Mandala

Clearly, it is baby season in my part of the world. This year will be filled with baby-gift projects. I better get cranking. In the spirit of cranking, I decided to recruit my own, personalized domestic helper, Ms. Kid. If you want something handmade from her, it will be most definitely "purple" (the real color being fuchsia). She is so obsessed with "purple," that she has her own crochet hook in her favorite color.

I dont think I have ever made circular blankets. As some of you might know my hatred for seaming, I like the idea of a one-piece blanket. So I made two circular blankets for two friends of mine--one called "Granny Mandala", and the other, "Flat Circle." Both patterns are decided to make placemats, cushions, etc. Note to self: the granny mandala does not really work for blankets. I think it is best to use the pattern for the intended idea (of making smaller mandala-things). When one starts adding more and more rounds, the darn thing ripples like crazy. I frogged so many times. It was nuts. I should have kept extensive notes, but well. I figured some kind of formula in some of the later rounds to avoid excess-fabric-creation. Will I make another Granny Mandala blanket. Nope.

But the Flat Circle pattern is a dream. It will not ripple and end up looking like the world's finest amoeba. Keep going as per the row math (well described in the pattern), and the blanket will truly lay flat. I used the same yarn for both the blankets. It has been in my stash for years--and finally, it is going to find a home(s). Using stashed yarn is so liberating.

Side note: I love the word, Mandala. The idea of a circle is...calming. Ms. Domestic Helper also agrees. It is one shape she is obsessed with drawing over and over again. "Lets draw...ah...circle, Mommy?"

Pattern: Granny Mandala (free)
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Sundance
Hook: 5mm
Size: around 32in diameter

Pattern: Flat Circle (free)
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Sundance
Hook: 5mm
Size: around 25in diameter

Law and Order Blanket No.3

When Xmas rolled in a few weeks ago, I realized I did not post about the blanket I made for Suketu for Xmas 2010. Yes, 2010. "I will take pictures tomorrow, I will take pictures tomorrow" led to 12 months flying by.

This blanket was began close the heels of the first Law & Order Blanket. Almost complete, it was tucked away from many months. Obviously. I had to make the second L & O blanket for Anya-to-be. And then finally, I was inspired to finish this particular one for Suketu's den in our new (well, it was new in 2010) home.

These pictures were taken this morning. And I must say that after one year of use (especially child-use), the blanket has held up very well. I used Cascade Yarns Ecological Wool--comes in many neutral colors, and has great yardage.

Will I be making such a monster of a L&O blanket again? Maybe. As you will see soon, I have been caught by the blanket fever.

Pattern: my own recipe
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Ecological Wool. So many skeins, I lost count.
Needle: 5mm

Empty Nest Syndrome

No, Anya did not move away to attend college. There are days when we wish we could pack her off, but they said they wouldn't take a two year old. So until she is ready, she will be living with us.

When I was pregnant, I began knitting primarily for the baby-to-be. And after Anya was born, I began knitting more and more just for her. Then one day, somewhere down the line, the flood gates opened. The million opinions. She decided she hated sweaters and vests. Fortunately, I didnt take it personally. It was not just the handknits--the hatred encompassed all things outerwear.

But there is good news. One, though it might shock you, I still craft. Two, my daughter has suddenly transformed into a sweater (or in her words, "sweata") loving person.

I digress. My point is--my blog has been going through an empty nest syndrome...grieving for the loss of its main protagonist. And though, for the moment, she has decided to make her grand appearance, toddler-hood is a strange thing. The Queen (yes, thats what she is called in these places) might decide that it is not her thing anymore.

Yarny Days might see some major revamping in 2012. And hopefully, restart the blogging. I miss my blog. And all my crafty friends around the world.

-----------

So many people ask me if I have made Bombay Love for Anya. Clearly, it took a while. To make one, and to blog about it. I think Anya likes it. Or she is yet to give her verdict. (Can you tell that having a chatty toddler makes me nervous?)

One specific change I did for this version are the sleeves. I wanted to "tighten" the ends, so with the magenta yarn, I did two tight rounds of single crochet around. This drew in the sleeves, giving it a much more finished look--rather that just "flopping around"...if that makes sense. I think you can see this more clearly in the pictures.

I have been asked several times if I would design the pattern in larger sizes. Unfortunately, no. I had made up the pattern one time, and wrote it to help others make their version. I know some people have made larger sizes. One raveler has even made an adult version. Click here to see more!

Pattern: Bombay Love (pattern free; see sidebar of this blog)
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted; Cascade Yarns 220 Wool for edging
Size: 1.5 - 2.5 years
Needle: 5.5 mm

For the New Kid on the Block

Anya welcomed her new cousin last week. We are very excited for the latest addition in our extended family. AND grandchild-craziness will be more shared and well distributed in our neck of the woods!

She presented him with a crocheted, mommy-made blanket. (This brown color was hard to photograph. The first picture is more true to the actual color). It is a great pattern if you want something that is repetitive and mindless. And what I really like is its texture. Also, turns out pretty 'thick' because of the nature of its stitches. If you crochet, do add this to your must-made list.

I made up the border stitch. Goes something like this--sc between one 'bunch of stitches', chain 5 times, and then repeat. Nothing special at the corners. The chains help with the 'no-curling' effect.

