I can't wait to see how many other knitters decide to join you in your private little knit-along! The sweater looks lovely.

And if I could make Acer in my size, I'd be right there with you.

#5-Perhaps you were dreaming of a big Indian feast?

I can't wait to see the sock club choices!

Maybe you were planning a kale chip party?...

Use your digital camera, take a picture of the pattern then download it to your computer and print it out. Obviously, we should only to do this for a pattern we already own, we should not do this at bookstores, etc.

i really like how i can see your xmas tree in the shot behind the sweater! i always try to get mine put away and out the door on or around jan 1.. but this year, i just don't seem to want to let it go!
and way to keep that competitive streak in check! ;)

Would love to know what yarn the two of you are using for "Acer." I own the pattern but have stalled out on the yarn selection, since I'm not a fan of Peace Fleece Worsted. Have been considering Gloss HW by Knit Picks or the Beaverslide Drygoods Merino/Mohair Worsted that others on Ravelry have used.

I think you need a new laser printer with a scanner. I totally understand what you mean about patterns.

Get a printer with a copier already! They are not much bigger than a regular printer. They ca also scan.

I've started downloading scanned pdf images of patterns to the Kindle I bought my husband for Christmas and stole from him before New Year. It works great!

Nice cardigan, that is one I would wear (and knit too, if I ever thought I would have the headspace/lack of interruptions to manage it). However I guess this is unlikely to be for you as you tend to wear more grayed blues, if at all.

Love trying to get a grip on those random days.

Next time you need a computer printer, buy one that is wireless, with a scanner/copier. They are inexpensive - as with most printers, the expense is in buying ink cartridges. I use ours to make working copies of my patterns so I can take notes, highlight, etc.

Very Nice Sweater Choice.

Crying out loud. Even by my stingy standards they're not expensive, and can fax and scan as well. Tell me you wouldn't have a use for a scanner. Go buy one. Jeez. (I'm considering knitting mine a cozy.) (I may just have talked myself into buying one for the studio.) (Except for this tooth.) (On the other hand I just fixed the landline without having the phone company come out for hundreds of dollars.) (Though there's still this tooth...)

Was the fennel for fennel brittle? COULD the fennel be for fennel brittle? Mmmm, fennel brittle. Problem solved deliciously.

What is it about January and fennel? I also have fennel in the fridge, with little clue about why I thought I had to buy it.

Hey there,

I bought an awesome scanner/printer/photocopier a couple years ago for just such an occasion...and I love it!

I love my all-in-one (scanner, copier, printer), despite it's being an ink-aholic, and frequently use it to copy patterns from my books so I don't have to lug the whole thing somewhere (or wreck it). It is a little bulky, but we've found it a home.

Oh, I think I need to start my own personal Sock-of-the-Month-Club this year!!!

Nice cardigan...

I have enough yarn for Acer in my stash (I won it last year), but I haven't started it yet. I'm trying to finish some other things first, which might include a bulky yarn sweater so I can finish 2 sweaters in a single month!

I often want a photocopier. It is yet another reason to love the library.

I think it's time you bought a printer with copying capabilities! And that sweater can't be for you - blue?

The only bad thing about retirement, no photocopier.

Good thing I spend so much time in libraries.

I'll chime in and agree that you need to get a copier/scanner. I use ours all the time to copy patterns out of my knitting books.

Ass for the fennel, my daughter made a potato/leek/fennel soup when she was home over Christmas and it was delicious. It might not get rid of all your excess fennel, but would be a good start towards reducing the population.

You have to have a printer. So go get one that copies and scans. They are pretty darn cheap. Really. I love how you start a sweater and it already looks half finished.

Santa brought a copier several years ago. The best thing ever. No more running to the library, bank, store to make a copy. Our lives have changed through this copier and my GPS.

Fennel makes great tea, dried or fresh.

That pattern is totally in my Rav queue (along with fifty bazillion other things).

My favorite fennel story (I apologize in advance--it's a little off-color, so please skip this if you think you might be offended):
A charmingly bawdy co-worker I used to have went to the grocery store and got, among other things, a bulb of fennel. The cashier was looking at it a little oddly as it came down the conveyor belt, so she said to the woman, "Do you know what that is?" The cashier answered, in a sort of snotty tone, "Yes. It's anus."
I've never been able to read a description of annis the same way since.

Nice looking sweater pattern. I love cables. When your printer dies, go get a printer/copier/scanner/fax. Has the same footprint as a regular printer. As for the ink usage just get a refill kit off the internet for your printer. My knitting goals for this year are to finish all the UFOs and one knitting project a month. My quilting goals are to finish one UFO a month. It should kept me busy for the next two or three years! LOL!

Looks like you've got some yarn back in rotation. Does this mean the Six-Not-Seven Diamond sweater is no more? Given the saga of the yarn, and the saga of the sweater, maybe it would be wise to get a scanner, so you can mark the new pattern up before the knitting fates really put a whammy on you! Even if you are winning (not that there's a race....)

Get a scanner. 100 bucks (or Loonies). Don't get one of those "printer, copier does everything" - if one thing goes bad they all do. With a scanner you can even scan swatches.

Braise that fennel with onions - both sliced thin. I braise in chicken stock with a knob of butter thrown in just for giggles... add salt and pepper to taste. Cook until tender, but not mushy. Yum!

If it were summer, I would say shave it thin, and add to chunks of watermelon, thin shaved red onions, oil-cured black olives (pits removed), and toss in a balsamic vinagrette. My favorite summer salad. You can add feta, but I find feta too strong tasting so I put it on the side for others to add if they want it.

But if anyone is interested you are out ahead. Maybe that isn't the same as winning.

If I was loaded down with fennel, I would make the tomato-fennel consomme from Mollie Katzen's Vegetable Heaven. It makes a lovely soup, OR you can put it in glass with some vodka (I'd call it a play on the classic Caesar, except that I think the Caesar is perfect as-is and shouldn't be messed with).

Can't wait to see the sweater!

My printer works as a photocopier, scanner and a fax machine too. Don't they all?

I once bought fennel bulbs because my Christmas wassail recipe called for star anise and the produce guy insisted that it meant fennel. I couldn't imagine why I would put that in a hot beverage, but I bought it. Then I made a trip to the Asian market and bought legitimate star anise. Fortunately I found a great white wine and fennel recipe (for chicken though so no help for you) that only called for ingredients already in my kitchen stash (erm pantry).

Also I'm going to be the 40th person to tell you about the joys of a combined photocopier, printer, scanner, thingie.

A couple of years ago we got a great deal on an 'all in one' printer, that copies,prints, scans & is a fax machine. I now routinely copy patterns out of books so I don't mess them up or so I can make notes without marring the original. Like the microwave & post-its..I don;t know how I ever got along without.

I'm now considering getting a computer just for storing patterns....don't tell my husband :)

Solved my photocopier problem by buying a color laser printer that also scans, copies, and faxes. The prices are really coming down. And you get all of those machines in one.

(Does it sound like I'm tyring to justify my purchase?)

Perhaps the copier issues might lead one to a kindle or a nook? That way you can carry loads of knitting books with you in your bag.

Here is an awesome white bean & fennel soup recipe.

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/white-bean-fennel-soup/Detail.aspx

My family is usually not that enthusiastic about my many versions of bean soup but for some reason they love this one. (to me, it tastes more or less exactly like my other bean/tomato soup recipes, but I guess they have better palates than me or something).

Yes, I agee with others; a knitter of your stature should own a printer/copier. I love walking over to mine any time to make a writable copy of my patterns. Very affordable these days.

OK, just added Acer to my "To Do List". Awesome sweater! Please let us know what yarn you're using.

Love the tweedy color of your sweater-in-progress. Right there with you on the copy issue too. Hubby yelled at me the other day cause he had been printing some brochures or something using special (aka expensive) paper, and never changed it back to the regular stuff. I printed off a few patterns and wow do they ever look nice!

A suggestion--I set up a self-imposed sock club as well but used index cards to note the pattern in the bag w/the yarn. I will copy the pattern when I get to that bag.

Just an idea.

Fennel! Love the stuff. It's great baked with some mushrooms, carrots, white beans and garlis with buttery breadcrumbs on top - like a veggie cassoulet a little bit.... Very good on cold winter days.

Also raw - shredded up with some green apple in a vinegar/olive oil dressing.

See you in February!

My mom would not be proud to know I had to google fennel.

That sweater pattern looks great! I'm just trying to destash these days- I have more sock yarn than I thought. So, I've followed you into the land of self imposed monthly sock knitting and so far, so good. We'll see how it goes- but if I can make 6 pair, that'll still be something.

I have a recipe for a really good fennel soup--will be glad to share.

What an awesome sweater! I've been looking for one like this. Cheers for pointing it out.

Photocopier=brilliant. I,too, don't own one and feel it would be very helpful in my knitting life.

embarassed to admit, we have 3 photocopier/printers. Both husband and I home office, and I homeschool two gangly preteens. next to the computers-5 at last count-they are the most useful technology in the house.

When I need a photocopier, I use my digital camera to take a picture of the page (daylight or bright lights help) and then print out the pic. Tada! Saves the trip to the local copy place.

I'm another who has an old inkjet printer/scanner that works as a copier too- very convenient! As for the fennel, if you don't recall what it's doing in there, might I suggest roasting it in the oven with lots of garlic cloves and a sprinkling of olive oil? So sweet and delicious!

I wouldn't race you if you could only knit with one hand, had a blind fold on, and my life depended on it!! I would lose out of shear terror!

I'm with you on the photocopying-so-you-don't-spill-stuff and/or don't-want-to-lug-around the book thing. Nice color on the sweater. Will look forward to the FO.

Oh, and I would NEVER have any fennel in my fridge. Ever. :)

I have an HP photo, scanner, copier and I love it!

I'm sure it will be a lovely sweater, but couldn't you get out the APPLES BOHUS SWEATER?! It really didn't do anything wrong and would be fabulous on you!!

I'm sure it's been mentioned already, but the next time your printer takes a KO punch, purchase an all-in-one machine. That way you can print, copy and fax to your little heart's content. Personally, I'm waiting for the one that will cook eggs and pop my toast out at the same time. I'm sure someone will figure it out eventually.

Too much fennel calls for this recipe (sausage and fennel calzone from cooking light) one of my favorites.

http://tinyurl.com/2datlkx

MMmmmmm, I wish I had some fennel right now.

I often wish for a copier too - instead I use my husband's printer/scanner to do the trick. If that helps at all.

Pretty. What's the yarn?

That's a sweater I've been looking at longingly. I may join you, but I have to wait until I finish a couple of other wip's

Fennel is really good in mac & cheese.

We have a wireless printer/scanner that also functions as a copier. Anyone in the house can use it through the wireless, and the copier part is just standalone. It's too small for great big books like Rowan books, but it works for most everything. It was under $100US several years ago, too.

I use both the scanner and the copier functions of my HP3600 Photosmart printer more than I ever dreamed I would. I copy most of my patterns to carry around. Lovely cardigan!

heh heh ... I like your atitude toward not racing

fennel helps cranky babies - maybe you are getting ready well in advance of the 2 babes for 2011? Other than that, we use it for a flavinoid in roast - but you wouldn't have it for that, so I am sticking with the fennel tea for babies idea

I'm agreeing on the all-in-one. We waited until there was one that can be communicated with by ethernet, wireless, and memory card PLUS has returnable ink cartridges (separate for each color) that are inexpensive (the printer costs a bit more but I'd rather that and less $ for the ink). Has a touchscreen and works great. You can scan and print or scan and send to a particular sw program on your computer if you want to tweak the copy before printing. Pretty small footprint too.

I would totally encourage you to make fennel soup. Fennel, weirdly, like corn, becomes creamy when you puree it. It's my favorite soup to serve to my vegan friends because it seems creamy, but there's no cream. My favorite recipe for fennel soup is to caramelize the fennel, then cook it in broth with bouquet garnis for about a half an hour. Take out the bouquet garnis and blend until smooth. If you want, add a splash or pernod. Otherwise, enjoy! I love it with crusty olive bread.

I can't see how you survive without a scanner hooked up to your computer. I use it all the time to make copies (today it was legal documents). So much faster than having to drive somewhere -- and since it is part of my printer, it doesn't take up any additional room on my desk

Bahaha numbers 9-11!

Oh - I don't know - I think Wednesdays can be every bit as random and odd as Mondays. Seems those are the days that I can never settle on anything. I caste on something new - maybe 2 things. I make lunch and then want something else. I say just swim around in it and see what comes out at the end of the day. Philosophically, forget the copier. Take a walk and save the $$ till the current printer gives up the ghost. Or not. Who knows? It's Wednesday.

I haven't had time to read all the comments, so please forgive me if anyone else mentions this. Why don't you have your assistant go to the corner store & make copies for you. I'm an assistant to someone and I have to do that all the time! (Of course, my copier is just down the hall). I love the new sweater.

Fennel is great as a substitute for some or all of the cabbage in a cole slaw.

The best thing I ever did was buy my Canon MX850 printer. There are probably newer models out there, but this was from Staples and not terribly expensive. The great thing is that it is a printer, photocopier, scanner, and fax machine (though I don't use the fax). It prints in black and white and color. There is even a place to insert my camera SD card, so the photos go directly onto my computer.

The nicest thing about this is that once I make a photocopy, I then scan it back into the computer and it saves as a .pdf. Then, if I need another copy because I have spilled wine or coffee on it, I just hit print!! Best to you.

The pattern looks fantastic! And I love your blue tweedy yarn - what is it?

Also, on the photocopier - perhaps one of the best things I've ever purchased is a printer/scanner/copier. It's awesome (and not very expensive).

Ever think that this is a set up by Andrea? She wants you to think you are winning, but really, she is hoping you'll find the mistakes in the pattern first, or an easier way to knit it or something? You are totally her guinea pig. (Possibly)

Also, please freeze your extra fennel. I can't stand the thought of wasted food.Plus, when the freezer is so full you can't remember why you froze something, I feel much better about throwing out old frozen food. I may be wierd, but that's just the way it is. It's free advice, you don't have to follow it.

I recommend a scanner instead of a photocopier. You can scan the pattern and then just print it on your printer. Then you have the pattern saved on your computer in case you arse it up and have to reprint it. You can also do lovely things like scan items you want to send to others - like recipes or non-copyright-infringing copies of patterns.

I never comment, but when fennel is slighted . . .

Roast it and enjoy. We don't say things like, "I can't remember why I got so excited about plain ol' merino," now, do we?

A lot of fennel goes fast. I hope you will savor it.

I bought a small copy machine several years ago. It has been a really good investment! I use it to make work copies of my patterns so that I can write on them, highlight them, etc. without destroying the original.

Several years ago I purchased a cheapo printer/copier/scanner it was not more than $75. It is still going strong. I use it as a copier for patterns more than anything. I tend to write on my patterns so I like to always make a copy.

Try this roasted Fennel recipe. Looks delicious.

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/roasted_fennel/

I purchased a Kodak printer last year that is wireless, prints, scans and copies. It is wonderful! and I only paid $79 for it!

What kind of shape is your printer in? That's a rhetorical question. You don't have to haul off and send me an email. I don't want to add to your daily burdens in any way.

The reason I ask is because when I bought a printer, I got a refurbished one that had a scanner rather than spending the same amount of money on a new one without a scanner.

The point of all this is that I can slap something in there and get a copy of it in either color or black and white. I happen to have a Kodak 5500, but they have newer models now. And Kodak does seem to have made printing more affordable because of the low cost of it's ink. It's something to keep in mind for the time in the future when you need to upgrade or just replace your printer. I would assume that writing like you do is similar enough to a home business (if it isn't one) that something that can copy, fax, scan as well as print might be worthwhile.

The yarn you're making that sweater out of is BEAUTIFUL! Again, no need to email, but if you could mention what it is on your blog, it would probably satisfy the curiosity of many of your readers.

I can't wait to see how the sweater turns out. It ought to look great on you with your coloring!

Slice the fennel and marinate it in lemon juice, olive oil and black pepper in the fridge. Eat cold and crunchy. Delicious.

If you have a multifunction printer/scanner, you have a copier. One can usually choose from the menu to copy something, but otherwise you can scan and then print. So long as the electronic version isn't distributed, I believe that still falls under the Fair Use doctrine.

Hope that helps!

lightly pickled fennel slaw? sliced super thin, mixed with thinly sliced cabbage, dressed with seasoned rice vinegar, sat in the fridge a couple hours before eating. I love quick refrigerator pickled slaws as side dishes or on sandwiches or hot (tofu) dogs.

Slice the fennel really really thinly and then carmelize it in a little olive oil and butter. Big skillet, low flame, stir it every so often until it is nice and golden and sweet. Delicious. I have a full recipe that pairs it with figs and seared tofu. Drop me a note if you want the whole thing. Also, I save the cores in the freezer and throw it in with some rice while it's cooking. When the rice is done, pick out the core and you have lovely fennel scented rice. (Also works very well with the trimmings from peppers.)

At least you have a printer, If I find a pattern that I like online, I have to whip out a pen and paper, and copy it down.

And the randomness is made even more random by putting it on any day of the week, so you never know what day you're going to be random.

If you were a musician, you'd totally love having the copier too. Here's how you justify it:

I work at home. My home is my office. I need the essential office supply - a copier.

Seriously, doesn't the value of your time justify the expense? Not that you're going to spend for the Cadillac model. Does the Canadian tax code permit you to write it off as a business expense?

Who would race you in knitting?

I love this cardigan! What yarn are you using?

Love the Acer! Love Kirsten Kapur! You have a Thorpe, don't you?

I know you'd love the Acer, too.

Echoing the comments about the wireless printer/scanner. I love ours. I can even print pictures from my iphone with it since there's an app for that! You can scan a document and send it as an image in place of faxing things, too. It's totally worth it.

Yes get a printer with scan capabilities. Very inexpensive. Fennel soup is good but there are some nice veggie recipes that also have fennel where it is baked with them. Carrots, sweet potatoes, other rooty things plus some brussel sprouts and onions. Cut all chunky, toss with a couple tablespoons of olive oil, red pepper flakes, pepper, salt if you use it, and minced garlic, put on lined cookie tray, cover to bake for about 20-30 min (or more; depends on chunk size and oven),test with fork for nearly doneness. Uncover them and bake to get them a bit brown, serve with seasoned brown rice and a side of homemade warm applesauce and a spinach and arugula salad. Yum. Leftover veggies and rice? - bean soup base for tomorrow (your choice of beans - I'd do a calico), served with a sides of broccoli, another salad but lettuce (with some thin sliced uncooked fennel if you REALLY have a lots, some toasted nuts on top, and dessert of seed cake with a nice tea. Lots of time to knit with these two plans.

