Greyhound Purse Crochet Pattern is Out

The Greyhound Purse pattern for crochet is finally finished. You can find it at GreyHoundCrafts.com. It uses regular 4-ply yarn and makes up easily with basic crochet stitches. Pattern includes directions to make the fabric yoyos for decorating the collar. Or you can use ready-made items such as buttons, ribbon roses or jewels instead.
Doc introduces himself to the purse pup!

Homes 4 Hounds Afghan Pattern

Our latest pattern is now available at GreyhoundCrafts.com. It's a colorful afghan called Homes4Hounds and is perfect for using up your leftover yarn stash. Made up of squares decorated with hounds and house motifs...it's a project that's easily portable.

A portion of each pattern sale is donated to Greyhound Adoption. Mention you saw it here on the blog during check-out and we'll send you your choice of a second Pattern PDF File for free. That's a value of up to $6.00! Buy it Now! Offer expires 3/15/09. Thanks for stopping by and Happy Crocheting!

July 4th Half Price Pattern Sale

Now's the time to stock up on your favorite patterns from GreyhoundCrafts.com . All PDF File patterns are On Sale at Two for $5.00! These patterns make greyt items for Dog rescue Fundraising. They'll be in your email inbox less than 24 hours from completed payment and there's NO Shipping charge.

Sale ends 8/1/08

Greyhound Cap in Fundraiser Auction

A Carpe Canem Benefit Auction has begun for Forever Home GreyhoundAdoptions. The auction will last until 7pm PDT/10pm EDT on Tuesday, June 3. There's a baseball cap with a crocheted Greyhound face and notecards with photos of crocheted hounds at a Tea Party.
Here's the link: GREYHOUND AUCTION!
Please bid high and help Forever Home Greyhound Adoptions find moreforever homes for Greyhounds!

Free Dog Face Potholder Crochet Pattern

We received a special request for an American Staffordshire Terrier Dog potholder and we're offering the free pattern below. Potholders made from the pattern can be sold for fundraising for dog rescue only. You may link to the pattern but it cannot be sold, copied or posted elsewhere.
If you like to crochet dogs please check out our other patterns at www.greyhoundcrafts.com. Proceeds benefit Greyhound Adoption!

American Staffordshire Terrier Potholder

4 ply yarn:
1 skein white
1 oz. rust
1 oz. black
2 brown buttons 1-1/4”
Crochet Hook Size F
Yarn needle

Back
Make one
Chain 26 with white
Row 1: sc in second ch from hook,
Sc in next 3 chs,
Hdc in next ch,
Dc in next ch,
Trc in next 2 chs,
Dc in next ch,
Hdc in next ch,
Sc in next 2 chs,
Slip st in next ch,
Sc in next 2 chs,
Hdc in next ch,
Dc in next dc,
Trc in next 2 chs,
Dc in next ch,
Hdc in next ch,
Sc in last 4 chs. (25 sts)

Row 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc now and throughout), Turn,
Dc in same st,
Dc in next 23 sts,
2 dc in last st. (27 dc)

Row 3: ch 3, Turn,
Dc in same st,
Dc in next 25 sts,
2 dc in last dc. (29 dc)

Row 4: ch 3, Turn,
Dc in same st,
Dc in next 27 sts,
2 dc in last dc. (31 dc)

Row 5: ch 3, Turn,
2 dc in same dc,
dc in next 29 dc,
3 dc in last dc. (35 dc)

Row 6-7: ch 3, Turn,
Dc in each dc across. (35 dc)

Row 8: ch 3, Turn,
Dc in each dc across to last 2 dc,
Dc last 2 dc together. (34 dc)

Row 9-12: Repeat Row 8.
(33 dc) (32 dc) (31 dc) (30 dc)

Row 13: Ch 3, Turn,
Dc in same dc,
Dc in next 28 dc,
2 dc in last dc. (32 dc)

Row 14: Ch 3, Turn,
2 dc in same dc,
dc in next 30 dc,
3 dc in last dc. (36 dc)

Row 15: Ch 3, Turn,
(dc next 2 dc together)twice
dc in next 26 dc,
(dc next 2 dc together)twice. (32 dc)

Row 16: Ch 3, Turn,
(dc next 2 dc together)twice
dc in next 22 dc,
(dc next 2 dc together)twice. (28 dc)

Row 17: : Ch 3, Turn,
(dc next 2 dc together)twice
dc in next 18 dc,
(dc next 2 dc together)twice. (24 dc)

Row 18: (begin ear)
Ch 3, Turn,
Dc in same dc,
Dc in next 5 dc,
Leave remaining stitches of row unworked for now. (7 dc)

Row 19: Ch 3, Turn,
Dc in next 5 dc,
Leave last stitch unworked. (6 dc)

Row 20: Ch 3, Turn,
Dc in next 4 dc,
Leave last dc unworked. (5 dc)

Row 21: Ch 2, Turn,
Yarn over and draw up a loop in each of next 3 dc,
Yarn over and draw through all 5 loops on hook,
Ch 1, Fasten Off.

