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The Back Porch

• Iris by ririko in Elsbeth Lavold LinSilk
• I-cord + tassel necklace in Samite yarn with copper hardware
• a variation on the Humblebee sock pattern

TOUR DE FLEECE!

97 grams of spindle-spun battlings and assorted bits.

800 yards of indigo-dyed 3-ply yarn from Hog Island fiber.  I split this fleece with Emily of the FibreTown podcast at MDSW 2017.

The Front Porch

• Lotta by Marie Green in Beaver Slide Dry Goods 2-ply sock yarn
• Lovage by Marie Wallin

Ever-expanding Skill Set

I’m inspired to keep working with Dori Sanders’ recipe for no-churn lemon ice cream to see how far I can take it from the original. In this version, I reduced sugar to 2/3 cup, substituted lime rind and juice for the lemon, kept the heavy cream, but substituted coconut milk for the whole milk.  Scoopable, creamy, and delicious.

FERMENTED PICKLES!

With Mom’s help, I started a vat of fermented pickles.  They should age to taste over a period of 4-8 days, and can then be stored in the refrigerator.

I started by scrubbing and rinsing small pickling cucumbers in cold water, removing the blossom end of each one and trimming the stem off. In a clean glass jar, I layered some grape leaves, whole fresh dill heads, peppercorns, and peeled garlic cloves.  Then I added all of the cucumbers, one whole jalapeño pepper, and the garlic, peppercorns, dill heads.  After filling the jar with salt brine (1/3 c salt to 1/2 gallon water) I covered the top with grape leaves and added a glass weight to keep all of the contents below the level of the liquid.

Every day, I will skim the “scummy stuff” from the surface and after a few days, I’ll start tasting the pickles.  I can also remove, rinse, and replace the grape leaves to keep the top of the jar clean. This is my mother’s recipe.  For companionship on your fermented foods journey, join in the chatter on our thread.

And Sew Forth

Here is my first go at the Matcha Top from SewLiberated.  I love the look the collar creates.  It is perfect for framing a pendant necklace.  I also love this fabric, but I’m not sure what it’s called.  Any guesses? If I were to make this top again, I might lengthen it by several inches and belt it at the waist.

 

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I pre-recorded this episode for you to enjoy while I’m vacationing in Provincetown, Massachusetts.  I’ve packed waaay too many projects, but it’s good to have options, right?  I also share a poem by a beloved Ptown poet, Mary Oliver.

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Poems by Mary Oliver

• Breakage
• Wild Geese

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It was so hot that I didn’t do much knitting.  I was busy with a number of other projects, however, and managed to find some air conditioned crafting situations over the course of the past two weeks.  As I’m typing up these show notes, it’s a dark and stormy morning here in Delaware Water Gap.  The region is finally getting some much-needed rainfall.

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On the Porch

Iris tank by ririko in Elsbeth Lavold LinSilk

Tour de Fleece spinning

• Hog Island batts
• Hobbledehoy battlings and assorted fiber samples

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Ever-expanding Skill Set

For summer grilling and cooking with lots of produce, check out the Dishing Up the Dirt website or purchase Andrea’s book.  There are simple, nourishing recipes to help you get familiar with veggies you may not have encountered before. I tried the grilled kohlrabi and broccoli with a dipping sauce — delicious off the grill and as a cold salad the next day.

Yes, you MUST try Dori Sanders’ No Churn Ice Cream!  I’ve made the recipe three times. The mouthfeel is rich, but the flavor is a bright and bracing lemon to zap away the heat and humidity. And, there’s no fancy equipment necessary.  All you need is a bowl, a whisk, and an 8×8″ metal pan.

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And Sew Forth

• Merchant and Mills WORKBOOK 
• Uniform Tunic

Over the course of two days, we worked our way from taking measurements to nearly finished Uniform tunics.

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Thank you for your part in the Yarns at Yin Hoo community. It has been nearly five years and I’m so grateful for the friendships, knowledge, skill, and inspiration I’ve acquired as a result of deciding to start a little audio podcast about the fiber arts and other post-apocalyptic skills.  This week, I talk about returning to crochet with Cal Patch’s Boxet Bag.  My entry into the fiber arts was the occasion of learning to crochet in a staff development workshop. I feel so fortunate to have discovered fiber arts through the lens of crochet because it has brought out the best in my technique and understanding.  What is your foundation craft?  How does it continue to influence your making?  I would love to read about it on the Ravelry thread for this episode.

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The Back Porch

• Sew a Reversible Sun Hat tutorial on CreativeBug
• Boxet Bag by Cal Patch

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The Front Porch

• Hog Island spinning project for Tour de Fleece
• Uniform cardigan
• Lotta dress
• Iris tank

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Ever-expanding Skill Set

Dori Sanders’ No-Churn Fresh Lemon Ice Cream

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Off the Shelf

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On Thursday, July 19th, I’ll be facilitating an introduction to spinning on a Turkish spindle at Hope’s Favorite Things near Bangor, PA.  If you’re interested in the class, contact Hope’s shop!

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The Back Porch

• Brise cardigan designed by Hannah Fettig
• Chevron Fringe necklace designed by Susanne Sommer
• scarf woven with handspun and alpaca from Spinners End Farm

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The Front Porch

• Uniform cardigan
• Lotta dress
• Iris tank
• Metamorphic dress
• Creativebug: Sew a Reversible Sun Hat
• weaving yardage for a bag
• spinning Hog Island batts

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Ever-expanding Skill Set

• shrub recipe from Rachel Wolf in the Bloom issue of Taproot
• Rhubarb Custard Cake from Bon Appetit
• granola recipe from Lindsey of A Wooden Nest

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A Mindful Summer

Last summer, I completed the Mindful Educator Essentials course via mindfulschools.org.  Some podcast listeners were curious about my learning, so I created a separate series of audio content on the topic of mindfulness.  You can access it HERE.  This summer, I will participate in the Mindful Summer free online community, which is support network for starting a mindful practice or renewing your commitment to a daily practice.  From July 2 – August 12, there will be weekly inspiration posts and practice tips.  You can get more involved in the community with the APP.  Follow this LINK to sign up or find out more.

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In this special edition of the podcast, I include a few of my regular segments, as well as interviews with two fiber arts students in the Gifted & Talented Program at the school where I work.

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The Back Porch

Spindle-spun and wheel-plied Hobbledehoy battlings in the Wasabi & Ginger colorway: 541 yards light fingering weight 2-ply. Click HERE for project details.

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The Front Porch

I’ve just separated for the sleeves on Brise, an open-front cardigan by Hannah Fetig.  Click HERE for project details.

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Friends in Fiber: Two Interviews

Emily displayed her year of accomplishments at the senior art show this week.  Her published designs include:

• Starry Night Cowl from Knit Now
• Dancing Lights Shawl & Scarf from I Like Knitting
• Carrick Shawl from Knit Picks’ Windward collection

Let’s help Elysa with her Knit Happens to Help Gold Award project. I will be offering up $25 gift certificates to online yarn / notions / knitting supply shops for each 25 contributions of warm weather wear (hats, scarves, cowls, mittens). Please send me a PM on Ravelry if you’d like to send a contribution.  I can also collect items in person if we happen to be attending the same event.

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Off the Shelf

Knitting for Poets: Elizabeth Zimmerman by A. E. Stallings