Praying
I sit here in my "happy" home with my "happy" son, knowing my husband is at work... And yet there are those that are sitting devastated at home right now... 2 different occasions of stabbings today! One in a Pennsylvania, USA high school and one in a Toronto, Canada office building! So far no casualties, but several in critical condition... Then, in trying to find out more information I learn there was a shooting that resulted in a casualty at the Marine Base where my brother is stationed (he's fine)... My heart is breaking for these families... Not only for the victims but for the suspects as well... All that I can say is that I'm praying and ask that you join me!
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. James 5:13 NIV
Tutorial for 6" Open Cross Square
I love Aurora Suominen's Open Cross Square and constantly send people to it, especially if they are new to crochet... I've had a few people ask me for a written version (no abbreviations, full explanation)... So I thought I would add it here...
Open Cross Square:
Chain 4 and join to form a ring
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| Round 1 and 2 |
Round 1. Chain 3 (counts as the first double crochet), the make 15 more double crochet in the ring, join with the 3rd chain of the beginning chain 3
Round 2. Chain 3, Double crochet in same stitch, stitch **chain 3 and skip the next stitch, single crochet in the next stitch, chain 3 and skip the next stitch, 2 double crochet in next stitch** repeat inside the ** 3 more times, ending with the second chain 3, slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3.
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| Round 3 before joining |
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| Round 4 and 5 |
Round 4: Chain 3, double crochet in next, **(2 double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet) all in chain 1 space, double crochet in next 2, Chain 3, Single crochet in next single crochet, Chain 3, double crochet in next 2** Repeat inside the ** 3 times ending on second chain 3 and join with slip stitch to top chain of beginning chain 3.
Round 5: Chain 3, double crochet in next 3 double crochet, **(2 double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet) all in chain 2 space, double crochet in next 4 double crochet, Chain 3, single crochet in next single crochet, Chain 3, double crochet in crochet next 4 double crochet** Repeat 3 times inside the ** ending with second chain 3 and join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3.
Round 6: chain 1, **single crochet in next 6 double crochet, 3 single crochet in corner, single crochet in next 6 double crochet, 3 single crochet in chain 3, single crochet in next single crochet, single crochet in next chain 3** Repeat 3 times in the ** and join with a slip stitch to first single crochet.
The written instrutions kind of pull in at the chain 3 parts, so I modify it a bit (which does make it a little more complicated... Here is a picture of both methods and I will write my way second, so you can ignore it if you want...
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| Left: as written using single crochet only Right: using my modifications that include single crochet, half double crochet and double crochet |
Modified Round 6. Chain 1, **single crochet in next 6 double crochet, 3 single crochet in corner, single crochet in next 6 double crochet, (2 single crochet, 1 half double crochet) in chain 3, double crochet in next single crochet, (1 half double crochet, 2 single crochet) in next chain 3** Repeat 3 times in the ** and join with a slip stitch to first single crochet.
Half Double Crochet explanation: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops at once.
Knit, crochet and life
So what do I have going on almost half way through the first month of the year?
There isn't much going in life... Getting some laughs with my family (O usually has us in stitches), trying to keep my blood pressure regulated as much as I can (don't seem to be doing so well with that) and keeping on... I'm loving the 3 crockpot system I got for Christmas, I can make 3 nights of food at once and freeze them in proportions for one meal! Seems to be the perfect answer for when I need an easy meal, but don't want to sacrifice the nutrition (or have frozen pizza too often)...
I have been doing great at keeping up with my daily bible reading, and that makes me ecstatic! The devotional is behind some times but it's easy to get back on track and I do, so that is great...
On the hooks: I've made 3 dishcloths this month... I just finished an owl bonnet pattern test (although I need to disassemble it and resemble it)... I'm starting a dragonfly pattern test for the same designer...
I need to get a pattern tested wrote and posted (free scarf pattern) and I need to get another one that has been tested up (shawl pattern to sell)... Have a dishcloth pattern that I will need to write and possibly test by Aug...
On the needles: I have made a knit dishcloth (plus I learned some basic cable knitting by making a dishcloth at the end of last month), and working on a couple more... One is a mystery knit a long that will take the whole month, it seems like fun... It's hosted by The Domestic Dash, here is this month's "Riddle Me This" dishcloth...
