Lil' Pumpkin

 Itty Bitty Pumpkin

Isn't this the cutest Lil' Pumpkin you've ever seen?

My Little Pumpkin hat is from Itty Bitty Hats by

designer Susan B. Anderson. 

It's my favorite book for baby
and toddler hats.

Susan's hats are so cute and such easy projects. 

Her patterns are so well written, straightforward
and easy to follow. 

My Lil' Pumpkin is a last minute gift for my little neighbor Mason

who turns one years old today.

I was able to knit it up last night, in just one evening. 

(I won't tell you what time I went to bed!)

I love, love, love this hat...

and can't wait to knit more

Lil' Pumpkins!

I Love Yarn Day

 Louisa Harding Yarns

It's I Love Yarn Day!

The Craft Yarn Council of America has declared today

I Love Yarn Day!

Today is the day to show your love for yarn. 

The Craft Yarn Council is encouraging all knitters and crocheters

to knit in public, teach someone to knit, knit for charity,

wear a knitted item or

have a Yarn-a-bration Party!

Yes, I'll be celebrating and buying some new yarn today
(Louisa Harding, of course)

because I Love Yarn!

(Louisa Harding Yarn photo taken at Ramshambles...

an adorable wool shop in the Shambles, York, England.)

Jane Eyre Cuffs

 Jane's Cuffs

I recently enjoyed my very first KAL
(Knit A-Long)
on Ravelry. 

 Jane Eyre Knit-A-Long

Ravelry's Jane Eyre Group had a lovely KAL called

Tea Time on the Moors. 

Knitting, tea and Yorkshire...

why of course,

I had to get my needles out and join the fun!

 Lady Danio organized the KAL for a tea party on the Moors. 

You could knit (or crochet) tea cosies or lacy mitts

that we imagined Jane Eyre would have used with her tea basket out on the Moors.

 Plain Jane

For the KAL,
I wanted to knit something on the historical period side..
something that Jane may have actually worn. 
I chose the pattern Elm Leaves and knit lacy cuffs which I named
Jane's Cuffs. 

I broke away from my normal pretty blue colors
and knit something more dark and grey…
cuffs that perhaps Jane Eyre would have worn
wondering the Moors
or taking tea with Mr. Rochester.

I  found the perfect yarn for my project
at the Point Reyes Farmers Market
 from Mimi the owner of Windrush Farm.
The yarn is Mimi's Corriedale Cross
and is 80% wool and 20% silk.

Once completed, I thought my cuffs were a bit
"plain Jane" even for Jane Eyre. 
So, I added some pretty French lace trim in a linen color. 
I think it was a wise choice
and even gives them a more period-look. 
I think Charlotte Bronte would approve,
don't you? 

Teatime on the Moors

On September 24, 2011 the KAL projects were finished
and we had tea party on Ravelry in the Jane Eyre group.

We posted photographs of our completed project
along with having tea. 
Since Jane is from Yorkshire,
 I had  Yorkshire tea and scones at my tea party.  

The KAL was so enjoyable
and inspired me to pick up my needles in the summer when I don't knit much. 

I can't wait to do another KAL sometime again. 
Thank you Lady Danio for organizing such a fun event
 and tea party.