~yarnalong: Snowflakes, Leaves, and Llamas

~yarnalong: I don't know if you are aware, but here in Arizona, we don't "fall back" for fall, or "spring" forward for spring, our time stays the same, day in and day out. Yet ,the days are starting to feel just a little bit shorter here, time seems to be doing it's on thing, and despite the fact that it is usually still in the 80's (or higher!), it just seems gray, and chilly to me. I'm glad that I have these bright colors of yarn to bring me cheer, and remind me of what fall is supposed to look like!

I can also tell that Holidays and Special days are right around the corner. My children are starting to come to school with that "how much longer" glaze over their eyes, attention spans are short, and the disagreements are long. It is definitely time for a break. They aren't alone in this though, I had to argue with myself to keep with my schedule, to stay on task, and to not be distracted. I absolutely love my work, but today, I just didn't want to sit and write about it for some reason.....probably because I just have SO much going on and so many loose ends I am trying to finish up, before, you know, taking a break! 

I did want to share this book with you all, Snowman Bentley, by Jacqueline Briggs Martin. It was in our suggested resources this week when we studied Vermont, but I think it is just a delightful children's book that would be good for anytime, particularly winter, and, to top it off it is a true story. William Bently was a man dedicated and passionate about snowflakes and this story about his life is just the sweetest biography I have ever read. You definitely don't want to miss this one, I'm glad we didn't! It has sparked a lot of conversations about how we can turn our passions into our jobs and how that affects our lives. And the artwork! It is just a great book!

I started reading the next Anne Canadeo's book in her Black Sheep Knitting Mystery series, I am not far into it, but it's pretty much par for the course and provides some easy work reading. If you are a knitter and haven't checked these out yet, you might enjoy them as well. 

Hope you are having a wonderful week, whether it is long or short, gray or bright!

Happy Knitting,

~Jessica

~yarnalong: Another Chance

~yarnalong: So, I'm actually in between books today- I did finish up The Nest (and no, I did not like the characters any better at the end!) and I got in a quick read that I somehow managed to finish yesterday, so the only thing that I'm actually "reading" right now are our school books. We are currently reading Farmer Boy for our Read Aloud, and to be honest, I was a bit leery of reading it at first. I remember disliking this book as a child, as in, it bored me to tears, and I felt like my new found best friend, Laura Ingalls Wilder, had betrayed me in the most horrendous way! The happiness and love I'd found in Little House in the Big Woods, did not carry over to this book. and it bored me to tears. As an adult, I am finding the book to be just a bit better, yet I can see where a child could get bored with all the details about taking care of animals, the farm, and farm life. There isn't quite the story and imagination that Little House brought, but what I'm finding interesting, and what seems to capture my little's attention, is the fact that Almanzo is around the same age as my middle boy, who is the one who is listening to the story. It leads to some interesting discussions and comparisons, and if anything, I think it makes him grateful to be alive during this time, rather than "back then" (although he seems to think he would prefer to be allowed to miss school to do his chores and help with work that needed to be done around the farm!). My littlest is currently having Richard Scarry's Best Little Word Book Ever read to him on repeat, and he is soaking up every single word he can. I have been leaving out Welcome to Felicity's World as we just reviewed Virginia in History class, and this is a nice picture book of the time period we have been studying lately, so it does provide some nice background activity while we are reading aloud. 

I finished up my cardigan design from last week, and I'm happy to report that this new fangled construction worked out! I am so pleased with it and cannot wait to get the pattern ready to share. After some secret, deadline work, that I actually managed to wrap up over the weekend, I quickly cast on for another cardigan design! This time, I'm focusing on some unique lace work, and how to incorporate a larger gradient set into a garment. I can't stop knitting on it! 

Well, that wraps up my week, pretty much, what are you reading and knitting? Anything good I should pick up at the library? 

~Yarn Along: Feels like Home....

~yarnalong: 

I am not sure how I ended up picking up this book at the library the other week, The Nest, I think I vaguely remembered seeing it on a post, or coming across it while trying to find a book to read, but whatever the reason, I saw it on the shelf at the library and ended up checking it out. I'm almost 3/4 of the way into it, and have mixed feelings about it. None of the characters seem to be very likable, and this book takes family dysfunction to a whole new level.....it seems like it takes everything "trendy" or "it" from TV, throws it onto a page, and mixes with abandon. It isn't presented from any one person's point of view, and just seems to be a running narrative of events that are happening to this highly dysfunctional family. And yet I want to know how it all ends.....

