FM March 23, 2009

It's been busy at work, but more and more daffodils are blooming and I have seen alot of robins this week. So spring has finally sprung. So here's this week's edition of FM.

Let's start off with some culture - here's a crochet hook poem
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1560543/crochet_hook.html?cat=10

If you make a lot of amigurumi, you might want a tutorial on invisible decreases
http://falwyn.wordpress.com/2007/12/30/invdectutorial/

Here's a pattern for centerpiece and pussywillows
http://berroco.com/exclusives/centerpiece/centerpiece.html

I thought this was really cute - a bird in hot air balloon
http://crochetingcrab.blogspot.com/2009/03/little-birds-holiday-amigurumi.html

The Crochet Liberation Front gave out the flamies this week. I didn't receive one - must have been an oversight;)
http://crochetliberationfront.blogspot.com/2009/03/flamies.html

and speaking of the CLF, here's the new winter magazine
http://crochetuncut.com/

Making a blanket for a preemie - here's a site with preemie blanket patterns
http://www.ehow.com/how_4848949_crochet-patterns-preemie-afghan.html

How about some crocheted chips (for National Chip and Dip Day) - sounds yummy...
http://chezmichelle.vox.com/library/post/bag-of-chips-crochet-pattern.html

And for kitchen duty, here's a crochet scrubby
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09078/956502-34.stm

And last but certainly not least, here's a crochet chef's hat pincushion
http://www.squidoo.com/freechefshatpincushioncrochetpattern

As usual, I receive no financial consideration for listing these sites.
_Enjoy_

FM 3/16/09

I was underwhelmed by the response to the contest I had last week. No one entered, no one won. So if you just are the first one to drop me a line about the Annie's Attic kit of the month (see last week's post for more info), I will snail mail it to you. Otherwise, it's onward and upward.

This isn't crocheted, but still fascinating - a knitted digestive system
http://www.strangebuttrewe.com/knitGI.htm

I've seen illusion knitting and I have seen an example or two of illusion crochet - but I thought this was the best example I've seen so far - it's a heart illusion square
http://smoothfoxlover.blogspot.com/2009/03/smoothfoxs-crochetshadow-illusion-large.html

I don't really know who or what a sack boy is, but I think he's popular with the younger set. But you may know who he is or you might just want to check him out:
http://moonscreations.blogspot.com/2009/03/sack-boy-amigurumi-pattern.html

This is from the book by Christen Haden, "Creepy Cute Crochet" - it's a mini monkey
http://www.mylifetime.com/lifestyle/home-crafts/craft-ideas/needle-arts/crochet-mini-monkey

Have you ever seen the Japanese flick "My Neighbor Turturo" ? If not, see it - it's a beautiful movie suitable for all ages. This is the makurokurosuke-soot pattern from that movie.
http://moonscreations.blogspot.com/2008/01/makurokurosuke-soot-pattern.html

I thought this was pretty cool - a crop circles square
http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=96360


These are really wild ripple socks - I want to crochet these in some weird colors - a ripple afghan for your feet:
http://loveyarn1984.blogspot.com/

This is a very pretty "blue Jeans" shawl pattern.
http://www.techchick.lunarpages.com/knottie/hobbies/patterns.php?pattern=blueshawl&display=1

I have to admit, I love bunnies - so here's a bunny fridgie pattern (or you could make it into a pin)
http://www.crochetmemories.com/archive/lorettaspattern.html

Or how about a bunny basket
http://www.e-patternscentral.com/detail.html?code=EC00163&cat_id=328

Or what all bunny lovers need - a snuggle bunny
http://stormyzcrochet.weebly.com/snuggle-bunny.html

And to round out this week's edition of FM, two preemie hat patterns - here's a preemie ribbed beanie
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2007/07/my-preemie-ribbed-beanie.html

And a textured preemie hat
http://debscrafts55.blogspot.com/2008/04/bumpy-preemie-hat-crochet-pattern.html

As usual, I receive no special considerations for posting these links. I just think they are cool and I'm presenting them to you.
_enjoy_

FM 3/2/09

Sorry for the delay - I am up past my eyeballs in a head cold and surving on Claritin and Riccola - and lots and lots of hot tea...

