Life's a Stitch

No wheat or eggs, no added sugar, no dairy or nuts, and it tastes good. Really good. Someone brought these, made as drop cookies, into the office and they quickly disappeared. If you’re like me, you have a supply of black bananas in the freezer just waiting to be zapped, peeled, and used in a good recipe. I snitched a bite prior to picture taking and tried to hide it with a spatula, but that didn’t work.

Healthy bars (Lifesastitch version):

3 mashed ripe bananas
1/2 cup of canola oil
1 t vanilla
1 cup in total of any or all of the following: chopped dates, dried apricots, craisins, raisins, prunes, sunflower, pumpkin or flax seeds
2 cups of quick oats
1 t cinnamon

No ingredients have been omitted and it really works. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the first three ingredients together, stir in the last three and let sit for 15 minutes. Press into an 8×8 ungreased pan (or drop by spoonful onto a cookie sheet). Bake for about half an hour or until the edges look like they are getting brown (cookies need less time). Cool and cut into bars. I store them in the fridge.

What a day off looks like at my house –  catching up on Mt.Laundry, filling the house with the scent of good cooking, especially eight pounds of Carne Machaca for these and future enchiladas:

and some quality Li-Grace time while snuggled (me, not Gracee) under my Hemlock Ring. It never did stay perfectly flat, but it’s better than it was. It looks good folded and who cares how flat it is while in use?

This poster:

This award, which yesterday, I accepted on behalf of my agency. I know this is a good place to be, having worked at offices where the prevailing attitude toward workplace flexibility was "Give them and inch and they’ll take a mile." Our employees have demonstrated the opposite, by giving them an inch they go the extra mile.

Gracee in the snow:

The wrangling continued and not without injury:

On day two, Hemlock seemed to relax a but, allowing me to pull out each point an additional five inches. That, and an attack with my Jiffy Steamer, improved the lumps by at least 75%. Hopefully that shot of steam will have killed the acrylic and tamed the cotton. I’m leaving it to dry for another two days before freeing it from its shackles.

Here is my post match review:

Pattern: Hemlock Ring blanket from Brooklyn Tweed

Yarn: Kraemer Tatamy Tweed DK, doubled, 10 skeins in total (nine for the body and one for the crocheted bind off and edging. The crocheted bit was done with a single strand and took 187 yards).

Size – extra large. While most in the KAL blocked out to 50" or so, I used the equivalent of 1125 yards of holding a single strand, plus the 187 yards for the finishing, for a total pinned out measurement of 70" We’ll see what happens when it’s released from bondage.

Words to the wise – unless you like wrestling, don’t attempt this project in anything other that 100% wool, which will block more easily. Bear in mind, no matter what you use, it will need to be blocked with each washing. When the time comes I’m going to try dry cleaning. I wonder how Jared manages to get all of his projects blocked so beautifully?

I’ve decided blocking is like labor, you forget about the pain as soon as it’s over. So, there’s a new baby octopus in our house:

That would be 100% wool. Question to other feather and fanners: do you think there would be less bulk in the feathers if there were only three rows of plain knitting between the lace rows, instead of four?

An apt description, from the Hemlock Ring Yahoo group, regarding the finishing phase of the blanket. These behemoths have eight tenticular points radiating from a lump of a head. They curl and undulate and strenuously defy attempts at blocking.

One of my fellow octopus trainers, at our semi-monthly Ravelry get together, exclaimed "Blocking? Schmocking!" She’s elected to take hers to the dry cleaner for a chemical bath and the steam roller treatment. $7 cheap.

My species is particularly resistant, being a blend of cotton and acrylic, purposely knitted that way for ease of care –  machine washable and dryable. I didn’t think far enough into the future to consider that its stunning look depends heavily upon the blocking. So here I am "patiently" awaiting to see the results of the jet-enginelike spin cycle of the front loading washing machine. If that doesn’t kill its cordiform tendencies, I will be seriously discouraged.

Three hours and 320 pins later: the wrangling continues using three people and items such as hand weights and staple and nail guns. Steam will be the next weapon of choice, hoping to ease out the bumpy feathers. But that’s enough for today, I just don’t have that much fight in me and am in need of a meal and a night of sleep before the next round. Li zero, octopus one.

(Message to Rou-Jia: I replied to your request for my pattern, but have had the e-mail returned twice as undeliverable. Please e-mail me at boesencrew dot shaw dot ca and I’ll try sending it as a reply to your e-mail.)

