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 8/11/08

More on the health front. The surgical incision is healing slowly. My right leg is broken (broken tibia for those medical words folks) and I am wearing a boot for the next 4 weeks. No prolonged walking or standing :( But I can still sit and crochet :). I haven't quite decided what I should do for my crochet Olympics challenge, but I'll figure it out.....
On with the freebies.


Here's a site to make crochet lace vases to put your crochet flowers in - very lovely.
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/08/pattern_for_crochet_lace_vases.html?CMP=OTC-5JF307375954

Lady Linoleum makes a return to this blog with this wonderful cherry ribbon tote.
http://monstercrochet.blogspot.com/2008/08/cherry-ribbon-tote.html

This is a pattern preview from "Crochet Blueprint".
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/08/maggie_wrap_free_crochet_patte.html?CMP=OTC-5JF307375954

Want a pup but can't have one because of housing restrictions or maybe not enough cash? Planet June has a miniature schnauzer pattern for you.
http://www.planetjune.com/blog/how-to-crochet-a-miniature-schnauzer-pup/

Is you Ipod thingie naked? Or maybe it needs a costume to appear in public? Here's a ninja cozy for your mp3 player.
http://cthulhucrochet.blogspot.com/2008/08/ninja-cozy-tutorial.html

How about some filet crochet designs for Halloween?
http://stylish-crochet.blogspot.com/2008/08/filet-crochet-halloween.html

This isn't a pattern. Every mom thinks their child is special and of course, they are right. This mom blogged about her daughter's crochet work and it is exceptional, in my opinion. I couldn't even crochet at the age of 10 and I know I couldn't produce something that delicate.
http://lynnskitchenadventures.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-daughters-crochet.html

Here's a pattern for a crochet bolero.
http://www.e-pleteni.cz/aktuality.petra?id=2&lang=en

Here's Noreen Crone-Findlay's post about crocheting during the Olympics:
http://www.hankeringforyarn.com/crocheting-during-the-olympics

Ever get confused when crocheting in the round? It can be a bit strange at first. Here's some help: http://barney.gonzaga.edu/~aburton/crochrnd.html

And to practice what you have learned, here's a round ripple crochet tree skirt pattern.
http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showpost.php?p=1070831&postcount=2231

Yeah, it's warm in some parts of the world, but it won't stay that way. Here's a beautiful crocheted sweater pattern.
http://bejai1962.blogspot.com/2008/08/just-stitchin.html

Crochet Poet's pattern links (and these is an amazing amount of links for just about anything you could think of to crochet).
http://www.myhq.com/public/c/r/crochetpoet/

Kreinik crochet (and knitting) freebies
http://www.kreinik.com/kshop/home.php?cat=33

Bella Online online crochet magazine
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art9515.asp/zzz

As usual, I have not accepted any payola for listing these sites. And as usual, I would accept payola if offered but none was offered.

_enjoy_

F.M. 11/5/07

I'm _baaacckk_. I'm not totally "with it" but then again, I never have been.
So here's your first for this Freebie Monday.

Want to learn how to do seamless single crochet, which is very important in amigurami and hats - here's the tutorial for you:
http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2006/10/tutorial-seamless-single-crochet.html

Another one of my favorite spots, Purple Kitty, has free vintage Christmas crochet (as well as knit) patterns:
www.purplekittyyarns.com/

I know this is late for Halloween, but I will forget this completely by next year. My cats would never stand for being dressed, but my oldest sister dresses up her cats all the time - go figure that one out.
http://www.craftzine.com/blog/archive/2007/10/crochet_candy_corn_pet_sweater.html?CMP=OTC-5JF307375954


http://crochet-patterns-techniques.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_crochet_circle_recipe_i
--
Have you ever looked at a size 7 steel hook and wondered "gee, I wonder if I could perform surgery with this? No, I haven't either. But a surgeon did look at it and currently uses it to repair varicose veins - check it out:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071022122214.htm

I don't know if the next two are repeats. If so, I apolegize:

