Seamless Mobius Cowl

1. I hate seams. I hate making them, weaving in their ends, and looking at them. So, while knitting something so large in the round is sometimes kind of a drag, I still prefer it to working flat and having more finishing to do.

2. This particular cowl is for a friend who happens to be a math teacher, so I thought the Mobius idea would be good. It is achieved by making sure the cast on row has a twist in it before beginning the first row of knitting. Somehow, I ended up with a double twist. Dunno how that happened. It looked like a single twist before I bound off...

3. I like the look and texture of seed stitch, but I think next time I'll do it in a basket weave stitch. Could also be done with cables or more decorative elements, but if you're looking for something easy to do with minimal concentration, I think seed or basket weave is the way to go.

4. The yarn and needle info is just what I used; use smaller needles and thinner yarn for a tighter knit. Adjust number of stitches accordingly.

Yarn: bulky weight, in this case self-striping. (If using worsted weight and a solid color, I'd recommend doubling strands as it will speed things up considerably.)

Needles: US 10 circular needles, in this case two cables together for a total cable circumference of about 36 inches. 

Gauge: 17 stitches on US size 10 needles = 4" in seed stitch.

Cast 255** stitches onto size 10 circular needles. I placed a marker every 100 stitches (and at the end of the round) to make counting faster and to break up the seemingly endless rounds, but markers are not strictly necessary.

Straighten out cable before joining and make sure there is one twist in the cast on row. (Still somehow ended up with a double twist. >-<) Carefully pick up and join, starting with a knit stitch. 

FOR SEED STITCH: *K1, p1*, repeat ** around. On second row, begin with a purl stitch. *P1. k1*, repeat around. Alternate rounds, knitting above stitches that were purled on the row before and vice versa. 

FOR BASKET WEAVE: *K3, P3*, repeat between **s around. Repeat round for a total of three rounds. On fourth round, *P3, K3*, repeat between **s around. Repeat for two more rounds. Alternate every three rounds; 3 rounds K3, P3; 3 rounds P3, K3.

When work has reached desired width, cast off in pattern. Weave in loose ends.

Seed stitch *accidental double* Möbius cowl. And a bit of my hair. Front-facing cameras are tough.

Cowl on me. Gotta love the tye-dyed T. If it fits in the 3rd trimester...

**I cast on 255 stitches to create a cowl that was 5 feet in circumference with the given gauge, worked in seed stitch. Or was supposed to. The math was correct, but the finished cowl was 6 feet in circumference. Now attempting 210 stitches in basket weave. Adjust number cast on to reflect your gauge and your desired circumference. ([How big around you want your cowl to be in inches] divided by [4]. Take that number and multiply it by [how many stitches it takes in your yarn and chosen pattern to make 4 inches].) For seed stitch, cast on an odd number of stitches. For a basket weave, cast on a number that is divisible by 6.

*MORE* Signs you're in the Third Trimester

11. Your hips, once thought to be strong and mighty, have turned into huge sissies. They start to ache just because you're lying on them. Really, hips? Really? I have been fortifying you for years with delicious carbs just to have you crap out on me now? I know that physiologically speaking they're aching because of a perfect storm of hormones that are loosening their joints, the sudden presence of a bowling ball-sized belly to support all day, and probably some less-than-perfectly-aligned sleeping positions at night. But I thought we were above all that.
11b. Your husband tells you that while he loves you and is super proud of the extra load you're carrying, he might start sleeping on the couch because, quite frankly, it's hard to get a good night's sleep when one's bed buddy is rolling around every hour, and not as quietly as she'd like to think.
11c. While feeling badly that It Has Come to This.... you can see the silver lining. I'm thinking bedside snacking, something I would never do next to sleeping hubby.

12. The baby can now reach your ribs and deliver super strong pummels to your bladder. Sometimes simultaneously. This prompts you to calmly remind your precious angel that Mommy Is Not a Jungle Gym and consider entering "Mommy's bladder" in the baby book where it asks what baby's first toy was.

13. There are lots of holiday goodies around and you want... ants on a log? Seriously? ...Did we mention how important fiber is at this point?

14. Is it really that important that you get the same exact brand of prenatal vitamins/toilet paper/curtains that you had before, even if it means searching every store in town (and, in South Dakota, several surrounding towns)? YES. HOW IS THIS EVEN A QUESTION. DO YOU NOT KNOW HOW THIS WORKS YET?

15. TMI filter not withstanding, you do not feel that casual acquaintances should need to seek revenge by telling you their personal birthing stories. Ever. Unless you ask. And don't.
15b. "Are you going to have an epidural?" has apparently become polite cocktail conversation. And checkout line conversation. And gas pump conversation. New t-shirt idea: "Due March 11. Boy. No name picked yet. How he's getting out is between me, my OB, and the Lord."

