Moroccan Market Tote

A little while ago somebody posted a picture of their finished Moroccan Market Tote (pattern by Moogly), and I was in love from the word "Go" lol The pattern calls for stripes of different colors to make up the body of the bag, but right away I pictured it in Red Heart Super Saver blacklight yarn. I think it turned out really well, and I can't wait to see it in it's full glory (aka under a blacklight lol)

I got to a really good start on Feb 21, but the next day, about half way through, I ran out of blacklight yarn :-( I placed the order in mid Feb, and I had to wait until Mar 15 for it to finally come in the mail!  It felt. Like. Forever!  lol So I finished the project I started while waiting for the yarn, and on the 18th I got back to the bag. It was done, and put to use, the next morning  :-D

Not only is this a free pattern, it's an awesome free pattern!  I found that it was explained very clearly, with pictures to help along the way. I even learned a few tricks - such as the standing Double Crochet, and got a refresher on others - like the chainless beginning dc (instructions and links to tutorials are in the Moroccan Tote pattern)  I will be making another one for sure!  Thanks Moogly!!  <3

(Crocheted) Newfoundland Mittens pattern

The other day I was scrolling through all the patterns on Ravelry that use Red Heart Super Saver yarn, and I happened across a picture of some mitts that I really like.  But the few that I saw available were all knit.  While I know the basics of knitting, I am not a "knitter" by any means, and am scared to try reading a pattern  lol  But I like them so much, I thought it would be fun to write up a crochet version.  So here goes:

 

Please let me know if you find any errors or if anything is especially confusing, as this pattern has not been tested yet  :-)  I will update this pattern as I get input  <3  And as always, I'd love if you could "hook it" on Ravelry

(Crocheted) Newfoundland Mittens

Inspired by some Knit Mitts of the same name

Materials

• <1 skein WW yarn (CA)
• <1 skein WW yarn (CB)
• 5 mm crochet hook
• yarn needle for sewing in ends

Stitches (sts) used *American terminology used*

• ch – chain
• ss – slip stitch
• sc – single crochet
• sc2tog – single crochet two stitches together
• hdc – half double crochet
• fphdc – front post half double crochet
• bphdc – back post half double crochet
• dc – double crochet
• Vst – V stitch (double crochet, ch 1, double crochet in same st)

*note ch 1. at beginning of rnd does not count as a stitch, but ch 3 does count as dc. The (number) at the end of each rnd represents the st count for that rnd*

With CA, ch 26. Being careful not to twist, ss to join

Rnd 1. Ch 1. Hdc in same ch and each ch around. Ss to join. (26)

Rnds 2-15. Ch 1. Hdc in same st. Fphdc in next. *Bphdc in next. Fphdc in next. Repeat from * around. Ss to first hdc to join. (26)

Rnd 16. Ch 1. Sc in same st and each st around. Ss to first sc to join. (26)

Rnd 17. Ch 1. Sc in same st. 2 sc in next. *Sc in next. 2 sc in next. Repeat from * around. Ss to first sc to join. (26)

Rnd 18. Ch 4 (counts as dc plus ch 1). Dc in same st. Skip 2 sts. *(Dc, ch 1, dc) in next st (called Vst from this point on) Skip 2 sts. Repeat from * around. Ss to first dc to join. Place Marker (PM from this point on) to hold st. (13 Vst)

Rnd 19. Use ss to join CB in last Vst of previous rnd. Ch 3. 2 dc in same st. Making sure to keep CA to front of work when passing it, *3 dc in each Vst around. Ss to first dc to join. PM (39 dc)

Rnd 20. Pick up (P/U from this point on) working loop of CA. Join with ss in between first 2 Vsts of previous CA rnd, being sure to work around previous CB rnd as well (for this, and all other CA rdns). Ch 4. Dc in same st. Vst in between each Vst around. Keep CB to back of work, ss to join. PM (13 Vst)

Rnd 21. Insert hook in last Vst of previous rnd. P/U CB. Ch 3. 2 dc in same sp. 3 dc in each Vst around. Keeping CA to front of work ss to join. PM (39 dc)

Rnd 22. P/U CA. Ss in same sp, being sure to work around previous CB rnd as well. Ch 4. Dc in same st. Vst in between each Vst around. Keep CB to back of work, Ss to join. PM (13 Vst)

Rnd 23. Insert hook in last Vst of previous rnd. P/U CB. Ch 3. 2 dc in same st. Keeping CA to front of work (3 dc in next Vst)x10. Skip last sts. Ss to join (thumb hole made). (33 dc)

Rnd 24. P/U CA. Ss in same sp. Ch 4. Dc in same sp. (Vst between Vsts)x9. Vst on joining ss of previous rnd. Keep CB to back of work ss to join. PM (11 vsts)

Rnds 25-27. Repeat alternating rnds 21/22, fastening off CB at end of rnd 27 (33 dc/11 Vsts)

Rnd 28. P/U CA. Ss in same sp. Ch 3. Dc in same sp. 2 dc between each Vst around. Ss to join. (22)

Rnds 29-37. Ch 1. Sc in same st and each st around. Ss to join. (22)

Rnd 38. Ch 1. Sc in same st and next 8 sts. Sc2tog. Sc in next 9. Sc2tog. Ss to join. (20)

Rnds 39/40. Ch 1. Sc2tog around. Ss to join. (10/5)

Fasten off, leaving tail to sew last sts closed

Thumb – same for both mitts

With thumb hole pointing to your left, join CA with ss to first skipped Vst sp.

Rnd 1. Ch 1. Sc in same sp. Sc in each skipped dc and space between Vsts. 2 sc on side of dc. Sc at base of Vst. 2 sc on side of dc. Ss to join. (12)

Rnds 2-8. Ch 1. Sc in same st and each st around. Ss to join. (12)

Rnds 9/10. Ch 1. Sc2tog around. Ss to join. (6/3)

Fasten off, leaving tail to sew hole closed. Sew in all ends

CakePops :-D

So, I got a Cake Pop maker, and I tried it out last night... red velvet - yum!! 

I saw somebody selling one for just 5 bux in the local buy/sell, so I was all over that! Then, when she dropped it off, I went to hand her the money and she was super nice and said not to worry about it!  Very grateful!!  I'll be sure to pay it forward!

I downloaded the instructions, and last night was my first time playing with it.  I bought the ingredients to make chocolate, vanilla, red velvet and maraschino cherry cake pops.  It was a tough choice, but I went with the red velvet to be the first. 

Now, while they did turn out just fine, next time I make this flavor they'll be better because (and I'll just be totally honest here) I'm a dumbass and misread one of the steps, so it didn't mix *quite* as well as it should have lol  But that's OK! lol

In the instruction booklet they suggested using a piping bag or Ziploc bag to fill the reservoirs, but I found an old (clean!) ketchup bottle worked great too!  ;-)   Now which flavor should I make? Hmmmmm... lol