Again. Still Here.

Busy. Super busy. I will post properly when I can make time. Maybe tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Evil, er, Abbie

I hope you enjoyed that potato you stole.   And, remember, the farting that will occur later will relegate you to your crate for the night.

Still Here.

Just busy.  Working on patterns.  Classes have started, so that takes time too.  On a good note, I will be starting a new job.  Still part time, but better hours, better pay, closer to home, and a better environment.  I finished a pair of socks.  Not sure when the Sock Hunter will appear on the blog.  Oh, and Aly?  Remember those gloves you liked so much?  How you mentioned that you would be happy to test knit some mitts?  Yeah.  Calling you out on that soon.  I have the pattern mostly written, just haven’t knit a sample yet.  So, there will likely be some mitts on the blog at some point.

Did I mention it was snowing too?  I should.  It’s the first snow of 2012.  Abbie had a nice “bunny hop” and “butt scoot” through the snow this afternoon. She’s weird.

Test Knitters? Anyone? Bueller?

I am seeking three test knitters to proof-read and test knit a sock pattern. The pattern should use 1 skein of sock yarn; Koigu PPPM, Louet, Malabrigo, and Sundara are all excellent choices. I would be happy to offer a free copy of any of my other patterns to the persons who test knit.

Requirements:
1 set of US 0 DPNs or circulars, the pattern is written for DPNs, but circulars could be used
1 skein of sock yarn in a lightly variegated to solid colorway
Some experience with knitting socks
Ability to finish a pair of socks by Jan. 30 (3 weeks)

Please contact me at knitterbunny AT gmail DOT com if you are interested.

Thank you!

ETA: Test knitters found for this pattern.  Thank you.

Insult and Injury

My 2012 has started wonderfully. I’ve been sick since about 8pm New Year’s Eve. I pulled a muscle in my chest last night. At one point it felt like my chest was on fire. Well, half of my chest anyway. When I went to buy soup, my car battery was dead. I did have my neighbor jump the battery this morning, and I do have a new battery in place. It has just been an interesting start to my year.

Knitter Bunny Recap 2011

This year has been a very interesting year for me in terms of my knitting.  While I only published 3 patterns this year, I am still working on more ideas.  I hope to take more time for pattern writing and publishing in 2012.  This may not come to fruition, however, as I am also going back to school.  I’m tired of being in my dead-end retail job.  One Master’s degree wasn’t enough, maybe two will do it.  sigh

I miss my Beau.  Every day with Abbie I am reminded of what a wonderful dog he was, and how evil she can be.  Long distance relationships are also difficult.  My time with Avi is always limited and it is very hard to stay connected over such a long distance.  We keep talking about the future, but mine is so changeable at this point.  Sometimes I stress too much about it.

So, without any more maudlin thoughts, let me make my annual list of “What I Have Knit.” I did finish a few knits this year.

9 Socks
7 Ribbons
6 Sweaters
4 Shawls
3 Scarves
3 Peeps Marshmallow Bunnies
2 Hats
1 Baby Blanket
1 Baby Sweater
1 Blanket

37 finished knits for 2011. Not a bad tally.

Snow and Abbie

The snow fell for several hours. We had about 3 inches when it was all over. Abbie decided it was delicious and ate her way around the yard. Then she bunny hopped, lamb skipped, donkey scooted, and ran like a mad woman. She is so weird.

Half Price Sale

Starting today, all of my patterns are half price until midnight on Jan. 1, 2012.  So, if you were tempted by the Liblikakiri Shawl, the Alida Mitts, the Hexagon Mitts, the Tempered Socks, or the Marelda Neckwarmer, now is the time to buy them.

Alida Mitts

Hexagon Mitts

Knitted Ribbons

Liblikakiri Shawl

Marelda Neckwarmer

Tempered Socks

Cranberry Orange Pound Cake

Inspired by Ina Garten, I adapted her Lemon Pound Cake to my Cranberry Orange Poundcake. I also baked the cakes in mini loaf pans. So, instead of 2 regular pound cakes, this recipe makes 8 mini loaves. The mini loaves are great for gifts. Just sayin’

Ingredients:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature (this is very important! for a good whip on the butter and sugar it needs to be room temp)
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided into 2 cups and 1/2 cup
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature (again, they need to be room temp!!)
1/8 cup grated orange zest (2-3 large oranges)
3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, divided into 1/2 cup and 1/4 cup
3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature (do I need to say it again?)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup finely diced fresh cranberries

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 or more mini loaf pans. For the best results you should butter and flour the pans well. Very well! Then line the bottom with parchment paper. Don’t skimp on this step.

Cream the butter and 2 cups granulated sugar, until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, and the orange zest.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup orange juice, the buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix in the finely diced cranberries.  Spoon approximately 1/8 of the batter into each of the pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 30-35 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean.

Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup orange juice in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves. When the cakes are done, allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pans. (This step is very important. Inadequate cooling will result in the cakes falling apart when you remove them.) Remove the cakes from the pans and set them on a rack set over a tray or sheet pan; spoon the orange syrup over them. Allow the cakes to cool completely.

I usually ice my pound cakes, but these are intended for Christmas gifts, so they haven’t been iced yet. You can drizzle all of the delicious icing you would like to on the top of yours. Mine have to wait for a few days in the freezer first. Yes, you can freeze them.

For the icing:
2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
3 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice (or more as needed)

For the icing, combine the confectioners’ sugar and the orange juice in a bowl, mixing with a wire whisk until smooth. Pour over the tops of the cakes, some drizzle down the sides is expected.

Dear Santa