Fastnachts and New Socks: Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler

I can’t believe tomorrow’s Fat Tuesday! Growing up in Pennsylvania, we celebrated with fastnachts. The public schools feted Doughnut Day. Every school lunch included a powdered doughnut.

I know times have changed. The emphasis is on fruit and healthy snacks. But some traditions, including the Pennsylvania Dutch fastnacht, are worth continuing.

Our family recipe requires a full day of mixing, kneading, rising, punching, rolling, cutting, (more) rising, and finally, frying. It’s a true labor of love, and the results are gluttonous. This year’s yield: 99 doughnuts!

The only thing that could make baking with my family even better is knitting. So while we waited for the dough to rise, I dug out this skein from my stash.

Since acquiring this yarn, my plan has been to knit Mardi Gras socks, but each year, I fail to cast on. Not this year. I have one cuff knit. While they won’t be finished tomorrow, I’m a monogamous knitter so I know they’ll be complete by month’s end. I look forward to wearing them for many Mardis Gras to come. Laissez les bons temps rouler! Bon tricot!

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There’s Nothing Plain About Vanilla – Another Set of Stockinette Stitch Socks

It’s been a few weeks since my last post, but I’m proud to say I’ve survived a stint with strep throat, my son’s first birthday party (with 24 of his kindergarten classmates), and Easter, complete with a visit from the Bunny, an egg hunt in the backyard, and a trip to see Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s circus. It’s been a whirlwind, to say the least. But in that time, I’ve been sneaking in some knitting when I can. To feel creative and productive (which don’t always co-exist happily), I find it best to have a pair of plain vanilla, stockinette stitch socks on my needles at all times. I can trot them out of my project bag and knit a few rounds while waiting for folks to shop our yard sale, like I did this past weekend, or while I watch the kids play outside in the front yard.
The first time I saw the Regia Jacquard sock yarn was on Susan B. Anderson’s blog. I was saddened to learn it’s since been discontinued. But during my Google search, I found it discounted at se…

It May Be Spring, but it Feels like Christmas in Paris

I’ve always been a huge Francophile, so it will come as no surprise that a yarn containing the words Paris, France, or any French landmark, will inevitably end up in my stash. This was the case with Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted Yarn - '13 Holiday Collection - Christmas in Paris. I’ve been a huge fan of LL’s Shepherd Sock Yarn and have knitted many socks in their unique colorways, but this was my first foray with LL worsted. I couldn’t have been more pleased. The yarn was light, soft, and squishy. The linen stitch pattern I selected from Audrey Knight’s Reversible Scarves highlighted the yarn’s pastel, multi-variegated hues. I’m so pleased with the end result, and because of the weight and texture of the stitch, the scarf is seasonless. I’ve already worn it out with jeans and a t-shirt. And with the fluctuating weather that we’re having on the east coast (they’re calling for 2-4 inches of snow on Tuesday – this after getting more than 8 inches last Monday), it pairs nic…

Knit Brit: Burberry Inspired "Novastripe" Socks

I’m addicted to indie sock yarn, and after the success of my Missoni knock-offs, I’m excited to merge my love of handknit socks with all things Burberry. In my search for self-striping sock yarn on Etsy, I came across TurtlePurl’s Trenchcoat colorway. The designer’s listing states that U.K. fashion plaids inspired the yarn.
I have always adored tartan plaids. I’m particularly enamored with Burberry’s iconic Nova Check, which accents many of its designs, including the brand’s signature trench. What I’m less enamored with, though, is the label’s exorbitant price. So imagine my delight when I found this smashing yarn! I paid a little more money to upgrade the yarn base with cashmere. I justified the splurge: I’m indulging a luxury experience without the luxury cost.
In keeping with Burberry’s classic appeal, I decided to use my tried and true vanilla sock pattern – ribbed cuff, stockinette leg, foot, and toes. I’m delighted with the results so far. Dare I say these socks are qui…

Bon Tricot

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