I was in New Jersey last week at a lovely yarn shop called Chelsea Yarns. While I was there, I met a very special little girl named Gitty.
Gitty is six and one of her favorite things to do is look at pictures of the Juniper Moon Flock on this blog and today is her birthday. I rounded up some of the animals to wish her a very happy birthday!
Gitty, we all hope your year is filled with laughter, magic and wonder.
Cold, rainy days in the fall used to be my favorite weather, but since I’ve got livestock to care for I am less inclined to enjoy rain. This year especially! A nice overcast (but DRY) day is still nice, when you can build a fire and drink tea and do some knitting or reading.
This week has been quite a mix of cold and overcast, and cold and downpours. While going outside to feed the flock and check on everyone has been an exercise in misery and wetness, inside has been nice and cozy.
The fireplace saw its first use of the year, and we’ve been putting the apples to good use.
I’ve been peeling giant bowls full of them every day and throwing them in a giant pot with some fresh cider, plenty of cinnamon, brown sugar and cloves.
I let it cook slowly all day into a nice, dark, spicy applesauce. I don’t can it, though, because at the very end I throw in a stick of butter. It ends up tasting like pie. The kids love it, and I can never keep enough of it ready! When there does happen to be an excess, I freeze it.
Speaking of pie, there’s plenty of that going on as well.
It’s also the season for roasted chickens and homemade stock. I like to keep a pot of that simmering all day when it’s crappy out.
And of the house isn’t full enough of wonderful aromas and things to tempt the tastebuds, why not whip up some butter cookies with frosting?
I got the crow cookie cutter from King Arthur Flour, which is, incidentally, where I got the cookie recipe from as well ( I used vanilla instead of the fiori di sicilia).
Add some frosting and sprinkles (black sugar sprinkles!) and they’re festive for Halloween!
I used some mini cookie cutters to make some plain Halloween cookies for snacking as well.
The weather might not be great, but the house smells of chicken stock, cinnamon, apple and butter cookies. It’s warm by the fire and I’ve got some lovely yarn to play with. Time to put on Hocus Pocus and settle in.
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Tagged Farm, food, Seasons, Uncategorized
While this began as a knitting blog, not every reader nowadays is versed in the vast online arena of that craft. So you may not know of Ravelry.com, a website where two million of us browse patterns, show off projects, and log personal databases of tools, books, and yarn. I'm delighted to recall being a reader of young Jess's blog Frecklegirl when she first mentioned that her "codemonkey" honey Casey was toying around with a site that would gather all kinds of useful information for fiber fiends and include social spaces. In a way, Ravelry made knitting blogs obsolete – prompting us to evolve and expand our subject matter if we chose. I could go on and on about its benefits, but if you have any interest, sign up and explore it yourself. I can go there to see that I have logged 115 projects, queued 114 patterns I might like to knit, and stashed 141 different yarns. (I'm currently unwilling to export that data and discover how many miles of yarn I'm storing!) I can report that as of November 14, 2012, my friend Kay has raised a total of $19,300 donated to Mercy Corps for Japanese tsunami relief through sale of a pattern she designed. But my new sweater-in-progress is the reason I'm posting today.
This is Jackaroo, from Knitty.com (another site whose praises I sing), which I cast on after using Ravelry to search for the perfect pattern. I had bought this Miss Babs Yowza at the 2011 Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, ostensibly for another Knitty pattern, Corinne, but had subsequently changed my mind. So I used Ravelry's search feature to plug in the weight and yardage to find another women's cardigan pattern that was either free or already in my library. More than a hundred options appeared, but I could browse them easily, look at versions other knitters had made, find out what they required in terms of notions, and make an informed choice. Amusingly, I'd put Jackaroo in my Rav queue when the First Fall issue of Knitty came out back in the summer – but I had to consider all my options before committing, and Ravelry made that process easy.
Ravelry also provides "helpful notes" from knitters: members mark each other's projects as offering useful advice, so that when we look at the sweaters that have already been knit, we can get virtual advice from knitters we don't actually know. I made extremely successful use of this feature when I made the Middlefield Pullover, a sweater that I love wearing because it fits like a dream – thanks to Ravelry!
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Way back when, we did a little contest on the anniversary of Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay reaching the summit of Mt. Everest asking you why you thought we were naming our newest yarn Tenzing. Well we were so surprised when not only when the answer was immediately guessed, but it was guessed again and again! You’re right, Tenzing has Yak! It’s a 85% Merino wool, 15% Yak blend. It’s a sport-weight yarn, which is something that is sorely lacking in the market right now.
There are tons of great designs in sport-weight yarns and I think you’ll find that this yarn is a perfect fit for many of them. And of course, they’re a perfect fit for any sweater in the Karakoram Collection.
