Finished Objects!: Edina & Carbeth

Hi friends, and happy Sunday!

How’s your weekend been?  As I find is usually the case, this one has flown by — but all filled with good things!

I’m particularly excited because today, I have not one, but TWO sweaters/jumpers (depending on who you ask!) to share with you, both of which I finished as February came to a close.  So I’m very happy, as two is literally half the number of sweaters I knit last year — having these two off the needles hopefully augurs well for my plans to focus on garment knitting this year!

So first is up is what I’m calling my Edina sweater, as I knit it along with Kate and her friend Sharon for Edinburgh Yarn Festival.  It’s the Stasis Pullover by Leila Raabe.

My new favorite sweater

Usually, I’m pretty happy when I finish a project.  Casting off is such a rush.  Blocking and weaving in the ends–while tedious in the moment–gives such a sense of accomplishment.  And in that initial euphoria, I think I’m always predisposed to (temporarily) overlook a FO’s faults and declare it an unmitigated success.  And usually, the longer a piece has been finished, all sorts of little faults present themselves (which is as it should be — I love learning from projects and figuring out how to improve).  The love cools to a more reasonable like.

But friends, I think Vatsland is going to be different.

Featured FO: Rose Lane Rocquaine!

Hi friends!

How’s your weekend going?

It’s been quiet around these parts — errands, laundromat (blergh!), cooking, and a little bit of knitting.

But I’m not here to tell you about what I’ve been working on at the moment — I’m here to share a finished sweater: my Rocquaine Pullover!

Yarnalong: Rocquaine and the Sussex Downs Murder

Friday Favorites

Hi friends, and happy Friday!  Fall’s really here!  The leaves are changing!  New patterns for cozy sweaters and delightful accessories abound!  It’s time to drink apple cider and dark beer again!

For many, this weekend means Rhinebeck (if you’re going, have fun!)  But if you can’t make it, I’ve rounded up an extra large batch of fiber favorites this week for your consideration!

Fiber 

(1) Arctic Cardigan, Image (c) Madder (2) Image on Instagram by @neighborhoodfibercompany (3) Rail Trail, Image (c) Gal Zucker (4) Goat and sheep pins!

• First up, the Arctic Cardigan, by Carrie Bostick Hodge, from Making, Volume 2. I saw this cardigan and, I don’t know what it is about it, but I have to have it.  Don’t you think it’d make an incredible staple? As soon as I saw the pattern, I metaphorically ran to the Brooklyn Tweed website and picked Obsidian as my color of choice.  I haven’t let myself buy it yet … but my resolve is weakening every day.  In any case, I can’t wait for my copy of Making to arrive on my doorstep!
• And speaking of sweaters that I want to live in, Joji Locatelli’s Granito is right up my alley (I know, you all have probably seen her new collection by now as it’s been out for a bit … but I haven’t done a Friday Favorites in awhile, and I wanted to give that sweater a shoutout!)
• Also, did you see Quince’s new pattern collection?  It’s all gorgeous, but Dalis, by Dianna Walla, went immediately into my want-to-make pile.
• Jill Draper Makes Stuff has also just released her first pattern collection, Rural Renewal. So many gorgeous patterns, but I’ve fallen hard for Rail Trail, by Kristen TenDyke. It’s a good thing I’m not going to Rhinebeck, because I don’t think I’d be able to resist a kit for this sweater at Jill Draper’s open house!
•  In wool-related news, check out this temporary wool-filled guest house: #lifegoals.
• Also, how cool is this idea for showing off swatches?  They’d be awesome decoration for a craft room, right?
• And last, but not least, I thought I’d share my growing knitting-related enamel pin collection … Mr. N got me black and white sheep pins from Twig and Horn.  They’re grazing at the foot of Buachaille on my Kate Davies Designs project bag, while my mountain goat from Shiny Apple Studio presides from the peak.

Sustenance 

(1) Smashed Sweet Potatoes, Image from Cafe Delights (2) Applesauce Cake, Image from Smitten Kitchen

• I baked my favorite fall apple cake last night for a gathering I’m headed to this evening (despite a series of recent dessert fails that I, ahem, haven’t been sharing wtih you).  I’ve made this recipe loads, and it’s never disappointed  … and it made my apartment smell ever so autumnal while baking!
• Now that the temperature’s dropping, I think this chicken chorizo stew would make for a great meal!
• The season of root vegetables is upon us!  My mom reported last night that she tried this sweet potato recipe and that it was one of (if not the!) best ways she’s ever had a sweet potato. With such a recommendation, I’ll definitely be trying them this weekend!
• And last but not least, Mr. N and I made a version of this roast pork on Sunday with a lovely pork shoulder we got from the Farmer’s Market.  It was delicious as the star of Sunday dinner and has been equally good as leftovers … pork sandwiches with pear sauce, butternut squash soup topped with crispy pork, ravioli in a butter sauce with pork and rosemary … you name it.

What’s inspiring you this week? I’d love to hear in the comments — I’m especially in need of food inspriation, which has been a little thin on the ground here of late!

Want more Friday Favorites? You can see them all here. 

 

 

Yarnalong: Rocquaine and Shetland Wool Week Annual 2016

WIP Wednesday: Islay and Marigoldjen Socks

We got moved out of our house last week and came down to stay with my family for almost a week — it’s been a lovely time, except it’s gone by way too quickly!  My mom and I have both been working on Islay as a distance KAL, and it’s been so nice to get to knit on it together this past week.  We’ve been squeezing in as much porch knitting time as we can!