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Shit that I Knit (and other Thoughts)

I’ve returned from a whirlwind few days in New York City, and have to admit that this pregnancy has taken a much greater toll on my body physically than the previous. (Silly aging!). I was absolutely wiped out after 15 hours on my feet on Sunday, and it took nearly two days to get back to a semi-normal/comfortable state. I already feel pretty awkward and uncomfortable in my own skin, and I’m only 21 weeks in, so that does not bode well for the remaining 19 weeks. Ooof. My back is sore, my feet hurt, my neck aches and causes a headache that radiates across my forehead, and let’s not even get started about the pressure I’m already feeling in my pelvic floor. Remember the infamous frozen peas? Well that was 3 weeks prior to Courtland’s arrival not 19! Wah wah wah, someone call the WAH-MBULANCE! (Poor, sweet James – we’ve got a long road ahead of us).

Regardless, I was grateful for some time in the city, despite the resulting aches and pains, that included a baby shower, QT with dear friends, Korean BBQ, New York bagels, cheap manicures, the distribution of knit goodies to adorable littles and loved ones, and a long, albeit inspiring day surrounded by Ephs at the New York Public Library.

Kristen Anderson-Lopez (songwriter of “Frozen”) gave a talk about the need and significance of female voices in all elements of the work force, though she spoke specifically to the entertainment industry, and it had tears streaming down my face and my head furiously nodding.  I fangirled out to her so hard later that night about the hopey, changey impact that movie had had on me and my own daughters, and the courage it took for her to talk so candidly and pointedly about the bullshit lack of female voices in the entertainment industry (especially when we are the majority consumers). And while she’s likely heard it a zillion times by now, I thanked her. Because while on the surface it may just sound like princesses and fairytales and childish fluff, what happened in that movie was revolutionary. And I hope that we’ll see much more of that in the mainstream media, for the sake of all of our children. (And, daaaaaamn, it was profitable!)

While there were still issues (think Elsa’s itty bitty waist, ridiculous bust, and sultry eyes, and the complete lack of people of color), it was a step in the right direction.

So yes, New York was good. But I’m happy to be home in my own bed, with my own family, with our peaceful, quiet dirt road, and knitting furiously in front of the wood stove each evening (we fired it up for the first time this season, and it is one of the true highlights of winters in VT). This hat pattern below has become a new favorite. Such a sweet design for a little one. (And, P.S., it’s free!).

I’ve got a wedding to finish editing, Jack-o-Lanterns to carve, team Halloween costumes to execute (with the help of Auntie Kimmy), and a few holiday card photo shoots on my plate. Let’s do this October!

43/52

“A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015.”

Sunny: Leaf loungin’
Kaki: Leaf angels

More details about The 52 Project here. To view all the portraits in the series visit here.

Holiday Card 2015

The holiday season is on my mind as I’ve been knitting and creating gifts for loved ones. Which means it’s Holiday Card season as well, and time to pick this year’s card design. As in years past, I’ve teamed up with Minted.com to create our family’s holiday card, and in exchange for helping us select our card, you get a chance to win a $125 gift certificate to Minted. Bring on the holiday cheer!

I LOVE this image I snapped of the girls the other day during a weekend walk near our home. It’s so classically Vermont, and the girls look so dang joyful.

We also met up with our dear and talented friend slash photographer Kate to snap some Cart family images last Sunday, so there is a chance I’ll switch up this year’s photo. I won’t see Kate’s pix for a few more weeks though, and wanted to get the ball rolling.

This year, I was particularly thrilled to learn that Minted now has a letterpress holiday card option (I’m a sucker for purdy letterpress), and I’m also intrigued with the foiled designs (gold and silver feel so appropriately festive this time of year). I’ve selected some designs with these options. I’d love to know what you think!

As I mentioned last year, one of my favorite things about the Minted site is the ability to upload a photo and then preview all of the holiday photo cards at once with that particular photo (select the “Find It Fast” button in the top right corner). It’s a quick way to get an idea of which cards work with a particular image. Then, of course, you have the ability to personalize and customize further. AND, Minted offers FREE recipient address printing, which, I ADORED last year and fully intend on using again this year.

These are my favorite designs for this particular photo – please tell me which one is your favorite!

Details about the $125 Gift Certificate and how to enter below.

1. Holiday Swirls (letterpress)

2. Textured Pine

3. Gilded Brush

4. Sparkling Frame

5. A Beautiful and Wonderful Life

6. Color Field

To enter to win a $125 Gift Certificate to Minted:

Make sure you enter a valid email address in the email section of the comment box so I can contact you if you win! The winner will be chosen Monday, November 2, 2015  at 5pm EST. Open worldwide. Total Value: $125

Below are cards from the past four years, since we started printing and sending Cart Family photo cards.

Textured Cowl

These cowls are so quick and easy (and affordable). This is another free pattern from Abi on Ravelry. Grab a skein of Lions Brand chunky wool, some size 15 needles, and in just a few hours you’ll have a cozy cowl. I’ll be gifting these like crazy this season.

Pattern and details in my Ravelry.

Gifts for Baby Ruby

A photo posted by Ashley Weeks Cart (@blogalacart) on Sep 24, 2015 at 3:20pm PDT

More knitting! One of my dearest pals welcomed a baby girl into the world last month, and her growing family is on my date card for this weekend’s NYC adventures. These itty bitty knits are headed to sweet Ruby.

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October Leaves

Another fall, another series of leaf throwing photos. Not as magical as last year’s, but fun nonetheless. Even the dogs got in on the action.

Vauvan sukka || Finnish train socks

A photo posted by Ashley Weeks Cart (@blogalacart) on Oct 18, 2015 at 7:01am PDT

This weekend I’m headed to New York for a work event and time with friends. I’m kicking off the festivities with a baby shower for my sister’s College roommate. I made these sweet baby socks as a gift. I just love the story behind the sock design and now will surely make these for every little babe in my loved one’s lives.

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In early 1939, Kerttu Latvala was evacuating ahead of World War II battles along with her 2-month-old baby daughter. Her train trip from Vaasa (coastal Finland) was delayed due to a section of the railroad tracks having been destroyed by bombings. A fellow passenger, a retired needlework teacher, took pity on the un-bootied little feet of the baby girl, and during the delay, unraveled yarn from her own white hand-knit sweater, and used it to make the baby a pair of socks that stay put very well on little feet.

Around the Farm // October 2015

^^Halloween decor is in full effect. Still love those button spiders.^^

^^Welcome notes from Sunny taped to our front porch.^^

^^Making our lamp post ‘rul festive.^^

^^Two very enthusiastic thumbs up for that pumpkin totem pole.^^

^^Our street is so purdy this time of year. Alas, those Montauk Daisies bit the dust with this past Monday’s frost. Boo!^^

Purple Drop Stitch Cowl

The knitting kick continues…

I made a larger version of this cowl back in 2012, and it’s such a quick, fun knit that I decided it’d make a lovely gift for a friend. Any project I can crank out in just a few hours is quite satisfying. Thus, cowls are abounding in preparation for the upcoming holiday season of gift giving. Details on this project in my Ravelry. The woman who created this pattern lives in the neighboring town, so I especially dig that little local connection. And it’s free, so ye knitters out there, have at it!