Mood Booster!

So I checked my email tonight as I was watching my son take his very first Karate lesson and got a huge mood booster. (If you are wondering about my mood,  let's just say it has been a hellacious start to the school year and I don't know if it is going to get any better....) 


So back to the mood booster,  I opened the email from Knit Picky Patterns (All Free Knitting) and scrolled through the patterns that were featured.  None of the featured patterns were mine.  So I checked the Featured Designer of the Week (I like to see other people's ideas and patterns too)  and guess who's picture was there?

I was very happy indeed.  They also showed my Peppermint Hot CoCowl which you can link to from this blog (check the free patterns at the side).  I am hoping that this will help me stay on Cloud nine this week.  Thanks Knit Picky Patterns. 

All shook up, first day, and Irene

So yesterday I experienced an earthquake for the first time in my life. It was only 15 seconds but a scary 15 seconds. There was no damage in my area, but some of my friends in the Fredericksberg, VA area had minor damage (Knicks knacks & pictures). There was enough damage to close some schools in that area on opening day.

So tomorrow is the first day of school for us in NC. I am returning to teaching Language Arts and Social Studies after spending 3 years teaching Saxon Math. Our school is also implementing the new common core standards which seems to be a nationwide movement. I have a lot of work to do over the next few weeks which means less knitting time. :(

Finally, after the stress of getting my classroom set up, returning to teaching a subject I haven't taught in a few years, and a minor earthquake, we are also preparing for a hurricane.
Irene is scheduled to make landfall late Friday-early Saturday. School systems are already closing on the Carolina Coast. Wow! I think I am ready for Labor Day/long weekend and the kids are not back yet.

While we wait out the storm this weekend, I will post some pics of my latest knitting. (Lord willing, the creek don't rise, and the power stays on.) I finished my first Westknits pattern, a cowl, and a few more objects of late. Check back soon!

Free Pattern as Promised

As promised I have posted the pattern for the Fuzzy Braided Cable Scarf.

I am going to update it soon to include a cowl version in gray.  I got the yarn on Friday to complete this.  I also have added a new link box to the side which includes my first two patterns for sale on Ravelry.  The first is a pattern I wrote about in January, the Clydesdale Cowl.  I have included a picture of the finished project below.

It is a quick and easy knit and very dramatic worn with white as shown or a black coat.  It is also large enough to wear loose around the neck with a little drape.

The next pattern for sale is a Stole I created for a friends retirement.  She is hopefully going to get it today.  It is called the Walk on the Beach Stole.  It is also a quick and easy knit and makes great use of thick and thin yarn.

I hope you enjoy all my patterns.  I also have two being published this winter.  Love Of Knitting magazine will be publishing a men's winter set in their winter issue.  Their first issue of 2012 will feature a belt I created for spring inspired by the "distressed look" of things we consumers seem to be buying lately.    Well more about my summer adventures coming soon.  Thanks for reading.