The rose has a long history as a symbol of beauty and love, as well as significant political and economic importance. Fossil evidence shows that roses are at least 35 million years old, and they have been cultivated for around 5,000 years. They have been grown not only for their beauty and fragrance, but also for medicinal, cosmetic and culinar...

The gorgeous, patterned knit clothing made by Oleana of Norway is a constant source of inspiration for me. I eagerly look forward to the new collections that are released twice a year to see what new delights await. These high quality, fine-gauge, machine knit garments and accessories are made of a luxurious blend of Merino and silk and designe...

I love the solstices and equinoxes of the year – they are like balancing points between seasons that mark our progress through the year. It’s fascinating to think of that one brief moment in time, the tipping point, just before the short days start to gradually become longer, or when the day and night are equal. It feels as though time has stop...

Love is a universal condition among humans, and many other species as well. So many have tried to describe it, though it remains very individual and unique to those who experience it:

January is too early to start thinking about spring flowers, but as the days begin to grow longer it’s hard to help it. Even here in New Mexico the first leaves on trees and tender blooms in the flower beds are still weeks away, but there are still tiny signs of the world coming to life again – the rosemary is in bloom already, and tender shoot...

January is too early to start thinking about spring flowers, but as the days begin to grow longer it’s hard to help it. Even here in New Mexico the first leaves on trees and tender blooms in the flower beds are still weeks away, but there are still tiny signs of the world coming to life again – the rosemary is in bloom already, and tender shoot...

Dia de los Muertos is always a much-anticipated holiday where I live in southwest New Mexico. It’s usually celebrated for several days, beginning October 31 through November 2, which is the official Day of the Dead. Despite its somewhat macabre symbolism, it is a joyous celebration, filled with life, color, art and humor. It’s much more than a ...

The desert around Tucson, Arizona is a strange and magical place. It is populated by an amazing profusion of cactus species that, in many places, grow so thick and tall that it feels like an otherworldly forest. Of course there is the famous Saguaro which grows nowhere else in the world, but you will also find spiny plants of every imaginable s...

Get both Golden Oak patterns, both hat and mittens, for just $6.00! No coupon code is needed. This discount is retroactive, so if you’ve already purchased one pattern you will still receive the discount if you purchase the other! (Sorry, this will only work with purchase, not if the hat pattern was downloaded when it was free.)

Get both Golden Oak patterns, both hat and mittens, for just $6.00! No coupon code is needed. This discount is retroactive, so if you’ve already purchased one pattern you will still receive the discount if you purchase the other! (Sorry, this will only work with purchase, not if the hat pattern was downloaded when it was free.)

Buy both Meteor Shower patterns, Beanie and Mittens, for only $6.00! No coupon code needed; the discount will be automatically applied when you buy both. And if you have already purchased the beanie pattern, the discount still applies - you’ll get the mittens pattern for only $2.00! Please note that the retroactive discount will not work if you...

earthfaire is now offering a kit to knit Raven’s Wing Wristlets! It includes luxurious, silk blend yarns and your choice of bead colors. You can see it here.

Buy both Meteor Shower patterns, Beanie and Mittens, for only $6.00! No coupon code needed; the discount will be automatically applied when you buy both. And if you have already purchased the beanie pattern, the discount still applies - you’ll get the mittens pattern for only $2.00! Please note that the retroactive discount will not work if you...

Like many knitters, I like to knit year round, so I’m always on the lookout for fun small projects to knit during the warmer months – who needs a heavy sweater on your lap in July? Summer knitting is even more fun when you can knit something you can wear right now! I think these beaded wristlets are the perfect summer project – they’re easy and...

I knitted this hat originally for a dear friend who has entered a very difficult stage of his life – after successfully battling lymphoma, he is now succumbing to dementia. He is one of the most kind, generous, and positive people I’ve been privileged to know, and even as he struggles with the fear and confusion of his new condition, he accepts...

In ancient Roman mythology, Flora is the Goddess of Spring, and she represents the renewal and regeneration of the earth. Of course, her symbols are all the leaves, flowers and fruits that appear in spring and throughout the summer. Flora also appears in Celtic and European Pagan tradition, where she is known as the May Bride. Her male counterp...

In 1903, Sherlock Holmes retired to the Sussex Downs near the sea, where he occupied himself with agriculture and beekeeping. This may seem like a tame ending to such an adventurous life, but true Sherlockians will know that Holmes was deeply fascinated with the workings of the natural world, and had many interests beyond solving crimes.

Despite my love for the Southwest high desert landscape that is my home, I confess that I have a secret longing for greener places. I fantasize about the deep, dark green of primeval forests, seemingly untouched by human life, but perhaps populated with faeries, elves and other ancient beings. In Greek mythology, dryads are tree nymphs, spirits...

I’ve had some interesting experiences with bees this spring - most recently I had the privilege to see a bee swarm, my first, up close and personal! Bees “swarm” in the spring when a new queen is born and part of the hive leaves to find a new home. A small group of scout bees first finds a suitable place, then they return to the hive to convinc...

The Edelweiss grows in the Alpine regions of European mountains, at high altitudes above the treeline. It prefers rocky limestone outcroppings, and its leaves and flowers are covered with fine hairs that protect them from cold and UV rays and give them a wooly appearance. For its beauty, rarity, and because it thrives in this extreme yet magnif...

The ladies of the Jane Austen book club enjoy meeting on the lawn for afternoon tea. As we arrive in our breezy cotton dresses and pearls, we are greeted by birdsong and the perfume of new-mown grass. We discover a beautiful table in the shade of the big elm, laid with a lace tablecloth and delicate china. A bowl of pansies, fresh from the gard...

The triple spiral (triskelion) is frequently featured in Celtic art. It is an ancient symbol, however, that predates even the Celts and is thought by many to represent the three realms: land, water and sky. It’s clearly a symbol that resonates with humankind because it continues to be found today in all sorts of contexts, from diverse to unlike...

This spring the dwarf apple tree outside my kitchen window just exploded into bloom! Stray petals wafted through the window on the breeze, and it wasn’t long before the intoxicating fragrance called me outside. I spent a happy hour sitting next to the tree with my knitting, soaking up the sunshine and exquisite floral sweetness, and listening t...

I have long admired and been inspired by the distinctive knit clothing made by Oleana of Norway. These high quality, fine-gauge, machine knit garments and accessories are made of a luxurious blend of Merino and silk and designed in a wonderful array of patterns, mostly tone-on-tone florals and botanical motifs, accented with small geometric pat...

Sometimes winter seems to drag on forever, and as the days begin to get longer it’s impossible to keep from dreaming about warm spring days ahead. As soon as the winter holidays are over I start dreaming about the garden I’ll have this year. I sketch out plans while I pore over seed catalogs and garden supply websites, thinking about the lovel...

I have long been fascinated by the development of patchwork and applique quilting in America. Neither technique is unique to this country, yet it has evolved here in a distincly American way as one of our true indigenous art forms. It had its humble beginnings in Colonial times - early settlers could only bring a limited amount of clothing and ...

This pattern has been updated! It now comes in two sizes with full color charts for both hands, expanded instructions, larger charts, and mini-photo tutorials for the embroidery stitches.

These lovely little accessories are like knitted jewelry, a colorful accent to peek out from under your sleeves while they keep your wrists warm. I was inspired by winters and celebrations of long ago - the colors are reminiscent of fading fallen leaves, bright berries and the sparkle of snow in the deep, quiet green of Druid forests. Metallic ...