This is not a pattern, but interesting all the same - a crochet Buddha
http://blog.livedoor.jp/m203gow/archives/65224695.html

This looks like a cute gift for a baby girl -beaded socks for baby. You could also adapt it to an adult's soc.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4801615_crochet-bead-socks.html


The Art of Crochet always has somethinbg good - this time it's crochet cupcakes with sprinkles and a cherry by Art of Crochet
http://www.howcast.com/videos/151507-Crochet-CupCake-With-Cherry-and-Sprinkles

I thought this was really cute - a crocheted fish
http://apocalypseknits.blogspot.com/2009/02/fredde-fish-pattern.html

If you have a thing about peanut people, (Not Charles Schultz's characters) this peanut amigurumi pattern is for you
http://yarnjulepsontheveranda.blogspot.com/2009/02/bubba-goober-tater-pea-amigurumi.html

Here's a brand issue of Crochet Uncut - Spring 2009 issue. It should be availabe today.
http://crochetuncut.com

This isn't free, either, but Big Lots is having a sale on Lion Brand's "Homespun" and "Suede" starting on Wednesday, March 4. Nope, I don't work for Big Lots but I wanted to warn you if you see me in the store sneezing and coughing, you'll probably want to back away from me as fast as you can. You don't want this stinky cold.

As usual, no compensation is received. Right now I would take some big cup of hot tea that would get rid of this cold. (I shouldn't complain, this is my first major cold of the winter).

_enjoy_

FM 2/23/09

Hello again. Not too much happening here, just slogging along. I was sorry to hear "Craft" magazine is shutting down. If you are a subscriber, you will get your remaining subscription issues in "Make" magazine or you can request a refund. I can't say I was thrilled about it, but I am happy they made an effort to contact the subscribers by email to let them know what was up. Sometimes you find out the magazine has disappeared (with your money) from word of mouth (Yes, "Crochet Fantasy", I am talking about_you_. My efforts to secure a refund from "Crochet Fantasy" have been fruitless so far. Just polite "someone will get back to you" answers.)
Enough with the whining and complaining already...Here's the freebies

Most of you are familiar with Winnie the Pooh, the bear of very little brain. Here's a crochet pattern for him.
http://arminas-aminals.blogspot.com/2009/02/crocheted-pooh-bear.html

I really do like the star stitch because of the way it looks, so here's a pattern for a star stitch shawl
http://web.archive.org/web/20070703031929/groups.msn.com/TheCarrotPatchCarole/crochetedstarstitchshawl.msnw

This is really cool - how to make your own amigurami eyes
http://mygurumi.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-to-amigurumi-eyes.html

Another heart, this time a pop heart. Yes, it is after Valentine's day, but love is for every day of the year:
http://mygurumi.blogspot.com/2009/02/pop-heart-pattern.htm

I have been (impatiently) waiting for the daffodils to come up. They are a bit behind previous years as they have just begun to grow. I've had years where they start blooming the end of January. But with this crocheted daffodils pattern, I don't have to wait any longer.
http://wahasweden.blogspot.com/2009/02/crocheted-daffodil-pattern.html

This is called Red Hat society doll but you could modify it to suit your purpose.
http://www.orble.com/free-red-heart-society-doll-crochet-pattern/

Here's some free crochet patterns from Barnes and Noble
http://www.thediscountheroes.com/2009/02/free-knitting-and-crochet-patterns-in.html

I'm not familiar with the video game "Guitar Hero". I've heard of it, that's about as far as it goes. But if you want to make something special for your own guitar hero, here's a pattern for how to make the "Guitar Hero" scarf
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/21/how-to-make-the-guitar-hero-scarf/

As usual, no fees or goods exchanged hands for the posting of these sites.
_Enjoy_

FM 2/16/09

Hello again - I got a lot of goodies for you today -

Margaret Hubert is a very talented designer. And from Lion Brand, a preview of Margaret Hubert's "Knit or Crochet -Have It Your Way" a pattern for a beautiful purse:
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/knitorcrochet2.html?noImages=

From Amy O'Neil Houck's "The Hook and I", directions on how to make a Valentine's Day hat. Yeah, it's late for Valentine's Day, but it's never to late to share the love.
http://www.thehookandi.com/

You may have seen this pattern on "Knit and Crochet Today". It's also from the very talented author of "The Hook and I" Any On'Neil Houck- crocheted socks
http://www.knitandcrochettoday.com/episodes/show205.html

Just in case you need a little pincushion - here's a cherry tomato pinchushion. Personally, I'd leave off the google eyes and the leaf, but that's me
http://www.orble.com/free-cherry-tomato-pincushion-crochet-pattern/

I don't think this is a repeat. If it is, I apolegize. Here's a list of one skein crochet projects
http://craftiblog.wordpress.com/crochet-one-skein-projects/

Mary Sue's Crochet News is available now:
http://news209.suescrochet.com/

For the threadies, a beautiful bright coaster
http://www.crochetmemories.com/archive/lorettaspattern.html

and a lot of doilies
http://www.momsloveofcrochet.com/doilypatterns.html

Caron scores again with a "Lattice Wrap"
http://www.caron.com/projects/ss_paints/lace_lattice_wrap.html

I crocheted penguins for my weeding topper, but maybe you like bunnies better - here's a bunny wedding couple
http://cache.lionbrand.com/printablePatterns/80306AD.pdf

