Loch Ness Monster Fridge Magnets Pattern

Amigurumi has been sweeping the crochet nation for several years now, and I’m definitely a big fan of these little creatures, however, I’m not too keen on increasing the quantity of tchotchkes. I prefer everything I make to be functional. Most of my Amigurumis are acting as tiny paper weights on my desk, and that’s when it hit me- they hold things down well, then why not mess with gravity and make them hold things against my fridge! Suddenly my mind flashed with one of the most iconic images of ‘Nessie’ known to date, “Surgeon’s Photograph.” Inspired to make an undulating version of the beast, I created this monster that seems into and out of the unknown depths of your refrigerator.

Click HERE to download the pattern today from Ravelry! (If you’re not on Ravelry, but would still like to purchase this pattern, please email me directly at Kt@zombie-hunter.com – PLEASE NOTE: A paypal account is necessary.)

New Pattern for Sale!

For the last few years I have been utterly obsessed with strange acidy and burnt yellow colours, so when I first saw this yarn I was drawn in by its wonderful green and saffron hues. Then I laid a hand on it. Soft, yet bouncy and consistent, I knew it would hold a lovely lace pattern. Since I’m not a big fan of socks– I suffer from severe second sock syndrome– I went to the complete opposite end of the body and designed a quick-knit hat, whose subtle colour variations settle somewhere in the spectrum of the lively vividness of a summer spirit and the necrotizing melancholy of a fall goddess.

Now available for sale as a download from Ravelry. (Email me directly at Kt@zombie-hunter.com if you do not have a Ravelry account but would still like to purchase this pattern. You will still need a PayPal account for this option.)

SIZE

Child [Adult] (shown in Adult)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference: 18.5[22] inches

MATERIALS

Bugga! by Sanguine Gryphon [70% superwash merino, 20% cashmere, 10% nylon; 412 yd/376 m per 110g skein]; color: Differential Grasshopper ; 1 [1] skein

1 set US #4/ 3.5mm double-point needles

1 set US #6/ 4 mm double-point needles

notions required:

tapestry needle

stitch markers (8)

GAUGE

20 sts/30 rows = 4″ in stockinette stitch on US #6 needles

21 sts/32 rows = 4″ in pattern stitch on US #4 needles

Trellis Lace Stitch Pattern (in the round)

Rnd 1- *K2, K2tog, yo, K3, repeat from * to end of row.

Rnd 2- *K1, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, K2tog, K1, repeat from * to end of row.

Rnd 3- *K2tog, yo, K3, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, repeat from * to end of row.

Rnd 4 & 8- Knit around.

Rnd 5- *Yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K5, repeat from * to end of row.

Rnd 6- *K1, yo, K2tog, K2, K2tog, yo, repeat from * to end of row.

Rnd 7- *K2, yo, sl 1, K1, psso, K2tog, yo, K1, repeat from * to end of row.

Guest Blogging for Tuned into Knitting Daily TV- FREE Download, The White Swan Scarf

Something pretty darn exciting happened last year: I got to go onto Knitting Daily TV and film to segments with Host Eunny Jang. In one I spoke about a pattern that I designed to use up scrap yarns that I had in my stash. Like any frugal fiber fiend, I refuse to throw away even a 25 or 50 yds of a yarn whose whole skein cost me $19.99 or more. Yes, I have paid more than $19 on ONE skein of yarn. (The hand-dyed movement ruined my per skein cost rule. ^_^ ) So, I came up with this cute and super easy flower pin pattern, which uses only a bit of two yarns. They knit up incredibly fast and you can even dive into your button tin and *finally* use one of the really weird ones to accent the middle! In the other segment I got to talk about my recent designs and how they were greatly influenced by the novelty yarns I used. It was flattering and thrilling to showcase all the hard work that had gone into making the pieces.

Well the flattery just continues, as I was asked to elaborate on the theme of “Novelty is back” for Knitting Daily’s blog: Tuned into Knitting Daily TV. The post went up this morning; it talks about how the texture of novelty yarns influenced and aided me in my most recent design, The White Swan Scarf, inspired by a design worn by Natalie Portman in the movie Black Swan.

Click here to read the post on Knitting Daily’s website, and to download your own FREE copy of the White Swan scarf.

Knitting Daily TV

Last year I taped a segment for Interweave’s Knitting Daily TV at TNNA. The episodes will air this year on PBS, but for those of you who cannot wait til then (or just don’t get Knitting Daily near you) check it out right now on YouTube:

Knitting Daily TV- New Season airs in January, and I’m featured on EP#608!

