Since these lovely cowls typically use small amounts of yarn, this is an opportunity to splurge on a skein of that special yarn you’ve been yearning for.  It’s also an opportunity to use up some odds and ends you might have on hand.  Since they work up so quickly, make some for yourself and as warming winter gifts for friends and loved ones.

Check out these freebies I’ve run across.

This first one is from a lovely blog written in Scotland.  Be aware of the variations in stitch terminology.  Check here for clarification:

http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/includes/chart_crochetterms.php

http://goodtimesithinkso.blogspot.com/search/label/Crochet

Crochet Me offers this lovely freebie – really simple to make:

Flexi cowl CrochetMe

http://crochetme.com/patterns/flexi-cowl

If you have some vintage buttons or a pretty antique broach, use it to accent this cowl.  Oh, by the way, you’ll actually need a long neck for this one!  LOL.  Not for me.  But, it’s really pretty, isn’t it?

http://www.craftleftovers.com/blog/archives/433

Finally, there’s my all time favorite cowl – the simple Moebius.  Use any weight yarn, any size hook, any soft fiber.  Here’s one that two of our CrochetPartners offer:

Design concept by Mirjam Bruck Cohen, Israel Written by Bonnie Pierce, USA

http://home.comcast.net/~gandal195/MoebiusShawlPattern.htm

And, the absolutely easiest one of all is this freebie:

http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-absolutely-easy-neck-warmer/

http://www.ehow.com/how_4506688_crochet-fall-place-mats.html

One of my all time favorite fridgies is this Turkey Butt.  Everyone I’ve ever made one of these for has loved it.  Makes a nice broach with a simple pin back tied to it.  It would make a nice door ornament with several of these affixed to a wreath wrapped with some fall garlands:

http://www.yarncat.com/turkey_butt.html

And, who doesn’t love Indian Corn?  I adore this free pattern made with yummy colors of LB Homespun:

http://www.aliciakachmar.com/blog/craft/its-never-too-late-for-indian-corn/

Finally, here’s something you find just anywhere!  An entire turkey to crochet.  Instructions are free to download at the site:

http://www.loganwoven.com/crocheted-thanksgiving-turkey

Now, you’ve got all the free patterns you can use to make your house a Fall Wonderland!

http://www.quamut.com/quamut/crochet_project_paisley_motif_scarf

Here’s the Clapochet Scarf.  I’ve seen it crocheted in several yarns.  I think my favorite is my friend Rita’s which she did in Collage bulky weight in a colorway that had ‘watercolor’ type variations in the deep wine/rusty family.  Really lovely.  I’ve also seen it in a white tone-on-tone colorway which was splendid.  I think almost any nice yarn would make a truly wonderful scarf.

http://crochetkitten.blogspot.com/search/label/patterns

I’ll find some more scarf patterns to share soon!

Try out some of these.

This bag is created with an interesting stitch.  If it’s intended for a toddler, I’d omit the hardware.  Color choice could make this a great gift choice for holidays, birthdays, etc.

http://www.craftpassion.com/2009/06/free-pattern-crochet-bag.html

Here’s a tiny one, suitable for holding chips, change, and other little treasures.

http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2008/12/little-treasure-bag-c.html

Or, you can go with a vintage look:

http://crochet.about.com/library/blfdlbag.htm

Prissy, beaded, feminine, tailored.  Here are several:

http://www.knitting-and.com/crochet/beaded-amulet-bags.htm

Tarot cards?  Not necessarily.  It’d hold a variety of goodies.  Simple but effective.

http://members.fortunecity.com/rusted1designs/strgzrbag.html

And, finally, a nicely tailored Carol Ventura bag.  Great, simple design.  Color choices would mean everything.

http://iweb.tntech.edu/cventura/pouch.html

http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/02/17/instructions-for-cutting-plastic-bags-creating-recycled-plastic-yarn/

This clothespin bag is made from ‘plarn’ :

http://tipnut.com/crochet-a-recycled-clothes-pin-bag-free-pattern/

I can think of plenty of other ideas for this than holding clothes pins.  How about a diaper holder, lingerie holder, or plastic bag ‘dispenser’?

Here’s another great idea.  You can use this idea to crochet a variety of things:

http://torontocraftalert.ca/2009/03/16/craftivism-crocheting-recycled-plastic-for-kids/

Noreen Crone-Findlay always has good, crafty ideas.  Check here for her tutorial on how to separate the plies of yarn to crochet something new:

http://www.blisstree.com/hankeringforyarn/march-is-crochet-month-recycling-and-upcycling-yar/

And, finally (for now), here’s my favorite upcycled design using crochet – Pop Top Lady’s Crochet Pull Tab Flowers:

Here’s the tutorial on how to get started making these wonderful flowers and other ‘pull tab’ crocheted items:

http://angelacassilhacrochecomlacres.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html

Can you tell these were knitted caps?  While these cuties are knitted, you can easily do the same thing with any crocheted cap:

http://www.favecrafts.com/Unexpected-Ideas/Knit-Cap-Upcycled-Pillows

You’ve probably seen a necklace like this before.  The trick here is to recycle your old (vintage or otherwise) buttons.  You can also add in a few beads or charms if you have them on hand.  I actually purchase garments at thrift stores JUST for their buttons.

http://www.stylehive.com/bookmark/Handmade-Jewelry-on-Etsy–Recycled-Crochet-Wooden-Necklace-and-Earring-Set-by-ljeans-656495

Howie Woo loves to crochet life’s little oddities and these crochet grenades are hilariously quirky as his is video and “In the field” photo shots.

Written by guest editor Shellie Wilson

So, here are some sites you might want to check out:

ARNie at chezcrochet has this for you:

http://www.chezcrochet.com/page2.html

There are stitch tutorials for a bunch of things you’ll want to try out and links to sites with free patterns to practice on real projects.

There are free patterns for a scarf and a shawl at this site:

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_other/article/0,,DIY_14142_5272557,00.html

Kim Guzman, always one of my favorite resources, has a free tunisian hat pattern and this absolutely lovely afghan that can’t be reproduced in any other form of crochet.  Kim’s patterns are well written and quite inexpensive.

http://www.kimanedesigns.net/products/Nautical_Waves_Afghan.html

And, what about this great sweater from Dora Ohrenstein?  It’s available as a free pattern:

http://www.crochetinsider.com/rainbowjacket.html

Don’t forget one of the best resources online for crocheters – http://crochetpatterncentral.com/search.php

This link will take you to the page containing lots of free tunisian patterns.  Should be something there for everyone!