FM 2/23/09

Hello again. Not too much happening here, just slogging along. I was sorry to hear "Craft" magazine is shutting down. If you are a subscriber, you will get your remaining subscription issues in "Make" magazine or you can request a refund. I can't say I was thrilled about it, but I am happy they made an effort to contact the subscribers by email to let them know what was up. Sometimes you find out the magazine has disappeared (with your money) from word of mouth (Yes, "Crochet Fantasy", I am talking about_you_. My efforts to secure a refund from "Crochet Fantasy" have been fruitless so far. Just polite "someone will get back to you" answers.)
Enough with the whining and complaining already...Here's the freebies

Most of you are familiar with Winnie the Pooh, the bear of very little brain. Here's a crochet pattern for him.
http://arminas-aminals.blogspot.com/2009/02/crocheted-pooh-bear.html

I really do like the star stitch because of the way it looks, so here's a pattern for a star stitch shawl
http://web.archive.org/web/20070703031929/groups.msn.com/TheCarrotPatchCarole/crochetedstarstitchshawl.msnw

This is really cool - how to make your own amigurami eyes
http://mygurumi.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-to-amigurumi-eyes.html

Another heart, this time a pop heart. Yes, it is after Valentine's day, but love is for every day of the year:
http://mygurumi.blogspot.com/2009/02/pop-heart-pattern.htm

I have been (impatiently) waiting for the daffodils to come up. They are a bit behind previous years as they have just begun to grow. I've had years where they start blooming the end of January. But with this crocheted daffodils pattern, I don't have to wait any longer.
http://wahasweden.blogspot.com/2009/02/crocheted-daffodil-pattern.html

This is called Red Hat society doll but you could modify it to suit your purpose.
http://www.orble.com/free-red-heart-society-doll-crochet-pattern/

Here's some free crochet patterns from Barnes and Noble
http://www.thediscountheroes.com/2009/02/free-knitting-and-crochet-patterns-in.html

I'm not familiar with the video game "Guitar Hero". I've heard of it, that's about as far as it goes. But if you want to make something special for your own guitar hero, here's a pattern for how to make the "Guitar Hero" scarf
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/21/how-to-make-the-guitar-hero-scarf/

As usual, no fees or goods exchanged hands for the posting of these sites.
_Enjoy_

all about "Crochet Fantasy"

If you've been reading this blog, you know I have had an ongoing problem trying to find out exactly when/if "Crochet Fantasy" would make good on the balance of my subscription. So here's the latest email to the "Crochet Fantasy" people:

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I have written and called many times to find out what is supposed to be done about the outstanding balance of my "Crochet Fantasy" subscription. I have been told that another magazine may pick up the balance that was left. I also have been told someone will get back to me. So far, no one has gotten back to me and when I call, I get a pleasant woman saying "I'll pass the message on for you".

Exactly what is going on? I paid for my "Crochet Fantasy" subscription early due to a letter set out soliciting funds to keep "Crochet Fantasy" publishing. Please make good on this some way - send yarn if that works for you. I am a reasonable person but all this time without a response has made me a little peeved.

Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

For those who want to send an email, here's the info: http://www.inknitters.com/
snail mail:
Fiber Circle Publishing
P. O. Box 552
200 McKinney Street
Farmersville, TX 75442
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Because of my mention of "Crochet Fantasy", sometimes this blog pops up when folks are checking for back issues. Here' s my advice on searching for back issues of "Crochet Fantasy"

You can go to Ebay & search for "crochet magazine" or "Crochet Fantasy magazine". It's helpful if you know the particular issue number you are looking for because that's how it's listed on Ebay. I know Ebay's a gamble, but sometimes it does have what you are trying to find. You have to determine how much you're willing to shell out for the magazine. If you just want any back issue, you'll have better luck because some issues are easier to obtain than others.

You can also search Amazon for the particular issue you want. Sometimes they have it, sometimes not. You can register at Amazon and they will notify you if one becomes available. (Disclaimer: I am an Amazon Associate and I do sell books on Amazon. I do not currently have any "Crochet Fantasy" magazines for sale, so I am not going to profit from this advice. )

Sometimes old book stores (not the ones that deal in antiques or first editions - but the more inexpensive ones) sell old magazines. I have never seen any "Crochet Fantasy" in any old book store I have been in (and I do frequent them) but that doesn't mean somebody didn't get to them first. Thrift shops sometimes have old magazines. Again, I've never seen any there, but that doesn't mean they don't show up. Yard sales could work, too.

If you belong to a group like Crochet Partners, you can post you would like to buy an extra copy or somebody's unwanted copy of this particular magazine. You could try the free internet sites (Craig's List, Freecycle) to see if there are any "Crochet Fantasy" magazines out there.

If you belong to the Crochet Guild of America, they have a lending library sent up and they are likely to have a copy of the magazine. People donate magazines and books to them (I have donated a _ton_ to them myself, so I know they have a large selection). This is another good reason to belong to the CGOA.

You could also ask around the folks you know, often they know somebody who did crochet and might want to get rid of their stuff. This happens more frequently than you would think. I have a healthy selection of various crochet tools due to this type of thing.

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If I ever get an answer from the Fiber Circle Publishing people, I will let you know. I'm not sure why this bugs me so much but I think it's because of the solicitation for more funds to keep it going. Or maybe I just need to give it up and cut my losses. But right now, I intend to keep bugging them.

