my jose hood

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The Jose Hood.  Sure to get a lot of use this winter and I can't wait!  Rumor has it, we will be getting a lot of snow this winter!  BRING IT!
 
I purchased this yarn while traveling in France last March.  I found the most lovely yarn shop in Bordeaux who talked me into purchasing yarn for two wonderful knits.  This and another I will share soon.  This was a wonderful travel project as it is knit in all garter.  Perfect for bopping around and picking up and putting down the needles.  I love it so much I am considering making a second!
The attached i cord and i cord bind off use a lot of yarn so proceed to those steps with enough yarn!

Pattern:  My Jose Hood
Yarn:  Pascuali Cashmere Charis  5 skeins
Needles:  US 8/ 5 mm
Mods: None really... However if I knit another one:  

From a friend (thank you Vivian) who suggested perhaps you want to knit the i-cord edge as you go...

* Knit to last 3 sts on every row
* bring yarn forward
*slip those 3 stitches purl wise
*turn your work and knit the first 3 sts on new row.


I spoke all about the making of this in Episode 65:
https://youtu.be/yZPYSCMfXCg
Purchased:  

aureliano

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 It's September!  The 12th to be exact!

Just arrived home from a wonderful few days spent with my sisters.  Feeling so very blessed.

I realized I never added my Aureliano (as well as a few other knits) to this space.  

SO looking forward to some cooler days to wear this beauty.  Honestly, it feels like a cloud.  The yarn was a complete dream to work with!

Pattern:  Aureliano by Claudia Quintanilla 

Yarn: ITO Sansei 60% super kid mohair, 40% silk

Needle:  US 4/3.5mm

Mods:  none.

I spoke all about it on Episode 64

a very sweet baby knit

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Lemon yellow. Probably my favorite yellow in all the world. It just screams happy, cheerful, full of life!


I mean lemon adds flavor!   It adds a lovely appearance to any dish or drink.  It just seems to be the perfect companion.   If I were to be a food, I would definitely want to be a lemon!  
As I was searching for a toddler pattern, I found this on Etsy.  Something classic.  Perfect for a 2 year old! 
I made the size 3-4 year hoping she will be able to wear it for a couple of years.  
Knitting sleeves two at a time in order to keep them even was very helpful.  A little bit of yarn management but well worth it!  

The yarn was in my stash from a knit crate I received years ago.  I had two skeins.  584 yards in total.  Not enough for an adult sweater but perfect for a childs sweater.  Or so I thought!  I ended up playing a bit of yarn chicken however, was able to finish with a few yards to spare!  
Choosing buttons is always something I like to do.  And made even more fun with the challenge of using what I have.

I ended up narrowing it down to a few and asking advice on Instagram.  Mismatched flowers won the vote!    And added so much LIFE to this sweater!  

The sweater is blocked.  The name tag and buttons are sewn in place.    I can't wait to wrap and gift this!

Pattern:  Sirdar 
Yarn:  Knitcrate Vidalana Lofti DK  584 yards in Daffodil  
Needles:  US 6/ 4mm 
Size:  3-4 year
Mods: none 

hello august!

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I literally used to blame being so busy on my kids. And their schedules that kept me on my toes.  However, life has shifted and I feel that I am busier than ever.  Or certainly as busy as I was when they were young!  

I started the Freestyle Shirt on May 25.  I finished it on June 26.  It is August 4 (my eleven year wedding anniversary!) and I am just posting this!  Holy cow!
 
I can honestly say that I will only knit with black yarn during the summer months.  When the light is bright and long.  And, preferably when I am outside!  
I had been wanting to knit this sweater since last summer when it was released.  So grateful I finally did!
The neck detail is my favorite.  It reminds me of the raw edge of a sweatshirt neckband.

