FM 6/22/09

Summer has begun and I got the poison ivy to show for it;) It's a short one today, folks, as I got to get myself together for the rest of "crunch time" at work. Seems like that's every week....

I have 2 inspirations here for you, I thought they were pretty cool. Just something to get the mind moving on the hot humid summer days or the cold winter days, depending where you are in the world....
inspiration not a pattern
http://365acrochetodyssey.blogspot.com/2009/06/now-im-short-three.h

and
again, not a pattern but inspiration
http://crochetaday.blogspot.com/2009/06/bangles.html


I think this is so cool - I never can quite figure this out and here's a crochet tutorial for a yoyo afghan
http://sunshinescreations.vintagethreads.com/2009/06/yoyo-afghan-instructions-tutorial.html
June is a popular month for weddings. Even Barbie (okay, I know I should say "11 inch fashion doll" or however tall Barbie is, but we both know it's Barbie, a trademark of Mattel) is getting married and here's a gown for her: http://grandmothersdollhouse.com/?p=349

Not too much crochet for men for the wedding, but there is a crocheted bowtie (for a normal sized man) http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/06/how-to_crocheted_bow_tie.html?CMP=OTC-5JF307375954

More doll clothes - this time it's the Bratz clothes
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/crochet/doll-clothes.shtml

I liked this particular pattern as it's adaptable for whatever size baby blanket you wish to make
http://my-looming.blogspot.com/2009/06/crochet-baby-blanket_15.html


well, I told you it was a short one, I'll try to do a longer one next week. As usual, no one is paying me to post these links. I'd be happy to take some bucks (or really, maybe just some yarn needles. I have the feeling my kittens are stealing the yarn needles I am using to weave in the tails of my projects). Have a good week, don't party too much for Quebec Party Day..
_enjoy_

FM June 15, 2009

It's hot and sunny here, which means I _should_ be doing yard work but it's too hot and sunny;)
Here's this week's edition of Freebie Monday

This isn't a pattern but something you could use your scraps of yarn for - warning, it's probably not work safe or kid safe, but you can figure that out from the name....
http://www.clubthreadz.com/swimwear/2009/06/13/tie-side-crochet-thong-bottom/

Because it's hot and sunny, my sinuses aren't happy (they are never happy). The weather reports give information on the pollen count and now I know why my head is stuffy.
http://pepperberry.typepad.com/my_weblog/new-free-pattern/

There's something about a monkey - specifically a sock monkey pattern
http://www.qdpatooties.com/crochetedsockmonkeyptrn.htm

or maybe you'd like a smaller version of the sock monkey - a sock monkey bookmark
http://homepage.mac.com/coxsalida/CrochetPatterns/Personal6.html

Well, if you got to wash dishes, you might as well have a pretty dishcloth......
http://www.crochetspot.com/free-crochet-pattern-dishcloth-with-ridges/

It's Monday and I could use a belt - not this particular kind, but it will do - a belt pattern
http://crochet.craftgossip.com/post-stitch-belt-a-free-pattern-for-you/2009/06/03/

As you know, I have cats. I think this crochet cat might be a little easier on the house...
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977700987

Or how about a snow cat
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977701006

It's time for a turtle rattle
http://kristieskids.weebly.com/newest-patterns.html

Here's a bath mitt to wash up the kids after they have been playing all day....
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat13856&PRODID=xprd1006726

And of course, who couldn't use a teddy bear?
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat13856&PRODID=xprd811021

How to increase stitches like a pro by a pro - Vashti Braha
http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-to-increase-stitches-like-pro.html

As usual, I have not received any money, goods, yarn, special consideration or anything like that to post these sites. I'd take it, but apparently nobody has any goodies for me;)

_enjoy_

the winner is

V - for victory.
Please contact me with your email address at my email address so I can ship the book to you.

FM June 8, 2009 and RIP Mrs Donley

I was Ida Mae Donley's "senior beacon" which meant I was supposed to sent her no guilt mail - you know, cards for holidays, that sort of thing. The relationship evolved slowly until I felt I really got to know Mrs Donley (I could never bring myself to call her by her first name - she was older than my grandmother and it just didn't seem polite.) Mrs Donley was quite the quilter, even well into her late 90s. She would quilt lap quilts and walker bags for the other folks in the nursing home. Even though we didn't do the same type of handwork, the fact we both did handwork bonded us.
Mrs Donley passed away last week, at the age of 101 years old. Later today I will be attending her funeral. Granny squares and motifs are the closest thing crocheters have to quilt squares, so I thought I'd honor Mrs Donley's memory by just having all free patterns for those items.


How to crochet a granny square
http://www.crochetcabana.com/tutorials/granny_square.htm


A quarter granny square:
http://promotions.drgnetwork.com/newsletters/talkingcrochet/pages/TCNL2806_patt.html

a half a granny square
http://www.geocities.com/riverglorious/Patterns/halfgrannysquare.html

Off kilter granny
http://sofar-sogood.blogspot.com/2007/05/off-kilter-granny.html

Lacy Spoke motif
http://www.crochetmemories.com/archive/misc10.html

This site uses symbol crochet, no instructions
http://www.mypicot.com/qumo.html

This motif creates a star
http://cache.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=342

sunrise granny square
http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com/2009/02/sunrise-granny-square.html

Stuffed circle square
http://www.squidoo.com/freestuffedcircleafghansquarecrochetpattern