Second Ear:
Hold your work with the ear you just made on the left side.
Attach white yarn to the first unworked stitch on the right side if Row 17.
Ch 3, Dc in same dc,
Dc in next 5 dc,
Leave remaining stitches unworked. (7 dc).

Repeat Rows 19 to 21 of back.

Front
Make one
Chain 26 with white
Repeat Rows 1-6 of back

Row 7: ch 3, Turn,
Dc in next 27 dc, change to rust,
Dc in last 7 dc. (35 dc)

Row 8: ch 3, Turn,
Dc in next 8 dc, change to white
Dc in each dc across to last 2 dc,
Dc last 2 dc together. (34 dc)

Row 9: ch 3, Turn,
Dc in next 22 dc, change to rust,
each dc across to last 2 dc,
Dc last 2 dc together. (33 dc)

Row 10: ch 3, Turn,
Dc in next 12 dc, change to white,
each dc across to last 2 dc,
Dc last 2 dc together. (32 dc)

Row 11: ch 3, Turn,
Dc in next 17 dc, change to rust,
each dc across to last 2 dc,
Dc last 2 dc together. (31 dc)

Row 12: ch 3, Turn,
Dc in next 12 dc, change to white,
each dc across to last 2 dc,
Dc last 2 dc together. (30 dc)

Row 13: Ch 3, Turn,
Dc in same dc,
Dc in next 3 dc, change to rust,
Dc in next 3 dc, change to white,
Dc in next 13 dc, change to rust,
Dc in each dc to last dc,
2 dc in last dc. (32 dc)

Row 14: Ch 3, Turn,
2 dc in same dc,
dc in next 12 dc, change to white,
dc in next 12 dc, change to rust,
dc in next 4 dc, change to white,
dc in each dc to last dc,
3 dc in last dc. (36 dc)

Row 15: Ch 3, Turn,
(dc next 2 dc together)twice, change to rust
dc in next 4 dc, change to white,
dc in next 12 dc, change to rust,
dc in each dc until 4 dc remain,
(dc next 2 dc together)twice. (32 dc)

Row 16: Ch 3, Turn,
(dc next 2 dc together)twice
dc in next 4 dc, change to white,
dc in each dc across until 4 dc remain,
(dc next 2 dc together)twice. (28 dc)

Row 17: Ch 3, Turn,
(dc next 2 dc together)twice
dc in next 13 dc, change to rust,
dc in next 2 dc,
(dc next 2 dc together)twice. (24 dc)

Row 18: (begin ear)
Ch 3, Turn,
Dc in same dc,
Dc in next 5 dc,
Leave remaining stitches of row unworked for now. (7 dc)

Row 19: Ch 3, Turn,
Dc in next 5 dc,
Leave last stitch unworked. (6 dc)

Row 20: Ch 3, Turn,
Dc in next 4 dc,
Leave last dc unworked. (5 dc)

Row 21: Ch 2, Turn,
Yarn over and draw up a loop in each of next 3 dc,
Yarn over and draw through all 5 loops on hook,
Ch 1, Fasten Off.

Second Ear:
Hold your work with the ear you just made on the left side.
Attach rust yarn to the first unworked stitch on the right side if Row 17.
Ch 3, Dc in same dc,
Dc in next 5 dc,
Leave remaining stitches unworked. (7 dc).

Repeat Rows 19 to 21 of back.

Nose

With black, chain 4,
Rnd 1: 6 sc in second chain from hook,
Sc in next chain,
6 sc in last chain.
Join with slip stitch in first sc. (13 sc)

Rnd 2: sc in same st as joining,
Sc in next 3 sc,
(2 hdc in next sc)twice,
hdc in next sc,
(2 hdc in next sc)twice,
sc in last 4 sc,
join with slip stitch in first sc.
Fasten off.

Mouth

Chain 27 with black,
Hdc in third chain from hook,
Hdc in next 4 chains,
Chain 20.
Fasten off.

Sew buttons to Row 10 of front, with 3 inches off space between them.
Center nose over Rows 7 and 8 of front. Sew in place with yarn needle and black yarn.
Referring to photo, sew mouth in place beginning under the nose.

Hold front and back together with wrong sides facing. Join around edges with sc using matching color yarn.

May Pattern Sale & Auction

Our MAY SALE at GreyhoundCrafts.com is a Buy-One-Get-One-Half-Price PDF pattern sale. This applies to all PDF pattern files including Life Size Greyhound, Pixie Hounds, Wreaths, Afghan and even our newest design...Greyhound Table Set.
A new auction has started at Carpe Canum to benefit Lambie's Smile Fund. There are many great items to bid on including a Greyhound Door Wreath Crochet Pattern booklet. Hurry...auction ends May 6th at 10pm EDT.

Happy crocheting!

Free Felted Catch-Alls Crochet Pattern

Here's out latest Free Crochet Pattern. Make a felted Catch-All and fill it with candy, a potted plant, etc for a handmade Mother's Day Gift. Mother's Day is May 11th so get started now!

