PURL STITCH CROCHET combined with TUNISIAN STITCH

On my previous postings, I showed you a Tunisian technique stitch which was "SEED STITCH" combined with PURL stitch.  This time what I have here for you is basically a Tunisian foundation row, the rest will be purl stitch as in knitting...you will be using an afghan crochet hook with this project.  You can make a project as a scarf, cover spread, or blanket spread on this type of crocheting.   **Please click to the image for bigger image so you can follow the pattern

PURL STITCH

SKILL LEVEL:  Intermediate

PURL STITCH:  On forward half of row, bring yarn to front, insert hook in next vertical bar, bring yarn to back under hook, wrap around hook from back to front, draw yarn through st (purl is made)

FOUNDATION ROW:  Work forward and return halves same as for Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS)

ROW 1:  (forward half) Skip first st, Purl st in each st across.

ROW 1: (return half) Work off all loops as in TSS.

REPEAT ROW 1 for PATTERN

LAST ROW:  Skip first st, insert hook in next vertical bar, yarn over, draw through 2 loops on hook [Sl st completed], Sl st in each vertical bar across row, end off.

 

EASY AND SIMPLE ROCKY ROAD STITCH CROCHET SPREAD

Hello everybody!  Are you into crocheting?  Easy, Intermediate, or Experienced...I have been showing you some techniques in Tunisian Stitch lately...which is a bit difficult for some of us but if you are familiar with all the stitches, Tunisian is also an easy stitch to learn.  What I have here for you is an easy stitch to start with, a project you may want as a baby crib spread, or just a blanket spread to cover your lap or legs for the winter time while watching TV....This is called "ROCKY ROAD STITCH CROCHET"......** PLEASE CLICK TO THE PATTERN FOR LARGER IMAGE.

ROCKY ROAD
Skill Level:  Easy
Ch a multiple of 4 plus 3

FOUNDATION ROW:  1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, *[1 sc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch, skip next 2 ch, sc in next ch, repeat from *across to within last ch, 1 sc in last ch, turn.

ROW 1: Ch 1, 1 sc in first s, *[ch 2, 2 dc] in next sc, skip next (2 dc, ch 2), 1 sc in next sc, repeat from *across, sc in last sc, turn.

REPEAT ROW 1 for pattern.

 

 

TUNISIAN CROCHET with POPCORN STITCH

Tunisian crochet is also known as afghan stitch.  Tunisian crochet is almost always worked  from the right side and almost all patterns done in Tunisian begin with the first row of basic Tunisian crochet.  Each row of Tunisian consists of two parts, a forward and backward motion.  In the forward part, all stitches are picked up and held on the hook; in the backward part, stitches are worked off, usually two at a time.  Because all stitches are held on the hook, a special hook called an afghan hook is used for this method of crochet.  See image below a sample of afghan hooks.



This is a Tunisian crochet with popcorn stitch.

PATTERN & INSTRUCTIONS ~ A new technique of TUNISIAN STITCHES with PURL (SEED STITCH CROCHET)

What I have here is a pattern how to crochet "seed stitch crochet"  I started a couple of rows to show you how I did on this project.  ** PLEASE CLICK TO THE PATTERN FOR LARGER IMAGE.

 


Seed Stitch Crochet:
Skill level:  Experienced

PURL stitch:  Bring yarn to front, insert hook in next vertical bar, bring yarn to back under hook, wrap around hook from back to front, draw yarn through stitch (PURL is made).


Foundation Row:  Work forward and return halves same as for Tunisian simple stitch (TSS).

ROW 1:  (forward half):  Skip first st, TSS in next st, *purl st in next st, TSS in next st, rep from * across.

ROW 1: (return half): Work off all loops as in TSS.

ROW 2: (forward half):  Skip first st, *purl st in next st, TSS in next st, rep from * across, TSS in last st

ROW 2 (return half): Work off all loops as in TSS.

REPEAT ROWS 1 and 2 for pattern.

LAST ROW:  Skip first st, insert hook in next vertical bar, yo (yarn over) draw through 2 loops on hook (Sl st completed), Sl st in each vertical bar across row, end off.

 

JUICY and TENDER SMOKED PORK BUTT done in the ELECTRIC SMOKER

I tried to smoke a 5 to 6 lbs. pork butt this time....