Tiny cake patterns
http://www.normalynn.info/freepatterns.html

This one would have been better suited for Halloween, but as I said, I'll just forget it by next year - a crochet hamburger dress:
http://www.craftzine.com/blog/archive/2007/10/crochet_hamburger_dress.html?CMP=OTC-5JF307375954

This would also have been better suited for Halloween, but maybe you need a gift for a quirky friend of family member. Not exactly my cup of tea, but Lady Linoleum always has cool stuff.
The Saw That Dripped Blood...SCARF!
Monster Crochet - http://monstercrochet.blogspot.com/

Stitch markers seem mostly made for knitters. Here's a site that shows you stitch markers for crocheters. Pretty cool stuff and looks relatively easy. You could whip up some for yourself or a crocheting friend:
Crafty Daisies - http://craftydaisies.com
http://crochet-patterns-techniques.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_crochet_circle_recipe_ii


Another one suited for Halloween but I am considering making this for my younger son (26 years old). He loved "The Nightmare before Christmas and I think he'd like the dog. This is a great pattern:
jack skellington's dog
http://lizville.livejournal.com/100801.html


and here's the last freebie of the day. I am having a drawing for the book "The Crochet Sweater Book" by Sylvia Cosh with James Walters. You may be more familiar with those names due to their freeform work. Just email me - 1 email per person please - and I will announce the winner next Monday. Please, no whining, begging or pleading - I get enough of that at work;)

_enjoy_

just another Freebie Monday

it's all not free patterns, folks;) some are just cool websites...

Looking for some Halloween crochet? This site has plenty of free patterns:
.http://crochet.about.com/b/a/257679.htm

And this one does have a pretty cool pattern for a starghan (a round ripple afghan). It doesn't show the holes the way a normal ripple afghan does. The blogger said she invented a new stitch, but it's better if she explains it than me.
http://inspiredcrochetdesign.blogspot.com/2007/10/free-pattern-chromium-star-blanket.html

I don't know who Twinkie is, but apparently "everybody" is talking about her. I always thought that was a snack cake, but I guess I'm wrong:
http://crochet.craftgossip.com/everbodys-talking-about-twinkie/2007/10/05/


I love Stitchy McYarnpants. It's just so funny. And I have to admit that yes, I did crochet some of those designs back in my wilder days. But hey, it was the '70s, all the other crocheters were doing it, and I thought just a little bit wouldn't hurt anybody. Now I see I was wrong;)
http://stitchymcyarnpants.com/knit06/

If you seen the floors in my house, the statement I'm about to make won't shock you. I don't have a Swiffer wet mop thingie. But apparently a lot of people do and some crochet the cover instead of using the little covers you have to buy for it.
http://diynamite.com/2007/10/16/crochet-swiffer-cover/
--

How about some Lion Brand Halloween crochet - here goes a pirate. It looks fairly easy to me....
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/70445AD.html?noImages=


Again, I don't get a kickback or payola from any of these people. I'd take it, but nobody offers;)

_enjoy_

Another freebie Monday

Here's the cure fo the Monday blues - freebies;)


for Halloween, little bats:
http://www.sweaterbabe.com/freepatterndownload.htm

Another Halloween one - ghosts:

Click here: Halloween Ghost Applique Pin or Magnet

more Halloween - a crocheted skull
(wouldn't this be cool in glow-in-the-dark yarn?)
http://www.wonderlandblog.com/wonderland/2007/09/crochet-skull.html

a really cool crocheted bag:
The Amelia Bag - Crochet Pattern

a great looking hat:
http://jessicasuzanne.com/craftypants/category/free-patterns/


a beautiful crocheted bracelet
http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2007/07/crochet-beaded-bracelet_30.html

These last 2 items aren't really "freebies" but I thought I'd pass them along, anway

and if you remember last week's entry about knitting being hazardous to your health, here's someone else's view of the situation:
http://www.macclesfield-express.co.uk/news/barlow/s/1017693_congleton_hospital_dont_do_stitches

And for the marine biologist in you, here's an article about the crocheted Great Barrier Reef
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/ourtown/071004/crochet/


_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.