The Karakoram Collection designs were inspired by the Himalayas and each pattern is named for a natural place in the Himalayas.
Baltoro pullover
A sweet cable and lace pattern stretches to hug curves in this form-fitting sweater. Dainty buttons on ¾ sleeves complete the effortlessly graceful look.
Knit by: Deb Terrio
Modeled by: Alexis Di Gregorio
Yarn: Tenzing
#10 Fall Harvest
Hispar sweater
This sweet sweater is named after the Hispar glacier in the Karakoram mountains. Embroidery on the bib and slightly belled sleeves add lovely detail.
Knit by: Jennifer Bohlig
Modeled by: Lily Steven
Yarn: Tenzing
#11 Burlywood
#01 Rhone Night
#09 Alfalfa
Zemu pullover
Named after the largest glacier in the Himalayas, Zemu features flattering construction and sweet colorwork details. Although featuring three colors, Zemu would look just as lovely using only two.
Knit by: Rebekah Baquiran
Modeled by: Lily Steven
Yarn: Tenzing
#14 Seafoam
#08 Scarlet
#06 Mystic Purple
Yolyn Am shawl
Yolyn Am makes a large, lovely shawl that will comfort and warm any wearer. The striped border lends an opportunity to customize the shawl to a knitter’s fall wardrobe and reminds of the shawl’s namesake, the deep gorge in southern Mongolia.
Knit by: Jennifer Britton
Modeled by: Lauria Kincaid
Yarn: Tenzing
#02 Sage
#13 Thistle
#12 Espresso
#01 Rhone Night
Deodar hat and wrist warmers
Embroidery detail elevates this simple hat and arm warmer set into something adorable. Deodar is a kind of East Indian cedar tree, which the embroidery hints at.
Knit by: Gail Defendorf
Modeled by: Annie Kerins
Yarn: Tenzing
#12 Espresso
#01 Rhone Night
#09 Alfalfa
Nubra cowl and arm warmers
Named after a valley in the Himalayas, the Nubra cowl and fingerless mitts feature a simple colorwork section amid a stockinette field. This would be a great introduction to colorwork, as the colorwork section is only a small portion of the finished pattern.
Knit by: Jennifer Cox
Modeled by: Lauria Kincaid
Yarn: Tenzing
#03 Gingersnap
#09 Alfalfa
Biafo pullover
This yoked pullover is worked in the round from the bottom up for minimal seaming. The colorwork pattern can be worked in a variety of colors to give the sweater a different look.
Knit by: Krysta Harty
Modeled by: Rachel Policare
Yarn: Tenzing
#08 Scarlet
#09 Alfalfa
Teesta pullover
Teesta is a river in India that carves out ravines and gorges much like the colorwork pattern used in this unisex sweater. All colorwork is done in the round and the arm and neck holes are created using steeks.
Knit by: Krysta Harty
Modeled by: Alexis Di Gregorio
Yarn: Tenzing
#05 Arctic River Blue
#03 Gingersnap
You can find all the patterns on Ravelry right here. Please favorite and queue them and spread the word about these awesome designs and this amazing yarn!
Just like with Herriot Heathers and Marlowe, these patterns are available in your local yarn store now as leaflets!
-1- Alley’s General Store
-2- Artisan Fair
-3- Field Gallery
-4- The Beach House (Vineyard Haven)
-5- Morning Glory Farm
– 6- the Tabernacle
So how did you do ? I’m busy taking more pictures so watch for more Vineyard snippets soon.
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Tagged autumn, Martha's Vineyard, Photographs, snippets
First, the facts:
Title: The Crocheter’s Companion: Revised and Updated
Author: Nancy Brown
Published by: Interweave Press, 2013
Pages: 131
Type: How To
Chapters:
1. Tools, Yarns, and Gauges
2. How to Read Crochet Instructions
3. Basic Crochet Stitches
4. Basic Crochet Techniques
5. Familiar Stitches and Favorites
6. Advanced Crochet Techniques
7. Motifs and Medallions
8. Tunisian Crochet
9. Decorative Finishings
10 Finishing Techniques
11 Helpful Hints and Troubleshooting
The In-Depth Look:
I love Interweave Press’s “companion” series of books–small-scale, spiral bound books filled with lots of detailed information about the basics of a craft. Great illustrations, basic (and advanced) techniques, and generally a great resource to stick in your bag to carry along wherever you go.
In this case, the book is the newly revised Crochet Companion. It’s hard-covered on the outside to protect it from travel woes as you cart it about, but spiral-bound on the inside, so it stays open to the page you need as you try to figure out a new technique. (Bonus points, too, for the spiral being inside the cover so that it doesn’t pose a tangle threat to any yarn in your bag.) Now, as to what about this makes it “revised and updated?” Without having one of the older copies, I can’t say for sure, but it’s filled with great detail about crocheting techniques, easy to use line-art for illustrations, and just generally well worth adding to your crochet library.
