Crocheted Pangolin

I crocheted this pangolin free hand.  I seriously doubt I will ever write the pattern, this project was about 60% fudged, 20% dumb luck and 20% evil genius.

The yarn was Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable in the color Echo.  Never use this yarn for a free hand project.  It does not frog well.  I do like the finished object and I really like the subtle color gradations.

This was made for a contest, wish me luck!

[updated 5/9/14- Sadly my pangolin did not win, but it was so fun to make and super cute]
[update 10-18-19] This pangolin inspired Pernille Heelsberg to write up the pattern.  Now you can make your own pangolin friend!

I tried to lure my cat into the photo with catnip.  That did not work out well for me.

This post was submitted to:

Hookin on Hump Day Link Party on Moogly

Basket Weave Beverage Cozy

Keep your beer or beverage cold and stylish with this basket weave beverage cozy.  This pattern and video will show you how to make a bottle version and a can version.  It can also be easily made larger with the adjustments.

This pattern is my own creation, please link back to this original pattern when sharing.

This pattern uses US crochet terms,  I used acrylic worsted weight yarn and a size H crochet hook.  If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will do my best to help you out.

Beverage Cozy / Koozie

Bottom:
Can or Bottle:

Round 1) Ch 3, sl st into 3rd ch from the hook to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as dc), put 11 more dc in the ring, sl st to top of beginning ch 3 to join the round.  

Round 2) Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around. 

To Make a Larger Cozy:

Continue adding rounds to make the bottom as large as needed.  Add enough increases (2 dc in the same st) to keep the bottom flat.  To few increases and the bottom will begin to cup, too many increases and it may begin to ruffle.  A general rule of thumb is to increase the stitches between the increases by 1 on each round such as:

Round 3) 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, repeat

Round 4) 1 dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st, repeat

Round 5) 1 dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st, repeat

The most important thing is the final number of stitches in the round must be a multiple of 6.

Sides: 

Once your bottom is as large as you need it to be, join the final round by slip stitching into the front loop of the top of the beginning ch 3.

Foundation row: 1 dc in the same front loop, 1 dc in the front loop of each st around, sl st into the top of the beginning ch 3.

Row 1-3) Ch 3, * 1 fpdc in the next 3 st, 1 bpdc in the next 3 st, repeat from * around, sl st into the top of the beginning ch 3.

Row 4-6) Ch 3, * 1 bpdc in the next 3 st, 1 fpdc in the next 3 st, repeat from * around, sl st into the top of the beginning ch 3.

Row 7-9) repeat row 1-3 -stop here for can size

Row 10-12) repeat row 4-6 - stop here for bottle size

For larger cozies continue adding rows, alternating rows 1-3 and rows 4-6


This pattern is my own creation, please link back to this original pattern when sharing.

Check out some of my other crochet patterns
Beginner's Washcloth
Rainbow Swirl Bonnet
Leprechaun or Pilgrim Hat Coaster
Football Coaster

Mapo Tofu

Mapo Tofu is a spicy Chinese dish made with pork and tofu.  Its quick and easy to make and both my husband and I love it.  The video will show you how to make it step by step.

The ingredients you will need are:
8 ounces of ground pork, you can substitute another ground meat (beef, turkey) if you like.
1 16-18 ounce block of tofu
1 tsp ginger paste or freshly minced ginger
1 tsp minced garlic
2-3 Tbsp toban djan (chili bean sauce)
3-4 scallions  or a small bunch of garlic chives to garnish

Drawstring Backpack Sewing Tutorial

I made a drawstring backpack like this years ago and I use it all the time.  Its great for hiking because its small and lightweight but its big enough to hold your keys, wallet, and a snack (always pack a snack).  I also use them when I'm out being a tourist or shopping a flea market or going to the park.  Basically anytime a purse or big bag would be a hassle but you still need to carry your keys and your phone (and your snack!)

This bag is made from woven fabric.  Something like calico or quilter's cotton is what I usually use.  You can use print or solid for the outside, you could also make a quilt block for the front.  For the lining I recommend a light colored solid fabric.  I dark or printed fabric can make it harder to find what you need inside your bag. 

The video will show you step by step how to make this bag.  Here are some highlights:

Materials: 1/2 yd of fabric for the outside; 1/2 yd of fabric for the lining; 12 yards of worsted weight yarn; thread

Tools: Iron and board; sewing machine, pins, hand sewing needle, scissors, measuring tape, paper clip, pencil.

Pattern: Cut each piece of fabric into a 14" x 26" rectangle.



