FM 5/25/09

Not much going on here. I finally finished the turtle to go with the baby afghan and I cut the material for the curtains. It's been slow going crochet wise because, of course, it's crunch time at work. I work late and my hands hurt and I don't croceht all week, Stupid, really, because crochet relaxes me. But that's how it goes....

This is a funny video, you have to see it....."Craft Talk"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWVzIfUfjGk

I know I normally post sites for free crochet patterns, but come on, how could I resist this free chocolate site?
Click here: Mars Real Chocolate Relief Act


Eleanor Wilkinson of Valdese, North Carolina is the Artist of the Month with her crocheted stadium pillows.....
http://www2.morganton.com/content/2009/may/21/crocheting-family-members-evolves-artist-month-val/

I never seen this connection before - "frogging" (ripping out) and the zen of crochet?
http://www.capitalcityweekly.com/stories/052009/ae_442015901.shtml

Here's something very lovely for those upcoming brides - crochet bridal jewelry
http://www.craftstylish.com/item/47052/how-to-crochet-bridal-jewelry

When I say "brown and blue bracelet", it really doesn't sound attractive. However, just take a look at it - it's great
http://planetmfiles.com/2009/05/20/free-crochet-bracelet-pattern/

I know, thread dolls aren't really crochet. But, as Noreen Crone-Findlay proves, they are quite cute and easy to make...
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/busting-stress-with-old-time-thread-dolls/

In my area, rockfish fishing is a big deal. People charter boats at (to me) a nice chunk of change to do this. However, there is an easier way than getting up at 4am and wandering bleary eyed to the water...
http://resurrectionfern.typepad.com/resurrection_fern/2009/05/lets-make-fish-a-tutorial-for-making-a-rock-fish.html


No, I didn't forget Memorial Day. It is right and proper that we thank all the military personnel and their families for the sacrifice that allows freedom to exist.
So, for Memorial Day, I'm posting a call to help make armed forces blankets
http://www.rectangle6x9.org/

That's it from here. As usual, no special bailout funds have been given to me to list these site. Probably because the people who have these links know I would just take the money and buy more yarn with it (which I probably would - but I might buy some patterns or hooks, too;)).

_enjoy_

Freebie Monday May 18, 2009

Hello again. I finally finished the baby afghan and have to finish the pink and white turtle that goes with it. Actually, all I have to do is embroider a face, stuff it and sew it together, not that big a deal. But it's crunch time at work so I'm not sure if I'll finish it this week...

Let's start out with a few blogs to check out:

This is Prudence Mapstone's blog about a scumble a week
http://prudencemapstone.blogspot.com

In case you are interested in recycling your plastic bags into "plarn" - plastic yarn, here's a blog about that
http://plastiqrecreation.blogspot.com/

Not a pattern, but a cool blog...
http://thisyearsdozen.wordpress.com/

Vickie Howell has a new crochet book out and here's an interview with her
http://naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com/2009/05/crochet-conflab-with-vickie-howell.htm


The next three links are from Vashti Braha's blog - the first two are about crocheting with wire
http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/2009/05/free-crochet-pattern-for-mothers-day.html
http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/2009/05/using-crochet-jewelry-with-wire-free.html
and this link explains how to keep your crochet inspirations in a reasonable order. I'll write thoughts for patterns on a scrap of paper. I'll lose the scrap and find it much later, when I can't quite remember what I was trying to do. This is a much more formal way to keep track of inspiration, but my informal way isn't helping me.
http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-journal-about-your-crochet-ideas.html


This was a tough winter in many ways. My houseplants got hit hard because it got cold and stayed cold early on. I lost a lot of cacti, unfortunately. But now I can crochet a few to brighten my work area - it's really cute.
http://amigurumipatterns.blogspot.com/2007/11/thank-you-little-cactus.html


If you're old enough, you may remember the ads for the "crazy daisy loom" on tv. You could order an afghan kit that included a flower loom. Now you may be able to pick them up at a yard sale or thrift store (or E-bay). Noreen Crone-Findlay has a tutorial on "vintage" flower looms. ("Vintage"?! I guess that makes me "vintage", too)
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/how-to-make-flowers-on-vintage-flower-looms/

I knew my younger niece was pregnant, but until today I didn't know if she was having a girl or a boy. I suspected she was having a boy and I was right. Now I got to figure out another boy baby afghan (I've made 2 baby boy afghans for her already)...so I'm thinking, maybe this will be the next baby afghan?
http://crochetme.com/patterns/dont-be-square-granny

or this?
http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/projects/animals.html
I don't know yet. I have to think some more about this. I've got until August, so hopefully something will impress me..
I could make a crochet bib, but that would have to be extra because I did make the other 2 boys and afghan.....
http://crochettogo.blogspot.com/2009/03/crocheted-bib.html

That's it for Freebie Monday this week. As usual, I do not get a penny from mentioning any of these people or any of these sites. I'm willing to be bribed, but who has the money for that these days;)

