Summer is on the way

Summer is on the way and I'm ready for it. We spent Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend with our fiber friends, under the big tree on the farm. Eating lunch, knitting, crocheting, laughing, eating yummy birthday cake and enjoying each other's company. This was our closing day for the season. We open back up to the public in September. However, I will be offering knitting lessons throughout the summer.

I found a whole robin egg in the yard and the tree it fell from was too high to replace it. So inside it came to live in one of my found nests. And how cute is Sox the cat? He's such a good boy. 

I started my Corran Cardigan and I'm reallllly enjoying it! It's such a nice pattern so far. It's a bright blue and definitely not my usual color palette but I think it will be fun to wear over some sundresses at night.

Still reading Lonesome Dove. Also started West with Giraffes. But I feel like my reading motivation is low right now. Not sure why....have you read anything you can't put down lately? I always love a good book recommendation. 

Have a great week all!

Summer Knitting Plans

 

• “Sometimes the littlest things take up the most room in your heart.” 
• —Winnie the Pooh

I've heard people say they don't knit in the summer because it's too hot out. I never not knit. Doesn't matter the weather or time of year. Every day I have needles and yarn in my hand at some point. It may be a few minutes as I drink my coffee, during my lunch hour, waiting for my son to get off the school bus, at baseball games, on my couch at night watching tv. It's an every day must for me. 

I finished up my two planned Rhinebeck sweaters. You can see them here and here.

I have been knitting socks like a maniac. I also have a long term sweater on my needles (but I might rip it out....I'm not really enjoying the knitting...but we'll see about that). I wanted a plan for my summer knitting and I've come up with one. Between every personal knitting project, I will knit something to sell at the farm store in the fall and winter. So far, I have knit the Birch & Moss scarf and these two little baby bonnets. I LOVE knitting baby things. I imagine the new parents putting these soft knits on their brand new little babies. There is nothing like a new baby and I miss having them! I also never had a girl so I get my girly knitting out with gift knits to sell. I'm going to make a few boy things too. Some baby sweaters, some gender neutral knits, maybe some little booties too. 

Here are a few of the personal knits I'm thinking of for the summer...

This is the Corran Cardigan by Rebecca Clow. I bought the pattern a few months ago but didn't have the right yarn for it. My friend Tracey gifted me some yarn in a fun bright blue that might be perfect for a summer night over a dress cardigan.

This photo is from it-is-a-sarah's ravelry page. She also has a YouTube channel I enjoy watching.

I love fingerless mitts. There are the Pioneer Gloves, a free pattern. Might be good to make as a gift.

The Traveler Cowl is on my must knit list! I bought a big skein of Noro that will be perfect for this. I love wearing my shift cowl by Andrea and I think this will be a perfect alternative. I'm a no-fuss girl when it comes to neck wear. I have knit so many shawls in the past but I just don't wear them! I don't like to fix it throughout the day. These cowls are perfect.

And one more...maybe another Georgetown.  I knit one years ago and sadly it was lost at a big party at my friend's house. I think someone took it home by accident and didn't know who it belonged too. I just hope they have enjoyed wearing it!

Do you make knitting plans for yourself? I would love to hear what you have planned for the summer.

Fresh Air

How nice to be able to be outside and not freeze! It's been a long spring around here at the Jersey Shore. The sun has been shining for a few days in a row and it's wonderful. Lots of time outside, getting the lawn taken care of, cleaning out flower beds, walks around the farm after dinner, green leaves, new bee hives, chickens enjoying some time outside the coop. It's lovely!

I finished up my Birch & Moss scarf. It was a fun and quick knit. I'm going to be selling this one at the farm store. I would like to make some more over the summer. My plan this summer is to knit something for the store between personal projects. I finished up the striped socks. I love them! I can't believe how much I have been enjoying knitting socks!!! I plan on casting on for a new pair tonight after work. I'm a sock knitter now! Who knew??! 

Hope you're enjoying some fresh air where you are too. 

Birch & Moss

My local yarn store, Grace & Purl is hosting a fun KAL and I joined in the fun.

Technically, it starts today, May 13 but I jumped ahead and casted on yesterday as part of my relaxing Mother's Day. I caught a yucky cold from my youngest so I curled up on the couch most of the day. Honestly, it was kind of nice. No where to go, no expectations, just quiet, calm, read a bit, watched a movie and casted on the Birch & Moss scarf.

I am using 2 skeins of sock yarn held with mohair. I haven't chosen my second color yet but I'm thinking of using a darker blue. I am planning on selling this in the coop next year. 

Details on the KAL (Knit along) can be found on Grace & Purls Instagram @graceandpurl

Cast on the Birch & Moss scarf, post on IG with hashtag #birchandmossgpspringkal and finish up by June 10th. You're entered to win some fun prizes. 

My mom gave me some birthday money and I treated us to some new bedding. I think Sox is a big fan! He hasn't left our bed since I set it up. (my new sheets have bumble bees on them!!!) I don't know why this made me so happy. My husband thinks I'm nuts. And that cozy blanket was $24 at the store. Looks and feels handmade but at a fraction of the cost and much quicker!!! 

 

Beginning of May

It's only May 10 and we have had a VERY busy beginning of May!

Lot of time at the ballfields, working, knitting, shearing day, homemade potluck dinner with friends, supporting our independent bookstore for Indy Bookstore Day, oldest son home for 9 days, dog cuddles, coffee, food, wine, leaves back on the trees, fishing, fundraising, lunch and knitting afternoon with sisters and Paige, Guy Fieri!, Yankee Game, and birthday celebrations.

My latest cast on. This one is a slow go!

Delicious dinner with friends, Ina Garten themed! Everything was delicious.

My cute knitting bag sewed by the one-and-only Seashore Sharon

Perfect weather for shearing day.

Knitting while I waited for my oldest to arrive at the airport.

Buddy was happy to welcome his big brother home!

Siblings hanging out xoxoxoxoxoxoxo I've MISSED this so much!

Lea Socks (a gift for my son's girlfriend)

We couldn't make it to Maryland Sheep & Wool so we enjoyed an afternoon of shopping at our local yarn store, Grace & Purl and having an excellent lunch at Maeberrie Market, both in Avon, NJ. It was my first time eating there and it won't be my last! It was so good. Along the way, we got to see Guy Fieri filming his Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives show. He also made a guest appearance at our baseball fundraiser later in the day. Guy is a business partner with a friend of ours and it was a fun chance to promote their tequila company, Santos. 

My yarn shop haul...

I LOVED this book. BUT, it's not for everyone. The writing is beautiful. The subject matter is very heavy and is sprinkled with a big of magical realism. I also casted on ANOTHER pair of socks using this fun self-striping yarn by Mustash Yarn. My friend Joan gifted it to me. I'm using a mini from Blackbird Sycamore for the heels and toes.

My birthday was yesterday and I had a nice lunch at The Committed Pig in Manasquan with my grandmother and my oldest. He wasn't able to be home for my grandfather's funeral so it was nice for him to visit. Our meal was delicious and I had a fancy drink (it had glitter and butterflies in it!)

Like I said, it's been a busy start of May! I need a nap lol.