Old fart hat for a little toot.

I recently completed a crocheted hat for a friend's little boy.  He has a unique style and I thought a man's hat made small would work best for him. I needed a thicker yarn so it would keep its shape.  I used Silky Wool XL by Elsebeth Lavold.  It is a thicker version of Silky Wool with the same tweedy appearance and made with 80% Wool and 20% Silk.  It is still very soft like Silky Wool.

If there is a request for this hat pattern, I will write up the pattern.  As you may notice, the hat brim rolls automatically because of the crochet technique.  I washed the hat once with soap and hot water so I could shape the hat.  When I steamed it, I only wanted the back to fully roll and the front to stay straight.

The tie is made with cotton yarn. 


Please view my web store at: http://www.custercottage.com
And my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/CusterCottage 


Have a great weekend!  Dawnie

Greek Yogurt

Lately I have been making Greek yogurt.  It is expensive to purchase and my favorite is usually in limited supply at the local grocery store, so I thought I would give it a try.  Years ago I make yogurt with a yogurt maker which had individual cups.  It was fine, but I like the thicker Greek yogurt now.  I purchased a new yogurt maker so I can make a one-container batch instead of using smaller individual containers.  I pour the finished yogurt into a muslin bag after I remove it from the machine and I let it drain for several hours in the refrigerator.  The whey comes out and the yogurt thickens due to the loss of this liquid.  There are ways to use the whey liquid, but I can't digest it well, so I usually toss mine.  I understand it is a great substitute for buttermilk.   I haven't done the math, but I am sure I have saved a little money by making my own yogurt.  In the first batch I used a purchased yogurt starter, but after that, I use 2 heaping teaspoons of yogurt as a starter.

Greek yogurt without any flavorings or sweeteners may possibly be substituted for cream cheese or sour cream in your favorite recipes.  It tastes very similar, but it is a bit more bitter.

I prefer to just add local honey in plain Greek yogurt.  It can be eaten this way alone, spread onto crackers, or eaten with fresh fruit.  Since apples are in season, I have enjoyed yogurt dipped with sliced apples as of late.  My peach sauce I canned earlier this year is also exceptional when added to Greek yogurt. 

If you have considered making yogurt, give it a try and you will shirley like it.  This is the link to the yogurt maker I purchased.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LH4C4U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Please view my web store at: http://www.custercottage.com
And my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/CusterCottage 

Have a great week!  Dawnie

Bedroom Make Over

We are trying to re-do a bedroom without spending too much money.  We had wall damage from parrot chews in the bedroom, so we added texture to the wall.  It is not my wall treatment of choice, but I didn't want to replace the sheet rock.  I tried to convey the way to texture the wall to one of the kids, but it was placed on the wall too thick in spots.  I went over most of what was attempted and added thicker texture trying to blend it in.  I know G is learning, so I give him a little slack.  (He is a young adult with special needs.)  I have laughed and came close to banging my head on the wall during this remodel.  I try to give clear instructions, but sometimes they are lost in translation.  I drew a picture and explained trimming in.  I wanted the edge of the wall and the ceiling trimmed in with a paint brush.  The ceiling and the walls are going to be the same color.  It planned for them to be white, but I bought the wrong color of paint by mistake.  The paint can was opened, poured into the paint tray, and spread onto part of the ceiling before I was informed that it was tan colored.  Oh well, we went with it.  Anyway, I wanted the edge of the ceiling and the edge of the wall, including the corner (where the walls and the ceiling meet) to be trimmed in.  This is where the roller does not get.  I guess I can't explain myself very well because this is what I got. 

This painting project reminds me of the elementary school lesson of writing down all of the steps to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  Can a person read the steps and perform the task if he or she hasn't ever made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?

How is your week going?
  
Please view my web store at: http://www.custercottage.com
And my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/CusterCottage

 Dawnie

Wordless Week's End

The kids with the chickens.

The big white one is not a chicken.  LOL

The kids moved the canned goods to the basement.

I completed the grand-baby sweater.  I made shorter sleeves than the pattern indicates.

 Please view my web store at: http://www.custercottage.com And my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/CusterCottage
 

Thanks for viewing!!!  Dawnie

In Progress

I started a sweater for the grandchild.  It is about 1/3 completed.  The pattern is by Ysolda Teague.  It is a small version of an adult design Liesl.  She calls this design the Wee Liesl.  I purchased the pattern from Webs.  http://www.yarn.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/categoryID/A6F89728-DE58-4033-8AC7-7704501FD963/productID/FEDB17D6-F686-4750-8761-65DC2727FE45/
I am using Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool in color 140 Rose Madder.  It is wool, silk, and nylon, but it has the feel of worn cotton to me.  There is little bits of white in the yarn and an occasional tiny VM or pasture grass.

Please view my web store at: http://www.custercottage.com
And my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/CusterCottage


I hope you had a good weekend!  Dawnie