I bought a copier/scanner/fax recently, and concluded it was a good overall investment.

BUT, it is an inkjet, and it sucks up printer cartridges the way a wireless mouse sucks up batteries. Those printer cartidges are not cheap either. They don't last that long. (I compare this to my old dinosaur laser printer at work with black/white only. It turns out very professional copies, and need a new $100.00 toner cartridge about once every 1 1/2 years. I will hang onto this printer until it falls apart. Unfortunately, it is not color, and does not have scanning or fax capabilities.)

But I digress: AND, the color printer on my combo machine won't work AT ALL if any of the printer cartridges need changing.

The quality of inkjet output is not nearly as good as from a laser printer. If an inkjet copy gets wet, the print runs. If a laser copy gets wet, it does not.

If you are going to make this type of investment, I say go for a copier/scanner/fax combo machine, but get laser, not inkjet. Also, look at the prices of the toner cartridges, as well as the number of copies they should make.

I'm normally not a fan of 3-in-1 printers and even less a fan of Wal-mart, however, I got a kick-ass Kodak printer/copier/fax/scanner thingy at a ridiculously low price, and uses even more ridiculously lower priced ink cartridges. Now I copy my patterns for portability at my whim. It truly is heaven.

If this intrigues you, I believe they are still carrying them.

For Christmas I received what could be considered a fabulous must have knitting tool - a VuPoint Solutions Magic Wand Portable Scanner. You slide it across the page of a book (it doesn't even need to be hooked to the computer) then you download the image that has been scanned to your computer and can print out your personal copy of a knitting pattern you paid for already!!!! I love that I actually received not one but two of these items (from two different people 1000 miles apart)... one has since been exchanged and converted into audio books (which also bring me great joy!). I highly recommend this little appliance!

Um...my scanner (flat bed) is also a copier. I have to hold books on there, and hold the lid down if the book is 'specially thick, but it works... I live in the Middle of Nowhere, so I can't afford to look for a copy shop...My scanner/copier has *more* than paid me back. I heartily suggest you investigate this option...

Does your printer have a scanner function? Why not scan pattern and use scanned image to work from?

regards woolie

I guess that to get the mortgage loans from banks you must present a firm motivation. However, one time I've got a college loan, because I was willing to buy a bike.

I just replaced my printer with an HP D110 all in one Scanner/Copier/Printer. I did this to scan the household bills and get rid of the hard copies. At least that's what I told my husband. Really it's for coping (for my own personal use) patterns from my books to carry with me. Got a great deal on this from Amazon.

You don't have a printer that scans and copies? I finally got one this year (had to sell my mom's house, and it was cheaper than paying to fax and copy stuff at the local place). OMG! You'll find all kinds of reasons to use it.

But definitely get a Kodak - their ink cartridges are a fraction of the other brands, it will pay for itself in no time, just for that reason.

Tana Ramsey's Hearty Winter Soup with fennel and quinoa is delicious... I just made a big pot today :)

Umm... My printer is also a color copier and flat bed scanner. I've had it for about 6 years and only figured out about 2 months ago that it could scan multiple images at a time and still recognize them as separate images. Actually it's easier to find one that's multi-function rather than just a printer. It doesn't fax, but I don't need that feature. I bet I didn't pay much more than about $100 - 125 for it.

I'm just working on socks and reading your archives. I do like that Debra suggested using your digital camera to take a photo of the pattern. It works. I've done it before. Of course, I now have a color scanner/printer.

If you want to be pleasantly surprised go to your local Future Shop, or Staples or where ever office stuff or computers are sold. Look and you will see that you can buy a photocopier/scanner/fax machine for between 40 and 100 dollars. The ink will cost more than the machine, but my husband and i discovered this over Christmas, a very nice machine now sits in our house

Great idea for your fennel:
2 onion; 2 fennel; 3 lb butternut squash
2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon tumeric
2 teaspoon chili pepper
2 teaspoon cinnamon

coat veggies with olive oil and roast in the oven...yum!

Your printer doesn't have a scanner? Get an all-in-one...cheap, easy, done.

Don't care for fennel; I have an aversion to anything with a licorice flavour. I do love the sweater, however.

Sounds like you could use a printer/scanner/copier combo! When my old printer gave in a couple of months ago, I bought one of said combos (Canon Pixma) for only AUD$80. It's an inkjet, and prints/scans/copies beautifully :)

I used to dislike fennel, until my brother made an elegant and deceptively simple salad by dicing it up and adding grapefruit sections and drizzling balsamic vinegar over it. Now I love it.

i wish i had a copier, too. one way i get around it is to put PDFs on my iPod Touch. very compact and tree-friendly.

My two cents? Get a scanner or send someone to get it scanned, email it to yourself then, if you need another reason to get a very useful toy... An e-reader or ipad, save as a pdf and then you have it in there. No extra weight, nothing additional to remember. PLUS, you can enlarge the charts, and with an ipad, move the chart up or down so the edge of the screen acts like a marker for the row you're working on. It sounds way more complicated than it actually is. Seriously, I love it.

I LOVE my photocopier! It's a printer/scanner/copier all in one, and actually not as posh as that sounds, very simple, domestic-sized.
I just want to tell you that you've inspired me to knit HEAPS of pairs of socks this year. I only started on socks a couple of years ago and am only now really proficient enough to aim at a pair a month. And that's just using your basic sock recipe, no fancy patterns!

I highly recommend getting a printer. Mine is a 3in1 also & I use it all the time. I can get my ink cartridges refilled at my Walgreen's store pretty cheaply - I don't use it for photos so it doesn't matter if the ink is perfect. I use it to run off coupons, receipts, address labels,patterns, all kinds of things - it's great! You need one!
Also, I am going to try your sock of the month idea - I am the slowest sock knitter ever, but maybe this will inspire me to succeed!

Okay, I vote for the color laser that scans and copies as well as prints. Mine is an inkjet, but at work I have a laser. It is taller, and would look bulkier if I hadn't accidentally bought the Desk That Ate Cleveland when I got a new office. (It didn't look that big in the store.) Also, I was noticing just the other day how the price of lasers had come down. Not enough for ME to buy one for personal use, but then I couldn't deduct it from my income tax, and I bet you can - even in Canada.

