Harvest Shawlette and Other Easy Autumn Crafts ~

It's always important to learn new techniques and knit things that challenge you but sometimes it's also nice to just knit something familiar, easy and stress free. And that's the inspiration for this Harvest Shawlette that I'm wearing which is my pattern for a single skein simple shawlette. I can hardly claim much originality as it's more a compilation of my favorite shawl techniques learned from years of knitting shawls along with a bit of my own originality thrown in. Nonetheless I have written the pattern out and provided a free pattern pdf download for those interested.

The pendulum does swing. Recently I've knit a number of long skinny scarfs that are all the rage along with color block, stripes and modular shaped shawls, but I was feeling more in a traditional mood given that this is a time of year when one thinks of home and hearth. So this shawl is a triangle shape as they have been knit through the ages.

And before I forget!!! I really really love the yarn I used for this project and I have to thank Andi a fun blogger, prolific knitter, and great source for inspiration who writes the blog mysistersknitter because it was she who turned me on to Spinning Fates an indy yarn seller. The yarn I used is called solar flare and has fun flecks of metallic threads that twinkle in the light adding a festive feel and although this colorway has a distinctly Halloween feel I think it can be worn through Thanksgiving. That is if you don't mind being slightly off on your seasons, which I don't, and given my proclivity to wear Gothic style shawls can hardly be surprising.

Particulars: Harvest Shawlette free pattern download; 1 Skein Aurora (440 yrds) by Spinning Fates (colorway Solar Flare); US 5 circular needles. This is an extremely simple pattern and is well suited to strongly variegated yarn but might also look nice with a solid color and contrasting border. It is a true "shawlette" so please consider the finished size 46" x 16" (post blocking - merino wool will not hold a block well - and if you use a yarn that does hold a block it will result in a slightly larger version) when deciding whether 1 skein will be large enough or if you need to use two skeins and make a larger version.

Simple Autumn Craft

I always enjoy crafting at this time of year and it's an added bonus to create something that you can actually use. This year I decided to do away with those annoying half used coffee bean packages. My crafty solution was a mere $2.50 investment in a photographer's print (2.5" x 3.5") and an empty glass jar. I simply glued the print on and sealed the surface using modge podge and was delighted with the result And I was feeling very crafty and frugal until my Flickr buddy Michelle (who takes wonderful scenic photographs) pointed out that I could have used one of my own prints for a mere .41 cents. Oh well! I still would have chosen this cute Halloween witch that I purchased on Etsy from ElaineCoxArt!

Fun with Photography ~

Everyone has a camera these days and if you are looking for ideas to practice your photography look no further than your own back yard. It takes patience but it's very relaxing to sit and watch for birds and with a little luck they will come and sit still long enough for you to take their picture. This is a warbler which is a very common bird where I live in the Santa Monica Mountains. There are some UCLA Professors who periodically come to my neighborhood to record the Warbler's song with the hope of learning their language. I told them that if the birds are saying anything unflattering about me to keep it to themselves.

Until next time, be well and love well and remember this holiday season that it is the simple things such as sharing meals with family and friends that make this time of year so special.