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The Back Porch

• short socks knit in It’s a Chard Sock Life from KnitSpinFarm

The Front Porch

Taking Back the River, a pattern for toe-up socks, is currently being test knit and will be published on June 20th.  It is the first of a four-pattern collection that will be released in the coming year.  All designs are inspired by Clarissa Pinkola Estés’ Women Who Run with the Wolves.  Follow #wwrwtwcollection and #takingbacktheriversocks on IG.

• Taking Back the River test knit in Sojourner Sock from Birch Hollow Fibers
• Rift Tee by Jacqueline Cieslak in Green Mountain Spinnery’s Cotton Comfort
• Bressay by Marie Wallin in MW British Breeds

#powerpantry

• Coconut Custard Macaroons

And Sew Forth

• tutorial for mask sewn with knit fabric
• #mmmay inspiration: Jennifer W (weboughtamanor on IG)
• follow #mostlyhandmadewardrobe on IG

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Test Knitters Wanted!

I have completed a draft for a toe-up sock pattern, the first in a four-pattern collection that takes its inspiration from Clarissa Pinkola Estés’ Women Who Run with the Wolves.  I need test knitters for 56, 64, and 72 stitch circumference socks in solid or tonal yarn. You will have approximately one month from issue of draft pattern to complete at least one sock.  Contact me via IG or Ravelry, indicating your preferred size.

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The Back Porch

Combo spin: 616 yds. 2-ply (singles spun on Turkish spindles; plied on Louët S10DT

The Front Porch

• It’s a Chard Sock Life on Targhee sock from Knit Spin Farm.  I love this yarn!  Working to get at least two pair of shortie socks that will be gifts for my mother and sister.
• Bressay by Marie Wallin will be on the needles this weekend.

#powerpantry

• Wild Rice Pancakes from The New Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook
• Rhubarb Gin Fizz
• Rhubarb Ginger Upside Down Oatmeal Cake 
• Creamy Asparagus, Lemon and Walnut Pasta

Off the Shelf

• “Topsy Turvey World” lyrics by William Brighty Rands (1823-82), featured on Natalie Merchant’s Leave Your Sleep

CLAP HANDS VIDEO PREMIER

Wednesday, May 6th @ 8 pm EST — receive link after making a donation to benefit Roy’s Hall in Blairstown, New Jersey

 

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It’s all about the small pleasures this episode.  A knitting project went bust, but I’m so enjoying my Moonrise pendant and some new spinning fiber.  Also in this episode: crackers, potted herbs and vegetables, what’s on my nightstand and looking forward to rhubarb!

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The Back Porch

Moonrise pendant (pattern by tiny owl knits)

There are now about 5x more beads added to the fringe!

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The Front Porch

Meditative spindling with new fiber for my Turtlemade turkish spindle: Rose Quartz rolags from Green Goat Ranch

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#powerpantry

• Za’atar spiced Chickpea Crackers
• Baked Ricotta with Spice-Poached Rhubarb

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Off the Shelf

• This Golden Fleece by Esther Rutter
• Curlew Moon by Mary Colwell
• Stefania Gomez’ poem about Swifts on Birdnote
• PoetryFoundation: How to Read a Poem by Edward Hirsch
• “Instructions on Not Giving Up” by Ada Limón

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A finished spinning project, plus knitting, felting and a poem in anticipation of April’s Pink Moon. I’ve been thinking about cooking and baking with spice blends like za’atar and lining up interesting things to read.

The Back Porch

I finished plying 8 ounces (550 yards) and I’m so happy with the result of this yarn.  The plan is to cast on Laura Chau’s Top Down Shoulder Warmer as soon as I am finished with my current project.

The Front Porch

Since recording this episode, I completed my pendant and I love the result!  I was able to shrink the dimensions a bit more with another thirty minutes of felting.  I used my lucet to create cordage with some linen yarn, and added linen fringe and beads. This pendant is bold, yet lightweight and easy to wear. The pattern is Moonrise Earrings from tiny owl knits.

#powerpantry

• Oatmeal Crackers from Taproot Magazine
• Za’atar Spiced Chick Pea Crackers with Sea Salt from Food52
• Epicurious za’atar recipe
• Cookie & Kate za’atar spice blend recipe

Off the Shelf

• This Golden Fleece by Esther Rutter
• Curlew Moon by Mary Colwell
• Phrases of the Moon by Andrew Joron

 

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April is National Poetry Month.  US Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo claims, “Without poetry, we lose our way.” William Carlos Williams wrote, “It is difficult / to get the news from poems / yet men die miserably every day / for lack / of what is found there.” In this episode, I share some poems for challenging times.  Thank you to listeners Sue, Nancy and Robin for submissions of poems to read on this episode.  I invite you to find a poem for solace and comfort, or to share poems with others.

• “This Is the Time to Be Slow” by John O’Donohue
• “Gala Melancholia” by Kelli Russel Agodon
• “Woman on a Beach” by Anne Michaels
• “Let Evening Come” by Jane Kenyon
• “How to Survive This” by Barbara Kingsolver
• “Heavy” by Mary Oliver

FIND MORE POEMS

• “25 Ways to Teach and Learn about Poetry with the New York Times“
• Poetry Foundation
• Poets.org

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How to Survive This

by Barbara Kingsolver

O misery. Imperfect

universe of days stretched out

ahead, the string of pearls

and drops of venom on the web,

losses of heart, of life

and limb, news of the worst:

Remind me again

the day will come

when I look back amazed

at the waste of sorry salt

when I had no more than this

to cry about.

Now I lay me down.

I’m not there yet.

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It’s another episode delivered blog style, but this time I do have some photographs and show notes.

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(mask)MAKER

I’ve been very busy with sewing masks for health care workers.  I’m using the pattern from Craft Passion. The outside fabric is scrap cotton; the lining is 100% cotton flannel, and the elastic is 1/4″. These masks are going the LVHN Pocono, my local hospital. So far, the feedback has been enthusiastic.

#silverlining

Found the Bald Eagle AND the nest on my morning walk this week.

spinning

Some spinning I’m doing on my collection of Jenkins’ Turkish spindles: Aegean, Lark and Kuchulu, all dressed with Hobbledehoy battlings.

#powerpantry

I had great success with the oatmeal cracker recipe from the GRAIN issue of Taproot.  We have been enjoying them with cream cheese, chèvre, and savory jams and jellies.  They are a delicious with a heart soup.

I’ve been taking Evan Kleiman’s suggestion of using leftovers as mise en place for the next meal.  There’s a helpful segment about stocking up on staples on the most recent Good Food podcast.