Pesto Cheesy Bread

This bread it tasty on it's own. Or top it with pesto!

Well, folks. It's a sad day (sort of). I've got some big life changes upcoming, and I'm not sure if I should keep my blog.

I'd still like to leave it around, up for others to see and explore, but it might be time for a temporary break. While it's sad to let go of regular posting, I've posted every Tuesday for quite awhile (thanks, Mom!) so there's plenty of good stuff to explore either up there in the tabs or even down below. Enjoy! I love ya'll so much. Thanks for supporting the blog, no matter how long this temporary (or eventually permanent) break will be. 

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PESTO CHEESY BREAD

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups warm water
• 2 Tbsp. yeast
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 5 3/4 (plus 1/2 cup) flour
• 2 tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2/3 cups basil pesto
• 1 1/2 cups Italian four-cheese blend

DIRECTIONS:

1. Stir the water, yeast, and sugar together. Set aside until foamy. Stir together the flour and salt; pour the yeast/water into the bowl. Continue until a smooth ball forms.
2. With the remaining flour, knead the dough on a kitchen surface. Add more if necessary. 
3. Let rise for an half hour, or doubled in size. Punch down, line two baking sheets, and split into two balls. Let rise on the two baking baking sheets.
4. Preheat oven to 400.
5. Bake about 10 minutes, set foil on top, and bake until sounds hollow, about 10 - 15 minutes. 
6. Let cool.
7. For topping, slice top of bread, top withe cheese, and broil until slightly browned.

Adapted from Simply Perfect Italian, 2008. 

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Basic Bread 2.0

What do you call basic bread like this? Tasty, delicious, and well-made bread. It's so good, and yet so basic.

Boom. Done! Yummy yum.

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BASIC BREAD 2.0 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 Tbsp. active dry yeast
• 5 1/2 to 6 cups bread flour
• 1 Tbsp. salt
• Corn meal, as necessary
• 2 - 3 cups of boiling water

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix the sugar, water, and yeast together. Leave for about 5 minutes. 
2. Stir in the flour and salt. Continue until the sides pull away. 
3. Knead on a work surface/counter sprinkled with flour until a smooth ball forms.
4. Let rise for about 1 to 2 hours, or until doubled in size. Punch down and knead again.
5. Preheat oven to 450.
6. Put cornmeal on a baking sheet, shape into two loaves, and place the two loaves of dough onto it.
7. Place the boiling water in a pan after 15 minutes. Bake for about 20 minutes, and then turn off the heat.
8. Take out after 5 minutes. Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from King Arthur (not recipe link).

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Pantry Cookies

These cookies are delicious! Thanks, Mom.

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PANTRY COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 2 tsp. soda
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 cups oats
• 1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
• 1 cup coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Grease/line a baking sheet.
3. Cream the butter, sugars, and eggs. 
4. Add the baking powder, soda, flour and salt.
5. Stir in the oats and chocolate chips and coconut and pecans.
6. Scoop on the baking sheet.
7. Bake for 9 - 11 minutes, or until cooked through.

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Noodle Soup

Yummy!

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NOODLE SOUP

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 1 small onion, minced
• 1 tsp. garlic
• 4 large carrots, chopped
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 3/4 tsp. salt, divided
• 3/4 tsp. pepper, divided
• 1 ounce Paremesan, grated
• 8 ounce orechiette pasta
• 8 ounces cooked (rotisserie, preferably) chicken
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained/rinse
• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
• Pesto

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat the oil. Add the vegetables and garlic until close to tender. Add the chicken broth, one teaspoon salt and half teaspoon for pepper. Bring to boil, then lower heat. Let cook for approximately 15 minutes.
2. Bring to boil again, and cook pasta. Add the chicken and chickpeas, and lemon, if desired.
3. Top with pesto.

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Brownie Frosting

It's so delicious!

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BROWNIE FROSTING

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3/4 mini chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Make a package of brownies.
2. Cream all of the ingredients together and top the brownies when cooled.
3. Enjoy!

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Ziti

Lots of ingredients, lots of tasty!

