Oh the ever inevitable blog hiatus.

Friends and knitters, life throws us curve balls, hail storms and road blocks. In this year of 2014 I think I got thrown all three (and MORE).

It all started in January when my son experienced a very long hospital stay. Things had been fishy from the time he was born. There were moments when he wasn't himself and no doctor could exactly tell me why. We had two shorter hospital stays which resulted in diagnoses of reflux or migrane headaches. In wasn't until after that last major hospital stay he was finally diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood. It's one of those, "Wait, that exists?" type of things. You can read more of that story on the Cure AHC website. To say it was a blow to me in every way is an understatement.

Despite my ever positivity on the matter, the anxiety and stress of that dianosis sucked every creative juice from my body. In fact I am a surprised I got my part of the From Mama,With Love out the door but I had such a wonderful support group in the other designers that it wasn't as hard as it could have been. I even squeeked out a project for Knit Collage in there (more at another time!). But honestly, overall I didn't feel like knitting a single stitch… and that lasted for a long time.

Since then, I've slowly been coming out of my creative fog. I started a new pattern (my own) and a new simple yet beautiful project from Carrie Bostick Hoge, her cardigan/shrug - Maeve. The simple stockinette and garter stitches of that pattern have been a lifesaver – slowly knitting me back to my former self.

Of course, just when things are getting good they get a little bit crazier…

Soon after we learned of James diagnosis we found out that we were expecting another baby!! A bit of a surprise but one we are so thankful for. As James grows and explores his world we are so grateful that he'll have a best friend along for the crazy ride. While I am speeding closer to my due date, I am still not over the fact that I am going to have TWO children at year's end but I am beyond excited.

Finally, perhaps the best piece to my return to form is that we moved to a new home in July. This transition has been so uplifting. It's amazing the change in attitude and mood one can have when you are in a space you love. I even think James' overall self and attiude has improved. It's definitely a change that has been a blessing.

All these mega, huge, and colassal things have brought me back to a point where I feel like I can blog again. I am excited again. I can share again.

I am not promising a ton of posts but I think I owe it to myself to enter back into this arena. I feel ready and am inspired by so many projects and knitting relationships!

I do plan on sharing my experience with raising James with AHC and may throw in some anecdotes of him and our journey. So bare with me on that. You can always skip forward to the knitting! But if you know me, you know I am so proud of my son and I know his life is going to be a truly fulfilled and blessed one.

If you happen to still have my link dear reader… thank you! I appreciate not being deleted. And thank you in advance for your thoughts, prayers, congrats and hopes… it's truly community that strengthens.

While I haven't knit much, knitting is always on my mind, especially Elizabeth Zimmermann and her powerful words of wisdom:

Knit on with confidence and hope through all crises.

And I believe me I certainly will try.

Love and Knitting,
M

Starting tomorrow, From Mama With Love is going "On TOUR!" (Shake those rock fingers!)

We are so thrilled that our knit friends and sponsors will be reviewing our new e-book. Please check them out as some are doing giveaways (both the e-book and some YARN!). 

Friday, April 4th, Carol Sulcoski of Black Bunny Fibers
Monday, April 7th, Melissa LaBarre of Knitting School Dropout **Designer of FM,WL!
Tuesday, April 8th Tanis Gray of Tanis Knits **Designer of FM,WL!
Wednesday, April 9th, Connie Chang Chinchio, **Designer of FM, WL
Friday, April 11th, Susan B. Anderson
Monday, April 14, Kate Gagnon Osborn of Things for Charlie (And KW) **Designer of FM, WL!
Wednesday, April 16, Vickie Howell, Host of Knitting Daily
Friday, April 18, Carol Feller of Stolen Stitches
Monday, April 21, Kate Chioccio of Dragonfly Fibers
Wednesday, April 23, Julie Crawford of Knitted Bliss
Friday, April 25, Katie & Kara of Nice & Knit
Monday, April 28th, Ysolda Teague Guest Blog Post!
Tuesday, April 29th, Karida Collins of Neighborhood Fiber Co.
Friday, May 2nd, Cecily Glowik McaDonald of Winged Knits
Monday, May 5 - Carrie Bostick Hoge of Maddermade 
Wednesday, May 7th – Thea Colman of Baby Cocktails
Friday, May 9th – Kate & Courtney, of Kelbourne Woolens
Tuesday, May 13, Jessica Correa, of Dream in Color Yarn Co.
Thursday, May 15, Kristen Kapur of Through the Loops
Tuesday, May 20, Tanis Lavalee of Tanis Fiber Arts
Friday, May 22, Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting

And be sure to join our From Mama, With Love group on Ravelry. We're kicking off a KAL very soon!

