Settler | Testing { Knitting}

It feels like I have not been knitting for a while - I was not feeling it for some reason. I have started Nord again whilst on holiday and suddenly I wondered how I could have lost my knitting mojo (the heat maybe?). And now I cannot stop knitting, hopefully that means that some projects will get finished (finally) and also that I will be able to start on baby projects (a little more than 3 months to go, and nothing is ready!)

And of course this is not an old project that needs finishing, nor a baby project. I am again testing for Libby (I tested Skeppe last year) and in the process made a decision regarding this beautiful yarn originally meant to be the Follow your Arrow KAL. I decided to frog and keep the yarn for the right project. And this is it - a shawl that will be worn more like a scarf, more my style. 

Although the patterns calls for a fingering yarn, which this is, my gauge is actually totally off - and there is not a lot I can do about it. I am still carrying on with this yarn, hoping to have a good go at blocking the shawl and make it grow, and end up with the right length. Fingers crossed. 

This project is a destash one, no new yarn bought, although I was tempted.

But I was reading about self-sufficiency in Extracurricular magazine, following Melody's WIP post, and I have now read mine cover to cover - I even made my husband read an article. It is a great start to understand how people interpret sustainability and how they include it in their lives. Totally inspiring. 

I will be linking up to Small Things today. 

Also check out le challenge today for a discount code at Mary Emmens vintage shop and a chance to enter her giveaway - this month's theme is ERA! 

The Brasilia Dress | WIP {Dressmaking}

I know I still have many WIPs that are sitting in my to-do box and adding one more project should really not be on my agenda. But I really wanted to test the Brasilia dress pattern. I thought this was the perfect dress for Mr MiH forthcoming Christmas do (massive event usually in some posh venue, although in Luton this year, hmm yes...). 

Rachel's version

My original idea was a black version of the dress - always good for testing a pattern and when I am going to challenge my sewing skills. But I found this fabric at my local John Lewis and just knew I had to use it. 

Clearly this is not my usual style. And looking at the fabric laying flat on my living room floor I did not really like it anymore. Never mind, it was the fabric I chose and I was going to make a dress out of it! 

I did the grading, it was not as bad as I feared as it was a case of widening (quite a bit) the waist and shortening the top half of the body. I also lengthen the bottom of the dress, but I am not sure whether I am going to keep that modification, I just wanted to have the option. 

I am making very good progress. The front panel is already made, I just need to get on the case of the invisible zipper... 

Pearl Tassel {knitting}

I finished it last week but needed to send my notes back to Libby for the test knit. And she is onto a winner, this pattern is going to be a success. It looks great, easy to wear and is a super fit. Unfortunately you will have to wait for her to publish the pattern before you can make yourself one!

I cannot tell you a lot about it, as the pattern is not yet released - but trust me is not as difficult as it looks, really - which is great. It makes it a very quick knit. 

I knitted it in Malabrigo worsted (pearl) - The colourway is great, as it goes with everything. 

Looks at the back of it, I can't get over it. It looks amazing 

In my feedback I asked Libby to consider making mittens for the pattern, that would make a very complete pattern, and guess what I have a bit of that malabrigo left over, so it would be perfect! I will of course let you know when the pattern is available and there may even be a giveaway...

Testing {Recipe} Ciambella allo Yogurt

For those watching the numerous cookery programs in the UK you are not going to be surprised to see this recipe featured. I tried the Nigelissima Ciambella or the yoghurt pot cake that she presented last Monday. I followed the video and the recipe to the letter - all with cornflour, vanilla extract etc. I thought I could be clever and use the mini kougloff baking mould I just bought. I had vision of a light cake that we could have for breakfast or enjoy with a nice cup of tea. 

The Nigelissima attempt

Well I am not going to even bother writing down the recipe here, as it was not edible - according to my taste buds. The consistency was sticky (it took forever to bake through) and it was way too sugary for my taste. I left it on the side for Mr MiH to try - and he likes it... So maybe it is just me, but as I am the one editing the blog, I choose which recipe I am writing about. 

I had to leave for France since the cooking of these things, and I was resolved to actually bake the cake I expected whilst out here. A lot of little research later I ended up in with an Italiano-English recipe of the Ciambella allo Yogurt. If you are going to make an Italian cake, better follow an Italian blogger. Had to get some ingredients. I am not sure how my Mum can live without baking powder at home.. Find a tin, a little help from my Grandma on this one, who lives in the next town. And we were ready to go. 

And this version is much more like what I expected the cake to be. It is really moist and airy, and quite plain, save for the underlying tanginess of the lemon zest. It was a hit at home (hence the fact I did not get time to a picture of the full cake, then again someone had to try it after the disaster that was the first one). This is a super easy recipe, and really inexpensive. The fact that the yoghurt pot is your measuring device makes it much more effortless as well. For effect, you could add a lemon glaze. 

I used the same ingredients as was suggested on the blog, so nothing new. The two changes I made were: starting by the yoghurt as I needed the pot to measure everything else; and to separate the eggs and beat the egg whites to make the cake even lighter (I did learn something from Nigella's recipe). 

To make this cake, you are going to need:

• 1 small pot of plain yoghurt (easier with a real pot -125g - or use a ramekin so you can use it to measure the other ingredients)
• 3 eggs (separated)
• 2 pots of caster sugar
• 3 pots of plain flour
• one lemon zest
• half a pot of vegetable oil
• 2 heaped teaspoons of baking powder 
• a little bit of milk

How to make it?

1. Grease the baking tin you managed to get your hands on (a Savarin mould is perfect), and dust it lightly with flour. Preheat the oven to 180°C. 

2. Empty the yoghurt pot in your bowl, sift the flour and baking powder into it; Add the egg yolks, oil, sugar, and lemon zest, and beat using an electric whisk, until pale and creamy. Stir half the egg whites to liquidify the batter, and fold the rest in (to get the lighter texture). Add a little bit of milk to the batter so it pours more easily into the mould.

3. Pour the mixture into the baking tin, and bake in the oven for about 50 minutes until well risen and firm to the touch. Turn off the oven, but leave the cake for another 5 minutes before taking it out.  Leave it to cool in the tin.

And here we are, I am leaving my parents tonight safe in the knowledge that they can have something to eat, when I probably have nothing left at home! As it is my last trip before the baby is born, and we get him his passport, I suppose it is worth it!