Knitting Sock Monkey

Selwyn Gifts

2009-03-04T20:15:00.002-05:00

Baby Selwyn arrived last week. Here's a photo of just a few of his gifts:
I used Knitting at Knoon's Safari Friends zebra pattern for the bear and just made make-shift ears with a crochet hook.

Postings

2008-06-02T16:04:00.004-04:00

I think I have an all-or-nothing mentality. How else can you explain my lack of posting? When life gets busy I neglect the blog? Oh poor blog, I adore you. I am so sorry for abandoning you!

So here's the low-down. I'm working on baby hats and have been for months, two at a time - like two socks on two circulars. I'm almost done with #7 & #8 and after that I hope to steer-clear of baby hats for a while.

Next I'm moving on to Japanese Knot Bags to be used for walking the dog. My office is dog-friendly so I may make a few for the frequent dog-walkers in my life. I'm also planning to try out Amy Butler's free pattern for a business card case. I'll post photos when I'm done!

Playing Cooking Catch-Up

2008-03-15T12:49:00.007-04:00

Work is getting in the way of blogging again. I had a cooking weekend a few weeks ago to re-stock the selection of ready-made frozen dinners. Unfortunately work also got in the way of cooking weekend and I was only able to get through half of the meals on the menu. Nonetheless I was able to take some photos of the deliciousness. Pre-cooking photos are so much more colorful...

3 Bean Chili

Split Pea Soup w/ Spiral Honey Ham

Tex Mex Chicken

Penne with Spicy Pumpkin and Honey Ham

Valentine's Goodies

2008-02-10T17:49:00.000-05:00

This morning I made Valentine's day gifts for friends. I started off intending to make Martha's felt fortune cookies. But, after the first two I couldn't figure out what the heck fortune cookies have to do with Valentine's day. I put away the glue (I hate glue) and pulled out the sewing machine and made these little felt pouches instead .

They each have a few pieces of candy in them and I'll add some shortbread - if it comes out of the pan without crumbling everywhere. I didn't have any parchment paper so I'm hoping buttering the pan extra well does the trick. I kinda wish I had one of those special shortbread pans - for the two times a year I make shortbread. Probably not needed. Gotta get a bigger kitchen.

Matching Baby Hat

2008-02-07T14:19:00.000-05:00

The suite of baby gifts is done. Here's the hat to match the baby blanket.

I love how all the gifts came out.

In the Nick of Time

2008-02-03T10:09:00.000-05:00

Oh tax refund, how I love thee! Don't get me wrong, I hate giving 1/3 of my income to the government, but tax day was very exciting this year. So exciting in fact, that I'm now the proud owner of a Nikon D80 camera. I read every review I could possibly find and went to the camera store a few times. Finally, I returned to the store again last night with the rationale that I needed the camera for the baby's arrival - he's due this week!

Without further ado I give you my first photos: seasoned toasts, which will be served with the creamy spinach dip that I made for today's Super Bowl party.

Fabulous Baby Blanket of Fabulous Proportions

2008-01-24T16:26:00.001-05:00

I moved. This means that I moved away from the fabulous camera that I used to use to photograph blogable stuff. I also got a new job with a rather generous employer, and subsequently a new iphone from that said employers. The iphone has an integrated camera, which is sufficient but produces photos that are no where near the quality of the fabulous camera. Alas, my blog has suffered and has fallen into a state of severe neglect.

But, now that the new apartment is totally pimped out Martha Stewart style I am finding myself with a bit more spare time to actually create non-fixtures. So I must start blogging again. I’m saving my pennies for the Nikon D80, but until my pennies accumulate I’ll be relying on the good ‘ole iphone camera for most of my photos. So there you have it.

Perhaps the most compelling reason to resurrect my posting habit is this AMAZING baby blanket.

And yes, I made it and I’m proclaiming that it’s amazing.

It’s for my closest friend since childhood – we were buddies from preschool through high school. She is expecting a baby boy to arrive any day now and this blanket is gift #2 of 4. Gift #1 was a baby sling that I frantically made the morning of her shower when I realized that I had a zillion hours left until blanket completion. It is made from the same flannel polka dot fabric that I used to back the blanket. Baby’s daddy was pretty psyched. #3 is a changing pad from a woman with a cuuuute little etsy shop. She also used the flannel polka dot fabric. And gift #4 is a striped hat that I’m working on now and will finish in the next day or so.

Also new in my fabulous apartment is this nifty juicer attachment for my Kitchen Aid mixer.

I’ve been pining over it ever since I first squeezed key limes by hand. It’s a fantastic tool!

I am the worst blogger ever.

2007-10-31T14:29:00.000-04:00

I'm moving into a new home this weekend and am very much looking forward to decorating. First on my to-do list is to make myself a bed. I've designed it and think I can make it for a reasonable price. Second on the list is to make curtains. I discovered at the boy's house that table cloths make cheap, easy curtains and the little clip-style rings make the project even easier.

In the knitting world I'm working on the Wild Stripes blanket from Knitty for a friend who is expecting a boy in February. I'll post photos as soon as I can. Perhaps I can take a pic with my kick-ass new iPhone.

