Cute & Easy Skirt

Hello again everyone. Twisted D here again with another free crochet pattern.  This skirt is easy to do. Simple crochet terms and stitches are used. I used a multicolored yarn, a 3.5 & 4 mm hook. You will increase 1 dc on each side of the dc v stitch every 5th row.

US crochet abbreviations & terms used.

DC= double crochet

FPdc= front post double crochet

Ch= chain

SC = single crochet (belt only)

Sk st = Skip stitch 

Sp = space

St/sts = stitch or stitches 

Sl st = slip stitch 

YOH = yarn over hook 

Special stitches: double crochet v stitch (2 dc ch 1, 2 dc in same stitch). DC2puffst = double crochet 2 puff stitch (yoh, insert hook into same st, yoh, draw through 2 loops, yoh, insert into same st, yoh, draw through 2, yoh draw through all 3 loops, this is the DC2puffst).

Ch 2 does not count as a stitch 

Belt: ch 221(or amount needed).  Sc in second ch & each ch to last ch, work 3 sc in last st, turn, work 1 sc in each st to last ch, 2 sc in last st, sl st to join. FO. You will work the belt through the DC2puffsts, every 2 st.

Waistband: row 1. ch 180 sl st to join(a cute trick that I learned how to do so that it doesn't twist is, ch 5, hold onto the last ch made, insert hook into first ch, then back into the ch your holding. This should keep it from twisting). Dc around sl st to join.

Row 2. Ch 2, * yoh, insert hook into same st, yoh, draw through 2 loops, yoh, insert into same st, yoh, draw through 2, yoh draw through all 3 loops, (this is the DC2puffst). Ch 1, Sk 1 sp *, DC2puffst around, join with a sl st.

Row 3 & 4: dc in each st & ch 1 sp, sl st to join.

Row 5: ch 2, *DC 3, FPdc around next st, sk I sp,  dc v stitch, sk I sp*, fpdc in next st, repeat from * to *, last st should be a fpdc, sl st to join.

Row 6 - 9: ch 2, *dc 3, fpdc, dc v stitch in ch 1 sp, fpdc, dc 3, fpdc*, repeat from * to *, ending with a fpdc, sl st to join.

Row 10: ch 2, *DC 3, fpdc around next, sk I st dc 1, dc v st in ch 1 sp, dc 1, fpdc*, repeat from * to * ending with a fpdc, sl st to join.

Row 11 - 14. Ch 2, *dc 3, fpdc, sk 2 sts, dc 1, dc v st in ch 1 sp, fpdc *, repeat from * to *, ending with a fpdc, sl st to join.

Row 15: ch 2, *dc 3, fpdc, sk I st,  dc in next 2 sts, dc v st in ch 1 sp, dc 2, sk I st, fpdc*, repeat from * to *, fpdc in last st, sl st to join.

Row 16 - 20: Ch 2, *dc 3, fpdc, sk 2 sts, dc in 3 sts, dc v st in ch 1 sp, dc 3, fpdc*, repeat from *to*, ending with a fpdc, sl st to join.

Row 21: ch 2, *dc 3, fpdc, sk I sp, 1 dc in next 3 sps, dc v st in ch 1 sp, fpdc*, repeat from * to *, ending with a fpdc, sl st to join.

(This is where I changed to the 4 mm hook and started to lengthen how many increases that I did. I wanted it to get longer but not too much wider).

Row 22 - 29: ch 2, *dc 3, fpdc, sk 2 sts, I dc in next 3, dc v st in ch 1 sp, 1 dc in next 3, fpdc*, repeat from * to *, ending with a fpdc, sl st to join.

Row 30: ch 2, *dc 3, fpdc, sk I st, 1 dc in next 4, dc v st in ch 1 sp, 1 dc in next 4, fpdc* repeat from *to*, end with a fpdc, sl st to join.

Row 31 - 40: ch 2, *dc 3, fpdc, sk 2 sts, I dc in next 4, dc v st in ch 1 sp, 1 dc in next 4, fpdc* repeat from *to*, end with a fpdc, sl st to join.

