pieKnits

Some Things Stay the Same

2010-03-09T17:58:20Z

Aejaz 4 months old... (click for animated version)

And Aejaz 4 years old.

He's had every empty Diet Coke box in-between.

Compulsion

2010-03-02T23:03:24Z

Sometimes I get an idea in my head and I just have to act on it. Despite telling myself I probably don't really need another top hat. But pshaw, where's the fun in that?

I had been searching for a feltable yarn in this color for awhile when I saw Debbie Stroller's (of Stitch N' Bitch fame) new line of yarn, Stitch Nation. This yarn is the Full o' Sheep in Aquamarine, a worsted 100% wool single ply. I'm really curious to see how it will felt. The line has some great vibrant colors.

The pattern is of course my modified version of Dark Twist's Miniature Top Hat. I've made the brim a little longer this time as I'm planning to decorate it with needle felting and some little forest figurines. I think pre-felted knits always look a bit pathetic but I was trying to capture the wire I've inserted into the I-cord bind-off on the brim. The ends have been left long and sticking out, hopefully allowing them to adjust to the final fulled size. I've been meaning to order some actual millinery wire, but until then I'm winging it with a bit of floral wire.

I may just have this finished in time to go see Alice in Wonderland!

I made bread!

2010-02-05T18:03:51Z

As much as I love to bake, yeast breads still present a challenge for me. I haven't always had the best results, so I was thrilled with this loaf!

I'm a huge bread junkie. I could live on it. No matter how big the Atkins craze got I never even considered it for a second. Not giving up my carbs, nuh-uh no way.

So determined to try more healthy baking as well (trying to stay away from my nemesis The Cookie) I decided to go with a basic. The extremely popular NY Times "No-Knead Bread" seemed a good start. I then came across Cook Illustrated's version "Almost No-Knead Bread" with a little kneading and using beer and vinegar to add more flavor. Cook's Illustrated is another love, I highly recommend their cook books if you like to know the hows & whys of a recipe. Anyway, this came out tasty and chewy like "a real bakery" bread, success!

No "Brown Bag" Here

2010-01-29T23:03:51Z

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.

Bobby Awards!

2010-01-26T18:02:02Z

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

A Cozy Mug

2010-01-20T03:25:33Z

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.

Chunky Newsboy Hat 2

2010-01-08T19:31:21Z

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.

All wrapped up

2009-12-21T16:32:44Z

It always becomes a blog dilemma this time of year in what to post since most of my knitting is gift-knitting and seems this little site has made the rounds with the family.

However, I did find this great wrapping paper that I thought I'd share as it's a red knit sweater print. Found it at Target (love that place).

So now you can wrap your hand-knits in knitting paper, haha. Ok I'm easily amused.

Beginning to look a lot like

2009-12-07T18:56:27Z

A friend was having a Housewarming/Christmas party so I picked up this bottle of wine as part of a gift. The bottle looked a little bare though so I whipped up this cute hat and scarf set for him. :)

A fun quick pattern and great use of leftover yarn. The pattern is Chilled Wine Garb (rav link), also available here. The yarn was leftover Red Heart Ltd. Sport Solid in Cherry Red and Paddy Green. The scarf is just straight stockinette stitch and rolls itself into a nice tube. I simply carried the alternating colors up the side, weaving them to the edge as I went. A clever small pom-pom tutorial using straight needles was given by the pattern designer as well.

And what was the theme of this party? Ugly/Tacky Christmas Sweaters! Haha. Mr. PieKnits and I had fun looking through all the over-decorated sweaters of yore at the thrift stores trying to find the most obnoxious ones. The one I'm sporting he found, it has lots of bells, bows and baubles all over it (and shoulder pads, wow). I kept thinking how much I looked like my grade school teachers! It was quite hilarious though and I plan to re-donate the cloths and consider it part of my Xmas charity.

I also knit the little santa hat although I'm debating what to do with it. I was going to felt it but ran out of time so just wore it as-is and was thinking of just keeping it that way. But now I may rip it and reknit it in a slightly different shape to felt it. Hmmmm...

Thanksgiving (and a bit of crafting)

2009-12-02T23:55:36Z

I have been squeezing in bits of knitting (between the holiday prep, cleaning, super busy at work stuff, etc) but not much to show. We did have a wonderful Thanksgiving however with my parents, grandparents and aunt and cousin coming down to visit.

