cottage witch |

Mushroom Socks

I had planned to be back in the pottery months ago. For some reason my head is just not there. I struggle to stay focused, to find the energy to get in there and create. I have loads of ideas, I have sketched things out.. planned on how to bring these ideas to life and yet I just can’t seem to do it.

So I have found that knitting has been my happy place. Where it used to be that I struggled with my knitting… held the needles tightly, stressing over every stitch, hyper focused on the pattern. Now I relax (sometimes too much). I am able to read, or watch a movie without looking down at the stitches I am making. This is both good and bad. It has given me a safe place to land while my brain takes a break and can work through whatever it needs to and yet it is a bit too comfortable for me to stay cozy and knit all day. (or is it really?)

I have my first finish of 2023, Mushroom socks. These were so fun for me to make although they are not without their issues. The main color yarn I used did not offer much for the mushrooms and stems to contrast against so they blend in a bit more than I would like. Also I made them a size bigger than normal (I have no idea why, more of that mental fog going on right now) so they are very roomy. Bit annoying but would be great if I have to double up socks for extra warmth, then they would be perfect!

I still need to weave in the ends and block them. Maybe that will shrink them down a bit. Does anyone else issues with a noticeable line when using magic loop? I used to not be a fan of dpns BUT now that I keep getting this line I am beginning to lean more that way than magic loop. What are your thoughts?

Happy Wednesday friends. What projects are you working on?

Blessed Lughnasadh

Today we celebrate Lughnasadh. We have been harvesting from the garden this past week. Prepping and storing away for the winter. I love this time of year, I am not a summer person however I enjoy gardening as well as the appreciation that I get from this season for the other three that I love so much.

The garden has taken over as it usually does this time of year. It is untamed and wild. We enjoy all the visitors while we harvest and plant for winter. This year we had sunflowers sprout from last year. I think they are mammoths as they are now well over 15 ft high. One laid down but stayed rooted and bloomed, which to me is another beautiful lesson from nature. We may get knocked around a bit, but no matter what keep blooming.

I mentioned that I was taking a little break from pottery. Well I finally took the plunge and bought an espinner. This past week in between batches of preserving garden treasures I spun my first fiber braid. What an experience! The Sweet School of Georgia and a very dear friend of mine, Sarah have been amazing. I spun a full braid, made a 2 ply yarn, washed it and it is now drying. She is full of character with her wobbles. I am very much looking forward to knitting her up.

I hope to do some more spinning as well as finishing up some other projects and clean the pottery. This month is always a busy one for us. With the garden chores and the regular goings on, it is also our boys’ birthday month. So a very busy and very special month for us.

Are you excited for Fall? What projects are you working on? Any plans for handmade gifts for the holidays?

Happy Monday Friends.

Cottage Witchery

There is a chill in the air, the leaves are starting change and I am loving it. The garden has seemed to calm and soon we will be tidying her up for her winters rest. I find that I too am slowing a bit, taking in the changing of the season. Slow days, enjoying cozy meals, candle light, cardigans, quilts and hand knitted socks keeping our toes nice and toasty.

Most days you can find me juggling homeschooling, cottage witchery and making pottery. A while back I moved my sewing studio upstairs and moved the pottery to the main floor. This way I was closer and more able to multi task daily chores and activities. That being said I had yet to take the time and get my sewing room in working order. I took the time this week while my next pottery collection was drying and then was in the kiln for their first round of firing to do just that.

I can definitely tell Autumn has arrived in our home, cobblers in cast iron, steaming mugs of magical goodness, lots of knitting, puttering and nesting….. making cozy spaces, working on holiday gifts. I have a few quilts to get on the long arm and several things I need to get off the needles. How about you? Are you working on any handmade gifts for the winter holiday? I am debating if I should cast on for a knitted stocking…. I would love to hear what you are making!

Hope you are enjoying a cozy start to Autumn if that is the season where you are.

love and magic to you my friends.