I've been invited by the lovely Leigh to talk a little bit about my creating process. I don't usually take part in these kind of challenges where you have to answer questions because I always feel a bit ackward talking about myself too much, but since this one is more about the process, I can totally join in!

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What am I working on

As I said in previous last article, I became a monogamous knitter not so long ago, which means that my hands are always busy, working on different projects. I have a several personal ones on the go like the Keynote cardigan, Strokkur, the Warble cowl, and the Shaelyn shawl that I started yesterday morning. And there's also a few patterns that I'm designing: some of them are still taking shape in my mind, some are patiently wanting on the blank pages of my sketchbook, and a very few are on the needles for testing.

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How does my work differ from others

That's a really hard one... There's so many talented designers, knitters and bloggers in the "knitting world" that it can be difficult to find its own place. But what I have learned from many different situations in my life is to -at least try, not to compare myself to others, and do things the way I feel, follow my instincts, and stick to the things I like.

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Why do I write/create what I do

As a very private, introverted person, I don't always know how to express myself the best. But I genuinely think that blogging helped me in that direction. I do love to sit, and try to find a way to share my thoughts on knitting, self-sufficiency and other cherished topics, here on the blog. But when the words do not find their way through, I often take my camera and snap instead. And I think that the same goes with knitting... When I put stitches on my needles, it either makes my mind totally blank, which is a very good thing because it helps me to stop the thinking button for a while, or it has the opposite effect, and all my heart & thoughts go into an accesory or a piece of garnment.

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How does my writing/creative process work?

I try to take many walks in my neighbourghood with my camera in hand, and it's usually when I come back home, the memory card full, and the brain steaming, that the creating process starts.  Then I have to look up at the photographs that I took, edit them, place them safely in a folder and browse the internet for yarn! If I feel inspired to cast on something personal, I will spend hours reaserching for the pattern that I feel like and the perfect yarn that could match. If my mind is full of ideas and patterns that I want to write, I have to sit down and put all of the thoughts of paper before they dissapear.

Grace is taking over the challenge on her blog next week, so head over there to read her answers. If you feel like participating, please do!

At the beginning of the week, I went through my pile of hand-knit hats, searching for the one that would reflect my mood and my wish to welcome this beautiful season. Pressed Leaves has always been a favourite, not only for for its texture, but also for its softness & color. it's been a stable in my wardrobe since the moment I cast it off. But I do not overwear it, as I'm trying to "save it" for this time of the year.

However, as far as I loved this hat, I didn't give it as much wear as I intended to. Pressed Leaves was one of the first hats that I ever knit, and by the time it was on my needles, I didn't have any clue about what gauge was, or how to substitute yarns properly. The pattern calls for a DK yarn, and the one that I had choosen was more of an aran weight. But I didn't think that it mattered that much. So when I cast it off, it came out, without doubt, way too big.

At that time, this hat took me hours and hours of work, and I really couldn't make up my mind and unravel it. It only took me one whole year to decide that it was time to make something beautiful with my beloved hat. I ripped it off at the beginning of the week, and started over. I went down to two needle sizes for the brim, and one needle size for the body. Then I washed it with the oh so lovely lanolin&lavander wool wash that Anna gifted it, and dried it over a plate.

Life is really too short to spoil beautiful yarns.

For the most part of my not so long knitting experience, I’ve called myself a “monogamous” knitter. I couldn’t imagine working with several projects at the same time. I was overwhelmed just by the idea of having different yarns on the needles, and no single completed project. But over these last couple months, I felt the need to expand my tiny stash no only with beautiful and soft yarns, but also with a couple of projects bags. I started working on several jumpers for myself, a few presents and designing a couple of patterns, all at the same time! I do not feel stressed by the amount of unfinished work anymore. On the contrary, I love seeing the knitting basket in the kitchen, filled with my small projects that I can pick up easily, whenever I feel the urge to knit with something light on my lap. Or the several projects bags in my bedroom with their half-completed jumpers inside, carrying, beyond doubt, the promise of a few wonderful evenings and colder cosy sweaters days.

