Several years ago I became fed up with the shriveled up vanilla beans that you can buy at the store. So I did a little investigating and started importing them myself. Now I have fat & juicy beans that are simply fabulous. You may be wondering what one does with a kilo of vanilla beans.

•I make my own vanilla (more tasty and economical too). Here’s a link to a good recipe for that.

•I make crème brûlée (a delicacy). Crème brûlée is very easy to make, you just need to acquire the garb to do it with. Here’s how I make it:

1 quart heavy cream
1 vanilla bean
1/2 cup vanilla sugar*
6 large egg yolks

Preheat oven to 300
Cut vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the tiny black seeds. Combine cream, vanillas seeds and vanilla pod halves in a heavy saucepan. Bring to boil. Remove from heat, cover, and set aside to steep for 15 minutes. Remove vanilla pods.

In a medium-sized bowl, combine vanilla sugar and egg yolks and whisk until well blended. Add the vanilla cream and mix well.

Place round baking dishes (ramekins) in a roasting pan. Pour cream mixture into the dishes. Add enough boiling water to the pan to reach halfway up the sides of the baking dishes.

Bake just until the mixture is just set in the center, but still trembling (about 30 minutes). Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Serve with dark brown sugar sprinkled on top, caramelized with a baking torch.

The baking time will depend on your ramekin size. I use very small ramekins (the recipe fills about 16-18 of them). This recipe was written for 6 ramekins (much bigger ones). So I usually bake mine for about 20 minutes.

*Vanilla Sugar
Combine 4 vanilla beans split in two and their seeds with 4 cups of sugar. Allow to sit for several weeks to flavor the sugar.

•I am currently working on perfecting my vanilla ice cream. I think I’m going to give this recipe a whirl this weekend.

•I use them for other assorted French desserts, including petit pots de crème au chocolat (mmmmm!)

And no, I can’t use an entire kilo of beans myself so I share with others. If you’d like to get in on our next bean-buy, join us at our Ravelry group. We’re discussing it now. The beans usually range from $1.00-1.50 ea. They are sold by weight so the quantity fluctuates (as does the exchange rate). Hopefully our beans will get here before the weekend!

All books 40% off
Selected patterns 40% off including:

Rowan
Leisure Arts
Mission Falls
Noro
Maggiknits
Lang
Jo Sharp
Elsebeth Lavold
Colinette

Order Online
Enter the promotion code BOOK to receive your discount. Discount will be applied at checkout.

-or-

Shop in Person
Sale prices are good at both SWAK locations.

and now for the fine print……

Sale prices good through July 5, 2010 for in-stock items only. No backorders. All sales final - no refunds, no returns, no exchanges. Cannot be combined with other discounts or offers.

With 100+ temps upon us it is time to toss aside the trowel and come indoors. Whatever plants have managed to survive the wind, hail and floods we’ve had so far this spring are likely to fry to a crisp in this heat.

Come and get your knit on at SWAK this summer! Are you a newer knitter wanting to learn more? Would you like to get a jump-start on your holiday knitting? Need to get out of the heat and enjoy the company of other fiberholics? Here is an overview of what we have in store for you this summer:

Learn2Knit - For our gentle readers who have yet to take the plunge, what a great time of year to break out the needles and learn to knit. By fall you will be churning out all sorts of cool things. Classes are scheduled in July/August at both locations. Class is free - you just need to buy your supplies.

If you have just learned to knit, we have several projects on the schedule for you. Beginner Bunch is taking a break for the summer but will be returning in the fall. I have indicated the difficulty level of all of the projects below as *(just learned/can do the knit stitch), **(feeling a bit more confident w/ the needles-not hard but uses tiny yarn), ***(need to know how to knit & purl).

*Mitts & Legwarmers
Super quick & easy to knit - you’ll also learn to sew a flawless seam. Spend a Saturday having knitterly fun - many will leave with a pair of mitts completed.

**Flip Flop Socks
Socks that you can wear through the summer. For new knitters wanting to learn sock knitting, these are a great place to start. You’ll want to make several pairs!

***Cabled Dickey
Stylish cabled neck warmer that is shaped for a snug fit.

***Needle Cozy
A cute little pouch for your favorite needles complete with a slip stitch/cable design.

*Collar Cowl
This beautiful cowl is quite clever - it can be flipped over for a different look.

*Einstein Coat
A perfect first sweater project. This timeless classic can take on a variety of looks depending on your yarn choice. Choose from a unique handpainted colorway or an eco-friendly solid. If you haven’t already selected your yarn for this project, come in and let us show you all of the fabulous choices. The Saturday classes begin in August, and will continue into the fall schedule. Check the schedule for dates. We will be working on this project on Thursdays too - see Knit with Sherry & Knit with Laura for dates & times.

Speaking of Knit with Sherry, Sherry is back! Here’s the thing - if you are coming on Thursday for project help you need to call to make sure we have room. If you just want to come up for comraderie and lunch, no reservation is needed. She is available in Guthrie on Thursdays from 10-3.

If you crocheters are feeling a little left out, I’m happy to report that we have super-crocheters on hand to help you out at both stores. Whether you want to learn or need help with a project, give us a call and we can “hook” you up. There is no charge for help and yarn must be purchased @ SWAK.

Download the class schedule today!

Set in historic downtown Guthrie, this fall festival has something for everyone with unique shopping, fiber demonstrations, good eats, and workshops from some of the most creative minds in the southwest.

Here’s what we have in store for you!

Marketplace…
filled with hand-dyed yarns, spinning fibers & other unique wares from area indie artisans. Interested in being a vendor? Info is on the website.

