Wednesday, March 30, 2011
meet Kyr
Meet Kyr Konstantin Ryabitsev (pronounced Keer), the newest member of the Fuzzy Mitten family. He was born on March 6, after only 34 weeks, so we spent a while in the hospital. But he is fine now, and we're settling in at home. I'll write more when I've not got a sleeping baby in my other arm.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
recipe: tasty spiced muffins
Things have become very quiet around here, as we wait these last few weeks for our second baby. There's plenty of baby knitting going on, but not much to share in the way of toys. However, as I was mixing up a batch of muffins yesterday, I realized it's been ages since I shared a recipe with you.
This is a modified version of a muffin recipe from a Company's Coming book. I make them a little differently every time, but they're always tasty, and make a perfect snack for kids. If you check labels when selecting ingredients, you can make sure they're nut-free (always a requirement for daycare and school snacks). I've added a list of variations at the end, so you can use whatever you have on hand or like best.
1 batch makes 12 regular, or 24-30 mini muffins
1 cup finely grated carrot
2 eggs
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
Preheat the oven to 400 F and line or oil your muffin tins.
In a medium bowl, mix the first set of ingredients in the order listed. Set aside.
In a second larger bowl, mix the second set of ingredients. Pour in the wet ingredients from the first bowl, and mix with a wooden spoon until just combined (if you over-mix, they will be tough and full of holes).
Divide the batter into the muffin cups. Bake for 15-20 minutes*, until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Pumpkin: replace the 1 cup of grated carrot with 1 cup of cooked and pureed squash/pumpkin
Applesauce: replace the 1 cup of grated carrot with 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce
Fresh Apple: replace the 1 cup of grated carrot with 1 cup of grated apple (cored and peeled)
Zucchini: replace the 1 cup of grated carrot with 1 cup of grated zucchini
*Depending on the variation you choose, the batter will be a bit wetter or drier; but I find they all work just fine, simply requiring slightly different baking times.
And if you're in the mood for something sweeter, check out the spiced cupcake recipe on my friend's blog. She even has pretty photos to go with hers.
This is a modified version of a muffin recipe from a Company's Coming book. I make them a little differently every time, but they're always tasty, and make a perfect snack for kids. If you check labels when selecting ingredients, you can make sure they're nut-free (always a requirement for daycare and school snacks). I've added a list of variations at the end, so you can use whatever you have on hand or like best.
Tasty Spiced Muffins
1 batch makes 12 regular, or 24-30 mini muffins
1 cup finely grated carrot
2 eggs
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
Preheat the oven to 400 F and line or oil your muffin tins.
In a medium bowl, mix the first set of ingredients in the order listed. Set aside.
In a second larger bowl, mix the second set of ingredients. Pour in the wet ingredients from the first bowl, and mix with a wooden spoon until just combined (if you over-mix, they will be tough and full of holes).
Divide the batter into the muffin cups. Bake for 15-20 minutes*, until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Variations
Pumpkin: replace the 1 cup of grated carrot with 1 cup of cooked and pureed squash/pumpkin
Applesauce: replace the 1 cup of grated carrot with 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce
Fresh Apple: replace the 1 cup of grated carrot with 1 cup of grated apple (cored and peeled)
Zucchini: replace the 1 cup of grated carrot with 1 cup of grated zucchini
*Depending on the variation you choose, the batter will be a bit wetter or drier; but I find they all work just fine, simply requiring slightly different baking times.
And if you're in the mood for something sweeter, check out the spiced cupcake recipe on my friend's blog. She even has pretty photos to go with hers.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
pdf pattern sale changes
With everything we have to do before our new baby arrives, keeping up with email has gotten to be quite a chore. In order to give myself a bit of a break, I've decided to stop selling patterns on Etsy. However, my Etsy shop will stay open for selling toys, kits, and other odds and ends when I have time to make them. It's always been a bit of a pain selling PDF patterns on Etsy, since I have to list them individually, email them on time (hoping that the email address provided actually works!), and try to keep up with which ones are sold out.
Instead, we'll be switching pattern sales to Ravelry (my website already has a handy link to my shop there). You get to see a lot more info about the patterns, a download link is emailed to you as soon as you pay, and you never have to worry about a pattern being sold out. Besides all this, Ravelry is a great resource and community, and well worth exploring if you love to knit and crochet. Because I won't be able to offer the discount pattern bundles there, we're going to reduce the price of most patterns (excluding a few which are already cheaper there).
Unfortunately, we'll still have to sell our printed books through Lulu (the printer), since Ravelry only does PDF patterns. I know this might be a bit confusing, but the book pages on Ravelry do link to my Lulu shop, if you prefer a paper copy of the books.
