Karen Butler Designs
@kazrbutler.bsky.social
Knitter, tech editor and designer; @kazrbutler on Instagram. Knitting patterns available at: payhip.com/KarenButlerDesigns
Actually changed to over 65s this year.
December 15, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Actually changed to over 65s this year.
You only need yeast, warm water and sugar to test if yeast is active. There are plenty of explanations with quantities if you search online for test yeast. Once everything is mixed, within about 5 minutes you should know.
December 2, 2025 at 7:05 PM
You only need yeast, warm water and sugar to test if yeast is active. There are plenty of explanations with quantities if you search online for test yeast. Once everything is mixed, within about 5 minutes you should know.
Hubby's issue we suspect was due to slow turnover and old stock, poor warehouse storage, and possibly poor packaging. The Allinson 100g tubs of yeast are good because they are sealed, and the similar weight Dove's farm packages are well sealed too in durable packets.
December 2, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Hubby's issue we suspect was due to slow turnover and old stock, poor warehouse storage, and possibly poor packaging. The Allinson 100g tubs of yeast are good because they are sealed, and the similar weight Dove's farm packages are well sealed too in durable packets.
I have never had an issue with yeast bought for bread making, and kept it the fridge after purchase it stays active beyond best before date. Hubby has however had real issues with yeast bought for brewing. Old yeast can become inactive if stored badly, especially in warm conditions.
December 2, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I have never had an issue with yeast bought for bread making, and kept it the fridge after purchase it stays active beyond best before date. Hubby has however had real issues with yeast bought for brewing. Old yeast can become inactive if stored badly, especially in warm conditions.
When you heat the liquid, pour it into an unheated container and then check it is not too hot before adding the yeast. Even a few degrees too high will kill yeast, so the bottom of the pan could be an issue, even if the milk temperature is overall ok, as the yeast will fall to the bottom when added.
December 2, 2025 at 6:21 PM
When you heat the liquid, pour it into an unheated container and then check it is not too hot before adding the yeast. Even a few degrees too high will kill yeast, so the bottom of the pan could be an issue, even if the milk temperature is overall ok, as the yeast will fall to the bottom when added.
Also the kitchen area has nothing in the way of facilities. But what's happening on the South side? Could it be some sort of trap door, but is it at ground level or roof level?
December 1, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Also the kitchen area has nothing in the way of facilities. But what's happening on the South side? Could it be some sort of trap door, but is it at ground level or roof level?
There's another in Retford, Nottinghamshire, and a little history about it here: eastretfordchartertrustees.co.uk/the-crimea-c...
The Crimea Connection
The Crimea Connection The Sebastopol Cannon Retford’s Cannon Square, opposite St. Swithun’s Church holds historical significance as it is home to the iconic Sebastopol Cannon. This rema…
eastretfordchartertrustees.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 9:35 PM
There's another in Retford, Nottinghamshire, and a little history about it here: eastretfordchartertrustees.co.uk/the-crimea-c...
Except you couldn't trust such an individual near anything explosive. Given the opportunity he would probably take action to harm any Ukrainian supervising.
November 6, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Except you couldn't trust such an individual near anything explosive. Given the opportunity he would probably take action to harm any Ukrainian supervising.
It's a dictation. The text is read out slowly over the radio, with sentences repeated so you have more than 1 chance to write them down. Then the text is made available so you can check your version. 1 year, I tried a simplified version one of the Ukrainian language teachers shared on YouTube.
October 27, 2025 at 7:49 PM
It's a dictation. The text is read out slowly over the radio, with sentences repeated so you have more than 1 chance to write them down. Then the text is made available so you can check your version. 1 year, I tried a simplified version one of the Ukrainian language teachers shared on YouTube.
And my immediate impression was that with such a long pattern, chances of it having been tech edited are extremely low.
September 24, 2025 at 12:05 PM
And my immediate impression was that with such a long pattern, chances of it having been tech edited are extremely low.
I hadn't misunderstood. I was horrified at the thought of trying to tech edit such a long pattern, and the time and cost involved, even though I am familiar with tech editing complex patterns which are by necessity longer than would be considered for a magazine submission.
September 24, 2025 at 12:05 PM
I hadn't misunderstood. I was horrified at the thought of trying to tech edit such a long pattern, and the time and cost involved, even though I am familiar with tech editing complex patterns which are by necessity longer than would be considered for a magazine submission.
Was there a tech editor? Longer, complex patterns take longer to tech edit than shorter, simple ones. The longer the pattern, the higher the tech editing costs. I've edited long, complex patterns in my time, and not all can be condensed into 4 pages without losing critical information. But 84 pages!