A few months ago I went to TNNA in Columbus, Ohio, to film a segment for this year’s Knitting Daily TV. It was so much fun to get to meet the crew and Eunny Jang! I got to speak about my current designs (including the garments from Feza Bella), working with novelty yarns, and did a little “How-to” segment about making knit floral pins. I was so nervous the entire time because I thought we’d do one take and then whatever I managed to bumble out in that time would be what they used on TV! Strangely enough if you mess up they’ll let you do it again; they won’t even flog you first! ^_~ However, I didn’t find this out until then end of a beautiful one-take. As my friend Jeff found out with his sales job, being an actor really helps with a lot of other things in life. It felt somewhere between doing IMPROV and a cold reading.

The new season doesn’t start until this January, but keep you’re eyes peeled; I’ll be posting again just before the episode is slated to air to give ya’ll the heads up!

(the following article was taken from Knitting Daily’s official website: http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/daily/archive/2010/10/13/new-season-of-knitting-daily-tv.aspx)

Host Eunny Jang with knitwear designer KT Baldassaro

Knitting Daily TV is back!

We have just wrapped up another fantastic series of Knitting Daily TV taping, with more tips and techniques than ever before and an exciting array of celebrity knitter interviews!

Series 600 features such well-known names as Deborah Norville, Debbie Macomber, Debbie Stoller, and Deb Robson (we’re calling it the four Deborahs season!). We’ve also got Amy Butler, Ysolda Teague, and Yumiko Alexander.

Plus, we welcomed many returning guests to the set, such as favorite designers and personalities Adina Klein, Laura Bryant, Barry Klein, and Becca Smith!

Here’s a sneak peek at all the designer spotlights on the new season, full of familiar and famous faces!

Episode 601: Debbie Macomber shares her storytelling skills with her own rise to knitting and how the craft shaped her career.

Episode 602: Debbie Stoller reveals her latest knitting literature and yarn line, as well as her fun knitting personality.

Episode 603: Jennifer Edgar shares tips and tricks for maintaining your knitwear and also fixing stains so you can look red-carpet worthy.

Episode 604: Author and designer Miriam Felton demonstrates a green lace cowl, a fresh design from her latest book.

Episode 605: Designer extraordinaire Yumiko Alexander talks about her innovative designs and shares the Swinging Rope Scarf techniques with viewers.

Episode 606: Interweave author Louisa Harding offers advice on how to incorporate ribbons, beads, and even feathers into your finished garments.

Episode 607: Carl Coop and Marlaina Bird discuss yak fibers and the how they’re great for knitting because of their warmth and defined stitches.

Episode 608: KT Baldassaro revisits new ways to use novelty yarns—and not just for scarves!

Episode 609: Known for her great fabrics, designer Amy Butler talks about how to make modern color combinations.

Episode 610: Ysolda Teague, a fresh face in the industry, demonstrates a fun reversible hat that will appear as a free download on the KDTV site when series 600 airs.

Episode 611: Robyn Chachula’s new design collection for tots and babies will inspire your own crochet.

Episode 612: Colleen East takes a look a luxurious fibers in a beautiful lace patterned scarf, a classic for all skill levels to tackle.

Episode 613: Interweave author Lisa Shroyer’s new book focuses on great patterns for larger sizes, with fashion forward designs for every day women.

We hope you’ll tune into your local Public Television station to catch all the upcoming segments, and we’d love to hear what you think.

Look for Knitting Daily TV Series 600 to begin airing this coming January 2011! If you can’t wait that long, you can always check out seasons past, which are all available in 4-DVD sets.

Happy Knitting!

Annie Hartman Bakken and Jaime Guthals

Associate and Content Producers of Knitting Daily TV

My First Official Pattern Book- Feza Bella (On Sale NOW)

I definitely can’t describe how excited I am to announce this information. It’s been a long road, and I’m very happy with the results. We’re already compiling more patterns for the next book as I speak. I hope this is just one of the many to come. ^_^

Get the book online from Heavenly Hues Yarns.

Check out each pattern in depth on Ravelry.

Killing Brooke Official Film Trailer

Check it out; this is the trailer for my latest film, “Killing Brooke,” in which I played the lovely and homicidal Darla Spade. I’ve been posting the behind the scenes footage from the hilarious Colin Allen, but now is truly a time to rejoice, for the trailer is here and it rocks! It was an absolute blast to film, and I cannot wait to see the final cut. ENJOY

Official trailer for MAD Z Productions latest project “Killing Brooke”.
Her wedding night was meant to be a night she’d never forget. Now it’s become a night she may never survive.
Free-spirited party girl Brooke Porter and her wife Chloe are celebrating their recent wedding, when they meet Vance, a handsome, lady-killing drifter at a bar. But a drunken night of debauchery will lead them all down the road to terror. Pursued by a vicious, psychopathic madman, Brooke is propelled into a struggle for survival, one that will push her to the limits physically and emotionally.
MAD Z Productions’ “Killing Brooke” is a raw, intense independent thriller that twists the survival horror genre on its head. Alex Fandel, Colin Allen, Ray Hryb, Kt Baldassaro, Dina Baker and Johnny Donaldson star in this perverse nightmare written and directed by David Zagorski (“Road Kill”, “Without You”)

Sausage, Onion and Mushroom, Rice Quiche

Sausage, Onion and Mushroom, Rice Quiche

Ingredients-

1/2 cup sushi rice

1 cup water

2 tbsp butter

1/4th a large vidala onion, finely chopped.

