SmoothFox Crochet and Knit: August 2010

August 30, 2010

Viola - a lovely tester's story

Viola sent me the email below and it brought tears to my eyes. I just had to share it with you. Viola tests every pattern I create. She is usually the first person wanting to test them. She's 75 years young and uses testing of my patterns as if it is a medicine. It appears to work! It goes to show that having friends in the crochet world - even the cyber world called the Internet, is definately a good thing. Viola you're the greatest! God Bless You!

She titled her email to me "A STORY TO TELL"

Almost 2 yrs. ago when I broke my wrist ,my forearm.and my upper arm due to a bad fall the Dr.s said I would never use the hand, wrist, arm, on the right side again let alone CROCHET again, but look at me now...and YOU are a BIG PART of it, with allowing me to test and do your patterns it keeps me going....I showed my Daughters the Daisy Square and they just love it as much as I do...soooooooooooooo I have made 24 more Daisy Squares and I am going to make Table Runners for them both, as they both have large tables ...Everyone says YOU and YOUR crocheting are GOOD MEDICINE for me...I just had to tell you what my Family and Drs had to say about you....You get GOLD stars from all.........Lots of love and BIG Hugs...Viola

August 29, 2010

Testers Found - Fox's Daisy 4 Patch Square 12x12

UPDATE: TESTERS ARE MELISSA, DENA, ANGEL, LAURIE, CASEY, MOLLY, CAPRICE, CHRISTINE, ADRIAN, LISA S.

Viola, one of you wonderful testers saw a picture I had on my Flickr account of my Daisy 7x7 square. She asked to test it and it reminded me that it is one of the many patterns I've written and never finished. I went to the pattern and changed it making a 4x4, 5x5, 6x6, 7x7 and 12x12 version. The picture above is the 12x12 version. Testers are free to make any of the other sizes of the pattern they'd like to use however they'd like, but anyone asking to test today must follow the pattern to make the 12x12 version.

If you want to be a tester, read the instructions below and let's get started! Remember, everyone who tests any of the patterns will have their picture of the completed tested item shown in the blog next to their name as a tester. So show off your talents. I'd really like it if when I put the pattern up on Ravelry, if each tester or person who works this pattern would add it as a project there so I can post a link to everyone who makes this items pictures.

1. Must be a follower of this blog and a subscriber. Not a follower yet? Sign up. Let me know your follower name.

2. Must be able to finish testing by Saturday September 4th.

3. Must be able to send me a picture of your finished item attached to an email.

4. Must be able to send me errors of any kind you find in the pattern.

5. It'd be a plus but is not mandatory, if you were a member of Ravelry so you can add the project when the pattern opens up to everyone.

6. You can use whatever color(s) you want of 4 ply medium worsted. I'd like to see a variety of colorful squares.

If you want to test, send me an email to the address below with your Follower name. Only the first 7 or so testers emailing me will receive the pattern to test. Please don't post a comment that you'd like to test. I can't send a copy of the pattern to a "comment." You have to email me as it states. When I find enough testers I go back and change the title of this posting from Testers Wanted to Testers Found. Before emailing me, please go back and check this link to see if the title has been changed.

Donna SmoothFoxLover@yahoo.com

SmoothFox's Neapolitan Ice Cream 12x12 Square

This pattern is now available on Ravelry and ETSY. Just click on the words to take you to the shops.

Donna

Testers Pictures of Neapolitan Ice Cream 12x12 Square

Adrian

Gayle

Viola

Aisha

Melissa

Lavina

Angel

Marion

Cathy

Luana

Dena

Janet

I'll add more pictures as I get them from the testers.

Donna

Add your projects on Ravelry

Are you a member of Ravelry? Have you ever tested a pattern for me? Made one of my squares or completed a project using any of my patterns?

If so, please add your projects to Ravelry (even if I showed your picture) and tie your project to my patterns over on Ravelry. I love to see pictures attached to the patterns on Ravelry.

I appreciate it.

