Sunday Inspirations

Sewing Inspirations:

This is my absolute new FAVORITE BLANKET. Simply love the design elements in this. Here is a quick tutorial for it.

Not so interested in the real parts of the following post, but love the Sewn Mat under the yarn cup in the first picture.

I like this Little Hamper Tutorial. I love little containers like this.



Misc. Crafty Inspirations:

I just love making Dorset Buttons and I like the variations provided in this post.


Recipe Inspirations:

I know this is a little off the wall, but this Garlic Soup sounds not only interesting but potentially quite yummy!

These Mint Cheesecake Brownies look overly decadent!

Gluten Free Cornmeal Biscuits that look light, airy, and yummy!

I am trying to cook a wider variety of simple things . . . just not the time to do things that are complicated right now. This recipe for Lemon Chicken not only fits into that category, but it also sounds delicious!

I have never had Spaghetti Alla Carbonara and I'm not sure about it, but it sounds quite interesting. The eggs mixed with the hot noodles is what interests me and also makes me wonder. Anyone ever had a version of this?

Has anyone ever tried Roasted Chickpeas?

This Tropical Fruit Salad with Honey Poppyseed Dressing is not only simple, but sounds and looks good.

Lemniscate - Finished

Yarn : Ornaghi Filati Merino Mix Fine
Color : 521 Peony
Content : 50% Merino / 50% Acrylic
Care : Machine wash / lay flat to dry
Needles : US 1 / 2.25 Knitters Pride
Pattern : Lemniscate (not yet posted to Ravelry)
Size : Large
Modifications : None, due to it being a test-knit.




You can see here it's a little tight on my calf, very difficult to get over my heel.














I need some negative ease!


Love the stitch pattern!


Super loved the heel!













Well, there ups and downs about this test-knit, as there are any. Overall, I really like many things about this sock. I will not be knitting the mate to this one, because I am a gal who likes some negative ease in her socks and these do not have negative ease. The fit, but not the snug kind of fit I prefer. So I will be reknitting this pattern in the smaller size . . . we shall see, maybe a modified in between version of the two. I love the stitch pattern though and it's really easy once you get it in your head.

Planned mods for future pair : small size for a more snug fit, round toe for better fit, and Yarn Over Bind Off for a looser fit around my chubby little calves!

I do recommend this sock, it is a lovely design. Plus, and I didn't expect to get this out of this sock, I really like this toe up heel. It is the best fitting toe up heel I have done so far. Those short row heels never fit my heel correctly.

Sunday Inspirations

Crochet Inspiration:

This Crochet Collar is very nifty and reminds me of something my sister Echo would like. I might try to make something like this for her.


Sewing Inspirations:

I want to make a blanket with this block that I saw posted over at Completely Cauchy. I am trying to avoid buying more crafting stuff this year, since I have recently made a few too many knitting needle purchases. So I will have to see if I can manage this in my limited fabric stash. Maybe I can at least eek out a baby blanket?

This is sewing/needlepoint, but any who, I want to make myself one of these bags or at least a variation of it. I want a needlepoint design on both the back and front, with a plastic canvas bottom, but just fabric on the sides.

I really love this Block on the top! The tree block is nifty too!


Recipe Inspirations:

Lasagna Bolognese sounds delicious. I am always looking for new lasagna recipes, plus the husband agrees with her somewhat, although he is not a fan of ricotta cheese in general.

As a huge fan of potatoes, this Kulgelis Potato Casserole sounds delicious! Gotta try this!

I am a huge fan of Chinese food, as you all well know, but I am not so much a fan of the quality of meet used at most places in general. I love the thought of making my own Beef and Broccoli. Plus I can insure that it is gluten-free when I make it!

Well meaning husbands . . .

So, last month when I had my allergic reaction, my husband does what he does every time this happens . . . anything I was wearing that day immediately goes in the wash in case there was any residual allergens. I was all drugged up and not thinking . . . into the wash, went my Double Tychus (Rav Link) and then into the dryer! It didn't really shrink that much, but if I don't have my hair short, it doesn't fit me. 

So to make up for this, I am knitting a double thick Paulina Hat. First I am knitting the black version, then I will knit the other color and connect them.  Although I am slightly considering just lining it with material and making it reversible in that manner.  It needs to be double thick, I originally test-knit this pattern (Rav Link) and it's a great pattern, but one layer does not hold up to the Buffalo winds. One layer of any hat will not hold up unless maybe it was felted.

So here is the black so far:






It's not much to see so far, kind of looks like road kill.



Yarn : Lana Grossa Basics Joker
Color : Black
Content : 80% superwash wool / 20% polyamid
Care : machine wash, lay flat to dry
Needles : US 6 / 4mm (Knitter's Pride Dreamz)
Pattern : Paulina
Modifications : Casted on more stitches to compensate for my gauge on a thinner yarn and also made the ear-flaps completely moss stitch.