16. Your husband knows the baby will be coming into the world sometime soon. He has a general knowledge of how that's going to happen. And that's all he wants to know. He will "listen" supportively when you confide your labor and delivery fears, and he'll be there with you the whole time, but he's secretly wishing he could also get an epidural and just pass out in a chair until everything has been cleaned, stitched, covered, and generally de-goo'd. Want to see something funny? Ask if he'd like to cut the cord.

Feeding the [Post-] College Student

For Christmas this year, one of my brothers wanted kitchen essentials. He's a college student living off-campus and responsible for his own nourishment for the first time. This is a difficult time nutritionally... and bugetarially. I lived on PB&J, mac&cheese, and scrambled eggs for far longer than I'd like to admit once I left the cozy cafeteria. There are still days when, two years into marriage, my poor husband has to make himself a sandwich or fry up an omelette for dinner, so we are by no means experts. I thought, however, with more of my siblings heading out on their own and even well-established cooks looking for new ideas, that it might be a good idea to post some practical, modern survival-cooking tips and recipes.

Cookware Essentials (all ideal for housewarming and showers)(assuming possession of stove, microwave, and fridge/freezer)

• Basic bakeware (cookie sheet, bread pan, muffin pan, pie plate, 9x13" nonstick metal and glass casserole)
• Basic stoveware (small and large saucepans with lids, small and large frying pans with lids, and flat griddle)
• colander/strainer
• measuring cups (for liquid and dry ingredients)
• measuring spoons (recommend 2 sets)
• can opener
• pizza cutter
• silicone whisk and spatula
• plastic (nonstick-safe) flippers (spatulas, technically)(recommend 2) slotted and non-slotted spoons
• wooden spoons (2)
• knives (two paring, one santoku-type, and one bread)
• slow cooker
• glass leftover dishes with lids (safe for oven, microwave, dishwasher and freezer)(the dishes; lids can't go in oven)
• wooden chopsticks or nonstick-safe tongs

Non-essentials, but super nice to have:

• rice cooker
• toaster/toaster oven
• chopperchopper (the thing that you put onion or garlic in and whack repeatedly to chop)
• hand and stand mixers
• blender

Pantry Essentials (things to ALWAYS have on hand)
Non-Perishable/Long-lasting

• parchment paper
• Ziploc bags (quart and gallon size)
• flour (keep in airtight containers or freeze)(sacks from store are NOT airtight)
• sugar
• rice
• olive, vegetable, and/or canola oil
• Crisco
• pasta
• garlic and onion powder (so useful that we buy the large canisters)
• oregano
• salt and pepper
• baking powder and soda
• vanilla
• plain bread crumbs
• seasoning salt
• Italian/garlic salt blends (we like garlic blends for bread and Chef Paul Prudhomme's Herbal Pizza & Pasta Magic)
• potatoes
• garlic
• onion
• peanut butter
• marinara sauce (we like Francesco Rinaldi, the No Salt Added variety. Cheaper and healthier than most.)
• pesto
• 2 cans of favorite condensed soup
• active dry yeast

Perishable

• butter
• eggs
• milk
• chicken breasts (buy a lot when they're on sale, then bag individually in Ziplocs and freeze up to 3 months)
• hamburger (ditto; bag in individual pounds and freeze)
• favorite salad dressing
• bread (we prefer to make our own; it disturbs me that a loaf from the store can last a month in the fridge)
• healthy (ie, high-protein/fiber, low-sodium) snacks (we always have yogurt, almonds, whole-wheat crackers, cheese, and fruit)
• shredded cheddar
• shredded mozzarella
• Parmesan cheese (grated)
• green peppers
• baby carrots
• favorite cheese in sliced form for sandwiches
• lunchmeat
• fresh cilantro (freeze)

Having these items on-hand provides for most of our quick, easy lunches and weeknight meals. Planning those meals once a week (or month) means fewer trips to the store and a well-stocked pantry and can save a lot. For example, there will often be bags of salad or just spinach marked down to $1 because they expire within a day or two. If you have planned your meals to use the more fragile grocery items sooner, you can get the clearance salad and use it before it goes bad. I do our grocery shopping on Mondays, so Monday night might be tacos with the fresh lettuce and still-thawed hamburger; then Tuesday would be taco salad to use up some more of that lettuce and the leftover meat. We love chicken parmesan; we'll have that one night and I'll make enough to have leftovers to put on homemade pizza the next night.

Read labels! We use turkey bacon and turkey pepperoni because a) it's healthier, and b) it's usually pre-cooked so it lasts longer.

