Solstice Cardigan and Honey Roasted Pecans!

This is my "Rhinebeck" sweater.  Snicker.  Yeah, I know that I'm not going to Rhinebeck but I'm still calling it my Rhinebeck sweater.  To explain, if you are a knitter then you've probably heard of the fabulous  extravaganza of sheep and wool called Nys Sheep and Wool Festival that takes place late October in Rhinebeck, New York (commonly known as "Rhinebeck").  In any event it's the mecca for knitters and over the years it's become quite "the thing" to wear a new handknit sweater to the event called your Rhinebeck sweater. I wish I was going to this or any yarnie event.  But I'm not nor am I ever likely too.  Because apparently I'm waiting for one to come to Topanga, California.  I suspect I'll be waiting a long time.  But I can still have a "Rhinebeck" (sic. fall) sweater and you can too.

Over the years I've knit a number of sweaters, some pullovers, some short sleeve, and a few cardigans and hands down my cardigans get the most wear and enjoyment.   I've found that my sweet spot for sweaters are the chunky cozy sweaters that are squishy and make you feel warm and toasty and impervious to the cold.  Just like this one.  It's an aran weight a a little heavier than any others I've knit but that's what makes it a great outer layer sweater.

To be honest while this sweater was on the needles I had begun to worry that I had made a mistake in selecting this pattern.  It felt and looked like a boring blob of yarn that I was lugging about.  But I persevered.  In for a penny in for a pound I always say.  And I had bought the yarn to go with this pattern so there must have been something about the project that had spoken to me.  And of course once the sweater came together I knew why I had chosen it.  It has wonderful texturing going on and has a quaint vintage style that is easy to wear and will be perfect for running errands or simply to hang out sipping a steaming cup of coffee.  Did I mention it feels fabulous on?

If you read this blog then you know I'm partial to knitting shawls and accessories.  After all I live in a very warm climate (southern california) so I don't have a lot of  cold weather to justify knitting too many sweaters but we do get some cool and down right cold days November through January so it's nice to have a new sweater in the fall.  I'm glad that I picked this one for 2017.

Particulars:  Solstice Cardigan by Cecily MacDonald; 6 skeins Quince & Co., Osprey (lupine colorway); US 10 1/2 circular needles. This is a wonderfully written and easy to follow pattern, although I did find the “faux” cable (running down the shoulder and sleeves) confusing at first. I think the instructions would have been cleared if stated as follows:

Row 3: Sl 4 wyb droppping all yo’s. Using the point of LH needle pass the first 2 stitches over the second 2 stitches LEAVING THESE STITCHES ON THE LEFT HAND NEEDLE. Transfer the 2 remaining stitches on the right needle to the left needle. Now that your stitches are crossed knit them in this order.

Hopefully this will help someone else also confused by the faux cable instructions.  Other than that the pattern is very easy to follow.  There are optional pockets that I skipped and I did tack down the collar to prevent it riding up.

If you are interested in cardigans (versus pullover sweaters) previous posts with a cardigan include Little Waves, Flo, Cabled Riding Jacket, Bud, Exquisite Cardigan, and Rowena.

Honey Roasted Pecans!

Some say that I'm a nutty person so it shouldn't be a surprise that I enjoy eating nuts.  I use them a lot in my baking and I also eat a fair amount raw but my favorite nuts are those that have been roasted.  As fall is a time to celebrate the harvest gathering for winter I thought this would be the perfect time to share a favorite recipe for roasted nuts.

This is a recipe for roasted pecans and before getting into the nitty gritty of the recipe it's important to clarify the type of pecans to use.  For baking no question I always use elliot pecans because of the wonderful flavor they add to baked goods. Over the years I've purchased elliot pecans from Sunnyland Farms (wonderful quality, but their prices have gotten pretty high) so this year I purchased my pecans from Pearson Farms and I am very happy with their quality too.  Incidentally pecans freeze extremely well so don't worry about the quantity of nuts you purchase. But for this recipe I like to use the variety of pecans that you generally find in a grocery store and Costco carries them at a very good price which is handy because this recipe is very addictive and you can go through a lot of pecans!  Honey roasted pecans are wonderful tossed in a salad (try them in my holiday salad!), added to a bowl of popcorn, chopped up and sprinkled on top of oatmeal, or simply by the handful.  There are endless ways to enjoy them!  Oh, and before I forget, packaged prettily they make great hostess gifts too.

