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Monthly Archives: January 2011

FO (Knitting) : Two To Tango

31 Jan

I do believe that knitting shawls will never get old for me.  I love the challenge and the reading of complex charts.  I love to start with seven or eight stitches, full of excitement as I watch the project grow before my eyes with every row.  The growth of the shawl; like a flower starting as a bulb and blooming into some singular and beautiful.  I do believe I will never tire of it.

 

  • Project : “La Cumparsita” Shawl
  • Pattern : “La Cumparsita” by Marnie MacLean
  • Yarn : Knit Picks Gloss Sock Yarn in ‘Cosmos’

 

From Marnie MacLean’s website : “La Cumparsita is one of the most well-known tangos and means “the little parade.” This delicate lacy shawl is composed of two complimentary lace patterns and a simple border with an easy picot bind off. Worked in superwash merino wool, it’s surprisingly durable and ready to be worn over a flirty ruffled dress or slung round your neck as an elegant scarf.”


This was an amazing pattern.  Thanks to Tina for giving me this pattern for my birthday last year, along with several other beautiful shawl patterns that I hope to tackle in the next year or so.  This has to be, by far, the most well-written shawl pattern that I have every worked.  Marnie explains everything so clearly that it is very hard to mess anything up.  In a way, she gently holds your hand through her instructions, guiding you swiftly and with ease.

The only place in the pattern that I thought about placing a life-line was on the last main chart, in the last ten or so rows.  It’s very busy and yes, there is a lot going on.  At one point I wondered if I would ever finish because it was taking me almost twenty minutes to work two rows, being careful to take my time and not make any mistakes.  But in the end, especially after I blocked it, it was totally worth it!

 

 
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Posted by on January 31, 2011 in FO, Knitting

 

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Blogaverary Contest : Reminder

29 Jan

 

I just wanted to blog quickly and remind everyone that the last day to enter my Blogaversary contest is tomorrow!  If you’ve been thinking about it, well … get moving!  I’m really excited to see what questions ya’ll have for me, and also to see who is going to win the wonderful prizes!  All the details can be found at THIS POST.

And thank you, a million times over, to everyone who donated/prayed for my friend, Michelle, in New York.  I am pleased to announce that she now has enough money to pack/store/ship her belongings as well as make her way to her family in the mid-west.  The sheer generosity and kindness that everyone has shown her is overwhelming.  You truly have restored my faith in the human race, and the true magnitude of the kindness of strangers.

 
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Posted by on January 29, 2011 in Misc

 

Lend A Hand : A Friend In Need

28 Jan

 

I’m putting out a plea to all of you who read my blog.  One of my dear friends in New York, Michelle, is in dire straights and really needs our help.  You can find all the details over at Tina’s blog, Rows Red.  Michelle is an amazing woman; she is loving and kind, compassionate and selfless; she lives up to the Christian teachings that she so believes in.   She is the first to lend a hand to someone in need and now is the time to pay back her kindness.  Even if you can spare $5 – that’s less than a Big Mac meal or the cost of a large Mocha Latte at Starbucks – it will help.  And I can assure you that all of the money donated will make it to Michelle.  Tina set it all up via PayPal to make it easier to donate.

And there are prizes!  If you donate, you have a chance to win one of so many goodies that Tina has listed.  I mean – roving, yarn, fabric bags … the list is amazing!!!!

So please, head over now to check out Tina’s Post.  And thank you, to every one of you, who donates in any way that you can.

 
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Posted by on January 28, 2011 in Friends and Family

 

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Recipe Box Swap

25 Jan

I read many different blogs, but most of them are knitting or craft themed.  There is a really great one that I frequent, called “I Have To Say”.  She’s having a recipe swap and I’m happy to play along.

swap blogpost

The theme this time is Soups and Stews.  I love a good pot of soup; something that is so good it not only warms you up and fills your belly, but is ‘stick to your ribs’ good.  My all time favorite is Chicken and Dumplings!

Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Ingredients

  • 4 or 5 slices of bacon
  • 1/2 pound of red potatoes, skin on, diced
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 4 boneless chicken breasts, chopped into bite-size pieces
  • 1.5 cans of chicken broth
  • 1 can (16oz) whole kernel corn
  • 2.5 cups half and half
  • 1 can of Pillsbury regular biscuits
  • 1 Tb Mrs. Dash seasoning
  • salt/pepper to taste

Directions

  • In a large skillet, fry bacon.  Once fried, crumble bacon and set aside.  Transfer bacon drippings and grease from skillet to a large Dutch oven or stock pot
  • Add potatoes, onion, and chicken to pot.  Cook for 15 mins, stirring occasionally.  Add chicken broth.  Season with Mrs. Dash, salt, and pepper.  Let simmer for 15 – 20 mins
  • Pour in half and half and bring to a boil.
  • Tear biscuits into small pieces and add to the pot.  DO NOT STIR.  You can poke them down so that they all get into the pot, but mixing them will cause the ‘dumplings’ not to cook properly.  Reduce heat and simmer for 10 – 15 mins.  Cover pot and continue to simmer for another 10 – 15 mins.
  • Serve hot, with bacon crumbles on top!

Notes

  • I’ve found that using one package of Chicken Tenderloin can be easier.  They are smaller and cut easier, but just remember to buy enough.  One of the Perdue packages is usually enough.
  • You can add the bacon right after the half and half or you can wait until you serve it.
  • For a healthy alternative (and still yummy,) use olive oil instead of the bacon grease.  I’ve made this both ways, but remember, I’m from the South.  I love my bacon grease!
 
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Posted by on January 25, 2011 in Misc, Uncategorized

 

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FO : Paint It Black

24 Jan

When it comes to my knitting, and especially to the socks that I knit, my Mom is my biggest fan.  She loves – even requests – to receive a pair for Christmas each year.  As I recall, the first pair of socks that I ever knit were for her.  It warms my heart to know that she loves not only hand-knit socks, but the fact that I make them for her.

Before Christmas last year, she requested two pairs of socks.  The only requirements were that they had to be in black or dark gray, so that she could wear them to work.  Okay, sure … no problem.  I can do that!

 

I know that these socks didn’t photograph as well as I’d like.  I put them on the sock blockers but the pattern didn’t show up at all.  Thank goodness for photo editors; flip, crop, and add a cherry on top!

The only bad thing about knitting black socks, or anything in with black/dark yarn for that matter, is that I have a white cat.  I must have lint rolled these things two or three times, but of course, white cat hair still finds its way onto these socks.  Well, it is a good thing that my Mom has a white cat, too!

 
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Posted by on January 24, 2011 in FO, Knitting

 

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ECF : 1861

21 Jan

Eye Candy Friday : Battle of Cedar Creek (2010)

 

I received the schedule for our group’s Civil War re-enactments and am happy to see that I will be able to attend at least six of them this year (and camp for at least three of them.)  I’m especially looking forward to the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Manassas (or Bull Run for all ya’ll Yankees. :-p)

 
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Posted by on January 21, 2011 in Misc

 

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FO : Neopolitan

19 Jan

I’ve been working hard on my new sweater, as well as a pair of socks for my mom.  Both projects are such that I need to work on them at home.  I’ve learned that when I’m busy and a bit stressed, simple projects are the best to take when I go out and leave my ‘nest’ on the couch.  While the sweater I’m working on is very easy (round and round and round again, all in stockinette,) it is just too big to take in my bag.

So I’ve been working on something that is not only easy, it is small.  I love a good cowl, and this one is one of my favorite patterns.

There is always something very gratifying in knitting a project with one’s own handspun.  I’ve had this yarn sitting my craft closet for a while, not quite sure what to make with it.  It is in between worsted and bulky, and I’ve looked Ravelry over and over for the perfect pattern.  I love to try as many new patterns as I can, but this is one that I’ve used before.  Well, you know what they say?  If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it!

