Sciency Magic

January 2, 2025!

ALL KNITTING LINKS GO TO RAVELRY UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.  Please visit our Instagram page @craftcookreadrepeat for non-Rav photos and info  

Weather or Knot Scarf by Scott Rohr, HolstGarn Coast in Butterfly, Black, Charcoal, Silver Grey, Wisteria, Freesia, Passion Flower: –DONE!!

Wildcat Warmth Easy Stripes Blanket by Joan of Dark, Knit Picks Brava Worsted in Dove Heather and Eggplant– DONE!!

Gnana’s Visit by Sarah Schira, Little Squirrel Yarn Oak Sock in Gnana’s House ( C1 Raspberry Jam, C2 Flint, C3 Tinsel, C4 Marshmallow) plus Dream in Color Smooshy in Green Light from previous kit– DONE!!

Gnome News is Good News by Sarah Schira, Lollipop Yarn Quintessential in We Need a Little Christmas, KnitPicks Stroll fingering in Strawberry– DONE!!

Twinkle Toes Saxe Point Socks by Andrea Rangel, Gauge Dyeworks fingering in Twinkle–DONE!!

Full Spectrum by Andrea Rangel, Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Merino in black and 861 (turquoise, olive, purple, black 2009!)

Succulents 2025 Blanket CAL by Mallory Krall, Hue Loco DK in Propagation

Cortney is working on the Pressed Flower Pullover by Amy Christoffers in Neighborhood Fiber Studio DK Ramblewood and Suri Loft Mondawmin (which is burgundy and hot pink).

2025 Scenic Route Calendars!

New secret 100-Day project with Daria and Marcy.

upside-down cranberry cake – smitten kitchen

Broccoli Cheddar Beans with Crispy Cheddar Panko by Carolina Gelen

Swiss Chicken Cutlets

Crisp Green Salad with Caramelized Citrus Dressing by Carolina Gelen

Cocktail Club Gingerbread cake–VERY forward on the molasses.

Christmas for 26 people.

Some family favorites.

New favorite: Chicken with garlic & shallots (shallots added to this recipe).

We are now a Bookshop.org affiliate!  You can visit our shop to find books we’ve talked about or click on the links below.  The books are supplied by local independent bookstores and a percentage goes to us at no cost to you!

The City in Glass by Nghi Vo 

Real Tigers, Spook Street, London Rules, Joe Country, Slough House, Bad Actors by Mick Herron (audio)

The Examiner by Janice Hallett 

A Fellowship of Bakers and Magic by J. Penner 

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Huruki Murakami, trans by Philip Gabriel

Noel Nook: 

Slay Bells Ring by Nancy Robards Thompson (maddie and jenna)

Brightly Shining by Ingvild H. Rishøi, trans by Caroline Waight

A Jingle Bell Mingle by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone (sunny and issac)

Season of Love, For Never and Always, Hers for the Weekend by Helena Greer 

The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy

Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake (Brighton & Charlotte)

One Week in January by Carson Ellis

Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati

Glass Houses by Louise Penny

Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin

Monica’s  2024 Wrap-up/2025 Goals:

Needles: 17,674 yards in 33 projects, knit 2 sweaters with pre 2022 yarn. Coming up: Succulents blanket CAL, Colorwork cuff club 

Table: Started Cocktail Club for entertaining goal. Coming up: Great British bake off bakes

Read 175 books, completed most of Storygraph Reads the World and Tacoma Extreme Reader Challenges.  Coming up: Repeat Read the World and Tacoma Extreme!

Cortney’s 2024 Wrap-up/2025 Goals:

Needles: finished the Mondo Cable Cardi & WORE it!!

Aiming to: work more regularly on the Pressed Flower pullover, make/mend a garment each season. HOW: use a Make9 grid to inspire and achieve.

Easel: painted a book cover series for Nancy Robards Thompson via Tulle Publishing.

Completed several “pretend” Field Guides.

Did some plein air painting.

Completed a secret 100-Day project with Daria.

Gouachevember!

Scenic Route calendar.

Aiming to: paint a seasonal landscape/botanical, try a seasonal color palette, Fill a sketchbook each season. HOW: keep ref material at the ready, visit new flower mart, check museum on-line catalogues for “famous” seasonal landscapes…

Table: Cocktail Club is very inspiring! Teaching the boys how to prepare their favorites is heart-warming.

Aiming to: seek out seasonal recipes, go to Farmer’s market with seasonal list, look at favorite restaurant seasonal menus. Local, seasonal cookbooks!

Nightstand: read 68 fiction, many other art & cook books. “Found” my favorite genre: environmental lit.

Aiming to: read a little more. Seasonally!  What Should I Read Next seasonal reading episode

HOW: use the big library lists, esp Tacoma Public Library Extreme Reader resources.

Also: Cortney’s winter playlist on Spotify.