Honey Roasted Pecans
~ yield ~ 4 cups

Ingredients:
4 cups pecan halves
3 Tbs. honey (I like a warm flavored honey and use Trader Joe's Turkish Honey)
2 tsp. sugar, divided
3/4 tsp. curry powder
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. coarse kosher salt

Pan preparation:
Aluminum Foil
Non-Stick cooking spray (I use pure olive oil)

Steps:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a roasting pan with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.

2.  Add pecans to a large mixing bowl and drizzle with honey.  Mix well to coat all pecans.

3.  Evenly distribute pecans on prepared roasting pan.  If you see any nuts that somehow aren't covered well with honey drizzle them with a dollop of additional honey before sprinkling tops of pecans with 1 tsp. sugar (do not stir).  Roast for 10 minutes.

4.  Remove pecans from oven and stir well.  Sprinkle top of pecans with remaining 1 tsp. sugar, 3/4 tsp. curry powder and 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon. Roast for 2 minutes more.  Total roasting time is 12 minutes.

5.  Remove pecans from oven and allow to cool 10 minutes in the pan before transferring to non-stick parchment paper or silpat to finish cooling.  I transfer the nuts while still warm because I find that when I leave them to cool completely on the foil they have a tendency to stick to the foil.

6.  Once the pecans have cooled sprinkle them with 1/2 tsp. coarse kosher salt.

7.  Store in an airtight container.

Adapted from Southern Celebration's Spicy Honey Glazed Pecans.

Although it has nothing to do with pecans I had to share this picture of Steve and Simcha because it captured my heart.  It's taken on a Friday night as they prepare for Shabbat which for the Jewish religion is on Saturday.  Simcha loves to keep Steve company as he studies and he's also a big fan of his guitar playing too.  As am I naturally!

Until next time be well, love well and have fun picking out your Halloween pumpkin! And for those of you lucky enough to be going to Rhinebeck, or any fiber festival have a wonderful time and take lots and lots of pictures!!!

Brooklyn Tweed Sweater, Scarf Accessory, and a Frontier Style Breakfast!

I have long admired the beautiful designs of Brooklyn Tweed which embody the rugged American frontier lifestyle. Jared Flood and the designs he curates under the Brooklyn Tweed brand are both classic and functional.  And it was time I knit a Brooklyn Tweed design.

But I had sworn off knitting sweaters because I don't wear them often enough to justify the time and expense that goes into making them.  But then I had an epiphany.  It wasn't sweaters per se that were not functional in my wardrobe but rather it was my dressy sweaters that never got worn.

So I decided to knit myself a practical sweater to wear in the fall and winter months when the mornings and evenings are cool and often downright cold.  I wanted something that I could pull on in the mornings when I like to sit outside and enjoy my morning coffee or that I could slip into for my late afternoon hike with Simcha.  Something without fuss or bother in a neutral color.

It took a lot of searching before I settled on this design.  I already knew I wanted to use Shelter a worsted weight yarn manufactured by Brooklyn Tweed, but picking the pattern was more time consuming.  I finally settled on the Little Waves Sweater which is actually a unisex sweater (although there is different waist shaping for each sex).  I liked the long sleeves, the pockets, the cool textured design, and the button up front.

The finished sweater came out exactly perfect for what I wanted.  My thoughts on the yarn, Shelter, are a little more complex.  Shelter is described on the Brooklyn Tweed website as "an artisanal woolen-spun yarn made from the fiber of Targhee-Columbia sheep grown in the American West.  This yarn has been meticulously crafted to suit the needs of the passionate handknitter."  That might be true but for someone like me who knits a lot shawls and socks with merino wool it's a rough feeling wool to work with.  For that reason I actually wasn't too happy while knitting this sweater.  But then I tried the sweater on. Gone was the pain just that.  Similar to the pain of childbirth (so I'm told) it was forgotten and all I had left in my heart was love for this yarn and sweater.

