block 'n tackle knitting

I pretty much ad-libbed these crocheted mitts, starting at the top and crocheting round and round (increasing and measuring on my hand as I went). I left a gap for the thumb and picked that up later, finishing off with a cuff of floofy fun-fur.

Back when knitted cupwarmers were all the rage, I knit one in a pretty, fair isle pattern. Then cupwarmers weren't so hot, and I thought it'd look nice as a matching set -- oops, that yarn's long gone. No matter! Mismatched is just as cute, don't you think?

Last winter I posted a free, simple beret pattern , which I used to make my daughter a gift (which she loved, yay!) and today I'm feeling the urge to knit a few more. Berets are supposedly hot fashion accessories this fall -- though to be honest, they're one of the few hats that look flattering on my tiny head, so that's one good reason I knit them. Fair isle beret I knit with literally scraps of leftover worsted wool. The other reason is that they lend themselves to a variety of patterns on that lovely, circular top part, and I also really enjoy knitting with double pointed needles, which is a plus for berets because of all the increases and reducing you do. Finally, I absolutely love how easily they block (well, the wool ones) by being stretched overnight on a plate balanced on a wide-mouthed bottle. So they're really like knitting projects and circus tricks all rolled into one. And that reminds me I really need to get a photo of me doing the beret blocking ...

Accessories for fall need not be excessive. Simple strands of ivory and gold knit up very quickly in these wristwarmers with a simple ribbed cuff. I used to be obsessed with knitting these, but now I usually make them when I have a special yarn and need something eye catching to go with an outfit.

This could have been a very sad tale of my wooly, hand-knit socks getting accidentally caught in the wash, but instead: it's the story of new, felted wristwarmers, hurrah! Moral: When life shrinks your socks, cut 'em up and wear 'em someplace skinnier.

Scarves. Because they go so well with everything, including being knitted while watching Netflix.

The secret to this lace tablecloth is how simple it is: a large granny square crocheted with thin crocheting cotton, round and round until it's big enough for your table or dresser. Sweet.