I’m trying to make toffee for the first time ever. May I suggest something to you? Never ever use a plastic utensil to stir a pot full of cooking sugar and butter to 300 degrees F.
I decided to follow through just to see that I’d done it, even though I shouldn’t eat any. It looks good, and a tiny taste indicates that it tastes good. But it needs more chocolate, covering, I think.
Want the recipe? Click here.
Holidays are approaching. Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love the lights, ornaments, Christmas trees, cookie-baking, cider-mulling, caroling, and gifting of the season. This year I decided to try again to make some gifts for my friends near and far. Last year was too hectic and I spent most of the month in Washington helping to care for my father-in-law.
Back in 1999 when I took a trip to Europe (the 14 countries in two weeks kind), I noticed many windows had lovely lace half-curtains. While in Innsbruck, Austria, I happened upon a store that sold these, so I bought many yards of various lace designs. I used them at home, but my husband wasn’t so fond of them when I moved in. So they went into my art supply storage. Last night I decided to make small sachets. I cut circles and used glitter glue to seal the edges. Then I put oil of lavender on cotton balls to wrap inside, tying the sachet with ribbon and affixing a small fabric ornament.
Next up, making book thongs.
You know that lovely purple mohair scarf I made only two days ago? Well, look what happened tonight. I’d taken it off just for a moment and somehow it ended up on the floor. By the time I noticed…
It was too late.
And this is the evil miscreant to committed such a dastardly deed. See?! Doesn’t she look possessed?
She knows I’m highly annoyed with her. I won’t let her near me, and I chase her off when she ambles over as if la-dee-da, nothing’s wrong. I mean, I know it wasn’t a work of art, but I liked it. It was pretty, just the right length, and I made it. Now it’s unmade. I got this yarn in San Francisco, so it’s unlikely I’ll be getting more soon. *sigh*
I know she’s just following her nature. I know the texture is much like a furry mouse and the fibers taste good. But damn. She’s a bad, baaaaaad cat.
It’s intended more for dressiness than warmth. It’s a gift for someone (who doesn’t read this blog).
Rowan Kidsilk Haze, 70% super kid mohair/30% silk, colorway 596, one-half of a 229yd/210m ball ; Crystal Palace Yarns Kid Merino, 28% kid mohair/28& merino wool/44% micro Nylon, colorway 9811, one-half of a 240 yd ball; size 35 needles.
I had nearly a full skein left from a scarf I made last month, so I decided to whip up a little dressy scarf. Perhaps scarves will become my “signature accessory” — if I make enough of them, they probably will in the cold months. Seems like the house is full of rectangular pieces of knitted fabric. But I’m okay with that. I’ve been busy with Art Everyday Month, and I can make plain old scarves as long as I want.
Jo Sharp Rare Comfort Infusion kid mohair, 80% kid mohair, 5% wool, 15% polyamide, colorway 614, 1 (mostly) 95 yard ball, size 35 needles
The scarf I started two months ago to replace my very first one (which was too short) is now done. I’m very pleased with the outcome.
Lana Grossa Quattro Print, 100 m; colorway 305; 52% merino wool, 48% acrylic; 3 skeins; size 10 needles
All weekend I’ve had a restless feeling. My attention drifted and I couldn’t get settled. I did knit and make art, and these provided some immersion into contentment. But when I wasn’t doing those things, I felt somewhat on edge. There are small things nagging at the borders of my attention. I still haven’t sorted through the clutter on my desk. The garage is a mess because I’ve been using it for art. The house could use some cleaning. I intended to cook this weekend but didn’t.
What did I accomplish? I completed Christmas shopping for my parents and my sister-in-law (we sibs take turns giving to one sib each year). The sister-in-law on the other side of the family, as well as my husband’s immediate relatives, remain to be done. I made headway on a scarf I’m knitting. Did laundry. Made art. Cleaned up the kitchen (and now it needs it again).
I don’t know… just have this somewhat caged feeling. Perhaps a walk is in order. Winter is coming. It’s supposed to rain today (finally!). I’d best get out while it’s dry yet.
Something lovely is evolving in my life. For months and months I have intended to start attending a local Unitarian Universalist church in Palo Alto. I visited once, and the folks were warm and friendly. The community seems vibrant and active, with lots of niches where I could probably find a home. But I haven’t returned, although for awhile I tried to nudge myself by writing it on my calendar. (Yeah, that’s my left brain attempt at motivation.) I came close to attending on several occasions, but on the morning of the service I simply didn’t.
