Sewing a Knitting Needles Case

If you are a knitter or crocheter, keeping your needles or hooks organized is a definite must! When they are scattered here and there, it gets very frustrating when all you want to do is simply grab the size you need and start working on your project pronto.

My crochet hooks are pretty much organized but my knitting needles... not so much. I thought I'd tackle organizing the straight needles first and later get to the circulars and dpn's (double-pointed needles). Now, I guess I could buy a knitting case. I mean, they really aren't that expensive, but I thought I'd take this opportunity to refresh my sewing skills. That and I have a stash of fabrics that needs to be pared down.

So with pencil and paper, I got to thinking and jotted down my design and measurements. This part, to me, is very important because then I'll have an idea of what the finished piece should look like and how to construct it. Otherwise, I'll likely make lots of mistakes and waste resources and time causing me lots of frustration.

After that crucial part, comes the cutting of the fabrics. In case you can't make it out, the top fabric is an adorable pattern of Jacks!

Then with a pin here, a whir there (I love the sound of the sewing machine!) and iron, iron, IRON. Seriously, ironing is such an important step in sewing. Along with pinning, it helps to keep your fabric in place while you are sewing. I wish I had taken pictures of the sewing part but I always forget to grab my camera when my mind is occupied with the task at hand.

And here is the finished project:

Crochet Doily: To Block or Not to Block

A lot of times, knitters and crocheters don't realize their finished project needs to be blocked. I know once you are done with your project you want to say, "I am so done! I don't want to look at it again,"  but it is such an important process and really shouldn't be skipped. Especially if you want your piece to look polished and professional.

So... What is blocking? When you block you are shaping your project to the pattern dimensions or simply to be able to show the stitch pattern. Why is blocking important? When your project has to have certain dimensions such as sweater pieces so they can easily be sewn together and fit properly. Surely, you don't want one sleeve shorter than the other. Also, if you have worked intricate stitches such as in a lace pattern, blocking helps set the  pattern and the stitches are more visible. So show off those beautiful stitches you worked so hard on! How do you block? The process is simple, but does take some time. You can either wet block or steam block. I personally prefer steam block but that's because I'm usually working with cotton or acrylic. If you are working with animal fibers then you will want to wet block. I would suggest you google that process if that's the route you need to go. Either way you have to add moisture to your project.

In this post I'm going to explain how I steam blocked my crochet doily (this is the same doily that I had to frog a few posts back: Link to post). First you'll need to find a place where you can attach your piece(s) and not have it disturbed. I've used the ironing board or even my bed. I'm thinking about getting some foam floor tiles because those work well too. Next you measure out your dimensions and place some tape (painter's tape works well). You can skip this part if you don't really need to adhere to any dimensions such as with a scarf. Place your piece down and get to pinning! This part is time-consuming but oh so important. I like using quilting pins.

With this doily I made sure to place a pin in each picot. I was using the ironing board and, unfortunately, the board was just barely wide enough so I didn't get to pin some of the picots but it still turned out good. Here is what it looked like with the picots pinned:

Next, grab your iron and steam away! I had the setting on cotton since the thread is made of cotton. If you are working with acrylics, then place the setting to acrylic. Place the iron about an inch from the piece and blast the steam around for just a bit. It doesn't take much. You can gently press the iron onto the doily but not too much. You don't want to completely flatten it. Once you are satisfied, let it sit and dry. This may take just a few minutes. If you want your doily to be stiff, then you may need to add starch. I personally do not like adding starch unless I'm making little doily coasters.

Here is the finished piece: 

 Here is the blocked doily next to one that has not been blocked: 

See the difference? In the blocked piece you can really see those picots and the pineapples!

I hope this post helps you understand how important is it to block. Remember, not all projects need to be blocked but if you have a finished piece and you want to be able to see those stitches, then take the time and care needed to block.

NOTE: This post was moved from the B. Art Journey blog. Originally posted on Dec 18, 2017.

Crochet Doily: Frogging

Sigh. I'm frogging. This is what happens when you let too much time pass since working on a doily. I think it's been about three or four months since I worked on this. A mistake was found and I had to frog. If you are not familiar with the term "frog" in the knit and crochet world, it simply means to "rip it, rip it, rip it". You're simply unravelling your project.

Trying to find out where you made your mistake in a complex pattern such as a doily is like trying to go through an Escher stairway and your eyes get crossed. So forget that. I'm starting over.

The good thing about these doilies is that they are surprisingly quick to make. This pattern is called Pineapple Doily Pattern and here's the pattern in case you are interested: Pineapple Doily

I hope everyone is having a holly jolly Christmas season!

