let the sunrise in

pattern: Sunrise circle by Kate Gilbert
yarn: Patons classic merino in dark olive
needles: 5mm

Phewph! finally done. It's been a while since I've had a project linger for quite this long --I think it was November when I started it. It's a great pattern, and I've remarked before that I think Kate Gilbert is a genius, but it was still a bit of a boring knit for me. Which you can do doubt surmise just by looking at the simplicity of it. This is the third of her patterns that I've tried now...the others being the clapotis and Anouk.

The yarn I did this in definitley makes for a warm cardi, and I can almost get away with wearing it as a jacket.



And uh yes, my hair is kinda a lot redder than usual. Or de-browned as I like to think of it. It's definitely making me re-think all those raspberries and cranberries that I usually go for. Those will pretty much all look like ass on me from here on in.

Speaking of cranberry, we did indeed lace-up for Winterlude on the weekend, and my original clapotis made another appearance:





I actually really do wear that thing a lot, and will no doubt get an equal amount of wear out of Sunrise Circle as well.



Though I'm worried I may have blocked it a little too aggressively and already feel like it's too big for me. (I did a medium, but my gauge was a bit loose I think), the arms definitely are about 6 inches too long, so for now I am just kind of tucking them under, but think I should probably just steek them and be done with it.

With Sunrise Circle out of the way this weekend, I was finally able to allow myself room to begin Iceland. But I didn't. I started Twinkle's Borealis sweater instead. And it was going up SO FAST that I just couldn't stop. And now it's done. SO, hot on the heels of one sweater F.O post I should have another one for you as soon as I get around to taking the pictures. THEN: Iceland. Ummm, or maybe I should finish one of these scarves first. Gah. I feel like when I was in University, and it was time to sit down and write an essay, or study for an exam---the second I sat down I would decide that I couldn't possibly begin until I had cleaned the house first. That's kind of what I'm experiencing right now. Not so much a procrastination as a compulsive need to have my environment perfectly "ordered" before I can begin. Organization for me is a borderline sickness.

So here's another super-scrumptious loaf for you. I am WAY into asian baked goods (another of my MANY weaknesses...) and I cannot for the life of me remember which blog I got this recipe off of, but it does rival the green tea pound cake at Panya bakery in NYC.



Just LOOK at that green. My suggestion for this is definitely go to a health food store and buy actual Matcha (which is a powdered green tea) as opposed to regular green tea (or sencha) which is just not the same. It is pretty expensive (I paid about $23 for a bag like this) but you'll only use a couple tablespoons and it will go a long way. And think of all the other delish green tea recipes you can make with it afterwards...

Green tea cake

4 eggs
1 3/4 c flour
1 1/2 c sugar
3/4 c butter (softened)
2 T green tea powder
1 T chocolate chips (optional)

In a bowl, mix well sugar and butter. Add eggs. In seperate bowl sift together flour and green tea powder. Blend dry ingredients into butter mixture, then stir in chocolate chips.

Greased loaf pan, 360 degrees for about 35 minutes.
enjoy!