I am continuing with my interest in working on new sweater constructions! It's November 1, so no wonder the nostalgia and seeming need to knit a sweater! It's sweater season after all. I picked up these 3 lovely skeins of Twisted Owl Fiber Yarn at TNNA and have been trying to find just the right design for them, to showcase their bright, beautiful color, and to encourage them to play together in the prettiest way possible. I did some sketching, and some planning, and think that I've come up with just the right idea! This sweater packs a punch- it's got lace, it is knit in the round, and then it isn't, it starts as a square, and then it morphs, the sleeves are here and then they aren't.....Miss Marple herself would be hard pressed to solve this case! And I'm still holding my breath wondering if it is going to come together just right, or if there is going to be a mad case of ripping happening at the end.....only time will tell, but I have to admit, I wouldn't be disappointed at having more time with this yarn! It is just LOVELY!.

So, tell me, what is on your needles, and what are you reading this week? I need some book suggestions, and I'd love to hear about what is making you excited about reading, so please do share!

Happy Knitting,

~Jessica

~Like a Gilmore

#Yarnalong: If you are new here (or to my work!), you don't know that I have a *think* for Gilmore Girls, and if you've been around awhile, you've noticed Gilmore-isms to pop up from time to time, as well as to serve as an inspiration to my designs. I just love watching the beautiful fall colors and scenery as every episode opens (probably because the scenery here lacks those colors something awful!), and I am forever a fan of fall, and miss it so much because here we have hot, hotter, hottest, don't bother stepping outside because you will toast!, and fall is just a distant memory that reminds me of a childhood filled with raking leaves, jumping in leaf piles, picking pumpkins, bundling up, flannel shirts and everything that is just oh so fall.

When I came across this color, Gilmore Mansion, I of course, had to have it. I wasn't sure what it needed to become, but I couldn't wait to play with it. I've been working on some different and unique sweater constructions and playing with some different stitch combinations. I've had a lot of fun watching this one "become". I'm not sure it's there yet, but, I'm happy with how it's progressing so far! And the yarn is just amazing.

I came across this cook book the other week, Eat Like a Gilmore and picked it up just for fun. I.am.in.love with it already! The pictures, the recipes, the nostalgia, and the tidbits, all are just so fun. I am even planning on making a couple of the recipes (don't worry, NOT the Santa Pancakes, lol!), especially the Pumpkin and fall themed ones. If you are a Gilmore fan too, you definitely don't want to miss this one. 

I'd love to know what you are reading and knitting this week. I am hoping to find a new book to pick up this week, as I'm ready to get lost in an amazing stories, so if you have something good to recommend, don't hesitate to leave me a comment! I'd love to check it out.

Happy Knitting,

~Jessica

~Yarn Along: Going Backwards....

I'm trying to get back into the habit of a weekly #yarnalong and so I hope you will join me! I kept it up for a little bit after Ginny at Small Things stopped sometime last year, but then let it go when things got busy and it started to feel lonely. I also noticed that my reading, outside of reading to the kids for school!, started to lack and linger. I missed that part of my week, and having a weekly "progress marker" for my knitting (and an excuse to make sure I had just a bit of for fun knitting that I could share!), so here is my attempt to kick off a "yarn along" again.

This week, I did backtrack just a bit. I had finished this piece up over the weekend, but was not pleased with the color work portion. I knew when I started it that I wasn't going to like it, but kept thinking, oh blocking will save it!, it will end up like what I want, but I couldn't shake the, not quite, feeling, and never even made it to blocking. I ripped back last night and started back knitting, this time in a different direction and with a new vision. Much happier this time, and  blocking will only make it more beautiful. 

I started reading Skating with the Statue of Liberty, but Susan Lynn Meyer the other week. It's a Children's book that I picked up at the library while browsing with my little ones (can you tell I don't make it out of the Children's section very often, lol? It has been a wonderful read so far, there is something very comforting about reading a Children's book, and it also helps me make decisions about read alouds and helps me when I am preparing lessons for them. I'm not sure if we will touch on this one this year (it is set during WWII and is about a Jewish family that came to America during that time), but it is one I will definitely add to our list. 

I'd love it you joined in with me and share what you are reading and knitting this week! You can leave a comment, or write your own post and be sure to leave the link in the comments!

~Jessica 

~Good Vibes!

Hello Knitters! (and Happy Fall! YAY! Sweater weather is HERE!!!)

