Newborn/3M Crochet Football Cocoon

There's a new virus going around... Babies, babies, babies... HOW EXCITING! It seems like everyone of my friends are either getting engaged or getting pregnant.  Well, lucky me! I found out that my college roommate is expecting! Her husband is a Green Bay Packer so, of course, I need to make something football themed.

Since I started crocheting, I have been wanting to make a cocoon for a newborn and I came across this pattern on Etsy.  Too bad it is for knitting or I would buy it... done deal! Right? Too bad I crochet... But, luckily enough, the posting tells me that the yarn used is super bulky, and I've made hats before...

I can come up with a pattern that replicates this posting?  Well, I gave it a shot.  Here is what I've come up with!

Materials:

6.50 mm hook
2 skeins Bernat Softee Chunky yarn in dark taupe

1 skein (I didn't use all of it) Bernat Softee Chunky yarn in white

Gauge:

9 sc = 3 inches

Size:

Hat

14 inches in circumference 

6 inches from top of hat to bottom (crown to bottom of ear)

Cocoon

21 inches in circumference
18 inches long (unrolled) - 17-17.5 inches rolled

Directions:

Hat

using dark taupe (brown) yarn

Round 1: in magic ring, sc 7, sl st in first sc (7 sts)
Round 2: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as you sl st, 2 sc around, sl st in first sc (14 sts)
Round 3: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as you sl st, sc in next st, [2 sc, sc] around, sl st in first sc (21 sts)
Round 4: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as you sl st, sc in next 2 sts, [2 sc, sc in next 2 sts] around, sl st in first sc (28 sts)
Round 5: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as you sl st, sc in next 3 sts, [2 sc, sc in next 3 sts] around, sl st in first sc (35 sts)
Round 6-7: ch 1, sc in same st as you sl st, sc around, sl st in first sc (35 sts)
Round 8: ch 1, sc in same st as you sl st, sc around, (changing yarn to white) sl st in first sc (35 sts)
Round 9: (using white yarn) ch 1, sc in same st as you sl st, sc around, sl st in first sc (35 sts)
Round 10: ch 1, sc in same st as you sl st, sc around, sl st in first sc (35 sts)

Round 11: ch 1, sc in same st as you sl st, sc around, (changing yarn to dark taupe) sl st in first sc (35 sts)

Round 12-14: (using dark taupe) ch 1, sc in same st as you sl st, sc around, sl st in first sc (35 sts)
F/O and weave in ends

Cocoon
using the dark taupe (brown)
Round 1: in magic ring, sc 7, sl st in first sc (7 sts)
Round 2: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as you sl st, 2 sc around, sl st in first sc (14 sts)
Round 3: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as you sl st, sc in next st, [2 sc, sc] around, sl st in first sc (21 sts)
Round 4: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as you sl st, sc in next 2 sts, [2 sc, sc in next 2 sts] around, sl st in first sc (28 sts)
Round 5: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as you sl st, sc in next 3 sts, [2 sc, sc in next 3 sts] around, sl st in first sc (35 sts)
Round 6: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as you sl st, sc in next 4 sts, [2 sc, sc in next 4 sts] around, sl st in first sc (42 sts)
Round 7: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as you sl st, sc in next 5 sts, [2 sc, sc in next 5 sts] around, sl st in first sc (49 sts)
Round 8: ch 1, 2 sc in same st as you sl st, sc in next 6 sts, [2 sc, sc in next 6 sts] around, (changing yarn to white) sl st in first sc (56 sts)
Round 9: (using white) ch 1, sc in same st as you sl st, sc around, sl st in first sc (56 sts)

Round 10: ch 1, sc in same st as you sl st, sc around, (changing yarn to dark taupe) sl st in first sc (56 sts)

Round 11-49 (or 50, depends on how long your cocoon is): (using dark taupe) ch 1, sc in same st as you sl st, sc around, sl st in first sc (56 sts)

F/O and weave in ends

Laces
using the white
surface stitch (here is a great tutorial on how to surface stitch)

Main Lace:
I started surface stitching 8 rounds from the white stripe and I surface stitched 21 times, turned and went down the other side of the row
To connect the surface stitches, I took a 5.00 mm hook and pulled the white yarn (making a zigzag pattern) back and forth between the two rows of surface stitches using the inside of each surface stitch
I inserted my hook and pulled the yarn over the stitch and out from underneath

Small Laces:
I did the same concept as the main lace but I spaced them by leaving 2 sts on each end and 4 sts in between each small lace.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment!

Happy Hooking!

Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only.  If you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog.