The second entry to my Seasonal Sweet Journal is this simple yet delicious pumpkin pie that reminds me a bit of cheesecake

The recipe is very simple & doesn't require a lot of ingredients, but it makes such a delicious treat for the tea time, or in the morning with coffee, a good book, and the color of the everchanging trees outside.

Ingredients

For the crust

• 300g of biscuits
• 100g of cold butter

For the batter

• 400g of pumpkin puree
• 400ml of almond milk
• 2 large eggs
• 30g of sugar
• 1tsp of  ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tps of ground ginger
• 1/2 tps of salt
• ice sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat overn to 250°C. In a bowl make a thin powder with the biscuits. Add the butter, cut into small pieces, and mix with the hands until a getting a compact consistency. Place a baking sheet in a baking pan. Spread & flatten the biscuits dough with a fork. Then place the baking pan in the fridge.
2.  In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin puree with the milk, sugar, eggs, spices & salt. Pour into the baking pan, and bake for 15 minutes. Then reduce the temperature to 180° and bake for another 40 minutes.
3. Insert a knife in the crust, it must come out clean.
4. Wait until the pie cools down completely, then place in the fridge for a couple of hours. Sprinkle ice sugar on top of the pie and enjoy!

Today I thought that I could share some of my favourite things that are happening in the knitting world lately. And since the "knitting season" has officially started, I feel totally legit to post another wooly-related post!

• One of my favourite online wool store is having another great discount on some stunning yarns. I've been wanting the Fibre Company yarns for quite some time, so when I saw that Road to China Light had a 30% off, I couldn't resist any longer, and grabbed two skeins. (You should hurry, there's only a few skeins left).
• That sale couldn't come at a better moment, because I've been quite obssessed while shawls lately. And since I said in my previous post that I wanted to knit an accesory for this new season, I don't feel totally guilty for adding more yarn to my stash. This lovely one is probably going to be cast on very soon.
• Gudrun Johnston has released her Shetland Trader book two (have you seen this and this), and she will be in Paris, at L'Oisivethé, in October to sign copies of her book....(sigh)
• Pinecone & Mulberry has been featured on the Ravelry front page this week. That was totally unexpected, and it is very humbling.
• Liesl monthly sock challenge has started! I'll be a bit too busy this month to participate, but I'll join in before the end. (And I'm so glad that she's "back" to blogging).
• The Fancy Tiger Crafts blog that I've been reading for ages, but that I never had the chance to share it yet.
• The Shetland Wool Week Knit Along is about to start in just a few more weeks. I've been so thrilled to see so many beautiful colors put together!

Since Autumn is my favourite season, I decided to share the little list of things that I would like to try or accomplish during these favourites months. I do not want to set any “goal”, and feel frustrated once I know that none of the ones listed has be accomplished, no pressure on! But if some of the “task” listed could become a tradition that I would be thrilled to repeat year after year, that would make a very happy me.
Living alongside the seasons and enjoying the simple details that fills everyday life is something very dear to my heart. When the first shoots blossom on trees in the Spring, and they hold the promise of a luxurious harvest in the Summer, or when chestnuts are collected in the woods to make the most delicious Autumn soup, or when it’s already the time to decorate the Christmas tree and gather around a table of abundance with our family in the Winter, these are the things that I cherish the most. These simple moments that don’t last very long, but that we’re expecting with so much joy and happiness.
I do not have a lot of traditions yet, but from now on, I'll be working hard on making it something regular on the annual calendar.

Simple ideas for Autumn:

• Gathering acorns, and try making coffee.
• Taking pictures of the trees.
• Trying different recipes with squashes and nuts (soups, pies & breads).
• Knitting a sweater for Fall+ an accesorie.
• Decorating the house for the season (This wreath is so lovely).
• Preserving food for the Winter.