Masks

I wondered if I could find some crochet patterns for making masks. Instead of the simple tried-and-true patterns, I stumbled across a freestyle artist, Nicki Hitz Edson, who makes crocheted "sculptures" that can be worn as masks. Wow!!

If you want to check it out, go to http://nhedson.tripod.com/crochet.htm
If you click on any of the pictures, they will enlarge somewhat and you can see what kind of stitches she used in her creations.

After seeing her work, I asked myself, "What can you NOT make with crochet?" I went to Google images and put in "Crochet Sculpture". You wouldn't believe it if I told you. You'll have to see it for yourself.

The long and the short of it is - If you have an imagination and the time to play with the shapes, crochet is incredibly versatile. Maybe you don't have to give flat things as Christmas presents. Why not a crocheted crab or sea coral or...

Happy crafting.

Holiday Decorations

With several holidays creeping up on us, I went looking for good crochet patterns to use for decorating doors and tables. I called up an old favorite, Crochet Pattern Central, and clicked on the Thanksgiving button. Some of those patterns will work beautifully for Halloween too.
There are several patterns for crocheting pumpkins. But my favorite one is the crocheted Indian corn. Who would have thought it! And they're really pretty. I love the one with black and yellow kernels. You can check it out at www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Amigurumi/Harvest-Indian-Corn#.

Happy crafting.

Bigger than Bread

We have a friend who is doing a HUGE favor for our family. This is a much bigger favor than I can say thank you for with homemade bread. You know, the kind Grandma used to make.

So my next thought is to crochet an afghan. It has to be masculine but acceptable to his wonderful wife as well. So here's my fast and easy pattern for a man's afghan.

Chain as long a chain as you want to make it wide. Every row will be ch 3, *dc, ch, dc, ch* to the end, finishing each row with a dc in the last stitch. It should come out with every dc directly on top of the one below so that you get a mesh effect. Make it as long as you want.

Next cut lengths of yarn about a foot or foot and a half longer than the mesh. You are going to use two strands at a time and weave through the mesh with a yarn needle, leaving about 4-6 inches at either end for fringe. Tie the fringe together at the edge of the mesh to secure it. You can weave up and down for fringe at the top and bottom, or you can weave side to side if you don't want the fringe in your face.

That's as easy as it gets. The colors can be anything. I am planning a light tan, medium tan, and brown base with the same three colors going up and down to make a plaid arrangement.
Other color possibilitites might be all one color - going for a textured effect only. Or all one color in the base and a contrasting or complimentary color running up and down (or across, don't forget). Or any number and combination of colors of your choice. It can get pretty harlequin if you go into your scrap basket. I wouldn't give the harlequin one away or put it in the guest bedroom, but it could be a fun way to use up your spare yarn.

There's pattern and a beautiful image of a Scotch plaid at this website:

http://www.freevintagecrochet.com/afghans/woven-scotch-plaid-afghan-pattern.html

Made on a smaller scale, this also makes a nice warm scarf.

Happy crafting.

Thinking Ahead

Yesterday I was looking through 100 Crochet Projects by Jean Leinhauser & Rita Weiss. I found all kinds of quick, easy projects that suddenly reminded me of how close we are to Christmas already. I found teddy bears and snowflake earrings, shawls and vests, scarves and purses. With a little thought to the people on your Christmas list, you could have a lower-cost holiday if you work out of your scrap basket and get a little done whenever you sit down to crochet.
If you want to be a little more fancy with your gifts (even if it's a gift to yourself), we have Felted Crochet, Crocheted Socks, Designer Beadwork: Beaded Crochet Designs, and Knit and Crochet with Beads.
Or if you really do want to work just out of your scrap basket, try One Skein Wonders by Judith Durant.
Christmas is on the way. And please, if you have any extra time, check out www.soldiersangels.org to make lap robes for the wounded soldiers.

Thanks, and happy crafting.