Thursday 29 October 2015

FREE Pattern Friday - Aunt Sue's Mossy Shawl

I have 2 favorite aunts.  Decided that this year I would crochet them each a shawl.  Wanted the shawls to be rectangles, but was having some trouble finding free patterns I liked.  So I made up my own :)  
This is Shawl #1:


I used Lionbrand Woolspun in Moss Mix for this shawl.  It's a bulky (5) yarn.  Soft!  I really like this yarn.  It's 80% acrylic 20% wool. - 7 skeins
Use a 6mm (J) hook.

Special Stitches:
V-Stitch:  DC, ch1, DC in same stitch
Cluster: 3DC in the same space

ALTDC (alternate DC):  Love this!  It's an awesome way to start a new row without the CH3 gap.  Here are 2 great videos that explain different ways to do it, either one works great.

Pattern:
Ch 135
ROW 1: Sc in the 2nd chain from hook and across (134 sts), turn
ROW 2: ALTDC in the first stitch, DC across (134 sts), turn
ROW 3: ALTDC in the first stitch, (skip 1 st, V stitch in the next st), repeat across to last 2 sts, skip 1 st, DC in last st., turn
ROW 4: ALTDC in the first stitch, Cluster in each ch1 space across, DC in last st, turn
Rows 5 - 25: repeat rows 3 & 4 ending with row 3, turn
Row 26: ALTDC in the first stitch, DC each stitch across, turn
row 27: Ch 1, Sc each stitch across
Fasten off

For the ends:
 Fasten on in the corner
Row 1: Sc 54 along each side, turn
Row 2: ALTDC in the first stitch, Dc across, turn
Row 3: ALTDC in the first stitch, (skip 1 st, V stitch in the next st), repeat across to last 2 sts, skip 1 st, DC in last st., turn
Row 4: ALTDC in the first stitch, Cluster in each ch1 space across, DC in last st, turn
Rows 5 - 7: Repeat rows 3 & 4 ending with row 3, turn
Row 8: ALTDC in the first stitch, DC each stitch across, turn
row 9: Ch 1, Sc each stitch across

Weave in the Ends.



If you have any questions or don't understand something please feel free to comment or email me.
thechristmascorner1@gmail.com

Have an awesome day Crocheting!





Monday 26 October 2015

Strawberry/Rhubarb Crepes with Cream Cheese Filling

This is one of our favorites for breakfast, but I only make it a few times a year with the cream cheese filling.



CREPES:

1 cup all purpose flour
1 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs

FILLING:

1 package (8oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 carton whipped topping, thawed
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

In a large bowl, combine above ingredients. Cover and refridgerate for 1 hour.

In a 8" nonstick skillet, melt 1 tsp. butter. Stir batter; pour about 2 tablespoons into the center of skillet. Lift and tilt pan to evenly coat bottom. Cook until top appears dry; turn and cook 15-20 seconds longer. Remove to a wire rack.

Repeat with remaining batter, add butter to skillet as needed. When cool, stack crepes with waxed paper on paper towels in between.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the filling ingredients until smooth.
Spread 2 rounded tablespoons full on each crepe; roll up. Top with Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce.

STRAWBERRY/RHUBARB SAUCE

2 1/2 cups chopped fresh or frozen rhubarb (1" pieces)
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp. grated lemon peel
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup sliced fresh or frozen unsweetened strawberries
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
3-4 drops red food coloring, optional

In a saucepan, combine rhubarb, water, sugar, lemon peel and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cook uncovered, over medium heat until rhubarb is soft, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in strawberries, lemon juice and cinnamon. Add food coloring if desired.

I used strawberry/rhubarb pie filling this morning, but I do make the sauce from scratch in the summer when I have access to fresh fruit. We've also used apple, cherry, or blueberry pie filling. I have a crepe pan, so I use quite a bit more batter than the 2 tbsp. the recipe calls for.



HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!




Thursday 22 October 2015

FREE Pattern Friday - Slouch Hats Galore

Slouchy hats seem to be in.  Personally I don't wear hats, find them too warm.  But I see them everywhere in the winter.  It is cold in most part of Canada from November - March.

Here are 6 free patterns I have found.  I have crocheted a couple of them, and they were easy to follow and quick to do.  Would love to see any hats that you have crocheted.  Just post in a comment :)




Hope everyone has an awesome weekend with lots of time to crochet!

Have a favorite Hat Pattern?  Please post the link in a comment.


Have a Wonderful Day!





Sunday 18 October 2015

Double Decker Grilled Cheese Sandwich

YUMMY!!

 These are the boys ultimate favorite grilled cheese sandwiches. They take a bit more time to put together - but they are worth it. I assemble the sandwiches on plates before putting in the frying pan.



You will need:

3 slices of bread (per sandwich)
1 slice of cooked ham
1 slice of cooked chicken or turkey
2 slices of cheese
mayo
butter

Assemble on plate in order given below:

1 slice bread
1 slice cheese
1 slice ham
1 slice bread, spread with mayo
1 slice chicken/turkey
1 slice cheese
1 slice bread buttered on the top

Flip onto preheated frying pan (med. heat) butter side down. Butter top piece of bread. Flip over when browned and bottom cheese has started to melt. Brown, remove from pan and place on plate. Cut in half and serve.


Have a Wonderful Day!




