Freebie Monday & getting the gold

I made it! I had a total of 62 preemie hats completed by Saturday night. Since my goal was 50, I got the gold:)
I am slowly healing from surgery, the open area of the incision is now shallow and not as long. The broken leg is still troublesome to deal with. I tried to "sneak" upstairs (on my hands and knees) to find something in my stash. I thought I would find it and be back downstairs (by scooting down on my butt) by the time my beloved came back from running errands. I was _wrong_. I think "busted" is the word I'm looking for here. That won't become a regular thing until after the leg is healed - too much energy going up and down the steps and scooting around the room.

Now on to the show:


Are you having an elegant Thanksgiving bash? This is for a pattern for sale, not for free....
I'd love to wear it to work, but the dress code says "no hats". Plus my head would sweat horribly in that hat. Could be a centerpiece, maybe........
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=cat2_galley_4&listing_id=8560590

They are called "panther paws" but you could probably use them for other cats, small and large. You could apply the motifs to a purchased baf, for example.
http://mycrochetcreations.wordpress.com/2008/04/24/panther-paw-earrings/


Here's a lovely lotus blossom to crochet:
http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com/2008/08/crochet-lotus-bloom-flower.html

This sounds like a great pattern - crochet mittens from Canada - I bet they are warm. (Yes, I am a dumb American that thinks it's cold in Canada.)
http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/crochet/retro_crocheted_mittens.php

I needed something to cover our metal headboard in the winter. It feels cold. I didn't think too hard about it, just used a piece of fake tiger fur and sewed it to fit. But I wish I had thought of this granny square headboard covering. It could be any colors, any motifs you wanted.
http://yscmama.typepad.com/little_purl/2007/08/granny-squares-.html

I thought this was a pretty cool potholder pattern
http://www.jpfun.com/patterns/free/potholders/f102007checkerboard.shtml

This is a pattern for"wool eater" afghan instructions. For the U.S. among us, keep in mind this is an Aussie site and interpret the crochet directions as such.
http://sarah-london.blogspot.com/2007/11/wool-eater-blanket.html


How about a pretty freeform purse to start school or the fall season or just because:
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_needle_arts/article/0,2025,DIY_13768_5058307,00.html


All from one person, Monica Zenberg, and all are beautiful....I especially like the "girlie flower baby afghan pattern" - that's just really neat.

Girlie Flower Baby Afghan Pattern -
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977417819

Little Boy Blue 8 Point Round Ripple Baby Afghan
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977275501

Eight Point Round Ripple Preemie/Baby Afghan
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977270508

Sunshine Round Ripple Baby Afghan Pattern
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976910272

Monica's Simple Ripple Crochet Baby Blanket
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976720718

Quick Stripes Baby Afghan
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977275692


Yes, the Olympics are over, but who doesn't like a fortune cookie? These would be cool for a baby shower or maybe a bridal shower:
http://www.quamut.com/quamut/crochet_project_fortune_cookies


This is a cute little amigurimi bluebird and nest.
http://www.quamut.com/quamut/crochet_project_amigurumi_bird_and_nest

This is not a free pattern, but a photo of a crochet interpretation of Terry Pratchett's "Discworld"
http://www.planetjune.com/blog/amigurumi-discworld/

I still am healing from surgery and the broken leg. While I have been away from work, they have rearranged the physical layout of my department. I usually had a lot of plants at work, but I have no idea where my desk will be in relation to any windows. Depending on how things have changed at work, this may be the plant I will taking back in and leave the other ones in the sunroom
http://childrens-knitwear-projects.suite101.com/article.cfm/crocheted_cactus_plant_project


I don't know if you are familiar with Twinkie Chan. She has scarves on Ebay that go for $300 or more. They are generally cute, cupcakes or ice cream cones. Here's a Twinkie Chan interview.
http://scene360.com/ARTdirect_Chan.php

Need some scrunchies for the upcoming school year - hear are some curlicue scrunchies
http://crochet.about.com/od/scrunchies/a/halfdozcurlq.htm


Something I've thought about but never have done - saving crochet work in resin
http://carmicimicata.blogspot.com/2008/08/saving-crochet-work-in-resin.html


As usual, no one is greasing my palm to put their links in my blog. I'd take some money or yarn or something, but it just doesn't happen. Apparently most crocheters don't believe in payola.


