Spooky!

We made a Haunted Gingerbread House. I wasn't sure if Son would want to make one, but he got right into it!


It is just one of those Wilton Kits that has everything included. I got it at A.C. Moore. It really came out cute!

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Tea Cake

I made this Pumpkin Tea Cake for a family gathering last week and everyone loved it. It is a recipe handed down to me by my mother-in law. Everything she made was always so delicious. This has become a favorite fall classic.

Pumpkin Tea Cake

Preheat oven to 350*F. Grease and flour a tube pan.

Mix and beat together:

3 Cups sugar

1 Cup oil

3 Eggs

Then mix in:

1 can of pumpkin

In another bowl sift together:

3 Cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon each: ground cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg

Stir the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar.

I think it is the addition of the ground cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg that sets this recipe apart from others that I have tried. I'm not kidding - this cake will disappear!

Here is some more pumpkin goodness that I acquired over the weekend.
These cakes are String Theory hand painted merino wool in a color called squash. How appropriate! I'm thinking the Tangled Yoke Cardigan would look nice in this color. But I really want to make something out of this book.
Stefanie Japel has done it again. There are several sweaters I'd like to make in this book. I really love this one. You can preview all the sweaters that are in the book on flickr here. So many sweaters, so little time.

Kyra

I finally finished Kyra. I'm not in love with it. You can tell by the look on my face. I really should not be knitting with a bulky weight yarn. It just doesn't look that good on my body type. It adds about ten pounds, and I don't need to add ten more pounds. Lesson learned.

***

One thing I tried this time was some short row bust shaping. Which I've been wanting to learn how to do, but have been to nervous to try. This seemed like the perfect sweater to try it with, because there wasn't any pattern to worry about.

It is very warm, so maybe it will get a lot of use on those cold winter days and nights at home.
And this picture is for my comedic friends (you know who you are). This is how the sweater is modeled which actually kept me from knitting it for quite a while. I was afraid there was something they were trying to hide!

Details
Pattern: Kyra (free pattern from berroco.com
Yarn: Berroco Keltic, color 5870 Haggis
Needles: Size 8 and 10 straight; and size 10 circular
Size: 39 inch bust, 22 inch length
Mods: 3 rows of short row bust shaping. The pattern was very well written and easy to follow.

***

Finally, I can move onto something else!!!

Evidence!

Here is some evidence, that I'm alive and well, and most importantly knitting. I have spent many hours in waiting rooms this week which has given me time to finish the sleeves, seam, and work on the collar of Kyra. The collar is like a whole project in and of itself. It is 175 stitches long and 10 1/2 inches wide of twisted rib! I hope to finish it up this weekend and get some pictures posted. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Note: Sorry to worry anyone. Everything is fine. That was my lame attempt at sarcasm. Mostly it was my car that kept me in waiting rooms. I spent ten hours total in the last two weeks waiting for my car at the dealership! Good news: I have finished Kyra, and will take pictures later today for a post tomorrow!

Mystery Sock KAL

I'm really loving the Through the Loops Mystery Sock Knit Along. This is a first for me. It's my first KAL, and I started with a mystery. I love getting a new clue each Wednesday, and wondering where Kirsten is going to take us. She has offered an easy pattern and a more difficult pattern. I (maybe not so wisely) chose the advanced pattern thinking I was up for the challenge. It was a rough start on the cable portion, but I got used to the pattern, and I think the second sock will go much smoother. I'm sure there are some SSK that should be K2tog, but I can't find them!

I'm using Classic Elite Summer Sox yarn in a color called pelican and size 2 double pointed needles. I cast on 64 stitches. I'm having so much fun with it. My goal is to knit two socks at once, so that at the end of October I will have a finished pair! I only have the cuff done on the second sock, so I have some catching up to do.

Knitted gifts

Here are a few knits I finished up last week, but didn't get a chance to post.

Pattern: Turn a Square
Designed by: Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed
Yarn: Noro Kureyon ,color 172, 1 skein
Needles: US 6 and 7 16" cicular, and US 7 DPN

This is a free pattern available on Ravelry. I knit this hat for my brother. I didn't do the alternating stripes. I just knit the entire hat in the self striping yarn. I like the way it came out, and I think my brother will like it too!


And another Toast. I love this pattern. It's so easy and looks so nice. I will be making more of these for gifts.

Pattern: Toast
Designed by: A Friend to Knit With
Yarn: Classis Elite Portland Tweed, color 5053 Ruby Red, 1 skein
Needles: US 7 DPN

I'm also working on Kyra. I have both front sides and the back done. I still need to knit the sleeves and collar.

Weekend Wedding

This weekend we went to Cape Cod to celebrate my step daughter's wedding. It was one of those beautiful fall weekends when the weather is just perfect. The wedding was on the beach in Wellfleet just before sunset. It was a very sweet, personal and beautiful wedding, and it was great to spend time with family and see lots of old friends too. They are off on a fabulous honeymoon to Australia. I wish them lots of love and happiness.

I will be back in a few days with some knitting content!

Toast

Here is the project I knit over the weekend while watching movies, football, and baseball games. The pattern is called Toast. I love this idea so much. I am forever loosing mittens and gloves, because I always take one off to get my keys, money, etc. and one always drops. These mitts can be pulled up or down according to your needs. No taking them off! They are an easy knit, and only take one skein of yarn. These would make a nice gift too.

The details:

Pattern: Toast

Designer: Leslie from a Friend to Knit With

Yarn: one skein of Classic Elite Portland Tweed, color: Sulfur 5075

Needles: Size 7 DPN

Mods: None, followed pattern exactly as written

This pattern can be found at the same blog that I got the cookie recipe from. Leslie's blog is very inspiring. She has so many great ideas, and takes the most wonderful photos. Thanks Leslie!

Movie Night

This weekend was one of those weekends when you can just relax, because there isn't a whole lot going on, so we had a movie night last night. I made some Slice-and-Bake cookies. Leslie from a Friend to Knit With had made them a few months back for her cookie of the week, and they looked so good I just had to try them. This is one of those recipes were you can change it up to include whatever you have on hand. I added a 1/2 cup of finely chopped dried cranberries, and 1/2 cup of finely chopped walnuts, and a 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips. When they were done baking, I sprinkled them with confectioner's sugar. They are yummy, like a buttery shortbread with nuts, chocolate, and craisins kind of yummy. They are really good with hot apple cider and a movie too!

Tomorrow I will show you what I knit while watching the movie - also courtesy of Leslie!

and the winner is...

You guys are the best! Thanks to everyone for playing. I really wish I could send each of you a prize. Really. But this morning (right before leaving for school), Son pick a name out of a hat. The winner is Kim from Chronic Ennui. Congratulations, Kim! As soon as I get your address, I will send out the prize!


The hat Son picked the name out of is one I made a few weeks ago. I finally got around to taking some pictures of it.

The details:

Pattern: Fiber Trends Lace Cap (AC-4) by Bev Galeskas

Yarn: Bristol Yarns King George color 1042

Needles: size 7 and 9 (16 inch) circular and size 7 dpn

The pattern comes with two lace charts. I used the second one (chart B). There are also two sizes to knit from - small or large. I knit the large. The yarn is so soft and has some cashmere in it. Overall - a very quick and fun knit!

Have a great weekend everyone!