Railway Ties Scarf and other things

I still exist I promise. This month has been crazy. My husband and I were having really bad luck finding a place to move in to in Toronto, so on the forth we packed a U haul truck and moved all of our stuff to Toronto, and put it into storage. On our way across the Border we picked up our visas. We stayed at different friends houses for  the next four days while we ran around the city looking for a place to live in our budget, and without needing a cosigner. It was crazy. It seemed like all the places we could look at my husband was to tall to live in them. He is only 6 ft.

We did find a place. It is a basement apartment with 7 ft ceilings. The land lords are an older lady and her daughter. It took seven hours all together to get the contract all together, because of translation and different customs. It is in North York.

During this time my Grandma passed away so we then had to go back to the states for the funeral. We also had to wait for the different banks to transfer our money to pay for the rent. But now we are finally moved. Boxes are every where, but we will get there.

Also during this time I had a new pattern published with Crochetvolution. It is a very simple scarf pattern. Rail way Ties Scarf . It is a free pattern so go take a look.

The things we do for yarn.

I had to go to Wal-mart the other day. My family and I were helping at summer camp and we needed to pick up a couple of things. We needed new toothbrushes, extra toothpaste (since we would be separated), hand sanitizer, and some pens. We got the dental items and the next item on our list was pens.

If your wal-mart is like ours you know that the pen aisle is right next to the yarn aisle. I told my husband, "I'm just going to look." And look I did. Only to find that they had their cotton yarn on sale for a DOLLAR A SKEIN. I can't pass that up. I should tell you now that I did not have a cart with me. We were just going in for 3 things. Also as usual all the yarn was mixed up and the colors were all in the wrong spots so the ones that were only a dollar were actually sitting somewhere else. So I had to go through all of them and readjust them into their right spots to read the bar codes, so that I could get the right ones on sale.

I was able to find seven skeins that were on sale for a dollar each. I grabbed them up, only to have half of them fall, because I did not have a cart. One of the skeins fell and landed under the aisle. I couldn't reach it! I had to have that skein! I remembered the toothbrush in my hand. I got on my hands and knees and swiped the toothbrush under the aisle and the skein came up. At this point I finally thought to myself, "I really hope I don't end up on the Wal-mart People page."

So if you ever see a video surveillance tape of a crazy lady wielding a toothbrush to claim her cotton skein...it's just me. 

Copycat Striped Bag

 A Free Crochet Pattern

I was looking at Pintrest and I came across this bag. Don't all crafting stories start like that.

It is sold for 138.00. I knew I could get a similar look for a lot cheaper. I had some Red heart: Lustersheen lying around and I thought the colors would work for what I was wanting. Now I have come to find out that these colors are discontinued, but they have other great colors to choose from. Also you could substitute any fingering size yarn for this project. I used stuff that I already had so this bag was free for me. 

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copy cat stripped bag

Designer: Julia Schwartz
Yarn: Red heart: Lustersheen I used one ball for each color

Hook: E/ 4-3.50mm

Notions: embroidery needle, thread, straight pins, handles, fabric. 

Size:12 in by 10 in

Gauge:  11 hdc = 2 in, 4 rows = 1 in
Copyright:

Julia Schwartz. Do not reproduce, copy, distribute, or sell this pattern without permission of the designer. This pattern must not be translated, reproduced, or circulated in another language without prior consent. If you have questions about this pattern please contact Julia.diligence@gmail.com.

Where can I get this pattern

This is a free Pattern right here on the blog. Just keep scrolling down to find the pattern. If you would like an ads free, printer friendly PDF version I have them for sale in my Ravelry Shop for $1.00.

<------------>buy now<------------>

Instructions Copy Cat Bag

Front and back panel

Row 1: Ch 113, hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in each ch across for 112 hdc

Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as stitch), turn, hdc in each ch across 

Repeat row 2 for 20 more rows. Switch colors at row 6, 10, 14, 18. 

Side panel (make 2)

Note: Row 1 starts the bottom of the side panel. 