_enjoy_

Going for the Gold

As I have written before, I joined Crochetville's Olympic 2008 challenge. I had originally wanted to do Carol Ventura's kitty tapestry bag, but didn't have the materials at hand. So I decided I would do 50 preemie hats (using my pattern) for the University of Maryland NICU. I joined "Team Baby". It doesn't seem like much of a challenge, I know, but I figure the late start would give me the challenge. So far, I have 16 preemie hats crocheted and delivered. That gives me a bit over a week to make 34 more (_eeek_).
If I make it to 50, I get a gold medal from Crochetville. I think it's just a button to put on my blog, but that would be cool. We'll see how this goes...

here's a repost of the pattern: (from July 2007)
I keep my 2007 "Crochet Pattern a Day" calendar at my desk. I sort of forgot that July 12 was the date my pattern would appear. So I thought I'd post it here, for anyone and everyone. Please do not claim this pattern as yours, I hold the copyright. If you want to make the hats and donate them, that's fine by me. Please do not repost this pattern to your website, just send any inquiries you might have to this website. I thank you in advance for your co-operation and I hope many of you will be making preemie hats to donate.

##########################################################
Here's the pattern:

Skill level: C3 - intermediate
Fiber: Red Heart - Baby Sport Pompadour (I also use Lion Brand "Jamie", but this happened to be done in the Red Heart Baby Sport)
Color #1046 Carousel Print
Gauge: 5 stitches x 2 rows = 1 inch/2.5cm in dc
Hook size: steel E US/3.5mm
Notions: Yarn Needle
Stitches used: chain, slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet

Round 1: Chain 6, join with a slip stitch, chain 2. Double crochet 11 double crochets into the ring, counting the chain 2 as a double crochet, equals 12 stitches. Join at top of chain 2 with a slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 2, double crochet in round 1's chain 2 stitch, 2 double crochets in each stitch around, counting the starting chain 2 stitch as a double crochet equals 24 double crochets. Join with a slip stitch to top of the chain 2 stitch.
Round 3: Chain 2, double crochet in round 2's chain 2 stitch, *1 double crochet in next stitch, 2 double crochets in next stitch all the way around, counting the starting chain 2 stitch as a double crochet equals 36 stitches. Join with a slip stitch to top of the chain 2 stitch.
Round 4: Chain 2, double crochet in round3's chain 2 stitch, *1 double crochet in next 2 stitches, 2 double crochets in next stitch, all the way around, counting the starting chain 2 stitch as a double crochet equals 48 stitches. Join with a slip stitch to top of the chain 2 stitch.
Round 5-9: Chain 2, double crochet in each double crochet around. Join with a slip stitch to top of the chain 2 stitch.
Round 10: Chain 5, double crochet in second double crochet from hook from joining chain, *chain 1, skip 1 double crochet, double crochet in the next double crochet all the way around. Join with a slip stitch to top of the chain 2 stitch.
Round 11: Chain 4, single crochet in second chain from hook, single crochet in next 2 chains, attach to round 10 by slip stitching to chain 1 space *working in back loops only, single crochet in each of the 3 single crochets, chain 1, turn, single crochet in each of the 3 single crochets, attach to round 10 by slip stitching to chain 1 space all the way around, total 48 rows. Slip stitch the ribbing together by working thru the back loop of row 48 and the bottom of the chain for the first row of single crochets.

Break off and weave in ends.

Chain stitch 90, fasten off, weave in ends. Thread the chain 90 thru round 10. Make a small bow.

FM 8/18/08

On the health front, I am recovering slowly. Yesterday I decided to have an outing at Target and it was definitely too much, too soon. I hung on to the shopping cart for dear life. I arrived home, sore and exhausted and almost too tired to crochet. But I'm taking it easy today.
FYI, for the Crochetville 2008 Olympics game, I switched my challenge because I couldn't shop my stash. I decided I'd make 50 preemie hats (using the pattern on this website) by the end of the Olympics 2008. Why is it a challenge? Because I got a _very_late start.
Let's get on to Freebie Monday

this is a very elegant shawl pattern.
http://www.elann.com/ShowFreePattern.asp?Id=176024

I have problems making tassels as well as making pom-poms. If you have trouble with tassels, here's a tassel tutorial to teach you.
http://groups.msn.com/NeedleTattingTwo/tasselideas.msnw

Here's another pattern for crochet socks:
http://loveyarn1984.blogspot.com/2008/04/small-shell-socks.html

Okay, so I have a thing for crocheted socks - here's another pattern, this one is called "domino socks".
http://loveyarn1984.blogspot.com/2008/07/domino-sock.html

