Knitting Update - June Update

This year, I resolved to do something fun. You can check out my knitting goals for 2014 here.

I thought March was a busy month, but April and May were even busier. So busy that I never even got around to sharing what I'd knit in April, so today you'll get a two-for-one  deal (even though the knitting is a little thin on the ground).

April

In April, I made three squares, finished the socks I was working on in March, and made a pair of ankle socks.


May

In May, I made three more squares, and half a sock. You can tell the weather is turning nice because I'm spending less time knitting!

Weekend Links

Another weekend at home, and it was mighty full - waking up at 4 am to catch the perfect sunrise, getting caught up on errands, antiquing, the first farmer's market of the season (!), gardening, and trying a new DIY project. Even Odie's worn out, and that's saying something.

Here are this week's links:

Knitting

I love this sweater in so many ways...

Gardening

I saw this in action at a local restaurant (along with the cutest pallet garden). Would love to see something like this more often. Also, I thought this infographic was interesting. Apparently, I should be about 15 years older based on my gardening habits...

DIY

I planted a bunch of lavender this weekend, and am already planning on what to do with all the dried flowers. This is pretty high on the list.

Cooking

I love "template" cooking in all its forms, and am seriously thinking about getting this cookbook.



What links caught your eye this week?

Weekend Links

Happy Memorial Day! I've been planning on a day full of work (womp, womp) but it looks like I might get a day off after all. Last weekend I pulled weeds until I was sore and sunburnt, and then we had a surprise flash trip down to Moab for a little craft fair. Hopefully you are getting to rest up, connect with friends and family, and of course remember the service of so many to our country.

Knitting

Not that I need another scarf/wrap/shawl, but this is gorgeous. Also, I saw the most beautiful lavender-colored Shetland shawl this weekend, and now I must knit one for myself. Obviously.

Gardening

So...I totally don't wear gloves when I garden. It's gross. Usually I scrub, scrub, scrub for a couple days after an intense garden session, but next time I'll be trying this trick.

DIY

Not quite DIY, but definitely helpful. The dirty on getting clean.  Also, I am very tempted to buy this book, since I vaguely know all the basics about sewing but can never quite remember the details.

Cooking

Somehow I'm at that point in the year where my frozen and canned supply of fruits and vegetables is starting to let me down. As in, I saved almost exactly enough for a year, which is perfect, but now I can't just grab random things out of the freezer to fix dinner. I can't wait for my garden to start really producing (and for the farmer's markets to start), but in the meantime, foodgawker fills in the gaps with inspiration for what to do with what's left in my freezer. I've been using this site for so long, I forget that people don't know about it.

What links caught your eye last week?

Weekend Links

It's been a crazy couple of weeks...work, work, and more work, and last weekend Mike and I went to Moab to chill with some friends. Except we didn't really chill, we hiked in the already baking May sun. It was a great time, but I must say, why is everything sore?

Anyways, here's what's been catching my eye:

Knitting

This pattern. Everything about it is lovely. Color, shape, stitch pattern...

Gardening

Don't know what to do with all those herbs in your garden? Here's how to dry them.

DIY

Loving this honey body wash. Also, I just finished reading Modern Pioneering. It's pretty much a DIY-gardener-cooking fanatic's dream. I highly recommend it.

Cooking

As always, Shauna Ahern says it best. Recently I've had some scary run-ins with ordering gluten-free at restaurants. She explains why joking about gluten-free people is really endangering our ability to eat well, while managing not to go off on a rant like I would. On a lighter note, this looks amazing (minus the pistachios).

What links caught your eye last week?

Weekend Links

We had a wild weekend over here...well, in Tucson, anyways. We went for a friend's wedding and had a blast. The best part, besides watching two amazing people tie the knot? I was able to eat gluten-free at every meal, including the wedding dinner. More on that later. Anyways, it was great seeing old friends, making new friends, and celebrating looooove. Now it's back to work and real life!

Here are this week's links:

Knitting

Because I can never remember which way the yarnover goes. (You'd think, after almost 15 years of knitting, I could remember a thing or two about it!)

Gardening

I'll be consulting this website to try and identify some more of my weeds next weekend. After a couple of weeks away from home, they're starting to take over...again.

DIY

I tried to do a photo transfer like this way back in high school, and it didn't work so well. I'm excited to maybe try it again. Also, I'm thinking of making some DIY air freshener, because the canned stuff smells...canned.

Cooking

It's going to be another crazy-busy couple of weeks at work, but I still want to do everything I can to eat real food. You can bet I'll be consulting this list for quick meal ideas.

What links caught your eye last week?

