Tuesday 1 May 2012

Yarn Along - May

Some of my fellow yarn-alongers will recognize this because at least 3 other people were working on it last week or the week before.  I couldn't resist it.  An acquaintance is having a baby, so I thought I would knit this up for the big sister to go along with the baby gift.  I thought knitting it up in this variegated yarn would make it look more like a hare than a rabbit, but right now, I think it looks like a goat.  Yes?  No?  I am going to continue anyways and add on the face and see how it looks when it is finished and dressed.  N has chosen the sweater with hood for me to make, but I am partial to the dress (which of course is hidden by my  current read.

The pattern is by April Cromwell and can be found here and it is free!  I'm not done, obviously, but so far, it is a great pattern, and it has 5 pieces of clothes...for free.


The current read is Preserving Food Without Freezing or Canning.  I want to get adventurous this summer.  I always dry herbs and dehydrate a few things, but this year, I plan on building a solar dehydrator so I can fit more at once, and not have to plug it in.  I also want to try some lacto fermentation...hence, this book from the library.  I have never tasted any...and have only recently even heard of it, but it sounds interesting and I am going to give it a whirl.  Anyone with tips, please please feel free to leave me a comment.
So far, the book is interesting...even if I have never heard of some of the things they are preserving (Cardoons and whortleberries anybody???)  I plan on taking some notes before I return it, and if those couple work out, then I will experiment some more.  Funny making plans for plants that aren't even in the ground yet.

As usual, Wednesday morning I will be linking up with Ginny at small things for Yarn along.

Oh, and if you made it this far...I am offering a 20% discount to my blog readers at my etsy shop for a few more days as a personal celebration for getting 20 followers (now at 22 for those keeping track ha ha ha).  Use the code MAMA20 if you are interested.



12 comments:

  1. Hi, Natalie!

    I can't wait to see more of your handknit cuties. And your book is ambitious...I am hoping to grow something. The thought of being successful enough to preserve some of it is a dream!

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  2. So cute, it is always nice to make a present for the older kids! Have fun with your food preservation. I can't wait for my garden to start producing!

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  3. Oh that book looks really interesting! I will have to check it out! I do a lot of canning, and last year started lacto-fermenting. I love kimchi :-) I read somewhere that it is good to have something lacto-fermented with every meal, it helps to aid in digestion. Of course that also includes yogurt and kefir.

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  4. I have had that book in my cart for way too long and really need to order it. I think you might like Wild Fermentation, Sandor Katz does a very nice job of explaining about fermentation.

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  5. Adorable! I love big sibling presents for new babies. We did it for Bigger when Littler was born (although I did not make it.)
    Sounds like a really interesting book. Have fun with it!

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  6. I may have to try the rabbit and bear myself. They sure are cute. I've never tried preserving food other than canning, freezing or dehydrating. Sounds interesting.

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  7. That is one great knitting pattern collection. I love your rabbit/hare. Don't judge it too harshly yet. Wait until you have the body on it and everything is in proportion.

    I have got to find a copy of your book. I tend to freeze surplus. I tried canning, but I'm guessing that this book would be even more eco. Thanks for the recommendation.

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  8. Yep, I'm with Cheryl on the body emerging and giving it balance. It's gonna be great! And I am so intrigued by the (free!) pattern. That's the danger of Yarn Along, isn't it? The Things to Knit list just keeps growing.

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  9. I think that lacto fermenting is incredibly healthy, however, some of it just tastes icky. If you don't like the ingredients the regular way, you won't like them fermented either. I do want to dehydrate more the year however:)

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  10. The colors do actually match up with our new twin goats! Thanks for sharing about the free pattern and your items in your etsy shop are really lovely...sigh...must.buy.lottery.tickets.

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  11. Hi Natalie

    I have heard of fermentaion but have never tried it. I think I'll look into that. Such a cute Bunny..

    Have a great day
    Warm regards
    Suzanne

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  12. Oh, what an adorable rabbit! I love the colorway you've chosen.

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