Simple Winter Crochet Scarf Pattern

As winter is in full blast on the Northern hemisphere it is time to bundle up! And what better way then to make a scarf for your self or loved one. I love this pattern because its easy to do and fairly quick depending on the yarn you use!

Simple Winter Crochet Scarf

For this pattern you could use one kind of yarn throughout the whole scarf or you could do something like I did, which is take six balls of yarn (2 Cream, 1 Wine Red, 1 Orange Masala, 1 Forest Green, and 1 Moss Green) and have the colors alternate every two rows.

Items needed:

One "J" Crochet hook

2 balls of one base color

One ball each of 3-4 various colors

(I used Knit Picks brand 100% Peruvian wool, 231 yards (50 grams) per ball)

Scarf Pattern:

1. Chain 26

2. On every other chain you will want to sc2, ch2, sc2, repeat until row is complete

3. On the next row in the 2ch space of the previous row, sc2, ch2, sc2, repeat until row is complete (The pattern should start to look like the one shown below)

4. Repeat step 3 until scarf is desired length

5. Once scarf is desired length tie off, and your scarf is complete!

Note: If you are alternating colors, I highly recommend you alternate every two rows versus every row, itll make it easier to alternate colors and generally looks more appealing to the eyes once the scarf is finished.

Holiday Jellied Sandwich Cookies

November has arrived and therefore the holidays are approaching! Time to get in some warm pajamas and curl up with some cookies and a good book. This simple recipe is delicious for the occasion!

Holiday Jellied Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients:

1 stick of unsalted butter

2 cup sugar

4 tbsp lemon zest (optional)

2 egg

1/2 tsp salt

3 cup flour

1/2 cup jam

Other items needed:

A mixer

A cookie sheet

A bowl

A spatula

A knife

Cling wrap

Tin foil

Measuring cups and spoons

Refrigerator

Circular cookie cutter (if you want perfectly round cookies)

Directions:

1. Beat butter, sugar, zest, eggs and salt into a bowl using your mixer

2. Slowly beat in flour

3. Roll dough into two round cylinders about the same size each

4. Cover the dough with cling wrap and leave in the refrigerator for at least an hour, overnight would be best

5. Preheat oven to 375 F, take dough out of the fridge and cut into 1/4 inch thick disks. (Note: I remolded some of my cookies edges so that they were fairly more round, a cookie cutter can fix any misshapen cookies if you want them to be perfectly round)

(Note: If you happen to have a small cookie cutter, you can cut the center out of some cookies so that the jam can show through on the finished assembled cookie)

6. Bake 7-10 minutes

7. Let cool

8. Add jam to the bottom of one cookie and stick together with the bottom of another cookie (so that both tops of cookies are on each outer side of the cookie)

Congratulations! You have now made delicious cookies to indulge yourself or impress your family with! Happy Holidays!

Sweet Pomegranate Guacamole

As the holdiays approach everyone needs a new recipe to impress their guests. This dish is also a great snack food for those looking to watch their weight. A mixture of two exotic fruits, the pomegranate and avocado, for an enticing food experience

Sweet Pomegranate Guacamole

Ingredients and Items Needed:

One avocado (soft)

One pomegranate

1/3 measuring cup

1 bowl

A knife

A cutting board

A fork

A mortar and pestle (or a cup and a large spoon)

A paper towel

(Optional additions: Crushed red pepper, lemon juice)

Instructions:

1. Cut up and extract pomegranate seeds

2. Take 1/3 cups (or slightly less, depending on the size of your avocado - my avocados are quite large) of non-crushed pomegranate seeds, using mortar and pestle (or in a cup with a large spoon) mash the pomegranate seeds (Note: The pomegranate seed juice will fly everywhere when you crush the seeds so make sure to cover the cup or pestle with a paper towel while crushing the seeds)

3. On your cutting board, cut the avocado and peel off the skin. 

4. Mash the avocado in a bowl with your fork.

5. Mix the avocado and the pomegranate mush together

Delicious! If you want to spice up this dish more think of adding crushed red pepper for a sweet n' spicy taste. Another addition could be adding some lemon juice for a sweet n' sour taste.

I suggest eating this guacamole with Triscuits or Wheat Thins, I particularly like the Roasted Tomato flavor.

Good luck!

