Neil Gaiman's Advice to Artists--Pay Attention

I've got other things to write--about England, about my garden this year, spring...and other things. But this, this speech to graduates in 2012, is some of the best I've ever heard. I wish I'd heard it many years ago, and even now I can benefit from many of the things he says.

I hope you can benefit from it too. If it also makes you curious about his books and other work, good. You should be--curious enough to seek it out, if you haven't already done so.

http://www.uarts.edu/neil-gaiman-keynote-address

Sorry it's not embedded, I'm having trouble with getting that to work. This will take you to the site of the university where the address was heard, and there is a transcript below the video.

It's Been A While..

Sorry! I've been busy...knitting. Watching The Hobbit (just bought the DVD, too, so I'll be re-watching...what, you didn't know I was a Tolkien nerd?) and getting ready for a trip to London.

This is from a Jack Frost booklet published in 1939. It's the first of two sweaters I've made from this booklet; I have no pictures of the other, unfortunately, as my camera and my new laptop aren't very fond of  one another.

The London trip is a long-time dream come true. My husband has a business trip coming up, and I will be able to tag along. We are going to a vintage dance event one evening, and an East End show another night. We're also hoping to dine at Simpson's-On-the-Strand.

Overall, it's keeping me busy.

Happy Easter, all. I hope I will have some good photos and stories after we return.

Wondermade Bourbon Marshmallows

This was a gift from the marvelous Jan of Stock, in Providence, RI. With a proviso: that I experiment with it and report back!

I'm nothing if not grateful for anything with a touch of bourbon in it, so here goes!



In a cup of whiskey-spiked mocha.

I made mocha with organic cocoa, instant espresso powder, 1% milk, water, and a half teaspoon of rye whiskey (we're out of bourbon).

I'm not generally a marshmallow fan, but these are very good--what a tradional marshmallow ought to be, I think. They taste fresh out of the package, and have a good, fluffy texture. The melt is quick and even.




Melting nicely...

 I would also serve these in miniature s'mores. They'd be wonderful for a comfort food dinner party dessert. Imagine them on chocolate covered graham crackers, with a bourbon-spiked Creme Anglaise on the side!

There are also a number of 1930s and 40s frosting recipes which require marshmallows--I'd use these in a heartbeat.

As for the bourbon flavor...it's very mild, almost not there, but if tested side-by-side with the other available flavors, I think it would be more notable.

All in all, I would buy these, and yes, I'd be interested in trying the other flavors: gingerbread, Guinness, pumpkin pie, peppermint, and s'mores.

This, too: if you're anywhere near the Providence metro area, stop in at Stock (I was planning to mention this long before the marshmallow gift!). It's a beautiful locally owned shop. The items there are classic, or quirky, or both...you'll find kitchen utensils, cookware, bakeware, cookbooks (new and vintage), dish towels, knives...and whatever else has struck the owners' fancies. It changes regularly, so stop in again if you don't find what you're looking for the first time. I've purchased frosting dyes, dish towels, parchment, and a small cutting board, among other things. Who knows what I'll find next time?

Perrier Blouse (1938)

So far, January has been as lazy as December was mad--for me, anyway. I don't mean nothing has been done around here, but I'm no longer crazy for 12 hours at a time.

And I'm able to knit for myself again! Of course I'm planning things for others, and presently making another pair of socks for DH, but mostly I've been working on a 30s blouse.

It's from a Jack Frost pattern booklet of 1938. Most of the Jack Frost pattern books you find now are from the 40s and feature rather bulky knits. This one--the only 30s JF booklet I have--features things that are a bit more steamlined.

This particular blouse, the Perrier (yes, like the water) is the second pattern. It's a short sleeved blouse, mostly in stockinette with garter trim at the top and the sleeve cuffs. There are two small garter stitch squares that overlap for breast pockets.

I'm making it with some fairly rustic yarn, not the usual for this kind of sweater, but the gauge was perfect and I'm fond of the color, a seafoam green. It's from a thrift shop sweater I frogged a few years ago. It appears to be 100% wool, but I haven't done a burn test. It acts like wool, however.

The patterns were usually offered as a (vintage) 14 or 16--this one is a 14, and that's a bit small for me. A vintage 14 is about the equal of a modern 4 - 6. Rather than re-write the pattern I've added an inch to the ribbing, half an inch to the body, and used a needle one size up on parts of the body, working gradually, then going back to the original needle size again for the shoulders (mine are narrow).

I have also modified it to use a three-needle bind off for the shoulder seams. I'll block the body before adding the sleeves, which are picked up and knitted down, but flat, not in the round.

So far it's going very quickly--cast on was a week ago, and I'm nearly at the shoulder shaping for the front (started with the back).

With any luck I'll have it to wear in the next week or so, and will remember to take some good photos and post them here!

Miscellaneous Christmas and a Long Winter's Nap

Christmas Cake, tree and presents for friends.

On the 11th Day of Christmas, here are a few more images. (And the image of the Christmas Cake. We finished it today.)

2012 Christmas Cake

The Bros. Siamese recommend sleeping, this time of year in particular.

Dark Fruitcake, made for a friend's family, at her request.


2012 Christmas Knitting Plus One

A Younger Nephew Scarf (MI)

No real pattern. Just linen stitch in a lovely yarn, with special cast on and bind off.

For a very dear local pal. The pattern is from IK's Holiday Gifts issue, the Huckleberry Ascot...ca. 2007.

Found the yarn at the Big E (fair) this year, except for the contrasting yarn, used for the bobbles. That's from stash.

For my friend's husband, who is always cold (a nice Southern boy up North, you know). Bless him, he really does wear & appreciate my knits.

Again, no pattern. To coordinate with a hat and mitts I made for him three years ago for Christmas and his birthday.

Husband Socks. From one of my many vintage pattern booklets. Ca. 1950, I think. Made them yet longer than the "long" version, and in one of my cone yarns, bought when I first began to knit.

Just a simple cable pattern with ribbing. I did tweak the heel turn, as there was an error in the pattern.

Marzipan. For the Husband. He's especially fond of it, and if I make it myself, I know it contains no corn syrup.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

...and it's nearly Christmas Eve

Lots of Christmas knitting was done. Some was jettisoned and replaced by other things, but I made those decisions early on. Still can't post most, but here's one that won't be seen by the recipient, a linen stitch muffler that I made for one of my nephews in Michigan.

I also baked two fruitcakes. One is a gift, to the parents of a French friend, who will be entertaining her family for the holidays. Her father is very partial to English-style fruitcake. The other is for us; I'm turning it into a Christmas Cake. It's just awaiting the royal icing and marzipan decorations. I'll do that tomorrow.

I also have been making cookies (and some candy) like a madwoman. In terms of quantity, probably 60 dozen or more. I know that I've made 14 different batches, and still need to make more. The family and friends who live far away have theirs. So do the neighbors and my husband's barber, but we might have some company on Christmas evening, and we're hosting a small party on Friday...and on the 26th we're going to another, to which I'll be bringing a cake and probably cookies as well.

Merry Christmas!