And finally, quite late, is a photo of the sampler that my mother and I (very little emphasis on "I") made for a friend's August 2007 wedding.

Get This Girl a Camera

2007-10-10T13:27:00.000-04:00

What's up the hiatus you ask? No excuse...just a new job, a long commute and relative homelessness. Damn real world.

There are lots of exciting things to post about. If I could only get my hands on a camera (as in, if I could only turn on the camera) I would have some kick-ass pictures to share. Alas, I will wait until later to share.

Just the Most AMAZING Cookie Ever

2007-09-21T10:12:00.001-04:00

First, I have to issue a preemptive apology because I don't have a photo of this amazing cookie to share with you. You'll just have to trust me on this one - it looks good, it tastes amazing. Period.

Second, I have to admit that I have a fairly strong distaste for raisins. We don't get along. I prefer fresh grapes. But, we've put our differences aside and I present to you the most amazing...

OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIE (yum, yum, yum)

1 ½ cups light brown sugar
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 cups unsalted butter room temp.
Cream together until light and fluffy the add:
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
Mix until fluffy then add:
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
3 cups flour
Mix until incorporated then add:
5 cups oatmeal - quick or regular
2 ½ cups coconut
4 cups raisins

Drop by large scoop at least 2” apart an UNgreased pan
Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 mins until golden, but still soft to the touch
Cool on pan for 2 minutes then transfer to a paper bag to cool
~ 42 big cookies - the recipe halves quite easily

Loooooosing It!

2007-09-13T23:34:00.000-04:00

I was bored out of my mind this week so when a friend asked me to teach him how to bake I nearly fell out of my chair as I ran to get my apron. Now this friend owns a kick-ass juice bar and is starting to offer baked goods as part of his fall menu. This friend also has a serious case of ADD and may be a hopeless student . BUT, as a result I was able to spend most of the week baking to my heart's content and I LOVED it! Here's a pic that I took with my phone of what I made this afternoon:
Chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, molasses spice cookies and banana/carrot/apple bread made with the pulp from the juicer. I had such a good time. Hooray for juicer pulp!

Searching for Inspiration

2007-09-08T11:21:00.000-04:00

I'm in a bit of a knitting slump. I've been really busy for a few weeks and haven't had much time to figure out what to knit next. I have a few WIP's that I could finish, but they bore me. So I'm searching for some inspiration. Below are a few books of cute patterns that I bought over the past couple months.Lucinda Guy's "Handknits for Kids" & "And So to Bed", Zoe Mellor's "Nursery Knits" and Amy Karol's "Bend the Rules Sewing."

I took a trip to a new-to-me knitting shop, A Good Yarn, in Brookline before I went to the Red Sox no-hitter game on Saturday. I bought some sock yarn and a pattern to keep myself occupied during the game. The girl who helped me pick out a pattern showed me how to knit a socking using the Magic Loop method, rather than my usual two socks on two circulars. She didn't have a needle long enough for me to knit two socks at once so I'm knitting one at a time. Unfortunately, socks bore me.

So now I'm looking for the next big project. I need to finish my shawl and may make a scarf or two, but I need something that excites me like the fish blanket did. Oh, and I need to find something that can be knit from my massive stash because the prospect of purchasing a condo has me holding the wallet closed tightly!

Finally! The Fish are Done!!

2007-08-13T23:15:00.000-04:00

I finished the fish blanket this weekend with a double crochet white border and then a row of single crochet with the same blue as the fish.

I am so pleased with how this turned out!

Baby Bobbi Bear Goes to Camp

2007-08-13T23:11:00.001-04:00

The Baby Bobbi Bear finally got some ears and a face this weekend. Here he is lounging at the cabin.

Safari Elephant is Done!

2007-08-13T23:07:00.000-04:00

Safari Elephant made with Jo-Sharp Silk Road Aran Tweed.

Camp Gourmet

2007-08-13T22:07:00.000-04:00

Who says vacation is for easy parchese meals? Who says that sleeping late should take priority over a delicious breakfast? Give me the kitchen and let vacation begin!

How would you like to wake up to these sticky treats, fresh from the oven?

Or maybe you'd like to roll out of bed into the hammock and have a warm plate of sticky buns waiting for you.

Sticky Buns
(low fat version)
If you make these the night before they will be ready for the over in the morning

Proof 2 packets of active dry yeast (not rapid rise) in 1cup + 2T warm milk

In a mixer combine the following:
6 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
2t salt
1t nutmeg
1t cinnamon

Add to dry ingredients:
1T butter
yeast & milk mixture
4 eggs at room temperature, 1 at a time

- Knead with dough hook for 10 minutes
- Rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk ~45 minutes
- Punch down and let rest for 10 minutes

Meanwhile, spray two 9x13 pans with Pam
In the bottom of each pan combine the following:
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup of pecans broken in large pieces

Roll out on a floured surface into a large thin rectangle. Spread 3/4 cup of light sour cream over the entire surface. This is what your rectangle should look like after sprinkling with cinnamon.

Sprinkle with cinnamon and then cover entire surface with 1 cup of light brown sugar. Finally top with 1 1/2 cups of chopped pecans.

