I just found out that three of my projects are now available as free downloads!  Hooray!  So finally I can reveal three of the 73 projects that I did this spring!  Here is the sneak preview:



Which is now a mohair shawl!  Click here:  Ruffled-Edged Shawl

And perhaps you remember this little number?



Now you can download the pattern as an afghan!  Click here: Textured Stripes Afghan
(As an exciting side-note, this pattern is also on the ballband of the yarn!  First time that has happened with one of my designs!)

And for the third revelation, a knitted project!



Which is now a free download as a scarf & fingerless gloves!  Click here: Scarf & Fingerless Gloves


Miss Chandler is eager to get started on her next project! (Hopefully that's not a hairball.)

        

 

I thought I might start a new series of blog entries to help support the grassroots 350 Project. Click the above image to read about it on their website. Essentially it’s an effort to prop up the local brick and mortar businesses as we weather this period of economic “challenges”.

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Yarntopia!

For the first installment I visited the yarn store in Katy, TX called “Yarntopia”. The shop is owned and operated by two wonderful people Amy (the knitter) and Sheryl (the crochetier). Here I am with Amy who was running the store the day that I stopped by to take photos:



And this isn’t the only reason I go there.



And you thought I was taller…anywho…

I love the atmosphere at Yarntopia – it’s bright and cheery, tidy and organized, and above all it is both knit and crochet friendly! Hooray! The yarns are organized by weight so if you are looking for a worsted weight yarn you can see your choices all in one place. That sure makes shopping easy and fun!



Stop by sometime!

Website: Yarntopia
Store location: 2944 S Mason Rd, Katy, TX, 77450
Store phone: 281-392-2386
Store hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am-8:00 pm Friday 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Sunday CLOSED

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And if you aren't in the Houston/Katy area here are some craftygood sites I've found around the web!

The Artful Crafter
“Panadieres for Zambia” is a neat story and one small example of crafters helping crafters – all around the world. As Eileen likes to say, “Crafters are just the nicest people.”

The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares a technique in this post about embossing on slick surfaces!

About Family Crafts
What are your cleaning tips for crafting with kids? Please take a moment to share your tips and then browse through tips shared by others.

Aileen’s Musings
Hard as it was, Aileen has narrowed down the playing field and needs your help again to choose from her favorite sayings that have been posted for her blog giveway! Stop by and pick your favorite.

Cathie Filian
If you are wondering what to eat, craft and play on the 4th of July then head over to Cathie’s blog for ideas.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside you can watch the latest Look, Learn & Create video that includes tips on drawing, two techniques and projects for cutting photos up, a bit of fabric eye candy, and a free paper stencil and project from the new book The Art of Decorative Paper Stencils 2 and if you leave answers to the day’s questions you are entered to win free books!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy uses her jewelry making skills to create some beautiful and functional stitch markers.

CraftyPod
Sister Diane reviews an intriguing new book: Micro Macrame, by Annika DeGroot

Cross Stitch at About.com
Work at Your Own Pace - An encounter with a critter in the yard has Connie thinking about Cross Stitch (imagine that!) and speed.

Naughty Secretary Club
Arty Masterpieces are overrated, it’s all about the Glittery Crafterpieces! Take a peek at the handmade art around my house and try your hand at making a fun glittery deer picture!

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery:
See how to make a card and card album themed for a rock and roll mom to be that uses cute die cuts in a cool way.

Vickie Howell
Keep your kids busy this summer by setting up a Crafty Challenge for them!

Mixed Media Artist
Have you been wondering what happened to "Layers Upon Layers"? Cyndi's still hard at work, but has moved to "Mixed Media Artist". This week she's got a a round-up of fabric painting ideas for you!

        

I'm spending the weekend learning all about my new camera!  It's been a lot of fun, well, for me that is.  Perhaps not so much for Cleo:


Aren't her horns coming in nicely?  Here are some crafty links from around the web to help finish off the weekend!

Blisstree Arts
You can never know too many tricks for painting background fabrics!

Cathie Filian
You still have time to whip up a handmade gift for your Pop, Grandpa or Hubby and Cathie Filian has over 12 ideas!

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside wins Editor’s Choice at Maker Faire-see lots of pictures from the fabulous event, the latest episode of Look, Learn & Create has a tutorial on how to make needle felted flowers from recycled wool sweaters, some excellent exercises to relieve back stress (what crafter couldn’t use those), a free knitted leaf pattern and some cool quilt dish!

