a finished project is a beautiful thing...

 

 

I just finished free knitting pattern, Marley Scarf. Yay!  This would make a beautiful gift for someone on your list and the perfect on the go or lunchtime project.


For you! Autumn inspiration from Brookside Gardens this past weekend...

 

Knit often!

 

Margaret

 

Gratitude, thankfulness, gratefulness, or appreciation is a feeling or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A cozy bolero...

 

 

Pattern: Cozy Bolero by Jane Richmond

 

 

 

We had so much down time due to Sandy, I decided to dive into some WIP's and this bolero is one of them. The Cozy Bolero is knit with super bulky yarn and makes a quick weekend projet.  The pattern is very clear and easy to follow. 

 

 

Our hearts go out to everyone who is suffering due to the loss of family members and the destruction of hurricane Sandy.  We are all in it together.

 

Margaret (is very grateful tonight)

 

 

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

a little gratitude goes a long way...

Early Morning Gratitude Shawl

The early morning is a time I enjoy knitting my gratitude with simple stitches (like a garter stitch, for example)for all that is wonderful and all that will be wonderful in the world.  This morning was one of those gratitude experiences. I usually knit outside, but inside can work just as well.

If you'd like to try it,choose a stich that is easy for you,a place you feel safe and a time that's quiet.  Take a few deep breaths and release your worries in prayer, meditation, or simple awareness, whatever feels comfortable to you.  Now, think of any and all things that you are grateful for in your life and think of them as you knit your stitches.  Be aware of how your knitting tension and rhythm changes as you release the worry and bring in the gratitude. A few minutes of gratitude will help you throughout your day.  Think of your knitting gratitude moments whenever you feel tired, stressed or upset during your day. You might also choose to bring your knitting with you and squeeze in a little gratitude knitting at lunch, or on breaks. Try it throughout your day in different situations once you feel comfortable with the process.  You can choose not to make an actual pattern or project. Use your yarn and needles in the way that feels best to you and will keep in you in the habit of being grateful. 

Yay you,if you're already enjoying your gratitude knitting! Keep it up or give it a try. Either way, it's all good and mistake free.

Margaret(found yet another feather in an unusual place today)

Knit1fortheroad content, patterns, and photographs in this document are the property of Margaret Nock, knit1fortheroad.com and for non-commercial (personal) use only. Unauthorized reproduction, sale in whole or in part, or distribution of the content, pattern, photograph or knit item is prohibited. All rights reserved.

 

Foodie Graditude ...

A little story...

When I was small, I always wanted to help my older sister, Lea, with whatever she was cooking.  One of my favorite memories was of the cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving dinner that she made every year.  Lea always kept that recipe to herself and for many years I didn't know exactly how she made it.  She would laugh and say, I just use the recipe on the bag, but it was so delicious I was never really convinced. After Lea died, a few years ago, I decided to make the cranberry sauce for my own little family and discovered that the recipe was really on the bag of cranberries and the only added ingriedient (the only one she would share with me) was that she added orange juice sometimes to make it more tart and less sweet.  Lea must be having a good chuckle over that one in the great beyond, I know I did. It's nice to try and remember funny stories, fond memories and all the people that have touched our lives during this season of gratitude.  Side note:  Lea also taught me how to knit one summer, encouraged me to sew and craft, and a encouraged my love for sci-fi, historical novels and a good mystery series.

 Now, here's the foodie part ... I did a little prep today...

the cranberry sauce

and a pumpkin pie

I am grateful

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving here in the US and a day of gratitude everywhere else.

Molly and Margaret in New Castle, DE last weekend.

©MargaretNock, 2008-11. All rights reserved.

Tea Time with Winter Gratitude - excellent!

I'm so excited!  My package of Winter Gratitude arrived today.  Hopefully you checked out Monday's episode of Cool2Craft Live TV and saw the demo by Candace Liccione.  If not - no worries, here's a  link for you to watch...
Candace Liccione – Winter Gratitude Tea – Inspired at Home LIVE TV  The theme of the entire show was Gratitude and I found every project uplifting and inspiring. It was such a nice break from the winter blast duldrums. You can visit the archives to view Cool2Craft Live TV episodes at your convenience.

Back to tea talk...

You can check out the delish ingriedents and purchase the tea on the Cool2Craft Marketplace.  Great price and wonderful tea...perfect for a cozy afternoon of winter knitting, crocheting and other crafty endeavors.

Near Graysonville, MD?  Visit Candace's shop in person. Wye River Designs  has a creative and relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy crafty goodness, classes, teas, and items for wellness. You can even get a sense of the relaxed environment on the website, so make sure you check it out.

It's a new year.  I hope you'll join me in taking the opportunity to focus on wellness and expanding your creative horizons.

Margaret (that's me over on the distant horizon cheering you on.)


You may also enjoy reading:

Every time a crafter creates, a fairy earns her wings...


CreatingTheHive awaits your arrival.  Join this dynamic arts & crafts community here!

Spring into Gratitude

It's Spring - time to enjoy life - take stock in our progress so far this year - and be grateful for the newness of spring...

To celebrate, I decided to make this cell phone cover to replace the well worn cover from the year before. It was also a chance to use up some left over yarn - part of my recycle/reuse challenge. I used a basic pattern last year from http://http//www.lionbrand.com/patterns/ and improvised this one a little. If you're new to knitting you will find this an easy, quick project - and following the basic pattern the first time (and checking your gauge) will be less frustrating.

However, if you're a wizard of knitting, than you are already thinking of ways to embellish - you'll already have the basic pattern in your head and you are definitely encouraged to improvise. ;)

Now for some GRATITUDE! and I'm writing that with ATTITUDE! I really appreciate all of my online friends that I have made over time. You inspire me daily with your emails, witty qips, and endless support...especially this year with all the new challenges. You make my life so rich and I'm glad that you found your way to margknittinaround and knit1fortheroad blogs...and even read a post or two - heehee. I enjoy visiting your sites as well, and am amazed by what you are all accomplishing.

Take care my friends,

Marg