Coconut Raspberry Cake and High Horse Alert

Preamble. Also, High Horse Alert for the next 2 paragraphs: If you're reading this, you know that clue #5 and the MS3 theme were released yesterday. As I reviewed the group's messages, I got more than a little irate at the pissy tone of a few of the negative posts.

It's fine to disapprove of the direction the design has taken, but I don't understand why people have to: 1.) publicly air a sour, mean attitude, and 2.) say things that are nonconstructive and borderline insulting toward a woman who has given tirelessly of her abilities and time. (Wait just one minute while I dismount the High Horse -- I'm starting to get a nose bleed. There, that's better.)

So I found myself feeling bad for Melanie yesterday, and wondered what I could do. I thought, "If I lived in her town, I would make her my coconut raspberry cake." It is the one thing I make that is any good -- a cook/baker I ain't. This cake is the exception to the rule.

But since I live, oh, 1500 miles away from where she lives, I just posted a little note of support on the MS3 message board, and mentioned that if she were next door I'd thank her with a cake. Someone on the board said "I love coconut. And raspberries. And cake." Well, if any of you are like-minded, you will love this cake. I've probably made it 50+ times, and it's a winner:


Coconut Raspberry Cake
modified from a recipe originally in Cooking Light
Oven: 350 degrees
Bake for: 30 minutes
Pans: 2 9” cake pans

This cake tends to stick. Here is my (almost) guaranteed method for keeping it from sticking: Using your pan as a guide, cut 2 9” circles of parchment paper. First spray the bottom of your pans with nonstick spray, then put parchment paper circles on the bottom. Then re-spray both pans (just bottoms) and flour the pans. (Pain in the neck, but works!)

Cake Ingredients:
2-1/4 cups sifted cake flour
2-1/4 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1-2/3 cups sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 large fresh eggs (I think fresh eggs make a diff. w/this cake)
1 14-oz can of coconut milk (either light or regular -- coconut milk is usually found in the Asian foods section in the supermarket.)
1 Tablespoon good quality vanilla extract (OR 2 tsp vanilla extract and 1 tsp coconut extract)

Frosting/Filling Ingredients:
1 to 2 pints of raspberries (rinse and thoroughly dry berries early in the day, if possible. I leave mine on several layers of paper towels and flip them over every once in a while to make sure they dry thoroughly.)
2 8-oz blocks of cream cheese, either regular or light (regular makes a denser, less runny frosting and is my preference)
2 tsp vanilla extract (can substitute part with coconut extract, if desired)
2 to 4 cups powdered sugar
½ to 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
** raspberries for garnish, if desired
______________________________________________________
In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a large bowl mix sugar and butter until well blended (2-3 minutes) add eggs and beat another 1-2 minutes. Add flour mixture and coconut milk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

Stir in vanilla (and coconut extract, if desired).

Pour batter into prepared pans. Sharply tap each pan on counter to remove air bubbles. Bake cakes for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cakes for 10 minutes in pans, then transfer to wire racks and cool completely.

(** I’ve cooked the cake one day, cooled it, slipped each layer in a zip lock bag and frozen them, then iced the still slightly frozen cake the next day. This worked out fine – the cake was still very moist.)

Frosting/Filling
Beat cream cheeses together with an electric mixer. Add vanilla extract. Mix in enough sifted powdered sugar to make the frosting spreadable. (I like to add as little sugar as necessary, as I don’t like the frosting too sweet.) Don’t overmix the frosting.

Put a blob of frosting on your cake tray and spread it around. (“Glues” the cake to the tray.) Put first cake layer on tray, then spread with a thin layer of frosting and a single thick layer of raspberries. (The closer the berries are together, the better.) Plop other cake on top and frost. At this point, my cake always looks like a complete mess, but keep going; it gets better.

Press coconut into sides of cake – a messy operation but it hides any imperfections in your frosting job. Sprinkle coconut on top and garnish with raspberries, a couple of mint leaves, a paperclip sculpture of the Eiffel tower, or whatever you have handy.

Store cake loosely covered in a cool area (or refrigerate). Best when eaten within 24-48 hours.

Book Review: Teach Yourself Visually: Spinning

Counting down to Ms3 Clue #5 (& theme reveal!) I have one more book review:

Teach Yourself Visually: Handspinning
by Judith MacKenzie McCuin
softcover / 208 pages / $21.99
5 tinks on the tink-o-meter!

Last time I met with my local MS3 group, we were discussing good books on spinning. Many thanks to Linda for recommending this gem by masterspinner Judith MacKenzie McCuin.

Teach Yourself Visually: Handspinning may not have a snappy title, but don’t let that stop you from looking it over next time you’re in Borders. This excellent spinning manual not only has a plethora of helpful color photos -- it also has a staggering amount of well organized information.