A few little things I managed to make. The menu design was part of a free T-day stationary download set. I typed up my menu (as my handwriting is wretched), cut and mounted it and put it in a little extra frame I had. It was fun to do and easy to let everyone know what we were having. It also seemed to amuse everyone. :)
Below that, although kinda hard to see, are simple leaf cutouts from felt to serve as trivets. These were cheap, easy, useful and looked really nice- my kind of craft.

My mom and I (and my retro cherry apron I <3) working in the kitchen. Up since 6am, woo!

Mom, me and Grandma + the Turkey! Couldn't have pulled it all off without them- thank you Mom and Grandma!

More Overdue Halloween

2009-11-19T15:02:00Z

Steampunk!Mr. PieKnits

Mr. PieKnits went as steampunk, or for you uninitiated, we told people "a time traveler". I love his handlebar mustache! Of all the items I made, this relatively quick one is a favorite. I made it from black wool (roving would be ideal, I "unspun" some single-ply yarn as it's what I had). I then roughly shaped it with wet felting and finished the shaping with needle-felting. It's held on by eyelash glue.

We added the metal plates make-up for the second night for a little something more. I made the arm garter but the other basic clothing he had on hand. The leather cog cuff was made by a local artist we picked up at a past steampunk event.

The goggles are modified welding goggles. I pretty much followed this tutorial.

I also made a thigh gun holster out of some remnant bin vinyl upholstery fabric. I took a $1 store toy gun and painted it silver, black and copper then traced a basic outline onto the fabric. It has two ties that go around the thigh and one to hold it up to tie to a belt. I'm really bummed I didn't get an action shot (also need one of the gun).

We also found this inexpensive top hat which fit great. The hatband on the original was some cheap plastic wrapped around it. So I swirled some grossgrain ribbon (a millinery technique that adds a curve to the ribbon so it lies flush against the slanted hat sides- tutorial) and created a nicer looking hatband.

I love Halloween for the excuse to play with food and be gruesome. For this year, meet Meat Head! It's actually a cheeseball pressed into a craft face mold that's covered in prosciutto with stuffed olive halves for eyes. This got great reactions (and was tasty)!

Now I think I may need to make myself a rocking 'stache - anyone interested in a tutorial?

Overdue Halloween

2009-11-13T23:01:30Z

I really loved our halloween costumes this year and wanted to share despite being well into November now. (I'm perpetually running behind once holiday season kicks in it seems.)

First up is Medusa!

This dress was about the easiest thing I've ever sewn. A few yards of inexpensive muslin folded in half with the upper section left open for arm holes, the waist sides sewn together and a neck hole cut out. I didn't even bother hemming since a slight ragged look worked for this. I then dip dyed the bottom in RIT dye in a kelly green, then darker green then black. It's simply gathered and belted at the waist with some gold cording.
At my office we have a "blue screen" set up for photoshoots so at our Halloween party everyone takes photos and then we have fun photoshopping in backgrounds. :)

You can see the shoulder gathers here. I found these roman coin earrings at a thrift shop. I cut the post backs off and glued on pin backs to hold the gathers.

Ahh the make up- it was much fun to play with! This is a photo I snapped before the rest of the costume went on. I painted on "snake eyes" on my eyelids so when I closed my eyes they still looked open. This really messed with people, extra creepy hee! The snake skin patterning on the sides was done by pulling a fishnet stocking over my head and applying the makeup over it.

I bought a cheap wig then spent several evenings sewing in assorted plastic snakes. I later bobby pinned a few more around my face (not in these photos) to add a little more. If I wear this costume again (highly likely!) I want to add even more snakes, sticking out every which way.

And one other fun little thing I quick made. Some little $1 plastic skeleton hands, a ribbon bow and a hair clip and viola! festive hair accessory.

Recipe: Candy Corn and Peanut Cookies

2009-10-27T15:41:06Z

It's that time of year again when the stores fill with those specialty seasonal food items. Candy Corn being ubiquitous for Halloween I always have to have some. A while back I tried a candy corn and salted peanut mix and woh. It takes on a whole new flavor, almost like a Pay Day candy bar. Being my cookie obsessed self, I promptly thought "Hey this could be a cookie"!

