Soft Pretzels

1 Pkg. dry yeast
1-1/4 cups warm water
2 Tsp. salt
4 to 5 cups unsifted flour
Butter
4 Tsp. baking soda
Kosher salt

Dissolve yeat in 1/4 cup of the water.
Stir the rest of the water into the yeast.
Mix 4 cups flour and the salt in a large bowl.
Add dissolved yeast.
Add enough additional flour to make a stiff dough.
Knead for 10 minutes or until dough is elastic.
Form dough into a ball and coat with butter.
Cover with a damp towel and let rise for 45 minutes.
Pinch off a small ball of dough and form a coil 20" long, 1/2" in
diameter.
Shape into pretzel form (or not as you desire).
(If making pretzel shapes, wet the ends to help them stay together).
Dissolve baking soda in 4 cups water and bring to a boil.
Drop one pretzel at a time into the water and let boil until it
floats.
(I use more water and soda and do several at a time).
Remove from water and drain.
Place on a buttered baking sheet.
Sprinkle with coarse salt.
Bake at 475 degrees for 12 minutes or until browned.