I made such a fun project this week. I transformed corks into toadstools and revamped an ugly Target plastic tree stump into a wintry cake stand. I'll use this little tableau on the buffet during fall and winter to hold an appetizer or cookie plate. The tree log is still at my Target in the dollar section, and while you might first overlook it, take a second look! I'm so happy with the way it turned out. And the toadstools are nothing more than champagne and tequila corks. Let's get crafty!

Good morning! In today's post I have another finished sweater, a little giveaway, and some awesome book recommendations, so let's get started! The sweater was inspired by Erika Knight's gorgeous Plateau Striped Cardigan. Like most Rowan patterns, it is knit bottom up in pieces. With so many ends to weave in and so many stripes to match up, I thought it best to knit it in one piece, meaning, no seaming and zero stripes to match up and perhaps the best, 2/3 less ends to weave in. I loosely followed the stitch counts from Hannah Fettig's Kaye's Cardigan, all the while trying to follow the stripes and color inspiration from Erika. I'm very happy with it and it is fun to wear, but the yarn--the yarn is a stand out! Let me tell you about it....

The summer garden is coming to a close and everything looks positively pooped. It was a great summer with huge harvests, and while we will still be harvesting a small amount throughout September, the big hauls are definitely over. It's a bittersweet time, but honestly, I couldn't sustain this kind of work year-round. We're glad we did it and happy to see our hard work turn into such beautiful flowers and vegetables, but it's time for us all to rest, the garden and the gardeners. We've got a big clean up ahead of us in October, then a rest, then the pruning in January, and then the seed catalogs arrive and I'll start dreaming again of the next summer garden. But you are here today for the gnome giveaway winner! First, thank you all for entering. I loved reading your sweet comments and appreciate them so much, and also love knowing where you are from. The winner is....

Let me show you Playful, a new shawl pattern from Meg Gadsbey. The pattern is free and the yarn was stash! 

This hat! This little project took barely two evenings to make and each stitch made me smile. The yarn, Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight, is 100% wool and lovely and soft with a great plumpy, cottony feel while knitting. I'm certain it will be next-to-skin soft as a kitten. The pattern is fun to make and completely adorable. It's perfect for scraps but I've always wanted to try this particular yarn and they had little kits on sale (as of this posting, they are still on sale). The kit has enough yarn to make two hats, probably three depending on the size you make and if you decide to add any of your stash. I added some orange and white from my stash to add some punch and bright contrast. This is going to be my new go-to baby hat pattern. It's a snap to make and the only fiddley part is the very end when you make the point and have just a few stitches on 4 needles. Torture for a few rounds but you soon get to the end and the funny i cord tip. A very nice knit! Please come on in for the links and for more pictures of my pretty flower garden. 

I'd like to share my most recent test knit, or preview knit as Brooklyn Tweed calls them. The pattern arrives complete and they ask for knitters to knit it up in any yarn or color (as long as you get gauge) to show other knitters the possibilities of one pattern. I've test/preview knit for BT many times and my experience has always been positive.