Brine pork for 2 to 3 hours with 1/4 cup kosher salt, 1/4 cup sugar, 5 cups cold water, and 1 cup red chardonnay wine .   Pat dry, sprinkle with Weber's Chicago Steak Seasoning.  Prepare brush with 1/4 cup apple butter and apple cider vinegar.



Set the electric smoker to 250 degrees and the timer for 5 hours.  Place apple and cherry wood chips to the smoker.  Put the pork fat side up for 2 1/2 hours.  Turn the pork fat side down.  Brush with the prepared apple butter and apple cider vinegar every once in a while.  Put more wood chips when needed.

Let it cool.  This smoked pork is almost like a "pulled pork" - juicy and tender. 

Baked Grated Zucchini with Parmesan/Mozarella Cheese and Hot Italian Calebrese

Zucchini is a very popular vegetable in the summer time, I have couple of zucchini plants in my garden, so I tried to make "baked grated zucchini with cheese and hot Italian calebrese.

Ingredients:  Yields a dozen
4 cups grated and squeezed zucchini (about 2 small zucchini or 1 medium zucchini)
2 eggs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Italian hot calebrese, chopped
pepper to taste, no salt added as both cheeses have enough salt plus the hot calebrese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Grate and squeeze out the liquid of zucchini (zucchini is a vegetable full of water like cucumber).  Mix zucchini, egg, parmesan cheese, hot calebrese, 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese.  Prepare a muffin pan, rub with oil or unsalted butter inside muffin pan.  Spoon zucchini and place in the muffin pan.  Sprinkle 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese on top.  Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Good for snacks or vegetable on the side for dinner. 

SMOKED CHICKEN using ELECTRIC SMOKER

My husband had been smoking meats for sometime, he's always proud of himself whenever he smoked any kind of meats.  This time I tried to smoke a whole chicken fryer to show that I too can do it.  I brined my whole chicken fryer...My hubby uses dry rubs...

Ingredients:
1/4 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup sugar
5 cups cold water
1 cup red chardonnay wine

Brine the whole chicken with the above ingredients for at least 2 to 3 hours.  Pat dry the chicken, ensure the cavity is dry and giblets and livers taken out if there were any.  Sprinkle with your favorite spices, I used Weber's Kick N' Chicken spices. 

 

Set the electric smoker to 250 degrees and the timer for 4 hours.  Put apple and cherry chips in the smoker.  Place more apple and cherry chips after 2 hours.  Prepare 1/4 cup of Apple Butter and 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar to brush on the chicken.  Place the chicken in the smoker rack back down and breast up.  Every hour brush the chicken with the prepared apple butter and apple cider vinegar..  After 2 hours, turn the chicken breast down and brush with the prepared apple butter and apple cider vinegar.  I did not use a thermometer as I don't have one of those.  Let it cool......  Serve with salad or rice or potatoes .............................................

Collection of Floral Fine China

My husband had collected some floral fine china since I came to move in with him, I found a treasure chest hand made and hand carved in the basement which was made in Sweden back in 1800 when the Swedish family of Hausen moved from Sweden

 to Iowa, USA.  There was one in particular that I really admire, this was a hand made and hand carved sewing table accessory...this sewing table accessory is a small table where you can put all threads and needles, a drawer is on top and the wood is made of cherry wood-hand carved.  The other item was  the vanity table with 3 folding mirrors, also hand carved.  I should have taken some pictures but anyhow, I found some fine china in the basement which I believe were all came from either Germany or Sweden...I took them all out and showcase them in a hand made cabinet by hubby...these are just some of my collection of floral fine china...I have asked my husband to make a kitchen hutch, perhaps not this year but next year...we have been very busy painting the outside of the house, entry way, door, and the garage. 

