pepper nuts

Good morning! Good afternoon! Good evening!
Good day!
Wanted to share a recipe with you where you will either love me for or not.
They are a little time consuming. Hopefully, worth your time.
The name given is "pepper nut" but, nothing nutty about them. They contain no nuts. Just sized like a nut. Little bits of spice. Perfect for your yarn.
After the dough is mixed, roll small pieces into "snakes". The thinner the snake, the smaller and crisper the "nuts". If your dough is sticky, you may want to place your snakes in the freezer to harden a bit. This will make the next step easier.
Cutting. This is the part that may take time. I find that using kitchen scissors is a little quicker... although you may just want to use a knife.
Lots of little nuts ready to pop into the oven. Try to make sure there is enough space in between them on the cookie sheet. Bake at 350˚ for about 10 minutes... until they start to brown.
They really are the perfect size to grab a handful and pop into your mouth... one at a time.
Knit a row.
Repeat.

Enjoy your weekend!

patterns ago again

Hi there!
Gosh, I so, so apologize for link inconvenience. And, I really apologize for those I never emailed back regarding the non working links. The links for toast, toasty and those mitts are now working!
Happy March!
xx,
leslie

frost

I can't believe it took me 2 months to make this hat.
Two months of knitting a little (tiny) bit every day.
Some days I knit a row. A row that included a mistake.
The following day, I would rip back that row.
Some days I knit half a row, finishing that row the following day.
The next row, I would make a mistake... ripping it back the next day.
I kid you not, it continued like this. On and ON.
I'm not sure if it was for lack of concentration. (I have a lot going on in my life... remind me to tell you about it someday.) Or, that I was just having trouble following the pattern repeat. I mentioned that I placed markers in between each pattern repeat. That definitely helped and I think is a must if you cast on for this.
Loved the yarn. Although, I ended up wishing I would have knit it in a natural like this.

I'm ready for a simple something.

Have a wonderful weekend!

today

The breakfast table sprinkled with hearts.
A surprise heart on a walk with Trouble.
Unbelievably delicious Peanut Butter blossoms made entirely by Libby.

I finally finished a hat, chose a new sweater pattern and am looking for the perfect yarn.

Hope your day was happy.

sweet.

The random generator chose number 106 as the winner of Sweet Shawlettes.
AnnEdith please email with your address so that sweet shawlettes can end up in your mailbox.

Have a beautiful day.

sweet shawlettes

I bet you've heard the buzz around blogland as the blog tour of Sweet Shawlettes has been going on for a few weeks. It's Jean Moss's latest book which includes 25 irresistible patterns. Jean has included patterns for all levels and all interests. Lace, colorwork, texture and cables.
The book is broken down into four different categories... country, couture, folk and vintage. I like the little explanation and brief story at the beginning of each. A little peak into how the pieces came about.
Couture:
I really love this two-piece shawl made out of gossamer kidsilk. The drape looks dreamy to me.
Folk:

Ceilidh shawlette and Polperro Cape caught my eye immediately.
I really like the tweedy look of the ceilidh and rowan denim (used for polperro) is an all time favorite yarn of mine. (Love the buckle!)
Vintage:
Mantilla shawlette. Oh, do I love this. Knit in the round out of rowan kidsilk haze. Light enough to be worn several ways.

Taunton Press would like to give away a copy of sweet shawlettes to one of my readers. If interested, please leave a comment before Tuesday, January 24, 12 p.m. EST. I will have the random generator choose a name.

Enjoy your weekend!

sloooow

I am knitting, I promise. However, this hat has put me in a bit of a funk. The yarn is yummy but wearing thin cause row 15 has been knit and reknit a few too many times. Oy. I finally got smart and put markers in between every 24 st pattern repeat. Hoping that will help out my brain.
Charlie reminded me that I used to make a lot more cookies.
Okay then.
Lemon Sugar cookies were made last week and this.
Big, chewy and full of flavor.
We highly recommend them.

Now back to my hat.

toast

Cheers to all the lovely knitters, crafters and peeps out there that visit this space. (And, those that don't, too!) Thanks so much for the inspiration you give me... and for letting me feel like I inspire some of you!
Here's to a healthy and happy 2012!
xx,
leslie

{Below, a really great email from Char, someone that stopped by my little space. To me, this sums up knitting. The warmth, the ease and the feeling we all get when we create something. Even the simplest can be oh so rewarding. Thank you, Char.}

dated December 30, 2011 8:38:37 AM EST


Toast...

Could it actually be that easy? After making mittens, gloves, fingerless mitts could Toast be just too, too simple?

I noticed that while walking trails in the fall, and strolls on the beach in the cooler blustery days that I usually tugged my shirt sleeves over my hands or stuffed in in my pockets. I wasn't ready to get out my winter gloves yet. I decided that this looked like a job for Toast. At home I scrounged through my knitting stash and found some of my favorite wooly heavier yarn. I love wooly yarn. I am definitely happy that wooly yarn likes me.

