I realize that I’m in a holiday-cookie-making rut. (It’s a delicious, sugar-filled, colorful rut, but a rut, nonetheless.) When it comes to Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas, I pull out the same sugar cookie recipe and go at it. My family and I love these cookies. But this month, I decided to make something different. They’re easy to make and fun to share with family and friends.

Dipped Valentine Butter Cookies

1 1/2 cups of unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. coarse salt
3 cups of flour

For dipping:
semi-sweet chocolate chips (1-2 packs) and/or other varieties of melting chocolate.

Beat butter until fluffy. Add in powdered sugar and mix well. Add eggs, beating after each addition. Mix salt with flour and then slowly add to the egg/butter/sugar mixture. Beat just until mixed.

Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. (Note – cookies don’t expand in size, so you can put a lot on each baking sheet.) Let cool.

For dipping – melt semi-sweet chocolate and dip half of the cookie into the chocolate. Lay on wire racks and let harden in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Another option – melt white melting chocolate, dip half the cookie, and sprinkle red sugar sprinkles on top. (This would be a good option if, for example, you poured half the bag of chocolate chips into the melting pot and put the rest of the bag on the counter. Then let’s say that you actually had it too close to the edge and it fell off, dumping the rest of the chips on the floor, rendering them unusable? But, you remember that you have 2 bags of white chocolate melting chips from the Oreo truffles you made at Christmas. So you dip the rest of the cookies in white chocolate, sprinkle it with red to make it look Valentine-y, and then pretend that you totally did this on purpose. Totally hypothetically.)

Valentine’s Day has been extra special to us for the past 20 years, because it was the day that Knitting Daughter was born. She is the best Valentine  I have ever received, and I know that WH would totally agree with me on that! Happy Birthday, Jules!

Sheri headingtoCedarFalls,IAthisweekendto
seeiftheyhavesnowvisitfriends!

Ok, so I stand corrected. We did get a LITTLE bit of snow the other day, when I was bemoaning the fact that the meteorologists are always wrong. Here’s the same shot, with a bit more snow. But notice that you can still see the tops of the grass peeking through, so it’s nowhere near the 3-6″ they predicted. And thank you to everyone who offered to send me some of their piles of snow. Unfortunately, none of you followed through and actually sent it, so we’re still low on snow in St. Louis. Or maybe it’s still enroute from your snow-covered house to mine.

Here’s a new sock, just off the needles. I really like knitting with Alchemy Juniper (this one in Aubergine). Great twist, great feel, beautiful color options, and comfortable socks. I’ll bet it knits up into gorgeous shawls, too.

The pattern came from Carol’s book, Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn. I originally bought the book for two reasons – because Carol is a friend of mine, and because another friend stopped by Loopy one day with a sock out of this pattern and I fell in love with the way it looked. (So really, I intended to buy the book, but James’ sock made me go back to my computer and order it right then and there.) The pattern is Braided Gem Socks by Elizabeth Ravenwood. I’ll definitely knit this one again, as well as a few other patterns in that book. (Ok – first I’ll knit the matching sock for this one, and then I’ll use the pattern again.)

I still haven’t started my sweater for the KAL yet. There’s a reason for that. I had settled on a vest pattern and then another good sweater pattern came along. (Note to self: STOP LOOKING!) Now I think I’m back to doing a sweater and will do the vest next time. I’ll decide soon soon-ish.

Sheri stillhaveabout4sockson-the-needles.
Howmanyistoomanytohaveinprogress?

Remember when I said that we were expecting snow last Friday? (And you know how the East Coast got a lovely 20-some inches of the white stuff?) We were in for 3-6″, which is pretty good for St. Louis. This is the photo from my office window. Yep. We were pretty buried in snow over the weekend. Scary to drive in the stuff. And guess what? More is predicted tonight. “Up to 6 inches” is what they say. I don’t believe it. I’m done listening to weather reports.

On a happier note, look what came in the mail today! The lovely Stacy from Tempted wanted to show me a sample of a yarn base she is considering, and instead of sending a skein of it, she knit me a shawl! (Wow – I love the way she sends samples!) This is Wendy’s lovely new Argus Shawl pattern, which just happens to have gone up in tonight’s update. How about that? It’s perfect for newer lace knitters, and it’s done up in 1 skein of fingering weight yarn. It looks like a very fun pattern to knit. I know I really love my shawl. I think you all need one, too.

