Ok, so I know I’m a little late to the party here and this is not very knit- and crochet-related, but I received a sourdough starter from a friend of mine this week and I’ve been all about that bread. On the first day of baking, I watched a video about making designs in your sourdough (because if you’re not making your bread pretty, what are you even doing with your life?). And I got a great old starter (apparently, it’s 18 years old–as old as my marriage!) and it made beautiful bread right away, even though I used water straight from the tap and didn’t get super fancy with directions and kneading technique or anything like that. … oh, but I have plans. I love to learn and research and I love to get better and better! And of course, with any new craft, there are supplies and resources… and I’m all about that.
*Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and buy something, you don’t pay any extra, but I may get a small commission.*
So, let me show you my beautiful bread, first!
This was my first attempt. Not so bad if I do say so myself. And I just used a regular old plain (but sharp) kitchen knife to make my scores.
So, after watching the sourdough design video, I wanted a bread lame (a little tool for scoring the dough). Of course, I checked Etsy because I love their unique items and supporting small independent artisans. And I found this beautiful Bread lame with leather pouch. I like how small it is and I love that it comes with a leather pouch to store it in (that blade is SHARP!) And they offer free shipping!
Here’s another small bread lame, beautifully carved from Wire Monkey Shop. I like the idea of these smaller bread lames because it seems pretty easy to handle and have good control over.
Of course, there’s always a more traditional bread lame with a handle, which also looks quite nice. And this photo gives you a little glimpse into how it is to be used. Decisions, decisions. Which one would you choose?
So far I’m still just using the knife, but I managed to make this beauty on my second try. I’ve been baking my sourdough in my Staub Dutch Oven. It’s soooo gorgeous: I love it! I bought this when I started thinking about what would happen when I was dead and my kids would have to clean up all my stuff and I thought, “I want to have things that they’ll fight over.” Now, my kids don’t really fight so much, so I can’t really see this being a bad fight, but like, what I really didn’t want was my kids sighing and opening my cupboards and saying, “ew… what are we going to do with this? Does anyone want this?” So, you’d better not do that to my Staub, kids, ya hear?
I think the next thing I need is a Bread Proofing basket! This would be a way that my bread could keep its shape while it proofs (proves?). And then maybe I could make my loaves on my pizza stone!
Another handy tool that I’ve been eyeing up is a Pure Flax Linen Baker’s Couche, also known as a proofing cloth. We’ve been watching a lot of the Great British Baking Show and the Great Canadian Baking Show and this kind of proofing cloth has made an appearance to separate baguettes as they’re proofing. I tried to put a loaf in a bowl with a tea towel–and let me just say, I really didn’t know what I was doing– and I ended up with a whole lot of dough sticking to that tea towel! So, I think I might need the proper tool!
I think I’m also gonna need one of these linen bread bags. Apparently they’re the answer to storing sourdough bread (probably most breads). And I mean, it’s not like we really ever have any of this bread left over, but maybe one day we might… you never know. As this post says, “Linen bags are the perfect way to store bread because they are breathable, yet tightly closed.”
Yesterday’s bread got a little dark because I forgot to turn down the heat for the last 2/3 of the bake, but it was still definitely edible and very beautiful! Imagine what I’ll be able to do when I get a proper bread lame? Don’t you just want to get started on this gorgeous looking bread? Don’t have any starter? If you’re in Edmonton, get in touch with me and I’ll hook you up! Otherwise, you can buy one from a seller on Etsy (isn’t that crazy? But awesome!). Of course, you can make your own starter with these instructions!
Visual learner? Need some further instructions on sourdough? I’m definitely not an expert, but you can learn how with this great online sourdough class!
Would this really be a post by me if it didn’t include something you could knit or crochet? I don’t think so! When you’re obsessed with bread, you need a friend who is equally obsessed. And let’s just say that Manolete Mollet is that friend! This would be the perfect gift for your sourdough obsessed friend. He would sit there, encouraging you on to bread and good works! I love his big moustache!
And of course, as we become obsessed with a new passion, our kids start to notice and our kids love to mimic us. So, they can play along with amigurumi bread options! Crochet up a loaf of rye bread and some slices for your little one to play with!
And, if you’re going to have bread, you might as well slather it with avocado by making one of these You’re the Avocado to my Toast crochet patterns! I love little amigurumis like this! They’re so delightful and fun to look at and play with! I bet you could even make one out of cotton and use it as a little scrubby in your kitchen! How much fun would that be?!
But if your little one wants their bread to look a little more like the glorious sourdough breads you’re making, you can make them this bread bowl pattern (Also comes with clam chowder)! So much fun!
I hope you enjoyed this collection of bread-making supplies (and crochet patterns!) and sharing my bread obsession with you all. Go grab yourself some supplies and let’s get baking together! I skipped bread making today so I could grow my starter enough to make some glorious sourdough cinnamon buns for tomorrow! Pin it for later if you’re not ready to start today!
It was a very partial WIP (work in progress) for a long time until I finally picked up a normally shaped teapot so I could make it fit just right. That’s when the real work began!
Fortunately, I have a fair bit of experience reading crochet patterns, charts, and making stuff up without a pattern, as well as a fascination with language and translation that keeps me going. Also, I love projects that look ridiculously involved and impressive. What can I say? I like to impress.
There are so many interesting details on this little fairy house tea cosy. And there’s so much room for creativity with all the embellishments!
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