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ZITI

Photo taken by Tyler.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound whole milk cottage cheese
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1/2 cups (3 ounces) Parmesan, grated
• Salt
• 1 pound ziti
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 5 medium garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. basil leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp. sugar
• Black pepper
• 3/4 tsp. cornstarch
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cups (8 ounces) low-moisture mozzarella cheese, cut into ¼ inch pieces

 DIRECTIONS:

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350.
2. Whisk cottage cheese, eggs and 1 cup of the Parmesan together in a bowl. Set aside. B
3. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large Dutch oven over high heat.
4. Stir in 1 tablespoon salt and pasta; cook until pasta begins to soften but is not heated all the way through (5 to 7 minutes).
5. Drain pasta and leave in colander (do not wash Dutch oven.)
6. Meanwhile, heat the oil and garlic in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat until garlic is fragrant but not brown, (about 2 minutes).
7. Stir in tomato sauce, dices tomatoes and oregano; simmer until thickened (about 10 minutes).
8. Take off heat, stir in 1/2 cup basil and sugar, then season with salt and pepper.
9. Stir cornstarch into heavy cream in a small bowl, transfer mixture to now-empty Dutch oven set over medium heat. Bring to simmer and cook until thickened (about 3 to 4 minutes).
10. Remove pot from heat and add cottage cheese mixture, 1 cup tomato sauce, and 3/4 cup mozzarella, then stir to combine. Add pasta and stir to coat thoroughly with sauce.
11. Transfer pasta mixture to a 13-by-9-inch baking dish and spread remaining tomato sauce evenly over pasta. Sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup mozzarella and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan over top.
12. Cover baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
13. Remove foil and continue to cook until cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown, about 30 minutes longer.
14. Cool for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons basil and serve.

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Strawberry Cupcakes

 

 Even the frosting has strawberry :)

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STRAWBERRY CUPCAKES

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (16 oz.) bag frozen sweetened strawberries, thawed
• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 small box strawberry Jello
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup oil
• 4 eggs
• Pureed strawberries

DIRECTIONS:

1. Puree the strawberries. Preheat the oven to 350. Line 35 muffin tins with paper liners.
2. Mix together all of the ingredients except 1/4 cup of the strawberries.
3. Divide the batter between the tins of the prepared muffin pan(s).
4. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Cool the cupcakes.
6. Meanwhile, mix a batch of buttercream with the strawberry.
7. Frost the cupcakes.

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Chocolate Rice Krispie Dessert

Yummy and delicious! 

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CHOCOLATE RICE KRISPIE DESSERT

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 10 oz. marshmallows
• 6 cups chocolate rice krispies
• 1 cup small cereal marshmallows

DIRECTIONS:

1. Grease a 13-by-9-inch pan and set aside. Brown the butter, and then melt the marshmallows.
2. Take the marshmallow/butter mixture off the heat and stir in the cereal. Mix in the cereal marshmallows.
3. Spread the mixture into the pan, cutting it into squares after it's cooled. 

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Mocha Bars

A no-bake fudgy brownie with caffeine.

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MOCHA BARS

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 1 Tbsp. instant espresso crystals
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup marshmallow cream
• 1 (15 1/2 oz.) package Oreos, crushed
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup chopped and toasted walnuts
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup whipping cream

DIRECTIONS:

1. Grease a 9-by-9-by-2-inch pan.
2. Heat the milk and espresso slowly, and mix until dissolved.
3. Stir in the first cup of chocolate chips and marshmallow, continuing to mix.
4. After its smooth, take off the heat and stir into a bowl with the crushed Oreos and sugar.
5. Mix in the walnuts.
6. Pour into the greased pan and smooth the top. 
7. Melt the remaining chocolate chips and cream in the microwave (be careful it's not too long!) and stir.
8. Smooth it over the top of the "batter" in the pan, and place in the fridge for an hour.
9. When it's hard enough, divide it into small pieces.
10. Keep in the fridge. Enjoy!

Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens. 

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Cookie Dough Truffles

It's cookie dough with chocolate around it!

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COOKIE DOUGH BONBONS

INGREDIENTS:
Cookie Dough:

• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips

Outside:

• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 4 oz. chocolate candy coating, chopped
• 1 Tbsp. shortening

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Slowly add the flour, and then mix in the chocolate chips.
2. Form balls of cookie dough and set them on waxed paper. Cover with plastic and set it in the refrigerator until they're hard.
3. Melt the ingredients for the outside. Take it off the heat. Pull the cookie dough from the fridge and prepare a cookie sheet covered with waxed paper.
4. Dip each cookie dough ball in the chocolate and set it on the paper. After the chocolate is hardened, drizzle more chocolate on top.
5. Store in a plastic container in the fridge. Enjoy!

Adapted from Better Homes. 

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Pretty-Basic Chocolate Cupcakes

A classic. Like chocolate chip cookies or apple pie. But more chocolate-y!

