Friday Favorites

Happy Friday friends!

It’s been awhile since I’ve had a Friday Favorites round up, so here goes!

Fiber 

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[1] Winter Whispers, Image (c) Loop London [2] AC Knitwear’s Year of Techniques, from @jenacknitwear on Instagram [3] Arrosa, Image (c) Nicole Mlakar [4] A Good Vintage Cardigan, Image (c) Simply Crochet
With the weater being concerningly warm (forecast for Philly today is a high of 70 F IN FEBRUARY!) my mind is starting to wander toward spring/summer knitting …

  • I love pretty much everything Bristol Ivy does, and this new lightweight pullover is no exception! I almost convinced myself it was a good idea to buy yarn for it, and then realized I had no idea when I’d actually knit it, sigh.
  • How sweet is this Winter Whispers (okay, I guess it’s not *that* spring-y) cardigan? I love the unusual yoke. I think I’d opt to knit it in worsted or even DK wool, to get the drape without using an alpaca yarn, which often makes me itch …
  • And this cardigan makes me wish I actually knew how to crochet — those colors!
  • The new Pom Pom mag is out, and I’m in love with this shawl … it looks like it’d be some simple tv knitting, with enough delicate details to keep things interesting.
  • And lastly, I’m getting so excited about Arnall-Culliford Knitwear’s new Year of Techniques.  The first pattern comes out March 1, and I’m desperately trying to get my knitting life in order to figure out if I’ll be knitting along! (Here’s the first post explaining the project on the AC Knitwear Blog, but there’s more info in subsequent blost posts, including a break down of techniques covered and designers involved – there’s a really great line up!)

Sustenance

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[1] Cauliflower and chickpea curry, image from Whoefully [2] Hot and sour soup and [3] Scallion meatballs, both from Smitten Kitchen 
  • I made this veggie curry for dinner last night on my mom’s suggestion (thanks, Mom!) and it was delicious!  Simple to put together, super tasty, and left me feeling very healthy.  I swapped out a diced potato for chickpeas, because I had one to use up, and threw in some carrots that wanted to be used as well.  A great recipe for using up veg you have in the fridge, I think!
  • I revisted this hot and sour soup on Smitten Kitchen, which I’d made last winter and loved, then forgot about.  It’s amazing and so, so simple.  If you like hot and sour soup, make this now! It’s not the same, of course, as what you’d get in a Chinese restaurant, but it’s packed full of flavor and is seriously easy.  I wish I still had some in the fridge … maybe I will make it again this weekend!
  • And if, like me, you make that soup and go the ground pork route, you’ll end up with half a pound of ground pork leftover in your fridge. You can do what I did and turn it into these awesome ginger soy meatballs.  The original recipe calls for ground turkey, but I figured pork would be tasty too, and they were delicious.  To fill it out a bit, I took the half package of tofu I had left over from my soup and diced it into very small cubes, and, after frying off the meatballs, fried the tofu in the same pan.  I served a mix of the meatballs and tofu over rice with the sauce, and made some bok choy to go along with it — delicious!

What’s caught your eye this week?

And if you’d like more Friday Favorites, find them all here!

Katherine @ fiberandsustenance4 Comments

Friday Favorites

Hi friends! Happy Friday!  It’s been awhile since we’ve had a Friday Favorites, and I have a long list of knitting fun to share, and a few recipes too (need to get that cooking mojo back!)

Fiber

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1: Brookings, Image [c] Marie Greene [2] De-Stress Sheep, Image from Magpie Fibers [3] Carraig Fhada, Image [c] Kate Davies Designs [4] Fruity Knitting Podcast, Image from Fruity Knitting Podcast website
  • I love the cable details and classic shapes of the recently released Brookings pullover. It’s just the kind of sweater that I * know * I would wear all the time.  I’m not quite sure when I’ll get around to knitting this, but I want to make time for it soon.
  • Also, how lovely is this In the Pines Pullover? I love the neckline, and think the pine design along the bottom is really unique.
  • Want to take better knitting photos?  Emma Davis has some great tips!
  • I have, ahem, a robust stash of yarn, we could say, so this Dear Clara really cracked me up.  (“Do you no longer use your stove because the oven is filled with yarn? Is the fridge unplugged and packed with skeins?”) But the jokes aside, I also liked the overall message — stashes are personal things, and you and only you can decide how much yarn is too much for you.
  • Interested in learning more about breed-specific yarns? I loved this handy chart detailing the differences between different types of wool on Solitude Wool’s website.  Also, I’m really excited to know about the Virginia-based wool company — I hadn’t heard of them until this week!
  • I have already sung the praises of Kate Davies Inspired by Islay club, but I just had to give a shout out to the gorgeous colorwork vest she released a few weeks ago.  I loooove the natural colors with the pop of teal.  Straight into the queue it goes!
  • Also, I stumbled across this de-stress sheep this week.  Besides being totally cute, I’ve been having some soreness in my right hand lately and imagine using this could be really soothing!
  • I know I’ve shoved a lot in this week, but the last thing I want to tell you about is the Fruity Knitting podcast.  I watched an episode a few weeks ago, and I’m totally hooked!  They produce excellent episodes with a wonderful combination of WIP discussion, interviews, and technique videos.  The episodes come out every two weeks — I’ve really enjoyed the two most recent ones, as well as starting to work through the back catalogue. (Edited to add: if you need further confirmation that Fruity Knitting’s awesome, it’s just gotten the Mason-Dixon Knitting seal of approval!)