FM 5/19/08

New issues of the online "Crochet Cabana" newsletter is out:
http://www.crochetmemories.com/newsletters/newsletter.html

The May issue of Essentia is out. Check out that organized craft room!
http://www.black-purl-magazine.com/NEWS-051408.htm

I know it's a little late in my part of the world to be thinking of snowflakes - but I thought this was amazingly cool and perfect for a summer day.
http://www.crochetme.com/the-incredibly-versatile-giant-snowflake

Going to have folks over for a cookout? Maybe you can work in making an umbrella cover for your patio table inbetween making the potato salad?
http://www.knit1mag.com/patterns/2007/summer/k1su07_web1.pdf

Memorial Day in the US is the traditional start of beach / pool season. So maybe if you don't have time to make the umbrella cover, you can make a beach cover-up for yourself.
http://www.crochetme.com/June_July_2005/patt_waters_edge.htm

But if you're like me (running around like a crazy person, wondering why I always forget _something_ for a cookout), you might have enough time to make a headband.
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/hedda/hedda.html

Noreen Crone-Findlay's blog shows her method of organizing hooks. I used a pencil case at one time, but now I have too many hooks for that. The idea of putting the large wooden ones in a cup or mug really appeals to me.
http://www.hankeringforyarn.com/organizing-crochet-hooks


Socks!? First I have stuff for the summer and now a design your own socks template pattern. Hey, it's not summer everywhere, you know. Plus folks do wear socks all year round. This is pretty cool because it allows you to adapt the sock to what you want.
http://crochet.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=crochet&cdn=hobbies&tm=12&gps=401_788_869_563&f=20&su=p284.5.420.ip_p445.92.150.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.crochetandknitting.com/sockstemplate.htm


Margaret Hubert does some of the most amazing patterns. It's good she comes out with crochet books frequently because that way my sons know what to get for me at gift giving time. Here's a free pattern for a butterfly from M's Hubert.

http://www.margarethubertoriginals.com/BUTTERFLY.html

And last but certainly not least, Roxycraft has a free amigurumi owl pattern. I thought it was quite cute. It could make a cute graduation gift package decoration.

http://roxycraft.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/woody-the-owl-free-amigurumi-pattern/

For those who have been following my trying to contact the "Crochet Fantasy" folks, I've gotten nowhere. I call and leave a message with the clerk (I presume she's a clerk) who answers the phone. Her reply is always the same "Some one will call you back". So far, no one has called me back. I'll keep trying, for what it's worth.

until next time, _enjoy_

Another one bites the dust

I read somewhere that "Annie's Hooked on Crochet" would be stopped. I didn't want to post anything until I had an answer from their customer service of how it was going to be handled. Here's the answer, I just got it today:

"Thank you for your email. After many years of publication, we have ceased publication of Annie's Hooked on Crochet. We have merged all existing subscription with Crochet World."
Lisa, customer service

I don't know which issue this is supposed to start with but from the sound of it, it will be shortly. I'm sorry to see another crochet magazine go. Actually, it would be _2_ magazines since "Annie's Favorite Crochet" merged with "Hooked on Crochet". *sigh* I already subscribe to "Crochet World" so I know my subscription will be extended.

I have contacted "Crochet Fantasy" again and they are supposed to give me a call back. So far, no call back. I'll have to keep trying.

Crochet Fantasy news

I have complained in this blog about the difficulty of getting any information about "Crochet Fantasy". I resubscribed in July 2006 and "Crochet Fantasy" seemed to drop off the face of the earth. I did track down the address of the company that published it last, Fiber Circle Publishing and posted it:
Fiber Circle Publishing
200 McKinney Street
Farmersville, TX 75442

I have written several emails and several snail mails. I have not as yet received a reply. I decided to look up the phone number using the internet and I found it*. I decided to call today and see if anyone knew what was going on there.

I spoke to a very pleasant young lady named Diane. She informed me that Fiber Circle Publishing is trying to get another crochet magazine** to take over the subscriptions. No, there won't be another "Crochet Fantasy" and that's a pity. But the money I paid for the subscription will be used for another crochet magazine subscription. She told me only _1_ person is working on the database and that person is about three quarters of the way thru it. So while it may not be in the very near future, it looks like the "Crochet Fantasy" subscribers will be able to get another crochet magazine in exchange for what they already paid "Crochet Fantasy". I would guess that if you already subscribe to the magazine they turn the subscriptions over to that you would get an extension on your present subscription.

So I said I would post something about "Crochet Fantasy" when I found out and there it is.

Payton update: He's still in therapy, but he's doing fine and is in good spirits.

*if you want the phone number, you can email me through this blog & I'll send it to you.

**She didn't name the other magazine.

"Crochet Fantasy" and not a happy camper

As most of you know already, "Crochet Fantasy" stopped publication last year. There was never any official word from Fiber Circle Publishing, the parent company, but publication stopped all the same. Since I re-upped my subscription prior to the shutdown, I am currently trying to get a refund of my subscription. I thought other people may also want to try to get refunds for their subscriptions, so I have enclosed the information here. I'd advise you to make a copy, front and back, of your check for proof of payment.

Here's the info
Fiber Circle Publishing
P. O. Box 552
200 McKinney Street
Farmersville, TX 75442

Here's the website one of their current magazines have:
http://www.inknitters.com/contact.htm


Payton Update:
http://wjz.com/topstories/local_story_145210421.html

Yes, he spent his third birthday at the hospital. But he might be going home shortly. He is healing fairly well.