Food

January traditions and updates

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Whilst January is a month of new starts… new promises… new/old intensions, I like to squeeze in a few little January traditions. Firstly, catching up with good friends. Whilst Christmas can be a whirlwind, I do like to sprinkle a few ‘catching up’ with pals in the diary. Last weekend I indulged in seeing my yarny best friends for our traditional laughter-advice and wisdom session. It would not be easy to speak so consistently about yarn, knitting and crochet with many other people. Understandably some of my other good friends would reach for a telephone for distraction. But when I see my crafting besties – the conversation is in full flow and the fingers are moving just as fast as we work on our current project. By the end of our time together my creative tank is full, and I drive home with new ideas and resolve.

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In the dark weekends of January, I also love to indulge in the sticky alchemy of Marmalade making. This year I have less time to squeeze in all the batches I want to make. But I did manage to make to different types. A tawny – using the whole oranges in method and a dark and thick cut, especially for my Dad. Every year the same recipe is used and yet…every year there is a different result. But that this the fun of it. Homemade marmalade on toast is surely one of the greatest delicacies. It would ideally be on a toasted white bloomer with salted butter which is melted ever so slightly. Toast is such a rib and hip sticker that I ration myself to almost just once a month indulgence. But then it does mean I can nearly eek out the marmalade to last a full year.

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So, this weekend I will be seeing some other fab friends – and I hope to take some lovely photos. I cannot wait to have lighter days so I can take a few better photos. I know I wanted to mention to you two very exciting things. Firstly, if you read Inside Crochet magazine, my second of the monthly columns is in. This month I am talking about being inspired by fashion. If you do read it, I would love to hear what you think. This February issue is particularly good. There are some really fab garments. There is also a great Vintage Cushion supplement and one of my designs is in. A lovely cosy round cushion.

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I just heard the my lovely little book Cute Crocheted Food has been shortlisted for the Creative Book Awards. I am so thrilled. This book was so much fun to create and it made me smile everyday during the design process. It is lovely to think about other people enjoying it. I will keep you updated on how we do. But honestly there are some fabulous books shortlisted so it is just a thrill to be in excellent company.

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Finally My latest book arrived in the post this week: 10,000 Crocheted Hats! I know…. Really – yes really. The combination of different, brims, main hat section and crowns multiplies up toe 10,000. I started the projects in February last year and so it is amazing to see the book now. I promise to share more about the book next week, but in the meantime – thank you so much for popping into the blog and having a January catch up.

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Fun food – just because

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There are lots of brilliant things which I enjoy about crochet. I’ll be honest, what I really like is that it allows me do indulge in my playful side. In the last week I have been binge watching a programme on Channel 4 about the Duchess of Northumberland. She has the most amazing imagination and incredible drive. A few years ago we visited her incredible garden at Alnwick and it is the most amazing vision. The television programme charts her two year journey to create a fantasy play space for children. It is obvious from the footage that she has a mind that enjoys thinking about how children play and a desire to spark their imagination. I love that about her!

Frequently when I am designing I try to access the childlike part of my brain and imagine making imaginative items that I would have enjoyed as a little girl. Over 18 months ago Stylecraft yarns asked me to make some items with their organic cotton for a celebratory tea party for the Queen’s Jubilee. I so enjoyed making cakes and biscuits that I began to go down a bit of a crochet food rabbit hole… and so that is how the creative part of my new book began.

I have forgotten to share it over the summer. Mostly due to busyness – but that is a shame because I am so excited about the patterns in this book. For a beginner or someone new to amigurumi I think small engaging projects are really motivating. The graphics which the team have done are so brilliant as well. It has a totally different look to my other books.

Once I have made 25 items…25 count them and written the patterns… I kind of go off making any project which is similar. But then if I had small people to crochet for I might make a range of the food items to add to a play kitchen or pretend garden.

Of all the items that really attract people – the burger and fries really seem to prompt a giggle. I am a fan of the avocado … because its stone tummy pops out!