Weekend Links

Mike and I had quite the adventure last weekend - we'd planned on hiking all day in Moab, but it was windy and rainy, so we popped down to Grand Junction for a few wine tastings. It was a busy day with a lot more driving than we'd planned on doing, which was fine since it meant more time for knitting! I've been caught up reading the Divergent novels, and am waaaay behind in my blog-reading, but here's what managed to catch my eye this week:

Knitting

Wool People Vol. 7 is here, and of course I'm in love with all of it, but especially Seacoast.

DIY

I'm a little bit sick of paper towels and pre-moistened wipes, but not ready to completely give them up. This is a great idea, though I might use old clothes that are too raggedy for even the thrift store - like hubby's undershirts! Also, I'm filing away this tutorial on how to make a silicone mold. Would be great for soap molds!

Gardening

This is pretty timely for me - I'm busily working on making the outer perimeter of our garden look appealing for the neighbors (and me). I especially love the last one - edible treats tucked away into decorative plantings.

Cooking

This salad looks perfect. The end.

What links caught your eye this weekend?

Weekend Links

I hope you all had an awesome Easter weekend! We kept busy - there was knitting, errands, yardwork galore, three restaurant meals (more than we normally have in a month), and a movie. And we experienced our very first earthquake - a 3.2 about 30 miles away from us. I heard the porch creak, then it felt like the house was on a wave of water. Mike and I looked at each other and said, was that an earthquake? Wild. Anyways, here's what caught my eye this week:

Knitting

I haven't forgotten that I've pledged to knit sweaters this year. Right now, I'm plugging away at my socks and a stealth pattern, but I am loving vintage sweaters and sweaters with lace panels right now.

DIY

I'm loving the idea of these DIY infused balms. The infused oils would be fun to try in soaps, as well.

Gardening

I spent the weekend prepping a new flower bed using this technique. I have another (normally very weedy) spot in the garden where I've used this cardboard/mulch technique, and it's cut down on my weeding time substantially. Win! Also, I'm seriously considering sweet potatoes this year, not just for the food, but for the groundcover as well.

Cooking

This recipe reminds me of a sandwich I used to love to grab at work. Sadly, the restaurant has left the area, so I'll have to settle for making my own.

What links caught your eye this week?

Weekend Links

Ah, weekend, how I've missed you. Last weekend was spent visiting baby sheep, gardening, hiking, getting caught up on housework, and practicing the fine art of relaxation.

Knitting

I'm loving this knitting graph paper notebook. I've ordered one and can't wait to get it! Also

DIY

These paisley rocks are just too cute. Excuse me while I run down to the craft store...

Gardening

I love raspberries - I buy them by the bucketful in the summer, freeze them, then eat them all year long. This year, I'm thinking of growing them myself, with this as a guide.

Cooking

If there's chocolate on the line, I am there. Lately, I've been cutting back on the refined sugar intake, meaning that my chocolate consumption has to get creative. I'm especially loving this chocolate butter ganache recipe - perfect for dipping things in chocolate but without adding too much sugar.  On the sweeter side of things, this chocolate pudding looks amazing.

Weekend Links

Last weekend was an interesting mix. I had to work on Saturday, but then I got a massage. I got to garden on Sunday, but then I had to work. Work, work, work, work, work. All I can say is, next weekend had better watch out!

Knitting


I have one square shawl - knit with laceweight yarn on tiny needles - that took me for.ev.er. But I love it. I've been eyeing another square shawl pattern in a heavier weight yarn, like this one. And this. Basically, if it's Brooklyn Tweed, I love it.

DIY

Here are 10 ways to add instant spring to your house. Clearly, most of these photos involve flowers, which is why I love it.

Gardening

These planters are awesome.

Cooking

Joy the Baker's April Fool's post about how to be a perfect food blogger was hilarious. I've been cutting down on the grains and sugars in my desserts, but since I can't eat nuts, that means getting creative. This recipe for black bean brownies is next on my list.



What caught your eye last week?

Knitting Goals 2014: April Update

This year, I resolved to do something fun. You can check out my knitting goals for 2014 here.

I just had a wicked thought that I'd play an April Fool's prank on you guys and say that I'd quit knitting for good, but that's just not funny!

March was a busy month, filled with trips, visits from in-laws, and workin' overtime. Not much time for knitting in between, except on our two weekend trips, because Mike kindly drove so I could have some much-needed knitting time.

In March, I managed to knit five blanket squares, and one and a half socks. The socks are actually coming along quickly, despite the fine gauge. You can't really see it in the photo, but there's a little cable detail along both edges of the sock - not unlike what I did for Ice Glider, but on a smaller scale, a different cable design, and on both the right and left sides of each sock. So totally different, but exactly the same, if you know what I mean.

What are you knitting right now?

