Tangled Yoke

I seem to be having the same blog paralysis that's plagueing Sue. I've taken lots of pictures and I have lots of ideas, the problem is being at a keyboard when the thoughts come together!

So here's a shot of the Tangled Web cardigan finished sans buttons. It's quite warm so I have a while to find the perfect ones. It's a little big (so say my daughters) but I like the wider neckline. It will be perfect for school because I never know what temperature my room will be.



After the buttons are on I will block the cables a little better.



I absolutely LOVE the Sailor's Rib vest. However I started last spring and thought I was making a smaller enough size. Once it was done I thought it would still look good, and it would if I wear it over a heavier sweater but I would be more likely to wear it over a blouse or turtleneck.



A bit big, no?



I loved working on this pattern. I knit this all sitting on the sofa at my mother's. I'm so happy Claudia suggested the 220 Superwash. I'm not a fan of superwash but on her suggestion I tried it. This is lovely. Soft, but not artificial feeling. Definitely a yarn that will becoome a favorite for Jackson knitting.

You can be assured that I will be posting soon. If for no other reason than to get my mug off the top of my blog!

Back to Knitting

I'm an evening away from finishing my Tangled Yoke cardigan. You might remember that I wasn't happy with the folded neckband. I didn't bother blocking - I knew I wouldn't like it, so I ripped back and bound off and I was much happier.



Then I followed the directions for the front band and despite my concern that there were too many stitches I blindly picked up the stated number of stitches and ribbed away. Once I started binding off I could see I was going to get ruffles.



I ripped out and picked up 2 stitches for every three rows and that did the trick. It looks quite puckered but after weaving in a few loose ends I'll give it a good soak and block. I still haven't found the right buttons but I've got plenty of time. I don't think I'll be wearing it until next fall - especially after today's 82° temps.



I found this almost finished cardigan in one of the bags I used to take to my mom's. I worked on it last summer and it only needs the front bands and a zipper but I don't think it will fit Jackson now. Guess it will go in the box for the next grandchild.

No Sausage Now!

After ripping out the old Fixation sweater (you might remember Jackson as an Oscar Meyer look-a-like) I knit it again in a larger size with a larger needle.



While he is, of course, cute as a button, the variegated yarn doesn't quite flatter his cute little Buddha belly.



It popped over his head like a charm and will probably fit him for a year or two as there is plenty of length in the arms and body. If he's like his daddy the middle will slim down as soon as he gets his running legs.

Now it's time to get back to the rest of the knitting projects. I must have six sweaters that I started during the time I spent with my mother. I was a little surprised at how difficult it was to pick them up at first. So many memories in those stitches.

Finally, I remembered! I've been meaning to post this recipe for awhile now. Someone passed it on to me a few months ago and I loved it so much I went out and bought the book - Eat, Drink & Be Vegan.



ONE WILD CHICK SOUP
1 tbsp olive oil
1 � cups red onion, diced
1 � cups celery, diced
� cup carrots, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
� cup uncooked wild rice, rinsed
� tsp sea salt
freshly ground pepper
1 tsp dry mustard
1 � tsp dried thyme
1 � tsp dried oregano
� tsp dried marjoram
3 � cups cooked chickpeas (I used canned)
4 cups vegetable stock (I used chicken)
3 cups water
2 bay leaves
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tbsp fresh sage, minced (or � tsp dried)
1 tbsp fresh thyme, minced (or � tsp dried)

In a large pot on medium heat, add oil, onions, celery, carrots, garlic, wild rice, salt, pepper, dry mustard, dried thyme, oregano, and marjoram and stir to combine. Cover and let cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring once or twice. Add 2 � cups chickpeas, stock, water, and bay leaves and stir to combine. Increase heat to bring mixture to a boil Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45-55 minutes, until rice is fully cooked and inner white of grain is exposed. With a hand blender, briefly pulse soup to add some body and creaminess if desired. Stir in the reserved 1 cup chickpeas, nutritional yeast, sage, and fresh thyme, and cook 2-3 minutes. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, and serve. (I put all the chickpeas in at the beginning and don�t blend)

Ms and Os Finished

I finally cut off the Ms and Os and started the finishing process. This is the alabaster weft, before washing.



And here, after washing. Would have been nice if I had the same orientation.



And again, after pressing.



The baked clay weft, which will be a dresser scarf for the guest room:



and my sampling with thicker wefts. The variegated is 4/4 cotton, the brown and gold is 5/2 perle.



I like Dixon's suggestion of using a thicker weft. The 4/4 gives great coverage without making a stiff fabric.



These towels will be used but they would be even better with a thicker weft. I'd use the 5/2 for towels, go with 10/2 for the warp. A few years ago I used a structure similar to this and was not happy with the way the weft filled in. I never did finish that baby blanket. The 4/4 weft would make a nice baby blanket or pillow fabric. I'm sewing the hems by hand because there's no tabby header and machine stitching would be too visible.

Final thoughts? I can definitely see more Ms and Os in my future for table linens, blankets, and upholstery fabrics.