Wheatheart

Melanie Berg has a new pattern.

Wheatheart has a free Row Map included, which makes knitting more accessible for chemo therapy patients and others who struggle with their concentration. Find out more about Row Maps here. 

Wheatheart is a modern throw-over style shirt that brings together relaxed comfort and a beautiful, timeless texture. Knitted with Fruity Knitting Sport by Artisan Fibers, a special blend of Corriedale wool and silk, it creates a fabric with a lovely drape, a soft sheen, and just the right amount of warmth. 

The highlight of Wheatheart is its delicate wheat texture pattern, inspired by the simple beauty of natural forms. The pattern adds depth and interest without feeling too busy, making this a piece you’ll reach for again and again. With its easy, relaxed shape and charming button details at the sides, Wheatheart offers a fresh take on everyday knitwear. 

Whether worn over a dress, paired with jeans, or layered on a cool day, Wheatheart is designed to become a favorite companion in your handmade wardrobe. A little piece of comfort, texture, and effortless style.

You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry. 

The top is knit in sportweight yarn. Malabrigo Arroyo and Emma’s So Sporty are great choices.

I just finished my Thursday post and I’m setting this to post tomorrow - just in case I get busy.😜. Eating, sleeping, pool, knitting, reading, casino….. 

Hello from San Juan

I’m sitting on my balcony to have a bit of rest and to write. It’s been a busy few days. 

Tuesday we were in St. Kitts. The tour was the scenic railway. Not quite the train I took in the spring. We had a one hour van ride to get to the train and our van didn’t have air conditioning. Not great in the Caribbean in August. We made it okay but I opted for the bottom floor of the train that did have air conditioning. Also, the stairs to upstairs were super narrow, super steep and winding. It wasn’t the place to fall on the stairs.

What we saw was beautiful.

Yesterday we were in St. Martin. 

We were docked in San Juan this morning at 7:30. I didn’t have anything planned except walking to Starbucks to get a mug. Beth and I have tried on previous trips and they were sold out. I went early (8am) because it was going to be really hot today. I was back at the ship by 8:30 without a mug. Sold out again. Beth couldn’t believe I made it that fast because it’s a walk up hill. After St. John’s this was barely going uphill. Then I had a nap, swam and read. We’re just pulling out now.

I don’t go to a lot of shows but Ronn Lucas was performing on the ship last night. He is a comedian and ventriloquist. He headlined in Vegas for years and has performed for presidents and the Queen. Beth saw him last fall on a cruise. They fly him to an island to meet the ship and then spends 3 or 4 days on board performing.

I haven’t laughed this hard in a very long time. If you ever have a chance to see him don’t miss out. I might go again tonight if I can stay up for the late show.

He pulls someone out of the crowd and dressed him up. I had an elderly, very prim and proper lady sitting beside me. She was laughing just as hard as I was. We both had tears.

There hasn’t been much knitting. 

Reason 1: I’m almost at the armhole and I’m afraid that I might get the measurement wrong. I should have measured a sweater at home before coming. Tomorrow is a sea day and I’m going to bite the bullet and divide

Reason 2: I’m enjoying my book. I don’t read as fast as Beth (she did 3 books on her 4 day cruise) but I hope to get one finished before I get home.

Reason 3: I’m enjoying the relaxation and doing nothing. 

Happy Thursday. Thankfully all elevators have the day of the week because you lose track of time.

Lovely Links

Stitch Nerd has a new pattern.

The shawl starts with a central triangle and is then split and 2 sides worked separately.

It’s a very easy relaxing knit. 

Please note that the pattern is CHARTED only - but there are 2 sets of charts - one for light MC and one for dark MC, because both work equally well. 

The shawl looks great worked with gradient, self-striping or handspun yarn - either 2 that work together, or one with a solid yarn. 

Sport, DK and worsted weights all work well 
Allow approx. 400m/440yds of MC and 300m/330yds of CC. 

I first made one of these 10 years ago, but it took a while for me to finally write it up as there are a lot of charts involved - but the knitting is easy and relaxing. 

Several of my shawls went to family and friends, so for me it also reminds me of family/friend links.

You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry 

For the self-striping yarn you can use

• Edition 3
• Starke 6
• Dyed in the Wool
• Dream State

Question of the Day

Pancakes or waffles? 

Sunny sea day

I’ve had a relaxing few days on the ship.

A few naps. Walking the ship. A bit of time in the casino. Eating. Knitting. Trivia and shows. This is my set up on the balcony. Lynn suggested The Blacklist and I’m almost done season 2. 