Sustenance 

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[1] Photo by Mark Weinberg, Food52 [2] Photo from Crazy Vegan Kitchen
  • While we’re on the subject of podcasts, I also recently discovered Milk Street Radio, a fabulous cooking podcast.  I love the mix of interviews, call in questions, and tips.  Highly recommend!
  • I had this simple lentil and beef salad a few weeks ago, and it was surprisingly delicious. I actually had leftover roast beef to use up, but I think this would be equally lovely with a nice bit of fish or some roasted veggies on top!
  • I’ve been all about easy and cheap dinners, and this five-ingredient chickpea and pasta soup fit the bill.  I was a bit suspicious of it while it was cooking, but it was super tasty (and came together quickly.)
  • My mom tried this spicy buddha bowl out this week and reports it was fabulous! I am putting it on the list for next week!

Want more favorites? You can see them all here.

 

 

Katherine @ fiberandsustenance4 Comments

Friday Favorites

Hi friends, and welcome to the first Friday Favorites of the New Year!

Today, I have four great new(ish) colorwork patterns and a handful of soup recipes that I’m excited to share.

Fiber

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From left: Image [c] Kate Davies Designs; Image [c] Lovewool Knits – 2017; Image [c] Matilda Kruse; Image [c] Whitney Hayward 
I’m not sure if it’s finishing my Droving socks (more on that soon!) or starting Rail Trail, but I’ve had colorwork seriously on the brain recently!  Here are some of my recent favorites:

  • Kate Davies’ brand new sweater, The Oa.  I joined Kate’s Inspired by Islay club when it started mid-December, and I’ve loved all the patterns so far.  When the email for the Oa came in this week … well, it was all I could do not to immediately order the yarn! This is really testing my New Year’s goal of being reasonable and thoughtful about any stash additions — I know I won’t have time to knit this sweater anytime soon … but … it’s just so, so pretty! (And I do have 10% off Kate Davies purchases as part of my club membership through March 1 …)
  • These CheekyMittenKAL mittens — I love every mitten in this collection!  Why oh why are there so many awesome new patterns, complete with knitalongs, happening at the moment?  I just want to cast on all the things!
  • Another gorgeous colorwork yoke sweater, just recently out!
  • This bulky, colorwork cardigan, released last month by Quince.  Ever since it came out, I’ve been dreaming a of dark grey version, with pops of gold.
  • And … for something completely different, did you know that Thomas Jefferson kept sheep in front of the White House? Including a murderous ram? Who knew?!

Sustenance 

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Clockwise from top left, image from Cup of Jo; image by James Ransom, Food 52; image from Healthy-Delicious; Image from Smitten Kitchen 
  • I’ve pinned not one, but two curried chicken soups in the past week. I think they both look delicious — guess what I’ll be boiling up this weekend?
  • If you wanted a veg curry soup, this curried cauliflower soup looks pretty amazing.
  • Because there’s currently snow on the ground (!), and in my opinion at least, there can never be too much soup, here’s a sweet potato minestrone recipe, recommended to me by a friend, that’s also made it onto my “make immediately” list.
  • Updated to add: because of course, right after I hit publish, another to die for soup popped in my browser: chicken wonton soup!

What’s caught your eye this week?

Want more Friday Favorites? You can see previous posts here. 

Katherine @ fiberandsustenance8 Comments

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, friends!  How are you doing this week?  In sunny Los Angeles, it’s hard for me to believe that Christmas is just around the corner!  As of now, I’m not doing any gift knitting (I often wait til I have a week to go to decide to try to churn out a hand knit pressie), and I’m feeling pretty okay with that.  I love giving handknit gifts, but I just haven’t gotten my act together for it this year.

I’ve rounded up a batch of favorites (some of which are holiday-ish) this week, so let’s get to them!