From the same type of yarns and two different patterns, here are the "twins":

Ever wonder how different patterns will turn out using the same yarn? I’ve made four scarves from Anny Blatt Scarf Kits, comprised of one skein of Superangora (116 yards) held together with one skein of Victoria (109 yards). The kits make quick and always appreciated gifts.

Pictured above are the first two:

1. Orangy pink, purple and blues – using the drop stitch pattern enclosed with the kit, but downsizing to Size 15 needles. Final measurements are 68×4.5
2. Light aquas and soft springy greens – a feather and fan pattern using size 11 needles. Final measurements are 64×4.

The second set of twins:

3. Pictured below is a mistaken rib using size 11 needles. I don’t have the measurement, but believe it was about 48 inches long.
4. I was able to get these luxurious kits at under half price so I splurged and made a narrower version of the the Vintage Velvet Scarf using two kits and six 11 needles. The finished product? One heavy sumptuous 62.5×3.5 cabled scarf.

Meet another set of fraternal twins, photographed just five blocks from my house. These are Vancouver’s "Lion’s" keeping guard over the city. Before I met Vancouver I thought the most beautiful places I’d ever seen were Lake Tahoe and Megan’s Bay, St. Thomas. Now I think BC has taken the lead; at least when the sun is shining. Where’s your geographical high?

That’s our name for Whole Foods. When they first opened I regularly
splurged on their dark German rye bread for $3 a loaf. That loaf of
bread is now $7. Seven dollars for a loaf of bread. I don’t think so.

Let’s play the Price is Right. A recent advertisement was pushing
their easy holiday turkey dinner. It had crab soup, turkey, potatoes,
veggies, cranberry sauce, gravy and buns. No dessert. This feast feeds
six. What do you think? A hundred bucks? After all it is Whole
Paycheque Market. If you guessed $195, you would be correct without
going over. The actual price is $195.99. And you have to cook the
turkey.

If you are ordering that meal and want to pick up dessert, our neighbourhood has recently seen the opening of a cupcake bakery. That’s right, all they sell are cupcakes and an occasional fancy full sized cake. Day old cupcakes are $9 for six. Fresh ones are $24 per dozen.  When did cupcakes get so expensive? Want to feed a crowd? Their 4 inch "full sized" cake sells for $22-25. I am in the wrong business.

I guess everyone has their priorities. If I’m going to spend that kind of money on something frivolous, it better have the word karats instead of
carrots in the description. Or cashmere.

Can you stand one more FO picture complete with cute kid and dog? My sister sent this picture of the mother/daughter scarves I made for her and my niece for Christmas. They are an identical assortment of yarns, knit lengthwise, one straight and one curly. BTW Jane reports that Sullivan the dog is not carrying excess weight – he’s a Blocky Lab. You learn something new every day. Who’d have imagined you’d learn that on a knitting blog?

That’s how I feel about modeling shots – grin and bear wear it. Inevitably when a knitting blogger features an FO there’s a cry from the comment section – how about a modeling shot? First up:

Pattern: The Seville Jacket from Oat Couture Size:small (beware the sizing, I usually make a large, but had the opportunity to try on a sample at a yarn shop and chose otherwise).

Yarn: Tahki New Tweed (colour #1 ecru) – 10 skeins. Didn’t have enough yarn for seaming and used silk thread, causing  weaving  in  issues.

Modifications: Increased the length by about two inches. Thoughts: Yarn is too drapey for a sweater. I’d make it again with a sturdier fiber.

Next, I humbly present the first Landscape scarf. Sorry to disappoint those of you who thought it was a shawl. You must think I’m a knittin’ machine to be able to turn out two of these in short succession, but I’m willing to fess up. The pattern comes with the scarf and shawl versions. I usually wear this one tucked into a collared shirt, but for the sake of the m-shot I’ve worn it outside with one of the ties exposed.

   

Dios Mio, what a mugshot!

Pattern: Landscape Shawl and Scarf by Fibertrends

Yarn: Koigu, two skeins. I love, love, love the way each little picot comes out in a different colour.

Thoughts: I made my second one larger by adding an additional stitch pattern. Don’t bother, it’s too big to wear tucked and too small to wear on the outside.

It’s obvious from the sweater m-shot that I haven’t done a post-seaming blocking. You know what else I haven’t done?

