a couple days late....

Sorry for the delay. Between dealing with work and snow, things have been a little weird around here. (Okay, a little weirder than usual). My rosebushes as well as my bulbs have about 28 inches of snow on them. And we're expecting more tonight. I'm beginning to wonder if my daffodils will make it.

Hopefully, my daffodils will make it. But this is the only way I'm going to see any daffodils any time soon
http://www.favecrafts.com/Kitchen-Crochet/Daffodils-Bouquet-Crochet-Pattern

Here's another cat for you
http://tinyurl.com/yle74vr

I just bought some Bernat in the soft yellow and I think it would perfect to this
baby duck crochet pattern. I could add some yellow fun fur to it, but I'm not so sure that would be good for a baby. The fun fur seems to shed.
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-for-Baby/Baby-Duck-Crochet-Pattern

I seem to have toys on the brain - luckily here's a few more free patterns - a turtle
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/turtle_toy/turtle_toy_1.html

And a frog toy
http://www.caron.com/projects/w/frog.html

and a snake
http://www.caron.com/projects/ss/ss_coral_snake.html


And something cute but a little different, a stuffed star
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=329561.0


If you're on the east coast, you probably have need of a few more hats to keep yourself (or your loved ones) warm during this bout of "February Fury" as the Weather Channel is calling it so here's http://www.crochetme.com/Crochet-Hat-Patterns/ from CrochetMe

And you might need some mittens to go along with that hat. Bev's Country Cottage always has wonderful patterns- here's one for baby mittens
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/tod-mitts.html
and a pattern for a larger size
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/bevs-marvelous-mitts.html


Here's a peaked hat with ear flaps
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/glenmore/glenmore_1.html


I found this pattern absolutely fascinating and want to try it out...
a chain maile scarf
http://knitcidents.wordpress.com/2009/10/17/chain-maille-scarf-free-crocheting-pattern/

Here's an "autumn tunic" but there's no reason why you couldn't change the colors for a "winter tunic" or a "spring tunic"
http://www.caron.com/projects/ss/ss_autumn_tunic.html

Dogs have to be walked - even in the winter and the snow - and they can get cold. So here's a dog sweater pattern for you.
http://www.canine-kids.com/crochet-dog-sweater.html


This is an amazing looking scarf/belt
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/gallup/gallup_1.html

Or how about this pattern for crochet mittens and a hat from Bernat?
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Hats-Scarves-Gloves/Chunky-Crochet-Mittens-and-Scarf-from-Bernat#

If you missed the "Blessed Mother Prayer Shawl" from "Annie's Favorite Crochet" (December 2006), here's a chance for you to get the pattern. It is a wonderful work of art.
http://www.crochetmagazine.com/newsletters.php?mode=article&article_id=639&key=NL00


And how about a cute rainbow applique?
http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-rainbow-applique/


If you need a cute decoration for a baby shower gift, here's a quick crochet mittens gift topper
http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/crafts/crochet-mitten-gift-topper/


Here's a few quick ideas for Valentine's Day

Jewelry bag number 1
http://craftyarncouncil.com/sept98_crochproject.html

Jewelry bag number 2
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Bags/Pompon-Purselet-Crochet-Pattern-from-Caron-Yarn

and of course, some hearts.....

Here's crochet hearts ornaments
http://simplebeans.blogspot.com/2009/01/crochet-heart-ornament-pattern.html

This pattern says "Christmas" but you could do it for Valentine's Day
http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=0&d_id=527&lang=us

Again, this says "Christmas" but it could be done for Valentine's day
http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=104&d_id=46&lang=en

A treat from The Royal Sisters, Grandma's hearts
http://theroyalsisters.blogspot.com/2009/12/grandma-hearts-tutorial.html


Here's a quick one - a crochet heart bookmark
http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-heart-bookmark/


And that's all I have for today. I'm still working on my groundhog, I'm still working on the body part, about half finished. As usual, I get no gratuities from mentioning these sites. I'd accept them, but nobody's offering;)
Enjoy and I hope you keep warm