Fiber

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Clockwise: [1] Image (c) A Yarn Story [2] Image from sweetappledesigns.com [3] Image (c) Clare Lakewood
  • The Rainey Sisters featured these adorable pompom wreathes on their blog — what a fun decoration they’d be!
  • I love these colorwork mitts by Clare Lakewood, and fingerless mitts can make great last minuted knitted gifts!
  • I stumbled across this amazing sheep mug on Instagram yesterday.  Some aggresive googling revealed that UK-based Wool Warehouse sells it, and, for those of you in the US, their international shipping appears to be very reasonable — a perfect gift for the knitting/sheep fanatic in your life!  (I don’t know about you, but I find sheep wearing sweaters to be pretty irresitible!)
  •  Not really in the gift category (unless you think you can make an adult male sweater in less that three weeks – if so more power to you!), but how gorgeous is this sweater?

Sustenance 

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From left to right, images from Food 52; Smitten Kitchen; Webs Yarn.
  • I love this recipe for roasted and poached pears to pare (ba-da-chump!) with a holiday cheese plate.
  • Combining fiber and sustenance: how great are these knitterly cookie cutters, which my mom told me about a few weeks ago?
  • I trust Smitten Kithcen in all things, and she says this is one of her best entertaining recipes — I think it’d be perfect for a December dinner party.
  • And this soup, I think, could be the perfect antidote to holiday party overindulgence — spinach and leek, yum!

You can see previous Friday Favorites (which are chockablock with knitting gift ideas, should you need them) here.

What are you up to this weekend?  Last minute shopping or knitting? Cooking?  I’d love to hear in the comments!

Katherine @ fiberandsustenance10 Comments

Friday Favorites

Fiber

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  • This incredible colorwork blanket, improvised by georgievinsun on Raverly.  You can read more about how she went about it on her blog.  The skill and attention that went into it are just stunning …. I’m really in awe of it!
  •  This knitted sheep. It’s knitted, and it’s a sheep.  Need I say more? (Except I will: it’s from a new collection by Susan B. Anderson of designs out of her brand new yarn line.  I’m excited to try it at some point!)
  • I think I could spend every day in this tunic. (The only non-colorwork pattern of this list — I must have stranding on the brain!)
  • I’ve discussed my love of Thea Colman’s patterns before, and somehow I missed the release last month of this hat. Love, love, love!
  • These brand new mitts, by another favorite designer, Bristol Ivy.

Sustenance 

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What are you feeling excited about this week?  Favorite Thanksgiving recipes?  New pattern or yarn releases? As always, I’d love to hear about them in the comments! And you can find previous Friday Favorites here.

 

Katherine @ fiberandsustenance10 Comments

Friday Favorites

Hi friends, and happy Friday!  Fall’s really here!  The leaves are changing!  New patterns for cozy sweaters and delightful accessories abound!  It’s time to drink apple cider and dark beer again!

For many, this weekend means Rhinebeck (if you’re going, have fun!)  But if you can’t make it, I’ve rounded up an extra large batch of fiber favorites this week for your consideration!

Fiber 

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(1) Arctic Cardigan, Image (c) Madder (2) Image on Instagram by @neighborhoodfibercompany (3) Rail Trail, Image (c) Gal Zucker (4) Goat and sheep pins!
  • First up, the Arctic Cardigan, by Carrie Bostick Hodge, from Making, Volume 2. I saw this cardigan and, I don’t know what it is about it, but I have to have it.  Don’t you think it’d make an incredible staple? As soon as I saw the pattern, I metaphorically ran to the Brooklyn Tweed website and picked Obsidian as my color of choice.  I haven’t let myself buy it yet … but my resolve is weakening every day.  In any case, I can’t wait for my copy of Making to arrive on my doorstep!
  • And speaking of sweaters that I want to live in, Joji Locatelli’s Granito is right up my alley (I know, you all have probably seen her new collection by now as it’s been out for a bit … but I haven’t done a Friday Favorites in awhile, and I wanted to give that sweater a shoutout!)
  • Also, did you see Quince’s new pattern collection?  It’s all gorgeous, but Dalis, by Dianna Walla, went immediately into my want-to-make pile.
  • Jill Draper Makes Stuff has also just released her first pattern collection, Rural Renewal. So many gorgeous patterns, but I’ve fallen hard for Rail Trail, by Kristen TenDyke. It’s a good thing I’m not going to Rhinebeck, because I don’t think I’d be able to resist a kit for this sweater at Jill Draper’s open house!
  •  In wool-related news, check out this temporary wool-filled guest house: #lifegoals.
  • Also, how cool is this idea for showing off swatches?  They’d be awesome decoration for a craft room, right?
  • And last, but not least, I thought I’d share my growing knitting-related enamel pin collection … Mr. N got me black and white sheep pins from Twig and Horn.  They’re grazing at the foot of Buachaille on my Kate Davies Designs project bag, while my mountain goat from Shiny Apple Studio presides from the peak.

