Merry Christmas!

Marietta got some new clothes for Christmas from her Aunty, the Sky Goddess.

I'm trying a new method of store my ear pods.  Thank the boys for my Nano 7.  This is one of those plastic bobbins I got for intarsia. I'm wondering how long it will last.  It is a bit fussy to wind and wind.  I'm already trying to imagine a good holder to make for the Nano.  It has no clip or anything. 

Happy Holidays to all of you!  I love having you stop by the blog.

Irish Hiking Mitts, FO

Pattern: 

Irish Hiking Mitts

by Karin Michel

Yarn:

2 Ply Worsted

by Black Water Abbey

Aran / 10 ply

100% Wool 

Needles:  

Size 6 DPNs

Mods: I started with a 1x1 twisted rib on the palm side, and  also twisted the knit stitches between the cable.  I knew this pattern would be large.  The wrists were still a bit large. 

The yarn is made in Ireland and I purchased it many moons ago at Madrona.  Since I only had one skein the options were limited.  I tried this yarn out on a few other things, but wouldn't you know it wanted to be Irish Hiking Mitts!  The color has a lot of depth to it and the stitch definition is good. 

I am planning to go to Ireland next year on a tour.  I found out while researching various things that some people I thought were Irish are not...Mumford and Sons and MacKenzie Thorpe for two.   

I have homework researching Ireland.  So far I've come to realize what a complicated history it has!  Hopefully it's geology is a little easier to understand. 

Bigger on the Inside, FO

Pattern: 

Bigger on the inside

by Kate Atherley

from Knitty, Spring + Summer 2012

Yarn:  1.6 skeins, about 700 yards
Colorway, aqua sol

Heritage Solids & Quatro Colors

by Cascade Yarns

Needles:  size 3
Mods.
1.  Made this bigger on the outside by following Damelac's mods on Ravelry.   The resultant shawl was a generous 64 inches across the top edge and about 70 inches along the bottom.  
2.  Casdena on Ravelry is kind enough to share her alternative ending, a knit on lace.  While this lace took forever to finish, it was well worth it.  Like magic it fit perfectly on the 411 picked up stitches.  
Comments.  This pattern is nothing short of brilliant.  In the beginning I thought the variegation would hide the Tardis.ss.ss, but in the end I was quite pleased with they way they showed.  

I don't know what I was thinking when I blocked this lace.  Next time around I will thread the wires through the points!  Good thing I own a lot of pins. 

Marietta's Totoro Flap Hat, Pattern

Marietta’s Totoro Flap Hat 

Ears changed 5/9/2020

My first try was done in Red Heart which is more of an aran weight.  I reworked the pattern  in Cascade 220 and Knit Picks Swish.  I also tried out some safety eyes.  I had to cut the backs off the eyes because she said they stuck her in the head and made unsightly bumps.  I also did the band in stockinette stitch instead of 1x1 rib.  The ears were updated 5/9/2020 to be knit in the round.  

I credit Sharuya at Go Dolls for her cute Totoro style hat.  Her dolls are Blythe or smaller, and her hat's are just adorable.  My Marietta's head is quite a bit bigger at 12 inches.  
 

Skills
Knit in the round. 

Backward cast on.

Increase   Kf&b

Increase in stitch below, left or right.  A left leaning stitch is increased on the right sided stitch and the right leaning stitch is increased on the left sided stitch.  Go figure. 

Decrease.  K or P 2tog, SSK

Yarn:  Bottom sample in Lion brand Woolease.  , Gauge about 6 stitches/inch and 8.5 rows/inch

Needles size  5

Crochet hook D

Pattern

With white, CO 4 stitches.  Turn at end of every row.

P one row.

K next row increasing one stitch on each end. (6)

P one row.

K next row increasing one stitch on each end. (8)

P next row increasing one stitch on each end. (10)

K one row. Cut yarn. This end is woven in at the end

Place on holder.

Make second ear flap but do not place on holder. 

Backward CO 16 stitches.  With right (knit) side facing, knit the first ear flap back on to needle.

Continue back in forth in stockinette stitch starting with purl row for 4 rows.  End on right side. This is the back of the hat. 

Backward CO 24 stitches. (60 stitches total)  Join to knit in the round. Place marker to mark beginning.

Continue stockinette stitch for 5 more rows.  Cut thread leaving short end to weave in.  Change to gray and stockinette stitch. (Knit every row in the round)

Work until 2 inches from front edge of hat.

Begin crown decreases.

(K8, K2tog) around (54)

Knit one row.

(K7, K2tog) around (48)

Knit one row.

(K6, K2tog) around (42)

(K5, K2tog) around (36)

(K4, K2tog) around (30)

(K3, K2tog) around (24)

(K2, K2tog) around (18)

(K1, K2tog) around (12)

(K2tog) around (6)

K1,k2tog,k1,k2tog (4)

Cut thread leaving 6 inch tail.  Thread through stitches and pull up tight.  Push to wrong side and weave in end.

Single crochet around edge, crocheting in tails as you go.  When you go around the flaps add single crochet twice in corner knit stitches to go around the corners.   Add braids to earflaps and pompoms or dust mites as desired.  (I used 6 strands about 30 inches long for each braid, doubled)

Ears

Knit in the round

CO 8 stitches.  Leave 12 inch tail to sew on ears.   Divide on two needles and join to knit in round. Knit 6 rows. 

 (K1, inc in stitch below left, k2, inc in stitch below right, K1) repeat on second needle. (12 st) Knit 3 rows.

 (SSK, k2, K2tog)Repeat on second needle. (8st)
K one row. 

 (SSK, K2tog) Repeat on second needle  (4 st)
K one row.

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches. 

Break yarn leaving 4 inch tail push to wrong side, and weave in ends.  Stuff lightly if desired.  Sew on ears about 5 stitches from top.  Embroider whiskers, chest markings (these go on the narrow white band.  Add eyes of choice.

Join white in back of hat with slip stitch.  Ch1, sc around edge of hat and ear flaps.  End with sl in beginning.

Updated ears.  Eyes are felt circles held on by black safety eye.

Nürnberger Lebkuchen Recipe

My coworker turned me on to the packaged variety of these cookes.  I especially liked the chocolate glazed ones shaped like stars.  My first recipe came from Küche Kochen, A cookbook of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia.  When I bake them with MF, we use her recipe.  The only difference is 1/4 cup of flour  and 1 tsp of soda more, and an 1/2 tsp each allspice and nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp clove, and the addition of cinnamon, 1 tsp.  Also, the glaze was a boiled glaze, cooking to the thread stage.  (okay, I admit I never it tried that glaze, lol)

MF likes a very thin glaze, just to "seal" the cookie.  She always makes these right after Thanksgiving, as these cookies are best "aged" a bit.   

Nürnberger Lebkuchen

1 cup honey
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg beaten
1 T lemon juice
1 tsp. grated lemon zest
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp each allspice, cloves and nutmeg
1/2  tsp salt and baking soda
1/3 cup finely choppped blanched almonds
1/3 cup finely chopped citron
whole blanched almonds for garnish

Heat honey over medium heat until just bubbling.  Remove from heat and cool slightly.  Stir in brown sugar, egg, lemon juice and peel.  Cool to lukewarm.
Stir rest of ingredients together.  Add honey mxture, ground almonds and citron.  Blend well.
Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to two days.
Scoop with small cookie scoop and shape into balls.  Place 2 inch apart on parchment paper lined pans. Press whole almond into top and flatten slightly
Bake 375 for 10-12 minutes.

 Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
Mix with 3 T water and 1T lemon juice to thin consistency.  Glaze tops and bottoms of cookies, allowed to dry before painting the other sides.  

Totoro T Shirt For Marietta

I saw a little video on youtube on how to make a no sew jean skirt from a pant leg.  Mom gave up some gardening jeans.  I put elastic in the back half because I can sew.  Reminder to self to leave more space to thread the elastic!  I got some white T-shirts from Emily Rose Doll Clothes.  They are nicely made and I will have fun decorating them.  I'm sewing for a friend who has a tie dye business ( see the headband) and I am going to ask her to throw a couple in.

I hand carved the Totoro stamp and used acrylic paint mixed with fabric medium.  Lucky thing Marietta does not sweat, so I won't have to wash her clothes very often. The paint is heat set but why court danger.

I really want to make a bubble skirt when I find the right scrap of fabric.