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_

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;)

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 3/31/08

People used to laugh at me when I told them I met my beloved thru an ad in the local free weekly paper. But now with Match.Com and E-Harmony, it really doesn't seem that strange. Here's a man that posted his description online. He's interested in cocaine, crystal meth and _crochet_. As far as I know, "crochet" isn't slang for any particular drug. And no, there's no pattern attached, but it's a hoot to read.
http://dating.guardian.co.uk/s/view/304211/?ILC-SOUL&link=Front_slot_rightnav&section=theobserver


I took the easy way out and found a site that has a lot of different patterns (crochet as well as knit) for bunnies and lambs. Yes, Easter is over, but bunnies and lambs are always popular.
http://www.diylife.com/2008/03/21/easter-bunnies-and-spring-lambs-to-knit-and-crochet-part-ii/

I made a pair of baby booties for each of my two sons. I measured the gauge carefully and produced a very nice white pair of booties for each. But even checking the guage didn't help me because both sons had big feet. Of course, they couldn't wear the booties and I ended up giving them away. But if you have a baby to crochet for that has more baby size feet, this site will come in handy. http://fairythreads.com/?p=840

This is a really cute pattern for a small crocheted airplane. You could make it to go with the baby booties: http://www.innerchildcrochet.com/patterns/mini_stuffed_airplane.html

This is a very nice pattern for a preemie cap.
http://www.youcanmakethis.com/info/free/Crochet-Preemie-Windowpane-Skull-Cap.htm


Again with the baby theme, here's a pattern for a "crocheted diaper basket".
http://chickpeastudio.typepad.com/chickpea_sewing_studio/2008/02/the-little-croc.html

Need a cool crocheted dishcloth or you could make a hot pad with this pattern from the Peaches and Creme people: http://elmore-pisgah.com/ladder_stitch_crocheted_dishcloth.htm


Remember the pantsuits for women trend quite a few years ago? Most were not particularly flattering. This isn't a free pattern, but you still have to see it to check out how far pantsuits have come. And if you can manage to work up a blazer like this for your own wardrobe, you'd save about $1, 800.00 and have some major bragging rights.
Jean Paul Gaultier- Crochet Inset Blazer

You know the usual - no kickbacks for me.
_enjoy_