It was nice on the balcony earlier but now it’s hot with no breeze. I won’t be here for too long. 

I’ve also spent some time reading. Beth sent two books with me. I don’t read at home because there are other things to do but I’m enjoying sitting quietly by myself.

Last night I saw the Aqua show - one of the highlights of the trip.

Tonight they are showing a movie at the Aqua Theatre on the big screen. I’m going to sit with my knitting.

Tomorrow we’re in St. Kitt’s which I’ve never been to before. I’ll be on a train that tours the island and I can’t wait to see it.

Dad, Beth and the dogs spent the weekend at the cottage. They got soaked more than once while fishing. This was after coming home and changing into pjs while their clothes went in the dryer. Dad and his dogs eating ice cream.

Trip Knitting

I’m on the ship and have had a great day. Right now I’m on my balcony writing but I have activities lined up later tonight so it will be a short post. What activities? Game shows, trivia, Aqua show and more. There could be a stop in the casino.

I cast on the Tally Tee to bring with me. It is very easy knitting and perfect for the plane and ship.

Here are some of the views from my balcony. I have a Boardwalk Balcony so I look down the middle of the ship - not the ocean. I would love to have booked an ocean view but the price difference didn’t warrant it. There is a breeze and it’s quite enjoyable sitting out here.

I had lunch at a restaurant I frequented my last time on this ship. One of the waiters came running over - he served me many times. Then the man who made my tea at the coffee shop was on my last cruise as well. It was nice to see familiar faces.

Tomorrow is a sea day so there could be some knitting. I’m going to try and knit as much as I can but we’ll see how that goes.

Lack of Sleep

Lynn brought in her Antipodes today. It’s growing and I’m jealous. She has joined the front and back and is working in the round.

Here are some colour combinations for Laura Dobratz’s Tally Tee. I used Practically Perfect Sock for these

Jackie O

Dusk til Dawn

After Dark

Set Sail

April 2026

Love & Leche

Denim

Mom Jeans

Whisper

We had a great dinner last night. Our friends left and we took the dogs out to do their business before bed. Fred got sprayed by a skunk in our yard. 🤬 

It took some time to get him cleaned up and the house cleaned up. Most of the smell is gone. There wasn’t much sleep for anyone and we’re all dragging today

Question of the Day

Would you rather

• Never know where you are going?
• OR
• Never know when you are leaving?

Tally Tee

Laura Dobratz (Emma’s mom) has a new sweater pattern.

The Tally Tee is named for Tallahassee, Florida, where Florida State University is located, and the fourth purl will be attending school.

It’s move-in day!! Use the code “moveinday” for 40% off this pattern through the end of the month.

I need something other than saying goodbye to focus on this weekend, so send me all your good wishes! 

My endlessly wearable take on super simple knit. This top will fly off your needles, and the endless color combinations will have you casting on another right away!

The combination of a super soft yarn, stunning marled color combinations, and large needles have become my new obsession! Not to mention, this top looks fantastic on many bodies. Since I used wool, it will keep me cool during the hot Florida summer, even though it’s nearly worsted weight, and warm on cool fall evenings.

Pick three colors or combine all of your beautiful scraps! I bet you can’t make just one.

Yarn is held tripled throughout.

You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

The sweater is knit with three strands of fingering weight yarn. 

If your want to have fun you can fade the sweater. Light at the top fading to dark at the bottom. You will start with

• 3 strands light
• 2 light and 1 medium
• 1 light and 2 medium
• 3 medium
• 2 medium and 1 dark
• 2 dark and 1 medium
• 3 dark

You will have to look at the finished measurement and do a bit of math but the finished sweater will be stunning.

There are so many fun ways that colour can be put together for this.

Here is a link to all our fingering weight yarns.

This sample is knit with Practically Perfect Sock in 

Twilight

Beach Please

Petal

I’ve written some posts ahead of time so I would have something to share while I’m away. I was so excited about this new sweater that I couldn’t wait. We have kits on the way and they will be available the first week of September.

Each kit contains 3 skeins of Hella Hank. The sweater is knit holding all three strands at the same time.

Each Hella Hank contains 600 ultra-soft yards of 80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, and 10% Nylon. 

Finished bust measurements 34” - 46” need one kit to make the sweater.

Finished bust measurements 50” - 72” need two kits to make the sweater.

Preorder the kits on the website. 

I’m going to try and put some combinations of Practically Perfect Sock together before I go. 

Tonight we have a friend from grade school and her children coming for dinner. It is going to be loud at our house tonight!!!