Latest Forum Posts by: mowi 19

We just got back today from a short getaway at a nearby campground. I finally got a chance to do some crocheting and go for walks.

Unfortunately, I had such a bad fall on my bike (while swerving from a standstill) that I bruised my tailbone (it hurts when I sit, anyway). So that was the end of biking for me, unfortunately. Luckily, walking and lying down are no problem at all.

A guardian angel must have had a hand in that fall, because my husband noticed afterward that the rear wheel had a crack and could easily have caused a blowout. Since we would have been cycling right next to a road, that could have ended very badly.

Now I just have to be a little patient until my bruised tailbone heals. Until then, at least cycling is off the table. Too bad!

Oh no, that’s every yarn lover’s worst nightmare! Luckily, I’ve never had that problem before. We also have fly screens on all our windows, so nothing gets through. And I go through my yarn stash pretty often when I’m thinking about new projects.

Sandra, the giraffe, is totally cute and a total charmer. By the way, my son didn’t discover his favorite stuffed animal until he was 2 years old. So don’t worry if he’s ignoring her right now. That can change quickly—especially if someone else takes a liking to her.

Yesterday and today I spent some time outside in the sun crocheting on my little bear, and my slippers are now ready enough that I can toss them in the washing machine. I already have an idea for what I’ll use to sew a non-slip sole onto the bottom. :)

Oh, Sofi, that’s pretty much how I feel, too. Sometimes I wish I had at least four hands. :)

Happy birthday, and have a wonderful time celebrating!

Best wishes, Monika

Happy birthday, Andy! Have a great time—not just today! :)

Best regards, Monika

I’ve already used up another ball of yarn and finished the front of the vest. Now all that’s left is the upper back and the buttons. It’s coming along nicely. :-)

Warm congratulations from me as well, and here’s to a fantastic new year in which everything you set out to do comes to fruition.

Best wishes, Monika

Cake

Spring or fall?

Dear Ida,

You have my deepest sympathy. I can totally understand that you’re sad and have lost your enthusiasm for crafting. I’d feel the same way if my husband weren’t doing well.

But Josefa is right. It doesn’t help anyone—not even your husband—if your thoughts are always stuck in a dark place. You can only encourage him if you lift your own spirits. For example, playing a forum game can help pull you out of that endless cycle of thoughts.

In any case, it’s great to have you back here and active again. You were really missed.

A warm hug, if you’d like. And remember, the sun is always shining, even when there’s a thick layer of clouds in the way.

Warm regards, Monika

Yes, Sandra, the cake tastes great even without almonds and nuts. You could also sprinkle it with shredded coconut. Or leave it out entirely—I’ve tried that too.

What I also love about this cake is the thin, crispy crust. :-)

The spelt breadsticks turned out super delicious. I tweaked the recipe a bit. Instead of 220 g of spelt flour, I used 110 g of whole-grain spelt flour and 110 g of oat flour (oats ground in the Thermomix). I replaced the canola oil with coconut oil.

Sandra, here’s the recipe for the sugar-free apple cake: It’s a yeast dough that’s easy to make and turns out great. Unfortunately, you can’t use coconut oil with yeast dough—it won’t rise as well.

Ingredients for the dough:

• 250 g whole-grain spelt flour
  
• 30 g oil (canola or sunflower oil)
• 125 ml water
• 1/2 cube of yeast or 1 packet of dry yeast
• a small pinch of salt

Topping:

• 3–4 sweet apples
• 1 lemon
• a little cinnamon (but you can leave this out if you like)
• Raisins—as many as you like (can also be omitted)
• ground almonds or nuts 

Instructions:

• Mix all the ingredients for the yeast dough, knead, and let the dough rise for 30 minutes
  
• In the meantime, you can prepare the topping:
• Cut the apples into small pieces (I use them with the skin on) 
• Squeeze the lemon, mix the juice with the apple pieces, and combine with the cinnamon and raisins 
• Roll out the dough very thinly on a baking sheet
• Spread the apple pieces on top
• Sprinkle the ground nuts or almonds on top
• Then place it in a cold oven and bake for 20 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius on the convection setting.

