Cheesy Shrimp and Grits

Cheesy Shrimp and Grits (2 large servings)

1 cup old-fashioned grits
3 cups water
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan
12 oz. shrimp, thawed and peeled
2 slices bacon, chopped
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
2 T. butter
salt and pepper
white wine
lemon juice
two fried eggs

Heat water and milk to almost boiling, add grits and cook according to package directions. Stir often.
Cook chopped bacon until crispy and remove from pan. Add chopped onion and garlic. Cook one minute or so and add the butter. When melted, add the shrimp.  Season with salt and pepper and herbs if you'd like. When the shrimp are done, pour about 1/4 cup dry, white wine and a tablespoon or so of fresh squeezed lemon juice. Cook one minute and remove from heat.

When grits are done, stir in cheddar cheese and parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cook a fried egg for each plate. Spoon grits into a serving bowl, top with shrimp, the cooked egg and bacon bits.

Wildwood Capelet - New Crochet pattern and tutorial

The new Wildwood Capelet is a shawl-style capelet with a rounded hood in soft and chunky crochet. The hood has a rounded design and utilizes a special technique that is described below.

© 2012 LazyTcrochet

I'm including this video tutorial to demonstrate my version of a flat braid join in crochet. It's a technique that is often used to join granny squares, but I have interpreted it here for the purpose of joining the back of the hood for my Wildwood Capelet pattern. (Not a professional video, but I think it clearly demonstrates how to create the stitch while joining.)
This hood pattern also utilizes the DcCh (Double Crochet Chain) or Foundationless Double Crochet as described in an earlier post http://lazytcrochet.blogspot.com/2013/06/foundationless-double-crochet-tutorial.html


The pattern for the Wildwood Capelet is available on Craftsy and Ravelry. © 2012 LazyTcrochet 

Crochet Collar from LazyTcrochet

Crochet Collar Pattern

© 2012 LazyTcrochet
For personal use only.

Rowan Creative Linen (linen and cotton blend)
1 button (5/8” shown)
E hook (3.50 mm)
Ch 2 counts as first Dc in each row.
Gauge:  Approximately 15 dc and 8 rows = 4”
Collar is approximately 19” X 2 ½”.

Row 1:  Leaving a 10” tail, Dc Ch 69, Ch 2, turn. (Instructions for the Dc Ch, or foundationless crochet are here... http://lazytcrochet.blogspot.com/2013/06/foundationless-double-crochet-tutorial.html)
Row 2:  Dc in next 11, 2 dc in next, *dc in next 10 sts., 2dc in next.* Repeat from * to * 3 more times. Dc in last 12. Ch 2, turn.
Row 3:  Dc in next 11, 2 dc in each of the next 2 sts., *dc in next 10 sts., 2 dc in each of the next 2 sts.*  Repeat from * to * 3 more times. Dc in last 12. Ch 2, turn.
Row 4:  Dc in next 11, 2 dc in each of the next 4 sts., *dc in next 10 sts., 2 dc in each of the next 4 sts.*  Repeat from * to * 3 more times. Dc in last 12. Ch 2, turn.
Row 5:  Dc in next 13, 2 dc in each of the next  4 sts., *dc in next 14 sts., 2 dc in each of the next 4 sts.*  Repeat from * to * 3 more times.  Dc in last 14. Fasten off.
Using the tail of the yarn to crochet a button loop, insert the hook at the side of Row 1 and pull up a loop. Chain 5 (or however many you need to fit the button you want to use), join with slip stitch and fasten off. Work the ends in. Sew a button to the opposite side. Steam block, if desired.
 
For the natural color shown, I used DMC Senso Linen Cotton.
Follow instructions above through Row 4.
For the scalloped edging, Ch 1, skip 2 stitches, work 5 dc in next stitch, (skip 2 stitches, sc in next , skip 2 stitches, 5 dc in next) repeat across, skip 3 stitches at the end and sc in top of turning chain. (17 scallops made.)  Fasten off.
Using the tail of the yarn to crochet a button loop, insert the hook at the side of Row 1 and pull up a loop. Chain 5 (or however many you need to fit the button you want to use), join with slip stitch and fasten off. Work the ends in. Sew a button to the opposite side. Steam block, if desired.
 

© 2012 LazyTcrochet
For personal use only.
 

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!