Twirly Skirt

The preschool peanut has been looking forward to wearing this skirt ever since I showed her the pattern and then let her help me pick out the colors. It's such a simple design, definitely easy for a beginner knitter to follow. As soon as she put it on today, she started shimmying and twirling like crazy. Turned a very grumpy day into a happy and sweet one.

Barefoot Knits Twirly Skirt
Cotton Fleece: Cottonball, Pink-A-Boo, Begonia Passion, and Perry's Primrose
Size 4 with size 6 length for room to grow
Raveled here

Lisa's Triumph

Shedir by Jenna Wilson, Knitty.com
Rowan Calmer in #475 Tinkerbell, one ball
US3 needle
Raveled here

So an old friend of mine dropped a bomb on us all when she told us that she has breast cancer. This is a friend that I've known for years; she's the big sis of a friend I made in junior high school. This is a friend that would do anything for you and for whom we are all doing anything we can.




When she asked me to accompany her on a wig fitting appointment, I was beyond honored that she would consider me for that important task! We had fun, trying out wigs of impossible colors and shapes (on purpose, of course) until we found the one! The color is just right and if you didn't know her, you'd think she had a really cute haircut.

She tried on a few hats and scarves, too, but since she hadn't yet started chemo, she had a full head of hair and was having a hard time imagining what it will all look like when it's gone.




But I knew I had to make something for her. You do what you know, and I know how to knit. This hat has eleventy billion cable crosses but with each row I checked off I envisioned taking steps toward her health and the end of her treatment.

I gave my friend her hat last night when she invited me to another appointment she had. Lots of laughs together, lots of love, and lots of strength within our network of friends and family. She started chemo about a week ago and has the most amazing outlook, savoring each day as a gift. I hope this hat will be like a hug on chilly days and give her strength to kick cancer's butt!

Onion Dill Bread

Recent tweets about bread machine baking reminded me of the one I have buried deep, deep in the pantry. An old boyfriend gave it to me about a century ago. I loved the smell of the fresh bread baking and I don't remember why I let it sit so long... possibly because it only makes little one pound cubes of bread that are gone before you can even bake another one? I pulled it out last night, along with my copy of The Bread Machine Baker by Elizabeth Harbison (great book for me because all of these recipes yield 1 lb.), and threw together some Onion Dill Bread. Mmmm. mmmm. m. My girl loves helping in the kitchen and liked seeing the machine do all the stirring for us.

Onion Dill Bread
"This is a delicious "eat it hot out of the bread machine" bread. It doesn't even need butter. I have had success substituting yogurt for the sour cream for a lower-calorie treat."

2 t or 1/2 package of yeast
2 c bread flour
1/4 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 egg
1/4 c water
1/2 c cottage cheese
1/2 c sour cream
2 T sugar
2 T minced dried onion
1 T + 1 t dried dill seed (I suspect this is a typo for dill weed)
1 T butter

In a warm saucepan, combine water, cottage cheese, sour cream, sugar, onion, dill and butter, until melted.

Add all the ingredients to the machine in the order listed. Choose either regular or light crust (depending on your preference) and push "Start."

Make these. Tonight. Very little cooking involved, yummy, perfect for summer.

I'm sorry I didn't take pictures. I've made the salad a few times before and it never fails to please. The tacos are new and tasty. I doubled both recipes to bring food to our friends who just had a baby... and the leftovers are awesome the next day.

Easy Pork Tacos
America's Test Kitchen, 30 Minute Suppers
Serves 4

1 1/2 C chopped mango (about 2)
1 small red onion, chopped fine
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons juice from 1 lime
salt and pepper
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons minced chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1 1/2 pounds ground pork
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
12 (6-inch) corn tortillas

1. Combine mango, half of onion, 1/4 cup cilantro, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in medium bowl; set aside.

2. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add remaining onion, chipotle chiles, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until onion is softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in pork and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Off heat, stir in remaining cilantro, remaining lime juice, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Stack tortillas on plate, wrap with plastic, and microwave until pliable, about 1 minute. Serve with pork filling and mango salsa.