This post was submitted to the Finally Friday Link-a-long on Go Crazy Crochet

Raw Fermented Sauerkraut

My family ate sauerkraut regularly when I was growing up.  I love the flavor but I would have never guessed how popular it would become.

Fermentation is an ancient method of food preservation that is gaining mainstream exposure.  Paleo, Westin A. Price and other traditional diets, which are rising in popularity, tout the benefits of fermented foods.  Even the most mainstream in the medical community recognize the benefits of probiotics.  Fermented foods like sauerkraut are an excellent source of probiotics without the high cost of probiotic pills.

Fermenting sauerkraut yourself is fun, easy and very inexpensive.  In my area cabbage goes on sale around New Years and St. Patrick's Day.  I like the make kraut around those times to take advantage of the sales.

To make sauerkraut you only need cabbage and salt.  The salt will inhibit putrefying bacteria until the beneficial lactobaccilus can colonize.  The naturally occurring lactobaccilus produce organic acids which preserve the cabbage, break down nutrients into more easily digested forms, and provide the tart sour flavor.



Combine 5 pounds of finely chopped or shredded cabbage with three tablespoons of salt, pound and press the cabbage until enough moisture is drawn out of the cabbage to fully submerge it.  Then leave it on the counter for 3 or more weeks to ferment.  Once the sauerkraut is finished fermenting you can refrigerate it, freeze it or can** it in a hot water bath.

Sauerkraut is one of the most basic and simplest fermented foods.  There are great resources to learn more.  My favorite books on fermentation are Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon and Wild Fermentation by Sandor Katz

Applying heat to cook or can the sauerkraut will destroy the beneficial bacteria, but it will still taste good ;)

Beginner's Washcloth

Washcloths are great projects for beginners.  They work up quick and are a great way to practice new stitches or motifs.  If you have never used a crocheted washcloth you are in for a treat.  They are thick and luxurious for face or body and also work well as dishcloths.

This pattern uses US crochet terms.  If you have any questions about this pattern, leave a comment and I will do my best to help you out.

To make this washcloth you will need worsted weight cotton yarn such as Lily's Sugar 'N Cream and a size G crochet hook.





Beginner's Washcloth

Foundation: Ch 35.  You can make this beginning chain longer or shorter but it must be an odd number of chains
1) 1 dc in 5th ch from the hook, ch 1, * skip 1 ch, dc in next ch, ch 1, repeat from * across putting 1 dc in the last ch
2) Ch 1, turn, *2 hdc in ch 1 sp, repeat from * across putting the final 2 hdc in the beginning ch 4 sp
3) ch 4, *skip 1 st, dc in next st, ch 1, repeat from * across putting 1 dc in the last hdc
4) repeat alternating row 2 & 3 until your washcloth is square finishing with row 3 so the beginning and ending rows are the open work.

Border: Ch 1 to ease around the corner, work sc into the ends of the rows putting 3 sc around the post  of the dc on the open work rows and 1 sc in the ends of hdc rows.  Once you reach the bottom of the first side, ch 1 to ease around the corner, place 2 sc in each space along the bottom edge, ch 1 to each around the next corner, work 3 sc in the ends of the open work rows and 1 sc in the ends of the hdc rows as before, ch 1, work 2 sc in each ch 1 space along the top and final edge, sl st into the first ch 1 of the border to join the round.  Fasten off and weave in the ends.  Block in desired.

Please link back to this original pattern when sharing.

Check out some of my other free patterns
Mini Woven Basket
Baby Teether Toys
Crochet Coaster
Rainbow Swirl Bonnet


This pattern was submitted to Hookin on Hump Day Link Party on Moogly

Quinoa Salad

If you haven't tried quinoa before, or if you have less than adventurous eaters in your family, this just may be the recipe you have been waiting for.  With the familiar flavors of a traditional salad, this salad is a good introduction to the nutty, chewy and delicate texture of quinoa.

Quinoa is vegan and naturally gluten free so its a great options for potlucks and parties that everyone can enjoy.

This is just a base recipe that can be adjusted to what you have on hand and your preferences.

1 cup dry quinoa

2-3 cups chopped veggies (such as carrots, green onions, bell peppers, celery, cucumber, broccoli or cauliflower florets, cherry tomatoes, olives, pepperonicini, celery, etc).

