FM July 27, 2009

Hello again. My tomatoes are just beginning to ripen, the daylilies are still blooming and the roses are (surprise) still blooming. Usually by this time, the heat has caused them to blow out. And speaking of roses.....

Here's a crochet flower pin with button
http://craftapalooza.typepad.com/crafted/2009/07/crochet-button-flowers.html

that is based on Lion Brand crochet roses
http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=492&language=

and to top it off, Lion Brand's pattern for an Irish lace crochet shawl
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/80771AD.html?noImages=
Pretty cool, huh?

There was a list of amigurami toys and tutorials posted here:
http://amilist.blogspot.com/http://amilist.blogspot.com/

I happened upon this blog by accident, but thought the blogger had a great idea - check it out
http://nikkishell.typepad.com/wardroberefashion/2009/07/thank-you-crochet.html

I know some people wear hats all the time, so if you're in the middle of summer or winter, this is a lightweight crochet beanie tutorial
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/lightweight_crochet_beanie

Or how about something you can wear anytime - a crochet headband
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/07/craft_pattern_podcast_crochet_4.html


I've posted M's Bailey's beautiful work before, here is more of it (no patterns, just beautiful photos)
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/07/crochet_art_exhibit_from_xenob.html

If you're in the Lauderhill Florida section of the world, you might want to check this out http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2009/jul/23/star-wars-exhibition
Not quite sure why it's referenced by a British publication, but why not?


Paton has some new free patterns posted
http://www.patonsyarns.com/pattern.php?NEW_PATTERNS=1


Well, that's it for me for today. I hope you have a good week

_enjoy_

FM July 20, 2009

Hello, everyone. Somebody must have Googled Google and tied up the internet because I had a difficult time finding that much to use this week. Outside of that, things have been fine, weather very pleasant and not too much drama...

Here we go it's an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini fridge magnet. (If you are of a certain age, you may have heard that song.)
http://www.crochetmemories.com/archive/free-sizzling-bikini-fridgie.html


I thought this was very pretty, a felted comfort doll.
http://crochetme.com/patterns/felted-comfort-doll


I know, we have some time before Christmas, but maybe it's time to start working on Christmas stuff. Here's a crochet felted pickle (this is a German tradition, I really know nothing about it) to put on your Christmas tree.
http://felting.craftgossip.com/2009/07/15/felted-knit-and-crochet-pickles-with-patterns-christmas-in-july/

Ad while you're working on small projects, here's a handy one - a crochet kitchen scrubby
http://sylverdesigns.blogspot.com/2008/11/super-duper-kitchen-sponges-free.html


This is cute - a whale boy toy
http://www.piece-by-piece.net/Crochet/whaleboy.htm


In honor of the 40th anniversary of the moon walk, that actually happened on July 20, 1969, a rocket ship. (yes it's free, just read it all the way thru):
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26679170

And what you didn't see on the moon - an alien
http://www.crochetme.com/patterns/curious-alien

Or how about an alien applique pattern
http://debs1967.blogspot.com/search?q=alien

Extension on 1000 hats project

In case you haven't had a chance to participate in Annie Modesitt's 1000 hats project, the deadline has bee extended to August 15, 2009.
check it out
http://1000fabulousknithats.com/

FM July 13, 2009

Hi, again. I must have really been slacking off because it took me until last week to realize I did not post July's "What Day Is It?". Sorry about that, folks. I've been in a bit of a crochet rut, just keep making preemie hats. There's nothing wrong with making preemie hats, but I need to push myself to do something that requires a bit more thinking. Maybe I will finally decide on the baby afghan pattern for the upcoming great nephew. Whatever I decide, I am sure to be shopping my stash for a few reasons - I got a ton of stash but I don't have a ton of money;) (just like everyone else out there, unless maybe Donald Trump reads this blog, which I doubt).
Enough with the silliness, on with the freebies.

I really like this heart afghan. I'm a little sorry I seen it because now I'm thinking "yes, that would be good for the next great nephew" and I already got a few thoughts on what I want to make for him. This one might win based on the requirements. I'll keep you updated.
www.premieryarns.com/patterns.php?id=110

Here's a pattern (with corrections) for pineapple socks. I wonder how they would look in the multicolored sock yarn I currently have in my stash?
http://loveyarn1984.blogspot.com/2009/06/pattern-for-pineapple-socks.html


I generally use a sponge, but they get smelly _quick_. And I do have a few knitted dishclothes from exchanges but they seem too pretty to use. Maybe I'd feel different if I made my own. Plus it would be quick and relatively easy to break me out of the preemie hat rut.....
http://crochet.about.com/od/freecrochetpatterns/ss/Openwork_Dishcloth_Pattern.htm?nl=1


I thought this was pretty cool, but it sort of reminded me of a giant scrubby pad. See photo 3 for a crochet wire chair.
http://www.shelterpop.com/2009/07/06/the-best-of-2009-student-design/