It's hard to describe the feeling I had when I tried on the sweater.  The best I can do is say it was like pulling on a hug. The loftiness of the wool creates a light fabric but it's a thick worsted wool and somehow that comes together to imbue a feeling of warmth and coziness. So the bottom line is that I will definitely  knit another sweater using Shelter and I can understand all the love there is out there for this yarn.  It is however an outer wear wool in my opinion.

Particulars:  Little Wave Sweater designed by Gudrun Johnson (author of The Shetland Trader); Design is from Wool People Vol. 6 (a collection of designs curated by Brooklyn Tweed); US 8 circular needles;  9 skeins Shelter (100% American Wool grown in Wyoming) colorway Truffle Hunt.  I knit the smallest size and my only modification was to downsize the sleeves for a more fitted look.  I used slightly more yarn that the pattern indicates so I would suggest buying an extra skein just to be safe.  For tips on how to knit a sweater with a perfect fix see my post Knitting a Sweater and Tips to Achieve a Perfect Fit.   I bought the yarn over the phone as my LYS does not carry this yarn.  I found the staff at Churchmouse Yarns and Teas very helpful in picking a color.  The buttons are handmade from walnut wood and I purchased them on Etsy from Wooden Buttons Galore.  This is a well written pattern and a perfect fitting sweater.

N.B.  I lightened the last 2 pictures so you can better see the pattern detail of the sweater.  The colorway Truffle Hunt is a lovely rich brownish grey with blue flecks.

Scarf Accessory ~

I also knit the scarf that I'm wearing in these pictures. It's knit in a fingering weight yarn with beads added.  If I'm going to add beads to a project I like them to show up otherwise it's not worth the time and bother of adding them. The bead I used are oblong shaped with a pretty rainbow yellow color and they catch the light beautifully.  The soft yellow color of this scarf makes a perfect early fall accessory.

Particulars: Shallows Scarf designed by Bonnie Sennot (author of the blog Blue Peninsula); US 4 needles; 1 skein 200 Herriot (464 yrd) hand-dyed by Skeins in the Stack (Etsy vendor) in Chamomile colorway (I purchased this kit).  I purchased the beads from Earth Treasures Gems (on Etsy) and I used 16 grams Miyuki Long Magatama beads which is more than the pattern calls for because I used more yarn and knit a longer scarf.  This was an easy and enjoyable pattern to knit.

Frontier Style Breakfast ~

In the fall it's nice to start the day with a hearty breakfast.  After all it is the most important meal of the day!  I usually have a slice of my homemade bread with oatmeal but when the days turn cooler I like a stack of pancakes.  You could go for the decadent cake like pancakes that I like to indulge in a couple of times a year (I use this recipe Old Fashioned Pancakes).  But for everyday pancakes it's more prudent to choose buckwheat pancakes and I love the mix made by Kodiak Cakes.  Kodiak Cakes's box tells the story how flapjacks (i.e. buckwheat pancakes) were the hearty mainstay of frontiersmen from the fridged Yukon to the High Sierras.  These rugged mountain-men and homesteaders apparently relied on the rich, substantial taste of these flapjacks which contained a powerful source of carbohydrates, protein and fiber, with every little fat. You simply add water to the mix and I like to top them with local honey, fruit and granola.  For the picture I used butter and maple syrup, but that's not how I typically eat them.  The griddle should be very hot and I spray it lightly with olive oil.  Perfect every time.    

As much as I have a fondness for the frontier and pioneers I'll admit that my perception of the frontier has been influenced by Disneyland's Frontierland and it's Country Bear's Jamboree (remember I was a child when I first saw this).  I still love those rocking bears.  But I understand in reality the frontiersmen and pioneers had a very difficult life. In fact, if I had been a pioneer on one of the wagon trains I'm sure I would have been buried along the trail. Probably the first week out.  And everyone would have missed my cooking.

Finally to accompany your frontier breakfast you need a delicious cup of coffee.  This morning I'm drinking Irish Cream a flavored coffee by Christopher Bean Coffee. Love the aroma and smooth taste of this coffee.

Until next time be well, love well and enjoy fall and all the wonderful colors, flavor and foods of the season and especially the hearty breakfasts!

