Some Food Stuff

So today in Theory, the lovely girl who sits behind me had a present for me: Cranberry Marmalade! I told her I'd have to bring her some applesauce. Isn't that the sweetest thing? She said she felt like such a goof having it in her bag, and that it was a lame gift. In case you couldn't tell, we've bonded over food. She told me that I should bring her on my honeymoon to King Arthur Flour-land. So I'm currently making a batch of rolls to spread delicious marmalade upon. I have to report back, after all!

Update: verdict? OMG delicious.

Speaking of cranberries, this recipe for pickled cranberries sound intriguing. Just look at how pretty they are!



Also, tasty looking Chicken and Dumplings



Also a few ideas for wedding stuff.

Honey in a cute little jar as a favor! Love it!


Absolutely beautiful calligraphy on those envelopes. Must use...


And a cute looking Scarf Pattern.

Projects!

So, I have several projects lined up for the holidays. One, I have to finish the tablecloth for Sharon (and I'm almost done with the crochet work -- aside from the edging). Two, I am making steampunk clothing for my mum and sis for Christmas (we're going to a Con in February). That's probably at least two corsets, a skirt, some ruffled petticoats and maybe a jacket-y thing or two. Three, I would like to make two scarves for Mister's female relatives. One fuzzy, warm, and mobius (probably knitted), and the other delicate and lacy (crocheted of course!).

So a quick search on Ravelry and I found the most beautiful crocheted lace pattern.





Isn't it gorgeous? However, the girl is charging $7 for that lovely pattern. Are you crazy? Asking for money for a pattern on the internet is highly silly IMO. Also, she gave an up-close picture. I now know how to make it. :-D

Here's how I figure: it's obvious a bunch of motifs which are attached together at the end. So, for each motif, start at that grid -- that's a double crochet separated by 2 chain grid. After making the grid, you start going around the edges with a single crochet. When you get to the center of a side, you chain about... let's say 8 or so. You then go back around your little chain with single crochets, adding little picots and finish single crocheting the side of the grid. After having completed all four sides with picots, you start on the next round out. Easiest way to do that one is to go twice around -- once with all of the chains connecting to picots, the next with the single crochets over the chains with additional picots. Et voila, one motif! To connect them all, is more chains connecting picots, with a second time around of single crochets and additional picots. I AM GOING TO MAKE THIS.

[Note: it looks like there are TWO connecting rounds -- what I thought was the last motif round is actually connected on the North and South to other motifs...]

That is what I love about crochet -- I know it well enough that just staring at the picture I can figure it out.

Socks!

So I have finished knitting the first of a pair of socks. My first ever! Yay! It only took me about 4 days. I kept squee-ing all last night about it. :-P



It was a hybrid pattern, involving this as the main pattern, with a little bit of this cable thrown in. If I'd ever like to recreate it, here are the steps. Note, I used 2.75 mm DPNs.



Info From Knitty on Pattern:

SIZE
One size will fit an average adult foot.
Alternate directions are given for a larger leg (see Finished Measurements below).

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Foot Circumference: Will comfortably stretch to fit up to 10 inches
Leg Circumference: Will comfortably stretch to fit up to 11.5 inches
With option for larger leg, will comfortably stretch to fit 12.5 inches.

MATERIALS
Fleece Artist Merino 2/6 [100% superwash merino wool; 360yd/325m per 115g skein]; color: Moss; 1 skein

2 US #1/2.5mm circular needles, 20 inches or longer
Stitch markers
Split ring marker or safety pin (optional)
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
33 sts / 46 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Stitches to Know:
M1R (right-leaning increase): Insert left needle, from back to front, under strand of yarn which runs between last stitch on left needle and first stitch on right needle; knit this stitch through front loop. 1 stitch increased.

M1P (purl increase): Insert left needle, from front to back, under strand of yarn which runs between last stitch on left needle and first stitch on right needle; purl this stitch through back loop. 1 stitch increased.

Any other stitch questions can be answered here.

PATTERN
TOE:
Using the Magic Cast-On, CO 8 sts onto each of 2 DPNs.

Set-up Round 1: Kfb, k3, (new needle) k3, kfb, (new needle), kfb, k3 (new needle), kfb, k3. 20 sts. Place a marker to show the beginning (I used a safety pin). You should have the 20 sts on 4 DPNs, with a 5th to knit with.

K 1 round.

Toe Increase Round: [K to 4 sts before new needle, M1R, k8, M1R, k to end of needle] twice. 4 sts increased.

Repeat these 2 rounds 9 times more. 60 sts: 15 sts on each needle.

FOOT
Work in pattern until work measures approx. 4.25 inches less than desired foot length (I did 4 total repetitions of the pattern).

