FM June 15, 2009

It's hot and sunny here, which means I _should_ be doing yard work but it's too hot and sunny;)
Here's this week's edition of Freebie Monday

This isn't a pattern but something you could use your scraps of yarn for - warning, it's probably not work safe or kid safe, but you can figure that out from the name....
http://www.clubthreadz.com/swimwear/2009/06/13/tie-side-crochet-thong-bottom/

Because it's hot and sunny, my sinuses aren't happy (they are never happy). The weather reports give information on the pollen count and now I know why my head is stuffy.
http://pepperberry.typepad.com/my_weblog/new-free-pattern/

There's something about a monkey - specifically a sock monkey pattern
http://www.qdpatooties.com/crochetedsockmonkeyptrn.htm

or maybe you'd like a smaller version of the sock monkey - a sock monkey bookmark
http://homepage.mac.com/coxsalida/CrochetPatterns/Personal6.html

Well, if you got to wash dishes, you might as well have a pretty dishcloth......
http://www.crochetspot.com/free-crochet-pattern-dishcloth-with-ridges/

It's Monday and I could use a belt - not this particular kind, but it will do - a belt pattern
http://crochet.craftgossip.com/post-stitch-belt-a-free-pattern-for-you/2009/06/03/

As you know, I have cats. I think this crochet cat might be a little easier on the house...
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977700987

Or how about a snow cat
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977701006

It's time for a turtle rattle
http://kristieskids.weebly.com/newest-patterns.html

Here's a bath mitt to wash up the kids after they have been playing all day....
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat13856&PRODID=xprd1006726

And of course, who couldn't use a teddy bear?
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat13856&PRODID=xprd811021

How to increase stitches like a pro by a pro - Vashti Braha
http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-to-increase-stitches-like-pro.html

As usual, I have not received any money, goods, yarn, special consideration or anything like that to post these sites. I'd take it, but apparently nobody has any goodies for me;)

_enjoy_

FM April 13, 2009

Sorry, folks, work has been eating up my time and I didn't even crochet _1_ thing last week. Hard to believe, but it's true. Not even a preemie hat. So today's list is short and hopefully I'll get caught up (at work and on life) next week.....

I have always been fascinated by the crocheted mitered square and here's a tutorial on it:
http://www.innerchildcrochet.com/resources/how_to_design/mitered_square.html

Once again, "Art of Crochet"'s Teresa Richardson has a wonderful tutorial - this one on the "trinity stitch"
http://www.howcast.com/videos/45868-Trinity-Stitch-Crochet?ref=as

I realize not everybody has a use for a "Hello Kitty" crocheted bag but for those of you who do, here's a cool pattern:
http://mamacatbluequilts.blogspot.com/2009/04/crochet-hello-kitty-bag.html

If you're just starting to learn crochet or you need a refresher, here's 3 tips for crochet
http://www.ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Crochet---3-Essential-Crochet-Tips&id=2158489

I always think that crocheted dishclothes are "too pretty to use". This pattenr's no exception to my belief, but here it is anyway.
http://www.calledblessed.com/2009/04/crochet-dishcloth.html

That's it for this week. I didn't receive bribes, kickbacks, chocolate, jelly beans or anything else in exchange for posting these sites. I just thought they were cool.

_enjoy_

FM June 9. 2008

Hi!
I'd like to start on a serious note this week with a link to Wheat Carr's blog. M's Carr is writing about the Orphan Works Act. How this act is decided upon will determine the future for crochet. Basically, it's to protect the designers of crochet from people ripping off their patterns and claiming it as their own. If crochet designers get ripped off, they can not afford to create crochet designs. If they can't creat crochet designs, that means crocheters will be trying to reinvent the wheel with each new project. I think M's Carr puts it much better than I could. So definitely check it out:
http://wheatcarr.com/blog-a-mentary/orphan-works-now-is-the-time.php



If you have been crocheting for a long time, you may remember the "crazy daisy" maker. They sold it on tv as well as in some 5&10 stores quite some time ago. Sometimes you can come across them in thrift shops or even on Ebay. This is a pattern on how to make a monkey using the "crazy daisy" winder. It makes it sort of like making yo-yos. Pretty cool - plus I bet you can think of some other uses for the daisy winder:
-http://www.knitting-and.com/small-looms/monkey.htm


Need a quick cute necklace for the summertime - here you go:
http://soozs.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-to-crochet-daisy-chain-necklace.html

Betty Hechtman talking about her upcoming book, "Dead Men Don't Crochet" and the shawl pattern in it: http://killerhobbies.blogspot.com/

This is such a great site - little acorn and strawberry purses to make:
http://littlegreen.typepad.com/romansock/2008/06/little-acorn-pa.html

Here's another pattern for a crocheted bee - very cute
http://crochetalong.wordpress.com/2008/06/02/little-bee-free-pattern/

Need a light weight summer hat so your scalp doesn't get burned? Try this one:
http://mkcarroll.typepad.com/mk_carroll/2008/06/jules-julia-crochet-hat-pattern-set.html


This is cute and quick - a flower ring:
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_needle_arts/article/0,2025,DIY_13768_5210759,00.html

Speaking of flowers, how about a flower potholder?
http://www.freecraftunlimited.com/flower-hot-pad.html

Carol Ventura has a video on You Tube showing how to do felted tapestry crochet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoBCdW1WvgI

And here's something handy if you want to do tapestry crochet or maybe filet crochet - different graph paper you can print out:
http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/

The "Celebrate" contest is still on, you must make a comment on the "Celebrate" blog to be in the drawing.

As usual, I do not recive any special considerations from these folks or their sites. I'd take a bribe, but nobody's offering one.
_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_