Knot the Usual Suspects (28 page)

Ingredients for roasted vegetables

1 bunch red radishes cut into wedges ½ inch at wide end

4 beets (tangerine to orange in size), peeled and cut into ½-inch dice

2 carrots, peeled and cut into ¼- to ½-inch slices

½ red onion, sliced into ¼- to ½-inch rings, then rings into quarters

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 Tbs. fresh thyme

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. black pepper

2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar

Ingredients for curried pecans

1 tsp. olive oil

⅓ cup pecan halves

½ to 1 tsp. curry powder

¼ tsp. salt

Fresh ingredients to finish the salad

3 to 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, romaine, etc.)

1 seedless orange, segments cut into bite-size pieces

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450ºF.

2. Toss prepared radishes, beets, carrots, and onion with olive oil. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle with thyme, salt, and pepper. Roast for about 20 minutes, turning once or twice, cooking until the vegetables are tender and the edges are beginning to caramelize. Roasted vegetables are good—caramelized vegetables are superb.

3. When you think the vegetables are 3–5 minutes away from being perfect, stir in the balsamic vinegar and finish roasting.

4. Let cool while you prepare the pecans, the greens, and the orange.

5. Heat olive oil in small skillet over medium heat. Add pecans, curry powder, and salt. Stir until pecans begin to brown. Remove from heat.

6. Put greens in a large salad bowl. Add the roasted vegetables. Top with the orange and the pecans.

The salad doesn't really need a dressing, but an oil-and-vinegar Italian is nice, and Asiago peppercorn is great.

Designed by Kate Winkler, Designs from Dove Cottage 2015

Designed for Molly MacRae's
Knot the Usual Suspects

Almost any knitting or crocheting can become a yarn bomb. Swatches (I am sure you always work a gauge swatch) can be joined together in strips to wrap poles, trees, etc., or attached to i-cord or crocheted chain to make bunting.

The easiest knitted yarn bomb is a simple length of garter stitch. You can use any yarn available, but using up odd bits of yarn in various colors and textures makes the result even more fun. Use a needle one or two sizes larger than you would normally use for a garment made with the yarn; in the case of mixed weights of yarn, go with the size you'd use for the heaviest yarn in the mix. Variegated yarns add extra interest. You can join as you go, or make up a “magic ball” by knotting yarns together with a simple overhand knot. Don't trim the tails—they'll add to the impact of your yarn bomb.

Bunting Pattern

This pattern uses short rows to shape the pennants. There are many ways to avoid a hole at the short row “turn”; consult a knitting reference work or search for “short row tutorial” on the Internet. I prefer German short rows, which do not require a wrap.

Materials

Worsted-weight yarn in a variety of colors

Size 9 (5.5mm) needles

Crochet hook, size G or H

Tapestry needle

Abbreviations: (crochet terms are US usage) K=knit, SR=short row, ch=chain, sc=single crochet, sl st=slip stitch, rep=repeat

Knitted Pennant

Cast on 31 stitches.

Row 1: K28, turn

Row 2 and all even-numbered rows: K to end

Row 3: K24, turn

Row 5: K20, turn

Row 7: K16, turn

Row 9: K12, turn

Row 11: K8, turn

Row 13: K4, turn

Row 15: K7, incorporating SR stitch or wrap when you come to it; turn

Row 17: K11, incorporating SR stitches or wraps when you come to them; turn

Row 19: K15, incorporating SR stitches or wraps when you come to them; turn

Row 21: K19, incorporating SR stitches or wraps when you come to them; turn

Row 23: K23, incorporating SR stitches or wraps when you come to them; turn

Row 25: K27, incorporating SR stitches or wraps when you come to them; turn

Row 27: K31, incorporating SR stitches or wraps when you come to them

Bind off all stitches. Knit as many pennants as desired.

Crocheted Cord

Ch 50, *sc in every ridge across top of pennant, ch 25; rep from * until all pennants are attached to chain, ch 25.

Turn, skip first ch and sl st in every ch and sc across. Fasten off.

Weave in
ends.

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