So – I am glad that we have created this book, the patterns are pretty simple for the beginner and there are more complicated makes like the pineapple if you want to stretch your skill. I try with all my books to make the patterns that I know I want to make. If I start to go back to those patterns for gifts or things for our home…I know it is a success for me. See what you think and do you think there is an item of food I have forgotten?

If you would like to buy a signed copy from me – then there are just a few copies still in the shop… I will also send you a couple of very cool stickers!

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Oranges save January

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Eurgh…. don’t you just hate Janurary…?’ My friend had just popped round with a belated gift and like many friends could find no Winter light at the end of this tunnel we call January.

‘Yes I know what your mean…but honestly I think Marmalade has put a whole new perspective on this month. I can’t wait to get stuck in! The sticky performance might take up even 3 weekends!’.

Suddenly our conversation brightened and orders were placed and promises of spare jars were made. Very like the Paddington films; marmalade has transformational powers.

I first started experimenting with this sticky alchemy a few years ago. My first attempts went spectacularly wrong and dear blog readers pointed me in the right direction of brilliant recipe books and fail-safe texts. There is nothing I adore more for a weekend breakfast than a thick sliced piece of toast, lavishly spread with salted butter and topped with a ‘homemade’ (I stress HOMEMADE) marmalade. Be still my furring heart.

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I first felt inspired to make my own because acquired jars of homemade marmalade were not getting me through a years worth of Saturdays. Like many valuable things in life. My very favourite jar is not made by me… but rather one of my dearest and oldest friends. Like a cup of tea, or a meal made by someone else, the fact that the jar has been cooked by her own fair hand – and not mine, makes it all the more delicious.

But it occurred to me that I could fill the gap by making my own and the seasonal window for the Seville Orange harvest makes January a very special month.

You need to be alert early in January to ensure you bag your special oranges. I popped out on the 2nd to visit my local grocer to see if he had a delivery. These oranges are not lookers. They look more lumpy and less orange than your fruit-bowl fruit. He spotted me immediately and with a knowing nod and a cheeky smile gestured to the box stacked out on the pavement – full of golden orbs from Seville. I was delighted and phoned home to enthuse. ‘I’ve got them…the hunt is off!’ I think all were relieved.

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So for the next few weeks there will be a two day performance. The first day of juicing, scraping, slicing and soaking and the second of watching, waiting, measuring, peering, checking and pouring. All in a haze of sticky citrus. The final jars will be held up to the light, to see how clear the elixir appears.

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If the first week goes well, I will move onto thick cut and dark marmalade. I have ‘NEVER’ made a consistent product. It saddens me. My Dad and my husband prefer this type and in recent years the taste has been grand but the consistency is sloppy….delicious but very below par. This year… this year.

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I have also bought some pink grapefruits so I am thinking of mixing it up on the third weekend. We will see. The priority my friends is to make enough marmalade to last me a year of weekend breakfasts. In addition there are special recipients – people who value the process – people I love. This is perhaps a more accessible form of ‘creative gifting’. Let’s be honest, not everyone wants a knitted or crocheted item from me (HOW VERY DARE THEY!) but some love a jar of homemade marmalade and I am delighted to show my appreciation of our friendship with a ceremonial handing over of the jar.

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So we have begun and I am thrilled. It is my scientific month-long sticky hobby. Delightfully it makes me look forward to January.

The World Marmalade Awards are held every year in Dalemain in the Lake District. If you feel inspired to make your own, why not enter a jar into the competition and join the band of this most delightful of traditions. You can also visit the festival which occurs in April this year.

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Late summer making

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I am not sure if this is true for you, but the season seems to have sped up. The very hot weather has made plants and trees believe it is early autumn. Blackberries and plums appear to have ripened almost a month ahead of time. I’ve had a few days off this week and have used the time to do bit of experimentation with autumnal crochet and to enjoy one of the my favourite activities…jam making.

Some friends of mine have a beautiful old plum tree in the garden and kindly offered me their crop to make some jam. Usually at this time I make raspberry jam, but having some fresh fruit straight from the tree couldn’t be missed. All the better because I could spend some time preparing the fruit and standing over the pan. Making any kind of marmalade or jam is a bit like alchemy. You are creating a preserved pot of captured flavour. But I can never guarantee how it will end up. The acidity of the fruit, the colour, the depth of flavour… or the distractions of the door bell…taking my eye off the boil. These are all factors that change the end result.

