Email address

Those of you who added yourselves as followers a while back - I now have the subscribe by email button workng. You need to click it, subscribe to receive emails of new posts, go confirm it at your email address and in the future you will be the first to know about new patterns.

So in order to test, you need to subscribe by email and be a follower so you know when the new squares are open for testing. Then you'll need to send me an email when there is a square you want to test. That way I get your email address.

Also I can't respond to comments posted from people who want to test patterns if I don't have an email address.

I have 1 square posted needing testing in a different post below that is called Fox's Optical Illusion and 1 more ready to post after this square has some testers.

Donna

SmoothFox's Coral Square - Free Pattern

Created by Donna Mason-Svara aka SmoothFox ©2008 Version 3.0

Red Heart Super Saver 4 ply medium worsted
Color A: Light Coral
Color B: Pale Yellow
Color C: White

Hook Size: H - 8 - 5.00 MM
Square Size: 7” x 7”
Yarn Needle

Special Stitches:
Spike Stitch: Working in front of ch-1 sp, tr in indicated stitch below. ALWAYS SKIP THE CH-1 SP BEHIND THE SPIKE STITCH.

My Ravelry Store: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/smoothfox-crochet-designs
My Etsy Store: http://smoothfox.etsy.com/
My Crochet & Knit related gifts: http://zazzle.com/smoothfox*
My blog: http://smoothfoxlover.blogspot.com/

If you want a .pdf copy of this pattern or if you crochet this item – please click on this link and add your own pictures as a project on Ravelry. Just click on the crochet hook with the words “Hook It” near the top right side and this will add your item as a project. Then you can add the pictures when you have completed your project.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/free-smoothfoxs-coral-square-7x7

INSTRUCTIONS:

Using color A ch 4, join to make a ring or use the Magic Adjustible Ring (see www.crochetpatterncentral.com under tutorials).

Round 1: In ring ch 3 (counts as dc), 15 dc’s in ring, join with slip st in top of beg ch-3. (16 dc)

Round 2: Ch 4, tr in same st, * tr in next st, 2 tr in each of the next 2 sts, ch 2, ** 2 tr in next st. * Repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once, join with slip st in top of beg ch-4. Finish off (28 tr)

Round 3: Join color B with a slip st any corner, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner, * (ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next 2 sts) twice, ch 1, sk last st, ** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner. * Repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once. Join with slip st in top of beg ch-3 ch 3. Finish off. (32 dc, 12 ch-1 sps)

Round 4: Join color C with a slip st in any corner, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner, * ch 1, sk 2 sts, (spike st [see special stitches] in skipped st from round 2 below, dc in next 2 sts) repeat once, spike st in skipped st from round 2 below, ch 1, sk last 2 sts, ** (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner. * Repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once, join with slip st in top of beg ch-3. Finish off. (12 tr, 40 dc, 8 ch-1 sps)

Round 5: Join color A with a slip st in any corner, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner, * sk 1 st, dc in next 2 sts, spike st in 2nd corner st below, ch 1, sk 1 tr, (dc in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk 1 tr) repeat once , spike st in 1st corner st below, dc in next 2 sts, sk last st, ** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner. * Repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once, join with slip st in top of beg ch-3. Finish off. (8 tr, 48 dc, 12 ch-1 sps)

Round 6: Join color C with a slip st in any corner, ch 3, (2dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner, * sk 1 st, dc in next 4 sts, spike st in sk st below, (dc in next 2 sts, spike st in sk st below) repeat once , dc in next 4 sts, sk last st, ** (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner. * Repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once, join with slip st in top of beg ch-3. Finish off. (12 tr, 72 dc)

Created by Donna Mason-Svara aka SmoothFoxLover@yahoo.com ©2008

This pattern has not been tested. Please notify me of any pattern corrections. I will answer any and all questions you may have with the instructions. Do not plagiarize this pattern. All patterns are my original designs. Any resemblance between this pattern and any other pattern is purely co-incidental. This pattern is my original design so please do not re-sell my patterns or give them away for free or post my patterns on the Internet. You may sell items you make from my patterns at craft fairs, fund raisers or custom orders for friends and family but please do not sell finished items on the Internet without my written permission. Do not claim designs as your own.

