Friday, January 29, 2016

Biscuits-Buttermilk Drop

I found this at http://www.cookscountry.com/recipes/7817-buttermilk-drop-biscuits?j=12195&e=kkezir@yahoo.com&l=26_HTML&u=4244181&mid=7211371&jb=867&sk=1DD54A73036FFC2EC206744FA8479EE2&extcode=LN16A5QAA&sourcekey=CL16015AA&cds_response_key=&cds_tracking_code=&tag=atkntk-20&atc=ntkA

Buttermilk Drop Biscuits

From Cook's Country | April/May 2014


WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

Unlike traditional biscuits, which call for cold fat to be carefully cut into flour before liquid is added, drop biscuits are simply stirred together, dropped onto the baking sheet, and baked. But too often they lack the texture produced when the bits of cold butter melt and create steam—thus a flaky biscuit. To get the best of both worlds, we discovered that when we stirred together hot melted butter and cold buttermilk before incorporating the dry ingredients, the butter clumped up, producing just the texture we were after. Voilà—light, fluffy, and easy stir-and-drop biscuits.

MAKES 12 BISCUITS

INGREDIENTS

  • 2c (10 ounces) all-purpose flour
  • 2t baking powder
  • 1/2t baking soda
  • 1t sugar
  • 3/4t salt
  • 1c buttermilk, chilled (1c milk and 1T vinegar or lemon juice, sit for 5-15min)
  • 8T (1/2c) unsalted butter, melted, plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 475 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt together in large bowl. Stir buttermilk and melted butter together in 2-cup liquid measuring cup until butter forms clumps.
    2. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture and stir with rubber spatula until just incorporated. Using greased 1/4-cup dry measuring cup, drop level scoops of batter 1 1/2 inches apart on prepared sheet. Bake until tops are golden brown, rotating sheet halfway through baking, 12 to 14 minutes.
    3. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter and brush on biscuit tops. Transfer biscuits to wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Crochet Amigurumi Kitten

I am making the black/grey cat for K's friend R for her bday.  We will see how quickly I can get it made since she asked me on Wed and the bday party is on Saturday.  I got the head and body done in one evening.

I found the following pattern on Crafty at http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/crocheting/toy/kitten-crochet-amigurumi-pattern/2483?_ct=cucruh-xecu-sedjydkyjo-emd-sbysa&_ctp=1,PID%3A2483

Goto Crafty and get the pdf of the pattern because it has more pictures.

(4) Name: 'Crocheting : Kitten Crochet Amigurumi Pattern
Amigurumi Kitten Patterns
patterns by Amy Gaines

Materials:
Size G crochet hook
Worsted Weight Yarn- Grey (Vanna’s Choice Yarn- Charcoal Grey #151), White (Vanna’s Choice Yarn- White #100), Medium Brown (Vanna’s Choice Yarn- Toffee #124), Off-White Yarn (Vanna’s Choice Yarn- Beige #123)
Tapestry Needle
Thread
Safety eyes- Two pair size 9.00mm Cat eyes, to purchase online: http://www.6060.etsy.com )
Poly-fill Stuffing
Abbreviations:
ch = Chain
sc = Single Crochet
2sctog = single crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
2scinc = single crochet twice in the same single crochet stitch (increase)
2HDCinc= Half Double Crochet twice in the same stitch (increase)

About this pattern: This pattern is worked in a spiral, so please mark the last stitch of each round to keep place, with a stitch marker or safety pin. When starting a piece, the pattern calls for a “ring” use what ever ring you would like: a slip knot, double ring, an adjustable loop, Chain 2- then start spiral in first chain, etc… The tail from the ring should be tightened and sewn into the piece and cut.
Copyright © 2009 text and design: Amy Gaines

Sitting Grey Kitten: (4) Name: 'Crocheting : Kitten Crochet Amigurumi Pattern


Head: With Grey yarn, starting at the top of the head working to the neck.
Rnd 1: Make a ring, sc 8 times into ring (8) (Remember to mark last stitch of each round)
Rnd 2: (starting in 1st sc on ring) *2scinc* in each of the 8 sc sts- 8 times (16)
Rnd 3: * 2scinc, 1 sc* repeat around (24)
Rnd 4: * 2scinc, 2 sc* repeat around (32)
Rnds 5 thru Rnd 11: Sc around (32)
Rnd12: *2sctog, 2 sc* repeat around (24)
Rnd13: *2sctog, 1 sc* repeat around (18)
End- sl st to nxt st. Cut yarn to leave a 12" tail to use to sew head onto body.
Secure on Safety Eyes and stuff head firmly. Set head aside.

Body: With Grey yarn, starting at the bottom of the body working up to the neck.
Rnd 1: Make a ring, sc 6 times into ring (6) (Remember to mark last stitch of each round)
Rnd 2: (starting in 1st sc on the ring) *2scinc* in each of the 6 sc sts- 6 times (12)
Rnd 3: * 2scinc, 1 sc* repeat around (18)
Rnd 4: * 2scinc, 2 sc* repeat around (24)
Rnd 5: * 2scinc, 3 sc* repeat around (30)
Rnd 6: Sc around THRU THE BACK LOOPS (30)
Rnds 7 thru Rnd 9: Sc around (30)
Rnd 10: *2sctog, 3 sc* repeat 3 times total, sc the last 15 stitches once each (27)
The decreases will be the rear-end of the kitty.
Rnd 11: *2sctog, 2 sc* repeat 3 times total, sc the last 15 stitches once each (24)
Rnds 12 thru Rnd 13: Sc around (24)
Rnd14: *2sctog, 4 sc* repeat around (20)
Rnd15: Sc around (20)
Rnd16: *2sctog, 3 sc* repeat around (16)
Rnds 17 thru Rnd 20: Sc around (16)
End- slip stitch to next stitch and cut yarn and weave in tail.
Stuff body firmly!
Sew head to body at the neck, and weave in all yarn tails.

Ears:
Make 2- With Grey Yarn:
Rnd 1: Make a ring, sc 4 times into ring (4) (Remember to mark last stitch of each round)
Rnd 2: (starting in 1st sc on the ring) -* 2scinc, 1 sc* repeat around (6)
Rnd 3: * 2scinc, 2 sc* repeat around (8)
Rnd 4: * 2scinc, 3 sc* repeat around (10) End- slip stitch to next stitch, and cut tail yarn 12 inches long to use to sew ears onto head.
Legs: Start with White yarn, and make 2.
Rnd 1: Make a ring, sc 5 times into ring (5) (Remember to mark last stitch of each round)
Rnd 2: (starting in 1st sc on the ring) *2scinc* in each of the 5 sc stitches from round one- 5 times (10) Change to Grey Yarn.
Rnds 3 thru Rnd 5: Sc around (10) End- slip stitch to next stitch and cut yarn to leave a 12 inch tail to use to sew legs to bottom of body.
Lightly stuff feet, and with yarn tail, sew the feet to the bottom of the body at Round 6 of the body (the round you worked thru the back loops). Weave in yarn tails.

Tail:
With Grey Yarn:
Rnd 1: Make a ring, sc 6 times into ring (6) (Remember to mark last stitch of each round)
Rnd 2: (starting in 1st sc on the ring) Sc around (6)
Rnd 3 thru Rnd 20: 2sctog, sc the next 2 stitches once each, 2scinc, sc the next stitch once (6)
Stuff as you work
Rnd 21 thru Rnd 24: Sc around (6) Stuff as you work.
End- cut about a 12 inch tail to use to sew Tail onto body.
With pink thread, embroider nose, and with white thread embroider whiskers.


Pouncing Siamese Kitten:

Face: With Medium Brown yarn.
Rnd 1: Make a ring, sc 8 times into ring (8) (Remember to mark last stitch of each round)
Rnd 2: (starting in 1st sc on the ring) *2scinc* in each of the 8 sc stitches from round one- 8 times (16)
Rnd 3: * 2scinc, 1 sc* repeat around (24)
Rnd 4: 2scinc, sc the next 2 stitches once each, 2HDCinc, HDC in the next 2 stitches once each, 2scinc, sc the next 2 stitches once each, 2scinc, sc the next 2 stitches once each, 2HDCinc, HDC in the next 2 stitches once each, 2scinc, sc the next 2 stitches once each. End- slip stitch to next stitch and cut yarn to leave a 12 inch tail to use to sew face onto head.
Set face aside.
Head: With Off- White yarn, starting at the top of the head working to the neck.
Rnd 1: Make a ring, sc 8 times into ring (8) (Remember to mark last stitch of each round)
Rnd 2: (starting in 1st sc on the ring) *2scinc* in each of the 8 sc stitches from round one- 8 times (16)
Rnd 3: * 2scinc, 1 sc* repeat around (24)
Rnd 4: * 2scinc, 2 sc* repeat around (32)
Rnds 5 thru Rnd 11: Sc around (32)
At this point, you are going to stop working, but don’t cut yarn, you will be putting the safety eyes thru the face part and head:
First arrange face, and head and safety eyes.
Next, put safety eyes thru the face part but don’t put on washers.
Arrange face part on top of head, aligning the first round of the face on top of the first round of the head. Push safety eyes thru the head along with the face.
Secure on washers inside of the head.
Continue working the head:
Rnd12: *2sctog, 2 sc* repeat around (24)
Rnd13: *2sctog, 1 sc* repeat around (18) End- slip stitch to next stitch and cut yarn to leave a 12 inch tail to use to sew head onto body.
Sew face to head:
Stuff Head firmly and set aside.