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CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

INGREDIENTS:

• 2  cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2/3 cup (1 1/3 stick) butter, softened
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup milk

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line 24 muffin cups.
2. Sift the dry ingredients into a bowl and set aside.
3. In a mixer bowl, cream the butter and the sugar until fluffy. Scrape down the sies. Add the eggs slowly, each by its self. Stir in the vanilla. 
4. Add some of the dry, and then some of the milk. Repeat until both of the ingredients are used.
5. Split the batter between the muffin cups.
6. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let cool and decorate.

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Chocolate Oreo Bonbon Cupcakes

It's a bonbon in a cupcake. For reals, people. For reals.

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CHOCOLATE OREO BONBON CUPCAKES

INGREDIENTS:
Bonbon:

• 1 package cream cheese, softened
• 1 package Oreos

Ganache (optional):

• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 oz. dark chocolate

Cupcakes:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
• 3/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp. vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

1. Stir the cream cheese until smooth, add the Oreos and continue stirring until smooth. 
2. Using a cookie scoop, place the balls on a lined cookie sheet and chill.
3. Take the balls from the fridge, smooth them (by rolling them with your hands) and chill again.
4. After the bonbons are chilled, preheat oven to 350. Line 18 places in a cupcake pan.
5. Sift the remaining dry ingredients for the cupcake. Add the egg, buttermilk, and vanilla.
6. Split the batter between the prepared cupcake liners. Place the bonbon in the center.
7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until cooked through.
8. While it's cooling, melt the unsalted butter, vegetable oil, and water for the ganache.
9. When the cupcakes are cooled, pour the ganache on top. Drizzle white chocolate on top if you want. 
10. Allow the ganache to set. Enjoy!

See the darker part of the cupcake? That's the bonbon.

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Cookie Oreo Brownies

This isn't an ordinary brownie... it's a brownie with Oreos and cookie dough.

*gasp*

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COOKIE OREO BROWNIES

INGREDIENT:
Brownie Layer:

• 10 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup flour

Oreos

Cookie Dough Layer:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup miniature chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray or line a 9-by-9-inch baking pan and set aside.
2. For the brownie layer, add the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt to the melted butter. Mix in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour. Set aside.
3. For the cookie dough, cream the butter and the sugar in another bowl. Add the egg and vanilla. Slowly mix in the salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Stir in the chocolate chips.
4. To assemble, spread the cookie dough on the bottom of the prepared pan.
5. Pour about half of the brownie batter into the pan.
6. Line the Oreos on top of the batter.
7. Pour the remaining brownie batter of the top and smooth out.
8. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the bottom cookie layer is cooked through.

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Banana Bread Muffins

They have bananas in them. And sugar. :)

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BANANA BREAD MUFFINS

INGREDIENTS:
Muffins:

• 2/3 cups sugar
• 1 2/3 cup flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 or 3 bananas, mashed
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Topping:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375 and line muffin pans with 24 muffin liners.
2. Sift the sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon into a bowl. 
3. Add the eggs, mashed bananas, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Stir the ingredients together.
4. Split the batter among the muffin liners, filling each about 3/4 (?) of the way full.
5. Bake for 17 to 19 minutes, or until cooked through.

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Steak Chili

It's chili... but with steak!

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STEAK CHILI

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound bacon, chopped
• 4 large yellow onions, chopped
• Tabasco, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 bunch garlic, minced
• 3 large (29 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 small (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• Chili powder, to taste (about 4 Tbsp. works well)
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 2 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans, drained
• White pepper, to taste
• Salt, to taste
• 2 pounds round steak, cubed
• Olive oil, enough for browning steak

DIRECTIONS:

1. Crisp the bacon.
2. Add the onions, Tabasco, black pepper, and garlic to the pan with the bacon. Cook down all the way, until the onions are past transparent.
3. Mix in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, and beans.
4. Season the steak with white pepper and salt. In a separate pan, saute in olive oil. Put the steak (with its juices) into the chili. Cook for at least an hour (longer is better, though!)

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Italian Sausage Soup

Happy New Year! 

When Christmas has passed (bummer), but there's still months of cold weather to come, what's a better way to cheer up than with a warm bowl of soup?

Yum.

