Friday, January 2, 2015

tips

Firstly, I received notices on December 31 that starting January 1 there is a new tax on digital sales to European Union. Since I had absolutely no notice, I have removed all my for-sale patterns from both Etsy and Ravelry so I don't have any tax confusion next year. I apologize for giving no notice of this, but I myself had no notice. Free patterns are not affected as far as I can tell and remain up. I'm not sure what I will do in the long run. There's always something to mess with one's day.

While I'm here, I thought I'd give a shout out in case you have one of my patterns and are in need of assistance. Firstly, PLEASE make sure it is actually one of MY patterns. I spent hours trying to find a pattern that fit the description a visitor said she was having trouble with only to discover it was not my pattern at all. Secondly, if you have trouble with one of my patterns, when you send me a note please include the name of the pattern. It is also helpful if you include a link. Both of those things will make it clear at the start if it is actually mine or one you found when you clicked through from the blog or web site or elsewhere.

I will do everything possible to help with one of my patterns, but if the pattern was designed by someone else it is not always possible to figure out what they meant. It is always best to go to the source when you can.

My name is on all my patterns and they appear only at Crochet Cabana, Ravelry, and Gallifreyan Crochetin. They are in pdf format. Occasionally I will give instructions on the blog but that is rare. 

I do not give permission for any of my patterns to be placed in its entirety on a web site or shared with anyone else  in any format without permission so the only place to find my patterns are at the places mentioned above. However, there are ads at the sites, so if you click through on an ad and find a pattern there, that is not my pattern. You need to go to the source for help.

As said above, if you need help with one of my patterns, I will do my best to see that you get it quickly.If you need help with someone else's pattern, please contact them.

I hope all of you had a wonderful start to the New Year and that the year will bring you many blessings!

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Monday, December 29, 2014

butterflies-fleece-shawls

I happened across this tutorial on how to make a crocheted butterfly. I have made dozens of these over the years. Although I did not use this tutorial, I thought it was well done and might help someone else who is having a problem with the technique. I generally use pipe cleaners for my antennae but I may give this method a try when I make more of them.


I mentioned in a previous post the video demonstrating making fleece blankets at Binky Patrol. That video is pretty long, but you can find shorter ones at YouTube demonstrating the same type of blanket. Search for no sew fleece blankets. I also found this little video demonstrating how to do this without knotting. I love this idea!

I have only made a couple of these blankets but I'd like to do some more when I can get some fleece. I think I will use that no knot method. At least I will try it. I prefer my fringe to be a little bit longer personally. The problem *I* had with the blankets is getting all four sides even (before cutting the fringe). Guess I need to use a level!

I have been fiddling with a one piece project using the puff stitch prayer cloth pattern. I am on the way to getting this down but have more work to do. I made a small sample. The sample is 5" x 38". The idea is not my original thought. You might remember that I donate prayer cloths to a church project and someone had the idea of making shawls by assembling them together. I thought it would save a lot of time if one did a one piece stripe and put those together. Well, it would save on the joining, but not on the making since it is single crochet and puff stitches.

This one is 38" and it does not go all the way around me. Now, I'm not small so maybe it would work for a smaller person. I don't know. The shawls I have made in the past have been longer than this. I would probably make it about 60". Of course it would not be 5". There will be 4 or 5 put together. We'll see how it turns out.


This small sample took an entire skein of Vanna's Choice. My thought was to place crosses in between these on the next one. That will take a little more yarn though and I'm not sure one skein would be enough. Still thinking. :-)

I also would like to do one with the filet cloth. More food for thought.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie