Lacy Heart Square

I love crocheting, I love creating things with my hands and the feeling of accomplishment once it's done. The feeling is tremendously rewarding. 

I'm making a baby blanket for a friend's imminent arrival this summer and I was looking for something delicate and lacy and with hearts. I couldn't quite find what I was looking for, so I've decided that I want to create my own pattern deciding to start with a square first, making things on a small scale before jumping into the deep end. 

Here I go.....I cannot tell you how many times I've ripped this back and started over again, I want the blanket to look just right. 

Attempt  #1 - measures unblocked 4.5 in wide by 5.5 in length

Hook size 4.00mm

cotton DK

ch 26
Row 1: hdc into 2nd chain from hook, hdc into each stitch across (25 st)
Row 2: turn ch 2, hdc into each stitch across (25 st)
Row 3: turn ch 3, 2 dc into 1st stitch, *skip two stitches, dc into next stitch, ch 2, dc into same stitch**, repeat * to ** twice, sk two st, 3 dc into next stitch, repeat * to ** 3 times, sk two st, 2dc into last stitch
Row 4: turn, ch 2, hdc into first stitch, hdc into ch space, 2 hdc into next ch space, repeat twice, hdc into ch space, 2 hdc into next 2 stitches, hdc into ch sp, 2 hdc into next ch sp, repeat twice, hdc into ch space, hdc into last 2 stitches (25 st)

Row 5: turn, ch 3, 2dc into 1^st stitch, *sk 2 st, 1 dc into next st, ch 2, 1 dc into same st**, repeat * to **, ch 1, sk 4 st, 3 dc into next st, 2 dc into the next st, 2 dc into next st, sk 4 st, ch 1, dc into next st, ch 2, dc into same st, sk 2 st, dc into next st, ch 2, dc into same st, sk 2 st, 2 dc into last st.

Row 6: turn, ch 2, hdc into 1^st st, *hdc into ch sp, 2 hdc into next ch sp**, repeat * to ** once, 2 hdc into next ch sp, hdc into next 6 st, 2 hdc into next ch sp, 2 hdc into next ch sp, 1 hdc into next ch sp, 2 hdc into next ch sp, hdc into ch sp, hdc into last 2 st. (25 st)
Row 7: turn, ch 3, 2 dc into 1^st st, *sk 2 st, dc into next st, ch 2, dc into same st**, repeat * to ** once, sk 2 st, 2 dc into next st, hdc into next 5 st, 2 dc into next 2 st, *sk 2 st, dc into next st, ch 2, dc into same st**, repeat * to ** once, sk 2 st, 2 dc into last st.
Row 8: turn, ch 2, hdc into first st, *hdc into ch sp, 2 hdc into next ch sp**, repeat * to ** once, hdc into ch sp, hdc into next 8 st, * hdc into ch sp, **2 hdc into next ch sp, repeat * to ** once, hdc into ch sp, hdc into last 2 st. (25 st)
Row 9: turn, ch 3, 2 dc into 1st st, sk 2 st, dc into next st, ch 2, dc into same stitch, sk 4 st, ch 1, 3 dc into next st, dc into next 7 st, 3 dc into next st, ch 1, sk 4 st, dc into next st, ch 2, dc into same st, sk 2 st, 2 dc into last st. 
Row 10: turn work, ch 2, hdc into 1st st, hdc into ch sp, 2 hdc into next 2 ch spaces each, hdc into next 12 st, 2 hdc into next 2 ch spaces each, hdc into next ch sp, hdc into last 2 st
Row 11: turn, ch 3, 2 dc into 1st st, sk 2 st, dc into next st, ch 2, dc into same stitch, sk 2 st, 3 dc into next st, dc into next 11 st, 2 dc into next st, sk 2 st, dc into next st, ch 2, dc into same stitch, sk 2 st, 2 dc into last stitch
Row 12: turn, ch 2, hdc into 1st st, hdc into ch sp, 2 hdc into next ch sp, hdc into ch sp, hdc into next 15 st, hdc into ch sp, 2 hdc into next ch sp, hdc into ch sp, hdc into last st (26 st)
Row 13: turn, ch 3, 2 dc into 1st stitch, ch 1, sk 3 st, 2 dc into next st, dc into next 15 st, 2 dc into next st, ch 1, sk 4 st, 2 dc into last st. 
Row 14: turn, ch 2, hdc into 1st stitch, 2 hdc into ch sp, hdc into next 18 st, 2 hdc into ch sp, hdc into last 2 st. (25 st)
Row 15: turn, ch 3, 2 dc into first stitch, ch 2, sk 2 st, dc decrease into next st, dc into next 3 st, dc decrease into next st, dc decrease into next st, sk 1 st, ch 2, dc decrease into next st, dc decrease into next st, dc into next 3 st, dc decrease next 2 st, ch 2 , sk 2 st, 2 dc into last st. 
Row 16: turn, ch 2, hdc into 1st stitch, 2 hdc into ch sp, 2 hdc into next st, hdc into next 3 st, 2 hdc into next st, hdc into next st, 3 hdc into ch sp, hdc into next 5 st, 2 hdc into next st, 2 hdc into ch sp, hdc into last 2 st. 
Row 17: turn, ch 3, 2 dc into first stitch, ch 3, sk 3 st, triple dc decrease into next 3 st, dc into next st, triple dc decrease into next 3 st, ch 5, sk 3 st, triple dc decrease into next 3 st, dc into next st, triple dc decrease into next 3 st, ch 3, sk 3 st, 2 dc into last stitch
Row 18: turn, ch 2, hdc into 1st st, 3 hdc into ch sp, 3 hdc into next st, hdc into next st, 2 hdc into next st, 5 hdc into ch sp, 2 hdc into next st, hdc into next st, 3 hdc into next st, 2 hdc into ch sp, hdc into last 2 st. (25 st)
Row 19: turn, ch 2, hdc across


