Horton the Hedgehog

Charlotte has been really into hedgehogs lately. It seems that she picks an animal and that’s her favorite, for at least a few months. Since I have been really into amigurumi lately I decided to look for a hedgehog pattern and make her one! I found this perfect pattern on Etsy. The pattern was created by My Golden Crochet.

It helps if you pay attention to the pattern. I realized after I made the little guy that I had been using a half double crochet stitch instead of a single crochet stitch. So I decided to start again, this time doing the right stitch from the beginning.

He turned out super cute and now I have a baby and a Mama hedgehog according to Charlotte. The baby does not have a name but the Mama is named Horton. I thought Horton was an elephant but Charlotte insists this is the correct name. Now to make one to put in my Etsy shop!

Happy Crafting!

Taming my Yarn Mess

I had seen a yarn winder online and after debating and debating, I finally ordered it from Amazon. What a great buy that was! I love my yarn winder and will never again go without it.

I had worked on a shrug for myself and as I was working my yarn turned into a big mess.

It doesn’t look quite as bad when you hold it up, 

but as I continued working it turn into this lovely pile.

But with time (over an hour) and A LOT of patience this mess started taking shape,

and eventually became this nice compact ball that sits in one spot while I work.

I have taken the opportunity to start cleaning up my entire yarn stash. It has worked amazingly well and I can easily find yarn without multiple skeins being tangled together.  Here is a perfect example of a before:

 

and an after:

Such a great space saver! I would recommend one to anyone who has started accumulating quite a stash. I got mine here on Amazon. This particular style seems to work best for 5 oz of yarn or smaller. Order accordingly.

Happy Crafting!

Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Let me start this by saying, I do not like brussels sprouts. I’ve tried them many different way and I am not a fan. Until I learned about bacon topped brussels sprouts featuring a sweet glaze. I’ve looked a quite a few recipes and finally descided to make my own recipe for the glaze.

3 bags (each about 12 oz) Steamed brussel sprouts

1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled

Glaze:

3 T. Butter

1/3 c. Lemon Juice

1/3 c. Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 c.  Brown Sugar

Salt and Pepper to taste

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter and brown sugar together. Add lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper, warm through. Put sprouts in a 11×17 baking dish and pour glaze over the top. Sprinkle bacon over the glaze and place in the oven for about 20-25 minutes.

Full Disclosure: I have lost my recipe and this is the best I can remember has far as measurements. All of the ingredients are correct though so feel free to tweak as nessecary.

Enjoy!