Weekend Links

Last weekend, Mike and I went to Arches National Park - one of our favorite spots for hiking! The sun was shining, the weather was perfect, and we had a great time. Spring is easily my favorite season of all.

Knitting

I love everything Kate Davies does, and these tea towels are no exception! Also, I'm loving this stitch pattern for a cowl, and the details on this sweater. So much to knit, so little time!

DIY

This is a great tutorial for a lavender linen spray. I wonder what other scents I could try with this?

Gardening

My little veggie seedlings made it through the long weekend without drying out, and soon it will be time to harden them off and plant them outside. There's still time to start seeds for the spring planting season, and if you're wondering how to do it, here's a great tutorial. They've got everything covered!

Cooking

This heavenly hummus wrap from the Pioneer Woman looks heavenly indeed! Anybody know of some good, gluten-free wraps that are also flexible enough to make a big wrap?

What caught your eye last week?

Weekend Links

Mike and I spent another weekend in Grand Junction and Palisades, Colorado. Odie had a blast, going to the puppy park both morning and night. And while Mike drove, I finally got a chance to get some knitting time in.

Knitting

I'm loving this herringbone stitch for a cowl. Not sure I believe that it will only take one hour, even though I am a pretty fast knitter.

DIY

April Fool's Day is coming up soon. This is a mean joke to play on the kiddos, but it made me laugh.

Gardening

Have you ever heard of bottle trees? Apparently they're linked to lots of history, but they're also gorgeous in the garden. I especially love the ones where flowering vines wrap up around them.

Cooking

Shauna and Danny of Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef were nominated for a James Beard Award. Both their cookbooks are wonderful, whether you're gluten-free or not. If you're into food, and you don't already own a copy of one or both of their cookbooks, I'd highly recommend picking up a copy.

What links caught your eye last week?

Weekend Links

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Pretty sure I don't own any green clothes, so feel free to go ahead and pinch me! Last weekend was another gorgeous weekend. Saturday was a bit frustrating, with my just-repaired sewing machine acting up so horribly that I ended up getting a brand-new sewing machine on Sunday. It was about time, but it's always sad to see an old tool bite the dust. We went hiking on Sunday, too, and didn't do much of anything else. The last few weeks have been so crazy, it was time for a bit of R&R.

Knitting

It's about time to cast on another pair of socks if I'm to knit 12 pairs this year. How nifty are these socks? Also, how crazy awesome are these sweaters?

DIY

This project is pretty darn cool. I did a similar project for the science fair in high school, but this is way cooler by far, and the possibilities are endless.

Gardening

I'm having a bit of difficulty planning out the garden - it's a mix of figuring out where the best lighting is, and practicing crop rotation to prevent the buildup of disease in the soil. I'm thinking of using bean poles for more than just beans to maximize the available space this year.

Cooking

I love cooking, I really do, but my work schedule has kept me from cooking every night the way I used to. I'm eyeballing slow cooker recipes like this one to make it feel like I'm coming home to something that's been simmering all afternoon (because it has).

Weekend Links

This weekend was gorgeous. I got up before dawn both days, and hopped on over to a local park to practice my photography skills. And there was lots of cooking for the upcoming week, a massage, and digging in the dirt. A fantastic weekend, all around.

Knitting

If you're a fan of Sherlock like I am, then you'll love this pillow. And, about this time of year, I get visions of knitting hundreds of tiny things like this and this, and decorating my house with them. (Maybe someday...) Lastly, I don't understand this at all, but it is cool.

DIY

If you're into photography, you probably know that backlit photos are all the rage right now. Here are some great tips on how to make that happen.

Gardening

I finally got my gardening mojo back! Last weekend was about clearing out weeds, prepping the soil with mulch and compost, and getting a few seeds started. I love this website for everything - the seed-starting calculator, her monthly list of garden chores, her stories. Everything.

Cooking

It's been ages since I've had pasta shells. These look amazing. Anyone know of some good gluten-free pasta shells?


...and just because we're never quite sure, here's the best time to book a plane ticket.


What links caught your eye last weekend?

Knitting Goals 2014: March Update

This year I resolved to do something fun. You can check out my knitting goals for 2014 here.

February was a busy month, and there were only 28 days to get it all done. I'm sorry to say, my knitting in February wasn't nearly as productive as it was in January, but there's still plenty of time to get back on track!

I made 10 full squares and an honest start at an eleventh, and the cuff of a sock that's destined to be ripped back and made into something else. I just wasn't that into it...

Anyways, since I did no knitting at all for the first three days of March, I'm off to knit myself silly to make up for all that lost time!