Roll tightly from the long ends so you have one long log of goodness. Cut into 1 1/2" slices and arrange in the two pans. Cover very loosely with plastic wrap and let rise overnight.

In the morning preheat the over to 375 degrees. Uncover the sticky buns and bake for 30-40 minutes until golden (put a cookie sheet under the pans to catch drips).

While the buns are cooking sray Pam on a serving pan that is large enough to hold all of the sticky buns. When the sticky buns are done and while they are still hot loosen the sides and quickly invert into the serving pan. Scrape any sugary goo left in the pan and drizzle over the buns.

Enjoy!

After such a indulgent breakfast how does a beautiful and delicious salad sound like for dinner?

Finishing the Fish Blanket - part 2 crochet edge

2007-08-13T20:09:00.000-04:00

After crocheting my fish together I added a double crochet white border and then finished it with a single crochet blue border. Below are detailed instructions how to add a double crochet border.

1. Start with a single loop

2. Yarn over the hook - this is the only way the double crochet differs from the single crochet
3. Insert crochet hook before every "bump" similar to the way you did when creating fish rows in the earlier instruction

4. Pull the working yarn through

5. Yarn over

6. Pull through TWO loops

7. Yarn over again

8. Pull through remaining two loops

Repeat all the way around. At the corners create 5 double crochet stitches into the same corner hole. This creates a nice clean curve. On the mouth and tail ends of the blanket create a double crochet in each stitch, which will be slightly closer together than the tops and bottom of the blanket. If you finish with a single crochet border create the stitches loosely when you work around the edges and over the rounded bodies of the fish. This will allow the blanket to lay flat when you're finished. Enjoy!

Fill'r Up!

2007-08-08T11:41:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was "fill-up the freezer day," which is when I spend the entire day cooking meals and freezing them in single serving gladware containers for the boy to eat after I leave. It is the ultimate act of spoiling! Here's a pic of the super-stuffed freezer.
I began fill-up the freezer day by starting a split pea & ham soup in the crock pot. Then I moved on to a cheesy tuna casserole from our new Rachel Ray book. Then I simultaneously made a creamy barley risotto with shrimp & leeks and lemon chicken & artichoke in a white wine sauce over linguine. Finally, I assembled the boy's favorite mexican bake thingy (which I think is gross). I froze the entire 9x9 pan without baking it so he can have it fresh and hot from the oven in all its mexicali glory, eeew.

This morning after my run I continued running to Walgreen's to pick up some pecans and oatmeal. The run home with a bag under my arm wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But, the 102 heat index was pretty intense.

Now I'm baking a loaf of banana, carrot & pecan bread and am making a few batches of oatmeal waffles. I hope there's enough room in the freezer!

Beignets, Coffee and Creole

2007-08-06T12:31:00.000-04:00

I went to New Orleans for the first time this weekend. We packed a whole lotta eating and touristing into 24 hours. We stayed at the W, which was obviously understaffed. Their efforts at five star service fell so short that it ended up being a huge inconvenience. Fortunately, we weren't in New Orleans for the hotel and spent very little time there. Although, it really would have been nice to have a bar of soap.

We arrived Saturday afternoon and went on a four hour walking tour of the French Quarter while we waited for our room to be prepared. For dinner we went to the Commander's Palace Restaurant. It was delicious and the service was excellent.
After a night of bar-hopping in the French Quarter we woke up early and enjoyed beignets and cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde.
Of course I bought a box of Cafe du Monde beignet mix and a can of coffee and chicory at their company store. I also picked up a local cookbook "Recipes and Reminiscences of New Orleans," which was a cookbook of the month selection in 1978 and is in Southern Living's hall of fame.After a few more hours of shopping and browsing, including a stop at the local yarn shop The Quarter Stitch, we ended our tour at Mother's for lunch. I had crawfish etouffee and the boy had a po-boy with debris on top.Thank goodness for 24 hour vacations. Our weekend of eating probably took 10 years off our life expectancies, but it was taaaasty!

What's Better Than a Big Bowl of Cookie Dough?

2007-08-06T12:11:00.000-04:00

Nothing! There is nothing better than a big bowl of cookie dough. But, it's 96 degrees outside and the heat index is 122 degrees so I'll probably wait until tonight to bake the cookies.

The DoubleTree Hotel cookie is one of my favorite recipes. I usually use a mixture of different chocolate chips rather than using just semi-sweet chocolate chips. Today I used mini m&m's, milk chocolate chips and miniature baking reeses cups. I used walnuts today but pecans are delicious when they're in season.

DoubleTree Hotel-Style Cookies
1/2 cup rolled oats processed in the blender into a powder
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
2 eggs
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or another variation)
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cream together the butter, sugars, vanilla, and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Add the eggs and mix until smooth. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and blend well. Add the chocolate chips and nuts to the dough and mix until ingredients are well-incorporated.

Spoon rounded 1/4-cup portions onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Place the scoops about 2 inches apart (you don't need to press the dough flat). Bake for 16-18 minutes or until cookies are light brown and soft in the middle - don't overcook!

For best results, chill the dough overnight or for several hours before baking the cookies.

You Want Cookies, Not Cake?

