i knit a sweater, yo!

I have unofficially declared 2012 "the year of finishing stuff". I actually have so much to do that I don't even know how I can finish it all. And that's assuming that I don't start anything new (ha!). One of my 2011 goals was to knit a wearable, so I started the Asymmetrical Raglan Cardi from the Fall 2010 issue of Knit Simple. At a certain point I got a little bored with it and it was cast to the side. For months and months. So I put it on my 2012 list of things to do (or in this case, finish).

And I did. And it is lovely.

I love the textured detail at the edges and collar:

Ends are weaved, but the buttons haven't been sewn on just yet. I got some lovely brown buttons made from coconuts. I think they will bring out the brown flecks in the tweed yarn. Love, love.

Now all I need is cooler weather so I can show 'er off!

yarn love - Alaska edition

I loved Alaska. I could have been blogging every day since my return about how incredibly incredible the trip was, but to be honest, a picture's worth a thousand words, so check out my trip pics on Flickr.

One part you won't find in the photos is my visit to a local yarn shop in Juneau - Seaside Yarns. Incredible spot (a 3 minute walk from the dock), with a fantastic yarn selection and an even more fantastic shop owner. By the way, she has her own ETSY shop, because she hand dyes some really gorgeous stuff. The shop is empty now because it's high tourist season, so go and fav it now and revisit it in the Fall/Winter. Or email her with requests and she'll help you out.

The green on the far left is a sock weight, hand-dyed wool blend. The middle skein is also a hand-dyed sock weight, but it also includes flecks of sterling silver. I HAD to buy it because the colorway is "Whale Watching", which is what we were going to be doing that day...and also because it was the most beautiful yarn ever. And as it happens, it was the most amazing whale watching trip ever. The yarn on the far right is a qiviut (muskox wool) blend. SO soft, so amazing.

Can't wait to get started with the knitting...and then probably order more. I love supporting someone so passionate about their work and their product! Seriously, check her out.

Dueling stripes scarf

When I started planning out my 2012 projects, my favorite brother-in-law put in a request for a scarf. Easy enough, right? Surprisingly, picking a pattern and a yarn was much tougher than I thought it would be. If you're giving a handmade gift, there's pressure for it to be right, and doubly so when it was a special request. Triply so when it's for your favorite BIL. 

I finally decided on the famed Noro striped scarf that uses two colorways of Silk Garden. I fell in love with two Chroma colorways, and off I went! It was a fun knit, and I love the way it turned out. It stood up to the Alaskan wilderness, so I'm calling it a success. 

eggplant and goat cheese "sandwiches"

I am completely on a roll with Pinterest recipes. I saw this eggplant and warm goat cheese "sandwich" recipe last week and I knew. I just knew. I don't have much experience with cooking eggplant (read: I have zero experience cooking eggplant), but I love eating it. This recipe inspired me to get over my fear of the mysterious purple gourdish vegetable - and I'm so glad I did!

First, let me say that the recipe is a little spotty on details for someone with no eggplant experience. Ultimately, I just tossed the 1/2 inch slices in egg, then in gluten-free bread crumbs mixed with parm. Then I fried them in olive oil until they were tender and golden, laid them on a cookie sheet with a 1oz scoop of goat cheese in the center of half the slices. I baked at 350 for about 8 minutes, spread the cheese around and topped with an un-cheesed slice of eggplant.

For next time, I will lightly salt the eggplant ahead of time, add some extra herbs into the egg mixture, and I will top the goat cheesed slices with some super sweet maters, sliced. (Jose garnished his with bacon and seemed to really enjoy it).

Also, I'll use a tomato-based sauce next time. I had just whipped up a batch of pesto, and I just couldn't pass up an opportunity to have some.