Katherine’s Roses
These rosy mitts were named for my grandmother. She always had gorgeous fragrant red rose bushes next to her porch steps. Her favorite color was red, and she had lovely hands with long nails and slender fingers. More often than not, her nails were painted bright red.
I like to think that if she were still with us, she would proudly wear these mitts.
Claire in Detention
This pattern was inspired by Molly Ringwald’s character in The Breakfast Club. The diamond motif represents the earring she gives John Bender at the end of the movie. I am obsessed with the 80’s, so this will not be the last Breakfast Club inspired pattern you’ll see from me.
Vegan Chicken Salad
1 pkg. (8 0z) Tofurkey Slow Roasted Chicken, broken up small
1 C. vegan mayo – I used Hellmann’s
1 C. celery, finely diced
1/2 C. pecans, chopped small
2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. celery seed
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. poppy seeds
1 tsp dehydrated red onion
Measure dry spices into a medium size bowl. Add mayo, vinegar, and celery. Stir. Add “Chicken” and mix well. Serve however you like.
I used dehydrated onion, because it’s easier to have on hand, and I only ever want a small amount. Celery, however, is my top priority – you’ll notice, there’s a lot in here! I also love cider vinegar and celery seed, so those two flavors were a must for me. Obviously, you could do a non-vegan version. Recipes are for experimenting, so have fun!
Andie at Prom
I had so much fun designing these! The pattern is based on Molly Ringwald’s character from the John Hughes classic “Pretty in Pink”. Mine are embellished with beads, but those are optional, of course. These are the perfect accessory for a special night in the 80s (or to keep your hands warm as you are typing right this minute).
Pumpkin Bread
The temperature is starting to drop, so it is baking season around here!
This recipe is one of those that I make so often, it is expected at family gatherings. It is a great bread to use for gifts, because it makes a lot. Two large loaves or 3 medium or 6 individual…you get the picture.
Ingredients:
Dry:
2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
3 cups sugar
2 tsp.s baking soda
1½ tsp.s salt
2 tsp.s cinnamon
2 tsp.s nutmeg
1½ tsp.s allspice
1 tsp. cloves
Wet:
4 eggs
1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin (A 15 oz. can is fine if you can’t find the 16 oz.)
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 325°.
Measure all dry ingredients into a large bowl and stir them together with a wire whisk.
Then put all the wet ingredients into a medium bowl and mix them by hand until combined.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix thoroughly by hand, making sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl.
Pour into two ungreased loaf pans.
Bake for 1½ hours. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 1 hour before removing it from the pans. Wrap in plastic wrap after it cools. It keeps nicely for three or four days.
Annabel Lee
This shawl design is based on my favorite poem and is my homage to Poe. The lace pattern is a study in negative space and motion. The solid rectangles represent caskets and the decreases flow in different directions to give the piece the feel of an angry ocean. The lovely Sasha at Skein Shop tech edited this one and has a very nice write up on her website. She also interviewed me, which was super fun.
Shell Belle Socks
My newest design! These ruffled ankle socks are worked cuff down and will work up quickly in sport weight yarn. When we were growing up, I used to sing the Beatles song of the same name to my sister, Michelle. I hope these happy socks make you want to sing as well!
Available through Knit Picks and Ravelry.
Nerd with a K
I don’t know what I did before knitting. I don’t. Well, I do, but I don’t in the sense that I can’t imagine how all the things I used to do were enough to fill up the space in my life.
I used to read fiction. Used to do logic puzzles and sudokus. Used to do jigsaw puzzles. Used to paint models. Used to blog.
“Nerd!” he yells and smiles broadly at me.
“Takes one to know one.” He is a programmer who reads sci-fi and fantasy books. I haven’t looked, but I assume it is his image on the wikipedia entry for “nerd”.
As is usually the case these days, I am under a pile of stitch dictionaries and graph paper. This is my life now.
And this is my new blog.
And I am a nerd.
Doin’ a little of what I used to and I a lot of that thing with the yarn and needles. Knitting, is it? Ah yes. That.