2007-08-03T14:57:00.000-04:00

What to do when visiting the boy and I want to make cookies but don't have all the ingredients and there is a box of chocolate cake mix in the pantry? Improvise. Today's discovery: cake mix can be transformed into cookies and those cookies can be transformed into kick-ass peanut butter filled pieces of heaven.
Now I'm a bit of a purist, but I appreciate a run-of-the-mill, store-bought, chocolate cake mix every now and then. It can easily create a low-fat cake, it's always squishy and moist and it's faster to make than a peanut butter sandwich. These cookies are just as fast as making a cake and are about 100 times better than a plain ole' cake.

Cake Cookies w/ Peanut Butter Filling
1 chocolate cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 c. oil
1 t. vanilla
Mix the ingredients together until the batter is will incorporated. Form into about 20 1" balls and roll in powdered sugar (they will be quite sticky). Place on a cookie sheet about 2" apart. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Filling
2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. extra chunky peanut butter
1-2T milk
Mix the sugar & peanut butter together, adding enough milk to form a smooth frosting-like filling.

Spread the filling equally across half of the cookies and top with the other half. Stick in the fridge until set. Enjoy!

Baby Hats & Books

2007-08-03T14:44:00.001-04:00

On Friday after the bar exam I had a date at Borders with the entire fiction section. I took three hours to search for the three most mindless, girly books I could find. Anything that had a hint of substance or a depressing plot line went back on the shelf (and in some cases, onto the "read later" list).

Tuesday I sat down on the front porch and read "Something Borrowed" in its entirety. It was actually pretty good, I liked it a lot, particularly because it wasn't a legal text book. But, old habits die hard so I had to knit while I read. I present to you the bar baby hats for two law school colleagues who are expecting baby girls in the next couple of months.

W.W.M.S.D?

2007-07-23T10:38:00.001-04:00

The bar exam starts tomorrow. What would Martha Stewart do? She'd bake a cake.

Crocheting Together Your Fish Blanket - A How-to Guide

2007-07-23T09:44:00.001-04:00

This is a step-by-step how-to guide for those of us who created our own fish patterns or used one from the Internet and are now faced with the tedious task of creating a blanket out of those fish.

1. Arrange your fish

2. Start with the tail of one fish and the mouth of a second, using a crochet hook the same size as your fish knitting needle (I'm using a US8). Holding wrong sides together draw your seaming yarn through the edge loops of both fish. Yarn-over and create a single crochet (note that this photo does not show the yarn over sc step).
3. Insert hook again through both fish with wrong side together. Notice how I am inserting once between each "lump." Each fish should have an equal number of "lumps" so if you use the "lumps" as a guide your fish should match up perfectly.

4. Yarn-over and pull your seaming yarn through both fish - 2 loops on hook.

5. Yarn-over and pull through both loops

6. 1 loop remains on the hook

7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 until you reach the end of your fish AND CONTINUE without cutting your seaming yarn. This is how your fish rows will look.

When you reach the edge of the blanket cut the yarn & pull through the last loop to secure. Then go back to the beginning and add another fish to the row you have just completed (see photo #1). When all of your fish rows are together single crochet together the open vertical seams in a similar fashion on continuous chain for each vertical row. When you reach the horizontal center crochet seam you can either go over the seam, or under it, but be consistent.

Finally, single crochet around the entire blanket and then, if desired, do a row of double crochet. To allow for ease you may want to do a few extra single crochets at the four corners and the rounded edges of the fish. More pictures of this to follow.

Please leave a comment if you have any questions and I will get back to you!

oh, oh, O.R.E.O.

2007-07-19T21:23:00.000-04:00

Holy stress case, this has to be some kind of torture. One by one each of my friends has called while having a panic/stress breakdown. I've had at least 25. How did I avoid one tonight? I baked these delicious homemade oreo cookies. Recipe from the Smitten Kitchen's website.

I'm panicking now while watching a criminal procedure video, but the baking worked for a short time.

"Ratatouille for Dinner" - a brief synopsis of my day

2007-07-18T17:34:00.000-04:00

Oh smitten kitchen, how you inspired me today…

Mom: “I am not pleased with my vegetable intake”
Me: “You must see what the Smitten Kitchen made, hold on I’ll get my computer”
Mom: “that’s beautiful”

Six hours later Mom goes to grocery store, upon her return

Mom: “Can you make that ratatouille for me now?”
Me: “grrr, no, snap, study, snap, snap, ”

Thirty minutes later we have this for dinner:

recipe here.

Note that this lovely creation follows this morning's delicious carrot & banana bread. Eat that, bar examiners!

Seaming while reading? I think not

2007-07-18T16:15:00.000-04:00

I cannot seam and read at the same time, I can only knit and read. Consequently I'm facing a boat-load of seaming after I finish the bar exam next week. I'm so excited for this nightmare to be over...I can't wait to stop studying! Here are a few of the projects waiting for me:

Pieces of an Elephant

Fish, lots and lots of Fish

And my cashmere shawl, which just needs more yarn

Spotty Rotty Banana = Carrot & Banana Bread

2007-07-18T15:17:00.000-04:00

There's something about spotted bananas that calls for an immediate, drop-everything need to bake. There was a lone spotty banana staring me down on the counter this morning and even though I should be spending every waking moment with my head in a book I succumbed to it's calls and mashed it into a chunky mush. Unfortunately, it only yielded a measly half-cup. Not to fear, I have a supply of frozen shredded carrots on hand for dilemmas like this!

