more coral reefer madness

okay, deBBie, where in the world are you? I really want to send your book, but I need an address....please contact me...

I turned in 17 pieces of crochet coral reef to the Smithsonian last Sunday. They had Margaret Wertheim there to discuss how the installation will go, where it will be in the Smithsonian (the museum with the big elephant). It was pretty cool...
Anyway, here's some more coral reef I did

large striped coral

all the coral reef together

hairy coral

Dazzle coral

so there is some more of it. The first one I posted in my last post, the green one, escaped the fate of the others - it was hiding in the dryer with the dryer ball. I ran it thru the dryer on air to dehair it...
_enjoy_

FM 8/10/09

The picture above was taken at the Toy Museum at Natural Bridge, Virginia. They have a lot of modern toys (South Park, Teenage Mutant Turtles, Barbies) but these are the only two toys that appear to be hand made from yarn. I don't know if the stitching in the larger doll shows up well but it looked like a combination of knit and crochet. The little yarn doll is similar to the thread dolls Noreen Crone-Findlay makes.http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/busting-stress-with-old-time-thread-dolls/


I'm back. I went to Virginia for a couple of days, got a picture of me and my honey with a tiger cub. I have to post it sometime, got to figure out to work ii in;)
The weather is great, the avocado pit is growing and all is right with the world. Okay, with my world. I plan to go shopping (in my stash) a little later to get the yarn I want for a project. I think I have more yarn than A.C. Moore and Michaels combined. The last few times I was at either place, I didn't buy any yarn at all. That's how you know the economy is in the toilet. I'd like to lie and say "oh no, I was not going to buy yarn at all" but why lie? I just couldn't find anything I liked in either store. I know, that's _weird_. Anyway....


How much yarn do you need for a project? I can't ever figure it out. And don't even try to go back and get the same lot number. But Lion Brand has figured it out:
http://www.lionbrand.com/faq/96.html?language=-En

Not a pattern, but an article about the stress reducing benefit of crocheting (and knitting). I know I always feel better after I crochet.
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet/Knitting-and-Crochet-Tote-Releases-Stress

This is a very cute blog and video - check it out.
Fridge Critters: Where the Wild Things GO
http://woowork.blogspot.com/2009/08/fridge-critter-chelsea-chicken.html


There is a lot of tutorials on this site for almost anything you could need.
http://www.crochetsoiree.com/objects/view/30832/

How about a really cute granny square by SmoothFox?
http://smoothfoxlover.blogspot.com/2009/08/smoothfoxs-cute-as-button-12-x-12.html

The "snuggie" is a bit deal though it probably won't be at the fall fashion shows;) They have even had a "Snuggie Pub Crawl" in Fells Point. (Of course I didn't go - I would have tripped over the snuggie;)) Here's an adult snuggle pattern and you can make it any color you want.
http://www.coatsandclark.com/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=34&page_id=9439232&query=adult+snuggle&hiword=ADULTES+ADULTS+SNUGGLING+SNUGGLY+adult+snuggle+


Yeah, it's August and in my part of the world, summer is drawing to a close. But you can always use a summertime tote
http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/Magazines/CTJune0892+Summertime+Tote.htm


I thought this was really an amazing afghan - a personalized baby afghan Kim Guzman
http://www.crochetkim.com/patterns/perbaby.htm

But honestly, this is my pick for my great-nephew's afghan. I have looked thru books and online to find something I wanted to do that would be different than what I did for his two older brothers. So (drum roll please), a fish motif by by Eboni A. Francis and it looks fun and challenging. I will be sure to post a photo of it when I finish it (first I have to begin....). It's a fish motif.
http://in-a-pear-tree.blogspot.com/2008/08/crochet-fish-motif-finally.html


And just in case you want to know more about tessellations, here's a website for you
http://www.tessellations.org/

That wraps it up for this week. Of course, no economic stimulus passed my way for listing the sites. I'd take it but no one is offering anything - not even used Popsicle sticks.

