A Finely Knit Murder (25 page)

Materials

Yarn:
Sport weight; 1,2 balls; 130 yards-160/50g

Needles:
US #4 or #5 DPNs or #4 or #5 circular needle 32" or longer, or size needed to obtain gauge; markers and stitch holder (or waste yarn)

Gauge:
24 st = 4" on US #3 needles, st stitches

Abbreviations

CO=cast on

BO=bind off
pm=place marker
sm=slip marker
st=stitch
St st= Stockinette stitch
sl=slip
k=knit
p=purl
KFB=knit into the front and back of stitch
K2tog=knit two stitches together

Directions

(Knit two of the following; right and left mittens are the same.)

CO 42 (46, 48) stitches, pm for beginning of the round, and join to work in the round.

Work k2, p2 rib for 2 inches.

Work St st for 3 more inches (5 inches from beginning).

Shape thumb gusset

Set-up round: k1, pm, k to 1 stitch before the end of the round, pm, k1.

First round: k to 1 st before 1st marker, KFB, sm, k to next marker, sm, KFB, k to end of round. You will now have 46 (52,56) st.

Second round: k all stitches.

Repeat first and second rounds 4 (5, 6) times.

Set thumb aside.

K to second marker, remove marker, k1, sl 5 (6, 7) st to holder or waste yarn (these stitches will be worked later).

Remove marker at beginning of round.

Sl 5 (6,7) stitches to holder or waste yarn (these stitches will be worked later).

PM at beginning of new round. Join to work in the round.

Work 1 inch (1.5'', 2'') in St st.
Work 1-inch rounds in k2, p2 rib.
BO loosely.

Finishing thumb gusset

Join yarn and pick up and knit 10 (12, 14) thumb stitches from holder or waste yarn.

Pick up and knit 4 st from join at side of mitt.
PM and join to work in the round.
Next round: k to last 4 stitches, k2tog, k2tog.

Work a half inch (.75", 1'') in St st.

Work 3 rounds in k2, p2 rib.

BO loosely.

Finishing

Weave in all ends.

Serves six

Ingredients

18–20 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

½ cup minced red onion

½ cup minced celery

¾ cup fresh lime juice

3 large garlic cloves, minced (1 tablespoon)

¼ cup chopped cilantro leaves

½ cup olive oil

2 T soy sauce

2 avocados

2 cups fresh snow peas

1 bunch arugula

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Grill shrimp on soaked wooden skewers over medium coals, brushing lightly with olive oil, about 2–3 minutes on each side.

Wisk together lime juice, garlic, cilantro, soy sauce, and olive oil.

Blend in celery, snow peas, and onion.

Add shrimp to dressing; toss until shrimp is coated.

Before serving, toss shrimp and dressing once more, add sliced avocados, toss with arugula, and season with salt and pepper.

Nell usually serves this to the Thursday-night knitters with warm crusty rolls and an assortment of cheeses, gherkins, olives, and mild peppers.

(Nell also keeps a bottle of hot sauce handy for those who like an extra
kick.)

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