 

 
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Posted by on January 19, 2011 in FO, Knitting

 

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Live and Loving It

18 Jan

Well, I am pleased to announce that my first self published knitting pattern is now live on Ravlery and free for download!!!!  While I still am having some people test knit it, I think I have enough bugs out of it that it was safe to post.  Besides, I am so excited and proud of myself that I just had to go ahead and post it on Ravelry.  I feel like I just tied my shoes on my own for the first time, or finished my first novel.  The sense of accomplishment is amazing!

After I have at least one other person knit a pair, I’ll post more here at the Menagerie, with lots of details and pictures.  But if you just gotta have it, you’ll find it on Ravelry.  (And I see that nine people have already marked it as a favorite, and its in four queues!  Talk about squee worthy!)

 

 

 
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Posted by on January 18, 2011 in Knitting

 

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The Kids Are Alright

14 Jan

Before I get started, I wanted to mention that I have ONE SPOT left for the 2011 Handmade Pay-It-Forward.  So if you’ve been lurking or debating, please comment to that post.  I’d love to have a full five folks to knit for this year!

ETA – All five spots have been taken!  Thanks so much, ladies!

 

I love to knit for kids.  Not only does it require less yarn than, say, a sweater for me, but there are so many cute and clever patterns out there for little tykes.  One of the gals in our knitting group, Kerry C., gave birth to her second daughter in late December.  While I’m not sure when I’m going to deliver this, because I’m not sure if we are throwing her a belated shower or not, I still wanted to share it with my blog readers.

This is so adorable, and it was really easy to knit.  Top-down raglan, with a cute lacey skirt section; it really took no time at all.  Now, I am worried that it may be too big for two reasons.  One, I have no children so I don’t really have a good gauge on size.  Two … I blocked it and it grew.  So, note to self; don’t submerge sweaters to block them.  Just don’t do it.  But, alas, babies do grow so the little one will be able to wear this at some point.

The other knit that I just finished was for a really special kid.  Gauge is in 6th grade and loves it when I knit for him.  He and his sister are the children of one of my dear co-workers, Misty.  I’ve knit her kids socks, scarves, mittens, and hats.  The other evening before my shift, Misty told me that the hat I had knit for Gauge last year didn’t fit anymore.  She said he wanted to request a new one, because he was really upset the other one didn’t fit anymore.  How sweet is that, kids requesting hand knits???

This kid is a great guy, but man o’live … he’s got one hell of a melon for a head.  There are 120 sts around in this hat; quite a large amount, really.  But, he wanted it big and he adores it, wearing it around the house while he was playing with is new kittens.  It really warms my heart that my knitting him something means so much to him.

I’m still making good progress on my Knit Night KAL Sweater; the top down raglan hit me just under the bust right now.  I can only work on it for maybe an hour or so at one time, because it is pure stockinette in the round.  Boring, yes, but I think this sweater may actually fit me in the end!

What projects are you working on right now?

 
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Posted by on January 14, 2011 in FO, Knitting

 

First FO Of 2011

08 Jan

Normally I like to have all my knittng projects from a previous year finished before the new one.  I’m OCD like that.  However, it didn’t happen this year, and I’m slowly coming to terms and finding happiness in that.

The first finished project of 2011 was a simple one, and all for me.  My feet get so cold at night, so I decided that I needed a new pair of bed socks.  Something heavy yet soft, to take away the chill.  Trust me, my husband is happy about this too, since I have a bad habit of sticking my icy feet on his legs while he tries to sleep.

 

The next time I make a pair of thick socks I think I’ll add a few more stitches.  While these fit, they are a little snug.  I tend to like a negative ease in my socks, but I may have under estimated myself.  The stitch pattern is just a simple K1,P1 rib.  Nothing fancy, just warm.

 

 
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Posted by on January 8, 2011 in FO, Knitting

 

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