happy love co

Author: Bethany

  • camping on the north shore of minnesota

    camping on the north shore of minnesota

    where we stayed

    split rock lighthouse state park

    gooseberry falls state park

    coffee shops

    dream cloud coffee in two harbors

    cedar coffee company in two harbors

    timber coffee company in silver bay

    beaches/falls

    split rock lighthouse state park

    black beach

    gooseberry falls middle and lower

    food

    Betty’s pies

    Judy’s Cafe

    super 1 foods in two harbors for roasting hot dogs

    I’m fairly confident in saying that being out in nature is the best thing we can do for ourselves. Sitting around a campfire at night in the woods, gazing up at the multitudes of stars in a black sky. Even the mosquitoes buzzing add to the ambience. You feel at peace and the troubles of life and the world seem so small. Tent camping with five kids (my oldest was away at camp) isn’t an easy feat by far, but hiking through the woods, skipping rocks on Lake Superior, splashing on the shore, marveling at the tumbling of the falls, cooking hot dogs over the campfire in the evening, it’s all worth it.

    Split rock lighthouse state park has the most underrated, beautiful beach. We spent most of our three day trip there. It’s just a little hike on a trail through the woods, perfect walk for kids. The shore is filled with smooth rocks, the water clean and sparkling, no rough waters in the cove. You have a gorgeous view of the lighthouse up on the cliff and Ellingson island. And no people. Well, some people, but so few that it hardly counts. Black beach on the other hand was incredibly crowded and with the sand being black, it was hot. We only stayed there for about twenty minutes before going back to split rock.

    Gooseberry falls was the same situation. Very crowded. I don’t do well with crowds when I have my kids along. They’re running and excitedly trying to get ahead and see everything and my eyes are going wild trying to keep them in sight. But again, worth it. The falls were incredible. There were kids and people swimming in the pools beneath, which would be an amazing experience. I’d love to go back sometime, but midweek when you have guaranteed less crowds.

    All the coffee shops we ventured to had fabulous coffee. But I have to give a higher compliment to Dream Cloud coffee, just a few miles outside of two harbors. Their shop is adorable. I walked in there and wanted to pack up my home, sell it, and move in. It had a piano in the back room by the tables, walls lined with books, the aroma of espresso and baked wonders. Which literally were wonders. I got my usual iced mocha, half sweet, extra shot, and a strawberry hand pie. My first mission upon arriving home is figuring out how to recreate that hand pie. It. Was. So. Good.

    If you haven’t been to the north shore, you need to add it to your list. I promise you’ll love it. Bring along a knitting project! I suggest booking a cart in campsite at Split Rock Light House state park, but unless you’re quite flexible and can take cancellations, it’s best to reserve weeks in advance.

    If you haven’t subscribed to Happy Love Co, follow along to receive updates on new pattern releases!

    ❤️ Bethany

  • Yarn Shop : Moonspun Wool | Marquette, Michigan

    Yarn Shop : Moonspun Wool | Marquette, Michigan

    Recently, I had to take a short little trip up to Marquette, Michigan for a youth camp that a few of my kids were attending. With only three kids to tend to (the other three were at camp!) I wanted to take the opportunity to walk down the historic shopping district of Marquette for coffee and browsing the cute shops. Last year I did Pictured Rocks and all the outdoorsy stuff!

    After getting my coffee and a glazed croissant (to die for) from 231 West Patisserie, I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of yarn through a window. Behold, Moonspun Wool. I had to go in.

    Honestly, I could have roamed around in this shop all day long. Everything about Moonspun Wool is perfection. The decor, the vibe, the organization. It was yarn heaven. If you’re any form of fiber artist, you know how wonderful it is to even just look at yarn. There’s something about it that exudes a sense of creativity and makes the heart happy. I love seeing the colors and imagining what they could be.

    I had one of my girls in there with me (the 6 year old!) so I didn’t quite have the freedom to slowly browse as I would have liked to. But I did spot a couple skeins of yarn that needed to come home with me, and they did. I also managed to get some wooden seaming pins, which are going to make my seaming so much easier. Too bad they can’t actually seam for me. But I am excited to use them!

    Moonspun Wool also has a back area with tables and chairs for hanging out and enjoying time with other fiber artists. Something I wish I had back at home! I’d be there everyday. Grab a coffee and head to the yarn store for a couple hours? Yes, please.

    See that stack of yarn to the left of the books? Why didn’t I buy some of that? Because I didn’t even see it until I was looking at this photo! 😭 Oh and funny thing, I’d shared this photo on my Instagram stories and someone sent me a message regarding that book on display. Another thing I didn’t see, but wish I had! I’ve been wanting to start implementing some embroidery on my knit designs.

    Every yarn I came across bearing the Moonspun Wool tag was pure gorgeousness. The colors vibrant and the textures literally moonspun. From what I could see, many of the yarns in the shop are made and dyed up in the UP! I love love looove supporting other makers!

    I mean, Marquette is officially the ultimate travel destination. If you haven’t been, do add it to your travel list! It’s an incredibly family friendly area, so bring the kids as well! You can check out Pictured Rocks, the Sand Dunes, the many waterfalls, beaches, lighthouses, amazing coffee shops, and of course, Moonspun Wool.

  • The Kyla Striped Pullover Sweater

    The Kyla Striped Pullover Sweater

    The Kyla striped pullover was the first sweater I ever designed and published. I had actually never planned on knitting sweaters when I first started knitting. I was so proud of myself for figuring out how to knit at all, that I thought, I’m good with knitting scarves and blankets! But that lasted maybe two months before I was like, Ill do it, I’m going to try knit a sweater.

    I ordered a couple sweater kits from we are knitters and wool and the gang so I’d have something to follow from start to finish, and all the materials I needed. I had no idea where to begin! With a little help from YouTube and google along the way, I successfully knit those sweaters and was over the moon with the results. Then I wanted to design my own. I’ve been into clothing design since I was little, but never ever dreamed I’d be able to bring any of them to fruition. They were just drawings in sketchbooks.

    Once I got the idea in my head for the Kyla, it was smooth sailing. I wanted a simple, yet unique, crop fit that I could easily wear. I also get bored with knitting solid colored pieces (this is always a struggle because I do like solid colored pieces!) so I decided to implement wide stripes. But also, I don’t enjoy knitting one stitch for long amounts of time, so I did a little alternating garter and stockinette. It helps projects go by so much quicker! Then I wanted a little extra something, that’s where the whip stitch seaming came into play. I was so excited with the finished project!

    The Kyla pullover quickly became a best seller. It’s the one I always recommend for a first sweater for new knitters. It lets you enjoy the fun of picking colors and trying out the basic stitches. There’s nothing complicated, it’s a relaxing knitting project, and you will get so many compliments! I’ve personally had compliments when wearing this sweater in public, and many of my customers who’ve knit it have as well! And trust me, it is an amazing feeling to be complimented on something you made yourself with your own hands.

    Purchase your copy of the Kyla pullover here.