FM 3/24/08

If you want to try crocheting with beads, this site has a cool beaded crochet bag.
http://promotions.drgnetwork.com/newsletters/talkingcrochet/pages/TCNL1608_patt1.html

In Chicago, the crocheters decided to do something slightly differnet than make hats and mittens - they decided to "artistically litter" the area, with, of course crochet on the trees.
http://www.neatorama.com/index.php?s=crochet+graffiti&Submit=Go

It's not too late to enter this contest. I really can't think of a heart design I haven't seen someone else do (and better, I might add) but hopefully you have more imagination than I do. Good luck!
http://www.crochettoday.com/pdfs/heartcontest.pdf

These are some Japanese crochet patterns. I don't know Japanese but my sons and my beloved know the language. But you can probably suss it out by the diagrams.
http://www.rakuten.co.jp/gosyo/437212/870755/

I have often though of running a bakery, with vintage crocheted potholders hung up as a kind of decoration. I haven't made a business plan or found a location, but I _can_ make these cool potholders.
http://tipnut.com/more-vintage-crochet-potholder-patterns-free-download/

Not free patterns, but a fashion show and some inspiration for you:
http://www.saralytle.com/

These are _book_ thongs, folks, not people thongs. Although what you do with them after you make them is entirely up to you. Check out the owl and fish _book_ thongs.
http://yarnigras.blogspot.com/2008/03/little-hoot-bookthong.html

Not a free pattern, but an interesting story of how crochet leads to higher education:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/auckland/4447039a6497.html

It's sad but true - sometimes you don't get along with your crochet hook. It might split the yarn or decide to get lost at a crucial point in crocheting. Or you might be using it for something you shouldn't have been doing (killing the squeaker box on an annoying toy - Boye steel hook #7, I'm talking about _you_)) and the tip breaks off. Here's another use for it:
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar212008/sesame2008032058519.asp

I love sunflowers. I was especially disappointed last year that _no_ sunflowers grew in my yard. That's unusual for me because we usually have at least 5 growing tall (and sometimes more). This lapghan has the bright colors of sunflowers:
http://debscrafts55.blogspot.com/2008/03/sunflower-lap-ghan.html

This is a filet teddy bear square. It's pretty cool looking:
http://crochetpatternsonly.blogspot.com/2005_09_05_archive.html

This is the birds and the bees of crocheting;) When a "mommy yarn" and a "daddy yarn"... no, it's really a cute pattern for crocheted birds and bees:
http://kristieskids.weebly.com/patterns2.html


There was a pattern for a shawl called "Seraphina" (I'm not quite sure where it was originally published, to be truthful). Apparently, the pattern needed to be teaked and here it is, a seraphina shawl adaptation:
http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/donisfuff/croshawl.html

Wonder about shelling out the cash for the ergonomic hooks? Here's a great review of the Provo brand of ergonomic crochet hooks:
http://crochet.craftgossip.com/hook-review-provo-ergonomic-hooks/2008/03/13/

Did I mention this Spider-Man afghan before? If I did. sorry, I just happened to remember it again. If not, well, hooray for me;)
http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/angelcrafts/patterns/spidermanroundrippleafghan.html


As usual, I receive no kickbacks from any site I have mentioned. I'd take them, but nobody's offering;)
Enjoy

just another Freebie Monday

it's all not free patterns, folks;) some are just cool websites...

Looking for some Halloween crochet? This site has plenty of free patterns:
.http://crochet.about.com/b/a/257679.htm

And this one does have a pretty cool pattern for a starghan (a round ripple afghan). It doesn't show the holes the way a normal ripple afghan does. The blogger said she invented a new stitch, but it's better if she explains it than me.
http://inspiredcrochetdesign.blogspot.com/2007/10/free-pattern-chromium-star-blanket.html

I don't know who Twinkie is, but apparently "everybody" is talking about her. I always thought that was a snack cake, but I guess I'm wrong:
http://crochet.craftgossip.com/everbodys-talking-about-twinkie/2007/10/05/


I love Stitchy McYarnpants. It's just so funny. And I have to admit that yes, I did crochet some of those designs back in my wilder days. But hey, it was the '70s, all the other crocheters were doing it, and I thought just a little bit wouldn't hurt anybody. Now I see I was wrong;)
http://stitchymcyarnpants.com/knit06/

If you seen the floors in my house, the statement I'm about to make won't shock you. I don't have a Swiffer wet mop thingie. But apparently a lot of people do and some crochet the cover instead of using the little covers you have to buy for it.
http://diynamite.com/2007/10/16/crochet-swiffer-cover/
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How about some Lion Brand Halloween crochet - here goes a pirate. It looks fairly easy to me....
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/70445AD.html?noImages=


Again, I don't get a kickback or payola from any of these people. I'd take it, but nobody offers;)

_enjoy_

retro or right up to date?

Here's something that caught my eye while surfing the net
http://www.retrotogo.com/2007/07/evans-60s-style.html

These are bright and colorful and in "larger sizes" but since they don't give any size as a reference, I have no clue. I think the price is in pounds, which is approximately $2 American dollars to each pound. (at least right now it is, who knows when you look at it).

I would think they are made of cotton or rayon motifs and sewn together, with a dyed slip underneath. It must be fingering weight or finer because it looks delicate. Pretty cool stuff - check it out when you get a chance.