Monday
Friday
[vermont] Ho-ho-ohhhh noooooo
Had to stop by Home Depot yesterday evening to get a key copied. Walked in to see this display:
Come on. ... Come on. It's too early and you know it.
I drove home in the rain which progressively turned into snow as I climbed in elevation. At home, it looked like this:
Frick. Maybe it isn't too soon to start thinking about fricking Christmas decorations.
Come on. ... Come on. It's too early and you know it.
I drove home in the rain which progressively turned into snow as I climbed in elevation. At home, it looked like this:
Frick. Maybe it isn't too soon to start thinking about fricking Christmas decorations.
Thursday
[knitting] Coral Reef Hat
I had more of the same yarn I used for yesterday's Magic Mirror Mittens. I wanted to knit a "matching" hat. Not necessarily the same cable design, just a cabled dk-weight hat. I saw a new, free pattern pop up on Ravelry called Coral Reef:
This is a better representation of the actual color of the yarn. I knit the ribbed band to 5.5 inches, for a longer fold-over brim. This took only one ball of the Chiara.
It's a bit snug. I did the entire hat on US 5 needles. It's a clear, well-written pattern with some clever decreases at the crown. I'm temped to cast on for another, while the pattern is fresh in my mind. I would move up a needle size, cast on 112 (rather than casting on 102 for the ribbing and then increasing 10 for the body) and do k2p2 ribbing for the brim. I might just have to go digging into my stash for alpaca yarn.
This is a better representation of the actual color of the yarn. I knit the ribbed band to 5.5 inches, for a longer fold-over brim. This took only one ball of the Chiara.
It's a bit snug. I did the entire hat on US 5 needles. It's a clear, well-written pattern with some clever decreases at the crown. I'm temped to cast on for another, while the pattern is fresh in my mind. I would move up a needle size, cast on 112 (rather than casting on 102 for the ribbing and then increasing 10 for the body) and do k2p2 ribbing for the brim. I might just have to go digging into my stash for alpaca yarn.
Wednesday
[knitting] Magic Mirror Mittens
Finished a new pair of mittens for this fall/winter:
Pattern: Magic Mirror (free on Rav)
Yarn: Lana Grossa Chiara, 1.1 balls
Needles: US 5
Notes: The top project for this pattern on Ravelry used a silver chain yarn with a brown halo. I happened to have the same yarn, in a different color. The yarn works really well for the pattern, adding more dimension to the cables. These mittens are oh-so-soft as well. The color in the picture above is a brighter than the actual dark-plum color in real life.
Pattern: Magic Mirror (free on Rav)
Yarn: Lana Grossa Chiara, 1.1 balls
Needles: US 5
Notes: The top project for this pattern on Ravelry used a silver chain yarn with a brown halo. I happened to have the same yarn, in a different color. The yarn works really well for the pattern, adding more dimension to the cables. These mittens are oh-so-soft as well. The color in the picture above is a brighter than the actual dark-plum color in real life.
Tuesday
[knitting] Fur-topped booties
Chic little knee-high baby booties:
Same pattern as the purple booties from last week, with a few mods. I cast on only 8 stitches with fur yarn and worked for 5.5 inches. Then using the taupe yarn, I picked up the correct number (THAT was difficult) and worked some garter rows, then knit a longer stockinette leg. Then worked the foot as normal. Easy, quick and so darn cute.
I have some discontinued Berroco suede yarn- I plan to make this pattern a couple more times to look like proper little Uggs.
Same pattern as the purple booties from last week, with a few mods. I cast on only 8 stitches with fur yarn and worked for 5.5 inches. Then using the taupe yarn, I picked up the correct number (THAT was difficult) and worked some garter rows, then knit a longer stockinette leg. Then worked the foot as normal. Easy, quick and so darn cute.
I have some discontinued Berroco suede yarn- I plan to make this pattern a couple more times to look like proper little Uggs.
Monday
[misc] Murderface Monday
Murderface went to the vet Saturday for his annual exam and rabies booster. Then slept it off the rest of the weekend.
It was a rainy, cold weekend. I stayed in and baking a bunch of stuff. Sunday was football day and then The Walking Dead premier. That was... so sad. So, so, so sad and emotionally draining. Dollar and I were able to watch with SlingTV but we got a season pass through Amazon to watch the rest of the season the day after from now on. We just had to watch the premier live because we knew there would be no way to avoid spoilers today. We stayed up to watch The Talking Dead after because, as cheesy as it sounds, it was a bit like therapy to deal with the loss.
Still working on lots of knitting. I started some simple garter stitch slippers with leftover sock yarn because my feet are so cold on the floors now.
