"Hooked on Murder" a contest

I devoured Betty Hechtman's "Hooked on Murder" and found it to be a charming book. The book is from the viewpoint of Molly Pink, a 4oish widow, and she's a very likable character. Plus there's a crochet pattern and a pound cake recipe in it.....
I have an extra copy I am going to have a drawing for - so make a comment on this post and I will pick a winner on May 17, 2008 and mail the book to the winner.
Please, no whining. I get enough of that at work;)
Good Luck!

Freebie Monday 5/5/08

Want a pattern for a daisy square that "pops out" at you? Try this 3D granny square.
http://crochetmaryellen.blogspot.com/2007/06/easy-daisy-granny-square.html

Around Baltimore, it's that weird sort of weather - cool in the mornings and evenings, but warmish during the day. A shawl is the perfect solution for that inbetween weather:
http://www.caron.com/projects/ft/summer_shawl.html

You need to check this site out - she makes amazingly cool amigurimi toys and this pattern shows you how to make a human figure:
http://geekcentralstation.blogspot.com/2008/03/free-pattern-aragorn-and-boromir.html

I have to tell you I never really noticed Bonnie Pierce's name until the 2006 "Crochet Pattern a Day" calendar. I had seen her work before, but that calendar showcased her amazing talent with a roll (bullion) stitch. This site has patterns for a few of her squares and her work is so beautiful, I want to make one of everything. So far, I haven't but I definitely want to work a few of these squares into an afghan:
http://members.aol.com/gandal195/patternpg.html

Need a pattern for a small bag? This is a quick pattern to work up:
http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com/2008/04/blog-post_30.html

This pattern is from a 1972 "McCall's Needlework". I remember the magazine well....this is "groovy";)
http://web.archive.org/web/20010908163424/www.cei.net/~vchisam/groovy/48-178bag.html


This site is about making "Izzy dolls" to give away. It has both crochet and knit patterns. The story behind the dolls is very powerful, please check it out:
http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1007808

I have been working on a crocheted rainbow afghan for my nephew. He put the request in at Easter, I guess to give me lots of time to make it. I had debated on how to make the double bed size afghan. Right now, I'm thinking of going with a quilt sort of look. I really didn't want to do a double bed side ripple or make a ton of little motifs to sew together. I am almost finished the orange section (I already finished red), so that just gives me 5 more sections to finish and put together. At the present rate of work, I think I should be done in about 6 weeks. At least, I'm hoping to have it done in 6 weeks;) I'll see how it goes once I have more of the color sections done.

I love mystery books. I skipped Nancy Drew completely and went straight away to the Agatha Christie novels. I loved "The Cat Who...." books, the P.D. James books and the Diane Mott Davidson's books with the recipes in them. But now I am currently waiting for Amazon to deliver a crochet mystery book to me. It's called " Hooked on Murder" by Betty Hechtman. I don't know anything about it, but since there are quilt and knit mysteries out, it's about time for a crochet mystery book. I'll let you know how I like it after I read it.

As usual, I receive no kickbacks from any of the sites or products mentioned. I can be bought, but apparently no one wants to buy me;)

_enjoy_

FM 4/28/08

Do you have a small doll that needs some clothes? This might be a good place to look for patterns.
http://www.geocities.com/crochet_crafters/patterns/patindex.html

I have made many, many afghans made of motifs - as I'm sure most crocheters do. Here's an easier way to join all thoise motifs.
http://www.crochetcabana.com/tutorials/joining_squares3a.htm


Want to try some freeform for a good cause - breast cancer.
http://www.knotjustknitting.com/

Krenik (to me) is better known for their embroidery thread. But here's some crochet patterns for their various projects:
Click here: Kreinik Manufacturing Co., Inc. :: Freebies :: Crochet & Knitting

Here's a new fashion crochet magazine that debuts June 15, 2008: http://chiqmag.com/

Crochet (as well as knit) patterns by yarn type:
http://www.straw.com/cpy/free_pattern_yarnssort.html#choo

The hyperbolic crochet reef project visits New York.
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/episodes/2008/04/08/segments/96377

Here's a Scandinavian snow white bikini for the (relatively) short Scanfinavian summer.
http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=99&d_id=28&lang=en

Want to make a hackey sack? Here you go:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-crochet-a-ball-or-a-hackey-sack/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

This is a pattern for a natural alternative for plastic pants that cover diapers. Definitely better than plastic pants.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/1976-09-01/Woolen-Diaper-Covers.aspx

Ready for a crochet talk show - with the "cheerleader for crochet" Dee Stanizano?
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Mary-Beth-Temple
Crochet and Dee Staniziano

The "crochet dude", Drew Emborsky, has a free afghan pattern posted, based on Frank Lloyd Wright's work.
http://www.creativehomeartsclub.com/Projects/Project.aspx?id=104502
Drew Emborsky also has a book coming out later this year, "The Crochet Dude Designs For Guys".

