more coral reefer madness

okay, deBBie, where in the world are you? I really want to send your book, but I need an address....please contact me...

I turned in 17 pieces of crochet coral reef to the Smithsonian last Sunday. They had Margaret Wertheim there to discuss how the installation will go, where it will be in the Smithsonian (the museum with the big elephant). It was pretty cool...
Anyway, here's some more coral reef I did

large striped coral

all the coral reef together

hairy coral

Dazzle coral

so there is some more of it. The first one I posted in my last post, the green one, escaped the fate of the others - it was hiding in the dryer with the dryer ball. I ran it thru the dryer on air to dehair it...
_enjoy_

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

FM 11/30/09

Hi. I hope all of you have had a Happy Thanksgiving (or a happy Thursday) and are ready to face (_eek_) December. I almost have the lion finished (needs eyes, nose and a mouth - and to be sewn together). I decided to shop my stash as opposed to hitting a Black Friday sale. Definitely cheaper and easier, plus I can do that in my pjs. I rediscovered yarn in my stash that I forgot about. So under the guise that I got a cut in pay (I did) I will be using this newly discovered yarn to craft Christmas presents. Nothing that fancy, a hat, a scarf, a cowl. But I will be using up the yarn I have already paid for, so it should be a more inexpensive Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas (and before we get sucked into December), maybe you might want to shop your stash (if you have one) and create presents for your recipients this year. I know, some people don't like "homemade gifts". If that's the case, don't stress yourself out over it. Just spend what you can afford on the person and chalk it up to their loss, not yours. They are the one missing out on the gift, not you. For the other folks, consider if, for example, they are waiting for a bus in the cold. A colorful scarf will really feel good on a cold winter's day. Kids are always losing hats - and I intend to make a few for my great nephews. I'm sure it won't be the thrill of the year, but I have a joint gift for them, this is just a little something extra.
I am saying (even though it only has a little bit to do with crochet) is be gentle with yourself. Don't fret over making 20 different cookies or decorating the house down to the cat bowls - unless that's your thing and you like doing that. Your family doesn't want you all frazzled and undone for the holidays - they want you to be present, in the moment, enjoying what's happening in front of you. You can't do that if you're worrying about the credit card bills or how you're going to find time to take the bunny to get his picture taken with Santa Claus, The economy is in the toilet and I don't think financial recovery is coming for at least 2 more years. (nope, I don't have any insider knowledge, just a guess.) So consider your stress level and your bank account level and make the adjustments you need to make so you and yours can have a good holiday.
oops, I'm ranting again, aren't I? well let me shut up and give you some sites that you can get some ideas for your presents without breaking the bank....

Sweater Babe has some amazing free patterns on her site. Check these out for some holiday cheer.
http://blog.sweaterbabe.com/knitting/2009/11/quick-crochet-projects-for-holiday-giftgiving.html

I thought this was interesting - I would have loved this when I was a girl. I have no small girls to crochet for, but it's still cute - crocheting dolls
http://www.byhookbyhand.blogspot.com/

This is a tiny teddy, not suitable for small kids but could be good for a tween or a teen, Or maybe somebody that just needs the comfort of a teddy bear with him or her....
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=289504.msg3296032#msg3296032


This is cool - the never ending granny square
http://debscrafts55.blogspot.com/2007/12/never-ending-blanket-square.html


This is an interesting stitch and it looks great - a slant stitch scarf
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2007/06/my-june-scarf-slant-stitch.html

See these fish? I'm sure they are going to make their way into one great nephew's gift pile. Maybe even two..
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2008/07/learn-your-colors-fish-counting-toy.html

This is a lovely scarf, plus it's a little different than a striped scarf - check it out.
http://www.crochetmagazine.com/newsletters.php?mode=article&article_id=389

This is beautiful - a graceful shawl
http://www.maggiescrochet.com/free-graceful-shells-poncho-pattern-p-184.html

Again, with the teddy bears, it's a teddy bear afghan
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/Jeanaries/Teddyghan-N-Friends.html

And for those who prefer the light look of filet, here's teddy bear filet pattern
http://crochetpatternsonly.blogspot.com/2005/09/teddy-bear-square-copyright-to-judith.html

Here are some toys that look cool. Yeah it's not Bakugan or that stripey monesr thing, but still cool....
http://barbscraftbooks.tripod.com/barbscrochet/id128.html


And last, but certainly not least, a gift for you - Caron is giving away a free full size skein of their Country yarn. You just have to go to this site for details
http://www.caron.com/free_sample.html


As usual, I don't receive any compensation for mentioning these sites to you. I just want to share what I have found.