Workshops…
featuring Valentina Devine, Alissa Barton, Deb Waggoner & Donna Hilton

Valentina taught at our Knit Out a few years back and she is AMAZING. Her creativity is boundless, yet make no mistake - she has a serious background as far as technique is concerned. Her workshops are geared toward knitters and crocheters alike.

Alissa is our rock-goddess instructor out of the Dallas area who came to our rescue when Sally became ill at this year’s Knit Out. We were so impressed with her workshops, that we couldn’t wait to have her back again - this time appearing as herself! She will not disappoint. She has an impressive line of patterns too- check them out at knittingfairy.com

Deb is the owner of Two Windows Dye Co and the artist behind our Knitty Bits sock yarns. She’ll be here to help you create your own uniquely dyed yarn creation.

Many of you local fiberistas are already familiar with Donna, the reigning queen of all fibery things in our area. This expert weaver & spinner is the owner of The Weavery at Indian Meridian.

And to top it off, Big Truck Tacos will be bringing the taco truck to Guthrie that evening for a fun party. Don’t miss out on an incredible epicurean treat with great door prizes!

Check out the Colorfest website for details, including workshop registration, vendor applications, and party tickets too!

I have been somewhat in a funk since returning from our vacation. I’d like to tell ya that I’ve been slaving away, but that wouldn’t exactly be true. Our vacation was lots of fun. I think we’re all ready to go back. Everywhere we went the people were beyond nice - they more than exceeded our expectations. That is such a rarity these days, especially when you’re in the middle of a huge city at a tourist mecca.

Mason was quite thrilled with the view out of our hotel window (that’s Six Flags if you’re out of the loop - no pun intended).

I survived the water park! My pricey swimsuit fit, although the strap broke when we got back to the hotel. I lost a little credibility with the husband about the need to spend $100 on a good & lasting swimsuit.

And we all had a great time!

I haven’t forgot the prize give-aways from my last post. So without further adieu, here are our winners:

Bags: Kathy H, Judy Smith, Stephenia & Nyree
Knit ‘n Style, June issue: Sherie Adams
Knit ‘n Style, August issue: Melissa
Living Crafts, Spring 10: Anita Roesler
Spud & Chloe Ribbit pattern: Stacy
Great Adirondack mug: April

Just let us know what store you’d like to pick them up at and we’ll hook you up.

For those of you wondering when you’ll get your Addi Lace Click set, we have an update for you. The answer has now been upgraded from “we have no idea” to “late this summer”. I figured surely they wouldn’t make the mistake of marketing a product that didn’t exactly exist again, and also thought “how hard can it be to put a different needle tip on an existing product”. Apparently I thought wrong. It seems this issue actually extends to the lace needle tips themselves. They feature uncoated brass tips, unlike the nickel plated turbos. Since they are uncoated some people are experiencing discoloration. They are recommending removing any tarnishing with a polishing cloth. We’ve had few if any complaints about this, but apparently they are out there. They have yet to find a method to coat the brass that does not interfere with the smooth joins, and this issue is plaguing the Lace Click sets that so many are anxiously awaiting.

Personally I would think that you would resolve and existing issue before marketing a new product, or at least wait until you were pretty sure that the new product was a “go” before giving out dates of availability, but what do I know. I’m just the one with the misfortune of getting stuck in the middle of this mess. On the up side, Addi did manage to eventually put the turbo Clicks out on the market and they are a great product, so I do think that when the lace sets eventually show up you will be more than pleased with the product. All you need is a little patience!

Stay tuned - I’m getting ready to unfurl some really cool things. Despite my funk, I have managed to get organized in this area. Watch for news in this area by the end of the week, if not before!

I’m off for our annual family vacation, or to quote Claire from Modern Family…

I’m a mom traveling with my kids. For me, this is not a vacation — it’s a business trip.

We’re off to this fancy resort otherwise known as Six Flags. And while we’re there, the 40+ year old kid wants go to go Hurricane Harbor. There is nothing more thrilling for a mom than going to a public water park, wearing a bathing suit no less. My new bathing suit is arriving today. Keith about fell over when I told him it cost nearly $100. A small price to pay for family water fun. I wanted to go to the science museum instead. I only hope it fits - wish me luck!

While I’m away, we’ll be getting another visit from our yarn fairy godmother. Betty will be passing through Monday or Tuesday and dropping off a new batch from Hand Painted Knitting Yarns.

She’s also lending us her color rings too. If you’re thinking about joining us for the Einstein Coat knit-a-long this summer, this is a great opportunity to pick out your shade. I’m hoping to finish mine by next week - when you see mine you’re going to want one too!

As soon as I finish my Einstein, this yoked cardigan is next on my list. The yarns will be at both stores through June 19.

She’s also leaving a line of new eco-friendly project bags at the OKC store, made from reclaimed materials and reasonably priced too! Check with us on Tuesday and we’ll have more info as to her exact arrival.

In preparation for my departure, I tried clearing some of the clutter off my desk. I unearthed a few fun things to give away!

1. 4 hand-made lip project bags (just like we gave the retreaters @ the Knit Out)
2. Knit ‘n Style - June 2010 issue
3. Knit ‘n Style - August 2010 issue
4. Living Crafts - Spring 2010 issue
5. Spud & Chloe Ribbit pattern
6. Mug from Great Adirondack Yarn Company

To win, simply tell us where YOU’RE going on vacation this summer. We’ll pick 9 winners. If there is a particular item that you DO or DON’T want to win, let me know. I’ll select the winners when I return from my trip on Wednesday.