Hello! I don’t usually pop into your inbox on a Monday, but I didn’t want you to miss out on a time-sensitive Ravelry promotion.

Today I’m sharing a new sweater I knit as a test for Finnish designer Suvi of Suvi’s Designs. I’ve made many of her patterns, and she never disappoints—Suvi is both talented and thorough. Her instructions are clear, well-written, and easy to follow, and she takes great care to ensure a good fit. I’ve never had an issue with tricky spots like the shoulders, neckline, or overall shaping.

If you’ve been curious about lace knitting, or top down sweaters in general, I’d happily recommend this pattern as the perfect introduction.

Rudolph has landed—and this time, he’s landed right on my sweater! This is the first of three Christmas sweaters I’m making this year so I thought I'd better start early. Last December I wore a different handknit Christmas sweater every day, and since I finished three then, I thought I might as well knit three more… though stopping at three will be the real challenge. There are just so many patterns I love! After all, one can never have too many festive knits when December rolls around. What first attracted me to this pattern was the folk-art style of the reindeer. It has just the right mix of whimsy and nostalgia, which made the sweater simply irresistible to me.

Good morning! Today I’m sharing pictures from a gorgeous ladies’ luncheon I was invited to yesterday. We were first welcomed into the kitchen, where our hostess served sparkling champagne sangrias—each glass whimsically decorated with a basil leaf clipped to the rim with the tiniest clothespin. (I’m absolutely stealing that idea!) While we chatted and sipped, servers passed around tiny half figs topped with warm, melty baked brie—heavenly little bites.

Then we were invited outdoors, and as I rounded the corner to the pergola, I actually swooned at the sight before me: a table dressed in the most beautiful shades of citron, lime, and yellow, glowing in the afternoon light. Of course, I took plenty of photos so you could enjoy it too.

There’s something about summer that just begs for a perfect BLT—juicy garden tomatoes, crisp lettuce, smoky bacon, and good bread. Every year, we turn it into a celebration with our Summer Golf Buddy BLT Party, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite seasonal traditions.