Leek and Egg Dumplings

Seriously, the greatest dumpling flavour combination in the world, and I ate a fair few in China.  The flavour combination is traditional, and gorgeous.  Also, there are only 4 real ingredients, so simple, economic and delicious.  Perfect for a meatless meal.

You can make your own dumpling skins, or buy them ready to go.  This is up to you really.  If you have experience making roti or chapati, they are easy.

Dumpling skins

You will need:
2 cups plain white flour, sifted
3/4 cup of boiling water (but let it cool just enough to be able to work it with your hands)

1.  Sift the flour into a bowl.
2.  Boil the water and measure out 3/4 cup.
3.  Stirring with a knife, pour the water into the flour, bringing it together into a dough.
4.  When it is cool enough to work, sprinkle a little flour on a surface and kneed the dough until it is smooth.
5.  Roll into a long tube about 2cm thick.
6.  Cut approx 1cm circles off the tube carefully.
7.  Roll out flat, but not too thin.  I find that about 10-12cm in diametre is good.

Filling

You will need:
4 eggs
2 baby leeks

1.  Crack all the eggs into a bowl.  Whisk.
2.  Finely slice the whole baby leek.  The green colour is amazing which is why I like smaller leeks here.
3.  In a hot wok (or fry pan) pour the eggs.  Cook them as scrambled eggs and keep stirring until the eggs have formed a scrambled texture.
4.  Add the leeks and keep stirring.  The egg should dry out into little 'chunks'.  The leek does not take a lot of cooking.

Assembly

1.  Take a dumpling skin and place about 2 small teaspoons of filling in the centre.
2.  Fold over and press the edges together firmly.

If you wanted to join them in other ways, just check youtube for different methods.  But making little half-circles is probably the easiest method.

The dumplings can be dropped into boiling water and cooked.  They do not take very long at all.  Keep a close eye.  All they need is the skin to go a little shiny or translucent, and to warm the filling through.  Pull out with a slotted spoon or wire scoop.

I prefer them steamed, to do this place in a steamer above boiling water.  This will keep the flavours fresh and strong.

They can also be fried in oil in a pan.  This turns them golden brown.  

Serving

Serve with a dipping sauce of soy, roasted garlic and chilli.  For more fun, also include chopsticks.

Back from China

Well, 6 weeks in China passed quickly in the end.  It was certainly the experience of a lifetime, and I spent a lot of time feeling either surrounded or lonely, or both.  But I learned a great deal about myself, about others, and generally what I have to be grateful for.  I had hoped to blog more while away, but the internet was slow, intermittent, and I had to keep setting up a virtual private network just to log in to blogger!

Beijing Night Food Market

The food was amazing.  Mostly.  My favourite thing was the roasted tofu, which was served up pretty much anytime I sat down to eat.  Vegetarians the world over get the same comments,
"How do you not eat meat?  You are missing out on some good food."

Well, given how many wonderful vegetarian options are available in China, no one needs to eat meat if they don't want to.  I was served gorgeous dumplings and wonderful soups, as well as my favourite new meal, Hot Pot.

We were staying up in Changchun, which is in Northern China, up near Mongolia, Russia and Korea.  The food has influences from all these areas, and becomes really spicy.  The town is famous for ginseng, and they try to sell it to tourists.  Then we came down to Beijing which was a completely different lifestyle and food.  Finally, Guangzhou, where everything was again tropical, and much more like food I am familiar with while overseas.

Over the next week or so, I will write up my food experiences in China.  I will be sharing my travel experiences on my other blog, "Beyond Island Hopping", so feel free to browse both.  And I'll be tagging the posts with "The China Experience" just to keep the series together.

China: The Glory of Feasting

I have now been in Changchun, China for 4 days. And in this time we have done sooooo much eating.

While naming the food is, well, impossible, it is delicious. And weird, like spicy, warm lettuce salad for breakfast!

However, more shall follow. This post is mainly a test as I am not sure if I can currently break through to post a blog while actually IN China.


