It's Worth It!

Any host will tell you, a lot of time is spent preparing, cooking and cleaning for guests. I am so thankful to my family for all their help. My daughter and I spent productive, quality time cooking  for our Thanksgiving feast. As suspected, a 13 pound turkey was the star of the evening. The supporting cast included mashed potatoes, candied yams and a new paleo recipe for sweet potatoes. Also appearing, a side of steamed asparagus, bowl of cooked carrots and onions, delicious stuffing from a passed down family recipe and a wonderful tray of chilled shrimp brought by our friends, yum! I baked a pumpkin pie and two boxes of cheesecake samplers accompanied my Uncle.

My daughter diced and sliced carrots, onions, celery, mushrooms and potatoes as required for each dish, a time consuming task to be sure, while I set the holiday table. My son and husband tackled the guest bathroom, vacuuming the carpeting and couch and finally sweeping and mopping the kitchen floor (once my daughter and I were finished in there). Our dog had the job of being underfoot and fighting to be the official taste tester. A position that is out of reach as we don't feed her much people food, and still, she never gives up, what perseverance.

Don't you just love the aroma of a Thanksgiving meal! Our appetites grew with each passing minute as we waited, with great anticipation, for our guests to arrive. We were soon joined by my uncle and a couple of friends, all with tummies yearning to be filled. Not a moment was wasted before we were sitting and enjoying a fabulous feast fit for a king.

Though it was a small group compared to past holiday gatherings, (learning to cook for less then twenty was tricky) the laughter and over all good time was enormous! I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with love and good cheer!
Now to get started for our annual Christmas Day gathering menu.

With eternal gratitude for those I love and adore,
CeCe

Paleo Sweet Potato Wedges
Scrub potatoes, Do Not Peel the skin. www.naturalnews.com/034135_sweet_potatoes_nutrition.html

Slice potato into wedges: cut in half, then each half into quarters yielding eight wedges/potato
*potato can also be cut into slices if preferred.
Place wedges on shallow baking sheet on a single layer, brush lightly with organic olive oil.
Melt 1 tablespoon of raw honey per directions on product label and drizzle over wedges.
Crush 1/4 cup of raw organic pecans and sprinkle on wedges.
Bake in 325 degree oven on center rack for one hour.  ( oven temps vary so check potatoes after 45 minutes)
Potatoes should be soft in the middle but the skins should have a bit of a "chew".
Serve while warm

What's Up?

Days are flying by and before you know it Christmas will be here. I have completed most of my gifts but haven't begun to shop. As much as I would like, not everything can be knitted, though many attempts have been made trying to prove me wrong. Have you heard about swants?
Swants is an idea thought up by Stephen West. I had the chance to meet him at my local yarn store, Three Bags Full, and wow this guy is talented! He has designed beautiful shawls, scarves, cowls, mittens and swants. Swants are made by using an old sweater, cutting and sewing in strategic places. Here is the link to his tutorial. http://westknits.com/index Check it out, informative and very funny.
I am not that witty nor do I own a pair of swants but I have completed and in the process of completing some clever knits.
 Recently I finished the Ocean City Shawlette I have mentioned before and I just adore the finished product, see for yourself.  Here it is being blocked after a soak in a warm bath. The warm water helps to relax the fibers making it easier to shape the garment. If desired, add a bit of wool wash to the water and rinse well before blocking. Avoid aggressive wringing or other agitation. I like to roll in a towel for 15 minutes, to sop up excessive water, yarn only needs to be damp before blocking.

In the works is a pair of socks I fondly dubbed  "Purdue Socks". Using a Fair Isle technique has helped to give some thickness to the very thin yarn I am using. These socks will be super warm, perfect for getting around campus in cold weather, a good thing as my son is not a fan of heavy coats. I am carrying two colors vertically in hopes of avoiding a bumble bee effect that I imagine would occur with horizontal stripes. Refresher: school colors are black and gold. I did have to frog (rip it rip it) the first attempt since I did not take into consideration the lack of stretch that occurs with Fair Isle knitting (darn my inexperience is showing). This created a width only a small child could fit into. Definitely would not work for my 6' 4" son. My second attempt worked much better. I casted on 4 additional stitches and moved to a size 3 needle for a roomier sock that an adult can wear comfortably.
It was suggested I put in an after thought heel using only black (black for the toe as well).