Bud ~ a Summer Sweater and Lemon and White Chocolate Muffins

I'm out for an evening stroll in my new cardigan.  Anyone who thinks knitting is only for the Winter months is seriously missing out on all the wonderful Summer knits.  To knit clothes for the Summer you simply have to knit in fibers other than wool.  It's that simple.  This cardigan is knit in a combination of silk and cotton and is perfect for cool Summer evenings or foggy mornings at the beach and typical for a Kim Hargreaves design it is a classic and timeless wardrobe piece.

As I've gotten older I've found it harder to find my personal style.  I don't want to I no longer can wear the same styles that I did in the past but we all want to look the best we can at whatever age we are.  Knitting has helped me transition to middle age by allowing me to wear the colors and styles that suit me best.  I know for some knitting is a fad but for me it's a means of self expression and a connection with a part of myself that is still me no matter what age I am.  I guess what I'm saying is that I want to age like a cozy cardigan that is classic and timeless and loved no matter how misshapen and lumpy and bumpy it becomes!    

But enough about me!  It's time for a Mr. Puffy Knitting Tip ~ whoo hoo.

This knitting tip is the key to knitting a large oversized sweater such as Bud and not have it look (and feel) masses too large.  It's all about getting the sleeves to fit well.  I knit the small size for this pattern exactly as written - except - for the sleeves.  I knit the sleeves custom by calculating the stitches so that the cuff fits my wrist with just a little ease and the arm length and width similarly have been adjusted.  If I had knit the sleeves as directed for the small size then the sleeves and cuff would have been almost twice the size that they are which would have been waaaay too big.  The best way to figure out how to adjust a sleeve to your own custom fit is to lay out a sweater you already have with sleeves that fit you comfortably or close to how you want your finished sleeves to fit. Measure the width of the cuff and arm as well as the length of the sleeve.  Then, using those measurements and your gauge adjust the pattern accordingly.  I find that I often have to custom knit the sleeves in a pattern even if the body measurements and gauge otherwise can be knit according to pattern instructions.

Particulars:  Bud (a classic cardigan with pockets); design by Kim Hargreaves ~ Misty in Light and Shade collection; US 6 & 8 needles; 11 skeins Rowan Summer Tweed (70% silk / 30% cotton); 4 sea green abalone buttons.  I knit the XS size with sleeves modified as explained above.  Overall this is a very simple design to knit and a pleasure to wear although to be honest I didn't really enjoy knitting with this yarn.  Kim Hargreaves is a wonderful knitwear designer and I have previously knit her following designs: Flo (cardigan); Emily (sweater); Calm (Sweater); Bonnie (hat); Soul (hat); Haven (scarf set); and Raindrop (cardigan).  


Lemon and White Chocolate Muffins ~

About 10 years ago Steve and I traveled through New Zealand and whist there I quickly ascertained that the New Zealanders knew their muffins.  Everywhere we went they had wonderful coffee shops serving fabulous looking muffins.  So when I recently had a taste for a muffin I searching for a good muffin recipe on a New Zealand recipe site and found this wonderful Lemon and White Chocolate Muffin recipe.  I modified it to add a very thin slice of lemon on top and made them slightly larger (I used a large muffin tin versus cupcake size tins).  Due to the larger size I increased the baking time to 30 minutes and yielded 7 muffins.  Prior to baking I added the lemon slice and sprinkled it with extrafine white sugar.  After baking I spooned the glaze over the top of the lemon slice and over the top.  I have to say white chocolate and lemon is a sinfully delicious combination.

Until next time, be well and love well and make time to enjoy fresh baked muffins this Summer before you start contemplating your Fall knitting  ~

A Shawl for the Ages ~

Sometimes when people think of wearing shawls they are uncomfortable with the notion. How would I wear it? It would make me look old, wouldn't it? Is wearing a triangle pointed at my rear end really a good idea? And other such nonsense. But these days shawls are no longer worn as they were in times past. Modern knitters are transforming the shawl into an accessory that is very wearable by everyone regardless of age, or gender, as you will see.

For example, I rarely wear a triangle shawl in the traditional manner.  By traditional manner I mean with the triangle pointing down my back and the ends tied in front.  Instead, I prefer to wear my shawls as I would a scarf.