Southwestern Black Bean, Corn, and Tomato Salad
Real Food Magazine
Serves 4
2 C fresh sweet corn kernels (from 2 medium ears) or thawed frozen corn
1/2 tsp salt, preferably kosher or other coarse salt
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 avocado, cubed
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Bring 1 inch of water to boil in a medium saucepan. Add corn and simmer until just tender, about 2 minutes; drain and let cool. If using frozen corn, prepare according to package directions.

Sprinkle salt over minced garlic on a cutting board and mash with the flat side of a large knife to make a paste.

Combine corn, garlic paste, beans, tomatoes, avocado, jalapeno, lime juice, and cilantro in a 5-cup non-reactive serving bowl; toss lightly. Let stand at least 10 minutes before serving to blend flavors.

Tap tap tap... this thing still on?

I was lucky to meet the beautiful, talented, and funny Superstarra Christie last week when she visited Seattle and that reminded me that I have a blog! Oh yeah! That's how Christie and I started corresponding, lo these many years ago. I think I'll just look back in my projects and blog those things I've finished, in order to catch up a bit.

If you're still reading, thank you! It seems that Ravelry, Facebook, Twitter, and life all take time away from blogging and reading blogs. But someone reminded me that I was on that fateful list (Whatever Happened to the Knit Blog Class of 2005?) and here I am!

Last year I made three Dolores Park Cowls for my dear friends. This pattern is genius in its simplicity and that is why a gazillion people have made them... I renamed the cowls for parks in my friends' neighborhoods...

Clockwise from left, Malabrigo Chunky:
- Pagoda, became The Friendly Park Cowl
- Saphire Green, became The Highland Park Cowl
- Velvet Grapes, still sitting in my stash, waiting to become my cowl!
- Tortuga, became The Steilacoom Park Cowl



Here is Kristina modeling her own cowl in Saphire Green:

Peanut's Cardigan is *This Close* To Finished, But Here's a Distraction...

Since I haven't blogged much (and so haven't done a meme in a long while), and because it's a new year when we look back and forward at once, this list caught my attention. Once in a while, when I'm feeling a little stuck in my working mama modes, it's good to remind myself of the other interesting things I've done.

Now I'm inspired to dig out photos of some of these things for proof!

The things I have done are in black.

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightening at sea
14. Taught myself art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (indoor)
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant

Happy New Year!

Highlights of 2008:

The Peanut turned two in June, and is now "two and a half old". She visited Santa Claus this year and it was one of the most precious moments of her little life so far. She is such a joy! ... and feisty... :)



The day after her birthday party, I completed my first (half) marathon, The Seafair Marathon. Here I am coming across the finish line with my dear friend Tina. Never thought I'd do that...




I was featured on Seattle's Child magazine, worked toward and achieved (shut up!) National Board Certification. Never thought I'd do that, either. :)



Visited NYC in November with the Mr. It had been a long time. Got to visit with my dear friend Debbie; she was one of my travel friends when I was in India. Went to a show at the Village Vanguard. Ate the most incredible pastrami at Katz's.

And who will ever forget where they were on Election Night 08? What a year, what a year!

I'm incredibly grateful for my friends and family, my home, my work... I wish you all a happy and healthy new year!

State of the Karma Nation Address

My fellow knittarians.

I have been a full-on blogging slacker. I have been spending way too much time on Ravelry (darn them and their Friends Activity page! and their kazillion interesting forums!) and reading all of your blogs instead of writing posts to my own.

Let's just get up-to-date, shall we?

Blue Sky Alpaca Scoop Neck Vest

This would be, for anyone else, a very quick and dirty project. I had to, of course, reknit the scoop neckline several times (wrong numbers, wrong numbers, doubt about the neckline itself, etc. etc.) until I finally just decided to knit the dang thing. I'm using Blue Sky Alpaca Organic Cotton in Pickle (snatched up at the Hilltop fire sale a few months ago), which is a beautiful yarn, but I think I would pair this pattern with a wool if/when I were to do it all over again. I've been doubting this pairing all along and I think that's psychically slowing me down. All I have to do is decide how long to knit the dang straps -- I've already seamed up the sides for goodness sake! (note: why didn't I just knit it in the round?) -- and finish off the edges.

