fm 11/24/08

Yup, I'm still using the boot to walk around in. The leg is not healing, "too much stress" according to the doctor. I should be getting an electrical stimulator for my leg this week. I have to use it for 3 hours a day, so I am hoping it is portable and requires a battery so it will be easier for me to comply. Next visit to the ortho - January 2, 2009. I'm thrilled;)


It's a bit colder in my area than the usual November temps - we even had snow flurries on Friday, so I thought I'd list some hats and scarves first.

Here's a crochet rib hat that would be suitable for males or females....
http://www.mielkesfarm.com/c_rib_ht.htm

Or how about a tapestry hat?
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/sydney/sydney_4.html

This would also be good for males or females - a crochet beanie
http://nikkishell.typepad.com/wardroberefashion/2008/11/simple-crochet.html

Here's something I thought was cool - a ripple scarf
http://www.woolcrafting.com/ripple-scarf-pattern.html

And how about a ripple purse to go with it?
http://www.sweaterbabe.com/monthly-free-knitting-crochet-pattern2863.htm


How about a Caron brand yarn scarf by Kim Guzman ?
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/journey/journey_1.html

This shows you how to do the seed stitch -
http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com/2008/11/seed-stitch-crochet-scarf.html

And now for something completely different, a tessalated crochet fish motif/ That could worl out to be a cool scarf pattern (no I haven't tried it yet).
http://in-a-pear-tree.blogspot.com/2008/08/crochet-fish-motif-finally.html

So now I can bring the snow flurries into my house, without the cold - here's a snowflake garland
http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/Seasonal/WR1691+Crochet+Snowflake+Garland.htm

ANd this one must have escaped the Thanksgiving list last week - here's a pilgrim girl fridgie
http://www.crochetmemories.com/archive/november3.html

A lot of people like "Hello Kitty". When I was in Atlantic CIty a few years ago, I seen a "Hello Kitty" ring made for an adult (woman, I suppose. I can't really see a man wearing a "blingy" ring with a cat face on it, but I know nothing of fashion). So here's a really cute amigurmi "Hello Kitty" doll
http://arminas-aminals.blogspot.com/2008/03/ami-hello-kitty.html

For those of you interested in wire crochet, this is neat. A crochet wire leaf to make into a pin or a centerpiece.
http://foothillhomecompanion.blogspot.com/2008/11/how-to-crochet-leaf-with-wire.html

This link is for a survey for2 free Bernat e-books. Yes,. there is no strictly crochet book although there are a few strictly knit books. And yes, you will probably get it around the first of 2009. But it is a freebie, so there you are.
http://survey2008.bernat.com/

Despite rumors to the contrary;) I am not making the big bucks off of posting these links. I'm willing to be bribed, but people are way too honest to offer me a bribe.

_enjoy_

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_

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 6/16/08

Here we go again, a nice little mix....

http://www.black-purl-magazine.com/NEWS-061308.htm
The new "Essentia" magazine is online.

http://www.crochetmemories.com/newsletters/newsletter.html
The new Crochet Corner newsletter is also online.

2nd blogiversary contest
Planet June is having a contest to win one of her patterns or a mouse she has made herself - very cute. If you're like me and can't decide between the mouse and the pattern, don't worry - just post twice to enter both contests.

http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=0&d_id=428&lang=en
It's been a little warm here in the MD area and somehow sewing worsted weight motifs together doesn't seem too appealing. Here's a lighter pattern.

http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/Accessories/WR1661+Crochet+Buttonon+Trims+for+Crocs.htm
If you are one of the folks who wear Crocs (or "Croc like" shoes), you can make them a bit fancier by using some of these trims. My beloved won't let me make any for his Crocs;)

http://www.friendshipshawl.org/patterns.html
Since it's vacation time for lots of folks, maybe you'd like a quicker project to work on - this, of course, is a link for a friendship shawl pattern.

http://leisurearts.com/customer_care/download_files/N_06_08_CrochetStole.pdf
Another link for a friendship shawl pattern.

http://www.crochetville.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-2815.html
And another link for a shawl pattern, this one is a butterfly shawl pattern.

http://sofar-sogood.blogspot.com/2008/06/peace-granny.html
Do you want to crochet for peace? Here's a really cool crocheted square. a peace sign.