Loving Crochet Headband

Recently Ive fallen in love with headbands. Ive always found the little stray hairs that fall into my face particularly annoying but this cute and stylish solution is simple and easy!

Loving Crochet Headband

Required Materials:

Yarn

A crochet Hook

A sewing needle

Thread

A button

(For this headband I used Loops and Threads Super Fine Sock Yarn in "Redwoods: Color #5" and a "G" (4.25mm) hook)

Directions:

1. Ch 4

2. Sc 4, continue until approx. 11 1/2 inches long depending on head size 

(Note: This is the measurement for my head size, which is rather slightly smaller than average, therefore if you have a larger head size you should increase the length by 1/2 to 1 inches)

3. Using your sewing needle and thread sew the button of your choice to one side of the headband

(Note: I found buttons with four holes in their center versus 2 holes in the center to be more stable)

4. On the other side of the headband tie on a piece of your yarn into a circle in an appropriate size that can fit over your button

5. Viola! Your new headband is complete!

The Back-Loop Stitch

THE BACK-LOOP STITCH

As the winter season approaches its time to crochet those sweaters and socks! Therefore you should know how to "back-loop stitch". The back-loop stitch is tightly woven together but, because the new stitch hinges off the previous stitch, it very stretchable. Therefore this stitch is great for cuffs on sweaters, the tops of socks, or headbands.

Above is an image of how to would normally do a single crochet. The image below is how you would do a back-loop stitch. The main difference between these two types of stitching is that instead of using both loops from the previous crochet, you are only using the back-loop (You can also do front-loop stitching by only using the front loops)

If you are still having difficulty with which loop is the back loop, below is another image with the back-loop being held.

Now that you know which loop is being used you can being your crochet masterpiece! The back-loop stitch is completed as a normal single crochet would be. Good luck!

How to Thread Your Eyebrows

There are many methods to keeping your eyebrows trimmed, but threading is the most cost effective and quick. Personally, I hate to spend the money to wax my eyebrows and plucking takes so much time. My preferred method is threading, which is fairly quick and only requires a piece of thread to do.

THREADING

Items Needed: 

A piece of thread (about 3-4 inches long)

A mirror

How To:

1. First you take your thread and tie it into a circle

2. Make one twister in your thread (So the circle makes a figure 8 shape)

3. With you index and middle fingers holding each side of the figure 8, move the thread back and forth by shifting your fingers and using you thumbs for support (The point is to move the twist in the center left and right)

4. Once you have the motion down, press the twist in the center to your face where you want the hair removed 

5. Quickly slide the twist forward or back to remove the hair (Its must been done quickly or the hair will not come out and it will be more painful)

6. Work the twist over all area in which you would like hair removed on your face (eyebrows, upper lip etc.)

Congratulations! Your eyebrows should look neat and beautiful!

Summertime DIY Detox

As spring is winding down to end, summers hot days bring out the bathing suits and bikinis. This detox will have you feeling cleansed and ready to go for your summer adventures! Plus helps to boost your metabolism.

Summertime DIY Detox

Ingredients:

Apple Cider Vinegar - 2 tablespoons

Pineapple Juice - 1/2 cup

Honey - 2 tablespoons

Lime (or Lemon) - 1 whole lime, 1/2 large lemon

Steps:

1. In a glass mix honey and lime

2. Add pineapple juice and apple cider vinegar, stir

Voila! This should be consumed every day to every other day to keep your systems cleaned. Otherwise your body will start to return to its state before the detox. Nothing lasts forever!

Another tip for body detoxing is drinking a glass of water with 2 tbsp of lemon in it a day. Although drinking plain water keeps your body clean and healthy. Especially with the hot sun, at least 8 glass of water a day can really give your body what it needs to be great!

How To Make Blini (Russian Crepes)

Blini, essentially the Russian form of crepes, are thin like pancakes that can be eaten with sweet or savory foods. This recipe comes from my boyfriends mother whom is a master blini maker. I have become an intermediate blini maker and therefore my "bleens" are cooked in half circles. If you feel risky, try making full circles in your pan.

