things I'm working on

Well, I've been working on a few things here and there. I made an afghan and turtle for a friend of mine but I have (apparently) forgotten how to upload a photo. I've been working on squares and preemie caps and of course, my WIP - the filet curtain...still not finished.
I'm thinking a new baby girl is coming to my extended family next month, if all goes well. I need to start my planned afghan. I will be swiping an element or two from somebody else, but I think it will be good. It will be sort of a quilt time afghan, done in pinks.

I must have a dozen crochet books around me, old and relatively new. There is simply not enough time in the day to work on all I want to do. So maybe I'll learn how to crochet with my feet. That way I could work and crochet at the same time. I know it couldn't be anything too complex, but I'd be able to get my crochet obligations out of the way.

And here's a strange thing you won't believe. I decided to participate in a yarn bombing. Oh yeah, you heard me. But it will be a yarn bombing with a twist - I intend to give a piece of sculpture a hat and a scarf. That way, if somebody removes it, they can actually use what I crocheted. Well, it works for me.....
later....

just a quick note

today is "International Yarn Bombing Day". I can't say I'm into it, but lots of people are, so here's a link for you
http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Yarn-Bombing-Day-June-11th-2011/104441312968198?ref=ts&sk=walInternational Yarn Bombing Day

Also, if you have the current copy of "Crochet Today" (July/August 2011), there have a familiar (to me) looking afghan on page 74....here's my interpretation of it. I made this for my great nephew Aidian

this is _not_ my pattern, I seen the motif on Ravelry a few years ago (makes sense, because this photo is from 2009)
My beloved prefers my version better because he lives with me;) check it out for your self
http://www.crochettoday.com/crochet-patterns/school-fish-blanket

_enjoy_

wow, just wow

I can't believe it's been so long between posts. I guess that's the reason we'll never see "Crocheting Lessons - the movie" come out;) Part of the reason has been life, work has been a bear. But work is always a bear, isn't it? But a bear to the point my wrist was painful when I crocheted. Oh well. Things have eased up a little (I think) so hopefully I will be able to post more.
What's going on here? We had a relatively mild winter, especially compared to the 4 feet of snow we got last year. I got a big raise (okay  so it wasn't so big, but it's the first one in a few years). I seen some robins in the front yard and this morning I seen a bunny in the back yard. So life is generally good, with a few rough spots, but that's how life is,

I did make 2 scarves for the Special Olympics this year. I hope they announce the colors earlier because it seems difficult to find the right colors in the stores once Red Heart has announced them. And truthfully, sometimes I'm no so fond of the color selections. I did like this year's colorway, a light blue and a darker blue. It seems especially cheery to me  and everyone seems to need a little cheering up these days.


I have finished an afghan I was working on for my nephew's friend. I got to take a photo of it. It's white and shades of purple. I made it sort of like a log cabin quilt, with the color blocking. I was quite happy with the way it turned out.

Right now, I am working on a baby boy afghan, light blue and darker blue (hmm). I am doing a giant granny square in a Fibonacci sequence  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibonacci_number.  I keep spelling "Fibonacci" as "Fibronacci" which shows you how fiber has taken over my mind;) I think it looks pretty cool. I had originally thought of doing a 7 point star afghan, but I realized that if I ever wanted to start on it, I'd have to use something I could just make up as I go along. I think the ripple star afghans are great, I've made a few, but I  didn't feel I had the concentration to stick to a pattern at this time.

Last week I visited D.C. again to see the Smithsonian coral reef for (probably) the last time. Craig and I had a great time and we managed to positively identify two of my pieces. I did not follow somebody else's excellent advice of taking the photos I have of the pieces I made to the museum with me. It would have made identification a bit easier. I mean, after all, who doesn't have white yarn in their stash? So now I got to label and post the photos  and upload them - hopefully soon.

So I'm still here, I'm still crocheting, just a little bewildered at the moment but that will pass. Despite the fact that the weather called for a snow flurry or two today, I can see by the daffodils in my front yard spring has finally arrived. I will clear the winter cobwebs out of my head and enjoy the spring.

Later, dudes & dudettes....