September 24, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Was there a tech editor? Longer, complex patterns take longer to tech edit than shorter, simple ones. The longer the pattern, the higher the tech editing costs. I've edited long, complex patterns in my time, and not all can be condensed into 4 pages without losing critical information. But 84 pages!
Solomiya's smile lights up the day.
September 17, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Solomiya's smile lights up the day.
I can't argue with that. I have friends dealing with the consequences, spending days working putting things in place instead of their regular creative work as a result. Even well planned changes have major consequences for small businesses; this is just a chaotic mess.
September 9, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I can't argue with that. I have friends dealing with the consequences, spending days working putting things in place instead of their regular creative work as a result. Even well planned changes have major consequences for small businesses; this is just a chaotic mess.
It's hard to put into words, but it is more that I see the tariffs having worldwide impacts of increasing prices, company failures, reduced availability. All varying by country, but each change having the potential for further worldwide impacts.
Grateful for my sewing, quilting and knitting stashes.
Grateful for my sewing, quilting and knitting stashes.
September 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
It's hard to put into words, but it is more that I see the tariffs having worldwide impacts of increasing prices, company failures, reduced availability. All varying by country, but each change having the potential for further worldwide impacts.
Grateful for my sewing, quilting and knitting stashes.
Grateful for my sewing, quilting and knitting stashes.
I know it isn't a competition. The tariffs are causing multiple problems. As other countries buy internationally produced items via the USA, there is a huge impact on worldwide prices, not just US prices. That will have a knock on effect on US businesses, as international sales are affected.
September 9, 2025 at 5:34 PM
I know it isn't a competition. The tariffs are causing multiple problems. As other countries buy internationally produced items via the USA, there is a huge impact on worldwide prices, not just US prices. That will have a knock on effect on US businesses, as international sales are affected.
As a sewer and quilter, a lot of fabric, haberdashery, and notions here in the UK are from US companies, hit by much higher tariffs on the Eastern countries producing them. We are getting hit too, prices here are increased dramatically due to the US tariffs, and then our taxes and duties on top.
September 9, 2025 at 5:09 PM
As a sewer and quilter, a lot of fabric, haberdashery, and notions here in the UK are from US companies, hit by much higher tariffs on the Eastern countries producing them. We are getting hit too, prices here are increased dramatically due to the US tariffs, and then our taxes and duties on top.
In addition, a 10% tariff on goods and postage, plus handling fees is still going to be substantially less than the 20% value added tax or VAT we pay. So yes, prices are going to rise, but yarn is not going to be subject to the higher tariffs which will affect fabric.
September 9, 2025 at 5:05 PM
In addition, a 10% tariff on goods and postage, plus handling fees is still going to be substantially less than the 20% value added tax or VAT we pay. So yes, prices are going to rise, but yarn is not going to be subject to the higher tariffs which will affect fabric.
The good news is that Royal Mail have put in systems to deal with the tariffs, with minimal handling fees, and dyers and suppliers of yarn who regularly sell internationally are putting in systems. So you will know when ordering from the UK what the actual cost is when you pay with no surprises.
September 9, 2025 at 4:58 PM
The good news is that Royal Mail have put in systems to deal with the tariffs, with minimal handling fees, and dyers and suppliers of yarn who regularly sell internationally are putting in systems. So you will know when ordering from the UK what the actual cost is when you pay with no surprises.
My thoughts are with you. I`ve been there and it`s an awful thing. Being tired enough to be able to go to sleep quickly, and once in bed doing something to occupy that time so I could avoid thinking and didn`t fall asleep crying. You aren`t alone. Look after yourself.
September 1, 2025 at 7:53 AM
My thoughts are with you. I`ve been there and it`s an awful thing. Being tired enough to be able to go to sleep quickly, and once in bed doing something to occupy that time so I could avoid thinking and didn`t fall asleep crying. You aren`t alone. Look after yourself.
The real fun is tech editing such instructions without a chart to check them against.
August 31, 2025 at 8:04 AM
The real fun is tech editing such instructions without a chart to check them against.
That sums things up beautifully!
August 27, 2025 at 1:52 PM
That sums things up beautifully!
You were clear. They left everyone with little time to prepare. Organisations like Royal Mail will have things in place, as they are using similar systems to EU VAT. I am wondering how prepared US customs are, as they will need to track parcels and check the tariffs have been paid.
August 27, 2025 at 7:54 AM
You were clear. They left everyone with little time to prepare. Organisations like Royal Mail will have things in place, as they are using similar systems to EU VAT. I am wondering how prepared US customs are, as they will need to track parcels and check the tariffs have been paid.
I am no longer on Twitter, but would definitely read it here if you shared it.
August 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I am no longer on Twitter, but would definitely read it here if you shared it.