I whipped up my Toast and used it on my next outdoor walk. It was great! If my hands felt chilled the toast covered them. If I was getting too warm I pushed Toast up so my hands got more air. I found Toast to be much more practical for me. If I wore Toast while on errands, I didn't have to take them off. I just pushed them up again so that my hands were free.

This winter I think I will use Toast over my dress leather gloves.

Okay, one day I did manage to lose some Toast. One fell out of my coat pocket at a restaurant. ::sigh:: I simply went home and made more Toast. That didn't take long. I am a little giddy thinking of the day when all I have is mismatched Toast. The creative ideas are limitless for color!

I have found Toast is warmer than the fingerless mitts that I have had in the past. by pulling further down over my hand it covers my thumb better and holds in more heat. I am so glad you gave us Toast. I never would have tried it if I hadn't found it on your site. Thank you!

From a very toasty reader,
Char

Okay... so let's get knitting.
How about having a supply of mismatched toast. Love that.

real. simple. happiness.

Well, well. December 21.
I've thought about getting over to this space all month.
I have also thought about knitting.
And, about your knitting. And, how busy a lot of YOU are knitting!
L O V E that!
I, on the other hand, have knit about 2 rows in the last several weeks. I know, I know. Shocking. I have a pretty good reason.
The chalkboard place mats were included in Real Simple's 50 gifts under $50 and I have been beautifully swamped. I feel extremely humbled and blessed.
I don't take for granted all of you. My entire reason I started that little business in the first place. You gave me the motivation and the inspiration. Truly, I couldn't be more grateful.
(This double rainbow showed up today. It was a lovely gift.)
I plan on getting my knitting back on. Very, very soon. I dream of all of it. Sweaters, shawls, hats, mittens and socks.
Real.
Simple.
Happiness.
My wish to you is the same. Real, Simple happiness...
the merriest of Christmas's and the happiest of holidays!
xx,
leslie

thankful

Goodness gracious. Where did that month go?
Thanksgiving was spent in Florida. There really is so much to be thankful for.
A photo was taken to let you know how thankful I am. I can't believe I'm just now getting here to let you know. I love this community we are all a part of. I feel very blessed to be a part of it.
So, tomorrow's a big day. The countdown begins.
I have a hat and some fingerless gloves on the needles.
How about you?
Who's knitting what?
Please let us all know.
And, thanks so much for stopping by.
xx,
leslie

a winner

I honestly wish everyone could get a copy of this book. There really are some terrific, quick projects for all knitting levels.
The random number generator chose #97, Cameron. Please e-mail me with your address and I'll be sure the book lands in your hands.

60 more quick knits... just in time.

I love these books so, so much. 60 patterns. All made with the same yarn. How much better can it get.
Just in time for gift giving.
I almost slapped a post-it note on each and every page. That's how much I loved each and every pattern.
Scarves. Cable, lace, color work. I really love that one up there... knit in a tube. (There is a beautiful fair isle tube scarf, too.) I wish I would have taken a photo of the double knit checkerboard scarf and the basketweave pocket scarf. (SO many beautiful scarves.)
And those wave-cuff mittens up there... L O V E. The lacy cuff is knit separately and attached later. And then, buttoned closed! (You know how I love to pick out the perfect button.)
The colorblock cap. This one totally caught my eye. It is worked section by section with short rows and pieced together. The rib band added last.
Who doesn't love an ear flap hat for those super cold days. Love the colors they chose for this one.
The convertible mitten-gloves. I've made fingerless mittens... but never gloves. Would love to give it a try. And those stripes are just too cute.
Bobbled gauntlets? Yes, please. Adore those!

I have one book to give away. If interested, please leave a comment between now and Friday the 18th at 5 p.m. EST. I will have the random generator choose a name.

aidez

It took me a while to put this sweater together. It also took me a while to get photos. I can only blame that on daylight savings time and the color. The color of the yarn.
While I love everything about this sweater, I have one regret that I didn't make it in the natural color. Something about those cables... look so good in natural.
Pattern: Aidez
Yarn: Berroco peruvia quick, 9 hanks 9165 indigo.
Needles: 10.5 US
Size: Small

I do love it. It is a pretty quick knit resulting in a sweater that can be thrown on just about all of the time. I really like the long lines and drape. Soooo many people have made this telling you the balance of this project totally works. Easy yet challenging. Chunky yarn that makes it quick yet requires a bit of brain power to slow you down.
Thanks Berroco, for yet another wonderful pattern.

can't get enough

Oh boy.
Is it really November 7th!
Halloween came and went. (That seems like that was a month ago.)
A little girl turned 14. (I can't believe it. Stop the insanity.)

