Wednesday, April 01, 2009

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!

40 comments:

Salihan said...

The potholders are soooo adorable! I love them! I wonder what pretty potholders you might get back. :) And the macaroons look delish! They must be good cos I keep hearing about it through the blogosphere. Yum yum! me@salihan.com

flanthrower said...

Oh goodness! The potholders are gorgeous! I really, really wish I could crochet.

The macaroons look delicious. I love coconut so I will have to try that recipe soon. Thanks for the link.

Rima said...

Your potholders are just beautiful! Great colors. Looks like a good stashbuster. And I love macaroons!

Sue said...

What a wonderful swap that is going to be if everyone elses is as great as yours. I think I like the middle one best, and those bright orange ones look so nice too. The macaroons look nice. I dont always like eating coconut but I dont dislike it, just a textural thing I think.

Hannah said...

Ooh, I just love these pot holders! Mine are starting to look pretty beat up, so maybe these will be a good replacement. (If I can find the time, that is) Thanks for sharing the pattern!

rohanknitter said...

What a fun idea for a swap!! I love how your potholders turned out!
The macaroons look really yummy, coconut is one of my favs, especially combined with chocolate.

Jackie said...

Oh i love them all.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

What a wonderful job you've done on those potholders. They are just beautiful! The macaroons look really good, too.
How funny, I was just about to click this when one popped up from you.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Oh, I forgot, thanks for the links for the potholder and macaroons!

debbie said...

beautiful potholders! how could you part with them? thank you for the inspiration....

Jodie said...

OMG your washcloths are gorgeous!!! what a great swap, I wonder if she'll do another one???
Those cookies look absolutley delicious too, you sure are one clever mumma...

Take Care
Jodie :)

c.Rachel said...

[Okay, something happened to my comment...sorry if this is a duplicate.]

Great colors on all of them. My fav is the white/green one as well. But I really like the color combo of yellow, green, and purple.
They are all so cheerful. I wouldn't want to use them in fear of getting them messy.

Jennie said...

Great potholders, love the orange ones =)
Ohhh yummy looking macaroons, must make some when I've moved into the new house, still abit more renovating to do.

Amber said...

Those potholders are absolutely beautiful - wow! Your swap partners are going to be so excited!
I just bought some coconut tonight to try Orangette's macaroons from her new book...yours look so yummy!

Anonymous said...

gorgeous. such vibrant colours...really inspiring.

Micki said...

Love your potholders--they're so retro! :)

CelticCastOn said...

These are soo cute! The purple and yellow one is my fav!

Sam said...

The potholders are so cute! Ehat a great idea. And I am drooling over the macaroons....

LittleCanoe said...

By the way, the macaroons are making me crazy hungry! I can't wait to make these. At Betty Bakery, we always had them just once a year. During that time, we would eat 3 or 4 a day. We just couldn't get enough!
I loooooove the potholders. So cute! I'm going to make my roommate make them, since she know how to crochet.

Anonymous said...

WOW--those are so beautiful! I am jealous of whoever will receive them

Rebekah said...

these are so cute! Can't wait to see what you get in return from the swap

Christy T said...

Ok, those hotpads are sooo cute, and you are sooo mean putting that delicious looking recipe on here!!!

Judy said...

Wow! These are so colorful and fun! Great job and very practical. I'll have to check out the pattern.

Stephanie said...

both projects look so fantastic! the hotpads are all so lovely and those macaroons? Delicious!

hetty said...

Your pot holders are fantastic. Lovely colours! Great way to use up some stash! The cookies are making me hungry!

Jeanne said...

The potholders are so cute - great colors!

Lisa Stepi said...

Those pot holders are great! Love the second one you made.

caitlyn said...

The potholders are gorgeous!
And I'm drooling over the macaroons...

Corrie said...

ohhh it all looks yummy! crochet and cookies!
Corrie:)

knithound brooklyn said...

I really love your potholders. This swap has taken on a life of it's own and I don't know how I possibly resisted the temptation!

Amanda Jean said...

the potholders are fabulous! i love seeing things done up in different colors. it's amazing how it changes the look.

Meika said...

Just gorgeous! I can see how they would be addictive!

Ivy@PaperElixir said...

I just love the color combination of all your potholders, they all have different personalities, I can see them all be put into good use :)

Kirsten said...

They are so fun and colorful!

Holley said...

I keep getting an error page when I click on the pdf link.

Anonymous said...

ditto on the error page, they are absolutely adorable hot pads. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully the link will be repaired and I can make some for gifts soon. :)

RoRo said...

Are the potholders to use in cooking or decorative? And why was wool used? Very pretty and plan to make this pattern. Thank you!

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Unknown said...

How could I join the group that does the potholder swap? That looks SO MUCH fun! Thanks!

Unknown said...

How could I join the group that does the potholder swap? That looks SO MUCH fun! Thanks!