They say it's your birthday! ~ By guest blogger Kelly Lightbeam

Happy birthday to the best blog I've had the fortune of following.  I really mean it!  You've taken me on road trips, and across the ocean, to places I could only dream of.  You have been so welcoming, creating a circle of friends, and enriching all of our lives with beautiful photos, uplifting messages, and by sharing your triumphs and sorrows.  I love being able to come here and see what everyone is working on, which inspires me to knit more too.

Speaking of knitting more ~ I recently had the opportunity to take classes with Stephen West and Steven Berg.  I am already seeing their influence in my knitting, and feel myself moving in a new direction, toward free-form knitting.  However, before I go off the deep end, I wanted to pay homage to this group by joining in the Knit-a-long!  I chose a beautiful Madeline Tosh Sock yarn (from stash!) after looking through some of the finished projects on Ravelry, and seeing so many beautiful shawls knit in this yarn. 

I also have a new friend to keep me company tonight while I knit.  His name is Charlie Pickle, and he's a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.  We're puppy-sitting for the weekend, but we are mighty tempted to keep him, and tell his family that he ran away!  (Just a joke, we'd never actually do it.)

Charlie Pickle ~ Isn't he handsome?

OK, off to cast on!  I can't wait to see everyone's projects.

Much love,
Kelly Lightbeam