Major Knitter

Claire's Herb Garden Gauntlets

You know that I'm a HUGE Outlander fan.  I'm seriously obsessed with all things Outlander.  In fact, my Rent Collecting Shawl was published in the Highland Knits pattern book by Interweave Knits a few years ago.  I was so excited.  The patterns are fun for cosplay and all, but there aren't many things from an 18th century period series that I'd wear today. 

Except these.  Claire's Herb Garden Gauntlets designed by Carol Ruhl.  While they're just tubes with an interesting cable pattern, these gauntlets are my very favorite pair of fingerless mitts, gauntlets, muffatees, whatever you want to call them.  I just love them.  In fact, I have knit 9 pairs of these gauntlets.  

I like to make them as gifts for my Outlander friends.  I think they're a perfect accessory for cosplay or for wear in the modern world.  In fact, I love wearing them in the inter-season (that time that's not quite fall and not quite winter - but chilly enough for gauntlets, but not quite cold enough for gloves or mittens.  I also love wearing them around the house when I'm just a bit chilled.  I can get all my work done on the computer, without wearing gloves.  When I'm all warmed up, I take them off.

The pattern is well written and easy to follow.  There's a great graph for following the cable pattern.  I recommend investing in some scrumptious yarn for these gauntlets.  They will make them that much better.  

Outlander Gourmet Lunch Part II - The Food!

We had a delightful gourmet lunch yesterday thanks to the wonderful chefs - Joanne H.; Michelle L and Ellen G. 

The Scotch Eggs were one of my favorite items.  I've never tried one and have always been intrigued by them (but not enough to go to the work involved).

Jenny's Onion Tarts were delicious!

What's not to like about Bangers and Mash with a delectable onion gravy?

Who wouldn't want to eat some Watercress Prevents Scurvy Salad?  It's so hard to educate those 18th century Highlanders about the importance of eating their greens!

The Salted Butterscotch Shortbread was so yummy.  Mmmm.

Finally, the Chestnut Tarts were scrumptious.  Here's a picture before the dollop of homemade whipped cream and strawberries were added.

Finally, we had Jenny's Everyday Bread, some beverages, and finished with some coffee with dessert.  Everyone enjoyed the theme.  I've been part of this Daytime Gourmet group from the Westport Young Woman's League for ten years.  That's about 100 different meals over the years.  Sometimes it's challenging to come up with a new idea or theme for lunch.  Going with a book series, TV show or new ethnic food is always fun.  A few of us wore costumes.

After dessert we even enjoyed playing with our Scottish Bulldogs (OK, English Bulldogs).  

If you'd like to try your very own Outlander themed meal - please feel free to use my signs with quotes for each food item from the book series (courtesy of Diana Gabaldon and Outlander Kitchen).  

Download Outlander Gourmet Lunch

Slàinte Mhath!

 

 

 

 

Gourmet Lunch - Outlander Theme

Today is our monthly Gourmet Lunch and I'm hosting with a theme based on Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.  You probably know that I'm a huge fan.  I've read the books, listened to the books, watched the Starz new series... repeatedly.  It's my background noise when I'm doing other things.  So when our Gourmet Lunch coordinator was looking for hosts and new ideas - I suggested an Outlander theme based on the book series and the recipes from Outlander Kitchen.

I was up with the rooster's crowing puppies at the crack of dawn, so I took advantage of that time and got the dining room table all set.

I used BF's great great grandmother's china - which is the closest thing to a period piece I would have.

I found this huge length of plaid in my fabric stash and spent an hour steaming it.  It's the perfect tablecloth for our Scottish theme.  I tried to get heather and thistles for the floral arrangements, but it turns out heather is a spring flower and the thistles don't arrive until about noon today.  Oh well.  I'll have to make do with this arrangement which is the closest thing I could come to.  And who doesn't like purple?

 Here's our menu from Outlander Kitchen.  

• Appetizers:
• Scotch Eggs  
• Onion Tart 
• Main Course 
• Bangers and Mash
• Beverages
• Whisky
• Rhenish - I couldn't find it so I'm serving wine
• Water - I know - not really consumed, but I wasn't sure that ale would go over well.
• Sparkling lemonade - because not everyone wants something so strong to drink.
• Bread
• Jenny's Everyday Bread
• Claire's Spoon Bread
• Desserts:
• Salted Butterscotch Shortbread
• Chocolate Biscuits 
• Greens - there are some very funny quotes about how Claire tries to get the Highlanders to eat greens and vegetables.  She collects watercress and convinces Jamie about the importance of eating greens to keep his teeth and ward off scurvy.  She swears that tomatoes will NOT kill him - and also gets the Highlanders to eat onions.  Perhaps a very simple salad of watercress, tomatoes and onions???  Otherwise, there were really not a lot of greens in the book series or at Outlander Kitchen.   

Wish us luck.  I'll post pictures of the food after our event.  It should be great fun.

Actual Knitting Progress

BF and I went to a wedding in Lima, Peru just after I started my latest Outlander project.  I knew that the vacation would throw a wrench in my productivity because when I get distracted from a project, it's really hard for me to find that passion again.  

