A Healthy Knitter Adventure...

The time has come for me to share what I consider my greatest accomplishment with The Healthy Knitter thus far.  Remember back in September when I mentioned that I had been busy over the summer albeit a bit quiet on the blog?  Well, this is the project I've been secretly developing AND you are going to fall in love with this one. It's a great knit PLUS it is good for your health.

First, it is a mystery knit-along (KAL) that begins on November 2nd with the final clue delivered on December 7th. Well, the project is a cowl but the specifics are a mystery.  It is designed for the adventurous advanced beginner or intermediate knitter. All the details can be found here on Ravelry.

Second, the best part of this project is that it is accompanied with a "walk-along". You've never heard of a walk-along? Don't worry, you aren't alone; I made it up :) With the pre-order you will receive information on goal-setting and how to establish a walking commitment. You'll need to decide on a walking goal for the month of November. On November 2nd, you can sign a contract with yourself or a buddy to increase accountability. 

Here's to walking through the month of November and beginning of December.  Even if you don't want to knit the project you can still join us for walking.

A Healthy Knitter group has been formed on Ravelry. A thread for March through Time will be added so that participants can interact...maybe even encourage one another with walking. Make sure you use the cover page of the pattern when you add March through Time to your projects to avoid spoiling the details of the cowl.

PROMOTION! Right now you can purchase the pattern for 25% off through October 26. No coupon needed. Following the last clue in December all participants will receive the pattern in one complete document including the walking information. The pattern will available for general purchase after the KAL however the walking information will not be included.  

Fall is in full swing here in central Iowa.  I have been participating in #slowfashionoctober started by Karen Templar of Fringe Association. Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be blogging more about this process and introducing a few concepts related to knitting, health and sustainability.  Since I'll be blogging more frequently (2-3 times a week) and I'm hesitant to overwhelm your inbox with announcements, I've decided to send a weekly update to your inbox. If you want to read more frequently then check the website.

I love all the seasons but autumn is definitely a special time that conjures up images of cozy cabled sweaters, hands wrapped around a warm cup of coffee, and long walks with beautiful foliage on the trees and the ground. I'll leave you this evening with some amazing images of fall in the Midwest. 

My favorite view on my walk to work...

Gaining some perspective...Queen Anne's lace has pink on the edges.

Playing in the leaves wearing my favorite red shoes...

The sound of silence...

The Healthy Knitter blog has been a bit quiet over the past couple of months. Fear not, I've been busy working on many fun and healthy projects to bring your way over the next couple of months.

It's also been an amazingly busy time for my family. For 7 months we were blessed with the opportunity to return to Bozeman, MT our former home while I was on sabbatical. It was a productive time for work, hikes and trail runs, quality time with my family plus I was able to get the Healthy Knitter launched.

But I do miss this...

In July, we packed up our rental home and headed to McCall, Idaho for our annual summer get-away. Time for family, walks in the forest, early morning knitting on the dock, lots of coffee and playing in the water (when it wasn't raining).

Vista on an early morning run alongside the shores of Little Payette Lake in McCall, ID

Then it was back to the prairie of Iowa. One of the things I missed the most while I was away were the prairie flowers. Splendid as ever!

We returned to a new home. Well, new to us and much smaller than our former home.We down-sized...yup, left the larger home, the storage, the extended 3-car garage, and the barn plus acreage for a simpler life. We moved back into town, a smaller home with very little storage, a small 2-car garage and no barn. I know, what were we thinking?! But when I walk or ride my bike to work each day I remember exactly why we made this choice.

We are slowly emptying out the storage units and sifting through all the belongings that we weren't able to let-go of prior to our Montana adventure. There is simultaneously great pleasure from letting go of "stuff"  but also the challenges that come with minimizing. I haven't started sorting the yarn yet...and that is going to be the hardest part of all. Where will it all fit?

The first unveiling of the Healthy Knitter progress is the newest pattern "Knit Your Peace". I must admit this one is an all-time favorite. If you are looking for an easy, mindless knit that results in an exquisite product, look no farther...Knit Your Peace is the answer.

