Cool Contest

If you haven't been over to Fine Martial Fiber, go check it out. She's having a cool Contest for some yarn and needles. You just have to recognize some famous smiles. Go check it out!

My favorite!

As this is not very calorie friendly, I only make this at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm working on a healthier version for the rest of the year (it's really delicious, and cranberries are very good for you.)

Cranberry-Apple Casserole

3 C peeled chopped apples (make them about the size of cranberries)
2 C cranberries (fresh)
2 T flour
3 Pkg instant oatmeal (cinnamon spice flavor)
3/4 C chopped pecans
1/2 C flour
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C butter, melted

Combine apples, cranberries, 2 T flour, tossing to coat fruit. Add 1 C sugar, mixing well. Place in 2 qt casserole.

Combine oatmeal, nuts, 1/2 C flour, and brown sugar. Add butter and stir well. Spoon over fruit mixture.

Bake uncovered at 350F for 45 minutes.

You can make this a day or two ahead of time and bake just before serving. You can garnish this with extra cranberries and pecans -- make Holly shapes at Christmas!

We serve this with the meal, but it would also be wonderful for dessert with vanilla ice cream. Yum!

Christmas is coming

I am working on two Christmas projects, and the one is killing me. I'm making a throw for my mom. It's easy. Very pretty, but very easy. And thus, boring as hell. But it's super soft and plush, and I know she'll love it, so I try to do 12 rows a day (which takes awhile since it's almost 4 feet wide), and eventually, it will be finished.

The pattern is Scallops and Squares from the BHG book, "Knitted Gifts." The yarn is Knit Picks Shine Worsted in "blush."

Garterlac Washcloth

The engineer wanted me to make something for her that was pink, and she picked out this pink varigated cotton. So I tried a few different patterns, and then I found this washcloth pattern over on Criminy Jickets. When he says cast on really loosely, he ain't foolin. But despite my less loose cast-on (next time, Dave), I think it came out pretty well.

All Done!

I finished the scarf for ISE5. I need to do a little touch up blocking, but I think it came out pretty good!

What do you think? I know it is a little shiny in the photo due to the silk. It's not shiny at all in real life.

Chest hair pull tab.

I can't explain it. It brings back too many memories. You just have to look for yourself.

Mason-Dixon Knitting by Kay Gardiner and Ann Meador Shayne

I just read this book, and I thought I'd share my take on it. It's basically a book that was written by two internet pals who met through a knitting board. They are funny in kind of a silly way, so if you are a "let it all hang out" type person, you might appreciate their sense of humor. (I did.)

The patterns in the book are simple, although I thought it was odd that they recommended various cast on methods for some of the patterns without explaining how to do them, but then explained that you had to bring the yarn to the front to purl (or back to knit.) I think of the latter as a basic thing you should know, but I don't know how many methods most people know for casting on. (I know two well, but maybe I'm slow.)

Many of the patterns are for home accessories -- rugs, linens, dish cloths -- although there are also wearable items, including scarves, a nightie (yes, really!) and a baby kimono (ok, that one is only wearable by babies.) I thought the patterns were attractive, and definitely not typical of the average knitting book. I think the first thing I make from the book will be the baby bibs (my sister just had a baby.)

If you want to get a better feel for their writing style and what sort of patterns appeal to the authors, definitely check out their blog, Mason-Dixon Knitting. They have some cute free patterns on their website as well as the errata of their book patterns.