The Same But Different: Sewn Bind-Off

Some of the very first things one learns as a new knitter is how to cast-on and how to bind-off. What you aren't told in those early days, as you struggle awkwardly to master the long-tail method, is that there are many, many different ways to do the very same things.

I, being just a teeny bit lazy, am inclined to stick with the standard. It's easy. I know how to do it without looking at instructions or a tutorial. I can cast-on stitches using long-tail in my sleep and I generally bind-off stitch over stitch. But, it is important to realize that different cast-on methods and different bind-off methods create different and potentially awesome results.

Last year I learned a sewn bind-off while knitting Romi Hill's Fairy Snow Cap. The sewn bind-off used in the pattern provides a wonderfully "finished" look that melts easily into the 1x1 ribbing of the hat. It stretches, it is substantial, and while subtle - it makes a difference in the overall look of the finished knit.

Recently, I needed a quick project to satisfy my need to finish something (Anything!) and so I started Clara Parkes Hill Country Hat. Let me say that to me a hank of slightly rustic, colorful, tweedy goodness is pretty darn irresistible. I have nothing but praise for the simple, classic hat pattern.

I made my Hill Country Hat slightly longer to create a slouchy effect that better suits my enormous 'noggin and I added a pom to use up the last of the 142yd skein of tweedy Rowanspun Chunky. The only other modification? Romi's sewn bind-off. Totally worth the extra effort of referencing the tutorial. Totally worth the extra time.

Here is a link to Romi's tutorial for the Sewn Kitchener Rib Bind Off in case you'd like to give it a go!

Wine Time! Grande Reserve Pinot Noir Bourgogne 2008

Never judge a book by its cover, never judge a wine by its bottle...

I would sum Josephine Dubois Grande Reserve Pinot Noir Bourgogne 2008 as wildly underwhelming.  It didn't really taste like anything.  That is not to say it didn't taste like anything, however it didn't taste like anything I could identify.  That doesn't sound any better does it?  I admit that our household wine rules of $15 or under and easily accessible for purchase does not leave me with the most refined palate. 

Usually I can pick out the berry, buttery, grassy, citrusy.  Nothing in this glass of wine really inspired me to try and harder or think any more about it.  I expect to find a nice acidity in pinot noir along with an earthiness.  There just weren't any notable flavors here for me.  So while the bottle may look like an old world wine wonder - you can probably do better for the money.

Name - Grande Reserve Pinot Noir Bourgogne 2008
Purchased - Whole Foods
Actual Cost - 11.99 + tax
Price Range - 8.99 to 11.99

Wine Time! Chime Pinot Noir

I bring pinot noir into the household quite frequently as a domestic compromise.  Newfangleddad likes white wine and while I am fond of very strong, heavy red wines (cab, merlot) he is not.  Hence the pinot noir, hanging out over at the lightest end of the red wine spectrum.  We both really enjoyed the Chime.  For him it had enough of the fruit presence and for me it had enough earthy spiciness.

Chime Pinot Noir 2009 is an Editor's Choice with 91 points in the July 2011 issue of Wine Enthusiast.

Name - Chime Pinot Noir Sonoma County 2009

Purchased - Rave Wines

Actual Cost - 14.00 + tax

Price Range - 9.95 to 17.99 (this varied greatly)

 

Then we ruined it.  For dinner we had black bean dip which is really just a whole lot of black beans, a whole lot of salsa and a whole lot of cheese.  Gah!  The Chime and the black bean dip did not like each other.  We will (will, will, will!) be buying this again, and I look forward to trying it with a pork dish or perhaps some Indian food.

Last night Newfangleddad was having some personal time looking at thousand year-old artwork and listening to Johnny Cash.  So, I finished the bottle after the kidlets were asleep while watching “Yule Log 2011” on cable.  I love that fake fire.  I loved the wine even more. 

Wine Time! 2009 Protocolo

Yummy.  A kick ass red for the price.

Name - Dominio de Eguren 2009 Protocolo Tempranillo (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla)

Purchased - Whole Foods
Actual Cost - 7.99 + tax
Price Range - 6.49 (on sale) to 9.00

The hubris in my giant melon assures me that you're hanging on my every review and you trust my viticultural judgement implicitly.  However, if you prefer a more authoritative source... This wine made Wine Enthusiast Top 100 2011 and is a best buy with 89 points.

Newfangleddad and I enjoyed it with a really awful veggie soup I crafted from the deep, dark, depths of the refrigerator crisper drawer.  The wine was nice enough that we almost didn't notice how awful the veggie soup really was.  Almost.