This pattern is copyrighted by me and I give my permission for you to post pictures of items made from my pattern on your website if you will post a link back to my ETSY store if the pattern is for sale. If the pattern is free, please direct people to my blog. Be sure to list the name SmoothFox as the designer.

TESTERS FOUND - Fox's Optical Illusion Square

UPDATE: Above is the original square and it was larger than I wanted. Below is the new square. It's now a 7" x 7" square. I'll work more on the idea of the larger version at a later date.
So if you want to test, add a comment or email me.

I hate my camera LOL. This is actually a very pretty color of purple using Lion Brand Vanna's Choice. I'm going to make another one in a different color to see if it photographs better. Plus I see some things I want to tweek.
Donna

Testers Found - Foxs Coral Square

UPDATE: I'M GETTING THE FINAL REVISIONS FROM THE TESTERS IN. THIS SQUARE WILL BE AVAILABLE AS A FREE PATTERN.




I'd like to open this square up for testing. Before I do though I'd like to stand on a soap box and ask if you know what a good tester is? A good tester in my book is someone who works the pattern, finds the errors, makes sure the stitch counts are right etc., and emails me errors or help with any problems and of course an emailed picture and all of this in a timely 2 or 3 days.


I ask for testers this time who will do as above and not just get the pattern and I never hear from them again or those that just respond that there are no errors and all the other testers find errors in the pattern. I really need honesty and an emailed picture. If you would do the square in colors other than the ones I used, that would be great.


I would also like some input on the name of this square. You can post a comment to be a tester and it immediately emals me to let me know to send you the pattern but please include your email address. You can also email me at SmoothFoxLover at yahoo.com

Donna

Input from testers

Hello testers!

Please email me any pattern corrections and pictures of your tested squares.

Donna

Subscribe

UPDATE:
I re-added the subscribe feature. Jessica tells me that it will allow people to add my blog to a feeder (not sure what that is) and they will be able to read the blog from their computer.
It will however not allow you to add a comment to my blog so you can be a tester. So subscribe if you want, but come here to add a "comment" when the call goes out for testers.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original post:
I took out the subscribe feature button because until someone tells me how it works, what you are supposed to do etc., I want to stop the confusion.

Just add comments about wanting to be a tester and I'll get them.

Become a follower also!

Donna

Flower Power - Testing Closed

THIS BLUE ONE IS CALLED FLOWER POWER PATTERN ONE

THIS SQUARE IS CALLED FLOWER POWER NUMBER TWO

I have no idea what they will be called later on and please tell me what you think they should be named.

I've been working on two Flower Power patterns. Both came out very different in my opinion. Not sure whether there is interest in them but I had fun designing them. I've got both patterns just about completed.

I am trying to get my act together and get some patterns ready for the new Ravelry store I signed up for and some patterns for the free patterns here and at Ravelry.

If people will just add a comment telling me you want to be a tester of the pattern. The comments are sent to me first by an instant email and I'll take the first so many who want to test it. Then I'll just update the blog to say CLOSED for testing. That's the only thing I can do.

What do you think? Comments appreciated and always welcome. I don't know how this whole blog thing works and feel computer stupid about it.

ALSO can someone PLEASE tell me why when I look at the posts, they show line spaces and after I post them now, they no longer show line spaces between paragraphs? If this comes out with spaces between paragraphs, no need to let me now why because it worked for once. BUT usually when I post and go back to edit - it takes out the line spacing.

Donna

Foxs Hearts All Around - Testing Closed

UPDATE: I'm new to blogging. I'm not understanding how "subscribing to a blog" and being a "follower" works. Please email me so that I can word my post the correct way. I'm trying to create a list of those that want to be conswidered for testing of new squares. Until someone answers this post and emails me, I suggest you either email me or post a comment.
Donna

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Calling all testers. If you are interested in testing this new square, SUBSCRIBE to my blog. I have never used the blog before to look for testers so I hope when you subscribe it gives you a place to put your email address or it at least notifies those that want to test my patterns of a new testing opportunity. Someone will have to email me and let me know how you found out about the testing opportunity.

