Fun with Yarn and Fabric Book Review

Fun with Yarn and Fabric includes more than 50 projects to crochet, sew. The book is very colorful with vivid images. It really takes you into each room where the pictures where taken. The amount of light and happiness in this book makes you wish it would last forever! I think that's the point of this book, to encourage you to unleash your creativity and take it to a new level where you can combine different mediums. The author, Susanna Zacke, invites you to play with your fabrics, threads, and yarns. How fun is that! 

Many of the projects included can be made from upcycled towels, blankets, baskets you might have in your home. The ideas presented in the book could be easily adapted to use it in a project you might still have as a WIP at your home. (what does WIP mean?)  

Overall, this is the best eye candy book I've encountered related to crochet lately. Just make sure to follow your favorite tutorials and patterns to guide you in the process of making projects from the book. 

Let Fun with Yarn and Fabric inspire you! 

Fabi

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Apple and Pear Crochet Pattern

Lately on Instagram (@fabimakes) cute little apples and pears have caught my eye and that of many other crocheters all around the world. Down Grapevine Lane has written a simple pattern to crochet apples to have on your desk or use them for pretend food.

I just had to let you know about this fantastic find! I hope you get to make some too :-).

Yarn: DK weight yarn like Catania or Stylecraft.
Hook: 4 mm

Hope you enjoy it! I can't wait to make some myself!


Fabi

Lentil Soup on a Cold Day

The weather has been so cold (38F or 3C) this week and even colder all over the country that the only thing I really feel like making is soup to warm us up.   Approaching the table to a warm bowl of soup just makes my heart happy! Plus it just reminds me of Chile. We eat a lot of soup there. 

Today I am sharing my Lentil Soup recipe for making a soup that is comforting and high in protein, fiber, folate, vitamin B1, iron, and other minerals.   

Facts about lentils:

• very healthy food! 
• it goes well with most vegetables!
• inexpensive!
• taste even better on the second day! 

Recently I learned that I can use my rice cooker to cook legumes (beans, lentils, garbanzos, etc). It's been a time saver!!! I no longer have to stand in the kitchen stirring the legumes so they don't stick to the bottom.  No one wants to eat burned food!!!!   


This is the rice cooker I use, it's a great size for my family, and it really just works great!!! I highly recommend it:  (affiliate link)

Lentil Soup 

Ingredients 

(for 5 people)

2 14oz bags of lentils

1 large onion

some carrots

paprika

cumin 

salt 

cilantro (optional)

Preparation

1. Soak lentils for 15-20 min with cold water. 
2. In a pan, heat up some oil and then add your chopped onion with some paprika and cumin. Enough to cover all your onions. Then stir it. 
3. Then add your carrots.  Add a bit more oil if needed. 

                                         

4. Drain and rinse your lentils.
5. Pour lentils with the onion and carrot mixture and cover it with water.       Add salt now. 
6. Boil lentils for about 40 minutes or until tender.  

I like to add fresh cilantro to my soup while it's cooking. I love the smell and the flavor and it meshes real well with the other ingredients. 

If your lentils start to get dry, just add more water and compensate the flavor by adding more salt. 

Serve warm! 

Enjoy!!!

Fabi

Crochet Heart Hat

This hat to me is a work of a art because it combines a few techniques, which are great for when you are ready to take your crocheting skills to the next level! With this pattern you will be able to read a crochet chart, use the standing double crochet, how to switch colors, and how to strand yarn from the wrong side of the hat. 

I love the result, My Hobby is Crochet, has produced in this hat! It's so lovely! Get the free pattern here.  

This pattern uses Caron Simply Soft yarn and a size 5.00 mm crochet hook. 

Fabi

Crochet Heart Purse

Crochet this beautiful purse that uses the heart stitch. Make it in your favorite colors for yourself or to gift for someone very special.  This purse is sure to warm someone's heart. 

To make this purse you will need: Sports weightcrochet yarn, hook 3.00mm and 3.5mm.

This pattern is available through here.

Fabi

Crochet Cuffed Booties

 made this crochet booties using worsted weight yarn and a size H hook. It took me about two hours to make. The pattern was fairly easy to follow with clear instructions.  It can be made in a solid color or in two like in the picture. Personally, I think two colors look super cute. 

Thanks to Repeat CrafterMe for the free pattern! Here is the link to it. Click here.  

Fabi 

Crochet Hearts

These are two simple hearts, stitched together and decorated with a flower. It looks so lovely! Perfect to hang from a window.  To see more of Dada's Place pictures, click here. To get the tutorial to make this heart, click here. 

Fabi