~Chunky Chevron Crochet Blanket~

This is not only fun but a super easy chevron blanket that even beginners can master! I've tackled some of the more experienced chevron patterns and have often wondered if there was an easier way. So, I decided to make this pattern that is easy enough for beginners or experienced. I've talked to a few other people and they say when they see double crochet 3 together (dc3tog) in a pattern it is a bit overwhelming, especially for beginners or those who are most comfortable staying with patterns on the easy level. 

I have made several other items with this pattern including a scarf, a cowl, a head band and a table runner. This blanket was a gift for a friend's baby at church. I had a lot of fun picking out the the colors because chevron blankets can be made with bold colors. I did notice that in the picture the hot pink looks more like a berry or red in color but in real life it definitely looks hot pink. I also wanted to mention that I love the yarn I used because it's chunky (fatter) and I got to use a larger crochet hook so the blanket went super fast! I hope you will have as much fun with this pattern as I have!

~CHUNKY CHEVRON CROCHET BLANKET~

~MATERIALS~

~Yarn~ 
Bernat Softee Chunky (or any yarn of your choice)
(Click the red Bernat yarn link above to look at the colors I used in this pattern and the entire assortment of colors in this particular yarn.)

Color A= True Grey (Use Heather Grey if you want a lighter gray than I used.)
Color B= Baby Yellow
Color C= Baby Pink
Color D= Hot Pink
Color E= Seagreen

~Crochet Hook~ 
Size L (11/8.00mm)

~STITCHES USED IN THIS PATTERN~
ch= chain
sk= skip
sl st= slip stitch
dc= double crochet

~PATTERN GAUGE & BLANKET MEASUREMENTS~
This pattern is made with multiples of 13 stitches. 

With this yarn/hook, the gauge for my swatch for the 13 stitches came out to 
4 1/2" in length (3 rows high) x 6" wide (13 dc's). It is always best to make a swatch first before beginning a project.

(Decide how wide you want your blanket and chain multiples of 13. It doesn't matter what size yarn & hook you use with this pattern. You will just need to make a swatch of 13 stitches, measure how wide and tall it is. Once you have those measurements you can figure out how many series of 13 stitches you need to use.

~SPECIAL PATTERN NOTES~

1. The top of the chevron is often referred to as an increase or a "peak" and the lowest part is referred to as a decrease or a "valley".

2. (All rows should end with 1dc in each of the last 5 chains 
\\\\\\|//////oo\\\\\\|////// & it should be making the stitches down toward a valley just as you began the row. The red stitches in the diagram above indicate the 5dc at the beginning and end of the row and how they should look. The green represents the peaks and valleys and the black represents the 5dc's in between.) 

3. I made my blanket textured on one side. You can do this by crocheting just in the front or back loop instead of going through both loops of the stitch. Here is a link with tutorials for both.

~FOUNDATION ROW~ 
With Color A, 
Chain 78 (a series of 13 stitches repeated 6 times =78 chains) 

~ROW 1~
Continue with Color A (True Grey)

Dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as 2dc), 1dc in next 3 chains

(dc, ch1, dc) in next chain (makes first peak), 1dc in each of next 5 chains,
(sk2, 1dc) in next chain (makes first valley), 1dc in each of next 4 chains.

*(dc, ch1, dc) in next chain (counts as next peak), 1dc in each of next 5 chains,
(sk2, 1dc) in next chain (counts as next valley), 1dc in each of next 4 chains, turn work*

Continue pattern by repeating from * to * 4 more times or to end of row if you made you blanket wider.

(Refer to Special Pattern Notes #2 if you aren't sure your first row looks right.)

~ROW 2~
Continue with Color A (True Grey)

Sl st into the next stitch to the left (2nd dc), ch3 (counts as first dc), 
1dc in each of next 4 dc's, (dc, ch1, dc) in next chain sp, 1dc in each of next 5 chains, sk2 dc's, 1dc in each of next 5 dc's, Turn*

Continue pattern by repeating from * to * 4 more times or to end of row if you made you blanket wider. 