FM 10/19/09

This is the fish for Aidain. I basically followed the motif pattern, using 2 strands of worsted weight yarn instead of one and putting one extra row of single crochet between the each of the original patterns. Obviously, it made it much bigger. I used one skein of the Caron Simply Bright and the other skein was the Red Heart Banana berry. I crocheted the eyes and sewed them to the fish. I wasn't too thrilled with the eyes, but I didn't want to use felt or buttons/eyes simply because Aidain is only about 6 weeks old. But I still liked it.
I have another project lined up to do, but I want to make myself do a few little applique things prior to beginning the next crochet project. I wear a navy blur lab jacket for work and it's boring. So I bought a few from Ebay (I didn't want to do anything to the company supplied jacket) and decided to "pimp" the pockets. One lab jacket has pink ribbon appliques on it. I plan to iron on a pink rhinestone ribbon on the same pocket. The other plans are sunflower appliques and butterfly appliques. It occurred to me that I could crochet the items after I already purchased the appliques. I'm thinking I may get a few more and make a snowman applique to put on the pockets. But that's for later.

Now it's time for some free patterns:
A beautiful pattern from Noreen Crone-Findlay - a crochet wire bracelet
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/crocheted-wire-bracelet-with-vintage-button/


I may have posted this before - or maybe I didn't. But I liked it so here it is, a
flower blanket from Caron's website:
http://www.caron.com/projects/op/op_flower_throw.html

The Crochet Dude has a pink ribbin purse on his site - it's cute, check it out
http://blog.thecrochetdude.com/2009/10/02/free-purse-pattern-pink-ribbin.aspx


As always, if you have cats, you must have cat toys. Yeah, I know everything is a toy for cats, but this is really a crochet cat toy
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/09/just_a_few_yards_using_up_yarn_scraps.html?CMP=OTC-5JF307375954


It might be time for all of us who associate pine cones with winter holidays to start on this project from Planet M - crocheted pine cones
http://planetmfiles.com/2008/12/18/free-crochet-pine-cone-pattern/


Again, I'm not sure if I posted this or not, but I think it's fascinating. I'm trying to think in what lifetime I'd do all those little motifs but you never know -
crochet flower afghan from Berroco.
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/cyanne/cyanne.html


It's close to Halloween, bow about some ami bats
http://fuzzyfeetworks.blogspot.com/2009/10/free-amigurumi-bats-pattern.html

A few more projects from the Caron site:
a vest
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/aurora/aurora_1.html

and a sweater
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/cushman/cushman_1.html


Here's another bat pattern for you:
bat pattern
http://shala-beads.livejournal.com/202913.html
And here's a blog that does Sunday freebies you might want to check out. It's Itsybitsyspider Crochet, it has a lot of good information on this blog:
http://itsybitsyspidercrochet.blogspot.com/search/label/Free%20Patterns


The usual disclaimer applies - I receive no special consideration or renumration for posting these sites. I keep saying I'm not proud, I would accept it but I guess no one wants to insult my integrity;)

_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...

whoops

I've been bad. I don't have a good reason, so I'm not going to offer one. (I wasn't sick or saving the world or anything really).
Aidain's afghan is sewn together now. I have to add an edging to it to make it a bit bigger, but I do like the way it turned out. Yes, I definitely will take a picture of it and post it. It was fun, but I'd play around with the pattern for a differeneffect next time around.
that's it, I didn't want you to think I fell off the edge of the earth....

FM 2/16/09

Hello again - I got a lot of goodies for you today -

Margaret Hubert is a very talented designer. And from Lion Brand, a preview of Margaret Hubert's "Knit or Crochet -Have It Your Way" a pattern for a beautiful purse:
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/knitorcrochet2.html?noImages=

From Amy O'Neil Houck's "The Hook and I", directions on how to make a Valentine's Day hat. Yeah, it's late for Valentine's Day, but it's never to late to share the love.
http://www.thehookandi.com/

You may have seen this pattern on "Knit and Crochet Today". It's also from the very talented author of "The Hook and I" Any On'Neil Houck- crocheted socks
http://www.knitandcrochettoday.com/episodes/show205.html

