Wednesday 9 January 2019

WOYWW 501

Nothing on the desk today, but last week I had an enquiry about how I dealt with the inactive yarn on the back of my current knitting project, and I promised a photo. Here is a close-up of the front so far.

02 Purple Circles Jumper - Front Close-Up 9-1-19

This is what it looks like on the back – I weave the inactive colour by crossing the yarns back and forth with every stitch so there are no long strands on the back – I don’t like these because they tend to catch. I’ve always done my 2-colour knitting in this way and I think it gives a neat finish.

03 Purple Circles Jumper - Front Reverse Side Close-Up 9-1-19

The method I am using for the pattern is based on Kaffe Fassett’s “Persian Poppy” method. You make up two contrasting balls of yarn from lengths of varying colour, simply tying the ends together. When you get to a knot, you just work the ends in as you go. Purists always throw up their hands in horror at the very idea of knots in your knitting but I find with this method, they just disappear into the work and don’t present a problem. As you work, the background and motif colours gradually change from light to darker and back again, and you get a lovely unpredictable and random effect. It’s dead easy to knit, too, as the repeating pattern is a simple one, and the colours take care of themselves. The result looks very complicated and people are always very impressed and wonder how you did it, but it’s a cheat really – it does itself!

I actually rather like the back. Perhaps when this jumper is finished, I’ll wear it inside out!!

Sourdough

I made sourdough again last weekend, and this time I decided to experiment by putting the dough in the fridge to slow down and extend the bulk fermentation time. I hadn’t tried this before but it is supposed to improve the texture and flavour. I left it in overnight and it had about 18 hours in the end, as I was out at church in the morning, so when I got back I folded it and got it into the bannetons for its final proving, and baked it late Sunday afternoon. It had cooled enough to cut and eat with home-made soup for supper. The result was excellent, and I’m very pleased with my sourdough these days.

64 Slow Bulk Fermentation Sourdough 6-1-19

Here it is cut. A nice open crumb and soft springy texture and a good crust, and an excellent flavour! I shall definitely do this again.

65 Slow Bulk Fermentation Sourdough Cut 6-1-19

A few weeks ago I found a brilliant Youtube video (Bake with Jack) where he showed how to shape the dough for its final fermentation in the banneton by folding it not once, but twice, with a half-hour rest in between, to develop a greater amount of tension in the top surface of the boule to stop it spreading when you turn it out. This is a great technique which I am now doing every time, and I am no longer producing awful flat turtles like this effort from back in July last year!

21 Sourdough 21-7-18

It’s been a tough learning curve but well worth persevering because I think I’ve really nailed it now. I’m glad I’ve kept a full photographic record complete with disasters. I think part of the problem in the early days was that I was using a high proportion of rye flour in the dough which makes it extremely sticky and wet – I discovered subsequently that people usually only add a small amount for the flavour, but I don’t use it at all now, and the results are much better, and my improved dough handling has really paid dividends, too. What would we do without Youtube?!

Kitties

My hubby has been out a lot during the day recently, so the kitties haven’t had many outings in the garden. Since Ruby decided she’d far rather be over the fence and out, rather than staying in the garden, he has improved the defences a good deal, and when we let them out, it is under close supervision! The weather has been pretty cold lately so they haven’t minded staying in, and they love cuddling up in the radiator hammock together.

02 Asleep Together in Hammock 5-1-19

Here is Ruby with her arm around her sister again – she does this a lot. It usually starts with her holding Lily down so that she can wash her, and then she just hugs her and they go to sleep!

03 Ruby with her Arm Round Lily 8-1-19
I love to see them like this.

Not sure when I’m going to get time in the studio because I’ve been very busy preparing new sessions for my Bible study group which will be resuming again soon.

The Only Deity

Have a great creative week, everybody.

15 comments:

  1. Gosh, the back of your knitting is just as neat as the front - it's worth the effort though as I don't like long strands across the back of fairsile either. I really like the effect of the random wool, good tip!
    Hugs LLJ 5 xxx

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  2. Hi Shoshi, love the Kaffe technique. Maybe some time I'll get round to finishing a half made coat I have in the loft. Loving the photos of your kitties too. You know me too well. It is cold where we are at the moment but that's all I'm saying for now. Happy woyww, Angela x10x

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  3. Hi Shoshi, great post as usual. Thanks for sharing your knitting trick I am not a knitter really, can knit but don’t but had wondered how you did it. And laughed when you said you might wear it inside out, as thought it would be nice to wear both ways and everyone would think you’ve two jumpers!
    Cute kitties again funny how Ruby is protective when she sthe one always needing rescuing. Brilliant on bread too, and blessings on bible study prep..
    Hugs and prayer for your health.
    Shaz in Oz.x #4

