Knitting

The Advantages of Being Confined to a Chair

Posted on by Dan

OK, “confine” is probably too strong of a word to use, but my radius of travel has definitely decreased, as well as the frequency with which that travel occurs. I will still be resting for another week, my employer graciously allowing me to do as much work as possible from the comfort of our home.

Besides working from home, I am so glad that, one, I have a single treadle spinning wheel, and two, my right leg is unaffected. That results of which are shared below:

Handspun - Superwash Merino

These are two, somewhat equal, skeins of superwash merino. The roving was dyed in a 4 oz. bump. I split the roving lengthwise and spun a three-ply (navajo) yarn with 150 yards on one, and 160 yards on the other skein. Virginia, barely waiting for the yarn to dry from setting, has already started a pair of socks with this.

Handspun - Merino/Tencel

Finished yesterday, this fun skein was spun from a 50/50 blend of merino/tencel top. It’s my first time spinning with tencel… not sure what to think. If it’s supposed to be a substitute for silk, I’ll take the silk. Still, fun colors, a gratifying little project, and the 190 yards from a 3 oz. bundle will make a funky scarf.

Lest you begin to worry about the lack of socks being posted, Virginia, filling a special order for someone wanting to show his support for the Vikings (even in post season), knit these using SmartYarn.

Sock #34 (52 Sock Challenge)

I suspect there will be more spinning content in the next several days. For the record, though, I am starting to get a bit behind at work, so this coming week will be a good test of will power and discipline.

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Cable Sweater

Posted on by Dan

Virginia loves Rowan’s Scottish Tweed Aran, and lucky for me she found a sweater pattern (from Rowan’s “Knitting for Him,” by Martin Storey) that provided ample opportunity to work with the yarn… both ample in time and yarn. I think she’d be able to make two sweaters for herself for every one she makes me. So I doubly appreciate it when she does make one for me.

Cable Sweater

This is also the start of her renewed goal of finishing a big project a month. This counts for January.

Cable Sweater

I love the cabley texture. It’s also the perfect weight for me–not too bulky, not too fine.

Cable Sweater

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Cookuits, revisited… again

Posted on by Dan

You are all probably tired of reading about my pursuit of the perfect, healthful cookuit (as mentioned in an earlier post, they’re not quite buscuits, they’re not quite cookies). Don’t despair, though, there is some knitting content at the tail end of this post.

Cookuits

The ingredients are fairly similar to my previous attempt, but with a couple of key differences–slightly more liquid, and the order in which ingredients are combined. These are definitely less dense, more cake-like.

Combine these ingredients in small bowl:
1/4 cup canola oil
1 cup kefir
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup chopped dates

Combine these ingredients in bowl:
3/4 cup oat flour
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup chestnut flour
1/2 cup white flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup golden raisins

Mix dry and wet ingredients together, being careful to not overmix. For each cookuit, spoon about 1/2 cup batter onto baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes at 375ยบ. Makes 9 cookuits.

Promised Knitting Content
Virginia finished a pair of socks for me, using some of her leftover Cestari yarn. I’m wearing these right now. I love how toasty these make my feet.

Sock #33 (52 Sock Challenge)

Up a Notch

Posted on by Dan

It’s a new year, complete with resolutions and renewed resolve for cultivating our creative outlets. And, I’ve taken steps in providing better photos for sharing some of the results. A better camera does not make a better photographer, but it does help in providing more tools and control for capturing images in an interesting way. What’s exciting is that I can dust off the old lenses I had for my first SLR, a Pentax K1000 that I bought 17 years ago. And, I’m happy to report the ol’ lenses work just fine with the new Pentax digital SLR (a brilliant decision on their part). The following photographs were taken with a completely manual 50mm lens. There is something satisfying about meshing old and new technology and coming up with good results.

Kalanchoe

This Kalanchoe, a new year’s gift (thank you!), was just waiting to show off a little.

Quilt - detail

This is one of Virginia’s quilts she made a number of years ago (yes, she does other non-knitting activities).

Sock #32 (52 Sock Challenge)

And, since you are so used to seeing socks on the blog, I didn’t want to disappoint.

Sock #32 (52 Sock Challenge) - detail

Virginia knit these using Trekking XXL (Turtlegirl, you might remember swapping this yarn with her), and modified a cable sock pattern by Nancy Bush.

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The Final Push

Posted on by Dan

It is conceivable that Virginia will eventually slow in her sock-making exercises. She will, at least, be taking a wee break from it once she finishes up one or two more custom orders. This holiday season was no exception with sock orders (as you may have noticed from previous sock-filled posts), as feet, these cold wintery days, are demanding warm, cozy coverings. Here are the latest (and my apologies for the variety of lighting techniques used in the photos — I blame the winter hours, and lack of proper daylight):

Sock #24 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #25 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #26 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #27 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #28 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #29 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #30 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #31 (52 Sock Challenge)

And, since this is likely the last post in 2008, may your new year celebrations be safe, peaceful and full of good cheer.

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