2/1/10

In this neck of the woods, we got 7 inches of a "light dusting of snow". Plus it's _cold_, in the teens. Not exactly the most pleasant weather in the world. But being able to stay inside and drink tea and crochet is great:) I just hope the bulbs that are just to pop out of the ground don't freeze.

Unless you have been living under a rock, you have heard about the earthquake in Haiti. It will take _years_ for Haiti to get something close to normal. Etsy has a special section for selling items to benefit Haiti - it's called Hearts for Haiti and this is the site. Check it out:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartsforHaiti?ga_search_query=Haiti+Relief&ga_search_type=all&ga_page=&order=date_desc&includes[0]=tags&includes[1]=title&page=3



I don't know if you follow the blog, "This Year's Dozen" but it's pretty cool. Chesk out the granny squares she's completed so far:
http://thisyearsdozen.wordpress.com/2010/01/24/more-squares-finished-squares-61-98-101-76-78/

And along with the granny squares, here's a rainbow outline granny square pattern.
http://crochet.about.com/od/freecrochetpatterns/a/Rainbow_Outlines_Granny_Square.htm


And just because February has Valentine's Day in it, here's a granny square heart pattern
http://theroyalsisters.blogspot.com/2009/12/grandma-hearts-tutorial.html

And, of course, another heart pattern from Planet M Files:
http://planetmfiles.com/2010/01/26/free-crochet-heart-pattern/

Maybe you call your honey your "love monkey" (or maybe you don't). Either way, here's a cute amigurumi monkey pattern
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Amigurumi/Monkey-Amigurumi-Crochet-Pattern-from-Caron-Yarn


And though I am freezing right now and can't think of what I'd use fingerless gloves for, this is still a very pretty pattern
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/aqualina/aqualina_1.html



How about trying out cables in a limited way - here's a crochet cable purse
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Bags/Cable-Purse-Crochet-Pattern-from-Caron-Yarn#



And if your feet are freezing, here's some crocheted slippers
http://bohemianmermaid.blogspot.com/2010/01/crochet-slippers-pattern.html

Another lovely pattern from Caron - a scarf - Pandores scarf
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/paradores/paradores_1.html


That all for me this week. I hope you are staying comfortable - not too cold and not too warm, just right. As usual, I don't get any favors for posting these links.

_Enjoy_

FM 10/5/09

Greetings, everyone. I finally finished Aidain's afghan, still got to make a toy fish to go with it, but that shouldn't be so difficult. I would do a few things differently the next time around. One thing I would have made as many rows of fish as it took to make the size I wanted. I had a devil of a time trying to edge the fish side part of the afghan. I tried to single crochet it, trying to make everything the same height. I made half fish, which did not work as well as I had planned. I made difficult colored whole fish and couldn't get it to work the way I want. As you can see, I went back to the single crochet edging. I would have sewn the fish with a little more ease in the seam. Or maybe I would have crocheted them together. I plan to play with the pattern at a later date to see what I could have done differently. Maybe make some really big fish by increasing the stitches in the motif. (This is Braveheart testing the afghan for softness.) I made it with an H hook, using Caron's Simply Brights for the fish motifs and the trim is in Red Heart Banana Berry. I might post some more pictures later on in the week.

Anyway, here's what I got this week:


For the Canadians who will be celebrating Thanksgiving next week,
here's a turkey pattern form Planet M
http://planetmfiles.com/2008/11/11/free-crochet-turkey-pattern/

I thought these were lovely, especially the shade of the mitts.
Suzie's butterfly mitts
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2009/09/suzies-butterfly-mitts-c.html

and Here's the hat to go with it
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2009/07/suzies-butterfly-garden-cap-c.htm


I'm thinking of a fish to match the afghan, I might use this pattern but make it in the various colors of the afghan instead of just gold colored. here it is - a
goldfish amigurumi
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Amigurumi/Goldfish-Friends-Amigurumi#


And as you know, I love bunnies. I love making toys, so this is a natural fit for me - a bunny amigurumi
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Amigurumi/Love-Bunnies-Crochet-Amigurumi


Donate a scarf, get 20% off at Lion Brand. Too bad this is for the New
York store only.
http://www.lionbrandyarnstudio.com/lionStudioBlog/?p=1977

cool spider coasters
http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/Seasonal/WC1939+Spiderweb+Coasters+and+Halloween+Table+Center.htm


maybe your dog has a Halloween party coming up, you may want to check this out:
http://www.caron.com/projects/op/op_hotdog_coat.html

That's it. As usual, nobody exchanged money or goods for being mentioned here. They know I'll list it anyway, so what's the use of bribing me. Although I really could go for a turkey sandwich...

FM 8/24/09

Sorry, folks. I didn't intend to take off last week, but it happened. For some insane reason, I thought I could squeeze this out during the week, forgetting I just came back from vacation and had a ton of work to catch up on - as well as a ton of email to sift through. Has anyone else won the Irish Sweepstakes;) I've won 868,702 pounds which is $1,433,865.58 in US currency (as of right now). I don't even remember playing the Irish Sweepstakes. How strange. Do I have to go to Ireland and pick it up? And how many yarn shops do they have there? I think I would be doing some serious stash building with that kind of money.



