I think it is most fitting that the first poppy blossom opened yesterday in honor of Memorial Day weekend. It was just gorgeous yesterday in the late day sun, almost as amazing as this field of 300,00 knitted poppies at the Chelsea Flower Show. Just.Stunning.
Carole shared a link to BOTNS Book Bingo on Wednesday and Kym shared her card yesterday, so like a good lemming, I printed my card out and am IN IT TO WIN IT! Well, perhaps not with Carole playing – seriously, that girl can read and read fast!! It boggles my mind. Regardless, it seems like a fun way to spend the summer and that’s my story and I am sticking to it!
I am so good with some of these; book set in another country – check! Read another book by an author already used for this Bingo card – check! Book recommended by a librarian – check! (Thanks Carole!!) Perhaps this will be easier than I think. If you wanted to up your reading game this year, this will help! And, I am feeling decidedly child-like, awash in memories of Summer Reading at the library. It was the best thing ever for the summer vacation!
I have been watching with great interest some hand stitching in my Instagram feed, particularly from David of Southern Cross Fibre and Vicki knitorious. They are each hand stitching on different projects that are equally beautiful. Vicki’s Alabama Chanin inspired stitching is incredibly gorgeous and I am very intrigued by this method of slow stitching. David, however, has taken to a field that I have some experience with, although I did not do any hand piecing as he is doing, and his results are absolutely stunning.
Why does this all interest me so much? Well, early in the 1990’s I was an avid quilter. Okay, maybe not avid, perhaps it is better to say that I was a member of a Quilting Group of avid quilters who had been quilting together for years before they invited me (the novice) to join them. The group met weekly throughout the year, working on one large quilt that they would enter into the Tulip Time Quilt Show. The most challenging quilt that I worked on with them was this hand appliqued flower quilt. Each block was hand appliqued and then the blocks were machine assembled. However, the best part, for me, happened once the quilt was carefully stitched into the quilting frame. Then the quilting could begin! Those were quite simply the best times, with all of us sitting around the quilt, carefully stitching the fabric in front of us. The key was to never be able to tell where one quilter’s stitches began and another ended. I look at this quilt today and to my eye there is no difference in any of the quilting at all. And if these stitches could talk, what stories they could tell about the joys, the heartaches, the struggles, and the lives of the quilters. This quilt took a good number of months to complete with the end goal being to sell it and start the process all over again. My then husband surprised me and bought it at the quilt show, which might have been one of the nicest things he ever did. The quilt won a ribbon at the quilt show, but it holds far greater meaning for me in the memories of all the stitches it contains, worked by the women I grew to love dearly. It is a vivid reminder of all we shared together.
I just loved sitting around the quilt with those ladies, stitching and talking every week but, all too soon my house was filled with children and getting to quilting became a challenge, especially with a spouse who traveled most of the time. Sadly, I soon became far too busy to quilt and working on a large quilt at home was not very “child friendly”. I did continue quilting for a couple of years at home in the evenings when the kids were tucked away in bed and I managed to make several miniature quilts, some of which even won some awards as well!
I love the basket quilt, pictured above, that hangs over the back of a tiny, hand-made wooden chair with the well-loved Raggedy Ann of my youth.
But, my favorite is this Autumn Leaves quilt that I made (and subsequently had framed to hang on my wall.)
I think often of those ladies that I quilted with and learned from, and while many of them are no longer here; the things I learned from them have not left me.
There are days that I really miss quilting, but then I am reminded of the lack of space we have, and, more importantly – my lack of time. It is nice though, that the slow stitch movement is shining light on the forgotten art of hand quilting and sewing. And, I hope they are never forgotten!
I loved Mink River, it was the best book and honestly, I was so sad to finish it. I simply fell in love with the townspeople and I wanted to spend more time with them! It was a book that made me want to move where they are – to be part of that special place. I gave it 5 stars and will absolutely look for more books by Brian Doyle.
Morwenstowe socks – are finished as well! I will absolutely knit them again, however, without the “Princess Sole”. I had some issues with ladders in the purl stitches which resulted in a weird gap in the fabric. I do not think it will be noticeable when worn, but to avoid this problem I will just knit them in stockinette. And, I just love the bird’s-eye heels!
That leaves me to share with you what I am knitting and reading today. I am still working on Pincha and the feathers are slowly growing and I am over halfway through Ann Cleeves White Nights. I expect to be finished with this before the end of the week and waiting in the wings is The Goldfinch.
