Monthly Archives: July 2012

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Chenille Bi-Coloured Scarf and Hat (Lion)

Size – Hat, One size fits most – Scarf – 7″ by 60″
Materials: 1 skein each of your two colour choices, Lion brand Chenille
Size K crochet hook or size to get gauge
Gauge:  8 stitches = 4″ in half double crochet

Hat
With A (first colour), chain 4 and close into ring with 1 slip stitch in first chain.  work 6 sc in ring.  Place marker for beginning of round.
Rnd 1:  2 sc in each sc around.  12 sc.
Rnd 2:  1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat around.  18 sc.
Rnd 3:  1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat around.  24 sc.
Rnd 4:  1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat around.  30 sc.
Rnd 5:  1 sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat around.  36 sc.
Work even in sc until 8″ from center of crown.  Join in B (second colour).
Brim
Rnd 1:  1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat around.  54 sc.
Rnd 2:  1 sc in each sc around.
Rnd 3:  1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat around.  63 sc.
Rnd 4:  1 sc in each sc around.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

Scarf
With A, chain 15.  Hdc in third chain from hook and in each chain across.
Row 1:  Ch 2, turn.  Hdc in each stitch across – 14 hdc.
Repeat row one until piece measure 30″.  Join in B.  Do Row 1 until piece measure 60″.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

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Egg Nog Grog (Kitchen Witchery)

6 eggs
1/4 c sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2c + 2 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 c bourbon
1/3 c rum

Beat together eggs, sugar, salt.  Stir in 2 c milk.  Cook on low, stiring constantly.  Heat until it is thick enough to coat spoon, approximately 160 degrees, remove from heat.  Mix in the rest of the ingredients.  Cover and refrigerate.
This stuff is fair potent.  Utilize with caution.

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Tasseled Quick Crochet Throw (Lion Brand)

<p style=”text-align: center;”><a title=”Bev’s Wrap” href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftspider/4269897980/”><img src=”http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4269897980_d169a65f50_t.jpg” alt=”Bev’s Wrap” /></a></p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”><a title=”Amelia’s Wrap” href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftspider/4269895700/”><img src=”http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4269895700_84b0b81a12_t.jpg” alt=”Amelia’s Wrap” /></a></p>
This was a fairly quick and flowing project, and ended looking far niftier than the picture had made me expect.  I’ve made 2 of them, now, for gifts – in different sizes.  Overall, I don’t really like working with the ginormous hooks, even though things do make up far faster using them.  Using 2 strands of yarn at once was far less frustrating than I’d expected.

Beginner
Size:   42″ by 48″
Materials:  6 skeins Homespun, Q hook, Large blunt-eye needle
Gauge:  4.75 stitches + 4 rows = 4″ using 2 strands of yarn held together
Note:  Entire Afghan is worked with 2 strands of yarn held together

Afghan
With 2 strands of yarn held together, chain 52.
Foundation Row:  Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook, single crochet in each chain across – 51 sc.  Chain 1, turn.
Row 1:  Single crochet in back loop of each single crochet across – 51 sc.  Chain 1, turn.
Row 2-57:  Repeat Row 1.  Do not cut yarn at end of Row 57.  (The number of rows, is, of course variable, depending on the size you wish to make.  Same goes for your initial chain.  For the one made for a pre-teen girl, I think I chained 40 and ended up using 4 skeins.)

Border
Note:  Border stitches are worked through both loops or entire stitch of previous row.
Chain 4, turn.  Work double crochet in first corber stitch, double crochet in each single crochet across to next corner.  2 double crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet n corner stitch, double crochet in each row end stitch to next corner.  2 double crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet in corner stitch.  Double crochet in each single crochet to next corner, repeat set in corner stitch, double crochet in each row end stitch to first corner, double crochet in corner stitch, join with slip stitch to beginning chain.  cut yarn, leaving several inches to be worked with Tassel in forner.

