PSAs

diamond afghan

Here's a sampling of what's in Amy Butler's new book, Midwest Modern Knits! The home dec items appeal to me much more than the garments.

blossom pillow (large)
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Amy Herzog over at stash, knit, repeat has just started a series of tutorial posts called "Fit to Flatter," a guide to knitting items that flatter your shape. Her first tutorial has already prompted me to rethink how I go about selecting sweater patterns. Deep V-necks, scoop necks, and square necks are very flattering on me, and many of my store-bought sweaters and tops feature them. Why don't I ever choose knitting patterns along those lines? Seems like a no-brainer!

As a result, these patterns have been moved to the top of my sweater-knitting queue:
- Buttercup
- Vesper
- Mondo Cable Pulli

PSAs

1)Liberty of London's new line is out at Target now! Much excitement is in the air, although this isn't quite as thrilling as last year's Orla Kiely collaboration. Now if only Target would team up with Cath Kidston, all would be right in the world.

2) Jimmy Beans Wool has a marvelous sale on Amy Butler bags right now. In theory they're knitting bags, but in reality, they look great for a wide array of uses everyday.
Word on the street is that Amy Butler has a line of organic yarn and a knitting book due out sometime in the near future.

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in the kitchen

Inspired by Leslie (as ever), I baked these delicious vanilla sugar cookies last week. For part of the regular powdered sugar, I substituted Swedish vanilla sugar, which is essentially powdered sugar with flecks of vanilla beans. It's available at Scandinavian specialty shops as well as IKEA.
I sprinkled half of the cookies with pearl sugar and half with regular granulated sugar. Both were delicious, and it didn't seem to make too big a difference, except for the appearance!

When my ship comes in, I'd like to get a full set of the Spode Greek dishes. So cheerful and blue, plus who wouldn't enjoy eating their dinner off an image of Zeus wielding a thunderbolt?

more on actual knitting soon, I promise...