Back in the (knitting) saddle

“I haven’t felt like knitting for months,” a friend lamented last week. She has an excuse – after all, she had a baby this spring – but I agreed with her. After an absurdly long, cold winter, I couldn’t wait to exchange my heavy knitted cowls and hats for lighter scarves. I put down the needles in May and never looked back.

Recently, though, I’ve pulled out a few handknits as the chill in the air has grown more pronounced. I’m not ready for heavy-duty winter wear yet, but I’m enjoying the chance to wear fingerless mitts, or snuggle into a scarf or cowl with my favorite green coat. (I knitted the purple wrap above this winter, but had forgotten how soft and cozy it is.)

Also, as ever, the good folks at Innocent Drinks are sponsoring the Big Knit, encouraging people to knit wee hats for their smoothie bottles to raise money for Age UK. I’m easing back into knitting with these tiny hats – a few at a time while J and I watch football or catch up on Modern Family of an evening. (Bonus: they are so quick and satisfying!)

All this talk of knitting also has me browsing Ravelry for new patterns, and dreaming of bigger projects to knit for others or myself. My favorite yarn shop in Boston closed a couple of years ago, sadly, but I’m thinking I may have to order some yarn online soon.

Are you a seasonal crafter, like me? Any patterns you’re dying to knit (or crochet) this fall?

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my first custom knits

You’ve all been so kind about my custom knits shop, which I opened up on this blog a few weeks ago. I’m proud to announce that I’m officially on Etsy! My shop is called Tea Leaf Knits, and you can head over there to order items or convo me about a specific order request.

I’ve had three custom orders so far, and I’m quite pleased with how they’ve all turned out, so I thought I’d give you a little peek:

My first order was from my dear friend Amanda – she wanted a slouchy blue beret, so I obliged:

Not long after that, Amelia ordered a cowl – she lives in Arizona, but wanted something cozy to wear when she travels home to Georgia this winter. So I knit her up a creamy cowl:

My other custom order was a Christmas surprise, so I won’t show it to you here. But if you’re so inclined, take a peek over at my Etsy shop, or email me at tealeafknits {at} gmail {dot} com for custom orders!

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handknits in action

My drawer full of handknit hats, scarves, cowls and fingerless gloves doesn’t see too much action in West Texas until November each year, if then. But I’m pulling them out as fall swoops into Boston, so here are some photos of my favorite handknits around town. (You can order your own custom pieces from me – see my Katie’s Custom Knits page!)

This is the Ishbel shawl I made this spring – I broke it out on a chilly Sunday:

I’ve also been wearing my lovely Snapdragon Tam, knit in a color called Cedar:

And I wore both my Star Crossed Slouchy Beret, knit in a colorway called Paris Night (I also have a red one),  and my Princess Mitts on a recent cocoa-drinking afternoon:

(Hard to see the detail, since they’re black, but they are super warm and cozy!)

I’m working on a new cardigan, and am eying a few more hat and cowl patterns (as if I needed any more of either). And Jeremiah has requested another pair of mitts to wear around town. So my needles are busy, but I’d also love to design and knit custom items for you! Email me at katieleigh83{at}gmail{dot}com to place an order.

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