I'm enjoying this simple knit. What a perfect pattern for pick up, travel or knitting with friends, something to knit without concentration.   I dyed a merino cashmere blend in shades of teal with undertones of blues and fir green, colors that remind me of shadows on snow in the softwoods.

 

If mitts were the new socks, are cowls the new mitts?

These snowy days have been spent working and shoveling and bringing in wood.  Nights have been for knitting.  My wrist has been bothersome so I switched from sweater knitting to something a bit lighter in weight.  There were so many things to choose from.  Waiting in the basket next to my chair were a stack of patterns that I've been meaning to try.  I sorted through and came up with a trio of cowls.  The first one knit was the Forest Canopy Cowl by Susan Lawrence.  I wanted a yarn that was very light and very soft.  Kashmir fit the bill. 

I wish finding a model were as easy as finding the yarn.  Mirror shots are dreadful, and getting the color right is nearly impossible.  This was a fast knit.  Very cozy and very flattering.  It won't be the only one I knit.

The second cowl was Anne Hanson's Spiraluscious.  I wanted to use a yarn that had good stitch definition and would knit up on a #4 needle.  I chose a soft 100% merino with a high twist.  I have been doing color tests on this yarn and had one in red that I was calling HollyBerry.  What could be more seasonal. I loved, loved, loved knitting the edging.  The whole project was great fun.  This picture shows it unblocked. 

The color is off here, way to much blue.  I'll try for some better shots when I can find either a photographer or a model.

The third cowl is under construction.  It's Beechwood, by Ilga Leja. 

Last week, my friend Maria, invited me into the kitchen of her very excellent restaurant to see the chiles poblanos that she was preparing.  There, piled high on a tray, were row upon row of beautiful roasted and stuffed chiles.  Each one was tied like a sweet package with cotton string.  I reached for my camera, and wouldn't you know, I'd left it behind.  No problem, Maria told me, I'll make them for the holidays, come next week. There will be Chiles en Nogada.  Last night, I did.  Once again, no camera.  I'd left it home while the battery recharged.  I've searched the internet for pictures of this beautiful dish.  None were as beautiful as Maria's.  Served cold, Chiles en Nogada, is the perfect dish for the holidays in a land where it is warm.  For the rest of us, it is a wonderful treat.  The chile is stuffed with pork (or beef),raisins and other fruit.  Maybe a bit of cornmeal.  It is covered with a walnut cream sauce, then topped with parsley and pomegranates.  It is as beautiful to see as it is delicious.