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In all of the preserving books they suggest that for plum jam, you take a nut-cracker and open up the plum stone to release the kernel inside. This is about the size of a pine nut. You then cover about 2-3 of these in some boiling water and leave them for a couple of minutes. After a while you remove the outer skin. These pure white nuts are then added to the boiling jam. I had never appreciated that they smell exactly like almonds. A beautiful strong smell of marzipan. Incredible.

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On the hook, I have been inspired by the soft tones of the flowers in our garden pots. I have some balls of Stylecraft Grace which I have been playing about with. This is a mohair aran yarn. It has beautiful subtle tones and I know it will make a lovely scarf for late autumn. I have begun my making… but on hotter days this project is set aside for other less sticky pursuits.

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In the midst of pattern writing and checking of the Stargazer blanket, I have two new ideas of blankets in my mind. One has knitted squares another is new crochet patchwork pattern. My mind flicks between the two.

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So there you go at least 3 projects on the go and other pattern checking and preparing for pattern releases in the Autumn. I wonder if this is my favourite part of the yarn year. We seem to be on the cusp of the next season and my mind turns to cosy plans. What have you got on your hook or needle? Has the next season begun for you too?

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December Diaries – last minute gifts

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This should be the ultimate making month don’t you think? Yet time again I rush headlong in crazed list creating and catching up.

I imagine myself curled up on the sofa … fire blazing and carols faintly heard in the distance. The perfume of the Christmas tree catching the air in waves.

More likely I finish work – later than planned. Despair at my lack of menu planning and scrabble to make something half decent for tea. When all is scoffed – plates are left aside while I hide on the spare room floor wrestling with sticky tape and paper. This year we have the extra frisson of wondering if parcels will be delivered on time. My word what a pickle.

So while December should really be the key making month of Winter. In reality November and January seem far more productive.

If you are a seasoned maker and sickeningly organised, then your gift making might start in August. Seriously?! Yes seriously. Nowadays I don’t always make crochet or knit gifts. But there are a few patterns that are a good standby.

Chocolate Orange Cosy

Every year I say I won’t make more of these. Yet every year I am tickled by the idea and remember what a great mini-gift they are.

The Chocolate Orange is a stalwart of the UK festive season. Zingy little segments of zesty infused milk chocolate. Classically you were taught to ‘tap and unwrap’ the solid ball in order to prise free the first segment. In our house the chocolate orange is a MUST in the Christmas stocking. A revolt would ensue if it were not there.

First segments are eaten before breakfast. Cheeky, sickly traditions. In the old days, after all the segments were eaten a central core of chocolate would remain. We christened it ‘the bark’. This added bonus was seen as the final eating honour. Whilst you might have generously offered others one or two segments. The ‘bark’ belonged to the orange owner. Stealing such revered chocolate would be criminal.

Don’t ask me why – but this welcome design fault has now disappeared. Shame I say.

The milk chocolate chocolate orange is adored by the boys and I prefer the plain chocolate version. I drop heavy hints to Santa in the run up to the big day to ensure he hasn’t forgotten.

A few years ago I saw a chocolate orange covered in a crochet cosy – disguised as a Christmas Pudding. This idea appealed to my sense of humour. I created my own pattern and for more years than I care to count have made them as teachers gifts and small gifts for friends and colleagues.

I always use oddments from my stash. Sometimes I purchase red buttons to create a holly berry other times I make a bobble using yarn.

This is my link to the jotted down yarn recipe. Use it if it is helpful. But get a wiggle on… I can hear sleigh bells

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Saints Preserve Us

I’m fully aware that this is not the place to share this culinary journey. I know this is really a place for woolly adventures. But then we know each other fairly well now – and any joyful making experience is worth sharing, isn’t it?