My version raveled here
Pattern: Diagonal Box Stitch (free download at Ravelry)
Hook: 3.5mm
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino (Brown) and Classic Elite Sundance (for border)
Size: 32 * 32 inches

Baby Shower Idea, Part II: Baby Food for Adults

Who does not like presents? Even if they are in the form of party favors. I always wonder what I will find my bag/my container/my box. Can you tell I love the (pleasantly) surprise factor?

With that in mind, I started thinking about favors for my sister-in-law's shower (see Part I here). I knew what I did not want--to give something to people, only for them to dump it into their growing pile of random favors from their partying life. And even if they did decide to chunk it, it needed to have some kind of memory.

Some website suggested using baby food jars. So this is what I ended up doing--went to BJs and bought the smallest, cheapest, baby food jars available. I bought the savory kind, because once I scooped them out, I made a huge (huge) pot of soup for us (and the entire neighborhood). If you ever decide to use do something like this, scoop the food out of the jar, and immediately wash the lid and container with water (and unscented soap). Pat dry and air-dry the containers overnight.

Now what does one put in these jars? Sweets of course. And personalized M&Ms came to the rescue. They come in a fantastic array of colors--all you have to do is send them graphics and text! I filled half the jar with other chocolate (Herseys, Lindt, etc), and the top half with the personalized M&Ms. Close jar, tie ribbon, and you are good to go.

Hindu Mythological Child-God, Baby Krishna

(usually identified with young boys)

Mother rocking her Child in a Cradle

Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law's initials with Date of Baby Shower

And for sweets during the party, we had mini-cupcakes from our delish local cupcake place, Sweet. The blue-green cupcakes went fabulously with the tables' centerpieces--blue-green washcloth cupcakes.

Baby Shower Idea, Part I: A Cake fit for a Prince

It was my sister-in-law's baby shower party some weeks ago--I have never organized a baby shower for anyone before, so this was certainly new for me. One thing was clear--it had to be handmade and crafty. Over the next few blog posts, I will share the things I made for the shower. Today is diaper-cake day.

I have always been intrigued with diaper cakes--I think they are a totally awesome, innovative idea. And super easy. I looked a few youtube versions of how to make one, and I just winged it. Meaning, I first bought the diapers (size one, instead of newborn--so that the cake can be enjoyed for longer), made the "cake," and then went to the mecca of all crafty goodness, Michaels. The colors for the shower were green and blue, so thats the ribbon I bought. I knew I didnt want any funky bows on the cake--just enough ribbon to cover the circumference.

My mother-in-law has a large ribbon collection--and she had some gold ribbon with some pompoms on it. I cut off those pompoms, and voila, it turned out to be real cool looking, zigzag gold tape. Thats what you see over the green-blue ribbons.

I could have stopped there, but the "joints" of the ribbons really bothered me. Suketu saw me spending hours obsessing over the "lack of perfection." Over the years, I have collected several little things on my trips to India. I had these multi-colored motifs, usually used on clothing, and glued them at the joints. (FYI--If you have never used a hot-glue gun, proceed with caution. Ask me how I know).

The last detail. From the start, I wanted the cake to be "prince" inspired, but I just didnt know how that would be possible. Just when I had given up on the idea, in the cupcake aisle at Michaels, I found these little boy-cupcake-toppers! They worked out perfect. I made little crowns for each of them. Thats it. Now you have a cake for a little baby!

The Humble, Stuffed, Mini Sweet-Pepper; Indian Style

I finally admit it. I have been ignoring my blog. Partly because I am hardly on Ravelry anymore (still knitting though). Partly because I am yet to make crafty friends in Hoboken. And partly because I am just pure lazy with the photography clean-up. All in all, the police would call it "Blog Neglect."

Strangely however, I still aspire to blog. Every day. Something happens during the day, and I take pictures thinking, I will blog about it. I cook something unique (strange?), take fancy pictures, telling myself that one day, they will be in blogland.

So here you go. I made these peppers as one of the entrees, when we had Suketu's aunts and uncles over for dinner. When summer arrives, I am the first in line at the grocery store, buying sweet mini-peppers. Within hours, I make something sweet/spicy with them. The sweetness is from the peppers themselves. The heat is from the stuffing. This is my Indian take on stuffed peppers.

Ingredients

Please note: Measurements and quantities are approximations and guess-work. I make up my recipes as I go. Change spice-level according to taste (or should I say, tolerance).

2 pounds sweet mini-peppers, deseeded
1 frozen packet of paneer (usually found frozen in Indian grocery stores, crumbled (sorry for the vague "quantity,"--I just winged it)
1/2 pound baby carrots, diced and steamed
3 onions, finely chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp coriander powder
2 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp garam masala
salt to taste

1. Heat olive oil in a saucepan under medium heat. Saute onions until slightly brown. Add all the spices, paneer, and carrots, and continue to saute the mixture for another 3-5 minutes under low heat.
2. Once this mixture has cooled, stuff the peppers and arrange them in a greased baking dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil, and bake the peppers in the oven at 375 degrees F for 50 minutes.
3. Check the peppers and see if the caramelization has began. I usually use a glass baking dish, so I keep looking underneath it. You will see thick, dark syrupy stuff around the peppers. Once this starts, bake for another 5 minutes or so. Then you are done. Note--somewhere in the baking process, there is a fine line between caramelization and burning. Keep checking on the peppers regularly.
4. If you have extra stuffing, you can make delicious roti-wraps. I have warm memories of opening my lunch-box in school, and voila--my mom would have made us wraps with leftovers. The possibilities are endless.