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Mandarin Jack 'o' Lanterns

Today we did a halloween themed morning tea. Fortunately I have a bevy of creative minions at my beckoning, and we made short work of the following task.





Super simple... Take bags of mandarins and a paring knife.

Carefully slice 2 triangle eye shapes, use the point of the knife to peel the skin away from this section. Use the knife to carve out a mouth shape the same way.

We made super happy super sad and slightly creepy ones. And they were a hit. See, look how impressed I was with myself:



I also made chocolate witches hats. Using Hershey's kisses and mini chocolate biscuits, and a very hot cup of water, melt the bottom of the kiss on the side of the mug using the radiating heat. Stick to the chocolate biscuit.



And the rest of the spread also looked amazing too:


Finally the students hung a plastic bag skeleton from the ceiling....


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Fox Earflap Beanie - Knitting Pattern

So much has been asked about the fox recently... Is he in socks? Is he sly? And what does he say? Whatever the answer, this hat is super cute.



Fox Ear Flap Hat

You will need:
Size 4mm needles
Size 5mm needles
Size 4mm dp needles
Orange and white dk yarn
3 black buttons
Tiny piece of stuffing
Needle to stitch up

Cast on 5 in pale on 4mm
1 knit
2 Knit
3 K2, yrn, k2 tog, k1
4 Knit row
5 K1 front and back, k2, k1 front and back, k1
6 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
7 K1 front and back, k4, k1 front and back, k1
8 knit 2purl to last 2, knit 2
9 K1 front and back, k6, k1 front and back, k1
10 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
11 K1 front and back, k8, k1 front and back, k1
12 knit 2,purl to last 2, knit 2
13 knit 1 front and back, k10, k1 front and back, k1
14 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
15 K1 front and back, k12, k1 front and back, k1
16 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
17 K1 front and back, k14, k1 front and back, k1
18 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
19 K1 front and back, k16, k1 front and back, k1
20 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
21 knit
22 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
23 knit
24 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
25 knit
26 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2

Leave on needle, and make another.


On straight 4mm needles.
Cast on 12 in white. Slide on first ear flap. Cast on 24 in white. Slide on second flap. Cast on 12.

1. Knit whole row
2. Knit 14, purl 17, knit 28, purl 17, knit 14
3. Knit whole row
4. Knit 14, purl 17, knit 28, purl 17, knit 14
5. Knit whole row
6. Knit 14, purl 17, knit 28, purl 17, knit 14
7. Knit whole row
8. Knit 14, purl 17, knit 28, purl 17, knit 14
9. Knit whole row
10. Knit 14, purl 17, knit 28, purl 17, knit 14

Change to 5mm needles and orange yarn.
Stst 30 rows
K3, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K1, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Cut yarn, leaving 30cm, thread all stitches onto the yarn, pull to tighten



Ears - make 2

Orange outer ear - make 2
Cast on 14 on 4mm needles
Stst 10 rows
Decrease one at the beginning and end of each consecutive row until 2 remain.
K2 tog, cut yarn, thread through remaining stitch, pull to tighten

White inner ear - make 2
Cast on 12 on 4mm needles
Stst 10 rows
Decrease one at the beginning and end of each consecutive row until 2 remain.
K2 tog, cut yarn, thread through remaining stitch, pull to tighten

Nose - crochet one in orange
Chain 4, and make into a loop.
Double crochet 8 times around the inter circle.
Double crochet 16 times around the middle circle.
Double crochet 32 times around the outer circle.

See the inner and outer ears together around the outside.



Stitch up the back seam of the hat.
Stitch ears onto the hat.
Attach nose piece to the front of the hat, and stuff it a little before stitching it closed.






Attach black buttons for the eyes and nose.

Thread lengths of yarn though the holes in the ear flaps, and braid to make the tassels.