Row 1:  Ch 31, hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in each ch across for 30 hdc

Row 2: Ch 1(does not count as a st here and throughout), turn,  hdc in next 14 hdc, 2 hdc in the next two hdc, hdc in the last 14 hdc. 32 hdc

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc in the next 15 hdc, 2 hdc in the next two hdc, hdc in the last 15 hdc. 34 hdc

Row 4: Ch 1, turn, hdc in the next 16 hdc, 2 hdc in the next 2 hdc, hdc in the last 16 hdc. 36 hdc

Change color

Row 5: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each of the 36 hdc

Repeat row 5 for  36 more rows for a total of 40 rows. Change colors every 4 rows. 

Assembly of the bag

Take 1 side panel and fold it in half so the bottom is folded in half.  wip stitch the bottom so that there are 15 hdc touching 15 hdc. Repeat this with the second side. 

Then wip stitch the side panels with the front and back panel. It may help to pin the pieces together so that they will meet up evenly together at the end. 

Add lining and handles to the bag.

This bag has been featured on All Free Crochet; Go check out other great bags and purses there: 
https://www.allfreecrochet.com/Crochet-Bag-Patterns/Prettiest-Crochet-Purse-Patterns

More Patterns You Will Love:  

Garden Party Clutch

Lacey Shells Fingerless Gloves

Pin For Later!

Date Night with Daddy: a short story

Date Night with Daddy

Short story by Julia Schwartz

Ring ring, ring ring.

“Hello”

“Yes,  hello. Mrs. Schwartz this is Matilda. I have the most shocking news for you. I hate to be the one that has to tell you, but I thought you should know.”

“oh”

“I saw your husband out last night with another woman, at the Italian Restaurant.”

“I was wondering where he ended up last night.”

“Well yes, I watched him get out of the car with this woman, well I should say girl she was a young thing.  She was completely infatuated with him she practically begged him to carry her inside the restaurant.  I do have to say he was quite the gentleman. When they got inside he held out the chair for her and made sure she was sitting down properly, but I have to tell you it was very shocking.  She kept wanting to sit on his lap! And he let her!  

“That’s not hard to believe”

“Oh I’m sorry to say it only gets worse. He ordered their food for them and when it came out. The girl insisted that she have a napkin around her neck, so he put one on her then put on one himself.  In spite of the napkin she got spaghetti all over herself, and if you remember she kept trying to sit on your husband’s lap, it also got all over him. He was very kind and just laughed it off. 

“Well now I know why he came home so dirty.”

“Unfortunately, there is more.”

“More”

“Well, when they got done with dinner she insisted that they have chocolate cake with ice cream. As if the spaghetti wasn’t messy enough. After one bite of cake she decided they needed to dance. They don’t even have a dance floor, but they danced anyway. And during the dance, I can’t even tell you.  She fell asleep in his arms!  He had to pay for the check and carry her out to the car. I have never seen such a show.” 

“Well yes, thank you for telling me about his night. He and the little lady went straight to bed and they are still sleeping. I’m so glad daddy date night went so well.”

“Yes, I just knew you would want to know.” 

Happy Father's Day to the best daddy there is. 

Outside of the Box: A Simple Yoke and PJ Eater

I was in Goodwill the other day. (Lots of great craft stories start out this way don't you think) And I found this shirt.

Uh Yikes. 

When I saw it there was no way I was going to wear it but I saw a lot of potential for it becoming a PJ Eater. You can find the pattern for them here. http://sewfearless.com/patterns-and-tutorials/the-pajama-eater-pattern/.

 I think she turned out pretty well.

I still had some leftover fabric from the shirt. So I made this shirt for my daughter.

I took her measurements, and cut out two rectangles to match those measurements, I sewed them together and hemmed it on both sides. For the yoke I made a simple lace strip to go around the bodice and two more strips for the straps.

