Victoria Beanie

I've been really bored sitting on the couch, rehabbing from a badly sprained ankle. When the doctor told me that I should be off it for 7 to 10 days, I had to come up with something to do. So, with the design assistance of one of my favorite teenage "daughters", here is what I spent 2 of my 10 days doing...

The Victoria Slouchy Beanie - designed, in part by Vicki

Supplies:

Yarn - Bernat Softee Baby in Soft Red (it was all I had within reach!)

Size 7 Circular Needles, 16" (and double points in size 7 if desired)

Cable Needle

Stitch Marker

Embroidery or Yarn Needle

Pattern:

Cast on 118 stitches and work 1" in a K1, P1 rib.

After band is formed, begin working the following pattern refering to Chart 1 (cable) and Chart 2 (leaves). 

Row 1: Knit Chart 1 (cable), Knit Chart 2 (leaves) - for this row only K2Tog on the first stitch of Chart 2 (leaves). Repeat Charts 1 and 2 twice more (3 repeats of each chart total)

Since the charts cover different numbers of rows, it is important to keep track of each section independently. Work the charts in pattern until the hat reaches approximately 9" - you will have completed the leaves chart 5 times.

Chart 1 - Cable Pattern

Chart 2 - Leaves Pattern

 Begin Decrease using the following pattern:
Decrease Row 1 - continue to work the cable chart as previous. In each section where the leaves chart is worked K2, K2tog, K7, SSK, P, K2tog, K7, SSK, K2.
Decrease Row 2 - while working cable chart; in leaves section, K2, K2tog, K5, SSK, P, K2Tog, K5, SSK, K2.
Decrease Row 3 - while working cable chart; in leaves section, K2, K2Tog, K3, SSK, P, K2Tog, K3, SSK, K2.
Decrease Row 4 - while working cable chart; in leaves section, K2, K2Tog, K, SSK, P, K2Tog, K, SSK, K2.
Decrease Row 5 - while working cable chart; in leaves section K2, K3Tog, P, K3Tog, K2.
Decrease Row 6 - while working cable chart; in leaves section K3Tog, P, K3Tog.
Decrease Row 7 - while working cable chart; in leaves section K3tog.
Decrease Row 8 - starting in cable section P2Tog, P, work knit stitches as in cable chart, P, P2Tog, K (the stitch left from leaves section). Repeat this twice more, but stop row one stitch short
Decrease Row 9 - with last stitch from previous row P3tog, work knit stitches as in cable chart, P3tog. Repeat twice more.
Decrease Row 10 - P, K2Tog, K2, K2Tog. Repeat twice more.
Decrease Row 11 - K2Tog. Repeat until last stitch. Sew through stitches and bind off to create top of the hat.

Bitty Baby Wave Blanket

I have three granddaughters who have Bitty Babies and they are some of their favorite playmates, when they come here to visit they like to find Auntie Emily's Bitty Twins and play with them wrapping them in an old knitted wave afghan that was made for my girls.  I thought it was time to use up some of the stash yarn and make something they could play with at home that would be just the right size.

For this you will need some worsted weight yarn.  I used Caron Simply Soft in bright colors, and for the second baby blues with
Bernat Softee Baby yarn.
Size I or 5.5 mm hook
yarn needle to weave in ends

The wave pattern in made in multiples of 13 for the base chain, I used 91.  So for this size chain 91.

ROW 1:  Starting in the third chain from the hook DC in the next 4 sts, *(3 DC in the next st, then 1 DC in the next 5 sts., sk the next 2 ch sts., then 1 DC in the next 5 sts), repeat from * across.   At the end ch 3 and turn.
ROW 2:  Sk the first st, then 1 DC in the next 4 sts, *(3 DC in the next st, then 1 DC in the next 5 sts, sk the next 2 sts., then 1 DC in the next 5 sts), repeat from * across.  At the end of the row chain 3 and turn.

Repeat Row 2 until you have completed 36 rows.  

I did 4 rows of each color to make a striped afghan, but you can make your blanket in any color combination that you like.  This is a great way to use up old yarn!!

Kelly the Giraffe crochet hat

I am making this hat for a new baby boy coming to our family this spring a great nephew, and decided to name it Kelly after one of our daughter's friends who LOVES giraffes.  This is a basic hat pattern with some added parts, and will see if I can also work up a moose and horse using the same base pattern.