Tassels
Cut 4 strands of yarn 36″ long and 4 strands 18″ long.  Cut remaining yarn into 18″ lengths. Divide into 4 equal groups.  Fold one of the 36″ strands in half and lay it flat on table, placing 1 of the four groups over center of double strand and using that to carefully tie group tightly together in the middle with a double knot.  Hold ends of the doubled strand so knot becomes top of Tassel and grouped strands fall into place below it.  Take an 18″ strand of yarn and wrap tightly around Tassel 1 1/2″ below top knot to form Tassel neck.  Knot securely, thread ends onto needle and weave ends into the center of the Tassel.  Trim Tassel ends evenly.  Repeat until you have four, then fasten them into the chain-1 spaces on the corners of the Afghan.

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Jewel Box Drawstring Bag (Caron)

Cathryn's Bags

I’ve made so many of these with different yarns and hooks and sizes… Lovely use-it-for-lots-and-change-if-needed pattern. (Free from Caron)

Finished Measurements if Following Pattern: 5 1/2″ diameter, 7 1/2″ high
Materials: Caron Jewel Box (2.5 oz), 1 skein
J Hook, of size to obtain 3 sc to 1″ in pattern

Note: Each sc, dc, and ch-3 counts as one stitch

Bottom of Bag:
Ch 4, join with slip st to form a ring
Rnd 1: 7 sc into ring. Join with slip stitch to first sc, ch 1
Rnd 2: 2 sc into each sc around – 14 total. Join with slip stitch to first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 3: Sc into next sc, 2 sc into next sc. Repeat around – 21 sc total. Join with slip stitch to first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 4: Sc into next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc. Repeat around – 28 sc total. Join with slip stitch to first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 5: Sc into next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc. Repeat around – 35 sc total. Join with slip stitch to first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 6: Sc into next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc. Repeat around – 42 sc total. Join with slip stitch to first sc. Ch 1.
Rnds 7 – 22: Sc into each sc around – 42 sc total. Join with slip stitch to first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 23 – Drawstring Round – ch 5, skip first 3 sc, (dc into next sc, ch 2, skip next 2 sc) – repeat parenthesis around, ending rnd with slip st into 3rd chain of the ch 5. Ch 1.
Rnd 24: Sc into same st as slip st, (2 sc into ch-sp, sc into next dc). Repeat parenethesis around, ending rnd with 2sc into ch-sp – 42 stitches total. Join with slip st to first sc. Ch 1.
Rnds 25 & 26: Sc into each sc around – 42 total. Join with slip st to first sc. Fasten off.

Ties (Make 2): Ch 68. Slip stitch into each ch across. Fasten off. Thread each tie through the ch-spaces of Rnd 25 in opposite directions. Tie ends together.

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Pound of Love – Hooded Baby Afghan (Lion Brand)

Size:  Approximately 28″ square
Materials:  1 16 oz ball of worsted, or equivalent.  (Bernat has a pound ball, so does Lions, and I’ve used scrap yarn to make it work, too.)
Size J crochet hook, or 3.75 stitches per inch

Pattern Stitch (multiple of 3):
Row 1:  2 dc in 3rd chain from hook, (skip 2 ch, 1 sc and 2 dc in next chain), repeat parenthesis across, ending with skip 2ch, 1 sc in last chain, ch 2, turn.
Row 2:  2 dc in first sc, (skip 2 dc, 1 sc and 2 dc in next sc), repeat parenthesis across, ending with 1 sc in top of t-ch.  Ch 2, turn.
Repeat Row 2 for pattern.

Blanket:
Ch 108
Begin with Row 1, work in pattern stitch for 28″.  Fasten off.

