Stitches, Dishes & Stories: The Lord of the Rings, Fellowship Edition (Recipe For Elven Lembas Bread)

This time on Stitches, Dishes & Stories we’re going back to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings with a focus on the elves’ gifts to the Fellowship. You may have guessed, I crocheted an Elven-inspired Fellowship cloak and baked lembas bread!

Welcome to my fourth installment of Stitches, Dishes & Stories! (You can find the first installment here, the second here, and the third here.) This is a series on An Edible Mosaic where I choose a classic work of literature and use it as the inspiration to make a crocheted item and a recipe. If you’re a reader, crocheter, or home cook, we can nerd out together over timeless stories, yarn we love, and good food and drink to go with it.

Video Introduction

The Story: The Lord of the Rings

As promised, we’re heading back to Middle Earth from Tolkien’s LOTR. Feel free to check out my previous posts for my discussion of the book in general. I hadn’t planned it when I started this series, but this is my fourth post for Stitches, Dishes & Stories and my third Lord of the Rings feature. And it’s not lost on me that two out of three of my LOTR installments feature elves! (Arwen and Galadriel.) And even now the focus is on the Fellowship, but specifically as it pertains to gifts from the elves.

In The Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship received both their elven cloaks and lembas bread from the Galadhrim, also known as the Elves of Lothlórien.

The Stitch: Corner to Corner Crochet Asymmetrical Triangle Shawl Pattern in a Basketweave Stitch (Inspired by an LOTR Elven Cloak)

The idea for this shawl came to me when I was going through my yarn stash and found an earth-toned kit. I was already two shawls deep in LOTR features for Stitches, Dishes, and Stories, and so a Fellowship cloak (ahem, crocheted shawl) seemed like the right move.

Here’s what we first learn about elvish cloaks from the book:

For each [of the Company] they had provided a hood and cloak, made according to his size, of the light but warm silken stuff that the Galadhrim wove. It was hard to say of what colour they were: grey with the hue of twilight under the trees they seemed to be; and yet if they were moved, or set in another light, they were green as shadowed leaves, or brown as fallow fields by night, dusk-silver as water under the stars. Each cloak was fastened about the neck with a brooch like a green leaf veined with silver.

‘Are these magic cloaks?’ asked Pippin, looking at them with wonder.

‘I do not know what you mean by that,’ answered the leader of the Elves. ‘They are fair garments, and the web is good, for it was made in this land. They are Elvish robes certainly, if that is what you mean. Leaf and branch, water and stone: they have the hue and beauty of all these things under the twilight of Lórien that we love; for we put the thought of all that we love into all that we make. Yet they are garments, not armour, and they will not turn shaft or blade. But they should serve you well: they are light to wear, and warm enough or cool enough at need. And you will find them a great aid in keeping out of the sight of unfriendly eyes, whether you walk among the stones or the trees. You are indeed high in the favour of the Lady! For she herself and her maidens wove this stuff; and never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people.’

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

What incredible garments. Not only do they change color, but they’re warming or cooling based on your need, and useful for camouflaging to keep the wearer safe. But what I love most is how the elves “put the thought of all that we love into all that we make”. If only we were all so passionate. Talk about everyday magic.

The Yarn

I used multiple skeins for this project. The main yarn source I used was from Expression Fiber Art’s “buttery worsted” yarn kit called “Mysa Hues”. They describe the kit as “a rich, smoky, leathery mix of neutral tones: deep charcoal, muted sage green, gray/green, dulled toffee and heathered burgundy/plum”. (I used all the skeins except two for this project: the charcoal and the plum.) I also used one skein of Expression Fiber Art’s “buttery worsted” yarn in the color “Spiral Staircase”, which they call the “smokiest taupe like polished wood”. And lastly, I used Expression Fiber Art’s “buttery worsted” in “Ceres”, which they note is “a beautiful sage green”. (I have to say, their “buttery worsted” yarn is 100% superwash merino wool and incredibly soft and squishy!)

The resulting color palette was just what I wanted for this shawl. A variety of earthy green, brown, and silvery blue tones woven together that appears to change color as if by some form of elven magic. Depending on what side you’re seeing it from, whether it’s in direct sunlight or shade, and what items are around it, the colors transform a bit. And because its shape is asymmetrical, a leaf of Lórien brooch is the perfect way to hold it in place. Not idly do the leaves of Lórien fall, indeed! (Even typing that literally made me laugh out loud. Yes, I am such a nerd!)

Corner to Corner Crochet Asymmetrical Triangle Shawl Pattern

For this project, the pattern I used was also from Expression Fiber Arts: the “Cesta” shawl. It’s an asymmetrical shawl crocheted from corner to corner, and uses double crochet stitches worked in the front and back posts to create a lovely cozy basketweave pattern with increases on one side.