I think that would look pretty cool but I wonder if it will be necessary to use two strands for durability and in keeping consistent with the established thickness of the sock body. Need to ponder the idea for a bit.

http://tutorials.knitpicks.com/wptutorials/fair-isle-or-stranded-knitting/
I found this to be a very helpful tutorial explaining the how to of strand knitting. I found the Scandinavian method worked well for me.

Now to get them completed and onto something new.
Post a comment, send an email and let me know what's up in your world!

Thanks for stopping by,
CeCe

A Tight Knit Community

Thanksgiving is around the corner. Many of us are busy planning menus, gathering necessary items or thinking about how the table will be set. Others are planning on re-building, gathering materials to do so or thinking about how they will start over.
This past Sunday, the Midwest was ravaged by severe storms and multiple tornadoes. My home state of Illinois was hit particularly hit hard. I wept as I watched the television coverage of the destroyed lives, homes and towns. It truly is a miracle that more lives were not lost.
Stories of kindness unfolded one after the other. Neighbors searching the wreckage for others that may need help, volunteers delivering water, food and clothing, donations of money being promised and in one town, the Washington Panthers, the high school football team (as well as other athletes from the high school) came out to support their community as the community has done for them - just one day earlier (and all season long), as the Panthers won their game and the opportunity to play in the post season.
This game is scheduled for November 23rd against Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield. Chartered buses are being secured by the hosting team so that the Washington fans can continue their support for the Panthers. The hosting team will also be feeding the Washington Panthers players before and after the game. Football is a big here and having the chance to grab onto something that can provide a bit of normalcy is needed.
Thank you Sacred Heart-Griffin High School for your generosity and defining what is really important, teamwork!
As Thanksgiving nears, let us remember how much we have to be thankful for and keep those whom have suffered in our hearts and prayers.
CeCe

Http://www.chicagotribune.com › News › Breaking news

by Andy Grimm - in 78 Google+ circles

20 hours ago - Dozens of tornadoes killed 6 people and flattened hundreds of homes in Illinois Sunday. Gov. Pat Quinn today declared 7 counties disaster ...

Http://www.indystar.com/picture-gallery/...illinois-tornado-damage/3635497/

My Confession

Life is demanding, hurried and wonderful! I have been so busy knitting for the holidays that sometimes I have to remind myself to take a breath. Its ridiculous how things can take over your life. I became a mom one month prior to my 28th birthday and by the age of thirty my husband and I were parents to two children. Naturally, they consumed every moment of my life with carpools, activities, homework, PTA, discipline, cooking, cleaning and most importantly laughter. As they got older and needed me less for day to day survival, more time was spent enjoying each others company. I could not begin to count the times when I was in a moment of panic or anger and one of the kids would say something so off the wall that I just had to let go of my crazy and laugh.

Jillian

They are older now, in college and trying to find their inner adult. Pretty cool concept but it doesn't always work! I am glad for that, I need to be wanted and want to be needed (by them). They are maturing into good, happy adults. They have a healthy respect for others, the world around them and most importantly themselves. They don't fall to peer pressure, they do seek advice from those in the know and are focused on their future. I am so proud of their achievements and look forward to the great things they will accomplish one day.

Mikey

So what to do with this available time? I painted almost every wall in our house, planted several new gardens and found a shoebox that contained a couple pairs of knitting needles and some yarn odds and ends.
I booted up the computer and searched for sites that could teach me to knit. (Wish the Internet was around while I was growing up). I did have some prior experience knitting but it had been decades and to tell the truth my brain was a bit rusty with the terms and techniques. So there I sat, watching videos and reading anything and everything I could find on the Internet. I visited my local library and came home with several how-to books. After I had the basics down and I wanted to venture ahead with more interesting things than scarves so I enrolled in a knitting class at my local yarn shop (LYS). It was here that I became obsessed, not so much with knitting, but with yarn. I would walk the store feeling all the different types of fibers. I bought a few different types with absolutely no idea what I would use them for and so the obsession began.

Baylee

Fast forward 5 years, I have way more yarn than completed projects! Bins of yarn are under the bed, boxes of yarn are stacked against the bedroom wall and more yarn is tucked away in shelving units in my office/craft room. I have yarn stored in plastic bags with a pattern I had in mind when I bought the yarn. I have enough sock yarn to cover every foot in the neighborhood, plenty of wool and wool blends for projects of all sorts and yet, I was thinking of placing an order for more yarn. What, it's on sale.
I confess: Yes, I am a yarnaholic, no I don't need help!

