Cross Over Slippers

these are so easy and wonderful to make

Our Cross-Over is a great little pattern. It is so easy to knit in simple garter stitch which is also known as "plain knitting". The finished slippers are cosy, lightweight and very packable.

The standard Cross-Over slipper  super chunky yarns. You'll also need two soles which can be made from any heavy material  such as felt denim - one with latex on the bottom for a bit of grip.

We recommend a minimum of two layers, not only for comfort, but also to hide the joins when stitching between the two sole layers leaving the slipper smooth both inside and out. You can add one or two extra pairs of our to give more cushioning or more grip.

 

 

To get started make a note of the number of holes on your chosen size of sole.

Using 6mm needles (US size 10, UK  and Canadian size 4) cast on 11 stitches for size 1-2, 12 stitches for sizes 3 to 5, 13 stitches for size 6 - 8  and 14 stitches for bigger sizes.

Knit twice as many rows as you have holes e.g. if the sole has 68 holes knit 136 rows. 

Cast off leaving a long tail (about a yard or metre) to start your stitching.  

Using a  blunt needle start stitching one corner to the centre front of the slipper - you'll see there's a small notch to show the correct starting point.

The key to even spacing is to stitch one rib of the garter stitch to each hole and work your way right round.

Make any joins on the underside of the sole so they will be hidden when you stitch on the outsole.

When you get back to the toe continue in the same direction stitching the short edge over you first stitches

. 

Tuck the other short edge inside and stitch this to the knitted upper close to where it joins the sole.

Reverse the overlap for the other foot! 

 

 The out sole is attached by stitching through both (or all if you're using more than two!) layers of soles. Here we are attaching it with back stitch. - but you can use any stitch you would like- blanket stitch always looks cosy. Use the space between the inner and outer sole to hide the join when you need to knot on a new length of stitching yarn.

 

  Try to keep a neat finish both outside, 

and inside.

 

Thanks to Joes toes for the tutorial

 

 

Tic Tac tip

Have you been shaking the tic tac boxes violently to get your tic tac? Next time, try letting one just glide out into the lid crevice, that's the best, and proper, way of getting your tic tac.

Picking up seed beads

seriously how easy is this lol

EASY rope beaded necklace

This is so easy you will love it

Tshirt rug, or Rag rug

You can use any fabric you like when making these rugs as they will always look goood

fabrics, and an old bath mat makes a good base to stitch onto .

Supplies Needed

• T-shirts
• Hand Towel
• Ruler
• Tailor’s Chalk or Water Soluble Marker
• Rotary Cutter
• Cutting Mat
• Sewing Machine
• Thread
• Scissors

- See more at: http://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/upcycled-t-shirt-rug-tutorial/#sthash.TddL0WXo.dpuf

Supplies Needed

• T-shirts
• Hand Towel
• Ruler
• Tailor’s Chalk or Water Soluble Marker
• Rotary Cutter
• Cutting Mat
• Sewing Machine
• Thread
• Scissors

- See more at: http://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/upcycled-t-shirt-rug-tutorial/#sthash.TddL0WXo.dpuf

Plush rug

You will need about 5 yards of T-shirt material or something similar that coils up easily when stretched. You will also need a square (or any shape) of fabric for the base. The one I made is about 15" x 20" and it is super plush.

Step 1 Base of rug

Cut out a piece of fabric that measures 15" x 20" after you fold and hem in the sides.


 Step 2 Cut strips of fabric

 Next cut long strips one inch wide of the T-shirt fabric.



Step 3  Sew rug

 Take the long pieces of material and stretch them out so that they coil, then cut them into about 4 inch lengths. Line them up on the base and start sewing them right down the center, sewing each row close to the previous row. Each row should be separated by about an inch or inch and a half.




Step 4 Great time saver!

 Here is a great time saver! Line up a couple thin strips of tape (sticky side up) and place the fabric coils across them. Take the taped row and sew it down  the center on to the base. Once you sew it down simply remove the tape.


Step 5 That's all there is to it

Thanks to E Diva for the tutorial

Puppy coats from recycled socks

YOU WILL NEED

Step 2: Draw a straight line near the toe part of the sock with a Sharpie.

 

 

Step 3: Cut off the tip of the sock on the line drawn

 

 

Step 4: It should look like this.

 

 

Step 5: At the heel part of the sock, fold over a small section.

 

 

Step 6: Make a small cut through both sides of the sock. (This will be holes for the legs.)

 

 

Step 7: Stick your finger in the hole, to make larger.

 

 

Step 8: Repeat last step to the other side hole. Put on puppy and see if adjustments need to be made. If the hole is not large enough make small cuts until hole is correct size.

 

Thanks to Tokyo love for the tutorial

 

Greek Yoghurt Cheese

Greek Yogurt Cheese

 get as much of the whey out of the yogurt as possible and get it nice and thick. Then add just a bit of salt and the best olive oil, Stop right there, and what you end up with is so similar to goat cheese. That is what inspired me to roll it into logs and serve it the same way you’d serve any goat cheese. Take it a step further and use a variety of herbs, depending on what you’d like to serve it with. Sprinkle them over the top or you could finely chop the herbs and roll the log to completely cover it. There are so many possibilities with this cheese.

