In the immortal words of Buddy the Elf, YOU DID IT!

You made it through the holidays! Congratulations!

And after all that knitting, crocheting, baking, shopping, wrapping and generally knocking yourself out to make everyone else's holiday magical...

It's your turn.

Fourteen years ago, we started calling January "Selfish Knitting Month."

(Yes, it's Selfish Crocheting Month too!)

This is your time.

Indulge in a yarn that's not from your stash. Something decadent. A color that just calls to you. Maybe even go wild with a new set of needles.

Then cast that sucker on.

No apologies, no rush, no deadlines, nobody looking over your shoulder.

You've absolutely earned it.

Shown at top: Rachel (you may recognize her from this year's Knit Stars video - the violinist), wearing the "Dancing Palms Shawl" by Justyna Lorkowska that she improvised with Lux Adorna 100% cashmere. Definitely S.K.M. worthy! 
 

I asked the Loops Troops what they're casting on for Selfish Knitting Month, and got a bundle of awesome ideas (whoops, there goes my queue again!). All patterns are on Ravelry.
 

• Ribbon Wrap by illitilli (shown above) - Tracy and I have had this in our queues for awhile, and although it calls for worsted, I think Bigfoot Fibers Silky Yak DK is up to the task! This palette is soooo pretty. 
• Cordiale Cowl by Heather Zoppetti - A quick and colorful knit with 2 skeins of Manos Franca
• September Star Beanie by MaBe in Mirasol Sulka Nina (1 skein each of 3 colors). This merino-alpaca-silk adds luxury to any DK-weight project and it's on sale :)
• No Frills Sweater by PetiteKnit - Don't pass go, head straight to Posh Fingering from the Uncommon Thread! The sinful blend of Bluefaced Leicester wool, silk and cashmere floats effortlessly on the needle and across your body. Plus we have 9 - count them, NINE - different shades of grey in this yarn. All stunning.
• Cloudburst Mitts by Arienne Grey in Anzula Serenity 100% hand-dyed Cashmere - your hands have earned these!
• Plumpy by Andrea Mowry - Janet's making this in a combination of Qing Fibres Supersoft DK and Woolen Boon Cash DK
• Baubles by Andrea Mowry - Debbie has it cast on in Hedgehog Fibres Sock. She's working on this in between the Professor's Scarf by Gina Waters (for her hubby) in Woolen Boon Cash DK.
• Wool and Honey by Andrea Mowry (anyone sensing a pattern here? ;-) Margaret and I are both still choosing our yarns, but today I'm leaning toward Canopy Fingering from the Fibre Co.

What will you be casting on? We'd love for you to share on Instagram or Facebook using #selfishknittingmonth!

This is my favorite hack from 2018!

Andrea Mowry shows you how to wind your yarn into a cake using just your thumb! It's brilliant! Watch this 2-minute video and you'll have it down in no time.

Did you get an Instant Pot for Christmas?

I got one TWO Christmases ago...but I was so scared of it, it took me a whole year to use it.

A whole year wasted, y'all!

This is my favorite Instant Pot recipe right now. My mom grew up in New Orleans, and she makes a mean Red Beans and Rice, but shhhhh I like this even better! And it comes together so fast. 

Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice from The Typical Mom

Ingredients

• 1/4 onion diced
• 6 strips bacon diced
• 1 tbsp garlic minced
• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• 12 oz Andouille sausage precooked, diced
• 1 can red beans drained
• 2 c rice uncooked
• 2 1/2 c chicken broth
• 2 c water
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions

• Put Instant Pot on sauté, high. 
• Add olive oil. Add onions, garlic and bacon and cook down until bacon cooks a bit and onions soften. 
• Add precooked sausage and warm along side other ingredients. 
• Turn off IP by pressing cancel. Add red beans, drained and rinsed. 
• Add chicken broth and water. Stir. 
• Add uncooked rice, salt, and cumin. Stir. 
• Put lid on IP and close steam valve. Push rice button, low pressure, set for 12 minutes (sets like this automatically for me when I press rice). When it beeps do a quick release, stir, (season more if desired) and serve!

XOXO,
Shelley and the Loops Troops