I still have my personal shawl that I'm trying to finish, but it is my filler project and right now I have too many other things... I also want to design a knit dishcloth that will need finished and tested by Aug if I can (this will be a little harder as I am still learning almost everything about knitting)
As new things progress I'll share :-)
I want to share my bible verse for the year with you... It is a great reminder to hear often :-)
Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with what you have. For He Himself has said "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
New Year again
Yep, it's another year and yep I didn't keep up like I planned again last year!
Ah well, I said I'd write when I wanted and no more hehe...
In my home/family
I am reading the bible in a year, actually started on the first this year and plan to post every Sun on my progress to give myself accountability... I also started a one year devotional by Joyce Meyer...
I'll continue to sing in the praise team when I can, and try to be more diligent in realizing when I can't (instead of passing out on stage), when possible...
This year I'll be getting things ready to start O in Kindergarten... He is so smart, but there are some "requirements" that he still needs to learn...
Greg and I just celebrated 6 years of marriage! And we've been together for 13 1/2 years... Wow, that is almost half my age! Looking forward to many more!!!
In my crafting
I hope to start and use an etsy shop... And I'd like to do more designing... I want to continue to improve my knitting skills... Other than those broad goals, I'm not setting any specific ones for my crafts... Less stress and more options/flexibility!
Well the last thing I have is my verse for the year
Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
Another pattern I've created
I have created this very textured double thick, reversible hat using only 2 stitches. There are multiple sizes. Toddler (1-3yrs) will work for anyone with a head circumference around 16-17”. Child (4-10yrs) will work for anyone with a head circumference around 18-19”. Adult Female will work for anyone with a head circumference around 19-20”. and Adult Male will work for anyone with a head circumference around 21-22”. It is worked in one continuous “tube”, and it can easily be lengthened or shortened, with instructions on how in the pattern. Although I used Red Heart any worsted weight yarn should work.
Materials needed include 5-6 oz (200-280 yds) worsted weight yarn in 2 colors, H/8/5.00mm hook, blunt-end needle.
Written in US terminology.
Intermediate level: although only 2 sts, 1 is not a “typical” stitch and the pattern can be a little confusing with the increases and decreases.
A very big thank you to my testers: Joanne, Carmen, Cindy, and Shannon!
You can buy it at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/xs-reversible-hat for $3.50
<b>When it snows, she does not fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.</b> <i>Proverbs 31:21</i>
An awesome crock pot breakfast casserole
So I was trying to find a fairly quick and easy crock pot meal as I wanted to leave and knew I had Praise Team practice, but the husband and son would want supper... I searched and found several breakfast casseroles but they used potatoes (afraid hubby would have a texture problem with that) or the reviews weren't very good (one was written on a blog by someone who didn't like the recipe)... So I decided to try my mom's tried and true breakfast casserole, that we make in the oven, in the crock pot... *insert nervous laugh lol* So I did... Then got home and had 15 mins to change, eat, run through with hubby what our son needed and get out the door... Needless to say I forgot a picture and since there is none left with only 2 adults and a 4yr old, I would say it's a hit!
So here is my recipe
1 lb ground sausage
1 box stuffing (we prefer cornbread flavor)
6 eggs
Approx 1 cup milk (honestly I never measure this, just use to thin out the eggs some)
A lot of shredded cheese (we usually use cheddar and you can omit as much of this as you want)
Brown ground sausage in skillet (wished I had some sage to cook into this). Place evenly across bottom of crock pot. Place half of cheese on top (if omitting some, but not all, I would omit this layer). Add the stuffing (straight from the box). Add the rest of the cheese. Whisk together eggs and milk (add salt and pepper if you like) and pour over the entire casserole. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. I don't think I would recommend much over 6 hours, and be warned that the cheese will burn at this length of time (my family loves burnt cheese).
That's it! The longest part was browning the frozen sausage and I was still done in less than 30 mins!
Hope you enjoy, I'll try to get a picture next time... I may also try seeing what veggies I could add to the sausage layer, but I didn't have much on hand...
Proverbs 31:27~ "She's watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness"
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