~ROWS 3, 4, 5~
Continue with Color B (Baby Yellow)
Sl st into the next stitch to the left (2nd dc), ch3 (counts as first dc), 
1dc in each of next 4 dc's, (3dc) in next chain sp, 1dc in each of next 5 chains, sk2 dc's, 1dc in each of next 5 dc's, Turn*

Continue pattern by repeating from * to * to end of row. 

~ROWS 6, 7~
Change to Color A (True Grey), Repeat pattern from Row 2

~ROWS  8, 9, 10~
Change to Color C (Baby Pink)
Sl st into the next stitch to the left (2nd dc), ch3 (counts as first dc), 
1dc in each of next 4 dc's, (3dc) in next chain sp, 1dc in each of next 5 chains, sk2 dc's, 1dc in each of next 5 dc's, Turn*

Continue pattern by repeating from * to * to end of row. 

~ROWS 11, 12, 13~
Change to Color D (Hot Pink)
Sl st into the next stitch to the left (2nd dc), ch3 (counts as first dc), 
1dc in each of next 4 dc's, (3dc) in next chain sp, 1dc in each of next 5 chains, sk2 dc's, 1dc in each of next 5 dc's, Turn*

Continue pattern by repeating from * to * to end of row. 

~ROWS 14, 15~
Change to Color A (True Grey), Repeat pattern from Row 2

~ROWS 16, 17~
Change to Color B (Baby Yellow)
Sl st into the next stitch to the left (2nd dc), ch3 (counts as first dc), 
1dc in each of next 4 dc's, (3dc) in next chain sp, 1dc in each of next 5 chains, sk2 dc's, 1dc in each of next 5 dc's, Turn*

Continue pattern by repeating from * to * to end of row. 

~ROWS 18, 19~
Change to Color A (True Grey), Repeat pattern from Row 2

~ROWS 20, 21, 22 ~
Change to Color C (Baby Pink), Repeat pattern from Row 2

Sl st into the next stitch to the left (2nd dc), ch3 (counts as first dc), 
1dc in each of next 4 dc's, (3dc) in next chain sp, 1dc in each of next 5 chains, sk2 dc's, 1dc in each of next 5 dc's, Turn*

Continue pattern by repeating from * to * to end of row. 

~ROWS 23, 24, 25~
Change to Color E (Seagreen), Repeat pattern from Row 2
Sl st into the next stitch to the left (2nd dc), ch3 (counts as first dc), 
1dc in each of next 4 dc's, (3dc) in next chain sp, 1dc in each of next 5 chains, sk2 dc's, 1dc in each of next 5 dc's, Turn*

Continue pattern by repeating from * to * to end of row. 

~ROWS 26, 27~
Change to Color A (True Grey), Repeat pattern from Row 2

~ROWS 28, 29~
Change to Color B (Baby Yellow)
Sl st into the next stitch to the left (2nd dc), ch3 (counts as first dc), 
1dc in each of next 4 dc's, (3dc) in next chain sp, 1dc in each of next 5 chains, sk2 dc's, 1dc in each of next 5 dc's, Turn*

Continue pattern by repeating from * to * to end of row. 

~ROWS 30, 31~
Change to Color A (True Grey), Repeat pattern from Row 2

~ROWS  32, 33, 34~
Change to Color C (Baby Pink)
Sl st into the next stitch to the left (2nd dc), ch3 (counts as first dc), 
1dc in each of next 4 dc's, (3dc) in next chain sp, 1dc in each of next 5 chains, sk2 dc's, 1dc in each of next 5 dc's, Turn*

Continue pattern by repeating from * to * to end of row. 

~ROWS 35, 36, 37~
Change to Color D (Hot Pink)
Sl st into the next stitch to the left (2nd dc), ch3 (counts as first dc), 
1dc in each of next 4 dc's, (3dc) in next chain sp, 1dc in each of next 5 chains, sk2 dc's, 1dc in each of next 5 dc's, Turn*

Continue pattern by repeating from * to * to end of row. 

