a couple days late....

Sorry for the delay. Between dealing with work and snow, things have been a little weird around here. (Okay, a little weirder than usual). My rosebushes as well as my bulbs have about 28 inches of snow on them. And we're expecting more tonight. I'm beginning to wonder if my daffodils will make it.

Hopefully, my daffodils will make it. But this is the only way I'm going to see any daffodils any time soon
http://www.favecrafts.com/Kitchen-Crochet/Daffodils-Bouquet-Crochet-Pattern

Here's another cat for you
http://tinyurl.com/yle74vr

I just bought some Bernat in the soft yellow and I think it would perfect to this
baby duck crochet pattern. I could add some yellow fun fur to it, but I'm not so sure that would be good for a baby. The fun fur seems to shed.
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-for-Baby/Baby-Duck-Crochet-Pattern

I seem to have toys on the brain - luckily here's a few more free patterns - a turtle
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/turtle_toy/turtle_toy_1.html

And a frog toy
http://www.caron.com/projects/w/frog.html

and a snake
http://www.caron.com/projects/ss/ss_coral_snake.html


And something cute but a little different, a stuffed star
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=329561.0


If you're on the east coast, you probably have need of a few more hats to keep yourself (or your loved ones) warm during this bout of "February Fury" as the Weather Channel is calling it so here's http://www.crochetme.com/Crochet-Hat-Patterns/ from CrochetMe

And you might need some mittens to go along with that hat. Bev's Country Cottage always has wonderful patterns- here's one for baby mittens
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/tod-mitts.html
and a pattern for a larger size
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/bevs-marvelous-mitts.html


Here's a peaked hat with ear flaps
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/glenmore/glenmore_1.html


I found this pattern absolutely fascinating and want to try it out...
a chain maile scarf
http://knitcidents.wordpress.com/2009/10/17/chain-maille-scarf-free-crocheting-pattern/

Here's an "autumn tunic" but there's no reason why you couldn't change the colors for a "winter tunic" or a "spring tunic"
http://www.caron.com/projects/ss/ss_autumn_tunic.html

Dogs have to be walked - even in the winter and the snow - and they can get cold. So here's a dog sweater pattern for you.
http://www.canine-kids.com/crochet-dog-sweater.html


This is an amazing looking scarf/belt
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/gallup/gallup_1.html

Or how about this pattern for crochet mittens and a hat from Bernat?
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Hats-Scarves-Gloves/Chunky-Crochet-Mittens-and-Scarf-from-Bernat#

If you missed the "Blessed Mother Prayer Shawl" from "Annie's Favorite Crochet" (December 2006), here's a chance for you to get the pattern. It is a wonderful work of art.
http://www.crochetmagazine.com/newsletters.php?mode=article&article_id=639&key=NL00


And how about a cute rainbow applique?
http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-rainbow-applique/


If you need a cute decoration for a baby shower gift, here's a quick crochet mittens gift topper
http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/crafts/crochet-mitten-gift-topper/


Here's a few quick ideas for Valentine's Day

Jewelry bag number 1
http://craftyarncouncil.com/sept98_crochproject.html

Jewelry bag number 2
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Bags/Pompon-Purselet-Crochet-Pattern-from-Caron-Yarn

and of course, some hearts.....

Here's crochet hearts ornaments
http://simplebeans.blogspot.com/2009/01/crochet-heart-ornament-pattern.html

This pattern says "Christmas" but you could do it for Valentine's Day
http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=0&d_id=527&lang=us

Again, this says "Christmas" but it could be done for Valentine's day
http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=104&d_id=46&lang=en

A treat from The Royal Sisters, Grandma's hearts
http://theroyalsisters.blogspot.com/2009/12/grandma-hearts-tutorial.html


Here's a quick one - a crochet heart bookmark
http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-heart-bookmark/


And that's all I have for today. I'm still working on my groundhog, I'm still working on the body part, about half finished. As usual, I get no gratuities from mentioning these sites. I'd accept them, but nobody's offering;)
Enjoy and I hope you keep warm

2/1/10

In this neck of the woods, we got 7 inches of a "light dusting of snow". Plus it's _cold_, in the teens. Not exactly the most pleasant weather in the world. But being able to stay inside and drink tea and crochet is great:) I just hope the bulbs that are just to pop out of the ground don't freeze.

