Congratulations to comment makers # 41, 9 and 19, donaldsg, Lorraine and Carmen N!  You each win 2 vintage Rowan Magazines.  I'll be contacting you in the next few minutes and will get them in the mail next week. Thank you all for participating.  You are all so sweet, I wish you all could have won!

I thought you'd like to see a pretty bunch of fall roses I picked this morning.  On the left are Red Simplicity, a fabulous ever-blooming floribunda type rose put out by Jackson Perkins.  The pink roses are from my prolific Climbing Eden, a gorgeous and healthy climber that welcomes me into the vegetable garden every morning.

OK, well, this was taken last spring!

I'll have roses to pick until December.

We had the first of our big clean up days then dug up the raised beds, raked in some chicken manure and let it rest for a week.  We lose some sun in winter and decided only 4 of our beds would be warm and sunny enough to have a chance of producing.  These will be in our winter garden this year:

Red Onion and California Garlic, both set out as "sets"
The rest are reliable cool season crops we grow from seeds:
Early Gigantea Mixed Colors and Royal White Sweet Pea
Mikado, a Japanese baby white turnip
Chard, Pot of Gold
Radish, Cherry Belle, Watermelon Heirloom and Sparkler 
Scallions, white and red varieties
Kohlrabi, Crispy Colors Duo from Renee's Garden (new for me)
Bulbing Fennel, Romanesco (new for me)
German Leeks, Striesen
Tricolor Carrots, a mix from Renee's Garden
Lettuce, Parris Island Cos, Paris Market Mesclun Mix from Renee's Garden
Beets, Red Baron, Baby Ball and Jewel Toned Mix from Renee's Garden
Dill, I usually let these volunteer, but I was given a seed pack as a party favor so planted two rows.

Perhaps it's unusual that in October I'll be on the lookout for tiny seedlings.   Dear California, you are so good to the gardener.

Dear Kidsilk Haze,

Ok, so you and I have been bffs for a long time.  I have always liked you best but now I may have to share that love with someone new.  Surely you've met Angora Haze by now.  No, please don't cry and tell me she's younger and prettier, I don't think that at all.  It's just that I now have room in my heart for two. 

xoxo Kristen

Mila by Kim Hargreaves in AH, color Nest.

Rita by Martin Storey, AH in color Caress.

Feeling happy!  Storm, a new publication from Kim Hargreaves will soon be available and I've got a sneaky peek for you.  She has quite a few designs featuring Rowan's new Angora Haze.  If you haven't yet tried this yarn, believe me, it's GORGEOUS!  I am closing in on finishing a cardigan and a v-neck pullover with AH and looks like I may not be done with this yarn yet!  Below check out my favorites from the book and the very reason why Kim is such a darling in the world of knit designers!

Annis.  A few seasons ago Kim showed this pattern in Pure Cashmere DK,  now made even more beautiful with Angora Haze.  The color is Nest, a soft pinky beige.

Tyne, fabulous cables in Rowan Wool Cotton.

Fara, another beauty in Rowan Angora Haze.

Caris in Kidsilk Haze and Fine Lace.  Want!

What a great coat!  Echo in Rowan Tweed Aran.

Isolde in Rowan Lima, so simple and pretty.

Myra in Rowan Alpaca DK.  I have some Rowan Felted Tweed DK in my stash that would be perfect!

Shale, a classic notched collar jacket in Rowan Big Wool.  This looks like it needs to be in my wardrobe.

Tempest in Alpaca Cotton.

Very cool.  Blaire in Angora Haze.

(Edited 10/11, this giveaway is closed and winner announced, go here for the new giveaway.)  I was gifted (thank you Sandy!) eight vintage Rowan Magazines in pristine condition!  Lucky me!  I have been a collector for years and already have these, so, it's lucky you instead because every Friday this month you'll have a chance to win two!  All  you have to do is be a follower of Knitionary by either Facebook, Bloglovin', email, or whatever you like, then leave a comment on this blog post.  Make sure I know how to contact you, and come back each Friday this October to enter again.  Contest is open all week and winner will be announced the next Friday when the new contest starts.  Contest is open internationally.  Eight Rowan magazines and four winners over four weeks!  Good luck!

Magazine 35

Magazine 40

Magazine 42

Magazine 43

Magazine 41

Magazine 46

Magazine 39

Magazine 37