So after last week’s wrangle I decided to cast on a birthday sweater for Simon. Not that I expect it to be near completion before his birthday next week (oh my goodness, next week). It is fun to try, though.

I’m knitting, once again, my favourite sweater pattern. It’s the Classic Raglan by Jane Richmond – the same pattern I knit for him last year (she’s also made this pattern available in adult sizing!). This is one project I’m so happy to be knitting from my stash – Quince and Co Lark, a beautiful gift from my in-laws, in alternating stripes of Carrie’s Yellow and Parsley. Yellow and green conveniently being the boy’s favourite colours.

While thinking about dessert during school this week (ahem), I peeked into a library book that hadn’t yet made it off the shelf. The Tassajara Cookbook has a lot of delicious looking recipes within its pages. While there were many that I’d like to eat but not make, because I’m a lazy cook after all, there were a few that jumped off the pages. The plethora of cream cheese based spreads found me searching for what the kids have dubbed a “school snack” and the cookie recipes got me in the kitchen as soon as we were done our lessons.

And what recipe did I choose to bake from this lovely book? I’m rather ashamed to admit that I chose the unoriginal (and infamous) $250 Neiman Marcus Cookie. It was a cop-out but a tasty one. The recipe includes ground oats which I liked the sound of. They aren’t as good as our favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe but very yummy. Next time I will try an original Tassajara recipe – the sesame cookies and the leek cream cheese both sound delicious, although not together.

Are you crafting, cooking, or baking this week? Do you have a favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe? You know I’d like to try it!

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joining Ginny for yarn along

In a non-surprising turn of events, I have a lot of unfinished objects (UFOs) taking up needle space. Also in a move of characteristic procrastination I’m knitting on with new projects while I think about the unfinished ones.

I’m accepting my lack of knitting attention span and moving on…to new knits.

Right now I am waffling between two new knits. Do I start a birthday raglan for the boy in stripes of Quince and Co Lark? Or do I cast on a quick gnomey hat for a sweet babe in scraps? Maybe both?

In reading, I’ve been enjoying a couple of different titles. Locavore has been keeping me company during nursing sessions with the little miss. I haven’t gotten too far but reading about Canadian farmers growing food for Canadians is good inspiration. It’s wonderful to be reminded about why we make the food choices we do and why we continue to work towards our goal of local food. And the stories of Maritime farmers that sing to my Nova Scotian soul don’t hurt.

I’ve also been reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Amazon recommended this book for me and until the library hold came in (ahem, thank you, Amazon) I did not realize is was the book behind the movie. I haven’t seen the movie but the book has been a charming read. I started reading it with the big girls and then continued on my own when they weren’t as interested as I was. It’s a book unlike another I’ve ever read. Portions of text interspersed with many wonderful pictures which tell the story along with the words. I generally prefer more text and less pictures but in this case the pictures are as much the storytelling medium as the words.

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Do you have any projects on needles (or in the planning stages)?  Are you reading any captivating novels or inspiring non-fiction titles? 

joining Ginny for yarn along

Last year I thought too late about knitting a couple of Easter surprises for the little people. This year is not really an exception but I’ve given myself a couple of extra days thought on the matter.

I haven’t gotten up to much knitting this week but I have whipped up a couple of sweet bunny nuggets. The design is by Rebecca Danger and it is one of her free patterns on ravelry. And oooooh, are they ever cute! They are also so quick to knit up. Last year Sarah received one and this year I’m working up three more as buddies. They await stuffing and pom-poms but I shouldn’t have a problem getting them together in the next couple of days. I intend to use Jane Richmond‘s pom-pom tutorial.

If I get them done with time to spare (and if I can resist making more because I can’t seem to stop…) I might knit up another chubby chirp. Simon needs a friend for his little chirp.

As for reading, I have stacks and piles all over the house these days. Our current reads: The Garden Primer from the bookshelf to reference some organic seeds we picked up, The Locavore from the library to spur on my gardening/local food goals, Five Run Away Together for bedtime reading with ‘big’ kids, and Big Sarah’s Little Boots for the little S’s.

Are you knitting up any Easter gifts? Mine are very small but I know some of you are knitting up sweaters and dresses. Are you feeling the time crunch or do you have them blocked and wrapped already? 

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joining Ginny for yarn along

My needles have been busily clicking on a couple of surprisingly speedy projects. They have taken most of my attention this last week but I am waiting on buttons and models before revealing.

In the meantime, though, I’ve starting on a project I’ve been planning for a while. I went all love-at-first-sight over  a skien of Malabrigo Sock in Solis a few months ago. I’d undoubtedly went into the yarn store with the warning, “Remember your stash” over my head, but I heeded not and brought the little gem home. I wound it eagerly but then as it happened Christmas was looming and other projects took precedence.

I originally intended it for a boneyard shawl but after seeing Ginny‘s shawl I decided I needed to try The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief. I am excited to see how it comes together, so far I’m enjoying it. The pattern is a good one to pick up to work on while I have distractions (which is most of the time).

I still have to get back to work on Winston Yellow. I’m looking for a few good moments to start on the shell without a certain little boy peeking. He didn’t care much about the body but his siblings have started getting quite excited about the progress so I think I’d better keep it under wraps.

I have a stack of library books as high as my fourth born right now. Amongst the gardening books, kid lit, and cookbooks, my hold on Rebecca Danger’s sweet book finally came in. I knit three of her free patterns last Easter – bunny nuggets, chubby chirps, and monster chunks but hadn’t yet seen The Big Book of Knitted Monsters. So many cute patterns. I’m excited to let the kids have a look and take orders on monsters!

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joining Ginny for yarn along

I’m coming in late to this yarn along from our mountain getaway! I’m loving the extra time to lounge and relax.

In my usual fashion I panicked that I would run out of things to do so I packed enough books and wool to keep me busy for a month(s…).

My first plan was to breeze through the cuffs on the red boy’s blue raglan but in searching for my last ball of wool I realized I didn’t have one. How did I manage that? Once we’re back in the city I’ll have to search around for a match – hopefully in time for the looming birthday. Funny how last year I was working on the same deadline with a different sweater…

Instead I started on my first colorwork project. A hat circled in hearts is my vision. The pattern is mine (we’ll see if it works) inspired by the pattern From Norway with Love by pickles. I’m using Paton’s Classic Wool and Cascade 220 from my stash. After a few rows of the stranded colorwork I realized my floats were going to be a problem. I figured out how to wrap the floats to tidy up the wrong side of my work. Now I’m excited to see how the pattern comes together. I’m using a two-handed method for the first time also so I’m trying out my “picking” skills at the same time.

I’m reading bits and pieces of  few different books right now, trying to decide what I’m in the mood for. I’ve got The Titan’s Curse, The Sweet Life in Paris, and The House at Riverton. I have a feeling I’ll cop out with the easiest of the three – The Titan’s Curse. Although after finished The Homemade Life, which was wonderful, I’m rather craving another food memoir. Three different genres…decisions, decisions. Am I the only one who feels guilty for indulging in too much fiction?

And since I’ve got you here – do you any of you colorwork experts have any tips to share with me?

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joining Ginny for yarn along

P.S. Anyone want to join me here for yarn along next year?