Hood:
Ch 4
Row 1:  2 dc in 4th chain from hook, ch 3, turn
Row 2:  2 dc in first dc, dc in next dc, 3 dc in top of t’ch.  Ch 3, turn.
Row 3:  dc in first dc, dc in next 5 dc, 2 dc in top of t-ch.  Ch 3. turn.
Row 4:  2 dc in first dc, dc in each dc to t-ch, 3 dc in top of t-ch, ch 3, turn
Row 5:  dc in first dc, dc in each dc to t-ch, ch 3, turn.
Rep Rows 4 & 5 until there are 48 dc + t-ch.  Ch 3, turn.
Edging:  2 dc in first dc, (skip 2 dc, 1 sc and 2 dc in the next dc), repeat parenthesis across, ending with sc in t-ch.  Fasten off.

Finishing:
With RS of Hood up, lay Hood over one corner of blanket, matching edges, and pin in place.
Edging:  Attach yarn to one corner of Blanket, spacing stitches to keep edge flat, and working through both layers at Hood corner, work Row 2 of pattern, making sure to work 1 sc and 2 dc at each corner.

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Vegetable Cheese Soup (International Cheese Book)

1 c grated Swiss Cheese (for three servings, in my household)
1 small, shredded head of cabbage (I got frustrated with the shredding and just chopped it up.)
1 large potato, sliced (thinner you slice, the faster the initial boiling goes)
1 Qt milk
3 T butter
Pinch salt, pinch pepper (Went a bit heavier on this for my household, though was still cautious)

Cook the cabbage and potato together in lightly salted boiling water until soft.  Drain.  Mash or mix (depending on your texture preference) together, and add butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Cook over a low flame for 10-12 minutes.  (I just waited until it seemed warmed through enough to be ready to eat.)  Remove and dish into bowls.  Spoon in grated Swiss.  Place under a broiler for 2 minutes, or until the cheese has bubbled and starts to brown.

Surprisingly lovely delicate flavour.  My housemates are both meatatarians, and there was not a single word of complaint.

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Beef Tenderloin Dijon(Betsy Codier)

2 lb beef tenderloin roast

1 1/2 tsp salt

3/4 tsp pepper

2 T olive oil

2 cloves garlic

4 c water

22 oz beef broth

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp thyme

2 cloves

Tie roast with string at 2 inch intervals.  rub 1 tsp salt and half tsp peper over roast.  Heat oil in dutch oven.  Add roast and garlic – cook ’til evenly browned.  Remove roast, pour off drippings.  Add water, broth, bay, thyme, cloves – bring to a boil.  Add roast – simmer 20 minutes (130 internal temp for rare).  Strain liquid.  Add cornstarch and mustard, turn into paste.  Slowly add cookng liquid – add rest of salt and pepper (or to taste).  Cook until slightly thickened.

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Strawberry Shortcake (Betsy Codier)

1 3/4 c flour

2 T sugar

1 T baking powder

1/2 tsp orange peel

3 T butter

3/4 c milk

Topping:

2 pts strawberries

1 T OJ

1 T sugar

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, orange peel.  Pastry-blend in butter.  Stir in milk.  Roll dough.  Cut biscuits.  Bake 12-15 minutes.

Once cooled, combine ingredients for topping, place on top on a halved biscuit, perhaps add whipped cream.

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Standing Rib Roast with Madeira (Betsy Codier)

2 cloves garlic

1 tsp marjoram

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

5 lb rib roast

2 c sliced mushrooms

1/4 c dry red wine

1 T tomato paste

1 envelope onion soup

1 T flour

1 1/2 c water

1 T parsley

pepper

Combine:  Garlic, marjoram, thyme, salt, pepper

Trim roast, rub with spice mixture.  Roast 10 minutes at 500 degrees, decrease heat to 350 and roast for 1 1/2 hours.  (150 internal temp.)

Skim pan, combine drippings with butter.  Stir in shrooms.  Cook until tender.  Stir in wine and toamto sauce, then soup mix.  Blend flour and water.  Add.  Bring mixture to a boil.  Stir in parsley and more pepper and spices to taste.