~ROWS 38, 39~
Change to Color A (True Grey), Repeat pattern from Row 2

~ROWS 40, 41, 43~
Change to Color B (Baby Yellow)
Sl st into the next stitch to the left (2nd dc), ch3 (counts as first dc), 
1dc in each of next 4 dc's, (3dc) in next chain sp, 1dc in each of next 5 chains, sk2 dc's, 1dc in each of next 5 dc's, Turn*

Continue pattern by repeating from * to * to end of row.

~BORDER~

I used a single crochet border. Since this blanket has so much going on I didn't want the border to take away from the beautiful pattern. The single crochet border is not only the simplest border but it frames this blanket well.

You will end your last row at the top of your blanket.

Keep in mind that with a chevron pattern, the number of stitches will be different on the top row from the very bottom due to increases and decreases but the sides will both have the same amount of stitches.

~Pattern~

Continue with Color A (True Grey)
Chain 1 and sc all the way  to the end of the row (80 sc's) , chain 2 at the corner and then start down the side of the blanket to end (88 sc's), chain 2 for corner, start your first stitch again on the bottom of the blanket and sc all the ay to the end (74 sc's), chain 2 and crochet down the last side of the blanket to end (88 sc's), chain 2 for corner and sl st in first ch at beginning of border.

I hope my instructions were detailed enough for you  but if not, leave me a message or you can email me at crafty2thecore@gmail.com and I'll be happy to get back with you. 

I hope you will have as much fun with this pattern as I did! Thanks for stopping by! :)

~Fancy Pants Spaghetti Casserole~

I have four boys and one thing my mom warned me about early on was that boys eat a lot. As usual, mom was right. They are always hungry! It's amazing how you can just get the dinner dishes cleaned up and before you can escape the kitchen or shortly after, they're back in there looking for a treat or snack. 

A few years ago, my youngest son asked me what I made for dinner that smelled so good. I told him I made a casserole. He watched me scoop up a hearty helping and put it on a plate for him. A bit puzzled he said, "That looks like spaghetti though." I told him this was a fancy type of spaghetti that was kind of like a mix between spaghetti and lasagna. Then he remarked, "Oh, a fancy pants spaghetti." So today, I'm going to share the recipe for Fancy Pants Spaghetti. 

  

~FANCY PANTS SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE~

Prep Time- 20 minutes

Serves 12

Ingredients:

1  1/2 lbs. Ground beef
1 small onion (chopped) optional
8 oz. Mushrooms (sliced) optional
2 tsp Worcestershire

1 small can Tomato paste

1 packet of Lawry's spaghetti seasoning
2 TBSP Tony's Creole Seasoning or a smaller amount of cayenne pepper (Optional-use only if you want it a little spicy) 
1 pkg. (12oz) Spaghetti noodles
1 stick of Butter (3/4 stick is to be sliced-1/4 for greasing your pan)
1 cup Grated cheddar or sharp cheese
1/2 cup Grated mozzarella or Italian cheese mix
1 (80z) Small curd cottage cheese
1 (8 oz) Cream cheese
1/3 cup Sour cream

Preheat oven to 375.

Prepare water to boil your noodles and cook as directed on package.

In a skillet, add your onions and mushrooms and let them cook until they are almost transparent. 

Add your ground beef and stir. Once the meat is half way cooked add your Worcestershire sauce. (Here is where you add the creole seasoning or cayenne pepper if you want your recipe to be a little spicy.) Stir and continue to brown until fully cooked. 

Pour in your spaghetti seasoning packet and tomato paste stirring until well mixed. Turn off burner and set meat aside.

In a large bowl combine softened cream cheese, cottage cheese and sour cream. Mix well until completely blended. 

Add the previous mixture to your spaghetti noodles and mix completely.

Grease 9"x13" pan generously with 1/4 stick of softened butter. (If you have some butter left, use it with the next step where butter is needed.)

Place the noodle and cheese mixture in the bottom of your generously greased pan. With the remaining 3/4 stick of butter, slice and distribute equally on top of noodles.

Next, add your meat mixture on top of noodles and spread thoroughly covering the noodles. 

Add your grated cheeses on top of the noodles. 

Bake at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until casserole is extremely bubbly. 