Pattern:
k4, p1. C4F (2 sts to front, k2, k2 from front), p1, k4, p1
p1, k4, p1, C4F ("" "" ), p1, k4
k15
k15
[k4, p1, k4, p1, k4, p1
p1, k4, p1, k4, p1, k4
k15
k15] 3x
k4, p1. C4F (2 sts to front, k2, k2 from front), p1, k4, p1
p1, k4, p1, C4F ("" "" ), p1, k4
k15
k15
[k4, p1, k4, p1, k4, p1
p1, k4, p1, k4, p1, k4
k15
k15] 7x

GUSSET
Round 1: K4, p1, C4F, p1, k2, k2 tbl, k2, k2 tbl, k2, p1, C4F, p1, k4; k1, M1R, k to last st on Needle 4, M1R, k1. 62 sts.

Rounds 2-3: K4, p1, k4, p1, k2, k2 tbl, k2, k2 tbl, k2, p1, k4, p1, k to end of round.

Round 4: K4, p1, k4, p1, k2, k2 tbl, [kfb] twice, k2 tbl, k2, p1, k4, p1, k4; k1, M1R, k to last st on Needle 4, M1R, k1. 66 sts.

Rounds 5: K4, p1, C4F, p1, k2, k2 tbl, k4, k2 tbl, k2, p1, C4F, p1, k to end of round.

Rounds 6: K4, p1, k4, p1, k2, k2 tbl, k4, k2 tbl, k2, p1, k4, p1, k to end of round.

Round 7: K4, p1, k4, p1, k2, k2 tbl, kfb, k2, kfb, k2 tbl, k2, p1, k4, p1, k to end of Needle 2; k1, M1R, k to last st on Needle 4, M1R, k1. 70 sts.

Rounds 8-9: K4, p1, k4, p1, k2, k2 tbl, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, k2 tbl, k2, p1, k4, p1, k to end of round.

Round 10: K4, p1, k4, p1, k2, k2 tbl, kfb, p1, k2, p1, kfb, k2 tbl, k2, p1, k4, p1, k to end of Needle 1; k1, M1R, k to last st on Needle 4, M1R, k1. 74 sts.

Rounds 11: K4, p1, k4, p1, k2, k2 tbl, k2, C4F, k2, k2 tbl, k2, p1, k4, p1, k to end of round.

Rounds 12: K4, p1, k4, p1, k2, k2 tbl, k4, k2, k2 tbl, k2, p1, k4, p1, k to end of round.

Round 13: K4, p1, C4F, p1, k2, k2 tbl, place marker, kfb, p1, k4, p1, kfb, place maker, k2 tbl, k2, p1, C4F, p1, k4; k1, M1R, k to last st on Needle 4, M1R, k1. 78 sts.

Rounds 14: K4, p1, k4, p1, l2, k2 tbl, k2, p1, k4, p1, k2, k2 tbl, k2, p1, k4, p1, k to end of round.

Rounds 15: K4, p1, k4, p1, l2, k2 tbl, k2, p1, C4F, p1, k2, k2 tbl, k2, p1, k4, p1, k to end of round.
2x1 Rib is now established over sts between markers that aren't occupied with the cable.

From this point, increases on Needle 1/2 will be worked every second round (instead of every third). Increases on Needle 3/4 are complete.

Next Round: K continuing cable pattern to 2 sts before first marker, k2 tbl, kfb, work in 2x1 rib + cable in the middle as set to 1 st before next marker, kfb, k2 tbl, k in cable pattern to end of Needle 2; k all sts on Needles 3 + 4. 2 sts increased.

Work 1 round in pattern as set.

Repeat these 2 rounds 8 times more. 96 sts: 56 sts on Needle 1/2 and 40 sts on Needle 3/4. 28 sts between markers.

Next Round: K continuing cable pattern to 2 sts before first marker, k2 tbl, kfb, work in 2x1 Rib + cable in the middle as set to 1 st before next marker, kfb; remove marker and sl remaining 14 sts from Needle 2 to Needle 3; k2 tbl, k continuing cable pattern 12 sts, k to end of Needles 3 + 4, k first 14 sts from Needle 1 onto Needle 4, removing marker. 30 sts on Needle 1 + 2 and 68 sts on Needle 3 + 4. (I wound up shifting it around so that Needle 1 had the first 30 sts, and 2-4 had the remainder divided up.)


HEEL
Work in 2x1 Rib as set to end of Needle 1.

Heel will be worked back and forth over sts on Needles 2-4 only, as follows:
Row 1 [RS]: K48, W&T.
Row 2 [WS]: P28, W&T.
Row 3 [RS]: K27, W&T.
Row 4 [WS]: P26, W&T.

Rows 5-22: Continue in stockinette st, working each short row 1 st shorter than the last. Row 22 is 8 sts long. (As I dropped a stitch, I slid it onto either 2 or 4, depending on which side I was dropping. Row 22 has 8 sts on Needle 3 only.)

Row 23 [RS]: K19, working wraps together with wrapped sts. Turn work (do not wrap st).

Row 24 [WS]: Sl 1, p29, working wraps together with wrapped sts. Turn work.

The 30 sts at the center of Needle 2 will form the heel flap. There are 19 gusset sts on each side of these heel flap sts.

Row 25 [RS]: Sl 1 with yarn held to back of work, p1, [k2, p1] 9 times, ssk. Turn work.