100% knitting content ahead, I owe it to you as this is really a knitting blog and you’ve been very patient with the antics of a certain 17 year old boy. So, on to the knitting front…

Stash? I have no stash, because I learned way back when, in training for the field of social work and counselling, if it isn’t documented, it didn’t happen. That’s why you’ll see no stash on Ravelry.

At our North Vancouver Ravelry group knit night this week someone pointed to another member saying "SHE has a problem, her stash now involves storage."

"Oh yes," I say innocently, "I can relate, I bought two plastic chests of drawers to store my stash."

"No," replies other member, the guilty party now sliding more deeply into her chair, "I mean storage as in a storage unit with monthly rent." Now that’s a stash.

Keeping true to my promise to finish up an item or two, here’s my completed Landscape Scarf #2. I made this one larger by adding an additional stitch pattern – Sand Stitch. It’s soft soft Mountain Colors Bearfoot yarn and took me an entire weekend to complete. I believe it was an act of revenge for having ignored it for so long in its near finished state. I hope Marina isn’t as vindictive or I may be posting from the ER.

OK I lied. Here’s a non knitting content photo. What could be more cozy than a dog curled up under a chair by a fire? In our climate, with recent persistent rain, this picture makes me happy. And you thought the lie was about my stash.

When the babies were very little, my SIL would play a game of  tiny calisthenics with them, lifting up their arms and putting them down, two slow movements followed by two quick ones. It would go "uuuppp dooowwn, uuuppp dooowwn, up down, up down." The little ones would crack up with those adorable peals of baby giggles. Little did I know she was describing the act of parenting. One day is up and the next down and you can’t help but feel there’s a little laughing going on, but not out loud enough to cause further annoyance. Maybe this 17 year old has a bit of good judgment and self control lodged between those ears. I know he does and the downs will become less frequent. Hopefully. 

Here’s another up, his team’s latest entry into a five minute film festival. This one made the cut from 200 to 30 and was nominated for best acting ensemble. He wrote the story and the score. Typical teen angst at it’s best, complete with real life foreshadowing – look for his line "….for the party you’ll secretly have while we’re gone." Here’s "Typical" –  if it doesn’t work, here’s the link.

"Successfully" graduating two kids into their 20’s, I’m still locked into high school hell with #3. I spoke too soon in my last post regarding a high level of trust for New Year’s Eve. Poor Mari, given permission to be left in charge to chaperone a handful of 17 year olds, realizes it only takes one party goer to spoil it for the rest. After a comment on that teen timebomb, Facebook, the handful turned into 35. That would be 34 semi well behaved teens, at least well behaved enough not to inflict damage on themselves or their immediate surroundings, and one out of control young woman who left her stomach contents, which included an entire bottle of red wine, on my carpet. As Mari warned her, it’s just as red coming up as it was going down. And, guess what?  It doesn’t come out no matter how much enzyme cleaner you use.

As a firm believer in natural and logical consequences for guiding childhood behaviour, the 17 yr old will be handing over his paycheques until all damages are fixed, including the crystal vase, which, while falling off the shelf, took out the Ott Light floor lamp, the two, smashed and broken on the living room floor. I also believe in teachable moments and Mr.B has learned a new concept – collateral damage. When someone bangs into the bathroom sink, and breaks a faucet pipe, the water damage to the closet below is also your responsibility.

Obliviously away from home on New Year’s Eve, with Blogless Marsha and Dave, we decided that rather then concentrate on our customary discussion of resolutions, we would list things in our lives that help us feel good. You KNOW that yarn was on that list. Marsha and I took it seriously and started our New Year at 8:00 a.m. at Bellingham’s Apple Yarns’s 30% off everything sale. Following through with my personal promise to increase my stash only with sale items, here’s my haul minus the swift that I was not quick enough to add to my basket, they sold out too swiftly so to speak. But Dream in Color, Koigu, silk blend (!) Manos, Colinette Jitterbug, and Sublime will all help make my knitting life happy.

Note to Knitters: smart Andrea, owner of Apple Yarns, has scheduled two sales per year – New Year’s Day and the 4th of July – 30% off everything form 8:00a.m-noon. She even serves Starbucks coffee to eager early birds. I know it’s difficult for Canadian knitters to manage the border on holiday weekends, but be assured, her inventory of yarn may just be too irresistible to wait for the sales. If you get the opportunity to visit tell her I say Hi.