. . . from the handiwork journal (update on crocheting hats for charity)

 

It's been raining here for the last two days, which has delayed any outdoor work, and the AC units have yet to be removed.  It's a battle to get anything done after work hours, as the darkness sets in way too fast.  

It's a very foggy morning this morning, and they are predicting a slight dusting of snow tomorrow (first snow of the season if it happens). 

I don't lack indoor work at any rate.  I started purging/cleaning/re-organizing both the utility room and the "office" and have started yet another donation box.  I'm sort of ping-ponging around the house in hopes to complete areas of chaos, including Christmas totes.  I'm going through the totes to remove any old, worn decorations, lights that don't work, and extra items we can live without.

I finally drained my homemade oregano oil for the winter.  I plan on using it on homemade pizza as well as for an medicinal purposes.

I failed to re-stock the mouse traps, and our weather will be drastically changing, starting tomorrow (today is pretty chilly too).  I do miss having a mouser around, so it's not off the possibility list just yet.

UPS delivered my new light bulbs (more on that later, but still looking for solar charging light bulbs), and it was pitch dark.  I had turned the outside Christmas lights on the night before, to check all the bulbs, but my husband gave me the green light for turning them on for a few brief evening hours.  Especially if the UPS guy needs extra light to make a delivery (he he!).

. . .update on crocheting hats for charity collections.  I frogged so many patterns that I found online.  I finally found a few that stitch up rather quickly, do not use a ton of yarn, and can be done with one color or with using up scraps of yarn (4, worsted weight acryrlic yarns in my stash).

First up is from a Youtube video I located.  I liked the ease of it, and the brim at the bottom is different from a rotated FPDC/BPDC stitch.  I find it uses less yarn, but has a very nice finished look.  I adapted the pattern to fit larger sizes, and used a different hook.  I did try the pattern as stated first, with a "J" hook, and it was huge!  I frogged it, and started over.

                 

Here is the first one I finished, using an H hook, and adding an extra DC row and two extra rows on the bottom brim.  It fits an adult.  The second one is the, same hook, but added more rows for an adult male.  I tried it on my husband to check size etc.  

I really like this pattern for a one color hat.

(First one completed for age 2-4, using the pattern as written)

Second up, is a free printable pattern from Yarnspirations, called Ridges Family Crochet Hat.  It comes in 3 sizes, and pretty easy to do.  I do recommend a stitch marker, as the first DC does not count as a stitch, and it's easy to miss that when you get to SL at the end of the row, making your seam of the hat a bit off.

The pattern is worked from the bottom of the hat, and up to the top for this one, but very easy to make.  The only thing I do not like about this pattern, is that the seam is slanted.  I've done the pattern several times, and it's the same every time.

Overall, I like the front look, but do not like the back. 

I like this "child's hat, because it stitches up very quickly, and the seam is straight on the back.  It can be folded up if needed as well to fit.  It's basically a lot of double crochets - pattern is called "Child's Hat" by Red Heart on Yarnspirations free patterns.

I also tried a baby hat pattern from Yarn Inspirations.  It's called the Teeny Weeny Crochet Cap.

However, you can slightly see the seam on the backside as well.  I have one skein of the simply soft yarn in lavender and in gray, so I'll try it in gray to see if the seam is badly visible.

As for a "scrap" yarn adult hat, I found a few patterns to try.  I'll either be frogging, or back to share the resource. Keep in mind, I am using worsted weight #4 yarn (not bulky) that I have in stash. 

Does anyone have a resource for me, for a simple baby hat?  New born?  

Does anyone have a resource for toddler and childern's hats that are quick to stitch up, and do not show a crocked backside seam?   

How about any new patterns for lap afghans or wheelchair size blankets?  I have located one, but am willing to look at other options, especially if they use scrap yarn too.  

. . .from the handiwork journal (update on crocheting hats for charity) © November 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

What's Cooking? Homemade Meatball Recipe

 

My meal plan was going pretty well before we both got sick.   We had roasted more of our home grown mashed potato squash, and paired it with some air fryer (can be done in the oven too) blackened chicken tenders (local chicken), and I thawed some garden green beans and local bacon to make the BBQ crock pot green beans.

The blackened chicken is simply chicken patted dry, seasoned with a mix of seasonings, and air fried (or baked).  There are so many online recipes for the chicken, but we love it (first time trying it).

Here is the recipe for homemade meatballs.  A friend shared it with me.  We buy our meat from a local butcher, buy the organic oats from an Amish area that is a quick a drive, but the only place to buy it anymore.

Homemade Meatballs

Meatballs
3 pounds ground chuck (see notes)
2 cups oatmeal, organic
2 eggs
1 cup chopped onion
13 oz. can evaporated milk, organic
2 teaspoons salt
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder (I use homemade)
1 tsp. black pepper

Mix well.  Shape into balls (I use a large cookie scoop), place on cookie sheet and freeze until firm, package and freeze until needed (or bake).

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.

Note:  I use half groung chuck and half ground pork, but you could use what you like.

The recipe uses oats in place of bread crumbs.  My recent batch was made with local pork sausage, because the butcher accidently gave me that instead of ground pork.  We'll see if how it tastes soon.  I already had the ingredients mixed before opening the meat packages.

I mix, roll the meatballs, and line a pan and freeze them.  I then bag them for future meals.  You could cook them ahead of time as well. It's all up to you.

What's Cooking?  Homemade Meatball Recipe © November 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart