Monday, December 10, 2012

Knitted Mini Stocking

I couldn't find a good mini stocking pattern, so I wrote my own. I didn't like how most were kind of stubby. I wanted mine to look like an old-fashioned stocking...more like a sock. I hope it works up well. I don't write a lot of patterns. I adapted it from a sock pattern.
Double-Pointed Needles - Size 9
Red Heart Super Saver Yarn

ssk (slip, slip, knit) Slip next 2 sts as if to knit, one at a time, to right needle; insert left needle into fronts of these 2 sts and knit them tog - 1 st decreased.

NOTES:
1. Socks are worked in rnds from top down on double-pointed needles.
2. Heel is turned (shaped) by working short rows.
3. Length of foot can be worked to any desired length.
SOCK With A, cast on 32 sts. Divide sts onto 4 needles. Place marker for beg of rnd. Join by working the first st on left hand needle with the working yarn from the right hand needle, being careful not to twist sts.
Rnd 1: Knit
Rnd 2: Purl Rep last 2 rnds 11 times, then change to B and Rep Rnd 1 once more. Work in stocking stitch for next 24 rnds. On last rnd, work only first 24 stitches. This will assure seam aligns with the middle of the heel when laid flat.

Heel Flap Note: Heel is worked back and forth in rows over 16 sts, on 2 needles only. The rem 16 sts, on the other 2 needles, are for the instep (top of foot), and will be worked again after the heel is complete. Remove beg of rnd marker. If desired, sl instep sts onto a holder for now.
Row 1: Sl 1 as if to purl, k15, turn.
Row 2: Sl 1 as if to purl, p15, turn.
Rows 3-10: Rep last 2 rows 4 times, then rep Row 1 once more.

Turn Heel Note: To turn (shape) the heel, short rows are worked over a portion of the sts in a row. To work short rows, the instructions will tell you to turn before you reach the end of the row, when you turn, leave the rem sts unworked.
Row 1: P8, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 2: Sl 1 as if to purl, k1, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 3: Sl 1 as if to purl, p to 1 st before the gap created by sl st on last rnd, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 4: Sl 1 as if to purl, k to 1 st before the gap created by sl st on last rnd, ssk, k1, turn.
Rep Rows 3 and 4 until all sts have been worked, end with RS row - there are now 8 sts for the heel. Note: On the last 2 rows there will be no heel stitch to work after the p2tog or ssk.
Next Rnd (RS): K across heel sts; with same needle, pick up and k7 sts along side of heel flap; with needles 2 and 3, work in St st as established across 16 top of foot (instep) sts; with needle 4, pick up and k7 sts along other side of heel flap and with same the needle k across 4 of the heel sts - 38 sts at the end of this rnd. Place marker for new beg of rnd.

Gusset
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: K to last 3 sts on first needle, k2tog, k1; on 2nd and 3rd needles, work in St st as established; on 4th needle, k1, ssk, k to end - 36 sts at the end of this rnd. Rep last rnd until 28 sts rem. Rearrange needles so there are 7 stitches on each needle.

Foot
Work in St st until foot measures about 2 in. less than desired total foot length, about 10 rows. Change to A.

Shape Toe
Next Rnd: *K to last 2 sts on first needle, k2tog; rep from * on each needle around - 24 sts at the end of this rnd.
Next Rnd: Knit. Rep last 2 rnds until 2 sts rem on each needle. Cut yarn, leaving 6 in. (15 cm) tail. Thread tail through rem sts. Pull gently to close opening. Knot to secure. Fasten off.

FINISHING Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES beg = begin(s)(ning) k = knit k2tog = knit 2 together p = purl p2tog = purl 2 together rem = remain(s)(ing) rep = repeat(s)(ing) rnd(s) = round(s) RS = right side sl = slip St st = Stockinette stitch st(s) = stitch(es) tog = together

Friday, June 15, 2012

Almond Milk Ice Cream

I recently tried almond milk for the first time. It tastes good, but I'm just not a big "any kind of milk" drinker...cow, almond, coconut or soy. So I decided to try making it into ice cream. It actually freezes faster than cow's milk. Here's my recipe: 3/4 cup almond milk 1/2 cup sugar 2 cups(1 pint) heavy cream 3/4 tablespoon vanilla extract Mix milk and sugar until the sugar is dissolved, then add remaining ingredients. Pour into ice cream maker and mix for 20 min. Transfer to freezer safe container and freeze until desired consistency. I plan on serving this over grilled pineapple with a drizzle of Nutella on top for a sweet Father's Day treat.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Bean Soup

I bought a package of Goya beans and it had this recipe on the bag (or something like it):

6 cups of water
1 package Goya ham flavor
1 package (1 lb.) of Goya 16 Bean Soup Mix
1 medium onion
2 stalks of chopped celery
1 chopped carrot
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper

My husband is a vegetarian, so I substituted the ham flavor for 2 vegetable buillion cubes and threw it in the crockpot for a few hours. When I went to check on it, it had soaked up a lot of water and needed some flavor, so I added:

1 cup of water
1 more buillion cube
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Tabasco

It was better, but still lacked something, so I added some crumbled spicy vegetarian sausage. Much better, but I think next time I will add some chopped kale just before serving it.