Cheeseburger Pie

Have you ever had one of those times where you have an extra pound of ground beef and don't know what to do with it?  You are trying to stay away from bread but are craving a cheeseburger?  I know that I have and for those types of occasions my mother would make us cheeseburger pie!  It is so easy to make, you could probably do it with your eyes closed (I don't recommend it though).  Here's how it goes:

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 medium onion, diced

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

1/2 cup Bisquick

1 cup milk

2 eggs

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Spray a 9 inch pie plate with non stick spray.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a large skillet, saute ground beef, onion, salt, and pepper until the beef is cooked through.  Drain the excess fat.  Spread into the pie plate.
3. In a small bowl, mix whisk the egg and milk together, slowly add the Bisquick so there are no clumps.  Pour mixture over the ground beef.
4. Top with the cheddar cheese.
5. Bake for 25 minutes at 400 degrees.

My mom used to add slices of tomato on the top but, I don't care for tomatoes.  I enjoy this with a fried egg on top.  ENJOY!

Tex Mex Casserole

Hey everyone!  It's been a while since my last post (sorry for that).  I have signed up for an online class that seems to take up all of my free time.  I have spared a few moments for you to share a new recipe that I have found.  I know that I have said it before and I will say it again, I am obsessed with pinterest.  And recently I have become obsessed with making my New Years resolution a reality (I am training for a 5k) and have lost a few pounds.  I am tracking EVERYTHING that I put into my body using the "MyFitnessPal" app.  So, of course I am interested in healthier recipes (I grew up making things like Paula Deen, with unhealthy ingredients).

I found a recipe for a Tex Mex Casserole from Skinny Mom (which is a great site if you all are interested in these types of things).  I actually changed her recipe a little to suit my needs.  Here it is:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups (uncooked) whole wheat penne pasta, cooked

1 can (10.5 oz) Campbell's Healthy Request Tomato soup

1/2 cup water

1 lb ground turkey

1/2 medium yellow onion, diced

1 tsp minced garlic

1 can (10.5 oz) Campbell's Healthy Request Cheddar Cheese soup

1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes (don't be afraid to buy the mild if you don't like hot things)

1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chilies

1 1/2 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can (15 oz) sweet corn, drained

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, mix the tomato soup with the water until it is an even consistency.  Add the cooked penne to the soup.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground turkey, onion, and garlic until the turkey is cooked through.  Add the cheddar cheese soup, Rotel tomatoes, green chilies, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Stir on low heat until the ingredients mix easily together. 
4. In a small bowl, mix the black beans and corn.  
5. Spray non-stick spray on a 9x13 glass pan.  Pour the tomato soup and penne mixture into the bottom of the pan.  Top with the ground turkey mixture. (I sprinkled extra chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper in between the layers). Add the black beans and corn mixture to the top.  You can add reduced fat cheddar cheese to the top, if you like.
6. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through.

ENJOY!

Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps

Do you ever crave food?  In particular Chipotle or Qdoba?  I know that my boyfriend and I do.  Our grocery store has a special on rotisserie chickens every Friday, 2 for $10!  So, I usually buy them.  This time we were looking at having chicken wraps so, I came up with a "southwest" themed wrap. I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 rotisserie chicken, shredded
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp garlic salt
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp dried cilantro
• 2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 10 whole wheat tortillas
• 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• plain Greek yogurt

Directions:

1. In large bowl, mix cooked rice with cumin, paprika, garlic powder, garlic salt, onion powder, cilantro, cayenne pepper, and oregano.  Add drained black beans, chicken, red bell pepper, and green onion.
2. To assemble: line the tortilla with a small amount of cheese, place a dollop of Greek yogurt in the center, add 2 large spoon-fulls of the chicken/bean/rice mixture on top of the Greek yogurt.  Fold in two ends and roll. TIP: put a small amount of cheese in the overlapping tortilla to seal it shut.
3. Heat a griddle over medium heat.  Spray with non-stick spray.  Place the wraps, with the seam side down, on the warm griddle.  Cook for 3 minutes on each side, or until the wraps have a light toasted look.
4. Enjoy with salsa, more Greek Yogurt, or hot sauce. 

Enjoy!

Hooded Infinity Scarf

My boyfriend's mother (who I made the Eagles Head Warmer for) cannot wear things tight on her head. She was asking me if I could make her a hat that would be comfortable for her. I had found a hat/scarf combo a while ago that I thought would look great. Lucky me, she loved the pictures of it.

Well, I start making this hooded scarf and the pattern and something just wasn't looking right. When I started the scarf... chaining 130 wasn't quite right and when I finished round 8, it wasn't the correct gauge. So, I continued making more rounds (10 total). Then, when I started making the hood, I stopped after the initial chain 60 (because it was not long enough to go around my head like a hood should). I thought this was weird since both of us are using Red Heart yarn but, ohh well I guess.

