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!

Some Bunny Loves Me

I have never knit anything for a baby before. So when friends of ours had a grandchild I didn't know what to make. Do I knit a hat, blanket, booties, bib, sweater? There are just so many choices. But once I saw this picture of him I knew instantly what I would knit. I have some Schaefer yarn in my stash that is an exact color match to the outfit he's wearing! It was a sign, no?

I bought this Schaefer yarn to knit a bunny toy. Below is a picture of the bunny from the pattern cover. It's manly enough for a boy baby I think. The pattern is #308, Lola Bunny Love, and it is now available for free as a pdf download on Ravelry (Ravelry link: here). Yarn: Schaefer Lola 100% merino wool superwash.

Now that that's decided......

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

Here at Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog we focus mainly on tea treats. Lest you think we never eat anything else I'm starting a new category of recipes with the heading "What's For Dinner." These recipes will focus on simple and flavorful meals that are easy to make. Spring is a wonderful time of year as all the fresh spring vegetables and herbs are newly arriving and one herb I look forward to in particular is basil. One of the ways I enjoy using basil is in a pesto and here is how I make it:



Pesto Recipe:

Fresh basil
garlic
lemon juice
olive oil (Greek preferred)
walnuts (or pine nuts)
salt

Steps:

This is a very forgiving recipe. All of the ingredients are just to your personal taste. Combine all of the ingredients in a mini food processor and process until smooth. Add olive oil and/or lemon juice until the mixture is a soft spreadable consistency. Refrigerate and use within 1 or 2 days.

I love pesto and use it to garnish sauteed portobello mushrooms, grilled chicken sandwiches, broiled swordfish, hamburger patties and lots more. Last night I made burgers which I topped with pesto. This burger recipe comes from my mother.

Burger Recipe:

Approximately 1 lb. ground turkey meat (I don't use the extra lean that's a bit too dry for me)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 chopped green onions (white part only)
2 tablespoons soy sauce (Tamari preferred)
Lawry's Seasoned Salt (to taste)

Steps: Combine all ingredients and form burger patties. Place on foil lined baking pan. Broil approximately 10 minutes on each side. Serve with a dollop of fresh pesto or steamed spinach.



Lastly, where is Flo you ask? Well, my week did not play out as I had planned. But I'm feeling happier today because I've reached a decision. I'm not seaming Flo. I am not. I'm going to treat myself to having it professionally seamed. Mr Puffy and I discussed it and decided that was the only reasonable course to follow. He and I were a little giddy after the difficult week we have had and while playing with some of the pieces of Flo, he suggested that I just take it in and have someone else seam it for me. What a great idea! Tomorrow I'm dropping it off.

What would I do without him?

Knitting Tip #2

The other day Mr Puffy reminded me that it had been entirely too long since I imparted a knitting tip and, I had to agree. See Knitting Tip #1 "Good Uses for UFOs" posted May 18, 2007). So, without further ado, here's knitting tip number two:

Knitting Tip #2: Don't merely measure your WIP - always count your rows.

Now, I don't know for sure, but I don't think it's just me, but every time I measure a piece of knitting - I get a different measurement. This happens despite my attempt to recreate the exact and I mean exact circumstances of the first measuring. Thus, to avoid this frustration - and ensure my knitting will fit together together like it should - I have taken to counting the rows that I have knit. I then record these in my "Knitting Journal" along with the measurement. I also use my Knitting Journal to track and record the rows where I make my increases/decreases so that they will also be evenly matched on the front and back. Some might call these "Project Notes" (see Raverly) but as I'm on the computer during the day (when I'm supposed to be working *blink* *blink*) and not in the evening when I tend to knit, a non-virtual knitting journal works best for me.

This is my Knitting Journal - purchased right here in Topanga. I bet you didn't know that Topanga, California is the last enclave of the 1960s hippie subculture. Yes, some things just say "Topanga." Granola anyone?


I'm currently working on "Flo" a Kim Hargreaves design (kit only) and - after what I paid for this kit - you can be sure I'm diligently keeping track of everything I do as this sweater had better fit me. I also have her new book Heartfelt "The Dark House Collection" and I have to say the designs are beautiful and I might just have to knit them all!

Flo is knit with RYC Cashsoft 4 ply with Rowan Kidsilk Haze for contrast detail and since you use US 3 needles it's not what I would describe as a fast knit.



Finally,
It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas, everywhere you go......

This is the Scarborough Fair Socks kit from Yarn4Socks with a pattern designed by Melanie Gibbons (Pink Lemon Twist). I love this balsam green as it puts me in a Christmas-y mood hum hum hum everywhere you go...