Rip. Repeat. Make cornbread.

So Sister Super Princess is heading off to Toronto tomorrow and I repurposed one of the Anne Crochet Scarf Kits so I could do a quick, chunky, waffle-knit hat for her.

Cascade 109, waffle knit (aka broken rib) on US 10.5 needles

At the most recent Aloha Knitters meeting, I started thinking it might be too big, and kept on knitting anyway. I got home, got out a measuring tape, and knew that it was too big, so I ripped back. One of the nice things about a top-down hat - I didn't have to rip the whole thing, just back to the crown and into the increases until it was the right size around.

Cascade 109, waffle knit  - reverse side

On my way to and from work today, I kept knitting and stopping to measure the length. While sitting in a parking lot waiting for my Dad, I noted with a bit of annoyance that one skein wasn't going to be enough, and that I would need to use just a little more yarn to do two more rounds and the bind-off. I bound off on the way home.

Once home, I tried it on. It's too long. By about two rounds.

I'm going to rip back the bind-off and three rounds (it will ease up a bit when blocked), then wash this and pop it in the oven (yes, it's another one of those days). Afterwards I might make cornbread.

update: after washing the hat, I ripped out about 8 more rounds. The cornbread is delicious.

Skillet Cornbread

8” cast iron skillet (all iron - will go into oven)
an uncooked strip of bacon, chopped
1 c stoneground cornmeal (1/3 cup in mixing bowl, remaining 2/3 cup in small bowl)
1/2 c boiling water
1/2 c plain yogurt and 1/2 c water blended together with 1 tsp salt

1 lg egg
2 Tbs sugar or 1 Tbs honey
1 c whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda

Heat oven to 450 F with skillet (containing bacon) on middle rack.

Blend the 1/3 cup cornmeal and boiling water with a whisk to make a mush. Slowly add yogurt, beat in egg and honey (if using honey). Blend remaining ingredients in a separate bowl. When skillet is very hot, blend dry ingredients into wet just long enough to combine. Pour bacon bits and fat into batter and stir in quickly. Scrape batter into pan and return to oven for 20 - 25 minutes or until golden brown. Turn out onto cooling rack immediately and let cool at least 5 minutes before serving.

One of these days I'm going to arrange to be at home alone when making this cornbread so I can peel the crusty bottom off and eat it first, while still hot. 

Anne: Yarn Costs

Anne Crochet Lace Scarf Pattern
Elann.com Seta Lana, 50% silk/50% wool, 2 skeins
Hook: L/8.0mm

One of my goals with the Anne scarf pattern was to take something basic and show how different yarn and hook choices can change the look. I'm sure it's no surprise to you that it can change the cost rather dramatically too. Prices will vary depending on the vendor, cost of shipping if ordered online, etc., and are of course subject to change without notice, so take this list with that in mind. Prices given are for the total number of skeins, not yardage (for example, with the Cascade 109 Chunky it is assumed that you will purchase 2 skeins even if you only use 1.5 skeins). Yarn weight is given as general terms (laceweight, worsted, etc.) and CYCA Yarn Standards (1, 4, etc.).



Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton
1 skein = 150 yds, worsted weight/4, G/4.0mm hook: $8.50 - $10

Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Suri
1 skein = 142 yds, fingering/1, K/6.5mm hook: $11.00 - $12.00




Elann Super Kydd
1 skein = 259 yds, laceweight/0, K hook/6.5mm: $2.25 (can make 2 scarves from one skein)

Elann Silken Kydd
1 skein = 232 yds, laceweight/0, K hook/6,5mm: $3.25 (can make 2 scarves from one skein)



Elann Seta Lana
2 skeins, 76 yds each = 152 yds total, bulky/5, K - L hook: $8.96



Cascade 109 Chunky
2 skeins = 109 yds each, 160 - 218 yds total, bulky/ 5, K - L hook,  $13.00 - $14.00



