how to

a granny square

What you will need: a crochet hook, size H, I, or J (the larger the hook, the larger the stitches created. worsted yarn (one or more balls) scissors

Why should I bother learning? Once you learn a few basic stitches and patterns you can make almost anything. Crochet is therapeutic and can relieve stress and even strains of mental disorders such as Alzheimers, dementia, schizophrenia, and chronic depression. Crocheting can also improve hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and be relaxing. What is a granny square? The granny square is a basic, classic pattern that can be used to make blankets, pillows, scarfs, etc. It is comprised of a chain (also known as a slipstitch) foundation ring, and double crochet stitches in groups of three. The square increases in size with each round of double crochet stitches.

the slip knot

1 Take the end of the yarn, about 3 to 5 inches (enough to comfortably work with) and make a loop by wrapping the string over itself, allow a few inches of space between the loop and the end of the yarn.

2 While maintaining the loop, take the end of the yarn and wrap it behind the loop so the strand runs behind the loop crating a line through the loop.

3 Draw the line through the loop, but do not pull the string through completely.

4 Pull the line through the loop, allowing the knot to tighten.

5 Slip your crochet hook through the loop and tighten by pulling the end of the string.

6 What a beautiful slip knot you have there. This knot anchors the hook on the yarn and is the beginning of every pattern.

the chain stitch

2 Take hook and grab free yarn.

3 Pull through loop around neck of the crochet hook.

Hold crochet hook in dominant hand (hook facing in) and hold the end of the string in the other hand.

the slip stitch

4 Thats one nice chain stitch you got there. One circle stitch is made. If you repeat these steps multiplte times, a chain will take form. This is used as the foundation for a granny square and most patterns.

1 To complete this stich, you must have previous stitches you want to connect. Here is a chain of six stitches.

2 Slip hook into specified stitch and hook around free strand.

chet stitch the double cro

3 Pull through two loops on hook neck.

4 Take a look at that slip stitch.

1 To start a new series of double crochet stitches, chain three stitches.

2 Slip hook into specified stitch. Hook around free strand.

3 Pull through. Three loops should be around the neck of your hook.

4 Hook around free strand and pull strand through two of the loops around hook.

5 Hook around free strand and pull strand through remaining loops

6 What a great double crochet stitch!

Make a slip knot and tighten around hook.

2 Chain 6 chain stitches.

g ra n ny s q u a

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3 Join chain by making a skip stitch through the first chain, making a small circle. 4 Chain 3 (equal to length of one double crochet stitch, prepares for the first round. 5 Double crochet around circle: double crochet 2 stitches and chain 1, double crochet 3 stitches and chain 1 and repeat 2 more times. 6 Slip stitch through the top stitch of the 3 chain, making a circle of 12 double stitches, this is the first round. In the next steps the circle will transform into a square by making corners.

This is what you should have after step 6. 7 Chain 3. 8 Double crochet 2 around the chain stitch from the first round and chain 1, double crochet 3 around the same chain and chain 1, this is the first corner.

Now its time to tackle the pattern. Follow the directions to the right. Dont be afraid to make a mistake, all you have to do is take your hook out and pull the string to undo a stitch.

Move to the next chain stitch from the first round. Double crochet 3, chain 1, double crochet 3, chain 1. Repeat 2 more times.

11 12

Chain 3. Double crochet 2 around the corner chain stitch and chain 1, double crochet 3, chain 1. This is the first corner of round 3. Double crochet 3 into the open chain from round 2, chain 1. Repeat step 13 into the second corner of round 2. Repeat steps 14 and 13 until you have come full circle. Chain 3. Repeat steps 13 and 14 until you come full circle. With each round you will add another 3 double crochet stitches and a chain stitch to each side of the square.

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Continue with this pattern until you have reached the size you prefer. When you want to finish the square, connect the square through a slip stitch and cut the string, leaving about four inches of space between the square and the end of the string. Pull strand through stitch, securing your work. Admire and make more! Experiment with alternating different colored yarns and sizes!

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10 Slip stitch to connect the square, creating the second round. Now there should be four corners, each corner should have one chain and a chain stitch between each corner.

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14

21 15

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This is what you should have after step 10.

how to make homemade

What you will need: 1 cup onion, diced 3 cups tomatoes, diced 1/4 cup fresh cilantro 1/2 tsp. dried oregano pinch of salt and pepper 1 tbsp. olive oil 3/4 to 1 cup lemon & lime juice sugar, optional

Why should I bother making my own salsa? Homemade salsa, like almost any other food, not only tastes better and fresher but it is also better for you. You know where the produce came from, who made it, and how it was made. You can also control what goes in and what stays out. Feel free to add corn, mango, black beans, avocado, or anything else youd like!

1 Using a wooden spoon in a medium bowl, mix the onion, tomatoes, cilantro, oregano, pepper, and salt in the olive oil.

2 Once the ingredients are evenly distributed, add the lemon and lime juice to the mix. If not serving immediately, add enough to cover all ingredients.

3 If the salsa is too tart for your taste, add sugar in small increments to balance out the flavors.

4 Serve with tortilla chips. Enjoy!

how to

vermicomposting at home

What you will need: shallow, opaque bin with lid (the size should be proportional to the amount of scraps your household discards weekly. 1 foot deep, 2 feet wide, and 2 to 4 feet long should suffice) a drill 4 to 6 bricks a tray (proportional to bin) organic materials: peat moss, sawdust, straw, or shredded newsprint dirt or sand 1 pound red worms old blankets (optional) coffee grounds, tea leaves, and fruit /vegetable scraps

Why compost? Composting is a great way to decrease the size, odor of your trash, and overall waste you produce. What is vermicomposting? Vermicomposting allows you to reuse the nutrients from scrap foods to produce rich soil inside your own home. If done and maintained correctly, worms eat scraps, in turn creating soil to be used in your home garden, or donated to those interested. Before getting started: Find a home for the bin. The temperature needs to remain between 55F and 75F. If the bin freezes, the worms will die. If you decide to keep the bin in an unheated garage or porch, insulate it well with old blankets or other warm materials.

1 Drill eight to ten half inch holes in the lid for ventilation and eight to ten smaller holes in the bottom bin for drainage.

2 Place the bin on bricks or blocks. This will allow air to circulate beneath it. Set a tray underneath to catch any soil that may leak from the drainage holes.

3 Fill the bin with organic materials, this will serve as bedding for the worms. Soak the bedding in water first, and then squeeze it damp-dry before you put it into the bin.

4 Add a few cups of sand or dirt and mix in. This is necessary for the worms digestion.

5 Add the red worms. These are available at most garden supply stores or online. Do not use earthworms, they will not thrive in worm bins.

6 Cover the bin with lid. This will keep the bin dark and limit moisture loss.

7 Feed the worms up to half a pound of coffee grounds, tea leaves, and fruit or vegetable scraps each day. Bury the food to deter flies, and place it in a different part of the bin each week.

8 Weekly or monthly move the mature soil to one side of the bin and place fresh bedding on the other, the worms will migrate to the new food. Harvest soil at springtime or every three to four months. Remove the finished compost and add fresh bedding to replace it.