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  4. I, too, use that technique when knitting with more colours/threads. It's such a nice finish! I love the photo of your cats laying together, that cute little 'embrace' makes me smile! Happy woyww and a hug from Holland, Marit #20

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  5. Hi Shoshi, great way to do the knitting. I get the bit about catching long threads, I can remember my Mom always did it that way, and I'd be forever getting my fingers caught in it! Good job with the bread, practice , and You Tube, certainly pay off. Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #7 X

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  6. Hi Shoshi, Your knitting is so neat, back and front, I think you could actually wear it both ways. I always knotted my wool, learnt by my Mum who was an avid knitter, the colours are gorgeous too. Your bread looks great, I can't make bread, pastry I can do but even the birds couldn't eat my bread!!!

    Jan S no23

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  7. I admire anyone who can knit... I am a total disaster with all thread or wool - it tangles the moment i touch it! Love the cuddling kitties and your sour bread looks yummy. Happy WOYWW, thanks for sharing. Love and God Bless, Caro x (#27)

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  8. Your knitting looks like my Mum's - her insides were always so neat too! I agree, it looks good enough to wear inside out for sure. Have a good week. Helen #2

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  9. Beautiful results from what others may call a flaw in the wool or yarn. Those colours are very pretty you chose Shoshi. Glad you have found perfection in your sour dough bread, I can imagine you would make this with your eyes closed now.
    Who want's to go out and play when there's warm hugs awaiting indoors.
    Wishing you a Happy & Healthy New Year Shoshi as I do no remember visiting you last week.
    Happy woyww Tracey #8

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  10. I did have to smile at that cartoon Shoshi. Thanks for the explanation on the knitting. It is a lot easier to understand how you get the beautiful effect now. Happy WOYWW and meow to Ruby and Lily. Sarah #3

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  11. Happy Belated WOYWW. I love how tidy your knitting is on the back, but we would not expect anything else! Thanks for explaining your method. Perhaps I will try it one day. I found a local knitting group and went to my first meeting today. Lovely friendly ladies. I have not knitted for a long time, and had bought a skein of super chunky yarn with the 20mm needles I needed to complete the snood pattern supplied with it. After needing some help with understanding the American pattern, I managed to do about 6 rows. It will knit up fast and is so soft/warm. Having the skein on my lap is like having a blanket on there. I will blog about it soon. Super-cute photos of Lily and Ruby. The cat cartoon is definitely very accurate. Ali x #21

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  12. Love the cartoon, so true! I'm not sure Mittsy and Inky will ever cuddle up and sleep together, but I hope they will someday! Mittsy usually sleeps in her little bed in the window at night, even when the temperature is down to -18°C! I keep half expecting to find her frozen solid when I wake up, but she is full of life and warmth! Hubby says she will never freeze, she is like a furnace! They are getting closer, and at times I see one or the other of them trying to lick a tail. . .it's still early days yet! You are becoming quite the pro at sourdough, I'm envious! Your sweater is coming along nicely! Have a wonderful week, and thanks for your visit! Lindart #26

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  13. Hi Shoshi just shared the encrusted jewel technique too. Have a new post on my other blog too on prayer,
    Hugs Shaz.x

    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

    {Wonderful Words Of Life - Shaz in Oz}

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  14. Hi Shoshi, I've only just found your comment on my #500 - and came to say thank you for your kind words! I'm glad to have found you too on WOYWW! I find a lot of people now prefer sharing on Instagram and Facebook - it's quick and easy but so impersonal! I think we can get to know each other through our blogs a lot better - although admittedly it's more time consuming reading and writing blog posts but also a lot more worthwhile. I didn't do #501 but hope to return next week. Your kitties continue to charm the pants off me - the way they cuddle each other - you can't tell where one ends and the other begins! I'm hopeless with knitting so you lost me there LOL! With regard to your bread baking - I think it's time you opened your own bakery! Shoshi's Sourdough would sound great! Happy weekend and perhaps I'll see you again on Wednesday! xx

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  15. Me again Shoshi. Just did latest post on Wonderful Words of Life.
    https://wonderfulwordsoflifebyshazinoz.blogspot.com/2019/01/wonderful-words-of-life-phillip-bliss.html?m=1
    Was writing it when you visited other blog!
    Hugs Shaz.x

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