I plan to get this done tomorrow (Feb. 23), although it will take me an hour or so to change all the pattern prices on Ravelry. Hopefully this change won't be too confusing for you, and will free up my time to answer your questions and contribute to Ravelry discussions.
Instead, we'll be switching pattern sales to Ravelry (my website already has a handy link to my shop there). You get to see a lot more info about the patterns, a download link is emailed to you as soon as you pay, and you never have to worry about a pattern being sold out. Besides all this, Ravelry is a great resource and community, and well worth exploring if you love to knit and crochet. Because I won't be able to offer the discount pattern bundles there, we're going to reduce the price of most patterns (excluding a few which are already cheaper there).
Unfortunately, we'll still have to sell our printed books through Lulu (the printer), since Ravelry only does PDF patterns. I know this might be a bit confusing, but the book pages on Ravelry do link to my Lulu shop, if you prefer a paper copy of the books.
I plan to get this done tomorrow (Feb. 23), although it will take me an hour or so to change all the pattern prices on Ravelry. Hopefully this change won't be too confusing for you, and will free up my time to answer your questions and contribute to Ravelry discussions.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
pookies now available
Can you knit just one of these cute critters?
The pattern is now available on Ravelry and Etsy (the difference in price is due to fees, but you don't need a Ravelry account to buy the pattern there, and you don't need to wait for me to email it!).*
Here are the main details. Pookies are bean-bag animal toys in 3 sizes (3", 3 1/2", 4"). To make a set of 3 toys (one of each size), you need 50 g each of 3 colours of worsted weight yarn. However, this is a great project for using left-over yarn. The toys are completely knit in the round, on 4 mm DPNs or circular needle (your choice). The ears and hood are knit separately, then attached to the toy. The pattern gives instructions for 5 ear styles: mouse/hamster, bunny, puppy, kitty, and bear. Other materials required are polyester stuffing, ¼ cup dried beans or plastic beads per toy, 3 pairs of 9 mm safety eyes, black yarn to embroider the face, tapestry needle, 2 stitch markers.
If you're a member of my Ravelry group, I would love some photos and feedback on the pattern, since these toys are very different from my other designs.
Happy knitting everyone, and I hope you all have a great day!
*I won't be listing the pattern on Lulu, because their fees are too high, and we're going to move away from selling anything but the books there.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
a new design!
Goodness, I haven't been around much lately, have I? Well, I certainly haven't been slacking! There have been a few baby knits completed, 2 pairs of socks for Lev (never did get photos of those, and now they are much worn), a custom toy, and a new design!
The idea for the new design came to me from a bean-bag toy Lev was given for his birthday. I loved the size and shape of it, and was amazed by how much he enjoyed playing with it (aren't simple toys often the best?). I had fun over the holidays imagining how I could make my own version of a cute little bean-bag toy, and finally couldn't resist any longer. I know I had planned to spend this year updating old patterns (as well as, you know, having a new baby and all that entails!), but sometimes the urge to create will not be still.
I dug through my stash to come up with as many odds and ends of bright colours as I could find, and quickly knit up 5 of the little guys! Really, each one takes about 2-3 hours from start to finish. I decided on a knit-in-the-round design, as that was simplest, and I know many of you prefer knitting without seams (if you're still learning, this would be a great project for practice). I added stripes and a hood for extra cuteness, plus the opportunity to play with colour combinations.
I've written instructions for 3 sizes and 5 different ears/animals (4 are shown in the photo. The bear is not shown, as Lev claimed that one, and it's well-played with now). But it's super easy to customize the ears and face embroidery if you want something different - I bet a little person would be just as cute, with hair peaking out from under the hood!
I'm hoping to release the pattern very soon, but as always, it depends on when we can find time to get it all together (life with a toddler is never quiet). I hope you all like the new toy, and I really look forward to them popping up over on Ravelry!
The idea for the new design came to me from a bean-bag toy Lev was given for his birthday. I loved the size and shape of it, and was amazed by how much he enjoyed playing with it (aren't simple toys often the best?). I had fun over the holidays imagining how I could make my own version of a cute little bean-bag toy, and finally couldn't resist any longer. I know I had planned to spend this year updating old patterns (as well as, you know, having a new baby and all that entails!), but sometimes the urge to create will not be still.
I dug through my stash to come up with as many odds and ends of bright colours as I could find, and quickly knit up 5 of the little guys! Really, each one takes about 2-3 hours from start to finish. I decided on a knit-in-the-round design, as that was simplest, and I know many of you prefer knitting without seams (if you're still learning, this would be a great project for practice). I added stripes and a hood for extra cuteness, plus the opportunity to play with colour combinations.
