I have been quite the crocheting machine as of late. I was given a HUGE bag of yarn this week. I got right to making this wine cozy with some of the Christmas yarn in the stash. My mom asked if she could give one to the lady who had given me all the yarn, and of course I said, "yes"! She liked it so much she asked if she could buy some from me! It is always such a huge compliment when people want more! haha! I thought I'd get a little creative with some of them.
My photography skills are lack-a-crackin'...so I am going to blame it on the lighting. Seems legit.
Christmas is coming soon! I ventured to Toys R Us...and that was a delight! Seriously though. I really love angry holiday shoppers...they are SO entertaining that I just can't help but smile and laugh!
I'd like to give you some more Christmas cheer with what else than more Sufjan Stevens!
I am so excited to do my very first tutorial post! I made this scarf for Helene's giveaway last week, and I thought I would share the pattern with you guys!
I had initially started this scarf from a pattern that I had found, but as I was doing it, it wasn't turning out how I wanted. So, I kind of just winged it and it turned out awesome! So, for those crocheters out there check out this pattern!
The scarf is very long (about 45" long when connected. So, if you don't connect it to make it an infinity scarf it would be 90" long) and wraps three times. It is about 5" wide.
Infinity Scarf Tutorial
You will need:
15.75 mm/ Q Hook
Super Bulky Yarn (I used Lion Brand Yarn, Hometown USA)
I know it's bad, but I don't gauge my stitches. Sorry.
Tapestry needle to weave in tails.
CH 120 Sl St into first CH to connect Make sure the piece isn't twisted before connecting Round 1:
CH 1
SC into each stitch around
SL St into first st Round 2:
CH 2
TR into each stitch around
Sl St into first st Round 3:
CH 1
DC into each stitch around
SL St into first st Round 4:
Repeat round 2 Round 5:
Repeat round 3 Round 6:
Repeat round 1
Don't forget to sew in the tails!
This is a super easy pattern and perfect for beginners. If you try it let me know how it turns out!
I know I have mentioned that I was working on crocheting a blanket before on this blog, but honestly I'm too lazy to look back at the posts to link them here. Geez, I act like I do things all day. Oh the joys of unemployment! I'll have to share going to the temp agency story with you sometime! That's a whole post in itself.
The good news is, is that I finally finished the blanket I was working on. This is the first blanket I have ever crocheted, so I'm pretty proud of it.
This couch is big enough to seat 2 people. When we first got it, I told my parents that I was going to gain 600 pounds because the couch would still be able to fit me!
Trying to take a photo of yourself is a lot harder than it looks! Also, I'd like to say I'm sans make-up but in reality I didn't wash of yesterdays make-up so there's that.
I ended up making it a bit longer than the pattern had because I hate when blankets won't fit around my feet and up to my shoulders. I also added the fringe on the ends. Initially I was going to sew in the tails, but I ended up liking the fringe look so I added more danglies (thats the proper term lol) to make it look fuller and more even.
Want to make one for yourself? Or even for someone for Christmas? Check out the pattern here!
When my mom told me that my aunt was going to make the Pumpkin Pie this year, I had to rethink what I was going to make for Thanksgiving. So, I thought I'd give Pecan Pie a go. Little did I know that my moms family in Texas had sent her some pecans. She said I could put them into my pie (I should tell you how much she loves these pecans...I mean, she loves them, a lot. a lot.) ...the pressure was on! What if I messed up the pies?! I couldn't just go out and get more pecans...I mean, these were from TEXAS (say that in your best Mean Girls voice lol)!
However, this was the easiest recipe I have ever attempted. I haven't tasted the pie just yet, but it smells of maple-y goodness and that to me equals amazing! Here's how easy it is:
Chop up some pecans (please note: yours do not have to be from Texas!)
Then throw the maple syrup, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, flour, butter, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl...and whisk that baby (whisk it good!)!
I wanted to double the recipe since I had an extra pie crust, but I didn't have quite enough maple syrup, so I one and a halfed the recipe to make two 3/4s pies. If that makes sense.
Then, put the chopped pecans in the pie crust, and pour the heavenly maple goodness mixture on top. Toss (gently!) that pan full of delight into the oven on 350F for one hour and that's it! (I did a little under an hour since it wasn't a full pie)
Super easy. It probably took less than 20 minutes to prepare the filling. I can't wait to dig into these babies! If you would like the recipe, I found it here: Maple Pecan Pie
Since I'm having Thanksgiving today, I spent a bit of yesterday making my yearly Christmas bow for my pup. I crocheted it this year instead of sewing, and it is adorable! If you crochet, you can find the pattern here: Bow Pattern
I don't think he likes it too much, and I know he hates having his picture taken. I was lucky this time and he didn't growl at me!
Also, since today is technically the day after Thanksgiving that means that I get to listen to Christmas now, right? Sure! Here is one of my favorite Christmas songs!
Sufjan Stevens: "Put the Lights on the Tree" Also, I fear that cartoon Sufjan has jaundice!
I just love everything about this song- the piano, the violin, the voice, the melody. everything. It puts me into a really great mood when I listen to it.