It was a rainy, cold weekend. I stayed in and baking a bunch of stuff. Sunday was football day and then The Walking Dead premier. That was... so sad. So, so, so sad and emotionally draining. Dollar and I were able to watch with SlingTV but we got a season pass through Amazon to watch the rest of the season the day after from now on. We just had to watch the premier live because we knew there would be no way to avoid spoilers today. We stayed up to watch The Talking Dead after because, as cheesy as it sounds, it was a bit like therapy to deal with the loss.
Still working on lots of knitting. I started some simple garter stitch slippers with leftover sock yarn because my feet are so cold on the floors now.
Friday
[knitting] Purple booties
Purple booties:
Pattern: Baby Uggs by Autumn Street (free on Rav)
Yarn: Valley Yarns Longmeadow (discontinued)
Needles: US 5
Notes: Wanted to run through this pattern once. Good pattern for DK-weight yarn. Easily customizable. Pattern is worked back and forth and then seamed shut. I hate sewing but this project is so small, it really doesn't take long. I have a couple balls of ancient Berroco Suede and I plan on making a couple pairs of Ugg knock-offs.
Pattern: Baby Uggs by Autumn Street (free on Rav)
Yarn: Valley Yarns Longmeadow (discontinued)
Needles: US 5
Notes: Wanted to run through this pattern once. Good pattern for DK-weight yarn. Easily customizable. Pattern is worked back and forth and then seamed shut. I hate sewing but this project is so small, it really doesn't take long. I have a couple balls of ancient Berroco Suede and I plan on making a couple pairs of Ugg knock-offs.
Thursday
[knitting] Baby Booties
Working on some scrappy booties for the niece:
Pattern: Baby Boots by Frankie Brown (free on Rav)
With these, I finally used the very last of the yarn I got in Korea years ago. I originally use it for this scarf and then used most of what remained for this bag. These booties are knit from the bottom up, so I used up every last inch of the yarn and then found a couple teeny, tiny balls of lilac yarn (leftover from these socks) to do the ribbed cuffs with.
The feet of the booties don't quite match because the marled yarn has long, gradual color changes. Using a solid color for the cuffs helped bring the pair together.
I have lots and lots of leftover fingering weight yarn- so I'll definitely be knitting more of these booties. They were pretty easy and quick to knit- I even had to rip out and re-knit one because I knit the first continental style (looser) and knit the second English style (sooooo tiiiiiight). I have no idea why I did that.
Pattern: Baby Boots by Frankie Brown (free on Rav)
With these, I finally used the very last of the yarn I got in Korea years ago. I originally use it for this scarf and then used most of what remained for this bag. These booties are knit from the bottom up, so I used up every last inch of the yarn and then found a couple teeny, tiny balls of lilac yarn (leftover from these socks) to do the ribbed cuffs with.
The feet of the booties don't quite match because the marled yarn has long, gradual color changes. Using a solid color for the cuffs helped bring the pair together.
I have lots and lots of leftover fingering weight yarn- so I'll definitely be knitting more of these booties. They were pretty easy and quick to knit- I even had to rip out and re-knit one because I knit the first continental style (looser) and knit the second English style (sooooo tiiiiiight). I have no idea why I did that.
Wednesday
[knitting] Magnolia Hat
Got some knitting mojo to finish some projects and start new ones. This hat was knit re-watching Captain America: Civil War:
Pattern: Magnolia by Maria Socha
Yarn: Malabrigo Rios, one skein
Needles: US 6 for ribbing, US 7 for body
Notes: I used the entire skein knitting the large size- not even enough leftover for a pompom. The Rios yarn is very dense- I'd classify it as a aran weight rather than worsted. I would definitely knit this pattern again, with more yarn so that I can make a loooong folder over ribbed brim and add a pompom.
Pattern: Magnolia by Maria Socha
Yarn: Malabrigo Rios, one skein
Needles: US 6 for ribbing, US 7 for body
Notes: I used the entire skein knitting the large size- not even enough leftover for a pompom. The Rios yarn is very dense- I'd classify it as a aran weight rather than worsted. I would definitely knit this pattern again, with more yarn so that I can make a loooong folder over ribbed brim and add a pompom.
Tuesday
[spinning] Washing fleece
This past weekend I finally put together a mesh frame to spread out the lamb's fleece that I bought at VT Sheep and Wool a couple weeks ago:
4lbs of Romney lamb. I'm picking through the locks, layering them into a basket (three layers, separated by mesh):
I have two plastic tubs in the garage. I fill each with one bucket of hot water from the tap. Then I divide a stockpot of boiling water between the two, so they both super hot and the same temperature. One tub has about a tablespoon of dawn dish soap. Then I put the basket of locks in to soak for 15 min and melt out the lanolin wax.
After transferring the basket to the other tub (to water that is the same temperature), you can see how filthy the soapy water gets:
Here's an example of what the fiber looks like before washing (left) and after washing (right):
SO WHITE. Just want I wanted when I bought this fleece. I'm not super happy with the state of the fleece, there's a lot of undesirable junk in it (chaff and vegetable matter) but I think a lot of it will fall out when I start coming the locks.