Donna

SmoothFox's The C Word - Clusters 12x12 Free Pattern

Hobby Lobby “I Love This Yarn!” 4 ply Medium Worsted

Color A: Ivory

Color B: Turquoise

Color C: Periwinkle

Color D: Light Taupe

Color E: Black

Hook Size: H - 8 - 5.00 MM

Skill level: Intermediate

Size: 6”x6” or 12” x 12”

Yarn Needle

Special Instructions:

Cluster: YO, insert hook in designated st, YO, draw up loop, YO, draw through 2 loops on hook, (YO, insert hook in same st, YO, draw up loop, YO, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, YO, draw through all 4 loops on hook

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-the-c-word---clusters-12x12

INSTRUCTIONS:

Using color A ch 5, join with slip st to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 3, dc in ring, ch 1, 2 dc in ring, ch 3, *2 dc in ring, ch 1, 2 dc in ring, ch 3; repeat from * 2 times; join with a slip st to top of beg ch-3. Finish off. (16 dc, 4 ch-3 sps, 4 ch-1 sps)

Round 2: Using color B join with slip st in any ch-3 corner, ch 6, dc in corner, *ch 1, dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st, cluster in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next st, ch 1, **(dc, ch 3, dc) in corner;* repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once; join with slip st to 3rd st of beg ch-6. Finish off. (16 dc, 4 clusters, 4 ch-3 sps, 16 ch-1 sps)

Round 3: Using color A join with slip st in any ch-3 corner, ch 6, dc in same corner, *ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st, cluster in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, cluster in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, **(dc, ch 3, dc) in corner;* repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once; join with slip st to 3rd st of beg ch-6. Finish off. (16 dc, 8 clusters, 4 ch-3 sps, 20 ch-1 sps)

Round 4: Using color C join with slip st in any ch-3 corner, ch4, (dc, ch 3, dc, ch 1, dc) in corner, *ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st, cluster in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, cluster in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st, **(dc, ch 1, dc, ch 3, dc, ch 1, dc) in corner;* repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once; join with slip st to 3rd st of beg ch-4. Finish off. (28 dc, 8 clusters, 4 ch-3 sps, 32 ch-1 sps)

USE ROUND 5A IF YOU WANT A 6” X 6” SQUARE

Round 5A: Using color A, slip st in any ch-3 corner, ch 2, (2 hdc, ch 2, 3 hdc) in corner, ch 1, *(sk 1 st, hdc in ch-1 sp, ch 1) repeat from * across to ch-3 corner, ** (3 hdc, ch 2, 3 hdc) in corner; ch 1,* repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once; join with slip st to 2nd st of beg ch-2. Finish off. (32 hdc, 4 ch 3 sps, 36 ch-1 sps) STOP HERE FOR A 6” X 6” SQURE

USE ROUND 5B IF YOU WANT A 12x12 SQUARE – do not work Round 5A

Round 5B: Using color A, slip st in any ch-3 corner, ch4, (dc, ch 3, dc, ch 1, dc) in corner, *ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st, cluster in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, cluster in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, cluster in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, cluster in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, **(dc, ch 1, dc, ch 3, dc, ch 1, dc) in corner;* repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once; join with slip st to 3rd st of beg ch-4. Finish off. (32 dc, 16 clusters, 4 ch-3 sps, 44 ch-1 sps)

Round 6: Using color D, slip st in any ch-3 corner, ch4, (dc, ch 3, dc, ch 1, dc) in corner, *ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st, cluster in ch-1 sp, (ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in ch-1 sp) repeat 1 more time, ch 1, sk 1 st, cluster in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, cluster in ch-1 sp, (ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in ch-1 sp) repeat 1 more time, ch 1, sk 1 st, cluster in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, **(dc, ch 1, dc, ch 3, dc, ch 1, dc) in corner;* repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once; join with slip st to 3rd st of beg ch-4. Finish off. (44 dc, 16 clusters, 4 ch-3 sps, 56 ch-1 sps)

Round 7: Using color A, slip st in any ch-3 corner, ch4, (dc, ch 3, dc, ch 1, dc) in corner, *(ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in ch-1 sp) repeat 13 more times, ch 1, sk last st, **(dc, ch 1, dc, ch 3, dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-3 corner;* repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once; join with a slip st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (72 dc, 4 ch-3 sps, 68 ch-1 sps)