2 cloves of garlic

1/2 cup sliced baby bella mushrooms

2 hot italian sausages

3 eggs

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/4th a cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup shredded havarti cheese

1/2 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese

1 premade pie crust.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook premade pie crust until it begins to turn slightly golden brown, making sure to poke holes in it to avoid bubbles/bursting.

In a small sauce pan bring water to a boil. Add in rice and lower temperature. Cook rice until water is almost entirely evaporated (approx. 12 minutes). Remove from heat.

In a large skillet melt butter and add onions and garlic. Cook just until onions become transparent. Add in mushrooms, and sausages. Once sausage has become browned on all sides, remove from pan slice down the middle of each sausage, then cutting each half into smaller bits. Put sausage back into the pan and cook until the sausage is cooked through completely.

In a medium bowl beat together the eggs, heavy cream, all of the havarti cheese, but only half the cheddar cheese, until well mixed.

Once the pie crust has browned slightly, remove from the oven and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese so that the bottom of the pie is completely covered. Pour the rice on top of the mozzarella cheese and smooth it down to create a level surface to pour the egg/cream/cheese mixture onto.

Pour the contents of the skillet out on top of the rice in the pie, trying to evenly dispurse the meat and vegetables. Pour the egg/cream/cheese mixture on top of everything in the pie crust, being careful not to over fill the pie. You can fill right up to the edges of  the pie crust; it does not grow very much in the cooking process.

Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top of the pie. Place the pie back into the oven  (still @ 400 degrees) on top of a baking sheet. Cook for approximately 25-30 minutes until the contents no longer jiggle and the top is a beautiful golden brown.

Let cool, slice and serve!

Impress Your Boyfriend’s Father Guiness Pie

Impress Your Boyfriend’s Father Guiness Pie

(Serves: 3-4 )

Ingredients-

Filling:

1lbs ground beef

4 tbsp butter

1 large sweet onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

½ cup baby carrots sliced length-wise

1 1/2 cups sliced baby bella mushrooms

1 tsp sea salt

1 1/2 tsp ground pepper

1 tbsp thyme

2 cups or 1 can of Guiness Stout

3 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

Pastry Top:

Be too stressed to be expected to make pastry dough and buy Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Shells

1 yolk, lightly beaten

Begin by drinking supplementary Guiness from the four pack you bought. Then preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Separate the pastry sheets, covering each one with a piece of plastic wrap. Thaw the shells at room temperature about 30 minutes.

While shells are thawing take a large deep pan and heat 2 tsp of butter over a medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic to cook while stirring frequently. (Approx. 8-10mins till onions become clear.)

Add carrots and mushrooms to the pan along with the remaining butter. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms become dark in color. (Approx. 15 mins).

Add salt and pepper to the ground beef and mix. Add meat and thyme to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, on a high heat for about five minutes.

Add the Guiness and the Worcestershire Sauce to the pan and leave to cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced about 1/3rd. (Approx. 15- 20mins.)

Take a large casserole dish and pour all the contents into it. Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20 mins. Carefully remove the dish from oven. Turn the oven heat up to 400 degrees. While oven is heating up a bit more, take the pastry shells and carefully place them ontop of the pie fillings in the casserole. Place them as close as possible to one another, but try to avoid over lap, or the pastry may not cook all the way through at those spots. Using a pastry brush, cover the tops of all the shells with the beaten egg yolk. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper ontop of the wet shell tops.

Once the oven has reached 400 degrees place the casserole back in and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until shell tops are golden brown.

Let cool 10 minutes and then serve to impress!

Killing Brooke- The Past Week of My Life

Normally when I hear the term, “Hell Week” I think of the training period that UMass fencing team has right after returning from Jan-term. It’s a week of physically grueling excercise, aka “Hell.” The “Hell Week” for Killing Brooke, was anything but! I’ve never had so much fun working with a group of people on a film. It was a pleasure, and I hope we all get off our butts and work together again soon.

Colin Allen, who played Vance, taped a behind-the-scenes video diary of the shoot, and frankly I couldn’t sum it up any better than these videos do. So, enjoy!