In May I contacted my friend Lynn, an east coast blogging knitter, about resources for learning to knit. She referred me to Commuknity, as she is acquainted with Nathania, the manager. I emailed Nathania briefly and received a welcoming reply; then I put off further action. When my mother-in-law visited in August, we stopped by Commuknity to check it out. Our reception was so enthusiastic that I felt at home instantly. The women working there were eager to talk about knitting and made it sound easy. My curiosity was piqued. They welcomed me to come in anytime and offered help if I got stuck, but since I didn’t know the first thing, I wanted to take a class. My schedule didn’t allow this until the end of September. I took my first class, and I fell in love with knitting.
Commuknity strives to provide a physical and social space for knitters. They have many events, including a KnitLit group and “social knitting” sessions on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons. I have even gone in some days when I needed to get out of the house and just sat in a comfy chair to knit. As I become involved with the craft, friendships are naturally growing from this. There’s support for more than knitting here. I’m not one for large social gatherings — I’m generally uncomfortable going alone to places where I know few people — but tonight, I feel, will be different. There will be local artists, jewelers, locally designed knitwear and an informal fashion show. And of course there will be dessert! Because I feel so at ease with the store,the staff, and many customers, I know I’ll walk into a kindred group.
In my courtship with knitting I have glimpsed how it can be a spiritual practice. People who knit are passionate about the craft, and this energy bubbles over into other parts of life. I truly do feel this might become a group where I could provide friendship and support to others in need, and to receive it as well. It fulfills my need for larger relationship without overwhelming me. Attendance at church does overwhelm, in part because there is so much going on. With knitting and the store, we focus on this one art and the rest simply and naturally emerges from it.
If you’re local and free, come out tonight! The money raised will be donated to the Susan B. Komen Foundation.
I started the Beginner II class at Commuknity tonight. My project is to make a hat from Rowan Big Wool, but I’m not sure I’m going to like the result. Seems like it’s going to knit up tight. The instructions call for size 15 needles, but that made my guage 2.5 stitches bigger per inch than required. So I went to size 13 and it seems better — just half a stitch off. I do know now that my head is 57 centimeters. The instructor measured. Sounds big, eh?
So knitting is happening; I just have nothing to show at the moment. I’m still working on two scarves. Now that I’m not obsessively knitting 12 hours a day (a favorable development), completion is slower. I’m doing other creative stuff.
Tomorrow evening is the Breast Cancer Awareness open house at Commuknity. I’m looking forward to it!
Stella inspects the pumpkin, whose name is Henry.
Sophie followed suit, was momentarily distracted, and looks almost as though she’s arching her back.
I finished two scarves this weekend.
Lion Brand Incredible ribbon yarn, 100% nylon, colorway Autumn Leaves, two 110 yard balls, size 13 needles.
Combination of Karabella Aurora 8 100% merino wool, colorway 4, two 98 yard balls; Jo Sharp Rare Comfort Infusion kid mohair, 80% kid mohair, 5% wool, 15% polyamide, colorway 614, two 95 yard balls, size 15 needles. Used a little of a third ball of yarn for the fringe.
I spent Saturday afternoon making an apple pie entirely from scratch (crust included). We had dinner with friends tonight and I brought it. It was sublime, if I may say so myself. (Others concurred.)
Given that I’m using merino for three projects right now (keeping in mind I only began knitting four weeks ago), this seems apt.
What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
[thanks to Kate, also known as “Mo.”]
I spent several hours at Commuknity today working on a project. I hung out with Nathania and Emy, gabbing about esoteric topics such as spiritual practice. I bought yet more yarn, too. Some solid worsted wool which is good for felting (I may make a few small items and felt them), and some other special yarn which is for a gift, and about which I shall say no more! (Wish me well that I might finish them before Christmas.)
Afterward I went home to work on my book thongs. I discovered, last night, that it is as difficult to tie knots around beads as it is to give a cat a bath. I was discouraged; I don’t know how to bead nor do I have the equipment. Searching on the ‘net didn’t result in much advice of help. I thought these might end up being one-ended book thongs until this afternoon, when I remembered my button collection. Buttons come in handy for so much more than clothing. So I finished assembling the beads and then the button ends. Yay! Definitely homemade, but made with love, and at least they’re different from most bookmarks of their ilk.
What else have I got to do with my unemployed butt? My friend called this evening, so I made more beads while we chatted, though I made fewer in number and shape. The bookmarks will have one less bead on them. I am determined to use the burned ones somehow, perhaps in a collage. I’m definitely pleased with the result of my second effort.
