Homemade Pretzels

I got this recipe from my friend, Caroline. Thanks, Caroline...they are delicious!

3.5 cups flour
1 T sugar
1 t salt
1 package yeast
1 cup water
1 T shortening
6 cups water
1/4 cup baking soda
2 T butter, melted
Pretzel salt, sesame seeds or poppy seeds (we didn't use)

Combine 1 cup flour, sugar, salt and yeast in a medium bowl. Blend well. Heat one cup water and shortening (we used butter) in a small saucepan to 100-110 degrees. Add liquid to flour mixture. Blend at low speed until moistened. (We did it by hand - more involvement with the kids this way.) Beat 3 minutes at medium speed, stirring in an additional 1.5 - 2 cups flour until dough pulls away from sides of blow. Knead in an additional 1/4 - 1/3 cup flour until dough is smooth and elastic. Place dough in greased bowl. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and cloth towel. Let rise in a warm place until light and doubled, about 45 minutes. (We left it for 4 hours.)
Spray 2 cookie sheets with no stick spray. Punch dough down, divide into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into 16 inch ropes and form in pretzel shapes. (we did lots of different ones.) Place on greased cookie sheets and cover. Let rise in warm place about 20 minutes. Heat oven to 400. Combine 6 cups of water and baking soda in a shallow sided saucepan and bring to a boil. Slowly drop pretzels into water, one at a time, cooking 15 seconds on each side. Remove from water with slotted spoon, return to greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with pretzel salt, poppy seeds or sesame seeds. Bake for 8 minutes. Brush with melted butter. Bake an additional 2 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet and brush generously with remaining butter. Serve warm.