Unless you have been living under a rock, you have heard about the earthquake in Haiti. It will take _years_ for Haiti to get something close to normal. Etsy has a special section for selling items to benefit Haiti - it's called Hearts for Haiti and this is the site. Check it out:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartsforHaiti?ga_search_query=Haiti+Relief&ga_search_type=all&ga_page=&order=date_desc&includes[0]=tags&includes[1]=title&page=3



I don't know if you follow the blog, "This Year's Dozen" but it's pretty cool. Chesk out the granny squares she's completed so far:
http://thisyearsdozen.wordpress.com/2010/01/24/more-squares-finished-squares-61-98-101-76-78/

And along with the granny squares, here's a rainbow outline granny square pattern.
http://crochet.about.com/od/freecrochetpatterns/a/Rainbow_Outlines_Granny_Square.htm


And just because February has Valentine's Day in it, here's a granny square heart pattern
http://theroyalsisters.blogspot.com/2009/12/grandma-hearts-tutorial.html

And, of course, another heart pattern from Planet M Files:
http://planetmfiles.com/2010/01/26/free-crochet-heart-pattern/

Maybe you call your honey your "love monkey" (or maybe you don't). Either way, here's a cute amigurumi monkey pattern
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Amigurumi/Monkey-Amigurumi-Crochet-Pattern-from-Caron-Yarn


And though I am freezing right now and can't think of what I'd use fingerless gloves for, this is still a very pretty pattern
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/aqualina/aqualina_1.html



How about trying out cables in a limited way - here's a crochet cable purse
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Bags/Cable-Purse-Crochet-Pattern-from-Caron-Yarn#



And if your feet are freezing, here's some crocheted slippers
http://bohemianmermaid.blogspot.com/2010/01/crochet-slippers-pattern.html

Another lovely pattern from Caron - a scarf - Pandores scarf
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/paradores/paradores_1.html


That all for me this week. I hope you are staying comfortable - not too cold and not too warm, just right. As usual, I don't get any favors for posting these links.

_Enjoy_

FM 1/18/10

Hello again. I haven't printed out my groundhog pattern yet, but I got the eyes & the yarn & the stuffing, so I'm good to go. I need to organize my books and magazines do I have an idea of what I already own. There's an afghan from a 1997 issue of "Hooked On Crochet" I like and I bet I have that issue around here - somewhere. I've been making lots of preemie hats, but I will stop a little while to make the groundhog. I can't name it "Puxataney Phil" because I'd bet I didn't even spell it right. Oh well

I thought this was a really cute pincushion
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/01/free_tomato_pincushion_crochet.html


Some people like the ripple look, so how about a baby ripple hat?
http://www.toastyfrog.net/2009/12/25/baby-ripple-hat-crochet-pattern/



How about a sleepy sheep?
http://harugurumi.blogspot.com/2008/02/baby-sheep-free-pattern.html

What if you made these stars out of glow in the dark yarn - wouldn't that be cool?
http://theroyalsisters.blogspot.com/2009/11/grandma-twinkle-tutorial.html


Another scarf from Caron
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/gallup/gallup_1.html

Not a pattern, but a cute idea
http://glowacademy10.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-crochet-earrings.html


I'm not a shoe collector but I don't think you can have too many earrings so here's another earring photo, this time with a pattern to go with it.
http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/Accessories/WC1930+Beaded+Fringe+Earrings.htm

As usual, I did not profit by posting these links. I just thought they were cool and wanted to share it with you.
_enjoy_

FM 1/11/10

oops, almost put 2009 on that one. It's cold in this neck of the woods so I dug thru my stash to find the (sadly discontinued) 2 skeins of Lion Brand "Big" I had to make the hat in the picture above. I put it on Etsy for sale. Red's not my color (except for my hair) and I have a totally different hat in mind for myself. But it was so quick to make - I used an "S" hook and chained 14, than single crocheted in every chain across. I continued that for 12 more rows. (This yarn is as thick as a finger, so that's why there's only a total of 13 rows.) I folded the material in half and single crocheted the seams together. Than I put a round of single crochet at the opening of the hat. As you can see, I put a tassel on the edges. If you wanted to recreate this hat with different yarn, I'd advise measuring your head from mid-ear to mid-ear. That will give you the circumference that you need to make the hat fit. Then you crochet until the material creates a square. Fold it over, seem it up and you're good to go. I can't claim it as a pattern as it's just a set of directions, but I did make it up myself.
Currently I am working on preemie hats for the NICU where my sister-in-law works. I love using the variegated yarn because I like the patterns. I try not to pick blue or pink because there's no way I can know how many boys or girls will be in NICU. So I just use bright colors.
But I am waiting for the pattern from Planet June to make the groundhog.
http://planetjune.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_17&products_id=104&zenid=96ba2cbcdcb0d22afb493d6d03d48139
It's not a free pattern (just so you know) but it's so cute, like all Planet June's work. And yes, I paid for it and I don't get any percentage out of what Planet June sells. (I'm just telling you this upfront so you don't think I get some sort of kickback.) The pattern is delivered in a pdf file and you can print it out.


