Categories
Knitting

Gift Knitting…

Now I am not a very big gift knitter.  I am ultimately selfish with regards to projects that take so much of my time and are usually made with yarn that I am totally in love with (and therefore have no wish to just give away). Debates about gift knitting can go on for days on Ravelry, and non-knitters really seem to have little grasp of how much time and energy go into knitting, so a lot of knitters fall into the same category as me: only give handknits to those you think will appreciate it.

With that said I thought I might quickly flash some of my recent gift knitting here:

Pattern: TTL Mystery Sock by Kirsten Kapur
Yarn: Sweet Georgia CashLuxe Fine in the Tourmaline colourway
Cast on: September 3, 2010
Finished: October 16, 2010
Pattern Rating: 5 stars
Yarn Rating: 4.5 stars
Ravelry Project Page

Quick thoughts – made for my lovely friend Janine who, fortunately, has smaller feet than me, because, as you can see, these are a little tight on me in the modelling shots. I found the pattern challenging and ended up ripping out the first sock THREE times and the second twice – I kept dropping stitches or making the socks WAY too small (the cables across the foot really cinch in the fabric). Ultimately it was worth it because I just loved them. I thought the colour was amazing – perfect for my friend Janine – the yarn was luxurious, and the pattern was another beautiful and well-written one by Ms. Kapur.

Pattern: Tangled Vine Socks by Chrissy Gardiner
Yarn: Fearless Fibers Merino Cashmere Nylon in the “Grass is Always Greener” colourway
Cast on: October 27, 2010
Finished: November 20, 2010
Pattern Rating: 4 stars
Yarn Rating: 5 stars
Ravelry Project Page

Quick thoughts: Christmas socks for my sister – the perfect colour and absolutely decedent yarn. A fun, pretty, under appreciated pattern – though I couldn’t figure out the short row heel (which was  new to me) so after making one that turned out awfully I opted for a regular slip stitch heel.

Pattern: Twisted Mockery by Lisa Stichweh
Yarn: The Sanguine Gryphon – Skinny Bugga in the Tufted Jungle King colourway
Cast on: November 1, 2010
Finished: December 7, 2010
Pattern Rating: 5 stars
Yarn Rating: 5 stars
Ravelry Project Page

Quick thoughts: I belong to the Sock Knitters Anonymous Group on Ravelry. They, among other things, host a Sockdown: Ravelry challenge every year. This is a KAL (knit along) for anyone who wishes to participate (and, as long as you follow the rules, you may win a prize). As apart of this KAL different designers design mystery sock patterns every second month. These, pictured above, are the results of my very first MOCK (Mystery Sock) with the SKA group. I had never attempted such “difficult” socks, but the pattern was clearly written and easy to follow and I adore the results!  These became a Christmas gift for my mom Laurel and I hope she likes them as much as I did!

Categories
Knitting

I seem to have a bit of a hat thing going on…

This my Star Crossed Slouchy Beret (pattern free on ravelry). Yes, I succumbed to the pressure of the numerous ravelry projects (6591 and counting!!) – I thought all those knitters must know a good pattern when they knit it! Turns out they (the knitters) totally do – I love it. The pattern is simple (clearly written), but very satisfying. I also thought it was a great project for handspun yarn.

I used three different skeins (medium blue, light blue and blue/brown) of Yummy Yarn – specifically her handspun “soft spun” which is cushy and soft – I am a true fan of this local dyer/spinner.

Pattern: Star Crossed Slouchy Beret by Natalie Larson
Yarn: Yummy Yarn Soft Spun – Medium Blue, Light Blue & Blue/Brown
Cast on: December 24, 2010
Finished: December 30, 2010
Pattern Rating: 5 stars
Yarn Rating: 4.5 stars
Ravelry Project Page

Note: photos courtesy of Michael

Categories
writing

January is for writing – a (bloody?) comedy about love.

I’ve been working on my comedy about love this afternoon, no it’s not a romantic comedy – because I said so.

I’ve been playing around with a couple of opening scenes (set at a wake) including this one (set in the bathroom of a community centre).

Trixie dramatically flings open her stall door and then slumps against it. She shakes the pregnancy test (now out of box) in her hand.

TRIXIE
(confessing)
He’s a partner.

MINX
Ever heard of a condom, stupid?

AMANDA
Did you flush?

TRIXIE
It broke.

AMANDA
The toilet?

TRIXIE
The condom.

MINX
They have pills for that.

