Faye Louise

On July 28th Nick and I welcomed our darling Faye Louise into the world. Labor was the most difficult experience of my life but the moment of seeing my child for the first time and holding her in my arms was pure magic.

at 3 weeks old 

Before her birth people kept telling me that I would feel "a love like non other" for the life I had created. I thought I had understood their words but I had missed the point entirely. What I expected to feel was an overwhelming LOVE, but love in the way I had always known it. Love with my self as the central reference point; "I love this person because I feel like {this} when I am with them" or "I love this person because of who they are and the experience we have shared."  That did not happen. When I looked down at the top of her wet little head all covered in very unexpected brown hair I felt something else entirely, a sensation so alien that it was like "non other." I was drawn to her like a magnet. Wherever she went my eyes, my awareness, my heart followed, tethered to her beyond rationality. It truly was a love like I had never known and had no context for. Even now I am lost to describe its power.

So I hope you will pardon my absence from blogging these last many months. I have been taking time to get to know my daughter, and mount a new project. I have been able to keep up to date with my Instagram feed so please head on over! @lakesideneedleworks

Small Beginnings

Since moving to our new home at the lake things have been a bit of a jumble, to say the least. There has been so much painting and shuffling of boxes over these last months that it has been hard to settle down and be creative, let alone photograph those moments... Sweaters are all knit but unfinished, sewn baby clothes are hanging up waiting for their button holes and snaps, new fabric is washed and folded, waiting to fulfill the purpose for which it was purchased.

At least my little corner of sewing happiness is starting to take shape. Tucked away next to the kitchen and across from our enormous dining table, my sewing machine and supplies have finally found a home in our home! It is never easy finding a good spot for my old iron lady.

The flowers were a bouquet of local blooms, a gift for my husband on our anniversary and they smelled heavenly.

One Sweet Year

Yesterday I had the pleasure of celebrating one wonderful year of marriage with my partner Nick. It has been an amazing adventure. This year we made it through the chaos of new jobs for both of us, buying our first home, and the joy of expecting our first child. In two months we will be parents and the adventures will continue! I can't wait to see what this year ahead will bring.

love.

Photos by Eva Deitch. Thank you Eva for these amazing shots!

Beautiful Old Socks

On a trip to the antique market down the street from me I stumbled on this pair of beautiful old socks. Dyed by hand in a palate of greens, lavenders and rusty pinks, the label from the vendor simply read "antique socks from Asia." They were so lovingly and laboriously made that I took them home to admire. This kind of craftsmanship is so inspiring to me.

A view from the inside. 

And just because I had to try them on at least once...

so cozy. I don't think I could ever bare to try and recreate these in earnest since whatever yarn I found could never compare to the natural variation of color and texture present in these originals but next winter I might play around with recreating the shape of these beautiful socks since the moment I put them on they were the most comfortable, comforting house socks one could ever ask for. Perfect for a chilly night of puttering around.  

Delphinium

After the long months indoors, the little hints that Spring weather is around the corner are deeply felt. These delphinium, with their blue and white water colored petals were so beautiful when I brought them home the other day I couldn't resist taking a few pictures.

Seed Stitch Coasters

In an effort to do some stash busting and preserve the finicky finish on our coffee table I endeavored upon some simple seed stitch coasters, thanks to this lovely little pattern from Bapsicrafts. 

I had some ancient cotton rug yarn, picked up in a bag of miscellaneous craft notions at a thrift store, and a little ball of grey fingering weight wool. Together they knit a pleasing marled effect and I made them extra big for the needs of the occasional bowl of hot soup!

The "To Knit" List : Cabinfour's shawls and socks

I have too many projects and project idea swatches on my needles these days but it doesn't stop me from pining for those patterns that I wish I could make time for. So I've decided to start a "To Knit" thread here on Lakeside Needleworks in order to share the patterns that inspire me and push me to knit just a little faster in hopes that I will find the time.

First up is the plethora of amazing shawl and sock patterns from Cabinfour!

I am in love with all of these patterns. They somehow manage to be both rustic and delicate at the same time. The Farmhouse shawl is absolutely my favorite...perhaps when my Hayward sweater is complete...

Clockwise from upper left:

Farmhouse: Knit in worsted weight with Brooklyn Tweed's Shelter in Fossil and Woodsmoke.

Camping: Knit in sport weight with De Rerum Natura's Ulysse.

Wapiti: Knit in fingering weight with Lakes Yarn and Fiber's Single Fingering.

Irish Oats: Knit in sport weight with Quince and Co's Chickadee.