Row 26 [WS]: Sl 1 with yarn held to front of work, k1, [p2, k1] 9 times, p2tog. Turn work.

Repeat these 2 rows 17 times more. 32 sts on Needle 2.
Work Row 25 once more, but do not turn work. 31 sts on Needle 2.

(Note, I think I wound up doing these rows more than 18x, I merely kept going until I had 32 sts on Needles 2-4.)

LEG
Next Round: Work all sts on Needle 1 in 2x1 Rib + cable in the middle as set; k2tog, work to end of Needle 2 in 2x1 Rib as set. 60 sts: 30 sts on each needle.

If larger leg is desired, proceed to optional directions below.
Work in 2x1 Rib as set until leg is desired length. Loosely BO all sts in pattern. (And I do mean loosely -- I had to take out my binding and re-bind it.)

Optional Directions for Larger Leg:
Next Round: [Kfb, p1, work in 2x1 Rib as set to last st on needle, kfb] twice. 64 sts.
Next Round: [K1, work in 2x1 Rib as set to last st on needle, k1, M1P] twice. 66 sts.
Work in 2x1 Rib as set until leg is desired length. Loosely BO all sts in pattern.

Four Simple Goals

As both Dawn over at May All Seasons Be Sweet To Thee and Abbie over at Farmer's Daughter have beaten me to this, it might not be a surprise to any reading this.

Elsie at A Beautiful Mess has put forth this challenge of setting and achieving simple goals before the end of 2010.

The Guidelines:

1 - choose simple goals that will make your life richer and happier on a daily basis. choose things you may not otherwise get done, but that are not difficult to accomplish.
2 - do not choose result oriented goals, choose activity oriented goals. for example… instead of “lose 10 pounds”, choose something like “eat fresh fruits and vegetables every day”. positive actions instead of just the end result!
3 - choose goals that are personal that you believe will truly make your life richer just by doing them! they can be daily, weekly or one time experiences.
4 - choose a reward for each goal as it is accomplished! it can be a small or large reward.
5 - blog your goals, each one as you achieve it and a big post when they are all finished before the new year!

As I have far too many ideas and dreams of things to learn and stages of sustainability to reach, this is a good challenge for myself.

Goal #1: make sourdough starter and make bread regularly. As I have every intention of picking up the flour for that tonight after work (to perhaps participate next week in Crunchy Chicken's Pioneer Week), this should be started soon. The reward will be fresh bread!

Goal #2: finish the tablecloth for Sharon. Why I am not working on it I don't know. The reward for that shall be that I will either take one of her courses, or arrange to go to her house again.

Goal #3: make a pair of socks for both Mister and I. My reward will be socks!

Goal #4: declutter. I have far too much stuff, and need to work on having less BEFORE Mister and I consolidate housing. My reward will be a baked good or warm beverage per box I go through.

Let's see how it goes!

P.S. Does anyone else want to just say "screw the challenge -- I want that yarn up there!"?

A few things to keep track of

As I will not be living in the city and trying to be sustainable here, I'd like to keep track of Melinda at One Green Generation's post on Urban Living. It seems like simple stuff, but always important to remember!

Coco Knits has quite a few interesting projects that I'd like to investigate: Knitted Plastic Bag Tote, Knitted Scrap Bathmat (really want to make that!), and a Rag Doily Rug that looks nice. I love the recycled content aspect, as well as the highly usable nature of these projects.

Also, I finally got my yarn in for the projects I mentioned last week. So the pattern I'm using for Sharon's tablecloth center is this Pineapple Runner with this Pineapple Edging along the edge of the fabric part.

I will be starting that today, and I hope it works out!

Toesie Cozy

So, I was telling F about how I was SOO COLD at his apartment earlier, that I took a nap in bed for an hour and a half, and woke up with cold feet. Still. Yeah -- I get cold, and stay cold easily.

At which point, F mentioned the most amazing idea: the Toesie Cozy. It's like slippers, only both feet go in the same little pouch. <3

Thinking about it, I'll kinda want it to be basically bag-like with two ribbed openings for ankles. I took a peek at Ravelry to see what their slipper selection was like (and to see if anyone else had come up with this!). As F appears to be the first to have this brilliant idea, I will have to make it.

Looks like I'll have to go to LYS and buy something nice and bulky.

... and for another yarn project, F claims that the blanket I made him 2 years ago does not go with his new couch (his couch is sage, the blanket is cranberry, cobalt, and honey -- what's not to go?!). So, looks like I'll be making another blanket for the back of his couch (and to cover me!).

Pattern

What an adorable little dishcloth pattern I found!

She was a featured cook on Pioneer Woman's Tasty Kitchen blog (Erica's cooking blog)

As I need to buy crochet thread for several projects (not in the least being my LONG OVERDUE payment to Sharon Astyk), I should pick up some crochet thread for these as well.

To the internets!

Edit: $100 later, have bought yarn for Sharon's payment, dishcloths, and socks for me and F. All at yarnmarketplace.com. Must also keep in mind knitpicks.com for nicer yarns.