Blankey O'Colors Finished!

 All finished!  

I absolutely love how it turned out!  

Stripes of bright colors, no pattern just fun and bright!

 The basic afghan stitch of days by-gone...Old Shale.

Cold outside...warm inside!

Woke up to some snow flakes floating down!  

The day warmed up a bit, but not for those up north of us.  More snow for them!  

So many complaints about "where is Spring?".

The trees are in bloom, the flower bulbs are blooming, 

it's all around us...just not in the precipitation! 

I started this blanket for my hubby and I awhile a go.  Something for us to use when it's chilly on the couch as our eyes glaze over as we zone out at the boobtube.  
It's now long enough to keep my legs warm as I work on it!

It's using the old shale stitch pattern in a variety 
of colors of Stylecraft yarn from Deramores.

Soft, bright, and colorful!    

This trifecta makes me one happy hooker!  

Spring is here!

The trees are starting to bloom!  Wow, are they pretty!  

Reminds me of being a kid and the HUGE cherry blossom tree that we had in our front yard.
I vividly remember my Mom laying on the grass and taking photos up into the prettiness.  

My hubby has quite the eye for photography and has been around the city with his camera
for quite a few years now.
Here is one of his from this weekend that I absolutely love!  

 You can view more of his photos at his website!

With Springtime is the arrival of the fresh local veggies!  

We are really loving the fresh asparagus and carrots grilled!  

I have been making us turkey balls (with grated carrots, garlic, fresh spinach, and parsley) 

Served with veggie pasta on top of a bed of fresh spinach.  

The only "bad thing" we had was a sprinkling of grated Parmesan!  

But oh my...it's cheese!

My Hooked & Woven Baby Blanket Pattern

I have been seeing some amazing woven crocheted/hooked blankets out there, and they really are a "new take" on hooking for me.  They really do resemble the Scottish Plaid Afghans.
So I decided (after following one pattern and having to expand the size of it for my liking) to create my own pattern in the size and striped pattern that I wanted.  
The yarn I love using is Deramores Stylecraft. I picked the colors Aster, Aqua, Lipstick, and Saffron for this blanket.  They really stand out together and are awesomely bright for a baby boy blanket in which I was creating! 

  Front of Blanket

 Back of Blanket

For those of you who need more instruction than my basic steps,
please search "how to crochet" online via basic search or thru youtube.com!

My Hooked & Woven Baby Blanket Pattern:
Step 1:
Using Hook US G6/4.00MM ch 143

Row1: dc in fifth ch from hook (this is your first dc and ch1) *ch 1, skip 1 ch, dc in next ch.  Repeat from * across to end with dc. Ch 4 (counts as dc & ch1) and turn for next row.

Row2: *dc in dc, ch 1. Repeat across, ending with dc. Ch 4 and turn.  

Repeat this pattern creating your "mesh" background using Row 2 until you have a total of    67 rows.  

This gives you a "mesh" background of 70 "squares" wide & 67 "squares" tall.

(Mine is approx. 28" square.) 
Be sure to weave in the ends of your yarn at each start of a new color, as this saves you time later! Unless you plan on adding an edging to your blanket that will work them all in. 
  

Color Pattern for "mesh" background:  8 rows Aqua, *2 rows Saffron, 1 row Lipstick, 1 row Aster, 1 row Lipstick, 2 rows saffron, 4 rows aqua, 2 rows Saffron, 1 row Aster, 1 row Lipstick, 1 row Aster, 2 rows Saffron, 4 rows Aqua, repeat from * ending with 8 rows Aqua

Step 2:

Using Hook US H8/5.00MM Start your rows of weaving.  To do this you are simply doing a row up sl st's up the mesh background.   (color pattern at end of photos)

The first patterns that I found do this process, using vintage crochet sites, were just printed out words and I was at a loss!  So here are some photos to help you along!

You make your slip knot & insert hook into first "square" of the mesh.
Draw up a loop, and keep working into the next "square".
SL ST each time and working your way upwards from the bottom first row of the blanket.

Be sure to hold your yarn behind your blanket, or you will have a tangled mess!  

This is what takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, it's a very fast process! Also keep it loose, you will want this to be worked loosely, or you will end up with a tiny tight blanket.   (I loose about 4" in the height during the "weaving" step, so keep it loose!)