This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Knits. Thank you!
First, the facts:
Title: Blueprint Crochet Sweaters: Techniques for Custom Construction
Author: Robyn Chacula
Published by: Interweave Press, 2013
Pages: 165
Type: Patterns
Chapters:
1. Classic Construction
2. Top-Down and In-the-Round Construction
3. Granny Motif Construction
4. Unique Construction
The In-Depth Look:
The author begins by saying that she wrote this book, “to take the mystery out of stitching sweaters and give you the confidence to create your beautiful sweaters.
The book is split into four, basic construction techniques and filled with an assortment of sweaters ranging from classic to innovative. I admit to having a pro-knitting bias where sweaters are concerned, so not all of these are sweaters I would be interested in making, but the creativity is a pleasure to see, and some of the designs are truly lovely.
This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Knits. Thank you!
First, the facts:
Title: Crochet at Home: 25 Clever Projects for Colorful Living
Edited by: Brett Bara
Published by: Interweave Press, 2013
Pages: 143
Type: Patterns
Chapters:
1. Bright and Modern Living Room
2. Tranquil Bedroom
3. Colorful Kitschy Kitchen
The In-Depth Look:
Because every home needs hand-made accents, and why not make them fun? This book is filled with patterns for afghans, pillows, and more. There’s a ruffled teapot cozy, a sweet doorstop, fun buntings, covers for ottomans or footstools, rugs … pretty much everything you could think of that you might actually WANT in your home, but made fun and cheerful.
This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Knits. Thank you!
First, the facts:
Title: Beastly Crochet: 23 Critters to Wear and Love
Author by: Brenda K. B. Anderson
Published by: Interweave Press, 2013
Pages: 167
Type: Patterns
Chapters:
1. Classic Monsters
2. Welcome to the Jungle
3. Skulls Were People Too
4. Myths(And Other True Stories)
5. Silly Monsters
6. My Own Personal Robot
The In-Depth Look:
Because who doesn’t love having a group of adorable fuzzy little monsters to make and play with?
This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Knits. Thank you!
First, the facts:
Title: Crochet Stitch Dictionary: 200 Essential Stitches with Step-by-Step Photos
Author: Sarah Hazell
Published by: Interweave Press, 2013
Pages: 191
Type: Stitch Dictionary
Chapters:
1. Basic Stitches
2. Fans and Shells
3. Clusters, Puffs and Bobbles
4. Spikes
5. Relief Stitches
6. Mesh, Filet, and Trellis
7. Crossed and Interlocking Stitches
8. Waves and Crochet
9. Decorative Stitches
The In-Depth Look:
I love stitch dictionaries and this one is no exception. 200 stitches, clear photos, nicely organized … a good collection.
This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Knits. Thank you!
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Tagged crochet
- by Joan -
Comments Off on Cranberries And Gourds …
Tagged autumn, food, Photographs, pumpkins
As I hoped would be the case, things really picked back up once I got to the excitement of the colorwork section.
And finally getting to the point where I could try it on was something I’d been waiting for the whole time.
It fit! And almost perfectly at that! Looks like all my bothering to follow the directions careful measuring paid off.
After finishing the neck, I turned the whole thing inside out to weave in my few ends, graft my underarms, and sew the pocket flaps shut.
And while we’re inside out, here’s a look at the backside of the completed yoke. There might be a few tight-looking spots, but I am confident that they will be fine once the whole thing is washed and blocked.
Some of the natural yarn floats are looking a little sloppy from behind because they’re held up in the center of seven stitch stretches. I don’t know why I was compelled to secure them and leave that bottom row as is, except that maybe it seemed like a good idea as I went along. And possibly there were some terrible flashbacks of when I used to wear rings and constantly get them caught in the back of stranded colorwork sweaters of all kinds. I’m not sure why I felt the need to share all of that, except that I am embarrassed by my lack of neatness I suppose. BUT ANYWAY. Steeking time!
As I am A) a first time steeker and B) this is a Kate Davies pattern, it seemed like a no-brainer to go with her steeking tutorial. Not only does it get rave reviews, I also assumed it would speak to me in a way I would feel comfortable with, since I really like the way Davies’ patterns are written. (All four parts of her steeking tutorial can be found here on her tutorial page.)
For my crochet needs, I went with a wool yarn that felt good and snaggy and also brags of its felting prowess. If that wouldn’t lock my stitches in place, what would? It might be hard to see what I’ve done because unlike the examples which use contrasting yarns to illustrate each step, I needed to use a matching yarn that will not show through my finished edging.
