anna bakes - pear clafouti

I made this pear clafouti a few weeks ago, and it turned out so well that I made another one yesterday for a dinner my roommate and I hosted. I used Ina Garten's recipe, and it was so easy and so delicious I was surprised clafouti are not more popular! It was great warm, room-temp, and chilled. You really can't go wrong with this one. I'm looking forward to making another with different fruit - cherries, raspberries, topped with almonds... The possibilities are endless!

anna knits - cable slouch hat update 2

I waited a little while to post this one because it was a gift, but it is all good now!

I started this hat on Super Bowl Sunday and was able to finish it on an unexpected snow day the Wednesday after. The pattern is called Quick Cable Slouch Hat, and it is available for free from Azure Knits. I used Bernat Alpaca yarn in stone, which I picked up a Michaels, with size US8 and US11 needles. The pattern was easy to follow, and - as the author notes - would make a great project for first time cablers. Just to note though, it is definitely more of a slouch hat than a beret, despite the look of my picture on the right!

diy, etc. - valentine's day quick gifts

Looking for something to make for Valentine's Day, but just realized you only have two days left!?! I've got you covered with three lovely knit/crochet gifts that can be made in one sitting:

1. Heart Bookmark: With crazy winter weather hitting much of the nation this year, there has never been a better time to stay inside with a favorite book. And this bookmark is a novel's best accessory. They are so quick and easy to knit up, you can make one for all your besties.

2. Crochet Cup Cozy: Keep your hottie's coffee hot with this super easy crochet cup cozy. You can customize it to reflect your man's favorite sport's team logo, college colors, or show your love with a classic heart embellishment. See some of the different designs I made last winter here. Plus you'll be helping the environment by saying no to disposable cup sleeves.  

3. Knit Hearts: I did not write this pattern - it is from the site Mochimochi Land - but they are so cute I had to include it. I'm thinking of incorporating one of these guys into a handmade card!

olympics, etc. - slopestyle knitting

In case you missed it...

anna knits - cable slouch hat update 1

I am not the biggest sports fan, but I do enjoy watching sports on TV while I knit. Anything amazing is going to be replayed many times, so you don't have to worry about keeping your head down for a minute to focus on a complicated cable or color change. For yesterday's Super Bowl, I decided to take a break from making knit headbands, and cast on a cable slouch hat I found on Ravelry from Azure Knits. It is a really fun and quick pattern, and only takes one ball of yarn (yay for using those impulse buys). I hope to finish it up this week!

Did you knit during the Super Bowl this year?