Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

and

Welcome 2006!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

An article from The Lion Brand Newsletter

The newsletter is free and is a great source for all thing Knit & Crochet!

You can sign up for the newsletter thru this link:Lion Brand Newsletter.

Our Readers in their Own Write

We couldn't resist sharing this clever story!


"My 7-year-old grand-daughter (who's also a ballet student), refused to wear a pair of mismatched "stretchy" gloves, one pink and one black...

"Her resourceful Nana (that's me!) crocheted a cuff of black fun fur on the pink one, and pink fun fur on the black one, and now she's the envy of all
her dancemates; she loves these, and all the other little girls want them
too!"


-- Mary Ellen Arden

Yet some more Ho Ho Ho's !

You Are a Cranberry and Popcorn Strung Tree

Christmas is all about showcasing your creative talents. From cookies to nicely wrapped presents, your unique creations impress everyone.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

Your Elf Name Is...

Giggles Tinsel Toes

What's Your Elf Name?

Another Ho Ho Ho!

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Each year, you really get into the spirit of Christmas. Which is much more important to you than nifty presents.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Ho Ho Ho!

You Are Dancer

Carefree and fun, you always find reasons to do a happy dance. Why You're Naughty: That dark stint you had as Santa's private dancer. Why You're Nice: You're friendly. Very friendly.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

New Pattern Added

I've just added a new pattern to my homepage. The pattern is for another quick Holiday gift item. I've called the pattern, "Almost Instant Slippers". I made a pair in about an hour!
Click here to go to the pattern.
Thanks to "Jean" for sending me an e-mail with a heads up about forgetting to put the pattern link above! Brain lapse!

Beautiful Crochet Hooks

Check out this site for absolutely beautiful hand made crochet hooks.
BriansBarn.

CROCHETERS' NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

I found this somewhere online a few years ago. I love sharing it with all my fellow frazzled crocheters at this time of year!

CROCHETERS' NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
~Author Unknown ~

>> * <<

'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
There was unfinished crocheting not under the tree,
The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care
'Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

>> * <<

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
But I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep---he was no help at all.
And the sweater for him was 6" too small.

>> * <<

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my hook to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash.
Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.

>> * <<

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how far I still had to go.

>> * <<

When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,
I was sure it would wake up both Dad and the boys.
And although I was tired--my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment that it must be St. Nick.

>> * <<

Yet what I heard left me very perplex-ed
For nothing I heard was what I expect-ed.
"Move Red Heart! Move Patons! Move Caron and Clover!
>Move Plymouth! Move Bernat! Move Spinrite! Move over!

>> * <<

Lopi, don't circle around, just stand there in line.
Pay attention you sheep and you'll work out just fine!
I know this is hard, as it's just your first year
But I'd hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer."

>> * <<

I peered over the sill. What I saw was amazing:
Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!
And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa's big boots stomping on the porch floor.

>> * <<
I rose from my knees and got back on my feet.
As I turned around, St Nick I did meet.
He was dressed all in wool from his heat to his toe
And his clothes were hand crochet from above to below.

>> * <<

A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back.
And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran crochet sack.
His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace
A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.
>> * <<

The scarf on his neck could have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.
On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.
And suddenly on one I spotted a small label:
>> * <<

"S.C." in duplicate on the cuff.
So I asked, "Hey, Nick, did YOU crochet all this stuff?"
He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
I learned how to crochet when I was just a kid."
>> * <<

He was chubby and plump; a well dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself, for I'd thought up a plan.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair.
>> * <<

He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap
Where I had laid my crochet hook and yarn for a cap.
He began then to crochet, first one cap then 2--
For the first time I thought I might really get through.
>> * <<

He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,
While I sat back drinking a scotch on the rocks.
Quickly like magic his hooks they flew,
Good Grief! He was finished by two!
>> * <<

He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
I heard him explain as he sailed past the moon,
"Next year, start your crocheting sometime around JUNE!"

>> * <<

Quick Holiday Gift Idea & Pattern

Here's a quick and easy gift idea. These "Bloomers" are really 2 dishcloths. They make up easily in an evening. They're tied together with ribbons to create the Bloomer effect.
Check out the pattern here: MaryEllen's Bloomers.
I've included the link to several photos to guide you through the ribbon tying.

Here's a pic of some of the stockings I've made and stuffed for Christmas this year. The free pattern is available thru my Crochet Homepage@
CrochetMaryEllen's Christmas Pages.

Great slipper pattern.