NOTE: This post has been moved from the B. Art Journey blog. Originally posted on Dec 3, 2017.

Sourdough Biscuits -

Like someone's Grandma's Sourdough Biscuits.

First time making sourdough biscuits, I hope it was just not beginners luck. They tasted great!

I searched online for "sourdough biscuits" and the first link was

Geniuskitchen.com and read "Grandmas Sourdough Biscuits". How could I go wrong if this was
someone's Grandma's recipe?

You should check it out.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Flour
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/3 cup Butter or Margarine
• 1 cup Sourdough Starter

Extremely easy. I threw the stuff in a bowl, then my wife pulled out some "pastry blender tool" and said that is what it is for. I still think it is some zip line attaching device that she has been holding onto for some reason, but what ever I used it. Give me a tool - I will figure out how to use it some how.  You could use a large fork.

Knead the dough some and roll it out. Of course it depends on where you live and humidity, but I had to add a little extra flour so that I could roll it on the counter.

We do not have a biscuit cutter, but we had this 1/2 cup measuring cup. I cut the biscuits so that the handles was out on the edge, went all the way around the rolled out dough.  Then needed the dough, rolled it out again,  and repeated until I could not make any more biscuits.

Bake it: 425°F - 11 to 15 minutes till they look Yummy.

THEN with the left over, I just dropped it back in my starter container.

I really get a kick out of not wasting anything. 

I've had this starter for years, and every bit that goes into it we have used. I've read where some people will scoop out a cup, then throw it away just to feed the starter. If I scoop out a cup, eating it!

So these biscuits worked out perfect. Something else to add to my list to

make with the soughdough starter.

• Bread
• Garlic bread
• Biscuits

Give me some ideas if you got any.

I cooked these for 11 minutes, and rotated the cooking sheet, then cooked them another 4 minutes. Checked the bottom of one and called it.

They tasted really good. They are the flaky kind  biscuits.

Anyway, go to the site get the recipe and give this a whirl.

---

She went to the store. They just don't make zip line hooks like they used to.  Honey, where'd you say you bought that one? We might need to get another one that can handle 200 lbs. 😜

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

If you ever visit Dallas, one of the best places to visit is the Dallas Arboretum. We went today because Wednesdays are their BOGO (Buy One, Get One admission) days AND if you purchase your parking pass online you also save money ($8 online vs $15 onsite). Maybe someday I'll get a family membership but just not right now. My kiddo wanted to do the separate Children's Adventure Garden so that was an additional $3 per person.

Their Christmas theme is the 12 Days of Christmas and let me tell you, the displays are absolutely gorgeous! I was pleasantly surprised. There are 12 Victorian gazebos throughout the garden and each represents a day from the beloved Christmas carol. Aside from the mannequins creeping me out (I have this weird fear of old-timey mannequins), the Victorian designs are exquisite with plenty of splendor and dazzle. A definite must-see if you can!

The 1st Day of Christmas display

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

A Goose A-Laying

Swans A-Swimming

Details from Ladies Dancing

10 Lords A-Leaping

Pipers Piping

Look at those spats!

Besides the 12 Days of Christmas, they also have a Nutcracker collection in the DeGolyer House. I hate to admit it, but I'm not a big fan of nutcrackers. I guess I've seen too many at Hobby Lobby. STILL, they were nice to look at and I DID like the Nutcracker tree with ornaments of the characters from the Tchaikovsky ballet.

They're so cute! I was hoping they were available in the gift shop but alas! They did not have them. 

In the DeGolyer house is a library to envy. The books, not so much since they were all law books. But still... Look at this! Floor to ceiling bookshelves! A floating ceiling! A fireplace (not shown)! 

DeGolyer Library

Perhaps my favorite part of the DeGolyer House tour was the Woodland Tree. So whimsical was it with the most adorable creatures in and around the tree. Just look at the fox all curled up in the tree. I seriously wanted to pet it.

Woodland Tree in DeGolyer House

Little fox in the Woodland Tree

We were at the Arboretum for a good three hours and needless to say, I was beat. It was worth it though, because the kiddo had a great time. I wish I could post more pictures but I took a lot and there are just too many! I WILL, however, leave you with this little guy:

Camp House door knocker

Peter and the Wolf at the Meyerson

We had an opportunity to go and see Peter and the Wolf performed by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. What a treat that was!

So we wouldn't have to pay the exorbitant downtown parking prices, we rode the DART train. The kiddo gets enthused whenever we are able to ride the train! And seeing the buildings in downtown Dallas is always a delight for my architecture-loving son. I wish I could have gotten pictures of some of the buildings but with a kid in tow it's not safe for us to stop just so I can take pictures and I'd rather be in the moment with him, not my camera.