On with the free patterns

Just for fun, a prune hat to look at (no pattern)
http://www.uniquedaily.com/prune-juice-crochet-hat/


Here's another just for fun to look at (no pattern)
http://www.threadbanger.com/post/15834/weekly-diy-roundup-knit-and-crochet-cephalopods-and-tentacles


Here's an article about "Brochet"
http://chronicle.com/article/Brochet-Rhymes-With/49438/

I am absolutely fascinated with this fish counting toy. I have no idea why, but I just think it's so cool.
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2008/07/learn-your-colors-fish-counting-toy.html

This is just lovely - an angel afghan
http://www.crochetkim.com/patterns/angelafghan.html


If you are going to go shopping, this market bag will come in very handy - especially with some stores charging for bags:
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Bags/Everyday-Market-Bag-from-Bernat

Hats for kids
http://www.crochetmagazine.com/newsletters.php?mode=article&article_id=515&key=NL00

Here's a frilly scarf
http://www.crochetmagazine.com/newsletters.php?mode=article&article_id=516&key=NL00

This is a simple crochet angel
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet/Angel-Ornament-Pattern#


I really like this Scandinavian hat
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Hats-Scarves-Gloves/Scandinavian-Hat-Crochet-Pattern-from-Red-Heart-Yarn

This is cute and a little silly - a striped cat
http://funmigurumiandkidsstuff.blogspot.com/2009/12/funmigurumi-stripey-cats-no-1-fletcher.html

As usual,I do not get a kickback from featuring any of these links. I'd take one, but it's not going to happen.

_enjoy_

the first FM of the new decade

I hope you had a happy and safe new years celebration. We stayed home and ate chicken and noodles and watched TV. We didn't have anyone come over - my sons had to work the next day and my brother and sister-in-law planned a mini-vacation. So it was just the two of us watching Dick Clark and Ryan Secrest ring in 2010.

I generally don't make New Years Resolutions because I break them almost immediately. If I resolved to "breathe in and breath out", you can bet I'd do something stupid and mess it up. But I do plan to use more of my stash. I just used the Lion Brand thick, bulky yarn to make one of those square hats. I used an S hook, but probably could have used a larger one. I did use a much smaller hook to weave the ends in because I do not have a yarn needle that has an eye big enough to hold the yarn.
A very long time ago, B(efore) C(hildren) I would make a list of what I intended to crochet as gifts and such the first week of January. Obviously, I was more together at that time;) But I do intend to keep track of what I make. I'm just nosy that way


Here's something cute and colorful to brighten up the cold days of January (and it's been cold here) - dish clothes
http://www.favecrafts.com/Kitchen-Crochet/Flower-Dish-Cloth-Crochet-Pattern#

Im my neck of the woods, it's a little too cold to think of wearing a shawl, unless you're wearing it underneath your coat. But it won't always be cold and not everybody is having this type of weather, so here's a shawl pattern
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet/Flower-Lace-Shawl-Crochet-Pattern


These are cute, but they look like they need a back to be warm. Here's some flower slippers
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet/Flower-Slippers-Crochet-Pattern

And here's a lovely rose slippers pattern -
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet/Rose-Slippers-Crochet-Pattern


I'm not fond of turtlenecks anymore, they seem to bother my throat. But this is a smashing turtleneck pattern so I might reconsider
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Sweaters/Easy-Pullover-Sweater-Crochet-Pattern

This does not look like a granny square tunic - at least not in the traditional granny squares I tend to think of
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Sweaters/Granny-Square-Crochet-Patterns

I've never done any intarsia patterns, but I might try this one = spider intarsia pattern
http://www.associatedcontent.com/slideshow/39541/2_spider_free_pattern_chart_graph_crochet.html?cat=24


As usual, nobody's paying me for telling you about these sites. I don't know why they don't, I guess payola is illegal;)
_enjoy_