How to Prepare and Cook Blini

Ingredients:

3 Cups Milk

3 Eggs

2 Cups Flour

1/2 Tsp Salt

1 Tbsp Sugar

1 Tbsp Butter or 1 Tbsp Olive Oil

A Mixer

A Non-stick fry pan

1 Spatula (for mixing the blini batter)

1 Turner Spatula (for flipping the blini)

1 Ladle

To Make Blini Batter:

1. In a mixer bowl add milk, eggs, sugar, and salt

2. Turn on the mixture and slowly add the flour, make sure you don't add it too fast or clumps will occur. Use your spatula to make sure all flour is mixed in. (Set aside butter)

To Cook Blini:

1. Using the butter you set aside, take a small amount and have it melt in your pan. This will ensure that your blini do not stick.

2. Once your butter is melted and your pan is medium-hot, use your ladle and add the batter to your pan (if you are uncomfortable with making full circle then start with half circles)

3. It takes about a minute to a minute and a half to cook, once most of the blini batter is cooked (which you can tell by looking at the top, after bubbling it should change a shade darker) then flip it over. Half circles are easy to flip but if you are trying full circles I would suggest making sure your spatula is mainly in the center and flip quickly.

4. Once you fill the blini over it takes about thirty second to cook. Slide the blini onto a plate and enjoy!

Personally, I ate my blini rolled up with nutella and whip cream (shown below) but my boyfriend prefers them plain. Surely they are yummy prepared anyway.

Delicious!

Sweet N' Sour Strawberry Lemon Facial Mask

With Summer on the horizon its time for a "pick me up" out of Winter. This delicious concoction will clear the dead skin from your face while helping preventing future break outs.

Sweet N' Sour Strawberry Lemon Facial Mask

Ingredients/Items needed:

2 Strawberries

1 Slice of lemon (Approx. 1 teaspoon)

3-5 Tablespoons of honey (depending on how much lemon juice you add)

1 Fork

1 Small cup

Step 1: Place tablespoons of honey in a small cup

Step 2: Mash strawberries with your fork until only small chunks remain, add to honey

Step 3: Squeeze lemon juice into the honey strawberry mixture, stir (Depending on who much your honey/lemon ratio is, add more honey for a thicker mixture or add more lemon to reduce the thickness of the mask)

Note: This mask is still going to be a bit runny, so apply over a sink

Step 4: Wait 5-10 minutes, wash mask off

Ill admit, this mixture also tastes delicious, so if you have some left over (that hasn't been on your face) I would recommend a spoonful or two. I hope the Summer treats everyone well!

DIY "Sunshine in My Bathtub" Bath Soak and Scrub

It has been raining for the last week here in Seattle, and its suppose to rain for the next week as well. This gloom has really got my mood down and for the perfect pick-me-up is a nice warm bath. This homemade bath soak is soothing in smell and helps to soften your skin.

"Sunshine in My Bathtub" Bath Soak and Scrub

Ingredient for Bath Scrub:

3-4 tablespoons of oil (virgin olive oil, canola oil, or coconut oil)

4-5 tablespoons of sugar

A few drops of your favorite perfume

1. Mix oil and sugar together, make sure there is enough sugar that the mixture is like a paste

2. Add perfume, mix

Ingredients for Bath Soak:

1 bathtub full of water at a warm temperature

2-3 cups of warm milk (depending on your bath tub size)

3 tablespoons of baking soda*

"Sunshine in My Bathtub" Bath Scrub 

1. After your bath tub is filled with warm water add warm milk and baking soda, stir gently

2. Get in the bath tub

3. Scrub your body with the "Sunshine in My Bathtub" Bath Scrub, your should be able to smell your favorite scent as you soak in your skin softening bath

*Also see the many other benefits of baking soda in my previous post "Benefits of Baking Soda" posted in March

Now grab a bar of chocolate, some tea (or wine) and a book. This will certainly make your day!

Royal Prince Crochet Baby Crown

My boyfriends older sister is happily awaiting the arrival of her baby boy in July, therefore for her recent baby shower I decided to crochet her soon-to-be born prince a "crown" to keep him warm!

