Easy crochet shawl.

With help from Ferguson of course.

I made this easy shawl in about 4 hours, I think it looks really nice, because you can wear it as a shawl, but if you pull it (like that JML magic scarf), the holey bits pull together and you can wear it as a thick and fluffy scarf too.

The finished wrap measures approximately 50cm wide by 150cm long, depending on how many rows you put in – which for me was conditional on the amount of wool skeins I had.

Gauge is not hugely important as it depends on the wool you use, size of hook and how loosely you want the loops to drape.

I used an 8mm hook on lightweight fluffy wool, but ran two threads together in my main colour of icy blue snowflake wool and a mohair black wool.

Ch 101.

Row 1 (Right Side): Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next ch, * ch 5, skip next 5 ch, dc in next 3 ch; rep from * across; turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, skip first dc, dc in next dc, * (4 dc, ch 1, 4 dc) all in next ch-5 lp; rep from * to last 3 sts; skip next dc, dc in next dc, dc in top of ch-3; turn.

Row 3: Ch 3, skip first dc, dc in next dc, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, * ch 5, 3 dc in next ch-1sp; rep from * to last 6 sts; ch 2, skip next 4 dc, dc in next dc, dc in top of ch-3; turn.

Row 4: Ch 3, skip first dc, dc in next dc, 4 dc in next ch-2 sp, * (4 dc, ch 1, 4 dc) all in next ch-5 sp; rep from * to last ch-2 sp; 4 dc in last ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, dc in top of ch-3; turn.

Row 5: Ch 1, skip first dc, dc in next 2 dc, * ch 5, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * to last 10 sts; ch 5, skip next 7 dc, dc in next 2 dc, dc in top of ch-3; turn.

Rep Rows 2-5 for pattern, end by working Row 5. Fasten off.

To finish the top edge: With right side facing, join yarn in first st of last row; * (hdc, dc, 4 tr, dc, hdc) all in next ch-5 sp; rep from * across; sl st in last st. Fasten off.


Bottom Edging: With right side facing, join yarn in free loop of first ch of foundation ch; * (hdc, dc, 4 tr, dc, hdc) all in next ch-sp formed by 5 skipped ch; rep from * across; sl st in last ch. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS:

ch = chain

dc = double crochet

hdc = half double crochet

rep = repeat

sl = slip

sp = space

st(s) = stitch (es);

* = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated.

Green Tomato Chutney - two versions.

Lovely green tomatoes - crying out for chutney, who am I to refuse.

Take some fresh onions straight from the ground, red and white.

Pick some lovely bright green and beautiful tomatoes, and you are ready to go.


I am having a go at two different recipes this time, one a sweeter chutney and one an Indian inspired one, and in the spirit of being organised, instead of trying to read two recipes at the same time and scrambling about for ingredients whilst things stick to the bottom of the pan, I am preparing everything in advance then setting to the cooking.

Professional eh?


Recipe 1 - Green tomato and Red Onion Relish


900g tomatoes
350g red onion
90g raisins
250g light muscovado sugar or cane sugar
1 hot red chili
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons brown mustard seeds
300ml cider vinegar

Combine the spices together, pour everything into a pan, pour over the vinegar, stir to ensure all the sugar dissolves then leave to simmer for about an hour.

Recipe 2 - Indian Green Tomato Chutney


4 cups of chopped green tomatoes
1 green pepper
2 apples, peeled, cored and cubed
1 hot pepper chopped finely
1 white onion
3 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons minced ginger root
zest and juice of one lemon
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
2 teaspoons mustard seeds
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon tumeric

These are my coriander seeds harvested and dried next to the Rayburn - ready for just such a recipe.

Combine the spices together.

Throw everything in a pan, stir to dissolve the sugar and simmer for an hour.

As I sit here writing this at the kitchen table the room is filled with the wonderful aroma of chutney cooking.

Making my stomach grumble.

Have to wait 3 months for the chutnety to mature, it will be ready just in time for Christmas.

Spoon the mixture out into sterilised jars (wash jars well then put in a warm oven for 10 minutes, boil the lids for a couple of minutes), wear heat proof gloves to handle the jars and seal the lids on tightly.  Stand upside down on the lid for a few minutes to create a good seal, turn back over and wait for the lids to pop down before storing in a cool dark place for the next 3 months.