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Free "Despicable Me" Minion Knitting Patterns

By now my regular readers are well aware of the "Despicable Me" patterns I have designed, and Ravelry users will recognise them too. But I also know that it's kinda difficult to find the one you want, so I'm going to link all the current (and future) patterns on this post. Each hat or toy uses slightly different techniques. By checking each pattern first, you can mix and match elements to create your own unique knitted hat or toy.

Minion Toys
These are simple knits, with only a few challenges in the making. They are all knitted flat, but people have very successfully converted these for knitting in the round.
One eyed Minion

Two eyed Minion

Minion Hats
These are all really easy to knit. Some Ravelry users have made this as beginners. Because of the travelling yarn or intarsia in the tops, the inside tidiness isn't so important, so they are a pretty neat way of practising new techniques with limited risk.
One eyed Minion Hat

Two eyed Minion Hat

Two eyed Evil Minion Hat

Minion Ear-flap Hat


Edith Beanie


Other items
iPhone Cozy

Minion Fingerless Mittens

Minion iPad Cozy

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"Despicable Me" Edith Beanie - Knitting Pattern

There seems to be no end to the popularity of the "Despicable Me" knitting patterns, and I admit, they are cute. This one is the Edith beanie as she wears in the film, oversized and with ear flaps.

For other "Despicable Me" knitting patterns, click here.

This hat is adult-teen sized, knitted in the round and oversized as Edith wears it.

You will need:
Size 4mm needles - dp and circular
Dark and pale pink dk yarn
Stitch marker





Cast on 5 in pale on 4mm
1 knit
2 Knit
3 K2, yrn, k2 tog, k1
4 Knit row
5 K1 front and back, k2, k1 front and back, k1
6 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
7 K1 front and back, k4, k1 front and back, k1
8 knit 2purl to last 2, knit 2
9 K1 front and back, k6, k1 front and back, k1
10 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
11 K1 front and back, k8, k1 front and back, k1
12 knit 2,purl to last 2, knit 2
13 knit 1 front and back, k10, k1 front and back, k1
14 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
15 K1 front and back, k12, k1 front and back, k1
16 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
17 K1 front and back, k14, k1 front and back, k1
18 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
19 K1 front and back, k16, k1 front and back, k1
20 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
21 K1 front and back, k18, k1 front and back, k1
22 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
23 knit
24 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
25 knit
26 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2
27 knit
28 knit 2, purl to last 2, knit 2

Leave on needle, and make another.

Slide the first flap onto a circular needle. Cast on 30 stitches. Slide on other flap. Cast on 30 stitches.

Change to dark pink.
Knit 1 row.
Purl 1 row.
Knit 8 rows
Purl 1 row

Change to pale pink
Knit 10 rows

Change to dark pink.
Knit 1 row.
Purl 1 row.
Knit 8 rows
Purl 1 row

Change to pale pink
Knit 10 rows

Change to dark pink.
Knit 1 row.
Purl 1 row.
Knit 8 rows
Purl 1 row

Change to pale pink
Knit 4 rows
K3, k2 together over the whole row
Knit
K2, k2 together over the whole row
Knit
K1, k2 together over the whole row - I changed to 4 needles at this point.
Knit
K2 together over the whole row
Knit
K2 together over the whole row
Cut yarn, leaving 30cm, thread all stitches onto the yarn, pull to tighten






Cut 3 sets of 6 lengths of yarn. Fold the first set in half, stitch to the top of the hat, braid the tassels and tie a knot at the end. The other 2 sets should be folded in half and threaded through the holes in the ear flaps, braided and tied.






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Knitted Poppy Pattern

I haven't made any knitted flowers in a while. And I do so enjoy them as brooches. This one is a poppy.... Inspired by the WWI show I just finished directing.