All testers should be able to complete the testing within 3 or 4 days. Have the ability to email me a picture of their completed masterpiece and help me check for errors in the pattern. So sending me a copy of the changes or errors in an email is probably be the best way to go in an email.

Don't post pattern corrections to the blog. They should come to me by email at SmoothFoxLover@yahoo.com I'd like to see pictures using a different color scheme of the pattern.

If someone's picture of the square is exceptionally pretty, I'd like permission to post it on the blog under the top link for pictures of items crocheted using my patterns and if possible use the picture at my ETSY store to show off the pattern.

Donna

PLEASE VOTE ON MY BLOG FOR THE KIND OF FREE PATTERNS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

Dexter and an Optical Illusion

I'm going to go into withdrawal! Next Sunday is the last episode of DEXTER!!!!
I absolutely love that show. Anyone else have Showtime and watch it?



Well back to crocheting. I was playing around the other night with some turquoise and white yarn and just started crocheting this weird square LOL. I have looked at it from different angles and it seems like an optical illusion in a way.

Donna

The first snow of the year

It's SNOWING!!! First snow of the year that's actually sticking. It's actually feeling like the Holidays now.

Gas is down to $1.54 in some areas. I never thought I'd see it again. I remember on 9/11/01 when the towers were hit, the price of gas that day was $1.28. Within 4 hours of the towers being hit the price of gas rose to $1.82 that day. It went back down over the course of time but after the past year of gas hoovering around $4.00, this is a huge break.

Donna

Fox's Trailing Vines Granny Square

UPDATE: I UPDATED THE PICTURE WITH THE FINAL VERSION AND NAMED THE SQUARE ------------------------------------------------------------------------

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TESTING THIS SQUARE BEFORE IT GOES INTO MY ETSY SITE, PLEASE EMAIL ME.

ORIGINAL POSTING BELOW:

Here is the first version of a brand new square I'm working on. I still have some revisions to make for asthetics and to make it the size I want. Not bad for the first try of a new square.

Now the hard part LOL... writing a pattern for it. Usually I write a draft as I go along. However, this time I didn't think I was going to work more than a few minutes on a square.

I think I'll have to wait to ask for testers for this pattern because I still have one square being tested right now. Maybe someone will go to this blog and email me and ask to be a tester of this square. Once again..............what to name a new square. Why do I hate naming squares so much. Maybe I should just start numbering them instead.

Donna

Foxs Little Boxes

UPDATE: IT WAS SUGGESTED BY A COMMENT TO NAME THE SQUARE A VARIATION OF THE ABOVE NAME. I THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT IDEA SO WE HAVE A NAME FOR THE SQUARE. IT IS NOW BEING TESTED BY SOME WONDERFUL PEOPLE AT CROCHET PARTNERS.

ORIGINAL POST BELOW-----------------------------------------------------------------

Name this square. That's the name title for today. The last time I created a pattern I was told that the picture resembles a winter square and not an Indian Summer square.

So this time I have no idea what to name this new square. Originally I thought it has an oriental feel to it so that's the name I chose. Fox's Oriental Flare Square. I want to be politically correct so I don't want to upset anyone. Maybe the proper terminology is Asian Influence? Anyway... actually it's an old square that I completely forgot to write up the pattern for.

It was designed during a lunch hour and I posted a picture on my Flickr account and promptly forgot about it. Then a new friend, Frances, told me she wanted to buy the pattern. Low and behold I was shocked I had forgotten to write it up.

I sat down last night and worked it up. It's a 6" right now but I think it needs another round around the square. I did two versions. Not sure which one I like. I must have the worst camera. The square is actually crocheted in Red Heart Heather's yarn in Teal. It sure looks blue to me.

Please post quickly what name you think I should use please.

Donna

Fox' Indian Summer

I worked this week on another new square. I decided that there are a lot of people who enjoy 12" x 12" squares for comfortghans. So I set my mind to designing a square that when completed, a pattern would emerge over a larger afghan. I think it turned out quite nice and I hope that other's think so too.

Donna

Fox's Star Square

I created this star pattern because someone on Crochetville.org told me that they couldn't find a pattern for a star that wasn't sewn on to a square below it.