_enjoy_

FM 10/26/09

I haven't done too much crocheting this week. It's crunch time at work and that usually means my right hand is aching by the end of the week. But I did manage to get in 6 rounds of the "Oopsie Daisy" circular baby afghan from this book:






It's going much faster than I expected and is much easier, too. I am making it out of the white Simply Soft Caron yarn. I will put this up for my older niece until the time comes for her to have it. I don't know when that will be, but I'm hoping soon.

This week in freebies:

I thought this was funny. I don't know if kids could wear it to school because it's sort of a toy, but it's cute. I present a hand puppet scarf
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-for-Kids/Puppet-Scarf-Crochet-Pattern-from-Red-Heart#

I thought this was really neat, but I have a soft spot for bunnies - a pink rabbit monster ami
http://kandjdolls.blogspot.com/2009/09/free-pattern-pink-rabbit-monster.html


Crochet Cabana has some lovely charity patterns. To check them out, look at this link: http://www.crochetcabana.com/charity/charity-patterns.htm

If you have a lizard lover in your family, he or she may like a gecko bookmark
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2009/10/suzies-gecko-bookmark-toy.html


My younger son explained to me this is "steampunk" but it looks like crocheted cog / gears. Still impressive, could be cool of a t-shirt:
http://vintagestitchorama.blogspot.com/2008/09/crocheted-cogs.html

Caron has a link for a beautiful scarf

http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/green_valley/green_valley_1.html




That's it for today. My darling hubby is battling some weird cold (flu?) for over a week now and I got some sort of salivary gland infection going on now. So I'm sorry for the brief post.

As usual, I receive no money / gratuities from these folks. I'd take them (especially in Caron yarn) but it's not happening.

_enjoy_

FM 9/28/09

I'm still working on the fish motif afghan. Now I am working on the end panel. I think I will have to be done by October 9, that's the day before the big Aidainpolooza party.
On with the show:

Apparently, Cate Blanchet wears a granny square dress and causes a huge stir. I think it looks good on her, but she could probably wear a potato sack and look good.
http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,28383,26089925-5007192,00.html


I like Robert Downey, Jr. I loved "Iron Man". But now I think Mr Downey is even cooler- check out Robert Downey Jr & crochet
http://geekcentralstation.blogspot.com/2009/09/see-men-appreciate-crochet.html

I am using Simply Soft for my great nephew. Here's a simply soft tunic pattern
http://www.caron.com/projects/ss/ss_simple_tunic.html


I know everyone knows that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Now you can crochet for the cure:
http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-for-the-cure/


I thought this was pretty cool a crochet square flower motif
http://rosehip.typepad.com/rose_hip_blog/2008/11/index.html

and another lovely pattern from the same blog - a crochet flower
http://rosehip.typepad.com/rose_hip_blog/2007/09/september-blur.html


Here's a Red Heart log cabin quilt pattern:
http://www.redheart.com/Default.aspx?tabid=118&patternid=CT0003


That's it for this week, folks. Hopefully, I will take a picture of the fish motif afghan next week.

_enjoy_

As usual, no gratuities have been given for these mentions

fm 9/1/08

I have been released (yay!) from the surgeon, but am still waiting to hear from the leg doc (boo). The incision still hurts, but it is finally healed. But on to the real star of the show today - freebie patterns and such.

I always love Noreen Crone-Findlay's work. Here is a lovely crocheted baby cardigan and hat on the Caron site. http://www.caron.com/projects/ss/ss_around_world.html

Baby girls grow to be toddlers and here's a cute toddler skirt pattern.
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/sedona/sedona_1.html

I'm not trying to rush the season, but the stores have had Halloween stuff out for a few weeks, so here's some crochet patterns: a crochet ghost, cat and jack'o'lantern
http://crochet-patterns-techniques.suite101.com/article.cfm/halloween_crochet_patternsfree_easy

Do you ever think about a designer's life - read this first:
http://www.corsavoo.com/crafts/0,2577,388828,00.html

I like the star stitch but I remember having a hard time understanding it from the book I was usinf to learn it. Now there's a star stitch tutorial to make it easier.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inUleg__vaU

Need to collect your plastic bags until you got enough to make a bag or just to reuse? Well, here's something useful for you - a plastic bag holder pattern.
http://kollegiatehooker.blogspot.com/

