Hollywood Bowl

Finally, I made it to the famous Hollywood Bowl music venue in Los Angeles, CA! We saw Robyn on her new tour. She was amazing! We were dancing and singing like maniacs to all her older music as well as the new stuff.

The Hollywood Bowl is all outside so you can bring your own food and drinks to enjoy. I was in charge of desserts. I found this recipe for Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cookies (gluten free!) on Pinterest via the blog Beard and Bonnet.

These cookies looked to delicious not to try. All I needed were 5 ingredients, which most of them I had.
Cooking Tips:
-Only put a little marshmallow between the peanut butter cookies otherwise you will have a fluff oozing out of the sandwich.
-These get messy so make sure you have hand wipes on deck.
Overall, these cookies were winners. Everyone was clamoring to get one. I will defiantly keep this recipe handy.

Happy Monday!

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Busy Fingers

Ahhh it is summer break. This year, work has been challenging as well as rewarding .  I made it and it feels so good! Since last week, I have mainly stayed indoors and caught up on some relaxation. During this hibernation, I finished several projects as well as cleaned a closet and made some gluten- free cookies (yum!)

I finally finished and blocked my Summer Lattice Top by Purl Bee Soho.  It came out lovely. Originally, I was wanting to work with a yellow and a teal Pima Cotton. Yet, at the last minute I went to my LYS and bought a light grey instead.  I feel the color combo suits my wardrobe a lot better.

Why did I love making this project?

1)I loved the yarn I was using ( Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton).  It was soft between my fingers and had the right amount of sheen. It also was not a tangly mess when I needed to do some frogging.

2) I loved the construction pattern. I was fun to make something that started at the bottom back edge, went over the shoulders, and down the front. For someone who is not the typical size it made it easier to check if I had the proper fit. It should be noted that there are directions for knitting it in the round if you are not one for seams.

3) This project is the perfect TV/ movie project. Most of it is stockinette stitch so I could look away from my hands a lot more.

The only thing I would change would be the length of lattice work in the front. The open lattice falls below the top of my bra, therefore, I will need to wear a tank top underneath. I probably should have read others comments on Ravelry more closely as it looks like others have adjusted the pattern so that the lattice work does not end so low on the bust line.

In other news, I dusted off my baking pans this weekend and made some gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. I love cookies and the craving finally overcame my will power. I am not a baker so creating them from scratch was not my number one choice. However, thank goodness for  Whole Foods. I tried Pamela’s Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix. What a great choice.  They were delicious and affordable ($5.00 ish)!!! I had a friend try them and both of us didn’t notice the lack of wheat. So if you are gluten-free, I recommend you give Pamela’s Cookie Mixes a try.

Free Pattern- Simple Yoga Socks

Aside from catching up on some movies, I tackled organizing my crafting supplies this weekend. Within the mess, I discovered that I had some leftover wool/ acrylic sock yarn. I decided to put it to use and make some yoga socks I saw on Instagram awhile ago.

I always have cold feet and these would be perfect for yoga and/or dance classes. I decided to just modify a basic sock pattern by leaving off the heel formation and toe.

Whit’s Yoga Socks

I have small feet so this pattern will fit a US size 5.
You need: Fine sock yarn, 4 US size 3 double pointed needles, 2.00mm crochet hook
Gauge: 1″ stockinette = 8sts
Cast on 48 sts. Split your stitches evenly among 3 of the needles.
Rows 1-28: In the round, Knit 1, purl 1 in a 1×1 rib pattern. (Total 3″ in length)
Row 29: Knit 22 sts. Cast off the remaining stitches.
Row 30: Use the  cable cast on method and cast on 26 sts. Arrange the stitches evenly among 3 of the needles.
Row 31: Knit in the round for the 3 3/4″ or desired length.
Last 6 rows: Knit 1, purl 1 in 1×1 rib pattern.
Bind off all sts. Use the crochet hook and edge the entire heel opening with a single chain stitch.
Repeat pattern to make two socks.

Now the socks are done I better start going to yoga class more regularly haha.

*please alert me if there are errors/typos in the above pattern

Fun in the Sun- Weekend Wrap Up

Well Karl has arrived. Who is Karl you might ask? Well it is the name of the San Francisco fog of course  :). Depending on what area of the city you are in you might not see the sun too often during June-September. Therefore, many San Franciscans escape the city for warmth and sunshine as often as they can. This weekend, I “ran away” to Lake Tahoe, CA for some nature and warm weather.