I think it turned out pretty cool.

OMG

I typed SmoothFox in the search engine and it went straight to my etsy shop. Then I found a lot of places on the internet that had used my name and were talking about me. WOW

Freaked me out also LOL.

SmoothFox's Baby Flower Motif - Free Pattern

Created by Donna Mason-Svara aka SmoothFoxLover@yahoo.com ©2008 Version 2

Red Heart Super Saver 4 ply medium worsted acrylic
Color A: Baby Pink
Color B: White
Color C: Light Blue

Hook size H - 8 - 5.00 MM
Size: 6 1/4” x 6 1/4”

My Ravelry Store: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/smoothfox-crochet-designs
My Etsy Store: http://smoothfox.etsy.com/
My Crochet & Knit related gifts: http://zazzle.com/smoothfox*
My blog: http://smoothfoxlover.blogspot.com/

If you want a .pdf copy of this pattern or if you crochet this item – please click on this link and add your own pictures as a project on Ravelry. Just click on the crochet hook with the words “Hook It” near the top right side and this will add your item as a project. Then you can add the pictures when you have completed your project.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/free-smoothfoxs-baby-flower

INSTRUCTIONS:

Using color A ch 4, join with slip st to form a circle.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as a dc in this and all following rnds), 2 dc, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2) repeat 2 more times; join with slip st in top of beg ch-3. Finish off. (12 dc)

Round 2: Join color B with slip st in any ch-2 sp, *(ch 3, 3 dc, ch 3, slip st in same sp), slip st in next 2 sts, (ch 3, 3 dc, ch 3, slip st in same st, slip st in next st, slip st into ch sp), repeat from * around; join with slip st in top of beg ch-3. Finish off. (8 petals) (32 dc)

Round 3: WORKING IN BACKLOOPS ON PETALS
Join color C with slip st in top right st of any petal, * ch 3, dc in BL of next 4 sts, tr in slip st between petals below) (See picture with blue needle showing where to place the stitch), * repeat * to * 7 times; join with slip st in top of beg ch-3. Finish off. (40 dc, 8 tr)

Round 4: Join color C with slip st in any tr, ch 4, (counts as tr here and in all rounds), (1 tr, ch 2, 2 tr in same st,) [corner made], dc in next st, hdc in next 9 sts, dc in next st, * (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr in next st), [corner made]; dc in next st, hdc in next 9 sts, dc in next st. * Repeat * to * 2 more times, join with slip st in top of beg ch-4. Finish off. (16 tr, 8 dc, 36 hdc)

Round 5: Join color B with slip st in any corner ch-2 sp, (ch 3, 1 dc, ch 2, 2 dc), in same sp, dc in next 15 sts, *( 2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc ) in next sp, dc in next 15 sts,* repeat from * to * 2 more times; join with slip st in top of beg ch-3. Finish off. (76 dc)

Created by Donna Mason-Svara aka SmoothFoxLover@yahoo.com ©2008

This pattern has not been tested. Please notify me of any pattern corrections. I will answer any and all questions you may have with the instructions. Do not plagiarize this pattern. All patterns are my original designs. Please do not re-sell my patterns or give them away for free or post my patterns on the Internet. You may sell items you make from my patterns at craft fairs, fund raisers or custom orders for friends and family but please do not sell finished items on the internet without my written permission. Do not claim designs as your own.

This pattern is copyrighted by me and I give my permission for you to post pictures of items made from my pattern on your website if you will post a link back to my ETSY store if the pattern is for sale. If the pattern is free, please direct people to my blog. Be sure to list the name SmoothFox as the designer.

I'm still not sure how this all works

It's been more than a month since I created my blog. I'm still not sure what I am supposed to do in a blog.

Maybe I'm supposed to list my patterns or something. I really don't know. It's like writing in a diary I guess.

Maybe I'll post a free pattern on this blog site of mine.

Donna

My very first blog

I'm not even sure what a blog is but I guess since I've started letting some people see some of my crocheted squares.... I just think that I need a place on-line to store my patterns and a link to my brand new ETSY store.

I'm gonna time capsule this... today the price of gas was $4.29 a gallon.

Donna