Berroco is having a contest using their sock yarns. And you don't have to make socks to enter, you can try something different with your sock yarn stash. For example, a crocheted dodecahedron
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/celestine_crochet/celestine_crochet.html


I know June has passed and that is a popular month for weddings. But people get married other months. Here's a pattern for a crocheted garter.
http://froggedknits.blogspot.com/2008/06/stephanies-crocheted-wedding-garter.html


This is pretty cool - a spiral afghan.
http://www.caron.com/projects/op/op_spirals_throw.html



For smaller kids than mine are (my "baby" will be 28 this week) here's a counting fish toy (you may have seen it in the craft stores as a freebie).
http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/BabyChild/LW1593+Crochet+Counting+Fish+Toy.htm


Again, a tutorial on ripple crochet from Teresa "Learn to Crochet". She does amazing tutorials.
http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com/2009/07/ripple-crochet-playlist.html

That's all I got for today. Nope, no kickbacks from anybody to mention their sites or products - who has that kind of money;)

_enjoy_

FM July 6, 2009

It's actually very pleasant here for July. No air conditioning on, just a few fans. It doesn't seem quite right but I'm happy to reduce the gas and electric bill whenever I can....
Now on with the show

Dee Staniziano is hosting a murder mystery crochet along
http://crochetwithdee.blogspot.com/2009/06/murder-mystery-crochet-project.html

and Annie Modesitt has extended the deadline for her hat contest. You got a little bit of time, plus a hat is small and won't make you sweat. contest (yes, it does include crochet, I checked)
http://1000fabulousknithats.com/

Interested in the modified front post crochet stitch - here's a video tutorial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mdpcjl6x0Y

Saving your best yarn? Here's an essay about why you shouldn't
http://crochetliberationfront.wordpress.com/2009/07/03/saving-the-best-yarn-for-later-why/


And speaking of the Crochet Liberation Front, here's an interview with Laurie Wheeler of Crochet Liberation Front
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/profile-laurie-wheeler-fearless-leader-clf/

A bag is also a good thing to work on during the summer (or actually anytime), quick and easy
http://crochetncrafts.com/overtheshouldercrochetbag.html

Crochet Spot has some free patterns (and you get a pattern for a crobot when you sign up)
http://www.crochetspot.com/category/free-crochet-patterns/

Teresa is having a drawing at her always great site, Learn to Crochet
http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com/2009/06/crochet-giveaway-11.html

And now for something completely different, some free vintage crochet patterns
http://craftybegonia.blogspot.com/2009/07/free-vintage-crochet-patterns.html

As usual, no pay for me for posting this stuff. I'd be happy to accept it in almost any form, but nobody is coughing up any bribes.
_enjoy_

FM June 29, 2009

It's been hot and humid, but what else can you expect from Baltimore in the summer? I had some plans to work on some crochet, it just didn't pan out. You know how life is, sometimes a few days attack you at once;)

I thought this was weird - and no, it's _not_ Lady Linoleum's crocheted eyeball
http://www.instructables.com/id/Crocheted-Eyeball/

here's a crochet class being given online by Planet June at Crochetville. I don't know if there's a chanrge but I'm sure it's worth checking out if you can.
http://www.planetjune.com/blog/crochet-class-african-violets/

I know in this section of the country, it's too warm to wear a hat. But Olivia's butterfly hat is great, check out the pattern.
http://vallieskids.blogspot.com/2009/06/olivias-butterfly.html


And since we're looking at hats, how about a baby hat?
http://chickenstitches.blogspot.com/2009/05/baby-in-bloom-hat.html

I thought this flower motif square was pretty cool.
http://craftybegonia.blogspot.com/2009/06/flowerful-crochet-motif-and-sumer-shell.html

And this one is a majestic flower motif by Teresa
http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com/2009/06/majestic-crochet-flower-motif-bullion.html

Noreen Crone-Findlay discusses clutter
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/surrendering-to-the-joys-of-studio-clutter/

Here's a pattern for a Granny's attic afghan
http://www.crochetmagazine.com/newsletters/pages/TCNL2009_patt1.html

Here's Mr/Ms chubby bunny really cute
http://zoriami.blogspot.com/2008/07/first-free-pattern.html

Yeah, it is too warm to wear a scarf, I agree. But it's a crochet ice cream cone scarf
http://cats-rockin-crochet.blogspot.com/2008/04/crochet-ice-cream-cone-scarf.html

This seems unbelievable to me, but apparently there is a pattern for a hat for a cat. I thought it was for a pattern of a hat that looks like a cat. if you make this, I hope you have a very tolerant cat or very good health insurance
http://www.wikihow.com/Crochet-a-Cat-Hat

As usual, no special consideration is received for the mention of any of these sites. The local emergency rooms would probably prefer I don't mention the cat hat site, but your cat might be more co-operative than mine.
By the way, Happy Canada Day as well as Happy 4th of July!
_enjoy_

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_