Crochet Horoscope 2010 - Part 3 of 3

Here's the third and final part of my crochet horoscopes for 2010. I do mention money a few times in some predictions, but that's because I believe money will still be a bit tight in 2010. Hopefully, I'll be wrong about that one;)
Anyway, as I stated, there's no deep, dark hidden agenda. The predictions are just for fun and if you find they hit a little close to you, well, I probably know a crocheter that is your zodiac sign.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21
It can be a bit bumpy this year, but as long as you're careful, you should be okay. You're very idealistic and love the idea of helping people out. There's nothing wrong with that. But when you're investing your time, talent and money, make sure that it's clear where the items are going. You won't be happy if you find out all those pet blankets you're making are being sold on somebody's Etsy shop for their own profit. Plus you're going through a slow down in your crocheting. Maybe you're not inspired by anything that's out there, maybe you're working too much, but you will receive a welcome increase in crocheting in 2010. It will begin with something relatively small, maybe a beret but it will expand and soon your friends will be calling you "Speedy" for the amount your crochet.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19
You have a way of getting caught up in all the details of crocheting and that can be a good thing. Your projects are neatly finished, all the loose ends tucked away. But sometimes the details become overwhelming for you and you are just frozen in place by all the tiny things that must be done. So take a break by (gasp!) making some granny squares. Yes, you heard me right. Granny squares can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose them to be, but I'd suggest simple for you for a while. You need the break from sorting out all the little details that can clog up your creativity. Of course you can go back to your lovely precise crocheting and you will. But to relieve your stress form all that's going on around you, take a break. You will feel like you can't possibly do it, but you will need it more in 2010 than you do now - hard to believe but true. Take it easy on yourself.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18
Of all the zodiac signs, you have been the most eager for a new decade to begin. And you will get a chance to broaden your crochet horizons this year, maybe by learning tunisian or going to conference. Or maybe you're just find some more like minded people that you can talk to about crocheting. At any rate, you will definitely want to spend more time browsing thru pattern books and magazines. Maybe a few online tutorials will be helpful for you. All you know is that change is in the air and you want to be part of it. And you can be (and will be) - just don't buy out the yarn shop in search of something new. You (probably) have more than enough textures and colors in your own stash to get started on a new project. Use that yarn you've been saving for "something special". You are "something special" and you need to appreciate that about yourself.


Pisces February 19 - March 20
You have been much too busy to spend any real time crocheting, but things should start to settle down by about February. You'll have more time and more energy for crocheting. You also will have a burst of creativity unlike any you have ever experienced before. Suddenly the way stitches interlock will click in your head and you will be able to whip up some fantastic items. Some may be a little different, such as the unicorn hat for ferrets, but others will be spot on. This ongoing creativity will have seemed to have bubbled up from nowhere, but it's been percolating in you for quite some time. So hang on to your hook and enjoy the ride.

Crochet Horoscopes Part 2 of 3

As I stated in the first part, this 2010 horoscope is just for fun. If you recognize yourself in any of these predictions, it's just coincidence - or is it;)

we pick up where we left off - with Leo

Leo July 23- August 22
Leo, you do have high standards, all of us can agree on that one. But you are stubborn. Yes, I said it, stubborn. You put off doing a project until you have the perfect yarn to match the perfect pattern, the perfect buttons, the perfect crochet hook...there's no perfection in life. I'm not saying for you to loop any old thing together, but if you give yourself a little break, you will enjoy crocheting so much more this coming year. Plus by the time you line up all the perfect items for the perfect project, it may be too late to actually make them - that niece of yours could be in college and not really interested in matching sweaters for her American Girl doll and herself. Just loosen up a little, that's all I'm saying, and you will be able to enjoy crocheting so much more.

Virgo August 23 - September 22
Ravelry is fun. Facebook and My Space are fun. But when do you actually make time to crochet? When you are up against a deadline for a gift and you're so frazzled you don't produce the results you want? Here's my advice to you, Virgo, plan ahead - not a whole lot, just a little bit. Maybe find a stitch you want to learn and practice it by making a scarf - and use the scarf as a gift for a later time. Instead of reading about all the great stuff other people crochet, unplug for a bit and work on your own crocheting. You will be much happier with this turn of events because in the months to come, you will have a new somebody special to crochet for (it might be a new person in your life or somebody that you've known that becomes special to you) - and you'll be happy you took a little time to learn a new stitch or two.

Libra September 23 - October 22
Libra, Libra, Libra...you have so many projects going on you can't keep track of them. And you also can't finish them on time because you don't focus on one project for the time it takes to complete. Sure, that does mean you're interested in lots of different things. But it is also frustrating for you. So to make sure in December 2010 that you're _not_wondering where that hook is to finish those mittens, do a little organizing now. Use paper bags or plastic, but just get some control over your projects. Don't start another project, no matter how tempting, until you do this. This will be helpful because money is still going to an issue in 2010 (not just for you) and you will be able to save some cash by giving your lovely completed projects.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21
Yes, Scorpio, all of us know that you know all there is to know about crocheting. But 2010 is the year you put all that knowledge to work. Don't just look at a pattern and say "I can do better than that", actually do better than that pattern. This will teach you that although it looks easy to write a pattern, it isn't - and that you have a knack for writing easily understood patterns. Whether you decide to use this talent for producing unique items to sell or publish your patterns, you could use this skill to branch off into a different part of crochet. Just don't go crazy buying lots of yarn and setting up a website just yet. Be prudent and take things slowly. You will learn a lot from this experience.

That's it for part 2 - stay tuned for part 3