The Artful Crafter
How to make a wall hanger for a heavy plate or tile.

CraftyPod
Sister Diane muses on how we crafters can help keep our favorite websites, magazines, and TV shows alive in a tough economy.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Check out Connie’s Photo of the Week - it’s one of her recent finishes and in her favorite medium - variegated floss.

About Family Crafts
Have you played along with my Make-It-Over Craft Challenge yet? What would you make out of this ordinary object?

Aileen’s Musings
Aileen is very excited to announce that the Ties That Bind Art Doll Raffle has begun! Its an amazing project, with contributions by over 100 artists. Stop by to find out how you can purchase raffle tickets to win this amazing art doll, and help us reach our goal!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Swelldesigner shares all week on her blog tales from SF Bay Maker Faire 2009 starting off with her Bizarre Bazaar experience!

Naughty Secretary Club
It’s terrarium week over at Naughty Secretary Club and Jen is celebrating with a kitschy terrarium style picture frame tutorial! Grab your mini garden gnomes and glitter and stop on by!

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery
Recycled Sweater Necklace brought to you by the new book-Feltique and the letter “O”

Vickie Howell
Hey, stitch fanatics! Dig movies? Love knit & crochet wear? Check in with Vickie’s blog every week for Movie Mondays; posts with pictures from your favorite flicks and pattern suggestions for making similar, show stopping pieces. This week’s feature: The Shining!

Crafty Princess Diaries
What are your thoughts on retail and the off-line world today when it comes to craft stores and just in general?

        

I'm just going to say it right out loud, the new book Vickie Howell's Pop Goes Crochet!: 36 Projects Inspired by Icons of Popular Culture is the hottest crochet book I've hand in my hands in a while.  I would even say this is a must-have book in any crochetiers collection!  Vickie has pulled together designs inspired by icons of pop culture divided into the categories of "Rebels", "Icons", "Fashionistas", "Starlets", and "Rockers".  Not only does Vickie show off her own amazing design skills, she has also gathered together fantastic designers such as Robyn Chachula, John Brinegar, Mary Jane Hall, Jennifer Hansen, and more (even me)!

I was amazed to get the call from Vickie to submit one of my own designs for a driver's cap:

I loved how it turned out so much that I went ahead and made another one for myself!



Pardon the photo, it's hard to take a photo of a hat using the little camera in the laptop!  Anywho, I'm so please with how this hat turned out and even more so to be included in this book!  Thanks Vickie!

More info here:

        

Okay June, not funny sneaking up like that!  Hey January, remember when you promised me that it was a new year and all those deadlines were waaaay far away?  Oh well, I'm sure it's a some kind of lunar conspiracy and I'm determined to not take it personally.  Still, there are 17 things due very very soon so I best get to it.

In the meantime, here are some extreme closeups to give you and idea of what I'm up to:



Just Point & Shoot Me

And finally finally finally I have ordered a new SLR camera (Nikon D5000) that should be here any day. I have been taking photos for The Crochet Dude with a $150 point and shoot (not that there's anything wrong with that) for years now, but I knew the day would come that I would outgrow that little Olympus SP-350.  It's been good to me but I'm looking forward to some more professional results!

        

Fire up the grill, it's the weekend y'all, and I love Fridays as much as the next person with their nose to the grindstone; however, sometimes Friday doesn't really happen around Chez Dude as often as I would like!  I have a brazillion things due and several overdue and alas it looks like Friday has been postponed for a few weeks (and that's a good thing)! 

That doesn't mean there isn't a grilled medium rare something or other in my immediate future!  There may or may not be an adult liquid refreshment too.  I'm just saying is all.

Here are some links from around the crafty bloggersphere to help kick off YOUR weekend!  Enjoy!


Judy Streger The Mixed-up Media Artist- has taken her hubby's shirt destined for the thrift store and refashioned it into a purse...now that's what you call re purposing!

Aileen's Musings - Are you looking for a new party invitation idea? Aileen has a mini tutorial for a banner invitation in a tin! Stop by and download your own freebie banner!

The Artful Crafter -Eileen shows you how to make beautiful roses from paper clay. Paper clay is fun to work with and very easy on the hands. For this project the only molded shapes you need to make are balls and cones. Then you flatten them to make either rose petals or leaves.

CraftyPod- Sister Diane's been making some interesting stuff with her Cricut and Cuttlebug...