Smaller can be better!

Ah, I was finally able to find some tiny circular needles for a decent price. I purchased some Hiya Hiya 32" Circular Needles in 00, 000, 0000, 00000, and 000000! Yes, I was so happy to finally get circulars this small.

So excited in fact that I cast on a pair of socks with lace weight yarn and size US000 / 1.5mm needles! It just makes me all kinds of happy inside!!





Isn't it lovely?!?!?  You can see the tiny needles to the side.


Here is the back/sole.  That little stitch marker came with the needles.


Here is the front.  I like the color transition more on the top of the foot.






Yarn : Patons Lace
Color : Sachet . . . because it's meant to knit at a very loose gauge, mine looks different, it does more of a striping transition - I am liking it though.
Content : 80% Acrylic / 10% Mohair / 10% Wool
Care : Machine wash, lay flat to dry
Needles : Hiya Hiya Circular US 000 / 1.5mm
Gauge : 10.5 - 11 sts per inch
Pattern : Just a simple toe up so far, casted on 40sts, increased every other row to 96sts, knitting stockinette foot.


p.s. I cannot wait to knit something up on the US000000 / .7mm needles!!  Do you think I used enough exclamation marks in this post??

Lemniscate Socks

Ah, the socks of many froggings so far! Here is where I am, not quite as far as I got the two first times yet, but I am like a sock machine right now, working on socks and almost all of them with cables! Crazy, I know. Honestly, my mind is kind of stuck on cables right now, I really want to start a baby gansey . . . we shall see, any who, back to the socks.

On a side note, I purchased this yarn originally to make my nieces some socks because WEBS lists the yarn as machine washable . . . yeah, machine washable, but not dry-able . . . kind of misleading. So instead they will be socks for me, because I am not going to force my sister to lay a bunch of socks flat to dry. Yarn is lovely though!




You cannot see the cable detail that well yet, but it'll better next time.


It's actually fairly intuitive once you've done a few repeats.







Yarn : Ornaghi Filati Merino Mix Fine
Color : 521 Peony
Content : 50% Mohair / 50% Acrylic
Care : Machine wash / lay flat to dry
Needles : US 1 / 2.25 Knitters Pride
Pattern : Lemniscate (not yet posted to Ravelry)
Size : Large
Modifications : None, due to it being a test-knit.

John's Socks

Everything seems to be a winding path. The test-knit I will show tomorrow was for me at first, but the large women's size was too big for me, so I decided to rip out the pink I was working with and knit the socks for my brother-in-law, John, because I still wanted to test the socks. Since now one else had mentioned them being to big, I figured it was just me. So, I mentioned it on the discussion so the designer would know why I restarted. Then, some others mentioned that, yes, they too were having issues with it being too big. So the designer redid her numbers and has a smaller version of large.

So, I had started them for me in pink, ripped them out, started again in blue for John, and then ripped them out again to start in pink for the adjusted smaller large. Ah, but I still wanted to knit John a pair of socks . . . serendipitously the new Interweave Knits, Spring 2012 arrived in my mail box. I love the Kellswater Socks with their gansey-inspired appearance.

I have made a few adjustments. My version is top down, will have a heel flap, and doesn't include the anchor chart, just the diamond/cable - which has been adjusted to accommodate my total of 76 stitches. Not very far in, but I really like the ribbing for this sock so far.












Yarn : JoAnn's Sensations Bamboo & Ewe
Color : Turquoise
Content : 40% Wool, 30% Nylon, 15% Rayon
Care : Machine Wash
Needles : US 1 / 2.25mm (KnitPicks 47" Circular)
Pattern : Modified version of Kellswater Socks, Rav Link
Modifications: Top down, heel flap, modified version of diamond/cable chart to fit 76 stitches, and no anchor chart used.

Eddard Sock - 1st Completed

Well, I finished the first sock, which was the requirement for the test-knit. However, I will be finishing the second sock soon, since I like this pattern and want to be able to wear them. I haven't FINISHED a pair of socks for myself in a long time. I have started many and frogged most of them, the others are still on the needles.

Yarn: Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn
Color: Blue Blood Red
Content: 75% Wool / 25% Nylon
Care: Machine wash / lay flat to dry
Needles: Knit Picks 47" Circular US 0 / 2mm
Size: Large




Isn't the cable design just lovely?


Because I place the knot work over the ankle, it bunches some at the ankle.


I would love to make the a little taller, but I would need to loose some circumference in my calf or increase some stitches for that.


Here is a shot of the bunches.  It looks significant and if you are going by appearances, it diminishes the pattern, but honestly for fit or comfort, it doesn't really effect anything.