With Christmas fast approaching, here's a link to an easy, one piece slipper pattern. They make great, easy to make, last minute, gifts!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know in these tough times that it's hard to think of others but let's all try to give a helping hand to those less fortunate.

Another Quiz Thingie, this time for all the yarnies out there!

You are Merino Wool.
You are very easygoing and sweet. People like to
keep you close because you are so softhearted.
You love to be comfortable and warm from your
head to your toes.


What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

I love these quiz things!

These are good with Thanksgiving right around the bend.

You Are Apple Pie

You're the perfect combo of comforting and traditional Those who like you crave security

What Kind of Pie Are You?

You Are Mashed Potatoes

Oridnary, comforting, and more than a little predictable You're the glue that holds everyone together.

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

Christmas Patterns

Christmas is right around the corner! Check out some of my free patterns

Great Online Mag lots of FREE patterns

Have you seen this site? It's super, and free! The mag offers at least 6 free patterns every month, and they're funky and cute. Check it out!

Click the pic!

Newest project:

Since Christmas is drawing fast upon us, this is crochet crunch-time! Check out the Christmas links on my homepage for some fast and easy Christmas ornaments and quick gifts ideas.

I'm currently working on a poncho for my grand daughter. Ryann is a peanut. She's 4 but very tiny (she was a 4lb. + premmie). I have found that most patterns designed for toddlers or young children are just too big in the neck area, so they fall off her shoulders, or too small, like the toddler sizes that are to short. Anyway, when I finish I will post the pattern on my web site.

News!

I've just finished moving my BLOG over here to BlogSpot. This blog site allows direct comments to any of my postings. Don't be shy! Let me hear from you!

A New Crochet-A-Long

I've just joined a new Holiday Crochet - A - Long. Check it out!

Ryann's Cuddle Cover is done!

Ryann's Cuddle Cover is done!
I finished the cuddle cover for my grand daughter. The pattern is available thru my homepage.

Snuggle Cover for my Grand daughter

I had recently made some 12" squares from my Gerbera Daisy Granny Square pattern to donate to a Comfortghan request on the Crochetville site.
After I made those I decided to made a 3 square by 4 square Snuggle Cover for my grand daughter Ryann. I used 2 shades of pink, 2 shades of blue, 2 shades of yellow, 2 shades of lavender/purple and 2 shades of peach to make the 12 squares. I used a flower button with a happy face in the middle to accent the center of each square. I'll post a pic of the finished cover when it's done. I haven't decided what type of edging or border to do. Any suggestions?

Work in Progress

What I'm working on.
I'm currently working on a puppy cover. I was playing around with an idea for a granny square I call "Gerbera Daisy". I know I have seen similar squares somewhere on line, but this is my own concoction.
I had to scan the square, camera's on the fritz. The colors are a deep brown center, gold Popcorn stitch round, hunter green "leaves", a buff colored round and finished in soft denim. It's much prettier in person.
I made 3 sample squares and put them together in a rectangle. Now I'm working granny square rows around to make a cover for the dog. Our little sweetie is a 3 year old Doxie named SnickleFritz.
He loves to sleep on the sofa and constantly pulls the big afghans off the back of the sofa to snuggle up on. He has a couple of comfy covers already but he always needs more!

Midnite the Cat

This is my favorite cat and yarn story . . . . and it's true!
My friend Rosie had a cat named Midnite. He was a large, fat, black cat. He loved to play fetch, specially with Rosie's yarn balls.
Anyway, we were both in Nursing school at the time and working part-time to boot. Midders did NOT like being left alone.
One night after a long week at school and picking up some extras hours at work, Rosie had a date. She was VERY late coming home. Mr. Midders had taken yarn balls and smacked them all over the living room.
Ok, a mess to clean up, right? Nope, it gets better.
Somehow. Monsieur Le Cat had managed to do the wrapping about 2 inches up off the floor. Just enough for an unsuspecting human to slip their foot right under the yarn.
Getting the picture here?
Poor Rosie comes home after her date, tired and a little tipsy. It's dark, and in she goes. The next few seconds she recalled to me like they happened in slow motion. She's now in free fall, she has no idea why! She still can't see anything because the lamp she had been reaching for is in free fall with her. She lands with a resounding THUMP. The light lands next to her and comes on. She is now half in and half out of her front door, the light shining for all the world to see, she's on the floor in what she calls the most unladylike position imaginable, flat on her stomach with the air knocked out of her, and as she glances up, there is Midnite, sitting just out of reach, and she swears he was grinning at her like the Cheshire Cat himself. He very calmly walked over to his cuddly place and sat down to give himself a well deserved bath! Cats! gotta love 'em!