning out three day canoe trip and want to paint our canoe red!


Hope you are finding some time this summer to create and read.  Two thinks I truly believe every soul needs.  Please stop by this week's yarn along and share your projects or visit all the talented and creative ladies.

Yarn Along

Joining in the fun of the weekly Yarn Along hosted by Ginny over at Small Things. In Ginny's words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

Stitch by stitch, row by row this little Hetty is starting to get somewhere.  These days when the garden and chickens are calling us outside, finding time to knit isn't always easy.  But like the tortoise, slow and steady I will win this race eventually.  Of course it doesn't help that Rebekah has requested that this be a dress instead of a top.  Oh how many inches and increases does that add?  Not sure, but I know I'll figure it out.  And so stitch by stitch, row by row I'll keep plugging away.


Oh and just you don't love the mug?  It was my favorite mug and some how got a crack down the side.  Just enough that it wont hold liquid anymore.  I was so sad, but couldn't toss it.  And then I discover that it is just the perfect thing to hold my yarn while I knit.  No more chasing yarn that has rolled across the floor and a a new use for my favorite mug so I don't have to throw it away!


Reading is sort of in the same slump.  My morning Bible and study time are happening regularly, but reading for pure fun, well that is another story.  I pulled The Red Tent off the shelf after it being mentioned at the Herbal Conference I went to a couple of weekends ago, but haven't done anything but move it from desk to table to nightstand.  I really hope I get a chance to start it this week.


Rebekah has kept me busy reading to her.  This weeks favorite is I'll Follow the Moon by Stephanie Lisa Tara.  A cute, simple book about a baby sea turtle who hatches and needs to find his way from the sand to the sea.  Rebekah loves that each page ends with a repeat of prose.  It is a fabulous bedtime story with it's gentle rhythmic prose. 


Don't forget to hop on over to the Yarn Along and see what others are knitting and reading.  Inspiration awaits!


Don't forget my little one's giveaway!  There is still time to enter and she'd be thrilled if you'd enter.

Yarn Along

Joining in the fun of the weekly Yarn Along hosted by Ginny over at Small Things. In Ginny's words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

Well with all the rain, I was finally able to carve out some time to knit this week.  I still didn't get as far on my Hetty as I would like.  Hopefully Rebekah wont out grow it before it is done.  It should start moving a long as I am working on the body which is just straight knitting.  I do love how it is turning out and can see myself knitting another one, as it really isn't the pattern's fault it is going so slowly.


As for reading I'm not doing much better there.  Rebekah is in love with Olivia.  We must read about this precocious pig five times a day or more.  It is a cute story, one my other girls enjoyed too.


I'm working my way through the Thinking, Feeling, Willing class over at Waldorf Essentials.  It is really Waldorf Teacher Training for homeschooling moms.  I am loving it and learning so much about myself and my children.  I love how Waldorf encompasses the whole child and not just the academics.  And this program really breaks down the hows and the whys in easy to understand language.  And their support is unbeatable.  Yes, as this school year ends I am already working on preparing for the next.  Who ever said teachers get the summer off?

Don't forget to head over to the Yarn Along and see what others are knitting and reading.  There is always so much inspiration.

Yarn Along

Joining in the fun of the weekly Yarn Along hosted by Ginny over at Small Things. In Ginny's words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

So good to be back knitting, reading and sharing with this wonderful community.  I finally figured out my issue with the Hetty and now am moving right along.  It is hard to see the detail in the photo, but I am really loving the  seed stitch accent.  The next section is straight knitting to get the length and should go quite quickly if I can carve out the time to knit.

I've also managed to get back to hitting the books after letting my studies laps during Sarah's play.  I am excited to get back to it.  I love learning and herbal medicine is something that I am growing more and more passionate about. This unit is one vaccination, a subject that had always interested me.  I wont get into it here as it is a big and hotly debated topic.  What I will say is that I wish both side would stop using scare tactics and really present the facts.  I truly hope parents do their research as well as know and understand their options when it comes to vaccination.