I have no idea why I am fascinated with sock monkeys. But here's a sock monkey pattern
http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=41930

This is title a "granny square jacket" but the motifs are flowers, not the traditional squares of the granny square.
http://www.caron.com/projects/br/BR7_granny_jacket.html

This is great - a lovely chevron scarf pattern
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2006/03/my-chevron-scarf-pattern.html

As usual, I receive no endorsements from the folks listed. I'd take money or whatever, but than I'd have to pay taxes on it and it would be a pain;)

_enjoy_

FM 2/9/09

I'm baaaack....oh, wait, I wasn't gone, was I? Today is a beautiful 65 degrees and it's supposed to be nice all this week. Next week we'll probably have a foot of snow, but we'll worry about that when it gets here....

I love the "Suncatcher Eyes" for toys and I think this "Noggins pattern" is pretty cool. I'm not hip or with it so I don't know if "Noggins" is something on tv or what....It's still cute...
http://www.suncatchereyes.net/Noggins%20Crochet%20Pattern.html

Yes, I know Valentine's Day is this week. I still have no idea what to get for my beloved. Vut this would be a cute gift for a friend - a small heart pattern
http://kcrochet.blogspot.com/

This is one of the cutest dolls I have seen and I'm not really a doll person. I love the way the hair looks and you can customize it to suit whoever you give it to (or yourself) - an amigurumi doll
http://stitch.hellooperator.net/free-patterns/amigurumi-doll/

Lion Brand makes the Valentine's free crochet patterns with two toys - a heartfelt bunny
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/80018AD.html?noImages=

and a heartfelt bear:
http://cache.lionbrand.com/printablePatterns/80019AD.pdf

and if you want to get more involved, here's the one stitch adult crochet cardigan from Lion Brand:
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/957.html

I do know this is the name of a children's book - "If You Give A Pig A Pancake".....
http://www.beansproutcreations.com/2009/01/08/pig-and-her-pancake-free-pattern/
wonder how it would translate to a bunny and a pancake;)

I think this is really sweet. At my wedding to my beloved, I crocheted a penguin groom and bride for the cake top....
http://bittersweetblog.wordpress.com/2009/01/19/not-quite-duck-pins/

February is also "Wear Red for Heart Disease" month - here's a pin you can make up quickly:
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2009/02/suzies-red-dress-pin.html
To find out more about the number one killer of women - heart disease, not breast cancer,
check this link outhttp://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/06/wear.red.heart.irpt/

and also from Suzie's Yarnie stuff, a pattern for a rectangle granny afghan:
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2006/08/rectangle-granny-afghan-pattern_11.html


"Woman's Day" magazine has some crochet patterns online. I really miss the "old days" when a woman's magazine was about more than what diet to be on & what jeans to wear to make me look 10 years younger. I really liked "Woman's Day" articles around Christmas time about different presents a person could make. I doubt those days will come back, but this is a nice start:
http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Crafts/Crocheting/8-Cozy-Crochet-Crafts.html?cid=5385


This would be cute for a belt...and maybe it will make your jeans look 10 years younger;)
http://www.orble.com/free-scrap-yarn-medallion-crochet-pattern/

I thought this was pretty cool - a tiny crochet angel. You could use it to make angel earrings.
http://www.orble.com/free-tiny-angel-crochet-pattern/

And now for something a bit different - an apple keychain
http://mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com/2009/02/apple-keychain-free-crochet-pattern.html

Roxycraft offers a free pattern for hearts done Roxycraft style:
http://www.roxycraft.com/crochet_hearts.htm

As usual, I get no breaks, special coinsiderations, favors, money, yarn or anything else to post these sites. I'd take a bribe, but than I'd have to pay taxes on it and that would be a mess for my accountant.
_enjoy_

Is it just me or....

I'm sure you've seen this link. Although the article calls it "knitting" (and that ticks me off), it appears to be mostly crochet....
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4305406/Knitters-turn-to-graffiti-artists-with-yarnbombing.html

I have to admit, I really don't "get" this. Yeah, it's kind of funny, but I look at all the work and materials that went into creating the covering for the bus and I think "Ahh, isn't there a charity you could be doing that work for?". I admit, I'm an old fuddy duddy. And people have the right to do pretty much what they wish to do with their time, talents and materials. But I just think, for me, if I had all the time, materials and talent, I'd be doing something a bit different.

You can yell at me if you want, I can take it. But keep it to the subject at hand. If you've participated in a yarn bombing or you think it's cool, just tell me why. I can't say you will convince me, but I am willing to hear other points of view. What's the purpose, did it achieve the effect you hoped it would, that kind of thing....
And if it isn't just me, you can tell me that, too