Pillow Cushion for the newlyborn pups

After seeing our pups napping most of the time, I decided to make themselves more comfortable while asleep.  I made them a pillow covering the basin of the kennel where they sleep on.  For softness and comfort for the pups....I made them several quilted spread with batting .  This time instead of batting, I used polyfill to make it more comfy and bouncy...:-)

Tunisian Crochet Stitch

Hello everyone!  I started to crochet Tunisian Crochet Stitch as this had been a project that I would like to start with from the beginning...Tunisian Crochet often referred to as Afghan stitch.  It combines the techniques of both crochet and knitting...to produce a strong, elastic fabric.  This is what I started with an acrylic/wool worsted yarn, you probably know that this type of stitch your project will curl up, don't be worried it will flatten it once you adorn the sides of your project with edgings...or better yet, ensure to use a 100% pure cotton worsted yarn...I am going to show you some images here how they differ from an acrylic/wool yarn and a 100% pure cotton worsted yarn.  I will be showing you also on my next posting on a video how to start a Tunisian Crochet Stitch.  For the meantime, just take a look at the difference between an acrylic yarn and a 100% pure cotton yarn..

Sample of an acrylic/wool worsted yarn which curls up when crocheting a Tunisian Crochet Stitch

 

Sample of a 100% pure cotton worsted yarn when crocheting a Tunisian Crochet Stitch...you can tell the difference between those two yarns, one curls up the other don't.......................................

FRAYED SEAMS QUILT SPREAD (CRIB SPREAD)

This has been the easiest quilt that I have ever done, based on Quilting in the Rain Tutorial...anyone can do this, I did this in 40 minutes, no binding to use.  It started with 1/2 a yard of each fabrics cut them into 6 1/2 X 6 1/2...the spread itself is 32 1/2 by 32 1/2 in diameter and length. I used fleece fabric for the backing.

 

 

 

 

FREE TUTORIAL PATTERN ON HOW TO CROCHET "ALTERNATE SHELLS"

 

 

Multiple of 14 chains plus 4

FOUNDATION ROW (FR) 3 dc, into 4th ch from hook, * sk next 3 chs, 1 sc into each of next 7 chs, *sk next 3 chs, 7 dc into next ch; rep from * ending last rep with 4 dc into last ch, turn

ROW 1:  Ch 1, 1 sc into each each st to end working last sc into 3rd of beg skipped ch 3, turn,                                                                                                                                                                   

ROW 2:  Ch1, 1 sc into each of first 4 sts, sk next 3 sts, 7 dc into next st, sk next 3 sts, 1 sc into each of next 7 sts; rep from * to last 11 sts, sk next 3 sts, 7 dc into next st, sk next 3 sts, 1 sc into each of last 4 sts, sk turning ch 1, turn.                                                                                                           

ROW 3:  Ch 1, 1 sc into each st to end,  sk turning ch 1 turn                                                              

ROW 4:  Ch 3, 3 dc into first st, * sk next 3 sts, 1 sc into each of next 7 sts, sk next 3 sts, 7 dc into next st, rep from * ending last rep with 4 dc into last st, sk turning ch 1, turn.    

ROW 5:  Ch1, 1 sc into each st to end working last sc into 3rd of ch 3, turn.  Rep rows 2-5 for length required, ending with a row 5.                             
       
 

 

This is not solid color, as I used pastel mix colors, it has rows of alternately spaced seven-stitch shells, divided by rows of single crochet.  Work this stitch on a solid or use a hand-painted yarn to get a different look.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zesty Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce

I did another batch of pasta sauce, this time I added tomato paste, chardonnay white wine, Hungarian yellow peppers and cilantro...

INGREDIENTS:
6 lbs. fresh tomatoes (about 20 medium)
3 tbsps. splenda sugar
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 sprig fresh oregano
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 sprig fresh basil
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh cilantro
3 cloves garlic minced and roasted
1 medium chopped onions
1 medium zucchini
2 small Hungarian yellow peppers
1 cup of chardonnay white wine
1 small can of tomato paste
3 tbsps. olive oil

PREPARATION:
WASH fresh tomatoes.  Scald 3 minutes in boiling water.  Dip into cold water.   Cut out cores, remove skins, and puree to smooth consistency in  blender or food processor and strain.  Set aside.

CHOPPED onions, yellow sweet peppers, thyme, oregano, rosemary basil, cilantro, and zucchini.  Set aside

COMBINE kosher salt, sugar, and tomato paste into the bowl of pureed tomatoes.  \

In a large pot ROAST garlic and onions in olive oil. Pour wine in the pan of garlic and onions, let it boil.  Pour tomato puree in the pan and bring to a boil.  Stir occasionally.  REDUCE heat and simmer for 30 minutes.  Stir in thyme, oregano, rosemary basil, cilantro, yellow peppers and zucchini. Zesty roasted garlic pasta sauce is ready. 

