savoy062

This hat turned out so cute.  I made it just for personal use but I thought others may like to make one as well.  Like so many of my patterns, this hat is worked in a continuous spiral.  It is so much easier than joining rows and makes for a seamless hat.  I made this hat in classic Santa Claus colors but you could make it in any color combination you like. This pattern is written with US crochet terms.  You may want to use a stitch marker or a scrap piece of yarn to make the start of each row.  I find its easy enough without stitch markers, so long as you can finish a row before putting it down, and keep track of which row you are on if you do need to set it down.  I have put the stitch count at the end of each row so you can double check yourself as you go. You will need about 3 ounces of worsted weight yarn in the main color, 1 ounce or less of contrasting color, size H crochet hook (or a similar size would also work), a pom pom maker or a way to ma...

I love soft, lightweight ornaments.  You can hang them low without worries of babies or kitties breaking them and you can hang them on even flimsy Charlie Brown style trees without the branches sagging too much. This ornament is incredibly quick and easy to make.  I can make one up in about 5 minutes with about 5 yards of yarn.  You can make them in all sorts of bright colors.  Make up a bunch to give to friends and family but make sure you keep a few for yourself. This pattern uses US crochet terms.  If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will be sure to get back to you. You can use any type of yarn (or even thread) for this pattern.  In the tutorial I used Red Heart Super Saver and a size G hook but any hook that matches the yarn you are using would be fine.  Gauge is not very important for this pattern as a slightly larger or smaller ornament would still work and look lovely.  Other than that, the only other tool you will need is a pa...

I used to have marathon cookie baking sessions with my friend Matt.  He made a great molasses cookie and he was kind enough to share his recipe with me.  It's chewy, spicy, and always comes out great.  I know some people will sub out the shortening for butter but to get the best texture shortening is the way to go. Ingredients 1 1/2 cups shortening melted 2 cups white sugar 1/2 cup molasses 2 eggs 4 cups flour 4 tsp baking soda 2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp ground cloves 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp salt Mix together dry ingredients Cream together shortening and sugar.  Add eggs one at a time then add the molasses.  Stir in dry ingredients.  Dough will be stiff.  Scoop with a cookie scoop or portion out dough into walnut size balls.  Roll dough in you hands to form smooth balls.  Roll balls in sugar, place on a cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.  Press the dough balls with the bottom of a glass to flatten slightly.  Bake at 375 F for 8-10 minu...

Pecan sandies are one of those cookies you make to impress.  They are the gem of a cookie platter and the talk of the cookie exchange.  I don't know if its the buttery crumbly cookie or the big fat pecan crowning the buttery crumbly cookie.  Either way, they are a delicious addition to Cookie Week! Ingredients 1 cup (2 sticks) dairy free margarine (Earth Balance) feel free to use butter if you are able 1 cup canola oil 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 cup powdered sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 4 cups flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cream of tartar 1 tsp salt 2 cups chopped pecans plus pretty pecan halves for the top of each cookie if desired Mix the dry ingredients Cream the margarine, oil and the three sugars until a smooth batter Add eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla Spoon the dry ingredient and mix just until incorporated.   Stir in the chopped nuts Chill dough for about an hour then scoop and bake OR Scoop the dough then chill 20 minutes then bake OR Scoop the...

Have you heard of Teal Pumpkin Project?   Its a great way to include all children, including those with food allergies or dietary restrictions, this Halloween.  I did not have food restrictions as a child, but I do now and it just plain stinks. Missing out on candy is bad enough, but to miss out on the run all together?  Its a double whammy! I hope the Teal Pumpkin Project takes off and becomes a new normal.  It's not any more bother or expensive than buying candy.  There are all sorts of inexpensive holiday treats and trinkets.  You can find little toys, bubbles, pencils, stickers, glow sticks and the like at dollar stores, party stores, craft stores, Target, or mail order catalogs.  There are some really fun things to buy, but I like to make instead of buy whenever possible.  I also have a closet of craft supplies to use. I looked all over Pinterest, Google, and Youtube looking for fun little crafts I could make for my Halloween goody.  I m...