Sweet Potato Hash

I have a confession to make. I do not like sweet potatoes! Every Thanksgiving and Christmas there would be either sweet potatoes or yams. I could not bring myself to eat them. As an adult now, I have found that if I have to eat sweet potatoes, I prefer my sweet potatoes to be cooked as a savory dish, not a "sweet" dish. Now, even though I do not like sweet potatoes, I have actually found a dish where I LOVE sweet potatoes! Shocking!

I have been on a recent health kick, and have been doing a low-carb lifestyle. Therefore my preferred starchy potatoes are out, and healthier sweet potatoes are in. I was making a smoked sausage and potato hash for the kids (and the hubby), so I decided to cook my sweet potatoes just like their starchy ones and make a hash of my own. I was not sure if I was going to like it, but I ended up absolutely loving it! I made it again the next day (minus the smoked sausage) and it was just as good. So here I am sharing it with all of you because even if you do not like sweet potatoes, you may just like this sweet potato hash like I do.

**Ingredients**
(This is for a multiple serving hash. I cut these in half for a serving just for me.)
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Onion, diced
1 Green Bell Pepper, diced
2 Sweet Potatoes, peeled and diced
1 lb Turkey Smoked Sausage, diced
Big handful of Spinach
Salt
Pepper
Season Salt (optional)

**Directions**
In a large frying pan over medium low heat, heat olive oil. Saute onions and peppers in olive oil with salt and pepper. Saute until soft, this should take a few minutes. Remove the onions and peppers from the pan. Add a little more olive oil. Add diced sweet potatoes. Add salt, pepper, and season salt (optional). Fry in pan until brown. Only stir occasionally, otherwise they will not brown well. When golden brown, add onions and peppers back in. Add sausage. Cook for a few minutes. Add spinach. Saute until spinach is wilted, this only takes a minute or two. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

The lesson I have learned with sweet potatoes is that I should not be afraid to try different things. Maybe I will start experimenting with other foods that I thought I did not like and end up finding amazing new recipes. I would love to know your thoughts, drop a comment below!

Happy Cooking!
~Sarah Liz

"Bianca" Knit Cowl Pattern

Photo Credit: Mae Batista Photography

My Bianca hat design turned out better than I expected, so I was inspired to make a cowl to go with it. It took a few tries to get the length right because I did not want it to be too tight, or too loose. So now along with the Bianca hat pattern, the Bianca cowl pattern is available! You can find it on my Ravelry shop or Etsy shop.

I love this pattern because it uses just about 1 skein of Wool Ease Thick n Quick. I don't know about you, but I love patterns that use up the whole skein and don't make you start another skein just to finish the last row!

Photo Credit: Mae Batista Photography

Here is some info for you about the pattern:

With the purchase of this pattern, you will receive a 2 page pdf file with the knitting instructions to make your very own Bianca cowl. Instructions include written cable instructions!

Pattern is in US terms

Materials:
Size 15 (10mm) US needles 16” circular
1 Skein Bulky Yarn #6 (Wool Ease Thick n Quick)
Large Stitch Markers
Scissors
Needle for weaving in ends

There are also listings for both the Bianca hat AND the Bianca Cowl pattern that are discounted together!

I would love to see your Bianca cowls! Tag me on Instagram @craftsbysarahliz so I can see your work!

*Permissions*

- You are free to sell what you make from this pattern. I would appreciate links back to my blog or Etsy shop to credit me as the designer.

- You may not use my photos.

- You may not share this pattern, but please share the listing link so your friends can buy it too.

- You may not sell this pattern or claim it as your own.

© 2018 Sarah Gross - Crafts by Sarah Liz

A Budding Photographer

My firstborn is now 5 years old. He is the reason I took up knitting and crocheting. He is also the reason I invested in a good camera. And by good camera, I mean one that is better than the tiny digital camera I used for vacation photos in 2006. I use my camera to take product photos, and to take photos of him and his sisters who model my creations. Recently, I have caught him playing with a toy camera. He was pretending to be a photographer. On one of those occasions, I had my camera in my hands so I snapped a few photos of him trying to take a "picture" of me. He is really interested in my camera. On occasion, I even let him press the button on my camera to capture a photo.

I never thought I would enjoy photography so much. Beyond the typical tourist photos on vacations, I did not really feel the call to take photos. Even with the invention of the camera phone, I did not use it very often. Maybe it is when I had children, or maybe it was the development of my product photography. Whatever it was, I have really jumped into photography. From setting up a shot, to editing the final look, I can see my own development even from just a few weeks ago. My photography journey is still in its infancy, and it appears I will have a buddy to join me. 

I would love to hear your favorite photography story! Tell me in the comments!

~Sarah Liz

"Bianca" Cable Knit Hat

Recently I decided to tackle one of my knitting fears. Cables. Once I took the plunge, it was not as scary as I thought it would be. After a little trial and error, or a lot of trial and error, I came up with a cable hat pattern that I really liked. I started selling them in my Etsy shop this past fall and got an amazing response. It ended up being one of year's best sellers! There was also interest in the knitting pattern, so I sent it to my testers, and got some great feedback, including some amusing typos. I am thrilled to present the "Bianca" hat pattern in my Ravelry store, as well as my Etsy shop! 

This whole experience has taught me that I should not let my fears hold me back. One of my favorite quotes is "Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try." I should have listened when I read that quote a long time ago. Amazing things are waiting for you once you tackle some of your fears!

Here is some info for you about the pattern:

With the purchase of this pattern, you will receive a 6 page pdf file with the knitting instructions to make your very own Bianca hat. Instructions include written cable instructions, and instructions for 6 different sizes from Newborn to Adult!

Pattern is in US terms

Materials:

Size 13 (9mm) US needles, double pointed and 16” circular

Size 15 (10mm) US needles, double pointed and 16” circular

1 Skein Bulky Yarn #6 (Wool Ease Thick n Quick)

Large Stitch Markers

Scissors

Needle for weaving in ends

Optional – Large Pom Pom Maker, or Faux Fur Pom Pom

I would love to see your Bianca hats! Tag me on Instagram @craftsbysarahliz so I can see your work!

*Permissions*

- You are free to sell what you make from this pattern. I would appreciate links back to my blog or Etsy shop to credit me as the designer.

- You may not use my photos.

- You may not share this pattern, but please share the listing link so your friends can buy it too.

- You may not sell this pattern or claim it as your own.

© 2018 Sarah Gross - Crafts by Sarah Liz