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.