In a Jam

Back in January, well if I am honest over the Christmas period I determined that this year, yes this year I would make my own marmalade. There are few things that I enjoy more than homemade marmalade. Let’s be specific; excellent toasted bread, white or brown (more likely white) with salted butter (very cold) and then on top a slightly tart marmalade. Once you have you have taken your first bite, you should really be able to see the tail-tale teeth marks.

So whilst my affection is easily bought – through the medium of flowers and/or marmalade, the homemade variety is hard to come by.

My good friend Mrs J, makes an excellent version and I greedily enjoy huge spoonfuls at her breakfast table. In the Autumn of last year I resolved that instead of looking winsome at the homemade stash of others, I should have a go myself.

Seville Marmalade is the King or orangery preserves and if you are going to get into this game you need to get involved in January – when the fruit is in season. I waited until the Seville Oranges were in the shops and then I pounced. Luckily the month of January is very quiet and when I began this little escapade I had no idea that marmalade making is very much a two day affair.

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I assembled my recyled jars. Got hold of my pan and followed the recipe I had been given. Uneducated and foolhardy I let my sticky concoction bubble for far too long. The result was a very dark, very solid, thick cut marmalade. It resembles in some lights…..tar. Now I like a dark marmalade but risking breaking a teaspoon when you try to extract it from the jar seems a bit excessive. Together we all laughed at the result and both my husband and my son thought that was the end of the matter….They should know me better.

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The gloriously helpful people of Instagram came to my rescue. ‘If you want to make marmalade you need to learn at the virtual kitchen table of Vivian LLoyd‘ they advised. So by weekend two I was much better informed. I had learnt about cutting techniques, soaking the pith and pips, boiling points and impurity removal. I was genned up and ready.

Batch two was better – but still dark. The use of golden caster sugar certainly added to the toffee texture. By weekend 3, I was in the zone and my family thought I had gone a little crazy. But at Batch 3, I knew I had a passable texture, colour and consistency. Actually due to a huge amassed collection of oranges, batch 4 and 5 followed. But it is batch 3 that really was the best.

Whilst creating something ‘homemade’ has in itself a deep sense of satisfaction, I was not really ready for how the process – the slow and deliberate stages could be so peaceful and bring such joy. In the dark and cold wintery afternoons of January, the smell and colour in the kitchen lifted my soul. The hot bubbling liquid, the sticky golden gloop and then the joyful lines of glorious orange treasure. Stored away. Awaiting weekend breakfasts.

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In a very mad moment I decided that I would take my chances and enter Batch 3 into the World Marmalade awards – in the first timers category (obviously). I forgot about it and then just like the very best surprises a quite lovely envelope came in the post – my cheeky efforts had won a ‘Silver’ Award. I won’t deny it – I did a giddy jig in our kitchen to celebrate.

And what has happened to my sticky haul? Well I now I fully understand why homemade marmalade is hard to come by. Much like a knitted hat or crocheted blanket – this is a labour of love. Jars must only be shared with those who understand the treasure they receive. My husband and my Dad are big fans of dark marmalade and so they get the exclusive access to Batch 1 and 2. But Little B can’t abide marmalade at any cost…..so I have another sticky plan (obsession) and it might involve the odd raspberry – or two. All your tips and tricks are gratefully welcomed.

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Warm outdoors…and a woodsmoke hangover

sunshinemandalaIs it possible to have a woodsmoke hangover? This morning I woke with the sense that the outside is very much inside. The whiffs of woodsmoke are throughout the house, my hair…well everywhere. Last night we had very two of our oldest friends over and even though the outdoor temperate was distinctly parky we were determined to have some of our evening meal outdoors.

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Both Varnam boys do not need much of a hint to get a fire going, so both the chiminea and the fire-bowl were roaring away in no time. I am going to be honest, the fire-bowl looks very cool. It is a focal point, a thing to watch and great fun for late night marshmallow toasting. But even the merest breeze and you can find yourself chatting through a fog of smoke. The heat is also quite dissipated and on an early summer evening you need to sit on top of it to feel the benefit.

On the other hand, the chiminea in my humble opinion does not look cool, or rather it look incongruous in our distinctly English garden. But it does what its name implies and the chimney funnels away most of the smoke. You also can feel the heat and don’t have to sit on each others laps in order to benefit from the warmth. I resisted buying it last year, for ridiculous style prejudices, but conceded last night that it is by far the most effective of our outdoor heaters.