The stripes pattern for Step 2: Starting from the far bottom left corner of the blanket, work from left to right.
*4  rows Aqua, 2 rows Saffron, 1 row Aster, 1 row Lipstick, 1 row Aster, 2 rows Saffron, 4 rows Aqua, 2 rows Saffron, 1 row Lipstick, 1 row Aster, 1 row Lipstick, 2 rows Saffron, 
*Repeat to edge at right-side ending with 4 rows Aqua. 


For those of you who notice the pattern/or are overly OCD about things...you can adjust this so the pattern is centered. I.E.  the red/aster stripes start and finish with offsets.

Next go thru and knot each start/end of the stripes rows.  You can weave them in & trim, or leave them hanging as I did.  I did, as I mentioned, gave each one a good double-knot and then trimmed them all neatly the same length.  This gives it a nice fringe, just like the Scottish Plaid blankets that this is patterned after. Or you can add your own edging pattern, simple or extreme...up to you!

Finished!

Approx. 28" wide & 24" tall

 

I hope that this is easy for you to understand and helps you create a quick & very pretty patterned woven blanket!  Please feel free to share your creations, sell your creations, etc.using my pattern.

Just please do not sell my pattern. Please link back to here for my pattern.

Sometimes it's all about the colors...

Dinner is ready...a colorful mix of grilled veggies!

I love when I stumble upon wonderful blogs full 

of amazing hooked creations!  

I have seen this type of blanket done on a few other hooking sites, 

but love the colors that she chose here!  

(And now I know the Swedish term: vävvirkning)

 Here I go...

The changes that I did:  For the end of each row I did ch4 (instead of her ch5 and turn).  This makes it ch3 (for the dc) + ch1 (for the ch1 space)= the ch4 and turn.  
I also added 7 more rows (for a total of 61 rows, instead of the 54) and after starting the "next step"/weaving in of the stripes, I wish I had added even more rows.  It does tend to 'shrink' it up a tad, even with making sure my stitches are loose for this step.  
She does mention that wool works better, and I am using premium acrylic.  I love the softness & colors that I have found by Stylecraft, so I stuck to these and will just add more rows next time!  
I used a US G6/4.00 MM hook for the mesh netting of the blanket and a US H8/5.00 MM hook for the stripes step.  Colors of Cloud Blue, Aster, and Turquoise.  
For the weaving/stripes I decided to alter my pattern a bit as I did more rows so the count would be off a bit to use her pattern.  So I marked the center with a yellow bow and worked out from there. From the center out to one side (repeated for the following side): CB center row, 2 rows CB, 1 row Aqua, 1 row Aster, 4 rows CB, 1 row Aqua, 1 row Aster, 1 row CB, 2 rows SB, 1 row CB, 1 row Aqua, 1 row Aster, 1 row CB, 2 rows SB, 1 row CB, 1 row Aqua, 1 row Aster, 1 row CB, 2 rows SB, 1 row CB, 1 row Aqua, 1 row Aster, 1 row CB, 2 rows SB,
1 row CB, 1 row Aqua, I row Aster, 1 row CB, 1 row SB, 2 rows CB, 2 rows SB.
For the edging I did a row of sc around both sides.  For the top & bottom I did 2 sc's, ch1 around, pulling the ends of the rows out to knot where the ch 1 spaces are.  

Finished!!!  

I love how it turned out! 

I ended up using a sky blue shade to make the blue stripes pop even further! 

 

My Lasagna Roll-Ups!

My husband and I have been eating healthy...healthier...healthyish...

for quite awhile now.  

I miss pizza and pastas the most, especially ooey gooey lasagna.

Mostly for the noodle.  I LOVE NOODLES!

SO I created these for us for dinner last night. My husband ranted and raved so much, that I know for sure that these will be in my little cookbook that I am creating!

Here you go...what I did:


Ronna's Lasagna Roll-Ups

You can vary this up using just about anything!
For the ones I made last night (pictured) I used grilled chicken, fresh asparagus, mushrooms, garlic & red onion and some Gouda Bisque for the sauce.


To Start:
Boil your lasagna noodles. When they are done, rinse in cold water so they are easy to handle.
I slice a chicken breast in half (flat side) and then slice again, so you have 4 pieces making 4 rolls.
Grill your chicken. Use whatever seasoning you wish.  I just use some cracked pepper, red pepper, and garlic.
Wash & cut up your veggies.
With a little olive oil grill the asparagus with some garlic, the red onion, and the mushrooms.
I use a grilling pan and keep my veggies in their separate corners (makes assembly easier)
In a small pan heat up your sauce.  I either use a basic rue that I add garlic, herbs, & diced mushrooms to,
for this one I love using Gouda Bisque (you can pick up at Safeway, Fred Meyer, just about anywhere with prepared soups in the deli or if you are in a hurry even Cambell's Natural canned or cream ones).

