spring cleaning, part 4, or, scarftastic

Another project done and dusted! This spring cleaning knitalong is really paying off. I started this Wisp scarf soon after Erik was born. I've knit this pattern twice before, and it's very intuitive and easy, so it was perfect for my sleep-deprived and baby-addled brain. I dug into my precious stash of Plucky Knitter yarns.

While I loved the yarn in the skein, I'm not 100 percent thrilled about how the colors knit up. Such is the way of variegated hand-dyed yarns, I suppose. Always a roll of the dice. I, however, am not much of a gambler, which is why I've backed away from hand-dyed yarns in recent years and returned to the land of solid colors.

pattern: Wisp, by Cheryl Niamath
source: Knitty, Summer 2007

yarn: The Plucky Knitter Merino Wool Handpainted Fingering Weight, Verde Valley

needles: US 7 bamboo straights

my Ravelry project page

notes:
I skipped the holes and buttons, as I intended this to be just a scarf. The single-ply merino wool is very soft and cozy -- lovely to knit.

--------------------------------------------

Happy spring from our little Easter bunny!
(Erik was a remarkably good sport about the ears.)

P.S. Speaking of bunnies, I just discovered this heirloom bunny blanket pattern on Ravelry, and I'm dying to cast on! I especially love this grey bunny blanket. Sigh, must finish a few more lingering projects first.

spring cleaning, part 3, or, block party

Two more projects washed and blocked as part of the spring cleaning knitalong! Phew, does it feel good to clear the decks. Now if only I could get motivated to wash the windows and do some actual spring cleaning...

 pattern: honey cowl, by Antonia Shankland

yarn: Briar Rose Fibers Celebration, .6 skein

needles: US 8 bamboo circs

my ravelry project page

notes:
I picked up this yarn at the 2009 Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair. The Briar Rose booth is always one of my favorites to visit, and I linger there far too long since there are so many beautiful yarns that it's hard to choose. Celebration (sadly discontinued) is a 60/40 merino/bamboo blend, with plenty of sheen and drape. There's plenty of yarn left to make a coordinating hat (pattern suggestions are welcome!).

This pattern is easy and intuitive -- perfect knitting while tending to baby or at knit night. The length is great and perfect for doubling up. I don't love the rolled edge, so next time I knit this pattern (which I will!), I may skip it.

I'll post details on the other project soon.

spring cleaning, part 2, or, Elsie revisted

Another project done and dusted! This wee cardi just needed blocking and buttons.

 pattern: Elsie Cardigan by Jane Richmond 

yarn: Rowan Wool Cotton, 2 skeins

needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)

 size: 6 months
my ravelry project page

notes:
Another Elsie Cardigan off the needles! I think this is no. 3. Great little pattern knit from the top down. I do think the sizing runs a bit small. I keep knitting this pattern since I love working the crochet picot edging at the end. Rowan Wool Cotton is nice to knit, but I'm not sure how well it washes and wears. Oh well, it just went to a fellow knitter's sweet new baby, so at least it won't get put through the dryer on high!

--------------------------------------------------

 This is how Erik likes to wear his crochet earflap hat:

 

And this is how I like him to wear his hat: 

 Silly boy!

spring cleaning

Ness at Bunnies and Bettas is hosting a spring cleaning KAL, and I'm all aboard this train. Spring's the perfect time for a fresh start, and quite a few projects in my knitting basket just need a few more rows, buttons, blocking, or (gulp) sleeves. Here's project no. 1, destined for a friend's new baby:

pattern: diagonal box-stitch crochet blankie

yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton Worsted

6.5 skeins, haze heather

hook: G/4.0 mm, Clover Soft Touch
my ravelry project page

notes:
I love this pattern! It's intuitive and easy, and working from corner to corner eliminates those pesky foundation chains (mine are always too tight). I've made at least four of these blankies already. The yarn is terrific, but sadly all the colors aside from marshmallow (natural white) have been discontinued. I needed just a smidge more yarn, and a fellow Raveler came to the rescue. Thank you so much, Sarah443!