We put plenty of new things up for you tonight – come see.  We added in:
Sock Blocker Keychains (seems like forever since we had those)
Lace Marker Sets (regular, supersets, omegas)
New Born to Knit patterns (and restocks)
Namaste Catalina Pouches
Loopy Project Totes (re-stocked)
Knitcellaneous Shawl Pins
Shibui Sock Yarn (their new Staccato Sock will be up next week)
Crystal Palace Panda Cotton and Mini Mochi
Schoppel Walle Zauberball
Jared Flood Patterns
Wendy Knits (Argus and Talisman Shawls)
Addi and Crystal Palace needle re-stocks
Dragonfly Fibers Djinni Sock
Studio June Super Cash Sock
Trekking XXL
New Knitspot patterns
Namaste Bag re-stocks

And we’re working on next week’s new additions already. Isn’t that always the case? You all keep us busy and we love that about you! Someone on Ravelry mentioned that the yarn at The Loopy Ewe never goes stale and they’re right. We keep it coming in and you keep it going out. It’s a great system.

Sheri headingtothegrocerystoretostockuponmilkandbread
forthebigsnowstormcomingtonight….(no,I’mreallynot)

Doesn’t that sound like a wonderful combination? I found a new coffee that I like. Cameron’s Chocolate Caramel Brownie. It might be the only coffee we brew at Loopy Central from now on, as we’re pretty much all in agreement that it’s wonderful. This morning, I brought in a coffee cake, still warm from the oven. It just seemed like the right thing to do, given that it’s cold and rainy and will be turning to snow in a couple of hours. And you know what that means? Hunkering down in my warm house tonight with a pile of knitting and a list of good movies to watch. And maybe another cup of that coffee. I’m sure WH will be in agreement.

Pecan Cinnamon Surprise

1 (18 oz) white or yellow cake mix
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 cups chopped pecans
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9 x 13 pan.

Combine cake mix, oil, eggs and sour cream and beat for 2 minutes at slow speed with a mixer.

Mix sugar, cinnamon and pecans in a separate bowl.

Pour 1/2 of the batter into the pan. Top with 1/2 of the pecan/sugar/cinnamon mix. Spread 1 cup of chocolate chips on top of nuts (if desired). Add the rest of the batter and top with the remaining pecan/sugar/cinnamon mix.

Bake for 40 minutes or until knife inserted into center comes out clean.

We have a lot of new Loopy Groupies to welcome in to the fold! They have most recently received their 6th package and Loopy Groupie welcome bag from us:

