Pink and White, makes all things right..(a project with leftovers)

I finished these up last night.  It’s a little girls’ mitten/bag set.
Having so much left over yarn, I thought I could work on some
small projects.  This is Caron Simply Soft. Using 4 needles size 3.
Both bag and mittens are on size 3 needles.
 The bag is 6  inches, you start at the top work down about 1 1/2 inches  and do a series of yarn overs to
make the eyelets for the cord.
 The mittens measure  7 inches. The standard 4-needle mitten patten applies. I’ll detail this for you.
 It’s a fun little project and you’ll find yourself smiling as you make it.
Directions.  I had to remember what I did, so when decreasing look at your work
you might need to make allowances, I’m sorry about that.
Mittens
4 double pointed needles size 3
Cast on 44 stitches to three needles. Work a Rib, Knit two, Purl two for  2.5 inches. Increase three stitches on the last row.  Knit even for
three rows. start of 4th row.  Knit ONE,  Increase ONE.  Put a contrast color slip of yarn between the first stitch and the increased
stitch. Knit ONE (again) and increase ONE .  Put another contrast color slip of yarn after the second increase. Knit the rest of the row. Knit the next row (moving the stitch markers) even.   Next row. Knit One, increase the next stitch (at the marker) Knit three, increase at the next marker.  Knit the rest of the row.  Knit next row. Continue increasing every other row. Till you have 11 stitches between markers. Knit the next row even and increase two stitches at the end of this row. (These two stitches help when you pick up stitches for the thumb, and keeps from having a hole).  Now slip the 11 stitches onto a stitch holder/piece of yarn/large safety pin. Join the two increased stitches to the rest of the work. Continue knitting in the round for 1 1/2 inches. ..or 6 inches from beginning. Knit 4 then two together. to the end of the row, then knit next two rows even.  continue decreasing ..knit 3 then two together, two rows even,  until there are 6 stitches on the needle.   Drawing end of yarn through those stitches, pull inside an finish off. Thumb……Pick up the 11 stitches, on the holder and pick up 4 more stitches from the thumb hole (use those increased stitches)  Knit in the round for an inch, then decrease every three stitches, work one row, decrease every two, work another row..then knit two together, slip yarn through the remaining and finish off.
Little Bag,
Cast on 33 stitches, work in the round for  1 1/2 inches.  Make and even amount of eyelets.  This one has 8.  To make an eyelet.  Knit two (or three) stitches,  next stitch,  Put yarn over the needle,  knit two stitches, knit a couple of more, YO knit two more.   Continue to the end of the row then knit the next row even.  Continue in the round for 4 or 5 inches. (depends on how big you want the bag).    You can do one of two things.  Knit even, cast off then turn inside out and sew the bottom together. Or,  decrease every 4-5 stitches till there are only a few stitches on the needle, slip remaining yarn through and finish off. .
Eye Cord
.  2 double pointed needles Cast on two stitches. all rows. Slide sts to  opposite end of needle, bring working yarn around behind the needle and k2. Do not turn the work. Keep the same side facing you at all times and pull the working yarn firmly around behind the sts on the needle to form a knitted tube.  This eye cord is 18 inches.

Looking for Summer

 
There is something about January. The days start getting longer.
Even if it’s only by the seconds. Houseplants start to develop little
sprouts. The Amaryllises drop their blooms, and the poinsettias
look a tad tired. The stores start carrying vegetable and flower seeds.
Many can’t be plant for months to come. Still the Kitchen Gardener
MUST give it a try.
 
 
I started the seedling bench in the Greenhouse a few months ago. All
I did was haul in dirt and prepare the bench. It has slats for easy drainage,
so first I layer newspapers to keep the soil from falling through.
 
 
Then I wait for January. This time I’m planting peas.
 I give them a good
soaking overnight in warm water.
 
 
 This helps the germination.
 
.
 
.
 
 
 Cover it up and give it a good soaking.  The soil tends to dry out faster than a regular bed.
So It needs a daily drink. Normally you wouldn’t want to do that because the seeds would rot.
 
Because I’m trying to keep the soil temp (for now) over 50 degrees I’m keeping the heating lamps on 24 hours.
I’ll do this until I see something sprouting.
 
 This is another bench. I took the design from Bob Thompson’s Victory Garden.  My husband
made them. They’re collapsible.  That way if we moved I could bring them with me.  Also
commercial benches are usually metal. My old clay pots are way too heavy for metal to support.
 
 
.
.
 
 
 So now I wait, I hope I have good results. 
 
 
 
…Tomorrow I’ll plant Radishes!!
 

White Wednesdays

I started these two, 4 weeks ago.  Amazing how one shot up and the other is taking is slow.

Yesterday it started to open.

This morning it actually did.

And this is it tonight

More from the White Side

 

…

Last New Years, I made a resolution. Well I made a lot of resolutions. The one I’m trying to stick to is, complete all my little knitting projects. Anything left on the needles must be done but 2012.
 