-------------------------------------------

How about cleaning out the fridge, too? I usually have the ingredients for this soup on hand (I keep ham in the freezer), and it's perfect on a rainy day.

Slow-Cooker Yellow Split Pea Soup

8 C. chicken stock
1 lb. dried yellow (or green) split peas, sorted and rinsed
3 medium carrots, diced (~ 1.5 C.)
1 medium onion, chopped (~ .5 C.)
1 medium stalk celery, chopped (~.5 C.)
8 oz. chopped ham or Canadian-style bacon
1 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
freshly ground pepper, to taste

- Mix all ingredients in slow cooker.

- Cover and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or until peas and veggies are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent the split peas from clumping.

- Serves 8.

bookish

Two beautiful books have been providing some serious knitting inspiration lately.

The first is Knitbot Yoked, which I picked up over Christmas at a lovely little knitting shop near my in-laws' house -- Cream City Yarns (which just happens to be the only store in the Midwest to carry Quince and Co. yarns!). The Birdie Fair Isle Cardigan is calling my name, but I'm afraid that it may be a bit twee for my non-petite stature. Kaye's Cardigan may be a safer, more flattering choice. I'm enamored of the Sunset Cardigan for wee ones, too, though the pattern isn't in the book.

The second is Kelbourne Woolens: Baby Collection, which I received as a holiday gift from a dear friend. Such a treat to receive knitting things for Christmas! The projects are just darling, and they have a classic, old-fashioned vibe, but in subtle, modern colors. Beatrix is on my to-knit list for little Erik, and Mildred is a close second (we got so much use out of his Tiny Trees Baby Vest that I'm inspired to knit more vests).

and this is why I make things

Look what we found in a basket at the Garfield Park Conservatory! Our little woodland sprite is wearing the Baby Sophisticate I knit for him.

 Erik all snuggled up the crochet blankie I made last spring.

Why yes, of course, baby feet are delicious!

P.S. Photos by Ania Scheiman.

catching up

Hope your 2014 is off to a good start! We're a little slow off the mark here, as I'm adjusting to being back at work, navigating the intricacies of daycare, muddling through Erik's first cold (poor pumpkin!), and surviving the polar vortex with a wee one.

More handknits in action!

 Erik keeping warm in his Baby Sophisticate cardigan

 Nothing beats getting wrapped up in a cozy leaf blanket!

 

Mary from my knitting group made this for him, and it's absolutely darling.

Mama in her Aidez cardigan, Erik in his Puerperium, and Papa in his favorite flannel shirt. Looks like someone needs a handknit sweater. : ) 

Erik pumping iron while wearing his Easy Baby Cardigan (now sadly felted after an accidental trip through the dryer)

 tummy time in his ill-fated cardigan (btw, I was skeptical of this sweater when it came off the needles, but the fit was great and it looked good on him).

-----------------------------

 

I have been knitting a bit -- the Honey Cowl is the perfect pattern for this tired mama. Not too complicated, easy to pick up or put down when a squawk comes over the baby monitor, and I love how the Briar Rose yarn is knitting up (Celebration, a merino/bamboo blend with a nice sheen).

Cooking, on the other hand, has been going full-force chez Caffeinated Yarn. Some recent favorites:

- split pea soup
- seriously healthy 4-bean chili
- West African peanut soup

god jul!

I have been scrambling to finish a few handknit gifts and baking Christmas cookies -- sugar cookies, Norwegian cookies, and world peace cookies (how can you resist a name like that at this time of year?). The upper midwest is a snowy winter wonderland this year, very good for the Christmas spirit.

Wishing you and yours joy and peace in the year ahead.

firsts

It has been a season of firsts -- first snowfall, first road trip, first Thanksgiving. Erik apparently loathes bibs, though he enjoyed spending Thanksgiving with his Minnesota grandparents quite well otherwise. So much love! A new baby has a way of renewing and enriching connections with friends and family.

Back home in Chicago, amazed that it's December already, time to trim the tree.