So with attempt I think I'm ready to go out and buy some super soft baby cotton and start the blanket. 
 

Healthier Banana Bread

So if you're anything like me, you love food, and you love eating all different types of food, you're not a food snob, you'll eat take out and junkfood as quickly as you'll eat braised short rib bon bon, Boxti potato, young cavelo nero and creamed cauliflower, or a beanie burger and a house salad. I love all foods. ALL FOODS. But here's the thing, I'm in my 30's now and I'm trying to eat healthier, drink more water, even exercising. So I've taken a few of my favourite recipies and made them healthier, they're still not healthy as they could be, I have the sweet tooth of a pre diabetic. 

Here is my  Healthier Banana Bread: 

Healthier Banana Bread

3              over ripe bananas                   1/4 tsp / 0.65g coriander/cardamon
2              medium sized apples               1/4 tsp / 1.25g salt
1/4c / 50g brown sugar                           2 tsp / 5g        cinnamon
2              eggs                                     1.5 tsp / 6.5g   baking soda
2 tsp         vanilla                                   3 tsp / 11.25g  baking powder
1 c /100g   all purpose flour/plain flour      1 c / 90g          rye flour
1 c  / 150g blueberries/raisins/nuts/dried cherries

Peel, remove the core, chop up the apples into little cubes. Throw into a small saucepan with some water, bring to a boil and simmer until you have unsweetened apple sauce. Chop and mash the bananas and add in the brown sugar. Once apple sauce is cooled, add to the mashed bananas, then add in vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and coriander. Blend in eggs and mix well. Add in the plain flour and rye flour, add the baking soda and baking powder, finally mix in the raisins/blueberries or nuts. Line the bread tin with wax paper, and pour into tin. Bake in preheated oven 175 C/Gas 4/350 F for 55 - 60 min or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. 

I then spoiled myself, sliced off a warm piece of banana bread and buttered it. Was delicious. Oh now I want to go and bake brownie cupcakes.....