After a few tries I had what I was looking for. I admit my first attempt was a rather spectacular failure. I had from the start been concerned with the candy corns becoming overly melted. I knew I'd want to bake them at a low temperature and I went ahead and just mixed them in the dough for the first trial batch. Oh yes, did they melt. Giant molten pools of orange-ish goo that hardened to the baking sheet and reduced the cookies into a big crumbly mess when trying to remove them, oops. However, they were still tasty cookie crumbles!

So I found the solution was to insert a couple candies into the center of each dough ball making sure they were completely covered so the dough acts as a kind of container. Then once they're removed from the oven, pressing a few candies on top so they keep that distinctive kernel shape. Success! A nice combination of salty/sweet with the candy corns making an almost nougat like middle.

Candy Corn and Peanut Cookies

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups sifted flour (140g)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup salted peanuts
1/2 - 3/4 cup candy corns

1. Heat oven to 325°F.

2. Cream together butter, peanut butter and both sugars with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

3. Add egg and vanilla and mix until fully incorporated.

4. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking soda and salt.

5. Add flour mixture to butter mixture stirring until blended. Stir in peanuts.

6. Form 1 inch balls of dough, inserting one or two candy corns into the center. Make sure dough completely covers the candy on all sides. Place on baking sheet and slightly flatten.

7. Bake 13 to 15 minutes.

8. Remove from oven and immediately press a few candy corns into the top of each cookie. Let cool several minutes (baking sheet should be cool enough to touch). Carefully transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.

Have a Happy Halloween!

New Pattern - Dose, Felted Pillbox

2009-10-23T17:23:57Z

There is hardly a more fabulous accessory than a vintage style hat.

Nothing transforms an outfit like a great hat can. I think they're such fun pieces which is probably why I can't seem to stop making them. This pillbox hat is not full size, so it's more a type of cocktail hat that sits tilted on the head.

From understated to extravagantly embellished, the decorations can endlessly vary the look. Make two from one skein and adorn completely differently!

The pillbox shape for hats has been around literally thousands of years but was more recently made popular in the mid-20th century. This classic shape is easy to wear and won't mess up your hair.

The instant download rundown -after payment via Paypal you will be given a link to download the pattern. This link will also be emailed to you and will expire in 120 hours. For any questions about the pattern or whole download process please shoot me an email me at- jen@pieknits.com!

Pattern: Dose - Felted Pillbox Cocktail Hat
Gauge: 12 sts and 16 rows = 4" in St st before felting
Needle sizes: Size 11 (8 mm): 16" circular (cir) and set of 4 or 5 double-pointed (dpn)
Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino (100% merino wool; 223 yds [204 meters] per 100g): 00226 Black, 1 ball (approx. 1/2 for 1 hat)
Skill level: Beginner-Intermediate (working in the round with small number of sts, short rows, single crochet used)
Price: $3.75
Format: PDF instant download pattern

Booties

2009-10-19T22:21:31Z

So it seems 6,194 ravelry projects can't be wrong. The Saartje's Bootees pattern just churns out awfully cute booties. I knit these Red Heart Ltd. Heart & Sole in Razzle Dazzle. I love finding "non-babyish" colors for baby knits. Personally I think there are too many pastels out there. These are for my new niece who should be arriving sometime today!

I would have liked to share photos of a green and thriving veggie garden this summer, alas it was not meant to be. We had the heat spike up early and long and it really stunted about everything. Wow do I have some ugly tomato plants. I'm finally getting a few from it and hoping the frost will hold off long enough to get one crop out of them. The chili peppers though, the chili peppers went crazy. They're something you can count on to take the Texas heat and with that in mind I had planted several varieties. This is my recent harvest where I left everything that could possible stay on the plant a bit longer there (this is probably 1/4 of what's out there). It's close to 2 lbs! And these aren't exactly heavy fruits.

I have Hungarian hot wax, Sweet banana pepper, Serrano, Cayenne, Bell peppers, and a mystery plant that re-sprouted from last year. There's also a few tomatoes in there (mostly cherry).
So any ideas on what to do with all these?
My go-to has been chili quesadillas (which are awesome with these) but one can only eat so much.