Captain Crochet, luxuriating away

--------------------------------------------------------

The Christmas elf is hard at work...

 a faerie ring shawlette, ready for blocking

a hat for a certain someone with "Purple Pride"

warm and woolly

Handknits in action! Erik has been a model of sartorial splendor when it comes to cozy knitwear.

out for an autumn stroll in his owlie hat and zig zag pram blanket

 enjoying brunch in his bitty cabled cardigan

 watching football in his bitty cabled cardigan

 looking a wee bit grumpy in his tiny trees baby vest

sporting his crochet earflap hat

-------------------------------------------------------

Amazingly I've actually done a few things in the kitchen in the past couple of weeks. These banana chocolate chip muffins were a big hit.

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

makes 12 muffins

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
3 large ripe bananas (about 3 cups mashed)
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
dash of cardamom
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup chocolate chips (or substitute chopped nuts or raisins or any combination thereof)

- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Oil or spray a muffin tin or use paper liners.

- In a large bowl, with an electric mixer or by hand, beat the oil, sugar, eggs, and mashed bananas well until blended. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients – be careful not to overmix. Fold in the vanilla and, if using, the chocolate chips, raisins, and/or nuts.

- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins and bake for 20 minutes, until a knife inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool muffins on a baking rack.

adapted from the Moosewood Restaurant Book of Desserts

memory lane

Turns out that a giant granny square made out of Noro is perfect for cuddling up and watching football, snuggling with a baby, or reading a good book. Who knew? ; )

I started this way back in February 2010, and while I finished crocheting it two years ago, it sat neglected in a corner with lots of loose ends. I was making this for Paul since I thought he would appreciate its rustic look, and I wasn't sure why I was so reluctant to weave in those ends.

Then I remembered that this had been Kylie Cat's favorite project. She loved crochet in general, and the sheepy, lanolin smell of the yarn I used for the border exerted a siren's song over her. It was just too hard to finish it while the memory of saying good-bye to my funny tabby cat was fresh.

And now another cute little creature is enjoying snuggling up with it. Erik's sweet little cardigan (complete with sheep buttons!) was knit by Heather from my knitting group. Knitters are the nicest people!

my Ravelry project page

granny triangle bunting

A colorful granny triangle bunting to welcome little Erik into our lives!

The yarn is Knit Picks Simply Cotton leftover from a few other crochet projects. I stumbled across this granny triangle bunting tutorial via Pinterest a few months ago and thought it was just charming. The triangles were quick to make, and the crochet chain to join them was easy. The triangles initially looked a little lumpy and floppy. I wet-blocked them and used two or three applications of spray starch to give them more body.

The hard part? It took us a while to figure out how to affix it to the wall. Also, I just may have caused Paul quite a few hours of extra work of patching, sanding, priming, and painting when I pulled off 3M Command hooks incorrectly. Note to self: read directions! We ended up just using a few nails, which worked much better.

my Ravelry project page

a new adventure

Welcome to the world, Erik Liam.

Born October 2013

8 lb., 9 oz.

22 inches

the waiting game

Still playing the waiting game around here... One benefit of extra time is finishing up another baby cardigan!

pattern: babe in the woods, by Melissa LaBarre

yarn: Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK, 2 skeins

needles: US 5 Clover bamboo circs and DPNs

size: 6-12 months

my Ravelry project page

notes:
The leaf yoke pattern was very fun to knit. I used a rich dark brown to give the pattern a more “boyish” look. Picking up fewer stitches for the button bands would have worked better (or using a smaller needle), but I’m happy enough with it as is.

I used the same yarn as for the tiny trees baby vest. The yarn was a giveaway on Suze's blog, Mad Knitting, and I stand by my earlier assessment that I like it better than Swish -- it has a nicer hand and a little less of the creepy superwash feel.

------------------------------------------------

Still hooking away at the rosie posie granny square afghan... I'm not sure whether to do four more squares or fourteen more squares.

------------------------------------------------

Some more nursery photos, though we've made progress since these were taken.

The baby quilt made at my mum's baby shower for me! 

Paul's mother did the embroidery above the bookcase for his nursery when he was a baby.

My great aunt sewed this sweet christening gown for my aunt in 1940. It has been worn by many babies -- my aunt, mom, two uncles, brother, cousins, me, and even one cousin-once-removed.