« Forest Fruits - a Kim Hargreaves kit! | Main | Fruity Finish »
Forest fruits and swirly shortbread - I'm hungry!
November 19, 2006
I have somehow already finished the knitting on Forest Fruits! That was quick...in fact I'd say about 3 hours. But I guess that's how it goes when it's only 5.5 sts to 10cm. Imagine only ever knitting things from yarn that was so chunky - all projects would be done in a few evenings, no matter how large, and it would all cost a fortune! It would be no fun at all - but once in a while, it's very satisfying (especially for a super slow knitter like myself).
I used smaller needles than in the pattern, because I always have to, and the first piece, a sleeve, was too small. I was going to buy some larger needles, but they are £5 for 15mm ones - an insane price when I'd probably never use them again. So I pinned out the sleeve to the right size, sprayed it with water and ironed it into submission! I never ever do things like this normally, but maybe I should because it looked much neater and flatter afterwards.... I'm a slacker!
Then I just knitted a bit looser for the other pieces and they came out fine. I'm kind of ashamed to be so haphazard, oh well. I know I should always swatch and block etc. but never do.
Here's a rubbish photo of all the pieces in a nice pile, waiting for my attention to sew them up!
I don't really want to sew them up - I know the seams will be all chunky and that's putting me off! But I'm sure it will be done in the next week (although saying things like that is a curse).
Also I made some very nice shortbread:
Closer.....
It's made by making plain and chocolate shortbread dough, rolling them out and putting one on top of the other, sprinkling chocolate all over, rolling it up into a log and slicing it. You can't really tell, but each piece is HUGE, I refuse to even consider the number of calories in each one. It's yet another ace recipe from the Green & Black's book! I'm very hungry now, I'm going to eat a piece!
Posted by jen at November 19, 2006 04:21 PM
Comments
Around these parts, we call those pinwheel cookies! (my grandmother used to make them as treats)
Also, I always enjoy following your knitting.
Posted by: michael at November 19, 2006 05:39 PM
Hi Jen, it's been awhile! I've yet to start my Tapestry project...heh. Those cookies look fab! Shortbread is my favorite, the only cookie I can't mess up, so much more than the sum of it's parts.
I wanted to offer a tip--you might try sewing up the Hargreaves kit with a lighter weight yarn. Provided you use invisible seaming techniques, it really doesn't matter what color, but it makes for MUCH flatter seams.
Posted by: Cirilia at November 19, 2006 10:56 PM
Hi, Jen - I hate swatching and blocking, too! I'm too impatient when starting a project to swatch, too impatient when finishing a project to block. So far, no one has complained. BTW, I admire your eye for color.
Posted by: Abby at November 20, 2006 07:56 PM
Oh wow... those look incredibly tasty... they have activated my sugar craving respoonse :)
Nice colors for your shrug! I will check back and see what it looks like all nice and finished!
Posted by: Maggie at November 21, 2006 12:10 AM
Dang! You knit that up fast. I think you're reaching your goal of picking up your knitting pace. I always drool over those kim hargreaves kits. I can't wait to see forest fruits all seamed up!
Posted by: Kelly at November 21, 2006 01:48 AM
Stop teasing me with that Green and Black's book!
*adds to amazon wishlist*
Posted by: Sharon at November 22, 2006 04:17 PM