Addicting

It all started with Hello Yarn's post. I had seen her potholder on Ravelry and instantly loved it. So, when I saw that she started a Hot Pad/Potholder Swap, I had to sign up. The rules are that you have to crochet 5 hot pads or potholders in the same pattern using only Wool or Cotton, but they can be different colors. Then everyone sends them in to Adrian and in return, I will receive 5 back. The pattern that I chose is 2 sided. You crochet 2 sides and then add a SC (Single Crochet) Border to connect them and to add the little loop so you can hang the hot pad. This was my first one and when I was done, I was hooked. (Sorry for the bad joke!) Seriously, I didn't know how addicting making these would be. The color possibilities are endless. This yellow and pink one was made with Lion Brand Lion Wool in Goldenrod and Rose.I have some leftover BFL handspun from Pigeonroof Studios, but it wasn't enough for a whole hot pad. I experimented with a bunch of leftovers that I had laying around. The above photo shows the one side I completed and then I didn't know if I liked it. I let it sit around while I worked on the other ones.After a few days, it really grew on me. So, I finished up the other side and was glad that I had enough yarn for both sides to be identical. I added my own hand dyed Patons Classic Wool Merino in the center that was dyed a raspberry color. The green is some leftover Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica in Citric. And the yellow is Lion Brand Lion Wool in Goldenrod. It sort of reminds me of a Sun Flower.These two were made with Peaches & Cream in Sunburst and Fiesta Ombre. It only took one ball of each color to make 2 of these. After making these, I decided that I didn't like working these in cotton. It was really hard on my hands, especially using a small hook. I was surprised that the cotton ones ended up much thicker than the wool ones.The last one, which is DH's favorite, is made with Patons Classic Wool Merino in Aran and Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica in Citric.All of them are identical on both sides except for the yellow and pink one. The minimum size requirement is 6 inches across. These ended up 6.5 inches and the cotton ones are slightly bigger.If you want to see more, be sure to check out the Flickr Group (Swap) created just for the people that are participating in the swap. It has been very inspiring to see people's process and finished hot pads and potholders. And this Flickr Group is for anyone making hot pads and potholders.

Pattern: Scalloped Potholder (Free Pattern)
Hook size: G / 4mm
Yarn: See above photos and descriptions for the yarn I used in each one.
Size: 6.5 inches across.
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Now, I am going to share some addicting treats that I have been making. I saw this recipe for Almond-Coconut Macaroons in the latest Martha Stewart Living magazine and loved the simplicity of it. I had all the ingredients on hand and was able to make 9 of these with my scoop. I am not a huge fan of coconut (I don't dislike it either), but I do like a good macaroon once in a while. These are very good. I have made them 3 times already and one batch was gifted as part of a friend's birthday gift. She commented on how fancy they looked in a clear cellophane bag with a cute tag.The only unsweetened coconut I had is called Organic Coconut Lite (40% Less Fat). It's very finely shredded and it says it is used for baking. I picked it up a while ago at Whole Foods. As I was eating them, I wondered how they would taste with chocolate on them. So, I ended up putting the fat back in by dipping half of them in Chocolate! As a child I loved eating Almond Joy during Halloween when I would get them from Trick or Treating. This is a sophisticated version. I also found the recipe on Martha's Website for those of you who don't buy that magazine. Enjoy!