It seems like our usually super hot weather even got the memo that it's fall and we have been enjoying a couple of much cooler days! And Pumpkin coffee.....lots and lots of Autumn coffee to be had as well. 

I am working on a fundraising project through the end of this month and wanted to make sure that I let you all know about it! I'm collecting Chemo Care packages to take to our local oncology center next month. I'm hoping to get at least 10 of these pouches sponsored before the end of September. There are a couple of ways you can participate in this project! 

The easiest, and quickest way!, is to sponsor a pouch! You simply head to my website here and order that pouch (if you'll leave me a comment, I'll be in touch with my address and you can have it sent right to me, or if you'd prefer, you can paypal me the money for the pouch and I'll take care of EVERYTHING!) All the commission that I make from these pouches will be used to purchase items that are useful during Chemo Treatments. I'll then attach a card with your name on it, thanking you for sponsoring the gift.

Another way you can help is to knit either a chemo cap or a pair of knitted knockers and you can send them to me to include in the pouches! 

I really appreciate all the support in making this happen and I am hoping to meet my goal of having 10 sponsored pouches! Because I appreciate your helping so much, I am going to give yarn to everyone who sponsors a pouch, and if I get my goal of 10 pouches met, then I will have an awesome gift basket to give one amazing sponsor, filled with all kinds of goodies, you aren't going to want to miss this!

So, what are you waiting for? Let me know how I can help!

Happy knitting, and happy fall, ya'll!

~Jessica

Here Comes the Trolley!

I know that fall is right around the corner, or at least I hope so! Here it is still hitting right about 100 degrees every day, and their are no leaves about to change colors, but the Starbucks are all giving me my Pumpkin Spice Lattes and the shops all have their pretty fall decor to tease me. I've been feeling it for awhile, gravitating towards "fall colors" when I am yarn shopping, and finding myself using leaf motifs over and over again in my designs. I definitely miss the Fall season out here in the desert. 

Fall is the perfect time to work on kid's knits, and if you start knitting now, chances are you will have it completed before the weather really starts to get chilly. Kid's knits are a perfect time to practice your knitting skills, or try out something new, because if you have to tink, you aren't going to loose as much work as you would on an adult garment. Plus, you'll have mastered the skill and will be ready to tackle a bigger project! Win/win for everyone!

When The Fiber Seed introduced this color, Cider, last year, I grabbed a skein thinking I'd whip up something for myself (socks, or a fun fall shawl make?) the colors reminded me of my favorite fall beverage that isn't a Pumpkin Spice Latte (this one involves Apple Cider and Carmel Vodka......) and they just made me smile. However, I made the mistake of letting my little guy open the package when it arrived, and as soon as he pulled out the yarn, he squealed "TROLLEY" (He is a *little* obsessed with Trolleys, thank you Daniel Tiger and Mr. Rogers!). So, of course, I had to go with it, right? So, "Here Comes the Trolley" was born before I even wound my yarn. I asked Lindsay for a color suggestion, and she immediately sent some Espresso my way. A match made in Heaven! 

Here Comes the Trolley is a top-down, seamless, cozy sweater. It features a beautiful textured section that mimics Trolley Tracks, and a handsome V-neck ribbed, shawl-style collar. This cozy sweater is sure to delight your littlest ones, and even work for the slightly bigger ones as well, because it is just so classic and comfortable. The pattern is written for size 6 months to 12 years, so you get a big bang for you buck with this one! 

I can't wait to see your new Sweaters! And as a thanks for dropping by, use coupon code "DingDing" today, 9/18 through Friday, 9/22 to get this one for $2 off regular price! 

(Photos by the amazing Kellie Nuss! My little guy just LOVES working with her, can't you tell???) 

With Wisdom, comes Frogging.....

Ok, so I have a confession......a really really secret confession- I (used to!), abhor, detest, avoid like the plague, frogging (also known as ripping, tinking, unknitting). Truly. I'd do anything to avoid it, to include leaving a project in the WIP basket (and to be honest, they are most likely still there!), I'd change up a design just to avoid it, I'd decide that I was knitting the piece for someone other than it's intended at cast on recipient, I'd even just abandon it, and forget about tit......until lately!