The Teenage Liberation Handbook is more for Sarah than for me.  She is such a creative, talented and alive soul.  I love how the world is opening up to her and she is discovering herself.  I want her to keep growing and searching to find her true self and not who society says she should be or how she should get there.  I firmly believe that education is a journey in and of itself and should NOT be the ends to a means.  I want these high school years to be a time of self discovery propelled by interest driven learning and self education, and not the "required" subject list.  Did any of us really love those required courses?   Ok, now I'm hoping this book is all that it has been cracked up to be.  I'll be sharing more soon.


Don't forget to stop by the Yarn Along to see what everyone else is knitting and reading.  There is always an abundance of inspiration.

Yarn Along

Joining in the fun of the weekly Yarn Along hosted by Ginny over at Small Things. In Ginny's words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

Ok so after last weeks mess I think I finally have the Hetty figured out.  Unfortunately getting it back on track was about all I had time for this week.  I'm hoping it will go pretty quickly now.  Of course carving out some more time to knit would help as well.

The reading front has been much more productive.  I was bless to win a copy of hand in hand from the lovely Maya over at Maya*Made.  I'm loving this book.  More than a craft book of projects there are personal thoughts defining creativity and ways to incorporate creativity into your lives by 20 of the most creative bloggers out there.  Some of them were known to me and some were new.  Lovely to be introduced to a few more inspiring bloggers.  Now to find more time for visiting them, too.

We were also lucky enough to join in the fun of Herb Fairies from LearningHerbs.com during their launch.  This is a wonderful series of books for children that teach all about herbs through stories.  And more than that the subscriptions also includes an audio version of the book, journaling pages, coloring pages, recipes and issues of Herbal Rootszine that coincide with the herbs.  One book will be released each month for an entire year!  Hannah and Rebekah are enjoying the stories, foraging and the projects.  Unfortunately Herb Fairies registrations are closed now and I'm not sure when they will be open again.   But if you love herbs and are looking for a tool to teach your children about them I would keep my eye out for this offer to come back again.

So what's on your needles?  I'd love for you to share what you are working on.  And don't forget to join the fun of the Yarn Along to see what others are knitting and reading.

Oh and if you haven't entered, there is still time to win a quart of Organic Gold Label coconut oil from Tropical Traditions.

Yarn Along

Joining in the fun of the weekly Yarn Along hosted by Ginny over at Small Things. In Ginny's words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

Well, I haven't gotten very far on my Hetty.  I thought I was moving along pretty well until I discovered that somehow really messed up the sleeve increase.  Now I have to rip it back and figure out where things went arye.  I'm sure it can be done, but I'm not great at ripping things back and figuring out where the mistakes lies.  I really need to be able to fully concentrate and I just haven't found the quite moments to do that yet.  Soon, very soon I keep promising myself.


Bekah has been very into bedtime stories as of late.  We have finally found a bedtime routine that works for her as well as me.  Right now we are enjoying Eggs for the Hunting by Reg Down.  I know it is an Easter Tale, but Bekah loves Pine Cone and Pepper Pot, the little gnomes, in the story that she has asked that we read it again. Each chapter is actually a short little adventure story in and of itself.  The perfect amount for her to settle down to sleep.  The Tales of Tiptoes Lightly is sitting in my amazon cart waiting patiently.  I really hope to be able to get it soon as I'm nor sure how many more time I can read the Easter stories.


My own reading has been a little of this and a little of that.   And interesting chapter in the Family Herbalist course on the first year of life, wishing I had  know some of this before I had children, but also thankful that my mama instincts were pretty good.  I've also been scouring the internet for dandelion recipes.  Spring has finally sprung and we have lots of the little yellow gems.  So far we have made dandelion & lavender cookies and dandelion jelly.  Hoping to make some sunny dandelion lemonade but the sun wont co-operate.  Soon, hopefully soon.  And then there has been the reading trying to put together plans for next years homeschool.  Wow!  can it really be that time already?  I really do need to find a good book.  So you can bet I will be visiting other yarn along participants to see what I can find.  I'd suggest you head on over and take a peek too.  Lots of fiber and story inspiration to be sure.

