A Cozy Labor Day Weekend + My Hearthside Cowl Reveal

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Join me for a cozy Labor Day weekend in our off-grid cabin, filled with biking, hiking, a bald eagle sighting, and birthday surprises! Plus, get a sneak peek at my new Hearthside Crochet Cowl pattern and the story behind its creation.

Hey there, friend!

Grab a cup of coffee (or tea…or a glass of wine!), and let’s chat about my Labor Day weekend and what’s been going on with my crochet projects. It’s been such a full, happy few days out here in our little off-grid cabin, and I’m excited to share it with you like we’re catching up in person.

Labor Day Weekend Adventures

This weekend was so nice. My husband and I started it with a bike ride, just the two of us. We did a 26-mile loop around the trails near our place. It was chilly in the best way, and near the end, we saw a bald eagle! I mean, how cool is that? It was just perched high up on a tree in front of us, looking so powerful. I could’ve watched it all day.

Hiking with Mom

Then my parents came up to visit, which was awesome. Mom and I decided to go for a hike in the Finger Lakes National Forest. We picked this trail that’s part forest, part cow pasture…yep, cows! There were these gates with signs telling us to close them so the cows wouldn’t wander off. It was such a fun mix of woods and open fields, and honestly, just walking and talking with Mom felt so good.

Oh, and Mom brought birthday gifts since she and Dad don’t get down here often. My birthday’s next week, and my husband’s is the week after, so she came prepared with goodies for both of us. One of my gifts was this gorgeous handmade mug, and I’m obsessed! Living tiny means I can’t keep a ton of stuff, but a good mug for my morning tea? That’s a keeper. It’s got this earthy glaze that feels so cozy in my hands.

Before they headed home, we all went out for dinner by the lake. It was one of those perfect evenings—good food, great company, and that calm lake view. It felt like the best way to wrap up the day, you know?

Firewood for the Winter

Oh, and I have to tell you about something else that happened this week! My husband tackled a couple of dead trees on our property. They were in risky spots, leaning a bit too close to the cabin for comfort, and one was even starting to crack – yikes! We were definitely on borrowed time with that one. Taking them down was a big job, but the silver lining? Free firewood! I hate to even think about winter, but it’s creeping up fast, and we’ll need to start firing up the woodstove in the next month or so. It’s nice knowing we’re a little more prepared now.

Crochet Diaries: What I’ve Been Working On

Okay, let’s talk crochet! I finally finished my Cottage Blossom Wall Hanging last week, and it’s up on the site now. If you haven’t seen it, you should totally check it out here. I’m kind of obsessed with how it turned out – it’s so cozy in our cabin.

This week, I started a new project: a cowl I’m calling the Hearthside Cowl. I was digging through my yarn stash and found this skein of Plymouth Yarn Hot Cakes in “Fox Mix“. I got it from a cute shop in Leavenworth, Kansas, last year and totally forgot about it. The colors are so warm and pretty, I had to start something with it right away.

The Hearthside Crochet Cowl Pattern

So, I started the cowl with the diagonal chevron stitch, thinking it’d be perfect since it’s usually worked in the round. But the striping in the Hot Cakes yarn wasn’t vibing with it (left photo). I got through half the skein before I admitted it wasn’t working (ok, I don’t think it looked terrible…. I did actually kind of like it!). So, I switched to short rows and a different stitch (right photo), and oh my gosh, it’s so much better now! It’s got that cozy, fireside feel I was going for.

Snapping Some Pics

Today, I met up with my assistant, and we took some photos of my hearthside crochet cowl pattern. I think they turned out really nice—can’t wait to show you the final pattern when it’s ready!

Wrapping Up

This weekend was the kind of mix I love…time outside, family, and some fun with yarn. Living out here in the woods feels so right, especially when I get to share these moments and projects with you. I’ll keep you posted on the cowl and what’s next in my Crochet Diaries. Talk soon, okay?

XOXO,
Christine