2.) Hart of Dixie
Photo courtesy of google search
When this show first came out I was like, "Ugh, that looks so dumb. There is no way I would ever watch that." Well, season 1 was on Instant Netflix and I didn't have anything else to watch so I thought I would give it a go. I really, really liked it! I hate to admit it. But, it is worth giving it a chance.
3.) The Lucky One
I wouldn't call this the best movie I have ever seen in my life, but I did enjoy it. I think that I am just in the mood for some super sappy love movies these days, and this one was perfect for it.Although, the whole time I kept thinking that she just looked a bit too old for him. Am I the only one?
4.) Boot Cuffs I need a break from my afghan...I think I'm going to try this pattern this week!
5.) These cards really do sum up a lot.
I really ought to tell you the story of how I met a guy named Alex burns on my road trip to Alaska ones of these days.
I truly believe that the little everyday things are the things that keep you (ok, well me at least!) going. Here are the things that are keeping me happy these days:
- I just made plans to go see my best friend (she left me for a teaching job up in San Jose, California). Only 10-ish more days not that I'm counting or anything.
10 points awarded to me for posting a pic without make-up! haha!
- The Avett Brothers (with pups and mustaches? What more could you ask for!)
- Being healthy enough to exercise...now if only I could get the motivation to do it
-staring
at the word exercise for 10 minutes figuring out if I was spelling it
right (I wasn't...I curse you red squiggle underline- but happyfor helping me!)
- A newly learned crochet technique: pattern here (umm hi california? I thought we had a deal...I crochet cute warm things and you cool down? What happened to that...it was 90 degrees yesterday!)
- Instant Netflix
- Waking up without an alarm clock
- The fact that it is November...No Shave November to be exact. I love a beard on a man.
- Putting back the dress you know you shouldn't buy small financial victory!
"The art of happiness lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things"
-Henry Ward Beecher
What everyday things are making you happy?
*Don't forget to vote today! I don't care who you vote for...just make an informed decision and make your vote count!
Look what came in the mail for me Saturday! I had to wait a whole week to get this shipment of yarn in apparently, I am easily excited! I had been waiting ALL week for it.
Red Heart Light & Lofty yarn
However, I had a couple people request some crochet headbands from me A little back story: I made my sister a headband with the colors of the school she teaches at so she would be warm at the football games she coaches cheer at. Well, I guess some of the girls really liked the headband, and wanted me to make some for them.
I had to put aside the yarn I had waited oh, so long for...but I finally finished the headbands boy are my hands sore! and I get to get started on this afghan. I CAN"T wait...but my hands are sore! If this is the biggest dilema in my life, I'd say I'm doing alright!
I think that my crocheting spree which I would rather call Fall weather crochet juju is working...if I do say so myself. It has cooled down quite a bit, and it looks like it is going to be in the 70's this week! So, with that in mind and also hoping that this delightful weather will stay for awhile- so maybe I should rename it to Fall weather please continue crochet juju I made a cable knit headband.
If you are into crocheting at all, you can find the pattern here. She describes the skill level as intermediate, and I would say that's true- but definitely an easy intermediate. If you have trouble figuring out the stitches try youtubing it...that has been the most help in my crochet endeavors.
I also added a small border around the front and back mostly because I haven't quite gotten the hang of even ends and also partly because I wanted a bit more depth to it.
Sorry for the weird lighting in these photos and that they were taken in my bathroom lol But it was the best lighting option I had. The yarn is Red Heart brand in Dark Sage. I think next time I will try to do it with a softer yarn. I have some baby yarn so I think I might give that one a go.
I tried this pattern to give myself a break from this one. I am just having the hardest time figuring out what I am doing wrong since it isn't turning out right. I thought it was the cable stitch that I was doing wrong which I suppose could still be the reason, but this headband turned out well..so now I am in the frustrated stage of not being able to figure out how to get this blanket done!
...or at least I wish there was. Hey, California! What's the deal with the 90F weather? Maybe all this crocheting that I have been doing is a way to bring good Fall juju. I made this blue scarf one for my friends' birthday (sure her birthday way last week, but I won't remind her if you won't! Belated birthdays are my favorite anyways because it makes them last longer!).
This scarf was so stinkin' easy to make that I made another one (a tiny bit shorter than the blue one). I'm thinking of doing some sort of giveway for this white scarf (you can even tell your friends that you made it! haha!)...maybe once I hit 10 followers!
I pulled my hair a bit to the side so you could see both sets of buttons on it. I think I might move them around...it looks too symmetrical to me (and I hate symmetry!)
Here is a close up shot (yarn and buttons from the ever classy Wal-Mart), and you can find the pattern here (it's perfect for beginning crocheters!).
Also, have you heard of Ravelry? It's a fantastic site filled with patterns for crocheters and knitters! You can even input the yarn that you have on hand, and the site will find patterns that can use it...pretty genius if you ask me. Actually, I'm, wondering why I hadn't thought of this idea!
I'll keep you posted about the giveaway...if I ever make it to 10 followers!
