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.