Resilient Knitter: September 2011

Frogging

No knitting to share this week, just a lot of frogging, prompted by a work basket full of failed design attempts and a few sweaters that I started when my niece was born. Hahem, she's a year old now. Fortunately, I'm sure to find some inspiration from all the lovelies over and Ginny's Yarn Along! I've also started Great Expectations this last week. I adore Dickens.

{and speaking of frogging... click on over for your chance to win my Frog and Toad hand dyed yarn along with a knitting pattern of your choice!}

What's in your work basket this week?

~Giveaway~

Woo Hoo! Tell all your friends we're celebrating our 500th sale with a giveaway!

Prize: One lucky winner will receive a skein of Frog and Toad Worsted Weight Wool Yarn {220 yards Base: Peruvian Highland Wool} along with one knitting pattern from my shop!

Enter to win by leaving a comment below. Gain additional entries in the following ways, but make sure to leave a comment for each additional entry. {Also, make sure I have a way to reach you if you win!}

*Visit the shop and let us know your favorite item

*Add TheSittingTree to your blog roll

*Like TheSittingTree on Facebook

*Share the giveaway on Facebook

*Tweet the giveaway

*Share the giveaway on your blog

All comments will be closed next Sunday {October 2nd} at 10p.m. A winner will be picked via Random Generator!

~*Thanks so much for participating*~

family life , knitting

Wildflowers and Wool

We were all a little bit under the weather yesterday. Not so much as to lay in bed all day, but enough that we didn't want to spread our germs with friends. Instead, we opted for an impromptu road trip and picnic at a favorite county park. The agenda: wildflowers and wool {and a few acorns, too}.

{This is what happens when woolly children run through wildflowers. What's the secret to removing stickers, you ask? Lots and lots of patience.}

As you can see, I'm still working on the blue cowl. I tried it on and couldn't fit it over my head, so I had to rip it out and start over. No worries though, it's a quick knit and the occasional cable keeps it from being a brainless bore!

What's going on in your neck of the woods this weekend?

photography

{this moment}

Inspired by soulemama: {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

{Photo by Cole}

*~Wishing you a bountiful weekend~*

{p.s. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for all your support over the last two years. Last night my Etsy shop hit 500 sales and I am so grateful beyond words to be living my passion and spending every day doing exactly what I love! To show my appreciation, I'm having a giveaway here on Sunday so I'd love it if you stopped in to say hi!}

family life , knitting

Wandering

Wandering through the woods

And down the trail

To sit

And knit

In the sun

While watching the boys dance in the grass

And listening to the leaves rustle in the breeze, as if fall is on it's way.

{All photos by Cole}

Where have you been wandering this week?

{p.s. If you're in need of some knitting inspiration, wander over to Ginny and visit her Yarn Along}

hand dyeing

Hand Dyed Sheet Felt

Limited edition of upcycled felt crowns and wands on the way, just in time for Halloween!

simplify

Simplify {again}

I can't help but feel that my need to de~clutter and simplify seems to ebb and flow with the transitions of the seasons. Sometimes things just need a little rearranging and sometimes things just need to be let go. Does this happen to you too?

Please be patient with me while I do a little sprucing up over the next few days and try out some new layout ideas {things may appear a bit wonky}. I'm hoping to make it easier for you to navigate and I'm really excited to add my knitting patterns for instant download {No Etsy or Ravelry account needed}!!

Also, I'd love for you to pop in and let me know what you think! Wishing you a simple, happy weekend~

knitting , tutorial

Tubular Cast On

Last week at coffee, my friend showed me how to do tubular cast on, a new ribbing cast on that I'm now in LOVE with. Although it takes a bit more effort, it leaves a professional finished edge and it stretches indefinitely! No more of the dreaded, "Will my cast on stretch around the toddler's head??" {You know you've been there!} I tried to make a video to show you this, but let's just say my video taping skills are vastly inferior to my knitting skills. I took out the white flag and surrendered. Photos are helpful too, so here we go...

First, with some waste yarn of the same weight, cast on half the number of stitches + 1 stitch. Knit in stockinette stitch for 4 rows. {If you're knitting in the round, just cast on half the number of stitches}

Next, with your project color; purl one row, knit one row, purl one row, knit one row.

{If knitting in the round, join and knit four rounds}

Now, you see those little green purl blips on the backside of your work? You are going to be working into those stitches to form a rolled over or tubular edge. Amazing, I know.

Purl the first stitch, then lift the first purl blip and knit into it: see photo below. {For working in the round; knit the first stitch and purl the lifted stitch} Do this all the way across and you should end up with a 1x1 ribbing in the actual number of stitched needed to cast on.

The waste yarn can now be removed by picking out the rows. {And no the stitches won't all fall out. My friend said so. I secretly didn't believe her, but it's true.}

And here's what it looks like up close. A nice rolled, seamless finished edge.

Go ahead and try it! Besides, if you have any questions, just ask and I'll do my best to help out.

Also, don't forget to join in with Ginny over at her Yarn Along. I'm sure you can find lots of inspiration for your new found knitting skill!

cooking , gardening

Domesticated Bliss

I'm steeped in the abundance of domesticated bliss going on around our house this weekend. I swear to you, there's nothing quite so satisfying as planting little tiny seeds in the middle of winter, watching them grow into strong, vibrant seedlings, nurturing them through the spring and then reaping the benefits from their ripened fruit.

This holiday weekend we didn't go camping but instead stayed home with our tomatoes. Eating handfuls of Mexican Cherries like candy, picking ripe fruits, remembering those early growth days, eating some more, cooking, blanching, chopping, canning, and yes; eating homemade spaghetti sauce for dinner.

Here's our favorite recipe for made~from~scratch Spaghetti Sauce:

1 gallon pail full of tomatoes

2 C. chopped green peppers

2 C. chopped onions

1 T. dried oregano

1 T. dried basil

1 T. minced garlic

1 t. salt

1 t. pepper

1 bay leaf

1 t. vinegar

Prepare your tomatoes according to your favorite method.

With a few tablespoons of olive oil and a large kettle, cook the peppers, onions, and garlic until tender. Add your tomatoes and all other ingredients.

Cook for about an hour on medium - high heat.

Preserve according to your favorite method.

{makes 4 pints}