On Saturday, I went hiking around Emerald Bay. It was gorgeous! Lots of tall trees, pretty wildflowers, and great views of the 3 mile long bay.

 

The natural beauty was a nice change from the city landscape.  It is so relaxing out there. I hope to return to the area again. Maybe in the fall for foliage?

What are some of your favorite nature spots?.

Liebster Award Nominees!

Picking just 11 nominees for the Liebster Award  was hard. There are so many of you fellow bloggers who have fantastic blogs! Please check out these great sites and spread the blog appreciation love.

1) Woolen Diversions

2) Creative Pixie

3) Missy’s Crafty Mess

4) My Tangled Yarn Knitting Adventures

5) Maggie May’s Gifts

6) EarthChickKnits

7) The Knitting Neurotic

8) Little White Dove

9) The Brave Little Thread

10) Yaya Yarns & Knitting

11) Stitches ‘n’ Scraps

If you choose to accept this nomination follow the info below:

These are the rules to the Liebster Award:

1. Answer questions from the blogger who nominated you.
2. Nominate 11 new blogs with 500 followers or less.
3. Post 11 new questions for your nominees to answer.
4. Tag your nominees and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been nominated.

Questions-

1) If you could have any job in the world what would it be?

2) What is your favorite thing to do on a sunny Saturday afternoon?

3) What do you consider the most valuable item  in your possession? Why?

4)What is your favorite website to go to when procrastinating?

5) Where is your favorite destination to vacation?

6)What is your favorite brunch item?

7) What is your favorite thing to DIY?

8) What do you see yourself blogging about in one year?

9) What song is currently playing on repeat on your iPod (or whatever music playing device you use)?

10) What is your favorite TV show?

11) Who in your life always puts a smile on your face?

 

Fun Baby Project!

This blanket looks like it would be super fun to make. Maybe for a superhero fan or for Halloween?

Find it on AnneM‘a Ravelry page. This is a free pattern 😊

Liebster Award

A nice surprise popped up in my notifications box on Sunday. Mika, author of the blog The Novelty Knitter, nominated me for the Liebster Award! Thanks so much Mika!

These are the rules to the Liebster Award:

1. Answer questions from the blogger who nominated you.
2. Nominate 11 new blogs with 500 followers or less.
3. Post 11 new questions for your nominees to answer.
4. Tag your nominees and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been nominated.

 

Here are my answers to Mika’s questions:

1. Why did you start this blog?

I love knitting and crafting and blogging is a great way to spread the love.

2. What are your goals for your blog?

To have a place to share, explore, and learn new things from others in the crafting community. 

3. What are your sources of inspiration?

I love flowers! These elements usually inspire my color choices. 

5. What are your other hobbies besides blogging?

Aside from knitting,  I also enjoy traveling, reading, and hiking. 

6. Why did you start crafting?

I have had a love affair with crafting since I was a toddler. Whether it was crayons, beads, or latch hook, I had to have my hands busy. There was always something soothing to me about creating something from scratch. 

7. How long have you been crafting?

Estimation: 26 years; Knitting specifically: 17 years.  

8. Favorite yarn brands?

Depends on the project.  Currently, I am loving Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima Cotton, Loops and Threads Cozy Wool, and Rowan’s Soft Knit Cotton.

9. What is your favorite type of project?

I really love making cowls. They are a great way to try out a new yarn or pattern texture. 

10. Vogue Knitting or Interweave?

Interweave

11. Favorite designers?

I don’t have a specific favorite , yet I love the collections compiled and designed for Twisted Collective and Tin Can Knits. 

Check back later this week for my nominees!

Finished Objects!

Happy Monday all! I hope your weekend was wonderful. I finally got to show off my Flaxsweater from Tin Can Knits. I am so happy with how it came out I might make another one! Photos were taken in front of the Martin Luther King Fountain in Yerba Buena Gardens in Downtown San Francisco

I also finished a beanie made with some acrylic extras. My friend is a big San Francisco Giants fan (hence the Halloween looking colors) and needed a hat to keep her warm during chilly games.

Too bad my measurements were off and the hat is a little too short. So much for eyeballing it 😒

What did you work on this weekend?