Need an oven towel? I do. Here's a tutorial for one:
http://bunks.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/oven-towel-tutorial/

Sometimes, I need to see a stitch being worked to really understand it. This tutorial for the diagonal box stitch is good.
http://www.crochetcabana.com/stitches/diag-box-st.htm


It doesn't have anything to do with crochet, but it's a little something to think about:
http://amyoops.blogspot.com/2008/04/some-deep-thinking-for-today.html

as usual, no kickbacks for me

_enjoy_

A contest to win some cool earrings

Noreen Crone-Findlay makes some amazing creations. This time she is running a contest to win a pair of lovely lacy wire butterflies. You have to enter the contest by the 25th (yes, I should have posted it sooner - I'll blame work). I would really love to win this, but it's fair that I let other folks know about it.....here's the link:

http://www.hankeringforyarn.com/contest-crocheted-wire-butterfly-earrings

good luck and check out the other cool stuff on M's Crone-Findlay's blog....

fm 4/21/08

This is a really cool pattern for crocheted socks:
http://loveyarn1984.blogspot.com/2008/04/small-shell-socks.html

Yes, it is Earth Day this week. Although some media outlets are calling Earth Day a "national holiday", it's not really - the post office and the banks remain open. But I never need a holiday to post a link to Noreen Crone-Findlay's site for some cool crochet. Here's a crocheted market bag as M's Crone-Findlay's contribution to Earth Day
http://www.hankeringforyarn.com/crocheted-market-bag

Do you ever dream about crochet? Sometimes I think about a pattern before I go to sleep, it seems to help me fall asleep faster. But this woman dreams of crochet and creates hats with her dreams:
http://tapestrycrochet.blogspot.com/

Not a pattern site, but something totally different in the land of crochet. Here's a crochet crab and a frog (among other animals) by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos.

http://casasugar.com/1549938

This pattern combines 2 of my favorite things - crochet and buttons.
http://crochetroo.blogspot.com/2008/04/button-blossom-brooch-free-crochet.html

This is a character from the "Dr Who" tv seiries:

http://community.livejournal.com/starrs_crodream/13453.html

Did you ever have a Blythe doll? I was a little too old for dolls when she became popular. But my younger sisters had one. They would have asked me to make this hat for their doll.
http://www.knitchat.com/2008/03/28/freebie-friday-blythe-crocheted-hat/


Many, many years ago, I was married to a guitarist. The band would usually practice at my house. I wish there was something like this pattern then.
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/04/rock_band_drum_kit_crochet_covers_prevent_eviction-2.html


Looking for a springtime centerpiece - check out Berroco's pattern for pussywillow and hydrangea.

http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/centerpiece/centerpiece.htm



as usual, no payoffs.
_enjoy_

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 April 7, 2008

I have a lot of plants. This becomes a problem in late October when I have to bring them in the house because the sunroom will be too cold for them. However, this plant sling could be just waht I need to make that transition a little easier:
http://members.aol.com/lffunt/plantsling.htm

Got a cat potholder? Here's your chance for a pattern for one:
http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa071297.htm?nl=1

Summer is coming and here's a pattern for a bag. It's made out of granny squares, but it doesn't look like the traditional granny square bags:
http://www.stricksucht.de/anleitungen/crochetedbag.pdf

Speaking of summer, here's a pattern for a beach cover up:
http://www.crochetme.com/June_July_2005/patt_waters_edge.htm

I hope I haven't posted this before, but I love this pattern. It's perfect for people who have an offbeat sense of humor - or to offend somebody, I guess.....
Mouldy Cupcake Crochet Pattern

This says it's a pattern for a pot holder, but I see it more as a trivet kind of thing:
Pattern for Crocheted Sealer Ring Pot Holders...

You've seen or heard of performance art - here's a crocheting piece of performance art:
Radical crocheters plug away on pink project for Ulrich

Do you have cats? Then you have cat fur! Would you like to learn how to spin it into yarn? Check this out: http://www.hankeringforyarn.com/spinning-cat-fur

Want to find out more about crochet designers, particularly Mary Jane Hall, author of "Positively Crochet!"? Here's an interview with her: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art2070.asp

How about a crochet necklace? Here's a pattern:
http://creativeyarn.blogspot.com/2008/03/free-patterns-outline-for-crochet.html

You know the normal disclaimer - no kickbacks are given.
_enjoy_