Just in case you need a little pincushion - here's a cherry tomato pinchushion. Personally, I'd leave off the google eyes and the leaf, but that's me
http://www.orble.com/free-cherry-tomato-pincushion-crochet-pattern/

I don't think this is a repeat. If it is, I apolegize. Here's a list of one skein crochet projects
http://craftiblog.wordpress.com/crochet-one-skein-projects/

Mary Sue's Crochet News is available now:
http://news209.suescrochet.com/

For the threadies, a beautiful bright coaster
http://www.crochetmemories.com/archive/lorettaspattern.html

and a lot of doilies
http://www.momsloveofcrochet.com/doilypatterns.html

Caron scores again with a "Lattice Wrap"
http://www.caron.com/projects/ss_paints/lace_lattice_wrap.html

I crocheted penguins for my weeding topper, but maybe you like bunnies better - here's a bunny wedding couple
http://cache.lionbrand.com/printablePatterns/80306AD.pdf

I have no idea why I am fascinated with sock monkeys. But here's a sock monkey pattern
http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=41930

This is title a "granny square jacket" but the motifs are flowers, not the traditional squares of the granny square.
http://www.caron.com/projects/br/BR7_granny_jacket.html

This is great - a lovely chevron scarf pattern
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2006/03/my-chevron-scarf-pattern.html

As usual, I receive no endorsements from the folks listed. I'd take money or whatever, but than I'd have to pay taxes on it and it would be a pain;)

_enjoy_

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_

fm 2 weeks worth

*See "shameless plug" at the bottom of this post.

Sorry for disappearing last week. Blogger apparently was not happy and would not post this blog. I tried for a few days but I gave up Wednesday night. I had to worry about putting together a Thanksgiving dinner.

Okay, here's a mixed bag of freebies as well as interesting articles for you:


Want to whip up a quick gift? This dishcloth looks really cool. You could co-ordinate it to match your or someone else's kitchen. Who couldn't use more dishclothes?
Crochet Garterlac Dishcloth
Crochet Patterns Only - http://crochetpatternsonly.blogspot.com/

Want to know what Vickie Howell from "Knitty Gritty" is doing while she's not on tv? I mean, besides writing books and making personal appearances? She's got a blog where you can learn more about the show and Vickie:
http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com

Do you get inspiration from a photograph? This is beautiful, but the site says it can also be used as a wine bag. Would it be proper to put Boones Farm Strawberry wine in a $100 bag;)
check it out:
Christensen & Sigersen Crochet Purse Evening Bag
http://allwomenstalk.com/christensen-sigersen-crochet-purse-evening-bag/

Soap bags - despite the name of the blog, the soap bags are crocheted. They are pretty neat.
Simple Knits - http://simpleknits.blogspot.com/
Despite the name, it's crocheted. It's also beautiful.

If you getting a gift for a child this year, you might want to think about making it instead of buying it due to all the Chinese toys being recalled (and more every day). Check out this site for Caron Rainbow Bear
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e06095&categoryid=122011

Here's a site that haws a lot of free crochet toy patterns:

Click here: A Crochet Toy Chest: Retro Patterns

Here's something I think is unusual - a Darth Vader Tabasco cover - crocheted. I'm not a Tabasco eater, but I imagine it could be useful for somebody:
http://dayna.tdgservices.com/ShowPattern.aspx?PatternID=31

A brain slug is what I feel like somedays. Apparently, now I can crochet one:

Click here: crochetcrochet: free brain slug pattern

This site has patterns for some of the most amazing crocheted animals I have ever seen. The detail is wonderful - you have to see it.
http://littlegreen.typepad.com/romansock/

Here is the code for free shipping from Herrschners for orders over $35.00 until December 24, 2007: B12
www.herrschners.com

Want to make something a little different for yourself or a loved one? How about bead crocheting? Here's a tutorial from the "Beadwrangler" herself:
Click here: bead crochet dot com



*This is a shameless plug for my own Cafe' Press store:
http://www.cafepress.com/whitelionshop
And yes, if you buy something from this particular Cafe' Press store, I do make money off of it. I d0 _not_ make money off the other sites given. I would take a kickback, but nobody offers me one;)