Work in progress

I sewed this lavender dress a while ago. I didn't wear it, first because of pregnancy, then because it isn't nursing friendly. Though Lucy still nurses, it's only before naps and at bedtime, so I pulled out the dress again.

It fits beautifully now, but the fabric seems a bit thin, so I have been working on a slip to go under it. If I finish it in time, I'll wear it to Pascha.

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Then I'll appliqué the heck out of it.

At last...

My interchangeable needles and their case came in the mail today! I've been waiting to get them for so long. Now to cast on ALL THE THINGS.

My New Louet

My good friend Dorothy just dropped off this spinning wheel, a Louet S-10 at my sister Emily's house. It's a 1982 model that Dorothy hasn't been using lately, so she generously sent it my way. I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Happy First Birthday, Lucy!

Looking back

This time last year, I was sewing a tablecloth for my friend Joanna between contractions.

Today I got the sewing machine out again to make beanbags for the soon-to-be birthday girl.

Let's hope they don't take as long as Lucy did.

Backup

Knitting along with my sister on another honey cowl.  Such an addictive and satisfying knit...

I made my first one on a trip to Maine with my dear friend.  Whenever I wear it, which is nearly every day, I'm reminded of that beautiful week.

I misplaced it the other day in a bookstore.  I came upon it, lying on the floor, before I had even realized I'd dropped it.  It rattled me so much, I cast on for this spare one, just in case.  It won't have the same memories attached to it, so I'll just have to make new ones as I go.

Knit Along: Sweater Surgery

Remember Pete's sweater? The one that was too short? The one I ripped back and reknit so it would be long enough? The one that crept back up into the too-short realm over time?

I tried not to notice, but he wore it all the time. He really was proud of it, but I cringed when anyone found out I had made it.

So I plotted. It's a bottom-up sweater, and I knew there had to be a way to avoid ripping out the shoulders again. I consulted my knitting group and any knitterly friends who would listen. We started to come up with a plan. An episode of the Knitmore Girls Podcast, wherein Gigi performs similar surgery on a sock, confirmed it.

How to Lengthen a Bottom-Up Sweater

1. Insert an afterthought lifeline a few rows above the ribbing.
2. Take a deep breath and carefully cut off the ribbing.
3. Scoop up all the lovely stitches that are just waiting for you patiently. You may have to pick little bits of yarn away from the stitches.
4. Tink back a row or two until everything is orderly--no more fluff, no twisted stitches, etc.
5. Join a ball of yarn and knit down to the desired length, adding new ribbing when appropriate.
6. Bind off!

Cutting into Pete's sweater was really exhilarating. I think I showed it who's the boss around here. It'll behave itself after this, I'm sure of it.

Bound off last night, and already put to work.

Thanks to my sister Anna, I got to spin a little at Paca Gardens on Saturday without a certain little person. I've been sloooowly saving up for a wheel of my own. About halfway there!

Socks for Mama

She made me, so the least I could do is make her some cashmere socks.  What do you know, they took me nine months too...

willful wool

I bought this yarn when I was in college and have tried to make it into one thing or another without much luck.  It looks like it wants to be socks after all.  We'll see.  I'll play along, though I can't imagine walking around on something this cushy...

Have not yet figured out how to wash the dishes while knitting, but until that blessed day, I'll settle for washing the dishes with knitting.

Orzo with Roasted Vegetables

This recipe is my mother's.  Ever since she made it for us last week when we visited New Jersey, I can't get enough.  It tastes like spring.  I've made it twice already and we eat it hot or cold.  It really lends itself to customization.  Use whatever vegetables you have on hand.  I usually replace the zucchini with an extra pepper.

Orzo with Roasted Vegetables

serves 8

1 ½ cups fresh mushrooms, halved
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 medium sweet yellow pepper, chopped
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 small red onion, cut into wedges
1 cup fresh asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
½ teaspoon salt
1 ¼ cups uncooked orzo 

1. Preheat oven to 400º.  
2. Place vegetables in a bowl and toss with oil and seasonings. 
3. Put vegetables onto a cookie sheet or 15”x10” glass pan coated with oil.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally 
5. Meanwhile, cook orzo according to package directions (usually boil for 9 minutes). 
6. Drain, transfer to a serving bowl, and combine with roasted vegetables.