Happy Labor Day to everyone (whether you are celebrating it or not!). I’m happy to be sitting here at my computer with the windows open and a nice cool FALL breeze wafting through. Pretty soon I can break out the handknits. We spent a couple of days up higher in the mountains this weekend, and one morning it was 34 degrees. I’m so ready for that.

We do have plenty of new things up in today’s Update. Pop on over and you’ll find:

Spud and Chloe Fine (fingering weight, 80/20 merino/nylon) – I love the twist on this and the way that it makes the patterns pop. Here’s a close-up of one of the socks I made out of it, so that you can see the texture. Not only great for socks, but mittens and gloves and cowls and hats with pretty stitch patterns.

Spud and Chloe Sweater (worsted weight, 55/45 merino/organic cotton) – The feel of this yarn is what I like best about it. Perfect for fall and spring sweaters where you don’t want 100% wool, or for those of you who get too hot in an all wool sweater, even in the middle of winter.

Spud and Chloe Outer (bulky weight, 65/35 meino/organic cotton) – This base also has the soft feel of the sweater base (due to the organic cotton), but the other thing that’s nice about this is that things work up fast. Try this GAP-tastic Cowl by Jen Geigley.

Three Irish Girls Adorn (fingering weight, 80/20 merino/nylon) – Sharon’s fun color combinations are the first thing you notice when you come upon our shelves and shelves of this yarn. Great for socks, gloves and mitts (try Eragon by Anna Dolvi) or shawls and scarves (try Hitchhiker by Martina Behm). Shown above in Bryn.

Three Irish Girls Glenhaven Cashmerino Fingering (fingering weight, 80/10/10 merino, cashmere, nylon) – I know there are several versions of this yarn (merino/cashmere/nylon) but somehow they make it extra soft at Three Irish Girls. I don’t know what it is. Try making a shawl/shawl (Lintilla by Martina Behm), or how about these cute baby booties for someone? Saartje’s Bootees, by Saartje de Bruijn.

Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk (DK weight, 50/50 alpaca/silk) – wonderful solid colors in a warm, soft base. Do it up in A Little Ruffle by Jennifer Lang and give it to someone for Christmas or a birthday. Shown here in Raisin.

We’ve also re-stocked: Mill Hill Beads, Namaste Buddy and Circular Cases, ChiaGoo Red Lace Circulars, Blackthorn DPN’s (in some sizes – still waiting on others), Gingher Scissors, Stretchy Needle Keepers (endcaps for your DPN’s), and Lacis Wrist Yarn Ball Holders. In the category of kit extras, we have a few extra skeins from our Mother’s Day Kits (Studio June’s Beach Glass in Super Cash Sock) and Loopy Red Pouches with Stitchmarker sets included.

Enjoy the shopping and pattern perusing. I hope you find a few fun things that spark your motivation.

Sheri foundmyfalldecorationsandnowenjoyingthemaroundthehouse

It’s time to pull out the fall decorations and get into the spirit of things! (Well, first I need to find all of the fall decorations. They are still in unpacked boxes in the basement. I guess that’s good motivation for me to get down there.) I think Fall is my favorite season of all. I’m usually so tired of the heat and humidity of summer, and it feels good to get the house changed over to a cooler season. I try to stay out of cute shops until I’ve decorated the house with the things I already have. Otherwise, I tend to practice selective amnesia and think I actually need to buy MORE fall decorations. (Because, really, there are such wonderful fall decorations out there, and each year seems to get better than the next.) Do you decorate for Fall? And have you started doing that yet?

Here’s a wonderful recipe to throw into the crockpot on a cool day. This originally came from kalynskitchen (great recipes on her blog), and I stumbled across it on Pinterest.

Balsamic Pot Roast with Onions

3-4 lb. boneless chuck roast
1-2 Tbl. steak rub (I used McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Steak)
black pepper to taste (I will leave this out next time. The steak seasoning was enough.)
1-2 Tbl. olive oil
1/4 cup water
2-3 large onions, cut into thick rings.
1 cup beef stock that you then cook down to 1/2 cup
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup tomato sauce

Rub meat on both sides with steak seasoning (and black pepper, if desired). Add olive oil to a heavy skillet and brown both sides of the roast. Searing the meat will help to develop the flavor. The sugars and proteins on the surface undergo a change (called Maillard’s Reaction) that creates a richer, more nutty flavor. I browned each side for about 8-10 minutes.

Add the onion slices to your crockpot. The onions will help to hold the meat up out of the liquid for most of the cooking time, which is why you want to cut them so thick.

When the meat is done, add it to the slow cooker on top of the onions. In the pan where you browned the meat, deglaze the pan with 1/4 cup of water, scrapping off all of the browned bits. Add the reduced beef stock, balsamic vinegar, and tomato sauce to the beef stock. Pour on top of the pot roast and cook on low for 6-8 hours, until meat is tender.

I made that a couple of weeks ago, and typing up the recipe makes me want to make it again. Yum. Off to the store for ingredients.

Have a great long weekend! Remember, Monday is a No-Mail-Monday here, so we’ll be busy getting all of your weekend orders out to you on Tuesday. I’m not sure if we’re doing a Monday Update or a Tuesday Update next week. I’ll blog on Monday if we put new things up, so keep an eye out.

Sheri whomightstealProjectThreefromGracieandworkonitthisweekend