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/80211AD.html?noImages=0
Maybe you are preparing for a wedding at this time and can't figure out what type of wedding favors to have. Lion Brand has a few patterns for a wedding favor sachet. I can't imagine crocheting them for a really large guest list, but I'm sure there are more ambitous people than I am out there.

http://crochet.about.com/od/squaresbysize/a/crksq2clr.htm?nl=1
This is a strange little square and I think I will try this pattern out for a baby afghan...it would definitely be different....

http://crochet.about.com/od/bytype/a/zigzag.htm?nl=1
Okay, so maybe crocheted squares don't float your boat. How about some ripple patterns?

http://web.archive.org/web/20050208122000/http://grandmashookery.com/religious/supper.html
I have seen this "Last Supper" pattern made in filet crochet. (It was hung in a nursing home I visited for my job.) It is absolutely amazing to look at and takes up a ton of time. Check it out.

As always, I receive no payment or special consideration from the sites I have listed.
_enjoy_

fm 1/28/08

I can't believe I missed the chance to see this very cool car in person when it was at Artscape. But I did, unfortunately. But here's your chance to check it out and read all about how the yarn card came to be. It's amazingly cool.
http://www.yarncar.com/


It's the end of January and some of you have had a long snowy winter. (Some of us haven't). But if you need some beautiful, colorful crochet to check out, here's the site:
http://www.gusset.net/kip/archives/000479.html
I love the abundance of colors used in the skirt.

Check out this cool frog:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22811120@N06/2199939448/

and now for the free patterns

Did you buy that combination soy/acrylic yarn? Did you know you could dye it with Kool Aid?Here's a site about doing just that:
http://k2sc1.wordpress.com/2008/01/20/dying-soy-acrylic-yarn/

Want to crochet some slippers? Here's a site with a lot of free slipper patterns:
http://fabricfolliestwo.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/crochet-slipper-pattern-links-free-crochet-slipper-patterns/

I would have never thought of this in a million years, but it's so _cool_. I could have really used it when both of my sons were still living at home. I could get 4 to 5 milk bottle caps in a week (or less).
http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=69985

Is there such a thing as "too many handbags"? Some people say that could happen, but I say it's just not possible - it's like saying "that's too much yarn". So if you want to make some new purses, check this out:
http://www.freewebs.com/ceciscreations/freepatterns.htm

I love flowers, but it will be a while before I see any in my yard - even the crocuses haven't bloomed yet. But to help tide me over, here's a great flower pattern I want to share with you:
http://mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com/2007/03/loopy-flowers-free-pattern.html

_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/
--

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_

ripple pattern

I crocheted a _lot_ of ripple stitch afghans in the '70s with those lovely '70s colors;) You know, the avocado green and harvest gold stuff, the yarn in the ripple stitch kit. I recently bought a wool one at a thrift shop, intending to felt it and maybe make a bag or a hook holder with it. But crochet felts differently than knit. A knitted article will felt so you can't see the individual stitches. The felted crochet afgan still shows distinct stitches.

But this isn't really about my experiments in the washer. I found a great blog, where the blogger made a bright ripple and it looks _great_. None of that going crazy because you can't really tell the difference between the 3 shades of light blue. (Am I the only one who has done that - switched the lighter shades proper place and not realize it until 12 rows or so?).

here's the spot:

Click here: yarnstorm: on the crest of a wave

and here's the Payton update
He had the third surgery yesterday. They bumped it up a day because his foot was swelling. They had to remove the dressing to look at the foot, so they decided to go ahead with the fourth skin graft. He is doing okay and healing well. Thanks for all the letters of support for me and my family. Payton still has a long way to go, but it looks like it's going well.