Hexagon Blanket

I initially started this blanket for myself because I had lots of little bits of leftover Noro Sock yarn from other projects. At first I thought I would just use all my scraps… but I have really fallen in love with the way it’s turning out so I have bought a few skeins specifically for the blanket. I’m not sure what size it’s going to end up being… it might keep growing with time (and when I can get my hands on more Noro Sock yarn). Ultimately it would be REALLY great if I could make it big enough for a double bed spread, but maybe that’s too ambitious? :-) I guess we’ll see :-)

You can see this project on Ravelry as well HERE

Laser Cut Wooden Jewellery

While today we had a pleasant reprieve from our wintery weather, with some sunshine and blue skies, I have been busily working away getting a few new things ready for my stores. HERE

I have added a few new laser cut wooden jewellery pieces, with more to come soon.

So stay tuned for more updates :-)

You may also like to look at this post about LASER CUT JEWELLERY

Work In Progress 22.06.2010

I have a few friends who are due to give birth soon, which is VERY exciting, so I have been busily trying to come up with some special handmade gifts for the new arrivals.

Booties are so cute (there's something extra sweet about tiny shoes) and they are a great way to use small amounts of yarn left over from other projects, and, more importantly, it's very cold around here at the moment! I didn't have a booties pattern that was quite right as I don’t know if the babies are going to be girls or boys, and all the patterns I currently have are a bit lacy, so I decided to attempt designing my own pattern (writing it down as I knit, so I can make a matching pair). I wanted to knit in the round, to avoid sewing up too many seams and I like the look of having minimal seams on a garment. I started it last night and I think the pattern is going well so far… I’ll have to wait and see what the first one looks like before I decide whether it’s going to be a success :-) And of course, if it is successful, I’ll put the pattern up on Ravelry :-)

Finished Scarf

Well, I had the knitting part of the scarf finished by the17th, but it took me a few days to complete the project by finishing it off with the picot crochet edge.
I’m REALLY happy with this scarf and the pattern used. I’m already thinking off all the other scarves I want to make using this pattern and some different yarns… I just need to find more time :-)

I'm pretty keen to get my hands on some more Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn and might have to make a trip into town to get some this week. I have been thinking about maybe using it to do some weaving on my Ashford Loom (which I haven't used for almost a year now! Eeep!)

Also this week, while I recover from my silly hand injury, I'll be finishing off some more designs for some new laser cut jewellery!! Hopefully I'll be able to stop being a little bit obsessive about the designs being "perfect" and actually have them made and in the store within the month :-) That would be nice!!

xx Shara

Work In Progress 15.06.2010

I managed to do a bit more of my scarf/shawl last night (although I am a bit slow, as I have injured my hand). I think I'm about 25% of the way through to the finished product, so I can't really complain about that progress :-)

Maybe I'll have it finished sooner than I think?!

See my previous post for more information about this project :-)

Work In Progress 14.06.2010

I have had a skein of Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn sitting in my yarn stash for quite a while and I knew I wanted to make some sort of scarf/wrap/shawl from it, but I didn't have a particular pattern in mind. So far I have started (and almost completed) 4 things with this skein, and have frogged them all (translation for non-knitting folks: frogging means to pull out all your stitches and re-wind your ball of yarn and start again).

Last night while browsing RAVELRY I came across this PATTERN.

I think this is the sort of thing I had been searching for all along, so I have started it today and will try to keep you up to date with my progress, in the hopes of having it finished and blocked and ready to wear in a week or two :-)

If you're a member on Ravelry too you can find me under the name: SharaDesigns. I'd love to have a few more contacts on Ravelry :-)

Aloo Gobi - Potato & Cauliflower Curry, Shara Style!

Here is a recipe for one of my favourite meals. I make this often and it's always very popular. It's really easy, cheap, suitable for folks who have special dietary needs such as Gluten Free diets, or who have fructose malabsorption and/or intolerances AND for vegetarians, and vegans (if you omit the yoghurt when serving, and use vegetable stock). It's also very easy to double this recipe when you need to feed a large group of friends (and great if you're on a limited budget). But most importantly, it's VERY tasty! (Even better the next day!!)

Aloo Gobi - Cauliflower and Potato Curry (Shara style!)

Ingredients:

1 tbs oil

1 tsp black mustard seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tbs minced fresh ginger

650g potatoes, diced

650g cauliflower, cut into small florets

700g Passata (Sugo di Pomodoro)

1/4 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp garam masala

2 tsp ground coriander

1 tbs brown sugar

1 cup veggie/chicken stock

salt to taste

Fresh Coriander (or parsley) to serve

Fresh lemon wedges to serve

250g plain yoghurt to serve

Heat oil in a large, heavy saucepan over moderate heat. When oil is hot, add mustard seeds, when they crackle, add cumin seeds and saute until cumin seeds darken a few shades. Add ginger, saute for a few minutes, then add potatoes and cauliflower.

Stir fry the veggies for 4-5 minutes.

Add passata, turmeric, garam masala, ground cumin, ground coriander, sugar, half the stock and salt to taste. Mix well, reduce heat to low, cover saucepan, and stirring occasionally, cook for 20 minutes, or until veggies are tender. Take care not to over stir the veggies as you might break up the potatoes.

If it seems a little dry or you would like the sauce a little more saucy add the remaining stock.

Serve with fresh coriander, yoghurt, lemon wedges, rice, a bit of salad and some flat bread or pappadams. Yum!

*You can also substitute some of the potato for some sweet potato/kumara for something different. It's delicious!!

*This recipe can easily be made vegan by omitting the yoghurt and only using vegetable stock.

*To bulk up this recipe you can add a tin of chickpeas, as long as that suits your dietary needs :-) Some folks with fructose malabsorption or intolerance can't have legumes.