CANNING ZESTY GARLIC PASTA SAUCE:
1)  Pour hot sauce into a clean, sterilized pint canning jars, leaving 1/2 inch head space.  Cap each jar when filled.
2)  Process 40 minutes in boiling water bath.
3) Test jars for airtight seals.  Store up to 1 year.  If jars do not completely seal, refrigerate and consume within 2 to 3 weeks providing you store them in the fridge.



Scalded tomatoes, skins removed, cored and ready to be pureed

Pureed  tomatoes and ingredients ready.

Homemade Tomato Pasta Sauce

Pasta sauces are very cheap to buy at the store, but to some of us, we would rather make our own pasta sauce, made from fresh tomatoes, garlic, onions, green peppers, and herbs....Here is my take on, homemade tomato pasta sauce: 

Ingredients:
3-4 lbs. fresh tomatoes
pinch of salt and pepper to taste
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 small green peppers, chopped
1 sprig of fresh rosemary
1 sprig of fresh thyme
1 sprig of  fresh Italian basil
2 - 3 sprigs of fresh oregano
2 tsp. splenda sugar

Preparation:
Wash and cut tomatoes, put it aside. Put 2 tbsp. olive oil in a dutch oven pan, place all the tomatoes.  Let it cook for 5 minutes.  Cool.  Puree tomatoes in a blender, strain then strain to rid seeds and skins.  I did not add tomato paste at this point,  this will be added once you cook your tomato sauce and pasta.

Fresh tomatoes, herbs and green peppers

Cooked tomatoes, pureed, and strained.

Chopped onions, minced garlic, chopped green peppers, and chopped herbs

Sautee garlic and onions in 1 tbsp. olive oil, add herbs and strain tomato sauce in the pan.  Let it cook for 5 minutes.  Add green peppers, turn off the stove.  Let it cool.  Place tomato sauce in jars, close it tightly, then place jars in a dutch oven with water, let it boil for 30 minutes.  Cool and you can place them in the fridge or cupboards.  Tomato sauce will last at least 3-4 weeks if stored properly.

Update on my messy jewelry table and cutting table

The weekend was cleaning and organizing my craft room, I showed you how messy this room was the last time, I tried my very best to keep it clean and tidy...these are the images yesterday's hard work in my messy craft room...this will do in the meantime until  I find time to put some shelving on the wall to place fabrics and accessories...

The beads were arranged in plastic containers and some were in jars, and plastic jars...still have a lot of beads to sort out........

 

The cutting table has a lot of fabrics, knick-knacks, and accessories, I tried to re-arrange the threads and fabrics ..................I also purchased new set of roller cutters made of Fiskars....the old set I have made by Olfa is quite excellent as well as the Fiskars, they also have a pair of scissors on sale...quite a deal as far as I am concern...

Fresh tomatoes, Italian basil, oregano, and green peppers

This morning I gathered these vegetables to make a pasta sauce, I understand that pasta sauce are very cheap at the store however, there is no better than your own homemade pasta sauce........addition to the above veggies, don't forget garlic, white onions, salt and pepper to taste...

 

Generous Shells- Crochet Stitch

The last project I had started was the pastel mix worsted yarn, but unfortunately I have to put that aside, I resumed to crochet some left over yarns as they're all mixed with different colors made them in a ball of yarns...so here is an image that I thought would be a great idea for these left over yarns...crocheted shells....perhaps next time, I will show you how I started this one...

 

FRAYED SEAMS BABY BLANKET FABRICS

I have not started yet to cut them out ~ these are the fabrics I chose to cut for "frayed seams quilt" baby blanket...I will be using fleece solid green color as they were on sale, I got them for 40% off a yard....plus I have a 10% discount of all item purchased at Hancock Fabrics...I think I've got a good deal on them....

I love the combination of colors........hope I can start this as soon as I possibly can!  :-)
Thank you for reading.......

HEXAGON POTHOLDERS

Do you remember those hexagon unfinished potholders I have shown you recently?  These are the finished products of the "hex potholders", I added white fabric bindings to add glam and elegance in it....I had seen the chevron design fabric prints in a store where they used them as a pillow cushion...same fabric....