Maine Knits

When you're a knitter, you become a fan girl to so many knitting idols. Yes, there are knitting idols. If you're a knitter, you'll understand. And if you've ever been to a meet up on the hill at Rhinebeck, you really know what I mean. There are people you connect with through the internet, blogs, instagram, podcasts, local yarn stores, festivals, classes, etc. You get to know people on a much deeper level now than in the past. I am happy to be a knitter during this time of the internet and raverly. It's a wonderful community that I am proud to be a part of.

Over the past few years, I have followed a fellow mom and knitter, 

Beatrice Perron of Thread and Ladle. We have never met in person...we tried last fall but didn't time it right at Rhinebeck!! Next time for sure!!! But we have kept in touch through our blogs and I was fortunate enough to have been asked to be a feature on her blog a few years ago. 

Another woman that I am inspired by is Annie Claire, knitwear designer and goat farmer.

As she walked past me on the hill in Rhinebeck I almost knocked her over with excitement. I was so excited to see her and I gushed and gushed. She was incredibly kind and it was such a thrill to meet her in person.

Here I am with Annie last fall in Rhinbeck..

So...where am I going with this? 

Well, when two of my favorite ladies in the knitting world match up together in one place, it makes me happy.

Annie is currently hosting a give-away of Bea's new book, Maine.

So hop on over to her website and check out her beautiful website, Bea's beautiful book and enjoy some time with two of my favorite knitters.

Giveaway Link Here

I like to support the busy moms out there that work hard at home, work and as knitters.

Hay Girl Hay

When the hay is delivered, all hands are on deck. 

Even the little ones "help". Or, throw snow balls at each other. 

Knitting Lessons - Schedule

Announcing knitting lessons with Leanne! All lessons are in our farm store.

To sign up for classes please email me at leannecoppola@gmail.com

All lessons require payment at time of registration.

Please contact Leanne directly for any questions: leannecoppola@gmail.com

Payments can be sent by check made out to: Leanne Coppola

Leanne Coppola

2011 Bentz Road

Wall, NJ 07719

Beginner Knitting Lessons

You will learn the basic stitches of knitting, purling, casting on and binding off.

Little or no experience necessary! I will teach you everything you need to get started.

Class Dates:

1st lesson: Saturday, February 25 1:00-3:00

2nd lesson: Saturday, March 4 1:00-3:00

$70 Beginner Knitting Course Package-
2 two-hour sessions
1 set of knitting needles
1 skein of yarn

Fingerless Mitts

Fingerless Gloves Class: $60 per student

Includes 2 (2 hr. sessions) 

Supplies required: double point needles and yarn. 

More details will be provided at registration time.

Saturday, February 25, 10:00-12:00

Sunday, March 4, 10:00-12:00

How to Knit a Hat

 $60 per student

Includes 2 (2 hr. sessions) 

Supplies required: Circular needles, double point needles, stitch marker and yarn. 

More details will be provided at registration time.

Saturday, March 11, 10-12

Saturday, March 18, 10-12

As always, if you need help, please let me know and we can schedule 

a one-on-one class for $15/hour.

Crochet Lessons are also available by appointment with Liz.

Contact her at 732-861-1384 for more details.  

Grain

I finished this shawl up just in time for my sister's birthday. I love how it turned out. Simple, squishy garter stitch triangle shawl using yarn that I have purchased at many fiber festivals as well as some ToshDK from our local yarn store, A Stitch in Time in Farmingdale.

If you're looking for a good stash buster, easy quick knit, I recommend this pattern.

It's called Grain by Tin Can Knits. And it's FREE!

Yarn: From top to bottom-

Wool from Bartlet Yarn (Rhinebeck 2015)

Light tan: Merino, camel, yak, silk from Sweater's Mill (Maryland Sheep & Wool 2015)

Light Blue: O-Wool (Rhinebeck 2014)

Tosh DK

Bottom stripe edge: Boho Chic Fiber Co. in driftwood and ocean color ways 

(Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival 2016)

#yarnlovechallenge

Are you an instagram junkie like I am? I love it. I post too much (according to my kids) but I don't care. I follow family, friends and LOTS of knitters. The posts inspire me every day and keep me in the knitting world loop. So when I noticed the hashtag #yarnlovechallenge pop up in February, I was intrigued. Every day in February has a prompt. Sounds like fun! So I joined in. Have you?

Day 1: Introductions

Day 2: Close-up

Day 3: Currently Making

So here we are so far! Day 3. Check out the hashtags on instagram. It's so fun to see all the knitters out there and what they're up to. Lots of the "famous" knitters on there too! I love seeing what everyone is up to and the be inspired by the talent and ideas that surround us.

For pattern info on my projects:

Introduction photo: wearing my Georgetown Sweater

Close-up: Tree Rings blanket by Brooklyn Tweed

Currently Making: Grain triangle shawl by Tin Can Knits

See ya on instagram!

A Day in the Big Apple

Taking advantage of nice weather and no sports, the kids had been asking to go to the city for the day. It was also the scheduled Women's March and I was hesitant to go up there. Didn't know what it would be like but I thought we could keep our distance if needed. I'm not saying I was for or against the march, but I didn't want to put myself in the middle of it with kids in case something didn't go right. We saw evidence of the women marching as soon as we boarded our train. Women were happy, pleasant and excited. I immediately got the feeling that this would be a positive experience.

And it was.

We enjoyed Central Park so much. Chase loved climbing up the big rocks. The older boys enjoyed belgian waffles topped with goodies. We went to the Central Park Zoo for the first time. The seals were our overwhelming favorite. One slept the whole time and the other NEVER stopped swimming around, jumping over rocks and entertaining us. We said it was the Garrett and Chase version of seals! So much fun.

We had a great lunch at a diner next to Carnegie Hall. See that Carnegie Hall sign with me and Chase??? Soon a poster that I designed for my band will be in there!!!!!! It's still unbelievable that I will be performing on that stage soon. 

We walked closer to the Women's March and it was very positive and peaceful. I really was surprised and very happy that we saw it. My kids saw history. Whether or not you agree with the march, it was history and of course the high schoolers are hoping for extra credit from their history teacher!

Overall, it was a great day and I'm so glad we went.

And of course I did some knitting on the train ride. I knit a second sock for Chase. Loving the worsted weight socks! So fast. More on that another day....

Socks!

If you know me as a knitter, you know I'm not a fan of knitting socks. It's the whole making two of things I think. I don't mind knitting the sock, it's that I want to start something else when I'm done with the first. So yes, I have a few single socks in my drawer.

Well, I was listening to the Grocery Girls and they mentioned knitting some dk weight socks. Yes! Quicker and much more doable for me. I found the Rye Sock pattern by Tin Can Knits and casted on.

I got this pretty Tosh DK yarn in the Opaline color way from  my local yarn shop, A Stitch In Time in Farmingdale. It was a pretty color and I was ready for my first dk socks.

I knitted these up in a weekend and they're squishy and comfy. A bit big, but perfect for wearing around the house. I'm hooked and plan on making some more.

Ravelry Notes Here

Joining in with Ginny for the weekly Yarn Along

For anyone that doesn't know this, I designed the Yarn Along logo for Ginny. I love seeing it on all your blogs and I just noticed that it matches my socks quite nicely this week.