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 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 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_



--

May Fourth (be with you) FM

I know, I know, it's a terrible pun. But my beloved told it to me, so of course I couldn't resist passing it along. I enjoyed the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival Saturday, but somehow I managed not to buy any yarn. I'm not quite sure how that was even possible for me, the yarn was gorgeous but not quite what I was looking for (I guess...). I am working on a pink baby afghan (still) I'm about a third of the way thru it. And of course, making preemie caps.....

Not a pattern, but it's Herrschners (www.herrschners.com)free shipping (with $35 or more purchase) good until May 31, 2009 , Code D25


Here's today's freebie crochet patterns

Here's a crochet box
http://www.crochetspot.com/free-crochet-pattern-box/

That you could use to put in Noreen Crone-Findlay's buillion jewelry creations

Buillion stitch tutorial
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/how-to-crochet-bullion-stitches/

first part of crochet bracelet tutotial
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/crocheted-bullion-stitch-bracelet-1/

how to add findings to crochet jewelry
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/how-to-add-findings-to-a-crocheted-bracelet/

and last but certainly not least, a crochet flower
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/topic/tutorial/

All the above is from Hankering for Yarn, M's Crone-Findlay's blog.

How about another crochet flower - a crochet aster from Lion Brand
http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=487&language=

This is something new from Leisure Arts - the Crochet Soiree from Leisure Arts
http://www.crochetsoiree.com/


Here's something cute and "retro" a smiley face afghan square
http://smoothfoxlover.blogspot.com/2009/04/free-cool-smiley-face-square-7-x-7.html

from Planet June. crochet roses
http://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/120f869cf2b5e42a

How about a crochet cardigan from Berocco
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/aruna/aruna.html


Paton tea cozy
http://www.patonsyarns.com/newsletters/apr2009/ClassicWool_Web_TeaCozy.pdf?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=TeaCozyPDF&utm_campaign=PatonsApril2009

Karen D prayer shawl pattern
http://karendcreations.blogspot.com/


octopus key chain tutorial
http://knittingdragonflies.blogspot.com/search/label/Free%20octopus%20pattern%20tutorial

As usual, I receive no bailout from anyone for posting these links. It's okay if somebody wants to offer me one;) but I don't think that's going to happen.

FM 12/1/08 - a day late and a dollar short;)

I hope last week was, ahh, not as exciting as it was at my house. I had a grease fire in my oven on Thanksgiving. Nobody was hurt except for the rolls I had in the oven and the cookie sheets - and possibly my oven :( Seriously, no one was hurt, but that's why it's always good to keep a box of baking soda by the oven. It's the best thing I found to smother grease fires.

Onward and upward:
Hanukkah is (I think) December 22 this year. You might have a chance to make a afghan from
crochet hexagonal Star of David motifs:
http://web.archive.org/web/20061006121902/http://www.chezcrochet.com/page0083.html

Here's a neat little crocheted icicle
http://www.hgtv.com/holidays-occasions/crocheted-icicles/index.html

Not everybody can be at New York for the lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree - but you can crochet one:
http://www.orble.com/free-rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-crochet-pattern/

Or how about something completely different, a crocheted snow globe?
http://www.orble.com/free-snowglobe-crochet-pattern/

Looking to make a gift of a book extra special - how about a book stocking?
http://www.orble.com/free-book-stocking-crochet-pattern/

Here's a scarf pattern from Caron's "12 Days of Christmas" collection
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/mirror_lake/mirror_lake_1.html

This is so cute - but I have no little kids to make it for - here's a crocheted snowman bib
http://www.hgtv.com/holidays-occasions/crocheted-snowman-baby-bib/index.html

For those of you who are already tired of winter, here are some spring bracelets
http://www.get-hooked.net/free-patterns/dreaming-of-spring-bracelets/

Still looking for a poncho to make - check out Purple Kitty for their poncho patterns
Click here: Free Poncho Patterns | Purple Kitty

crochet candy cane from Planet June
http://www.planetjune.com/blog/free-crochet-patterns/candy-cane/


Want to try a different slipper to make - how about these Mary Jane slippers
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=127333.0

As usual, nobody is sending me boses of yarn or patterns to list these freebies. I'd like to lie to you and say I wouldn't take it, but come on - offering me yarn is like offering a chocoholic a Hershey bar....

_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_