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ITALIAN SAUSAGE SOUP

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 onion
• 1 pound sausage, cooked
• 1 Tbsp. garlic
• 2 large (48 ounce) cans broth
• 6 potatoes, cubed
• Oregano, to taste
• Pepper flakes, to taste
• 1 cup milk
• 2 Tbsp. corn starch
• 1/2 to 1 (8 ounce) bag spinach

DIRECTIONS:

1. Crisp the bacon in a large pot. Add the onion and heat until softened.
2. Put the sausage, garlic, broth, potatoes, oregano and pepper in with the bacon/onion and cook until the potatoes are softened.
3. Stir in the milk and corn starch and cook a while longer.
4. When you're ready to eat, add the spinach and heat until warm.

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Crumble-top Banana Bread

It's. So. Delicious. Ahhhh!

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CRUMBLE-TOP BANANA BREAD

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 - 4 bananas, mashed
• 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. sour cream
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 cup flour
• 6 Tbsp. cold butter

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease two loaf pans.
2. Put the bananas, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and sour cream in a large bowl. Stir together well.
3. Cream together the 1/2 cup of softened butter and sugar. Add the eggs. Stir in the banana mixture.
4. Slowly incorporate the flour, baking soda and salt.
5. Split the batter between the two loaf pans.
6. To make the topping, stir together the cinnamon, flour, 1 cup of brown sugar. Mix in the cold butter, leaving pea-sized pieces visible.
7. Sprinkle the topping on top of the batter.
8. Bake each loaf until cooked through, about 55 to 60 minutes.

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Birdhouse (Pattern Highlight #6)

I'm breaking the mold, people!

For all of my previous pattern highlights, I focused on crochet. But who says a pattern has to be crochet?

In this 'revolutionary' pattern highlight, I've got some birdhouse patterns instead. Boom!

We added a handle to the side
that opens for maintenance

My Dad and I chose the pattern for a House Wren/Black Capped Chickadee/White Breasted Nuthatch, but the PDF has plenty of other birdhouse plans, too! Choose one you like, and consider it a Christmas gift to the birds.

Something tried to get in the hole, but I'm not sure what...

Blog Post:
Easy Birdhouse Plans Video

PDF:
Building Nest Structures...*

*although the PDF is aimed for those in North Dakota, as long as the birdie lives in your area, its house pattern should work, too!

Past Pattern Highlights:
#1: Cute Crochet Bunny
#2: Crochet Bunting
#3: Crochet Mini Ice Cream Cone
#4: Crochet Coaster/Doily
#5: Moss Stitch Crochet Headband

Crochet Cat-Ear Hat Pattern

If you're new to crochet (or just like crocheting at all for that matter) and you're looking for something new, this hat is a great project.

It can be adapted to different yarns, hooks, and head sizes, all the while looking super cute.

And with basic stitches and absolutely no cinch circles, it's easier than most beginner hats I've seen!

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CROCHET CAT-EAR HAT PATTERN

SUPPLIES:

• Yarn (any kind, machine washable preferable)
• Hook that works with yarn
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

ABBREVIATIONS:

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• st: stitch
• sc: single crochet

PATTERN:
ch until length fits well around head, sl st to first st to join
Odd rows: ch 1, *sc, ch1*, repeat from *to* around, sl st to join
Even rows: ch 2, *sc, ch1*, repeat from *to* around, sc in last st, sl st join
Repeat odd and even rows until the tube (pinched together at top) fits head
With yarn needle, sew the top together
Sew an angle on the top corners, where the ears would go, if you want (see note below)
Weave in and trim any ends

Note: on the blog Persia Lou, she sewed the top corners (where the ears naturally form). I sewed the corner, too, but I didn't pull it so tight. You can try one of these methods, or not sew it at all. It's up to you!

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Moss Stitch Crochet Headband (Pattern Highlight #5)

It's been awhile since the last pattern highlight, so it's time to share another one of my favorite patterns. This one, like my crochet bunting, is another pattern from Jayda InStitches. I used the video tutorial, but there's a written version, too.

After making this headband, I decided to branch out and try making my own pattern. I tell you what, it wasn't nearly as comfy as this one.

I like Jayda's pattern much better.

It's easy to follow, simple enough for beginners, and super cozy! It would also make a great Christmas gift :)

Video Tutorial:
Classic Headband/Ear Warmers Crochet Pattern - EASY DIY!

Written Pattern:
Moss Stitch Ear Warmer/Headband Pattern

Past Pattern Highlights:
#1: Cute Crochet Bunny
#2: Crochet Bunting
#3: Crochet Mini Ice Cream Cone
#4: Crochet Coaster/Doily