Progress so far (you can see the unwashed stuff in the back):
Ugh. Lots and lots and lots more washing to do. Then lots of combing. Then lots of spinning. Then lots of knitting. I'm not sure I'll process too many more fleeces in the future, but at least I know how to now.
4lbs of Romney lamb. I'm picking through the locks, layering them into a basket (three layers, separated by mesh):
I have two plastic tubs in the garage. I fill each with one bucket of hot water from the tap. Then I divide a stockpot of boiling water between the two, so they both super hot and the same temperature. One tub has about a tablespoon of dawn dish soap. Then I put the basket of locks in to soak for 15 min and melt out the lanolin wax.
After transferring the basket to the other tub (to water that is the same temperature), you can see how filthy the soapy water gets:
Here's an example of what the fiber looks like before washing (left) and after washing (right):
SO WHITE. Just want I wanted when I bought this fleece. I'm not super happy with the state of the fleece, there's a lot of undesirable junk in it (chaff and vegetable matter) but I think a lot of it will fall out when I start coming the locks.
Progress so far (you can see the unwashed stuff in the back):
Ugh. Lots and lots and lots more washing to do. Then lots of combing. Then lots of spinning. Then lots of knitting. I'm not sure I'll process too many more fleeces in the future, but at least I know how to now.
Thursday
[knitting] Bed Socks
Bed socks:
I knit these Slip Stripe Spirals this past spring as part of Sock Madness. The black yarn is glittery- which is rather pointless at night, in the dark, under the covers. But at least I know.
I knit these Slip Stripe Spirals this past spring as part of Sock Madness. The black yarn is glittery- which is rather pointless at night, in the dark, under the covers. But at least I know.
Wednesday
[vermont] Foliage
Despite (or because of?) the drought, we've had great foliage this year, which I think peaked this past weekend. I took a walk around the hills in the back yard for pictures:
The walk was nice with clearly defined deer trails through the fields. I guess 7 or 8 deer making rounds to all the apple trees twice a day would clearly leave tracks.
There are a couple really nice reds in the back yard. I've been admiring this tree from the back deck and wanted to go up for a close-up picture:
The weather is definitely cooling off now. The heat is running when I get up in the mornings.
Was able to get some good knitting done over the long weekend. Started a series of baby booties while watching Luke Cage. Should have some good light this afternoon to take pictures.
The walk was nice with clearly defined deer trails through the fields. I guess 7 or 8 deer making rounds to all the apple trees twice a day would clearly leave tracks.
There are a couple really nice reds in the back yard. I've been admiring this tree from the back deck and wanted to go up for a close-up picture:
The weather is definitely cooling off now. The heat is running when I get up in the mornings.
Was able to get some good knitting done over the long weekend. Started a series of baby booties while watching Luke Cage. Should have some good light this afternoon to take pictures.
Tuesday
[vermont] Birthday Dinner
Had a nice four-day weekend, starting Thursday night with a birthday dinner out at Cloudland Farm. The serve one menu each night, with local ingredients.
First course: Turnip and beet soup, toasted baguette, apples, chive oil, lemon crème fraiche
My photos are dark because of the candle light but this soup was SO bright and pink from the beets. This was great- we both shared one bowl with the house sourdough bread.
Main course: Cloudland Farm chicken duo: grilled breast and stuffed thighs, buttercup squash puree, Swiss chard risotto cakes, pickled broccoli Romanesco, blueberry gastrique
The farm raises and sells angus beef and pork. They used to sell chickens but now only raise them for the restaurant and OMG- this was the best chicken we've ever had. Dollar and I both looked at each other after trying it, like "WTF is up with this chicken? How can chicken be this perfect?" I went on to think that I'll never cook another chicken again because clearly I've had the best and anything I make from now on will just leave me feeling sad and disappointed.
I will say that when I saw the menu online earlier in the day, I was like, "Oh no, Dollar's not going to like this." He's not a picky eater he just... likes what he likes. I was sure he wasn't going to like the beet soup- but he did. I was sure he wasn't going to like the squash puree and picked romanesco, etc. But we both cleaned our plates. I think it's a testament to how well the chef balances so many ingredients and they all taste so good together.
Dessert: Chevre panna cotta, chocolate streusel, beet ice cream, cocoa nib tuile, thyme oil, balsamic
The beet ice cream nestled into a little mound of chocolate streusel was my favorite bite of the night. It was like a spoonful of cold chocolate cereal in milk.
I hope we make dinner here an annual (or more!) evening out. It was fantastic and I can't recommend it enough.
First course: Turnip and beet soup, toasted baguette, apples, chive oil, lemon crème fraiche
My photos are dark because of the candle light but this soup was SO bright and pink from the beets. This was great- we both shared one bowl with the house sourdough bread.
