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 6/2/08

There's a neat online publication that's called "Canadian Living". It often has crochet patterns. Here's one for you:
http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/crochet/crocheted_halter_top_and_shawl.php

This link is not a freebie but I really like it. If I can find a few plastic geese, I think I'd have a perfect gift for my sister-in law. (Did I ever post the story about the "drive by scarfing" incident?) Here it is, costumes to dress your goose....
http://collins-ottinger.com/

This is a very pretty afghan pattern. It is the blogger's own and her favorite afghan pattern:
http://pumamouse.com/crochetmyfavorite.html

I know, I know - who wants to think of an afghan (at least in the North America area) when it's warm out. But this is quite pretty, you can work it up a few motifs at a time and you won't sweat to death doing it.
http://www.artoftangle.com/free_patterns.htm

This is an oldie but a goodie - a "hobo bag" by Lion Brand.
http://crochet.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=crochet&cdn=hobbies&tm=30&f=21&tt=14&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//joann.lionbrand.com/patterns/ckc-tote.html

Purple Kitty has done it again. I find lobsters funny and this potholder is pretty cool. Or you could adapt the lobster pattern and sew it on a bag - maybe the hobo bag?
http://www.freevintagecrochet.com/potholders/lobster.html


A ribbed sock pattern:
http://www.planetshoup.com/easy/crochet/ribsox.shtml

As usual, I don't get any kickbacks from any of these people for listing their sites here. I'd take kickbacks, I'm not proud, but apparently everyone is watching their money;)

By the way, June 14 is "Knitting / Crocheting in Public Day". I'm not sure what my parents' anniversary has to do with public displays of needlework, but there you are. I happened to be watching an Oriole versus Yankee baseball game and saw a few people knitting in the stands.
(Of course, the Orioles lost because_ I _was watching, doing my own version of "Pitch and Stitch" at home.)

_enjoy_

Freebie Monday

Do you like the look of the pinwheel coasters? Here's a pattern you will want to check out:
http://www.kaleidesigns.com/crochet/patterns/archive/coas008.html


Have you ever felt like you need to see somebody do something before you get the hang of it? Sometimes I do. And there's not always another crocheter around when you need him/her. So here's a cool site that actually shows you a video of a scarf being created:
http://www.instructables.com/id/crochet-scarf_1/


One of my favorite sites, Purple Kitty is offering free vintage potholder patterns. These are so cool looking.
http://www.freevintagecrochet.com/patternbook/starbook69.html

Wondering what you can do with all the soda can tabs you've saved? You have to drink 6 sodas (or collect them from other folks) to create a flower:
http://www.escamastudio.com/inspiration/diy.html


This article is interesting about a 3D crochet installation - but sorry, no pix.
http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/fh/free/290719660707982.php

Can your "action style" (from Oprah) determine how to crochet (or anything else for that matter)? you may want to check this out. I think I'm more of a "combination" person myself.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/01/08/o.wildly.successful/
--
As always, Noreen Crone-Findlay always has something exciting going on in her blog. This entry tells you how to crochet a wire mermaid necklace. I like the way it looks, but I think I'll pass until my tendons decide to settle down a bit.
http://www.hankeringforyarn.com/crocheted-wire-mermaid-necklace

I was sort of looking for a hat pattern for my older sister. She is losing her hair (nope, I don't know why) and of course, she's cold. She doesn't like a lot of fussiness, so I thought this pattern might be perfect for her cold head - a crocheted skull cap
http://www.baxterbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080104/NEWS01/801040345/1002/NEWS01


If you live in or around Pittsburgh, you might already know about this event. Part of me _really_ wants to go to check out all the cool stuff. The other part of me thinks "Are you _crazy_? They will probably have a snowstorm that weekend!". So I'd have to say right now I'm not planning to go, but it definitely sounds appealing to me.
http://www.pghknitandcrochet.com/

F.M. 11/5/07

I'm _baaacckk_. I'm not totally "with it" but then again, I never have been.
So here's your first for this Freebie Monday.

Want to learn how to do seamless single crochet, which is very important in amigurami and hats - here's the tutorial for you:
http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2006/10/tutorial-seamless-single-crochet.html

Another one of my favorite spots, Purple Kitty, has free vintage Christmas crochet (as well as knit) patterns:
www.purplekittyyarns.com/

I know this is late for Halloween, but I will forget this completely by next year. My cats would never stand for being dressed, but my oldest sister dresses up her cats all the time - go figure that one out.
http://www.craftzine.com/blog/archive/2007/10/crochet_candy_corn_pet_sweater.html?CMP=OTC-5JF307375954


http://crochet-patterns-techniques.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_crochet_circle_recipe_i
--
Have you ever looked at a size 7 steel hook and wondered "gee, I wonder if I could perform surgery with this? No, I haven't either. But a surgeon did look at it and currently uses it to repair varicose veins - check it out:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071022122214.htm

I don't know if the next two are repeats. If so, I apolegize:

Tiny cake patterns
http://www.normalynn.info/freepatterns.html

This one would have been better suited for Halloween, but as I said, I'll just forget it by next year - a crochet hamburger dress:
http://www.craftzine.com/blog/archive/2007/10/crochet_hamburger_dress.html?CMP=OTC-5JF307375954

This would also have been better suited for Halloween, but maybe you need a gift for a quirky friend of family member. Not exactly my cup of tea, but Lady Linoleum always has cool stuff.
The Saw That Dripped Blood...SCARF!
Monster Crochet - http://monstercrochet.blogspot.com/

Stitch markers seem mostly made for knitters. Here's a site that shows you stitch markers for crocheters. Pretty cool stuff and looks relatively easy. You could whip up some for yourself or a crocheting friend:
Crafty Daisies - http://craftydaisies.com
http://crochet-patterns-techniques.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_crochet_circle_recipe_ii


Another one suited for Halloween but I am considering making this for my younger son (26 years old). He loved "The Nightmare before Christmas and I think he'd like the dog. This is a great pattern:
jack skellington's dog
http://lizville.livejournal.com/100801.html


and here's the last freebie of the day. I am having a drawing for the book "The Crochet Sweater Book" by Sylvia Cosh with James Walters. You may be more familiar with those names due to their freeform work. Just email me - 1 email per person please - and I will announce the winner next Monday. Please, no whining, begging or pleading - I get enough of that at work;)

_enjoy_

freebies

Today is Monday and what better way to start the week than with some freebies;)

Here's a website, Purple Kitty, that is restoring vintage crochet patterns. (They also have a sale going on, I have ordered from them and they do have fast service.*)
Their crocheted butterflies patterns are available as a downloda ($2.49) or for free at their website:

Click here: Butterflies in Crochet Book 272

I have never seen the book that the butterflies come from (there's a photo of it on the website) but it looks pretty cool.




Here's a freebie for you - the Interweave "Crochet" magazine.* Yes, it is a subscription form. But the first issue is yours to keep, you can cancel the subscription after that one. I decided to subscribe instead of trying to track it down in my area. It saves on time and gas. You can check it out here:
https://subscribe.pcspublink.com/magazine/Intw/subscribeForm.asp?track=JBN47&pub=CRCH&term=4

*no kickback received - you know the joke, I'd take it if they offered it