To Assemble:
Prepare a baking dish with some olive oil (or line it, whichever you prefer).
Add a few ladles of sauce to the bottom of the pan.
I use a plate to assemble.  Lay one lasagna noodle so the end is in the middle of the plate, the rest will hang off.

Add your chicken, and carefully add your layers of veggies on top.  Using both hands, roll up the rest of the noodle around the pile of goodies.  After a few you will get the hang of it and it's very easy.  Once rolled up, place into the baking dish so the end of the noodle is on the bottom of pan.
This holds it all together.  Mine stay put, but if you feel more at ease poke a baking toothpick to hold them further.  Repeat for the rest of your rolls.
Ladle a little more sauce over the top of each one.

To Bake:
Everything is "precooked/grilled" so all you need to do upon assembly is put into the oven so it all gets hot & bubbly.
350 for about 30-45 minutes (depending on how thick you make your rolls)

Keep an eye on them so the noodles don't get too hard/brown.
If you wish, top with your favorite cheeses just before removing from the oven. These ones I just add fresh Parmesan before serving.

To Serve:
I use tongs and a spatula to remove from the baking dish.  Squeeze them gently with the tongs and scoop underneath with the spatula, transfer to your plates.
We like having them over a bed of fresh spinach.
Spoon out the remaining sauce from the bottom of the baking dish to top, fresh Parmesan, and chopped parsley.


You can vary these up using just about anything!  Get creative!
Salmon, asparagus, spinach, onion & garlic, fresh dill.   Really yummy to spread some light cream cheese on the noodle before placing the salmon on top.
Shrimp with tomato & mango salsa, fresh cilantro
Braised beef, carrots, mushrooms, onion & garlic, with chunky tomato sauce.
Ground Turkey (or beef if you prefer) ricotta, spinach, onions, garlic & tomatoes (what you would layer in your regular lasagna).

For meatless, portabella mushrooms and your favorite veggies.

Repurposed Wool Scarf

Today's project...re-purposing a wool scarf 

that I picked up at our local Antique Store. 

It was obvious that it had been washed before, 

but I loved how soft it was and the colors really caught my eye.

It seemed perfect to create into a small cross-body bag.  

The Celtic knot button fell off of a bookmark that my MIL Debbie 

gave me years ago that I have held onto...

and now found the perfect spot for it! 

Lined with a recycled tshirt of my hubby's.  

A great recycle project!
I turned it into a bag in 1 1/2 hours! 

I cut it out by laying both ends of the scarf right-side together, the tassel edges lined up.  Cut the length I wished for the bag.  

Then I cut a small piece to create the front pocket out of.  

The remaining I laid flat, folded in two, cut in half, and cut those in half again.  I trimmed these pieces into 2" wide and used 3 of them to sew together (creating a long strip) for the strap.  Folded & pressed both sided in, then sewed along both sides.  Strap done!  

I laid the pocket piece on top of a piece of tshirt, cutting out them both out on the mat so they are the same sizes. I used the last piece of strips (from the strap pieces) and trimmed the top of the pocket piece with it. Then I lined with interfacing and attached to the front of the bag.   

Next lay out the back of the bag piece on top of 2 pieces of t-shirt material, and cut out the lining.  Interfaced those. 

Attach the zipper to each side as you would any bag.  Remembering to slide in your strap ends on each side.

Next I folded the bag so the right sides were together, tucking the strap out of the way along with the lining.  I wanted the tassel ends to be part of the bag, so I stitched the bottom of the bag with right sides out, instead of the usual way.  Next I pulled the bag back so it was right sides together and readied to sew along the edges all around, but carefully tucked the edges at the bottom of the bag where the tassels are inside a bit more.  Make sense?  

It was a little tricky, but I liked how it turned out!  Sew the rest just like any bag, leaving your opening the in lining for turning.   Turn it right side out and, press, and sew that opening closed.  

Then I glued a metal Celtic button that I had from a bookmark onto the front of the pocket.  I considered making it a real button, with buttonhole, but this wasn't  a typical button so I just glued it on.

There, a cute bag all finished!