Sustenance 

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(1) Smashed Sweet Potatoes, Image from Cafe Delights (2) Applesauce Cake, Image from Smitten Kitchen
  • I baked my favorite fall apple cake last night for a gathering I’m headed to this evening (despite a series of recent dessert fails that I, ahem, haven’t been sharing wtih you).  I’ve made this recipe loads, and it’s never disappointed  … and it made my apartment smell ever so autumnal while baking!
  • Now that the temperature’s dropping, I think this chicken chorizo stew would make for a great meal!
  • The season of root vegetables is upon us!  My mom reported last night that she tried this sweet potato recipe and that it was one of (if not the!) best ways she’s ever had a sweet potato. With such a recommendation, I’ll definitely be trying them this weekend!
  • And last but not least, Mr. N and I made a version of this roast pork on Sunday with a lovely pork shoulder we got from the Farmer’s Market.  It was delicious as the star of Sunday dinner and has been equally good as leftovers … pork sandwiches with pear sauce, butternut squash soup topped with crispy pork, ravioli in a butter sauce with pork and rosemary … you name it.

What’s inspiring you this week? I’d love to hear in the comments — I’m especially in need of food inspriation, which has been a little thin on the ground here of late!

Want more Friday Favorites? You can see them all here. 

 

 

Katherine @ fiberandsustenance12 Comments

Friday Favorites

Hi friends, and happy Friday!  I’m excited to share some of my favorite things this week with you.

Fiber

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(1) Belyse Mitts, Image (c) Ysolda Teague (2) Leather wrist ruler, Image from Fringe Supply Co. (3) Asklov Hat, Image (c) AnonymousRhi (4) Droving Socks (c) Amelia Sobankski
  • The new Tup Knits e-book.  If you’ve been following along here for any length of time, you’ll know I love sheep.  I want to knit every one of Anne Kingstone’s gorgeous, sheep-themed patterns!  The e-book’s on sale til the end of September, so I went ahead and treated myself.  Now I’ll have to decide what to knit first! I’m leaning toward the Shornies hat, though I’d love to do one of the pullovers as well, and those socks!
  • This measuring tape bracelet.  I mean, how wonderful is that?
  • This version of the Asklöv hat, from the most recent Pom Pom.  When I saw Rhiannon’s finished hat on Instagram, I wanted to cast on immediately.  The pattern sample is gorgeous, but I love the graphic contrast of her version. (Rhiannon’s GreatWoollyOwl on Instagram, and AnonymousRhi on Ravelry .)
  • Ysolda’s Belyse Mitts.  The first pattern in this year’s installment of Knitworthy, and I think they’re just gorgeous.  And the colors she chose — orange and grey, be still my heart.  I’m realizing that colorwork has been a theme over the last few weeks … whenever I get some things off the needles, I think it’s high time I cast on a stranded project!
  • And last but not least, the list of socks I want to knit is getting ever longer.  I spied these socks this week.  I love the combination of the architectural twisted stitches with the reverse stockinette base, combined with the delicate eyelet pattern.

Sustenance

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(1): Lemon and Thyme Cake from Carrot and Cake (2) Mosser Chelsea Glass Bowls, Food52 (3) Nakiri Knife, Food 52
  • As I mentioned last week, my love of Great British Bake Off runs deep (more sad news on that front this week).  I was delighted when WordPress featured Carrot and Cake, the blog of baker Benjamina, who is on the current season of GBBO. I had no idea she had a blog.  I’m excited to try the Lemon and Thyme Drizzle Cake she shared this week!
  • And speaking of lemon cake — this week, I discovered while watching Saturday Kitchen that polenta cakes are a thing.  I looked up a few recipes and shared this one with my mom, who can’t eat gluten.  She baked it this week and said it was delicious — I can’t wait to give it a try!
  • This new Mosser glass collection. I have a thing about colored glass kitchenware.  I’ve been eyeing Mosser glass mixing bowls and cake stands for quite some time (the Jadeite and Grey are to die for), and I love the new blue collection as well!
  • And while we’re on the Food52 website, I might as well share the other item I’ve been lusting after.  I’ve been looking for one of these vegetable knifes, and this one looks just lovely!

I’d love to hear what patterns/recipes/etc. you’ve stumbled upon and are excited about this week!

Also, I wanted to share a little something I’ve been thinking about the past few weeks.  I love all of my end-of-week blog “commitments” (Yarnalong, Thursday Sockalong and Friday Favorites).  But with the way life as the moment, I’m finding it difficult to get those posts out each week and still have time for more spontaneous or project-specific posts. So, for the time being at least, Friday Favorites will move to an every other week format.  We’re ironing out the details, but the group of us who do Thursday sock posts are also going to move to less frequent, but more in-depth, posts about socks.  So they’ll be some little changes around here, along with (hopefully!) more varied posts.  Want to make sure you don’t miss anything?  You can sign up to get email updates on the sidebar, or follow me on Bloglovin’! And I’m regularly over on Instagram @fiberandsustenance.

Happy Friday!

Katherine @ fiberandsustenance4 Comments