Buttoned Scarf

I have been busy making some last minute Christmas gifts. I know people always love handmade originals and I have lots of yarn that I need to use up. Less yarn = less to move! A colleague of mine loves purple so I thought I would make her a purple scarf. I also wanted to make a versatile scarf that could be worn multiple ways.

supplies:
bulky yarn of your choice
size 19 US bamboo needles
darning needle or crochet hook
1 large button & 1 large toggle

pattern:
Row 1 - k2p2* repeat until end
Row 2 - p2k2* repeat until end
Row 3 - p2k2* repeat until end
Row 4 - k2p2* repeat until end

CO 26 stitches (using long tailed CO method)
follow pattern until desired length (I went through 1.25 balls of yarn)
bind off
tuck in ends
feed some leftover yarn through button holes (I doubled the yarn), tie basic macrame knots until approx 1.5" long, connect to toggle and tie off

By attaching the button to a toggle, it is never permanently fixed anywhere on the scarf. This adds versatility and interest as you could also use the toggle on the outside. I learned this little trick from a crafter at a Handmade Mafia (sorry, I can't remember who it was). I love this trick and think I will be incorporating it into projects more often.

Sorry for the bad lighting on the photos. I guess I should learn to check my photo quality before wrapping gifts.

Notice: this is a free pattern and it is for personal use only. you are not permitted to sell the pattern or anything resulting from the pattern.

A dilema

I have a dilema. My jeans are too big. Not that I am complaining or anything that they are too big... but I do need jeans that fit. Here are some thoughts on new jeans:

Kelly - Jill - Lilly

I wonder if my skinny jeans will fit. I may have to go into the bag they are packed into the find them and resurrect them! I'll let you know how that goes.

A delicious weekend

This past weekend we made some amazing food. One of which being bison lasagna:

I would love to share the recipe with you but unfortunately I do not have a recipe. It was layers of noodles, homemade tomato sauce, ground bison, and mozzarella cheese. Really, we like to work without recipes most days, sorry! Does this make me a terrible blogger? The inspiration for this meal was emptying the freezer and pantry... we had everything we needed except cheese so it was very simple to make.

We also enjoyed our lasagna with a bottle of 2007 Old Vines Foch from Quail's Gate. It was a rich and delicious combination.

Have you ever tried wine from Quail's Gate? I highly recommend it. They are one of my favorite wine producers... and of course they are from my favorite region, the Okanagan!

Others things accomplished this weekend:
all Christmas gifts purchased and wrapped
2 killer workouts
completed 2 knitting projects
donated some old items to Goodwill that will not be making the move
& dinner with friends

Motivation as compared to...

I loved this quote. Whenever I an not feeling motivated to workout I just go on the Fitness boards on Pinterest. My motivations suddenly reappears. This weekend? Force class, cardio, and 1 TBD strength workout! You will never regret a workout. With Christmas around the corner, now is the time to stay focused. Take advantage of the quiet gym as it will be nuts in January with new years resolutions.

InstaFriday

I love InstaFriday! Its a great way to talk about my week without writing long blog posts... especially when we have been so busy lately.

I love popcorn on Sunday evenings. We make ours in the whirley pop... so much better than microwave. 

Along with moving comes selling lots of furniture. We sold our bed frame earlier this week. My feng shui in the bedroom was off. I barely slept the first night. I am back to normal now. It is kind of weird sleeping on the floor but it is only for a few weeks.

Birthday flowers I received from a colleague in March. Just call me Mrs. Green Thumb as it is still growing flowers! I love the crisp white of this one. I am so ready for year round gardening in Baton Rouge.

I have been so busy lately I have not even perused through the latest j Crew catalog. Must get to this soon...

Had the feature salad from The Greenhouse this week. Delish! I cannot remember exactly what was in it (spinach, onion, mushroom, shrimp, cheese and an amazing dressing). Have you even been?

I have been working on a scarf for a colleague this past week. I hope to finish it this weekend. I am loving the pattern and color.  Also, I just read on Only Here for the Food that there is a fabric store downtown called Sig Plach Couturier & Fabrics. I hope to go there this weekend to find buttons for my creation.

Had to run to SB this morning. All Christmas blend coffees are on sale, today only! The 12 days of holiday gift giving are here!

We are having dinner with friends tonight. I am bringing a blueberry saskatoon crisp. I have a ton of frozen berries we need to eat before we move! Anyone have any other ideas of things I could make with berries?

Have a great weekend! Enjoy the abnormally warm weather if  you are in my neck of the woods.

P.S. I take all my photos using the instagram ap on the iPhone 4S.