_enjoy_

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 1/5/09

Hello again. I think I'm a bit cranky (I _still_ have the stinky old boot) and out of sorts. Even the new issue of Interweave Press "Crochet" didn't impress me that much. Except, of course for Amy O'Neill Houck's stunning "Alpine Frost Scarf". If that doesn't impress you, well....you probably shouldn't read the rest of this because you won't be impressed by the listings here. Another reason I'm cranky is this new law that's supposed to take effect February 10, 2009. (No, it's not the HD tv thing.) I make preemie hats for the University of Maryland NICU as well as make afghans and small baby toys for the folks I know. I know child safety is _extremely_ important but I think this law may be going a bit too far. Plus no one seems to know how to intepret it. Can I still make preemie hats? Do I have to stop making baby afghans? Nobody seems to know. You may want to check this out for yourself....
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/handmade-childrens-items-unintended-consequences-consumer-pr-3056/

Vanna's Choice Contest - it's not free because you have to make
something using Vanna's Choice Yarn, but still, a contest is a contest.....
http://vannaschoice.com/

This is a great read - Vashi Braha's "Crochet Manifesto"
http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/2009/01/2009-crochet-manifesto.html

On with the freebies:

How about a spiral clown
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/found/clopat.html


Teresa from "Art of Crochet" has a mitten pattern
http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com/2008/12/blog-post.html


For some reason, I find lobsters funny - this one is no exception
http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/BabyChild/WR1730+Crochet+Little+Lobster+and+Baby+Mermaid.htm

Here's a fox pattern:
http://falwyn.wordpress.com/2008/11/29/little-fox-pattern/

24 point (yes, I said _24_) round ripple
http://inspiredcrochetdesign.blogspot.com/2008/05/24-point-round-ripple.html


Here's a crochet necklace tutorial
http://creatresscreations.blogspot.com/2008/12/crochet-necklace-tutorial.html

I have changed this particular item because it is _not_ free. I got this very nice email and I want to share it with all:
"Akua Lezli Hope has left a new comment on your post "FM 1/5/09":

Thanks for including me, but the bird pin pattern isn't free.
However, my Hope's Birds pattern,
http://zencrochet.blogspot.com/2009/01/hopes-birds-published.html, is
at
http://www.lulu.com/content/5513282l

Please check this one out. Thank you, Akua Lezli Hope for pointing this out to me and also sending me another link. I apolegize for any inconveinence this has caused for anyone.


And a cute crocheted pouch by Moonglow
http://www.orble.com/free-valentines-day-silverware-pouchdoggie-bag-crochet-pattern/

Do you or someone you know use a walker or a wheelchair? (Sounds like a tv ad for a medical supply place) Here's a crocheted tote for wheelchair / walker
http://crochet-patterns-techniques.suite101.com/article.cfm/wheelchairadapted_crocheted_tote_bag

"Savannah Shawl" on the Caron site
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/savannah/savannah_1.html

This is really cute - a "Little Miss Peanut" doll
http://yarn-pixie.blogspot.com/2008/12/little-miss-peanut-free-crochet-pattern.html

Of course, I get no kickbacks, payola, money, gifts or gratuities from anyone I have mentioned. I'd take them but nobody's offering.
_Enjoy_

fm 10/6/08

Here it is Monday again. I really truly mean to post days other than for Freebie Monday, but life gets in the way. Here's today's offerings:

Pattern Making has two lovely designs - one is a beautiful afghan
http://www.pattern-making.com/crochet/afghan-sea-shells/
and the second is for granny square slippers for the whole family:
http://www.pattern-making.com/crochet/granny-square-crochet-slippers/

Since it's October, pumpkins seem to be a primary decoration. Here's a filet pumpkin chart:
http://stylish-crochet.blogspot.com/2008/09/filet-crochet-pumpkin-chart-3.html

or maybe you'd prefer a few amigurumi pumpkin patterns:
http://planetmfiles.com/2008/10/04/free-crochet-pumpkin-pattern-or-two/


