New Free patterns on my Cross Stitch Page

I've just added some new, FREE, patterns to my Cross Stitch page. Click on the picture.

Please give this a read.

Please check out this article on the proposal to allow "Drive-Thru" mastectomies and consider signing the petition against this practice. If it was a man having penile surgery, it would be a no brainer!
http://www.lifetimetv.com/reallife/bc/pledges/bc_mast_thanks.html

What's New

My newest pattern and project is now posted on my web page. Check out the Square Ruffled Baby Blankie.

Jen's Stuffed Toy Archive - New Patterns

Jen's Stuffed Toy Archive - New Patterns

This is a wonderfully talented Crochet Artist. Give her site a look see. Her "stuffies" are great!

2006 Crochet Olympics

2006 Crochet Olympics
You really need to check this out! It's a wonderful idea!
Here are the rules:

1. The project must be a challenge for you to complete in the specified time frame.
2. You can NOT start until opening ceremonies (Feb 10, 2pm Eastern Time)
3. You MUST finish by closing ceremonies (16 days later, Feb 26th)
4. You can do prep work before (guage swatches, winding, etc), but no working on the actual project.
5. Pick something that is doable, but challenging. Do not set yourself up for failure.

Yarn Comparisons (IMHO)

Red Heart Regular = good basic worsted weight yarn; a little stiff, but great for crafts and most crochet; super color range.
Bernat Super Value = much softer than Red Heart but still a great value for the cost conscience crocheter. Good color range. Good price.
Red Heart Soft = lovely soft & silky feel, slightly lighter worsted weight, great stitch definition, fair color range.
Bernat Satin = super softness and silkiness, slightly lighter worsted weight, great stitch definition, fair color range.
Caron Simply Soft = soft & silky feel, slightly lighter worsted weight, great stitch definition, good color range. Good price.

Here's a pic of my second Round Ripple Baby Afghan. The first one sold quickly on eBay!
This second one is now available for sale.
White with pastel bands, Round Ripple Baby Afghan

I've finished both of my round ripple afghans. They worked up so fast!
The Baby round ripple is currently for sale on eBay: Variegated Round Ripple Baby Afghan
I working on another Baby Round Ripple. This second one will be mostly white with narrow bands of blue, yellow & pink. I'll post a pic when it's done.

What I'm working on:

I'm currently working on 2 afghans.

The first is the "Round Ripple".
I'm using Bernat's "Satin" yarn for this. It feels soooooo nice. I'm using 4 colors: Wheat, Admiral, Bordeaux, and Evergreen. These colors almost match exactly, the colors in my sofa. I just have to do 1 more row Evergreen and then 10 rows of Wheat.
http://www.sewonfire.com/round_ripple_afghan.htm


The next is the "Granny Ripple" afghan pattern from Project Linus.
I'm working this is Lion Brand Wool Ease in Rose Heather and Pale Rose with bands Bernat's Dark Teal. These are the favorite colors of the person I'm making it for. It's a lovely and rich combo!
If you've never visited the Project Linus site, please do. They offer some wonderful, free patterns and are a worthy cause as well.




http://www.citiusa.com/grannyripple.html

New Year's Resolutions?

Have you made any Crochet resolutions for this year? There are only 361 days until Christmas!

I've resolved to try out some of the new "fashion yarns". Since the price on some of these lovely yarns can be prohibitive, try using them as a accent. I made a very simple hat into something sensational. I used Caron Simply Soft for the hat and Red Heart Symphony (a textured fuzzy yarn) to create the cuff around the bottom. I did 3 rows of front post and back post stitches. It turned out like fluffy band around the base of the hat.

Let me know how you use some of these yarns as accents and I'll post them here on the BLOG.

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.