Felted Purses....Last Minute Gifts

At the last minute I decided I needed something special in which to "wrap" my nieces' Christmas Gift Cards. I found a free pattern for these little felted purses here at the Lion Brand Yarn website. (You'll need to register for free).

Then I embellished the purses with felted flowers made from 2 patterns. The pink flower pattern is free and can be found here. The red rose is from a set of patterns I purchased from an Etsy Shop here.

The pattern gave directions for felting by washing machine but I did it by hand in a small bowl. This was my first attempt at felting and I loved it! Try it if you need a quick gift or get started now for Valentine's Day.

Happy crocheting.

Greyhounds Visit Santa!

Our hounds, Wyatt & Presto, visited with Santa this week. Rumor has it they asked for new stuffies, liver treats and a baby sister.

The photo was taken at Long Island GreyHound Transfer (L.I.G.H.T.) Visit their website:

www.ligreyhound.org for greyt info about Greyhounds. You'll find F.A.Q's, photos, and even an online Adoption Application. If you live on Long Island or you're coming for a visit, be sure to check the event schedule. Come to a Meet & Greet to talk to their friendly volunteers and meet some of these greyt dogs!

Free Santa Hat Crochet Pattern

Want to add a few finishing touches to your Christmas decorating scheme? Why not whip up a Santa hat or two with this quick and easy pattern?! Then you can have fun dressing your stuffed animals, dolls or even your real pets. Here's the pattern:

Santa Hat
4-ply yarn, Red 2 ounces
Bulky weight yarn, White 1 ounce
Crochet hook Size G
Yarn needle

Finished Size: 7” by 6”

Work hat in continuous rounds. Do not join rounds.
Rnd 1: with red, ch 2,
6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sc)
Rnd 2-5: sc in each sc around. (6 sc)
Rnd 6: (2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc) around. (9sc)
Rnd 7: sc in each sc around. (9 sc)
Rnd 8: (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc) around. (12 sc)
Rnd 9: (2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc) around. (18 sc)
Rnd 10-13: sc in each sc around. (18 sc)
Rnd 14: (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc) around. (24 sc)
Rnd 15: sc in each sc around. (24 sc)
Rnd 16: (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc) around. (30 sc)
Rnd 17: sc in each sc around. (30 sc)
Rnd 18: (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc) around. (36 sc)
Rnd 19: sc in each sc around. (36 sc)
Rnd 20: (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 5 sc) around. (42 sc)
Rnd 21-23: sc in each sc around. (42 sc)
Change to white bulky yarn
Rnd 24-27: sc in each sc around. (42 sc)
Fasten off. Fold up the white part like a cuff.
Optional: Sew 6 inches of ¼ inch wide elastic to last round.
PomPom
Ch 2 with white bulky yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sc)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: sc in each sc around. (12 sc)
Rnd 4: sc next 2 sc together around. (6 sc)
Fasten off. Insert tip of the hat into the opening of Rnd 4 and sew in place.
Fasten off.

Autumn the Life Size Crocheted Greyhound

Ideas for Holiday Decorating

Getting ready for Thanksgiving I decided to decorate Autumn, the crocheted Greyhound. She's wearing a bright yellow silk Mum with Fall leaves and checkered ribbon. Autumn will spend Thanksgiving in her new home with her new friend, Hickory (the real Greyhound).


My friend, Holly, is very imaginative when it comes to choosing yarn colors. Don't you love the Greyhound ornaments she made in the photo above?! They're ready to be decorated with Christmas and Hanukkah ribbons then they're off to a Greyhound Adoption fundraiser. Thanks Holly!

Crochet Christmas Ornaments

Now's the time to start making ornaments so you'll be ready to deck the halls. Here are some pictures and ideas for making decorations from our patterns.

The plant poke ornament patterns can be made into tree ornaments. Just eliminate the stick, add a holiday ribbon bow and make a hanging loop from fishing line or metallic thread. These also look great as package decorations. Crochet a bunch and keep them on hand for quick, last minute gifts.

The patterns are available as Greyhounds, Poodles and German Shepherds. They're on sale now till the end of November at http://www.greyhoundcrafts.com/

Also on sale is a kit to make a Reindeer outfit. It fits your real hound or a Life Size Greyhound crocheted from one of our patterns.

The Christmas Wreath below was made with our Greyhound Door Wreath pattern. You can use Christmas colors for the wreath and make any combination of Greyhound colors. These could be Whippets, too, or even Italian Greyhounds.

The sale prices are in effect till 11/30/07 only at http://www.greyhoundcrafts.com/

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone for sending your prayers for Presto! His surgery went well and he's back to his old playful self.