Poppy

Petals - make 4
Cast on 4
S1, knit 3
S1, knit 3
S1, knit 1 front and back, knit 1 front and back, knit 1
S1, k1, knit 1 front and back, knit 1 front and back, k1, knit 1
S1, K5, turn knitting, s1, k3, turn knitting, s1, knit to end.
S1, K5, turn knitting, s1, k3, turn knitting, s1, knit to end.
Change to red, k7, turn, s1, k5, turn, s1, knit to end
Knit
Knit
S1, k1, knit one front and back, knit 2, knit one front and back, knit to end
Knit 7, turn, knit 4, turn, knit to end
Knit 8, turn, knit 5, turn, knit to end
Cast off



Sew all 4 together with a black button in the centre.
Attach a pin back to the back.



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Cable Brim Beanie - Knitting Pattern

I recently saw a hat with cables around the outside... And I knew I had to design a pattern. I love rainbow wool, but you can use just one colour.



You will need:
4mm needles
5mm needles
Cable needle
Crochet hook
Dk yarn


Cable brim beanie

Brim

Cast on 20 on 4mm needles
1- Knit 4, purl 1,Knit 4, purl 1,Knit 4, purl 1, knit 5
2- purl 5, knit 1, purl 4, knit 1, purl 4, knit 1, purl 4
3- slip 2 on cable needle back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle, purl 1, knit 4, slip 2 on cable needle back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle, purl 1, knit 5
4- purl 5, knit 1, purl 4, knit 1, purl 4, knit 1, purl 4
5- Knit 4, purl 1,Knit 4, purl 1,Knit 4, purl 1, knit 5
6- purl 5, knit 1, purl 4, knit 1, purl 4, knit 1, purl 4
7- knit 4, purl 1, slip 2 on cable needle back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle, purl 1, knit 4, slip 2 on cable needle back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle, knit 1
8- purl 5, knit 1, purl 4, knit 1, purl 4, knit 1, purl 4

Repeat section 16 times.
Cast off.











On the left hand side of the knitted brim (front side facing), pick up 80 stitches.
Stst 20 rows
K3, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K1, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Cut yarn, leaving 30cm, thread all stitches onto the yarn, pull to tighten

Stitch up the side.



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"Despicable Me" Minion Ear Flap Hat - Knitting Pattern

So many minion designs, so little time. I've never made a pattern for an ear flap hat before, and this was a popular request. So here we have it, a minion ear flap hat, knitted in the round.

I think it is a little trickier than the other minion hats I have listed. I also crocheted the eyes, but these could be made out of white felt.

This pattern is a teen-adult size. For other sizes, adjust the number of stitches casted on.






You will need:
Yellow and blue dk yarn
Scraps of white, grey and black dk yarn
3.75mm circular needle, and also short dp needles for when the hat reaches the apex
Crochet hook
2 black buttons

Minion ear flap hat


The ear flap bits - make 2 on dp needles






Cast on 5 in blue on 3.75mm
1 knit
2 Knit
3 K2, yrn, k2 tog, k1
4 Knit row
5 K1 front and back, k2, k1 front and back, k1
6 knit
7 K1 front and back, k4, k1 front and back, k1
8 knit
9 K1 front and back, k6, k1 front and back, k1
10 knit
11 K1 front and back, k8, k1 front and back, k1
12 knit
13 K1 front and back, k10, k1 front and back, k1
14 knit
15 knit
16 knit
17 knit
18 knit
19 knit
20 knit

Leave on needle, and make another.

Slide the first flap onto a circular needle. Cast on 40 stitches (this is the front). Slide on other flap. Cast on 35 stitches (this is the back) you should now have 105 stitches.
1 knit
2 purl
3 knit
4 purl
5 knit
6 purl
7 knit
8 purl
9 knit
10 purl
11 knit
12 purl - this will create the blue garter stitch section

Change to yellow
Knit 16 rows

Change to black
Knit 6 rows

Change to yellow
Knit 20 rows






K3, k2 together over the whole row
Knit
K2, k2 together over the whole row
Knit
K1, k2 together over the whole row - I changed to 4 needles at this point.
Knit
K2 together over the whole row
Knit
K2 together over the whole row
Cut yarn, leaving 30cm, thread all stitches onto the yarn, pull to tighten

Crochet 2 white circles, or cutout of felt. I am new to crochet, so the following instructions may or may not be useful.
Chain 4, and make into a loop.
Double crochet 8 times around the inter circle.
Double crochet 16 times around the middle circle.
Double crochet 32 times around the outer white circle.
Complete a rotation of double crochet in grey around the outside.




