Motley

If you've read my last post you will know that I have been knitting with Rowan Kidsilk Haze in two delicious colourways and absolutely loving it. Although the yarn is lace weight it can be knit on larger needles which speeds up the knitting considerably and results in a super light and airy, but deceivingly warm garment.

I like using unusual combination like Glacier and Cocoa, I'm really happy with the outcome. My needles were on fire knitting this because I've been dying to wear it. I'm so glad it's done so that I have an alternative to all of my bulky winter scarves.

Materials

• 1 x 25g ball of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in shade 628 (MC), 210m/229 yds
• 1 x 25g ball of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in shade 640 (CC), 210m/229yds
• 4 mm needles
• Yarn Needle

Gauge
24 sts and 30 rows = 4 in over st st

Finished Measurements
54 inches long and 8 ½ inches wide

On My Needles...

I really like these "On My Needles" posts, it's a great way for me to step back and take inventory of what I'm working on...

Project #1:

First we have the Minimalist Cardigan which I chose as my vacation knitting during our time on the mainland in March. I chose to use some Patons Classic Wool from my stash but as Holly so gently pointed out, the drape won't be the same as the yarn that is recommended. I think my desire to have a mustard coloured cardigan has muddled my logic.

There are two reasons I haven't enjoyed my vacation knitting as much as I should...

1. I have to say that since my little obsession with Top-Down construction I have been less than excited to work with pieces.

2. I haven't really enjoyed the stitch pattern. For some reason when I knit Moss Stitch I find myself wishing I was working in Double Moss Stitch. I feel like you can achieve nearly the same effect with both stitches but with the latter you have the relief of knitting every right side row.

Project #2:

I am one of those people that is always cold, ideal for a knitter really. I hate to be chilled at the neck so I never leave the house without my scarf, in fact, I wear my scarf in the house as well... I even wear it when I'm baking or doing dishes, tucked underneath my apron. All of my scarves are really long and bulky (besides the Mustard Scarf) and with the weather warming up I really wanted to design a light scarf for spring. I took myself to the Beehive armed with my gift certificate I'd been hoarding since Christmas and picked out two delicious balls of Rowan's Kidsilk Haze. One is powdery blue in colour and the other a chocolate brown. I've never knit with this yarn before which is suprising because it's all my mother ever knits with, I am really enjoying myself and the scarf is going to be so light and airy yet warm and cozy!

Project #3:

...and last but not least, I've resurrected Trillium, again. This time it's different though because instead of trying to make my original idea work for the Nth time, I decided to swallow my pride, forget the countless hours spent knitting entirely in Trinity Stitch, and go back to the drawing board. I've rewritten the pattern using a totally different construction, all that is left to do is knit, knit, knit and see if the outcome is as good as my vision for this garment... we will see. One thing is certain, I am still madly in love with this yarn!

...what's on your needles?

Tough Love Sock

The Sweet Georgia Yarn that I ordered at Fibres West arrived in the mail today.

In my tiny little expedited package were three skeins of the most beautiful Tough Love Sock, the colourway Cayenne was ten times more beautiful than I remembered it.

So beautiful in fact that I couldn't bring myself to put it on the shelf with all the other yarn.

Doesn't it look truly inspirational perched above my work station?

Bread Bake-Off

By the title of this blog post it probably sounds like I took part in some sort of bread making competition. Not so. Recently I tried my hand at bread making and although I haven't yet made a loaf that wasn't edible I could certainly benefit from a lesson in bread making. When my friend Matt, a professional baker and author of Flour Powered, suggested a Bread Bake-Off I jumped at the chance!

We spent most of yesterday making 3 different types of bread. Two braided loaves of Challa for Easter, one loaf of Ciabatta to serve as Matt's bread for the week, and my request, a whole wheat sandwich loaf with a simple recipe.

The Challah won the beauty contest...

{Ready to Kneed}

{The First Rise}

{The Second Rise}

{Whole Wheat Loaf}

Unfortunately the whole wheat sandwich loaf didn't rise, our hunch, stale whole wheat flour, but who knows! We were pretty mad at that dough for not performing since it was the only loaf that was part of the lesson plan. I am determined to finagle one more lesson out of Matt and one more crack at the perfect, family friendly, simple loaf of sandwich bread.

...I did get to take home a loaf of the Challah and it's as delicious as it is beautiful!

Step 1: Fermenting

I am late to plant my tomato seeds this year because I couldn't find Campari tomatoes anywhere. I googled them and I did find a little bit of information about a legal battle over branding. Hmm...

Regardless of why they have disappeared from the produce department of many stores my sister found some at The Root Cellar and scooped them up for me, yuppee!

This morning I dug out the seeds and put them in a jar to ferment. Now we wait.

...if you are interested in growing your own tomatoes from seed check out this tutorial.