Megan in VA, Janet in D.C., Mabel in OH, Liberty in MO, Brenda in VT, Orli in CA, Carolyn in NY, Tasha in TX, Michelle in Canada, Valerie in MA, Jone in NH, Cindy in PA, Melissa in IN, Jenna in GA, Holly in GA, Christine in MA, Andrea in IL, Kim in Canada, Anne in CA, Louise in Canada, Amanda in CA, Moe in SC, Rebekkah in NH, Renee in VA, Arlene in TX, Lisa in WI, Camilla in Norway, Carolyn in WI, Jenny in Australia, Rachel in MA, Julia in CA, Christa in MO, Fumiko in Japan, Kristina in CA, Caryn in MN, Minako in Japan, Susi in WA, Annette in CA, Jennifer in VA, Teri in MI, Jodi in Canada, Maxine in the U.K., Andrea in ME, Karen in CA, Shelly in IN, Antonella in NY, Roberta in SD, Barbara in TX, Jennifer in TX, Shauna in CA, Debbie in Australia, Lise in Canada, Heather in ME, Carol in TN, Carine in France, Anne in MA, Virginia in OH, Shannon in WA, Jennifer in TX, Clarissa in IN, Jane in OK, Amanda in KY, Logan in NY, Marcia in AK, Jennifer in LA, Margaret in MA, Sara in CA, Samantha in KS, Tracee in TN, Diana in CA, Erin in Canada, Kristen in CA, Molly in PA, Kerry in NY, Joyce in MO, Ann in CO, Celestine in PA, Sherri in CA, Kathleen in ME, Sanae in Japan, Melanie in OH, Lianne in England, Deborah in NC, Paula in WA, Stephanie in CA, Jessica in WA, Shelda in MO, Melissa in IA, Charlene in MO, Jennifer in IA, Joanne in Australia, Wanda in IL, Debra in TN, Jieun in MD, Shari in WA, Tracey in TN, Anne in MD, Jennifer in VA, Merja in Finland, Paula in CA, Jane in NY, Julia in Austria, Dodie in NC, Deborah in VA, Jacquelyn in Australia, Robin in FL, Rachel in UT, Patti in PA, Kiersten in Kansas, Sandra in PA, Lauren in AZ, Maija in GA, Jami in TX, Elizabeth in MS, Kristine in CA, Angela in GA, Maria in PA, Rosann in WI, Michelle in CA, Cathy in VA, Margaret in TX, Allison in OH, Deb in CT, Rebecca in PA, Renae in SC, Therese in WA, Heather in NY, Caitlyn in CA, Marese in MD, Patty in IN, Kellie in Canada, Cindy in TX, Lori in IL, Mary in WA, Connie in NY, Ashley in NC, Jessica in IA, Maxine in FL, April in PA, Shirley in CA, Andi in AZ, Hannah in PA, Susan in PA, Sharon in NJ, Beth in IL, Karen in NC, Kristin in MS, Karli in MI, BJ in NY, Katie in IL, Stacie in WI, Jeanne in NJ, Judith in VA, Victoria in MD, Loretta in OK, Linda in IL, Janine in MO, Lori in PA, Shana in CA, Pat in NM, Teresa in IL, Susan in D.C., Doris in Germany, Sarah in Canada, Jennifer in TN, Laura in D.C., Yvonne in The Netherlands, Nancy in SC, Robin in IN, Kelly in OH, Laura in CA, Lois in MS, Kimberly in NC, Kristin in FL, Shelby in CO, Nannette in WA, Jennifer in Canada, Allison in CT, Lena in Canada, Laura in CA, Nicole in VA, Kay in MI, Debbie in TX, Rita in CA, Kimberly in KY, Kathryn in TX, Joanne in PA, Dolores in FL, Susan in IN, Kelly in WV, Christiane in Germany, Kaitlyn in MI, Christine in PA, Dee in ID, Tawana in NY, Judy in MO, Karen in CO, Rocky in NJ, Deborah in CA, Dina in MA, Courtney in MD, Kimberly in TX, Meaghan in Armenia, Micki in NE, MaryEllen in ND, Elizabeth in CA, Mary in the military, Susan in OH, Carolyn in MS, Lisa in OH, Lesley in MO, Nancy in MS, Joanne in VA, Gordana in Canada, Mary in TX, Rebecca in NY, Gerri in NY, Sydney in VA, Cathie in CA, Veronica in NV, Cynthia in NJ, Monica in CA, Sara in MS, Betty in GA, Mila in WA, Michaela in FL, Lisa in IL, Sandi in MS, Shanna in ND, Gail in NV, Fumiko in Japan, Nanette in IL, Christine in MO, Dana in WA, Lynne in the U.K., Gilda in TX, Emily in MO, Donna in CA, Kathy in MO, Edna in OR, Rhona in Canada, Laura in CA, Stacy in NC, Ann in CA, Kathy in TX, Rebecca in MI, Deborah in TX, Katherine in VA, Paula in IA, Elizabeth in OH, Nicole in LA, Chrystal in MO, Jill in KY, Sue in CA, Jody in IL, Jean in VA, Silja in Norway, Rebecca in Australia, Lisa in TN, Liz in Australia, Sarah in NC, Heather in NV, Lisa in PA, Carol in CO, Kristi in OH, Linda in NJ, Donna in AZ, Carol in IL, Nancy in CA, Rita in VA, Mah in CA, Michelle in CA, Lena in Norway, Anna in MD, Vicki in Australia, Diane in MI, LuAnn in UT, Vicki in MS, Michelle in IN, Grethe in Norway, Robyn in Australia, Karen in AZ, Momo in MS, Katherine in PA, Ellen in CA, and Melynda in NC. What a great list of new Groupies! Congratulations to these knitters and crocheters. We’re so glad to have you here!

Sheri fingersneedatypingbreaknow.
Goingtohaveanothercupofcoffee.