TRIXIE
Took one. This was the earliest test I could find.

MINX
You could’ve just dropped by the hospital.

TRIXIE
I knew you’d be on the way here –

AMANDA
Listen, I know this is all terribly important, but I am having a real issue with the unflushed toilet.
(dramatically whispering)
It’s right behind you.

Trixie sighs and then leans over to flush the toilet.

This script is going to totally rock – because I said so.

ETA: Belatedly thought I should provide visual proof of writing… hence the desk shot. I also have final draft, scrivener (which I am trying out) and i-tunes running on the computer. I especially like the inclusion of the envelope… did I run out of scrap paper? why did I think grabbing an envelope was the best choice at the moment of inspiration? Ah, well. I just go with it – it usually works out for me that way.

Categories
baking

Eggnog Cheesecake Bars

I chose to bake Eggnog Cheesecake Bars (another Martha Stewart recipe) specifically for Michael because he is a such a fan of eggnog (especially when added to coffee). I followed the recipe pretty precisely, though I needed to strain the mixed batter, as it was lumpier than I liked, before pouring it over the crust. I think I didn’t let the cream cheese soften enough before using it and then rushed the initial mixing – it seems I was in a big rush ALL of yesterday (December 17, 2010), because I also had a batch of shortbread (almost) flop.

Modifications: I lined the pan with parchment paper rather than trusting the vegetable oil cooking spray, used graham cracker crumbs (rather than crackers) and omitted the brandy.

Notes: the plastic wrap clings to the top (and therefore messes it up) if you let it touch.

Tasting notes: Michael says they taste exactly as advertised – eggnog cheesecake – and gave them 5 stars. It’s a keeper! Also, reviews from various tasters at the Christmas Drop-In were all positive.

Categories
baking

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

Yesterday I tried baking a couple of items out of Martha Stewart’s Holiday Cookies (a special issue of her magazine). Every now and then I find a recipe I really, really like via Martha Stewart (though I usually modify it to suit my particular taste), but I don’t regularly collect her magazine as I am attempting to cut my consumption of paper.

I heavily modified the recipe for Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies and am not totally sold on the results.  They are a little like brownies with a subtle kick and, because of that, they may need some sort of icing to be really tasty.  If you click through to Martha’s recipe (link above) you will note that mine look nothing like hers and I believe that is due to the fact that I substituted in whole wheat pastry flour.

Modifications: whole wheat pastry flour, salted butter, cayenne pepper.

Notes: I could have upped the cayenne pepper content.

Tasting notes: dense, chocolately – almost brownie like – very tasty, but maybe a bit dry. The spicing was subtle, but added a nice afterthought kick to the chocolate.

Categories
baking

A series of Christmas baking photos:

I will elaborate on these further in an upcoming post, but here is a teaser of Icing Sugar Chocolates being dipped:

Sugar Cookies being iced:

Santa Whiskers baked and ready for consumption:

And rather perfect-looking shortbread (if I say so myself) (though please forgive the grungy cookie sheet – it is my favourite one and has needed replacing for a few years now):

I somehow neglected to get a picture of the gingerbread people, but here is a post (and the recipe) that I wrote earlier this year.

I will chocolate dip a second batch of shortbread tonight and then keep moving on down my list of things-to-bake until I run out of time or patience. I suspect lack of time will be the deciding factor this year in regards to the number of holiday recipes I manage to complete, and – honestly – I started too late.

Categories
Knitting

Another New Hat!!

Bramble, pattern found here – free – on Knitty, is supposed to be a beret, and honestly I passed it by when I first saw it, because I really am not a beret person, in fact I rarely wear hats at all. I think it is my short forehead that doesn’t play well with hats.

Then it snowed, and my llama hat itched, and I was worried my head would get very cold if I couldn’t lessen that itchiness, so did what any completely sane knitter does and went searching for a pattern on Ravelry. I found that this Raveler (dianabel) had modified her hat (series of Ravelry links) into a slouch.

So I completely ripped off dianabel’s modifications and made this yummy, soft, lovely cabled hat. It is the back detail that really sold me – I love how it all loops together.

I didn’t have enough yarn (I couldn’t justify a run to the yarn store seeing as I had just bought the llama handspun the week before) to complete the entire hat out of the Paris Night (navy) Malabrigo so I (kind of) randomly started off with a few green stripes to stretch my yardage. It turned out exactly as I envisioned! I absolutely love it.

