Oh joy, oh rapture we have SNOW. We finally have snow AND the school is closed today - HURRAH.
Mind you we don't have as much as the foot deep they have in London but there must be about three inches. The boys are out somewhere with friends and I've been busy baking cos I'm sure they'll be starving when they get back. Today on the menu are Cinnamon Buns a la Nigella (far too quick and easy to make):
and Butternut Squash and Pear soup. Tom, for the first time ever did not struggle to get into the office which is a good job as his colleague tried and abandoned the journey after three hours in the car. So Dad is working from home today and maybe we can all get out for a snowball fight later.
In between baking and cooking and closing doors that get left open by boys, I'm working on this:
It's a crocheted pot holder that I found in an old magazine.
I was looking for something quick and easy to make on a craft morning, that some of us Mum's have started, and it seemed to be a good option. However, the pattern has been a pig and I've been doggedly trying different things to make my pot holder look square like the one in the pattern. Now I know it's only a pot holder but I was convinced that the pattern was incorrect and I was determined to find out why. Madness.
Finally, a friend cracked it and she discovered that there weren't enough stitches in the centre (the pattern said to crochet three dc's in the middle but it was in fact five that makes it fan out into a square). I do wonder if I am stubborn, stupid or a perfectionist because I've wasted sooo much time on this. I wanted it to be just so. This one is the finished article with five dc's:
and here is the one with three dc's on top of the pink one:
Marginal I know but I just wanted to know why the pattern didn't produce the said square. Anyway, I think they're lovely, very pretty and useful and will make nice pressies. I'm already on my third one.
If you fancy a go - and they really are very quick to make - here is the pattern (slightly different from the original):
You'll need some dishcloth cotton and a size 4 crochet hook. First off chain 12 and join into a ring with a slip stitch.
Then make 20 double crochets (dc's) into the ring and join to the first with a slip stitch. Make one single crochet and turn.
Make four dc's into the next four dc's and then make five dc's into the next one and then four dc's into the next four dc's. One single crochet and turn.
Make six dc's into the next six dc's and then five dc's into the next one and then six dc's into the next six. One single and turn.
You carry on like this always making five dc's in the middle and increasing the outside ones by two each time. Always a single crochet at the end and turn. The pattern will be like an upside down V and it will be obvious where to do the middle five. Stop when the cloth is big enough for you. That's it.
It's a sinch - honestly! Now I'm off to stuff my face before braving a few snowballs.
Isn't snow wonderful. We've had snow on the ground for the whole of January (very unusual) but it's nearly all gone. Fortunately there's some fresh stuff forecast for this week. Totally understand your frustration with the pattern. Very pretty little thing...I especially like them all hung in a row in different colours.
Posted by: Georgia | February 02, 2009 at 01:18 PM
The snow looks fab (and the cinammon buns too) enjoy your snow day ....
Posted by: Carol | February 02, 2009 at 01:24 PM
Those cinnamon buns look amazing Simmy! I may try and make them for tomorrow since even up here it's looking like we'll have no school services tomorrow.
I really like your crocheted pot holders - I knit almost constantly but I have never quite managed to *get* crocheting. It doesn't make sense to me! Maybe I just need to persevere.
Posted by: Vonnie | February 02, 2009 at 05:06 PM
i second the cinnamon buns looking good. As soon as i saw your post i knew i recognized that pattern. I also found it in the 70's pattern book here at a thrift store in wyoming. Was actually going to start working on it soon, so thanks for the corrected pattern. Enjoy the snow.
Posted by: Jennifer F. | February 02, 2009 at 08:29 PM
Yours is looking like a wonderful place to be although I won't be venturing outside - more like the crochet hook for me I think. [We have about a foot of white stuff here].
I squinted my eyes to read the pattern from the photograph and wrote it down only to find that I should have read on because you'd also written it out so it was actually legible [and the original was wrong too]. I'll have a go at this and you might even see what my results are like if I finish it...
Have a great day and keep warm.
Posted by: greedy nan | February 03, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Hi Simmy, what a wonderful time you are having, with the snow, baking and crafting!.
The cinnamon buns look so delicious...
We are having here strong winds and no rain for nearly a month, very unusual for the tropics.
Enjoy the time with your family around. Ana
Posted by: Ana | February 04, 2009 at 03:06 AM
your pot holder looks fab, its a great colour too. so do your cinnamon buns actually, just the thing to prepare for snow-fun!
Posted by: Hannah | February 07, 2009 at 01:08 AM
YUM! Those cinnamon rolls look SO good and playing in the snow is the perfect way to burn them off!
Posted by: Rachel | February 11, 2009 at 06:05 PM
What a wonderful snow day! I'm glad I found your blog.
Posted by: Kimberly Ann | February 11, 2009 at 06:30 PM
'70's crochet rocks! Thanks for this awesome pattern!
Posted by: patti | February 12, 2009 at 12:11 AM
Oh goody, I thought, this looks simple, and I can crochet but am not vg at following a pattern but this looked easy enough for me to try. Not so ... I must have unpicked it 4 times now, as it is being sort of circular on one bit and then square-ish and then totally shapeless [not unlike myself]. I eventually thought it didn't look TOO bad and came back to have a look at your photos - and mine is just totally, TOTALLY, wrong. I don't even think I've gone in the right directions! I was going to link your blog to my blog and show a picture of mine to show what it SHOULDN'T look like but think I'm actually TOO embarrassed to even do that. Boo-hoo! Looks like I'm unpicking it - again...
Posted by: greedynan | February 16, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Hi, I have just passed on the Lemonade award to you. Your blog is lovely.
Posted by: The Magic Onions | February 22, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Blimey Simmy, snow doesn't last that long. What else has been going on for you in Feb?
Posted by: Georgia | February 26, 2009 at 02:06 AM
Great photos of the snow! And cinnamon buns must be the most wonderful accompaniment to the cold weather bringing heat from the oven and a gorgeous beckoning aroma! :)
Posted by: Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella | March 02, 2009 at 06:59 PM
I love the potholder pattern!! I just finished my second one today! will make great presents for easter!!
Posted by: mary | March 22, 2009 at 11:10 PM
and I just want to emphasize the good work on this blog, has excellent views and a clear vision of what you are looking for.
Posted by: soft cialis | November 11, 2009 at 09:02 PM