November...

Reasons to love this month...

Hard to believe we welcomed our first child into our lives almost 18 years ago...he's our miracle child for several reasons. We'll celebrate his birth at the end of the month.

My dear sweet mum's birthday.

The beginning of the inaugural Healthy Knitter mystery knit-along and walk-along.

Thanksgiving...a day to express gratitude.

NaBloPoMo...National Blog Posting Month. Yes, blog every day during the month of November.

The seasons are changing. We move into shorter days with more darkness. There are more leaves on the ground than in the trees. Yard work shifts from grass maintenance to preparing for winter. And soon, the snow will gently begin to fall and blanket the earth for a long, peaceful slumber.

Less daylight, colder temperatures and an increasing desire to retreat to the sofa.

Wait, don't throw in the towel yet. Let's work together to support one another during the month of November to prioritize the health of "self". Give yourself a treat this November and make a promise to "self" to be more active. Join The Healthy Knitter group on Ravelry for some support  and camaraderie or subscribe to The Healthy Knitter mystery KAL/walk-along.

The number 66...

My favorite number is 66. 

The first house I remember from my childhood was 66 St. Lawrence St.

My birth year is 66.

But there is a little known fact about this number that makes it really special. Did you know it takes 66 days (10 weeks) to form a new habit?

A habit is a routine of behavior that is repeated regularly and tends to occur unconsciously.

66 days...do you know what happens 66 days from today? That's right. January 1 (which happens to be my half birthday) but also the infamous day for setting goals for the upcoming year.

If you start tomorrow with your new goal, in theory, by the time you reach 2016  it will be a habit!

A habit could be positive or negative. Since I like to avoid messages such as "don't do this..." selecting a positive behavior seems most appropriate. I know I need to drink less coffee and tea but how can I phrase this as a positive message? Here's my goal for the next 66 days. Let's see if it is routine by January 1.

Drink water at least 8 oz of water morning, noon and night.

What's your goal for the next 66 days? Can't wait to hear.

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.