Greek Yogurt Cheese

32 ounce non-fat plain Greek yogurt
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Your choice of herbs (parsley, rosemary, basil, mint)

You’ll need:
cheese cloth
large fine mesh sieve
bowl with high sides (be sure the bottom of the sieve sits high above the bottom of the bowl)
two sheets of parchment paper
Place the sieve onto the bowl and line it with the cheese cloth. Spoon the entire container of yogurt into the lined sieve.

NOTE
 If you don’t have cheese cloth, you can use a clean white tea towel or even good quality paper towels.

 Bring up the sides of the cheese cloth to cover the yogurt and place one of your largest cans on top (Don’t use two cans, like in the photo! I really just use one). This will help press the whey out even more. Place the entire contraption in your fridge and leave it alone for about three to four days. If you want, you can unwrap it after two days, but it just won’t be as firm

Remove the cheese from the refrigerator. Discard the whey. Unwrap the cheese and place it in a medium bowl. Add the salt and the olive oil and blend in well using a rubber spatula. Draw a line down the center with the spatula.
Take half of the cheese and place it on the sheet of parchment. Bring up one side of the parchment over the cheese and using your hands, form a log out of the cheese. Roll it up in the paper and roll the log on your counter to give it shape. Repeat with the other half of the cheese.
Refrigerate the cheese logs or serve immediately.

 drizzle the top of the cheese with more olive oil and some fresh herbs. Try using flatbread crackers topped with the cheese and some assorted veggies.

Jackets for Rescued Hens

When the chickens used on commercial farms are past their prime, some farms will simply sell off their birds for slaughter. However, some birds find their way into the hands of people who find homes for these birds.
Unfortunately, the hens aren’t always in the best shape when they reach the rescue. Often times, the practice of farming chickens leaves the birds bald, stressed, and sick. To help readjust these birds to life outside the confines of commercial farms, the rescue fits the bald birds with (adorable little) sweaters to keep them warm.

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Double knitting yarn (100g makes approximately 3 jumpers)
2 buttons or 10cm Velcro
1 pair of number 8 (4mm) knitting needles
4mm crochet hook
Knitted in stocking stitch with garter stitch borders
Cast on 41 sts,
Work 4 rows K
Increase for tabs;
Cast on 10 sts at beginning of next row, k14, p to last 4 sts, k4.
Cast on 10 sts at beginning of next row, k14, p to last 14sts, k14.
Work buttonholes; (work these 2 rows straight if using Velcro).
(K2, yf k2tog) 3 times, work to end keeping edges in garter st.
Repeat this row for buttonholes on the other tab.
Cast off 10 sts at beginning of next row.
Next row – cast off 10 sts, k4, p2 tog, p to last 6 sts, p2tog, k4.
Dec 1 st at each end on every fol 6th row until 25 sts remain.
Divide for neck;
Work 11 sts, cast off 3, work to end – complete this half first.
1) k4, p to end
2) cast off 2, k to end
3) k4, p to end
4) k2tog, k to end
5) k4, p2tog, p to end
Work 4 rows straight
10) K to last 5 sts, inc in next st, k4.
11) K4, p to last st, inc in next st.
12) Cast on 2 sts, k to end, (11sts)
13) K4, p to end
14) K
Break yarn and rejoin to the other side of neck.
Work to match, reversing shaping’s and ending at winghole edge.
Next row – k, cast on 3, k across sts from other side of neck.
Next row , k4 inc in next st, p to last 5 sts, inc in next st, k4.
Inc 1 st at each end of every fol 6th row until there are 41 sts on the needle.
Work 6 rows straight.
Change to gst and knit 4 rows.
Cast off.
Sew on buttons or Velcro as desired.
Work double crochet around neck.

Thanks to Little Hen Rescue for the pattern 

Monkey butter DIY

Have you ever heard of Monkey Butter?  I sure didn’t!  
Oh wait.

Okay, on to the recipe!


Five ingredients, this was simple to make and even better to eat.

5 medium-size perfectly ripe bananas (no brown spots),

1 Large  and one small can of crushed pineapple – not drained,

1/4 cup coconut,

3 cups of white sugar,

3 Tbsp bottled lemon juice



 To start, peel and slice the bananas and then put them into a large pot.  Add the rest of the ingredients and put on the stove to bring to a boil, stirring constantly.

After bringing to a boil, lower to a simmer and cook until thickened, still stirring constantly.  I was worried that maybe the bananas were going to stay in huge slices but after cooking, they were reduced down into a jam texture.  mmm……
When properly thickened, spoon the mixture into sterilized glass jars and let cool.  At this point in the recipe, this jam can just be refrigerated and will keep for approx 4-6 weeks.  The lemon juice in the recipe will keep the bananas fresh.  But once your family tries it, it might not last that long.
Or after putting the jam in the jars, you can seal the jars with sealing lids and rings and process in a water bath for 15 minutes.  Just a note that if you process the jam in this method,  it will turn out to be a little pink instead of the mellow yellow color like this:

 
This is crazy good!  Like monkeys swinging from the rafters good. Like Gorilla pounding on their chest good.  Like…okay..I know…that’s enough!
Just a warning that it is on the sweet side, but crazy good.

Thanks to Debbie for the tutorial