This is the third time I've knit this particular shawl, the Diamond Fantasy Shawl.  It is a shawl that appeals to all ages, is very wearable, easily adapts to everyone's style sense, and is always noticed.  But it was last Christmas while I was visiting my parents that I realized how versatile this shawl really is.  It was Christmas eve and I was sitting in church with my parents next to my mother (who is 84) and realized she was getting cold.  I took off my Diamond Fantasy shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders.  Not only did it keep her warm, I was struck by how great it looked on her.  And, as further proof, my dad who is not one to make an insincere compliment, enthusiastically agreed.  So I told her I would make her one in green, her favorite color.  And so I have. 

Particulars: Diamond Fantasy Shawl by Sivia Harding Knit Designs, Sundara Yarn (sock) 100% Superwash merino yarn, colorway: Lush Tropics; US 5 needles (Rav link).  This is the third time I've knit this pattern because I really like this design.  One caveat, though.  This is a shawl where the design has lace pattern throughout.  As a result it takes a little longer to knit (requiring more concentration) than shawl patterns that have a large segment of plain stockinette.  If you are looking for a quick shawl project this probably isn't it.  Posts on my earlier versions are Diamonds are Forever (red) and A Modern Take on Gothic (blue); and a picture of Mr. Puffy modeling the blue shawl at the beach is on Flickr.

Incidentally, I also knit the cardigan I'm wearing in this post (finished in 2007).  It's the Rowena Cardigan from Knit 2 Together (Rav Link). 

And to finish my point on gender, manly men can, and do, wear shawls too.  I think Simcha proves that Stephen West of West knits is not the only guy that can rock a  shawl, although Mr. West does wear them well.  As it happens, I've bought the Daybreak Shawl pattern from West Knits so we can make a fair comparison at some point.

Something Sweet to Finish ~ A Rustic Raspberry Tart

This is a recipe for a Rustic Raspberry Tart from the Kerry Gold butter website.  It's a very easy recipe and makes a wonderful dessert.  I did prefer it cooled completely to room temperature (rather than still warm from the oven) so allow sufficient time for it to cool.  It's very nice with a dollop of ice cream.

A couple of quick tips.  Use only sweet fresh raspberries and sponge them off gentling to reduce water absorption.  I cooked my tart a little longer than the recipe stated because a berry filling is not cooked through until it is bubbling.  You can cover the tart with aluminum foil to prevent it from browning too much, if that is a concern.  I used Kerry Gold butter and followed the recipe exactly.  However, I did use my standard pie dough making tips which are to 1) add white vinegar to the ice water and 2) allow the dough to rest for a few minute in the refrigerator prior to rolling it out.


Until next time, be well and love well.  If you have heretofore thought you can't wear shawls, it's time to change your mind!

A Baby Sweater ~

When Hilary (The Yarniad) announced she was having her first baby I was so happy for her I just had to knit the baby a sweater.  And in the process of knitting the sweater I thought about the things that I was given as a child that I have kept through the years. 

I thought about some of the toys, but mainly I thought about the gift that my mother received that had the following poem written inside the card:

To welcome the wee cherub sent from heaven to you ~
may angels stand guard over Claudia Jean Bugh*.
With a heart sweet and pure from the good Lord above ~
she enters your home to be loved and to love.
Her hours are all yours to guide day by day ~
he's lent her to you ~ keep her close in his way.
Heavens minus an angel, she's down here with you ~
your own little daughter ~ Claudia Bugh.   By Fay Angus 

         * Name pronounced phonetically as "Bew."

I'm no angel but perhaps I'm better than I would have been but for the prayers of some wonderfully caring people.  Not all babies are so fortunate to have the support and welcome of an extended community but all deserve that and more.  It is with a warm heart that I welcome Hilary's baby and hope that he may always know that many care about his well being.

But you want to hear about the sweater.  Isn't it cute?  Now I know it's not a traditional style for a baby but I just love the bright colors!  And think how handy this will be for watching the toddler.  Hilary will be able to pick her baby out of a crowd with no difficulty at all.  Practical.  That's me.