Spin a yarn, leave a comment and as always thanks forstopping by The Knitted Nest!
CeCe

Giving thanks

I would like to thank all the past, present and future members (and their families) of the Armed Forces for their service.
This country wouldn't be great without all of you!
Wallpaper Of The Day: Eagle Praying For America

10 Places Not to Knit

I have been asked many times if I knit in public and the answer is yes, definitely. However, there are places I wouldn't think to break out the old needles and yarn.

Here is my list of the top 10 places I will never be found knitting.

1. Funeral or wake: do I need to elaborate?
2. On the toilet: or in the bathroom in general
3. While driving: you would be surprised
4. A parent-teacher conference: for obvious reasons
5. Sanctuaries in any house of worship: focus should be elsewhere
6. On the golf course: you don't want to hold up the foursome behind you
7. Weddings: drunk knitting-never a good idea
8. Graduation ceremony: seats are way too close together
9. Health club: complete contradiction 
10. Sports event (professional): probably wont get pass security anyway

And here are my top ten places I enjoy knitting (home is not included, it's a given)

1. Waiting rooms: supplied reading material is always out of date
2. Airport: Check current TSA list
3. Train Depot: once you get bored people watching
4. Parks: I find great inspiration here
5. Botanic Gardens: see parks
6. Coffee house: better with more knitters
7. Car: as long as you are not the driver
8. Carpool line: finished a cardigan one school year
9. Library: have a ?, resources are handy
10. Malls: especially while waiting for your daughter

So that's it for my lists. Please add your favorite place to knit and the place you definitely won't knit. As always, thanks for stopping by,

CeCe

What's in a Number?

Numbers are complicated, just ask an accountant or a knitter! If the numbers "don't add up" the results won't be accurate. Can you imagine what could happen if a decimal is in the wrong place or numbers are transposed on a tax return? How about knitting with the wrong number of stitches and along comes a very critical section of a pattern and it can't be completed correctly because there are too many or not enough stitches? Both situations will set you back one way or another.

When I knit, I am always checking and double checking my stitch count, row count and any other count that may be necessary. Markers, lifelines and row counters are great tools to help keep the stitch and row counts accurate.

Currently I am working on a lace project (Ocean City Shawlette) that I mentioned in a previous post, using Mini Mochi by Crystal Palace, for the second time. I had made a "test" shawlette using Knit Picks tonal sock yarn Canopy, a green variegated colorway I received in a yarn swap. I mention this being a test knit because I very rarely wear anything green, it competes with my complexion making me look very jaundiced. I felt it would make a great gift for someone with the right coloring this Christmas, so off I went "testing". The yarn is beautiful and a pleasure to work with just not my color. I completed the shawlette and wore it while out with my sister, to get the feel of the drape and to see if I wanted to alter the size. Make a long story short, my sister went gaga over it and is now wearing this beautiful creation which looks absolutely amazing with her red hair and light skin . Unfortunately, I did not take a photo before gifting her shawlette.
I must say for a lace pattern this is/was truly a knit that any level knitter can do. It has enough complexity to keep me from getting bored and not too much to make my head spin! Since every wrong side row is worked the same, I used the wrong side row(s) as a lifeline www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/using-a-lifeline. I did use the marker as mentioned and the additional marker suggested. These markers made is so easy to keep my stitch count as I followed the well designed charts. I have completed chart 1 and 1 of the 4 repeats of chart 2 and still have the correct number of stitches. I am enjoying how the color, Caramel Latte, is knitting up. It's a self striping yarn with a subtle color change. It's very earthy and neutral and can be worn with anything. I am looking forward to wearing this great accessory all season long.

A number on its own may not mean much but in context, it has a lot of value.