Enjoy! 

Sandra, you’ve really got a lot planned. But knowing you, you’ll manage it easily.

I baked the spelt sticks with banana and apple today. My husband and I liked them very much. :-) I’ll make them more often.
I changed the recipe a little. Instead of 220 g of spelt flour, I used only 110 g of wholegrain spelt flour and 110 g of oat flour, and I replaced the canola oil with coconut oil.

Thanks again for the recipe.

Best regards, Monika

Yes, I think it’s great when so many people participate. It’s incredibly motivating. :-)

Yes, that sounds great—a “last-minute Christmas gift finishing” week. I like it!
I’d be happy to join in again every month, of course.

Here are photos of my UFOs that should be finished in October:

The vest for my husband:



The cuddly bear I started for my granddaughter for Christmas:



My slippers



Happy Birthday and have a wonderful day with dear guests and delicious food. Enjoy everything you receive today.

Best regards
Monika

I’m going to spend this afternoon doing crafts—partly knitting, and partly writing patterns. I’ve got quite a bit to catch up on.

I was at the market early this morning. It’s the kind of weather that makes you want to cozy up in the living room, so it all fits together perfectly.

Before that, I’m going to bake some snack sticks using Sandra’s recipe. I’ll have them in between with a cup of hot tea.

Josefa, thank you! You really did a fantastic job writing the winners’ announcement for everyone.

Quite honestly, this has now become a real highlight for me at the end of each month, something I’d really hate to miss and always look forward to. That’s why I’m very happy to keep taking part.

Above all, it’s an incentive not to let UFOs lie around for too long, but to finish them.

By the way, the gifted yarn comes from my granddaughter’s great-grandmother’s estate (her mother’s grandmother). And now I’ve decided to knit something from it for my granddaughter. Gray and white combine really well with red or blue. The yarn should be enough for a sweater, hat, leggings, and socks. Her great-grandmother would surely be very happy that the yarn is being put to such good use. If there’s any left over, I’ll make something from it for her future little sibling.

Sandra, I’ll let you know how it tastes. I’ve got all the ingredients together now. :)

I’m going to bake an apple cake today that’s completely sugar-free. I’m really looking forward to it. We definitely need to use up some apples here.

I also have an apple crumble recipe with crumble topping (partly made with rolled oats). That tastes absolutely delicious, too.

Thanks, Sandra! Great, I’ll definitely give that a try. The original recipe called for banana instead of mango, right? I think that would be really good in it, too.

Is this the kind of pastry you can nibble on? Since there’s no yeast in it...

I’m really looking forward to it!

I’m already looking forward to the awards ceremony. Josefa, you can add anyone who joins later, what do you think?

Sandra, that sounds more and more delicious and interesting to me.
Would you like to post the recipe here sometime?
I’d love to try that too. :-)

Today we turned on the heat everywhere for the first time—with it being 10 degrees outside, we had no other choice. I only managed to knit for half an hour this morning. There are a few other things to do that take priority.

By the way, today is a special day for my husband and me. We got together exactly 30 years ago, and our love has only grown stronger. Tonight we’re having one of his favorite meals: lentil soup. I really like that, too. And this afternoon we had apple cake.

Tonight I’ll keep knitting on the vest and reknit the part I unraveled.

Sandra, you make such delicious food for Anton. :)

Now I’ve finished and photographed my UFO sweater.

UFO King/Queen in September
[x ] I finished three UFOs in September and have truly earned the title UFO King/Queen.

This hooded hat with a knitted-on loop is finished, and I gave it to my granddaughter:



This baby set made up of a sweater and hat was completed today. My 2nd grandchild, who is currently still in the planning stage, will get it later.



And then there’s the headband for me, which I started in August—that’s finished now too:





New: Shopping Queen / King:
(x) I bought some more yarn that I was missing in order to finish my projects. I also received 700 g of merino yarn as a gift, and about another 500 g of cotton. Of course I was very happy about that. Here is a photo of the wonderful gifts (not everything fit in the photo):




New: busy Christmas elves
[ x] I worked on Christmas gifts in September.
I started crocheting the little winter bear, and with that I also started rescuing a wallflower. It’s still in progress and is going into October as a UFO.