Body: With Off-White yarn, starting at the bottom of the body working up to the neck.
Rnd 1: Make a ring, sc 6 times into ring (6) (Remember to mark last stitch of each round)
Rnd 2: (starting in 1st sc on the ring) *2scinc* in each of the 6 sc stitches from round one- 6 times (12)
Rnd 3: * 2scinc, 1 sc* repeat around (18)
Rnd 4: * 2scinc, 2 sc* repeat around (24)
Rnd 5: * 2scinc, 3 sc* repeat around (30)
Rnds 6 thru Rnd 9: Sc around (30)
Rnd 10: *2sctog, 3 sc* repeat 3 times total, sc the last 15 stitches once each (27) The decreases will be the rear-end of the kitty.
Rnd 11: *2sctog, 2 sc* repeat 3 times total, sc the last 15 stitches once each (24)
Rnds 12 thru Rnd 13: Sc around (24)
Rnd14: *2sctog, 4 sc* repeat around (20)
Rnd15: Sc around (20)
Rnd16: *2sctog, 3 sc* repeat around (16)
Rnds 17 thru Rnd 20: Sc around (16) End- slip stitch to next stitch and cut yarn and weave in tail.
Stuff body firmly!
The decreases on the body will be the kittens “rear-end”, align the decreases on the top of the kittens back. The black arrow if pointing to the decreases to help you see the alignment while sewing the head to the body.
Sew head to body at the neck, and weave in all yarn tails.

Back Legs: Start with Medium Brown yarn, and make 2.
Rnd 1: Make a ring, sc 5 times into ring (5) (Remember to mark last stitch of each round)
Rnd 2: (starting in 1st sc on the ring) *2scinc* in each of the 5 sc stitches from round one- 5 times (10)
Rnds 3 thru Rnd 5: Sc around (10) Change to Off-White Yarn.
Rnds 6 thru Rnd 9: Sc around (10) End- slip stitch to next stitch and cut yarn to leave a 12 inch tail to use to sew legs to bottom back of body.
Stuff back legs firmly. Sew legs to underside of the back of the body. Weave in all yarn tails.
Front Legs: Start with Medium Brown yarn, and make 2.
Rnd 1: Make a ring, sc 5 times into ring (5) (Remember to mark last stitch of each round)
Rnd 2: (starting in 1st sc on the ring) *2scinc* in each of the 5 sc stitches from round one- 5 times (10)
Rnds 3 thru Rnd 5: Sc around (10) Change to Off-White Yarn.
Rnds 6 thru Rnd 11: Sc around (10)
Rnd 12: *2sctog, sc the next stitch, 2sctog* repeat between the *’s twice.
End- slip stitch to next stitch and cut yarn to leave a 12 inch tail to use to sew legs to the body.
Lightly stuff front legs, and arrange them under the head and sew on below the neck.
Next anchor the legs to the head under the face
with a scrap of off-white yarn:

Ears:
Make 2- With Medium Brown Yarn:
Rnd 1: Make a ring, sc 4 times into ring (4) (Remember to mark last stitch of each round)
Rnd 2: (starting in 1st sc on the ring) -* 2scinc, 1 sc* repeat around (6)
Rnd 3: * 2scinc, 2 sc* repeat around (8)
Rnd 4: * 2scinc, 3 sc* repeat around (10) End- slip stitch to next stitch, and cut tail yarn 12 inches long to use to sew ears onto head.

Tail:
With Medium Brown Yarn:
Rnd 1: Make a ring, sc 6 times into ring (6) (Remember to mark last stitch of each round)
Rnd 2: (starting in 1st sc on the ring) Sc around (6)
Rnd 3 thru Rnd 4: 2sctog, sc the next 2 stitches once each, 2scinc, sc the next stitch once (6) Stuff as you work, and Change yarn to Off-White.
Rnd 5 thru Rnd 20: 2sctog, sc the next 2 stitches once each, 2scinc, sc the next stitch once (6) Stuff as you work
Rnd 21 thru Rnd 24: Sc around (6) Stuff as you work. End- cut about a 12 inch tail to use to sew Tail onto body as in photo:
With Brown thread, embroider nose.

