Still hookin'

Still hookin' with a crochet hook (not on the street).

I'm almost finished with crocheting my sister's presents.  I'll post them after February 22 so she doesn't get a sneak peek on this site.  I was searching the web for some free patterns and stumbled on some crochet blogs.  Some are so funny that I almost spit out my lunch because I was laughing so hard.  I have also found tons of amigurumi patterns online.  I'll admit I'm fascinated by the amigurumi technique.  Granted, many items fall into the why-would-you-bother category but others would make great gag gifts or fun toys for kids.  I'll hold onto the why-bother patterns for my later years.  My goal is to be the crazy lady on the block with purple hair, ridiculous housecoats and 20 cats.  Wouldn't a collection of crocheted tea cups and vegetable/fruit platters fit in nicely?

But I digress...the award for "So Funny I Almost Peed" goes to....

What Not to Crochet

Seriously, check that site out.  Who would crochet this stuff?!!

If you are looking for amigurumi patterns, this site delivers on a regular basis:  Free Amigurumi Patterns
Granted, there are some why-bother and what-the-hell patterns, but I enjoy browsing nonetheless. 

In case you're wondering if I've forgotten that this is a sewing blog, I haven't.  My mother, who doesn't read my blog or even know what a blog is, will probably receive some sewn tops/jackets from me for her birthday.  (Notice the word "probably"--gives me a an easy out if I fall behind and can't produce the gifts on time.)

I have a huge stash of fabric to purge but it just occurred to me that several of those fabrics, although not in good colors for me, are of good quality and possibly in better colors for my mother. 

My mother is a fan of baggie tops that fall below her hips and she loves turtlenecks and oversized button-front blouses.  It's difficult to sew clothes to fit someone who lives too far away to be available for an actual fitting.  I guess I'm lucky she prefers baggie clothes to fitted ones.  There were several contenders for her birthday present but I have narrowed it down to two.


Butterick 5467


View C is basically what she loves to wear but it doesn't have buttons and it is a tad shorter.  Somehow wearing a shirt open looks better when it doesn't have buttons, therefore, it is a jacket.  I have a pretty pink poplin or a light blue with white stripe broadcloth-like fabric to use for this.

Butterick 5254


Love, love, love this pattern!  Several different fabrics are suitable for this, including fleece.  I have a charcoal gray and a navy fleece; both with just enough yardage to pull off view A or view D.  I'd like to use a nice wool but I promised myself (and my husband) that I would shop from my stash only.  The pink poplin and blue broadcloth are also from my stash.  Heck, I even have threads, buttons, and interfacing!!

Keeping my fingers crossed that I finish at least one of these tops.  It would be nice to actually show you some sewing progress.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

-Julie