Nupp (rhymes with loop)

Nupp (rhymes with loop) is a design element in Estonian lace that is worked like a bobble--increase 5 or 7 stitches and then purl those stitches together on the next row. I tried knitting a shawl years ago that had nupps and gave up almost immediately when I couldn't figure out how to perform the p7tog. The stitches were too tight.

Fast forward to a few months ago when I pulled The Haapsalu Shawl by Siiri Reimann and Aime Edasi from the bookshelf to admire the stitch patterns, then a few days ago when WonderMike tweeted about nupps. Nupps.

I reviewed this video of Nancy Bush demonstrating how to make a nupp--



Nancy makes it look easy, but of course she is Nancy Bush. Could a mere mortal create a nupp? And could that knitter create a nupp without a crochet hook or other means of assistance?

The answer is yes.


Silvia
Project details on Ravelry

The stitch pattern is Silvia Pattern 2 from The Haapsalu Shawl. The yarn is Fantastic Knitting Zephyr Laceweight 50% Merino 50% Silk in a color called Bottle Green. Haapsalu shawls are traditionally made using a finer 100% wool yarn in a neutral color, so this swatch is "inspired by" Estonian lace.

HKF

It's Hand Knit Friday! What hand knits do you have on today?

I got up early to support my LYS, Purlescence Yarns, and saved 40% on thousands of yards of laceweight yarn. Almost everything is marked down today, so stop by if you're in the area.

I'm wearing


Tahoe Broadripple socks
Project details on Ravelry

Propelled out of Funkytown

I've been working on the list from funk-day and not only did it propel me out of funkytown, but I also got stuff done. Pretty cool.

1. Finish editing word doc.
   So far so good, this one is progressing.
   
   
2. Make 3 more hats for the craft fair.
   Finished! 8 hats are ready to go.
   
   
   Timba hats
   
   
3. Finish waffle weave project & warp next project.
   
4. Finish writing one of the patterns designed/started.
   I haven't worked on either of the items above.
   
   
5. Finish Navajo ply-on-the-fly spinning.
   Finished! Thank you WonderMike, your class on this technique was excellent.
   
   
   Navajo Ply on the Fly yarn
   
   
6. Work out.
   I've been to the club for cardio, strength training, and tennis, so this one is a big win.
   
   
7. Bake something.
   With Thanksgiving just hours away, this one hasn't been a problem at all. In fact, I'm even trying the Fresh-Frozen Pie technique from King Arthur Flour. Here's the pie I made last night:
   
   
   Apple Cranberry Pie
   
   Psych! It's frozen solid!
   
   Apple Cranberry Pie
   
   That pie is for later. There's one more Apple Cranberry Pie and a Pumpkin Pie for tomorrow.
   
   
8. Design something.
   Nothing to speak of.
   
   
9. Clean something.
   Nothing worth blogging about.
   
   
10. Blog - post photos taken earlier this year.
    Nope.
    

Hey, I finished something

Timba hats


Timba hats

8 things actually.

These are for the annual craft faire at work in a couple of weeks. If they don't sell, guess what everyone's getting for Christmas?

Just kidding. Maybe.

Fall color

Pepper berries


Camellia

HKF

It's Hand Knit Friday! What hand knits do you have on today?

I'm keeping the blahs away with stranded colorwork socks. Thanks to everyone who has gotten in touch, I'm feeling much better now.


Fair Isle socks
Project details on Ravelry

In a funk

I don't know what happened, but I must have tripped and fallen into a funk. I'm out of sorts and not motivated to do much. Maybe it's the moon, maybe it's the change in weather, I don't know.

So what am I doing here? I thought I'd post a list of things I'd like to do, a list to consult when I'm staring into space.

1. Finish editing word doc.
   
2. Make 3 more hats for the craft fair.
   
3. Finish waffle weave project & warp next project.
   
4. Finish writing one of the patterns designed/started.
   
5. Finish Navajo ply-on-the-fly spinning.
   
6. Work out.
   
7. Bake something.
   
8. Design something.
   
9. Clean something.
   
10. Blog - post photos taken earlier this year.

Make it so!

HKF

It's Hand Knit Friday! What hand knits do you have on today?

On 11.11.11, I'm wearing socks knit with hand spun yarn.


Mars Mission socks
Project info on Ravelry

Going to battle

That's how Robyn from King Arthur Flour described the mindset of home bakers as they prepare to roll out a pie crust.

I accepted the challenge.

I reviewed the recipe and the notes I took at the KAF live demo a couple of weekends ago. By the way, the recipe booklet is available online in PDF format. (I love the cup from Cost Plus, crochet sleeve not included.)


Getting ready

Then I assembled the ingredients. Today's pie has Granny Smith and Cameo apples.


Assembling the ingredients

I followed the recipe for the crust and added just enough water for the dough to hold together. I used the kitchen scale to help me divide the dough into 2 equal portions, then shaped them into disks and put them into the fridge to chill.

The pie filling was easy to mix together.


Apple pie filling

Now it was time to tackle roll out the crusts. Ugh.

Robyn made it look so easy compared to my previous attempts when the dough cracked and tore. Work quickly. Dust with flour. Roll from the center of the circle to the outer edge, but don't run the pin off the edge. Don't roll back and forth. Dust, flip, dust, roll. Lather, rinse, repeat.

hey, Hey, HEY!!! I did it! No cracking, no tearing. Get OUT!


Bottom crust

The top crust went just as well.


Looking good

It baked at 425 for 20 min, then I covered the edges with foil for the next 30 min at 375 degrees and removed the foil for the last 10 minutes.


Apple Pie!

It really looks like something. Even if it's apple soup inside, it'll be apple soup in a perfect pie crust. Waiting it to cool completely before cutting is incredibly difficult. Wow. I did it. Thank you Robyn & KAF!

HKF

It's Hand Knit Friday! What hand knits are you wearing today?

This cold and wet morning calls for the newly finished Quilted Lattice Mitts from Knit Purl Gurl's Spur of the Moment KAL.


Quilted Lattice Mitts
Project details on Ravelry