I was working on what I thought was a "just for fun" mermaid-isn project (because apparently I haven't had enough MERMAIDS, haha, and I'm a huge sucker for anything that is Disney-themed, so Patchwork Peach Yarn's are a tremendous temptation and weakness of mine....seriously, go check her out....I'll be here waiting......ok, you can thank me now, lol!) and I was loving it. The yarn (I'm using her Ariel color in case you couldn't guess ;: ) is just amazing, and the design was turning out beautiful, so I was thinking that it definitely needed to go into my production schedule, although that joining round.....I'm not sure that neck circumference is actually big enough for an adult. Ok, what evs, I'll just keep knitting, it will stretch.....and then I knit a bit, and stopped. My gut knew it, I knew it, my brain knew it. This was just not going to work, and the only thing to fix it was to rip back to the join (which was now at least 10 rows back, to include the entire shell stitch pattern which is, well, not exactly for the faint of heart. 

So, I did it. I was brave and I just ripped back to that join, put the stitches back on the needle, and fixed it And by the time it was time for bed, I'd just made it to the point where I was knitting with "new yarn". But, I was satisfied, and happy. I felt accomplished and loved my knitting and couldn't wait to greet it this morning.  Frogging, the wise choice.

Although, talk to me later when I frog a 3/4 of the way done shawl design because, well, reasons.....and in wisdom, I know that frogging it entirely and starting over is going to make it the shawl that it wants to be. The shawl that Fairy Gardens deserve, a shawl that will sing in ALL its glory., because, yeah, wisdom (and perhaps one too many cups of coffee?)

So, that's my advice to you today, dear knitting friends, don't be afraid of the frog pond, because sometimes that is just what you have to do to find a true gem!

Happy Knitting (and occasionally frogging!)

~Jessica

My Book is Here! Lorelei's Journey: Knitting for (Mermaid) Dolls and those who Love Them.

Once upon a time, isn’t that how all great stories begin? Imagination, play, and stories are all important elements of my day. Anytime I can partner any of those things with my crafting, particularly knitting, even better!  My daughter Addison shares those same passions and when she has an idea in her head, she chases it until gets it.. Over and over again, she told me about this doll that she wanted, that she just had to have. We searched and we looked, but nothing we found was quite right. She would tell me about it and draw pictures of the different things she wanted. Dolls came into our house, dolls were left all over my floor, but still this doll was nowhere to be found.

So, of course, in all her wisdom, she suggested that I could make this doll. And that was the beginning of Lorelei. As the doll started to come to life a story was born and it needed telling. When the doll was finished, my daughter pointed out that she needed clothes, and most importantly, the mermaid tail! Piece by piece, this little collection grew, this idea started coming alive and my book was born. 

Making memories is so important to me, and I want all children to look back and have a touch point that makes their childhood special. It’s been my forever dream to write a book and to this day, I still squeal with glee whenever I see my name in print in some publication or other. I grew up on a steady diet of Anne of Green Gables, Little Women and just a dash of Little House on the Prairie. Nothing makes me quite as happy as buying and sharing a new children’s picture book with my little ones. I knew that somehow, I had to combine my love of story with my passion for knitting. 

I hope that you are as excited about this project as I am. There are two ways to get a copy of Lorelei's Journey: Knitting for (Mermaid) Dolls and those who Love Them for yourself. The first way is to pre-order the print version from my website. The print version will get you a copy of the ebook for download, today, with a code to include it in your Ravelry Library. The first 15 pre-order copies will also get super special Launch swag, to include a handmade mermaid stitch marker!. Your print book will be shipped to you in 3 months. All pre-orders will include a little something special in their package as well!

If you are only interested in purchasing the e-book only, you can do that either through my website here, or in my Ravelry shop. 

I'll be sharing some more of the patterns with you, and some of the behind the scenes stories of their creation, here over the next few weeks. I'm also working on some plans for some yarn prizes and a Lorelei KAL, so be sure to stay tuned for that! 

Thank you all again for all the love and support for Lorelei! I hope that this book encourages you on a journey of making memories for yourself and your loved ones.

Happy Knitting,

~Jessica

Austism Awareness KAL!

Hello Knitters!

I have teamed up with the amazing Kim of Kim Dyes Yarn, and the wonderful duo of the Pen, Hook and Needles Podcast to bring you an amazing KAL opportunity! You will have not only once chance to enter your project for prizes, but this is a "triple-dip" KAL opportunity if you wish!

Be sure to check out these threads for all the details about the KAL's being held in the other 2 groups: Pen Hook and Needles and Kim Dyes Yarn. I will be helping to host the KAL in Kim's Group, so I'll be posting tips, techniques and links to tutorials for my Once in a Lullaby Pattern.

In my group, the Autism Awareness KAL will be combining all the good things! 

