Pischi Days

Southwest Meets Southeast

Last week Bonnie and I took a trip beach-side to knit at All Strung Out, Cocoa Beach. Gail hosts a lively knit night every Wednesday and was a trip that we wouldn't forget. When we arrived the tables were almost full. No matter; more chairs were found and we were pulled into the chatter. There was one lone male at the far table. It was Joe, the owner of Southwest Trading Company. He came to visit Gail and travel around Florida to visit other LYS owners. His trip was to end with the launch of Hat Attack. Think Sock Wars.
I had a million questions. How does a former engineer become founder of a yarn company? I'll leave you in suspense but will say it's a great tale. Visit the "Where's Joe" group on Ravelry to find out if he will be in your town.
SWTC was the first to pioneer soy, bamboo, and corn based yarns. TOFUtsies rings a bell, right? That's the sock yarn that incorporates soysilk and Chitin, an antibacterial material made from shrimp and crab shells.
Joe broke out his magic suitcase bursting with sweaters and accessories made from SWTC yarns. Eryn from Turtle Cove Farm was a willing model. We took lots of pics using Bonnie's camera. I brought mine but left the memory card home. The sweaters are fabulous and easy to wear. The yarns are equally wonderful and there is something for everyone. Perfect blends for Florida and great should you favour alternative fibres.
The next day Joe was made the trip north to our fair city and shlepped his Koffer up the stairs to restart the show all over a gain. We found another willing model and enjoyed the sweater show all over again. Here are my favourites.

This is a tee that is knit sideways using 5 random balls of TOFUtsies. It looks like an impressionist painting.

 This wrap looked pretty clever. I think that its made from Therapi, SWTC's new yarn made with jade.

This little sweater makes me want to throw it on over my pajamas on a Sunday morning and curl up with the newspaper. It's knit using Pure.

Very cute twinset! I think the yarn is Terra. Please correct me if I'm wrong!

This was my favorite cardi. The yarn is Phoenix and the extra touch came from pulling a piece of yarn through to make the x's.

Cute pullover using Karaoke. The yarn reminds me of Noro.

I have a few more pictures on Flickr. Bonnie's peepshow is here. Those were all taken at All Strung Out.
I want to thank Gail for making us feel so welcome and for sharing Joe with us. We are truly stuck away in hinterland and having the opportunity to view yarns and sweaters knit from them, not to mention hobnobbing with the owner, was a real treat! The yarns are beautiful and the patterns seem easy to knit. I'm putting the yellow wrap in my queue and purchasing Phoenix for the February Lady Sweater.
Here's to some great Florida fall knitting!

Life is Plum Good

I can only describe the last few weeks as turbulent. What with the start of a new job, a triple threat of hurricanes and more flooding, and sitting in class two nights a week, coupled with what seems endless homework assignments. Oh, and I have been knitting for sanity's sake.
As far as work goes, my feelings are have everyone should experience your customers instant gratification. I came from an industry that, once the clients needs have been captured on paper, colour and style finally settled on, cost and time line of the projects negotiated ad nauseam, and the contract signed, the rest is out of your control. You art can mean nothing and what happens next is often in the hands of contractors, tradespeople, fickle interior designers, or surly installers. Seldom is a job truly worry free and breezy.
Now lets chuck that career aside and make coffee for a living. Customer comes in bleary- eyed, just having rolled out of bed and into clothes. We are his first stop on the commute to the office. A 20 ounce triple mocha latte with 3 Splenda, caramel and whipped cream on their lips and they are putty in my hands. They leave with a spring in their step and foam on their lips. Three raspberry scones to go? No problem, the butter is on the antique buffet, help yourself. Chocolate, chocolate chunk muffins are still warm from the oven and they're huge, you'd like three? Sure, and a large Granita with white chocolate,  hazelnut syrup, don't forget the whipped creme. Coming right up. I come home with tired feet and smelling of warm milk, warm sugar cookies and freshly ground coffee. My mind is clear and I can take my noon shower and tackle the homework with aplomb.
Now, my homework consists of learning a new language, mostly Greek and Latin. Lots of memorization and learning names of obscure body parts. Incidentally the name of that little dent on the upper lip is called the philtrum from the Greek philtron meaning "to love; to kiss" and allows the lip a greater range of motion. Who knew? Anatomy and physiology are my greatest challenge but I will persevere.
On to what is on my needles. Now that the Olympics have ended, I have turn my attention to the Arwen. I am pleased with the outcome so far. I plan to make some major modifications to neck area, omitting the hood and mitring the cables resulting in a middy collar.
Knitting through my stash is always on my mind. I just finished sock one of the STR Club Summer of Lace  anklet in Flower Power. They are unashamedly size 10 and not for me. Erik was gracious enough to lend his foot for the camera. Here are some other stash yarns that I plan to knit up next. The top yarn is HandMaiden Sea Sock yarn and underneath another STR club installment called Monsoon. I should probably cast that one on first in anticipation of hurricane Ike.
Last but not least my end of summertime recipe for Pflaumenkuchen, my favourite cake and a taste of home. I make this with Italian prune plum that are available in early September but only for a few weeks. The recipe is translated from my German Dr. Oetker Baking Book and the ingredients are measured in grams.

Pflaumenkuchen, lovingly called Zwetschekuchen in Wiesbaden

Cake base

500 g unbleached flour
1 package yeast
75 grams sugar
vanilla
salt
250 ml lukewarm milk
75 g melted butter, cooled

I zap the butter and milk in the microwave for 1 minute. I dump all the ingredients into the trusty Kitchenaid mixer and knead the dough on low using the dough hook. After the ingredients are mixed, continue to knead for about five minutes. The dough should be soft, not sticky.
Cover with a damp towel to rise.
Meanwhile prepare plumbs by cutting in half and pitting, leaving the skin partially intact, cut again so that you are left with a pitless plum attached by the skin in three places.

Streusel

In bowl fitted with the dough hook blend the following:

300 g unbleached flour
150 g sugar
vanilla
150-200 g soften butter

Blend until combined.

Once the dough has risen knead once more.Roll the dough out onto a buttered jelly roll pan. Build the side up slightly. Arrange the plums to cover the dough. Use your hands to crumble the streusel over the plums.
Bake in a 225 c oven for about 15-20 minutes.

This cake doesn't last long in my house. Please don't let the steps deter you from trying this recipe. I guarantee you will look forward to the last months of summer and the arrival of Italian prune plums.