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_

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_

freebie Monday 8/11/08

More on the health front. The surgical incision is healing slowly. My right leg is broken (broken tibia for those medical words folks) and I am wearing a boot for the next 4 weeks. No prolonged walking or standing :( But I can still sit and crochet :). I haven't quite decided what I should do for my crochet Olympics challenge, but I'll figure it out.....
On with the freebies.


Here's a site to make crochet lace vases to put your crochet flowers in - very lovely.
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/08/pattern_for_crochet_lace_vases.html?CMP=OTC-5JF307375954

Lady Linoleum makes a return to this blog with this wonderful cherry ribbon tote.
http://monstercrochet.blogspot.com/2008/08/cherry-ribbon-tote.html

This is a pattern preview from "Crochet Blueprint".
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/08/maggie_wrap_free_crochet_patte.html?CMP=OTC-5JF307375954

Want a pup but can't have one because of housing restrictions or maybe not enough cash? Planet June has a miniature schnauzer pattern for you.
http://www.planetjune.com/blog/how-to-crochet-a-miniature-schnauzer-pup/

Is you Ipod thingie naked? Or maybe it needs a costume to appear in public? Here's a ninja cozy for your mp3 player.
http://cthulhucrochet.blogspot.com/2008/08/ninja-cozy-tutorial.html

How about some filet crochet designs for Halloween?
http://stylish-crochet.blogspot.com/2008/08/filet-crochet-halloween.html

This isn't a pattern. Every mom thinks their child is special and of course, they are right. This mom blogged about her daughter's crochet work and it is exceptional, in my opinion. I couldn't even crochet at the age of 10 and I know I couldn't produce something that delicate.
http://lynnskitchenadventures.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-daughters-crochet.html

Here's a pattern for a crochet bolero.
http://www.e-pleteni.cz/aktuality.petra?id=2&lang=en

Here's Noreen Crone-Findlay's post about crocheting during the Olympics:
http://www.hankeringforyarn.com/crocheting-during-the-olympics

Ever get confused when crocheting in the round? It can be a bit strange at first. Here's some help: http://barney.gonzaga.edu/~aburton/crochrnd.html

And to practice what you have learned, here's a round ripple crochet tree skirt pattern.
http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showpost.php?p=1070831&postcount=2231

Yeah, it's warm in some parts of the world, but it won't stay that way. Here's a beautiful crocheted sweater pattern.
http://bejai1962.blogspot.com/2008/08/just-stitchin.html

Crochet Poet's pattern links (and these is an amazing amount of links for just about anything you could think of to crochet).
http://www.myhq.com/public/c/r/crochetpoet/

Kreinik crochet (and knitting) freebies
http://www.kreinik.com/kshop/home.php?cat=33

Bella Online online crochet magazine
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art9515.asp/zzz

As usual, I have not accepted any payola for listing these sites. And as usual, I would accept payola if offered but none was offered.

_enjoy_

FM 7/21/08

I'm back, tanned, rested and ready;) Actually it's more like pale, achy & tired, but what's new about that? The surgery went okay, but I am still recuperating. My first day back home from the hospital I tried to read the new issue of "Crochet World" and I couldn't make sense of the dc and sc and ch 3 but now I think I'm back in regards to crochet. I've made 2 bags and some scrunchies and I took apart a video tape ("Something To Talk About" in case you're wondering) to start to crochet. I wasn't too happy with the results so far, perhaps I need a smaller hook. Enough about me, here's some stuff for you to check out...

This is a chainless half double crochet tutorial. Some folks don't care for the half double crochet, but I like it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEBR6SCt8IA

Some people are clever enough to see crochet supplies all around them. This person demonstrates that going to the local hardware store can be sort of like crochet supply shopping.
http://beadline.blogspot.com/2008/07/bead-crochet-end-caps.html

Need a wristband? I'm thinking about modifying it a bit for a wrist support.....the one I made and left at work decided it wanted to live elsewhere so it grew legs and ran off.....
http://crochet.about.com/od/wristbands/ss/aa061105.htm

Between recuperation and the heat, it's hard for me to keep a thought in my head, but this one occurred to me: Can a crocheted monster win against a rubber toy? See for yourself.
http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2008/07/milk-fed-thumb.html

This is a cute crocheted baby blanket, the designer calls it "Jasie". Pretty cool.
http://happyyellowhouse.com/htm/jasie.html

I don't know quite how to describe this pattern, I'll say "star flower" because that's what it looks like to me. Neat afghan idea.
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/cyanne/cyanne.html

Yeah, it's hot where I am. But since I have a bit of free time between watching Jerry and Oprah;) I can work on a cardigan for the fall.
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/turnberry/turnberry_1.html

I hope I didn't post this one already, I seem to have a thing for crocheted cupcake patterns/
http://bittersweetblog.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/bake-me-a-cake/

Here's a 9 point star afghan. I'm not sure where the round afghan trend started, but I do like the star ones.
http://stormdracscrochet.blogspot.com/2008/04/9-pointed-round-ripple-with-solid.html

Maybe you could use a small change purse, just enough to store your quarters for the soda / coffee machine at work. Here's a cool pattern for one.
http://members.aol.com/gypsydoodl/reticule.htm

And of course, I'm jump on the "Batman" bandwagon to promote my blog;) I doubt I'll make $158 million (which is what I think "The Dark Knight" took in on opening weekend) but hey, let's give it a shot, you never know;).... I thought this bat filet pattern could be adapted to a scarf for folks who like bats.
http://crochet.about.com/library/nbat2.htm?nl=1

Or Maybe you'd prefer a "bat banner".....
http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa091900.htm?nl=1


And finally, for those of you who can't make the CGOA conference, here's somebody that is going to report from the floor of the conference. I'd love to be there, but not the way I feel now....and with maybe Donald Trump's credit card. I could rent one of those mobility scooter things and buy a _lot_ of yarn and supplies.
Click here: Hobbies online radio shows and crochet internet talk radio by Getting Loopy! with Mary Beth Temple | BlogTalkRadio

As usual, no payments were given for mention in this blog. But in case in the weird chance somebody would _want_ to give me payola, I'd probably take it;)