News from The Nest, October 5

From the Knit & Crochet Studio

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This argyle baby blanket was knit with a lot of heart. I made it as a thank-you for my dad’s caregiver, who cared for him during COVID as he declined from Alzheimer’s disease. The body of the blanket uses a reversible knit-and-purl pattern that looks lovely from both sides, which is a huge bonus for a baby blanket.

If you want a cozy blanket without committing to months of knitting, this chunky broken rib blanket is a great place to start. Our daughter picked the yarn first, and we worked backward to the stitch; all it takes is simple knits and purls. Astrid was quite proud of her finished blanket, though she issued a fair warning that all that bulky yarn can be a bit of a workout.

I want to highlight one of those items on the knit gift list as I’m actively using and appreciating it right now. I’m knitting another baby sweater with a good bit of lace, and this Knit Picks’ Premium Chart Keeper Pattern Holder is really helping me stay on track with which row I’m on; essential when working with lace. The case is magnetic, so you just move the magnetic bar to sit under the row you are working on. When you stop knitting, it closes with a little latch, keeping your pattern in good condition.

From the Kitchen

If there’s one thing I inherited from my dad, it’s the belief that cheese makes everything better. These gluten-free cheese puffs, made with Gruyère and chives, deliver. They’re crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, and they’re just as happy next to a bowl of soup as beside a glass of wine. You can make them ahead of time too, which is always a win when company’s coming.

If you crave comfort food when the weather turns cool, this chicken pot pie with puff pastry is a very cozy option. Creamy, savory filling sits under a golden, flaky crust, with a splash of dry sherry that adds a bit of umami you can’t quite name but would definitely miss. You can even make the filling ahead, so this kind of comfort is easier to come by than you’d think. Just this morning, this ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐endorsement from Jodi was in my inbox: “Made this last night n my boys left me nothing soooo I made it again today with a note to leave Mama a piece.” I feel for Jodi, but I’m tickled pink that this dish is such a hit in her home! 🥰

If lentils have never won you over, this slow cooker lentil soup just might. Smoky paprika and browned tomato paste give it real depth. Bonus points: it’s heart-healthy and easy on the budget. Reader Jan says her husband claimed not to like lentil soup yet polished off two bowls, and that story plays out in our house too.

The potatoes and pumpkin in this slow cooker pumpkin soup make it creamy without a drop of cream, which suits me just fine. Sage, thyme, and a touch of cayenne keep it from being too sweet. A swirl of crème fraîche with a sprinkle of pepitas bougie-ifies it and makes it company-worthy.

Here’s a kitchen trick that beats the canned stuff: fire-roasted tomatoes made on the grill or in the oven. A sliver of garlic tucked into each half is the secret, and they’re also a smart way to rescue tomatoes before they turn. They won’t win any beauty contests, but reader Michaela found them far better than canned, and they freeze beautifully.

Looking for a fall and winter salad that’s actually exciting? This fig and butternut squash salad pairs roasted squash with dried figs, toasted hazelnuts, and peppery arugula, all finished with a maple curry dressing. It’s hearty enough for dinner but healthy enough for a guilt-free side dish. Reader Kathleen called it lovely and unique, perfect for a luncheon or a weeknight meal.

Our four-legged family deserves a little pumpkin love too, and these homemade pumpkin dog treats are easy to whip up. The first batch got moldy before the pup could finish it, so I worked out how to keep them crisp and shelf-stable, plus a few safety notes about what never belongs in a dog treat. Reader Jane says her dog Corky loves them, and she discovered the humans like them too. 🫢

Part moist apple bread, part spice cake, this apple spice bread is the perfect fall bake, and the mixer can stay in the cupboard. Reader Jackie says it’s become her go-to quick bread, and Suzanne in Ireland tucked slices into her son’s lunch box. I grate the nutmeg fresh with a grater that belonged to my grandmother, and the smell while it bakes is heavenly.

From the Arts & Crafts Studio

I couldn’t decide between orange and white, so I made these mini needle-felted pumpkins in both colors, and I ended up putting the orange ones on a wreath. The video tutorial walks you through the whole process, which reader Tammy said was just what a visual learner needs. Just be sure to protect your fingers, because those needles are sharp. 😵‍💫

In the Garden

At the risk of offending mum lovers everywhere 😉, I went looking for fall color beyond the usual and found plenty in these fall-blooming flowers that aren’t mums. Pansies, violas, snapdragons, and sedum are just a few of the cool-weather stars, and many will keep blooming into winter. There’s also a handy rundown of which ones do best in containers and how each handles frost.

This cold frame made from old windows is the little project that thought it was a greenhouse. It started with a few salvaged windows and a mission to protect some baby Meyer lemon trees, and it came together quickly with two sets of hands. It’s a budget-friendly way to stretch your growing season. Don’t miss the important tip about checking old window paint for lead before you start.

In the Home

It’s time to pull out your sweaters, and if you’re like me, you do it with a little apprehension. There’s nothing worse than finding that gnarly, hungry little moths have made a buffet of your treasured wool and cashmere sweaters.

When my brother asked me to fix the moth holes in his cashmere sweaters, I said sure, even though I had never mended moth damage before. The trick is to work only on the back of the stitches, which keeps the repair nearly invisible from the front, and all it takes is a needle and thread. This tutorial on how to fix moth holes has step-by-step photos and a video, and reader Michelle says it saved her favorite fine-knit sweater.