Have you ever heard of Sukkot? Like Hanukkah, it is a Jewish Festival that lasts about a week. Unlike Hanukkah, it takes place during the autumn season. It is a time to give thanks for the fall harvest. During this time, people who observe this festival build sukkahs, which are temporary shelters meant to symbolize the shelters used by Jews during the 40 years of wandering.

During the festival, people spend time in the sukkah, eating there, having guests, and sometimes even sleeping there. Decorating the sukkah can be a fun activity for the whole family. Since Sukkot begins on September 27, 2015 and ends on October 4th this year, there is plenty of time to crochet one of these projects for your sukkah or to share these project with friends who may celebrate the holiday.

Fall has always been one of my favorite seasons. I love the smell of woodsmoke in the air. Pumpkins and squash in every shade are being harvested and used for decorations. Oftentimes my squash collection finds its way to my oven. Roasted squash, stir-fried pumpkin, cookies and pies all make my dinner table look absolutely mouthwatering. So, when I was thinking up a pattern for this week, this little pumpkin pin found its way off my hook. I added eyes and a smile similar to the happy veggie figurines I’ve seen in Japantown.

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I love visiting orchards this time of year and buying apples by the peck or the bushel. Growing up I have fond memories of making apple butter with my grandma in a giant copper kettle over and open fire. The woodsmoke and sweet apple scent filled the air. After cooking down for hours we canned the yummy treat to preserve for the chilly days of winter. This week, I created this applique which can be used hundreds of ways. It would look darling on kitchen towels! As a gift, I plan to sew this on a onesie and embroider, “Apple of My Eye” for a sweet little girl I know.

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I love to go for walks on fall evenings. Since the temperature has been dropping briskly, I like to have a little something around my neck to keep me toasty. I hate to pull out the full fledge scarf this time of year, so I decided a neck warmer would do just the trick. This project is so simple! Depending on the type of yarn you use, it can look dressy for a night out or it can be quite practical while you’re getting down and dirty winterizing. Not only do I love this pattern, but it even looks cute on my 3 year old daughter!

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