What I'm Reading Tuesday: January 31, 2017

     This week, I'm reading Turbo Twenty-Three by Janet Evanovich. I'm thirteen chapters in and still waiting to get into it. The only kinda-interesting thing that has happened is Stephanie's working in an ice cream factory because some guy from human resources was turned into a fudge pop. I am so ready for this series to end. We all know Stephanie is going to marry Morelli.

Making Monday: Crock Pot Crack Chicken

     So for today's making Monday recipe, I'm going to share with you all a Crock Pot recipe called "Crack Chicken." We are currently eating Low Carb-High Fat (Or Keto) and are definitely enjoying our favorite foods in a healthier way. This recipe was one we found shared in the Low Carb and Loosing It Original Group Facebook page and we have just adapted to our liking. This is my all-time favorite way to eat chicken right now.

We use...

• 1 whole chicken (or 5 leg quarters)
• 4 oz. cream cheese 
• 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Powder (Not the stuff for ranch dip!)
• 1/2 to 1 package of bacon. (You could also do bacon bits if you don't have the time/don't want to fry bacon)

     After you've fried up your bacon (or not) put the chicken in the crock pot first, then slice up the cream cheese and distribute it over the chicken, Take the ranch packet and just shake it evenly over everything, throw in your bacon pieces and cook on high for 6 hours.

     The chicken gets really tender and falls right off the bone. Just make sure to get some of the toppings too!

Work in Progress Wednesday: January 25, 2017

New Back

Most of hat was left after I ripped out.

New Front

     This week has been the week of the Serenity. I had to rip out the Serenity by Joji Locatelli because it turns out what I thought was a size US 4(3.5mm) needle was actually a US 3(3.25mm). After riping out the sweater, I swatched and ended up restarting the sweater with a size US 5(3.75mm) and am back to where I was when I ripped.

     I also worked on my Color Affection by Veera Valimaki some while I read when the Serenity was at the short row sections. I've only put in a few rows since the rows are so long now. but I did decide that rather than doubling sections 2 and 3 and having to bind off a gazillion stitches, I'm just going to do 1 1/2 times sections 2 and 3 and bind off half a gazillion stitches. In the photo, I am on the last stripe and I will start the short rows eventually.

     And the Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder in Knit Picks Stroll Handpainted "Gemstone" are coming along slowly but surely. I'm still getting the hand of Two-at-a-time socks so it's slow going.


     The last thing I've been working on this week is spinning. I've been spinning a lot more lately and am working on my Woolgatherings 50/25/25 merino/bamboo/silk.

     What have you been working on this week? I'd love for you to share in the comments!

What I'm Reading Tuesday: January 24, 2017

     So I discussed a while ago that my goal for the year, to read only one book at a time, lasted an excruciating nine whole days. This week, I've been reading three books.

     First up, A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas because I had to start it immediately. And Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas because everyone on the Bookaholic Cafe Facebook group is reading it and I had to jump on the bandwagon. (Go join the group, it's wonderful!)

     I'm enjoying A Court of Mist and Fury tremendously and have come to the conclusion (as of chapter 13) that Tamlin is a TOTAL JERK and Rhysand obviously cares for Feyre more than he is letting on. As for Throne of Glass, I'm only three chapters in because I've been sucked into the world of Prythian. I am looking forward to getting to know Celeana though.

     And on my Kindle, What Light by Jay Asher. Jay Asher wrote Thirteen Reasons Why, one of my favorite books which I have read three times. So far, I'm not a fan of the book, but I'm still early in and I want to give it at least five chapters before giving up.

Will I Ever Knit a Sweater that I Don't Have to Rip Out?

     If you've followed the blog for a while, then you know that I have started tons of sweaters. Okay... Like 10ish. But how many sweaters have I actually finished? 3. Out of all of the sweaters that I've started, I've finished four. And technically, one of them was still to big and the wrong dimensions because I can't leave well enough alone and messed that one up, and one was too small because I hate swatching. With my second Featherweight, I knit it in sport weight so technically I altered that too. So out of the three sweaters I've finished, I've only knit one according to pattern. ONE.  *sigh*

Attempt #1 or #2, I can't remember.

     The Hana Hou by Mel Ski was actually my first sweater. I was going to do it out of handspun and I was trying to alter the gauge to (what I thought) I would follow. It ended horrendously. Three times. Well, I didn't actually finish the sweater any of those times, but did I learn, no. I thought I could figure it out. Thankfully, Grace loves boxy sweaters and still enjoys it today.

     I realized last week that the Cozy Neighborhood that I started last summer for Grace's Christmas gift, Was too small. Barely, but enough that it wouldn't be flattering. I (again) was trying to alter the pattern fit because apparently I have little faith in designers actually knowing what their doing. (So NOT TRUE! I absolutely know that designers are the experts.) At first I did the extra-small size for the whole sweater (as much as I had knit anyway.) and this second time around I had done the medium for the shoulders and the extra small for the rest. I currently have a whole sweater body minus the bottom shaping, and of course, as fate would have it, I need to rip it out. I will be knitting the medium size the whole way this time. I will not alter it in any way, and I will put all of my trust into Joji Locatelli.

Take 1. I had to pray it would fit
on the hanger.

Current progress It's fitting!

      Did you think that was all? Haha. NO! I also had to restart the Serenity by Joji Locatelli. This error was a complete mistake though. When I started this sweater at Grace's house back in August, Grace had already started it but it needed fixed. As it turns out, she thought she had cast on with a size US 4(3.5mm) when in reality it was cast on with a US 3(3.25mm). Neither of us actually like to swatch by the way, can you tell? When I finally realized this, three inches past the armholes,, I decided to be a good knitter and swatch. I'm glad I did too because I didn't get gauge with fours either. I ended up casting back on with US 5(3.75mm) needles and am finally knitting a sweater that *should* fit her. On a good note, what took me a few months to knit has only taken me a week this time.

      Now, just because I've only technically knit one to pattern sweater, I am not discouraged. I have plenty of sweaters on the needles with plans to knit plenty more this year. I will not be deterred. Let's just hope I don't try and "fix" the patterns.