Hey Gang! I won Kay and Ann's most awesome recipe box contest for best recipe! ("most awesome" refers both to the recipe boxes and to the contest. Get it?) It was the originality factor I think that did it, but wait until Kay actually makes the salad dressing. She's going to flip! Someone hide the straws.
I was in the middle of a Saturday morning's baking when I learned of my good fortune.
"10 to make, 20 to bake", as my Mister likes to say. He also says "It's a poor muffin that needs a greased pan." I think that's from his maternal auntie. They are a German bunch, so baking wisdom is their legacy, and the family Christmas cookies are extra yummy. This recipe? Hardly an heirloom, but still good. It's the one on the Quaker Yellow Corn Meal box, but I substitute vanilla yogurt for half of the milk for a tender crumb.
I've been knitting on the Tree Jacket. I knit extra length because when I try it on, it likes to ride up a little. The big shift in fabric texture from the garter stitch yoke to the lace paneled torso does that. I really like the slight diagonal of the lace, even though a number of other knitters have engineered against it. It turns out that the slant is very flattering. Who knew? I had to fiddle with the lower edge to keep it from rolling and I ended up adding three extra rows of the ribbing, and knit two needle sizes down. That did the trick.
Actually, what I've really been doing is watching Project Runway Canada on YouTube, and knitting. I missed Tim and Heidi at first, but Iman really grew on me, and now I think Heidi's an anime screech owl compared to Iman's womanly Somali cool. And Brian Bailey as the mentor is just so damn smart. I really loved the show, and I'm all hollow inside now that it's over for me. Now back to Tim and Heidi and the under-skilled American designers. I think that any one of those first 13 Canadian designers thrown into the pool with the American version would taken the prize. Man, why can't we get someone like Biddell or MG down here to make me some clothes? Runway fans skeptical? Here's the first part of the first episode. Tell me I'm wrong when you're finished.
Wait, did you add the diagonality, or did they change something?
Posted by: naomi | January 12, 2008 at 07:00 PM
In the knit along on Ravelry I'm in, there seems to be a universal slant to the lace section, probably because of the paired k2togs. Some of those knitters have tried subbing ssk for the second k2tog. I subbed for the first because I liked the texture that the ssk gives to run up the center of the panel, leaving the second k2tog as it was, but my slant wasn't eliminated (probably because the center line isn't at all part of the support for the fabric's general structure) the slant is perhaps mitigated, but still there. Yet, I like it. So much for my poor engineering.
Posted by: julia fc | January 12, 2008 at 07:39 PM
I'll be curious to see that when it's done. From the pattern page, I couldn't tell if it was the sweater I liked, or just that the model was so darn cute! I don't think it would look quite that way on me....
Posted by: Lynn in Tucson | January 12, 2008 at 08:10 PM
I love the extra length and the diagonal lines on the Tree Jacket! Great color, too.
Posted by: Bethe | January 12, 2008 at 08:42 PM
congratulations!
Posted by: anne | January 12, 2008 at 10:50 PM
My dad comes from a German baking culture too, its interesting to hear that from others as well, I never knew it was so much a German thing as it was a Grandma thing, interesting! The muffins look scrumptious! Congratulations!
Posted by: Kathy | January 12, 2008 at 11:21 PM
I could not agree more: Project Runway Canada was so much fun to watch! My favorite thing? The lyrics to the theme song - I find myself singing "Project Runway - on the runway!" at the oddest times.
Posted by: Donna | January 13, 2008 at 07:32 AM
You've been busy! Looks fantastic. Can't wait to see on you.....
Posted by: juno | January 13, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Of COURSE it's flattering. It's on the bias, right? Like a Carole Lombard gown!
I will check out the Canadian show, as the US one leaves me totally, utterly cold. HeidiBot needs to take lessons on appearing more humanoid. Not that she really has much to do with the show--she is just the announcerbot, but every time she speaks it grates on the nerves. I love Michael Kors and the Elle magazine lady, though. They are fair and fun. They just don't have much to work with, at least in the few shows I've seen. xoxo Kay
Posted by: Kay | January 13, 2008 at 01:05 PM
I know what you mean about Project Runway Canada! I really hope they do another season. Iman is fierce!
Posted by: Lori | January 13, 2008 at 01:36 PM
I did not know about Project Runway Canada. Loving Canada as I do, how could this have happened?
That Tree pattern is very cute.
Posted by: claudia | January 13, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Congrats!
Baking and knitting - two of my favorite things, too. Yum.
Posted by: Madge | January 13, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Those muffins look delish! And your tree jacket!
Posted by: Elemmacitlur | January 13, 2008 at 04:43 PM
I thought Iman was so mean sometimes. She was much more a part of the show than Heidi has ever been. I managed to kill a whole day watching the clips from You Tube. It was an amazing way to get access to something we could not otherwise see. I enjoy your blog immensely; I'm not a great commentor, but I try! Bev
Posted by: Bev | January 13, 2008 at 09:40 PM
Iman also has Bowie going for her. Way cooler than Seal.
Posted by: erin | January 13, 2008 at 10:21 PM
My Dad says almost the same thing... "It's a poor cookie that doesn't grease its own pan."
Posted by: Anne | January 14, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Oh you MADE me go and look at the Project Runway, and now it is 2:30 am.
Thanks for the link, I loved it.
Celina
Posted by: Celina | January 15, 2008 at 03:36 AM
Okay, that's it - I'm hooked on Project Runway Canada. You got me. I'm going to get my knitting and queue some Iman up right now. You're right, the Americans have been a bit bland this season - bring on the Canadians!
Posted by: Amanda Olson | January 21, 2008 at 09:05 AM
About sweaters that ride up - I sew a strip of satin quilt binding (blanket binding) inside the lower back - keeps the sweater from butt grabbing and climbing. No reason why you couldn't sew it all the way around the sweater.
Posted by: Anne | January 21, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Congratulations on the recipe box contest!
Posted by: DeanB | January 28, 2008 at 06:05 PM
The sweater looks great - fantastic colour!
Posted by: sam lamb | January 28, 2008 at 09:51 PM