Scones & Rikke Hat

First of all, sorry for the delay.  There was a sick day thrown in and a knitting retreat.  There will be a separate post for the knitting retreat later.

When launching RainMomma.com one of my goals was to throw in the occasional recipe. I enjoy trying new recipes, particularly if it is any kind of baked goods.  As  we start getting into canning season you will likely get introduced to some of my favorite jam recipes.  But, one of my favorite things to make are scones.  They are the ultimate versatile pastry.  You can add just about anything to them, and have them sweet or savory.  Here is the basic recipe that I have been using.  (Adapted from a recipe given to me by Eileen Parfrey.)

Michelle's Basic Scone Recipe

1/2 c. rolled oats
1 c. flour
3 T brown sugar
1.5 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1 T flax seed
6 T butter
6 oz. Greek yogurt

Cut in the butter with the flour and the rolled oats. Mix in the remaining dry ingredients.  Mix in the yogurt.

Add-ins: crystallized ginger, mini chocolate chips, nuts or seeds, 1/4 of your favorite spice, vanilla beans, or 2 T of finely flaked coconut (like the kind used for macaroons).

Bake at 400 for 14-18 minutes.
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And now for the finished object update.  There have been a few since the last post.  
Those will be in the follow-up about the knitting retreat.  Below is the Rikke Hat.  The hat is a design by Sarah Young of Happy Knits and is a free pattern that you can find here.  It was a fun and easy knit.  The yarn I used for this was Madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK in Ruby Slippers.  I simply love Madelinetosh yarns.  All of their colors are fabulous and their yarns soft and smooshy.

Here is what I called Raspberry Rikke.

Test Update

Above is the test gauge for Zitron Nimbus 100% Organic Merino.  The yarn choice really confirms my affinity for single ply yarn.  I am not sure why that is.  But, I knew when I start this project that I wanted a rich color.  Some of the others I thought were a nice mahogany brown, deep navy, plum or cordovan shade of red.  The picture doesn't really show the color in its truest form.  The color is really a charcoal color, think pencil lead.

I am slowly making progress.  I seem to psych myself out since I am more or less writing as I go.  The end result will be a vest.  I love the idea so I hope it turns out the way I hope.  It is being knit for a small-medium for pattern-submitting purposes.  In the yarn I chose it is going to be rather warm.  But, the pattern is versatile enough that, done with the right yarn, could be worn in the spring/summer.  I have a few other projects on my plate I am working on as well.  So, off to get a few more inches done. 

Up Next: FO update and a recipe!

Be well. Create.  Inspire.

Comfy & Warm

This was a super easy crochet project.  It involved a pretty basic stitch pattern and easy shaping.  This definitely could have been done sooner.  One could even get it done in a weekend.  I managed to stretch it out by being tied up with various other knitting projects.  It is made with Cascade Yarns Cash Vero.  I broke in the sweater on Monday, and let me tell you it was toasty.  It is also VERY soft.  I am hoping that it won't pill too much.  If I had more yarn I would likely have made the sleeves a little longer.  But that said, it really is going to be perfect to wear over a tank in the spring.  I think it is versatile enough to be worn in any season.  Don't quote me on this, but I may make another in the future.  

A little review on the yarn.  This was my first time using this yarn.  It was very easy to work with.  It didn't split too much, with is always key.  It was very soft which made it a little slippery.   I am going to use the last 15 yds or so that I have left to make a swatch to remember this one.

Next up:  A progess report on my first design venture.

Girasole

 

So here is the finished product.  The wonderful Girasole.  I loved knitting this.  From beginning to end.  I think that I why I am drawn to lace charts.  First, I am enamored with the idea of starting a new project.  And when doing a circular or triangular shawl it grows so quickly in the beginning.  Then, with this pattern I kept getting more and more excited about how the pattern was looking and progressing.  There was certainly that level of excitement present because I was working on something for myself.    I absolutely love the outcome.  The yarn choice makes for a very comfy and warm blanket. 