The loaves didn't rise as high as I would have liked, but the results were delicious. When I measured my carrots I packed the measuring cup tightly. I think if I measured the carrots "loosely" then the batter would not have been as heavy and the loaves would have risen higher.

Carrot & Banana Bread

1 large over-ripe banana mushed in a 2cup Pyrex measuring cup
Shredded carrots with the moisture squeezed out added to the bananas to make 2 cups - see the note above about measuring "loosely"
3 cups flour
1t salt
1t baking powder
1/4t baking soda
2t cinnamon
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
2T oil
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce (I use one snack-pack size container)
1t vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
1-1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts

Mix all the wet ingredients & sugar together. Add the bananas & carrots, mix well. Then add the dry ingredients in 2 or 3 batches, mixing to incorporate after each. Finally add the chopped walnuts.

Pour into two greased 8 1/2 x 5 pans
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes until a toothpick tester is dry

This is really good served with a little cream cheese on top. Yum!

Still Alive

2007-07-17T09:10:00.001-04:00

I'm still alive. The bar exams are next week. I'll be back.

My 30th Birthday

2007-06-09T13:05:00.001-04:00

I turned 30 this week. It was a rainy day but we managed to get a big group of friends together for lunch and an amazing chocolate mousse cake that was decorated with berries. Here's what was left of the cake for me to bring home:

I also brought home some balloons that were given to me by a friend.

And received these beautiful flowers from the boy, who tried to fly in for the weekend but couldn't because of thunderstorms. My gift from him should arrive next week...

Graduation Party & Subsequent Blog Hiatus

2007-06-09T09:08:00.000-04:00

Now that graduation has come and gone I am studying for the July Bar exams for entrance in two states. I haven't had any spare time to blog at all. Study, study, study...

Here are a few photos from my excellent graduation party.

Lobsters & Grilled Prosciutto, Tomato & Mozzarella Sandwich

Mini Bundt Fruit Shortcakes & Key Lime Pie

Baking & Birds

2007-05-22T10:15:00.000-04:00

This morning I baked a third trial-run of a dessert for my graduation party this weekend. I know I want a fruit salad and thought individual cakes with fresh whipped cream would go nicely. I bought a silicone mini-bunt pan and tried a disasterous sugar-free angel food cake recipe on Sunday. On Monday I bought a Nordic Ware individual bunt pan and tried a boxed angel food cake. It rose too far and made a mess of the oven. Oops. This morning I ran the Nordic Ware pan through the dishwasher because it was impossible to clean the angel food cake out by hand and tried a Bisquick shortcake recipe. I greased the pan well and they came out perfectly. So it's settled, dessert will be shortcakes with fruit & key lime pie.

While I was baking I saw a scarlet tanager and a male cardinal in the hawthorn tree vying for the suet. I was able to run upstairs and take this photo from a window.

Lobster Pot Cashmere Shawl

2007-05-19T19:39:00.000-04:00

I started the lobster pot cashmere shawl last night. I'm using Fiber Trend's "Leaf Lace Shawl" pattern. It seems like this is going to be an easy pattern to follow once I get used to the repeats. And, the cashmere is so soft that I don't want to put it down!

I think I will switch a pair of Knit Picks Options needles because the addis I am using are too blunt and are slowing my pace.

Winding Cashmere

2007-05-18T22:32:00.000-04:00

I'm excited to start my new cashmere lace shawl project using the Lobster Pot Cashmere from Purl Soho. Here's a photo of my ball-winding apparatus.

Fish Blanket Update

2007-05-18T22:23:00.000-04:00

I've been knitting fish all week so I decided to lay out the pieces again tonight. Here's how it looks so far:

Right now it would be a nice sized baby blanket, which was my original intention. But, now I can't decide if I want to stop at this size or continue to make it larger into a throw size. I could either add dark brown fishes around the entire edge using yarn I bought to make a brown & pink fish blanket, or buy more blue and tan to continue in pattern. Thoughts?

Mother's Day Breakfast

2007-05-18T22:16:00.000-04:00

I made these deeeelicious muli-berry pancakes for my mom for mother's day.

Multi-Berry Oatmeal Pancakes

1 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
2t baking powder
1/2t salt
1 egg
2T melted butter
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup blueberries
3/4 cup crasins

Baby Gifts

2007-05-13T14:10:00.000-04:00

Here is Luca wearing the hat that my mother made for him and with the elephant that I made. He's so tiny and looks like he's smushed in my arm, poor little guy!

I think I need to knit another elephant for my own collection.

And here's a pic of Luca in his sling that I made (post about its creation below).

