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.

MACY'S COWL NECK SWEATER FOR $78

So, buy this cowl neck or make the free Lion Brand version:

Lion Brand Cowl Neck Sweater

Or, maybe you want to buy one of the longer, duster-length cardigans. You can buy this one from Alfani:

Macy's Pink Rose Duster

or make one to suit just YOU with this free pattern:

Lion Brand Wrap Duster

There are plenty more examples of free (or for purchase) wonderful crochet patterns that are inspired by the highest-paid designers in the world of women’s fashion. Try you hand at adding your own touch to the high-fashion world by crocheting something that is unique to you.

This one is by Fossil.  Ges some variegated yarn in deep teal and other blues, some solid blue/black for the embellishment, and a large gauge crochet hook.  It would take an hour for the scarf and maybe another hour for its ‘flower’.

This Ralph Lauren sells for $48!  Pretty colors.  Easy to create some motifs and join them to suit yourself.

Here are two by Echo that sell for about $35. How easy would these be? Grab your orphan skeins and get busy!
The cutest scarves there today (IMO) aren’t on their website. They were made in bulky yarn, rows of burgundy and off white with slightly ruffled ends like the one on the orange sweater.  These are really no challenge to make.  So, start crocheting your holiday gifts now.  Just pull out what you have on hand and work up some splendid scarves of your own today.  Save at least $25 per scarf!

The rugs will turn out something like this – only not woven:

http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/rugs-carpets/recycled-sweater-rugs-035279

The idea is incredibly simple.  Get some old, fine gauge wool sweaters in pleasing colors.  Cut them into strips 1 to 1.5 inches wide.  Spiral down the body of the sweater to get the longest pieces.  It will take 4 or 5 sweaters to make a sweater that’s 18X24 inches.  The sweaters can be felted before the stripping process – or not.  Either way, you’ll end up with a very cushy rug.  Use a very simple stitch pattern and a 15 mm size hook.  Voila!  You’ll soon have a unique, snuggly rug.

http://www.crochetinsider.com/

You gotta see the cute, cute earflap hat too.  I always end up liking what I see on this site.  There’s a preview of a new book by Dora Ohrenstein too!

Check it out!

http://www.freepatternsdonnascrochetdesigns.com/tassel-doll-scarf-free-crochet-pattern.html

What little girl wouldn’t love this Tassel Doll Scarf (aside from my tomboy daughter)?  It’s such a creative idea!  Here are some others you’ll find on this site:

How cute is this penguin?  There’s a mate for this little fella on the website too.

http://www.freepatternsdonnascrochetdesigns.com/penguins-free-crochet-pattern.html

If you’re one of those who likes to make projects on the go, here’s one that would drive me absolutely crazy.  How could I ever connect all those squares???  But, isn’t it a beauty?

http://www.freepatternsdonnascrochetdesigns.com/zig-zag-block-afghan-free-crochet-pattern.html

Wedding season will come again.  Well, I guess any season is wedding season.  Donna has lots of adornments for the wedding, like this one:

http://www.freepatternsdonnascrochetdesigns.com/flower-bouquet-cover-free-crochet-pattern.html

And, all of these patterns are free!  There are many, many more on this site.  Please spend some time browsing there and let me know what you think:

http://www.freepatternsdonnascrochetdesigns.com/index.html