X Hoody

Here is more knitting! I have decided, with how busy I am, I am going to work on only one project at a time for awhile. Well at least until I have a few items off the list and then I might double up again. I actually prefer 2 active projects usually. One complicated project for when I watch tv and one simple project for when I am social. Right now it is simple projects all the way with lots of stockinette!

For instance, I am knitting this hoody (rav link) for my son out of Madelintosh DK. I love the colors and I love the yarn! The main color is Happiness, which I think is an exclusive at Happy Knits in Portland. I'm not quite sure, but I haven't seen it at my LYS, so that's my guess. The pattern is a Debbie Bliss and only goes up to 18 months, but her patterns tend to run wide and short, so I am using it anyway. My son is 2 1/2, but tall and skinny. The sweater is supposed to be a bit baggy, in the skater style. So I took measurements off a t-shirt which fits him the way I want the sweater to fit. So far so good. I'll take another measurement when I get to the sleeves. Hopefully it will still fit him by the time I get it done!

Photo Friday: I See You!

Link Scarf

My needles have been busy! Well I've been busy too. What with 2 busy kids, organizing classes for the CGFF (there are some really good ones), organizing returning vendors, preparing for new vendors, setting up advertising, putting things on sale on the website, and prepping for Thanksgiving, I have definitely been busy. So here is something I can actually show you:

I finished a scarf for my grandmother (rav link). The yarn is Link by Berrocco. It's a super bulky i-cord yarn. It suggests using 35US needles and it means it! I thought I would be fine with my 17USs, but I wasn't. I trudged through the scarf and it was very tight and hurt my hands. I don't plan on ever knitting with this yarn again, but if I did I would use a pair of 35USs. Still, I know my grandmother will love it for Christmas. Her smile and thanks all make it worthwhile. 

Photo Friday: Daddy's Hands

Daddy's Hands say I love you!

Holiday Season

I had a lot of fun this last week shooting pictures of my kiddos for our Christmas cards. It gave me a great opportunity to get some shots of them in a couple of things fresh off the needles!

Here is my littlest in her Zebra Stripe dress (rav link)! I love love love it so very much! It was a lot of work on size 0s, 1s, and 2s. The only thing I would have changed is I would have knit the lace border on 1s before starting the colorwork. The pattern doesn't say to change needles for the lace or the main body, but I did end up doing it for the main body and I'm glad I did. I actually went back and took out the lace at the bottom and reknit it with the smaller size needles because it refused to stop curling. However, I do see myself knitting more dresses like this. It it really awesome and works great for layering with a long sleeve onesie and tights. I think it will make a great party dress for the holiday season and I look forward to my little one wearing it lots! 

 

Next, for my #1 son I made him a holiday elf hat (rav link). It's made from some handspun yarn I had leftover from when I used to spin and knit my mom wild socks for Christmas. I kinda made up the pattern with some assistance from Itty Bitty Hats. I think it might need a pom-pom, what do you think? I might write up the pattern if there is enough interest!

Roast Broccoli Pesto

So I originally got this idea from the Smitten Kitchen.

Then, of course, I had to modify it. I decided to use roasted broccoli instead. It turned out so good! It is so easy to make too! What is also awesome is it is easily made vegan and is naturally gluten free! So a great thing to serve when you have lots of friends with many different dietary needs like I do. I used the roasted broccoli recipe from Barefoot Contessa only I tweaked it a bit for my own needs. It disappeared too fast to get a photo, but I promise next time I will get one! Here is my recipe:

• 2 heads of broccoli
• Good olive oil
• Salt & Pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of Penzey's Florida Sprinkle (Lemon Pepper)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (leave out if making it vegan)
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves (about 12 leaves)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Cut the broccoli florets from the thick stalks, leaving an inch or two of stalk attached to the florets, discarding the rest of the stalks. Cut the larger pieces through the base of the head with a small knife, pulling the florets apart. Place the broccoli florets on a sheet pan large enough to hold them in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until crisp-tender and the tips of some of the florets are browned.

Remove the broccoli from the oven and let cool for a few minutes until you can touch them with your fingers. Place in a food processor. Add Florida Sprinkle, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, and basil leaves. Drizzle with Olive Oil. I drizzled, then turned on the food processor, checked it, and drizzled more until it looked like the consistency of pesto. Shred more parmesan cheese on top, if desired.

It goes great with pasta or tortellini. Can be used in any way pesto is regularly used. 

I will also admit that I have never been a fan of broccoli until I tried this roast broccoli recipe. Turning into pesto creates one more fabulous way to eat it! I love it. 

Photo Friday: Sockin Feet

Think Pink!

My cousin recently had a baby girl and I promised her something pink!

This is the Debbie Bliss Ribbon Cardigan (rav link). I knit it out of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. It called for a ribbon trim, but I couldn't bring myself to actually add it, since I think it would mostly be annoying to a baby. Besides, I think it's super cute without it! I love the buttons, which I found at the Button Emporium in downtown Portland!

Then, since I still had plenty of yarn I thought I would make a hat. This is my go to hat for baby knitting (rav link). It's cute and fun. Really easy to knit, and best of all the pattern is free on Ravelry. I have knit it a few times for other people and I always love the result. Not to mention people love to receive it as a gift too! I started with 3 balls of baby cashmerino and I think after knitting the cardigan and hat I still have enough to knit a hat for F, if I can get to it before she grows out of it that is!

Photo Friday: Glow in the Dark Dinosaur PJs

Happy November!

With November comes Holiday Knitting and with Holiday Knitting comes a BIG Yarn Sale!

25% off

Alpaca Lace

Silk Lace

BFL Sock

Panda Silk DK

and

Don't forget to check out the Sale Page for great deals too!