Royal Prince Baby Boy Crochet Crown

Items needed: 

1 spin of Royal Blue Yarn (Chunky 9mm)

1 spin of White or Light Cream (Chunky 9mm)

1 roll of gold string (about 1 cm in width)

1 Size N (10 mm) crochet hook

Center piece: 

1. Using the white yarn ch 5, sl st closed

2. Sc 10 in the Ch 5 circle you created, sl st closed

3. 2 Sc in each sc space, sl st to next row

4. 2 sc, sc* repeat all around, sl st closed

Your center piece should look like this, now turn your work and start using the royal blue yarn

5. With the blue yarn, ch 12

6. Back loop sc back to the white center piece, sl st into next sc of the white center piece

7. Back loop sc back out

8. Back loop sc back to white center piece, skip sc, sl st sc

9. Back loop sc back out

10. Repeat steps 8-9 until entire round is complete

Turn your work so you are crocheting on the sides of the ends of each strand from the white center piece

11. Sc in each end of each strand

12. Sc next row

13. Sc next row

14. Sl st on top of row from step 13

15. Sl st on top of row from step 12

16. Fasten off

17. Weave your gold ribbon in the strings left between the sl st's from steps 14 and 15

18. Using blue yarn ch 10, sl st closed

19. Fasten the loop into the hole of the center white piece

Congratulations! You've now created the cutest hat for your prince to be!

BONUS! Not only in this post do you learn how to make this crown but also matching mittens!

Princely Baby Mittens

Items:

Using the leftover yarn and gold from above (I had plenty to continue)

1. Using blue yarn ch 3

2. Sc 3 along ch 3

3. On other side of ch 3, sc 3

Now you can create a circle using both 3sc sides

4. Sc 6 in a circle

5. sc in each, except 2sc in each sc on sides of mittens (where the pinky and thumb would fall)

6. Sc in each sc

7. Continue until mitten is about 3 inches in length

8. Switch to white yarn, sc once around

9. Sc once around again, sl st closed

10. Fasten off

11. Weave gold ribbon in between blue and white yarn to tight the mitten over the babies hands

Congratulations! Now you have warm matching mittens for your baby boy!

Baking Soda Benefits

Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda is common in any household due to the fact its used for multiple purposes. This wonderful white powder is good for cooking, cleaning, health care, and body care! In this post, we will be exploring the ways to prepare baking soda and common/uncommon uses for it!

Baking Soda Benefits

Baking Soda Paste Mixture -

(To make baking soda paste, mix water with baking soda until thick)

-Spot Acne Treatment 

Before bed, apply a small amount onto the zit. Or apply at anytime of the day and wash off after about ten        minutes at the very least

-Facial Exfoliation

Using a slightly less thick paste mixture, gently rub all over ones face for gentle exfoliation. Rinse. 

-Bug Bites, Bee Stings, Rashes, and Itchy Skin

Apply paste to irritated area (If possible, apply a bandage over the top so the mixture wont rub off)

Water with Some Baking Soda Mixture - 

(For this mixture have a balance of water and baking soda, unless stated otherwise)

-Mouthwash for a Whiter Smile

Swish around mouth for 30 seconds each morning to whiten your teeth

-Mouthwash to Relieve Canker Sore Pain

Swish around mouth for 30 seconds every hour to relieve canker sore pains

-Antacid

Drink approx. a 1 1/2 tsp in a full glass of water to relieve antacid

NOTE: Make sure baking soda is fully mixed with water before you drink! 

-Skin Softener 

Add 3 tbsp baking soda to your bath for softer skin

-Cleaning

This mixture and a sponge will clean a variety of items in your household from the bath tub, stained coffee mugs, the microwave, the oven, the toilet etc.

-Shine

Restore shine to old floors

Restore shine to silver

Benefits of Baking Soda Powder-

(This is the normal baking soda you get from a box, no water added. Please do not confuse "powder" to mean "baking powder" I use "powder" to clarify that this is just baking soda, no water)

-Whiter Smile

Mix 1 tsp of baking soda with your toothpaste for when you brush your teeth in the morning and evening. This will whiten your teeth

-Deodorant

Using a facial puff, dab some baking soda powder onto your underarms as a deodorant

-Hair Care

Apply approx 1 tsp of baking soda powder with your shampoo when you're showering. This will clean your hair of products that have left residue on your hair and natural build up of oils.

-Deodorizer

Baking soda powder helps eliminate bad smells, therefore sprinkle some powder on those old couch cushions, the cats litter box, or your gym shoes. In a bowl, leave some powder sitting out in your fridge (or any enclosed space) to eliminate odor.

-Pests

Around your pets food bowl and your doors sprinkle some baking soda powder to keep pests away

The outstanding abilities of baking soda! So, next time you're in a jam and don't know the solution - maybe its baking soda?