Row 41: ch 2, *dc 3, fpdc, sk 1 st, I dc in next 5 sts, dc v st in ch 1 sp, 1 dc in next 5, fpdc*, repeat from *to*, end with a fpdc, sl st to join.

Row 42 - 50: ch 2,*dc 3, fpdc, sk 2 sts, I dc in next 5 sts, dc v st in ch 1 sp, 1 dc in next 5, fpdc*, repeat from *to*, end with a fpdc, sl st to join. (FO).

You can do more rows if you want it longer or less rows if you want it shorter. I hope you all enjoy making one of these shirts for yourself. Blessed Be Thee & Thin!

TwistedD 

Soap Kit

Molds - These are for shaping your soap.

Mica Powder - Used for coloring your soap.

Essential Oil - Adds fragrance to your soap.

Loofah - Placed in the soap for added exfoliation and lather.

Stirrer - For mixing the ingredients.

Measuring Cup - For melting the soap base.

Steps:

1. Prepare the Loofah:

Place each loofah piece into the cavities of the mold.

2. Melt the Soap Base:

Add the desired amount of soap base to the measuring cup.

Melt the soap base using a double boiler method (place the measuring cup in a pot of gently simmering water until the soap base is fully melted).

3. Add Color and Fragrance:

Once the soap base is melted, add mica powder for color and essential oil for fragrance.

The amount of mica powder and essential oil you use depends on the intensity of color and fragrance you prefer. Start with a small amount and add more if needed.

4. Mix Thoroughly:

Use the stirrer to mix the mica powder and essential oil thoroughly into the melted soap base.

5. Pour into Molds:

Carefully pour the mixed soap base into the molds over the loofah.

6. Let It Set:

Allow the soap to cool and solidify. This can take a few hours depending on the temperature and humidity.

7. Remove from Molds:

Once fully solidified, gently remove the soap from the molds.

And that’s it! You’ll have beautifully crafted, personalized soap ready for use. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

TwistedD's Sauce

Hello again everyone. Twisted D here again to bring you another recipe that you just might like. It's pretty easy & simple to make. The only thing that you need to make this recipe is a small blender or food processor.

Ingredients:

1 clove garlic (minced or whole)

2-3 tbsp. Mayo ( your favorite)

1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp. Kosher or Sea Salt 

1/2 tsp. Pepper

1/2 tsp. Capers (optional)

Add all the ingredients into a small blender or food processor. Puree until everything is well combined. Sauce can be used on just about any kind of fish or meat & it tastes pretty good. Enjoy!

Crockpot/Slow cooker Stew Beef with rice

Hello again everyone. I know it's been a while since I last posted a recipe or free pattern. I've been through a lot in the last year and half. Today I'm bringing you a recipe that I've tested & tried.

Ingredients

1-2 tbsp/tablespoons veg oil (optional)

1-2 pounds stew meat cut into 2" pieces

1-2 cups diced onion (less if you don't like onions)

2-4 cloves garlic, minced 

2 1/2-5 cups beef broth (cubes or liquid)

1/2-1 tsp/teaspoons salt (optional)

1/2-1 tsp/teaspoons pepper

1/8-1/4 cup broth or water

1 1/2-3 tbsp/tablespoons cornstarch

2-4 cups precooked rice (don't add uncooked rice to the crockpot as it will get very mushy)

If you want to; take the veg oil and heat a large skillet over medium heat; add the beef and lightly brown on all sides; then add the onion and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Place in crockpot with remaining ingredients except cornstarch, broth or water. Set on low and cook for 5-6 hours. Combine broth or water with the cornstarch and stir into crockpot. Serve over the precooked rice. 

Crochet I Love Lucy Apron

Hello again everyone. TwistedD here again to bring you another free crochet pattern. I created this pattern because I wanted to do a Lucy costume for a Halloween party I was going to attend  I could only find a knitting or sewing pattern. I looked in all the usual spots. So, I decided to create one in a crochet pattern.

Abbreviations & Materials

Ch = chain/chain's

Hdc= half double crochet

Dc = double crochet

Sc = single crochet 

YO = yarn over 

St = stitch/stitches 

Sl st = slip stitch 

FO = fasten off 

Special stitch: hdc puff st; yo hook insert into stitch, pull up a loop, yo go through 2 loops, yo insert hook into same st, pull up a loop, yo & pull through all 4 loops, sl st into next st to finish.