They describe the skill level as “adventurous beginner”; after making this piece, I think it’s fair to interpret this as intermediate. Once you get going, you’ll get into a nice flow, but getting set up is a touch tricky if it’s your first time working a C2C piece. (Chandi has a video showing how to get started with this project, which is really helpful!)

Additionally, when you’re starting each row, take a few extra seconds to make sure 1) that you’re crocheting into the correct stitch from the row below or just use a stitch marker (remember that the turning chains don’t count as stitches), and 2) that you’re working the appropriate stitch (either a front or back post double). (I’m speaking from experience here. I had to frog a couple rows a few times because I wasn’t paying close enough attention, lol!)

Lastly, it can be a little fiddly to carry the yarn for color changes up the rows (particularly when the first stitch of a row is a back post double crochet), but it definitely beats weaving in a ton of ends if you want a multi-color piece. Worth it.

Here are the changes I made to the pattern:

• Instead of a fingering-weight yarn and a 3.5 mm hook, I used a worsted-weight yarn with a 6.5 mm hook. I wanted a thicker shawl with a softness and a somewhat open, drapey look instead of a stiff fabric.
• I didn’t follow the color changes as the pattern prescribed. Instead, I changed colors at random, keeping two working colors at any given time.
• I followed the stitch pattern through line 13, and then just repeated lines 10 through 13 (changing colors for each row randomly as I wanted) until the shawl was as big as I wanted it.

The Dish: LOTR Inspired Elven Bread Recipe (Lembas)

What is Lembas Bread?

Here’s the first time Tolkien introduces us to lembas, giving us a description of its appearance:

The food was mostly in the form of very thin cakes, made of a meal that was baked a light brown on the outside, and inside was the colour of cream.

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Gimli tried lembas first, and then we learn much more about it, including what it tasted like and its purpose:

… ‘But we call it lembas or waybread, and it is more strengthening than any food made by Men, and it is more pleasant than cram, by all accounts.’ ‘Indeed it is,’ said Gimli. ‘Why, it is better than the honey-cakes of the Beornings, and that is great praise, for the Beornings are the best bakers that I know of; but they are none too willing to deal out their cakes to travellers in these days. You are kindly hosts!’ ‘All the same, we bid you spare the food,’ they said. ‘Eat little at a time, and only at need. For these things are given to serve you when all else fails. The cakes will keep sweet for many many days, if they are unbroken and left in their leaf-wrappings, as we have brought them. One will keep a traveller on his feet for a day of long labour, even if he be one of the tall Men of Minas Tirith.

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

My Version of Elvish Bread: Spiced Rosemary Honeyed Shortbread

From the book, we know that this bread was a thin (aka, short) cake, light brown on the outside, creamy-colored inside, and sweet. My mind goes to shortbread! (Or hardtack, but it’s said that hardtack is neither sweet nor pleasant, so shortbread it is.)

My first idea for this bread was a rosemary and honey-infused shortbread. Then I thought of another version with honey, toasted almonds, and cinnamon. I think this sounds absolutely deliciously cozy and homey, but a lot more reminiscent of a hobbit hole and the hobbit food you’d find there than at a Feast of Starlight. So back to the rosemary idea.

Using my base shortbread recipe, I added fresh, piney rosemary and sweet, floral honey. I also incorporated a little bit of ground cardamom and white pepper. These spices amplify the herbal element and lend piquant, musky depth.

The shortbread is absolutely lovely; rich, buttery, and still beautifully short even with the touch of honey added. Also, despite the addition of honey, it’s not overly sweet because the sharp rosemary and savory spices create balance. If you’re looking for a fun new twist on classic shortbread, I highly recommend this even if you aren’t an LOTR fan!

Elvish Bread Ingredients

How to Make Lembas Bread

1. Prep. Preheat the oven to 350F. Get out an 8.5 by 4.5-inch loaf pan.
2. Make the dough. Use a handheld electric mixer to cream together the sugar and butter in a medium-sized bowl. Beat in the vanilla, honey, rosemary, cardamom, white pepper, and salt. Add the flour and mix until it comes together to form dough.
3. Shape. Transfer the dough to the loaf pan and spread it out evenly. Score the dough into 12 servings (I make 3 equidistant horizontal lines, and then score each third into 4 triangles).
4. Bake. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes, then turn the heat down to 325F and bake until light golden, about 5 minutes more.

Storage

Cool to room temperature, and then layer this shortbread in an airtight container between pieces of parchment paper and store at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Easy Shortbread Recipes That Could Pass For Elven Bread

• Christmas Shortbread – This one isn’t just for the holidays! With the flavors of pistachio, orange, cranberry, and white chocolate I called this Christmas shortbread, but to be honest it’s delicious any time of year.
• Chai Tea Shortbread – Crisp, richly-spiced chai tea shortbread cookies are a the perfect nibble along with a mid-morning or mid-afternoon cup of coffee or tea.
• Maple Pecan Shortbread – Sweet, smoky maple syrup and nutty pecans are a lovely pairing in these buttery cookies.