Wheat Carr is doing a "yarnquest project" that will award a prize as well as discount coupons for her internet store. I intend to send some of my "vintage yarn" in, Check it out at
http://tinyurl.com/WWW-Project.


Rachel Choi does it again with a cute crocheted baby cocoon
http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-basic-baby-cocoon/

and a cute bookmark
http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-fish-in-ocean-bookmark/


Do you remember the late night ads for all those great K-Tel products? I never bought any of them new but I have picked up one or two in a thrift shop. Noreen Crone-Findlay has a review of the K-Tel Knitter, which I purchased in a thrift shop with a bag of sewing notions. Now I know what it is.

http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/a-very-stupid-gadget-but-wait-theres-less/


as well as an interview with crochet designer arty Miller.
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/profile-crochet-designer-marty-miller/

Annie Modesitt is still looking for hats - so check it out, you still have a little bit of time.
http://www.anniemodesitt.com/newsletter/

How about a cowl vest by Caron?
http://www.caron.com/projects/ss/cowl_vest.html

Mary Sue's Crochet Newsletter is ready to read:
http://news809.suescrochet.com/


I love the Planet M Files blog. I love seeing all those cute crocheted guinea pigs lined up. Here's a free pattern for "Crochet Monkey Two" by Gayle of Plant M Files
http://planetmfiles.com/2008/09/03/crochet-monkey-two/


I thought this was cute, an angel pig, just perfect for my sister-in-law for Christmas
http://www.angelsezine.com/2009/08/14/crochet-an-angel-pig/">http://www.angelsezine.com/2009/08/14/crochet-an-angel-pig/



This is a really cool crochet bag pattern by Kathy Merrick
http://www.knittingdaily.com/media/p/31016.aspx


Free e-book of crochet patterns. Nope, don't know anything about it, but it looks interesting
http://www.bignews.biz/?id=810338&keys=crochet-patterns-ebook-aghans


Check this out - crochet using embroidery thread. I had a girlfriend that did that back in high school. I think it's lovely and that means I got a lot more stash for crocheting than I previously did.
http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2009/8/17/wren-handmade-crocheted-bracelets.html


I've been looking for a pattern sort of like this - a crochet half moon bag
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=92096.0


The Crafty Chameleon is showing what she is crocheting to adorn her clothes - pretty cool.All her flowers have names
http://thecraftycameleon.blogspot.com/


"CrochetMe" and reading crochet diagrams
http://e1.interweave.com/dm?id=7F961284108FB5A81DFBB2454E5EF49F77AE180CF45FB311


As usual, I do not get any compensation for mentioning these sites. I would be willing to be bribed, but heck, with my big winnings, I don't need bribery;)

_enjoy_

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_

FM April 6, 2009

It's April and it's Monday, so it must be time for Freebie Monday....


Last week I had a pattern for the cat from "Kiki's Delivery Service" - this week it's Kiki herself
http://web.me.com/michael2k/KISS/The_Home_Hub/Entries/2009/3/2_Kiki_and_Her_First_Outfit.html

Need a quick gift or maybe just some silliness in your life? I'm often tempted to bring finger puppets into work just for a laugh, but maybe they would haul me away to the funny farm. But maybe I'd start with these spring finger puppets
http://crochetuncut.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87

Or how about funky pigs?
http://www.premieryarns.com/patterns.php?id=96

This is really cute, in a "Frankenbunny" kind of way. Check it out...
http://zodwollopp.webs.com/frankenbunnypattern.htm

For those of you who work in thread, this is a lovely Irish rose doily
http://www.albany.edu/~ef8043/irish.htm

I keep saying I'm going to make a rectangular granny square - maybe I should try this pattern...
http://crochetliving.blogspot.com/2007/09/37-year-old-rectangle-granny-afghan.html

This is a great pattern for a v-stitch hat
http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com/2009/03/v-stitch-crochet-summer-hat.html

And because Passover is coming up, here's a crocheted yarmulke
http://www.purlbee.com/crocheted-passover-yarmulke/

I love flower patterns and this pansy pattern from Planet M is beautiful. And yes, I do agree, guinea pigs are very cute. And I do like her crocheted representation of a guinea pig better than I like the one I made up....
http://planetmfiles.com/2009/04/04/free-pansy-crochet-pattern/

Remember the VHS clutch purse I said I was going to make? I got so frustrated with it, I put the tape away for now....but maybe I could handle a VHS tape mouse pattern
http://mycraftblog.today.com/2009/03/30/free-vhs-tape-mouse-crochet-pattern/

or better yet, a VHS tape bunny pattern
http://www.orble.com/free-vhs-tape-bunny-crochet-pattern/

This is very interesting for those of you who want to work with crochet diagrams - how to make crochet diagrams using Adobe
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/04/how-to_make_crochet_diagrams_u.html

TIme to spruce up the house? Maybe you can try these crochet bath accesories
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/55591_crochet-patters-bath-accessories

I've seen a few butterflies this week and they made me think of these butterfly accessories
http://grandmotherspatternbook.com/?p=795

As usual, I get no money for posting these sites. I feel like I should say it every week just in case somebody's thinking "hey, why did she post that free pattern and not mine?" I post what I like but more importantly what I find.
_enjoy_