CABLE KNIT EAR WARMER // FREE PATTERN

February is one of my favorite months! It brings the arrival of *almost* spring time, includes many cute and yummy sweet treats, and it's a great excuse to be nice and show your love for one another. I thought it would be fun to share one of my favorite patterns this month!

 I love creating ear warmers because they are so adorable and they work up very quickly! I am all about instant gratification knits. They make great gifts and are still acceptable to wear on those chilly days even in the spring.

I would love for you guys to try out my pattern and see just how cute and beautiful it is. HEY it could be a Galentine's gift too! If you're new or unfamiliar with the cable technique I might save this one for later, but, it wouldn't hurt to try?

This pattern requires size 11 (8mm) knitting needles, a cable hook, and any super bulky 6 yarn of your choice. Lionbrand Wool Ease Thick and Quick and Hometown USA work perfectly. 

Techniques include:
// knit flat 
// cable knitting 
// purl stitches 
// knit stitches // sew seam 

This ear warmer is approximately 6” wide and can be stretched between 17”-23” wide. This is a very stretchy and forgiving headband so it slips on snug and stretches for an appropriate fit but you can add or subtract to the first and last row.

Instead of writing out the entire pattern, I will attach a downloadable link to save to your computer. 
DOWNLOAD NOW!

Here's a link to my Raverly page for a downloaded pdf version if you're into that too! AND, PLUS, ALSO if you don't knit - visit my Etsy Shop and I will make one for you :)

Let me know if you try this out in the comments below. I really, really wanna see your creations!

Happy Month of Love!

BACHELOR NATION // MY TOP PICKS

If you know me, you know I am part of Bachelor Nation. This time of year makes me happy because it is in fact, Bachelor season! I look forward to Monday’s because I get mommy time. This involves a baby in a separate room from me, an alcoholic beverage in hand, and awkwardly watching people make out. I did not get to enjoy yesterday’s ‘Monday’ because my child was overly attached to me. OF ALL DAYS. She’s still my favorite person ever though. 

Before we get too far into the season, I wanted to pick my top three! At first, I thought it was cool that Becca came back. She was definitely a fan favorite last time but I see her bringing up her same insecurities as before as not being able to open up, and who knows, maybes she’s NOT a virgin anymore? Based on the number of Instagram promos she currently posts (yes, I follow her) I’d say she’s not making it to the top three. 

JoJo stood out to me in the beginning and although she’s not making a lot of air time right now I think she may shine through in the future. She reminds me of someone I know and to be honest, I think the girl that I know should be on the show more than JoJo! She’s cute, bubbly, sexy, and wants love. 

Other than how she spells her name, Caila is my favorite girl in the house so far. If Ben doesn’t pick her I could see her getting devastatingly hurt. Also, if Ben doesn’t pick her I could see her being the next Bachelorette. She’s beautiful,  sweet, normal, and knows exactly what she wants. If that doesn’t scream bachelorette material I don’t know what does!

Lauren B. just miiiggght take the cake even though I can’t really stand her. I don’t know what it is?! I was irritated that she didn’t seem grateful and happy that Ben got a photo of him and her from their first night together PRINTED. Maybe because she’s blonde? Maybe because she’s already perfect for him? 

To clarify - Caila is my favorite. JoJo is really pretty. Lauren B will probably win, just sayin'.

GUESS WHO'S BACK? SARA NEFF.

Hello! I'm back! With a teeny tiny blog face lift.

I fell off the face of the bloggin' world almost over a year ago! Work happened. Warm weather happened. A baby turning into a toddler happened. It's so weird to see posts from that long ago to them completely coming to a halt. I also hated my blog design. Like rillll bad. SO, I've changed and turned it into something more simple. Like for real, it's my name. Can't get much simpler than that. I may change it in the future, but for now, I'm not mad about it.

Hopes and dreams to continue this blog include...
// My very own knitting patterns.

// My sewing progress (I got a sewing machine!)

// Behind the scenes look at my creativity flow... hopefully there is some flow.

// Zoey updates.

// Just posts about life in general.

It's good to be back. Hope ya missed me.

6 MONTH UPDATE | ZOEY'S HALF BIRTHDAY

We have been busy, folks! The weather has been AWESOME lately. I don’t think there has been one day over the past month that we haven’t left the house. I feel absolutely guilty staying indoors and we try and visit family as much as possible. Trips outside of the house make me feel sane (seriously, I don’t think I’ve put ‘some’ makeup on this often since before giving birth) but they are also so very exhausting.

