. . .from the handiwork journal

Snow storms have been moving in all around us, but it's soon turning to nastier weather.  

It's a perfect time to use up yarn, and work on larger crochet projects.  Large blankets only get crocheted in the cold of winter.  

Do you remember this random blanket I crocheted in the winter of 2022/2023?   I used up some yarn from leftover projects, and I dug it out during this freezing cold weather we are having.  I sewed in the last of the ends.  My husband wants to keep it.  I had planned to just sell it, but it is larger (approx. 72 x 56 inches) and will fit the spare bed perfectly.

(link goes to my blogpost regarding the pattern I used)  I really like the pattern, but I do not like the enormous amount of ends to sew in.

. . .I finished a matching hat to the scarf.  It is Red Heart yarn, and not my favorite for a hat and scarf, but it's warm and comfortable.  Hat pattern is Mountain Ridges Crochet Hat, by The Friendly Red Fox (free pattern online).  However, her pattern says "J" hook, and I used an "H" hook with medium worsted weight yarn.

It is the same yarn as the scarf I finished last week.  The remaining yarn will be used for scrap lap afghans I think.  The pattern for the scarf is by "Hooked by Robin" called Easy Crochet Scarf (online video tutorial).  I think this is my favorite scarf pattern so far.

Yarn for both scarf and hat - Sutherland Stripe, Red Heart Super Saver.  I used an entire skein for the scarf, but length is always up to you.  

. . .another lap afghan on the hook to eventually donate.  I donated to two places last winter, but I am getting concerned about not getting a response back from one location this winter.  I will have to make a few phone calls.  Colors are from Red Heart yarn, soft white, petal pink, and Lt. raspberry.

I have a lot of pink yarn right now.  Some of the brighter ones were for crocheting nail polish Christmas ornaments, but the rest I purchased to make Mom a blanket using the first pattern on this post.  I never got the chance to even start one, so I may be doing more lap afghans.  I guess we'll see.

. . .another larger ripple blanket on the hooks.  I'm using up some leftover yarn from my daughter's cardigan, and some from the last blanket and craft show items.  I'm not sure I'm thrilled with the color combination, but it's on the hook.  By the way, I bought the yarn for the cardigan years ago, based on their suggestion of how much for the size I crocheted.  I have more leftover, so I hope this blanket uses it up and looks good.  I'll be back to update, and share the colors I used.

I have a feeling this blanket will continue into next winter.  I am really working hard on our winter project list right now, so my handiwork time is limited for now.

. . .what would you use leftover cotton scrap yarn for?  The only thing(s) I can think of, are random cup/mug coasters and face scrubbies.  I may contact the school to see if the art teacher can use it.  The leftover balls are too small for rug making.  I don't think there is enough yarn on the balls to make lip balm holders either.

I dug out my journal, so I can make written records on what colors I used for certain projects, and to note patterns, hook size etc.

There are more projects on the hooks, but I was too lazy to go photograph them.  I really need to get the doily finished.  It's been a year now, but it's smaller stitches.  I just need to get in the mood to work on it.

. . . from the handiwork journal  © Jan 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Butterscotch Sugar Cookies ~ Cookie Exchange Idea

 Colder weather is the perfect time to use the oven, and try a new cookie recipe (for possibly next Christmas).

I have found some of the best recipes in fiction books.  The latest recipe is from Joanne Fluke's book - Wedding Cake Murder.

I have to confess, that I have not yet read the book.  I had to return it before finishing it.  I'll get it out some day soon.

In the meantime, her recipe for Butterscotch Sugar Cookies are not only delicious, and addicting, but they make a ton!  I'm freezing some to see how well they thaw as well.

I found the recipe on another blog as well (Make My Day Camp).  I'm glad I found her blog, as she talks about cutting the recipe in half, and still getting a lot of cookies.

1. Her (Make my day camp blogspot) measurements for flour are not the same as the recipe in the book.  The book calls for 4 1/4 cups.  Her blog states 4 1/2 cups.

2. I used a 1 Tbsp. scoop, so I baked them for 15 minutes and let them sit on the pan for a minute, then cooled on racks.

3. The cookie by the oven light gets browned more in my oven, so I rotated the baking sheet half-way.

4.  It's best to have 4 large cookie sheets for this recipe, or you are baking all day using smaller ones.  I have 2 large ones, so I plan to buy 2 more large for all my baking needs.

5. I tossed in about a handful of mini butterscotch chips in the batter at the end.

6. The batter is very soft at first.  If you let it sit a few minutes, it will firm up and will be easier to handle.

7. When you flatten the balls of dough on the cookie sheets, use a flat spatula.  After a few times, the dough will stick to the spatula, so dust it with some sugar every now and then to continue flattening the dough balls.

They are a crispy, thin cookie.  They would make great gifts too.  I followed the recipe in the book, cut it in half, used a 1 Tbsp. cookie scoop and got 5 dozen cookies.  

The next time I make them, I may try not flattening them so much, for a chewier center.  I do like them crunchy, and they would be great in a bowl of ice cream, maybe topped with some homemade whiskey butterscotch sauce too.  Oh boy, that would put a person in a sugar coma for sure, but doesn't that sound good?  Maybe for gifting? 

My husband said, they are good, but would prefer a chewy cookie vs. a crunchy cookie.   These are obviously not low fat, nor sugar free.

Butterscotch Sugar Cookies ~ Cookie Exchange Idea © Jan 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart