Tuesday 7 October 2008

A Heap of Warm Woollyness

Encouraged by my wonderful blogging friends to have a go at knitting a cardigan or jumper, I decided to frog a shawl that I had lost heart in and use the yarn to make a cardigan. I looked at Knitty and found some lovely cardigans, further exploration of the web turned up Knitting Plus with lots of patterns for the larger person. I finally decided on a Sirdar pattern I had used before. So far all is going well but there hasn't been much blogging going on. I just need to finish the sleeve and then the border/collar and I'll be back. Writers block struck and no more thoughts bubbled to the surface!
Finally Saturday evening blogging mojo crept back. Emily was making some biscuits at school on Friday morning, she did her usual substitue of dairy-free ingredients and made some delicious Apricot and Cherry Stars which fortunately I photographed before they all disappeared.














The recipe for Apricot and Cherry Stars, courtesy of school:

100g Vitalite or dairy free margarine,
50g Caster Sugar,
150g Plain Flour.
7 Apricots.
7 Cherries.

Method:
1. Oven temperature Gas no5 or 190 Celsius
2. Flour the baking tray lightly.
3. In a bowl cream the sugar and margarine until pale and fluffy
4. Add the chopped apricots and cherries.
5. Fold in the flour gently
6. Ease the mixture together into a ball using your fingers.
7. Knead the ball of dough lightly on work surface
8. Roll out the dough and cut out biscuits using a star shaped cutter.
9. Bake biscuits for 10 -15 minutes until golden brown.

I have also finished my cardigan and I love it. I used chunky wool - Magnum Chunky Acrylic / Wool mix by King Cole. I think the next one I make, I shall shorten the sleeves a little but otherwise I am very pleased with it and it only took me two weeks.

9 comments:

Leigh said...

You are so gorgeous in your knitted cardigan!

I have been getting caught up with you and your blog, total gorgeousness!

I hope Em is feeling much better!

raining sheep said...

Jane you are fabulous. What a great job on the cardi. It looks soft and cozy. And...the color is perfect because it will go with a ton of stuff. Hope you had a great weekend, I have this Monday off because its Thanksgiving holiday here in Canada.

The Blonde Duck said...

That sweater looks darling! I adore it! Those cookies looked wonderful too.

Anonymous said...

Wow - you did really well with your cardi, especially to finish it in two weeks. I never have the patience for proper full size garments and end up never finishing them.

Em's Stars look delish .... I'm conjuring up images of Apricot and Cherry Stars with lashings of clotted cream .... yum!

:)

Elizabeth said...

How wonderful, Jane!
And in only two weeks. Well, there is no stopping you now.

Mrs Moog said...

I'm so impressed that you knitted your cardi in two weeks! It looks great too :)

Great job on the cookies Em!

xxx

The Blonde Duck said...

Jane,

I'm glad to hear back from you! I was getting worried you'd disappeared!

Leigh said...

Hi Jane, I know you are in your knitting world, and I do not blame you!!!! But, I am having a giveaway and I wanted you to be able to enter, if you are interested!!! Hugs and Love, Leigh

Ally Jay said...

Wow, great knitting work. That's fast going and it looks lovely on you.