April 9, 2011

How high can we go!

I'm so excited to tell everyone that our goal of 500 squares has been met and we still have time left.  Let's see how high we can go!  It takes 80 6"x6" squares or 20 12"x12" squares to make one blanket for donation.  This said, I'm going to raise our goal to 800 squares.  That sounds like a nice round number.  We have 2 weeks or so left to get those squares in. before the end of April.  Will you please help us we meet the new higher goal? 

Many people have asked for and received the patterns and said they will send in charity squares.  Won't you please set aside the time to get your squares to the Post Office?    Please help us make the angels smile at Online Angels to make even more blankets. 

MAIL YOUR SQUARE(S) TO THE ADDRESS BELOW:
Online Angels,  Attn: SmoothFox, 36B Pine Drive,  Pottsville, PA 17901

Please include your email address so that Mary can let you know your squares have been received.

PS - Online Angels currently has a need for baby booties.  If you have a pair laying around or can crochet or knit a few pairs before the deadline, toss them into your package before mailing it.  Any pattern of baby booties will work. 

April 5, 2011

BOOTIE CALL

BOOTIE CALL

BOOTIES AS IN BABY BOOTIES --- LOL

Mary over at Online Angels notified me of a need right now for Booties.  All sizes would be appreciated, Preemies, Newborns and 3 to 6 months size or 6 to 12 months. I'd say that the newborns and larger sizes would be in greatest need however, that is just my opinion. 

Both knit and crochet booties are great, however, don't use wool or cotton.  If you're in a position to help by making a pair or two or more, Online Angels would greatly appreciate it.  There are a lot of needy babies out in the world!

Once you're ready to mail them - please send them to 
Online Angels: Attn: SmoothFox, 36B Pine Drive, Pottsville, PA 17901

Here is the link to CrochetPatternCentral under their bootie category:
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/baby_booties_mittens.php

For all you knitters out there - here is the link to KnittingPatternCentral under their bootie category:
http://knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/baby_booties_mittens.php


Here are a few sites that have free easy bootie patterns.

http://glowcanpick.tripod.com/caddy8.html

http://www.coatsandclark.com/NR/rdonlyres/18DC34D7-C8DC-40E5-B711-558CA075659D/147067/LW1822.pdf

Here is Ravelry's link to some cute Booties
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/crochet/popular/booties

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-booties

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bevs-very-easy-newborn-booties

YOUR NAME WILL BE MENTIONED IN THE SPECIAL KUDO'S AWARDS SECTION IF YOU CROCHET AT LEAST 10 PAIRS OF BOOTIES OR KNIT AT LEAST 5 PAIRS OF BOOTIES

April 2, 2011

SmoothFox's Friends Square 12x12 - Free crochet pattern


SmoothFox’s – Friends Square - 12”x12”
Created by Donna Mason-Svara aka SmoothFox ©2011 Version 2.0

Red Heart Super Saver - 4ply medium worsted yarn
Color A: Amethyst
Color B: Dark Teal

Hook Size: H - 8 - 5.00 MM
Skill level: Advanced Beginner
Size: 12”x12”
Yarn Needle

Special Stitches:

Ldc: Yarn over, insert hook in the indicated chain space below the round you are working on, work a double crochet bringing your loop up to same height as current round stitches

Dc2tog: *Yarn over, insert hook in next indicated ch sp, yarn over, draw yarn through, yarn over, pull thru 2 loops,* repeat once, yarn over, pull yarn through 3 loops on hook.

Cluster: * Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, draw yarn through, yarn over, draw yarn through 2 loops on hook *, repeat from * to * 2 times, yarn over, draw yarn through all 4 loops on hook.

Beg Cluster: ch 2 * Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, draw yarn through, yarn over, draw yarn through 2 loops on hook *, repeat from * to *. Yarn over, draw yarn through all 3 loops on hook.