To give you an idea, here’s a sampling of topics covered: Hand spindling, making a simple hand spindle, types of spinning wheels and what each type does best, what to look for in your first wheel, spinning accessories and tools and how to use them, a thorough overview of fibers, how to wash and card different types of fibers, the difference between the “worsted” and “woolen” drafts, dyeing roving in a crock pot, plying, making specialty yarns, spinning exotic fibers, designing with handspun, weaving your handspun yarn, constructing a loom out of copper pipe . . .

. . . And I have left a lot out! Sometimes I pick up craft books, leaf through them, and am surprised that they don’t just float away -- a lot of fluff out there with not much substance.

TYV:HS is just the opposite: it is so packed with information you feel like you’re getting a 400-page book that has been carefully whittled down to give the reader only the “good stuff” -- a solid, complete and concise tutorial on the art of spinning.

The back of the book holds a helpful glossary of spinning terms and a very detailed index. My one complaint (and it’s a small one) is the binding -- a spiral binding would make this book dang near perfect.

Book Review: Spin to Knit

Let’s see here: 20 hours and counting. Could clean the house, make a nice dinner, mow the lawn. Yes, it’s come to this. *sigh*

I know: Book reviews!

There are so many new books out right now. I love to go to Barnes & Noble and pore over them. Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time with 2 new books and one old one. As each has been very helpful in its own way, I thought I’d write some mini-reviews. Beginning with --

Spin to Knit / The Knitter’s Guide to Making Yarn
by Shannon Okey
Paperback / 128 pages / $21.95
(4 & ½ tinks on the tink-o-meter)

Being a new spinner (and an old knitter), this book really speaks to me. It’s a great “overview” book -- giving the reader basic instruction on spindle and wheel spinning techniques -- but also filling in the details on cleaning and carding fleece, predrafting fiber, trouble-shooting spinning snafus, and other topics of much interest to the beginning spinner.

Okey’s writing is informative and easy to understand, and the book’s color illustrations are outstanding. I also like how she has numerous profiles of contemporary spinners, weavers, and other artisans throughout the book -- often these little bios can inspire new ideas or give the reader an interesting “snapshot” of unique companies that supply fiber, spindles, etc.

About half of the book is dedicated to learning how to spin, the other half contains 20 patterns to use with your newly spun yarn. In general, the patterns are a good balance between funky and classic. Some of my favorites: A gorgeous shawl designed by the late Crystal Canning, the faux fair isle raglans co-designed by the author and Symeon North, and the Mojave cabled socks by Erin O’Brien.

A how-to glossary in the back gives excellent illustrated instructions on basic techniques, such as how to make I-cord, 3-needle bind off, short rows, kitchener stitch, etc. I wish all knitting books had this, as you never know when you might need a kitchener stitch refresher (I pretty much need one every time I do a sock toe). Add a good resource list and index, and what you get is a well-rounded book that makes it easy to find the information you need.

I *am* taking away ½ tink because the instructions on how to spin on a spinning wheel are a little skimpy. I would have liked 2 pages on "woolen" drafting vs. "worsted" drafting, and maybe a page more on plying. For a more in-depth look on these topics and more, see Teach Yourself VISUALLY Handspinning by Judith MacKenzie McCuin., which will be my next review.

Wheels within Wheels

clickable for close-up

There was a message yesterday from someone on the MS3 list who was having a hard time keeping her place in the chart. This was my #1 problem when I started. Again and again I would lose stitches, gain stitches, lose rows (??) and rip, rip, rip.

I came up with a system which is all about overkill, but it works for me. I thought I’d do a little tutorial for anyone having “issues” with keeping their place in MS3 charts. First, as soon as the clue is released, I color my charts. Every stitch (except knits) has a color code:

Green: k2tog
Orange: ssk
Yellow: yo
Pink solid: bead placement
Pink “X”: s1, k2tog, psso

Also, I divide each chart into 10-stitch columns, mark these with a sharpie, and color every other one light blue (hard to see this in the photos). I isolate the center stitch, and the two columns on either side of the center stitch have only 9 stitches each (this keeps my stitch count accurate).

I don't tape the 2 charts together, but rather put one chart on each side of a magnetic chart holder (thanks to Linda from my local Ms3 group for this tip).

I set up stitch markers on my stole so that they correspond exactly with the columns on my chart:

All the pretty stitch markers, all in a row . . .

with the center stitch all by himself, the introvert.

On each chart I use 2 post-it index cards which I tape together on the short side. I put a pink hi-lighter line on one edge to help me keep my place. I don’t move the card until after I’ve completed not only the pattern row, but also the next purl-side row.

For me, The color system works better than symbols. As I knit, I usually am muttering, for example “knit 2, over, orange, knit 4, over, orange.”

Finally, I count each column on the purl side to make sure each has the correct number of stitches. It’s super easy to correct a missed yarn over at this point, and missed yarn overs are probably 90% of what screws me up in the first place.

Initially, all this falderal did slow me down. Now I actually think it helps speed me up! I don’t have to ponder each stitch as if it was a mystic rune. (Is this right? I think this is right? Lets see here. . .)

