Fitbit One Wristband - crochet version

Materials:
Size 4.0mm hook, or appropriate size depending on how loose your tension is
Small amount of worsted yarn (leftover scraps will do)
Yarn needle

Row 1: Chain 5, HDC  in second chain from the hook, only in the back loops. Complete 3 more HDC for a total of 4. Turn chain, and HDC 4 in the front loops. (This image is helpful)

Rows 2-10: Work in the round, 8 HDC stitches per round (do not join for each round).
At the end of row 10, sl into next two stitches (I found that the start of the round migrates and this was to make the seam of the pocket align with the edge of the band).  The pocket should measure about 2" and be longer than the Fitbit once inside. Try it out before continuing.

Begin Band:
Row 1: Ch 2, DC in same stitch, DC in next 3 stitches.  (2 chain stitches +4 DC)
Row 2: Ch2, turn, DC 4.
Repeat row 2 until the band is a snug fit on your wrist, the DC will stretch. For me, 11 rows of DC was perfect.

When you're done, leave a long tail for sewing, and sew the end of the band to the closed end of the pocket. The FitBit should fit snugly inside, so if you feel like it's too loose, go down a hook size. If it's too tight, go up a size. It should be snug, but not difficult to slip in, and I made it so that the pocket is longer than the Fitbit so that it won't slide out easily. I also find that you can wear the wristband with the opening on the inside, toward your wrist, but it's not absolutely necessary.

The Ravelry page featuring this pattern can be found here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fitbit-one-or-pocket-wristband-2

Etsy!

I am now selling on Etsy! It's taken me months made up of countless hours spent working on 100+ projects, but I have managed to list over 40 items. I am the smallest of small businesses, so any support is much appreciated, whether you view, favorite, share, give me some constructive feedback, or even buy.

Picadillo the Sequel

I've been making this for years, and have been eating it years before that when my mom would make it. Either I'm getting older and my tastes are changing, or this new way is really kind of awesome. Rather than a meat mixture over starchy rice, I've begun adding lentils to sort of "extend" the beef and add more nutrients. Other than the texture feeling less meaty, the taste largely remained the same. Then, I got this sprouted bean trio and used that instead of lentils. Actually, I replaced about half the beef with beans this time. To compensate, I increased the spices. We really love our spices in savory foods here. I also got some farro from my mom, and have never cooked with it before. Well, I'm sold. This is going to be the way we do picadillo from now on. Thanks mom for the grains, and sorry mom that we don't like picadillo the old way anymore.

The original post is here.

Picadillo mixture:
3 large beefsteak tomatoes, diced
1 large green bell pepper, diced
1 large onion, diced
small head of garlic, minced
1.5 lb of beef
1 cup green olives
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
2 tsp cumin
salt to taste (we had around 3-4 tsp, I think)

Grains & Beans:
2 cups of sprouted bean trio
2 cups of farro
about 12 cups water

1- Brown beef in a wide, deep pan on medium heat. Meanwhile, chop onion, tomato, and pepper, and peel garlic.

2-Drain fat off beef. Add onion and garlic to beef, and cook until onion starts to soften.

3- Add tomato, peppers, spices/seasoning, olives, and raisins, lower temperature and cover.

4- Add water to larger pot with farro and bean mixture. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to med-low and cover. After about 15 mins, check to see that the beans have softened and the farro is "al dente". Cook longer as needed.

5- Toast the almonds in a small saucepan in butter over low heat. Be careful, it can burn if you leave it unattended!

6- When the beans/farro is done, drain excess water. Add picadillo mixture from the first pan into the larger pot. Mix it all together and top with almonds. You won't regret it!



Personally, I like it after it simmers a bit to allow all the flavors to mix, and the olives and raisins absorb some of the juices.

Fitbit One Wristband

It's been a long, LONG time since I've posted anything here. I just wanted to share the sleep tracking wristband I created for mine and my husband's new Fitbit One, as we find it more comfortable than the one it comes with.

Materials:
4.0 (size 6) double pointed knitting needles (or go down a size if you tend to knit more loosely. I am a tight knitter!)
Small amount of Worsted yarn (I used leftover scraps)
Yarn needle

Long tail CO 10 sts.
K1P1 rib in the round until the pocket measures a little longer than the Fitbit (without the case). Mine was about 2 inches.

Then, divide the stitches evenly on 2 needles and knit the 2 rows as one to close the pocket, which is known as a 3 needle bind off.

Knit the band (5 sts) in garter stitch until it is the right length for the wristband, keeping in mind that it will stretch out a bit once you try it on. I stretched mine out a little first so it fit a little more snug.

BO and use the tail of the yarn to sew the BO edge to one side of the pocket opening. The band can be worn with the opening on the inside to prevent the Fitbit from falling out, but it isn't necessary. It stays in pretty well as long as the pocket fits snugly over the Fitbit.

The Ravelry pattern page featuring this pattern can be found here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fitbit-one-or-pocket-wristband