Or to get into the fall mood (and warm up a bit), here's a falling leaf afghan pattern:
http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/AfghansThrows/WR1039+Falling+Leaves+Afghan.htm

Red Heart has a website for the free patterns that come on the ball bands. So if you misplace that pattern (or maybe you never seen it), here's a place for you to check out:
http://www.redheart.com/patterns.html

Somebody out there has finished the Lion Brand crochet along and has a photo of her finished sampler - check it out, it's very pretty:
http://outtahere.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/its-finished/

Have you been looking for a Cthulhu pattern? Here's one for you and the wings look great.
http://cthulhucrochet.blogspot.com/2008/09/theyre-breeding-like-rabbits.html

Wormie has put her free patterns on one blog - Wormie's Pattern Place:
http://wormiespatternplace.blogspot.com/

This isn't a pattern but it may give you some ideas to do with plain t-shirts:
http://bonnindesigns.blogspot.com/2008/10/adding-zing-to-t-shirts-with-crochet.html

Here's another site that has free patterns - Sue's Crochet and Knitting patterns
http://crochetandknitting.com/patterns.htm

Noreen Crone-Findlay makes another appearance in this blog with her "Around the World" baby sweater and hat for Caron. Very cute:
http://www.caron.com/projects/ss/ss_around_world.html

As usual, I am not being financially supported by bribes or gifts by any of the sites I have mentioned. I keep waiting, but I think everybody's just too broke to do it;) - maybe when the economy takes an upturn;)

_enjoy_

FM 5/12/08

This ia a pattern for crocehting the Lorenzo manifold. I know, you're thinking "what is the Lorenzo manifold?" You've most likely have seen it but don't know that name for it:
http://www.enm.bris.ac.uk/anm/preprints/2004r03.pdf


Remember Bjork, with her crocheted outfits and of course the famous swan dress. Bjork is back now with pompoms, apparently the new cool thing. I hardly make pompoms, to be honest with you.
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/features/Pompoms-can-save-the-planet.4051774.jp
http://debscrafts55.blogspot.com/2008/04/baby-bumpy-booties.html


I know, it's too late for Mother's Day but maybe you can squeeze it in for graduation day or a birthday:
http://rsislandcrafts.blogspot.com/2008/02/crocheted-long-stem-roses-free-pattern.html


This isn't a pattern, but it is a Stella McCartney crochet purse. It is quite expensive, perhaps M's McCartney crocheted it herself? Take a look at this purse and see if you think it's worth over a thousand dollars:
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod53230003&ecid=NMCIGoogleBaseFeed&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=V03TW
Stella McCartney's crocheted bag

I haven't seen a new "Knit and Crochet Today" lately, though I think I heard they are going to change the hostess (Kassie Depaiva....I think...) at any rate, here's the site with the crochet patterns from the show: http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/TV+Projects/Crafts+Project+List.htm


As usual, I get no kickbacks from any of these folks or companies. Sure, I'd take a kickback (I'd tell you that I was taking a kickback first.) But nobody's offering. Must be the economy.....

Sorry for the relatively low amount of sites, I am quite heart broken because I had to put my bunny, Cadbury, to sleep on Saturday. He broke his back and there's nothing the vet could do for him. Bunnies have very fragile backs. I will miss him terribly

FM 2/18/08

I got a little mix of sites for you for Presidents Day


A lot of areas are banning paper and plastic bags. Here's another tutorial on how to make bags out of the plastic grocery bags you already have:
http://hellejorgensen.typepad.com/gooseflesh/how-to-make-plastic-bag-y.html
Apparently there is a lot of call for this bag. Here's an article from a woman who recycles plastic (as well as cloth) for bags and sells them. The article states the plastic bags go for about $100 a bag.

