Pattern Picks - Sampler Blocks Baby Blanket

N.Y. Yarns has up a pattern called Cotton Crochet Sampler Blocks Baby Blanket. It's a very pretty combination of sampler squares and though they have it made in several colors I think it would look very good in one color that accentuates the textures of the samples as well.

Pattern Picks - Santa Baby Hat

Caron has a really cute Santa Baby Hat pattern. Looks warm and definitely in the holiday style.

Charity Spotlight - Operation Toasty Toes

Operation Toasty Toes makes handmade knitted and crocheted slippers, dickeys, headbands, helmets (a.k.a. ski masks), watch caps and wristlets (a.k.a. fingerless mitts). These items are mailed to the Armed Forces stationed overseas. You have to use their patterns only but it's a nice way to support the troops. Click the link to find a chapter near you.

Pattern Picks - Blushing Grannies Afghan

Coats has up a really nice project called Blushing Grannies Afghan. This is done in color faded rows of granny squares done in blush shades but I think it would just as nicely in the favorite color fades of your choice. I think it's a very elegant way to do a granny square afghan. Check it out.

Pattern Picks - Nooks 'n Crannies Square

I wanted to highlight Sally Ives Nooks 'n Crannies Square. I'm not a big grannies fan but this one I think is very pretty. I like the circular motif inside the square.

Pattern Picks - Scruby Bumpy Face Cloth

Hey folks. Now I'm not much for making face cloths and that sort of thing usually but you may want to head over to Craft Leftovers and take a look at their Crocheted Scruby Bumpy Face Cloth. The bumpy texture is supposed to help with exfoliation but I have to say I think the stitch itself works up really pretty and I like it. So go take a look and remember folks, someone worked to put the pattern together so if you download the free pattern a thank you isn't to much to pay in return.

Pattern Picks - Diamond Hat & Scarf

Crochet World magazine's featured pattern is the lovely Diamond Hat & Scarf. Almost anyone will love this chic and stylish hat and scarf set. You could even crochet it in school colors. It features puff stitch diamonds so you can learn how to puff stitch if you don't already know. Warning: This is a PDF document pattern.

Pattern Picks - Colorful Carryall

If you need a great gift idea for a friend who crochets Talking Crochet's Colorful Carryall is a great solution. This handy little case, as you can see, is perfectly styled to hold a generous set of crochet hooks. However, it can have other uses, too. For example, it could hold coupons for shopping, cards or money. You could insert bills, sorted by denomination, through the different post-stitch bands, and arrange your credit and bank cards in the bands as well. Naturally you could make the colors to suit your own taste

Tutorial Picks - Tunisian Reverse Stitch

Wonder How To has a little video up on how to create the Tunisian reverse stitch. The hook is inserted in back through the middle of the vertical bars and out the back side. Worked into a project it may help to reduce some of that curl up you get on a Tunisian project at the corners. Go take a look and learn How To.

Pattern Picks - Button Ornaments

Taking Crochet's Button Ornaments are fun and easy to make, and they're a great way to use up some of those beautiful leftover buttons in your sewing box. You can decorate the ornaments with additional trims, such as ribbon and bead string, as shown, or add your own choice of embellishments.

Pattern Picks - Angel Bells

There is no Getting Loopy today but instead we have these adorable little Angel Bells, they immediately made me think of that well-known line from the classic holiday movie, It's a Wonderful Life: "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings." These little angels will add such a charming touch to your Christmas decorations.

Pattern Picks - Snowflake Garland

Coats has up a really cute pattern I wanted to let you all know about. It's a crocheted Snowflake Garland. Now I'm not a very Christmasy person mainly because of the over commercialization but I think this is really adorable. You could decorate your windows or your tree with it. I was also thinking if you have some white plastic shopping bags you want to use up you could make this garland out of plarn and even decorate some of your outdoor shrubbery. Now how is that for versatile and inspirational?

Outdoor Fiber Inspiration

Kingdom Of Style has a really cool and inspirational post up about a fiber terrific movement of Crocheted and knitted graffiti. I find this strangely attractive. Covered trees, statues and even a deserted gas station. I especially like the trees. Talk about tree hugging. What could be cooler than some crochet love for your tree? Pretty darn cool I say and it sure beats painted names all over everything. Now you probably don't want to use your most expensive hand spun but wouldn't just a little covering somewhere with some of your scrap yarn be something? What do you think?

Charity Spotlight - The Mother Bear Project

I'm posting today about The Mother Bear Project. This seems a worthwhile charity to crochet for but I will bring to your notice that they only accept there bear patterns and you have to pay for the pattern but they do crochet as well as knit so if you want to pay a few dollars for their bear pattern and make a difference it's a good cause.

The Mother Bear Project is dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations, by giving them a gift of love in the form of a hand-knit or crocheted bear.

Pattern Picks - Pineapple Shawl

Caron Yarns has up a very pretty pattern for a Pineapple Shawl. They have it made with their NatureSpun™ but it's not heavy. It's a very beautiful lacy and open pattern. It would be a nice pattern for those thinking of spring, like me.

Pattern Picks - 2 from NY Yarns

This is a quickie because I'm hurrying but I wanted to post something. Just a heads up, these are both PDF documents.

Action Crocheted Hat & Scarf For Kids Designed By Katherine Eng

Crochet Hooded Scarf Designed By Katherine Eng

Pattern Picks - Sangria Shawl

Today's pattern spotlight beams down on Coats And Clark's Sangria Shawl. Very pretty and I'm almost drunk just on that gorgeous color. I think this would make a great shawl to wrap up in during the nippy winter season or a really great gift for that always cold person on your holiday gift list. You know the one...Me! Ha ha, just kidding.

Charity Spotlight - Newborns in Need

Newborns in Need is a Cristian charity that provides several services. Among those is providing afghans, blankets, hats and booties and many other basic essential baby items. Anyone looking to crochet charity items could do worse than check out their site, find a local chapter and get started if you feel you agree with what they are doing.

Pattern Picks - John's Favorite Bucket Hat

Next in my Pattern Picks series. This one is a really great pattern by The Purl Bee. For those who have trouble finding great patterns for guys [and who doesn't?] go check out John's Favorite Bucket Hat. A cool and functional pattern for the man/men in your life. Definitely a great addition to you Christmas Crochet gift list.

Pattern Picks - Interweave Crochet 5 Free

Saturday Bonus Post

Just in time for the holidays the folks at Interweave Crochet put together a free e-book of 5 gift patterns. Patterns include: Toujours Hat by Kim Werker, In a Jiffy Juggling Balls by Toni Rexroat, Peppermint Hat & Scarf by Marilyn Murphy, Green Market Bag by Laura Rintala, and Charlie Brown Baby Cardigan by Kat Pullen. Yes you have to register on Interweave but that is free too so go sign up. I don't know if it's a limited time offer or not so go soon and don't miss out.