Creamy Chicken and Pasta

Mmmmm pasta.

All we had left was a chicken breast and some cream cheese. Boyfriend did NOT want to go grocery shopping. Fine! I said. I'll make something.

Recipe
4 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 Extra Large bouillon cube
Tablespoon Italian seasonings
1/2 cup water
1 diced chicken breast
4oz cream cheese
Half pound pasta
Paprika (optional)

Serves 3

Brown garlic and butter in medium saucepan. Add bouillon cube and water, heat until dissolved. Add seasonings and chicken breast, cook until chicken is done. Add cream cheese, stir until melted. Simmer while pasta is prepared. Add pasta, stir to coat. Serve topped with paprika.

This is a pretty cheap meal--without chicken, it is about $3-4, around $5-6 with it. It satisfies the need for delicious creamy goodness. The chicken is not necessary, so it makes a great there-is-nothing-to-eat meal. And Boyfriend liked it!

Also, leftovers make an easy lunch.

Its been a little while

But I was hard at work! Here are a few things that I've done in the past month.

I finished my Dad's Christmas present (Yeahhhhh month late), and I shipped it Priority Mail today. So happy to be DONE, I can't even begin to tell you.

In an attempt to clean up the corner that is my desk, I made a bag for my stash. The pattern is super stretchy; it comfortably holds about half of my yarn! The plan is to hopefully have it empty by DragonCon, so that I may carry it around.

Its a really good size!

Obligatory Cat picture

I started on size 7 DPNs and then switched to 10.5 circulars once it got big enough. I brought the knitting to Friday Night Magic, and everyone thought I was knitting a hat. Mind you, I have knit quite a few hats there over the past few months, but anyway...

I'm thinking of getting into embroidery  its been a long time since I'd done anything of the sort, and it is very relaxing. I've had an inordinate amount of stress this past month, with a death in the family, finding out we had to move, finding out we can't afford to move, the rigors of Georgia Tech, and getting my credit card number stolen. Alas, Babylon.

Happy Knitting!

Steampunk Handkerchief

I am a bit of a steampunk. The engineer in me just loves it. Gears as jewelry? Incredible contraptions? Welding goggles as a fashion statement? Who wouldn't love it?

I prefer the classier side, more Victorian than Street Urchin. I love to find old Victorian knitting patterns, although her come with pictures, so I've been hesitant to try them.

I have found a depressingly small amount of really steampunk-y knitting patterns. I did buy the Ladies of Mischief's Needles and Artifice, and I do quite enjoy the items in there (particularly the scarf!) Unfortunately, there are few other items I have been able to find. Yes, I have looked at everything with a steampunk tag on Ravelry.

Anyway, all that blather leads me to my pattern. I made a handkerchief! I can't say its authentic or anything, but I like it.

I wanted a solid piece of fabric, a solid core. Then I wanted a nice lace edging, sort of symbolic of function encased in fashion. I think the colours are what give it the correct rustic feeling.

Folds up nicely.

You will need:
Sport weight cotton yarn. I used Knitpick's Simply Cotton in Heather Brass, but the colour has been discontinued,to my dismay.
Contrasting colour of crotchet cotton.I know there's different sizes and such, but it does not matter
US Size 4 needles
US Size 2 needles
Tapestry needle

Gauge: 6 sts = 1 inch
Finished size: 8"x8"

Cast on 54 sts
K1,P1 to end
P1, K1 to end
Continue in seed stitch until work measures 8".
Cast off.

Switch to smaller needles. Pick up stitches on edges; purl across. I did it by side, then attached the corners together.
K1, [YO, K2Tog, YO, SSK] to end
Purl across
K1, [YO, K2Tog, YO, SSK] to end.
Purl across
Bind off in picot lace; that is to say, k1, slip back to left needle, cast on 2, bind off 4, slip  back to left needle, continue on to end.

Sew up corners, if applicable.

Close-up on lace

Weave in ends.
Monogram if you wish; I added a little pendant.

I like to bring my lunches to work/school in a tupperware, wrapped in a handkerchief, so I quite look forward to using this.

Happy Knitting!