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Within seconds of sitting round the garden table I knew that I should fetch the blanket basket. This used to be just a summer feature in our kitchen, but it seems to have taken up almost permanent residence. All my favourite crochet blankets live here, so that they can be dragooned into cosy comforting at a moments notice. I am sure that the blanket basket has extended the hours we spend outdoors throughout the year – we move from late sun to twilight very easily.

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Last night was the first outing for the Lyme Bay shawl – not worn by me but borrowed with style by my friend. I care not whether there is a bit of ‘Granny’ chic; a lovingly worked cosy accessory will never go out of fashion. However it might need a bit of an airing today – it does have a rather outdoorsy smell. But you know the best bit about finding ways to stay outdoors on a British summer evening is that it extends the time chatting and giggling with good friends, old friends, friends who know you inside out and love you for who you are – even it does mean that they leave smelling like a kipper. More evenings like that I say… Bring on the summer!

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A Christmas Pud Choccy Cosy

choccyorangeVarnam1There is a Christmas tradition in Britain to receive and eat a lovely Terry’s Chocolate Orange. I can’t remember a year when one of these babies did not appear in my Christmas Stocking. The size of the wrapped box is quite distinctive. The ‘tap-and-unwrap’ method of opening this chocolate delicacy is almost a national tradition. Like their more healthy cousin, the satsuma, the chocolate orange is quite a cheap round. Passing it round on a festive afternoon you will appear quite generous and yet…..nobody but nobody should steal the centre of the orange, that is yours and yours alone.

This will mean very little to you if your have never seen or tasted  this confectionery icon. Like the humble digestive biscuit, Heinz Baked Beans, Tunnocks Teacakes and a cup of tea, the Terry’s Chocolate Orange is a British institution. (It’s not Terry’s, it’s mine!) We might not do patisserie or cordon bleu cooking (actually nowadays we do), but we British know how to make a reasonably priced sweet snack.

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After that reverie, you can imagine how tickled I was to see lots of inspirational photos of Christmas pudding Chocolate Orange cosy on the web. They just made me laugh! There are lots of patterns online, but I just made mine up and enjoyed bashing through the stash. I found these cute berry buttons locally for 10p and they perfectly finish off the holly. I have almost finished my Christmas makes for this year, but this pattern has given my festive activity new life. Once the velvety chocolate delight is all gone, there is really no use for the cosy. However like all the best luxuries they serve little purpose, but bring a smile to your face.

 

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A summer of….crochet

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Sometimes my design work takes me out of the seasons, for example I have been doing ‘Spring’ work in the last few weeks. Oh yes, we are so over Christmas here! This mismatch of time means that I frequently forget to enjoy the ‘now’ of the season we are in. These photos are from across the summer. They omit some of the designs I can’t share with you yet. But when I think about this summer I was really inspired by the book Outdoor Living by Selina Lake.

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We were really fortunate to have some landscaping work done on our garden. Work that I have dreamed about for the last five years. I knew in my heart that I wanted to celebrate the end of summer by having a few friends over to enjoy the garden.

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I took inspiration from Selina’s book at the beginning of the summer and made a comfy den for Little B, this is our full English brekkie photo in the den.  When all the work was finished in the garden we made a picnic space at the bottom of the garden.

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The blankets I had made throughout Summer 14 adorned our cosy space. I even decorated our garden gate with pom-poms and ribbon. Very festive. When I think back at this summer I will remember plenty of adventures and new garden beginnings with a little crochet thrown in.

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Things to make this summer #3

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Food covers my friends! Your granny was right … actually one of my best friends was right – see here and here.

This is what you need for summer breakfast outside. An evenings work but pure genius. If you don’t crochet but have a friend who does, invite them over for a meal or coffee and say – ‘Don’t bring flowers or wine as a gift, make me a food cover so that I can spend every meal this summer outside with my food and yummy drinks unperturbed by silly flies!’

It’s a plan

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