SUMMER SHIMMERS

rh-summer-capelet-0609

http://www.redheart.com/FreePatterns/tabid/118/Default.aspx?tabid=118&patternid=WR1841.pdf

I just received the free pattern info on the beautiful capelet shown here while I was browsing the net for a sheer Summer shoulderette which would be well suited to the transition from hot, muggy days to damp, chilly evenings we so often have in the St. Louis area. I had in mind to crochet something with some shimmer to it. I love working with Lustersheen, the yarn called for in this pattern, but think it would adapt marvelously to one of the shimmery yarns too.

My original inspiration for a summer shawl is this masterpiece from Kim Guzman:

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/crochetkim/dreams-shawl-2

Kim’s shawl was designed with Skaska yarn from http://www.skaska.com/products.html

purveyors of wonderful laceweight, delicioso, scrumptious, edibly delicious yarns. However, there are numerous laceweight and fingering weight yarns that could be substituted. One of the great things about making loose shawls is that gauge is only important when determining if you have enough yarn to finish the project. Of course, you don’t want to vary too much from the designated sizes of hook and yarn or you’ll wind up with a frilly piece suited for Andre the Giant or Tom Thumb – neither of which is near my size!

So, if you need something to warm you shoulders on a cool evening in Spring or Summer, one of these should do the trick.

As if Diwali weren’t colorful and fun enough, The Festival of Lights: A Lift-the-flap Diwali Celebration by Namita Moolani Mehra, illustrated by Darshika Varm, makes it even more fun to read about with flaps and things to lift and pull to see more information or details in the illustrations.

The book is a story about a family getting ready for Diwali and what happens on the different days of the five-day celebration. There’s cleaning, shopping, crafting, food preparation and getting the home altar ready for the big day.

It covers decorating the outside of the house with rangoli, diyas and lanterns, buying sweets to share with family and friends, the sights and scents of the mandir (home temple), getting dressed up in new fancy clothes, the story of Diwali and celebrations with relatives.

Flaps (there are more than 140 in all) give you vocabulary words for different foods and definitions, as well as fun things like what’s inside the shopping basket or where the cat is hanging out. They also help illuminate the story of Diwali, which is the triumph of good over evil as Lord Ram defeated the demon Ravana to save his wife, Sita.

This pretty and colorful book helps kids understand what Diwali is and how it is celebrated, regardless of whether they practice it at home. This would be a nice book to keep in a classroom (it’s rated for kids ages 3-7) or to have at home to teach kids about Diwali even if it’s not something you celebrate. Where I live there are a lot of people from India so we are probably exposed to Diwali more than some other regions of America, but it’s a nice holiday to know about wherever you live.

Combine with the book Diwali and check out some fun lantern crafts and printables for kids to round out your experience.

About the book: 24 pages, hardcover, published 2025 by Wide Eyed Editions. Suggested retail prices $22.99.

Have you read?