My mother has knitted and crocheted for as long as I can remember. While travelling in the car, while waiting for appointments, while watching tv. It was always something I could never grasp. I think I just never had the patience to sit and concentrate long enough.
I remember years ago she used to have a weekly group of ladies over and she taught them how to knit and crochet various projects. Some were great at it, some were like me and needed a LOT of help. Some of them, having worked on the same project for multiple years, were really only there for some social interaction. She used to call their group her bunch of Knit-Wits!
When our Granny Panty leggings arrived I thought it sure would be fun to start a little club of Knit-Wits. No pressure – just trying something new and a connection point with others. But then I tried to read a pattern. O.M.Goodness! I didn’t know about weight, and gauge, and needle size, and what on earth were all these abbreviations they were using??? So having to rethink my approach I got the best advice I could get – I went to my Mom. And so began my first real attempt at crocheting!
Our Knit-Wit Ribbed Hat pattern is derived from one of Melanie’s hat patterns she makes. Melanie, our Director, Field Operations at She’s Got Leggz, has been making hats for the Legion for years. Hundreds of them! But she doesn’t use a pattern. She too doesn’t understand the secret language of the knitter world.
So with my new found knowledge of crocheting from my Mom, and Melanie’s fine motor skills we came up with our own “recipe” that uses real words for the instructions.
We hope you have fun with our Knit-Wit Kit and that it be a reminder to challenge yourself, to stay connected with friends, and to always remember you are never to old to learn something new! Go be a Knit-Wit!
Here is our Knit-Wit Ribbed Hat pattern and links to some helper video! We can’t wait to see what you create.
With the end of summer quickly approaching, we’ve put together a list of drinks, activities, and books to help you make the most of these last few weeks of warm weather.
Top 5 Summer Drinks
Some refreshing summer drinks to try!
Classic Piña Colada
I don’t think there is a more iconic summer drink than the piña colada. This beverage perfectly combines pineapple, lime, coconut and rum to quench your thirst and delight your taste buds. Bonus? It’s super easy to make – all you need is a few ingredients and a blender!
This one is kid-friendly and definitely a family favourite! Anytime a hot day rolls around, I make a pitcher of strawberry lemonade for the kids (and myself)!
This beverage can either be freshly made (click here for the recipe) or store-bought. Both taste great, so it’s your choice!
Mint Mojito
Every time I hear the name Mojito, I’m immediately brought back to a beautiful day on the beach in Mexico. This drink is delicious, and I seriously recommend trying it.
Are you a fan of summer vodka cocktails? If so, then you should add Sea Breeze to your must-try list! This light, tangy and refreshing drink combines cranberry and grapefruit for an all-around irresistible taste.
Here’s a sunny spin on the classic Margarita to help brighten your summer day. This recipe only calls for a blender and a small list of ingredients, making it super easy to make. So, if you love refreshing drinks with a sweet, zingy and delectable taste, this drink is perfect for you!
Cornhole is such a classic when it comes to summer games. Whether you’re at the cottage, the park or in your backyard, it’s the perfect game to get the whole family involved.
How to play:
In cornhole, 2-4 players divide themselves into two teams, and each stands by one of the two cornhole boards. Each team gets 4 bean bags, and they then take turns attempting to throw the bean bags into the hole on the board opposite them. Once all the bags have been thrown, points are counted, and the next round begins.
Three points are given when a bag goes through the hole, and one point is given if the bag lands on the boards. The first team to reach 21 points or more wins.
Frisbee is one of those games that you can play no matter how old you get. So, when the wind is right, grab your kids and join them for a game of frisbee out in the yard. You could even let your dog join!
Mini Golf
Mini Golf is such a fun summer activity. You can go to your local mini-golf course with your kids, extended family, or friends to enjoy a day of fun. Just be sure to abide by COVID-19 guidelines.
Bowling
Whether you want to enjoy a round of backyard bowling with your family or go out to your local bowling alley, this is a great summer (and year-round) activity.
Click here for instructions on how to make your own DIY backyard bowling game.
Spikeball
How to play:
In Spikeball, 2 teams of 2 stand around a taut hula hoop-sized Spikeball net. A round starts when a player serves the ball down on the net, causing it to bounce up towards his/her opponents. The other team can then control the ball and bounce it back off the net with three hits or less.
At first glance, this game may seem a bit intimidating. But once you get the hang of it, it’s a great game to play with family or friends.
A woman sitting on a poolside lounge chair reading a book.
Of Women and Salt – Gabriela Garcia
In Of Women and Salt, Jeanette, an addict living in Miami with her Cuban immigrant mother, Carmen, seeks to learn more about her family’s history. Throughout the story, Jeanette learns that Carmen is struggling with a turbulent relationship with her mother. This then prompts Jeannette to go to Cuba, where she not only discovers her family’s history but learns how trauma passes from one generation to the next.
The Last Thing He Told Me – Laura Dave
The Last Thing He Told is a captivating mystery that follows Hannah Hall after her husband disappears. Through a series of mysterious events and FBI visits, Hannah discovers that her husband isn’t who he claimed to be and that his daughter may be the key to figuring out his true identity.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid
This story follows Monique Grant, a writer in New York City who has hit an all-time low in her career and marriage. However, everything changes for Monique when a famous 1960s actress, Evelyn Hugo, unexpectedly requests an interview with her. In their time together, Monique uncovers the truth of Evelyn’s glamorous life and career. And while the truth creates a bond between Monique and Evelyn, it also unveils tragic and irreversible intersections of their lives.
The Shimmering State – Meredith Westgate
After taking and abusing an experimental memory medication called Mem, two Angelenos, Lucien and Sophie, meet in a treatment clinic. They have no idea how they found themselves there, but they are inexplicably and inescapably connected. Why?
This grim tale explores the dark side of California dreaming—and how, more often than not, memory isn’t a lane but a labyrinth.
A Slow Fire Burning – Paula Hawkins
Following the discovery of the body of a young man in London, three complicated suspects step into focus: Laura, a misunderstood figure who was last to see the victim; Carla, an aunt in mourning; and Miriam, a neighbourhood busybody with many secrets. This story is a terrific whodunit that will keep you guessing until the bitter end.
There were so many great options we found and it was a tough one to narrow down only 5 each, but these are our favourites from this summer. Let us know which ones you try, how you like them, and if you have any personal favourites that you found this summer!
