Mamascrapalota-Blogga

Red Rocks Fiber Works and Knit and Tonic

Note: Above colors are Green Grass (dyed 2), Call Me (Dyed 2), and Merlot Alot (Dyed 4). 

Note #2 = Two Merlot Alot just sold..... 7:04 PM

Note #3 = The two Green Grass just sold...... 9:45 PM

Note #4 = I will dye 10 yards of coordinating colors of your choice free of charge and send it along with your order.  The 10 yards are all you need. The person who ordered the two Merlot Alot ordered Green Grass and I'm doing that for her.  Want me to do it for you????

Wendy Bernard of Knit and Tonic Fame made the cutest little vest out of my yarn called Arapaho which is 100% Superwash Merino and soft as a babies bottom.  Ok, not that soft but you get the idea.  I dyed up 8 skeins (see above) and they are in the shop (www.redrocksfiberworks.com) and I have a special order button as well.  Go on over and get her pattern!  Here's the description....

This is one of those perfect vests that you can layer over your button-down shirt for work, or over a t-shirt for something a bit less formal. The saddles at the top shoulders are really cool because they add just a touch of something-something and even though it looks like they're difficult to work with, they're not.

You know why? It's because this vest is knit from the top down. You start by knitting two simple rectangles--the saddles--and then once you've made them, you simply pick up and knit stitches along one side of each and work the back down to the end of the armhole. Next, you place the back "on hold," and pick up stitches along each of the saddles and work the fronts down to the armholes.

Next thing you know, you will have finished your Crisp and all you need to do is add a neckline edging and some armhole edgings. Knit from the top down, this is the sort garment that will take you through nearly all the seasons--especially if you use some really cool yarn whose color brightens your eyes and adds a spring to your step.

SIZES
X-Small (Small, Medium, Large, 1X-Large, 2X-Large, 3X-Large)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
31.25 (34, 38.75, 42.75, 47.25. 51.25, 54.75)" chest
19.75 (20.25, 21.25, 21.75, 21.5, 22.25, 23)” length
Shown in size Small with 2” negative ease

YARN
Main Color: Red Rocks Fiber Works DK/Sport Weight Superwash Merino (100% Superwash Merino / 415 yds / 4 oz); “Merlot Alot" 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3) skeins OR approximately 600 (650, 700, 800, 830, 950, 1100) yds Sport Weight yarn
Contrasting Color: Approximately 10 yds DK weight yarn (in sample, same yarn was used in “Green Grass” colorway.

NEEDLES
One or two 29" long or longer circular (circ) needles size US 4 (3.5 mm)
One 29” long circular needle size US 3 (3.25 mm)
One 16” long or longer circular needle size US 3 (3.25 mm)
One set of five double-pointed needles (dpn) size US 3 (3.25 mm), optional
Change needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

NOTIONS
Stitch markers; stitch holders; scrap yarn; removable marker or safety pin

GAUGE
24 sts and 32 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch (St st) using larger needles

DIFFICULTY
Intermediate (only because it is a top down without raglan sleeves)

Obsessed

Nothin' to say here.  Just feast your eyes.....

Westminster Dog Show, Boo, and Bread

Did I spell that correctly?

Anyway, last night I was watching the Westminster Dog Show (Go Rotties!) with Boo laying on my lap quite contentedly, and all of a sudden he hopped up and ran straight to the TV. 

He didn't perk up with the big dogs, no, he saw those little tiny dogs be-boppin' and a'prancin' all over the place and he was MAD.  He was all low to the ground, and looking like a hunter, and yowling a little bit.  He especially wanted to get at that Toy Fox Terrier.  That dog was especially evil....

Apparently, he tired of the game and stretched out, waiting for the next prey.

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Bread has been an obsession of mine for awhile.  Woot!  I've been grinding my own wheat, and playing with different recipes ever since I married Byron.  His mother has been making bread since she was a little girl, and his grandmother, since time began. Their bread got me through two times of morning sickness with my babies.  When his mom comes she bakes all day.  And, God Bless her, it's GOOD.  But, I might have bested her.  Just maybe.

I heard about a bread making book from my friend Michelle about a month ago and thought the premise of the book was interesting. Basically you make dough, enough for 4-8 loaves and you refrigerate it.  It can stay in there for up to 14 days and you can have fresh bread anytime you want it.  Sounds good?  Well, look at this. 

And, dang it!  If it isn't as good at "Con Pane" down the street from us in San Diego.  It's got a crunch outside and a very moist inside.  I've made 4 loaves already and three are gone.  I got up at 6:30 AM this morning (normal time) and made these two up here for everyone for breakfast.  Then I whipped up another batch to stay in the fridge.  The longer it stays in the fridge, the more sourdough flavor creeps in.  Yummmmmy!

I hate to share the name of the book because I know all my in-laws read my blog. (Hi Jan, Hi Stef, Hi Mom!)   Once I do this they will go out and get this book, and then I'll have NO secrets about how come my bread is soooooo good!  Oh well, at least I bested them for about a minute.  They FAR surpass me in the cooking and baking department! 

If you want to try this out yourself, GET THE BOOK!  You won't be sorry.  The book is called, "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day" by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois.

Have fun!

It's been awhile...

Wow I guess I've forgotten to post!  Lot's going on here, but not much to report these days.  So, I'll make a short list and post a picture, because what's a blog post without a picture?!

1. I found out yesterday at my appointment with my Dr. that my BOOT/AIR CAST IS OFF FOR GOOD!!!!  Can I get a shout out for that foot!  Let me tell you - it has been since October 2008. 16 months of foot stuff.  I'm crossing my fingers.

2.  Last Friday, some of the girls and I went to see "Coraline" in 3D. These are our glasses.  We ARE cool.  And, we are Back to the Future. 

3.  I'm researching dogs.  I want either a Samoyed*** or a ... oh shoot, I forgot what it's called.  Here's a picture of the puppy that I played with at a pet store*** here in Denver. This was the very CUTEST little boy EVER and his eyes are the color of my husband's.  Check him out. But, I think we won't be ready until April to have another dog in our midst.  I MISS MISSY!

4.  I've been knitting obsessively on my Stripy sweater and I'm almost done with one sleeve. Looking good!  And, I've finished one of my "Bird in Hand" mittens, and have about 2 inches into my second.  It's those darn braids in there.  They are pretty hard on the hands!

5. Really, that's all I think I have to report. I think......

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*** We are looking at a "breed" and a puppy because I'm ready to know what I'm going to get.  I have rescued 3 dogs from the Humane Society and all were older dogs.  It was a great experience but I think this time, I want to KNOW what I'm going to get (at least a general idea) of what the breed was made to do, as well as it's personality. And, we want a puppy so we can train it ourselves. 

I have four names of Samoyed breeders here in Denver and I'm leaning very heavily towards this breed.  Byron had one of these when he was a kid and loved him!  Not only is it a GREAT family and kid dog, it has a downy undercoat (read: big time shedding!) that has been spun into yarn for 1,000's of years to keep it's people warm.  BONUS!!!!

*** There is a reputable pet store here in Denver who has been checked out by my vet, whom I greatly respect. 

Please do NOT slam me for either of the above items. Choosing a "breed" and going to a pet store.... 

Knit on......Have a great week...... and that's ALL SHE WROTE!