Big Sky Yarns & Crafts

Crazy Aunt Purl's Home Is Where the Wine Is

I am up to my eyeballs in design stuff right now, but when my brain can handle not one more yarn related number or stitch, I have thoroughly enjoyed this while in the bath:

Crazy Aunt Purl's Home Is Where the Wine Is is a delightful light read that chronicles all of us at some level: where do we fit in this world let alone our own skin and still try to function as if we know just a little of both. (Translation: I saw this in myself from page one and was thrilled to find I am not the only one.)

I have enjoyed Laurie Perry's blog, Crazy Aunt Purl, for quite some time. A slice of American apple pie  is the best way for me to describe her blog. Happy, thoughtful, warm. (Okay, so I am not thoughtful when I am eating apple pie except thinking how I shouldn't want another piece but I really do. And another scoop of vanilla ice cream. But let's first warm this pie up a smidge more. Thank  you.)

I thoroughly enjoyed her first book as well, Crazy Aunt Purl's Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair.

Both books also have quick knit, perfect gift knitting recipes (as she calls them). Wonderful brain breaks if you need one.

Knit (and read) on.   

Classic Elite Striped Sox!

I am thrilled to show you my striped socks featured in this week's newsletter from Classic Elite Yarns:

 

There are 4 sizes in the pattern and let the finished picture merely be a starting point in enjoying crazy stripes in your socks. They are so easy to do and add such bang for your buck.

The Alpaca Sox is absolute heaven to work with and come in many, many yummy colors. These socks are knit in Byzantine Purple (#1895) and Wisteria (#1896).  Check them out at WEBS.

 

Here they are on the needles:

 

 Happy sock knitting!

Button Birthday

We shipped my dad back to Arizona and now my mom is visiting! Her birthday is today and we celebrated last night:

One of our favorite family recipes is my grandmother's (GRAMMIE! Don't call me Grandmother!) Strawberry Shortcake recipe, so I share that with you:

Strawberry Shortcake

Stir together in small mixing bowl:

1 cup flour

½ cup sugar

1 ½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons butter

½ cup milk

 

Cut butter into flour mixture until small lumps appear (pea-sized). Stir in milk. Pour into 8” pie pan (spray with non-stick spray first). Dot with butter and sprinkle with sugar.

 

Bake at 400 for 20 minutes until light brown on top (tooth pick clean).

 

Chop strawberries (2 of those little green containers; I forget how big those officially are.) I use a pineapple corer to cut a million times in the bowl. Add about ¼ cup sugar. If possible, chill for  ½ hour or so before serving because then there will be a lot of yummy juice at the bottom from the sugar.

 

If wanting to double the recipe, use a 10” pan at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

 

You would not believe all the compliments I get on this recipe. It tastes like a restaurant with virtually no effort.

I like to pour a bit of milk in with my cake and strawberries, but I am in the minority on this issue. Many prefer to skip the strawberries and eat only cake. I've been know to do this as well.

Wade called this the button cake since when we took out the candles it looked like a big button:

And it was perfect!

Of course, I bought my mom some yarn for her birthday, amongst other goodies. It is a very, very lovely white-ish (color #2201) Pure Pima from Berroco because of the slightly way-too-hot-most-of-the-time climate of Arizona.

What is really interesting about this yarn is if you look closely, some of the strands are a shiney mercerized cotton and some are not which gives it lovely texture without blinding you in any way. I look forward to seeing her knit it up.

Knit on!
 

New England and Caterpillar Knits

Two fabulous new knits to chat about today: New England Knits, a book by Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre and Kristen TenDyke's new line of patterns from Caterpillar Knits. Now that we have linked to all happiness, here we go!

I even am joyous regarding the cover sweater from New England Knits:

   

The Middlefield Pullover by Melissa. Plus, it is yellow. BIG YELLOW (yes, this is a large cover shot -- enjoy the yellow that much more my friends because we have had very little sun lately in Billings). There is never enough yellow for me. Never. LOVE IT. 

All of the the fabulous photos in this book are by Sadie Dayton.

Other projects I especially heart in this book are:

 

The Hampton Cardigan by Cecily (as we know I am a groupie) is knit all in one piece with the front garter bands added after the body is knit so that the lace pattern is not interrupted.  How fabulous is that?

The Auburn Top by Cecily has a quiet refinement I am attracted to as well:

  
 

It is knit in Berroco's Inca Gold which is the most delicious blend of merino wool and silk. I have some patiently waiting to become this sweater.  

Another fetching project is from Melissa, the Montague Bulky Lace Vest:

We know I love anything leaf related (and green for that matter), so a shout out must be made for Melissa's Greenfield Cardigan:

 

Can you say :

1. Top Down    2. Garter Stitch 3. Leaves 4. 3/4 length sleeves. I remember the first cardigan I bought with them, it took me forever to get used to them falling in that (at that time) weird place on my arm. It has quickly become by favorite style of sleeve. 

A group on Ravelry has been formed for projects specifically from New England Knits. You can find that here.  

Of course, being an equal opportunity knitter, I made my dad look at this book while he was here and this was his favorite:

Northampton Neckerchief by Cirilia Rose of Berroco fame. Very striking; I love the 3 colors.  Plus, it is worked in Ultra Alpaca Fine and anything in the Ultra Alpaca family is a friend of mine.

I have a new tech editor, a familiar name in knitting land, Kristen TenDyke . Her work has been in every major publication and is one of the talented ones at Classic Elite Yarns  She has helped me in so many major and seemingly minor ways (but muy importante to me) as I continue to learn about knitting design by leaps and bounds with her help and encouragement. She could be laughing at her computer every time she gets an email from me, but so far she hasn't told me, so I am thrilled.

She has a sweater is this book as well, which is simply stunning (not only because I am a part of the KVD fan club):

 

The Old Port Pullover in a most lovely cranberry color. Aren't those cables and the yoke beautiful?

Which leads me to my next knitterly adventure to discuss, Caterpillar Knits.  It is Kristen's website promoting her striking knitting and crochet designs that use earth-friendly yarns.

Here are my two favorites (and the pix are of Kristen): 

 

Kukui and

   

Waipi'o. 

The serene photos are by Carrie Bostick Hoge.

While Kristen was on vacation in Hawaii, she found the names for her current collection and let me know the definition of each one:

Kukui is the official tree of Hawaii —it has little bobble-like seed pods.

Waipi'o is a secluded beach on the big island that has a dark colored sand.

Molokini is the beach with the most clear, blue water.

Mauna Kea is the tallest volcano, where it is the coldest on the island. (where you'll need a hat)

Petrel is a bird.

 

Anthurium is a beautiful red flower.

Check out the other designs as well. The PDF downloads of her patterns are available at Caterpillar Knits and if you would like to join the Caterpillar Knits group on Ravelry, it is here.

So many beautiful knits, so little time. I can't wait to knit a couple of these once my design life slows down a bit.

Knit on.