When you try a recipe and like it, copy it out onto an index card and file it in an index card holder. That way your favorites are easily accessible and easy to prop up and cook from.

A few helpful links

• USDA fact sheets on safe food handling and freezing: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FACTSheets/index.asp
• Awesome recipe-search service: allrecipes.com (I like the comments and ratings; makes it easy to find tasty food fast)
• Great tips on cooking for one or two: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/easy-coooking-for-one-or-two-recipies-and-tips
• A word on Pinterest: we've had about 50% success with Pinterest recipes. People rarely try a recipe out before repinning. Some look amazing but taste awful. Be adventurous, but be warned.

Driving St. Nick Up the Chimney

An ode to my wonderful and long-suffering spouse.

I'm carrying his baby.
I'm doing this for "free."
But as the fine print clearly states,
For nine months, he carries ME.

He brings my plate of dinner
To my nest of soft repose
Yet if he asks, "Will that be all?"
He'll get it in the nose.
I try to keep the kitchen clean,
And make (most of) the meals;
I'll gladly get the laundry done,
And yet at times it feels
As though I can't pull all my weight.
(It's a substantial sum.)
Perhaps it is in true support
The reckoning must come.

I tried to call insurance
One sunny afternoon
To get deliv'ry clearance
For our precious little goon.
After 20 minutes on the phone
I'd yet to get a person.
I started to cry and smacked the phone,
Then quickly got to cursin'.
I knew it was irrational
To get so darn dramatic
And yet I found I did not care,
Though bats had stormed my attic.

And he must deal with this same wife
Who was so calm at lunch
Yet now has inexplic'bly turned
And got her undies in a bunch.
And those undies are enormous;
She weeps about that fact.
And though he swears "It's more to love!"
He's liable to get smack'd...
Or smooched...
Depends upon the day.
Same guy, same girl, same phrase of note,
And yet sometimes he'll pay.

He built a nest of pillows
So I can sleep unpained.
He gave up more than half the bed
Yet his patience is unstrained.
But as I waddled back to bed
From bathroom dark as pitch
I had a grand idea
To help me with my sitch.
Instead of wriggling to and fro
To find my comfy place
I'll vault over the pillows!
Well ...I landed on his face.

He happened to be wide awake
Before the aerial assault
He hugged me and he giggled
That it wasn't just my fault.
In fact - no fault at all, he said
And hugged me to his chest.
"I love you, dear, and all your quirks."
My man, he is the best.
"You're pregnant and I love to see
The changes children bring -
the belly and the craziness -
'Cause I promised with that ring
To hold you up in spirit
Even from across the wall
Of hormones that divides us."
He loves me. After all.

Gingerpalooza 2012

Ginger Bag End, 2011

Last year we created Ginger Bag End. ---->
It was very simple; we just baked a slab of gingerbread over two glass bowls and attached the front later. Nick created Gandalf and Frodo out of marzipan supported by pretzel rods and "clothed" in colored royal icing.

Nick's first attempt

This year, we settled on Tom Bombadil's house from The Fellowship of the Ring. It was either that or a dalek. We figured we'd be able to bake a slab over a glass bowl with a smaller bowl on top. We planned to add dormers afterward. However, I found two gingerbread recipes in my archives and couldn't remember which one was the architecturally awesome recipe and which was the one that expanded alarmingly and remained soft after baking. I went with the one that didn't call for nine cups of flour and more molasses than I had on hand.

Nick constructs Old Man Willow around a thin vase.

[[Can't... flip... grrr...]] Old Man Willow before the oven.

Unfortunately, I picked the wrong recipe. We give you... GingerBoob. It threatened to envelope everything else on the baking sheet, as you can see by the poor little gingerbread peoples' legs as the GingerBoob ate them.

GingerBoob.

Sooooo, after a new batch of *the correct* dough was whipped up, we revised our design so it could be cooked flat and assembled later. 

Pieces prepared to be assembled.

 Unfortunately, at this point the camera got buried under the decorations so there is no photographic record of assembly. Basically, we connected the four rectangles to the four window sections and the half-parallelogram roof pieces and left them to dry overnight. Nick created Tom and Goldberry out of marzipan and decorated them. This afternoon I assembled the octagonal base and four-dormer'd roof while Nick made the four Hobbits.

Tom's house from the front.

Marzipan hobbits. Frodo is the one with the gold ring near his neck.

At some point while waiting for structures to set so I could continue, I tried to create the base for a new Old Man Willow using chunks from the first attempt at the house. I used some of the icing used for Tom's pants and left it overnight. This morning I realized it looked like a... very scandalous portion of anatomy. No photos, sorry. Needless to say, it did not end up part of the display.