Crochet or blanket stitch in grey around the white circles.
Sew onto the front of the hat, on the black band.






Sew on 2 buttons for eye-pupils






Cut lengths of yarn for the tassels.
Thread and loop through the holes made in the ear flaps.












Braid and tie the ends.






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Clyde (Glasgow Commonwealth Games Mascot) - Knitting Pattern

I'm such a games fan, Olympics or Commonwealth, they are amazing. Have I mentioned I'll be off to China soon.... And I am determined to swim in the competitors pool at the Water Cube in Beijing. Such a dream come true.

But here is Clyde, the mascot for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

This pattern is now found on my new blog; www.theknitguru.com, still 100% for free.  
Click here to reach the pattern for Clyde directly.



You will need:
Size 4mm needles
Dk wool in red, green, yellow, blue, purple
Scraps of black and white yarn
2 goggle eyes
White felt
White and red cotton thread
Stuffing

The actual pattern is available here.

Doctor Who - K-9 Beanie - Knitting Pattern

A while ago someone asked me for a K9 Beanie.... And it's fair to say that I had no clue how to do this. But, I've given it a shot. It has turned out pretty well in the end.

The size is for a teen.



You will need:
4mm needles
5mm needles
Grey and red dk yarn

K9 Beanie

Cast on 88 on 4mm in grey
K2, p2 rib over the next 12 rows.

Change to 5mm needles
Stst 6 rows
Knit 30 grey, knit 28 red, knit 30 grey
Purl 30 grey, knit 28 red, purl 30 grey
Knit 30 grey, purl 28 red, knit 30 grey
Purl 30 grey, purl 28 red, purl 30 grey
Knit 30 grey, knit 28 red, knit 30 grey
Purl 30 grey, purl 28 red, purl 30 grey
Knit 30 grey, knit 28 red, knit 30 grey
Purl 30 grey, knit 28 red, purl 30 grey
Knit 30 grey, purl 28 red, knit 30 grey
Purl 30 grey, knit 28 red, purl 30 grey
Knit 30 grey, purl 28 red, knit 30 grey
Purl 30 grey, knit 28 red, purl 30 grey
Knit 30 grey, purl 28 red, knit 30 grey

Stst 12 rows

K3, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K1, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Cut yarn, leaving 30cm, thread all stitches onto the yarn, pull to tighten


Ears x 2
Cast on 7 on 4mm needles
Stst 6 rows
K1 front and back, K1 front and back, K1 front and back, k1, K1 front and back, K1 front and back, K1 front and back
Stst 6 rows
K2 tog, k2 tog, k to the last 4 stitches, k2 tog, k2 tog

Stitch up the back of the hat.
Attach ears to the top of the hat, rolling the ear stem bit into a tube before attaching.

Stitch on a red circle on top of the red striped area.

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Frodo Baggins - Knitting Pattern

Not that long ago, I designed the pattern for Mr. Bilbo Baggins, and now, here is the adaptation to turn him into Frodo Baggins.



You will not need to make the jacket that Bilbo has. Instead, Frodo has a cape and an Elven brooch.

You will need:
- small piece of green felt
- silver thread
- thin elastic
- grey dk yarn

The Cape

Using 4.5mm needles, cast on 30 stitches.
Knit 40 rows.
Knit 1, (yarn round needle, k2 tog) - repeat bracketed section over whole row. This creates the row of holes.
Knit 9 rows
Cast off





Thread elastic through the holes. Tie together tightly, and stitch on a small elven brooch.





I made the brooch out of green felt. Cut the shape out, then using a blanket stitch, edge the material.