Free Crochet Lisbon Poncho Pattern

This is one of the prettiest patterns that I have seen in a long time!

I first found it on the Berroco Free Pattern Pages, and knew right away I HAD to make it!

I used the Hayfield DK w/Wool that I carry in my yarn shop, and it worked beautifully!

However, I did find that the way the original pattern is written to be confusing and frustrating, so I set about making it more clear and understandable. Beautiful patterns shouldn't be scary :)

Here is the pattern as I edited it Suzi's Edit of the Lisbon Poncho

The texture of the pattern is beautiful, and I can see myself making this pattern again, using my edited version of course.

Don't be afraid to play with patterns that others have written. Much like cooking recipes, they are wonderful starting points for more amazing creativity! I started the pattern again by making a flat, solid, circle with crochet thread that had the correct number of starting stitches. Worked the pattern as usual, only in thread ... and VIOLA ... an adorable draw-string pouch! It could be made deeper by working the rows that create the body one extra time

Exploring texture and technique leads to ...
Living Well,
Love SuziQue

Expanding Ivory Soap in the Microwave Trick!

This is not new, but it sure is fun!
I started doing this science experiment when my kids were little, so almost 20 years ago.
I had always been under the presumption that the science behind it goes like this ...
Ivory soap is made with natural fats and minerals, including phosphorus.
Fats are acids.
Phosphorus effervesces when in contact with warm acid.
The microwave heats the fats, and that causes the reaction.

However I have recently read that this is not a chemical reaction after all.
It is a physical reaction ...
The whipped condition of the Ivory soap causes it to have air bubbles trapped inside.
As the soap heats in the Microwave, it gets hot and causes the soap to get soft. The
microwaves bouncing around in the oven excite the water and air molecules inside the soap cause them to move in opposite directions from each other and vaporize.
The vaporization of these molecules causes the tiny air pockets or bubbles trapped inside the soap to rapidly expand.
Since the soap has been heated and is in a soft state, the expanding air and water molecules
can easily push it out into a new foam like substance. 

I'm not sure which rationale is correct, but I do know it's super fun and gets and smells out of the microwave!!

Check out my video and then try it yourself! I give some little tips on what to do with that fluffed up soap after you are done. Let me know what you discover!

 

Trying new things and experimenting with new experiences is

Living Well!

Love SuziQue