And these snicker-doodle brownies became a new favorite. (Thanks to my friend, Amy, for sharing the recipe.)
You should really go and get your 2 sticks of butter out of the refrigerator to soften. Now. (You will only need 3/4 cup.)
You won't be sorry.
Only sorry you will have to make them again. And again.
We couldn't even wait for them to cool before we iced.
Snicker-doodle Brownies:
2 1/3 cups flour :: 1 1/4 tsp baking powder :: 1/2 tsp salt :: 3/4 cup butter, softened :: 1/ 1/4 cups granulated sugar :: 1/2 cup packed brown sugar :: 3 eggs :: 1 tsp vanilla
Cinnamon Mixer:
1 Tablespoon sugar :: 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
Icing:
1 cup powdered sugar :: 2 Tablespoons milk :: 1/4 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350˚. Butter bottom of a 9 x 13 baking pan. Mix together butter and sugars until blended. Add eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla. Mix in the dry ingredients.
Spoon half of the batter into the pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle cinnamon mixer on top. Using the remaining batter, place teaspoon sized dollops on top of the cinnamon mixture covering all the pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool for one hour (yeah right). Drizzle icing on top.

this morning

Our extremely, exiting way to start the day.
And, a finished project that just needs to be sewn together.

Have a beautiful weekend!

ebook winners

The random number generator chose numbers:
127: Lori Ann. You won the ebook AND the lovely malabrigo (up there!) to make the capelet.
and
16: Knit and Purl Mama. You, too, won an ebook.
Please email Nichole (bg at bluegirlknits dot com) and she can get you your goods!

Oh! And, Nichole is going to run the discount on the ebook until the end of day tomorrow, Wednesday, October 25th. Enter "friend11" at checkout to receive $3 off.

harvest

You know Nichole, right?
Nichole is a fabulous designer who now has an ebook, consisting of five patterns that came out at the first of October. All patterns are made out of Malabrigo... gotta love that. Nichole's patterns are extremely well written and easy to follow. I love how she includes the skill level and yarn weight with each pattern. I feel, it is extremely important to choose a pattern within your skill level so you don't get frustrated. I wish all patterns had this detail. The end result is not only beautiful but looks absolutely fun to wear.
Pumpkin patch leg warmers. Made out of Malibrigo Sock. Skill level, easy. I love the ruched look here.
Autumnal vest. Made out of Malibrigo Rasta. Skill level intermediate. I really dig this vest. Plus, chunky yarn = instant gratification.
The foliage hat. Made out of Malabrigo Lace. Skill level, Intermediate. I love this cable and colorwork hat with the tree motif. Nichole really knows her hats. (And looks super cute in them!) Remember, Nichole is the one who designed piece of pi. You can make a few hats from the yarn you need for one, just like you can with the piece of pi.
Gathering Mitts. Made out of malabrigo worsted and rios. Skill level, intermediate. These mitts have an outer lace mitt and an inner felted mitt! They are worked together and once knit, thrown into the washing machine so the inner mitt will felt while the out mitt remains the same. Two pairs of mitts can be made from the yarn for one!
Harvest Capelet. Made out of Malabrigo Silky Merino. Skill level, intermediate. (Yes, intermediate.) The silky merino makes this have a perfect drape. Lace work and bead work adorn this capelet, and the silky merino makes this have a perfect drape.

Guess what? Nichole would like to give away an ebook, which includes all five wonderful patterns, to TWO of my readers... and not only that, but one person will not only get the ebook but will also get the yarn to make the harvest capelet!

So, if interested, leave a comment here before Tuesday October 25th at 12 pm EST and the random number generator will choose the two names.

Oh! And if you can't wait to see if you won, you can purchase the ebook here or on ravelry here at $3.00 off by entering the coupon code "friend11" at checkout. That code will expire at 12pm Tuesday.

i see them everywhere

I really do.
The way the tape measure fell next to my desk. (I swear to absolute goodness. It made me gasp.)
Under the coffee maker. (I know, right!?)
And then, there. In the sugar, on the snickerdoodle pie.
Could it be any cuter?!
This morning, a big glob of jelly landed on the counter. You guested it... shaped like a heart.
Not sure exactly what it all means. Maybe I should have been a heart doctor?
I don't love the ingredients in this one. However, Charlie asked for the original snickerdoodles. Not just "cinnamon" cookies. I must say, they are pretty darn good. I didn't feel like rolling them into balls, therefore, decided to press it into the pan.
Snicker doodle cookies:
1 cup crisco (not my favorite ingredient) :: 1 1/2 cup sugar :: 2 eggs :: 1/2 tsp vanilla :: 2 3/4 cup flour :: 2 tsp cream of tarter :: 1 tsp baking soda :: 1/2 tsp salt.
-Cream crisco, sugar and eggs, add vanilla and then dry ingredients. Spread in 8" round pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixture. (1 tbls sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon)
Bake at 350˚ for 15-20 minutes.

My friend, Amy, shared a snickerdoodle brownie recipe. Those are up next. I'll let you know how those turn out.