Mmmmm fennel.
Heat pan, add oil/butter. Quarter fennel and sear in hot pan, get all sides nicely browned. Then add a decent splash of white wine and put the lid on the frying pan and let the fennel braise til just tender. Remove the lid and let most of the wine evaporate then drown in freshly grated Parmesan.

You must have been thinking about braised fennel. I guarantee it. Cut the root, quarter (or slice thickly if they are big bulbs), and brown in some butter in a single layer in a giant pot.

Deglaze with a bit of white wine, add pepper and stock about halfway up the fennel, cover, and cook at low until just tender. Uncover, add fresh herbs and s&p to taste.

I know you're way past dinnertime over there, but seriously ... so delicious.

Get a color scanner. I have a Fujitsu Scan Snap that's wonderful. I can see the pictures in color on my computer, but I usually print them out in black and white. I can have a whole bunch of pdf pattern files on my flash drive and review them with my friends as I decide what to knit next.

Multi-function printer/scanner/copier machines don't do any one thing well, so you'll never be really happy with it. Have a good printer (and I assume you do, even if it isn't color) and a good scanner. No need for the copier.

Beautiful sweater! Should be a joy to knit -- and watch you knit.

Sorry if anyone's already mentioned this, but try slicing the fennel thinly, toss with apples sliced thinly, and a mustard-y vinegrette. One of my favs!

The next time you need carrots-celery-onions to start a dish or a soup, sub the fennel for the celery. It's good. Trust me, I'm a chef. Can't help you with the copier, though.

1. Invest in printer/copier/scanner. It has been extremely helpful for just the kind of things you have mentioned! One can also keep notes on the pattern and file them in a notebook for future reference. (If only I were that organized!)
2. I have created my own self-imposed sock club inspired by your tales from last year. However, because I am not proficient at knitting socks, I am starting with the easiest pattern and working my way through the levels of difficulty instead of selecting one randomly. Hopefully I will be able to knit socks in my sleep by the end of the year!
3. I have never tried fennel. Should I???
4. A belated Happy New Year!

I have a printer copier combo from HP. They're pretty cheap and mine has worked for years!

I couldn't recommend a three-in-one printer enough - it is the size of a basic personal computer printer, except it scans and copies too. So very useful!

My photocopier/printer/scanner was THE BEST knitting purchase I have ever made. If you can afford to get one, DO IT!

I can blow up charts, print in color, print double sided, everything. Best knitting tool I have, hands down.

Use the fennel with some leeks and potatoes to make an amazing stew. I'd post a recipe but I seem to remember something about blocking the post as spam if I do that.

I love fennel. For a hot dish, slice fennel and potatoes into 1/3-1/2 inch slices, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, roast in single layer in 400 degree oven for around 30-40 minutes, test for tenderness. Delicious.

Salad: Cut 1 or 2 bulbs of fennel into very thin slices, chop a bunch of Italian parsley, slice greek olives, as many as you like (I like lots, 20 or so), cut a red pepper into bite-size pieces, toss all together with an olive oil and vinegar dressing. Crunchy and fresh tasting. Sooo good.

My daughter and I did an Acer sweater KAL. We both loved it. She, a newbie knitter had to help me with the directions - it was a hoot!

Also, a scanner/copier/printer is a god-send for me. That way I can run as many copies as I need - sometimes they get pretty scribbled up while I'm working! And my books stay pristine!

All you need is a scanner and Adobe Acrobat Professional. You can use the scanner to scan the pages, then bring them into Acrobat and make your own PDF file. Or, buy one of those scanner/copier combo thingies. They're pretty cheap nowadays.

DD took her all-in-one printer/copier/scanner/fax with her when she moved. Our old printer is still working well, so I scan, then print that image. I figure it will die sometime immediately after buying a complete set of ink cartridges for it. When that happens, I'll get a nice wireless all-in-one.

When our last printer took a shit, my husband priced out a comparable one that had both a built-in scanner and copier. I remember thinking at a time that it was all a bit superfluous (even if it did cost about the same as a printer solely), but guess who has gotten the most use out of the copier? Me! For copying knitting patterns.

I second the roasting of the fennel, and would add fresh radicchio, white beans, toasted hazelnuts, really good Parmesan cheese, perhaps crumbled bacon for the meat-inclined, and your favorite Dijon vinaigrette. This idea comes from Rancho Gordo (our favorite source for dried beans).

geez, my first thought was to kinnear the pattern, and I still don't have a cell phone.....

fennel + lentils = LOVE

One of the best soups I ever made was a fennel and white bean soup. Mighty tasty.

Raw fennel with balls of fried goat cheese and a lemon-champagne vinaigrette. Best salad ever. Must go back to that restaurant. Love the sweater, looks like the right balance of interesting knitting and a wearable product

Why not take a photograph of the page with your digital camera? That's what I do. Then you can crop, enlarge, colorize, etc...saving a version each time. Print it out as much as you want, as many times as you want...........it's for personal use, so it doesn't mess with the copyright........

Another fennel idea - quick pickles! They're great mixed with olives, and as an accompaniment to a cheese plate. You can be done with this recipe in 15 min.

Just cut the fennel into slices, and pack loosely into a clean mason jar. Add 1 tsp salt, bay leaves, dill, or pickling spices to taste, cover with white vinegar, and store in the refrigerator. Shake now and then. Keeps for three months or so.

I can't help with the photocopying, but at 'Almost Turkish Recipes' there's a recipe for fennel with meat that's delicious.

Aside: I had your daily calendar for 2009 and 2010. Much to my disappointment, there's no calendar for 2011. After five days, I'm going through withdrawal symptoms! Definitely takes a shine off 2011, (though some Wollmeise might console me :)

Printers that have a scanner/flatbed. Lifesaving -- and well worth it. We used to buy the inexpensive ones (that suck colored ink) for parents so they didn't have to run out to the library or drugstore to copy insurance forms ... so next time your printer goes all wonky ... a definite recommendation/need. Once you have it, you will wonder how you lived without it!

When I got my new computer, the 3 in 1 printer, scanner, copier came with the package. I didn't think I'd use it, but turns out I use every day.

It is a good thing you only use your power for good - 170 knitters have queued the Acer Cardigan today.

