FM November 2, 2009

Well, it's November and it's Daylight Savings Time in my neck of the woods. I'm not sure why we are saving daylight, we had plenty in the summer;) But I don't make the rules.
I am on round 24 of the "Oopsie" afghan. It looks great, even if I do say so myself. It is coming together quickly even thought it looks difficult.

On to the patterns:

For those of you who love dogs, here is a dog shaped scarf
http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=2545&utm_source=250409NS&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cb


I can see where fingerless mitts could sometimes be handy so here's a pattern for a pair: http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=2573&utm_source=100609NS&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cb

My favorite hand coverings are mittens. Yes, I know you can crochet gloves, but I just like having my fongers free.
http://shepherdscrookcrochet.blogspot.com/2009/01/friendship-mitens.html


I'm not quite ready for snow, but I am ready for some crochet snowflakes
http://www.favecrafts.com/Ornaments/Crochet-Bells-and-Flakes-from-Patons#

and more crochet snowflakes
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/crocheted-snowflakes


This looks as if it would be very handy for those folks who use a walker - could be great for nursing home residents -a walker bag
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2009/10/3-x-3-walker-totes.html

How about a beautiful doily
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet/Pretty-Doily-Crochet-Pattern#

Or maybe some crocheted Queen Anne's lace
http://totallyfreecrochetpatterns.blogspot.com/2009/10/1940s-queen-annes-lace-motif-free.html



This is really cool - you could use it on a card - a crochet poinsettia
http://chocolatecraftsandbearsohmy.blogspot.com/2009/10/crochet-poinsettia-directions-for-your.html

This is just to look at, but it's pretty cool - a crocheted evening gown
http://www.baxterbulletin.com/article/20091023/NEWS01/910230325/1002/Barnes-wins-national-award-for-crocheted-gown-design


I know that October is over and that is supposed to be Breast Cancer Awareness month, but this would be appropriate almost any time - a breast cancer awareness scarf
http://mausicasmagicalmenagerie.blogspot.com/2009/10/breast-cancer-awareness-scarf-crochet.html


That is about it for me today. As usual, I receive no freebies from posting these items. In this economy, who could afford payola;)

Enjoy

FM 10/26/09

I haven't done too much crocheting this week. It's crunch time at work and that usually means my right hand is aching by the end of the week. But I did manage to get in 6 rounds of the "Oopsie Daisy" circular baby afghan from this book:






It's going much faster than I expected and is much easier, too. I am making it out of the white Simply Soft Caron yarn. I will put this up for my older niece until the time comes for her to have it. I don't know when that will be, but I'm hoping soon.

This week in freebies:

I thought this was funny. I don't know if kids could wear it to school because it's sort of a toy, but it's cute. I present a hand puppet scarf
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-for-Kids/Puppet-Scarf-Crochet-Pattern-from-Red-Heart#

I thought this was really neat, but I have a soft spot for bunnies - a pink rabbit monster ami
http://kandjdolls.blogspot.com/2009/09/free-pattern-pink-rabbit-monster.html


Crochet Cabana has some lovely charity patterns. To check them out, look at this link: http://www.crochetcabana.com/charity/charity-patterns.htm

If you have a lizard lover in your family, he or she may like a gecko bookmark
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2009/10/suzies-gecko-bookmark-toy.html


My younger son explained to me this is "steampunk" but it looks like crocheted cog / gears. Still impressive, could be cool of a t-shirt:
http://vintagestitchorama.blogspot.com/2008/09/crocheted-cogs.html

Caron has a link for a beautiful scarf

http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/green_valley/green_valley_1.html




That's it for today. My darling hubby is battling some weird cold (flu?) for over a week now and I got some sort of salivary gland infection going on now. So I'm sorry for the brief post.

As usual, I receive no money / gratuities from these folks. I'd take them (especially in Caron yarn) but it's not happening.

_enjoy_

FM 10/19/09

This is the fish for Aidain. I basically followed the motif pattern, using 2 strands of worsted weight yarn instead of one and putting one extra row of single crochet between the each of the original patterns. Obviously, it made it much bigger. I used one skein of the Caron Simply Bright and the other skein was the Red Heart Banana berry. I crocheted the eyes and sewed them to the fish. I wasn't too thrilled with the eyes, but I didn't want to use felt or buttons/eyes simply because Aidain is only about 6 weeks old. But I still liked it.
I have another project lined up to do, but I want to make myself do a few little applique things prior to beginning the next crochet project. I wear a navy blur lab jacket for work and it's boring. So I bought a few from Ebay (I didn't want to do anything to the company supplied jacket) and decided to "pimp" the pockets. One lab jacket has pink ribbon appliques on it. I plan to iron on a pink rhinestone ribbon on the same pocket. The other plans are sunflower appliques and butterfly appliques. It occurred to me that I could crochet the items after I already purchased the appliques. I'm thinking I may get a few more and make a snowman applique to put on the pockets. But that's for later.

