P&PS

Back before I discovered I'm lactose intolerant I used to make my own yogurt.  It was something I loved doing not only because it was easy and thrifty but because it felt like I was doing something good for myself.  When I cut out dairy I felt a bit lost for a while.  I tried making dairy free yogurt, but while it worked, it wasn't the same experience.  Kombucha sounded promising but I can't tolerate caffeine, so I considered giving up on this particular probiotic avenue until I discovered water kefir. For those of you who are unfamiliar with water kefir, it has the same probiotic and digestive benefits as milk kefir or yogurt without dairy.  The consistency of water kefir is similar to that of soda or carbonated water.  While initially I missed the creamy goodness of yogurt, thinking of water kefir as a totally different experience (aka extra healthy juice) really hooked me. Not only is water kefir addicting, it's really easy to make. To make your ...

Since The Newsroom has started up again, I thought it was about time I share my MacKenzie inspired necklace. Since I know there's a far chance some of you share my love for her necklace I figured I would put together a quick DIY; the basics are covered in the video below, in depth instructions, tips, and suggestions for alterations are covered in the rest of the post. Supplies:  Pliers (2 pairs of needle nose pliers, and a pair with wire cutters) A ruler A 20” (50 cm) length of gold chain A clasp 7-15 jump rings 5 flat circular gold charms Specfically, your chain needs to be cut into three segments, one 18” (46cm) in length and two 1” (2cm) pieces. With the charms anything goes. The original charms are embossed 1/2” (1 cm) diameter discs in yellow and rose gold. Here’s a link to Dominique Cohen’s post on their necklace if you’re interested in the original.Since I was upcycling a bunch of old necklaces, I used gold charms with Greek emblems. Plain gold discs woul...

I get a little excited when my favorite shows have knitted items.  OK, maybe excited is a bit of an understatement.  If it’s there I have to have it.  So, when   I   can’t find a pattern I make one.   Kate’s Subarctic Hat Size: Standard women’s hat (21 inches) For a larger/smaller size I would (because I’m an authenticity nut) adjust your gauge.  Adding or removing pattern repeats also works   Materials: Size 7 (US) circular needle or dpn’s Size F crochet hook Waste yarn or second circular needle Gauge: 4.25 st/in or 17st/4 in Yarn Used: Red Heart Super Saver Solid in orange, black and white.  Any worsted weight yarn with the appropriate gauge would work.  I prefer the Caron of the three I used.   Pattern:  Earflap (make 2): Cast on 4 stitches in orange (MC) Row 1: Purl All even rows: m1, knit to end, m1 All odd rows: purl End after the purl row with 22 stitches Transfer the earflaps to waste ya...

Here's another recently completed project....still trying to get used to my new camera lenses :)  A rough pattern's is at the bottom of the post. With worsted weight yarn, cast on 36st (if using 36 st use size 5 needles otherwise (size 4 needles) cast on 40 or 44 adding the stitches to the stockinette portion of the lace pattern) st st for 2” start lace pattern (reverse for second arm warmer): row 1: k2 p1 k2 p1 yo ssk p1 k2 p1 k2 p1 yo ssk p1 k remainder of row. row 2: knit and purl when appropriate row 3: k2 p1 k2 p1 k2tog yo p1 k2 p1 k2 p1 k2tog yo p1 k remainder of row row 4: same as row 2 row 5: same as row 1 rows 6-10: knit and purl when appropriate repeat until piece measures around 8” ending on row 10 st st for another inch. bind off. seam leaving a gap for the thumb. weave in ends. crochet picots along the bottom edge (in first st sc, ch 3, sc in next st, continue joining with a slip stitch into the first st) optional shaping: decrease...

This month’s theme for the Ravelry one skein KAL is ‘February is for lovers’, at the beginning of the month I didn’t have any projects in the running (since then everyone seems to want something ;) ) so I decided to do up a bunch of hearts.  I figured they’d be quick, something fun I could do while watching tv or during study breaks.  The only thing was I couldn’t find a pattern to make them up in the round, so I modified one by Mochimochi Land . Supplies : Yarn Two circular needles to fit yarn weight (you can do this with dpns as well but you’ll need a different cast on and a stitch marker to mark the halfway point in the round where the pattern repeats) Yarn or other large-eyed needle Stitch holder of some sort (a third circular needle or piece of scrap yarn works best) Favorite fluffy material/fiber fill Cast on 6 stitches using Judy’s Magic Cast-on Row 1 : k1, kfb, knit to last stitch on needle kfb , repeat on the second needle Row 2 : knit Repeat rows one ...