This week in stitches

This week I finished the baby blanket I've been working on:

I'm happy with how it turned out :-)

This was knit with 2 strands using #13 circular needles.

Jojo (2) found some yarn at a thrift store that he loved so I made him a quick scarf one evening.

He loves it! The yarn was very stretching and uneven in size, so crochet worked much better than knitting.

My current project is replacing all of my potholders.

I made this one last night:

I meant to use a nice block pattern, but the kitchen cotton just didn't have enough stretch to it, so I'll settle for plain ones :-) JoAnn Fabrics had kitchen cotton on sale a few weeks ago, so I stocked up and hope to have several more made in varying colors by next week.

Leftover Yarn Idea #1–Hair Ribbons

Even if you only do a little knitting or crocheting you probably have a stockpile of leftover yarn scraps. I have a whole basket of them, so I’ve been coming up with some easy leftover yarn projects to put these to good use.
This first one is super easy and can be done with a fairly small amount of yarn – hair ribbons.

You can make these as long or short, plain or pretty as you want.

This one was very basic. I did this using worsted weight acrylic and #13 needles.
-Cast on 60 stitches.
-Garter stitch 6 rows.
-Bind off.
That’s it!

Easy Homemade Baby Wipes

I just love our homemade baby wipes. Jojo gets diaper rash from regular wipes; even the sensitive kind.

You will need:

1 roll VIVA paper towels (they are the most cloth-like), cut in half

2 Tbsp  baby oil

  1/2 Tbsp baby wash

2 drops Tea tree oil

1-1/2 cup boiled water

an air tight container to store them in

First, boil 1and 1/2 cup of water. This will kill anything that might end up growing on your wipes.

While the water is boiling cut the roll of paper towels in half. I have found that a ceramic knife works best for this. I got mine at IKEA for $40 and I love it. If you don't have one, a good chef's knife will do, but it was much harder for me to cut that way.

I pull out the cardboard center so it won't waste any of the mixture.

Once the water has boiled for a few minutes, remove from heat and add 2 tbsp baby oil, 1/2 tbsp baby wash and 2 drops tea tree oil. Mix lightly.

Put the half roll of paper towels in the container (save the other half for the next batch) and slowly pour the mixture over the top. Cover immediately to trap the steam in the container.

The wipes are ready when they have cooled.

These are soft, sturdy, and inexpensive.

The tea tree oil can be a little expensive ($7) but it will last a long time since you are only using 2 drops. The tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant and will keep your wipes from growing mold. It also gives them a nice fresh scent.

These work great as homemade Boogie wipes too. For bad colds I omit the soap and add one packet of sinus rinse.

*Reposted from my other blog:
http://www.bygracealone.net/2011/03/homemade-baby-wipes.html

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In God's Hands

PUT IT IN GOD'S HANDS...

  A basketball in my hands

is worth about $19.
A basketball in LeBron James's hands

is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A baseball in my hands

is worth about $6.
A baseball in Felix Hernandez' hands

is worth $275 million.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

A tennis racket is useless
in my hands.
A tennis racket in Andy Murray's hands

is worth millions.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A rod in my hands

will keep away an angry dog.
A rod in Moses' hands

will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A slingshot in my hands
is a kid's toy.
A slingshot in David's hand

is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands

is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in Jesus' hands

will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands

will produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it's in.

As you see now,

it depends whose hands it's in.

So put

all

your concerns,

your worries,
your fears,

your hopes,

your dreams,

your families

and your relationships

in God's hands,

because...

it depends Whose Hands it's in.

-Author unknown

Lets Get Stitched - Basket Weave Scarf

Earlier this winter I was planning on making a basket-weave patterned baby blanket. Since I was working without a pattern I decided to knit a small sample before starting the actual project, and it ended up becoming my new favorite scarf.

This was made using Red Heart brand worsted weight acrylic color 374 Country Rose and #7 bamboo needles.

I achieved the raised texture by using a twisted knit stitch, which I hope, Lord willing, to demonstrate here in a future post.

What have you stitched this week? Blog about it and link up over at Blueberry Cottage.

Soft and Moist Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

 

This is a favorite in our house and is very easy to make, either as loaves or muffins. This recipe makes two loaves.

CLICK HERE for a gluten-free, dairy-free version. 

Ingredients:
1 cup shortening
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tsp vanilla extract
6 very ripe bananas - mashed
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.

2.In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition.
Stir in the bananas, mayonnaise, and vanilla
Stir together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
Blend the flour mixture into the banana mixture; stir just enough to evenly combine. Do not over-mix.

3. Fold in chocolate chips.

4.Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 50 to 75 minutes. Cool loaf in the pan for 20 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

For muffins:

Grease muffin tin or use baking cups.
Fill muffin tin or cup 3/4 full.
Bake at 350 for 20-23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

** This was originally posted at my other blog: http://www.bygracealone.net/2009/10/chocolate-chip-banana-bread.html

*** We are a nut-free household, but I’m sure walnuts would be great in these.