For this I used Hometown USA yarn in Daytona Lemon
Los Angeles Tan
Billings Chocolate brown.
Size J or 6mm hook
yarn needle
buttons for nostrils and eyes

Size 0-3 months
For the bulky yarn it works best to make a magic ring then ch 2.
Round 1:  make 10 DC in the ring, sl st to the top of the first st and ch 2.
Round 2:  2 DC in each st around, sl sst to the top of the first st, ch 2. (20 DC)
Round 3:  2 DC in the first st, 1 DC in the next, repeat around, sl st to the top of the first st, ch 2 (30 DC)
Round 4:  2 DC in the first st, 1 DC in the next 4 sts, repeat around, sl st to the top of the first st, ch 2 (36 DC)
Rounds 5-8: 1 DC in each st around, sl st to the top of the first st, ch 2 (36 DC).
begin the first ear flap after round 8, ch 1.

Ear flaps.
Row 1:  1 SC in the next 6 sts, ch 1 turn.
Row 2:  SCD in the first 2 sts, 1 SC in the next 2 sts, SCD in the last 2 sts, ch 1 turn.
Row 3:  1 SC in each of the 4 sts across, ch 1 turn.
Row 4:  make 2 SCD sts across, ch 1 turn.
Row 5:  SCD and tie off.
count across 12 sts across the front of the hat and begin the 2nd ear flap.

Starting at the tip of either ear flap with Chocolate Brown, SC evenly around the base of the hat, when you get to the tip of the next ear flap ch 35 then work back up the chain, *sk the first 2 ch sts, then sl st in each st back up to the tip of the ear.  When you get back to the tip of the other ear flap ch 35 and repeat from the *, tie off and weave in end.

Ears.  make a magic loop with the Lemon color and ch 2.
Round 1:  make 10 DC in the loop, pull tight and sl st to the top of the first st, ch 1
Round 2:  1 SC in the first st, 2 HDC in the next st, 1 DC in the 3rd st, 1 DC 1 TC 1 DC in the 4th st, 1 DC in the 5th st, 2 HDC in the 6th st, 1 SC in the last 4 sts, sl st to the top of the first st, leave a long tail to sew on the ear.

Horns.  Starting with Chocolate brown, make a magic loop and ch 2.
Round 1:  make 8 DC in the loop, pull tight and sl st to the top of the first st, ch 2.
Round 2:  1 DC in each st around, sl st to the top of the first st, tie off and switch to Lemon.
Round 3:  DCD in the first 2 sts, 1 DC in the next 4 sts, DCD in the last 2 sts, sl st to the top of the first st.
Round 4:  1 DC in each st around, sl st to the top of the first st. (6 DC).  After round 4 leave a long tail to sew on the ear.

Nose:  Using Tan chain 9,
Row 1:  sk the first st, make 1 SC in the next 8 sts, ch 1 turn.
Rows 2-3: 1 SC in each st across, ch 1 turn.
Row 4: SCD in the first 2 sts, 1 SC in the next 4 sts, SCD in the last two sts,
Row 5: 1 SC in each st across, ch 1 turn. (6 SC)
Row 6:  SCD in the first 2 sts, 1 SC in the next 2 sts, SCD in the last 2 sts, at the end of this row SC evenly around the outside of the nose and sl st to the top of the first st, tie off and leave a long tail to sew on the nose.

Sew on buttons.

Savory Crescent Chicken Squares

This recipe came from a dear friend who had us over for dinner one night, these were amazing and simple.  You can also use turkey too, so this is a great recipe for leftovers from Thanksgiving.  You can also make the chicken mixture up ahead and refrigerate it, then just heat it a little before you put it in the crescent rolls so it will cut down on baking time.

4 oz Cream cheese (can use 1/3 less fat cream cheese)

5 TBS butter or margarine

4 Cups cooked cubed chicken breast (about 2 lbs boneless, skinless)

1/4 cup milk

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 TBS chopped onion (or dry minced) or if you have picky eaters use onion powder.

2 cans crescent rolls (can use reduced fat rolls)

Sauce:  1 can mushroom soup mixed with 2/3 cup milk and warmed.  Or chicken gravy heated.

Melt margarine in fry pan - add chicken and onions (minced or powdered), stir in cream cheese, milk, salt and pepper.  Mix well.  Let cool a little.  Separate rolls into 8 rectangles and firmly press perforations to seal.  (Makes 4 squares), repeat with the second can of rolls.  

Spoon 1/2 cup chicken mixture into center of each square.  

Pull 4 corners to the top and seal the edges.  Place on cookie sheet and bake approx. 15 to 20 minutes, or until brown at 375 degrees.  After removing from oven spoon mushroom sauce or chicken gravy over the top.