The KAL kicks off on MAY 1, for this KAL, you may choose any of my shawl patterns to knit, however, if you choose to knit Once in a Lullaby you will get 2 extra entries for prizes, AND you will also be able to enter it in the Once in a Lullaby thread over at Kim Dyes Yarn! YAY! 
Cast on is May 1 and runs through June 30. 
To be entered for prizes in my group, All in a Day's Fun,  you must: 
1) Knit one of my shawl designs! To help you complete this mission, use coupon code: BeKind for 35% my shawl designs, good now through June 30! 
2) Comment in this thread and magic link which pattern you plan on knitting. 
3) Create a Ravelry project page for your project and use tag #bekindkal
4) Post progress pictures in the thread, I’ll be popping in periodically with prizes and i don’t want you to miss out! 
I’ve got some awesome prizes lined up, including some yarn from Kim Dyes Yarn, SWEET!!!! 
Let me know if you have any questions!!

I'll be around during the KAL, and there will be tons of goodies for participants, including a coupon code to for my upcoming MKAL pattern . You don't want to miss out! Let me know if you have any questions, or if I can help you out in anyway!

Happy Knitting, and remember to Be Kind!
~Jessica

Friday Finds: Book Review and a Giveaway Too!

Hello Knitters, and Happy Friday!

I've got a gem for you today, a new book, Coffee with C. C. (and Dami too).  I snatched up the chance to review this book (with the generous bonus of a copy of the pdf for one of you awesome readers as well!) for you because, Coffee! I can be persuaded by just about anything coffee. Also, in the last stages of getting my own book finished, I'm studying, reading, and picking apart every ebook and knit book I can get my hands on these days. I'm waiting on the last essential pieces to be finished (you know those very important things like Pictures and schematics! I ended up being able to use my favorite photographer of all times, and found an incredible illustrator, so I am more than happy to sit back and let them do their things, I know it will make it a project that I am super happy with because they are on board). C. C. and Dami are a mother/daughter knit design team, the hosts of the Geeky Girls Knit podcast, and all-around, coffee lovers (gals after my own heart!)

 Books stats in a coffee bean:

Seven patterns- (1 shawl, 1 pair of fingerless mitts, and 5 pairs of socks).

Sock patterns are written Toe-up AND Cuff down, so no matter how you prefer to knit your socks, this book has got you covered!

Designs have written instructions and are charted- so again, no matter your flavor, they have something for you!

I love the illustrations, and that the level of difficulty for each pattern is depicted by cups of coffee! (I absolutely adore it when you can tie something to your theme, and keep with the overall theme through your entire project). Getting photographs done in a coffee shop? Um, yes please! Makes me want to grab my knitting and run out for coffee right now.

Overall, this book is a fantastic offering for knitters who like smaller projects, who enjoy knitting socks (either way!), or someone who just really loves coffee and knitting (who, me?)

The instructions are clear, the charts are easy to read, and I love how things are related to coffee, and named after coffee shop favorites. Most likely because I am looking at so many ebooks right now (and super nervous about this part of putting mine together!), I'm finding myself wanting to make changes to this book, like putting the Row numbers in Bold, changing the way the columns are set up, and taking out the pink highlighter for the differing Instructions (I can see how you want to draw attention to someone following the Chart directions versus the Written, but I don't like the pink highlighter method). Again, you probably aren't biting your nails about your own book layout, and can enjoy reading through a book, so don't let my "quirk of the moment" persuade you! 

I am in love with the Flat White Wrap and wish I had time to cast one one right now!

I have a pdf copy of the book to send to one of my blog readers! To enter, simply leave a comment with your favorite pattern from the book (and be sure to leave your Ravelry name as well!). I'll pick a winner on April 14. Good luck!

Happy (coffee) and Knitting!

~Jessica

Yarn Along~ Because Sometimes....

Because sometimes you just want to be read to, right? I absolutely love reading to my children- picture books, storybooks, chapter books, just them asking for a story, and then crawling up onto the couch beside me, or even plopping right down in my lap, it doesn't get better than that, does it? I find those moments far to far in between and fleeting with my 8 year old. But when he asked if I'd read a book to him, I moved everything else aside for as long as he wanted (seems to be about a chapter at a time, but I'm good with that!). He loved The Cricket in Times Square when I read it to him last year, and so he has been so excited about reading Tucker's Countryside. It's hard, as the almost-middle child, with one foot in big brother's Star Wars and Lego crazed domain, yet always listening to the same Puppy, Cat, Bear stories that a preschooler demands every day, to find your voice and create space for yourself. I'm glad that he is, though, one chapter and one giggle at a time. 