Pattern:  Freestyle Shirt
Yarn:  Onling no. 21  Holding two strands together.  12 balls black.
Needles:  US 5/3.75 mm
Size:  Small  (124 st cast on)
Mods:  Long sleeve instead of short!  The fabric is a bit heavy to be a short sleeve.  So, I made it long sleeve!  And I do believe it was a wise decision.  It's like a sweatshirt and I have been wearing it so much!  I LOVE it!


the colors of tahoe

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We spent the last part of June on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe.  June just happens to be one of my favorite times there.  The air is crisp in the mornings and the evenings.  The afternoons are warm but not too warm.  The colors are vibrant.  And, the crowds are low! 
I finished my Free Style Tee (photos coming soon!) and Easy Ruffle Socks while there.  The hat I packed was my Oslo hat.  I thought it would be perfect for early morning hikes and swims.  (The water is 57°, too cold for me to swim for exercise but still cold enough for cold plunging. )

I waited until the last morning to snap some photos and was so very grateful that Liesl agreed to wake at 7am to be my model.  
Pattern:  Ultra Easy Ruffle Socks by Easy as Knit
Yarn: Artisan Yarns Sockpaca Fingering Weight held double (wool, alpaca, nylon)
Needle: US5/ 3.75mm
Size: M  Cast on 40 sts
Mods:  none
Pattern:  Oslo Hat
Yarn:  Rico Socks neon, color 005 held with Rico Essentials, color 062
Needle:  Us 3/3.5mm
Size: Cast on 108st 
Mods: none
I did not plan to match the colors of Tahoe.  But was so pleased while looking at my camera roll and noticing the colors of my knits matched the scenery.  

CMC Sweater

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 I love a quick knit.  And I love a quick knit that fits right into my wardrobe.  As a matter of fact, I'm not sure how I ever lived without a pale pink sweater in my wardrobe!
I spoke all about this on my latest podcast.  

You can find that here.

Pattern:  CMC Sweater
Yarn:  Blue Sky Fibers Extra  5 skeins.  (I think I could have gotten by with 4 skeins.) Color 3513
Needle Size: US 9/5.5 mm
Size: Small
Modifications:  I made the neckline a crew by knitting for 1 inch instead of 4 inches.  I also continued the pattern that runs down the sides so that it also runs down the inside of the sleeve.  

Hello Friend!

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 Hello Friends!  WOW!  It's been a minute!

It has been almost a year since I have visited this space.  However, I just blew the dust off and plan on being here a little more this year.  I have missed you!  

The big news last year was that I took a class from Clare at Sister Mountain and I wrote my first true garment pattern!  I have written patterns in the past, but have never graded one for 9 sizes.  It was a bit of a learning curve for me and I couldn't love and be more proud of the work I put into writing this pattern.  
It's called Hello Friend!  

It's basic.  It's simple.  It's for beginners.  It's for advanced.  It's to wear alone.  It's to wear over a blouse, or a t-shirt or a turtleneck.  It's to wear under a sweater.  It's to wear under a blazer.  It's to wear under a jacket.  

If you a new knitter, I have put together a YouTube Tutorial to help you.  And I knit right along with you.
If you are an advanced knitter maybe you will learn a new technique.  Either way I hope you feel as if you are knitting with a friend.

And, if you are still reading this blog, THANK YOU!  I'd like to offer you a pattern at half off.  Please enter the code HELLOFRIEND to download your pattern on Ravelry.    

I hope you are having a lovely start to your year and you have something you love on your needles!

See you soon!  xx, leslie

Per Lei Schel

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You can't really tell from this photo, but this scarf is loooooonggggg. And super cozy and squishy and cool! While in Berlin in December Steve fell in love with a gorgeous scarf in the most beautiful yarn shop.
Although, the sample scarf was knit in a bulky yarn.  Steve requested something softer.  Cashmere?  Well, yes.  That will do!  


Pattern:  Per Lei Schel  (Free pattern on Ravelry.)
Needles:  US11/8mm
Yarn:  Lang Cashmere Light, 6 skeins.  88% cashmere, 12% nylon
Mods:  I followed the pattern, however, only used 3 colors.  I knit each ball until the end and changed colors when I completed 2 balls of color.  

this and that

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Spending the week out in Lake Tahoe and it's been very very relaxing! 
I started this pair of socks the day before we left and finished them up 2 days later. Such a rewarding knit! I'm not a huge sock knitter. I just don't find them fun to make and when I put on a shoe while wearing them, I can feel every stitch on the bottom of my foot! (Although, I have never tried cashmere!)

