Happy New Year!

I know it's been a long time since my last post. I'm sorry. The holidays took every minute I could spare.
I'm happy to report the I finished everything! I ended up making 90 mitten ornaments, 10 tote bags, 6 sets of hand warmers, 3 hats, 4 potholders, a pair of socks, a giraffe, 2 pairs of legwamers & a pair of slippers.  That is the largest number of handmade gifts I've ever
made in a single year.
I think you can understand why I needed a break.
I am currently working on some cafe curtains for my kitchen. I have an idea of working lace strips & sewing them together. I'm using white & green # 10 crochet thread. When I get them farther along I'll post pics & a pattern.
I recently got a new droid phone. So now I can post from my phone. Hopefully I'll be able to post a lot more!
Thanks for being patient with me. I promise that you won't be sorry. I have a bunch of fun ideas for this year!
Carol

Oops! & a new pattern

Good morning!

I was going to start on another set of handwarmers this morning & realized that I forgot how many stitches to cast on. I went to my blog post about them & realized that I messed up.
I put "co 52". It was actually supposed to be co 42 sts.  I am so sorry for this. I guess that will teach me to blog when I haven't had enough coffee! lol

I told you before that I am going to make mini mittens for the children at school. Well, I got burned out on the knitting pattern I had selected. It's a very good pattern, don't get me wrong, but I get bored very easily. (That's why I always have 4 or 5 things going at once!)

I found a crochet mini mitten pattern.  (I crochet faster than I knit, but I love to them both) I wasn't happy with the pattern though. They were way too big for what I was wanting. So I came up with my own. (I wrote it done this time. So hopefully it is correct. lol)

Crocheted Mini Mitten Ornaments
H hook/ Worsted weight yarn ( I used white & "paddy green" Red Heart Super Saver)

with white:
ch 20, join w/sl st to form circle
1) ch1, sc in each st around, join (change to green)
2-4) ch 1, sc in each st around, join
5) ch1, sc in first 9 sc, sc twice in next to 2 sc, sc in last 9 sc, join
6) ch1, sc in first 10 sc, sc twice in next 2 sc, sc in last 10 sc, join
7) ch1, sc in first 11 sc, sc twice in next 2 sc, sc in last 11 sc, join
8) ch1, sc in first 12 sc, sc twice in next 2 sc, sc in last 12 sc, join
9) ch1, sc in each st around, join
10) ch1, sc in first 10 sc, ch 1, skip 8 sc (thumb), sc in last 10 sc, join
11) ch1, sc in first 10 sc, sk ch1, sc in last 10 sc, join
12-15) ch1, sc in each st around, join
16) ch1, sc  2 st tog. join (10sc)
17) ch1, sc 2 st tog. join (5sc)
Cut yarn & thread through the 5sc, draw up tightly & fasten off

For the thumb:
Join Green at ch 1 space, ch1
1) sc in the 8 skipped sc, join
2-3) ch1, sc in each st around, join
4) ch 1, sc 2 sts tog., join (4sc)
Cut yarn, thread through the 4 sc, draw up tightly & fasten off

For hanging loop:
Attatch white to joining stitch of beg. chain.
slip st in each st around, join.
ch 15 & join to last sl st.

Weave in tails.

The finished mitten!

It's about 4 1/2" long (sorry about the pic quality)

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Tote Bags

Good Morning!

Here is the link to the pattern I am using for the tote bags I am making.

http://www.michaels.com/Lily%C2%AE-Sugar%E2%80%99n-Cream%C2%AE-Crochet-Reusable-Grocery-Bag/e06684,default,pd.html?printpreview=true

It works up really quickly. I am making all the pieces & I am going to assemble them. Once I have one completely put together I will post a pic of it.

Hope you have a great day!

Sorry I've been away so long....

Good morning!
I know it's been a while since my last post. I must apologize. I had a horrible cold & didn't feel like doing anything. I'm feeling much better now though.

I have many projects going on.

I decided to make tote bags for the teachers' & the other women on my Christmas list. I will post the link to the pattern & pictures of the ones I have finished later in the week.

I have also been working on the simple fingerless mitts that I will be giving to the men on my Christmas list this year.  I have one set completed. I am working on making the pattern multi-sized, but as of right now here is the pattern I have used.

Fingerless mitts

Worsted Weight yarn / # 5 knitting needles (gauge is not really that important for these)

CO 54 sts.

K2, P2 rib for approximately 8 1/2" (or to the length you would like)

BO in pattern.

Fold sides together & sew about 1 1/2". Leave about 2" open & then sew the remaining stitches together.

Really quick, simple & will fit a lot of different sized hands because it is entirely ribbed.

Hope you have a great day!

Chicken Dumplings Recipe

Good morning!

Today I would like to share an easy recipe that my family loves.

Chicken & Dumplings
Broth (but feel free to use any recipe you like--or even canned broth in a pinch)

• 3# chicken (I usually use boneless skinless breast that are frozen. I can get these for $6-$8 & there is a lot less fat. You can use any part of the chicken you have handy or want to use)
• 1 medium onion (quartered)
• 1/2-1 cup mini carrots (or you can use cut up whole carrots)
• Salt & Pepper (& any other spices you would like) to taste

I simply boil all of these in a large pot for a few hours (until the chicken is done).
Remove the chicken (set aside so it can cool some & then tear into large pieces)
Remove the carrots, onions & any other veggies you may have put in.

Bring broth to a boil.

Dumplings (This is also my biscuit recipe.)
(all measurements are approximates because I seldom measure for this recipe.)

• 4 c self rising flour
• 1/2 c shortening (lard & even margarine can be used)
• Water (or milk) enough to form a good dough (not to wet, not to dry)

Roll dough on lightly floured surface to about 1/4" - 1/2" thick.

Cut into 2" rectangles. (just a suggested size. These seem to cook up well. I use a pizza cutter to cut mine)

Lightly flour each piece & drop into the boiling broth.
Cover & turn heat to low.
Simmer for 10mins.

I usually do several batches (I only put in enough for one layer in the pot)

Remove the dumplings & repeat with remaining dumplings.

Once you have the last batch done add the chicken & the other dumplings back to the pot & stir it all up.
Serve with any of your favorite sides & enjoy.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Pictures!

Good morning!

I promised yesterday that I would post pictures of the mini mittens. So here you go

Finished the thumb gusset

Ready for the thumb

It's finished!

Once again here is the link for this quick & easy pattern.
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/mitten-ornaments

I'm working all the bugs out of the pattern for my simple fingerless mitts. (I want to make sure that it's easy & can make a variety of sizes). Hope to have the finished pattern later in the week.

I also am going to start a new idea I have for a twist on a convertible mitten pattern. I'll keep you posted as to how it goes.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Mini Mittens Pattern

Good morning!

I am finally sharing the link for the mini mitten ornaments I am making for my children's classes.
I am using a pattern I found on Red Heart's website. I love their site. You can find so many useful things & a wide variety of patterns.

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/mitten-ornaments

Please check them out today!

I will post a picture of a finished mitten tomorrow (hopefully-- :-) )

I am also working on some fingerless mitts to give as Christmas gifts to the men on my list. I am currently working out the pattern. Once, I have it finished (& in written form) I will put it here.

Have a great day!