Just because it's February doesn't mean winter is over for the northern hemisphere. (of course, for the sothern hemisphere, it's summer). So just in case you're tired of the hat and scarf you have been wearing or maybe your kids have lost their hats or scarves, here's a site for you:
Click here: Free Hat and Scarf Patterns
Maybe a little more ruffly suits you?
http://wolfandturtle.net/Yarnpath/index.php/Yarnpath/comments/crocheted_ruffle_sided_scarf/


*wow* when I seen this site, I was ready to sign up for a trip in that past of the country. I never was particularly interested in going there before, but the factory outlet of Wrights - maker of my favorite hooks? Oh yes, sign me up. They do sell over the internet, but that can't be as much fun as oohin and ahhing over all the goodies.

Click here: Wrights® Info/Help - Factory Outlet - About the Factory Outlet


I've made 3 round ripples so far, all different patterns. This site has round ripple patterns I have never seen before - various numbers of points, a reall cool one where the points get made into another set of points. (I know it doesn't make any sense, but you really do have to see it to appreciate it.)
http://www.tamemymind.com/blog/2007/03/19/round-afghan-blanket-patterns-crocheted-or-knitted.php

Interested in making a madela in tapestry crochet? Here's a site about it:
http://www.tapestrycrochet.com/blog/?p=328


You've heard this joke before and so have I, but I never heard the crocheted doll variation.
Crochet Doll Collection

This isn't crochet related but if you got a candy heart this year and you're wondering what to do with the package (what, you still have chocolate?), this is a cute idea.
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=12813&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=7877

You've probably made one granny afghan or may one hundred. Here's a way to make a rectangle granny afghan. I haven't tried it yet, but the next time I make a granny afghan, this is the one I am trying.
http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/angelcrafts/patterns/recgrannyafghan.html

Here are some free crochet patterns for you. The "Suncatcher Eyes" look great and I'll let you know how they are in person when I get my order.
http://www.suncatchereyes.net/Free%20Patterns.html

Are you a fan of Kyle, Stan, Kenny and Cartman? Or maybe Butters or Timmy is your favorite character? Here is a "South Park" homage in yarn:
South Park Tunisian Crochet Afghan

Here are some free crochet patterns from Coats and Clarks, always interesting to check out:
http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/

Maybe you'd prefer a one eyed critter to make? My sons would have loved this when they were little.
It's Fun To Crochet A Muno Amigurumi, And That's How You Do It

You've heard about the use of "preformance enhancing drugs" (steroids and human growth hormone) being used in baseball. But steroids and crochet? Say it isn't so;)
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_8265902

If you're thinking about starting a wire crochet project, this appears to be a cool easy one - a crocheted wire pendant. You can do a small project to see how you like it before you commit to a larger project:
http://www.craftypod.com/


As usual, I do not receive kickbacks from these sites or businesses. I'd take them;) but nobody offers them to me.
_enjoy_

fm 12/17/07

So you're giving a book and think it needs a little something else? Or maybe you're sending a card out that you want a little something "extra" in? Here is a quick bookmark pattern:
http://jjkawano.blogspot.com/2007/12/free-pattern-bookmark.html

How about a tiny thread teddy beat tutorial? Edith Molina (she writes excellent patterns) has one online you can check out. Even if you feel too rushed now to make a thread bear, you can use it for future reference.
http://www.squidoo.com/thread_crochet_bears2

I asked a question about a size 7 hook for worsted weight yarn last week on Crochet Partners. I got a vey helpful answer from Wheat Carr. It's been on her blog but somehow I managed to miss it in my search to figure it out. M's Carr has plenty of cool stuff on her site, but I'm just giving you the conversion chart link right now - you can nose around to your heart's content.Here it is:
http://tinyurl.com/ynotql

Not a free pattern, but something to drool over....
http://www.yarnmuseum.com/

If you're looking for a particular pattern that you've seen done in Coats & Clarks yarn, you can get free Coats and Clarks patterns here:
http://www.knitandcrochettoday.com/kitl/kitl_dec.html

This is a really cool stocking - a fair isle stocking. Maybe next year I'll try it - currently I don't need a need stocking for anyone. But I might try my hand at it just to see how it works up:
http://www.annieshookedoncrochet.com/webbonuses.html


