When Life gives you lemons....

Hello again,
Well another week has passed by and it is still raining, any more of this and we will have to develop webbed feet, but at least it has warmed up a bit.

When life gives you lemons - what do you make?

No, not lemonade - Lemon Curd! 
OK, I know life didn't give me the lemons, I got them from Mr. Morrison's - an end of day bargain 7p for 4 un-waxed lemons. Got to love those reduced stickers.

Using a recipe from my trusty preserving book - seriously there are some lovely recipes in there, I made a large batch of lemon curd, yummy. The recipe is below:


Lemon Curd
275ml (11floz) Lemon juice from 5-6 juicy lemons
500g (1lb 4oz) Sugar
8oz unsalted butter
5-6 Large Eggs

Put the Lemon juice, rind, sugar and butter into a large bowl on top of a pan of gently simmering water.
Stir occasionally until the butter and sugar have dissolved.
Lightly beat the eggs in a jug, then using a sieve strain the beaten eggs into the lemon mixture. Stir the mixture well.
Cook gently, stirring frequently until the mixture thickens, do not boil or overcook.
Put into warm jars, seal and label.
Once cool, store in the fridge, the curd should last for about 3 months, but check frequently.

Although it may keep fine for up to 3 months, I tend to find it is gone in a couple weeks when I make it at home.

On Sunday I had a much needed catch up with a couple of friends the awesome Su Douglas and the equally wonderful Clare-Louise Sandell. We have all had a bit of a traumatic time over the Christmas and New Year period, but things are beginning to settle down for us all. We went to a local garden centre which has recently had a make over to include a lovely cafe, great coffee and a log burner, just what the doctor ordered for a rainy day. Open Studios planning starts soon, I will keep you up to date with the news and dates for this summers event.

This week in my infinite wisdom, I decided to get up early to enable me to work on some bits for my Folksy shop.
How early I hear you ask? 5am.... It seemed like a good idea at the time, but 2 mornings in combined with a midnight/all night visit from Frodo and I am beginning to wonder if it was such a good idea. I have some new dishes for the mini cactus that I make
Aren't they properly gorgeous?
I am looking forward to showing them off in all their completed glory next week.


Current Wip's -
Speckle and Pop shawl, I am still working on this although I must confess I am not feeling the love for this project, I will finish it though - hopefully next week I will be able to share some pictures of the FO.

The #fubc Shawl by Susan Crawford in the blue/cream colourway, I have added some more pattern repeats to this so it is slowly growing.

Jo's Cardigan - hmmm, have not worked on this at all this week in my attempt to finish the Speckle and Pop shawl - bad girl

I also have about another 6 projects scattered about the place, but I am trying to focus on about 3 at a time (no really), as they may have more of a chance of being finished. Well that is the theory anyway.

New yarn on the needles - Jamieson & Smith Shetland Supreme 1ply Lace, currently being swatch for a stole design using traditional Shetland lace patterns, more on this another time.

What have been up to this week, please share your Wip's I love to see what people are working on - although it normally means my Ravelry library expands quite a bit.

Until next time, may all your yarn run smoothly and the cat/dog not eat your needles/hook.

Hugs
Tracy x

Well hello there,
I hope that you are not too wet or snowy wherever you are. As I write this the weather is mizzly and grey, with the promise of cold weather, strong winds with sleet and snow to come, brrr...

What have I been up to lately I hear you ask, well lots is the answer.
Christmas saw me making three pairs of socks, and I had forgotten how much fun they are to make. The patterns I used were my normal pattern which came from Regia many moons ago, a basic top down sock with a conventional heel. The other 2 pairs were an adventure, firstly a pair of Solace socks by Anneh Fletcher, the pattern is available here. These were for Jo and I used Devon Sun Yarns Sprightly Sock in Rainbow, a little of pooling around the ankles but it was lovely to knit with.

Jo's Solace Socks

The other pair were for me, I don't know about you but I rarely make things for myself. It tends to be either things for the shop, commissions or items to send to Quay Arts.

The pair I made for me were a Christmas Eve Cast on using a pattern from Little Bobbins - Twas the Night Before Christmas

This pattern has been designed by a lady I have known for quite a few years, Dani has a tradition of starting a pair of socks every Christmas Eve. This is a lovely tradition which I will try to continue going forwards.
I really enjoyed knitting these socks, although my choice of yarn has meant that the little tree design is a little lost on the image, looks and feels great on though.

Twas the Night Before Christmas Socks

Another project I am battling with at the moment is the Stephen West Speckle and Pop KAL which started about the time we went to Yarndale..... So I know, I didn't keep up with the instalments, but am now trying to get it finished by the end of the month. it is 822sts at the moment, half brioche and half garter stitch and takes quite a while to finish a row.
I will post a picture next time.

The other mammoth task I set myself was an Aran jacket for Jo, the pattern is the Saddle Shoulder Aran by Meg Swansen worked in Shetland Aran Wool. I am challenging myself with this one as it is the first time I will have worked with steeks - I may do a little video of the cutting later, we'll see how brave I am feeling.

I think that is enough rambling from me for the time being - what are you working on at the moment?
Whatever it is may your yarn run smoothly and your patterns all be easy to follow.
Bye for now
Tracy x