Author | Lightnews

Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 19h

I sat down yesterday with every intention of finishing some lingering computer work that I had to do, which is, of course, how I found myself watching a goofy docudrama about ancient Rome and knitting a shawl. Of course.

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 23h

We just keep repeating it until we believe it, right?

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 23h

You can do it! An imperfect practice sweater is great for lounging at home and gardening and doing craft projects.

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 23h

Haha same! I am fascinated by it.

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 23h

I hope you end up with a comfy wardrobe of socks that fit your feet just right!

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 1d

The updated Santa Rosa Socks pattern is now available! 5 sizes, a new sample, better instructions, and proper tech editing. www.ravelry.com/patterns/lib...

Santa Rosa Socks pattern by Lauren Rad

This pattern includes a second PDF version that is formatted for knitters with low vision. It has black text, size 22 or larger text in a sans serif font, no italics, no columns, and fully-written dir...

www.ravelry.com

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 1d

The star toe is one of my favorite little variations for knit socks. It has the same depth and rate of decrease as a wedge toe, but feels different: www.abeeinthebonnet.com/blog/how-to-...

How to Knit a Star Toe (Toe Up and Cuff Down) - A Bee In The Bonnet

The star toe is a great toe for knitters who don't like grafting or whose middle toes are longer than their big toe. Here's how to knit it.

www.abeeinthebonnet.com

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 1d

Do you ever feel the perfectionism monster creeping up on you while you’re knitting? Remember, the small imperfections in our projects are signs that human hands made the finished item. We’re not machines. We’re people.

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 1d

And look, I don't pretend to be some particularly astute and wonderful observer of what's happening around me, but I knew enough to know that even the ordinary diaries of ordinary people living through ordinary and extraordinary times can be rich resources down the line.

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 1d

As a young history student in the early 2000s, I had a regular practice of printing out my LiveJournal entries and putting them into three-ring binders. I have volumes of writing that span years, because even as early as 2002, I could see what would happen.

The Flytrap @theflytrapmedia.com · 2d

Did you know that, according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, 38% of webpages that existed in 2013 are no longer accessible?

When Online Content Disappears

A quarter of all webpages that existed at one point between 2013 and 2023 are no longer accessible.

f.mtr.cool

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 1d

Sometimes a flower has a stem that’s too weak to hold it upright in a vase. When that happens, I like to trim it short and float it in a pretty bowl of water. Here’s a rose getting the float treatment.

A white rose floats in small, blue and white Jasperware bowl.

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 2d

Guess what? I don't just knit all day! And since it's about time to dig up my dahlia tubers for winter, I thought I'd share some tips here. www.abeeinthebonnet.com/blog/how-to-...

How to Care for Your Dahlia Bulbs During Winter - A Bee In The Bonnet

Dahlia bulbs don't like to be exposed to cold temperatures for too long. Here's how to help your dahlias survive winter.

www.abeeinthebonnet.com

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 2d

Fall always feels like a good time for some stash busting. I have a ton of sock yarn that I need to use up, and I love holding it double (or even triple!) to really crank through the leftovers. Got any good recommendations for me?

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 2d

I have not one, not two, but three different knit shawls that I need to write the patterns for. Hold me to this: I’m going to have those patterns all drafted and sent to my tech editor by the end of November. Feel free to pester me on social media if I haven’t posted about finishing them by Nov 30.

A white shawl with lace trim is draped around a white dressmaker's form. In the background is a vintage print of a landscape painting and a potted orchid.

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 3d

It can be easy to get all up in your head about things sometimes. Knitters are just as prone to it as anyone else. If that's you today, this might be helpful. www.abeeinthebonnet.com/blog/7-encou...

7 Encouraging Affirmations for Knitters - A Bee In The Bonnet

Here are some knitting affirmations to help you feel strong and confident in your making journey, because we all need encouragement sometimes.

www.abeeinthebonnet.com

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 3d

We got home late last night from a very quick trip to visit my brother. It’s supposed to be 88 degrees here today. Little Rad stared at me when I told her the forecast, nodded once, and muttered, “Shoulda stayed in Philly.”

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 3d

As I'm coming up on the finish line for the Mitered Square Blanket of Doom, I regret to inform you of one unavoidable fact: I'm already scheming on at least three other mitered square projects. Whoops.

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 4d

It's almost the end of Socktober, which means it's almost the end of my annual Socktober sale! I'll be sending out one more email on the 30th with the discount code. If you're not yet a subscriber, you can sign up here: www.abeeinthebonnet.com/subscribe-to...

Subscribe to My Newsletter - A Bee In The Bonnet

My newsletter is the lifeblood of my business. I take seriously the trust you’ve placed in me by sharing your email address, and I don’t sell or share your email with others. Newsletter subscribers…

www.abeeinthebonnet.com

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 4d

I knit my kid her first pair of socks recently, and she proudly wore them to school on a rainy day. I don't think my 22-year-old self quite anticipated how great this would feel when she first started knitting, but man, it's great.

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 4d

Digging around for inspiration for next year's designs. You can get ides for knitting projects just about anywhere, you know, and I think that's so fun.

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 5d

I have a confession: I snack while knitting. I know, I know, it's a risky proposition, but sometimes a gal needs a little treat. www.abeeinthebonnet.com/blog/the-bes...

The Best Knitting Snacks: Food Ideas for Stitchers - A Bee In The Bonnet

Choosing the right knitting snacks can be a tricky endeavor. Here are the most important things I look for in a good snack.

www.abeeinthebonnet.com

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 5d

Coming Friday: the updated Santa Rosa Socks pattern, available on its own or in a bundle of 4 patterns for a big discount. Newsletter signups here: www.abeeinthebonnet.com/subscribe-to...

Four pairs of handknit socks in pink, brown, cream, and green are laid out on a white tablecloth with all the toes pointing toward the bottom right. The green socks are most in focus at the front.

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 5d

Fellow knitters, do you still have your first finished knit? I have mine, a lumpy and misshapen scarf that I knit for my then-boyfriend. Don't worry, he didn't give it back. We're just married and share a closet now.

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Reposted by Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet

castawayfarm.bsky.social @castawayfarm.bsky.social · 5d

Feeding America has a page where you can input your zip code and it'll show you all of the food banks near you overlaid on a map. If you need it, it's there. If you don't need it, think about donating money if you have it and your time if you don't.

www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...

Find Your Local Food Bank | Feeding America

Find the Feeding America member food bank nearest you. Over 200 member food banks can connect you with free food, food pantries, soup kitchens, and mobile pantries in your community.

www.feedingamerica.org

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Lauren | A Bee in the Bonnet @abeeinthebonnet.bsky.social · 5d

This is your very occasional reminder that every month, your pattern purchases and blog visits help my small business send $100 to the local food bank. Even when you don't realize you're helping people, you're helping people.

Because it's always a good day to feed our neighbors.

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