_enjoy_

FM May 11, 2009

I am still working on the afghan for a baby girl. However, when I started sewing the motifs, I noticed just a few little problems. First, I needed 16 9 inch motifs. I figured after I sewed them together in a 4 by 4 formation, I'd add some trim to it and it would be close to about 40 inches square. One little problem - I only made _15_ squares. Okay, that means I have to make another one, not a bit deal. I could just go on sewing them together;) But there's another little problem. Six of the finished motifs have a total of 4 white rounds as edging the motif. Eight of the finished motifs have a total of 3 white rounds edging the motif. One motif needs to be edged and of course, there's the motif I have yet to make. I don't really have an excuse or anyone to blame it on except myself. I thought I was good at math, but I guess not;)


However, Margaret Wertheim happens to be great at math. Check out the video of M's Wertheim talking about hyperbolic crochet:
http://subrealism.blogspot.com/2009/05/hyperbolic-geometry-of-coral-and.html


This is called a "Bottega Veneta Mini Crochet Ball Bag" and it's
selling for $5,200.00. Yup, I said 52 hundred dollars. Is it worth it?
Not to me, but it's definitely worth taking a look at:
http://www.geekhandbags.com/bottega-veneta/weird-and-interesting-bottega-veneta-mini-crochet-ball-bag



For those who live near Smiley's Yarn in Woodhaven New York, they are
having a huge sale next week. I don't live anywhere near there :(
http://www.smileysyarns.com/ezshopper/store.htm


And Yarn Lady is having a moving sale, but again, I don't live
anywhere near Laguna Hills, California....
http://www.yarnlady.com/


How about some artwork in the form of a crochet picture by Moonglow:
http://www.orble.com/free-flower-picture-crochet-pattern/

Here are two lovely jackets by Doris J. Chan
http://www.caron.com/projects/ss/ss_circle_jacket.html
and
http://www.caron.com/projects/ss/ss_SS64W7_lacy_jacket.html


The beautiful "Maggie Wrap" from "Blueprint Crochet" by Robyn Chachula
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/08/maggie_wrap_free_crochet_patte.html


If you are brave enough to wear it, I present some bathing suit patterns

This one includes a hat and a cover-up
http://web.archive.org/web/20000511202511/http://www.cei.net/~vchisam/groovy/1114-186.html

This is just your basic crochet swim suit
http://web.archive.org/web/20010908163424/www.cei.net/~vchisam/groovy/48-178bag.html

How about a crochet bikini
http://web.archive.org/web/20011030175418/www.cei.net/~vchisam/groovy/B-772.html

Or another bikini - the "Mimosa" bikini
http://www.adriafil.com/html/img/riviste/mag40/modelli/file_istruzioni/uk/4-5.pdf

This site has a free pattern a day and allows you to check back for 2 weeks of their earlier free patterns
http://www.dailycrocheter.com/day.php


As usual, no economic incentives have been given to me to post these sites.
_enjoy_

May Fourth (be with you) FM

I know, I know, it's a terrible pun. But my beloved told it to me, so of course I couldn't resist passing it along. I enjoyed the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival Saturday, but somehow I managed not to buy any yarn. I'm not quite sure how that was even possible for me, the yarn was gorgeous but not quite what I was looking for (I guess...). I am working on a pink baby afghan (still) I'm about a third of the way thru it. And of course, making preemie caps.....

Not a pattern, but it's Herrschners (www.herrschners.com)free shipping (with $35 or more purchase) good until May 31, 2009 , Code D25


Here's today's freebie crochet patterns

Here's a crochet box
http://www.crochetspot.com/free-crochet-pattern-box/

That you could use to put in Noreen Crone-Findlay's buillion jewelry creations

Buillion stitch tutorial
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/how-to-crochet-bullion-stitches/

first part of crochet bracelet tutotial
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/crocheted-bullion-stitch-bracelet-1/

how to add findings to crochet jewelry
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/how-to-add-findings-to-a-crocheted-bracelet/

and last but certainly not least, a crochet flower
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/topic/tutorial/

All the above is from Hankering for Yarn, M's Crone-Findlay's blog.

How about another crochet flower - a crochet aster from Lion Brand
http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=487&language=

This is something new from Leisure Arts - the Crochet Soiree from Leisure Arts
http://www.crochetsoiree.com/


Here's something cute and "retro" a smiley face afghan square
http://smoothfoxlover.blogspot.com/2009/04/free-cool-smiley-face-square-7-x-7.html

from Planet June. crochet roses
http://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/120f869cf2b5e42a

How about a crochet cardigan from Berocco
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/aruna/aruna.html


Paton tea cozy
http://www.patonsyarns.com/newsletters/apr2009/ClassicWool_Web_TeaCozy.pdf?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=TeaCozyPDF&utm_campaign=PatonsApril2009

Karen D prayer shawl pattern
http://karendcreations.blogspot.com/


octopus key chain tutorial
http://knittingdragonflies.blogspot.com/search/label/Free%20octopus%20pattern%20tutorial

As usual, I receive no bailout from anyone for posting these links. It's okay if somebody wants to offer me one;) but I don't think that's going to happen.