Now it's time for some free patterns:
A beautiful pattern from Noreen Crone-Findlay - a crochet wire bracelet
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/crocheted-wire-bracelet-with-vintage-button/


I may have posted this before - or maybe I didn't. But I liked it so here it is, a
flower blanket from Caron's website:
http://www.caron.com/projects/op/op_flower_throw.html

The Crochet Dude has a pink ribbin purse on his site - it's cute, check it out
http://blog.thecrochetdude.com/2009/10/02/free-purse-pattern-pink-ribbin.aspx


As always, if you have cats, you must have cat toys. Yeah, I know everything is a toy for cats, but this is really a crochet cat toy
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/09/just_a_few_yards_using_up_yarn_scraps.html?CMP=OTC-5JF307375954


It might be time for all of us who associate pine cones with winter holidays to start on this project from Planet M - crocheted pine cones
http://planetmfiles.com/2008/12/18/free-crochet-pine-cone-pattern/


Again, I'm not sure if I posted this or not, but I think it's fascinating. I'm trying to think in what lifetime I'd do all those little motifs but you never know -
crochet flower afghan from Berroco.
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/cyanne/cyanne.html


It's close to Halloween, bow about some ami bats
http://fuzzyfeetworks.blogspot.com/2009/10/free-amigurumi-bats-pattern.html

A few more projects from the Caron site:
a vest
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/aurora/aurora_1.html

and a sweater
http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/cushman/cushman_1.html


Here's another bat pattern for you:
bat pattern
http://shala-beads.livejournal.com/202913.html
And here's a blog that does Sunday freebies you might want to check out. It's Itsybitsyspider Crochet, it has a lot of good information on this blog:
http://itsybitsyspidercrochet.blogspot.com/search/label/Free%20Patterns


The usual disclaimer applies - I receive no special consideration or renumration for posting these sites. I keep saying I'm not proud, I would accept it but I guess no one wants to insult my integrity;)

_enjoy_

FM 10/5/09

Greetings, everyone. I finally finished Aidain's afghan, still got to make a toy fish to go with it, but that shouldn't be so difficult. I would do a few things differently the next time around. One thing I would have made as many rows of fish as it took to make the size I wanted. I had a devil of a time trying to edge the fish side part of the afghan. I tried to single crochet it, trying to make everything the same height. I made half fish, which did not work as well as I had planned. I made difficult colored whole fish and couldn't get it to work the way I want. As you can see, I went back to the single crochet edging. I would have sewn the fish with a little more ease in the seam. Or maybe I would have crocheted them together. I plan to play with the pattern at a later date to see what I could have done differently. Maybe make some really big fish by increasing the stitches in the motif. (This is Braveheart testing the afghan for softness.) I made it with an H hook, using Caron's Simply Brights for the fish motifs and the trim is in Red Heart Banana Berry. I might post some more pictures later on in the week.

Anyway, here's what I got this week:


For the Canadians who will be celebrating Thanksgiving next week,
here's a turkey pattern form Planet M
http://planetmfiles.com/2008/11/11/free-crochet-turkey-pattern/

I thought these were lovely, especially the shade of the mitts.
Suzie's butterfly mitts
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2009/09/suzies-butterfly-mitts-c.html

and Here's the hat to go with it
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2009/07/suzies-butterfly-garden-cap-c.htm


I'm thinking of a fish to match the afghan, I might use this pattern but make it in the various colors of the afghan instead of just gold colored. here it is - a
goldfish amigurumi
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Amigurumi/Goldfish-Friends-Amigurumi#


And as you know, I love bunnies. I love making toys, so this is a natural fit for me - a bunny amigurumi
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Amigurumi/Love-Bunnies-Crochet-Amigurumi


Donate a scarf, get 20% off at Lion Brand. Too bad this is for the New
York store only.
http://www.lionbrandyarnstudio.com/lionStudioBlog/?p=1977

cool spider coasters
http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/Seasonal/WC1939+Spiderweb+Coasters+and+Halloween+Table+Center.htm


maybe your dog has a Halloween party coming up, you may want to check this out:
http://www.caron.com/projects/op/op_hotdog_coat.html

That's it. As usual, nobody exchanged money or goods for being mentioned here. They know I'll list it anyway, so what's the use of bribing me. Although I really could go for a turkey sandwich...