Yarn Along

Joining in the fun of the weekly Yarn Along hosted by Ginny over at Small Things. In Ginny's words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

It has been a while since I've participated in the yarn along.  It has been a while since I pick up my knitting.  I finished my last project over a month ago and just couldn't find any inspiration.  And then, well you know how it is.  It was just time to pick up some needles and dig through the stash and find a little project.  That project - the Hetty, a darling baby girl top.  You can find the free pattern on Ravelry.  I think my little one with love this.  And the yarn, a gift from a dear friend that moved away just a few short months ago.  I miss her terribly, but knitting with this yarn she gifted me, help me feel close to her.  Crazy, but that how it is.


As for reading, I have been busy studying.  I'm enrolled in the Family Herbalist Course from Vintage Remedies.  It is truly amazing!  I highly recommend it to anyone interested in natural health.  It covers everything from nutrition to body chemistry, herbal medicine to aromatherapy and oh so much more.  


Extra Yarn is a cute book Bekah picked out on our weekly library trip.  We are both enjoy it.  A very cute story about how sharing a little color can change a lot.


It feels good to be knitting again and joining in here at the Yarn Along.  Don't forget to hop on over and she all the wonderful fiber crafting and reading going on.  It is always inspiring.

Yarn Along

Joining in the fun of the weekly Yarn Along hosted by Ginny over at Small Things. In Ginny's words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

This week I'm still working on my second Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief. I really love this pattern. I like it a little larger so work an extra repeat. That seems to do the trick. The pattern is a quick knit and easy to remember. The wool is a soft merino bamboo blend. Hopefully I have this finished in time to wear out with the girls later this week. We are off to hear Kim John Payne, the author of Simplicity Parenting, speak. So I have been reviewing that book. But I have also been savoring the beauty of Taproot. The new quarterly magazine edited by Amanda Soule of SouleMama. What a pleasant surprise that was to find in my mailbox yesterday. Filled with inspiring articles and beautiful artwork it is a unique magazine that I'm so glad found it's way into our home. There is a real sense of connection and community in its pages. I'd suggest you go check it out.

So what is on your needles? With spring right around the corner, I'm in search of the perfect vest pattern for myself. I'd love suggestions.

Yarn Along

Joining in the fun of the weekly Yarn Along hosted by Ginny over at Small Things. In Ginny's words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

Just off the needles is my Age of Steam and Brass Kerchief Ginny's versions were so inspiring, I though this would be the perfect going away present for dear friend who is moving at the end of the month. It was knit with a super soft wool bamboo blend that I am just loving. The color in the photo is horrible. Oh so need someone to give me some photography lessons. It really is beautiful shades of purples and greys.

On the reading front I am working my way through Organized Simplicity and really enjoying it. Thanks for all the web recommendations for this book. I love the author's point that simplicity will look different for everyone. And that simplicity isn't about a plain style or giving up what you love or never indulging, but rather more about living with focuses purpose and making choices that support that purpose.

Don't forget to hop on over to the Yarn Along and see what others are knitting and reading.

Yarn Along -

Joining in the fun of the weekly Yarn Along hosted by Ginny over at Small Things. In Ginny's words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

It has been a while since joining the weekly Yarn Along, not for lack of knitting or reading mind you, but just not the time to blog about it.

Last night I was able to finish this scarf that a woman in town has asked me to knit to match one of her favorite hats. What an honor. I have never knit for anyone except family and a gift for my best friend. So being asked to knit for someone I hardly know was a true blessing and honor. Thanks to the ladies at our local yarn shop, Close Knit Sisters, for all the help selecting the perfect yarn. You can find the free pattern and my notes on Ravelry. Those that know me, know purple is my favorite color. I would really love to keep this for myself. I just hope the recipient loves it as much as I do.