Thanks for visiting The Knitted Nest,

CeCe

► 3:46

Finding the Right Fit

Finding the right fit was a phrase I really got to know when my children began their searches for college. During each presentation (5 in total per child), regardless of the core topic, the concept of "finding the right fit" was discussed. I agree, the right fit is THE most important element to success. This can be applied to just about everything from a college campus, shoes, job placement, dog groomer to a simple pair of socks, hand knitted socks to be specific. 
"Huh?" you say to yourself, let me explain. 
I always seem to have a pair of socks on my needles. For me, I find socks require limited concentration, probably because there is always a pair on my needles! I am also intrigued by how the color-ways knit up. I find excitement watching the stripes form and wonder will they be thin or thick or alternating or will the colors pool randomly allowing each sock in the pair to express itself uniquely. Socks also travel well; using a 1 gallon zip able plastic bag to carry all the yarn required for a pair, markers, crochet hook (for the inevitable dropped stitch), darning needle to close the toe via the Kitchener stitch and three sets of needles I use to make custom socks for the right fit. Yes three different needles!
The body of the sock is knit mostly with size (2) 9" circular needle but when working on the heel flap, the 9" acts like a stitch holder for those stitches that will not be worked for the flap. I complete the flap and the gusset increasing using size (2) 12" circulars until the gusset decreases have been completed before going back to the 9" needle. When I reach the toe decrease, onto size (1) double pointed needles I go. I have short toes and the smaller needle creates less sock to bunch up in my shoes. Or as my son would say in his preschool days, "my socks hurt." I never realized how mean socks can be! 
Currently I am in the process of swatching for my sons socks, sporting his school colors, as I have never used this flavor of yarn. It is Huntington from Valley Farms in Northampton, MA and extremely soft. The yarn is 75% fine Superwash Merino wool from Peru with 25% nylon, a common sock yarn blend. Since it is so fine I am experimenting with double stranding, changing to a size 1 needle, fair isle to give it some bulk or using a 1 x 1 rib. I will post my decision once I arrive at it, along with my thoughts about the yarn in general.
Speaking of schools, I want to send an apology to all the past, present and future Boiler Makers for referring to them as Boil Makers in my last post. Sometimes my brain works much faster than my fingers can type!

I leave you one last thought...Whatever you choose, make sure the fit is right!

Still figuring it out

Good morning!
It's 5:40 a.m.. Coffee has been brewed and poured. I sit in my "knitting" chair sipping my cinnamon laced cup of joe enjoying the silence. I bet if I walked outside I could hear the yawn of daybreak. I stare out the window, in marvel, watching the sun slowly announce its presence. The birds are happily singing as they and I, wait for our surroundings to wake up. It looks as if  my husbands newly completed ribbed scarf will spend another day on the closet shelf. The gift of mild weather has bought me another day to complete more winter garments and holiday items.
I am chomping at the bit to start a couple of new projects; I have beautiful yarn chosen for the two-tone twist hat, pattern found in the fall 2013 Love of  Knitting magazine. I will be using Knit Picks washable wool in light almost powdery gray and a very pale pink. They compliment each other so handsomely. Also, anxiously waiting to knit with the beautiful yarn I received as a swap from one of the members in a knitting group I attend. It is the Mini Mochi from Crystal Palace Yarns and I plan on using it to knit the Ocean City Shawlette, pattern purchased from http:/www.whitknits.com. There are some beautiful patterns on her site. It was tough limiting myself to only two!
My coffee cup is empty, I will take that as a sign to put down the keyboard and pick up the needles and yarn.
Thanks for stopping in,
CeCe

Learning to blog

Hi, I am CeCe,
As passionate knitter and gardener, I have been reading blogs for a long time before I decided to make an attempt. Gone are the fears I won't have any followers, gone are the worries I won't have any supportive comments and here is my first blog.
Okay so maybe those things aren't completely gone but they are definitely not staring me down. I am not sure if it's the cooler weather that gets me motivated or that my routine finally is in sync after a fun-filled, action packed summer, but whatever the reason, bring it on!
Fall is my favorite time of year. The colors are brilliant and showy in my gardens and have swayed me to begin knitting for winter: hats, mittens, scarves and socks! I swear living in the Midwest, one can never have enough  layers to keep warm. There will be several items made for local charities as well.
I have been on a sock jag and have completed 6 pairs for Christmas gifts and barely made a dent in my sock yarn stash. Can you say addicted?! I'm working on a pair now, also a gift, before I start on a pair for my daughter and my son. My daughter has picked her yarn from my stock but I will be surprising my son with socks  in his school colors, black and gold. I had a vey difficult time finding sock yarn in gold so I had to punt and selected a color closer to Dijon mustard!  I think his fellow boil makers won't mind.
It will be nice to start knitting with thicker yarn and bigger needles! I recently purchased interchangeable needles from Knit Picks and haven't had a "good" knit with them yet. I will say  I have been very happy with their DPN's, it made all those pairs of socks much easier to complete. Of course I can't say enough about their yarn. I have loved every flavor of fiber I ordered from them and bonus, shipping was quick, reasonable or free if my order was over $50.00 (really, is there such things as an order under $50.00).
I wish I knew how to post pictures, too new. I will eventually figure it out but until then happy knitting.
CeCe