3/4 -1 cup Italian salad dressing

salt and pepper to taste

Cook the quinoa according to the package directions.  Rinse the quinoa unless the package says otherwise.  Generally bring 1 cup of quinoa and 2 cups of water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer covered for 15 minutes until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender, translucent and curly tendrils release from the grains.  Spread the quinoa out on a large plate and put in the fridge to cool.

Combine the quinoa, the vegetables and the salad dressing.  Season with salt and pepper.  Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. 

Mini Woven Basket

This pattern makes a mini woven basket.  Perfect for Easter or any time of the year.  They are small and work up quick.  Use them to hold small amounts of candy, or as a Christmas tree ornament.

You can work these up in contrasting colors or use a single color.

This pattern uses US crochet terms.  If you have any questions about this pattern, leave a comment and I will do my best to help you.

To make this basket you will need only small amounts of yarn.  Using a stiff yarn, like Red Heart Super Saver, works well so the basket stands up on its own.  I used a size G crochet hook but any similar sized hook will work. 

Mini Woven Basket

Special stitches: 

Tall stitch : yo 5 times, insert the hook into the st, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops on the hook 6 times.

Foundations: Ch 3, sl st in the 3rd ch from the hook to form a ring

1. Ch 2, 12 dc in the ring, sl st to the first dc to join the round.

2. Ch 3, dc in the same space, 2 dc in each st around, sl st into the back loop of the first dc to join.

3. Ch 7, 1 tall stitch into the back loop of each st around, sl st in the top of the beginning ch 7 to join.

4. Ch 1, sc between each tall stitch around, sl st in first sc to join.

5. Ch 1, 1 sc in next 2 st,

6. Ch 1 and turn, 1 sc in next 2 st, repeat step six 28 more times to make the handle.  Fasten off leaving a tail long enough to attach the basket handle to the opposite side.

7. With contrasting yarn, ch 175.

8. Using a yarn needle, attach the beginning tail of the ch to the inside bottom of the basket.  Weave the chain over and under the tall stitches.  As you come all the way around, continue weaving a second layer now weaving the chain under the tall stitches you previously went over and over the tall stitches you previously went under.  You will continue weaving for a total of 4 layers.  Adjust the woven chain if needed to make a neat and tidy basket.  Then pull out any extra chain stitches then tack the end of the chain to the inside of the basket to secure.

This is my original design, please link back to this original pattern when sharing.

Check out some of my other crochet patterns
Spiral Mittens
Sand Dollar Coaster
Daisy Bonnet
Conversation Heart Coaster

Simple Polka Dot Headband

Here is a quick and easy headband.  Add a punch of color to brighten up any outfit.  They are so quick and easy you can make one for every day of the week.

This pattern uses US crochet terms.  If you have any questions about this pattern, leave a comment and I will do my best to help you out.

You only need scraps of worsted weight yarn to make this project.  You can make it as long as you want to fit any size head from adult to baby, or make it even smaller and wear it as a bracelet.  I made this pattern with a size G crochet hook but any similar sized hook will work.

Simple Polka Dot Headband

Measure around your head plus 8 inches (4 inches on each tie) to get the total length of your finished headband.  The headband I made has 9 circles.  You can make as many circles as you want, just adjust the length of the ties to make your headband long enough.

For the circles:

make a magic circle, ch 3 (counts as the first dc) then put 11 more dc in the ring, join with a sl st into the top of the beginning ch 3 to join the round, fasten off, weave in ends.

Or

Ch 3, sl st into the 3rd ch from the hook to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as first dc) put 11 more dc in the ring, sl st into the top of the beginning ch 3 to join the round, fasten off, weave in ends.

With the contrasting yarn:

ch 44 (or as long as needed), join onto the first circle by inserting the hook into any st from the front side.  Yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through both loops on the hook then *2 sc in the next 5 st.  Insert the hook into the next st, then into any st of the next circle from the back side (the 2 circles should be stacked, back sides facing each other) yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through both loops on the hook, repeat from * until all the circles are joined.  In the last circle added, 2 sc in the next 5 st, 1 sc in the next sc, fasten off.

Turn the work upside down and repeat.  (Make a chain for the second tie, attach into the same st you just worked into before fastening off, then 2 sc in next 5 st, the next st was were the circles were joined, insert the hook through the stitches of both circles, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through both loops on the hook, then continue on the second circle with 2 sc in the next 5 st.  Continue to the end, place 1 sc in the last st (same st that the first tie was attached))  

weave in ends, tie overhand knots at the ends of your ch ties and clip excess yarn from the ends of the ties.

This post was submitted to Hookin on Hump Day on Moogly