Celtic Shawl – new pattern

Celtic Shawls: Margaree Harbour

Margaree Harbour is nestled along the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia – one of the most beautiful trails in the world with its absolutely spectacular ocean vistas. Along the trail’s length are many small historic fishing communities that still today depend on the sea for their livelihood and celebrate their Celtic culture.  Imagine a fisherman’s wife in days gone by, standing on the rocks overlooking the ocean, wrapped in the warmth of a woollen shawl to keep out the cold winds as she watches for that first glimpse of the fishing boats returning to the safety of the harbour.

Meet the Margaree Harbour shawl – pdf download available through Ravelry.com via the above link. This pattern is charted only.

Great News – Published through Knit Picks

Whitney Pier Socks

My Whitney Pier Socks pattern has been accepted into the Knit Picks Independent Designer Program (IDP)!!!! I’m very excited

The socks are knit in Stroll Sock Yarn in the Dove Heather colourway and the pattern is now available through their website here.

Just a note: The pattern in the sidebar available through Ravelry.com is an expanded pattern and has both sock yarn and sport yarn versions for this sock; the Knit Picks version only has the sock/fingering weight version included.

Another Free Scarf Pattern for you!

11-146 Pink Moonlight Scarf

This easy-to-knit pattern creates a lovely no-roll, textured scarf. The 4-row repeat is great for those times when a simple pattern suits your mood. A great take-along project!

This pattern was originally designed in 2009 to help organizations raise funds for breast cancer research. It is now being made available for FREE and may be photocopied or printed for personal, educational, business and charitable purposes providing all identity information remains intact. The pattern may not be sold or included as part of a kit for sale. It may not be posted on a blog or website. Hand-knit items from this pattern may be sold for charity or profit. The pattern can be downloaded from the Ravelry Pattern Page.  Enjoy!

Lamp in the Snow

Lamp in the Snow

Just thought I’d share this totally accidental reflection picture — the snow came with the Nor’easter storm on Jan 12 – 13, 2011.

I wanted to take a picture of the snow lying on the stone-walled patio just outside our garden doors. I didn’t notice the reflection until the pic was downloaded — thought it was kinda cool!

Looks like the squirrels and rabbits are setting up house!

 

A new Jenna H. design…

Jenna H. of Fibre Spark Knits & Wovens has just published a  beautiful new cable-band hat knitting pattern — the band is lined for extra warmth — love it! Her sample is knit in Knit Picks Andean Silk – an alpaca, silk, merino blend — Ravelry knitting pattern page
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Stitch Pattern Manipulation – Garter and Cable

Just thought I’d share what part of my snowy day was spent on today.   I saw a picture of this stitch pattern in a stitch dictionary and it so wanted to play! So, as I created some variations I captured the chart images to share.

As you can see, even a fairly simple stitch combination can be manipulated in so many ways…these are just a few.

Hope it sparks your imagination!

Waffles with Blueberry Sauce and Whipped Cream

Waffles with Blueberry Sauce and Whipped Cream

The holidays are all about food, aren’t they. So I thought I’d share another festive favourite from our house

I obtained our waffle iron about 20 years ago with points from Zellers – it’s been the best!

Here are the recipes:

Waffles

2 c flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
1 1/2 c milk
2 eggs
2 Tbsp oil

Plug in the waffle iron so it’s hot when the batter is ready.

Mix dry ingredients together. In a large cup measure (4 c) or medium size bowl whisk the milk, eggs and oil together for about 1 minute, until ingredients are well mixed and slightly frothy.

With the whisk, gently blend the wet ingredients into the dry, stirring just until all ingredients are incorporated. Depending on the amount of moisture in the flour, I let the batter sit on the counter a few minutes to thicken. Our 7″ round waffle maker takes 2/3 c of batter and needs 3 1/2 minutes to bake each waffle. Makes 5 waffles 7″ in diameter.

Blueberry Sauce (cooked)

2 c blueberries (frozen and thawed or fresh)
2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 c water
3/4 c cranberry or orange juice
2 Tbsp corn starch
1/2 tsp orange zest (optional)
1/2 tsp salt (optional)

Place blueberries in a medium sauce pan. Stir in sugar. In a small bowl mix water, juice, cornstarch and zest and salt, if using. Stir mixture until cornstarch is dissolved. Stir cornstarch mixture into blueberry mixture in pan and place on medium heat. Bring to a boil stirring often to make sure the cornstarch stays suspended in the mixture. Boil for 1 minute. Take off heat and cool slightly to serve. Makes about 2 cups.

Enjoy!