Round 8: Slip st to ch-3 corner, ch 3, (dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner, *ch 1, skip 1 st, dc in ch-1 sp, (ch 1, sk 1 st, cluster in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next ch-1 sp) repeat across to corner, **(2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc); * repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once; join with a slip st to top of beg ch-3. Finish off. (52 dc, 32 clusters, 72 ch-1 sps, 4 ch-3 sps)

Round 9: Using color E join with slip st in any corner, ch 3, (dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner, *ch 1, sk 2 sts, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, cluster in next ch-1 sp, (ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next ch-1 sp) repeat 13 more times, ch 1, sk 1 st, cluster in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 2 sts, **(2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner; * repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once; join with a slip st to top of beg ch-3. (80 dc, 8 clusters, 76 ch-1 sps, 4 ch-3 sps)

Round 10: Slip st to corner, ch 3, (dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner, *ch 1, sk 2 sts, 2 dc in ch-1 sp, (sk 1 st, 2 dc in ch-1 sp) repeat across to last 2 sts, ch 1, sk 2 sts **(2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in corner sp;* repeat from * to * 2 times and * to ** once; join with a slip st to top of beg ch-3. Finish off. (168 dc, 4 ch-3 sps, 8 ch-1 sps)

Created by Donna Mason-Svara aka SmoothFoxLover@yahoo.com 2010

This pattern has 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.

Testers Pictures of Fox's The C Word - Clusters

This pattern will be a free pattern on this blog.

VaughndeLee

Linda

Viola

Tina

Tina 6 inch

Molly

Elaine

Leah

Cheri

Aurora

Melani

If you were a tester and don't see your square, please forward me another picture.

Donna

August 22, 2010

Testers Found - Fox's The C Word - Clusters

UPDATE - TESTERS ARE: CHERI, MELANI, LEAH, LINDA, AURORA, SHANNON, TINA, VAUGHNDELEE, MOLLY

So many people are asking to test patterns that I wanted to give another opportunity for some of you to test. Here's yet another pattern to be tested. I'd like to ask those of you who are currently testing a pattern not to volunteer to test this pattern also. Let's give some others a chance to test.

If you want to be a tester, read the instructions below and let's get started! Remember, everyone who tests any of the patterns will have their picture of the completed tested item shown in the blog next to their name as a tester. So show off your talents. I'd really like it if when I put the pattern up on Ravelry, if each tester or person who works this pattern would add it as a project there so I can post a link to everyone who makes this items pictures.

1. Must be a follower of this blog and a subscriber. Not a follower yet? Sign up. Let me know your follower name.

2. Must be able to finish testing by Saturday August 28th.

3. Must be able to send me a picture of your finished item attached to an email.

4. Must be able to send me errors of any kind you find in the pattern.

5. It'd be a plus but is not mandatory, if you were a member of Ravelry so you can add the project when the pattern opens up to everyone.

6. You can use whatever color(s) you want so please don't try to match my colors. I'd like to see a variety of colorful squares.

If you want to test, send me an email to the address below with your Follower name. Only the first 7 or so testers emailing me will receive the pattern to test. Please don't post a comment that you'd like to test. I can't send a copy of the pattern to a "comment." You have to email me as it states. When I find enough testers I go back and change the title of this posting from Testers Wanted to Testers Found. Before emailing me, please go back and check this link to see if the title has been changed.

Donna SmoothFoxLover@yahoo.com

Testers Found - Fox’s Neapolitan Ice Cream Square 12x12

TESTERS ARE: ANGEL, CATHY, DENA, CINDY, MELISSA, AISHA, NANCY, MARION, LAVINA, ADRIAN, VIOLA, GAYLE, JANET

I've been going through some of the 61 odd patterns that I had started designing and for one reason or another I hadn't finished the patterns. When I name them prior to completion all I do is name the pattern the yarn colors or the words "Un-named pattern number such n such." So I had no idea what it was supposed to look like as there wasn't a picture in the pattern. So I went yarn diving in my yarn room. Fighting through all these bags of unused yarns or partially used yarns with pieces of an incomplete project in them, I found this little bag back in the corner under a huge mound of bags. I could not for the life of me figure out why I bought these 3 colors and stashed them away together in a bag in the corner. But I decided since the pattern called for 3 colors this was perfect. So I'm now down to 60 patterns left to go through to clean up this folder on my computer.