Since having a child, I officially hate spring-forwarding. Our time, naps, and days are whack. Z has been sleeping til about 8 (which is really/was 7 before time change) and I bring her in the bed with me and we literally lay there together until about 10. By the time I finish my first cup of coffee it's well into the afternoon! I need to shake this lazy status pronto! I’ll be heading back to work in April and my wake up call is eaaarrlllyy :/

I regret to inform you I posted no 5 month update as it completely slipped my mind and now here we are at Zoey's half birthday! I don't even know when my half birthday is... But 6 months has been a real treat. I always envisioned this age during her newborn stage, was so excited to get here and - BOOM - we're here! I have also yet to schedule her next well check because A) I'm not looking forward to sitting in the waiting area for over an hour, and B) Shots. So no stats this time around but here's some fun and amazing milestones of this pumpkin! I'll make it into a list otherwise I'll feel the need to add exclamation after every hurdle! ! !

• In size 3 diapers and into size 9mo clothing (I swear she had a growth spurt a few days ago)
• Has 2 bottom teeth
• Sits up all by herself
• Grabs and holds onto things so eagerly and well
• Does NOT roll over whatsoever
• Sleeps in the crib at night and for naps - no more swing :(
• Still EBF - but bites me every time (I have the scabs to prove it but will refrain from showing you)
• Belts out low, loud, and long screeches
• Loves shopping with Mom
• Prefers paper, crinkly bags, phones and remotes over any baby toy (aka: things she is not allowed to have)
• Loves being naked
• Played at the park and went on her very first swing ride and down the slide
• Has been falling asleep in my arms again (I was so worried she wasn't going to do it anymore!)
• Wakes up 3-4 times a night :/
• Has been given a sippy cup for practice but just chews on it 
• And only semi-interested in solids

Now that she's officially 6 months I will start feeding her solids regularly. I might even bust out the high chair so she knows it's food time! She has been an awesome baby. She is so amazing around other people and she loves just hanging out with mom and dad too. We are so lucky. She is quickly growing so independent and creating quite the character and personality. I’m soaking up as much time with her as possible before its time for me to go back to work for the season. As much as I am excited for spring and summer, these next few weeks can pipe down! Now for a photo dump...

 

oh gurrrrl

WUT THE HECK.

What a week. It’s still not over. I don’t even know what occurred on Monday? I am losing my outstanding memory. I feel like I am able to clarify what day of the week it is by knowing what show is on that night - because let’s be real, television programs are what I look forward to every evening. LAME! So again, Monday was a blur. Tuesday was a blur. Wednesday - I was finally able to get caught up on my shows. The Bachelor, PLL, and RHOBH.  All in one spree. It was a relief to sort of disappear into the drama in between breaks during Z’s naps. Sleeping through the night is not happening for this little chick annnnd it sucks. I have a feeling the RnP is too small. Have I already mentioned this? I can’t remember. Anyway, Zoey grunts and demands to be taken out of the RnP and always manages to fall asleep when I nurse her on the side in our bed so this just might be a sign we’re either going to co-sleep [totally not happening] or start the crib soon :/ Max had plans to camp this weekend and he so freaking thoughtfully bought me a bottle of wine to keep me company. My loser, exhausted self, during one of Zoey’s fits of unsleep in said RnP, walked into the kitchen to grab a battery and knocked the uncorked bottle of wine onto the floor. Boom - splash - red wine everywhere. I just stood there. Like… do I clean this up or tend to my crying child? Gahh. Luckily this was during a night that Max was here so he consoled Zoey while I sulked and cried trying to wipe up the mess. I cut my thumb and cried some more. You wanna know what else I cried to? Watching the finale of another one of my shows - Parenthood. I went to the store today and got another damn bottle of wine and I plan for this bottle to keep me company this weekend instead.  

Also - the picture uploader isn't working.

Also, also - why Zulily have no reviews for products?

SLOW HANDS | TAKING TIME

I've been working endlessly for weeks renovating my Etsy shop. I am SO close yet I keep nitpicking every single little detail and it is driving me nuts! I want my designs to be perfect, precise, beautiful and every second guess is setting me back. I've realized this is a completely normal occurrence as a business owner but damn, do I lose sleep over it at night!

I took some snaps yesterday to hopefully list some items soon. Of course, I am mostly unhappy with practically EVERY photo {hah}. But I took a break and grabbed my Bubba to get some pictures with my girl because we seem to have barely any together. This is the process, setp-by-step, of trying to get one 'decent' photo :)

WINTER STROLL

The weather has been so mild here lately in the north west! We’ve certainly had our cold days but it doesn’t feel like we’re in the dead of winter. All three of us were having one of those days where we just needed to get outta the house! Fresh air and the sun were on the agenda as we headed out to the centennial trail. It wraps around the lake giving breathtaking views. Everything was so crisp. I definitely trooped up and made sure everyone was dressed warm - I wish you could see the pom on Zoey’s hat! Also, Max freaking loves pushing the stroller. He hogs it but that’s okay ;) This week is supposed to be in the 50’s while the east coast is getting a dumping of snow! Not sure how I feel about that… I’d be okay with some more snow, Mr. Winter!