Interview with TheHandmadeStudio.ie

August 18, 2020 // No Comments

In the latest interview with a maker in my ongoing series, we learn about Sharon Murphy and her creations in The Handmade Studio.ie. Her handcrafted work brings together bespoke design and vibrant colors for original items you’ll love in your life.... Continue reading →

From Tide to Table: Preparing & Cooking Fresh Caught Fish

August 15, 2020 // No Comments

In the summers when we first moved to Ireland, my husband would go sea fishing with his friends. He doesn’t eat fish, but I love it so brought me treats. One particular day, he returned with some Whiting, Cod, and... Continue reading →

Ultraviolet Knits – Rigel Cowl & Rigel Mitts

August 13, 2020 // No Comments

Rigel is the brightest star in the constellation of Orion. The star looks blue-white to the naked eye. The Rigel Cowl is knit from the top down, this cowl is soft and a fun way to use special buttons. The... Continue reading →

Make Ahead Vegan Tomato & Corn Salad for a Picnic

August 11, 2020 // No Comments

During the restrictions when we were self-isolating, I found myself relying more and more on the herbs grown on our balcony. My parsley and cilantro/coriander were inconsistent in their robustness, but the mint, chives, and scallions were always reaching for... Continue reading →

Ultraviolet Knits – Porch Light Shawl

August 6, 2020 // No Comments

  Georsan modelled the shawl for these photos, Martina Leahy styled the outfits, and Niall Twamley was the photographer. You can access a list of all the UV Knits posts HERE!   Porch Light Shawl The warm illumination of a porch light... Continue reading →

Falling Petals Shawl – A Versatile Knit in Lace or 4ply Weight

August 5, 2020 // No Comments

I designed Falling Petals Shawl in 2013 to showcase a semi-solid lace yarn for my first book, Bake Knit Sew (Anchor and Bee, 2014). Of course, that doesn’t limit the pattern, which works equally beautifully in 4ply/sock weight yarn. You’ll... Continue reading →

Interview with 2bOrganic

August 4, 2020 // No Comments

I was delighted when Simone Nelson of 2bOrganic agreed to be interviewed for my blog. For the past year, I’ve been conducting and sharing interviews with small makers and artisans, you can read the other posts HERE. Simone and I first ‘met’ through... Continue reading →

Useful List of Shawl Knitting Patterns I’ve Designed – Great for Yarn Scraps and Mini Skeins

August 3, 2020 // No Comments

We each have leftover partial skeins of yarn, mini skeins, or scraps. Their beauty just as admirable as when they were full skeins, but somehow feel less useful. Their purpose shifts because the weight isn’t a nice even 100g, but that... Continue reading →

Comprehensive List of Patterns to Use with Mini Skeins, Scraps & Yarn Calendar Sets

August 2, 2020 // 1 Comment

We all have those mini skeins we treasure, smaller yardage balls, and are maybe even eyeing a hand-dyed mini skein set for a daily knitting project. When I dine out, I love a nice main course, but have you ever... Continue reading →

Ultraviolet Knits – Phare Hat

July 30, 2020 // No Comments

Phare Hat Inspired by lighthouses perched on the coastline, I named this hat pattern for the French word for lighthouse. With slipped stitches and textures to emulate the beacon of light. The hat pattern has three sizes and can be... Continue reading →

How to Create Your Own Yarn Countdown Calendar with Leftover Sock Scraps

July 29, 2020 // No Comments

We’ve all admired the 2018 Yarn Countdown Calendars, but it isn’t always feasible or prudent to buy more yarn, especially when many of us have leftover bits waiting to fulfil their destiny. So, I decided to see if I could create... Continue reading →

Imitation Crab Salad

July 28, 2020 // 1 Comment

Now that I’m a parent and making meals for four of us every day (sometimes twice a day), I think back to the balanced and delicious meals my own mother cooked for us. Honestly, at the time I was used... Continue reading →

How I Started Blogging and My Favorite Writing Books

July 27, 2020 // No Comments

Since I learned what letters and words do, I’ve put them together to convey ideas or just for fun. In college, I was editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper, I was an interning editor for an educational catalog/magazine for three summers,... Continue reading →

Travel Unravelled: Where I Went and Yarn I Bought

July 24, 2020 // No Comments

When I travel, I bring back three kinds of souvenirs: Christmas tree ornaments, iron-on patches, and yarn. Each Christmas, we are reminded of our adventures as we trim and admire the tree, though I’m still trying to track down ornaments... Continue reading →

Ultraviolet Knits – Firefly Hour Mitts

July 23, 2020 // No Comments

Firefly Hour Mitts Our hands have to deal with all the elements and with work, from washing dishes to weeding the garden, but they take on an almost magical softness when we cup them to briefly hold a caught firefly.... Continue reading →

Interview with Python Charms

July 21, 2020 // No Comments

Frankie Lodge launched Python Charms a year ago. As a friend from my knitting circle, I knew I’d love her creations given she puts such thought and care into each design. Then I saw her collections be revealed and I REALLY love... Continue reading →

Ultraviolet Knits – Elara Shawl

July 16, 2020 // No Comments

Elara Shawl Elara is the eighth-largest moon of Jupiter. The Elara Shawl design reflects the moon’s shape through purl stitches, eyelets, and bobbles. This shawl has a triangle shape, but feels elegant with the alternating textures and bobbles. This is... Continue reading →

Clafoutis – Equally Good for Breakfast, Brunch, or Dessert

July 14, 2020 // No Comments

Clafouti or Far Breton is one of my favorite French treats. Easy to prepare, delicious to enjoy, and good for breakfast, snack, or dessert. Like most French dishes, it is best created using full-fat ingredients and will not be the same if you opt for margarine and skim milk. Continue reading →

Ultraviolet Knits – Altair Cowl

July 9, 2020 // No Comments

Altair Cowl One of three cowl patterns in the Ultraviolet Knits collection is the Altair Cowl. This design was inspired by Altair, the brightest star in the constellation of Aquila and the twelfth-brightest star in the night sky. Altair rotates... Continue reading →

A Visit to Stranded By The Sea LYS in Edmonds, Washington

July 7, 2020 // No Comments

Last summer, I enjoyed a special book signing event at Stranded By The Sea in Edmonds, Washington for Bake Knit Sew (Anchor and Bee, 2014). If you are ever in the Seattle area, I recommend a visit to this delightful... Continue reading →