Main course: Cloudland Farm chicken duo: grilled breast and stuffed thighs, buttercup squash puree, Swiss chard risotto cakes, pickled broccoli Romanesco, blueberry gastrique
The farm raises and sells angus beef and pork. They used to sell chickens but now only raise them for the restaurant and OMG- this was the best chicken we've ever had. Dollar and I both looked at each other after trying it, like "WTF is up with this chicken? How can chicken be this perfect?" I went on to think that I'll never cook another chicken again because clearly I've had the best and anything I make from now on will just leave me feeling sad and disappointed.
I will say that when I saw the menu online earlier in the day, I was like, "Oh no, Dollar's not going to like this." He's not a picky eater he just... likes what he likes. I was sure he wasn't going to like the beet soup- but he did. I was sure he wasn't going to like the squash puree and picked romanesco, etc. But we both cleaned our plates. I think it's a testament to how well the chef balances so many ingredients and they all taste so good together.
Dessert: Chevre panna cotta, chocolate streusel, beet ice cream, cocoa nib tuile, thyme oil, balsamic
The beet ice cream nestled into a little mound of chocolate streusel was my favorite bite of the night. It was like a spoonful of cold chocolate cereal in milk.
I hope we make dinner here an annual (or more!) evening out. It was fantastic and I can't recommend it enough.
Wednesday
[misc] Kitty Wednesday
All three cats on the couch last night:
Murderface is on the sheepskin I got at the VT Sheep and Wool Festival this past weekend. All three cats love it; it's warm and soft and squishy and the best thing ever to knead.
I finally finished my mittens last night- need to close the gaps around the thumb join and sew in ends.
Murderface is on the sheepskin I got at the VT Sheep and Wool Festival this past weekend. All three cats love it; it's warm and soft and squishy and the best thing ever to knead.
I finally finished my mittens last night- need to close the gaps around the thumb join and sew in ends.
Tuesday
[vermont] Oh, deer
Our house is swarmed by deer at dusk and dawn:
Five in the backyard here. There were seven the previous evening. They make their rounds to all the apple trees every day.
Five in the backyard here. There were seven the previous evening. They make their rounds to all the apple trees every day.
Monday
[vermont] Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival
Was a busy weekend for me. Saturday morning I was up and out of the house early for the first part of my How to Buy, Process and Spin a Fleece class. We took a look at a skirted fleece:
And discussed all the aspects of what to look for when you're ready to buy a bag of fleece. The class let out and then we were off to the festival to buy a fleece. I was kind of in a rush to see everything because I was going to my grandmother's for lunch at noon. I hastily went around, not really taking my time, buying from my favorite vendors and picking out a 4-pound bag of Romney lamb's wool:
Then it was off to my gram's. Lunch was New England Boiled Dinner, which I love. Come on, salty corned beef brisket, cabbage, potatoes, onions, carrots, beets. It was so good. Then I returned home to wait for my sister and niece, who were coming over. Then it was back to Tunbridge for the second part of the class- how to properly wash fleece. Actually, this part was good because we got to go over all the different fleeces that the students purchased- see the different breeds and colors and cost and cleanliness. We washed a bit and hoped it would dry before Sunday's class on actual carding/combing and spinning.
So yeah, Sunday was more fleece processing. I left class a little early to run down to the fairgrounds for a couple errands (picking up the knit items I entered in the fair contest; picking up a sheepskin for the cats) before heading home for the 1pm Patriots game (ugh). I was so depressed after the game, I took a nap for a few hours. Then I had a few hours in the evening for supper, laundry and the new Netflix show Luke Cage.
And discussed all the aspects of what to look for when you're ready to buy a bag of fleece. The class let out and then we were off to the festival to buy a fleece. I was kind of in a rush to see everything because I was going to my grandmother's for lunch at noon. I hastily went around, not really taking my time, buying from my favorite vendors and picking out a 4-pound bag of Romney lamb's wool:
Then it was off to my gram's. Lunch was New England Boiled Dinner, which I love. Come on, salty corned beef brisket, cabbage, potatoes, onions, carrots, beets. It was so good. Then I returned home to wait for my sister and niece, who were coming over. Then it was back to Tunbridge for the second part of the class- how to properly wash fleece. Actually, this part was good because we got to go over all the different fleeces that the students purchased- see the different breeds and colors and cost and cleanliness. We washed a bit and hoped it would dry before Sunday's class on actual carding/combing and spinning.
So yeah, Sunday was more fleece processing. I left class a little early to run down to the fairgrounds for a couple errands (picking up the knit items I entered in the fair contest; picking up a sheepskin for the cats) before heading home for the 1pm Patriots game (ugh). I was so depressed after the game, I took a nap for a few hours. Then I had a few hours in the evening for supper, laundry and the new Netflix show Luke Cage.
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