And, because I don’t have enough WIP’s already – I cast on Carole’s Picot Edge Socks last night and I think I found the trick for sock knitting. Self-striping sock yarn…Seriously, I did not want to stop knitting. I kept telling myself that I would just knit to the next color change and kept knitting until Steve asked when was I going to turn the light out – I was nice, I only knit to the next color and stopped. Really. I did.
And, yes I agree, how weird is it that the colors match so well! I seriously bought these yarns years apart from different retailers!
However, Gentle Reader, there are two things I want to know today: what are your plans for the upcoming weekend and what are you reading next!
P.S. There is still plenty of time to join me in the inaugural knit whatever you want AsKatKnits Summer KAL – you can find all the details here.
It’s Tuesday, that means that Carole wants to know:
My 10 Favorite Desserts
And, of course, since I am trying NOT to eat desserts right now…because POINTS. I am going to have to list all the things that I am not eating right now.
That’s right, this is the list to avoid if you are on a diet.
Crème brûlée, perhaps my favorite dessert of all time. If I am getting dessert at a restaurant and they have Crème brûlée on the menu you can be guaranteed I will order it. Every.Single.Time.
Ice Cream…this is the one I struggle with the most. Really, especially anything with coffee or caramel!
Cake, any kind at all – with butter cream frosting, and lots of it!
Martha Stewart’s Almond Tart, to.die.for. Topped with whipped cream, of course.
Pumpkin pie. Seriously, it is so good.
Cheesecake…need I say more?
Brown Sugar Cookies, they are really so easy to make and taste so incredible!
Smores – with homemade marshmallows, toasted in a bonfire on the beach! Bonus points for not getting sand in them!
We have had several foggy mornings here this week, above was the view from yesterday. This morning it is clear and SUNNY and I am so happy it is Friday!!
I am linking up with Rachel today for her Fibre Friday! The sock knitting continues, as does the drop spindling. I work on one at night when I watch a bit of television and the other when Sherman goes outside.
I hope to have the sock finished by Monday, and I only have 4 more bits of fiber to finish spinning, and at the rate I am going, completion by the end of the month is very feasible, especially since the weatherman says that there is more rain in the forecast, although there is supposed to be some sun on Sunday!
My poor garden is so waterlogged and the grass is growing so rapidly that we Steve is mowing twice a week. I have some flowers to get planted and my poppies are filled with buds this year! We picked up a Tri-color Beech that we will get planted in a new bed that we Steve has dug up. I will move some things around into there to fill in the space. It is a slow process to get gardens in order!
Tell me, dear Knitter, have you previously been lured in with a summer long knit-a-rama and all you achieved was epic failure?
Yeah, me too.
And, this topic expanded more when I was talking with my friend, planetKnit, about our usual summer knit along that we had both participated in for the last three years and I told her I was not attempting it this year. I was lacking in time and, quite frankly, the energy to knit three months of new projects. And, it occurred to me that if I felt that way, others surely must as well!
And out of that was born this idea. One that allowed knitter’s (or crocheter’s, stitcher’s, or spinner’s) to participate in whatever fashion they wanted (Heck, you can even participate in other whatever-alongs!)
My questions for you are:
Do you have some knitting you need or want to get done?
Is there a project you are itching to cast on?
Do you just want to meander down a lazy river, working on one single project all summer?
Do you want to challenge yourself to tackle a new skill or a project that expand your current skills?
Is your basket of WIP’s about to overtake your house?
Did you make a resolution last January to gain control of the WIP’s in your life and since then the number of them increased rather than decreased?
Do you just need a Knitting Staycation with your stash?
Do you want to have some encouragement, laughter, and crafting fun?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then I just might have the solution for you! Join me for a summer long knit along where you will find the motivation and encouragement you are looking for!
I have started a Ravelry Group where there will be encouragement and discussion!
There will be cocktails and recipes (more than occasionally!)
And, lots of fun!
So, if you want to have a summer where you knit at your pace (whatever that might be) then, please join us!
We will begin Memorial Day weekend, but there is no penalty for starting earlier, and we will knit through Labor Day Weekend. There is no deadline for project completion, and you can use any kind of yarn you want in whatever amount! You can post photos to your Ravelry project, or not – the choice is yours!
The only requirement is, really, no requirement! This is all focused on helping you get done what you want to get done – from one project to multiple projects – where do you want to be on Labor Day?
