January 2010 Archives

So one of my new years resolutions is healthier eating (I like that better than "Diet") and specifically within that, taking more lunches to work. It allows me portion control and a healthier lunch that's usually cheaper and more environmentally friendly as well. A while back I got a Laptop Lunchbox, a kind of american style bento box. I discovered this great Flickr group that is really inspiring for lunch ideas using this box (or just in general). I've been trying to whip up something while I'm making dinner and packing it up in the evening. It's much easier for me to just grab it in the morning, as I generally prefer as much sleep as absolutely possible in the AM.

Anyways, I thought I'd share a few of my bento's this week for any who might be interested or trying to do the same.


Light tuna salad (Light Mayo, non-fat yogurt, tuna, relish, green onions) with some sprouts on top. Low fat Triscuits, light Babybel cheese, a few peanut M&Ms, grapes and animal crackers.


Indian lunch! My MIL recently stayed with us and we've been working through a fridge full of her home cooking. Methi Papu (Lentils w/ Fenugreek leaves), Basmati rice, tomato chutney (HOT but amazing!) with some Ghee (clarified butter) in the little container to help cut the spicy, "Curd rice" - traditional meal finisher of yogurt, rice and salt and a few Indian (Brittania) biscuits/cookies.


Taco salad - salad greens, grape tomatoes, taco meat (ground turkey and some Soy Crumbles), cheese, light sour cream, some animal crackers and a Xmas chocolate.


Today I didn't get a chance to pack a lunch but I threw some cereal for breakfast in one of my reusable sandwich/snack. I love these! I plan on using these much more as well. I got them for a steal from this Etsy seller.

Oh, and now I think I really must knit this awesome Felted Lunch Box pattern to tote around everything. I'll probably customize it to fit the laptop box, should be perfect!

There has actually been some knitting going on as well. I'm almost finished with a baby sweater to round out the hat and booties gift set.

I was browsing the nominees for the Bobby Awards on Ravelry when I discovered I had been nominated! My DIY Cable Needle Holder is nominated for Best MacGyverism, sweet!

Creative use of non-yarn and non-craft-specific tools, making crafting tools out of unusual materials, use of crafting supplies or FOs for non-craft purposes, as displayed in either a project or a forum post. "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!"

Please go vote on all the lovely entries here: www.ravelry.com/bobbys and you can vote for my entry if you'd like here.





Original blog post: http://www.pieknits.com/blog/2008/05/where_to_keep_that_cable.html

Another quick post on a christmas present.



This is the Mug and French Press Jacket by MK Carroll knit for my Mom. I had a couple false starts with this as I found the increase rate for the bottom much to fast and it caused the circle to ripple. I eliminated one "increase wedge" out of it and it then laid flat. However the only mugs I could find were narrow at the base with flared out sides so as the pattern was written it was too big for the base. I only increased until I could do one less repeat of the cable pattern. 



Because the sides do angle down so much the jacket works a little better when the closure loop is secured over the handle instead of through it. It keeps it from slipping off. Otherwise I'd recommend using a more flat sidded mug if you have one. Overall though it's a very pretty pattern. I love the way it looks. 

Pattern: Mug and French Press Jacket (Ravelry link) by Diane Serviss of MK Carroll
Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Wool
Needles: US size 6 (4 mm)
Mods: Worked 1 less increase section on base, overall smaller by one less cable repeat.

Now that all the holidays are over I'm finally getting back into the regular swing of things. That also means I can post Christmas gift knitting!



I made another version of the Chunky Newsboy Hat pattern for my friend. It's such a cute quick knit. To change it up a little I did a few columns of twisted stitches to create sections. It's rather subtle and doesn't show well in the photographs but was simple to add. I think if I make another I might add some 1x1 cables. I also lengthened the brim widthwise as my last one came out a little narrower than a traditional brim. Although I think I was also knitting really tight for it as well. My other mod was to again use the knit/purl variation of the long tail cast-on as I detailed in that post.



Here's a shot of my lovely friend wearing it on Christmas (and rocking out on a ukulele!) :)
[Who now has an awesome photography blog, check it out! tmuir-artofobservation.blogspot.com]

Pattern: Chunky Newsboy Cap (Ravelry link) by Diane Serviss of Earthly Fae
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, Light Medium Blue #106
Needles: US size 13 (9 mm) and US size 8 (5 mm)
Mods: Twisted stitch every 8 sts, brim 4 sts longer, cast-on in knit/purl long-tail method

And just for fun, Aejaz playing in the exceedingly rare Dallas Christmas Eve snow we got (first in 80 years).



He'd dive into the snow and chase the scattering balls of it and eat them. We laughed like crazy.