I hope you have enjoyed my pattern, if you have any questions along the way, please feel free to e-mail me at AmyGaines123@yahoo.com

Crochet Kitty Amineko

K asked me to crochet a cat for her friend as a bday present and in my search I found the following and thought it was pretty cute and wanted to save it for the future.

I found the pics at here http://www.dappertoad.com/2013/01/crochet-kitty-free-pattern-link.html


This cat, let me tell you, is so adorably pose-able it's just nuts. I think he turned out a little smug looking, but he's still cute. And the pattern is free! How could you not make one? It's a great beginner pattern and hooks up pretty quickly. He's quite large as well: mine is 13 inches tall. 

And I found the pattern here http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~mite/diagram/crochetedCat.html

Make sure to check out additional instructions for putting all the parts together below.  I found these additional instruction here http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/amineko-lovers/2689427/26-50#26

Materials:
Hook Size: C or 2.75-3mm
Yarn Weight: Light Fingering-Super Fine #1-Sock
Yardage: 118yds

To those who are not familiar with Japanese.
I drew diagrams next to the worded instructions to make it clearer for everyone to understand.
I hope you enjoy it!
symbolUS termJapanese
sc (single crochet)こま編み
2-sc inc (2-single crochet increase)増目(こま編み2目編み入れ)
2-sc dec (2-single crochet cluster/decrease)減目(こま編み2目1度)

Easy method for the first step 


The method which I usually use
*Make a loop from the yarn.(Japanese page)
*Tighten the loop.(Japanese page)

pattern of crocheted Cat (Amineko) / original Japanese page

Head
Preparation : Make a loop from the yarn.
  1. [ sc ] × 6 , and tighten the loop.
  2. [ 2-sc inc ] × 6
  3. [ sc × 1, 2-sc inc ] × 6
  4. [ sc × 2, 2-sc inc ] × 6
  5. [ sc × 3, 2-sc inc ] × 6
  6. [ sc × 4, 2-sc inc ] × 6
  7. [ sc × 5, 2-sc inc ] × 6
  8. [ sc × 6, 2-sc inc ] × 6
  9. sc repeat
  10. sc repeat
  11. sc repeat
  12. sc repeat
  13. sc repeat
  14. sc repeat
  15. sc repeat
  16. [ sc × 6, 2-sc dec ] × 6
  17. [ sc × 5, 2-sc dec ] × 6
  18. [ sc × 4, 2-sc dec ] × 6
  19. [ sc × 3, 2-sc dec ] × 6
  20. [ sc × 2, 2-sc dec ] × 6
Finally, cut the yarn. Make sure you leave enough yarn to sew the head onto the torso.

Torso
Preparation : Make a loop from the yarn.
  1. [ sc ] × 6 , and tighten the loop.
  2. [ 2-sc inc ] × 6
  3. [ sc × 1, 2-sc inc ] × 6
  4. [ sc × 2, 2-sc inc ] × 6
  5. [ sc × 3, 2-sc inc ] × 6
  6. [ sc × 4, 2-sc inc ] × 6
  7. sc repeat
  8. sc repeat
  9. sc repeat
  10. sc repeat
  11. sc repeat
  12. sc repeat
  13. sc repeat
  14. sc repeat
  15. sc repeat
  16. sc repeat
  17. sc repeat
  18. sc repeat
  19. sc repeat
  20. sc repeat
  21. sc repeat
  22. sc repeat
  23. sc repeat
  24. [ sc × 4, 2-sc dec ] × 6
  25. sc repeat
  26. sc repeat
  27. [ sc × 3, 2-sc dec ] × 6
  28. sc repeat
  29. sc repeat
  30. [ sc × 2, 2-sc dec ] × 6
  31. sc repeat
  32. sc repeat

Hand × 2
Preparation : Make a loop from the yarn.
  1. [ sc ] × 6 , and tighten the loop.
  2. [ 2-sc inc ] × 6
  3. sc repeat
  4. sc repeat
  5. sc repeat
  6. sc repeat
  7. [ sc × 1, 2-sc dec ] × 4
  8. sc repeat
  9. sc repeat
  10. sc repeat
  11. sc repeat
  12. sc repeat
  13. sc repeat
  14. sc repeat
  15. sc repeat
  16. sc repeat
  17. sc repeat
  18. sc repeat
  19. sc repeat
  20. sc repeat
  21. sc repeat
  22. sc repeat
  23. sc repeat
  24. sc repeat
  25. sc repeat
  26. sc repeat
  27. sc repeat
  28. sc repeat
Finally, cut the yarn. Make sure you leave enough yarn to sew the hand onto the torso.