A few years ago, I made my older son a scarf. It wasn't long enough and instead of telling me, he told his aunt, my youngest sister. Of course she told me. I made it longer but not this long - here's a photo of the 115 foot crocheted scarf that was a group effort:
http://fancytiger.blogspot.com/2008/06/longest-crocheted-scarf-and-visit-from.html

I forgot about and I'd forgotten about how to do this stitch:
Crab Stitch Reverse Single Crochet Edging
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_DPQw2Dykg

Want to learn how to do mitered crochet? Here's a site for you.
http://www.innerchildcrochet.com/resources/how_to_design/mitered_square.html

Got plenty of scraps but can't face a granny square afghan? how about a crochet scrap hat pattern?
http://laughingpurplegoldfish.blogspot.com/2008/01/accidental-hat.html

As usual, I am not making any money off of posting these sites, I just thought I'd pass them along for you enjoyment. Hopefully you'll find something that will tickle your fancy:)

_enjoy_

Freebie Monday 5/5/08

Want a pattern for a daisy square that "pops out" at you? Try this 3D granny square.
http://crochetmaryellen.blogspot.com/2007/06/easy-daisy-granny-square.html

Around Baltimore, it's that weird sort of weather - cool in the mornings and evenings, but warmish during the day. A shawl is the perfect solution for that inbetween weather:
http://www.caron.com/projects/ft/summer_shawl.html

You need to check this site out - she makes amazingly cool amigurimi toys and this pattern shows you how to make a human figure:
http://geekcentralstation.blogspot.com/2008/03/free-pattern-aragorn-and-boromir.html

I have to tell you I never really noticed Bonnie Pierce's name until the 2006 "Crochet Pattern a Day" calendar. I had seen her work before, but that calendar showcased her amazing talent with a roll (bullion) stitch. This site has patterns for a few of her squares and her work is so beautiful, I want to make one of everything. So far, I haven't but I definitely want to work a few of these squares into an afghan:
http://members.aol.com/gandal195/patternpg.html

Need a pattern for a small bag? This is a quick pattern to work up:
http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com/2008/04/blog-post_30.html

This pattern is from a 1972 "McCall's Needlework". I remember the magazine well....this is "groovy";)
http://web.archive.org/web/20010908163424/www.cei.net/~vchisam/groovy/48-178bag.html


This site is about making "Izzy dolls" to give away. It has both crochet and knit patterns. The story behind the dolls is very powerful, please check it out:
http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1007808

I have been working on a crocheted rainbow afghan for my nephew. He put the request in at Easter, I guess to give me lots of time to make it. I had debated on how to make the double bed size afghan. Right now, I'm thinking of going with a quilt sort of look. I really didn't want to do a double bed side ripple or make a ton of little motifs to sew together. I am almost finished the orange section (I already finished red), so that just gives me 5 more sections to finish and put together. At the present rate of work, I think I should be done in about 6 weeks. At least, I'm hoping to have it done in 6 weeks;) I'll see how it goes once I have more of the color sections done.

I love mystery books. I skipped Nancy Drew completely and went straight away to the Agatha Christie novels. I loved "The Cat Who...." books, the P.D. James books and the Diane Mott Davidson's books with the recipes in them. But now I am currently waiting for Amazon to deliver a crochet mystery book to me. It's called " Hooked on Murder" by Betty Hechtman. I don't know anything about it, but since there are quilt and knit mysteries out, it's about time for a crochet mystery book. I'll let you know how I like it after I read it.

As usual, I receive no kickbacks from any of the sites or products mentioned. I can be bought, but apparently no one wants to buy me;)

_enjoy_

finished objects

On the right is a poncho I made for a friend's grandaughter. It's made from Caron's Simply Soft and it was a joy to work with. This is probably the most basic poncho in the world - two rectangles sewn together with edging and fringe. I didn't rely on a pattern but made it up as I went along. I just used a shell stitch to create the rectangle and added little curly fringe on it. I was veryhappy with the way it turned out. I hope she will be happy, too.
On the left is the tree skirt I was working on for my sons. As you can see, it's just granny squares with a hole left in the middle so it can be draped around the tree. I was pleased with the way it came out, but wasn't too thrilled with myself for letting the ends wait to be woven in. I would stick to Bernat or Red Heart to make another one. I wasn't too thrilled with the way the Peacock yarn worked up, but I did like the colors.

An update on Payton: He is doing as well as can be expected. He is eagerly waiting for Santa Claus (of course). The case went to trial and the judge is waiting for a psych report on the two juveniles so he can decide what, if any, punishment they should receive. I'd rant and rave, but that's not what this blog is supposed to be about