Malabrigo Chunky
2 skeins, 104 yds each = 208 yds total, bulky/5, K - L hook: $24.00 - $27.00



Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky
2 skeins = 153 yds each, 230 - 306 yds total, bulky/5, L/8.0mm hook: $10.00 - $12.00



Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Chunky
2 skeins, 125 yds each, bulky/5, K - L hook = 250 yds total, $15.00 - $17.00

I wanted the pattern to be possible as a one-skein project, and if you use the Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton called for in the pattern, it is. Turns out it can even be a less-than-one-skein project with the Elann Super Kydd.

The crochet pattern (with full written instructions and a symbol chart) can be purchased as an instant PDF download for $5.50 (USD) through Ravelry with a PayPal account, credit card, or debit card (please note that eCheck payments take 3 - 7 days to clear, and the download will not be sent until payment clears). If you'd prefer, the PDF downloads are also available through my Etsy shop (mkcarroll.etsy.com) - download link will be emailed within 24 hours of payment clearing. If you'd prefer a finished item, check the Sample Sale section of my Etsy shop.

Hawai'i Stitchers in the Yarn Market News

The January 2008 issue of Yarn Market News includes a half-page on stitching in Hawai’i! The content has been edited; what got cut is nothing I haven’t written about before on this blog - if you think an important point was missed, please add it in the comments to this post.

This blog has been a little thin on new knitting, crocheting, and Hawai’i-focused content; you can get more of that over at The Akamai Knitter (she started the Honolulu SNB, which has since become Aloha Knitters), Acornbud’s Yarns, and other members of the Hawaii Knitters and Crocheters Web Ring.

Quick list of links for those visiting because of the article:
Aloha Knitters
Yarn Shops in Hawai’i
Yarn-Carrying Craft Shops in Hawai’i
Hawaii Knitters and Crocheters Web Ring
10 Reasons to Knit a Sweater in Hawai'i

Introducing Beatrice

You've seen Beatrice before on this blog, modeling scarves patiently while I fiddle with angles, light, tripod, and a digital camera that needs a good spanking every once in a while, but I haven't gotten around to formally introducing her to you until now. It has come to my attention that Beatrice ought to have some shirts of her own* - she's smaller than I am, having belonged originally to my petite grandmother. My grandmother was a professional seamstress, and Mom thinks that Beatrice is the dressmakers form she used for her own personal sewing. If so, Beatrice spent many years as the fit model for tasteful shells, blouses, and jackets made with high-quality fabrics and clean, simple lines. Grandmother was a woman of dignified and elegant taste. Money was tight for a long time, but she could do things like cut and stitch a custom-fit and classically styled top that would last her for years out of a piece of velvet rescued from a remnant bin somewhere in LA's Fashion District.

I don't think my grandmother ever expected that one of her grandchildren would grow up to dye her hair loud colors and make clothi...er, things to wear...out of torn-up thrift shop finds. She loved it! Always encouraged my creativity, and declared my dark purple hair dye to be her favorite because it reminded her of irises (her favorite flower).

Am also fairly certain that my grandmother never envisioned her dressmakers form sporting such a...well, a...isn't that a lovely shade of green? That shirt, incidentally, was a gift to me from my sisters. I have worn it, in public even, but it's just not Beatrice's style.

p.s. thanks for the encouraging comments and emails -  I think my grandmother would have agreed with you.

*"Oh, for &%$#  sake. Get her something that fits, sweetie. You haven't been to Stylus in ages; now you have a reason other than finding something for yourself to replace those dishrags you insist on calling garments." (note from Viv)

Star Jasmine Cap

Pattern: Star Jasmine Cap, Bulky
Yarn: Terra Bella Spun handspun, handdyed thick/thin bulky
Hook: K/7mm

This is from a pattern set currently in progress - I'm aiming for cap, beret, and tam, in sportweight, worsted weight, and bulky.