I hope your next book has a chapter on fennel recipes. They all sound wonderful!

I've had the strange fennel thing, too, with different vegtables. Don't worry. The situation can be solved by letting them go liquifactive in the fridge, always a good one.

You want to make an Orange and Fennel Salad. Often found in Mediterranean cookbooks. Cut up the fennel, add some orange segments, some black olives and a bit of red onion. Toss, or layer on a plate, drizzle with olive oil and maybe a bit of lemon juice depending how sweet the oranges are --grapefruit juice is also fun-- and a dusting of ground cumin. Serve immediately. It sounds wild, but the contrasts of flavours and textures is really lovely.

I can't recall if you are a vegetarian, but if not, try the fennel on pasta with sardines, currants and toasted pine nuts. Many recipes available on the web for this, but I just keep it simple, sauteeing the fennel and then tossing it all together.

I'm with you on the photocopier. So often I wish for one...to enlarge a chart or be able to highlight a pattern in a book...We are printerless right now and I think our next printer will be one of those all-in-ones. Of course our other printer has been broken for a dog's age so by the time we get around to buying one they will all work on brainwaves and print holograms.

Slice up the fennel with some carrots, drizzle with olive oil, roast in the oven for 30 minutes at 375, yum!

Acer looks so elegant and comfortable.
I have one of those scanner-printer things too, like some of the other commenters. They're really useful.

Oooh, pretty pattern!
My mom bought me a printer/photocopier for my birthday last year and I LOVE it. Not only for knitting patterns and recipes that I don't want to spill on, but also because my kids have an insatiable desire to do school worksheets. I highly recommend getting one.

3-in-1 printer/scanner/copiers have SO come down in price. Here's one Staples currently has for sale for $50 + HST:

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=&webid=795188&affixedcode=WW

I use all the functions of mine frequently. You could also get a 4-in-1 which includes a fax machine if you need that feature. I also learned how to do two-sided copying and printing in draft mode (300 dpi vs. 600 dpi) to save on paper and ink respectively.

Go for it!

I love my copy machine in a way that is not natural.

I used to wish for a photocopier and then I figured out that our printer will copy. Yippee!

I have this photocopier:
http://www.amazon.com/CANON-PC160-Personal-Copier-8461A043/dp/B000B8WFZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294299701&sr=8-1
I got it on Craigslist for $40 though... and it has been fantastic for knitterly purposes. It also helped a lot while we were trying to complete paperwork for our adoption. :)

Ha! I have a fancy 3 in one printer/scanner/photocopier from Canon and I <3 it! It was also cheaper than just a printer, but I don't know why.

Oho! Is that the lovely blue yarn that gave you such a hard time a while back? Maybe it will like this pattern better. It's a lovely pattern - I put it in my Ravelery basket and faves. I do hope the blue yarn co-operates, and joyfully so, this time.

I totally copied your sock-of-the-month idea this year, and dutifully picked out yarn and patterns and put them away in bags. But, since my printer/copier/magical thingy that does everything was out of paper, I just stuck in a card with the name of the pattern into each bag and put them away. That way, when I pull the bag out, I can get the pattern then.

Of course, this plan hinges on me remembering to get more printer paper...hmmmm. Maybe not as smart as I thought!

Get a scanner I love mine, or as the woman 2 comments up says get a 3 in one. Can't justify it now?, wait till your printer dies and then it's a business expense. ;) I assume a printer is part of your work life.

#1. Don't know how I could have coped over the years (think copying recipes, homework, besides knitting!) without an all in one printer/ copier.

#5. Fennel and Potato Hash.

Is there a list for last year's self-imposed sock club anywhwere? It would make a great calendar don't you think??

I didn't plan it, but ended up doing about two socks a month last year. Of course, nothing else got done. I really ought to pay my bills ....

I second the suggestion for a scanner. Pick up a cheap one, they're small, light and portable. You don't need a big photocopier if you already have a printer - a scanner will do it for ya.

Knitting drives so much else in our lives, why not our peripherals, too?

I have dreams of owning a photocopier too. It's a simple wish. We both deserve one.

scanners are cheap. save yourself grief and buy one. Is that a tiny sweater ornament on your Christmas tree?

Roasted fennel and pesto pizza

slice one onion and one fennel bulb thin. toss with a bit of oil and roast until coooked through and soft.

spread pesto on a pizza crust top with crumbled feta cheese and cooked fennel and onions and a few slivers of red pepper for colour. Bake until the cheese slightly browns and the fennel slightly crisps. Serve with what ever you like with Pizza - mainly beer.

Great sweater choice! You are so not racing. :D

What's January's sock pattern? Shouldn't you have started it already? ;)

I just used the scanner to copy a picture, a graph , and the graph key (two diff pages) from Viking Knitting and give me a one page pattern for the knotwork. Really, really handy. Also nice for online recipes. If it's good, you keep the printout near the cookbooks. Otherwise, kindling. Worked well for Christmas. But I need a new plum pudding recipe, any ideas?

I know someone else has already said it, but a printer with a built in scanner is a lifesaver!

While I do have that all-in-one printer at home (scans, copies, prints), I have to say the reason I will never, ever, willingly leave my job is: 3 Canon color printer/copiers. The best printouts of my pdf patterns, and the best quality copies of my book patterns (I like to make a copy to put in the knitting bag and make notes on. Much neater and easier to carry.)

But I also have been having fun loading the pdfs on my iphone so if I forget to put the pattern in the bag, I can refer to it on my phone!

Acer Cardigan: I love, love, love the cables on the back -- this is a beautiful sweater! I'm looking forward to seeing yours when it is finished.

Seems to me that the patterns for sweaters are more and more ike some of the patterns in knitting books that my mother had many the year ago. What goes around comes around eh ? Now there is a vegy that I have NEVER bought nor --good luck. Do hope you are feeling better. congratulations o another book!! Waiting patiently to get it.

You don't need a copier, you need a scanner...

I agree with maxine, current printer/scanner/copier combos are dirt cheap, investing in one would make your life a lot easier.

They are around 50 to 60 Euros here, if it is last years model that needs to go out, they may be even cheaper.

I couldn't bear to toss a knitted project, especially materials are so expensive. Now I've tossed my share of sewn projects, usually made with cheapo fabric. Maybe that's my problem.