For the Love of Cashmere

2007-05-12T10:11:00.000-04:00

It is a lovely spring day today,
which means that it's a perfect day to express my love to my cashmere sweaters. This morning I used three huge rubbermaid totes to wash lights, darks and white sweaters by hand and then spun them out in the washing machine on the gentle spin cycle. Here is a photo of one of the three drying "stations" I set up outside. The chairs are holding down towels and each sweater is clipped to a towel. I hope nothing blows into the pool!

Study Break Shopping Trip

2007-05-03T22:06:00.000-04:00

I took a study break trip to the yarn store today. I went with a specific project in mind and bought only what I went for. Yay for me. Here's what I bought:

Two skeins of Organic Cotton for Baby Bobbi Bear, three Jo-Sharp for Elephants and one lace pattern for my lobster pot cashmere. I'm starting the elephant tonight.

When I arrived at the knitting shop the parking lot was chock full of cars. When I stepped in the door I almost stepped on a knitter - there were at least a dozen women at a knitting group. I had no idea there was a Thursday night group. I couldn't join them this week because my allocated study break was only one hour, but next week I think I'll check it out. I'm nervous to join though, perhaps I'll feign a problem with a pattern and go in seeking mock-advice...

Animal Mobile

2007-05-03T09:49:00.000-04:00

I saw this mobile at a store recently and am going to try to design and make one of my own. Isn't it cool?!

Purl Soho, I Heart You!

2007-05-02T21:54:00.000-04:00

Big hearts to Purl Soho. This arrived in the mail while I was away visiting boy:

Lobster Pot Cashmere in lobster bisque (400 yds.), Ted by Knitting at Knoon, and Safari Friends from Knitting at Knoon. I can't wait to add more projects to my WIP box!

Tesselating Fish Blanket Progress

2007-05-02T21:47:00.000-04:00

I finished all of my fish last week, but when we laid out the blanket on the floor boy and I agreed that it was too small. "Too small to serve any purpose" according to boy. So upon my return from sunny Fla. I promptly (as in within 10 minutes of my arrival) visited my LYS and purchased more Rowan All Seasons Cotton. Right now the plan is to make it 4 fish wide by 9 fish high. Bring on the fishies.

New Lampshade

2007-05-02T21:42:00.000-04:00

Today, after my second to last law school final exam ever, I bought two of these ticking stripe lampshades. Notice how they match the window treatments (and the bookshelf slip covers, and the anti-dog hair blanket on the bed...).

I was planning to buy simple white shades and cover them with ticking fabric. Imagine my delight when I found these for a mere $4.99 each. Nice.

Best Knitting Tool EVER!

2007-05-02T21:37:00.000-04:00

While seaming the green sweater and still super excited by its potential I discovered the best knitting tool ever. Hold Everything Clips:

They are perfect for holding pieces together while seaming. They are perfectly smooth so nothing will snag and they hold the pieces really well. Hold Everything Clips rock (they rock in the kitchen too). Available at Bed Bath & Beyond for $2.99.

Blah Sweater

2007-05-02T21:33:00.000-04:00

Here's a photo of the green sweater.

1. The sleeves are from a different dye lot, boy likes the variation at the cap, I don't.
2. V-neck is super deep, eeuh I can deal (boy does not like).
3. I'm tall and it's too short. I really don't know how this happened because I measured many times, but it did and I'm not happy.

Overall, I'm disappointed.

No Sweaters

2007-04-23T10:02:00.000-04:00

I finished the green v-neck sweater using Rowan's Calmer. I'm not that in love with it. I just don't think sweaters are my thing, I'm too picky. Darn.

White Bobbi Bear

2007-04-14T19:52:00.000-04:00

Yesterday the white bobbi bear was a headless WIP, today he's a finished bear, head, ears, nose, eyes, and all. It's amazing how motivating a reality check can be...or am I just procrastinating from writing the memo that's due on Monday? Hard to tell.

Reality Check 101

2007-04-13T13:40:00.000-04:00

There's nothing like a good reality check every now and then. So, here it is, a photo of those WIP's that actually warrant attention (i.e. those that aren't in the frog box - don't worry the froggers are living out their last few months in a pretty box; they're happy). It's rather embarrassing to have so many projects that are a few hours from completion. But to be honest this really doesn't look excessive to me.

Starting from that small white thing in the upper left we have:
White Bunny (sans ears)
Felted Flamingo
White Bobbi Bear
Ribbon Tape Cardigan
Fish Blanket
Gray Top-Down Wrap Sweater (I may move this to frog box)
White Bear
Clapotis (may join the wrap sweater)
Blue Socks with an Afterthought Heel
Red Alpaca Braided Scarf
Green Calmer V-Neck
Blossom (in the center)

Last month's reality check was when I organized my stash and didn't have enough room on a queen sized bed to fit it all. Now that was excessive...to anyone. I didn't take a picture so I may need to organize it again and have a visual reminder that yarn doesn't grow on trees, it grows in my closet...and dresser...and cedar chest...and under the bed...

Rectangle Shawl is Done!

2007-04-11T16:36:00.000-04:00

I stayed up late last night adding the picot edging to the rectangle shawl. I am so pleased with it! I used a Blue Sky Alpaca pattern and 100% baby alpaca worsted weight. I love it. I love wearing shawls, I'm obsessed. Notice the snow in the background...there's still snow on the ground and we're supposed to get more tomorrow!

