tricks...treats...

Trick is a word with many meanings.Some imply deception;

this time it is an indirect means to gain an end.No deception here...

only an adorable Japanese pattern book and yes,you guessed it...written in Japanese.

That's the trick...getting past the "I don't understand this language" and liberating your creativeness. The trick is to rely on the skills you have,your ability to look at a picture and run with it.

In the end you will have an adorable little project,fit for an adorable little someone...

you could call it a dress, or a pinafore...a bit over over dyed lace for a flutter sleeve...

buttoned up the back...

a front pleat,and everything top stitched...

even a little pocket for some added interest...

combine that with some imported French fabric and now what do you have...yes a treat...

and before I forget...this yarn is a serious treat,like a bowl of cotton candy.

Colinette one zero...in a special color for October(breast cancer awareness month)

Whirley Fig...I love that name...now this will become a Christmas gift,so I don't want to divulge too much right now...

So I'll leave you with this:

like it says on the ribbon...

turning a square...

Okay...we all use an iron,right? Tell me why,then, I am on my 3rd Rowenta in the last 10 years-or better yet...why do I keep buying them? Yes,the are the best,yes, they press so nice,yes,they are so expensive,yes,yes,yes...but why...well,I needed a new one.... and I needed to steam block the top of this...

turn a square by the brooklyn tweed...I had a lonely skein of Annabel Fox dk donegal in navy and a lonely skein of noro without a label...so there you have it...another gift...

another hat. This pattern works up quickly...and to use the noro in this way is really such a colorful treat...to watch the colors advance...I cut out the pinks and purples in this skein to make it more suitable for a male...

but really...male or female a great pattern all in all.Now...I don't want you to think I have forgotten about my blissful sweater (in need of 2 sleeves) or my cabled cowl (1/2 completed)

It's just that I am always being summoned,

for something or other,

and I can't get back to them...

for now....

fortunate

FORTUNATE:favourable;favoured;felicitous;happy;lucky;prosperous; successful... I have been fortunate... Fortunate to have found such astonishing people in the most unlikely places... lucky to have made new friends... lucky that Nathalie found me when I was not looking, happy that Steffen wanted to trade... yes,I have been fortunate... Nathalie sent me this wonderful scarf. All the way from Belgium. Sent just because...just because I liked it... that is fortunate... Made from felted wool and woolen yarn,it is a unique,one of a kind,handmade creation. It is warm...warm from the fibers and warm from the heart with which it was given. It wraps and buttons,it makes me happy.. And I have been lucky,lucky enough to trade with Steffen for the most wonderful papers.Tags...notepads...calling cards... lucky that they are mine. Handmade and so delightful... almost to pretty to use. This is a surprise ,a project for a swap...I won't give anything away,except that well,isn't it fortunate that Erin and I are teamed up?...lucky again. And fortunate to have the most incredible readers...friends I am happy to have found.

choices~

Our lives are filled with choices. What we choose,how we choose defines our being. We can choose to do good,or not...to be honest,or not...we choose when to awaken,when to sleep...when and what to eat...we choose the jobs we want,we choose how we spend our idle time...on and on into infinity... Choices are important...like choosing the right wool , in the right color, for the right pattern. (or choosing not to lotion your hands before taking a photo)

or choosing the right pattern, for the right gift, for the right person or choosing to use your antique needles ,with this wool ,to make the most beautiful mittens. or choosing to have your Mister,choose the winner of the giveaway...this way it would be fair, without question ... So Tracy, e-mail me your address...YOU, are the winner of choice. ...thank you all-I truly wish I could send you all a huswife...I am not sure how I am going to proceed about the pattern,whether I will make it available, or sell some on Etsy...my choice right now is to keep you posted.

doubles...

double entendres...double standard...double negative...double take... double needle rolls,double huswifes ...made with cotton and linen and wool and buttons... made with warm autumn colors...to welcome the season... one for a trade... (with Stef ) one for a GIVEAWAY... leave me a comment,here on the blog and next week,I will draw a name from all the comments and announce the winner here... so leave me a comment... no double talk... oh...I made this for me...only one,no doubles... a folded heart needle keep...it opens up flat... has a pocket for herbs,lavender or whatever. Maybe I'll make a double of this sometime... but for now, go...double quick...and leave me a comment. the huswife could be yours. wouldn't that be doubly nice!