Rx: More Wool

Rx: More Wool

This has been a very rough week here at Casa del KatKnits. Really, it feels like the longest week ever, but perhaps that is just the way it is in particularly rough weeks.

However, I am going to try to focus on other things – anything other than the doom and gloom that feels like it is smothering me – I think we could all use more wool. Lots of it! Wool, and more wool! And, maybe even more wool!

To begin with, I think that Squad Mitts, the handspun version will be cast on this weekend. I am not sure how I will use the collection of yarns above, but I might add in some of these little skeins from Koigu and Miss Babs.

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I need some instant gratification knitting to instantly gratify my spirit!

And, there will be links – it is Friday after all!

How about Knitting for Peace? I am so in – who will join me? This could be instant gratification knitting project #2 and we have time to seek out some yarn.

There were these beauties this week on Ravelry:

And, since it is that season – how about some International (??) Gift knitting ideas:

And, finally – Charity Knitting. Yes, really – a percentage of the proceeds are being donated to Women of Tomorrow. You can donate the hat to a charity of your choice and increase your giving!! We all need something to feel good about this week, don’t we?

That is all I have for today, but it’s November and I will be back tomorrow! I hope your Friday is just what you need to end this week! Hug each other – the world could use more hugs right now.

Little Bits of Sunshine

Little Bits of Sunshine

Every once in a while, life is abundant in little bits of sunshine. This was one of those weeks. And, among the bits of sunshine a sweater was born!

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Sigla is a ray of sunshine all by itself because knitting a Mary Jane Mucklestone sweater is really a joy! Thirteen days start to finish and while I did not beat my Stopover time of 35 hours; at the conclusion I have a sweater that I am in love with! I made some modifications to the pattern which you can read about here. Sigla is on her way to becoming a well-worn old friend! (And, thank you Steve for taking pictures just before the downpour began!)

If you have not yet knit one of Mary Jane’s patterns, I strongly urge you to do so! And, for speed of knitting – a lopapeysa is just the thing to ignite your sweater fire!

Now on to the Friday Links, which today are all about gift knitting:

Now to round out the links – there is a very interesting MKAL that will be starting on November 25 to coincide with the Netflix release of the Gilmore Girls Encore Mini-season. There is no way I will get to this before Christmas, but it might be a good Christmas break knit! Who’s interested in joining me?

That is all I have for today, but the good news is that I will see you here tomorrow! NaBloPoMo marches on! My wish for you today is that your knitting is fast and easy and that your beverage of choice is chilled perfectly! Happy FriYAY everyone!

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Sweaters on the Brain

Sweaters on the Brain

I began to have a bit of a panic attack regarding Rock the Lobster, I could have sworn I had more yarn. I was certain I had 3 skeins, yet where was #3??

I knew I had leftover yarn from my Stopover that I could use in Sigla, but where was it and is there enough?

Cue the yarn search music please…

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This searching made it clear that some Stash Management is in order which I have added to my list of things to do and I am happy to report all “missing” yarns were found!

I finished swatching for the Parley Cardigan and those swatches (yes, plural – I was not getting gauge) are done!

I also finished spinning up a very rare fiber – Whitefaced Woodland from Sheepspot. While I liked the fiber incredibly, I am not so sure about the colorway, which I am surprised about – it is the first time I have been unhappy with the colors from Sasha. I tried my best to achieve maximum barber-pole effect because the colors were so similar in so many long stretches. I achieved the effect, but I am still not certain I am happy with the results. Perhaps I should have tried to spin it in a more gradient fashion, like some smart people have done. I ended up with about 140 yds of a DK weight 3-ply yarn, and about 70 yds of a 2-ply sport weight. And, I still have about 50 grams of the orange left to spin up.

On a more pleasant note, I finished up the Honey Cowl and I love it! I will try to get some better photos to share, but today the light for photos is non-existent – it is a blustery, rainy fall day.

Last year I knit Stopover in 5 short days, can I beat that record with her more modern cousin, Sigla…we shall see, but I am sure as heck going to try!

Let’s get to some Friday Links:

That is all I have for this week! I hope you have a fantastic weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!

Winner, Winner, Roast Pork Dinner

Winner, Winner, Roast Pork Dinner

One recipe that really grabbed my attention when I read Ruth’s book this past summer, was a recipe for an apple cider braised pork roast.

Ruth calls for a big bone in pork shoulder roast – and a recipe that feeds 6-8 people.

Now, for a household of two this might not be the best choice, however a pork tenderloin would be just about right!

Now to adjust the recipe to work for such a small cut of meat.

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Serves: 2 with leftovers!

  • 1 pork tenderloin
  • 1 onion, halved and then sliced in slivers
  • 2 to 3 cloves of garlic, sliced into slivers to insert into the pork
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 1/2 cup Hard Cider (I used Angry Orchard)
  • 1-ounce Crown Royal Maple Whisky™
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil

This is finished in the oven after browning the meat on the stove top, so I used my Staub™ all purpose pan.

Preheat the oven to 375° F.

Cut several slits in the pork loin and insert the garlic slivers. Salt and pepper the meat on all sides

Place the pan on the stove over medium high heat. When the pan is hot, add the olive oil and the pork loin. Brown the meat on all sides and remove from the pan. Add the onion to the pan and sauté to soften a few minutes. Add the cider and the whisky stirring to loosen the fond from the bottom of the pan. Add back the pork loins, cover and place in the oven.

Cook approximately 35-40 minutes, or until the pork has reached an internal temperature of 145° F.

(Cook’s note, in the last 15 minutes of cooking I added about a cup of halved Brussels Sprouts.)

I served this with a nice big dollop of oven roasted applesauce and it was fantastic! The meal and the applesauce! I had about 8 lbs of apples. I used minimal sugar and butter (1 1/2 tsp and 2 tbsp butter) and it turned out fantastically! I finished it with 2 tsp of apple cider vinegar.

I highly recommend both recipes!

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Knitting Ennui

Knitting Ennui

I have it bad.

Dissatisfaction? Yep.

Discontent from a lack of interest? Bingo.

I have got ennui in spades.

I am going to attempt to reverse this trend with Thing One, pictured above.

Joy? Oh, yes!

Enthusiasm? Absolutely!

I am so excited about this Honey of a cowl that I want it done yesterday and really I have plans to wear this on Sunday!

The knitting clock is ticking!!

Now, on to the Friday Linkage!

Mary Jane Mucklestone is getting top billing today. Are you wondering why? This might just be Thing Two. Remember the frenzy that was the Bang Out a Sweater Phenomenon? Well, meet Sigla. I am looking at colors right now. Who’s in with me for Bang Out a Sweater, Part Deaux?

That is all I have for the week. I hope your weekend is FANTASTIC! Stay warm and I will see you back here on Monday!

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