new design in the works....

Something new I'm working on -

aptly named Summer's End Mitts

as today marks the First day of Autumn 2015

what a favorite of mine -

the mitts and the season! 

these are knit using some reclaimed wool -

which is absolutely wonderful stuff -

I wish I knew what it was - it is the real deal

a bit scratchy + love the feel of the lanolin!

They may just be dunked in the 

dye bath once complete.

Silvia Shawl - Cast On TUTORIAL

I thought I'd put together a little tutorial on how to
get started on this shawl.  It is by no means difficult,
just something a bit different.  

What this cast on does is create an I-cord 

border.  I like the look of a finished

edge since most of the shawl is done in garter stitch.

You will need the pattern to follow along - 

which is available on Ravelry

or here

Silvia Shawl

Let's get started:

don't stress about your work looking very loose - 

the tension evens out when you have more

of the pattern completed.

hard to see my live stitches - but I have 3 there!

yes, I did not use any stitch markers!

Silvia Shawl Fingering weight

sample knit using 

Quince & Co, Finch 2 skeins - Aleutian colorway

Tutorial completed with 

Brown Sheep, Nature Spun Worsted - Eucalyptus colorway 

Now that's a different way to recycle!

I've been known to purchase (ok, hoard) wool and wool blend sweaters from my local thrift store to take them apart and reclaim the yarn.  Yes, it is time consuming, but the more I do it - the better + faster I am at ripping them out.  

I'm in the process of ripping this Express turtleneck cabled beauty out, when it hit me - I should totally make a hat out of that turtleneck part.  I even surprise myself sometimes with ingenious ideas.  It is a bit tight on my head, but fits my son (who is 4) perfectly.  So, I'll ripped it out to the ribbing length that I like, pick up the live stitches to knit on wards to make a really quick hat - no cast on, no ribbing, but hand-knit (well partially).

The yarn is a bit Green (with a capital G) so I may tone it down a bit by throwing it into the dye pot for an experiment.  But it is worth rescuing this yarn for it's fiber content - 40% Merino Wool, 30% Viscose, 20% Angora + 10% Cashmere - good stuff!

delightful......

what can I say....

this may just be the perfect soap!

I do not add any scent but smells especially

cinammony + minty

Bubbly fantastic - 

SoAP

A favorite

richness of pumpkin

cleansing power of bamboo activated charcoal

+ the fighting properties of tea tree oil

a perfect trio!

SoApy goodness

a new favorite of mine

with Fall in the air, this is just what my skin needs - 

Shea Butter rich creamy + dreamy

But poison ivy, Lord'll make you itch!!

As the song goes, yes it does indeed make you itch, but you do not need an ocean of Calamine lotion if you've got Jewelweed around.  

Man, this stuff really works!  I have no idea how in the world I got poison ivy - maybe from camping during Labor Day.  Why am I the only lucky one to get it?

I'm using my Jewelweed Salve about twice a day and it has stopped it from spreading, stopped the itch and seems to be calming the inflammation so it can heal.  I'm on day 2-3 and (knock on wood) it seems to be almost clear.  Now I know to always have this stuff handy!