Tippin Cowl & Giveaway!

While summer and I will never truly be friends, for someone who is not a big fan of the heat and major sun time, I do some strange things when the thermometer climbs over 100. I really like to eat piping hot soup, drink tea, wear long pants and knit with giant piles of wool in my lap. Weird, I know. I heard someone once say, "A real knitter doesn't acknowledge the seasons when they knit" and I whole-heartedly agree with that. 500 Degrees outside? Bring on the bulky wool! Sweat trickling down your neck? Show me the worsted alpaca! I even (and here's where you'll roll your eyes) have started crocheting my holiday gifts.

With that sentiment in mind of wool knowing no temperature boundaries in my home, I reached for the super bulky with dreams of cables and coziness, despite wanting to fan my face with a nearby magazine. Introducing the Tippin Cowl, an infinity cowl that comes in 2 sizes, chock full of cables with interesting twists and turns. Shown in 2 lengths in 2 completely different yarn options, this would be an excellent stash-busting gift for the people lucky enough to make it only your holiday knitting list.

Knit up in The Lemonade Shop's Super Bulky for the long version (that gorgeous single ply really shows off those cables), and Miss Bab's K2 for the shorter version, even though it's hot out, the squishy and delightful super bulky yarn ensures a quick knit on US 10s. Starting with a provisional cast on and ending with the ends kitchenered together, YOU decide how long or short you want it (just always finish on a full rep). Go even longer than the lighter version shown and knit until you run out of yarn, or go just enough to wrap it around your neck once. Come winter (and as my fellow Game of Thrones fans know, winter is coming), you'll be patting yourself on the back for having this little beauty knit, blocked and ready-to-wear when those first few flakes start to fall (or to plop in front of the TV to watch Jon Snow come back, because you KNOW Jon Snow is coming back).

I've started color-coding all my cable charts to make them easier to read, but if you prefer, the written instructions are included as well. Call me a glutton for punishment, or call me just plain smart, but hand me the super chunky wool any day.

The Tippin Cowl is available for download here.

Now for the giveaway! Answer the following trivia question correctly and be entered in to win a copy of the Tippin Cowl pattern! A winner will be randomly chosen and contacted by me via email on Friday, July 24th. Contest open to readers worldwide:

In Game of Thrones, what are names of Daenerys' parents? 

Valar dohaeris!

Good Enough to Eat

None of my "crafty friends" do just one thing. We all knit and crochet, or we sew, embroider, make soap, tat, quilt, bake - the list is an endless one and many people do all of those things. I always like to share interesting stories or cute little things about something other than knitting every now and then here on the blog. I tend to read more in the summer and always have a pathetic bookmark - a post-it that has lost its ability to stick, a random piece of yarn that was probably part of a provisional cast on, a tiny crochet hook or a knitting pattern ("Oh, so THAT'S where my pattern went," I say every time one goes missing and I find it in a book days later). Aren't these handmade felted bookmarks adorable? Original article here.

Designer Creates Tiny Bookmarks That Look Like Your Favorite Foods 

Inspirational Gecko is the brainchild of Natural Sciences student, Francesca. She loves creating little, colorful, cute things using only felt and thread. All of her lovely creations – bookmarks, covers, key chains, brooches – are completely handmade and designed to put a smile on your face with their unique charm. Francesca’s muse is a gecko named Dorian who lives on her ceiling in her room. As Francesca studies or stitches, Dorian pops out of his burrow every so often to say hi, and give her an inspirational smile!

More info: en.dawanda.com | Etsy

Chase the Wind & Touch the Sky

When the cold wind is a'callingAnd the sky is clear and bright Misty mountains sing and beckon Lead me out into the light

[Chorus] I will ride, I will fly Chase the wind and touch the sky I will fly Chase the wind and touch the sky

Where dark roots hide secrets And mountains are fierce and bold Deep waters hold reflections Of times lost long ago

I will read every story Take hold of my own dream Be as strong as the seas are stormy And proud as an eagle's scream

And touch the sky

Chase the wind Chase the wind

Touch the sky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA9nZrhFo4U

Pixar's 2012 film, Brave is one of the lesser known films they've presented, but I've always loved the story, the rich colors and the music. My latest knitting design is inspired by the above song, Chase the Wind and Touch the Sky. I always start my workout at the gym with this song and it's an optimistic way to get myself moving, no matter how much I wish I was home knitting instead of sweating away!

Knit up in the fabulous and super soft The Lemonade Shop's Worsted Weight Yarn in Cherry Blossom, this entire shawl uses just 2 hanks and is knit on US 8s. Hand dyed in Colorado, I love the Cherry Blossom colorway since here in Washington, DC we're know for our Tidal Basin and stunning display of Cherry Blossoms in April. Starting with the lacy beaded border (beads are optional of course, but really - awesome yarn, lace AND sparkly beads? Yes, please!), the long edge is picked up and worked back and forth in German Short Rows. My favorite type of short rows, I find this particular method to be more elegant and smooth than the usual wrap and turn.

Equally beautiful knit up in a solid or semi-solid, this would be a great travel project. You only need the chart at the beginning for the border, then the body and short rows become second nature.

Chase the Wind & Touch the Sky is available for download here.

Josephine

We attended a wedding on Saturday, dear readers. It was one of those fantastic weddings that was very low-key, the food was catered by a taco truck, we played corn hole and talked by the glow of paper bag lanterns. The couple reminded me of my husband and I getting married 9 years ago and it was a joyous occasion. I was floored by the response from my "Courage" post last week (read it here if you missed it), getting scores of personal emails from strangers, texts and calls from friends and family and public responses here on the blog. We all have something we wish we had the courage to do and the idea behind the courage wall resonates with everyone, no matter what your age, gender, religion or background. I got one step closer to my dream of playing the violin when we got home from the wedding very on late Saturday night.

We pulled into the driveway, feet hurting and tired and the first thing I noticed was a big black box leaning against our front door. My first thought was, "Is that a violin case? Did someone leave it here by mistake?" My second thought was, "Is that for me?!" I ran up to the stoop and ripped open the card taped to our door.

Readers, meet Josephine. Josephine belonged to a very dear friend who is one of the best souls I'll ever have the privilege of knowing, who read my post and was thoughtful enough, kind enough and amazing enough to pass her on to me. There's a handful of people in my life that have done incredible things for me - my parents, my first grade teacher Mrs. Horsefield, my husband, my son and a few special friends that have been there for me through thick and thin and Rachel is one of those people. A friend is someone who is not only there to laugh with you and calm your fears in dark times, but someone who puts aside their own life to hang out and knit with you at the local cafe, answer every text and email, watch your kid in a pinch, model for your knitting photos constantly and who most importantly, helps you reach your goals.

After reading the card and promptly bursting into tears on the front stoop, my tarnished old dream of playing the violin is looking shiny and new. You'll learn more about my knitting model and friend Rachel in a future post, but Rachel - dear friend, I will never be able to thank you enough for quietly and gently pushing me into the world of music and bringing my closer to my dream. You, my friend, are nothing but class and wonder.

I hope that Rachel made you realize that maybe you can help someone reach their goal. Sometimes it's just an email of encouragement, a cup of coffee with a note, a violin to pass on, a private knitting lesson, or a long conversation where you simply listen and offer advice. I fully intend to pay it forward and help someone else reach for their personal star and embrace their inner courage.

Josephine, we have work to do.