FPDC: Yarn over, insert hook behind post of stitch (from front to back), yarn over, draw yarn through, bring up even with last stitch completed, yarn over, draw yarn through 2 loops, (2 loops on hook), yarn over, draw yarn through remaining 2 loops to complete 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 make this item – please click on this link below and add your own pictures as a project on Ravelry. Just click on the crochet hook with the words “Hook It” if this is a crochet pattern or if it is a knit pattern click on the words “Cast On” 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-friends-square-12x12

INSTRUCTIONS

Using color A ch 4, join with slip st in 4th ch from hook to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 3, dc in ring, ch 1, *(2 dc in ring, ch 1) repeat from * 4 times; join with a slip st in top of beg ch-3. (12 Dc, 6 Ch-1 sps)

Round 2: Slip st to ch-1 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc2tog) in same ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 2 sts, *(dc2tog, ch 1, dc2tog) in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 2 sts,* repeat from * to * around; join with slip st in top of beg ch-3. (24 Dc, 12 Ch-1 sps)

Round 3: Slip st to ch-1 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp around; join with slip st in top of beg ch-3. (36 Dc, 12 Ch-1 sps)

Round 4: Slip st to ch-1 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-1 sp, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2) in each ch-1 sp around; join with slip st in top of beg ch-3. (36 Dc, 12 Ch-2 sps)

Round 5: Beg cluster, ch 5, *sk ch-2 sp, cluster over next 3 sts, ch 5* repeat from * around; join with slip st in top of beg cluster. (36 Dc, 12 Ch-5 sps)

Round 6: Slip st to ch-5 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in ch-5 sp, Ldc in Round 4 ch-2 sp below, 3 dc in current round ch-5 sp, *(3 dc in next ch-5 sp, Ldc in Round 4 ch-2 sp below, 3 dc in current round ch-5 sp,* repeat from * around; join with slip st in top of beg ch-3. Finish off. (12 Ldc, 72 Dc)

Round 7: Using color B join with slip st in top of any Ldc, ch 3, 2 dc in same st, *(ch 2, sk 3 sts, sc between 3rd and 4th st, Fpdc around cluster on Round 5, ch 2, sk 3 sts, sc in Ldc) repeat between ( ) once, ch 2, sk 3 sts, sc between 3rd and 4th st, Fpdc around cluster on Round 5, ch 2, sk 3 sts **(3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in Ldc,* repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once, 3 dc in same st as beg ch-3; join with ch 1 plus hdc in top of beg ch-3. (24 Dc, 12 Fpdc, 20 Sc, 48 Ch-2 sps)

Round 8: Ch 3, 2 dc in corner, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch sp, ch 1, 3 hdc in next ch sp, (ch 1, 3 sc in next ch sp) repeat between ( ) once, ch 1, 3 hdc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch sp, ch 1, **(3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in corner,* repeat from * to * twice and from * to ** once, 3 dc in beg corner; join with ch 1 plus hdc in top of beg ch-3. (48 Dc, 48 Hdc, 48 Sc, 28 Ch-1 sps, 4 Ch-3 sps)

Round 9: Ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, *(ch 1, sk 3 sts, 3 dc in ch-1 sp) repeat 6 times, ch 1, **(3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in corner,* repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once; 3 dc in beginning corner; join with ch 1 plus hdc in top of beg ch-3. (108 Dc, 32 Ch-1 sps, 4 Ch-3 sps)

Round 10: Ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, *(ch 1, sk 3 sts, 3 dc in ch-1 sp) repeat 7 times, ch 1, **(3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in corner,* repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once; 3 dc in beginning corner; join with ch 1 plus hdc in top of beg ch-3. Finish off. (120 Dc, 32 Ch-1 sps, 4 Ch-3 sps)

Round 11: Using color A join with slip st in any corner, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in same sp, *(ch 1, sk 3 sts, 3 dc in ch-1 sp) repeat 8 times, ch 1, **(3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in corner,* repeat from * to * 2 times and from * to ** once; 3 dc in beginning corner; join with ch 1 plus hdc in top of beg ch-3. (132 Dc, 40 Ch-1 sps, 4 Ch-3 sps)

Created by Donna Mason-Svara aka SmoothFoxLover@yahoo.com ©2011

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 Ravelry or ETSY store if the pattern is for sale. If the pattern is free, please direct people to my blog at http://smoothfoxlover.blogspot.com Be sure to list the name SmoothFox as the designer.