As for reading, I have been busy working my way through the Family Herbalist course from Vintage Remedies. WOW! I am learning so much. It is so freeing to know I can have such a positive impact on my family's health. Thanks for my mother-in-law for such an awesome Christmas gift.

Don't forget to head on over to this weeks yarn along and see what everyone else is knitting and reading. There's always so much inspiration.

Yarn Along

Joining in the fun of the weekly Yarn Along hosted by Ginny over at Small Things. In Ginny's words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

I'm still working on my February Lady's Sweater. I can't figure out why the sleeves are taking so much longer than the body. It is the same pattern and obviously a lot less of it. But I will keep plugging away. A friend wanted to take a peek at Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac so of course I had to thumb through it as well. Now I have plans to make at least four pairs of leggings for the girls and I. Perfect to keep us all warm on the wold New England days that are right around the corner. Lots of knitting, but hopefully they will go quickly. I just need to find the yarn.

The little snowman is needle felted, but I did knit his scarf. I added his branch arms but they are hard to see in the photo above, so here he is again.

All he needs is a hanger and he is ready to adorn the Christmas tree. Just can't tell you who's tree he will be gracing. That is a surprise.

Hopefully next week I will have moved on to the next project in line. They seem to be lining up faster than I can knit them. Requests from everyone for new hat, mittens, and such.

Yarn Along

A day late I know, but I have been missing the fun of the Yarn Along hosted by Ginny over at Small Things.


I have had lots of minutes to knit during play rehearsals, but not much time for reading. I am working on the February Lady Sweater for a Christmas gift. I only have the sleeves left to knit. Then to block and find buttons. It really is a lovely pattern. And once you get going the lace pattern is easy to remember. I can see myself making one of these for myself one day.

As for reading, I have found time to thumb through my well loved copy of Nourishing Traditions I've been on a mission to add a wider variety of whole grains to our diet and this book has lots of great information as well as recipes. Next up - Barley Casserole!

Don't forget to hop on over to the Yarn Along and see what everyone else is knitting and reading. I guarantee you'll find lots of inspiration.

Yarn Along - Almost Done

Joining Ginny in her weekly Yarn Along. In her words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a single photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

I so wanted to have this little sweater done for this week's yarn along. I was knitting along quite well and then life just seems to get in the way. I only have about two inches left on the sleeve. Really this shouldn't take long, but there have just been so many other things to do as of late. I do have to say I am loving this little sweater. And I think a little girl is finally liking it as well. A couple of weeks ago when I had her try it on for size she told me she didn't like it and wanted to give it away. This mama heart was broken, but I didn't let on and said we could find a little girl who would like it. Move on to this week, and she tried it on again and screamed with delight! She loves it! She even remembered to tell me that she no longer wanted to give it away, but rather keep it. Oh how my heart sang! I'm so glad I didn't make a big deal about her not liking it at first. I think it was the fact that it only had one sleeve. I think she was afraid I was going to leave it like that. Hopefully, by next week this will be off the needles and finished. I found the perfect wooden heart button to complete it. Oh and for those of you have asked it is the Seamless Blue sweater. A free pattern on Ravlery.

As for reading, I saw this book in a giveaway on another lovely blog. Then while we were at the library I stumbled upon it. Quite literally. It was sticking out of the shelve and caught my shin. I figured that was a sign and I needed to bring it home. I have enjoy flipping through the pages and hope to have a little more time for it in the next week, we are going to try and sneak away to the woods for a few days! A perfect place to knit and read!

Yarn Along - Just One More Sleeve

Joining Ginny in her weekly Yarn Along. In her words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a single photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

Finally some progress! I finished one of the sleeves. And so far so good. The sweater fits. Hopefully I will be able to finish the second sleeve this week. Believe it or not it is getting to be sweater weather here in New England. Hopefully, Rebekah will be glad to have a new sweater as the weather turn chilly. She goes from loving it to hating it in typical 4 year old fashion. I believe I mentioned it in the first yarn along post about this sweater, but I know that was a long time ago and many have asked about the pattern so here is the Ravlery link with my note to increase the size.

