Coats and Clarks Snuggie

http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/AfghansThrows/WR1838+Crochet+Snuggle+Up+Throw+with+Sleeve

Or, maybe you’d prefer the Bernat version:

http://www.bernat.com/search.php?key=wrapghan&searchResults=&PATTERNS=Search

Or, you could just buy the ‘original’ from QVC or wherever and embellish it with a pretty crocheted edging to make it your own.  In any event, I guess it’ll keep you warm.

The cheapest yarn is that which one can find at thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, and church sales.  I’ve purchased many pounds of yarn this way.  However, take care with a couple things when you buy yarn this way.  First, check carefully for ODOR and condition.  There’s no guarantee that the yarn has been stored properly or that it’s been able to avoid odor contamination from cigarette smoke or animal dander.  If you’re allergic to any of these things, do a good nose check before paying.  If the smell is unpleasant but the price is right, consider that you can remove any yarn labels, place the skeins in some panty hose legs, and throw it in the washing machine to remove the odor.  A good helping of baking soda added to the wash cycle can work wonders.  Use COLD WATER and not too much agitation.  This will work for the vast majority of yarns.  If the yarn is not clearly labelled and you’re unsure of the fiber content, better to steer clear of it if you will have to wash it to be in the same room with it!  If the fiber can withstand the automatic dryer, throw in a fabric softner sheet to further improve the scent.  ALSO, tug on a strand of the yarn to assure that it isn’t rotten.  Elderly yarns that have been improperly stored will often pull apart without much resistance.  Save your money by avoiding them.

Another great place for yarn bargains is online.  This little computer interfaces with the entire globe and all its bargains.

Here’s a sample of $9.99 per skein yarn that you can purchase for $1 per skein:

stacy charles bella yarn

http://smileysyarns.com/

There are various batches of yarns available at Smiley’s, some with very limited color selections, but always with greatly reduced prices.  The selection changes from day to day and there is a minimum dollar amount to purchase, but great bargains can be found here.

I haven’t ordered yarn from Merle Martin in quite a while, but I got great prices and wonderful service.  Best of all, the shipping costs are the actual postal rate.  As far as I know, Merle has only Red Heart products and most are without labels, but she’s willing to match solids to variegateds, for instance, and is helpful in other ways.  When I last ordered, I knew I needed to crochet a batch of babyghans, so I just left it to Merle to select colors for me.  It’s hard to go very wrong with baby colors.  I had also asked for about 6 skeins of a variegated yarn and 6 solids to accompany them.  Merle did a great job matching and packaging.  I’d happily order from her again.  I believe these are mill ends, but there was no waste (as there often is with true mill ends) in the huge box I received from her.  Find Merle at this site:

http://www.martinsyarns.8m.com/

Ebay is another site where there are potential yarn bargains.  However, beware.  You must know what you’re purchasing ahead of time as the vendors who sell a lot of the yarn (and other craft items) are not knowledgeable about their products because they are NOT crafters and they’ve purchased huge lots from estate sales and such.  They can sell cheaply because they paid so little.  Another caveat about ebay is to check the cost of shipping.  Many vendors will increase their shipping and handling fees to offset a low selling price.  Also, be sure to check the vendor’s country before purchasing something on which you’d have to pay international rates.  Few bargains there!

There are plenty of other yarn outlets online.  I’ve not ordered from all of them, so I can’t vouch for their service or products.  However, I’ll put in a pitch here for the LYS – that little yarn shop (or local yarn shop) that may be in your neighborhood or across town.  They often have remarkable sales that trump all the ‘outlet’ values anywhere.  Get on their mailing list even if you’re not a regular customer.  In addition to having yummy yarns, they offer something no other yarn source has – years and years of expertise.  That’s something to consider and maybe to figure into your budget.  If you buy yarn from a reputable LYS and run out of yarn in the middle of a project, the yarn doesn’t perform as it should, the skeins are a tangled mess (yep, it happens), or you just can’t figure out something, they’ll likely be willing to help you – work out the problem, return the yarn, or find more in the dye lot you need.

I’d be happy to have others post here about reputable online sources of well-priced yarns.  Personal recommendations are always the best.

Here’s Bara’s adaptation of a dress pattern from a 2007 issue of Crochet Today!  I’m impressed with what she’s done with the design.  I liked the original pattern in the magazine, but I think I like Bara’s adaptation better.  You can learn more about Brett Bara, her crochet and her other handiwork at her blog:

http://manhattancraftroom.blogspot.com/

I purchased this one on Etsy from this site:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lado

It’s pricey – but promises to be a magazine with unique designs, all charted so the Russian language won’t be such a challenge for me.  I’ll write more about it when I get my hands on the magazine.

This trendy new magazine is directed at urban crocheters – and, I think, a decidedly young, hip community.  Nonetheless, this middle aged woman (ME!) is looking forward to seeing what the publishers have in store for us.