Are you in? Feel free to grab a button for your blog! The more the merrier!
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P.S. For those of you who do not have any of the above issues, this would be the perfect time to begin that Christmas knitting for those who are fortunate enough to be on your Christmas Knitting List! Yes, over-achievers are more than welcome!
P.P.S Do you have non-knitting projects you want to finish? Sewing? Quilting? Spinning? You are welcome too!
Today is Yarn Along, and the light has finally appeared at the end of the reading tunnel! I finished Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo and I liked it a bit more than I did his first Harry Hole novel. Harry was not drowning in the bottom of a whiskey bottle this time, and again, I did not see the ending coming at all!
And!!!
I should have Mink River done today!
I know, there may even be a bit of a dance of joy with its completion!
On the knitting front, Ann and Kay are having a little mini KAL through the end of the month – the goal to finish that “second sock” which is perfect, because I had finished the first Morwenstowe sock and had started the second one. Since the kickoff on Monday I have been knitting a bit each day and am on the heel flap! The heel should be turned today and then just cruising down the foot in the race to the toe! Perhaps, I can even get this dreaded pair of socks finished before month end.
Why dreaded you ask? Well, dark yarn on size zero needles makes for very difficult knitting. As in, I can only see clearly in bright sunlight to knit the damned things! No rainy day knitting or watching TV knitting with these socks!
Please note, that will only work if the Monsoon Season that has arrived (apparently to stay) in Western PA is replaced with some bright and sunny days.
I am not holding out much hope.
However, tomorrow I have some really fun and exciting news to share with you! I hinted at it last week, and tomorrow all shall be revealed!
Until then, Gentle Reader, what exciting things are you knitting or reading today?
Life doesn’t get more real than having a newborn at home. – Eric Church
It’s Tuesday and that means that Carole wants to know:
10 Ways to Help a New MomNew babies are one of the greatest joys in life…and the first weeks home for Mom (and Dad) can be amazing and stressful as a new family settles in together!
So, what can you do to help?
Bring over a meal that is easy to heat and eat. Chicken Pot Pie (topped with puff pastry), a salad, and some homemade brownies were always my go to “quick and easy meal”.
Cut the grass or shovel their driveway and walks.
Offer to do some laundry (or fold laundry!) while Mom takes a nap with the baby.
If there are older children, offer to do something special with them!
Fill a basket with easy to eat snacks – fresh fruits, bottled waters, nuts. Nutritious foods that are easy to eat while holding a baby
A Netflix gift card or two – so she has something to watch besides infomercials or reruns for those middle of the night feeding times!
A basket filled with magazines, a book or two, an assortment of teas, or coffee.
Some babysitting vouchers for when Mom and Dad are ready for a night out!
Ask if there is anything on their “to-do” list that you could finish for them.
And, my go to new baby gift – knit a Baby Surprise Jacket with matching hat and socks/booties.
New babies are just the best! What do you do when there is a new baby?
After having several irregular weekends in a row, we celebrated having just a normal old weekend here at Casa del KatKnits!
There were Rhubarb Mules, mmmmmmmm.
It was nice to start the weekend with something that makes us so happy and relaxed!
We did some Farmer’s Marketing, some IKEA wandering, and some Green House visiting.
There was reading, and knitting, and spinning, too.
While the weather was not spectacular, we did all kinds of things that help in the recharging of body and soul, and makes Monday not the challenge that it wants to be!
How was your weekend?
Buffalo Cauliflower:
Pre-heat oven to 425°F
1 head of Cauliflower, cored and cut up (try and cut the pieces in even sizes so they cook uniformly)
Toss cut cauliflower with 1 TBSP olive oil and 1 tsp of Chili powder and lay on a baking sheet.
Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or so, until they begin to soften and brown but are not mushy.
Remove from oven and toss with buffalo sauce, serve with blue cheese dip or ranch if that is your preference.
Steve’s Buffalo Sauce:
½ Cup Frank’s Red Hot
2 Tbsp Butter, melted
1 tsp White vinegar
1 ½ tsp Worcestershire Sauce
Chili powder to taste (add more or less for spiciness)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Dash of celery salt
Steve finds the best way to heat the sauce is in the microwave at 10-15 second intervals on high, stirring as it warms to keep the butter incorporated. You do not want the sauce hot, but just warm enough to combine. If you overheat it the butter separates.