The repeating pattern for the lace strip is:
Row 1: Ch the amount of ch you want in multiples of 2, dc in third ch from hook, and in each ch
Row 2: Ch 4,* sk 1 dc, (dc and ch 1) in next dc* repeat to end
Row 3: Ch 4,* 3dctog in next dc, ch 1* repeat to second to last dc, dc in last dc.
Row 4: Ch 4, 1 dc and 1 ch in each 3dctog, dc in last dc
Row 5: Ch 3, dc in each ch space and dc across
Continue repeating rows 2-5 till you have the length desired.

If you would like to see an adult version: Go Here!

Primrose Newborn Hat

A free Crochet Pattern

I have a new pattern for you. I had a lot of fun designing this one. I wanted a hat that when it was done it would look like a flower laying over the babies head. Sort of how a fairy would look if they had a flower for a hat.

There is also an added bonus of warmth around the ears of the hat because of the back post stitches. I have used Simply Soft for the yarn. I love Simply Soft for baby hats because, well its  soooo soft. It also wash and drys really well.

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft,170 g / 6 oz, 288 meters / 315 yards, acrylic 

Hook:8/H 5mm

Size: Newborn
Gauge:  13 sc and 14 rows with a 5 mm (U.S. H/8) crochet hook

Notes: Ch 3 at the start of a round always counts as a st, Ch 2 at the st of a round does not count as a st.
Where Can I Get This Pattern
This is a Free Pattern. Keep scrolling down to read this pattern. This pattern is also available for purchase through my Ravelry Store for $3.00. buy now

You can click on the link for an instant download of the ads free and printer friendly PDF, or you can go directly to my Ravelry Store to add it to your Favorites first.  

Round 1: Make an adjustable loop, ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), and make 9 dc in loop, pull tight, and sl st into beg dc.  (10 dc)

Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in next st,( FPdc, and dc) in next st, 2 dc in next st, (dc and  fpdc) in next stitch, {2 dc in next st} repeat {to}once, (fpdc and dc) in next st, 2 dc in next st, (dc and fpdc) in last st, sl st in first ch 3.  (20 st)

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st, fpdc in next st, { 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st, fpdc in next st} repeat {to} 2 more times, sl st into beg ch 3.  (28 st)

Round 4: Ch, 3, dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 st, 2 fpdc in next st, {dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 st, 2 fpdc in next st} repeat {to} 2 more times, sl st in beg ch 3. (37 st)

Round 5: Ch 3, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 st, fpdc around next 2 st, {dc in the next 2 sts, 2 dc in the next st, dc in the next st, 2 dc in the next st, dc in the next 2 st, fpdc around the next 2 st}, repeat {to} 2 more times, sl st in beg ch 3. ( 44 st)

Round 6: Sl st into next st, ch 3, dc in the next 2 dc, 2 dc in the next dc, dc in the next 3 dc, sk 1 st, (fpdc, dc) in the fpdc, (dc, fpdc) in the next fpdc, sk 1 dc, {dc in the next 3 dc, 2 dc in the next dc, dc in the next 3 dc, sk 1 st, (fpdc, dc) in the fpdc, (dc, fpdc) in the next fpdc, sk 1 dc}, repeat 2 more times, sl st into beginning st.

Round 7:Sl st into next st, ch 3, dc in the next 5 dc, sk 1 dc, (fpdc, dc) in the fpdc, bpdc in the next 2 st, (dc and fpdc) in the fpdc, sk 1 st, {dc in the next 6 dc, sk 1 dc, (fpdc, dc) in the fpdc, bpdc in the next 2 st, (dc and fpdc) in the fpdc, sk 1 st}, repeat {to} 2 more times, sl st into beginning st.

Round 8:  Sl st into next st, ch 3, dc in the next 3 st, sk 1 st, (fpdc, dc) in the fpdc, bpdc in the next 4 st, (dc, fpdc) in the fpdc, sk 1 st, {dc in the next 4 st, sk 1 st, (fpdc, dc) in the fpdc, bpdc in the next 4 st, (dc, fpdc) in the fpdc, sk 1 st},repeat {to} 2 more times, sl st into beginning st.