Without a foot.


Cable detail without foot.




I am enjoying all the cables I am working with. To be honest, I have like 5 socks on the needles right now, so hopefully this second one will get done soon, but it is more likely that it'll take me a little while to finish it. We shall see.

Last PIF - Pot Holders

Monika . . .If you want to be surprised, 

DO NOT LOOK!!!

Well, I really finished these last weekend, but was quite sick this previous week and did not have a chance to take photos or mail them off. I will be hopefully mailing them off tomorrow after I get out of work. I usually use the little machines, so I can use the post office at any time, but I believe to mail out of the US, I would have to see a real person at a counter, which is a little harder to do when I work during most business hours.

Any who, I really enjoyed making them. My sewing is not as great as I would like it to be, I obviously need to practice more. I like how these turned out though.  Both pairs are made with cotton fabrics, green cotton thread, one layer of cotton batting and one layer is insul-bright.






I love the green fabric on the first pair.  The squares are slightly shifted so the overlap a little instead of the seams matching.  I prefer this for two reasons, one, if my seams aren't perfectly aligned, no one can really tell and two I think it gives the blocks more appearance of movement.





Plain gray backing with the green stitching.


I like this pair the most.  I am usually not an abstract or non-objective art lover, but I like these potholders.  I like the different ways of thinking and challenges doing these designs provided.  Plus, I just think they are more dynamic.


I used a few different techniques to construct the design, including sewing the strips right to the batting.





Plain black, you can see the green stitching.


It was very hard for Wookie to patiently wait while I took the other photos, he know it is his duty to be in the pictures with my projects!






I hope Monika enjoys them, even if they are late! :)

Sunday Inspirations

Sewing Inspirations:

There is no question, I will be making myself one of these bags! Very nifty idea and love that the construction helps in close!

Home-made Soft Washcloths look wonderful!



Other Inspirations:

I love the look of this scarf, I think primarily because of the stained glass effect it has. Makes me want to work something with a similar effect, not sure what though.



Recipe Inspirations:

I'd like to try this Beef Barbacoa because I love the Beef Barbacoa from Chipotle. I'm thinking about making some Burrito Bowls for lunches and this would make a great addition.

I love onions and this Caramelized Onion Dip sounds super good.

I must be in a dip theme, because they just sound so good lately. This Spinach and Artichoke Dip looks good too!

Now, I know I don't have the doughnut maker to make these Maple Blueberry Doughnuts with Lemon Glaze, but these sound so good, I will probably make them as muffins! Love blueberry and lemon together!

Now, I have never had grits, but this Spicy Beef with Creamy Cheddar Grits makes me want to try them! Have any of you ever had grits?

Haircut!

Well, my haircut. I have to say it is definitely one of my favorites . . . which means next time, I probably will not be able to duplicate it, but oh well. I will enjoy it for the time being.





I just love how well it frames my face.


Pushed back, the angle is less apparent.


If pulled more forward you can see the angled cut more.


Yes, my head is tilted, but it's hard to take a picture of the back of your head when you are too lazy to pull out the tripod.





I know it's not perfect, but it's close enough for me.  I hate going to a salon where they will argue with you about how you want your haircut.  It's just annoying, I want what I want, regardless of whether someone else agrees or not.  It's my hair, I have to live with it.

On the flip side, people look at you like you are crazy when you tell them you cut your own hair.  I mean for me, in the end, it's just hair.  If I totally screw it up I can pay for someone else to fix it or I can shave it all off and wait for next time.  I mean, seriously, the world won't end. . . it's just hair.

As most of the time, I cut my own hair. I decided I wanted it short and cut at an angle, so I grabbed hair and started cutting. Yes, this is usually how I go about cutting my hair. Then at the end, I grabbed the husband to make sure the back was even, evidently I had it pretty close this time and then had him shave my neck hair shorter. If I could have it absolutely perfect, the back would be layered more and not so abrupt, but hey, I can only do so much with the part of my head I cannot even see.

Eddard Socks

I am test knitting a couple socks right now, I think it's an avoidance thing. I know I should work on my own designs, but I am bit of a chicken, I think. Any who, this is one of the socks I am test-knitting and I really like it.

It is written as a pattern for Men, but as a woman with large feet . . . 10US wide . . . well, socks patterns written for men tend to fit me better.




At first I thought the cable motif might make it a little too tight, but I really love the fit of these socks.





















Yarn: Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn
Color: Blue Blood Red
Content: 75% Wool / 25% Nylon
Care: Machine wash / lay flat to dry
Needles: Knit Picks 47" Circular US 0 / 2mm
Size: Large

The yarn is working well, but it splits a little more than I care for.  Love the feel of it though.  Honestly, I would probably use this kind again, even with the splitting.  Cannot wait to finish them!