And the knitting? I needed to seam up a new sample before I could knit the sleeves. That's not the easiest task on a Sunday night, and is really something the requires a flat, table surface, lots of concentration, and good light (sounds like a tutorial, haha!), so I couldn't be without knitting, and so I started working on this new shawl design that I've been playing around with for awhile. It has changed shaped about 3 times before I cast on, and I even made it through the first color before I ripped it out a started over, working up an entirely different stitch pattern for the CC rows. I'm kind of in love with it, and super happy with the short row shaping. Yarn is The Fiber Seed Sprout, in Newsprint for the MC and I'm pairing it with Miss Babs 2-ply Toes Polydactl set for the color pop! Pretty spiffy!

Well, I've got about a nice handful of things to finish up, and so I better get back to it, right?

I'll be back soon with a book review AND a giveaway, so stay tuned!

Happy Knitting,

~Jessica

Yarn Along~Very, very slowly.....

Yarn Along~

Is it Spring Break yet? I wish!!! I have so much work, but, I think I just might be in the home stretch.....and I wonder every day if this is the week that we end up taking a few days of school. I know it's around the corner. The weather is actually decent, it isn't 100 degrees outside (yet), and there seems to be a slight breeze, things aren't blooming everywhere, so it seems like the allergies aren't overwhelmed just yet, and it just seems to be that time when everybody wants just a bit of freedom, and longs for unstructured days. I know I'm not alone in that, right? 

We finished Two Times the Fun, and my younger kiddos loved it. I think that they just might be ready for Ramona, so I'm going to go through the shelves to pull it out this week. We've started listening to the Audio version of the Wizard of Oz during lunch. It seems like a nice compromise, and because someone else is reading it (I have the version read by Anne Hathaway and I highly recommend it, it is very entertaining!), and we listen to it over our BlueTooth, Death Star speaker, it's quite the event! That, and it keeps the lunch arguments and chatter at bay, so win/win! I just am not sure if the younger set is ready to listen while I read slightly longer chapters, but we'll give it a try.

I started reading Where'd You Go Bernadette?,  last night and so far, I'm enjoying it. It's a pretty easy read, and slightly amusing. I can't remember where I saw it recommended, but I picked it up when it was a Kindle Daily Deal, and I'm glad I did.  I managed to make it to through the third color on my Hundred Acres Wood Shawl (only because I got the sweater that I have due to an editor finished before the deadline, and couldn't pick up my next work project because I needed to swatch and grade first!). I have a bit of work to finish up this week, and then I'll be able to work on some new designs that I am very excited about! I'll have some test knitting opportunities available soon as well (I know that I will have a skirt, some doll clothes, a beach, a blanket and a shawl ready this week, so if you would be interested in that, leave me a comment with a way to get in touch with you, and I'll get you the details!)

Until then, Happy Knitting!

~Jessica

Yarn Along~ "Secret" listening

Yarn Along~ I have to make it quick today (I did my Instagram post, got caught up in making edits, and almost forgot to post here! oops!) because I've got a huge pile of things due this week and lots of knitting to get done in the next week on top of that. Whew. (in super exciting news, though, the photo shoot for my book was yesterday and I am so excited about the pictures, AND I got to work with one of my favorite people ever! Somedays I just am overwhelmed with how awesome this job is!) 

I made the time to knit a few rows of my Hundred Acres Wood Shawl, I'm up to the third color in the gradient set now, and the yarn is absolutely lovely. I am a little disappointed, though, the pictures show a very pink color in the first section, and neither the first or second color resemble a pink at all in my set (along with a few other issues that I am finding, which I think I'll cover in either a Friday Finds or a Monday Musings post, I rarely find anything to critique about yarn, and especially the kits for Little Skein in the Big Wool, but I have to be honest that this one, is disappointing me a little, and I'm wondering if there is something where the high demand started to take a toll on the quality of the product? Certainly not the first time, or the first company for that to happen to, but for the price of the product, is slightly upsetting to say the least, but again, another post for another day!)

For reading this week, I've been reading "Two Times the Fun" with my 5 year old. The chapters are just a bit longer than the ones in Poppleton (her favorite books), but not as long as reading a full-blown chapter book. The story is adorable, and the language is just perfect for her to grasp. My second grader has been hanging around, hiding almost, to hear the story as well, so I consider that a win! We've even captured the attention of the 2 year old with this one, so I consider this book an absolute win in my book (and since I grew up on Beverly Cleary books, I really think you can't go wrong with this one!).

