just the thing

Hi all! Hope everyone has had a great weekend thus far. On my end, it’s been a productive one, not least because I’ve finished up another ye olde secret knitting project that will be making its way tomorrow to its rightful owner. I love that feeling of completion! (And on-time completion is even better hehehe).

So what’s a knitter to do when her current knitting is finished? Well, I think all of us knitters obviously know the answer to that. Find a new project or pattern or idea or skein, and make it speedy! And in this instance, I’ve got just the thing lined up:

Isn’t that gorgeous? Let me introduce you to SkeinnyDipping, an independent yarn brand run by Christine Link in Massachusetts. Above is just one of her gorgeous colors, aptly titled “Evolution of the Maple.” The skein is from her Cannonball Sock line and is a yummy 80/20 blend of merino and nylon. With the softness and spring of the merino, and the strength and sheen from the nylon, Cannonball is the perfect blend for hardworking knit accessories like socks and handwarmers and cowls. (PS: that link above is a link to her Etsy shop. Go ahead and browse – you won’t be sorry…)

The color of my skein is so beautiful and complex that it can be a bit hard to capture, depending on your light source. Here is another view photographed in another spot:

As you can see, there are warm tones of chartreuse, brown, red and even a hint of purple. I love it. What’s even more exciting is that Christine sent me this lovely skein for a new design! I can’t wait to embark on the collaboration; obviously, I’ll be thinking of something textured and cozy, but not too much texture – the colorway really is the star of this show 😉

Christine and I actually met last fall at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival (handily called “Rhinebeck” by those in the know). She and I were both attending the lunchtime meet up for Knitspot, run by the very talented Anne Hanson. Christine was wearing a fantastic pair of handwarmers that she had knit from her own yarn, and the color was out of this world. So I’m thrilled to have the chance to create something new with her yarn! Stay tuned for fun developments as I try out a few swatching ideas.

In the interim, every knitter must eat. And to that end, once again, I have just the thing. Say it with me, people: Belgian Waffle Truck.

Today was the day of the fall festival in Forest Hills, when a bevy of food and craft vendors descend on Austin Street, the main drag. We’d been seeing the Wafels & Dinges food truck around the neighborhood on weekends, but we had yet to take the plunge.

What were we waiting for?!?!

Talk about the most incredible waffle you’ve ever had. Andrew and I each had the “Throwdown” Waffle, made famous when the folks at Wafels & Dinges competed in a throwdown on Bobby Flay’s show. Their entry into the competition was a liege waffle (chewier and cakier than what we think of as a traditional Belgian waffle) with a speculoos spread and whipped cream on top. Speculoos spread is like spreadable gingerbread, only with a thicker and creamier texture than peanut butter. (Aside: my sister knows that I am already drooling just typing this.) So imagine a hot cakey waffle with gingerbread spread, whipped cream, and powdered sugar on top.

I would’ve taken a picture of mine, but I forgot to breathe while I devoured it. Oops.

The truck had a bunch of other menu options, including a bacon and syrup waffle (most likely my next conquest) as well as a pulled pork BBQ waffle and even a chili con corne waffle hehehehehe. It’s a good thing that the truck only appears to be around on weekends. I wouldn’t want to think what might happen if they were available 7 days a week.

Hope you all had an equally delicious couple of days and next time, my most current WIP: a fair isle cowl with variegated yarn! Yum.