As for reading, I was blessed to find a friend who had not only a Ebelskivers pan but also a recipe book to accompany said pan. Oh, the girls and I have been drooling over these dainty filled pancakes. Today is the day we will try our first batch. A perfect snack for a chilly rainy day, don't you think.

Don't forget to hop on over to the yarn along. The inspiration, both knitting and reading, is amazing. So many talented women and good reads all in one place. And of course a huge thanks to Ginny for hosting. Wednesday is definitely one of my favorite days.

Yarn Along

Joining Ginny in her weekly Yarn Along. In her words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a single photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

I'm back to reading Simplicity Parenting. You know what they say about old dogs and new tricks. Well I think I may fall into the camp of an old dog when it comes to truly simplifying. Slowly, so slowly we are working on this and seeing benefits. This time I will persevere.

As for knitting I didn't get much done on Rebekah's sweater, only half of the first sleeve. However progress is progress and it is still a little warm for a sweater. I did, however, start and finish another Capucine. This one is headed across the ocean.

Hopefully I will be able to get more done on the little sweater this week. I have a list of Christmas gifts that need to get on the needles lest they wont be finished in time. Why is it that time seem to move so fast anymore. See I really do need to simplify.

Don't forget to stop by the Yarn Along over at Small Things. Of course beware, visiting all the lovely participants is probably where my knitting time disappeared to.

Yarn Along

Joining in the fun of the Yarn Along sponsored by Ginny over at Small Things. I'm sharing two of my favorite things - knitting and reading. And of course planning to visit the other yarn along participants as well. There is always so much inspiration being shared.



First up the knitting. the sweater is coming along, not as quickly as I would like, but none the less coming along. I finished the body and it actually fits! Now all I have is the sleeves. I'm really happy with how this is turning out. I have never had to increase a pattern so I was a bit nervous.

As for reading, I'm back to some more school stuff for the kids. Making Math Meaningful has been an awesome addition to our bookshelf. Written for teachers and parents it's a whole new approach to math. I'm loving all the tricks, rules and whys. I feel so much more empowered to teach math. I've also been thumbing though the Waldorf Kindergarten Snack Book. A neat little book with some interesting snack ideas. We will be trying a few of them, especially the muffins, breads and porridges. My girls are always hungry and I'm always looking for healthy yet frugal snack ideas. Hopefully this book will add a few more to the mix.

Yarn Along

Joining Ginny in her weekly Yarn Along. In her words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a single photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

After knitting way too many swatches, did you know I despise knitting swatches? I finally figured out that I couldn't just go up a needle size, but rather had to try and adjust the pattern. so with calculator in hand and a lot of prayer I think I finally figured it out and cast on. So far so good, but as you can see I'm not all that far. A few more rows and I can split for the sleeves and body. Then I will really know if I'm on the right track. So far I love the pattern and the color is perfect for Bekah in the fall.

As for reading I'm starting What is a Waldorf Kindergarten? Bekah is only 4 and really wants to "do school", but I think a lot of it is just to imitate her older sisters. So I'm trying to meet both our needs. A little "school" for her and a wait till she older for mom. I think developing a Waldorf ish rhythm to our day with morning circle time full of verses, songs, stories and movement along with an afternoon activity should fit the bill. But you all know how best laid plans can take on a life of their own. So we shall see.

So what are you reading and crafting? I'd love to hear. The weekly Yarn Along has been such an inspiration. I want to thank Ginny for hosting. And really you should stop by if you haven't.