Post a photo while knitting "Knit Your Peace" or a photo of a place that conveys peace to you on Instagram using the hashtag #knityourpeace and I'll regram your photo.  A peaceful world begins with the choices that each one of us makes! May knitting this cowl bring you peace!

Peace has overcome my daughter at the cabin in Idaho while wearing "Knit Your Peace".  Let me know how you like the pattern. There is a 20% off special through September 20 on Ravelry! 

May you find peace in everything you do!

Knit one, walk two.

Promotion...

Last week I launched the first Healthy Knitter pattern. It was an exciting time and represents the beginning of so many opportunities.

Now I am in need of a little assistance from the Healthy Knitter community. I need to increase the visibility of the Healthy Knitter.  To do this I have come up with a few ideas but I need your help.

1. From now until July 31 (11:59 pm), the first Healthy Knitter pattern "Winter River" will be available on Ravelry for $1, no coupon needed. Please consider purchasing this amazing pattern for a cowl in super bulky or sport weight yarn accompanied with walking information and a recipe for an easy to prepare chicken and white bean soup.

2. Please take a moment to "fav" Winter River on Ravelry.

3. If you have a Pintrest account, please "pin" one of the Winter River photos.

4. Finally, if you can share this promotion with at least one friend and ask them to do the same, this will increase the visibility of this pattern.

Thank you so much for all your support. It is genuinely appreciated.

More patterns coming soon! Stay tuned.

Knit one, walk two!

Winter River...

"The time has come the walrus said"...

Get this first pattern finished! Ok, so that isn't what the walrus said in Alice in Wonderland but you get my point.

Finally, at long last, I have completed all the necessary steps to publish my first knitting pattern. This project is the collection of many firsts and represents stepping outside of the box over and over again. And I couldn't be more pleased with the final product.  

Announcing Winter River, the first in a series of many patterns to come integrating knitting with healthy active living. Winter River is a cowl that can be made with super bulky yarn for a quick project perfect for summer knitting or a longer version made with sport weight yarn that will be perfect for fall days. This pattern comes with a walking program for those that haven't been walking or an "advanced move" for those that are already active but need a little help decreasing their sitting time throughout the day. Finally, there is a healthy recipe for "Chicken and White Bean Soup" that will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters and is a breeze to make.

Several years ago I had the idea to write a book about knitting and health. Last summer that idea started to take shape yet the more I explored the concept, the more I realized I had so much to learn before I could write a book. I took a step back and decided before the book I needed to learn to write a pattern and create a space (this blog) to share my thoughts on knitting, health and nature. Today's pattern represents a lot of learning, laughter, tears, friendships and conversations with many other designers, knitters and writers.

Many have inspired and supported me along the way but there are three people that I am so grateful for all their assistance, guidance, patience and mentoring.

The first is Donna Druchunas of Sheep to Shawl. Her mentorship has been invaluable. If anyone is interested in writing a knitting book, you must contact her. She's a guide, a teacher, a mentor, a hand-holder and provider of a good swift kick in the derriere when the procrastination bug hits or whatever else life deals. I would never have gotten this completed if it wasn't for Donna. Thank you just doesn't seem to be enough...extreme gratitude is more fitting. Thank you for believing my ideas.

Second is Lisa Orgler. Her insights on illustration, blog development and mailchimp got me through over some major walls. She has created all the beautiful illustrations, logos and pattern template. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Lisa, I can't thank you enough.

Finally, Sharyn Arnalt of the Yarn Scout in Bozeman, MT and GingerSnap Designs. When I really needed help and encouragement with the process of publishing patterns you were there. Thank you for your persistent, simple and softly stated "you can do this". Also, the environment that you have created at the Yarn Scout is so supportive. I will miss Sharyn, Kelsie and all the knitting group members once I return to Iowa.

You can read more about the specifics of Winter River on Ravelry.

A winter river...