As suggested, I marked off the body with pins down the middle of the stitch that will be cut to keep me in a straight line. (Oh boy, it’s getting real now!)
Getting started,
Looking good so far…
Eventually, I made it all the way down and back up again (crooked from a few areas where I seem to have accidentally added a few extra stitches, oops!), and my steek bridge was complete.
And then,
and then…
I will not lie to you, the first cut was wince-worthy. But when nothing horrible happened (as promised), it went very smoothly. The “Cut Me!” ladder up the middle shows itself readily as you go,
and unless you’re using a pair of gigantic garden shears and snipping all willy-nilly, while blindfolded, there is not much of a chance of you cutting any bits you shouldn’t. Really! I encourage you to try it sometime. I am officially a steeking convert now.
See? Nothing out of place, and the edges feel as strong as can be. Yay! The next step in securing the cut edges in this pattern is the “steek sandwich,” as seen in the many pictures to follow.
These are the very first stitches I picked up for my left side sandwich. I did a really crappy job on that side and had to redo it after I did the other side and saw them together, but it went pretty smoothly the second time around.
As explained in the tutorial, you pick up and knit stitches on the front of the garment, and pick up on the back and knit a flap there as well. You can see here how the two sides come up and will eventually enclose the crochet reinforced edge.
Looking good so far.
Close that puppy up!
>
Mmmm, sandwich. Now on the other side, otherwise known as, “the one I did right the first time,” the next step after closing up my sandwich was marking off for buttonholes. Being who I am, I measured to keep it nice and even, and found that they could be spaced exactly four inches apart. How pleasing!
(And because Mr. Right Side is such a handsome fella, I’ll show you his backside too. Woo woo!)
(And up at the yoke section.)
The last steps in this Blaithin-y journey of mine are the i-cord bind offs and a little washing and blocking. I can’t wait until next time to show you my finished sweater, but I have to admit to feeling a little sad about what will be my final post in this series. I’ve enjoyed sharing my progress with you all so much! Until next time…
—————————————————————————————————–
Amber resides in sporadically idyllic Berks County, PA with her husband and three children.
She can most often be found knitting, making soap, sewing, or puttering around in her garden. She should probably leave her house more often.
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Tagged Guest Blogger, WIP
As it’s starting to get very nippy in our drafty old house, my mind has been full of Chicken soup. And not just any chicken soup, the chicken soup that I dubbed The Best Chicken Soup in the Universe. Susie made it for a bunch of us at a spring/summer photo shoot we were having in December. Brrr. No one was wearing enough clothes. (Well, except Susie because she was taking photos, but I’m guessing that she might have also gotten cold because we were outside pretty much any time there was sun. She was probably not the-ground-is-covered-in-frost-and-we-thought-it-would-be-a-good-idea-to-take-this-photo-barefoot-first-thing-in-the-morning cold, but still it was quite nippy.)
Most recently, while we near the end of our second week of desperately making tags until we thought our fingers would fall off and we would die of boredom, Susie offered to make chicken soup. This seemed like the perfect thing. We weren’t sleeping very much each night trying to get everything done and we were all feeling a bit run-down. This seemed like it would be perfect to stave off any sickness. So she made her Roasted Garlic Chicken Soup, which Amy’s kids were trying to make into a Halloween soup – Six Heads (of roasted garlic) 2 Corpse (of chicken) Soup. It was really good and just what we needed to get us through the final push with our health intact.
So when Susie texted me this morning and said that her lymph nodes were swollen and her throat was sore, my hope was that she could get her hands on some soup. It might also be because I’m craving soup more fiercely than a pregnant woman craves pickles and ice cream, but I could really use some awesome soup right now and I can’t imagine that anything would make Susie feel better and be more immune-boasting than Susie’s Best Chicken Soup in the Universe. Judging by our search terms, Chicken Soup is on everyone’s minds right now.
Of course now I want to know the story of the weeping camel, but I’m pretty impressed that almost HALF of the top searches bringing people to the blog from search engines is about chicken soup. The good news is that these people will NOT be disappointed. This is good soup.
Susie assures me that she’ll get some chicken soup this weekend, as she’s staying with her friend Kris who makes awesome things like delicious-smelling crock pot meatballs. (I had a plane to catch, I didn’t have time to try a meatball, I only go a whiff. They could have been terrible, but delicious-smelling, but I’m guessing they were pretty good.) I think that this long weekend I need to do future-sick-me a favor and make some chicken noodle soup and stick it in the freezer. And if you want to do the same, I’ll leave this picture of a steaming bowl of The Best Chicken Soup in the Universe for you.
Oh yeah, and here’s the recipe.
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Tagged food