Friday 16 October 2015

FREE Pattern Friday: Heart Hat & Scarf

The local Food Bank is taking donations for their Christmas Hampers.  A few of us are crochet & knitting hats and scarves to donate for this cause.  I found these really cute matching hat and scarf patterns that I thought would be awesome to add to a hamper.  Made the purple set so far, but will try to get a couple of other sets done in different colors yet, just have to decide on colors (look in my craft room and see what color I have!)

In the hat pattern the bottom row of single crochets is done in the same color as the hearts, but after the hat is done.  This works fine, easy to do.  In the scarf pattern, the instructions are the same.  You start with the white and add the accent color after.  Next time I will start with a row of single crochet in the accent color and then just switch to the white instead of doing it later.

My set:


You can find the patterns here:

If you don't crochet and would like a set, I can custom crochet them for you in any size and color you would like :)
You can see more of my custom crochet items on my FACEBOOK page.

Saturday 10 October 2015

Oven Apple Pancake

We love this recipe. I make it when I have time - takes about 1 hour start to finish, but is well worth the time and effort.


Oven Apple Pancake
1/4 cup butter or hard margarine
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
ground cinnamon, light sprinkle
2 apples, peeled, cored and sliced in wedges
3 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup flour
Melt butter in 9 inch pie plate in 425F oven. Stir brown sugar into melted butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Overlap apples in single layer. Cook in oven for 10 minutes.

Beat eggs with spoon in bowl. Add milk, salt and flour. Stir to moisten. Don't try to smooth out small lumps. Pour over apples. Return to oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cut into wedges.


Have a Wonderful Day my Friends!



Wednesday 7 October 2015

FREE Pattern Friday: Autumn Cowl

If you have looked at my other Friday posts you will know that I crochet quite a bit for Charity.  A friend has an aunt who volunteers at a shelter for abused women and I have decided to crochet scarves and possibly some hats for those women.  

Pinterest is one of my favorite sites to look for free patterns.  I could probably get quite a bit more crocheting done if I wasn't always looking for new patterns to try :)  But I just can't seem to help myself.... lol

Found this great pattern with a new stitch to learn and happened to have the same colors in stock as the pattern showed!  That never happens.

Here are photo's of the infinity scarf I did:



I really like this pattern and will do it again.  It's easy to follow, easy to do and looks very nice.  I used Vannah's Choice yarns, one of my favorites.  But you could use any worsted weight (4) yarn.

Here is the pattern for this scarf:  Autumn Cowl

If you don't crochet and would like a cowl, I can custom crochet it for you in color you would like :)
You can see more of my custom crochet items on my FACEBOOK page.

Have a Wonderful day!







Sunday 4 October 2015

Banana Chocolate Cake

When I have bananas that need a new life and all ready have Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins in the freezer, this is the next recipe I will look for.  It's a wonderful banana cake for the chocolate lover :)




BANANA CHOCOLATE CAKE

3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups mashed banana (3 med. bananas)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup Sour milk (see Note)
Preheat oven to 350F. Cream butter with sugar and 1 egg together very well. Beat in second egg. Mix in banana and vanilla.

Mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in small bowl.

Add flour mixture to butter mixture in 3 parts alternately with sour milk in 2 parts, beginning and ending with flour. Spread in 2 greased round 8 or 9 inch layer pans. Bake in oven until an inserted wooden pick comes out clean, about 40 minutes. 

Note: to make sour milk, add milk to 1 tbsp. vinegar in measuring cup. Stir.


I made the cake in a 9 x 13 inch pan, but it is full to the top!


Have a Wonderful Day my Friends!



Thursday 1 October 2015

FREE Pattern Friday: Headband & Bow

Decided to set up a table at the local Christmas Craft Show in November.  Searched the internet for some cute headbands I could make that would use up some of my bits of yarn.  Really liked the idea of a headband with a bow, but just couldn't find one I really liked.  So.... I made up my own pattern :)

Measure the head you will be making if for.  If you are like me and making it for a craft show or charity, use the chart here - How to Properly Size Crochet Hats.

I did this one so it would fit a Toddler




Materials:
Worsted Weight (4) yarn.
5mm (H) hook & 4.5mm 
yarn needle for sewing in ends

Stitches Used:
slst - slip stitch
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet

INSTRUCTIONS:

Headband:

With the 5mm hook: Chain 60 (or as many as you need to do the size you want)
Switch to the 4.5mm hook for rest of pattern

Row 1: sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain to the end.  Slst to join in the first sc of the row being careful not to twist the chain. You will sew the bottom together when you are finished the headband. (59 stitches)

Row 2: ch 1, hdc each stitch around. Slst to join in first hdc.

Row 3 - 7: repeat row 2

Row 8:  sc in each stitch. Slst to join in the first sc.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Bow:

With the 5mm hook Chain 41.
Switch to the 4.5mm hook for the rest of the bow.

Row 1 - sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain to the end.  Slst to join in the first sc of the row being careful not to twist the chain. You will sew the bottom together when you are finished the headband. (40 stitches)

Rows 2-7: ch 1, hdc each stitch around. Slst to join in first hdc.

Row 8: sc in each stitch. Slst to join in the first sc.

Fasten off and weave in ends.




Place the Bow piece on top of the Band piece with the seams together.  

With the 4.5mm hook, chain 50.

Pinch the headband and bow pieces together and wrap with the chain "rope".  Tie in the back and tuck in the ends.

If you have any questions feel free to ask!  

Here are some other free headband patterns you may want to try:
Striped Pinched Crochet Headband Pattern




                               Have an Awesome Day my Friends!