Testers pictures of Fox's Friends Square

Below are the tester pictures. Testers please click on the link below the pictures to post your projects.

ANITA

ASHIA
 
BRENDA

CATHY

CINDY

DARLEAN

DENA

ELAINE

GABY

GAYLE

JAN

JENNY

MARCUS

SHAW

STEPHANIE

TERI

VALERIE

VIOLA


Here are the instructions to post a project on Ravelry

1. Click on the link below

2. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/free-smoothfoxs-friends-square-12x12

3. It takes you to the pattern page – you may need to log-in to Ravelry to see the “Hook it” icon in step 4

4. Click on the "Hook it" icon in the top right area

5. It will let you fill in the blanks, name your own name for the piece you worked. You can name it whatever you want. Example: Stars’s blah blah blah. It will let you rate the pattern also. So you enter all the information about your "project" like, did you like it, did you have to add a round of sc's to make it the right size, what yarn you used etc and then you save that. General notes for other people who will see it.

6. Then there is a tab so you can add your pictures of your square or blanket or multiple squares with the same pattern.

7. If you had already created your project on Ravelry before I posted the pattern, you will need to go to the link above – highlight and copy the BOLD name of the pattern that I named it. Then go to your project page and put in this name as the pattern name link.

It's really kind of easy.

March 27, 2011

Testers Found - Fox's Friends Square 12x12

UPDATE:  TESTERS ARE - ANITA, DARLEAN, SERENE, STEPHANIE, VALERIE, ANGEL, ASHIA, DENA, SHAW, BRENDA, ELAINE, TERI, GABY, JUDI, CATHY, LAVINA, MARCUS, JENNY, DENISE, GAYLE, JAN 

This square is dedicated to a friend of a friend, Sal, who recently passed away.  This pattern may seem familiar as it was created while I was crocheting one of the Charity Patterns and I just kept going.  The name of this pattern may change as I'm mulling over the name of the pattern.

If you want to be a tester, read the instructions below and let's get started!

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. If the title has been changed, PLEASE do not email me asking to test. If you are currently testing an item and I haven't received your picture yet as you can not ask to test this item.

1. Must be a follower of this blog and a subscriber.

2. Must be able to finish testing by Thursday March 31, 2011

3. Must be able to send me a picture of your finished item attached to an email. People not following through and sending me a picture or not posting on Ravelry will no longer be able to test future patterns.

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

5. It is mandatory as of January 23, 2011 that all testers add their test projects on Ravelry after I post the link to the pattern. Once I post the pattern, you'll need to go back to Ravelry and link it to the proper pattern. If you posted your project ahead of time, it won't be linked to the pattern without using the exact name I called the pattern once it was posted. Anyway, believe me, I will be checking. If 10 people want to test, there should be 10 projects on Ravelry.

6. You can use whatever colors of yarn you'd like

If you want to test, send me an email to the address below with your Follower name. Only the first people emailing me will receive the pattern to test. I respond to all requests. If you don't receive a response, send another email as your original email may have gone into spam.

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. Don't send me a comment through the Google feed that you want to test. You must use the email address below.

Donna SmoothFoxLover@yahoo.com

March 18, 2011

2 YouTube video's taken down

I posted two new YouTube video's last weekend for the Round Spiral Granny and have taken them down.  I'm working on the pattern and revising the pattern to make it better.

Those few of you who are subscribed and saw the video, please disregard what you learned in the video until I make the changes.

Donna