Seasonal Knits

Even though it's summer and it's hot as blazes here in Florida, the weather has not stopped my knitting needles from clicking away. It has stopped me from weeding in my garden though.

I've been having fun anticipating the change in the weather and the upcoming fall season. It means a lot - back to school, autumn harvest (although in Florida it means planting season), and Halloween!

Halloween has always been a favorite holiday of mine. It's so sensory. I love trick or treating. There was never any candy in my house when I was a child, but we were allowed the booty from trick or treating. I loved being outside at dark, and all your friends were disguised. There was anticipation and excitement for what you were going to see and meet. I grew up in the north, and there were dry and crinkly leaves that crackled under your feet. The twinkle of candles in a jack-o'-lantern's eyes....

The last time I trick or treated I was 20! In college. I convinced a few of my friends to go with me. One was from Japan, and had never been, so she was up for it. I was a mummy. My boyfriend, who was tall and mustachioed, and dressed as a pirate, gave our ages away and elicited a few comments, like "aren't you too old for this?" but we got candy anyway.

Now I go along with my kids and it's still as much fun. But, alas, I don't get as much candy. There's a lot to knit for Halloween. You could make masks, costume accessories, trick or treat bags....

My children are excited for back to school. My eldest is an accomplished knitter, and she knit a crayon box to go along with my pencil case (http://www.taffyknits.etsy.com/). There are a few fun patterns out on the web for Autumn. I've made some felted apples, and a Spider Web necklace, and I have some pumpkins waiting to be felted. Lion Brand Company (http://www.lionbrand.com/) has the cutest crocheted skull pattern.

I'm hanging in there til the weather breaks. At least I have rain to offer relief. It'll be another couple of months probably before I sense any autumn.