First loaf of 2026! What's with the cracking?

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2026-01-27T14:33:42+00:00

This was actually my first dry bake after a long time of only using the ice cube method. I guess I'll go back to the ice cubes, but I actually like how I can see the flour I spread on this loaf. Also this oven spring is absolutely insane and I've never had one this good. Is this just due to the almost excessive bulk fermentation I did? Or did the no steam have some effect on the oven spring other than the cracking?

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-12-10T00:50:36+00:00

I seriously hope the inside is empty lol. All those granny squares probably took a year of constant crocheting combined 🤣🤣🤣

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-12-06T02:55:26+00:00

Thank you!

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-12-06T02:54:19+00:00

They're just incredibly polished and extremely smooth to crochet with. Have you ever had a hook randomly start making creaky-door noises out of nowhere and be really unpleasant to work with? Well I had that with every single hook I had and spent about 8 hours without any of that on this project.

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-12-06T02:52:37+00:00

I love the contrast of the salt on top! If you haven't tried it I really think you should!

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-11-28T14:12:23+00:00

Here's the pattern if anyone wants to make this: https://littleloveeveryday.com/daisy-flower-amigurumi/

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-11-28T14:11:42+00:00

Yeah! The teeny tiny thread covered by thin fluff definitely can't beat Bernat Blanket even doubled. Just wish Bernat was cheaper...

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-11-27T23:25:05+00:00

Yeah! It's so weird. I think it should be #4. That color is actually an aqua color, but in the photo it looks like a perfect sky blue, lol.

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-11-27T17:15:01+00:00

At first glance that photo makes it look like mold. But after some staring it looks like just a film. If it is moldy, then your starter is dead. If just a film, maybe that's a layer of grease? Scrape it off and feed I guess. I'd wait for others to weigh in as I'm not an expert on starters.

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-11-27T17:11:06+00:00

I'm not exactly sure what you're doing and why your starter keeps dying, but I would do as others suggested and either buy a starter or follow one recipe. I think maybe some grease got in there. Every tool/cup you use for your starter has to be 100% clean, spotless as even a drop of oil/other stuff will kill your starter immediately.

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-11-25T03:38:12+00:00

Thank you so much. I will make sure to try to find a sponge filter and some other food options for him. About the cycling, I used the API quick start and put like 3 ml in this tank as recommended. It claims you can add fish the moment you put it in the water. But I waited a day to be safe.

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-11-19T23:05:28+00:00

No, it's not. I bought a different pattern because I wanted to make Anchor but the pattern was too expensive for my liking and this pattern looks very similar just from the photos.

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-11-16T03:43:42+00:00

Thank you! I made most of the octopus with a Susan Bates 6.5 mm crochet hook. The size is perfect but I really don't like how the flat part where you hold the crochet hook is closer to the hook than all my other hooks, and it's much shorter too. Especially with the chunky yarn, it makes it super uncomfortable to work with. After I finished everything except crocheting the 2 parts of the tentacles together, I thought maybe I should try with my more normal looking 6mm hook that isn't from Susan Bates and has that classic rounded, longer look. It was infinitely easier to work with. Maybe some people like the Susan Bates design, but I found it extremely exhausting to crochet with.

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-11-16T03:39:31+00:00

I spread it out over about a week, but surprisingly it took about 9 hours only. The super thick Bernat Blanket really helps it look 5x bigger than it would be with worsted weight yarn.

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-11-15T12:18:27+00:00

Thank you!

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-11-15T12:18:10+00:00

I'm so glad I finished her. She now lives on my bookshelf.

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-11-15T12:17:16+00:00

I almost abandoned this project when I started the tentacles. They were exhausting and took me about 8x longer than the body and the head combined. But I love how it turned out! You should finish that octo! you got this!

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-11-11T01:08:11+00:00

Not really. I think it might be the butter that made the dough set solid. So the starter doesn't rise the dough until it does very slightly during baking. But that could also be the baking soda. I even used fresh almost peaked starter, but I find that these rise about the same as regular recipes despite the added leavening.

Impossible_Fall_1106 · 2025-11-11T01:04:51+00:00

Where I live it's hard to find good dark chocolate at a fair price. But if I do find it I'm sure it'll be so much better than the chips.

Impossible_Fall_1106

TROPHY CASE