Tangled Yoke Cardi

After having knit the body *almost* to the armholes, I set this thing aside for MONTHS. I mean, I started it in October! haha. So a couple of weeks ago I picked it up again and almost slapped myself on the forehead for it all. Each sleeve has taken me only about a week of knitting in the round. I am modifying the cuff so it won't be as floppy on me. But then... I stop myself and ask if this will fit me in the bust. I try it on and it's snug. I think about adding a little more length anyway, and while I'm at it I might as well add some short rows for more bust room. Whenever I start questioning things and having to think it all through, there is really only one thing to do: start another project! Isn't that what we all do?? /chirping

Mirabella Cardigan


This is from Interweave Knits Spring 2008. I love the tailored silhouette. I brought the Blue Sky Alpaca Worsted Hand Dye to knit night with me Tuesday and started the knitted hem. This is my first knitted hem and it is so lovely and finished looking! It's wonderful to work with a larger needle for a bit. I'm getting perfect row and stitch gauge on a US9. The waist ribbing is cleverly done on a smaller needle (I'm using a US7) to bring in the waist a bit more. The yarn is delicious... bought at that same Hilltop Yarn fire sale, in 2-3 various dyelots, but I'm alternating them as I go and they're just melting together gorgeously.

Not sure if you can see from this photo, but the darts (left side) where I'm K2TOG are lining up perfectly; the darts with SSK (right) are zigzaggy. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong? Row 1 has the decrease and Row 3 has a slipped stitch. Anyway, I'm planning to knit the back in a medium and the front in a large and see what that looks like... may also add short rows... we'll see. By that point I'm sure I'll be starting something else! ha!

Churchmouse Excursion

I went to Churchmouse Yarn and Tea on Bainbridge Island last week for the first time. What a lovely shop with friendly employees. I bought Norah Gaughan's Volume 3. On my way out, the DHL man was bringing in eleven cases of yarn. The ladies realized it was a Malabrigo shipment and suggested we come back after lunch to see what was inside! The ladies opened up the boxes and brought out bagful after bagful of the chunky that I was looking for... we were like a bunch of kids on Christmas morning! I came home with these pretties:

Clockwise, slightly washed out photos: Pagoda, Saphire Green, Velvet Grapes, Tortuga

Child's Placket Neck Pulli

Child's Placket Neck Pullover
Last Minute Knitted Gifts
Cotton Ease, Lake (1+ skeins) and Almond (a smidge)
US8 Needles

One of my dear girlfriends is expecting her second baby next month and we all joined for a shower this weekend. It was the best kind of shower, really a non-shower, since there were tons of people outside, lots of kids, lots of water to splash around in, and great food and company.

I started off with the smallest size, but since my gauge was much larger than the pattern called for, I followed the body and sleeve lengths for the middle (1-2 year old) size. That's a good size, anyway, since the baby will be able to wear it longer than an infant size. The fabric is very drapey and soft, which is lovely, but it made for a very floppy neckband, so I decided it looked better folded down polo style. Sweet.

Fwinkle, Fwinkle

Re-entry

Peanut had her first swimming lessons today. Fun! We just joined a new gym and I took a water aerobics class for the first time, which was also fun.

We played with Play-Doh later and she asked me to make "breakfast." So we made a plate, toast, grapes, a cup of milk, a cup of apple juice... it got dicey when she told me she wanted a spoon (not too hard) and a fork (er...). Good times.

I'm knitting, especially close to finishing a Scoop Neck Vest, the Tangled Yoke Cardi is sitting very patiently while I work on other things. Lots of ideas, no time or inclination to actualize said ideas, though.

Summer rocks. Picked up new Salman Rushdie novel a couple of weeks ago. Plan to read more this summer!

Here's that cool flickr game all the cool kids are playing:



1. bubble karma, 2. ripe, 3. Seattle Space Needle "mini", 4. Mosaic in Turquoise and Rust, 5. clive owen, 6. 2006 21 June DILO Diet Cherry Coke, 7. Aurulent Adria, 8. Very Berry, 9. The Medicine Buddha Lapis Light, 10. family day out, 11. Calm Sunset [HDR], 12. Good Karma

the concept:
a. type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. using only the first page, pick an image.
c. copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name.

Ooh, La La!