Remove from oven and let it cool. 

Yummy bread and a good salad are great with this casserole. This is also a wonderful dish to serve large crowds! We rarely have leftovers at our house but if there are any then it's even better the second day! Happy eating!

~Fabulous Chocolate Dipped ~ ~ Chocolate Chip Cookies~

These cookies rock! The basic recipe is good all on it's own but you can also turn this recipe into yummy White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies. They are one of my favorite cookies and they rock as well! I've included instructions at the bottom on dipping your finished cookies in chocolate. I know, as if the cookie itself isn't enough! 

I will also share with you some tips for freezing cookies. I love making a stash to put in the freezer for emergencies. The only problem with that is my boys love cookie dough so there may be some missing when it's time to bake. They are great to add on top of ice cream too! 

~Tips For Freezing Cookie Dough~

• You can freeze most cookies doughs for up to 1 year if frozen properly and in a tight containers, bags, wrap, etc. 
• Be sure to separate cookies that are different flavors so the flavoring won't mix with the other types.
• Most cookie dough recipes can be turned into slice and bake cookies by rolling dough into a long log or two and wrapped in freezer paper, freezer bags, saran wrap or a plastic container. 
• You may slice cookie dough ahead of time and freeze on sheets of wax paper layered between them. 
• You may roll the cookie dough and place on coated paper plates and sealed in a ziploc bag. I stacked 2 layers of paper plates in the bag but if you buy over-sized bags you can stack several layers of plates or trays in the bag.
• You can take cookies straight from the freezer and bake them in a preheated oven if they have been cut and frozen properly and do not have freezer burn however, it may be better to test a cookie first, sometimes I have to slightly turn up the temperature if it is a dense cookie.
• If you want to let the cookies thaw first then it is better to leave them in the container or wrapping to thaw before removing them.
• When thawing rolled cookie dough, it only takes about 4 or 5 mins.
• When thawing cookie dough logs, it takes about 10-15 minutes at room temperature depending on the thickness of the log.
  

~Chocolate Chip Cookies~

Makes 4 to 5 dozen cookies- depending if you make rolled cookies or slice and bake style.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

~Ingredients~

4 sticks butter (softened) 

6 cups flour

3 eggs

1 1/4 tsp Vanilla extract (when using real vanilla only use 1 tsp)

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 cups brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 cups milk chocolate, white or dark chocolate or mix chips (premium)

(OPTIONAL)

1 cup pecans, (chopped) or nut of your choice. (I like to use macadamia nuts if I use white chocolate chips)

1. In a large mixing bowl or mixer, cream butter, brown and white sugars, vanilla and eggs.
2. Pour in flour slowly and a little at a time until blended. 
3. Include the salt and baking soda and mix well. 
4. Pour in chocolate chips (I like to mix milk chocolate and white chocolate chips.)
5. Include pecans, macadamia, etc. if you chose to add nuts.
6. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray or bake on parchment paper. I suggest parchment paper because it helps the cookies bake up most evenly, not to mention super easy clean up! 
7. Bake cookies for 12 to 15 minutes in preheated oven at 350 degrees. 
8. Check cookies at 10 minutes since oven temps vary. Remove cookies from oven when slightest brown shows on edges.

Bake & Chill option:

You can certainly bake and eat them now however, I have found that the cookies are fluffier when I put them back in the fridge for about 15 to 20 minutes. (This really helps because the cookie dough gets a little mushy from sitting out.) Also, the cookies come out more uniform when chilled first or frozen.

Freezing option: You may also separate and freeze the cookies for a later time. (Refer to my Freezing Cookie Tips at the top of this post.) 

~Chocolate for Dipping Cookies~

In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips according to directions on the package. Dip half of each cookie into the chocolate and hold over the bowl for excess to drip off. (Some of the cookies I had to kind of swipe on the edge of the bowl to make chocolate stop dripping.) Set the cookie down on the wax or parchment paper and let it cool. If desired, you can quickly sprinkle chopped nuts, crushed candy pieces or sprinkles over the top of the cookie immediately after dipping.