"Brighten Me Banana" Facial Mask

Hello March! Springtime is just around the corner and its time to perk up your skin! Great for any day anytime this mask is very simple and doesn't take much time. 

The best reason to use banana for a facial mask is that the banana is full of vitamins A, B, and E, which helps the skin work against aging. 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 tbsp of Honey

1 Semi-Soft Banana

A bowl

A fork

 Brighten Me Banana

1. Once you have the honey in your cup, cut the banana into 1/2 inch rounds and add to the cup 

2. Using your fork, mash the bananas

(If your banana is ripe, you may have to use a whisk or blender to mix the banana fully)

3. Over a sink apply all over the face. Let sit for about 5-10 minutes.

4. Rinse and dry the face

Congratulations! You now how the benefits of the banana assisting your skin!

Plus if you have banana left over, its a delicious snack

Swirl Nails

Its magical what you can do with some water and nail polish! This catchy swirl pattern is one of my favorites to wear because of all the colors you can put into your nails!

Items Needed -

A cup (Disposable is best since the cup will get nail polish on it)

Tape

A bobby pin or needle

Any nail varnishes of your choosing

Water (distilled preferably)

Swirl Nails

 1. Apply base layer color to nails (clear or a solid color) (Note: I used clear nail polish in this tutorial, but if you want more vibrant colors I suggest using a solid color)

2. Tape around nails. Typically takes about three small pieces of tape. To place tape, apply one piece to the base of your nails. Place another on the side of your nail, repeat on the other side of the nail. 

3. Open all nail polishes for easy access. Taking each nail varnish, place one drop of each color on top of the previous color (The nail varnish will spread out) (If nail polish sinks, use distilled water)

4. Once colors are dropped onto the water, take your bobby pin or needle and create small circles in the colors to create your swirls. 

5. Now taking your taped finger dip it into the mixed nail varnish. The water will press the nail polish into your nail, sealing it. When you pull your nail out of the water make sure that the remaining nail polish sitting on the water does not get on your nail!

6. Once nails are dry, peel of the tape around your nails. If the tape didn't cover an area of skin that got nail varnish on it, use a q-tip with nail polish remover and clean off those little spots.

7. (Optional) Apply top coat/clear coat to seal in your nail varnish (this will make it last longer)

Congratulations! You now have creative swirl nails that will impress all your friends!

Crochet Legwarmers

To start, Happy Valentines Day! Anyway, I received this wonder baby alpaca yarn for Christmas and I've been dying to use it. Therefore because its quite chilly where here in Washington State I decided to make, the once again fashionable, legwarmers to keep from the cold! Its difficult choosing a pattern and none that I found really caught my eye. Therefore this very simple pattern is written by myself. Enjoy!

Items need:
Crochet Hook: Size J
Yarn: Knit Picks brand 100% baby alpaca yarn in "Fog Heather"*
*In this pattern I used two rounds (each round in 110 yards)

Crochet Legwarmers

Beginning Cuff-
Rnd One - Ch 7
Rnd Two - Back loop sc seven, sl st (Repeat Rnd Two for 25-30 rows depending on ankle/calf size)
Rnd Three - sl st closed

Calf -
To begin calf, turn cuff so one of the holes is facing towards you
Rnd One - In each blue space sc, over each red space ch 2, sl st to start Rnd Two

Rnd Two - 2 sc in each ch 2 space from previous Rnd, sc in each sc of previous Rnd, sl st to start next Rnd

Rnd Three - Ch 3, skip 2, sc in next three* (Repeat until entire Rnd is complete)

Rnd Four - 4 sc in each ch 3 space, ch 3* (Repeat until entire Rnd is complete)

Rnds Five - Thirty Five (Depending on calf length, you can shorten or continue Rnds)

Rnd Thirty Five - Where you would normal ch 3, ch 2 and where you would normally sc 4, sc 2 

Rnd Thirty Six - Repeat Rnd Thirty Five

Cuff Ending - 

Turn work, as to crochet alongside the calf piece

Rnd One - Ch 7 from your calf piece

Rnd Two - Back loop sc 7, this should bring you back to the main piece of work. Sl in ch 2 space* (Repeat this until you've made it around the circumphrence of the calf piece. 

Rnd Approx. 25-30 - Sl st work closed

Congratulations! You now have warm, comfortable legwarmers!