This is a simple knit in the round cowl. I was using Lion Brand’s Roving. Size 9 turbos.
I should have used the size 10′s. It’s 110 stitches and measures 14 inches.
 
 
 
It’s as soft as butter, my neighbor has already claimed it. I should move!!

Sunset, Simply Soft Prints, Caron Yarn

I’ve always enjoye Caron Yarns.  It’s reasonably priced, has nice colors, especially for small children, and is easy to work with.  Now Caron has added a whole new line of hues. The varigated yarns are absolutely beautiful.  I saw this and had to have it.  It’s called Sunset.

Working with simple and basic patterns I made a cowl and mittens

Mittens are the standard 4 needle pattern. These are woman’s , size 3 needles.
cast on 40 stitches, work in rib pattern, 4 inches, increasing three stitches in the last row. Knit three rows, even. Knit one, place marker, increase one, knit one, increase one. Place marker. Continue the row even. Knit next row even, Then at the next marker increase one stitch, knit three, increase a the next marker, knit even. Next row, knit. Then continue to increase at the markers, knit a row even. Till there are 11 thumb stitches. Place those stitches on a needle holder, piece of yarn or a large safety pin. Cast on two stitches, and continue to knit in the round. Knit for five inches, then do an even decrease every other row. I decrease 8 stitches (two together four times) scattered through the row. That gives the necessary 2 inches, till there are about 8 stitches left and then slide the yarn through the remaining stitches.
Thumb, pick up the 11 stitches then pick up 4 more from the mitten. Knit in the round, till it’s about one and a half inches. Decrease every 4th, then knit even then decrease every 3rd. Continue decreasing in this manner. By the time you cast off it should be 2 1/2 inches. You can make it as long as you like. Some people have long nails.
 
 
 
Cowl,
 
 
 
With size 7 circular needles cast on 140 stitches. Join without twisting the row. Knit four, purl two. You can do a few rows, in pattern, then join. This helps to avoid twisting.
Knit for 12 inches. You’ll still have some yarn left in the skein. (4oz. skein, 208 yards)
 
It worked out nicely ,  I think.  And being Caron, it’s very soft.
 
 
 

Creamed Chicken and Gnocchi Soup.

 
 
I’ve been experimenting, with smaller meals. I like to have something
homemade. Then be able later to heat it, for another meal.
This is based on the Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup. There are
recipes for this all over the Internet.
 
I use a cup of frozen or packaged potato gnocchis.  Boil in salted
water till they rise to the top of the pot. Remove and set aside.
 
 
 
In a large skillet,  saute half cup chopped onion
a half cup celery.  Once they are soft
I add two diced garlic cloves. 
While doing this I cook up a half cup
of shredded carrot in the microwave.
I mix it in some chicken broth it works well
for me.
 
 
 

Then  I take a cooked chicken breast (leftover from another meal)

 

Chop it to bite sized pieces

 

The carrots, onion, garlic and celery are done now, and I add about a tablespoon of flour to the

mix making a nice thick sauce.

Then add the chicken pieces, stir together,

Once this is mixed, add a 2 cups of  boxed chicken broth.  I have used my own broth but it made the

soup way too thick.  When this is done add a cup of Half and Half. Heat through. 

Add the cooked Gnocchi you cooked earlier.

 

Take some washed baby spinach leaves, chop into small piece and add to the soup.

Sprinkle some Thyme and Let it simmer on low for a litte while, so everything is warmed up.  Now it’s ready to serve.

You can top it with a little grated cheese. Although I like it plain.

Pasta Salad for left overs.

Cook two cups, macaroni.  When drained shake in some Garlic Powder. Not much just enough to flavor lightly.

Add,  bite sized pieces of cooked chicken or turkey. Cooked broken bacon, chopped purple onion, and a chopped tomato.

Take some Thousand Island Dressing and add a tablespoon to a quarter cup mayonaise.

Toss all together and add a little bit of cheese.   I made it with the cheese in the salad but it all clumps together.

A cute little bag.

A long time ago. I posted how my neighbor was going to knit a bag. Well she ran into a little trouble. I finished it up for her. And I think it came out nice.  This is the previous post…http://butterisafruit.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/a-time-with-neighbors-or-how-to-survive-winter/

It’s a little boring to knit. Mostly because it’s straight knitting. The good part is, if you just want to knit, It’s the perfect little project.  It is a pretty little piece.

What do you think?

A Wonderful Man

Easter Morning my loving husband, best friend and protector, entered the Gates of Heaven. I was so blessed to be with him, as he died in my arms. My husband was called Ned, where I called him Eddie.

 We own and ran a construction company for 34 years. His two older sons have taken over this past year. They’ve always been in the company but this is their station now and I couldn’t be prouder. Eddie had a huge wake, I was surrounded by so many who loved him and then a lovely Mass, with a procession that would make any contractor proud.

 His long time employees, laborers, truck drivers, machine operators honored him in so many ways. It will take another blog entry to explain it all. However this is the seal that they made and is now on every piece of equipment, and vehicle.