James will be waiting for you!!

Happy Knitting!
M

Introducing a new 5 designer, 15 pattern collection, From Mama, With Love.

I am so thrilled to be a part of an all-star design team: Tanis Gray, Connie Chang Chinchio, Kate Gagnon Osborn and Melissa LaBarre! We are all moms who wanted to make knits for our children to share with you.

I have 3 patterns in the collection: The above Ferris Vest (which yes is named after Ferris Bueler – an omage to the coolest teen from the 80s), the Debonair Hat and the Snuggly Boppy Cover.

Did you know that there's actually no boppy cover pattern in Ravelry or on the interwebs?? I've looked! I've been using my boppy religiously since James was born. Even now as a playroom pillow. I thought, how great would it be to have a knitted cover?? The shape was a bit of a challenge but add in a few short rows it turned out to be pretty simple.

I am so thankful to be able to make these pieces for my son and hope you all will check out the collection and start knitting asap!

Check out the rest of the collection in Ravelry!

Happy Knitting

xo

m

 

Another day, another scarf!

The Anita cowl, named for my mother, is knit in Quince & Co's Puffin yarn. Using a 10.5 needle, it's a super quick knit!

Not only is this model my style with the curly hair but the yarn color is named Merlot. Wine & curls? Yah, that suits me fine 😉

The cowl is a super long loop that can be worn up to three times around the neck. Perfect for these Polar Vortex mornings! I am so thankfully that I got to be a part of this collection for Quince & Co.! 

I hope you'll all check out the full collection!

Happy Knitting!
M

 

Following one pattern release with another! Say wha!? 

This beauty is called Swirly, in Knit Collage's new yarn, Swirl. I'll let Amy give you all the details here! Hope you check it out!

So as you know, it's taken me a while to sit down and finally blog again. Getting my apologies post out first I thought I'd follow it with a new pattern! My color block drop should sweater, Kendi! 

From inspiration, to color choices, and finally knitting, I truly enjoyed each piece of this sweater. And who knew we'd have one of the snowiest winters in New England so she's gotten lots of wear. Thrown over a t-shirt and jeans and it's the perfect go-to for these blizzardy days.

I actually had this sweater done in time to wear it at Rheinbeck, which is evidenced here! 

I must thank my friend, Thea for helping me with my photoshoot! When you put us together, you never know what kind of hilarity ensues. We had fun taking some glamour shots of which you can find more on her blog. 

The Goods:

Finished Measurements - 32, (36, 40, 44, 48, 50)”

Yarn - Malabrigo Worsted, (100% merino wool, 210 yds, 100g) Color A, 1 skein, Color B, Marine 62, 2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) skeins, Color C – Holly Hock 148, 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3) skeins, Color D – Pearl 36, 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4) skeins.

Needles - US 8 (4 mm) Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions - Markers (m); tapestry needle.

Gauge: 22st and 28 rows = 4” Granite Rib Stitch after blocking.

Get the rest of the details for Kendi and buy your self a copy in my Ravelry Store!

Judging by the way this winter is going, you'll have plenty of time to whip this up and wear it a few times before spring. ;-) 

Happy Knitting!
M

My mother called me the other day and asked if I've updated my blog in a while. Yikes, I told her, I had not. Not to mention every time I would think about posting I would cringe. The idea of putting words together to make coherent sentences seemed daunting. And HAH! to try to be even a hint of entertaining – ya gotta be crazy! So I let it go, and go, and go… 

Well, friends, this is me once again dusting my shoulders off and trying to get back into a groove. This parenting business is no joke and while I am loving every minute of it I am trying to learn how to manage my free time and sleep as best I can.

Getting that whining out of the way, let's talk KNITTING!

I was thrilled to see my cowl featured on the front page of Ravelry!! The Luxe Cowl was one of the first patterns I published on the blog. I'm so happy that it's still so popular! Hurray cowls!

I'm also getting a post together to finally show you my Kendi sweater! The "for me so that I can blog about it" sweater! With some help from Thea of Baby Cocktails with the photos and a quick send off for the pattern to be reviewed it's "put a fork in it" done. 

I have a few other sweaters that have been collecting dust around the house that I'm finally getting around to publishing. One is from 2010! Remember this gem? To think I knit that in 5 DAYS… and it's nearly taking me 5 years to get it published. I'd say it's "just in time for spring" but seriously with this snow!? 

Thank as always, for sticking around!! 

xo,
M

I brought this sweater out at Rheinbeck on Sunday. It's hugably soft and I can tell will get a lot of wear this winter. Pattern is being worked on and a full reveal will come soon!

xx

m