I'll be back just as soon as I can! In the meantime, I'd love to hear what you do when a yarn kit color doesn't quite meet what is advertised to you, or when your purchased goods aren't quite what you were "sold".  And of course, we love to hear about what you are reading and knitting as well!

Take care!

~Jessica

Yarn Along~

Yarn Along~

Is it really Wednesday? I've been working through edits for my ebook, knitting on some pretty tight deadlines, and just the general, being a homeschooling momma of many things that seem to happen every week.....reading, playing, cooking, baking. All the things. 

I managed to get a bit knit on this design because we had quite a lot of errands to run on Saturday. And then I forgot my sock knitting at home on Sunday, so I got in an extra day of knitting on this one. It isn't quite as mindless as a sock for me, but at this point it's soothing and I can knit the stitches without having to decipher what comes next, so that works for me!

I picked up this James Patterson book when it was on sale as a Kindle Daily Deal. I guess that I had forgotten about it until I was looking for something new to read and I noticed this one on my shelf. It's an easy read, so it was nice to have something while I was working last night while the boys were all at Cub Scouts with their dad. It seems to be a typical James Patterson book and a normal Detective Michael Bennet story. I generally go for the Woman's Murder Club or Dr.  Alex Cross, but Detective Bennet is just as likable! 

How was your week? I'd love for you to share what you are reading and knitting!

~Jessica

Yarn Along~ So Close!

Yarn Along~

I'm just popping by for a quick post today, so much work to get to! (and a little one that wants ALL of my attention and he's quite good at making sure that he gets it!)

I am almost done with Me Before You, (literally merely pages from being done!). I'm having a hard time deciding how I feel about this one. It hits home on a slightly personal level, so I'm sure that is part of it, and so a lot of it has been having my perspective of a situation shifted, which can be good, but also very emotional at the same time. 

I'm also almost done with the latest design that I am working on in The Fiber Seed yarn. I love playing with their speckles and matching them with a solid! This one does not disappoint and is turning out better than I imagined. I know what I'll be knitting on next-some swatches and then some more work,;)  I don't know what to read next though, any suggestions? 

I'll be back soon! Until then,

Happy Knitting,

~Jessica

Friday Finds: Gilmore Love!

So, I am pretty much in tune with anything Coffee (where's my coffee cup???), and so of course, I am a HUGE Gilmore Girls fan, like huge! I fell in love with these adorable stitch markers from Amanda of Little Bitty Delights, aren't they the cutest? I can't decide which one is my favorite, but they really do make my knitting super fun.

Don't they look good in action as well? I definitely smile overtime I reach them, and they remind me of my favorite bits of some of my favorite "people" of all time. That umbrella! It is just too sweet for words..... and the knitting? What pattern is that you ask? It is a coming pattern- actually it's a coming bit more than a pattern, but that's all I can share right now, ;) but I am in love with it- that texture, the stitch, and the color!!! The yarn is Dream in Color Jilly with Cashmere, and boy is it amazing, and the colorway is Carousel.

And the bag? Oh, that's another Gilmore find of course! It's a handmade project bag from GoodStuff. You definitely want to check her out, this is one of my favorite project bags, it's a nice size, works well to hold a shawl, and fits nicely in my bag when I'm running errands.  I also have one of her notions bags and it's great too. 

And, because it's a Gilmore Day, I can't forget to mention the Fall in Stars Hollow KAL taking place in KimDyesYarn Ravelry group! Be sure to head over there to get all the details, but for the rest of the month of February, you can use coupon code: KimDyesYarn to get 25% off the Fall in Stars Hollow pattern, so head on over to the thread and get all the details!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend with lots of knitting!

~Jessica

Yarn Along~ Some "Me" Time.....

Yarn Along~

I'm back!! Not that I've been gone for long or anything, but oh my, do I have so much that I want to share with you. I've got some ideas of lessons and tips to share with you for my Monday Musings, and I've got some many new finds that I cannot wait to share with you for my Friday Finds, I've just needed to clear some time. I finished the deadline project that I was really stressing about and so I've got a bit of time to do the things that I enjoy once again (like chatting with you all!), I've still got several other items that have some near-isn deadlines, but they aren't quite as big as the last thing I was working on, and their deadline is a bit farther out than this one was, so that's good! 