When I saw this pattern I thought a home sock is something I can get behind!  And these totally fit the bill.   I dug through my stash and found some Quince & Co from an earlier project.  I grabbed my needles and cast on.  They were not only fun to knit but they are fun to wear.  They are super cozy!  

Patttern:  Sunday Socks by Petite Knit
Yarn:  Quince & Co Owl 
Needle:  US 6/4.0mm
Size:  I made the 6.5"-7.5" and wear a size 8 shoe.  

My favorite Tahoe winter activity! (Instead of skiing!) Water temp 40º Land 41º.
In other news...

I made my 2024 calendar right before we left.  
I choose a knit from the month the previous year and use it for this years month photo.  It reminds me of past time and knits and what I was working on during that month last year.  This is my 4th or 5th year doing this and it brings me such joy!

Happy weekend, friends!  

warm friend - a hot water bottle pattern

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A Hot water bottle is one of those things that just adds a little something special to the day!  It is amazing how much it can warm you up and when kept in the bed all night (I scoot it away from us but keep it under the blankets) seems to keep the bed at a nice temperature during those freezing nights.  A true quiet luxury.  

Cast on for this today and you will be sleeping with a Warm Friend tonight!  

Pattern:  Warm Friend 
Yarn:  Hue + Me by Lion Brand
Needles:  US 11/ 8mm

Hot Water Bottle from Amazon (affiliate link):  

We woke up to snow and it is lovely!  Happy weekend friends!

 

the Fancy

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It's my first sweater of the year and I am so happy it came at the coldest time of the year.  With snow on the ground it is Winter White at it's finest!

This was my Christmas cast on, however, I cast on December 26th.  Originally, I had other plans for this yarn but, wow, it decided to be HUGE so Plan B was made.  
 
Since I had already made a Fancy out of Big Birdie, I knew it was the perfect combination of yarn and pattern.  Thanks to my friend, Margaret, I acquired a ball of MYPZ kidsilk Mohair to add a little bit of detail.  It's hard to tell from the photos, but it is a deep, rich plum and it is delicious!  

I added it to the inside of the neckline as well as the edge of the sleeve cuffs.  

Project:  Fancy by The Lamb and Kid
Needles:  US 9/5.5mm US 7/4.5 mm
Yarn:  4 skeins Big Birdie in Oats
Size:  2 (84 Cast On)
Mods:  The only modification was using the contrasting color on the neckline and sleeve cuffs.  

happy 2024

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Well, hello!
That holiday season pretty much flew by... and so did that year!  And we are already 5 days into 2024!
Since New Years Day, we've taken down Christmas, I started to swim again, I haven't eaten anything processed, I wrote up a pattern for a hot water bottle, spent a lot of time with Libby, started a scarf for Steve and ripped out my Violeta Pullover!  It's been a lovely 5 days!

I also filmed a few things. 
 On instagram, I put together a quick try on session of all the knits I knit in 2023.  Well, most of them anyhow.  I must have made 12 Friend to Friends that didn't go into the pile.  And, a pop-life cardigan for my sister, Lisa.  That video is here.  
I also uploaded a video of some of the places we traveled in 2023.  I left out Seattle, Orcas Island, Bainbridge Island, Rochester, NY,  Lancaster PA and Philadelphia PA.  Going to try a little harder this year on remembering to film the clip wherever we go!  The places you go (and knit) video can be found here.  
And then I filmed a YouTube where I did a quick show and tell of the same 2023 knits.  That video can be found here.  

This is Violeta.  Isn't she a beauty?!  I have loved working on this.  But that sweet piece of fabric is no longer in existence as I ripped it out because of something I forgot to do.  I should have been adding cables in that stockinette section.  That's what happens when you don't read the entire pattern.  (Note to self!)  That's okay.  The pattern has fully clicked in my brain and I know exactly where I am going now.

If you would like the pattern, it is on sale until the end of January.  Half off!  There is also a KAL going on... the only thing you need to do is start a project page on ravelry.  They are giving away great prizes!
Enter code leslievioleta at checkout.  

Happy New Year Friends!  Here's to you and your crafty endeavors!  I hope your fingers take you to projects and yarns that make you feel incredible in yourself. 

xx, leslie

Antique Flora

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 I finished it for Rhinebeck!  And wore it along with 4 other friends who wore one also!  All in different color ways.  It was a Sea of Antique Flora's.  More on that soon.