This is when I decided... I like how the pattern I found had the custom back loops and front loops so, I am changing the measurements and round counts.

Materials:
Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Aran Flecks (I used one 5 oz skein plus some that I had left over--approx 6 to 7 oz)
Size K crochet hook (6.50mm)
Scissors
Yarn needle

NOTE: the yarn is slightly scratchy, so I softened it.  Directions on softening yarn can be found here.

Gauge:
12 sts = 4 in
Scarf:
Hood: 20 1/2 in x 9 1/2 in

Abbreviations:
ch: chain
sts: stitches
hdc: half double crochet
FL: front loop
BL: back loop
sl st: slip stitch

Scarf:
ch 165, sl st in first st (make sure that your chain is not twisted)
Round 1: ch 2, hdc in the same st as sl st, hdc around (165 sts)
Round 2-12: ch 2, turn, hdc FL in the same st as sl st, hdc BL, [hdc FL, hdc BL] around, sl st in first st (165 sts)
--This is meant to be wrapped around your neck once. If you want a cowl, ch 80 and follow the pattern, ending in 80 sts for each round.

Hood:
ch 76
Row 1: In second ch from hook, [hdc CFL, hdc CBL] around (75 sts)
Row 2-24: ch 2, turn, [hdc FL, hdc BL]
F/O and weave in ends

Fold the hood rectangle in half, whip stitch (or slip stitch) the initial chain together, starting from the end that will be attached to the scarf. (Note: to make the hood lay on your head better, once you get ___ inches up the ) Line up the seam of the hood with the seam of the scarf; whip stitch the hood to the scarf.

Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only.  If you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog.

Quick Chicken Pot Pie

I don't know about the rest of you girls out there but, I get cravings and let me tell you, I have to give in occasionally.  So, here I am, making chicken pot pie... NOM

This recipe is really easy to make and delicious.  Surprisingly, it's less than 500 calories per serving too!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 c. butter
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1/3 c. flour
• 1/2 c. milk
• 1 3/4 c. reduced sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 16 oz mixed frozen veggies, thawed and drained
• 1/2 rotisserie chicken, shredded and chunked
• 1 can reduced fat crescent rolls
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. In a medium saucepan (at least 2 quarts), melt the butter over medium heat.  Add the onions, salt, and pepper.  Cook until the onions are tender. 
3. Gradually add the flour, whisking constantly until well blended and the roux is complete.
4. Gradually add the milk and chicken broth.  Stir occasionally until the mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
5. Add the mixed veggies and chicken to the saucepan.  Remove from heat.
6. Spray a 9x13 glass pan with Pam Olive Oil.  Spread the mixture into the pan and top with the crescent rolls.  
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees, or until the crust the is desired golden brown.

ENJOY!

Spinach Mushroom Onion Pasta

Have any of you ever watched Chopped on Food Network?  I tend to watch it when I am bored.  Well, my boyfriend and I are traveling this weekend, and hate wasting food, so we haven't done much grocery shopping the past few days.  Luckily, I have watched chopped enough to find this empty refrigerator a great challenge, not a "take-out" opportunity.

So, I threw together a pasta dish.  The only meat we had available to us was chicken.  We had some mushrooms and onions cut up (that I eat in omelets every morning), of course garlic (I am a firm believer in "everyone should have garlic laying around"), and some spinach from salads left over. Then, to the cabinet... what do I see?  A box of thin spaghetti from while ago.

I usually make my own sauce (growing up in a part-Italian family makes you learn to hate all of the jar sauces at the grocery store).  Well, poop, I don't have any of the ingredients for an Alfredo sauce... well why not just a garlic and olive oil sauce?  Sounds good!

Ingredients (none of these have been measured, I went off of taste):

chopped onion
sliced mushroom
chopped spinach
chicken breasts
garlic powder
minced garlic
onion powder
basil
oregano
salt
pepper
cooked pasta
Parmesan cheese (if desired)

Directions:

1. Coat the chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Cover the bottom of a skillet with olive oil, add approx. 1 tbsp minced garlic, place over medium heat.  Cook the chicken breasts until fully cooked. 
3. Remove the chicken from the skillet.  Add about 1 tbsp of minced garlic and cover the bottom with olive oil.  Add as many onions and mushrooms as you want. Allow to cook for 2-4 minutes (so the mushroom and onion are the desired tenderness).  Add as much spinach and pasta as you want.
4. Once the pasta has warmed up and the spinach begins to wilt, remove from heat.  Serve with a piece of chicken and top with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

I was surprised at how easy and fun this was to challenge myself to make!  

ENJOY!