Muse Breaks

Well,

I just got back from Christmas in Iowa, where I got to donate my table runner to the dinner table.   Here's a photo of how it looked, complete and beneath a gorgeous centerpiece:


I definitely recommend giving that one a go if you're looking for some wintery charm around the house.  The link to the pattern is right here.  I also promised ages ago that I'd post the picture of the completed lace doily I did as my first lace project, so here that is:



I've also been crocheting like mad lately to get several projects done for other people, as well as to fundraise for my dog's upcoming leg surgery.  So far I've completed four cowls, six dog sweaters (with a seventh and eighth on the way, and a ninth promised upon receiving measurements), two beanie hats.....and I think that's it.  I've also got to finish a piece of cover art for a local company, so I've been a really busy bee!

BUT!

Not too busy to post pictures, patterns, or recipes!



The dog sweaters are too complicated and varied to really give instructions on, but here are some of my faves:





All made either from free patterns on the web or improvised designs based on what I learned from practicing those free patterns.  Once you get the hang of how the sweater fits, it becomes a lot simpler and faster!

Hats are just about the easiest thing to make, though.  All yarns are different, so you really have to improvise your hat and constantly fit it to make sure you make the right size.  For the two hats I made over the break, I just increased in every stitch to keep the top flat until it started to ruffle, then increased less and less until the top of the head was done.  Then you just work the sides in rounds (I did the whole main piece in double crochet, one color) without increasing until you get to the brim, which I worked in alternating front post and back post double crochets for 2 or 3 rows.  Voila!  You have a beanie.  Here's how my first one looked:


The cowls are even easier.  Just chain the width you want (slip it over your head - it can be SUPER loose, or super snug, it's just up to you!), slip stitch to join, chain two, turn, and double crochet back across (don't twist the chain!).  Turn if you want, or work in the round - it's all up to you.  You can keep it all one width or decrease toward the top to keep it up on your nose like a scarf.  You can pretty much do whatever you want with it.  Here's a couple photos of one I made for myself and one for my fiance:

All one width, made with scraps of lion brand ruffly yarn.  Homespun, maybe?

This one decreased slowly and steadily from bottom to top so it would stay up on the nose in the cold.

Both yarns are wool and alpaca blends, if I remember correctly.  Very soft and warm.  Remember not to throw wool in the washer - it will felt!

You don't have to be too picky about the shape - cowls are meant to be carefree, loose, and cozy.

There you go - a ton of crochet stuff.



What about a recipe?  Here's one for kringla, a Norwegian type of cookie, passed down generations in my fiance's family (the Henrysons):

Ingredients:
2 c. sour cream
1 c. buttermilk
1 1/4 c. sugar
1 t. salt
1/4 c. butter, melted
4 1/2 c. flour
3 t. baking powder
2 t. baking soda
about 1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix dough and chill.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  You may have to add more flour until the dough is workable - then layout some flour on the counter and put a small bit of dough on that.  Pull off a small section and roll it out into a long tube (about 8 inches or so), then fold it on a baking sheet into a figure eight.  Fill pan in the same fashion, then bake at 400 until VERY lightly browned (about 9 minutes in my oven).  The browner, the crispier - which is fine unless you love tender, soft kringla like me!

Extra dough or cookies will freeze just fine - but fresh kringla is best shared with as many people as you can!


-MM

Tonight my fiance decided to make pasta, but wasn't sure what to do about the sauce.  I tried to give him a recipe for one, but wound up experimenting over the stove instead.  Here's what I came up with - a very simple white sauce with a citrusy flavor that goes great over angel hair:

Ingredients:
1/4 stick salted butter
1 cup or so whole milk (depending on how thin you want it)
1 egg
1-2 tbsp flour (play with it)
1/4 cup parmesan
Artichoke hearts
Capers
Lemon juice
Powdered garlic
Parsley (fresh or dried)
Salt

Directions:
1.  Melt butter in small pot over medium heat.
2.  Add milk and heat through.
3.  Add flour and parmesan, stir constantly from this point on to avoid cooking the egg.
4.  Add milk or reduce as needed to maintain consistency you desire.  Add in the artichoke hearts and capers so they can start mixing in their flavors.
5.  Once you have the thickness you want, season with lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and salt, all to taste.  That's it!  You have sauce now.

I'm sorry I didn't measure specifics, but honestly, it's whatever tastes right to you.  The salt will counteract any leftover flour tastes (which you should try to work out before you put in the artichokes, or they'll catch all the flour.  I freaking hate using flour in sauces.) and will bring out the lemon, the lemon will compliment the garlic (don't ask me how), and the parsley adds nice color and garnish.  I always have trouble melting the parmesan fully, which is why it's added early on, and using grated over shredded helps, too.



By the way - I'm SO close to finishing that lace doily I started ages ago, have several tiny glass doilies I ought to get around to posting photos of, and I completed the snowflake table runner but haven't sewn in the ends yet or blocked it.  Pics soon, I promise!

-MM

Hiya!

I injured my hand a short while ago, leaving a lace project of mine sitting on the table unfinished.  In the meantime, I decided to pick up a big hook again and do a project with actual yarn for the first time in quite a while.  I settled on a table runner that will eventually look like this:


Nifty, isn't it?  I thought it would be the perfect thing to bring to Christmas dinner in Iowa, when my fiance's family get together.  It's working up very quickly, is a very simple pattern, and is really easy on my hand.

You can probably knock it out in a day of crocheting, but I'm moving a bit slower than normal.  I'll post a photo when it's complete and blocked out.  I'm making it with a 5.5 mm hook in white Bernat Softee yarn, which will hopefully be able to handle stains and washings provided it's done so gently.

The pattern is available for free PDF download here.  I might be making a more delicate, lacy version if I get bored of making lace doilies once my hand heals up.

Enjoy the early burst of Christmas!  I normally don't get started this early, but the pattern was just so cute I couldn't help it.  Fall is my absolute favorite time of year, though, so you can bet the coming weeks will be full of fun autumnal inspiration.  :)

-Miss Mouse