Weekend Links

I did absolutely NO knitting this weekend ... what a bummer. Instead, I put in eight-hour days on both Saturday and Sunday in order to wrap up a work project.  On the bright side, Mike took me to a fancy dinner Saturday night. We went to Fleming's, which had excellent service, a good gluten-free menu, and a fantastic wine list. Of course, I managed to leave both my phone and my camera at home, and Mike's phone camera is broken, so we don't have any proof that it really happened, but it did, I swear!

Knitting

Ravelry's hit 4 million members, and they've posted this cute infographic to celebrate. Are you on Ravelry? Let's be friends!

DIY

Not that I'm planning on moving anytime soon, but this moving box packing list is pretty awesome.

Gardening

My tulips are starting to poke up out of the ground and I couldn't be more excited. Only...now it's time to get the veggie garden fence back up because Odie likes to dig in my garden. (What can I say, he's Mommy's boy) How about fencing made out of pallets?

Cooking

I am on an asparagus streak. It doesn't hurt that it's been on sale in the grocery store, even though it's not quite in season yet. These would take some tinkering to make them gluten-free and nut-free, but I'd love to try them.

What caught your eye over the weekend?

Weekend Links

I spent this weekend at my best friend's wedding - catching up with old friends, making new friends, and enjoying being in Virginia.  It was a great wedding and a fantastic party!

Knitting

I forgot to pack my knitted hearts in my luggage this weekend, but I am loving this Valentine's knitted and crochet heart bomb.

DIY

This one's really more about life than DIY, but I just had to share it. It's about preventing burnout. Definitely worth a read if you ever feel overwhelmed.

Gardening

Yes, yes, and yes. This winter, I've chased away winter blues by keeping fresh flowers in the house and even forcing my own bulbs. After reading Flower Confidential, I'm more than a little grossed out by the chemicals cut flowers are treated with, so I buy them at Whole Foods, aiming for local-ish flowers as much as possible. But there's always room for improvement ...

Cooking

Um...bruschetta with leeks, goat cheese, and bacon? Yum! Also, I had no idea this community existed. You can bet I'll be surfing there for some recipe inspiration soon. And one more - coconut waffles.  I don't usually go in for waffles, but I've been craving them lately...

What caught your eye over the weekend?

DIY Dryer Balls

Ever wondered what's in dryer sheets? I sure have. Don't get me wrong, they smell awesome. Who wouldn't love a fresh, hot pile of laundry with a sweet scent?

Anyways, I got to thinking, and thinking led to noodling around the Internet, and noodling around the Internet led to...

DIY Dryer Balls! Apparently you can buy these for a pretty penny over on Etsy, but I've got buckets of wool yarn stashed away. Honestly - the hardest part of this whole project was admitting to myself that I was never going to knit a hat with the leftovers from that sweater, or make a pair of mittens with the leftovers from a blanket I made five years ago.  So, I mustered up the courage to weed out my wool stash, and got going, with this as a guide.

The process was simple - wind the yarn into balls, tie the balls inside some holey pantyhose (you could also tie them into a pillowcase or old rags - anything to help them keep their shape), wash with my clothes on a hot cycle, then toss in the dryer. And - dryer balls.

I'm not into strong, perfumey scents in my laundry these days, but if you're feeling like the laundry is missing that special something, you could definitely put a few drops of pure essential oils on your dryer balls for a nice, fresh laundry smell.

And, even if you're not a crazy knitter/yarn stasher like me, you can pick up supplies at a craft store. Most places now sell 100% wool yarn, including Michael's and JoAnn's.

What crazy DIY projects are you cooking up? I'd love to hear about them!

Weekend Links

I spent this weekend getting over a cold ... it seems to be on its way out, thankfully. Luckily, there were plenty of Olympic games to watch. I'm a sucker for figure skating...

Knitting

Knitting at the Olympics! Apparently it's a group knitting project that the Finnish Olympic team is working on. Awesome! Also, I'm reading Adventures in Yarn Farming.  Two words: Lambie Jammies. It's total cute overload. 

DIY

My studio is undergoing some much-needed cleanup. If only it could be as clean (and multifunctional) as this one. 

Garden

While the rest of the country keeps getting blasted with snowpocalypse 2014, here in Salt Lake City we've been getting rain. Odd, to say the least. On the bright side, the snow has melted around my herbs, and I'm hoping most of them will come back in the spring.  I'm seriously considering growing more lavender this season, and looking to this for tips.

Cooking

Apparently, February is National Grapefruit month. What with this cold knocking me off my feet, I've been downing grapefruit like nobody's business. I especially like broiled, with cinnamon and honey. But vanilla would be tasty too...

What caught your eye over the weekend?

Knitting Olympics!

Watching the Olympics tonight, and what do I see? Knitting!