G/4.5 mm hook

Sisores

Stitch Marker/markers

Yarn needle 

White yarn of choice & a small amount of red & black yarn for the accent. I can't tell you exactly how much of either one you will need though because I'm not very good at math. Sorry!

Waistband 

R1. Ch 154 (or amount needed to go around your waist plus extra so that you can tie it). Starting in second ch from hook, hdc across, ch 1, turn (153).

R2. Hdc across, ch 1, turn (153)

R3. This row is going to be a bit tricky. This is your special stitch row. You will start with the white yarn for 1 st, switch to the red before you do the sl st & do the rest of the row in the red yarn until your last sl st, then switch back to the white yarn for the last st, (told you this was going to be a bit tricky), ch 1, turn.

R4. Hdc in first & second st, *ch 1, hdc in sl st spot, ch 1,* repeat from * to *, hdc in last 2 sts, ch 1, turn. (This is what R3& R4 should look like when finished).

R5. Hdc in ch 1 space & hdc st, across, (you should have the same amount of sts that you started with, mine was 153). FO & weave in ends. (After looking at the pictures of the apron yet again. I noticed a black line that ran above & below the red. I did a sl st across both the bottom & top of the waistband).

It should look like this after R5.

Apron shirt

R1. Turn band upside down. You'll be working in the starting chain's. Count over 46 sts (make sure you have the same amount on both sides). Join yarn at the 47 th st & hdc in same st, hdc for 61 sts, ch 1, turn.

R2. Hdc in each st, ch 1, turn (61).

R3-R48. Repeat R2. (61)

R49.. Special st row. This time you will start at the beginning of the row & go to the end, switch back to the white yarn, ch 1, turn.

R50. Repeat row 4 from waistband, ch 1, turn.

R51-53.. 1 hdc in every ch 1 sp & hdc across, fo, weave in the ends. (Don't forget to add the black yarn to the bottom & top of the special stitch row).

Apron points; (the one I kept seeing online had a couple of points at the top). Find the middle of the top, leaving 3 sts empty, go over 7 sts & join yarn, sc in same st & next 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts, sl st over the 3 empty sts, dc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in 3 sts, fo, weave in the ends.

This is how everything turned out when I was finished. You can find the heart applique on YouTube.

Hope you enjoy your new apron. It can be used as a regular everyday one or as a costume prop. You can make it in any color or colors that you like. Take care & see you on the flip side.

TwistedD 

Rice for two

Hello there everyone. I'm Twisted D. I usually post free crochet patterns but today I'm going to give you a recipe for rice for two. Sorry, but I forget to get a picture when it was done.

Recipe as follows

1/2 cup rice

1 cup broth or water

Salt & Pepper

Herbs such as basil, rosemary or any others you like

Directions:

Heat broth or water in a small saucepan with lid. Then add the rice & herb's of choice. Bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Done. Enjoy!

Crockpot Stuffed Tomatoes For Two

Hello everyone. I'm Twisted D. I usually do posts for free crochet patterns. Today I'm bringing you a recipe. I looked around the web for a recipe for one or two people but didn't find much. So, I came up with my own. I'm a retired cook (once a cook always a cook)! Recipe as follows.

2 large to medium tomatoes

Recipe for rice for two

Shrimp; any kind

Chopped onion (small handful)

Garlic, diced

Directions:

First make the rice and set aside. Next cut off the tops & hollow out your tomatoes; leave about an inch of the bottom and sides of the tomatoes intact, chop your onion, dice the garlic & some of the insides of the tomatoes if you want. Heat a skillet over medium to high heat. Put in the onion & saute for a bit, then add the garlic, add chopped Tomatoes, shrimp & rice Cook until onions are soft and shrimp is cooked. Place the tomatoes in the bottom of your crockpot or slow cooker. Fill with the filling. If you have any filling left over put it around the tomatoes. Add about a cup or two of broth or water. Cover and cook on low for about 4 to 5 hours. Done. Enjoy!