La Parisenne Beret
Mountain Colors Bearfoot, Winter Sky, .4 skein
US3 needles

I suddenly wanted a beret last week, and it's a good thing, too: we've been getting snow in Seattle in April! Wha...? This beret is meant to be knit with two contrasting colors to really show off the chevron stitch pattern, but I was looking for something unsocklike to do with my sock yarn, and decided to go for it with the one colorway. I think it turned out beautifully. The handpainted colors still "move well" (says Jenna) within the stitch pattern without being garish at all. When I finished knitting, it fit my head, but I wasn't sure it qualified as a beret. Wet blocking with a dinner plate inside remedied that right away; the resulting fabric is soft and drapey and the shape is definitely all beret. Bonus: it's not so tight on my head that I get hat hair after wearing it! Woot! For such a lightweight hat, it's a lovely warm layer for this insane weather we're having.



And the 'Nut likes it, too!

Raveled here.

Spring, Schming.

No wonder we're a bunch of depressed freaks in this town... From today's weather forecast for the Seattle area:

Since Nov. 1, we've had (count 'em) only 10 days considered mostly sunny. (And four of them were in January where the average temperature of the day was 33 degrees or below.)

I really like the idea of hats but don't wear them very often. This week, I had the sudden urge to knit a beret out of a hank of Mountain Colors Bearfoot that's been languishing in the closet for a while. I have knit myself a few pairs of socks but don't really wear them very often (heresy!), so maybe hats are the way to go?

Any suggestions for cute sock-weight hat/beret patterns? I was thinking of something simple like Grumperina's Periwinkle Beret, maybe, and that's about as far as that thought went.

Also, my friend gave me a lovely ball of Be Sweet African Bead Ball yarn for a belated birthday gift. It's absolutely precious, handmade by women in South Africa; mine's the dark plum purple with multicolor beads shown at the link. I wonder how to use this special yarn to best effect... a loosely knit scarf, maybe? Which stitch patterns use the least amount of yarn? Ball band info = 50g ball is 65 yards. 3 stitches / inch on US 11 needles.

I'm still slogging along on Tangled Yoke cardi. It's good TV knitting!

Come on spring!!!

How I'm Spending My Spring Break

Reading: Click, by Nick Hornsby. I'm pretty sure it was Moni who recommended this Young Adult book on her blog. It's written by ten fantastic authors (including Roddy Doyle, Eoin Colfer, Ruth Ozeki, Gregory Maguire, Nick Hornsby), each taking on a different chapter in the book, all connected and concerning some aspect of a photographer's life. Really well done; I'm captivated by the book but also impressed with the project itself. I think that Hornsby was the editor? Finally, all the proceeds for the book go to Amnesty International. What's not to love?

Reading: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea: The Many Little Meals of Rose Bakery, by Rose Carrarini. This recommendation must've come from Rangiswan. What a lovely book! It's a glimpse into the life, philosophy, but mostly the recipes, from a French bakery/cafe. They are very intentional about preparing simple, delicious food from local and organic sources. My friend is leaving for Paris in a week and I hope she'll go there, just so I can live vicariously.

Watching: Into the Wild on DVD. I didn't read Krakauer's book; it just seemed so Bestseller List, which has often been a big turn-off for me. Now I wish I had... the movie is haunting me a couple of days after watching.

Avoiding: Report cards. Bah. They go home on Monday, and I've got a good chunk of them finished, but I'm feeling a sort of emotional stall-out after the stress of finishing my portfolio. Spending loads of time with the Peanut; today we tried Play-Doh for the first time! She kept wanting to taste it, and Wikipedia tells that the exact recipe is a secret, but the ingredients list sounds pretty safe, sooooo.... I'm trying to teach her not to eat things that are not food, but also trying to have fun. The eternal struggle! hahaha.

She's Alive.... ALIVE!

I mailed my portfolio for National Boards on Friday!!! I have rejoined society!!! It does feel strange to, you know, relax on a weekend. But I think I could get used to this. It was surreal, surrendering a year's worth of work to a USPS employee for $9, but I quickly remedied that odd feeling with a giant mai tai at the West 5. Ahhh. Now I just have to take the exam in late May, and then wait for my scores to arrive around Thanksgiving time. La la la...

