Of course you need a pocket.

Inspiration comes from everywhere. Especially where I get the max for the minimum. But some things no matter how minimum are just too dang pricey. So what's a crafty chic to do? Improvise.

I want this, and so I think I'll make it

Striped Slouchy Hat

It's hat making time and my obsession is in full swing. I just completed my first slouchy hat and it was super easy. It amazes me how many different hats you can make from a single basic patter.



I used to get stressed that patterns looked so complicated, what with all the lace and bobbles and such. But the truth is I just like making hats and I really like making this one.



Sorry i'm not a good pattern writer. :-(



Yarn = Vickie Howell Sheep(ish) in Chartreuse(ish) & Gun Metal(ish). One skein each



Needle = 3.75 - 16in - circular needle



Now I use this needle because it works perfectly for my basic hat pattern, no magic loop or 5dpns. Not that those aren't awesome, but for super easy continuous knitting for 3/4 of the hat it's the 16in. You can adjust for your own awesome knitting style!



5 stitch markers, scissors & a darning needle of course.



Cast on 100 stitches, place one marker after each 20 stitches. Close your circle. Now i know that you're supposed to cast on with smaller needles and do your ribbing and switch to larger needles but ..................... I never do. I used to forget, but now I don't even try.



5x5 ribbing for 1.5 inches



now for the fun



Increase by 1 stitch on every other stitch all the way around however you like to increase. I like to K1 f&b (knit one in the front and back of ever other stitch). You will have 150 stitches on your needle (30 between each marker).



Now knit in the strip pattern you like best, get crazy if you're feeling it. For this hat I did 5 rows per color. But I always do 5 rows per color. It's just bold enough to be cute but not quite 1970's tube sock. Just a quick note to those who don't do stripes that often, to achieve 5 rows you'll knit 4 visible rows and then change colors so that when you knit your next row in the contrasting color you prior color will drop down and create you 5th row. Yay!



Go on in this manner until you have knitted 7-8 inches from CAST ON (depending on your hair) once there you gonna wanna decrease every other row before and after each stitch marker. Yes I know its a rapid decrease, but it's a slouch hat not a dunce cap. I like this decrease.



After stitch marker = s1, k1, psso



Before stitch marker = k2tog



Continue your decrease until you have 9 between each marker. Cut yarn, leaving a tail of about 10 inches. Use your darning needle to pick up the stitches left on the needle and close the circle.



You can tie off, or weave to secure your circle and after some cleaning up on the inside.......Boom, you gotta hat. Yay!



Let me know how it went.

Super Fun Nails

So the other day I was coveting the beautiful artificial nails of a cashier at my local grocer. Now for the past 5-6 years I have been avoiding fake nails because I wanted to get in touch with the natural me, you know so that i would know what I liked about me and what I didn't.

Well long story short I know now that I most certainly do not like my natural fingernails and decided that I am much more attractive to me with a little help from Sally Beauty Supply. I think you'll agree…

A Tale Of Love and Betryal

Tuesday, AM
Witnesses-NONE















Another tragic love affair. Let this be a lesson to you all. Someone always gets hurt in the end.

Watermelon Lemonade

Liquid Watermelon is almost more delicious than chilled chunks. And liquid melon mixed with lemonade can only be described as Summer in a Glass.

What you need is

1 Watermelon
1 Lime
1 Blender
1 Sieve
1 Pack of Cheesecloth
1 Radio, IPOD, CD or some such audio entertainment as this is the tedious part. But don't fret the payoff is huge.

Chop your melon into about 1 inch chunks. Set up your sieve and cheesecloth over a large measuring bowl or regular bowl, placing the cheesecloth over the sieve. This step is only necessary if you want perfectly strained melon juice. Being careful to not overfill your blender, liquify your melon in batches and strain until you have about 6 cups. then add the juice of 1, just 1 Lime.

Mix this with 8 cups of a lemonade of your choice. If you want my recipe. Here you go.

3/4 cup Freshly Squeezed Lemon juice
1 cup Sugar
7 cups Water

Mix well and ENJOY!

As always

Vodka
Gin
Rum (white)
Haven't tried Bourbon or Tequila. Let me know!

Blueberry Lemonade

When I first started blogging I thought it would be great to have a place to share the things I liked and maybe people would read or maybe not. And maybe I would post regularly but there was not stress because it was for my own entertainment. Well I have since grown up and realize that if you're going to do anything at all, do it right and well. So with that I give you:

Blueberry Lemonade


The Syrup

1 pint Blueberries
1 cup sugar
3 cups Water

Combine in a saucepan over medium/low heat for about an hour until reduced by half. Strain and cool. You should yield 2c syrup.

Lemonade

3/4 cup Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
1 cup Sugar
7 cups Water

Mix until sugar dissolves then add 1 cup of blueberry syrup stir again. Bottle it up.



Serve over ice or chilled or over an shot of one of the following
1. Bourbon
2. Vodka
3. White Rum
4. Red Wine and Tonic. I know, sounds crazy, but..........,

Enjoy!