FM 9/28/09

I'm still working on the fish motif afghan. Now I am working on the end panel. I think I will have to be done by October 9, that's the day before the big Aidainpolooza party.
On with the show:

Apparently, Cate Blanchet wears a granny square dress and causes a huge stir. I think it looks good on her, but she could probably wear a potato sack and look good.
http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,28383,26089925-5007192,00.html


I like Robert Downey, Jr. I loved "Iron Man". But now I think Mr Downey is even cooler- check out Robert Downey Jr & crochet
http://geekcentralstation.blogspot.com/2009/09/see-men-appreciate-crochet.html

I am using Simply Soft for my great nephew. Here's a simply soft tunic pattern
http://www.caron.com/projects/ss/ss_simple_tunic.html


I know everyone knows that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Now you can crochet for the cure:
http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-for-the-cure/


I thought this was pretty cool a crochet square flower motif
http://rosehip.typepad.com/rose_hip_blog/2008/11/index.html

and another lovely pattern from the same blog - a crochet flower
http://rosehip.typepad.com/rose_hip_blog/2007/09/september-blur.html


Here's a Red Heart log cabin quilt pattern:
http://www.redheart.com/Default.aspx?tabid=118&patternid=CT0003


That's it for this week, folks. Hopefully, I will take a picture of the fish motif afghan next week.

_enjoy_

As usual, no gratuities have been given for these mentions

whoops

I've been bad. I don't have a good reason, so I'm not going to offer one. (I wasn't sick or saving the world or anything really).
Aidain's afghan is sewn together now. I have to add an edging to it to make it a bit bigger, but I do like the way it turned out. Yes, I definitely will take a picture of it and post it. It was fun, but I'd play around with the pattern for a differeneffect next time around.
that's it, I didn't want you to think I fell off the edge of the earth....

FM Labor Day

I'm still working on Aidain's afghan. I am about 3/5 of the way finished. I can't wait to see how it turns out, it's the first time I tried this pattern and so far, I really like it.
I have a mixed bag of info for you today, so let's get started.


_Not_ a freebie but a class you can take to learn about selling your crochet designs. It's $50, it's online and it's taught by Mary Beth Temple. I know, $50 seems like a lot for a class, but consider how helpful it will be to have a professional teach you how to prepare your pattern for publication. Sounds like a good investment to me.
http://www.hookedforlifepublishing.com/onlineclass.html


This blog about a visitor's experience of the hyperbolic crochet exhibit in Australia
http://trishalandesigns.blogspot.com/2009/09/crafters-way-107-crochet.html

Here's an article about "yarn wars" in Canada. No, it's not local shops having a price war (I can dream, can't I;))
http://www2.canada.com/vancouvercourier/news/story.html?id=ddca1c3b-35d1-4571-ae65-869f52a6f6b6


This article by Kim Guzman made me realize that when you substitute manmade fibers for natural fibers, you will definitely run into a fitting problem.
http://www2.canada.com/vancouvercourier/news/story.html?id=ddca1c3b-35d1-4571-ae65-869f52a6f6b6

Noreen Crone-Findlay creates a crochet goddess of upcycling. Cute, especially with the zippers.
http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/crocheted-goddess-of-upcycling-doll/

Here's a very cute afghan, it's called a bunny slope snuggli (think skiing, not Thumper)
http://jaybirddesigns.blogspot.com/2009/09/free-crochet-pattern-bunny-slope.html


Rachel Choi comes thru with a crochet pencil case pattern. You could probably use it for glasses. too
http://www.crochetspot.com/free-crochet-pattern-back-to-school-pencil-case/


There's no people like snowpeople - especially crochet snowpeople
http://www.favecrafts.com/Christmas-Crafts/Crochet-Snowman-Family-from-Bernat#

Want to make something fancy for a swap or yourself. Here's how to make fancy crochet stitch markers
http://e1.interweave.com/dm?id=7F961284108FB5A87672EF075A466371B675C59E1385BC44

Mary is a very busy woman and she can't be everywhere. But luckily for us, there are "Everything Mary" tutorials
http://www.crochetsoiree.com/objects/view/30832/


I found this to be a very intriguing pattern stitch for a dishcloth - big enough to see if you like it, small enough to finish if you're not thrilled with it
http://dishclothcorner.blogspot.com/2008/04/crochet-garterlac-dishcloth.html

This panda crochet-along combines Tammie Snow's talents with brushing yarn.
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/09/crochet-along_fuzzy_panda_amig.html

That's it for today. As usual, no kickbacks, bailouts, payola or the hint of a gift was involved in making this list.

_enjoy_