While I truly love having a magazine or book in my hands to leaf through again and again, it’s clear that our media is changing.  There may always be a place for printed materials (Oh, I SOOO hope there is), the shape and method of artful expression is evolving.  Freeing us of the bonds of air mail and customs, online books and magazines will offer a smorgasbord of global crochet and other arts and disciplines – everything from religion to Risk (the board game) will be available to anyone with a computer and is never closed.  Like it or not, it’s coming our way.

SPORT WEIGHT WITH H HOOK

http://www.lovinghugsfamily.com/hatpattern.html

There’s another one at the same website that is made with sock/fingering weight and a G hook.

This one is absolutely adorable – and will definitely keep baby’s ears snuggly warm:

BABY CAP WITH EAR FLAPS

http://patternsbydot.blogspot.com/2005/11/lil-darlin-baby-hat-with-ear-flaps.html

This one is very basic.  You can make it special by using colorful yarn, adding a pompom, or striping it.

ba

BASIC BABY CAP

http://susan.kraus.net/pages/pattern5.html

Customize this one to create a color combo and look that you prefer:

FUNNY FACE BABY CAP

http://www.piece-by-piece.net/Crochet/baby_hat.htm

One that calls itself ‘girlie’ could just as easily be made more boyish with different trim:

Suzie's Beanie

http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2009/10/suzies-girlie-beanie.html

http://barbarabradford.blogspot.com/search/label/crochet

Scroll down about half way to find this coaster set.  Of course, you’ll  have to scroll thru a lot of other cool crocheted items.  So, plan to spend a while there.  Check around on Barbara Bradford’s blog and you’ll find some other cute scrubbie sets (among other things) and LOTS of yummie sounding recipes.  This gal loves to cook.  Also, if you’ve been wondering how to make one of those Shower Diaper Cakes, this is the site to show you how (and a Wedding Towel Cake, too).

WaHoo! An online yarn shop that actually has a section devoted to crochet patterns!!  Quite a huge selection of yarns and some patterns of interest.  This coned perle cotton is actually described as being suited for fine crochet!

http://www.cottonclouds.com/shopping/patterns.asp?cat=Crochet

Here’s another product that is news to me.  Expensive, but yummy looking.  Big Stitch Bumps.

The Big Stitch Bumps are 2.5 POUNDS of alpaca yarn!  Check them out at www.bagsmith.com

Dreamweaveryarns.com also offers some crochet patterns (for sale).  The usual great yarn selections are here.  This might offer some inspiration for you:

http://www.dreamweaveryarns.com/catalog/stitch-diva-endless-crochet-cardi-shawl-pattern-p-3136.html

Finally, I can never resist the designs here:

http://gourmetcrochet.com/

Now that we have all this crochet inspiration, let’s pull our our hooks and yarn and make something wonderful!

Kaleidoscope Yarns has a wide array of very pettable yarns.  They have only a few crochet offerings compared to knit, but this one is nice in that they picture a wide selection of suggested color combinations.  That’s always helpful to me.

Calliope Blanket from Kaleidoscape Yarns  (www.kyarns.com)

Calliope Blanket

http://www.kyarns.com/product/berroco-comfort-dk-calliope-blanket-knitting-kit/baby-blanket-knitting-kits

Want to know what’s special about alpaca yarn?  Learn all about alpacas and their yarn at:

alpacawithatwist.com

www.alpacawithatwist.com

After alpaca, maybe you want to learn about yaks?  I now know more than I ever thought I would about yaks – but best of all is the yarn they produce.  Here’s a yak:

And, here’s the yarn produced from yak hair:

http://www.bijoubasinranch.com/BBR%20YPfiber.htm

What else is new??

Not sure I completely understand this concept, but it’s interesting.  Apparently, www.knittingdenise.com offers a set of interchangeable hooks/needles, including cables.  Interested?  Sadly, all the free patterns appear to be knit.  But, the concept still intrigues me.   Check it out here:

www.knittingdenise.com

http://www.knitdenise.com/pages/new-crochet-hooks

Stay tuned for the final installation of my Tempting Ad Reviews coming out soon!

However……..sometimes a yarn comes along that is really Splurge-Worthy. Don’t know what I’ll make with this stuff, but I’m going to get me some. My LYS (hearthstoneknits has it) so I’ve been able to pet it and handle it and dream about it. You know the drill.

What is sending me over the moon? It’s called Buffalo Gold. It’s a laceweight yarn sold by Paradise Fibers. It comes in a small but luminescent range of colors. The colors have a lot of luster although they’re subtle. No glitz here. Just luscious color and a ‘hand’ like I’ve seldom seen.