Foot × 2
Preparation : Make a loop from the yarn.
  1. [ sc ] × 6 , and tighten the loop.
  2. [ 2-sc inc ] × 6
  3. [ sc × 3, 2-sc inc ] × 3
  4. sc repeat
  5. sc repeat
  6. sc repeat
  7. sc repeat
  8. [ sc × 1, 2-sc dec ] × 5
  9. sc repeat
  10. sc repeat
  11. sc repeat
  12. sc repeat
  13. sc repeat
  14. sc repeat
  15. sc repeat
  16. sc repeat
  17. sc repeat
  18. sc repeat
  19. sc repeat
  20. sc repeat
  21. sc repeat
  22. sc repeat
  23. sc repeat
  24. sc repeat
Finally, cut the yarn. Make sure you leave enough yarn to sew the foot onto the torso.

Tail
Preparation : Make a loop from the yarn.
  1. [ sc ] × 6 , and tighten the loop.
  2. [ sc × 2, 2-sc inc ] × 2
  3. sc repeat
  4. sc repeat
  5. sc repeat
  6. sc repeat
  7. sc repeat
  8. sc repeat
  9. sc repeat
  10. sc repeat
  11. sc repeat
  12. sc repeat
  13. sc repeat
  14. sc repeat
  15. sc repeat
  16. sc repeat
  17. sc repeat
  18. sc repeat
  19. sc repeat
  20. sc repeat
  21. sc repeat
  22. sc repeat
Finally, cut the yarn. Make sure you leave enough yarn to sew the tail onto the torso.

Ear × 2
Preparation : Make a loop from the yarn.
  1. [ sc ] × 4 , and tighten the loop.
  2. [ 2-sc inc ] × 4
  3. [ sc × 3, 2-sc inc ] × 2
  4. [ sc × 4, 2-sc inc ] × 2
  5. [ sc × 5, 2-sc inc ] × 2
Finally, cut the yarn. Make sure you leave enough yarn to sew the ear onto the head.

Mouth
Preparation : Make a loop from the yarn.
  1. [ sc ] × 7 , and tighten the loop.
  2. [ 2-sc inc ] × 7
  3. sc repeat
  4. sc repeat
  5. sc repeat
  6. sc repeat
  7. sc repeat
  8. sc repeat
  9. sc repeat
  10. sc repeat, and stuffing.
  11. [ 3-sc dec, 4-sc dec, 4-sc dec, 3-sc dec ]
Finally, cut the yarn. Make sure you leave enough yarn to sew the mouth onto the head.

Stuffing

A few plastic pellets in the hands and the feet. Plastic pellets and cotton wool in the torso. Cotton wool in the head. A little cotton wool in the mouth.

Assembling

Sew the ears and the mouth part onto the head.
Stitch the nose, the mouth and the eyes. Felt could be used for the nose if you wish. Then put the finishing touches on the face by stitching the eyebrows. Design the face as you like it.
Sew the head onto the torso. Sew the hands, the feet and the tail onto the torso.
Don't forget to name the cat! Done!

You can see a lot of more detailed images. (original Japanese page , more)

2006.5.27

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a little picture tutorial for adding legs, and tails to the torso as you crochet the torso. Hope it’s helpful !
Here is the beginning of the torso, Round 6 completed. I like to put the legs on either side of one the little points.
Adding legs, tail and arms to Amineko torso as you crochet
Just put the leg on the front of your work to one side of the little point. You can see your leg just about fits on one of those sides. Crochet Round 7 till you get up to where you would start to attach the leg.
Adding legs, tail and arms to Amineko torso as you crochet
Crochet through both layers of the leg and into the next stitch on the torso. Continue across the leg going in the next set of stitches.
Adding legs, tail and arms to Amineko torso as you crochet
I like put one sc in between the legs and then start the second leg. Here is the back side of the work showing the stitches where the leg is secured.
Adding legs, tail and arms to Amineko torso as you crochet
Notice that there is another little point directly across from where the legs are crocheted on.
Adding legs, tail and arms to Amineko torso as you crochet
Place the tail directly over that point and crochet it in.
Adding legs, tail and arms to Amineko torso as you crochet
Now the legs and tail are crocheted on !!! I find I usually either add or subtract a couple stitches doing this, so increase or decrease stitches as you finish Round 7 so you are back to 36 stitches.
Adding legs, tail and arms to Amineko torso as you crochet
For Round 28 I lay the body on it’s side and place the arm about half way between the tail and legs.
Crocheting legs, tail and arms to Amineko torso as you go
Sc through both layers of the arm and into the torso.
Crocheting legs, tail and arms to Amineko torso as you go
Ta-Da !!
Crocheting legs, tail and arms to Amineko torso as you go