Taming the Frogging Monster in September
[ x] In September I frogged a large part of a work in progress three times now—the vest for my husband. Yesterday I discovered that a mistake had crept into the upper left front piece—so I frogged it again. Since I design a lot of things as I knit, that happens to me sometimes. But that’s okay. This way the vest will be truly perfect in the end.

Also, with the yarn I was given, there was an entire front piece of a sweater that had been started. I frogged that too.


Learned something new in September
[ x] I learned something new in September and am therefore a winner. :- )
I tried out new knitting patterns again and learned more, including cable patterns.

I also got to know new vegan recipes, for example vegan herring salad (thanks, Inna).



End-of-summer updates / the last garden projects / vacation projects in September / preserves / homemade jam, etc., etc. + new: cozy-blanket evenings
[ x] I worked on several projects in the garden, on the balcony, and on vacation at the campsite. I also processed a lot of fruit into jam, purée, and cake. Of course I had a lot of fun doing it. :- )
The last UFO—the baby sweater—was finished on the balcony on September 30.


all September projects
Number of projects finished in September: 3
I started 2 projects that will go into October as UFOs. They’re still flying around my ears.

At this point, another thank-you from me for this thread. If it didn’t exist, my UFOs would still be circling for a long time... ;-)

It’s really fun to motivate each other here and to post the current status now and then. Thanks also to everyone who takes part here. :-) 


I wish you all an inspiring week and am looking forward to everything new in October.

Happy birthday, and have a wonderful day with lovely guests and gifts that bring you joy.

Warm regards
Monika

Happy birthday, Heike, and here’s to continued success!
Above all, stay healthy.

Best regards, Monika

Happy birthday and a great start to your new year of life!

Best regards, Monika

You two are amazing—and you’re already done. Great!

I still need until tomorrow evening to get everything put together and finished.

Josefa, I won’t be able to do it until tomorrow. I still need to weave in the ends on my finished UFO and take a photo first thing tomorrow morning. Will that still be in time?

Then I’ll only get around to writing a September overview.

I had to unravel a large section of the vest for my husband twice because I’d forgotten to work in the buttonholes.

The other time, in my eagerness, I’d knitted much too far and forgotten to shape the armholes.

Well ... all in all, I probably knitted 1 1/2 skeins twice over.

Looks great, Marion. You’ve been very busy. :)

I’m not quite done with my UFO baby sweater yet, but I’ve made good progress today.

I can only post the final update, including photos, on Monday. I won’t be able to do it before then.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Happy birthday, and I hope you have a celebration with everything you could wish for.

Warm regards
Monika

Little teddy bears and dolls (20–25 cm tall) need something warm to wear now, too. How about this cute little crocheted jacket?

You can whip it up in no time using leftover yarn—even as a beginner with basic skills—and make your child or grandchild (or even yourself) very happy.

I originally designed this jacket for Schlenker Teddy Charly.

To the crochet pattern

A great weekend project is this eye-catcher for your kitchen: 
The lucky beetle potholders are very easy to crochet. You can make them even if you're a beginner and have the usual basic skills. They've become my favorite oven mitts.

A good idea for a Christmas gift, too.

Go to the crochet pattern

Wishing you a very happy birthday and an inspiring, healthy, and joyful year ahead, in which everything you do turns out well.

Best regards
Monika

Christina, you’ve finished knitting some really lovely things. I think the bathrobe is absolutely adorable—and the other items turned out beautifully, too.

By the way, I also think “hardworking Christmas elves” is a very nice and fitting name.

Happy Birthday, Christa, and here's to lots of joy and success with your creative ideas.

Warm regards
Monika

Wishing you a very happy birthday, Maria, and a healthy and happy year ahead, in which everything you set out to do succeeds.

Warm regards
Monika

I love the fall and winter designs, too.

Baby girls need warm, cute clothing in winter, too. With this set of a jacket, hat, and pants, they’ll be kept warm all around. It fits from 3 to 12 months, so it grows with them.

The pattern of knit and purl stitches looks pretty on both sides. The pattern describes all the steps, includes the stitch chart, and there are also photos to go with it.