If anyone knows the widget or html code to enable the "comments" link on the main page in blogger please let me know. I've tried all of the settings and can't get it to work on the main page, only in individual posts. thanks!

Baby Wearing Sling

2007-04-10T14:40:00.000-04:00

Last night I made this baby sling for a friend who is having a baby shower this weekend. I used fabric from Amy Butler that I purchased at Cabbage Rose, a pattern that I found here (I modified it to fit a taller person), and sling rings from this site. I'm really pleased with the results! The shoulder and the rails where the baby's head and legs will rest are padded quite nicely. It's really cute. I may have to bring the bear with me to the shower to demonstrate. We also bought her the baby wearing DVD available here, which claims to show over 200 baby wearing positions. So cool!

Yarn Purchase

2007-04-07T09:32:00.000-04:00

Here's a pic of my latest yarn purchase. Thanks for the gift certificate, bro. I don't have a project in mind for the coral calmer yet but it's my favorite yarn so I had to buy the skeins that were on sale. I used it last year to make Blossom in the same coral color and loved it (blossom needs about 6" of icord edging before it's finished and has been in my to do box for almost a year).

I am such a huge Rowan yarn fan!

You Have to be Kidding Me!

2007-04-05T10:09:00.000-04:00

I woke up to this:

Early yesterday morning there wasn't a speck of snow, late yesteday morning I ran on fairly clear pavement while it was starting to snow. Last night I drove home in about 4" of snow. I did not expect to wake up to find snow up to the seat of the bench (center of photo). After numerous buzzing and beeping episodes of freezers, microwaves and surge protectors throughout the night the power finally went out this morning and the generator kicked in. You really have to be kidding me, it's April 5th!

First Fish

2007-04-04T08:39:00.000-04:00

The first fish came out quite well. I'm not sure what colors I'm going to use. I was going to use Rowan's All Seasons Cotton in pink & tan but I've never seen a pink fish before. I think I need more ocean-y colors, although I've never really seen a blue fish before either. I'm lying, I have. I've probably seen pink too. Oh the indecision. Am I just looking for an excuse to buy more yarn? I just spent the gift certificate my brother gave me for xmas, how can I justify buying more yarn?

Update:
I've started fish #2 and reversed the pattern so I can knit the fish together to form "fish strips."

Here's a pic:

Tessellating Fish Blanket

2007-04-03T20:54:00.000-04:00

I've found a new project! Yes, I know I have a bunch of unfinished projects but this one is cool. It's a fish blanket, here is a photo and here is another. I spent hours figuring out the pattern today from looking at the photo of the finished blanket before stumbling upon the first link. Even though I think this would be an excellent stash project I think I want to do it in two colors - I'm just not sure which ones. Off to start my first fish!

Key Lime Pie Day!

2007-04-01T20:51:00.000-04:00

It was a productive weekend. I finished paper #2 of 5 by mid-afternoon on Sunday. Then I cleaned. I moved every piece of furniture in my bedroom to clean up every last bit of dust from every surface. Now I have my desk where I can look out both windows while I continue the month of marathon paper writing.

I also baked a key lime pie using fresh key limes. If you're not familiar, key limes are only about 1" in diameter. It took nearly an hour to squeeze enough for the pie, but the results were worth it.

Key Lime Pie
1 cup of key lime juice (either from fresh key limes or from a jar "Nellie's" key lime juice is the best)
2 cans of fat-free sweetened condensed milk
8 egg yolks
1 9" graham cracker pie crust
1 extra graham cracker crushed and a ramekin

Mix the yolks and milk together, add juice until well blended. Pour into pie crust so it is almost over flowing. There will be some filling left-over so spread the crushed graham cracker on the bottom of a greased ramekin, spray with Pam and fill with remaining filling. Bake at the same time at 350 for approximately 25 minutes (20 for the ramekin) until the center is set. Chill & serve w/ fresh whipped cream.

New Favorite Blog

2007-03-29T14:29:00.000-04:00

I am in love....Smitten Kitchen is my new favorite blog. But Don't worry Not Martha, there is room at the top for two favorites!

Spring

2007-03-29T11:30:00.000-04:00

I love Spring. It's warmish and sunny and daylight savings time is the BEST. Even though it's only 44 here, and it's 84 in sunny Florida I'm still enjoying the warmish weather. This morning I ordered a new navy polka-dot bathing suit from J.Crew; this is the top and this is the bottom. The bottoms are back-ordered, but I really hope they arrive before April 19th so I can wear it during my reading-week Florida trip.

On the knitting front, the rectangle shawl is almost done. When I finish this last skein I will be ready to add the picot edge. I'm also close to finishing the green calmer sweater. It's been a WIP for almost a year now, but as I get closer to the sleeve cap shaping I'm getting more anxious to finish it. Photos to come soon.

"New" Sewing Machine

2007-03-17T17:14:00.000-04:00

I bought a *new* sewing machine on eBay a few weeks ago. I use the term "new" loosely because I think the machine is from the 60's. But, it was only $18 and shipping to my S.O.'s house was only $10. I dripped a few drops of sewing machine oil on every moving part and viola it works like a charm! I'm so pleased!

