Rainy days, useful crochet and comfort food

I really have a hard time with March and the cold and rainy stuff we have to endure in Cleveland.  That said, it is also an opportunity to craft and create, since we can't get into the garden yet.  You may have noticed that I like to make stuff that is useful, I think it is my thrifty Dutch upbringing.  If you have read the last months of postings, you have learned that my coveted skylighted sewing room was given to my 13 year old daughter, so she has more room for sleepovers and friends.  I crammed all of my equipment and unfinished projects into a corner of my bedroom, which means, I have not been motivated to sew at all.  I am hoping to clear a space today, since I sold a dress from my etsy shop.  Suddenly, I am getting the urge again.  Why am I mentioning crochet in my post title?  Well I have been carrying around the beginnings of a swiffer cover, that I finally finished as I substitute taught the other day. 

 

Not very glamorous, I know, but very green and environmentally friendly.  I loosely tried to follow directions

from a crochet pattern, the two ends were wider so they could be flipped back on to the ends, and I took the liberty of crocheting the outside edges to finish it off.  Crocheted in cotton yarns, it made up quick, using mainly half double crochet stitches.  This created a large ridge that is very good at picking up big dust bunnies!  The whole thing can be turned inside out to give you double the cleaning power, and then it can be machine washed for many years to come. Going green is also saving money, and this is an unbeatable combo as far as I am concerned. 
Here is my Tutorial for a Swiffer Cover
Materials: Choose your hook Size G, H, I (US 7,8,9) crochet hook ( I used H)


1 3/4 oz worsted weight cotton yarn, additional contrast yarn needed

Row 1, chain 18,  half double crochet (hdc) in 3rd chain from hook, hdc in each remaining chain across, turn


Rows 2-7, ch 2, hdc in each hdc across, turn (16 hdc)


Row 8 ch 2, 2 double crochet (dc) in first hdc, 1 dc in each hdc across until last hdc, 2 dc in last hdc, turn (18 dc)


Rows 9-32 ch 2, dc in first dc, make front post double crochet (fpdc) across until last dc, 1 dc in last dc, turn


Row 32, ch 2, hdc dec over first two dc, hdc across until last 2 dc, hdc dec over last 2 dc, turn (16 hdc)


Rows 33-38 ch 2, hdc in each hdc across, stop when you compare the size to your swiffer, making sure the smoother ends will fold over and create deep pockets to hold it securely. Turn and fasten off.


To make it fit on your swiffer, flip the two smoother ends over on each side. I then single crocheted all the way around joining the flaps to create a pocket that can be slid over the swiffer, one side at a time.

The following is a recipe I came up with to use what I had on hand, lots of potatoes!  This roasted potato side dish was yummy, though I confess, I didn't get a finished pic, due in part to leaving it in the oven too long, and it got half burned.   I present to you a comfort food for rainy days!

Roasted Rosemary Potato Chips

Idaho potatoes, at least 1 per person

1 T Dried Rosemary

3 T Olive Oil

Kosher salt and peper to taste

Peel and slice thinly the potatoes.  Spread the oil over a heavy jelly roll pan, (the kind with the sides).  Sprinkle the rosemary and salt and pepper liberally over the potatoes, and use a turner to flip them so that they are all coated with the oil and seasonings.  Bake at 400 degrees, I used a convection setting so they only took 20 minutes, but you have to adjust time and temp for your oven.  If serving with a meat, use the setting for that, and allow time for them to cook.  The smell and the texture, is heavenly.  A great side dish for any type of meal.  Add some parsley for color.  Enjoy!

It is a lazy (rainy and cold) Sunday afternoon, I told Kate she needs to get her reading done for school, and this is where I find her, with her favorite pet, Kitty the Kat, both asleep!  I guess my typing within feet of the couch, lulls her to sleep. 

Easter is next weekend, and I am standing in for our nursery supervisor at church. Giving up a little time on a holiday weekend, so my friend Mary and family can travel to see their family. We belong to a large church, and holidays can be especially busy! What a joy to see so many darling babies and toddlers, growing up in the Lord. What a privilege! Have a blessed Holy Week, till next time!