An added benefit is that, if I need to put my knitting down or the kid has an emergency, it is very easy to find my place again. Let’s see, I left off at column 4, 3rd stitch . . . On top of all this, I use a row counter that hangs around my neck. Remember ladies (and Krystofer, of course): Nothing says “knit nerd” like a row counter that hangs around your neck.

Please e-mail me or leave a message here if you have questions. And, in case you're wondering, no -- I'm normally not this Type A. But I am very stubborn, and this stole pattern was initially kicking my butt. We can't have that, can we? (insert Boris Karloff laugh here.)

New & Improved MS3 Photos, Slytherin Kitty, & Spinning the Day Away

I haven't been happy with most of my shawl photos. The reddish-purple variegated color is really hard to capture, especially when my camera is broken and I'm using my son's -- his is a lot more fangled than mine. So I took purple merino glob outside today and flopped him on a bush. The results are a little "Kodachrome," but the shawl color is right on:

( Clickable if you want the Texas-sized version)

Since I have to return my loaner wheel tomorrow, I decided to spend as much of today as possible spinning. Or at least attempting to spin.

Have you heard those stories about how one day you're spinning like a 10-thumbed baboon and the next you're zipping along like some flaxen haired chick straight out of a Grimm's fairy tale? Well, that would still not be me. HOWEVER, thanks to patient instruction and perseverance, I am improving. Part of what I spun today was suspiciously yarn-like. Not the fingering weight alpaca of my dreams, but a "thick & thin" (read: "Everything from laceweight to bulky on one skein") yarn that is flirting with the fringes of respectability:

(also clickable)

And it actually is alpaca. For some reason, everything else gave me fits today (merino, corriedale, mystery wool), but the Alpaca clipped along as smooth as buddah. Wait 'til Sandy's herd hears about this! They will have to cancel the contract they have out on me.

Also, the entire day the cat has been extremely entertaining. Bailey isn't a kitty Rhodes Scholar or anything, but he is what my mom calls "a character." I made him a little kitty toy out of some over-twisted singles. He played:

He looked very alert for about 30 seconds . . .

My, but that roving looks delicious. Smells interesting, too.

. . . and then he slept.

And I put a woolly purple "S" on his tummy,

and told him he looked like the Slytherin quidditch team mascot.

But then my son walked past and informed me that Slytherin's colors are green and grey. Oh well.

Seventy-six Cents a Yard for This?

Many thanks to Julie for sending me a picture of this yarn-like substance:

. . . which is currently for sale (at a yarn retailer which shall remain anonymous, in case they want to sue my pasty Scottish patookey), for: $26 for 34 yards.

Ahem . . . and would it be too much to say: What the h-e-double-toothpicks?

I don't feel nearly so bad about my yarn blob. In fact, I feel so much better I think I will go spin. And if it turns out crappily, perhaps I will arrange it very artistically and try to sell it on e-bay. No . . . I couldn't do it. What comes around goes around, and I'm not ready to release Yarn Blob out into the general populace. . .

Be afraid . . . be very afraid

I have the potential ability to suck $26 out of innocent, unsuspecting wallets!

MS3 Clue #4 - Done and Friday Can't Come Fast Enough

Here's the merino Mystery stole, just waiting for clue #5:

Sucker is getting long -- currently about 40" X 19" in this semi-blocked state.

I added beads to the little hexagons -- I love how they look, although they did add some weight.

Hmmmm . . .shawl might multi-task as weaponry?? Perhaps the CIA might be interested?

Another detail shot. I think this one is clickable.

Anyway, it's ***Tuesday***. Yep. Tuesday. So that would mean I've got . . . let's see here . . . carry the two . . . sixty-two hours to wait. Sixty-freaking two.

Currently repressing nearly explosive desire to whine my fool head off. Must sign off now, before I succumb . . .

Offending Innocent Alpaca and Spinning Omni-gauge Yarn

So I had my second spinning lesson. During which Sandy looked at my yarnish globs, and then made a few adjustments to increase the amount of twist I was getting on my yarn. Turns out that unlike most new spinners, I didn't have enough spin in my yarn, thus the problem with it falling apart like 8-year-old underpants. I did manage to spin a yarn-like substance:

Which I swatched into this:

Now, if you look closely (?!), you'll see that this yarn has no discernible gauge. Or rather, it contains all gauges in a very small area. Sandy calls it "designer yarn," which I appreciate, but I'm pretty sure that only a designer suffering from severe astigmatism would put her name on this.

The purple yarn is a nice corriedale blend, which I get along with better than the (slicker) merino or alpaca. Although, after seeing Sandy's little alpaca herd, I felt a little bit guilty.

"Really -- you would rather spin wool???"

I guess that's okay. **Sigh** . . .

don't give it another thought . . .

**Sob!** All this gorgeous micron count . . . for nothing!!

I tried to reassure them that, hopefully, some day I would be coordinated enough to spin alpaca, but they just gazed at me with their huge liquid eyes. Sure lady. That's what all the rotten sheep-lovers say.