So while my Claire's Jacobite History Vest may not look much different from the last time you saw this, it has grown several inches.  I'm now at the point where I need to start the armhole openings.  That's definite progress.  I'm knitting a size small for convenience's sake and speed.  Hopefully, with the puppies and a little focus, I can finish this up in the very near future.

My Outlander Vest

So did you guess correctly?  My swatch from the other day was just enough so I could make Claire's vest from Outlander.  I call it The Jacobite.

 

I'm knitting a medium vest as my test.  It's actually a pretty quick and easy knit.  But I've been distracted by puppies... so I'm slowing down a bit.  Hopefully I'll have more progress to show you over the next week.

 

Swatching for My Next Outlander Project

I have six months until the next episode of Outlander.  So I decided to tackle a larger knitting project inspired by the show.

Can you guess what I'll be knitting?

Outlander - Donalda Gilchrist's Wool Waulking Mitts

My favorite scene, well, one of my favorite scenes from Starz Outlander based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon, is the wool waulking scene where Claire helps Donalda Gilchrist and the women of the village set the dye in the wool with ammonia, er, hot pi$$.  

It's really hard to get a good look at these mitts but this is what I came up with for my version.

You can find this pattern in my Ravelry store - aka Major Knitter's PX.

Once again, you'll notice that I used my favorite Outlander wool, which is readily available across America:  Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool in Brown Heather.  

For the mitts, I used a US size 7 (4.5 mm) needles. 

And of course, there's always a freebie.  I worked out a miniature version of the Wool Waulking Mitts to fit my American Girl Doll or any 18" doll.  I included those directions in the pattern, too.  These used a bit of fingering weight yarn (Knit Picks Palette Hale Heather) and US Size 2 (2.75 mm) needles.

I hope you enjoy knitting the Outlander Series patterns as much as I enjoy creating them.

 

Mid-Season Finale for Outlander

Tonight is the mid-season finale for Starz Outlander.  I can hardly wait. 

I may be getting into the highlander spirit a bit too much.

I found 5 yards of green calico fabric in my overflowing stash and turned it into a gathered drawstring skirt.

Now look how we match.  I think we both might consider getting curly perms next.

Anyway, I wanted to let you all know that I've finally published the pattern for the Rent Collecting Shawl in my Ravelry store - aka Major Knitter's PX.  When you purchase the pattern, you'll get the bonus gift of notes and adaptations to make a matching shawl for your 18" doll, too.

Check out the pattern HERE.

I've also created a separate Ravelry group to follow my patterns and designs - Major Knitter's Designs - where it will be helpful to discuss and questions people might have for individual patterns.  I find that to be very helpful to have a community to discuss tips, techniques, suggestions and show & tell.

And when you're done knitting up your adult sized shawl, you can make one for your favorite doll.

Check it out.  

 

 

Hi I'm Jennifer and I'm an Outlander Addict

I *might* be slightly obsessed with Starz Outlander based on the books by Diana Gabaldon.  But you knew that already.  I'm having way too much fun.  I decided my American Girl Doll needed a green plaid outfit to match her new Rent Collecting Shawl.  I vowed I would NOT purchase any green plaid material, but if I happened to find some in my basement fabric stash, I would see what I could do.

Guess what?  I found a few scraps of green plaid.  SQUEE!

I cut a piece approximately 48 x 14 inches.  I folded a 1' hem on the top and bottom of the fabric and sewed it.  I left an opening at the top to pull the drawstring through.  My finished dimensions are approximately 48 x12 inches.

I ironed the skirt and put a safety pin on the 5-foot long ribbon to pull it through the draw string opening.  I pulled it tight and had a nice looking pseudo pleated arasaid.  OK - go with me on this.  We're playing dolls here.  Imagination is half the fun!

Ta da!  My AGD has her very own plaid.  I thought about making a green plaid bodice, too, but I knew that would take more creativity, sewing skills, and time than a simple rectangular drawstring skirt.  Maybe later.

Add my Rent Collecting Shawl and it's not bad for a tribute to Claire.

You can call me Sassenach.

Now I just want AGD to make a line of Highlanders.  I'd love to dress up Dougal, Angus, Rupert and oh yeah, that Jamie character.  ;)

There you have it.  Since I don't have daughters, I have to play dress up dolls by creating little patterns and having fun myself.  Hehehe.  

 

Rent Collecting Shawl

Last night's episode of Outlander was so intense, realistic, brutal and disturbing.  It's the first episode (but not that last) that I will not watch on StarzPlay over and over.  In fact I didn't get much sleep last night.  

But I do have some good news to share, so that's what I'm going to dwell on.  I finished my version of the Rent Collecting Shawl. And while I don't have a green plaid skirt and bodice to wear while modeling this (Don't think for a moment I didn't consider it!) here are my photos of my latest creation.

Too bad I didn't have Mrs. Fitz to help me pin my hair.

I could definitely forego the ice-cold character building sponge bath though.

Now to block my shawl and have my test knitters get busy.  Check back next week for the finished pattern.