It's a good thing that it works so well because I packed a large duffel sack full of projects for my two week stay with S.O., including material for several sewing projects. Here's a photo of the first of F.O.'s made with the new machine. Now I'm off to make myself a sundress using fabric with smocking already sewn in that I found at Joann yesterday.

Thai Green Curry...Yum

2007-03-14T13:11:00.000-04:00

Last night I made Thai Green Curry for dinner using Thai Kitchen's green curry paste. I made it with chicken this time, and thought it was just as tasty as when I make it with tofu. The key is to add lots of peas and serve it very hot over fresh spinach instead of rice. Mmmm so tasty.

Thai Green Curry
1 can of lite coconut milk
2T green curry paste
cook above for 5 mins on medium heat
2T fish sauce
2T brown sugar
1/3 cup chicken broth
2 thinly sliced chicken breasts (or lite firm tofu)
1+ cup of peas
bamboo shoots
sliced water chestnuts
add all of the above plus 1/2 of the bag of spinach and simmer for 10 mins
bag o' baby spinach

Serve over remaining baby spinach or brown rice. Tasty!

You can add more veggies the next day to make another meal. It also freezes very well.

Some Good

2007-03-09T10:32:00.000-05:00

Some good came out of my cancelled flight. The airline gave me a taxi voucher to use for a ride "home." However, because home is aprox. 130 miles from the airport I stayed near the airport Wednesday night. Thursday morning I gave my cab driver the round-trip voucher for a 260 mile trip. Apparently it was quite a bonus, he was pleased, I am pleased.

Spreeeeee

2007-03-07T21:11:00.000-05:00

I went on a pattern spree at The Knitting Experience this past weekend. I intended to purchase only one pattern - Blue Sky Alpaca's Rectangle Shawl. But, I also left with the Baby Bobbi Bear pattern, an eyelet baby blanket pattern and two Louise Harding books: Gathering Roses and Winter Muse Classic.

I started the very mundane rectangle shawl and I love it. I'm using a light worsted 100% alpaca so it is going to be a bit larger than the pattern. I hope I don't lose interest before I get to the end. I'm excited to frog my red inside-out sweater from last Fall's Knit Scene and make the Ginger cardigan instead. I'm also looking forward to the Violette, but I am short a few skeins.

Next week is a project filled week....if I can ever get to my destination. Second time in one month to have a flight cancelled and not rescheduled for at least a day.

Project Photo Page Is Ready!

2007-02-27T20:01:00.000-05:00

Photos have been added to the Finished Projects Photos page. The projects on the photo page are from the past few years, but aren't listed in any special order.

Oscar Cupcakes

2007-02-25T22:39:00.000-05:00

One "Bowl" Cupcakes

Combine the ingredients below in a food processor all at once and blend until a smooth, thick batter. Fill cups 2/3 full, bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. Frost with simple white vanilla frosting.

1.5 sticks of unsalted butter

2 eggs

2 t. vanilla extract

2/3 c. sour cream

1.5 c. flour

1 c. sugar

1 t. baking powder

.5 t. baking soda

1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa p0wder

Alpaca Bobbi Bear

2007-02-25T16:12:00.000-05:00

This is Blue Sky Alpaca's large Bobbi Bear made with Blue Sky Bulky. Note that the pattern calls for 6 hanks of yarn, but I used less than 4 1/2. I would recommend knitting a few extra rounds on the body to balance out the enormous head.

Flannel Scarf with Bobble Fringe

2007-02-25T16:09:00.000-05:00

This isn't a knitting project, but it is one of my favorite scarfs. It's made from a long piece of flannel fabric and some bobble fringe. Don't worry, it was time for the scarf to hit the wash when this photo was taken.

Cashmere Scarf

2007-02-25T16:01:00.000-05:00

I finally finished the mohair picot edge cast-off* on this cashmere scarf. The scarf is made of Obsession with Kid Silk Haze ends. The pattern is my own, a double seed-stitch with rounded edges.

*Instructions for picot edge cast-off:
^Cast on two stitches using the cable cast-on, bind off 4 sts, slip remining stitch from the right-hand to the left-hand needle and repeat from^ to the end.

Cable cast-on:
Insert the tip of the right needle between the first two stitches on the left needle, pull through 1 stitch, twist 1/2 way, place on left hand needle. Repeat.

Reed's Baby Hat

2007-02-25T15:56:00.000-05:00

Reed arrived a few weeks ago and will be getting this new hat soon. It's my own pattern, made of various Cotton Classic yarns.

Green Ribbon Twist Hat

2007-02-25T15:52:00.000-05:00

I finished this hat months ago, but the cast-on edge was too tight. So yesterday I took it out and replaced it with a large needle cast-off. I used Rowan Ribbon Twist and Kid Silk Haze held together. The pattern is from Rowan's Big Just Got Bigger book.

It's time to blog again

2007-02-24T15:36:00.000-05:00

The old, neglected blog was deleted about a year ago, but one's family members can only handle so many photos of crafty stuff before their eyes glaze over. So, I've decided that it's time to blog again. Welcome to Knitting Sock Monkey...