I'm back from teaching at the Squam Fall Retreat! Just like last year, Squam is a magical teaching experience. I had the privilege of teaching students from all over the globe, sitting down to meals with people from all walks of life coming together for the love of craft, sharing stories, ideas, lakeside views and walks through the woods. It's one of those retreats that as soon as you leave, you want to come back. I look forward to next year.

My class at Squam was a technique-based class centered around one project, the Astrid Headband. Designed to be a boot camp knitting experience of sorts, we covered chart reading, kitchener stitch, bobbles, lace, cabling without a cable needle, the provisional cast on, applied i-cord and blocking. The pattern remains a Squam exclusive until after the retreat is over and now I'm happy to introduce it to you, dear readers!

Knit in fingering weight in the delightful Socks that Rock Mediumweight (I love the stretch factor of this sock yarn) and knit on us 2s, this is an ideal travel project. I worked on my second class sample at the airport, on the plane, at meals and always had it tucked away in my bag for those moments when I could sneak in a few rows. It kept my interest as I knit, was easy to follow and is blocked and ready for when the chill descends upon us.

The Astrid Headband is designed to fit an average adult-sized head but also comes with notes on how to adjust the sizing for larger skulls.

Download the Astrid Headband here.

The other announcement is that I have a WIP (work-in-progress) that we've been keeping under wraps. We are expanding our lovely little family from 3 to 4! I'm due in March and we are beyond excited. Stay tuned for lots of baby knits headed this way!

That's all for now as I try to catch up from Squam. What's on your needles?