Hi knitting friends,

Fall is in the air, or soon will be depending on where you are located. Later this month September 22, the Autumnal Equinox marks the official start of fall in the Northern hemisphere.

Did you know? According to Wikipedia, the word equinox is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night). The season is determined by how Earth orbits the Sun and the tilt of Earth's axis, thus affecting the angle and amount of sunlight reaching Earth. So much for a science lesson this month, lol. Let's get back to knitting!

What fall means to me is COLOR. But you don't have to wait to see the leaves on trees change color. Make your own! The banner photo above features colorful maple leaves from the Playing in the Leaves pattern.

Enjoy this month's newsletter!
Happy knitting,

Fall Is In The Air

Get your Fall knitting off to a good start with these popular autumn-themed designs.

Fancy Oak Leaf

Playing in the Leaves

Flames of Fall

Maple Leaves

Spider and Web

Colorful Splendor

Click on the pictures to visit the HeartStrings website with more details.

Little Beaded Pumpkin KAL for September

Tiny and adorable. Little Beaded Pumpkin will be the hit of your fall holiday decorating and entertaining.

This miniature pumpkin is knitted with thread and tiny seed beads. And you can get a free download of the pattern this month only ( September) just by being a KnitHeartStrings member.

Come join us if you haven't already. Register now. It's a great deal with free access to a pattern in the BOBBOL 2013 Series each month, along with bit-sized tutorials, tips and techniques articles for members.

From Barbara: " This looks like a lot of fun to make. I think they will look wonderful as part of the centerpiece during Thanksgiving. Thank you, Jackie. "

From Lisa: " This pattern is so cute. Looking forward to making it. Fall is my favorite time of year. "

From Susie: " What a cute little pumpkin!!! I'm not into fall decorations BUT I really need to make this little guy. Thank you so much for the pattern. "

From Cindy: " I look forward to trying this pattern. The pumpkin is absolutely adorable. :) Thanks again for a great pattern. "

Counteracting a Throw-Away Society

I was pleased that last month's photo tutorial on Repairing a Hand-knit Sock with a Knit-in-place Patch was so well received.

It looks like a lot of HeartStrings fans are of a similar mindset on ways we can counteract a throw-away society. And what better place to start than with precious hand-knit socks.

Considering the time and expense of making hand-knit socks, it is well worth the effort to repair them if you eventually wear through a hole. If you missed the photo tutorial, you can see it here.

From the Reader Mailbag

How am I doing? Your support and loyalty is such an important facet of HeartStrings. Thank YOU for being part of my knitting world.

Kathy F wrote —

" I love your site, your patterns and explanations and suppose just everything about you kindness and willingness to share with the knitting community. Thanks so much. Hugs. "

Mona P wrote —

" Just to be clear, your newletters are trouble!! I rarely get one in which I have not found something I want to make and then have to madly and immediately go in search of the appropriate yarn and purchase the pattern. I have to allocate a good three hours once I get your newsletter to get my next project planned and purchased. Please take it as a compliment that I am not an impulse purchaser and yet when I see the next new marvel you've come up with, I just can't wait to get started on the new project. Your patterns are both compelling and addictive.

Thanks for what you do and the quality with which you do it ...
Your very grateful customer. "

Toys of the Trade

Like you needed another excuse to eat CHOCOLATE? Read on about how chocolate can help repair a knitting disaster.

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Nifty Nuggets

Uses for Little Lacy Leaves
Christine shares: I made several in bright colors and attached them to my luggage so I can quickly see them amongst all the other luggage and it makes them look pretty. More ideas ...

Join Jackie in Knitting for Cancer Research
$1 is contributed for each Thinking of You Too Hat pattern sold. Read on ...

September Giveaway Prize
I'm giving away a Premium Level Membership valued up to $39! Read about how you can win ...