Pattern:  Antique Flora by Wool & Pine Designs

Yarn:  SkeinCocaine (Kits coming soon)

Needle:  US 4 cuffs, US 7 (color work)  US 6 body

corran cardigan

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This knit was finished back in June however, I just took photos of it last week! 

Why?  Well, there were several reasons.  First, I couldn't decide on the buttons.  And then, once I decided, I changed my mind and decided I didn't want buttons after all.  So, I sewed the buttonholes closed.  
Then, whenever I tried to wear it, it just wasn't right.  I couldn't find the right outfit.  This came mostly because although it is a mesh fabric, it still was a little too warm for a summer knit.  
And then the weather shifted.  And something magical happened.  The fabric became just right.  Just the right amount of warmth on those crisp days.  

 And now?  Now I think I might want buttons again.  Ha!  But since I have closed up the buttonholes, I may just sew some on for the days I want to wear it closed.  That way, when I want to wear it open I can just easily remove the buttons.  

Jeez.  I never knew I would have so many indecisive thoughts about my Corran Cardigan!  

Pattern:  Corran Cardigan by Creabea
Yarn:  Onling No. 1
Size:  2
Needle Size:  US 6/ US 8
Mods:  The pattern has several options.  You can make a V neck cardigan or a crew neck cardigan.  You can make a short sleeve cardigan or a long sleeve.  I made a v neck cardigan and added 4" to the short sleeve option to make the sleeves longer.  

everyday attitude

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This sweater has truly been my end of summer love. I just love a super wearable wardrobe essential! This truly checked all of my boxes.
I had some stash yarn I had in mind right from the start.  Yarn I ordered from Purl Soho last year during one of their summer sales.  Unfortunately, the yarn was being discontinued and was a close out sale.  Ugh.  

I found this yarn to be lovely.  I used it for my Never Ending Story Sweater and it has worn so beautifully.  Not to mention it feels wonderful on my skin.  So, I was pretty bummed upon learning that it would be discontinued.    
The pattern had a few details that I absolutely adored.  That side seam up there is one of them.  Wow!  What a perfect way to bring together the side seam of striping!  Especially since this sweater is knit in garter.  I just love the texture with the lines...
And the chevron shoulder couldn't be more perfect!

Pattern:  Everyday Attitude by Susanne Sommer
Yarn:  Buttercup Cotton by Purl Soho (Discontinued)
Needle:  US 3
Size:  3 but measures a size 2
Mods: Well, since I was changing yarn I had to do a gauge and figure out what size would give me the measurements I wanted the finished object.  My stitch count was 26 st = 4".

Esmeralda Sweater

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 Can you feel it?  The chilly mornings, the crispness in the air, the smell of the leaves?  It's coming.  And it is my favorite time of the year.  FALL!  I absolutely adore this time of year.  And the prospect of donning the hand knits once again.


Esmeralda came off of my needles back in June.  It's one of the yummiest sweaters I have ever knit.  Squishy yarn + a simple design is sure to be a sweater I will wear a lot and for a very long time.  Just a true classic.  I can't wait to wear this!  

Pattern:  Esmeralda 
Yarn: Onling No. 10 (silk mohair) held with Onling No. 20 (shetland wool)
Size: 2
Needles:  US 6/ US 8
Mods:  I made the body a little shorter.

friend to friend

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Have you made a Friend to Friend yet?

Honestly one of the most rewarding knits!  Not only to knit but to wear! 
I spent about a week at my sisters house in Orient, New York at the end of June.  While there, I decided she needed a Friend to Friend as it would be perfect for her mediation practice.  She decided she needed two!  
She is going to have to wait for her second one as my list is long.  I have a growing queue of these fun knits!

I have made 8 so far and now have 6 in the queue.  But they are so easy and fast that as soon as I cast off, I cast back on for a new one!  I actually finished one in Belini today (pictured in rear) and will be casting on for one in Magic Hour this evening!   It's one of those knits that can definitely be made in a weekend.  It's affordable and machine washable.  I throw it in the dryer, too!  Perfect for gift knitting!  


Pattern:  Friend to Friend
Needles:  US 11

Happy Weekend friends!