What's this? Looks like the Easter Bunny to me. Coming to wish you all a very Happy Easter!

Easter brings back so many memories for me. I think of my sister and myself, dressed in our Easter finery. I have pictures of us that positively shout Easter, the two of us obviously stuffed with Easter Bunny chocolate, standing self-consciously against the backdrop of the rose trellis at the old house we grew up in. The sunshine sometimes weak and watery, hesitating between winter and spring. We have on identical dresses, except for color, and sport the same little purses and hats. We smile the way all children do when they're eager to get on with the day and away from the camera.

I study the pictures and know that right after they were taken we went off to church. Sang hymns celebrating the day, and then came home to grandparents and aunts and uncles and ham, probably with scalloped potatoes and peas. And lots of cousins.

I spend the day more quietly now. No grandparents, and the cousins are far away. Even my sister is gone. My own kids are working in our 24/7 world or else visited last week when they could. But the day is still a cause for happiness and reflection. And considering rebirth and Spring and miracles.

Easter. No matter how you spend it, I wish you a happy one.

new lace

This is Cat's Cradle Long-Ways Scarf from Jackie E-S at HeartStrings Fiber Arts. I've long admired her patterns and finally added some to the store.

I've made a couple of these as gifts, and am finally getting around to making one for myself. I've had a bunch of people ask me about good patterns for beginning lace knitters, and this one always comes to mind. The pattern gives stunning results with minimal effort, is especially good for variegated yarns, and looks great in any weight yarn.

I prefer charts when I'm knitting lace now, but I remember how intimidating they were when I first learned to use them. This pattern is a good introduction to lace because there are no charts--the lace patterns (only two) are simple and repeat over only 3 or 4 stitches across the row, and at least every other row is knit.

All that, plus the pattern includes a basic tutorial on lace blocking.


Here's another one from HeartStrings that's also good for beginners. Only two simple lace pattern rows repeat, and there are instructions for a scarf, headband, fingerless mitts or 'muffatees', lower arm warmers. And the stitch pattern looks equally good from either side--can't beat that. The headband only required about 75 yards, and I've got plans to use up a bunch of my left-over yarn from other projects. My 'waste not, want not' grandma would be proud.

Sock yarns here and lace yarns here. Feel free to enhance your stash.