If you're looking for a charity to get involved with, here's one for Special Olympics scarves. You have to use Red Heart in specific colors to participate, here's the site:
http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Features/Special+Olympics.htm

Perhaps you'd like to check out this site, a place to donate handmade items to soldiers, Soldiers Angels:http://tinyurl.com/Soldiers-Angels


Here's a pattern for a beret - you can make a whole collection, perhaps even a "raspberry beret" - or not....
http://cats-rockin-crochet.blogspot.com/2008/08/chunky-beret-and-three-seasons-beret.html

Here's a cute littletote, Dot's Little Ditty bag. There are also directions for different sizes.
http://patbythehook.blogdrive.com/archive/56.html

I think it's time for a puppy break - an amigurimi puppy that is:
http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=2159

Did your children or you make one of these this past summer - this is pretty cool.
http://www.makingfriends.com/godseyes.htm

Are you planning to have a craft booth this fall at a festival? Here's ideas on how to make it "pop" and have folks notice your booth:
http://www.craftbusinessblog.com/craft-fair-booth-secrets/

This isn't a pattern , but a combination of knit and crochet squares for Terry Pratchett's "pratchgran" - made by his fans due his recent diagnosis of Alzheimers.

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/08/16/terry-pratchett-fana.html

This is also not a pattern, but the winner of the "People's Choice" award at the recent CGOA meeting:

http://crochetalacarte.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-major-projectrevealed.html

'

Again, just something to look at .This is a beautiful afghan that features the four elements - really lovely. Check it out: http://kimby77.blogspot.com/2008/01/avatar-four-elements.html

As usual, no one has given me a kickback to list these sites. I'm up for a bribe, but everybody else is just so darned honest.
_enjoy_

shark week & fm July 28/08

It's shark week! Here's an English translation of a German pattern.
http://www.ullrykka.de/iblog/B567792918/C947144548/E20070508153639/Media/shark_english_version.pdf

And if you're waiting for the Olympics to begin, here's a way to join in - 2008 Crochet Games of Ancient Greece Challenge
I decided I'd join in and make Carol Ventura's tapresty kitty bag. *thanks Noreen for poiting this out to me) I've never done tapresty crochet before, so I thought why not give it a shot. It is also a free pattern, not sure if I posted the link before....
http://www.tapestrycrochet.com/KittyBag.htm


Remember peace signs? Sure you do - check out the pease sign battette (it looks like a barrette to me)
http://shala-beads.livejournal.com/218625.html#cutid1

Here's a lovely hairpin lace shawl by the Stitch Diva. Her work is always so beautiful. (Stitch Diva also has tutorials on how to do hairpin lace)
http://www.stitchdiva.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=FREE008

Michaels website has some crochet patterns on it, here's a V-neck vest:
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e06596

It's hot, you don't feel like making anything that's going to lay across your lap, try this pattern. You can customize it with a fancy button, it's a wreath pin.
http://craftside.typepad.com/craftside/2008/07/bullion-stitch.html

I've made a lot of toys in my life, but I have never seen this technique used before. Next time I make a toy, I'm trying this. It's a tutorial on how to make a toy with ears and legs all in one piece.
Click here: http://www.esunbeams.com/knittycat/patterns/knittycatsLoopyLegCrochetTechniquetutorial.pdf

"Woman's Day" also has some crochet patterns - these are a preview from Tamie Snow's "Tiny Yarn Animals"
Cuddly Crochet Creatures

Or maybe you're in the mood to make motifs to put together - here's a flower (daisy like) motif
http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa051300.htm?nl=1

Want to make something cute for a child - here's a bear-ghan.....hmm, I wonder if I can make it big enough for an adult....
http://web.archive.org/web/20021009171701/http://home.earthlink.net/~bollandbunch/bearghan.html

Somewhere along the way, I missed the July edition of "Black Purl". Here's the link so you don't....
http://www.black-purl-magazine.com/

I ran into some sites that feature free patterns:
http://www.yarncat.com/crochet.html
http://www.crochetstuff.com/
http://www.grannys-garret.com/pattern/crochetpattern.html

Have you watched the "Tour de France" ? or maybe "The Triplets of Belleville" (a beautiful movie, by the way, great for kids and adults). Perhaps you'd like to know about the "Tour de Fleece"
http://www.tourdefleece.com/TdF_2008_home.ht


FYI, no kickbacks were given for mention on this blog :(

_enjoy_