Bread and Finished Objects

Here's the finished saddle-shoulder aran from Elizabeth Zimmerman blocking. Made with size 9 needles, 7 for garter stitch borders. The yarn is from Beaverslide, very raw and very itchy. I've tried to soften it up with conditioner but I'm afraid Ben will have to wear a long sleeve under it. I've also posted a picture of recently finished brother in law's elephant hat, size 8 needles and stash yarn. I'm working on a lace scarf made out of black alpaca that my friend Chris got for me in New Zealand. Next up is this cardigan which will require learning crochet. I've bought the yarn, Lavish superfine alpaca, it's coming in the mail... The bread pictured is Cook's Illustrated no knead bread. I really liked how the recipe replicates a steam oven by cooking the bread in a dutch oven. Best crust yet. I still don't have the perfect sourdough taste though. I plan on starting a sourdough starter with grapes.

Finished Sakiori

The Sakiori is finished.
Wool: Cascade Pastaza and Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran.
Needles: 10.5 with 8's for the seed stitch.
Size: Large, with extra length.
I hope it fits. It's hard to tell with such a strange garment. I've started Ben's sweater but it's on hold until after xmas. Here's little Boozy in the window. He's usually too afraid to sit up there during the day.

Sakori blocking, saddle shoulder aran for Ben

The Sakiori for Pa is blocking. It kept trying to curl up as I was knitting the borders so I decided to give it a quick block now. Also neck border was too wide when I followed the directions so I took it out. Almost finished. I'll reblock it after the borders are done. Also I think I'm going to run out of the tweed used in the border. I've knit a sample swatch for Zimmerman's saddle shoulder aran cardigan for Ben.

Mutant Tomato

Also a new bat hat for Ben (number 4? 5?)

Here's a picture of a mutant tomato from our garden. It had the spike very early and seems to be healthy. I'm not sure I want to eat it.

Finished Urban Aran

Here's a quick picture of the finished Urban Aran. I used a two way zipper to avoid bunching. Knit on size 10 needles for the body, 9 for ribbing and collar. Knit in Knitpicks decadence chocolate. I cut out 16 stitches from the body and 1 inch from the sleeves. It's still a looser fitting sweater, more like a jacket. Very warm, very inappropriate for June. I started a new project, Martha from the latest Rowan Spring issue. I'm knitting it in black wool I was given on size 2 needles. I've never knit anything on that small of needles. Should be good for traveling and in between projects. I'm trying to knit entirely Continental (with the yarn in my left hand.)

Vest Patterns

The Urban Aran has it's zipper basted in, just waiting for me to finish. My next project will be a vest for Pa. I like this vest from "Folk Vests," but the random striping doesn't seem too exciting. Especially because the pattern calls for each row to hold two random yarns together. That sounds like a tangled mess.

Old Man Boozy

Boozy models his bow tie, with his best old man impression. Knit with random cotton stash yarn.