Too Many Things To Discuss
I read a lot of blogs…but I have to admit, when I’m going through my standard list (see sidebar), and I find a blog with a big ole block of text, I usually either skim briefly or go to the next one.
With That Being Said…
…today’s blog has a lot of stuff, but it will be mostly pictures.
Current Knitting
Having finished the afghan, I also finished the Noro Kureyon socks (even though my picture still shows a couple more rounds to go.
I’m planning on washing them to see if the Kureyon sock yarn will bloom a little bit.
I also started a new sock.
Obviously, it’s a top-down sock, and I’m using the leftover laceweight alpaca from Briar Rose Fibers. I’m making this sock on US0000 needles. Each round is 112 stitches, so this pair of socks may take me quite a while.
I have also decided to start a new sweater, but I haven’t even swatched for it yet, so I’ll post pictures on the next blog entry.
Fiber to Scarf Exchange
For those who don’t know, Ted organized a Fiber to Scarf exchange. A week or so ago, I got back what originally started as merino roving, but Michael had turned it into this.
He made a lovely center-cable scarf on a garter background. He was able to keep a wonderful differentiation in colors and make a lofty and soft yarn and resulting scarf. I’m quite pleased, and trying to keep Thaddeus from claiming this scarf as his.
Non-Knitting Stuff
Thaddeus and I went out foraging for mushrooms a couple weeks ago and found a bunch of one of my favorite mushrooms.
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This rather large cluster of mushrooms is technically known as grifola frondosa, but is also know as ram’s head (giving it a slight knitting reference…no?), or hen of the woods or maitake in Japan. It’s an incredibly tasty mushroom that keeps it texture very well during cooking.
Noro Kureyon does bloom slightly – my other half washed my socks on 40 degs C by accident (it also shrank, but by a miniscule amount). I usually use the 30 deg delicates wash for wool.
I have been meaning to ask, where would be a good place to start when one wants to start picking mushrooms (is that even the right terminology?)? Do you have a book you could recommend? A website perhaps? Thanks in advance. Oh, and, I love the socks. I have a skein of Noro Kureyon yarn and have started and frogged several pairs of socks….I just can’t seem to get past the fact that they are so darn scratchy! But seeing a pair completed, I might just suck it up and get on with the knitting because they are beautiful!
Those mushrooms look delicious. Something happened to our Rams Head mushrooms, we haven’t been able to harvest them in recent years. I’m jealous of those fantastic ones!
Oooh, maitake! Lucky you — not only delicious, but worth a bundle on the open market. That cabled garter stitch scarf is gorgeous, too.
I too would like to know how the two of you learned to identify edible mushrooms. Wish I had paid closer attention when grandma was still alive. Hope to see the two of you at Rhinebeck.
You have no idea how THRILLED I am to know that mine was not the last scarf tendered for the Fiber to Scarf exchange. Phew.
I am always happy to see my favorite Polack with a basketful of propinki. You know my only 2 criticisms of your blog are not enough Nico and not enough Thaddeus!
Socks look great. I’ll have to dig up my Noro sock that I started in June…
Hi — I’m a new reader of your blog. The pictures are great. The afgan you just finished is beautiful — great colors.
I’ve been knitting for years. I am obsessed with smaller knitting. I have US 0, but didn’t know US0000 even existed. Where do you buy US0000 needles?
I have a set of 0000 needles, but it never occurred to me to knit socks with them. I bought mine from a shop that had a lot of beaded knitting supplies.
The Kureyon sock yarn says hand wash, but we tried to felt it and it wouldn’t felt well…but definitely fluffed up, so it will bloom nicely and not feel so rough.
I think thaddeus deserves the scarf for picking the tasty mushrooms!
(ducks as joe throws something at me) LOL
Thaddeus is very cute.
The mushrooms are very scary looking.
To get the info on the right mushrooms, contact your state extension service. I’m sure Canada has a similar program. My husband has been a member on and off of a local mycological association. They’ve been on several forays for those delectable things. Would be cool to get some of those maitakes. Probably don’t grow in Montana. We usually feast on morels-in the spring and early summer.
I had to giggle when I saw the US0000 needles. I just finished a giant cable scarf on size US19s. I’m not usually into the ginormous yarns, but this thing is so darn cute. I was thinking of doing some socks on US1s, and was feeling so full of myself for being so daring. I’m now bowing to your superior skills once more. I’m not worthy!!!!!!!
Your ‘shrooms are amazing, too!
There’s a beautiful scarf using the Kureyon sock yarn in the latest issue of Interweave Crochet.
Kathy’s tasty shawl scored the cover! You can’t tell from the pic, but the Manos Silk Wool has just enough shimmer that I think the shawl would look like sunshine on autumn leaves.
Agreed — more Nico and more Thaddeus!
Hey, thanks, Rogue!
It does look quite autumnal, doesn’t it?
Hi Joe, didn’t know you were a mushroom enthusiast. I’m forever photographing them, but not confident enough to try eating any, usually. But once I found a dead tree covered in oyster mushrooms, and I knew they were safe: delicious of course.
I find myself giggling at your identification of your favorite mushroom. Not because it has a funny name, but of all the names you mentioned I only knew the Japanese one. I have been an asian cooking enthusiast for a while and find myself often using the Japanese name for many produce items you just can’t find in regular grocery markets. Maitake is a super yummy mushroom.
There is a pretty comprehensive review of that book on the new Knitting Scholar website. I’m not sure how to post links that work into a comment but here it is…
http://knittingscholar.com/2008/10/08/continuous-cables/
What will you guys be making with that beautiful bunch of mushrooms?