I love our 2010 “Loved by Loopy” Valentine Kit. I saved myself one because I fell in love with the yarn (and of course I have always loved Keri’s bags). I’m not sure if I’ll knit socks or a scarf with it. Wouldn’t it make a pretty scarf? What are you favorite scarf patterns for fingering weight yarns?

We had fun putting this kit together for you and we hope you like it, too. Due to the handmade nature of the bags, we aren’t able to offer any more of these kits, once they sell out. (Edit: now sold out. But watch for our Anniversary Kit this summer!) And speaking of the bags, the thing I love about Keri’s bags is that she does excellent work. I’m pretty picky about the way things look and are put together, and she even exceeds my pickiness! She made 250 bags for us, and the last one looks just as awesome as the first.

The kit comes with a skein of Fiesta Baby Boom in a colorway that they dyed up just for us, called “Chocolate Strawberry Ganache”. Baby Boom continues to be one of my favorite yarns for squishy bouncy softness, and I’m glad that Jeannie and Brad were game for dyeing up our Valentine colorway this year. Since we called the kit “Loved by Loopy”, we added a little sticky-note packet for your knitting bag with that title on it. (I use sticky notes by the bucket full when I’m knitting – marking my place, making notes, highlighting areas – am I alone in that?)

Now I’m off to help get these kits out. Tell me what scarf or sock pattern you think you’ll use, so I have some choices to contemplate while I work.

Sheri whodidpickavestpatternfortheKAL.Finally.
Moreonthatlater.

Every time I walk past the Bijou Basin booth at different markets, it catches my eye. When I was at TNNA, my friend Marly (who also designed that Sweetheart Tunic that I like so much out of Bijou Basin Yak Bamboo) raved about this yarn, so this time I didn’t just walk by – I stopped in to chat. After learning more about it and handling the luscious yarn, I ordered it for us.

Yak yarn – do you know anything about it? It’s considered one of the most luxurious yarns around. It’s warmer than wool and extremely durable. It’s completely odorless (no wet wool odor when you wash it – I liked that), doesn’t shed, and is hypo-allergenic and non-irritating, as it contains no animal oils or residues. Yaks produce two different kinds of hair. The outer hair is the guard hair, which is longer, courser and stronger. These are carded, spun and braided into ropes and halters, or woven into durable rugs and bags. The second hair is the undercoat, or “down hair”. The yaks produce this in the wintertime and it is an incredible insulator. This down is what they use to make yak yarn. Are you wondering how they collect it? The yaks get combed in the spring. And the Bijou Basin people say that the yaks like to be combed! (What a job to put on a resume – “Yak Comber”.) The fact that this is collected in the spring by hand, makes this one of the rarer luxury yarns, which is reflected in the price. It’s not going to be for everyone, but I know that some of you will jump on it and will love it. Personally, I’m looking forward to having an incredibly warm pair of socks out of it. I knit this first sock out of the Tibetan Dream Sock Yarn, which is made from 85% Yak and 15% nylon for strength and elasticity. (The pattern is Elongated Corded Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks. I did 56 stitches on a size 1 needle. Plenty of yarn in 1 skein for my size 11 socks.) We have added in three of their yarn lines and patterns to go with them, to begin with. Photos used from the Bijou Basin website with permission.

In other news, today is Elf Lori’s first day. She looks happy about that, doesn’t she? We’re glad to have her here! And did you catch tonight’s update? Besides the Bijou Basin, we also added:

* Needle Food (new indie dyer from New Zealand)
* Fiberphile (new Merino /Cashmere/ Nylon base)
* Kollage Luscious (wool-free, just cotton and nylon)
* Alpaca With a Twist Baby (5 new colors for us)
* String Theory (Caper and Blue Stocking)
* Dream in Color (Smooshy and Classy re-stocks)
* Numma Numma (The Special).

Plus:
* Kollage square needles (in circs and DPN’s)
*  Various knitting accessories
*  Patterns (some new, some re-stocks) from: Knitspot, Samantha Roshak, and Knitting Pure and Simple.

Remember last week when I said we were buried in yarn deliveries? There was so much that we had to save some of it for next week. That just gives you more to look forward to!

(Look – Loopy made the Fetching Tags Blog. Now that he has been featured on someone else’s blog, he thinks he’s famous. He’ll be hard to live with tomorrow. Sometimes he gets The Big Head.)

Sheri whothinksbabyyaksarereallycute