Tom and Goldberry.

"Thatched" roof and such.

We have no idea what we're going to do next year, but we're sure it will be fun!

Gingerbread for Eating, NOT building (gets very puffy; does not hold shapes super well)

1 C butter

1 1/2 C white sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp orange zest

2 T dark corn syrup

3 C flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp ground cloves.

1/2 tsp salt

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and mix well. Mix in orange zest and corn syrup. Separately combine remaining ingredients, mixing thoroughly with wet mixture. Chill at least two hours. Preheat oven to 375F. Roll dough 1/4 inch thick, cut out cookies. Bake AT LEAST one inch apart for 10-12 minutes until firm and lightly toasted on edges.

Gingerbread for Building (still tasty, but very hard)(we used half this recipe and had the perfect amount for our house) (From Ask.com)

1 1/2 C whipping cream

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 C brown sugar, packed

2 T baking soda

1 T ginger

2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/3 C molasses

9 C flour

Whip the cream and vanilla. Whisk the sugar, soda, ginger, and cinnamon separately, then add to wet mixture with molasses. Add flour gradually while mixing. **This killed my stand mixer last year. Plan to stir the last few (maybe even half) cups by hand. Preheat oven to 275F. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch and cut shapes. Bake 1 and 3/4 hours, removing after 30 minute to refine shapes, as dough will have expanded slightly, then continue baking. 

Royal Icing (from Ask.com)

1 pound confectioner's sugar (about half the larger bag)

3 lg egg whites

1/2 tsp cream of tartar.

Whip egg whites and cream of tartar. Add sugar slowly until icing reaches desired consistency. 

10 Signs you're in the early 3rd Trimester

Unless you're wildly out-of-touch with your body, by 27ish weeks you know you're pregnant. Your family knows you're pregnant. Anyone who has seen you in the past month knows you're pregnant. And no one knows you're pregnant (and your symptoms) better than your internet browser history. And if, like most moms-to-be, you've known since right around week 5, you also KNOW you're in the third trimester. So you know all this. None of this is a revelation. But still.

1. You know exactly where the restroom is in every establishment you've patronized in the past three months. Grocery stores, gas stations, libraries, the dentist... You plan your errands around those stores with the most accessible and hygienic facilities. Perhaps you've recently decided to go for Walmart Stall Bingo.

2. The queen-sized bed that felt impossibly enormous when it was just you is now a little snug when expected to contain hubby, ever-expanding you, and the nest of pillows required to keep your little gummy bear's current digs comfy for each of the evening's hourly rollings-over. That was a terrible sentence.

3. Regardless of how many pregnant friends you've had and how many articles you've read, new and freakish symptoms still send you running to The Book or Google at least once a week. Most recent on our list: super itchy hands. Turned out my new Avon lotion didn't jive with the dish soap I'd just used, but for a good ten minutes of terror I was sure my gallbladder was failing.

4. The pictures of expansion are starting to get less fun, since by now the belly isn't the only thing that's bigger.
4b. What? I can outgrow maternity clothes?? Is that even legal?

5. The chiropractor is your best friend. I look forward to my OB visits because I like knowing that everything is going well on the inside and getting some of my weirder questions answered, but I always know exactly how many days until my next chiro appointment. And how many days since my last one. I move so much better, have fewer Braxton-Hicks contractions and back complaints, and have way more energy for the week following my last visit. Cannot recommend enough.

6. Offers for help with physical tasks are more welcomed and much less patronizing than they seemed a month ago. It's amazing the psychological roadblock being unable to reach your feet sets up.

7. Your TMI filter clearly needs changing. It's amazing what slips through there. Perhaps it is not realistic to assume that anyone who asks how you're doing is interested in the frequency and consistency of your bowel movements.
7b. And on that topic - Holy. Cow. Good thing you can't access my browser history from there.

8. "When will this be OVER?" is conquered only by the terror of visiting and then visualizing yourself in the delivery room during your L&D hospital tour. Yikes. Nope. We're good. Not thinking about that yet.

9. It is normal, though not at all enjoyable, to go from perfectly awesome to tears with the slightest provocation. You know you're overreacting. But you still power through that second box of Kleenex. Oh, joyous return of the pregnancy hormone imbalances and borderline-bipolar symptoms they create.

10. Feeling the baby move is still awesome, but more akin to gestating an extremely squirmy ferret than the sleepy newborn you've been picturing. Kid rocks out. Especially at bedtime and about an hour before you have to get up in the morning. Except that you do have to get up now because Jr. loves nothing so much as bouncing on your bladder. Well played, short stack. Well played.