Round 9: Sl st into next st, ch 3, dc in the next st, sk 1 st, (fpdc, dc) in the fpdc, bpdc in the next 6 st, (dc, fpdc) in the next fpdc, sk 1 st, {dc in the next 2 st, sk 1 st, (fpdc, dc) in the fpdc, bpdc in the next 6 st, (dc, fpdc) in the next fpdc, sk 1 st}, repeat {to} 2 more times, sl st into beginning st.

Round 10: Ch 3, fpdc around first fpdc made in round 9, {sk 2 st, (fpdc and dc) in fpdc, bpdc in next 8 st, (dc, and fpdc) in next st} repeat {to} 2 more times, sk 2 st, (fpdc dc) in fpdc, bpdc in the next 8 st, you will end with a dc, and sl st into the first fpdc made in the round

Round 11: Ch 3, {fpdc aound both the first and the next fpdc of row, dc in the fpdc just used, bpdc in next 10 st, } repeat {to} 3 more times, sl st into first fpdc.

Round 12- 13: Ch 2 (does not count as a st), bpdc in each st around, sl st in first st.

At the end of round 13 or desired length Finish off and weave in the end.  

More Free Crochet Patterns You Will Love 

Tulips Aplenty Dress

Infant Hat in Simple Cables

Tulips aplenty Jumper

Crochetvolution newest issue came out yesterday and my daughter made the front cover.
That also means I have a new pattern out. 















If you would like to see it you can find it here.
I actually  made this pattern last year. I submitted it to a magazine, it was rejected, so then I had to save it for the warmer weather. It also took me forever to get good pictures of the dress, because it would not stop snowing this year.

This is the original picture I submitted for the jumper, you notice all the snow on the ground. I'm so glad the jumper has found a home and that people will enjoy making it as much as I did.

Frozen Waffles

Did you know you could freeze waffles? I guess it just took me a while to figure that one out; that I could have quick waffles like the kind you get in the freezer section, but you make at home. (Okay that was an awful run-on sentence.) We had some this morning, and I forgot to take pictures. I got too excited about the yummy goodness.  To make them I start with  1 1/2 cups of my homemade-biscuit-mix . To this I add 1 egg, 1 tbsp of sugar, and enough milk to make it into a batter.

I heat my waffle iron up and I pour the batter in the iron. If I was making waffles to eat right then I would cook them till they are golden brown. But for this post we are putting them all in the freezer. If you want to put them in the freezer for a future use only cook them till they are just cooked through. Let them cool off then put them in the freezer bag. Lay them flat in the freezer. When you are ready to use them pull them out of the freezer and pop them in your toaster. They will heat up and get their golden goodness in the toaster. Serve with your favorite syrup.

Usually when I am making waffles to go in my freezer it is because I have made to much batter for pancakes or waffles that morning. This is a chore I do only when I have leftover batter so sometimes I only end up making 1 or 2 at a time. I will just throw them in the bag that is already in the freezer. When the bag gets full the family can get a yummy breakfast without a lot of fuss, or my husband will grab one out for something fast to eat.

Homemade Biscuit Mix

I have a lot of moms in my life, Godly women who have come beside me and guided me into the person I am today. Each one has blessed me, and taught me many things that are important to who I am. This is a recipe from one of those moms, Claudia Nussbaum.

 In college I decided in needed to learn how to make biscuits. Every Wednesday the cafeteria made homemade biscuits and gravy (the joys of going to a small college). When it was time to leave I did not want to miss out on those Wednesday breakfasts.  I asked my mom if she would teach me how to make biscuits. She said that she never mastered them, so she would not be a good teacher. So I was left with finding someone else. On one of the days I was visiting with Claudia I was telling her about my woes in not being able to make biscuits.  She said I can show you and I have a great recipe. She made me some mix to take home with me, and I still use the original Bryers ice cream one gallon container she gave it to me in. (that was eight years ago,  maybe its time to find something new)

Today I use this mix a lot. I use it for biscuits, pancakes, waffles, pinwheels, casserole crusts, and more. I make a batch, and it goes in my gallon ice cream container. It replaces my need to by Bisquick, and it saves time from making it all from scratch, because I make a big batch at one time.

