A Birthday Well Spent (and a New Little Elf)

Today is my birthday, and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend it than exactly how it unfolded — quietly, gently, and with yarn in hand.

There was a cuppa close by, knitting needles clicking away, and a very small elf slowly coming to life on my lap. No rushing, no to-do lists shouting for attention, just the simple comfort of making something stitch by stitch and letting my brain settle into that familiar, peaceful rhythm that knitting always brings me back to.

Pepper the Elf officially went live as a knitting pattern this week, which already feels special enough. Seeing something that started as an idea, then a sketch, then a pile of yarn, finally step out into the world never really gets old. Today though wasn’t about launching or pushing — it was about enjoying her for what she is: a character born from slow crafting, curiosity, and a lot of quiet joy.

I spent part of the day knitting a wee baby elf version, just for fun, just because. No pressure, no purpose beyond the happiness of making. Those are often the best projects — the ones that remind us why we fell in love with crafting in the first place.

If you’ve been following along and would like to knit your own Pepper, the pattern is available here:
https://ltmarshalldesigns.etsy.com/listing/4425629316

And if you’re crafting today too, consider this your permission slip to take it slow, enjoy the process, and make something simply because it makes you smile.

Thank you, as always, for being here, for supporting my work, and for sharing in this creative journey with me. 💚
Now… back to my birthday knitting.