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.

Fog

At last the Fog pattern that I had begun so many months ago is here! The beret itself has been completed for quite some time but the pattern had been on my back burner throughout our hectic move and a number of life changes...but it is finally ready to be released!

Fog is a classic beret using basic crochet stitches. I learned to crochet long before I had the patience for knitting and although it is not a medium I work in much anymore I still enjoy the ease and portability of crochet. And unlike knitting, I love ripping out stitches in crochet!

The Fog pattern is very simple, employing a basic set of increases and decreases to create the shape and the brim's subtle spiral design. But this pattern can be a challenge, especially for those of us out of practice with a crochet hook. I have included special instructions for using plenty of stitch markers to keep track of your shaping stitches. Don't skimp on the markers and you will have a much easier time ensuring that you have created the correct number of stitches throughout. 

Please enjoy the pattern for Fog!

Click here for Fog Beret PDF

This is my first pattern released to the needlecraft community and I welcome your feedback!

Leave a comment, send me a Ravelry message, or shoot me an email.  

And if make up a Fog beret post a shot on Instagram and tag me @lakesideneedleworks

Beginning my Hayward Sweater

The pattern for Julie Hoover's Hayward pullover has been in my back log of things to knit since it came out in Brooklyn Tweed's Fall 2012 Collection. It took me three swatches on three different needles to match the working gauge but I finally had success with a pair of strait bamboo needles. Phew!

PHOTO: Brooklyn Tweed, Fall 2012 Collection

It is knitting up surprisingly fast considering the delicate weight of the Loft yarn. I love the simple, modern shapes of Julie Hoover's designs and I have been looking forward to knitting this Hayward sweater for a quite a while.

A Winter Walk with Unfinished Mittens

The name of this blog was inspired by the tremendous amount of formative knitting and sewing experiences that have occurred for me on the banks of Lake Michigan. The shores of this great lake were where I found both my craft and myself many times over. I can think of very few things I love better than looking out at the water with a cup of coffee in my hand and a project in my lap, so when Nick and I found this coop unit right on the beach in the northern part of Chicago I knew it was the place I wanted to live. 

Though the snow was coming down hard and fast last week, I was still eager to get out to the water. I grabbed my newly finished Star Mittens (though the many loose ends were still...well...loose) and our new camera and walked out the front door.

I still can't believe I get to live this close to the water! 

Sweater Patterns for Chilly Days

It feels like forever since I have had a chance to do any blogging. 

Nick and I have finally moved into our new home! After a long wait for all of the necessary pieces to fall into place we closed on our Coop unit and moved in the day after New Year's!

Although we are working to get things unpacked there is an extensive amount of painting to do and repairs to accomplish so it may be a while before I have time for needle projects again. In the meantime I have some new vintage patterns to moon over.

I found The Woman's Day Book of Knitted Sweaters at a thrift shop a few months ago. First published in 1970 and updated every year, this collection has plenty of patterns for sassy, glittering, acrylic, disco era items but there are more than a few classics and some really interesting lady-like blouse patterns that pique my attention.

This week I thought I would focus on a few of the patterns for classic cardigans in tweedy, cozy-looking wool yarns since the bitter cold of January is at full force around here. The double breasted man's cardigan is calling my name... 

This sweater is so lovely and simple. The perfect fall staple.

PDF

I love the chunky, super warm look of this marled jacket! Knit with four strands of yarn at once, this would knit up sooo fast! I would knit this in lighter colors for those chilly, early days of Spring.

The pattern includes the vest and beret pictured on the model; in case you are into the full, three-piece matching set look!

PDF

My favorite! I am a sucker for a double breasted cardigan and especially one as grandpa-tastic and this one! I think I would add a slim cable on the outer edges of the moss stitch panel just to bring a little more attention to the design.
PDF

If you knit any of these awesome sweaters don't forget to snap a picture and tag @lakesideneedleworks or add #lakesideneedleworks to your post on Instagram!
Looking forward to seeing these cozy cardigans come to life!