Crochet Horoscope 2011 part 1

A belated happy new year to everyone. Yes, I'm a day late and a dollar short, but nothing new about it;)
Here's my Crochet horoscopes for 2011. Of course, these horoscopes are just for fun and shouldn't be taken too seriously.
I will say something I've repeated for the last 2 years - shop from your stash! I need to remember that particular lesson myself. But when something like the Special Olympics scarves call for specific yarns and that's not in my stash, what can I do?  If you say "buy it" you won;) And if you say "buy the required yarn and some other yarn", you know me too well;)

Aries March 21-April 20

This will be an exciting crochet year for you. You generally are willing to try anything, but this year you decide to try some new stitches you are unfamiliar with - maybe you've seen them in a pattern or caught a reference to them somewhere. But your determination to learn something new will blossom into a stunning wearable item that will get a lot of compliments. And because you basically created the item from playing with the stitch, you might be able to add the label of "crochet pattern designer" to your resume', if it's not there already. You will definitely enjoy this new stitch. Do I know what stitch it is? I do, but that would be telling and you'd be much better finding the stitch for yourself.

a video for you to ponder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Axzxe1a78E

Taurus April 21-May 21
Oh, Taurus, you impulsive imp! It's more difficult for you than most yarnies to not buy new yarn. And I feel your pain., But seriously, sock away your yarn money and save it for a bigger splurge. That splurge will either be a class or a conference that leaves you rejuvenated and your fingers itching for your hooks. Your crochet techniques will blossom after this splurge and you will be revved up for that making gifts for the friends and family you keep promising yourself you will do. And you will succeed in that particular goal, providing you manage to pace yourself between crochet, work and life. (Work will be the bear to manage, unfortunately.)

a video for you to ponder:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RFOP3GLEzc&feature=related

Gemini May 22-June 21
There will be major changes for you this year in crochet world. Maybe this is the year you make that bedspread in cotton thread or decide to start spinning your own yarn. Maybe a new yarn shop will open near you and you decide to teach a class when you find out they have no crochet classes. Or maybe it's time to publish that great pattern that is your signature piece. Whatever it is, you will tackle the challenge with your usual good humor. And your good humor will help to tide you over the rough bits of the new year (hopefully, not too many). However you pursue crochet this year, you probably would be happier joining a group (maybe a crochet-a-long) so you can swap yarn tales with like minded individuals. There's a lot of groups out there, just don't get stuck in one that takes the "bitch" part seriously. Crochet should be fun.

a video for you to ponder:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7ogIuxegkQ

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;)

fm April 14, 2007

I know in some parts of the world it's almost time to ditch the socks and go to sandals - but come on, socks are small and easy to carry with you project, so here's an easy sock pattern.
http://www.planetshoup.com/easy/crochet/ribsox.shtml

Want to see a crocheted swimsuit? This is cute.
http://www.crochetsal.com/summeryswimsuit.htm

Carol Ventura does fantastic tapestry crochet - and if you like cats, this is perfect for you.
http://www.tapestrycrochet.com/KittyBag.htm

A new edition of the Essentia newsletter (Black Purl) for your reading pleasure.
http://www.black-purl-magazine.com/NEWS-041108.htm

This looks like a really cool exhibit if you plan to be in the Pittsburgh area anytime before the end of June, 2008.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/westmoreland/s_560494.html

Here's a cute pair of earrings from Roxycraft:
http://roxycraft.wordpress.com/2008/04/07/free-pattern-cherry-pickers-crochet-cherry-earrings/

Since in some places it's getting warmer, here's a lovely lace top to crochet.
http://naturallycaron.com/projects/aqua_aloha/aqua_aloha_1.html

Lady Linoleum always has wonderful offbeat handwork on her blog. I love the lobsters on this shawl, but I love how lobsters _look_. They just make me laugh. I have no idea why.
Lobster Bake Shawl

Looking for a new fence for the yard? This is a beautiful fence (not crocheted, but I still thought it was cool). Really cool.
http://www.demakersvan.com/

