Emptyknitster

Earlier in the fall the NorDak PurlGurl and I had a great sewing session making these sock project bags for the gals in my knitting classes:   I appreciate the help that DD gave me and it made me realize just how much I needed a new sewing machine!

Just loving doing my own hand dyeing! The colorway is "Poolside Bitch" because at our retreat last June I took a skein that was all tangled. I was just going to cake it later but Darlene and Jo spent 3 hours one evening getting it done. By the time they were through words were flying and the name just stuck! From this:  To this: This pattern is with the Fish Lips Template but I used my new stitch pattern book and found a pattern I liked, WHAT FUN! Yarn:Knit Picks Bare - Superwash Wool, Nylon Fingering Weight Colorway: Hand dyed by Emptyknitster in Poolside Bitch Colorway Amount: 1 skein Needle size: US Size 0

Over a year ago The Chick bought some yarn to knit herself a pair of clogs. She'd worn out the original pair I'd knit her and truthfully there isn't a slipper out there that is any warmer.  The pattern is a little difficult and the Chick never did get very far on them. When I began singing the praises of the pattern Easier Clogs for Men and Women she asked if I'd knit a pair for her.  They're now done and keeping her feet toasty!

That's 20 degrees below zero folks! Looks like a long cold winter!

While the NorDak Family was home I made templates of their feet as suggested by The Sock Therapist of Fish Lip Heel Fame. It became apparent that the pair I'd thought would fit The Tiger would be sadly to small and so it became necessary to knit another pair quickly before Christmas.   Pattern: Fish Lips Heel Sock Pattern Yarn: Patons North America Kroy Socks Stripes Colorway: 55520 Rusty Stripes Amount: 2 skiens Needle Size: US 0 I've finally moved down to a size 0 and like the tight fabric it produces. After Christmas note: The boy loved his new socks and wore them 4 days straight! Everyone commented on the great fit of their socks, smaller needles AND the great template really helped me to knit socks that fit!

This year marked our family's First Annual Virtual Turkey Trot . All family members were invited to partake. Each family's time would be averaged for the 5k to find the winning team. (We were estatic to hear of The California Dreamin' Guy's sore back - it gave all the rest of us a chance!) The winners of this year's race are the members of the NorDak Family! Go Team! A big thanks goes to The Chick for all the encouragement given, the kiddos couldn't have done it without you! PS: To my knowledge the Oregonian Family are still out there on the track!

Recently the Oregon Family sent me a Trader Joe's care package. It was filled with wonderful things that only Trader Joe can produce. Coffee, chocolate covered almonds with a hint of salt, natural licorice, Himalayan salt. But the package also had cookies and while most items couldn't be replicated the Trader Joe's Kona Coffee Shortbread Cookies were worth a try.     Pirated Trader Joe's Kona Coffee Shortbread Cookies Ingredients:      1c butter, softened     1/2c brown sugar     2c flour     2T coarsely ground coffee beans     1c white chocolate chips or white candy melts Instructions:     Preheat oven to 300 degrees.     Cream butter and sugar. Gradually stir in the flour and coffee until combined. Knead 3 minutes.     Roll into a 1/3-in. thick rectangle measuring 11 -in. x 8 in. Cut into 2-in. x 1-in. strips. P...