1. Must be a follower of this blog and a subscriber. Not a follower yet? Sign up. Let me know your follower name.

2. Must be able to finish testing by Saturday August 28th.

3. Must be able to send me a picture of your finished item attached to an email.

4. Must be able to send me errors of any kind you find in the pattern.

5. It'd be a plus but is not mandatory, if you were a member of Ravelry so you can add the project when the pattern opens up to everyone.

6. You can use whatever color(s) you want so please don't try to match my colors. I'd like to see a variety of colorful squares.

Donna SmoothFoxLover@yahoo.com

SmoothFoxs Mulberry Bush 12x12

This pattern is now available on this blog by going down the right side of the blog and looking for my free patterns in .pdf form or you can click here: SmoothFox's Mulberry Bush Pattern

Enjoy!

Testers Pictures of Foxs Mulberry Bush 12x12

Adrian

Angel

Aurora

Cathy

Dena

Emanuela

Gaby

Jewel

Lavina

Leah

Linda

Shannon

Susan

Viola

I'll post more pictures as I get them. This pattern is a free pattern on my blog.

Donna

You got dog food in my mayonaise

I was taking a nap and woke up to these words coming from my obviously mad husband who was in the kitchen, "You got dog food in my mayonaise!"

Now how in the hell did I get dog food in his mayonaise? I was sleeping? What in the world was he talking about. I got up off the couch and went into the kitchen. I use Miracle Whip. He uses Mayonaise.

He was standing in the kitchen, making himself a sandwich when I said, "What are you talking about?"

"You got dog food in my mayonaise!"

Giving him the strangest look, "How did I do that if I was sleeping?"

"Did you make the dogs their dinner?"

Still looking at him strangely, "Yeah I did. I got a 2 bowls, put a cup of dry in each bowl, opened up one can of wet dog food and mixed it together half in each bowl."

"See that's how you got dog food in my Mayonaise!"

"What the heck are you talking about. I didn't go anywhere near the Mayonaise."

I could tell he was still mad at me and he said, "And what did you mix the dog food up with?"

"A knife," I said.

"Well there ya are!"

"What the heck do you mean? I put the knife in the dishwasher with the other dirty dishes."

"Well I grabbed a dirty knife out of the dishwasher to spread mayonaise on my sandwich so that's how you got dog food in my Mayonaise!"

"So it's my fault you used a dirty knife when there are clean ones in the drawer?"

"Yeah, I was trying to do what you said and not make so many dirty dishes. I was doing my part by reusing something that was already dirty!"

So I say to you all. That's how I got dog food in HIS Mayonaise. Sometimes...men do the dumbest things!

Donna

August 17, 2010

Tara's Christmas Granny afghan

Tara sent me this picture of a beautiful afghan she made. I was really amazed when I saw it. When I created the pattern I had no idea that it wouldn't be worked in the colors that I had used in the pattern. The free pattern is the Christmas Granny so I assumed people would work it using Christmas colors.

As you can see, she made this refreshing afghan using non traditional colors. I guess I need to re-evaluate when I see a pattern in one color and try to envision it using different colors. With that in mind, I'm going to design a square that is in my opinion uses ugly colors and we'll see what you all can do with it LOL.

Donna

August 7, 2010

Testers pictures of Foxs Geometric Square

The two patterns are now for sale on Ravelry and Etsy. They can be purchased seperately or together at a reduced rate on ETSY or together at the reduced rate on Ravelry.

ETSY for the 12x12 square:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54117962/foxs-gemetric-12x12-square

ETSY for the 6x6 square:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53864289/foxs-geometric-6x6-square?ref=v1_other_2

ETSY for the reduced rate if you purchase both squares:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53862122/foxs-geometric-12x12-and-6x6-2-patterns?

RAVELRY for the reduced rate if you purchase both squares:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/foxs-geometric-12x12-and-6x6---two-patterns