Just in case you have about 8 (or even 6) leftover granny squares, here's a quick & easy stocking. I can't tell you it's my original pattern, but I also can't tell you I have seen it in a pattern book. It's probably like a basic granny aquare - everybody knows the basics but nobody knows who thought it up first.
You take your 4 (or 3) granny squares and sew them in the shape of an "L". You repeat the same with the remaining 4 (or 3) granny squares. Now you can edge the "L"s with another color if you want or just sew or crochet both sides together and you got a stocking. You could put an edging on the top, then make s chain stitch hoop so the stocking can hang. I'm sure you can think of a dozen other ways to "gussy up" your granny square stocking.

The usual disclaimers apply - I get no kickbacks from these folks. If they wanted to give me a kickback, I would take it. (just being honest with you)


_enjoy_

finished objects

On the right is a poncho I made for a friend's grandaughter. It's made from Caron's Simply Soft and it was a joy to work with. This is probably the most basic poncho in the world - two rectangles sewn together with edging and fringe. I didn't rely on a pattern but made it up as I went along. I just used a shell stitch to create the rectangle and added little curly fringe on it. I was veryhappy with the way it turned out. I hope she will be happy, too.
On the left is the tree skirt I was working on for my sons. As you can see, it's just granny squares with a hole left in the middle so it can be draped around the tree. I was pleased with the way it came out, but wasn't too thrilled with myself for letting the ends wait to be woven in. I would stick to Bernat or Red Heart to make another one. I wasn't too thrilled with the way the Peacock yarn worked up, but I did like the colors.

An update on Payton: He is doing as well as can be expected. He is eagerly waiting for Santa Claus (of course). The case went to trial and the judge is waiting for a psych report on the two juveniles so he can decide what, if any, punishment they should receive. I'd rant and rave, but that's not what this blog is supposed to be about

"Knit & Crochet Today"

I hate to sound snarky - okay, I really don't, but I was trying to be nice there for a few minutes.
This show, "Knit and Crochet Today" on PBS seems a little lame. The first one I chalked up to it being brand new and finding the footing. Plus it was about felting and I'm not that enthusiastic about that particular craft.
http://www.knitandcrochettoday.com/
Also, it has knitting stuff but the knitting didn't capture my attention the way it does on Vickie Howell's "Knitty Gritty". Plus generally M's Howell stuck to one technique and one project, so that may make a lot of difference in the presentation.
http://www.vickiehowell.com/tv.html

I did, however, figure out my problem (for once). It's like the worst teacher in school. He tells you what he's going to teach you, teaches you and then tells you what you have already learned. It seems to be for a newbie in either knit or crochet. There's nothing wrong with that, but the makers of the show should (in my not so humble opinion) toss in stuff for us "oldbies";)

The hostess, Kassie Depaiva, knows how to crochet - she sells her "Happy Hats" to benefit the hard of hearing,
http://www.kassiedepaiva.com/3batch_1.html
But she seems to act as a complete newbie to both knit and crochet. I'm not sure if she's scripted to act that way (she is on "One Life to Live", so she does know how to act) or whether it was some sort of management decision. She seems a little shy in front of the camera. She's in almost all of the show, pointing out what is being done by the guests. The end of the show, they have somebody else come on and explain what has already been explained. That part seems pointless to me. I think the end of it would be served better by saying "this pattern is on our website, the yarn used was Coats and Clarks' whatever yarn".

I know I shouldn't complain. I have never been responsible for putting a tv show together and I imagine it's a lot of hard work. Knit and crochet shows are hard to come by and this is a brand new one. I will give "Knit & Crochet Today" some more time and see how the show develops. Maybe it should be longer so they can actually do a more complicated project. As it is, the time is divided between the knit and crochet projects, and it's only 30 minutes long, so you really can't go to any great depth in any project. Maybe they should alternate projects, one week knit, one week crochet. I'd still watch the knit ones along with the crochet ones.

But that's just my opinion and your mileage may vary