Freebie Monday April 27, 2009

I've spent so much time at work, I don't even have time to crochet. But I'm still crocheting when I can. Too bad I can't crochet with my feet.....

If you're in the Maryland area, the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival
is this coming weekend. There's a lot to look at (from sheep to
shawl, various exhibits of needlework with wool) and of course, lots
to buy - if you choose to. Currently they are calling for rain on the festival days, but that will probably change 6 times before Saturday. If you want to buy any of the festival gear (t-shirt, bag), I'd advise buying it online. The line is extremely long at the festival and while you're in line, waiting for your stuff, somebody else (maybe me) will be buying up all the good yarn and accessories. Admission is free
http://sheepandwool.org/

For those of you around Portland, Oregon, you might want to check out the Mandy Greer exhibit at the MCC - here's a little taste
http://www.fiberarts.com/back_issues/April-May-2009/mandy-greer.asp

This coral reef video shows the relationship between the math and the crocheted coral reef.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/margaret_wertheim_crochets_the_coral_reef.html


How to crochet a bunny nose (among other things)
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-crochet-bunny-nose/

Here's a cool beret pattern from Australia
http://cats-rockin-crochet.blogspot.com/2009/04/beret-with-simple-cross-stitch-free.h

How about having a ball? Here's a free Roxycraft toy pattern
http://www.roxycraft.com/crochet_play_ball.htm

This is cool looking - a v-stitch hat
http://www.crochetcabana.com/Patterns/Hats/sassy-stripes-double-v-hat.pdf

And here's what you could really use - a free crochet pattern from SweaterBabe
http://www.sweaterbabe.com/wwmag/

This is for a boy's fishing hat, but you could decorate it any way you wanted to
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2007/08/gone-fishin-boys-hat-c.html

The designer for this one (and she knows best, she designed it) said this is a great little doily. But I think it could make a great motif for an afghan. You check it out and decided for yourself.
http://www.jpfun.com/patterns/free/doilies/f111011simplysmall.shtml


This is so pretty - it's called "Mollie Flowers"
http://littlegreen.typepad.com/romansock/2009/04/mollie-flowers-the-tutorial.html

As usual, I receive no payola for listing these links. I will be at the Sheep and Wool and if they want to shower me with gifts I will take them, but I doubt that's going to happen;)

Stitches East

well. I worked the Discontinued Brand Name Yarn booth yesterday at Stitches (at the Baltimore Convention Center) and I had a blast. I proudly wore my "CGOA" pin on my Kimba shirt. The first part of the day I sat with Cheryl Potter of Cherry Tree yarns (http://www.cherryyarn.com/), author of "Skein For Skein". There were models for many of her designs - the "Ring of Supersox" was great. Yes, it was knitted, but it could be translated into a chrochet pattern. It was really cool to see garments made from the beautiful sock yarn of Cherry Tree Yarn. I talked about the call for designs and the "Sox" contest to the people coming into the show. I gave away small skeins of super wash merino and it was great. The second part of the day I restocked shelves and broke down boxes and that was great, too. I met so many nice people and had such fun talking to them. I got to look around the convention and see what the other vendors had for sale. I especially had fun picking my yarn out for payment. Oh, Sockotta:)
Lots of stuff for knitters and also a fair amount for crocheters. And of course, yarn doesn't care what you use it for. I was intrigued by a needle felted wool animal demonstration, but I managed to convince myself not to buy a kit. It was hard, but I already have too many hobbies (obsessions?).
So if you get a chance, go to the Stitches convention this weekend. It was a great birthday gift for me. And yes, I did get paid for the work, but the convention would still be great even if I hadn't gotten paid for it. I would have paid to go and spent more money, so it worked for me.