Cross Stitch at About.com- Meet Mr. X Stitch - Learn more about the man who helps put the X in x-stitch. Mr. Cross Stitch aka Jamie Chalmers designs and supports modern Cross Stitch and embroidery.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery- Old metal disk earrings get a industrial makeover with help from the new book- Chic Metal by Victoria Tillotson.

The Impatient Crafter -It's Flip Out Flip Flop Summer madness at The Impatient Crafter. DIY a pair of lace up Goddess sandals with Madge!

Vickie Howell -Download a free Pop Goes Crochet pattern for the "Doris" summer scarf!

Blisstree Arts Cyndi has been featuring some awesome polymer clay artists recently. Check out Dayle Doroshow's work!

Cathie Filian Whip up some flirty summer fashions with Cathie as she dyes slips.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world -Craftside's got the latest episode of the video series Look, Learn & Create with Amy Hanna author of Rejuvenated Jewels, 1 of the tips from the book: 100 Habits of Successful Freelance Designers, a sneak peek in Book-Art with more info about Swap-o-rama-rama at Maker Faire this weekend and how to make a stencil portrait from L. K. Ludwig's book: True Vision.

Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy reviews a book that may have answers for your crochet questions.

        

Now that summer is here it's time to sit outside, have some ice cream and enjoy ourselves!  And now you can have that ice cream without your fingers freezing off by making this crocheted ice cream sleeve that I call "Brain Freeze".  Enjoy!

Brain Freeze
©2009 Drew Emborsky,
aka The Crochet Dude®

Click HERE for downloadable PDF version

Finished Size

Fits pint-sized ice cream container

Finished Measurements

7.5” circumference x 2.75” tall

Materials

Small amount of worsted weight cotton in 3 colors
Crochet hook size I 9/5.50mm
Pint of ice cream
Spoon

Gauge:     15 sts x 16 rows = 4” (10 cm) in sc

Special Stitch
Bobble – insert hook in st indicated, yo pull up loop, ch 3, yo pull through both loops on hook

Pattern

With Color A
Ch 38, join with a sl st to first ch being sure not to twist ch
Rnd 1 Ch 2 (counts as 1st st now and throughout), dc in ea st around, join with a sl st to top of beg ch-2 (38 sts)
Rnd 2 Ch 2, fpdc, [bpdc, fpdc] around, join with a sl st to top of beg ch-2, fasten off

With Color B
Rnd 3 Join with a sc to bl of any st, sc in bl of ea st around, join with a sl st to first sc
Rnd 4 Ch 1, sc in same st, bobble, [sc, bobble] around, join with a sl st to first sc
Rnd 5 Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in ea st around, join with a sl st to first sc, fasten off

With Color C
Rnd 6 Join with a sl st to bl of any st, ch 2, dc in bl of ea st around, join with a sl st to top of beg ch -2
Rnd 7 Ch 2, fpdc, [bpdc, fpdc] around, join with a sl st to top of beg ch-2, fasten off.

Weave in all ends, insert pint of ice cream, use spoon to enjoy the creamy goodness.

        

Cruising the Caribbean and teaching crochet, what could be better?  Cruising ALASKA and teaching crochet, and that's just what I'll be doing June 2010.  And, to make the perfect trip even perfecter (is too a word!) joining me on the cruise will be the incomparable Myra Wood, author of Creative Crochet Lace: A Freeform Look at Classic Crochet and one of the most in-demand teachers in America.  Hosting the trip will once again be the amazing people at CraftCruises.com who make sure that every detail of the trip is perfect - and we will be on a 5-star Holland America ship!  It doesn't get much better than that!

It's really going to be so. much. fun!! The Alaskan itineraries fill up quick!  Click here for more information:

Cruise Alaska with The Crochet Dude and Myra Wood

        

On the heels of yesterday's knit garment that was just published, I'm pleased as punch to show you my design for a felted crocheted shaving kit called "Weekend" that has just been published by the UK-based magazine "Inside Crochet". 





For my friends in the UK the issue hits newstands on Monday and is also available here in the USA via digital subscription. Issues hit the US/Canadian newstands in a few weeks!

It was such a fun project to engineer and I couldn't be happier with the results. I was able to include felting, snaps, and zippers all in one design!!   It was one of those projects that I had a hard time letting go of when I was finished!  Now I need to find the time to make one for myself some day!!

        

Just got my copy of the latest issue of Knit 'N Style magazine and was so happy to see one of my designs featured:



Pick up your copy now or check it out online here: Peacock Tank Top by Drew Emborsky