Pattern: [modified] Bramble by Amanda Muscha
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted – Paris Night & Verdes
Cast on: November 25, 2010
Finished: November 29, 2010
Pattern Rating: 5 stars
Yarn Rating: 5 stars
Ravelry Project Page

Note: photos courtesy of Michael

Categories
baking

An Experiment with Apple Pie…

I know it seems like I am never happy when I experiment with baking and, unfortunately, this post does nothing to counter that general opinion.

I had a bunch of apples. I had a brand new pie plate. I made a pie on a day that I had already been baking for 8 hours. I kind of made up the recipe, though I did use the whole-wheat pastry flour short crust I usually like. I cut out some stars to make it pretty.

What went wrong?

The crust was too dry – it broke and cracked. The innards weren’t sweet enough (in my opinion). I only ate a couple of bites of my piece. Michael finished my serving up for me, and then I had him take the remaining pie to his job site… where, supposedly, none of the carpenters had any complaints about being forced to eat 3/4 of an apple pie.

Problem is, my apple crisp recipe rocks and it is less labour intensive, so why make apple pie, at all, ever? Mark this one as a #fail.

Categories
Knitting

I love my new hat…

While down at Granville Island two weekends ago, I slipped into Maiwa to find some bulky yarn… yes, the early snowfall had driven me into wanting a slouchy hat, one that would cover my entire head. Once there, I happened upon some lovely natural handspun llama and, after quick conversation with the owner of the shop, I figured out that I had actually met the llamas from which this yarn was spun.

Derry Walsh (at Derry’s Orchard & Nursery in Aldergrove) grows and sells apples trees (among other things) and last March we wandered out that way to pick up two one-year-old dwarf whips (trees). While we were there Derry gave us a tour of her acres and we met her llamas. Derry and her husband use the llamas for “exciting packing trips” and they are amazing beasts – strong, beautiful and friendly.

This handspun came from Shandy, who (I believe) was her biggest boy. He had the most amazing eyelashes and kept reaching out to sniff my hair while we were visiting.

I used almost an entire skein (200g) for the hat and then gave it a soak in soak and then a bath in hair conditioner in an attempt to ease the itchiness.  This repeat bathing really relaxed the hat and now it is almost too big, but I love it anyway.

I am completely enamored with the fact that I met the animal whose yarn I then used to knit this hat. Completely enamored.

Pattern: Autumn by Jane Richmond (Ravelry & Etsy)
Yarn: llama handspun, natural brown, bulky weight
Cast on: November 20, 2010
Finished: November 21, 2010
Pattern rating: 5 stars
Yarn rating: 5 stars
Ravelry Project Page

Categories
research writing

Researching Poetry and Channeling 16-year olds

I am currently swathed in cashmere [vintage, it tried to snow in Vancouver last night – crazy!!], sipping chocolate mint tea [from my own garden] and researching “dark” poetry for a young adult novel I am working on called ‘TIL DEATH [working title].

I wrote a short film with the same premise last summer when my [formerly a] English teacher sister, Heather, was briefly living with me and I put her to the task of combing through hundreds of years of poetry and selecting some that would suit the two characters I was creating, Luci and Colby. Heather selected passages from the writing of Tennyson [In Memoriam, of course], Browning, Barrett Browning, Arthur Hugh Clough [who I had never heard of] and Christina Rossetti. I added a Shakespearean sonnet [116], Bronte, Dickinson, Arnold and more Tennyson to that list.

I decided, about a month ago, to convert the short film in to what I was hoping would be a novel length story, but only really got started working on it late last week. Problem was, I couldn’t find this great [handwritten] list my sister had put together for me, and I tell you I really wasn’t looking forward to rereading In Memoriam [etc, etc].

However, I am happy to report I just found it filed under General Film in my filing cabinet, and am currently transcribing it into my writing program under the research tab so the pieces of paper don’t go missing on me again [Parker, the golden Persian, has a habit of dragging handwritten notes all around the house when I “forget” him in the office].

Favourite Heather selection:

I sometime hold it half a sin

To put in words the grief I feel;

For words, like Nature, half reveal

And half conceal the Soul within.

–       In Memoriam (5. 1 – 4), Tennyson

My favourite selection:

Unable are the Loved to die

For Love is Immortality,

–       Emily Dickinson

Poetry will be peppered through out the novel, just a verse or line here or there, as it is how to the two lead characters attempt to communicate. Yeah, that is sure to end well [insert sarcastic tone].