Easy for experienced knitters to make.


To the knitting pattern for the set


Note: The pants and the jacket are also available separately in my shop.

A warm jacket made of merino wool is just what children need now when they play outside. This colorful children's jacket has everything kids love—a hood and pockets where they can hide their treasures.

The jacket is knitted raglan from the top down and has only 2 seams—one seam on each pocket.
It fits approx. sizes 92–104, so it grows with them.

Suitable for advanced or experienced knitters.


Go to the knitting pattern here

This little baby dress is knitted in a pretty lace pattern. It can be worn in both summer and winter. If the skirt is knitted a little longer, the dress will fit from 3 to 18 months.

This baby set includes the following patterns:

• Baby pinafore dress (grows with the child) with lace pattern - knitted
• Hairband / headband with lace pattern - knitted
• Baby shoes with heart - crocheted

Suitable for skilled or advanced knitters.

Go to the pattern for all 3 pieces here

Wow, I hope you have lots of fun with the new addition to your family, too. Your kids are going to love feeding them. My granddaughter lives on a farm and has fun every day sharing her food (or leftovers) with the chickens.

That goes perfectly with your crocheted flock of birds! :-)

Oh Sandra, that’s funny. The “Wool Diet” will definitely be fun if several of us join in. Especially if you have enough stash. It’s really motivating when it gradually shrinks and you conjure up beautiful things from it.

Right now, I feel like a wool hoarder. :-)
And that doesn’t feel so great right now

Top 1: The cowl and shoulder warmer

The absolute favorite piece for beginners (with basic skills) and super practical, too. This is the cowl / shoulder warmer that you can knit very quickly and easily from one ball of cotton. 

Go to the knitting pattern here


Top 2: The grow-with-me pinafore dress for little girls from 1.5 to 5 years old 

Very popular with knitting moms and grandmas, this grow-with-me pinafore dress has knitted-in hearts. It is knitted in one piece from the bottom up. The pattern is also easy to follow for beginners with basic skills.

Go to the knitting pattern here

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Top 3: The tissue box with butterflies and hearts

This crocheted tissue box cover is a popular project for using up leftover yarn in a pretty way. It makes a lovely surprise gift for various occasions. Or from now on, you can decorate your unattractive tissue boxes with this cover. At our place, it even sits on the dining room table and sometimes gets used as a napkin substitute.

Go to the crochet pattern here

This cute baby cardigan with hat is knitted in a pretty knit-purl pattern using cozy sock yarn. If you have some knitting experience, you’ll enjoy knitting the cardigan and hat. It fits ages 3–12 months.

Click here for the knitting pattern for the cardigan

There is also a matching pair of harem pants with the same pattern, which, by the way, looks pretty from both sides.

Click here for the knitting pattern for the pants.

Note: In my shop, all 3 pieces (cardigan, pants, and hat) are also available as a savings set.

Sorry, the last post ended up here by mistake (To the mods: please remove it)...

This cute baby jacket with hat is knitted in a pretty knit-purl pattern using cozy sock yarn. If you have some knitting experience, you’ll enjoy recreating the jacket and hat. It fits from 3 to 12 months.

Click here for the knitting pattern for the jacket

There is also a matching pair of baby pants with the same pattern, which, by the way, looks pretty from both sides.

Click here for the knitting pattern for the pants.

Note: In my shop, all 3 pieces (jacket, pants, and hat) are also available as a value set.

A poncho cape knitted from soft, pastel-colored sock yarn is just the thing for cool days. This one can be buttoned at the front, so you have different ways to wear it.

Mine is always in my bag when I’m out and about. It’s easy to pack away and quick to slip on. That way I don’t need a thick jacket, and I get cozy and warm very quickly.

Easy to make for beginners with knitting experience. All steps are explained clearly in the pattern.

To the knitting pattern here

This triangular shawl + poncho is an absolute eye-catcher with its lace pattern and delicate waves. It suits many occasions and can be worn on cool evenings in summer or in any other season. 

Suitable for advanced knitters. The knitting pattern contains all individual steps as well as the pattern chart.

Go to the knitting pattern here