Heart square
http://www.crochetnmore.com/heartafghansquare2.htm

Fish afghan square
http://www.crochetnmore.com/fishafghansquare.htm

Little flower square
http://www.geocities.com/alyssa5000/flowersq.html\

The usual disclaimers apply (I didn't get paid to post these sites).
FYI I will name the winner of the book on Tuesday, June 9, 2009. Sorry for the delay but I'm not in the mood to pick a winner right now.
_Enjoy_

FM June 1, 2009

Happy Blogversary to me! It's been 4 years since I have been posting on Blogger. I did have a blog on AOL (same name) but I don't think anyone was reading it. Thanks Teresa and Teena!
Because this is my Blogversary, I will be having a drawing for the book "Hooked: A Crocheter's Stash of Wit and Wisdom". It's an interesting read with essays by all sorts of crocheters - Jennifer Hansen, Noreen Crone-Findlay, Amy O'Neil Houck and many more. Just leave a comment and I will draw the name next Sunday and announce the winner next Monday. Unless nobody replies, than whoever posts first will get it....


Not a pattern but Vashti Braha has an excellent resource on tunisian / afghan stitch. I learned to do it when I was younger, but I really haven't done too much with the stitch. But this post made me rethink the tunisian stitch
http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/2009/05/fun-with-tunisian-crochet-aka-afghan.html

Double stitch crochet along inspired by Double Stitch: Designs for the Crochet Fashionista, a new book by Erika and Monika Simmons
http://doublestitch.blogspot.com/2009/05/north-suburban-knit-out-crochet-too.html

I would have never thought of this, but this lady makes crochet hats out of plastic bags
http://www.kfvs12.com/Global/story.asp?S=10439785&nav=menu51_2

Here's a crochet dog sweater pattern for your pooch:
http://crochetsoiree.blogspot.com/2009/05/free-patten-friday-dog-sweater.html


It's a bit warmer here in the US and this "brain freeze" pattern from the Crochet Dude might come in handy...
http://blog.thecrochetdude.com/2009/05/26/new-free-pattern--brain-freeze.aspx


A lovely crochet flower for you
http://debs1967.blogspot.com/2009/05/spiked-center-flower-applique-motif.html

Interweave giving away knitting, beading and quilting patterns. No, I don't know they don't have free crochet patterns, but it's a good question
http://www.knittingdaily.com/


Check this out - Monica Kennedy has a great website and has free patterns for round ripple afghans - this one is gorgeous
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977688297&grpId=3659174697252379

and she even has a preemie ripple pattern
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?grpId=3659174697252379&articleId=281474977270508&nav=Groupspace

And she has video tutorials on how to crochet
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977696244

This is really cute - it's Suzetta Williams Hat of the Month
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2009/05/suzies-fruit-cap-june-hotm-c.html

And last, but certainly not least, Crochet Corner has their first bimonthly issue out - you can read it here:
http://www.crochetmemories.com/newsletters/newsletter.html

And of course, I've received no economic incentive to post any of these sites....
_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_

Freebie Monday May 18, 2009

Hello again. I finally finished the baby afghan and have to finish the pink and white turtle that goes with it. Actually, all I have to do is embroider a face, stuff it and sew it together, not that big a deal. But it's crunch time at work so I'm not sure if I'll finish it this week...

Let's start out with a few blogs to check out:

This is Prudence Mapstone's blog about a scumble a week
http://prudencemapstone.blogspot.com

In case you are interested in recycling your plastic bags into "plarn" - plastic yarn, here's a blog about that
http://plastiqrecreation.blogspot.com/

Not a pattern, but a cool blog...
http://thisyearsdozen.wordpress.com/

Vickie Howell has a new crochet book out and here's an interview with her
http://naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com/2009/05/crochet-conflab-with-vickie-howell.htm


The next three links are from Vashti Braha's blog - the first two are about crocheting with wire
http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/2009/05/free-crochet-pattern-for-mothers-day.html
http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/2009/05/using-crochet-jewelry-with-wire-free.html
and this link explains how to keep your crochet inspirations in a reasonable order. I'll write thoughts for patterns on a scrap of paper. I'll lose the scrap and find it much later, when I can't quite remember what I was trying to do. This is a much more formal way to keep track of inspiration, but my informal way isn't helping me.
http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-journal-about-your-crochet-ideas.html


This was a tough winter in many ways. My houseplants got hit hard because it got cold and stayed cold early on. I lost a lot of cacti, unfortunately. But now I can crochet a few to brighten my work area - it's really cute.
http://amigurumipatterns.blogspot.com/2007/11/thank-you-little-cactus.html


If you're old enough, you may remember the ads for the "crazy daisy loom" on tv. You could order an afghan kit that included a flower loom. Now you may be able to pick them up at a yard sale or thrift store (or E-bay). Noreen Crone-Findlay has a tutorial on "vintage" flower looms. ("Vintage"?! I guess that makes me "vintage", too)
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/how-to-make-flowers-on-vintage-flower-looms/

I knew my younger niece was pregnant, but until today I didn't know if she was having a girl or a boy. I suspected she was having a boy and I was right. Now I got to figure out another boy baby afghan (I've made 2 baby boy afghans for her already)...so I'm thinking, maybe this will be the next baby afghan?
http://crochetme.com/patterns/dont-be-square-granny

or this?
http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/projects/animals.html
I don't know yet. I have to think some more about this. I've got until August, so hopefully something will impress me..
I could make a crochet bib, but that would have to be extra because I did make the other 2 boys and afghan.....
http://crochettogo.blogspot.com/2009/03/crocheted-bib.html

That's it for Freebie Monday this week. As usual, I do not get a penny from mentioning any of these people or any of these sites. I'm willing to be bribed, but who has the money for that these days;)

_enjoy_