Crochet Hat Pattern - Organic Cotton

Simple Crochet Hat from me, LazyT. Happy Holidays!
1 skein Nature's Choice Organic Cotton from Lion Brand Yarn (walnut color shown)
J (6 mm) hook
Fits adults/teens.

Ch 3, work 7 hdc in first st. Join. (8 hdc)
Ch 2, hdc in same. 2 hdc in each. Join. (16 hdc)
Ch 2, hdc in same, hdc in next. *2 hdc in next, 1 hdc in next* Repeat from * to * around. Join. (24 hdc)
Ch 2, hdc in same, hdc in next 2 sts. *2 hdc in next, hdc in next 2 sts.* Repeat from * to * around. Join. (32 hdc)
Ch 2, hdc in same, hdc in next 3 sts. *2 hdc in next, hdc in next 3 sts.* Repeat from * to * around.
Join. (40 hdc)
Ch 2, hdc in same, hdc in next 4 sts. *2 hdc in next, hdc in next 4 sts.* Repeat from * to * around. Join. (48 hdc)
Ch 2, hdc in next and each st. around. Join. (48 hdc)
Repeat until out of yarn, or until hat is desired length. Fasten off.

*Optional - Fold up brim and sew on a button.©2011 LazyTcrochet

**My approximate gauge was 10 stitches X 9 rows = 4 inches. I ended up with 16 rounds of hdc, after the increases. When I increased to the 48 stitches, my circle measured approximately 6 1/4" (slightly stretchy). And this hat fits ladies/teens.
If your gauge is tighter, you could either add one more increase row (to 56 sts.) but that might be too loose, or you could try working with a larger hook (K).**

Crochet Pattern Granny Square Circle Shrug

The pattern is now available for this shrug. It's crocheted out of Cascade Eco Wool and is a snuggly one-size-fits-all kind of shoulder warmer shrug. Not your typical granny square. Visit the pattern page here...
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84058713/crochet-pattern-granny-square-circle and the finished sweater is available in the same Ecru color as in the photo here... http://www.etsy.com/listing/83310800/ecru-wool-shrug-crochet-circle-sweater

Click HERE for all available patterns.

Circles

Circles seem to be all the rage. I've come up with a pattern for my circle vest shrug since so many people have asked for it. Some designs start with a circle at the back and continue all the way around the collar. This one has a distinct square back to it, with an added circular collar around. You can add a button or use a shawl pin. I have both the pattern and finished designs available at LazyTcrochet.Etsy.com.
Here's one in Paprika, with a wooden button...

And Black, with a wooden shawl pin...


The pattern is available in my Etsy shop here. See my post on Foundationless Crochet for tips!

Felting Time

While Granny Squares are not my favorite thing to crochet, I am excited about felting them into a groovy handbag. It's been a long time since I've felted (or fulled) anything fun. Hats are my favorite thing to felt, but I'll be making mittens, purses, slippers, and more. I think I'll get an electric tea kettle to use down stairs. My water is hot, but it doesn't stay hot enough and I like to add a kettle of hot water to it as it cools down. I was making myself nervous carrying a kettle of boiling water down the stairs.

Crocheting or knitting something and then felting it in hot water is my favorite form of felting.
Wet-felting is fun, but I tend to make a huge mess! Needlefelting is something I'd like to do more of. I've never been "artistic" in the drawing or painting sense, but needle felting seemed to coax the creativity right out of me. It flowed so easily as I painted with the wool. So, I'll be working with some raw and colorful fibers very soon!

It's Strawberry Time

****This is a repost of a 2008 blog.****
I thought I'd share a recipe that's been used in my family for as long as I can remember. Every year when the local strawberries are ripe, I buy a flat and freeze some. Sometimes I make strawberry jam, but I definitely have to make a batch of shortcake since the berries are so sweet.

Strawberry Shortcake
Mix together with a wooden spoon 1/4 cup, plus 2 Tablespoons shortening and 1/3 cup sugar. Add 1 egg and mix well. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
Mix together the dry ingredients - 1 1/2 cups flour, 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and a dash of salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, alternating with 1/3 cup of milk. Mix until combined. If it's too stiff, add more milk (I almost always do, but no one ever changed the recipe).
Bake in a greased round or square 8 or 9" cake pan, sprinkling the top with sugar, if desired...or in muffin cups (approximately 8 muffins). I made a double batch to take to a party last weekend. I love mine served with sliced, sugared berries and milk. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.
Eat it fresh, or the next day. If you cover them with a towel, the sugar tops will stay crisp for awhile. If you store it tightly in a plastic bag, they'll still be delicious, but will get softer.
This is really good with peaches and other fresh berries also!
Enjoy!

A Little Birdie Told Me

...but I already knew! These are my Mom's favorite cookies. I posted the recipe for "Nonie Cookies" a few years ago
but thought I'd share it again. I'm baking these sweet little birds and sending a package to my Mom for Mother's Day. Hopefully they'll arrive with only a few broken tails.

This was my great-grandmother Eleanor's recipe for sugar cookies. They've since come to be called "Nonie Cookies" since she was "Grandma Nonie." It is a classic cookie recipe, enjoyed all year long. I like them a little thick, while my Mom likes them thin and crispy. See what you think.

NONIE COOKIES

Mix together 3 1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar and a dash of freshly ground nutmeg. Make a well in the center and add 1 cup shortening, 1 egg, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Mix well.

Roll half the dough on a floured cloth or board. Sprinkle with sugar and roll it in gently. Cut with your favorite cookie cutters. Bake at 350° until lightly brown. Roll and cut remaining dough. You can use colored sugars if desired.

Crusty Bread

My mom gave me a baguette pan a few years ago, but I was afraid to try it. Now that I found this recipe, I've been making a lot of baguettes! Here is the original recipe, written for a bread machine. I'd rather mix the dough by hand than bother with a bread machine.
French Baquettes Recipe on Allrecipes.com

Here's my adapted version that's easy to mix by hand or with a dough hook on your mixer.
In your mixer bowl or a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 teaspoons yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup bread flour, and 1 cup warm water. Mix well and let sit 5 minutes, until bubbly. Add 1 1/2 cups bread flour, mix well and knead (either by hand or with the dough hook on the mixer) until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, roll it around so that the top of the dough is greased also, cover and let rise in a warm place until double.
Roll the dough out on a floured board until it measures approximately 12" X 16". Cut with a sharp knife into two pieces 8" X 12". Starting on a 12" side, roll each piece, trying not to allow bubbles or too much flour. Pinch the ends closed and place on a greased baguette pan or on a parchment-lined baking sheet. With a sharp knife, cut 3 diagonal slits in each. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 375°. Mix together 1 egg yolk and 1 tablespoon water and gently brush over the tops of the bread. Bake 20 - 25 minutes in preheated oven until golden brown. Cool on a rack.