A Light Read

I wanted to mention a new book that was just released a few months ago.  Every crocheter has to have one.  It's an easy read and they call it an "essay collection. . .specifically for crocheters."  Filled with humor and sarcasm. 

It's called Hooked for Life, Adventures of a Crochet Zealot by Mary Beth Temple.She is an author, designer and the host of the Getting Loopy podcast. She has requested when buying the book to click on the Amazon link at her website.  I  am a third of the way through the book and my favorite essay so far is "Greetings from Mount Yarn."  If you have a "mount yarn" you have to read the book.

The Allotrope Ciliated Bag in Crochet

As mentioned earlier, I wrote a pattern.  And then I wrote another one.  The new pattern will be available on Ravelry in a few days.  I have a wonderful group of internet friends who have volunteered to test the pattern for me. (I can't mention their names because I don't have their permission) It's good to have a few pair of eyes to catch the mistakes and give you feedback.  
This pattern is for a bag which is super simple to make.  It's a good design for a beginner and I want the pattern to be easily understood. 
There is a story behind the name of the bag. If you are curious go to your online dictionary and look it up. The Free Pattern for the Allotrope Ciliated Bag in Crochet can be found here. You have to be a member of Rav to get to it.   

Day of the Dead Crochet Skull Pattern

This is my first pattern. I've added a link to my blog today. It's a free download on Ravelry. I made my first skull for my son. After he saw it he wanted a whole set in different colors to use as coasters in his new home. A friend of mine suggested a Day of the Dead set. My other son wants it appliqued on the back of his jacket. Then there are totes and sweatshirts and biker jackets it can be appliqued on. Someone else I know wants to frame her skull and hang it as a piece of art on her wall.

Enjoy! I would love to hear your ideas.

Pulling Out My Hair

I don't consider myself a designer. I'm more of an improviseur but nevertheless I have converted a couple of knit designs into crochet designs. They are simple designs and if they were not simple I wouldn't have been able to convert them because I do not know knittenese. And if there were more felted bag patterns offered in crochet I wouldn't have had to do it in the first place.
I have been asked to write patterns for several of my designs (do I dare say the word) to share with my fellow crocheters. I never wanted to write a pattern. I enjoy the time crocheting much more but after being asked several times I decided to write a pattern. First pattern was just a coaster pattern. Maybe 5 rounds. O.K. This takes some time but I can do it. The second pattern was a bag. Wow! The competition is fierce and I'm offering these patterns for free. Is it worth the time and the hassel? I don't know.

The picture above was provided by Dorothy Ada, a long time friend who has a great sense of humor.  She was one of my pattern testers and decided to embellish her skull. I thought the picture fitting for the title.