I’m sure Georgia at Hearthstone Knits will be happy to take your order for this snuggl-icious yarn.Contact Hearthstone at:

If you’re interested in felting, Lamb’s Pride is a really good yarn choice.  It’s a good value and comes in a dazzling array of colors.  It’s also widely available in local yarn shops.  My favorite LYS has the skeins for between $5 and $6, so quite a good price point.  This website shows all their colors:

http://brownsheep.com/lp.htm

Who among us couldn’t use this great bag for our projects?  I’ve blogged about this company before, but they’ve come out with this great bag that is new to me.  Gotta get me one of these!

30 pocket nantucketbagg

http://s330.photobucket.com/albums/l406/nantucketbagg/?action=view&current=IMG_9962.jpg

Another yarn company FINALLY begins to pay attention to crochet – and does so with pizzazz.  I’m in love with this lovely car coat.  The book containing this pattern has 11 other crochet patterns.  You can see the designs at the website.

www.missionfalls.com

http://missionfalls.com/goes-crochet.php

For a breather from crochet, which many of us need from time to time, how about a flower loom?  Clover has this new one, “Hana-Ami” that makes 6 different flower shapes.  Then, you crochet them together to create something special.

www.clover-usa.com

http://clover-usa.com/product/0/3146/_/Hana-Ami_Flower_Loom

I still have more to share but have run out of time for today.  Come back soon to see what other tempting ads we can search out.

http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Crafts/Crocheting/Craft-Project-Crochet-Tree-Tote.html

For Halloween, you might enjoy this one:

http://tallennl.livejournal.com/16060.html

or this:

http://crochetme.com/patterns/skull-and-cross-bones-motif

Or, try one of these:

http://www.freepatternsdonnascrochetdesigns.com/patches-applique-pattern-index.html

Such a simple but effective addition to a store bought jacket, sweater or shirt for your little one:

http://seamsoflife.typepad.com/seams_of_life/2009/10/the-other-sweater.html

Once you’ve chosen your foundation (what you’ll affix the applique to), how will you affix it?  There are several methods.  They are pretty much interchangeable, but you’ll find some a bit more challenging or expensive.  Hand sewing is by far the least expensive way to apply an applique, especially if the foundation is fabric.  If the foundation is itself crochet, don’t use sewing thread.  Use one or two plies of the yarn with which you created the applique.  Sewing thread will cut through the yarn in short order, destroying your handiwork.

Two other methods are easier, but aren’t suited to all applications.  First is iron on fusing.  This is a web sold under various names (like WonderUnder or ThermOWeb) that you must use an iron to apply.  Typically, you’ll adhere the web to your applique, then peel off the web backing and adhere the applique to your foundation.  This is fairly easy to do if you’ve got a denim piece as you can work from the wrong side of the fabric to apply the iron.  Takes 6 hands, but you can do it!

The easiest method IMO is glue.  There are several brands that will work well for this application.  I prefer Aleene’s Fabric Fusion.  Other good brands are Beacon’s Fabri-Tac or Border Patrol.  Read the container directions.  The downside is that you’ll need about 24 hours of drying time – more if your area is very humid.  Be sure to use a glue that is machine or hand washable.  Most are not dry cleanable.

Another idea is a glue called ‘Tack It Over and Over’.  This is another Aleene’s product.  You can use it to make your applique removeable. You can use it to apply the applique from one garment to another.  Between times, you ’stick’ your applique on some wax paper.  The glue is good for up to 6 changes, but I wouldn’t trust it that long.  I’ve reapplied the glue after only 2-3 moves.  Don’t want to lose my handwork.  For this, the applique must be very lightweight and preferrably not dimensional.

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/

This beauty if from purlbee.com, but most of their goodies seem to be knitted (boo hoo):

Joelle's Giant Granny Square

Add this site to your faves for buttons. It takes you to two button manufacturers (they also have yarn and hooks). This set of irresistable hearts is from buttonmad.com:

buttonmad.com via accessoriesunlimitedinc.com

Hard to hold onto the one’s credit card with all these scrumptious goodies available at the touch of a key.

Elann.com offers many wonderful yarns and some free patterns (among other things).  This ethereal little shawl is one of their free crochet patterns:

elann.com superplum capelet free pattern

I never expected to find information like this through an ad in a magazine, but if you’ve ever thought of yourself as a potential crochet designer, you gotta check out this extensive article at www.crochetasylum.com:
http://crochetasylum.com/cart/page.html?chapter=0&id=10

Doesn’t hurt that they also sell, among lots of crochet ‘hardware’, these appealing hook holders – each one is unique:

http://crochetasylum.com/cart/felted-wool-hook-rollup-custom-no-two-alike-p-23.html

Finally – for today – I’ll leave you with this sample of a Universal Yarns product. I had this stuff in my hands last night at the LYS. It’s luscious stuff. If I’d been able to see it swatched, I’d have bought several balls. I wasn’t familiar with Universal Yarns until yesterday! Glad this ad took me to their site so I’ll know what to look for at the LYS next time.

I’ll have more Tempting Ads details soon.

http://webeccasays.blogspot.com/2008/05/tilta-swift.html

The blog has complete instructions with photos for you to make your own.