John's Stripey Hat

I wanted to make my brother-in-law, John, a hat to match the Illusion Scarf I knit him. Although the hat is simple and not illusion knitting, I like how it turned out.

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Color: Limelight & Dark Country Blue
Content: 100% Acrylic
Care: Machine Wash & Dry
Needles: US 5 / 3.75mm






















I wanted to keep the decreases of the hat in line with the ribbing nature of the hat and was surprised by how much I liked the decreases I did. Might right up a freebie pattern for it, just because I like the decreases so much.

I hope he enjoys it and it fits him well.

P.S. you can also kind of see my lack of hair!  Chopped it all of last weekend.  Will post pictures soon, love how it turned out!

Wookie's Little Secret

I'm going to share a wonderful secret with all of you, but you cannot tell Mommy, okay?

The best thing about laundry day, is jumping into a warm clean bucket of laundry and taking a nap!











P.S. Daddy took this picture and then let me continue to sleep! Not that Mommy would have kicked me out . . . I might be spoiled.

Buttermilk Potato Soup with Bacon and Roasted Jalapeno

First, lets just say that broiling jalapenos sent off my smoke detector! I have never hear my smoke detector before and it is not a pretty noise.

Any who, I made the Buttermilk Potato Soup with Bacon and Roasted Jalapeno last Wednesday night.

I made a few changes, I usually do. I double the amount of bacon, celery and onion. I used 2.5 lbs of potatoes and cut them into smaller pieces. I used 2 jalapenos, the ones we buy at the grocery store are not very hot, or at least I don't think so. Technically I broiled three, but the third one I ate with little chunks of cream cheese!

I also did not blend my soup, I just used a potato masher to kind of break it down . . . lets face it at 8:30pm my neighbors have already had to hear my smoke alarm, I doubt they want to hear my blender also. Will try again some time with the blender, but it worked out well with just the mashing.

Sunday Inspirations

Inspirational Other Crafts:

This post on Julie Benders's Artwork is worth something looking at and clicking over to her site. All I have to say is wow, she is very talented with a wood and burning!


Inspirational Recipes:

Not that I am a fan of SPAM, but the idea of these Sushi Sandwiches are intriguing and a new way to "wrap" it all up.

Now the name of these should explain it all Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Chili Butter!

My sister, Rhoni originally linked to this Boston Cream Pie recipe in her post about her experience with this recipe. All I know is . . . I have to make a gluten free version of this, Boston Cream Pie used to be my favorite!

Is there a Science to Guacamole? Good info on avocados and making some good guacamole. Even better? Guacamole with Roasted Tomatillos!

Another yummy sounding soup to try, Bacon, Turkey, Corn Chowder. Oh how I love a good chowder!

I am all hyped up to try this recipe for GF Pot Stickers! We tried the version out of the book while I was out in Washington State last year and it didn't go so well, so I am all up for trying a variation of it.

Gluten Free Fresh Lasagna Noodle to try!

Ohhh, I use to love Pineapple Upside Down Cake! Heck, I love pineapples in general, gotta try this!

Do these Baked Egg Boats not look delicious?!?!? I am going to have to try them with Gluten Free Baguettes and see how they hold up!

One thing I miss when eating Indian food is Naan, especially Garlic Naan. Now I have a way to make a Gluten Free variety, hope it works!

Ellie's Striped Sweater

I challenged myself to make my niece, Ellie, a striped sweater. She's multi-sized and I was hoping to make a sweater that would fit her better than the ones off the shelf, but it just seems her speed at growing supersedes my knitting/designing speed.

Yarn:Knit Picks Shine Sport
Color: Cosmopolitan & Black
Content: 60% Pima Cotton & 40% Modal
Care: Machine Wash & Tumble Dry Low
Needles: US 3 / 3.25 mm
Gauge : 6.5sts /1" 8rows/1"
Size: 2T length / 4T width

Used the Contiguous Method (Rav Link), but more stuck to some instructions on a blog that doesn't seem to exist now, unfortunately.  It's similar to raglan in some ways, but it is suppose to make less of a break in the design and the slant of the shoulders is suppose to be more in line with the slant of an actual humans shoulders.



Here is a front view, the style makes a bit of a slanted shoulder, but I think mine should slant less.


The back.


Here are the false buttons.  They are just there for looks, they aren't functional.


Inside are the snaps, which how it really comes together.


I sewed pink ribbon on with black thread to stick with the black and pink theme.


The ribbon is a little wonky because it was a little difficult for me to get the knitted fabric not to stretch.











I love how the inside looks and am thinking about make a sweater that is inside out for the color.


Wookie thinks pink and black look wonderful on him!






Overall, babies just grow too fast! I love a good challenge though and am thinking up the next attempt!