Mussels or Muscles?!

The other day I got a pleading-for-help message on Etsy -- a crocheter was so excited about making this beautiful vest, but was having problems understanding some of the instructions.  She asked if I could help her figure out the next steps in the project.  So, I went to investigate and discovered that the pattern designer/writer is Danish.  I think she might have used a Google program or something to translate the pattern, and interesting things happened as a result!  The instructions kept referring to making stitches "in the next mussel".  After looking at the original Danish pattern and looking up the original word, I discovered that another meaning of the word "musling" is ....   SHELL!  So, she was trying to describe our shell stitch :-)  Mystery solved!

Free Craft and Crochet eBooks

I'm so glad to be able to pass along two new and free ebooks from the FaveCrafts folks!  The first one has 17 popular crochet items that are easy enough for a beginner to make, like a fun little caplet, a bottoms up hat, and a really neat 8-point ripple afghan.  You can find the free and instant download at:
 
http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Miscellaneous-Crochet/17-Popular-Free-Crochet-Patterns-eBook

The second book will start to get you in the mood for the holidays.  This ebook has 7 fun craft projects for Christmas time.  I think I'm going to give the Christmas Card Saver a try!  Also included are the Felt and Wire Angel (pg. 5), the Christmas Candy Jar Labels (pg. 11), and a Wine Cork Wreath (pg. 19).  You can get this eBook free at:

http://www.allfreechristmascrafts.com/Christmas-Ornament-Crafts/7-Thrifty-Christmas-Craft-Ideas-eBook

Happy Crafting!!

Crochet News

What can I say, it's Wednesday, and I'm up because the hubby had to go to work early today.  So, here I am :-)

Thought I would take this opportunity to tell you about a new (knit and) crochet magazine that I found in Barnes and Noble a few months ago.  It's called "Knit & Crochet Style" and it's printed in Germany but written in English.  There seem to be 2 issues so far, but it's not clear to me if it's a monthly publication.  The first issue has both knit and crocheted sweaters and tops for women, and the second issue has baby items.  I haven't made anything yet, but I get the feeling it is written with English (v. American) crochet terms.  But, there are a lot of photographs and schematics, so I'm hoping I can figure it out.  I'll report back.

I'm still refining the crochet tips book on Lifetips -- I'm awaiting their software upgrade so that I can get that project put to bed!  The delay has been frustrating, but in a way, it's motivated me to keep cleaning up and organizing the site and to start work already on the sequel!

I will leave with a teaser -- for those of you living in or near Washington DC, it looks more and more certain that there will be a yarn store in Dupont Circle in the fall!!  Whoooo, hoooo.  I will know more in the next few weeks and will blab then :-)