Squidge & Bean etc.

So, what is Montessori?

Over the past 8 weeks, I have been enrolled in the fabulous Montessori Assistant course at the Maria Montessori Institute in London. I genuinely loved every minute of the course and it has led me to explore a whole new career path. But, every time I mention it to friends, relatives, random parents at the park, I often get quizzical looks and the inevitable question “So, what is Montessori?”.

The…

A little late, but here is this month’s pattern. Following the popularity of my cabled boot cuffs, I want to share my slightly more complex (but still super simple) braided boot cuff pattern.

cuffs in progress

This one is my favorite and my current best…

Essential knitting abbreviations - print and keep handy!

Just wanted to share this super useful little glossary.

I was getting frustrated with flipping…

Happy new year!

This month I’m sharing my super-simple pattern for yoga socks. These socks are perfect for practice on cold days or pedicures on any day. Your toes and heels are on-show and non-slip, while the rest of your feet stay toasty warm.

The…

Happy December all! Did you open the first door on your advent calender this morning? My little girl is very into her calender this year (probably due to sparkly fairies hiding sparkly fairy stickers)  and keeps asking to sneak a look at tomorrow’s door.…

“…one hundred and one, five months and a day.” “I can’t believe that!” said Alice. “Can’t you?” the Queen said in a pitying tone. “Try again: draw a long breath, and shut your eyes.” Alice laughed. “There’s no use trying,” she said: “one can’t believe…

Whoops, a little late due to a trip to the lake district full of birthday fun and just a little hail and gales, but here is November’s pattern. This one is super easy and an adorable Christmas gift for all the little people in your life. I mean really, is…

The enemy of art is the absence of limitation

Orson Welles

Autumn is my absolute favorite season. How can you not love the crisp air, changing leaves, and compulsion to pull out jumpers, wool socks and mittens. To celebrate the Fall, I wanted to share this month’s pattern, my Windermere Leg-Warmers. An adorable…

A Knitting Pattern for September: Holloway Hat

Inspired the wonderful nonsense poem, the Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear, my pattern for…

Back in May, I bought a raw Merino fleece at Maryland Sheep and Wool Show. I had absolutely no idea what I was buying and no idea what to do with it, but I had a little idea for a project while I’m in the UK. I’m going to turn the fleece into a wearable…

One half of the world cannot understand the pleasure of the other

from Emma by Jane Austin and so so true!

I’m thrilled to introduce a new feature on squidgeandbean.com. On the first of every month I will be sharing one of my knitting patterns. Some will be free and some will be available for purchase at Ravelry and on my Etsy store, but for all I will share…

Love you West Philly!

Tomorrow, my family and I fly to England for a year. The suitcases are half packed, the house is half cleaned, the to-do list is half finished, and I’m feeling half excited and half frazzled.

While I am deep in packing decisions and…

Stop and Breathe Sunday: Unfolding The Soul

Education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual, and is acquired…

I want you to feel like you are going to die

- The fabulous Jillan Michaels at 16 minutes into her 30 Day Shred – Level 2. And yes, I did feel like I was going to die. And yes,  I’ll do it again tomorrow as I (and some brave friends) have joined a game on