 

 8 Cups all purpose flour
2 tsp salt
1/3 cup baking powder
1 cup solid shortening
8 tsp. sugar (optional)

Combine everything except the solid shortening and mix well. Using a pastry blender or two table knives  to cut the shortening in until the mixture resembles course meal (I usually just use my hand). Store it in a container with an air tight lid. It can be kept in the pantry or the fridge.

I will post some of my recipes using the mix at a later date, I will label them Biscuit mix.

More Recipes You Will Love

Frozen Pizza Crust

 Mini Pound Cake Loaves

Colors of Sunshine Scrapghan

A Free Crochet Pattern

I often get annoyed with patterns claiming to be scrap patterns. You know those patterns that tell you that you will be able to use up some of your scrap stash but then it will tell you you need two skeins of every color.

 I need projects that ask for even less. I have those scraps that when you get to the end of a project you roll it up into a ball and hope it will be enough to make a baby hat or some booties. Maybe you will even make a hat and booties out of that ball and there is still a little left.

You know those scrap balls that your husband hates because he always seems to vacuum them up, or the ones that your three year old gets a hold of when you are not looking and one end ends up at a different side of the house as the other end of the yarn ball. (true stories). Where are the patterns that use those scraps up?

I have come up with one. I will tell you first off though that you will need at least 2 skeins of one solid color, sorry. All the rest will just be scraps; isn't that fantastic!

Colors of Sunshine Scrapghan 

Yarn: any worsted weight 4 yarn scraps, and 2 skeins of a solid color

Hook: J

 Instructions 

First motif:

Round 1: Ch 4, 11 dc in 4^th ch from hook, sl st in to 3^rd starting ch. 12 dc

Round 2: Ch 6,( tr in next dc, ch 2) repeat around sl st in starting st. 12 tr, 12 ch 2 spaces.

Round 3: Ch 1, {sc in tr, ch 3, sk ch 2 sp, dc3tog in next tr, sk ch 2 space, ch 3} repeat around, sl st in beginning st. 6 sc, and 6 dc3tog.

Round 4: Sl st into ch 3 sp, ch 1, 3 sc in same 3 ch sp, ch 3, sk next st,{ 3 sc in next 3 ch space, sk next st, ch 3} repeat around, sl st in firtst sc. Finish off. 12( 3 sc ), and 12 ch 3 sp.

Motif with one joining side:

Repeat rounds 1-3 as in first motif

Round 4: Sl st into ch 3 sp, ch 1, {3 sc in 3 ch sp, ch 1, sk 1 st,  sl st into matching ch 3 sp of motif 1, ch 1, } repeat 2 more times, ,{ 3 sc in next 3 ch space, sk next st, ch 3} repeat around, sl st in beginning sc. 3 joining spots.

Motif with 2 joining sides:

Repeat rounds 1-3 as in first motif

Round 4: Sl st into ch 3 sp, ch 1, {3 sc in 3 ch sp, ch 1, sk 1 st,  sl st into matching ch 3 sp of motif 1, ch 1, } repeat 4 more times, ,{ 3 sc in next 3 ch space, sk next st, ch 3} repeat around, sl st in beginning sc. 5 joining spots.

Motif with 3 joining sides:

Repeat rounds 1-3 as in first motif

Round 4: Sl st into ch 3 sp, ch 1, {3 sc in 3 ch sp, ch 1, sk 1 st,  sl st into matching ch 3 sp of motif 1, ch 1, } repeat 6  more times, ,{ 3 sc in next 3 ch space, sk next st, ch 3} repeat around, sl st in beginning sc. 7 joining spots.

Edging

Round 1: sc in every sc, sc2tog for every joining spot, and (sc, ch 1, sc) in every ch sp, sl st in first st.

 For all additional rounds sc in every st. Finish Off, weave in all ends. 

More Patterns You Will Love

Always Pointing North

Here We Go Do-Se-Do Nine Patch Quilt