The buttons are vintage Le Chic that came from a pound of buttons that I purchased in a destash sale on Etsy by Lil Fish Extras.  Pictured below are just some of the many other buttons included in that pound along with a clever broach made using buttons, felt and crafting wire.  It's amazing how many cute ways something as common as old buttons can be used in crafts and if you are not already familiar with Lil Fish Studios you will find many project ideas on her blog for buttons and beyond that are sure to inspire you!

Particulars: Classy Baby Jacket (a Morehouse Farm kit); US5 and US6 needles; 3 skeins Morehouse Merino 3-strand worsted yarn.  I found this to be a straight forward pattern and easy to knit project.  I used US 5 needles for all trim (areas knit in orange) and US 6 needles for the body of the sweater; size 4 month to 1 year. The Grumperina sells a similar baby sweater but with a zipper closure called Budgie Baby Sweater that is also very cute.  I enjoy knitting with Morehouse Merino yarns which are a nice combination of sturdy and rustic but still soft and warm.  I used this yarn to knit the Lily Chapeau Hat a few years back and it has held up very well.

Updated!!!!  I was absolutely thrilled to receive some pictures of the small child wearing this sweater and I'd like to share one with you ~

I can't tell you the joy it brought to me to see him wearing his sweater!

The Misadventures of Simcha

And for those of you wondering how dear little Simcha is doing..... here he is busy digging a hole in the backyard.

Until next time, be well and love well and never forget that it is the gift of caring for each other that is the most precious and lasting gift of all.

A Sublime Sweater

This sweater is nothing extraordinary.  Just a comfort knit.  The equivalent of mashed potatoes and a warm hug.  But wearing it at home lounging about with nothing to do is sublime after working long hours these past few weeks.

The soft color reminds me of sand and being at the seashore and, for some reason, Spring too. I guess I've been thinking a lot about Spring lately because I've purchased some flower seeds (from a haunted farm no less, The Little Ragamuffin) and I will be tossing these seeds about hoping some take hold this Spring.  I should probably make more of an effort to see that they survive, but you have to be hardy to survive up here and I'm not the coddling type.

I also feel the need to try something different and so I've begun the process of developing a bread starter using just the wild yeast and bacteria found in Topanga.  I'm following the technique explained in Tartine Bread (thank you Raina for the recommendation) and I'll report back on how this turns out.  Years ago I kept a sourdough starter from King Arthur Flour and I have missed the crusty rustic breads that a well developed starter makes.

I've noticed a few bloggers have been sharing the books that they are reading and I'll do the same.  I'm reading Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.  I love a book that takes me to a place that I've never been and this story takes place in Ethiopia which is colorfully depicted with interesting characters.  If you haven't discovered Good Reads you will find it a great resource for finding books (it's the Rav equivalent for reading).  I also enjoy Hege's blog Cloudberry as her taste in books is similar to mine and she takes beautiful photos set in Norway.

Particulars:  Sublime Pattern Book 603, Exquisite Cardigan, 9 skeins Sublime baby cashmere merino silk dk (shade 0122); US 6 needles.  I heavily modified this pattern including changing it from dropped sleeves to inset as I wanted a more fitted sweater.  The yarn is wonderfully soft and a pleasure to wear.

The Misadventures of Simcha

I don't know what he's chewing on.  But I am getting a little worried about the UPS man.  His truck has been parked outside for several days now and there is no sign of him anywhere.

Until next time be well and love well.  Spring will be here sooner than you think and ~ in the meantime ~ enjoy the pleasure of loosing yourself in a good book!

Cabled Riding Jacket (AKA: "My Great Matter")

I'm wearing Teva Durham's Cabled Riding Jacket, that I've come to think of as "My Great Matter."

It occurred to me last Summer, while watching the miniseries The Tudors, that just like King Henry VIII, I too had a "Great Matter." For those of you haven't watched The Tudors, or are not anglophiles, King Henry VIII had a problem he referred to as his "Great Matter." It preoccupied his every waking moment. It was his desire to marry the beautiful Anne Boleyn. A feat impeded by his already being marriage to another woman, Catherine of Aragon. Only the Bishop of Rome had the power to grant him an annulment, which he was not willing to do. King Henry VIII's petitions for annulment fell on deaf ears. So annoying when you can't buy a legal ecclesiastic opinion, when you own an entire kingdom. Life is just not fair.