This was our first time to visit the Meyerson Symphony Center and let me tell you, this place is gorgeous! When we walked into the hall, I was just awed by it all. However, it was a bit narrower than I was expecting but upon my little research, I found that this type of setting is called a "shoebox" design. The shoebox design supposedly has the best acoustic effect for emotional impact. After all, music really does engage our emotions.




And that organ! It's like a monument. I just love listening to organ music. Luckily for us, before the show an organist played Bach's spooky "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" - perfect for the Halloween season!

Cone Flowers

These Cone Flowers come back every year with little to no maintenance.

Treasure Hunting

We did a little treasure hunting in the back yard today.

We found a few pull tabs, A Dr.Pepper and Pepsi twist bottle caps. The chassis of a toy truck.
A 1997 Nickel and a 1968 Penny. Some other chunks of metal.

Sourdough round

We liked the Soughdough garlic bread so much we decided to try it again, but this time do a round loaf. Ive never made a rough loaf before.









I used the same recipe as before. 2 cups of starter, 1 cup of warm tap water, 1 tsp salt, 1tsp sugar. Since before I did not measure the garlic power... This time I put 1 tsp of garlic powder, and some poured some oregano in it.

This morning before I removed the towel

Placed it on an old baking sheet and covered it for the night.

Before cooking it

I really like the smell of Garlic.

375 degrees and 30 minutes later, its done. It did not brown very much, but it is done.

done

Sourdough - Garlic Bread

I've never made Sourdough Garlic Bread before. I grabbed the starter from the fridge and got started. Starter is amazing if you think about it. I do not feed the starter regularly. I've gone months without feeding it before. I've had this starter 3 or 4 years now. I just forget to feed it sometimes.  Last year, I tried using milk and sugar to feed the the starter. Maybe because I only did that one feeding, it was different but not a big difference in the taste. So I went back to just using flour and water. I pulled it out of the fridge, added about a 1 1/2 cups of flour and some hot tap water. I let it sit for a few hours.

Time to make the dough! I added two cups of starter, 2 tsp of salt and 2 tbsp of sugar. Then I added 1 cup of hot tap water. I used the handle of a wooden spoon to stir it until I can use my hands. The spoon handle is easy to clean. Lastly, I added flour until the dough was easy to handle without sticking to my hands. If you want to know which recipe I use this is it: "by SteveTheBreadGuy"
How to make sourdough bread at home

I also added some Oregano and Garlic Powder. I should have added that sooner, but honestly I did not start out thinking I was going to make garlic bread. I did not measure how much I put in, I just poured in what I thought I would like. Kneaded it to get it all mixed in. Evidently I like a lot of it.

Added a little Olive Oil so that it will not stick to the sides of the bowl, put a towel over it and let it rise. Starting at 9 PM on Friday night, I let it sit overnight and then some. The yeast was not real active, probably because I have not been making bread for a while.

About 10 AM Saturday, it has risen a lot. Punched it down, did a few folds. Shaped it back to a ball. I put a little olive oil in the pan, wiped the edges with a paper towel and plopped the dough in it to let it rise. I let it rise all day.

I had it just in the kitchen, but it was in a cool place. I finally moved it to a place where the sun was shining in. That seemed to get it rising faster.

Waited until it was this big enough. It was pretty lumpy looking this go round.

Preheated the oven to 375. Stuck it in, and set the timer for 30 minutes. The house was starting to smell like pizza night. My son got excited because he thought I was making pizza. At 30 minutes I checked it. Ii still had dough sticking to the knife. Set it for another 2 minutes...still doughy. Another 5 minutes...still dough on the knife. I did this a few times. I was getting worried the crust would burn or be as hard as a rock.

Out of the oven and on the rack. It's about 9:30 Saturday evening. Normally the total process does not take this long. I'm thinking it was because the starter was weak, and it was set in a cool place to rise. Therefore, it took a long time to rise this time. In the past, I did not have to wait long enough to let it rise. I just went by the clock, but you really need to go by looking at it. It rises faster when it's warmer in the house.

Success! We really like the taste. I will be adding garlic and oregano again.

The crust is crunchy, but not real thick. I would have liked it if the bread had bigger holes in the rise, but when it is like this it is easier to put spreads on it. Sopped with a little balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and it tastes great.

Tell me your favorite sourdough recipe.  It is real easy to make since it just sits around. Basically all you do is touch it a few times and let it sit.