Yarn Along

Joining Ginny in her weekly Yarn Along. In her words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a single photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

My first little project is this cute little rabbit finger puppet. The pattern is by the incredibly talented Linda over at Natural Suburbia. My little one just loves it. I am hoping to knit up an entire family of little rabbits. And I may even try my hand at a few other animals. Using these little puppets to tell stories during her circle time come fall will be a special treat. She is so excited to have her own "school" time. At four it really isn't going to be school, but more of a Waldorf early kindergarten year. (more on that later)

It's hard to believe the year is half over. And that means it is time to start thinking about Christmas gifts, especially the ones I plan on making. This scarf is one such gift. It is the Kudo Wave Scarf . The pattern is quick and simple. this is the second one I've knit and I still love the pattern.



This yarn just arrived in the mail this week. Hopefully it will become a purple version of Seamless Blue for Bekah for Christmas. My only concern is I have to increase the size on the pattern. Wish me luck. I'm still not really comfortable adjust patterns too much.

As for reading, most of it has been related to the soon approaching school year. I have most of my ducks in a row, just a little tweaking. We have a lot planned for this year. Lots of new! Lots of fun! I can't wait to get started even if the girls are trying to squeak every drop out of summer. Hopefully I have some school items to share soon.

So what are you knitting and reading? I'm always so inspired by the weekly yarn along. My project and reading list just keep growing. So I'm off to check out some of the other yarn along participants. I highly recommend you visit some of them too.

Yarn Along - Slippers and Fermenting

Joining Ginny in her weekly Yarn Along. In her words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a single photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

Well I finished the knitting and sewing up of my Duffers. All that is left is to felt them. Unfortunately, I have a front loader and felting just really doesn't go well in it. So I am waiting until I visit a friend you kindly offered to let me use her top loading washer. My fingers are crossed that they will fit after felting. If so I will be making a bunch of these. All the girls thought they were really great. I can see Christmas gifts on the horizon. And in case you were wondering about the two different colors, I didn't have enough of the original teal to make the second slipper. (I was trying to use up stashed yarn, in case this project was a total disaster I didn't want a lot of money tied up in it). Anyway, I think the teal and green go well, and I am planning on embellishing each with the opposite color to make more of a pair. And of course they are slippers that no one will really see except my family. And they already know that mama's a little off. The mis-matched actually fits me quite well I think.

As for reading, the above mentioned friend lent me her copy of Wild Fermentation. I just finished my last read and am now ready to dive into this one. Hoping to learn lots and give some of the recipes a try. I would love some fermented dill pickles and sauerkraut. Putting up summer food to have through the winter months is always a lot of work. However, there is nothing like a pantry full of summer goodness when the temps fall way below freezing.

So what are knitting and reading? I love visiting the other participants of Ginny's Yarn Along. I'm always so inspired. And of course my reading list is WAY to long. If you are visiting from the Yarn Along thanks for stopping by. And for those of you who cam another route, if you are knitters or readers you really should stop by the Yarn Along. You wont be sorry.

Yarn Along~ Simplicity & Slippers

Joining Ginny in her weekly Yarn Along. In her words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a single photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

I'm a slipper kind of gal. I rarely go barefoot and I hate wearing out socks. So slippers are just the thing for a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom. I have been wanting to knit and felt some slippers for myself for a while now, but most of the patterns I came across were just a little beyond my understanding or cost a little more than I wanted to spend. so when I came across this post over at Mousy Brown's House I knew I had to give these a try. I mean 19 rows per slipper. I knew I could do that. And if your on Ravelry you really need to check out all the Duffers out there. Some of them are just too cute for words. At this point I'm just hoping mine fit after the felting. If they do, I may end up with slippers in all the colors of the rainbow. Or lots of people on my Christmas list may be getting Duffers of their own.

As for reading I'm back to Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne. I started it a while ago, but it was a little to heavy and the library due date came before I finished. Well, over the last few months the idea of simplifying my children's lives has been nagging at me, especially as I began to prepare for the new school year. Then I was lucky enough to hear Donna Ashton's introduction to her Simplicity Parenting seminar. My interest in the book was peaked again. So with a great deal at Borders I now own a copy. And it must be karma because one our local library's is offering two free seminars on the book in the up coming weeks. I guess I should listen, read the book and simplify. I'll let you know how it goes.