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_

freebie Monday

Some of you celebrate Halloween and would like to have some cool Halloween designs. Personally, I like November 1, one of the "Half Price Candy" holidays that occur about 5 times a year. But we're not here to talk about my Milky Way addiction, are we?

The link today
http://www.crochetmemories.com/newsletters/070912.html

is from Cylinda Matthews cool ezine, "The Crochet Corner"*. You may have seen M's Matthews work in some of the "Annie's Attic" publications or perhaps at your local craft store. She does great work with thread. You'll see the result of the work in the "Top Notch Ghost" that she uses to make a fridge magnet. You could easily attach a pin to the back and wear it on your clothes for Halloween.

There's even free Halloween recipes, just in case you were planning a party or maybe your kid (s) school was having a party. While you're visiting the site, check out the "crinoline girls". They are amazing.

If you are thinking about the cooler weather that happens around Halloween, you might want to check out this site:http://www.sweaterbabe.com/WordPressBlog/
You may know "Sweaterbabe"* from her book. If you subscribe to her newsletter (until September 30, 2007), you get a free crochet scarf pattern using the star stitch. Sweaterbabe alternates free crochet patterns with free knit patterns. Her newsletter is pretty cool, too. The star stitch featured is not quite the star stitch I remember using, but crochet stitches seem to have many different names.

_enjoy_

*the usual disclainer, nope, I get no kickbacks.