I have much to report, three finished projects to share, a long queue of dreamy projects to begin (or continue!). But let me just ease back into this blogging thing with the help of the Peanut:

Toddler Explains the Economic Stimulus Plan:

Like Buttah

Handmaiden Swiss Mountain Silk
Cashmere and Silk
Topaz colorway
Excellent work avoidance mechanism.

Nose to the Grindstone

I find myself mentally blogging as I go throughout my day, updating my own synapses on my progress on various projects. Surprising, then, to see that it has been a month since my last post. In that time, both Tiennie and Katherine have told me that I "make their day"! Aw, thanks, pals! You know they both do the same for me.

I still haven't blogged my finished Excellent Jacket or Tilted Duster, but have worn them both a couple of times. There doesn't seem to be time -- or daylight! -- to take pictures this winter. I'm off work this week, though, furiously pecking away at the keyboard in an effort to complete my NB portfolio, to be postmarked by the end of March. Perhaps I'll find a little pocket of sunshine in which to photograph myself in my new jackets?

I went to Madrona Fiber Festival this weekend with Jenna and Melissa. It was my first fiber festival and I was really excited to go; I'm glad that it was much smaller than I imagined it would be. I was afraid that I'd be too overwhelmed to buy anything at all, but I did manage to buy a couple of things... a lovely hank of turquoisey Handmaiden Swiss Mountain Cashmere and Silk... I actually talked to The Handmaiden herself about the little skein of heaven, ooh la la! I also bought a couple of skeins of Shibui sock with plans of making my first pair of colorwork mitts... Endpaper Mitts, perhaps? We had lunch at the obligatory Mexican restaurant nearby and then explored the Tacoma Art Museum, luckily on the last day of a local quilting exhibit.

Naturally much of my energy is focused on my dear Peanut, who is beginning to incorporate sentences between all the gobbledygook... "I want some" is a favorite, lately followed by "Where did my clothes go?" I kid you not. This girl is destined to be a shoe 'ho. At my school's Lunar New Year celebration, she tried to engage an older girl in a barter, Peanut's wilting carnation bud for a pair of fabulous silver glittery shoes. No luck, but it was fun to watch!

She'd better get a hands-free set for her cell phone, soon, though! She's gonna get a ticket!

No Way! Me, Too!

Foliage v 2.0

Foliage, Knitty Fall 2007
Malabrigo worsted, Saphire Green #4, 2/3 of a skein
For Claire, Xmas 2007

This was the first Foliage that I knit and it seemed to turn out a bit loose without blocking, so I knit the next two on the same size needle but with a tighter gauge. In the picture, though, my dear sis has it pulled back off her forehead... or has a bigger head than I do... heh heh. I do love this shade of green.

Foliage

In spite of my long absence from the blog, I have actually been knitting quite a lot. I finished the Excellent Jacket (it just needs a closure of some kind), knit three Foliage hats for Christmas gifts, three pairs of mittens for Christmas gifts, and am halfway done with my Tilted Duster. I will be posting more pictures and information about all of those projects soon, before I forget all about them, but baby steps, baby steps...

Foliage, Knitty Fall 2007
Malabrigo Worsted, color Vermillion #24, about 2/3 of a skein

We had a white Christmas Day in Seattle! This Foliage is knit for A, my brother's girlfriend. She is a gem. I am so happy for my brother for meeting someone who seems to have it pretty much all together. Here she is posing with her cutie daughter, J, and with the Peanut, who looks less thrilled than she truly was. This was a quick pattern to follow so I made one for each of my two sisters as well, all in different shades of the buttery, delicious Malabrigo. You know I love to try new techniques with each project I make, and this time it was the Magic Loop. I've become quite enamored of the two circular method, and tried Magic Loop out of laziness and curiousity. It worked out quite well!

I am still working feverishly on my National Board Certification portfolio, teaching full time, and -- best of all -- mommying the best girl in the world. I've also somehow found time to restart the Couch to 5K running program (thanks to Rachael's linkage to the Couch to 5K podcast, lifesaver, I'm tellinya). And I'm meeting up with some really sweet friends pretty regularly, thanks to Project Runway! 

I'll post again when I have time. Must go get my socks and shoes on soon... I'm starting week two of the running program tonight.