I have a photocopier (aka printer) and basically kill a great number of trees in the name of knitting.
I've also been know to shoot a picture of a pattern on my phone...load to computer...print on printer...if you're printer isn't a copier. Somebody else probably thought this all through for you, but I didn't read all the comments and after filing all the dead trees I had printed yesterday it was fresh in my mind to share with you.

Stephanie,my hubby bought a printer with copying capability and all I can say is that it is totally worth the money. My pattern and dpn eating dog has made this into a much appreciated luxury. When I don't make copies of patterns,I usually end up regretting it. Now if I could find a machine that makes copies of dpns.

1. Get one of those 4-in-1 printer/copier/scanner/fax machines. They are pretty cheap these days and are good for copying pages from knitting magazines and also scanning them to save for later without having to print them out to store/file for later. I was amazed by how much paper this saved me. It made my house a lot tidier, too, without stacks of knitting patterns strewn about the place.

2. You could bake the fennel with all of the mozzarella cheese that we have in our fridge although we don't remember what we bought it for.

I have a scanner which I don't understand, but I have a husband who does it for me, which is even better. Scanning is nice, because you can print it again later if the first copy gets wrecked, and you can save the scans on your computer. I'll never understand it, though. My husband is a very necessary component :)

1. You shoulda thought about wanting a copier BEFORE Christmas. Santa woulda brought you one but you snoozed and you loozed. >:-)
2. I can't even think of a recipe that uses fennel. Are you sure it isn't parsley gone wrong?
3. Isn't that the same poor yarn you tortured so horribly last year? Be gentle with it, dear...it has scars, you know.

Was it Orange Fennel salad? At least that's why I have it.

I clicked over to your friend Andrea's blog and my God she's a hoot! What a funny writer. I guess it's understandable that you are friends as you have a similar world view?

Wasn't that the diesel smell yarn?

Oooo, I LOVE that dark blue color...very nice! And I totally need a copier as well...I keep forgetting to bring my pattern books into work for copying.
Two things I wanted to ask (if you respond to comments): One, since it's a new year, I am now done with my 2010 Never Not Knitting page-a-day calendar...which makes me very sad. So I went to order the 2011 calendar...and couldn't find one. Is there not one for this year? (That would make me even sadder).
Two, I had emailed about my Knitters Without Borders donation for the year (2010) on 12/23 and haven't heard a response back from whoever it is that handles those emails yet. Are they still being processed (and I need to be more patient), or should I have heard something by now? Or are there no longer responses to those emails. Just curious.

I love you Stephanie. Not wierd or any thing, you understand!

I'm in a hurry. Not bossy. OK maybe I am bossy. Photocopier- get new printer with 3 or 4 in one. You are a writer who has just finished a book so your old one must be nearly dead.
Fennel- braised with a walnut garnish
Acer sweater- great choice.
See. 2011 already better.

You're a professional writer/knitter/blogger. You might find useful a tool of your trade/s--a printer/scanner/copier/fax, as most have mentioned. But further, you *deserve* it. It's ok to spend money on yourself (on something besides fiber), you know. Wouldn't it be a reasonable business expense?

PS: fennel is evil. It's the marriage of licorice with a vegetable. Enough said.

I know what you mean about the copier. We finally got a printer that copies, and I am happy as a clam (I, too, only copy knitting patterns to go in my pattern bags; my husband thinks it's weird). As for fennel, maybe you meant to put it in a yummy beet salad, with beets and lettuce and blue cheese and toasted walnuts, with maybe a buttermilk biscuit on the side? Or maybe that's just me...

That looks like Lavold's Silky Wool, one of my favorite yarns, is it?

Can recommend halving the fennels (cutting the pointy bits in small pieces), brazing them golden in oil. Add a cup of apple juice and a spoon of vinegar, a spoon of sugar and a can of tomatoes, some salt and pepper and simmer until soft.
Lovely with pasta.

Game ON!

careful you dont invoke the black hole with that competitive nature of yours.

Now, Acer-selves, guys, don't overdo.

Years ago my husband really wanter a copier but I saw no reason why we needed one... After we got a new all-in-one printer with copier I wonder how we got along without it.

HP 6500 wireless. Fabulous.

Here is one of my favorite recipes with fennel from Ina Garten. The sauce is also great with any variety fish, chicken or eggs:

Swordfish with Tomatoes and Capers (Serves 4)
Copyright 1999, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, All Rights Reserved

1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 onion)
1 cup chopped fennel (1 bulb)
3 tablespoons good olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
28 ounces canned plum tomatoes, drained
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chicken stock
2 tablespoons good dry white wine
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons capers, drained
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
4 1-inch-thick swordfish fillets (about 2 1/2 pounds)
Fresh basil leaves

For the sauce, cook the onions and fennel in the oil in a large sauté pan on medium-low heat for 10 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the drained tomatoes, smashing them in the pan with a fork, plus the salt and pepper. Simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Add the chicken stock and white wine and simmer for 10 more minutes to reduce the liquid. Add the basil, capers, and butter and cook for 1 minute more.

Prepare a grill with hot coals. Brush the swordfish with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill on high heat for 5 minutes on each side until the center is no longer raw. Do not overcook. Place the sauce on the bottom of a plate, arrange the swordfish on top, and garnish with basil leaves. Serve hot or at room temperature.

170 people queued Acer after you posted. Meanwhile, I'm busy buying up fennel to make all these tasty suggestions from the comments. Thanks for asking (Yum!)

Get an HP Officejet 4500 wireless printer. It is less than $100 US and prints, scans, and copies. It is wireless so your laptop can be anywhere and it will print. It is awesome.

I have an all in one printer that I love. As a writer, I would think you could get an all in one printer as a legitimate office expense.

Among the 190-odd people giving you advice, I'll bet you didn't even notice that Andrea threw that gauntlet right back at you, did ya? Go Andrea! Go Stephanie! Go Andrea! ... I'll have to check both your blogs tomorrow for FO's. ;-)

I bought a printer with a scanner/copier just for that reason. I don't like to write pattern notes in the books, or sheet.

Beautiful sweater color.

Not to make you feel anxious, but if my very good knitting partner suggested that there certainly is no race to our little knit-a-long, there might be many nights of 2 am knitting just to make sure I didn't come in last.

Even my 76 yo mother has a printer/scanner/copier. Just saying.