Lots of free reading this week - a new issue of "Crochet Insider"
http://www.crochetinsider.com/

This looks like a great place to check out crochet toys:
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080329/LIFESTYLES0104/803290305/-1/lifestylesfront

Starch?! I didn't know anyone used liquid starch anymore, I thought my mom used the world's supply on my petticoats and my dad's boxers.....
http://teenhobbies.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/adding-starch-to-your-finished-crochet-projects/
.
Cute little caterpillar pattern:
http://groups.msn.com/CwmEnfysCrochet/rainbowcaterpiller.msnw

As usual, I receive no kickbacks from any of these sites.
_enjoy_

FM 2/11/08

Think only women are daring enough to make cool wearables out of crochet? Check this website out and you will change your mind.
http://blog.jengibrewear.com/2007/08/verano-overalls.html

How about something quite different in crochet wearables? No patterns but lots of eye candy. There's a lot of what appears to be freeform work in this site.
http://www.susanobrant.com/


Looking for something quick and easy for Valentine's Day? Or maybe you're planning a Saint Patrick's Day gift for someone. I'm thinking Easter prezzies for the great-nephews.... Check this out:
Click here: "The Gabu" Crochet Amigurumi Creature Free Pattern

Maybe you're looking for some heart shaped crochet, just in time for Valentine's Day? Here's 2 different sites.
http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa021099.htm?nl=1

http://thinking.ivalerie.com/
heart bookmarks

I know it's Heart Month, but I couldn't skip over this particular freebie. It's for a chemo cap.
http://byhookorneedles.blogspot.com/2008/01/chemo-hat-with-hdc-brim.html


_enjoy_

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_

scientific study about buying yarn;)

Since I work in the medical field (medical records), I am very interested in the way the body works. Apparently there was a recent study done on women that showed there is a scientific reason for having a "yarn buying frenzy" when you (or I) enter a yarn shop. Sadly, they did not test this hypothesis on men, so I am left to wonder if women are more likely to suffer from this because women generally have a better sense of smell or does more research need to be done on this particular subject.
I was enlightened by this article and I hope you are, too;)

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A recent study indicated, that yarn and thread gives off certain pheromones that actually hypnotize women and cause them to purchase unreasonable amounts.

When stored in large quantities, in enclosed spaces, the pheromones, (in the yarn,) cause memory loss and induce the nesting syndrome, (similar to the one squirrels have, before the onset of winter, i.e. the storing of food,) therefore, perpetuating their species and not having a population loss due to their kind being cut into pieces and mixed with others.

Sound tests have also revealed, that these yarns, emit a very high-pitched sound, heard only by a select few, a breed of women known as "loomers." When played backwards on an LP, the sounds are heard as chants, "Buy me, loom me, and wind me into a ball ".

In order to overcome the so called "feeding frenzy effect," that these yarns cause, one must wear a face mask when entering a storage facility and use ear plugs, to avoid being pulled into their grip.

(One must laugh, however, at the sight of customers in a yarn store, with WW2 army gas masks and headphones!).

Studies have also indicated, that aliens have inhabited the earth, helping to spread the effects, that these yarns have on the human population. They are called "YARN STORE CLERKS".

It's also been experienced, that these same pheromones, cause a pathological need, to hide these yarn purchases, when taken home (or at least blend them into the existing stash.) When asked by a significant other if the yarn is new, the reply is, "I've had it for awhile."

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I didn't write this, but I _wish_ I did. I swiped it from somebody else's blog (yes, I asked permission and received it). She didn't know who wrote it either....

Author Unknown

take me seriosly;)

It wasn't a great day at work. The posion ivy rash I have itches (not a big deal, it's the way I know summer is officially here)
But here's a link to a video that makes me laugh and I hope it will make you laugh, also....
or at least bring a grin to your face...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyI_aueGvho


_enjoy_.....no I don't get a kickback from YouTube....but as always, I can be bought...(just don't go for the "by the pound rate" - you will definitely be sorry;))