This and That....links to cool stuff, and lots of chocolate

It is 8 degrees outside now, and I just got back from walking the dogs.

I like these slipper socks, there is a free pattern for knit or crochet (from LionBrand)

These are called Cottage slipper socks and also available in a free download either knit or crochet (from LionBrand)

I fell in love with this little gingerbread man ornament. You could still make this a last minute stocking stuffer or wouldn't he look cute on a package? This is a free crochet pattern.

Check out this Knitters Review article on the new Addi Click Interchangeable Needles.

I love this floppy hat, you get the pattern free with purchase of the yarn at Colorful Stitches, they have a list of totally free patterns here.

I had to explain what a Muff was to someone at work yesterday. And here is a pattern for one if your feeling nostalgic.

I am lusting after some KnitPicks DPN wip tubes

and the Chart Keeper, my pattern instructions usually look like I slept with them, and sometimes I do, (especially when working an off shift).

I am done knitting all of my gifts, but my husbands fingerless gloves. Every year I am knitting on Christmas eve. (I've decided to think of this as a tradition)

I have all the gifts posted (all of our family lives at least 4 hours away), and I have all of my baking done! This year we made 35 dozen cookies, (no pics of this due to extreme messiness) and 12 lbs of German Chocolate Fudge. This fudge was so loved by everyone young and old, I am passing on the recipe to you.....my mother-in-law doesn't consider this "real" fudge due to the fact that it contains marshmallow creme, but this makes it fool proof. (even for me)

German Chocolate Fudge

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

6 1 oz squares of German sweet chocolate

6 1 oz squares of Semi sweet chocolate

1 jar marshmallow creme (7 oz)

4 1/2 cups white sugar

2 tablespoons butter

1 can evaporated milk (12 oz)

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 cups chopped nuts (optional)

1. Combine sugar, butter, evaporated milk and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook at a slow boil for 6 min. (stir, stir, stir, this is the only hard step)

2. Dump all of the chocolate, and marshmallow creme into the pan. Stir with a wooden spoon until smooth, then add nuts if you like them, I usually use pecans.

3. Spread into a buttered 10X15 inch pan. Let stand until firm, (about 2-3 hours)cut into squares.

I have poured it into cookie sheets and cooled it. The pan makes thick pieces of fudge.

Depending on how you cut it and how thick you make it, it makes anywhere from 5 to 7 dozen pieces.

Enjoy!!!

May your needles fly as fast as dragonflies!!

Happy Holidays..

Technorati Tags: Knitted Muff pattern link,floppy hat kniited pattern link,gingerbreadman crochet pattern link,slippersocks knit and crochet pattern links,German Chocolate fudge recipe

Fibonacci and Knitting

Some time ago I learned that Fibonacci can be applied to knitting. If you are not familiar with Fibonacci, he was a mathematician from the middle ages. He figured out the relationship of proportions, now known as the golden ratio (or number), Fibonacci sequence or 1.618 or Phi. This sequence is seen in practically everything. I’ll link to several articles if you wish to learn more. From reproducing animals, to sea shells and galaxies, the human form and sunflowers. (Mona Lisa, Parthenon, and the pyramids of Egypt, just to name a few). This ratio is present in many, many more surprising things. The first time I used this was in my felted bag. I loved the random look of it. This pattern is The Big Bag Pattern (free on Ravelry) by Maia Discoe (link ) Below are a couple of links if you wish to learn more.. Fibonacci Numbers and Nature The Wiki and Fibonacci Mona Lisa -- Da Vinci's Use of Sacred Geometry (you tube link) In mathematics, the Fibonacci numbers or Fibonacci...

Review of a Kick Spindles Or Mother Marion to spin

When I made the decision to buy a Kick spindle I could find very little info on it, anywhere. Below is what I gathered, bought and my experience with mine. I could only find two being marketed, since I purchased mine I have found a third. Below is my views on the Kick spindle I purchased (Little Meggie from Heavenly Handspinning), and some info on all of the other Kick Spindles that I could locate. Links and costs are included. Review: Things I like about my Kick Spindle. 1. Long spin time, I like the addition of the ball bearing. 2. Leaves both hands free to draft 3. It's my "wheel" 4. I like using my foot, I am moving around and don't get stiff from one position. It's a very "active" type, rhythmic motion. 5. You can actually stand and use it also. 6. Great price point. 7. I have never spun on a wheel and when I sat down at one the first time, I could actually spin (some) I think this action of foot/hand coordination helped. 8. ...

Hills and Valleys Cowl/Hood (free pattern)

I was searching for the perfect cowl that I had in my mind to knit. Trawling on Ravelry, I wanted one, just the right size around, only once around my neck and not too tight, loose enough to pull up around my face and tall enough to get it around my ears during a windy dog walk, but able to squish it down into my collar of my coat and not be too thick and bulky. About a third of the way into the pattern I decided to make it long enough to pull up as a hood also. I finally just un-vented this one, as Elizabeth Zimmerman would say. Add caption This is a simple stitch textured cowl/hood (you decide the length). Suitable for beginning knitters. Purl ridges make the cowl easy to scrunchy down or pull up. You can wear the ribbed end on top if you are wearing it as a cowl to make it snuggie around your neck or, wear the purl ridges on top if you are pulling it up as a hood. If you have any questions or find an error please let me know so I can correct it! I’ve added some tuto...

Knitting Dragonflies

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