Just to change the subject. I made a list of projects I would like to do this year on New Year's Eve. 12 pairs of socks listed. I still don't believe I can Knit 12 pairs of socks in a year, but there they are, all lined up. I am looking forward to seeing what I do!

I have a printer that copies, and I also had to buy a laminator, I like to pretend its for anything other than patterns, but its all I have used it for.

Fennel.
Slice thinly and parboil for 5 minutes in salted water. Drain. Put in shallow casswerole and add as much finely minced/grated garlic as you like. Sprinkle with Parmesan and bake at 400 till golden and fennel at doneness you like. (About 15 minutes?)

Okay, so I like to knit AND cook (though have learned that it doesn't benefit either to do simultaneously).

I got a reconditioned copier/printer for $100, worth every penny

I recommend a scanner, too.

If you scan it into your computer, you can side load it onto an e reader as a pdf and then you have it there all tidy and paperless.
I am so glad that some of your books are available digitally.

I love my scanner/copier/fax combo. (HP, not that I get anything from saying so). Not only can I copy patterns so my books don't get bruised, but I can scan things into photoshop and spiff up my sometimes VERY second-rate photos.

#5 - Homemade African Chai tea? Yum! Fennel, cardamom and loose tea.... maybe i'll go make some ;)

Mmmm, a calm, quiet, classic sweater - really pretty. I have done baby sweaters, but never a big girl sweater.

I got an eReader for Christmas and I just realised the other day that if my patterns were pdfs I bought online, I could transfer them to my eReader. There, I could write notes, highlight lines of charts or patterns, and carry around without fear of crumpling all the patterns I want. In fact, I could have all the patterns I was working on so that as long as I had my eReader with me (and, like a cell phone, I never leave that sucker behind!) I would never have a "damn, I grabbed the wrong pattern" moment.

Plus, I always have a tonne of cool books with me in case I don't have yarn on me or knitting isn't really possible.

A few years back my husband was working from home and bought us a printer/fax machine/scanner/copier combo thing. I've loved it ever since. They are pretty inexpensive these days (no more expensive than most printers). You should treat yourself!

an iPad! Save your knitting patterns as pdfs, synch with your computer, and there they are. You can biggify them at will, and the iPad is a perfect little email machine for traveling at the same time. Love, love, LOVE knitting patterns on my iPad. Color photos, perfectly clear. Patterns as large as I want. Cheap isn't always the best solution! :) (I also have the complete works of Shakespeare and lots and lots of free books, all right there at my touch). iPad changed my life.

Get a copier/scanner. I too have started scanning my (own personal) patterns. I bought a piece of software that compiles pdfs into one file, and then I put them on my iphone into ibooks. They are small, and not great for charts, but they are ALWAYS with me, can't lose/forget them. I am thinking about getting a tablet-thing, and that would be even better. Then I would really scan every pattern that I use, even charts.

I really, really missed reading your blog. Thank heavens for regularly napping babies! Seriously, tearing up here. I feel like I'm seeing an old friend I haven't seen in ages.

If you have a scanner, you can scan the pattern, save it & print it. I don't like multipurpose printers but my geek partner has one. So I give him the book & show him what I want copied. He scans it, sends a copy to my computer over our network (I said he was a geek) & prints it for me. He sends it to my computer because I am always mislaying patterns & that way I cam reprint it even if he's not home.

When my son went to college (or university in Canada-speak)we bought him a Mac. It came with a printer/copier/scanner! It is amazing! And wireless! Still haven't figure out scanning though.

I scan and print. Also it means that you have an electronic copy on the computer so you can print off another copy when you loose/cat throws up on/get attacked by 3 year old Grandson/mistakenly bin your copy.

Probably someone posted this, but an all-in-one printer isn't so much money these days. If you're careful you don't have to feed it much coloured ink. I copy most patterns in B&W. I'm just going to crumple it up, fold it, spill stuff on it, etc.

I totally copied your Self-Imposed Sock Club idea, and you better get going!

LOVE that cardigan! I only wish it was available in my size. But I think I will favorite it in Rav in case I ever get skinny......

About Hulasexcellent place, a must-visit. I noticed that you said Monterey doesnt have very good foodgranted, its not San Francisco but there is a lot of good, diverse food all around the peninsula. And yes, its shameful that many of the restaurants dont follow the aquaruims Seafood Watch guidelines, but encourage diners to ask why they dontyou never know what the impact may be. Some favorites are: Matteos (Italian) in Pacific Grove (near Fifis); on the wharf (yes!), Cafe Fina; Seaside, Pho King (reasonably priced Vietnamese), Seaside and Monterey, Turtle Bay (Mexican seafood taqueria), Sushi Heaven in Carmel, Robotas (again Japanese) in Carmel, Rio Grill in Carmel, Thai Bistro in Pacific Grovethe list goes on

Totally random comment: you might check out this recipe for your fennel. Plus the leftovers are pretty great as a pasta sauce with some cream :)

I came to your blog tonight for some escape, even tho' I don't think there's any amount of yarn that can take away the sadness I feel over today's shooting. I guess we just have to try and carve out a little sanity in our own corners of the world.

Not actually a comment on this post but back to your wonderful one row scarf pattern. Just wanted to let you know that call center workers all over Nova Scotia Canada have LOVED this pattern. Those of us who knit while we work need something super simple that we can put down and pick up with little concentration on the pattern. I have passed it to countless friends and we have made scarves and shawls, adapted it to baby blankets and afghans and god knows what else. So THANKS!!!

Made the ACer sweater last year from Peace Fleece. One of my favorites. Have fun

I'm going to do the sock a month plan this year too. I've wanted to for a few years and it seemed to work well for you last year. Plus I'm hoping it will help with gift knitting, though I suspect I'll want to keep too many of them. My hold up has been thinking that going to buy ziploc bags, to store the yarn & pattern in, is apparently the biggest obstacle ever.

I just wanted to mention to everybody, there is a yarn store called River Colors Studio the shop is located in Lakewood Ohio or online www.rivercolors.com There are lots of different yarns, supplies and classes. I encourage you to check them out, they have some beautiful fibers.

These days, it's basically the same price to buy and all-in-one printer as a printer-only. OK, so few people have much use for a fax these days :-). But the copier function is priceless. Couldn't do without it myself..