Enjoy!

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Felted Catch-All Baskets

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Pattern for Crochet from www. GreyhoundCrafts.com

This pattern may not be sold, copied or posted online in any form. Completed items can be offered for sale for Fundraising for Dog Rescue only. All rights reserved.

Copyright 2008 L.Conlon

Felted Mini Catch-All With Blossom

Fill with candy for a quick gift or use as a pretty catch-all for your kitchen or desk. Cover a flower pot or insert a small bud vase with flowers. Baskets can be lined with a simple tube made from cardstock (see instructions) to help keep the shape when filled. Includes directions for felting by hand. Can be machine felted if desired.

Materials & Supplies
Patons Classic Wool Merino Yarn or any similar 100% Wool yarn:
1 ounce Main color (MC)
1 ounce Contrasting color (CC)
1 ounce Leaf Green
Small amounts pink and red or your choice of flower colors
Small amount yellow for flower centers
Crochet Hook Size G
Yarn needle
2 medium size bowls
laundry detergent
Drinking glass with approx. 2-1/2” diameter bottom
Rubber gloves (optional)
2-1/2” by 2-1/2” piece of light cardboard (optional)
paper or cardstock for liner (optional)

Finished Size about 4 inches tall.

Work in rounds. Do not join. When changing colors or fastening off simply tie knots. Do not work over the ends. After felting you can trim off the ends as the felted pieces will not unravel. Work loosely. Gauge is unimportant.


Catch-All Basket

Ch 2 with MC
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 next sc, 2 sc in next sc)6 times. (18 sc)

Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc)6 times. (24 sc)

Rnd 5: (sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc)6 times. (30 sc)

Rnd 6: Working in back loop only, sc in each sc around. (30 sc)

Rnds 7-18: Working in both loops, sc in each sc around. (30 sc)

Copyright 2008 L.Conlon

Rnd 19: Sc in first 5 sc,
Ch 5, skip next 5 sc,
Sc in next 10 sc,
Ch 5, skip next 5 sc,
Sc in last 5 sc. (20 sc + 2 ch 5 spaces)

Rnd 20: sc in first 5 sc,
5 hdc in the ch 5 space,
sc in next 10 sc,
5 hdc in the ch 5 space,
sc in last 5 sc. (20 sc + 10 hdc)

Rnd 21: Change to CC,
Sc in each stitch around. (30 sc)
Fasten off.

Bottom Rim Trim: Attach CC with a sc in any front loop remaining from Round 6,
Sc in each loop around. (30sc)

Fasten off.

Blossom
With main flower color, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 5 sc in second chain from hook. (5 sc)

Rnd 2: 3 sc in each sc around. (15 sc)

Rnd 3: working in front loops only:
*Sc in next sc,
(2 hdc, 1 dc, 2 hdc) in next sc,
sc in next sc,
Repeat from * 4 times MORE. (5 petals).
Fasten off.

Rnd 4: Working behind petals in back loops from last round,
Join leaf green in any back loop,
Sc in same loop,
*sc in next loop, ch 1,
(2 dc, 1 trc, 2 dc) in next loop,
ch 1, sc in next loop,
Repeat from * 4 times MORE. ( 5 leaves).
Fasten off.

With yellow, ch 7,
3 sc in second chain from hook,
3 sc in each of remaining 5 chains. (18 sc).
Fasten off leaving about 6” of yarn.

Pull the yarn tail through the flower center from front to back using your hook.
Secure in back. Flower center should curl into a small spiral.

Felting and Finishing

Work in or near a sink so you have easy access to hot and cold water. Fill one bowl with very cold water. Fill the other bowl with very hot water. For quickest felting make the water as hot as comfortable to work in with your rubber gloves on. Add a few drops of laundry detergent to the hot water bowl.
*Place the crocheted catch-all in the hot water for about 3 minutes. Agitate the piece in the water with a spoon. Take it out and rub it and roll it between both hands. Squeeze out the water with your hand and place the piece in the cold water, swishing it around for a few minutes.
Repeat from the * several times. Change the water as needed to maintain the hot and cold temps. Check your results as you go. Eventually the piece will look fuzzy, the individual stitches will blur and the piece will shrink.
Rinse in fresh cold water and squeeze out as much water as possible. Don’t twist or wring it. Turn the glass upside down and slide the piece over it. Shape the round bottom and make sure the handles appear even. Set aside until completely dry.
Repeat the felting process with the blossom. After rinsing, shape each petal carefully with your fingers. Curl the center into a spiral. Allow to dry.

Clip off all loose ends close to the blossom and basket. Sew the blossom to the catch-all with green yarn or sewing thread.

You can line the basket if desired to help keep the shape when filled. Trace the bottom of the basket on light cardboard. Cut out 1/8” inside the line and place in the bottom.
Cut a piece of cardstock (or 2 sheets of printer paper held together) to 8-1/2” by 3”. Roll into a tube overlapping the ends about ½”. Glue or tape in place and insert into catch-all basket.