So, down the line will be another Jared Flood project.  I have gathered enough Shelter yarn to make the Terra Shawl. The colorway, of course is Homemade Jam.  There are a couple more projects in the works before that however.  

Stay tuned for another update on another finished project.  The Chevron Sweater.

Coming up next...

Here is the Chevron cardigan that has been in hiding.  It is next on the list to finish up.  It is just about done.  There are several more inches on the bottom and then some edging.  The yarn is Cash Vero in raspberry.   I am continuing to try and only have one project going at a time.  There is another project that has been hibernating for several years that has traveled to 2 different houses and still needs a little finishing.  That will be coming soon too!  It is hard. I keep reading some of my favorite knitting blogs and seeing my fellow knitters that have startitis.  My problem is I would start something everyday.  In an effort to keep ahead of deadlines and the like, I am going to try and have one project.  Wish me luck.

For those of you following the status of the wonderful Inaugural Girasole, it is almost there.  I didn't make it as fast as I had hoped, but that is just how it goes.  I am currently working on the edging.  In case you are wondering, it is 640 stitches bound off in a knitted bind off four stitches each time.  It is a bit time consuming.  But, believe me, it will be well worth it.  I can't wait to share the pictures with you.  Until then...

Be well. Create. Inspire.

Circular Organizer

I have seen on more than one occasion, an organizer for all your circular needles.  I decided it was high time I make one for myself.  I think that is part of the nature of a crafter.   I can't speak for all, but I see something and I immediately start to dissect it and try and find a way to make it myself.  That could be why I have been through so many hobbies. 

It was fun to visit a local fabric store and be inspired by some fun ribbon.  And as apparent from the website I am very drawn to teals lately.  Not too sure about the color of the year being honeysuckle.  I needed a method for the numbers that didn't require embroidery.  That prompted finding the number ribbon.  The one through ten sequence worked out fine as I one have a couple that are larger.  

The next project that will be sewn is a case my my KnitPicks Harmony Kit.  The fabric will be the same.  But they certainly need a home.   I will of course share that with you as well.  

Be well. Create.  Inspire.

Inaugural Girasole

January 17, 2011

I am so excited to be launching this website (on my birthday) and to have the first project I share with you be the lovely Girasole. 

This website has been an idea for so long and is now finally getting off its feet.  There was a lot of discernment regarding what to call it.  I wanted to conjure up the perfect name for a knitting related blog and website.  There were quite a few ideas that were brought to the table.  But, the more I talked about the more I understood that I have already created an identity that is RainMomma.  So, why change that?   Why not keep what I have already started?  Well, I did.  And here is that new and exciting identity.  I hope you enjoy what comes in the days and weeks to follow.  For those that visit in these next early days, please feel free to send me any edits you might have.  You know how it goes having looked at the same info for a while, I am certain to have missed something.

And now, I bring you Girasole.  This pattern was one of those that you come across and it pulls at your heart strings and begs to be made.  I have had the pattern for some time.  It was merely awaiting the right timing and opportunity to move to the forefront.  While I SO enjoy knitting for others, it was time to knit something for myself.  I knew that Girasole was going to be the one.  The one for...me!  Through a wonderful set of fate and circumstances I acquired the yarn (Cascade Yarns Soft Spun) and it sat patiently until I acquired the time. 

In the weeks leading up to the launch of the website I knew it was time.  Everything was simply starting to fall into place.  It has been working up rather quickly, but isn’t done today to share with all of you. My hope was that it would be as a sort of birthday gift to myself.  But soon enough.  Another entry of course to follow when completed.

The pattern tells me it is going to block to something around 72”.  Less so however because I took a repeat out to accommodate the yardage of the yarn I have.  This gem of mine will be perfect for wrapping and getting snuggly with.  Claire has mentioned that she wants it.  So sad to break the news to her, nope...mine.  But, we did agree that in time she too could have one- rainbow colored.  In the meantime I would be happy to share it and all it’s future snuggles. 

Thank you to all that make a visit today and in the future.  A huge thank you to my husband for all his support and assistance with all things web related.  I am getting there.