I managed to squeeze in just a tiny bit of reading time this week, on a book not school, learning, or business related, so that has been nice! I started reading "Me Before You", I'm not very far into it just yet, but it's a fairly easy read, and quite enjoyable so far. I haven't had any "for fun" knitting time this week (or in awhile to be honest, I need to fix that, soonly!) but I did get the chance to pull out this new design for The Fiber Seed out after having to set it down to finish the other things that had to be completed sooner. I forgot how exhausting waistband casings can be to create (it's not that bad, but it does seem to go much faster once I've finished that step!). I'm on to just the knitting and increasing, almost ready for a color change, so exciting. I'm thinking about doing a waistband tutorial or lesson to go with my skirt designs (yes, I'm designing a new skirt!), what do you all think? Would that be helpful to you? or help you to jump into knitting skirts? I love my knit skirts and want to share that love with you of course.

Well, I better run, I am being summoned to a tea party with my little loves! I hope to be back on Friday to share some of my new favorite stitch markers with you!

Happy Knitting,

~Jessica

Yarn Along~ Different, but the same!

Yarn Along~

Hello Friends!

    It has been a busy, busy season (doesn't it always seem to be busy, though?) . For some reason there just seems to be a lot going on, more school to get accomplished, a toddler that is way busier and into everything, and just more deadlines....and deadlines!

So, I haven't finished Different yet, but that's ok! I'm good with the slow reading, and making sure that I have time to enjoy it and let it all soak in, so that's been helpful. I appreciate how this isn't a "how to", or "fix me, fix this" type book, but it does offer lots of helpful, real-life, this is what worked for us in the trenches moments, and a nice dose of grace dashed over it all! That and it is always encouraging to read that the story doesn't end there, and it doesn't end badly, there is hope, and there is change, and with persistence, it's available for all. My Kindergartener likes to remind me that we have to be like the T-t-Turtle, we don't quite, we persevere!

I finished my latest sweater design, so I need to get some photos and start to put together my pattern release for it. I'm really excited about this one- I'm going to not just have a pattern, but I'm working up a workshop for your yarn shops, a teaching event, and an Online learning opportunity! I'm so excited about this one and can't wait to share it with you all. I've got some other items that I've been knitting away on, but I can't share those with you just yet (some of them are with brand-new secret yarn colors, yay!), which also necessitated a project for me to have in the car, and to for just to have so I can knit whenever I get a moment. This yarn has been in my stash for a bit now, I really think the color is just lovely and the colorway just called to me in the store. I wasn't sure what it wanted to become, but I ended up working out a shawl design (which might seem a bit familiar!), and this is result of having just a bit of time playing with it, I'm quite smitten! 

Well, that's it for today! I'll be back soon with more to share with you, and don't forget to chime in about your feelings on schematics, please!!!! And if you want to share what you are reading and knitting, be sure to link up with Ginny Sheller's Blog!

Happy Knitting,

~Jessica

Yarn Along~ Different

Yarn Along~

Hello Friends! I hope you were able to find something useful in my musings on Schematics that I posted on Monday, I'd love to hear your thoughts, so please make sure you leave a comment. (And if you haven't make sure you check out Friday's Post that reviews Sherlock Knits, you don't want to miss that!)

I have had quite a bit of pressing deadline knitting that has been rather tedious and time consuming, which meant that my new kid's design has been set aside for a bit. I managed to carve out some time for it last night and got everything ready to work on the first sleeve. Sleeve knitting is also an easy project to work on while waiting on children to do their math problems, or read their stories, so I managed to get in a bit more time on it this morning. I'm loving the colors in this yarn from The Fiber Seed.

I came across Sally Clarkson last year when Ginny posted her #yarnalong featuring The LifeGiving Home, I eventually purchased a copy of that of my own shelves and loved reading it, and then re-reading it over the year (I think I might do that again this year too). She has a new book out, that she wrote with her son Nathan, Different, The Story of an Outside-the-Box Kid and the Mom Who Loved Him. I'm already half-way through this book and can't seem to put it down. It's not a how-to, quick-fix, try this method book but I am finding it invaluable, encouraging and inspiring nonetheless. It has definitely helped me to shift my focus and to think outside of the box when situations with my own children are going amiss. And it always helps to hear stories of how those children do grow up, become successful and things turn out ok. I think this one if going to be my top-recommended book of the year, but we'll see! 

I'd love to hear about what you are reading and knitting this week, so feel free to share in the comments, or link up with the SmallThings Blog!

I'll be back soon,

~Jessica