So how is it that my cabled riding is similar to King Henry VIII's "Great Matter"? Simple. The moment I saw the Cabled Riding Jacket I was captivated by its beauty. I. Wanted. It. But the pattern was all wrong for me. The design was ill suited to my petite body frame; the pattern was not easy to downsize; and all the different cables made reliance on gauge speculative. But I had to have it anyway. So I embarked upon a path fraught from the outset with problems. But my passion kept me motivated and, at long last, two years later, *sigh* consummation. After all that, I do believe I'm happier with my Cabled Riding Jacket than King Henry was with Anne Boleyn. There won't be any frogging in the town square.

The modifications that I made to the original pattern are too numerous to recount. To give you an idea of the extent of "downsizing" that I did to the pattern, I only used 8 out of the 13 skeins recommended for the small size. But I will share with you in broad strokes my knitting tips on how to downsize a pattern:

Knitting Tip: How to Downsize a Pattern

If you would like to make a knitting pattern smaller there are several ways to go about it. First, look at the design elements. If the design has a cable then you can reduce the number of stitches in each cable. For example, in this sweater the cables are written for 5 stitches. I reduced the cables to 4 stitches. You can also reduced the number of stitches in between each of the cable motifs. Or, you can also eliminate some of the cables entirely. In this sweater, I eliminated 2 columns of cables down the back. Another trick is to use a thinner yarn and smaller needles than the pattern calls for. If you study a pattern carefully, you can find lots of creative ways to reduce the overall size.

Particulars: Cabled Riding Jacket, Loop-d-Loop; Mostly Merino (77% Merino & Corriedale wool/ 23% mohair); Sumac colorway; US 8 needles; Modifications: too numerous to recount. I would not recommend this pattern except to a very experienced knitter.

Serendipity

Serendipity is finding a dog that looks good with my new sweater!

Until next time, be well, love well, and persevere on things that matter to you. It keeps life interesting and challenging. No guarantee that it will bring you happiness, though, so chose wisely. Do you have a "Great Matter"? Simcha and I would love to hear yours!

Finally Flo

Well, I've certainly talked about it enough already and now, at last, it's finally done. Whoo Hoo! Here's Flo......

I love it. I'm totally psyched to start my next kit. My only problem is trying to choose among so many designs. I particularly like Kim Hargreaves' designs because they are really well written and have nice finishing details. Plus, they don't look like something you can find in just any old department store.

I pretty much followed the pattern exactly as written. The only changes I made were to eliminate the side shaping as I wanted more of a slouchy cardigan rather than a fitted sweater that I might not wear as much in a few years. Yes, I'm a woman of certain age and considerations of this nature do cross my mind! I also inversely shaped the sleeves. In other words I knit more traditionally shaped 3/4 sleeves rather than the gathered bell shape as designed. Again, the goal was to create more of a classic cardigan style that better suited my age and personality. Lastly, I only added 2 rows of ruffles on each side rather than 3. I thought one more ruffle row was just one ruffle row too many. I can always add another ruffle later but, for now, I'm happy with just 2 ruffle rows.

Come to think of it, it was Mr Puffy who strongly recommended against having 3 rows of ruffles. Hum. Puffy???? I would hate to think he had an ulterior motive..... such as keeping that extra ruffle for himself. Nah. Impossible. He looks way too angelic to be capable of that!


The last little design change I made relates to the buttons. I chose not to use the buttons that came with the kit. I thought they were rather pedestrian for such a fun cardigan and I wanted something with a little more razzle dazzle ~ so I kicked it up a notch ~ with these sparkly little buttons. They catch the light and look really pretty in the sunlight. Here's photo comparison of the kit buttons with the ones I chose instead. Here in Los Angeles we have a totally rocking button shop in West Los Angeles called F&S Fabrics. If you can't find buttons there, you simply aren't in the mood to be pleased.



Specs: Kim Hargreaves Kit - Flo (Thrown Together Collection); size XXS, US 3 & 1 needles; CYC Cashsoft 4 ply and Rowan Kidsilk Haze.


Lastly, I wish all of you who are mothers a very very happy Mother's Day - and that includes my mom too!