I've written instructions for 3 sizes and 5 different ears/animals (4 are shown in the photo. The bear is not shown, as Lev claimed that one, and it's well-played with now). But it's super easy to customize the ears and face embroidery if you want something different - I bet a little person would be just as cute, with hair peaking out from under the hood!
I'm hoping to release the pattern very soon, but as always, it depends on when we can find time to get it all together (life with a toddler is never quiet). I hope you all like the new toy, and I really look forward to them popping up over on Ravelry!
Friday, January 14, 2011
hint #11
Over the years, I have been asked many times to design an underwear pattern for my toys. My first thought was always, "but, they're stuffed animals!" However, I've been asked often enough by now that I decided it's time to offer a couple of suggestions here. I wanted to design a simple free pattern, but some other things are keeping my hands full (such as a busy toddler). Whenever I do find the time, I will add the pattern to this post.
Both these suggestions are for my standard 8" size toy (like this or this), although the first would also work for the big teddy and bunny patterns.
My first suggestion is quite simple: work the last 1/3 of the body rows in white yarn (or yarn co-ordinating with the toy's outfit). If the pattern you have is older and doesn't include row counts (and you don't feel like counting them yourself), you can start the white on this row:
Next: k3, m1, k1, m1, k27, m1, k1, m1, k3. (39 sts)
My second suggestion is to use either the bikini bottom from my Alpaca pattern, or the shorts from my Koala pattern (although you will want to shorten the legs on these). The lederhosen in Clothing Bundle 3 is also similar to the shorts, so you could try that pattern as well.
Both these suggestions are for my standard 8" size toy (like this or this), although the first would also work for the big teddy and bunny patterns.
My first suggestion is quite simple: work the last 1/3 of the body rows in white yarn (or yarn co-ordinating with the toy's outfit). If the pattern you have is older and doesn't include row counts (and you don't feel like counting them yourself), you can start the white on this row:
Next: k3, m1, k1, m1, k27, m1, k1, m1, k3. (39 sts)
My second suggestion is to use either the bikini bottom from my Alpaca pattern, or the shorts from my Koala pattern (although you will want to shorten the legs on these). The lederhosen in Clothing Bundle 3 is also similar to the shorts, so you could try that pattern as well.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
past and new year
What can I say about the past year? I think this photo is very appropriate: it's mostly been about watching my goofy, cute baby growing into a person (Mr. Mitten and I both think it's fitting that the photo is a little blurry, just like the pace of life with a toddler). Every day I get to know a little more about who he is and will be, which is both tremendously fun and frustrating (I can't wait until he can really talk to us, even if it means he will never be quiet).
The latter half of the year has also been spent expecting our next child. While I'm excited to meet the little fellow, to have a baby around again, and for Lev to become a big brother, the past few months have been really hard. I'm not used to being sick, and to be sick for nearly 4 months is not an experience I wish to ever repeat (if you were wondering why it's been so quiet around here lately). However, I know many women have it much worse, so I try not to complain, and get on with life. I'm hoping this new year will bring better things for me, as well as for us as a family.
Of course, the past year has also seen a few new things for Fuzzy Mitten. I tried a couple new directions for my toy designs, as well as one in my usual style. I also tried my hand at a couple of hat designs, as a tentative foray into something other than toys. I think overall it's been a moderately successful year, despite being so busy with family life. I know this new year will be even busier, so it's difficult to know how much knitting and designing I will be able to accomplish.
However, you can be assured that we will stop by from time to time, to share our work and family life with you, our ever-patient and loyal readers! I hope this new year bring will bring you much joy and good fortune, in whatever ways you need them most.
The latter half of the year has also been spent expecting our next child. While I'm excited to meet the little fellow, to have a baby around again, and for Lev to become a big brother, the past few months have been really hard. I'm not used to being sick, and to be sick for nearly 4 months is not an experience I wish to ever repeat (if you were wondering why it's been so quiet around here lately). However, I know many women have it much worse, so I try not to complain, and get on with life. I'm hoping this new year will bring better things for me, as well as for us as a family.
Of course, the past year has also seen a few new things for Fuzzy Mitten. I tried a couple new directions for my toy designs, as well as one in my usual style. I also tried my hand at a couple of hat designs, as a tentative foray into something other than toys. I think overall it's been a moderately successful year, despite being so busy with family life. I know this new year will be even busier, so it's difficult to know how much knitting and designing I will be able to accomplish.
However, you can be assured that we will stop by from time to time, to share our work and family life with you, our ever-patient and loyal readers! I hope this new year bring will bring you much joy and good fortune, in whatever ways you need them most.
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