Crochet

For you crocheters out there, these unique, out of print (OOP), or hard to find crochet patterns are for sale:

• All For Dolls (crochet and knit) (1978) - skirt, stole, blouse, bunting, snowsuit, bridal gowns, blazer, ponchos, sweater, hat, jackets, baby dress, baby set: jacket, panties, bonnet, booties
• Animal Planters (year unknown) - turtle, bear, dog, pig
• Crochet Carry-Alls (1989) - Kitten in a Basket, Bubble Bath Bear Bag, Victorian Squares, Garden Tote, Country Quilt Tote, Cottage Tote, Santa Fe Bag
• Flower Garden (1988) - impatiens, crocus, coleus, bird's nest fern, Grecian windflowers, baskets
• Indian Snow afghan (1995)
• Native American Afghan & Pillows (1989)
• Sachet Pincushions (1992) - Turtle, Bolster with applied flowers, Swan, Square, Bunny, Butterfly, Pillbox, Chicken
• Tiny Turtle Booties and Anchors Aweigh (1995)

Cross-stitch

For those of you who do cross-stitch, I'm also selling these cross-stitch patterns. When I was in my teens and twenties, I frequently cross-stitched, but the squares of the fabric are too small for me to comfortably see now.

• A Merry-Mouse Christmas (1980)
• Bouquets & Lace (1982) - lily of the valley, violets, roses, dove, horseshoe
• Garfield...A Very Merry Christmas (1978) - Wreath, Stocking Stuffer, Little Helpder, Christmas Tree, Feed Me, Drummer Cat, Here's Santa, Santa Circle, Ornaments (star, Santa, angel, moon, skating), Ride 'em Reindeer
• Images of a Christmas Memory (1982) - Santa's Flight, hobby horse, mistletoe, holly, manger, Three Wise Men, toy train, trees, angels, Snow Scene, ball, bell, pine cones, toy soldiers, noel
• Peace on Earth, Precious Moments (1983)
• Walt Disney Christmas in Counted Cross Stitch (1982) - Mickey Mouse, Minny Mouse, Donald Duck, Dumbo, Bambi, Goofy, Pluto, Pinocchio, Thumper, Chip & Dale

More information is available on my For Sale page.

Recently added to my pattern collection:

• 300 Classic Blocks for Crochet Projects
• Casual to Classic Fashions to Crochet (a few lovely sweaters / cardigans)
• Crochet Embellishments
• Kitty Knits: Projects for Cats and Their People - OK, so I don't knit much (other than practice over a year ago!), but if I do ever get into it, I would want this book - too cute!

More crochet patterns and pattern books added to my collection in April - all purchased on eBay!

• A Day at the Zoo Baby Afghans (9 animal faces)
• Afghan Romance
• Baker's Dozen Pot Holders
• Crochet Techniques
• Pot Holders for Kitchen Pick-Me-Ups
• Puff Stitch Perfection
• Single Crochet from A to Z Sampler Afghan
• Whimsical Pot Holders (just too cute to pass up!)

Over the past month or so, I've been adding to my collection of crochet patterns!

• Adorable Crochet for Babies and Toddlers
• Afghans for All Reasons & All Seasons
• Baby Afghans & Bibs (Crochet 'n' Weave)
• Babys Room, The (filet crochet)
• Best-in-Show Baby Blankets
• Down a Country Lane (afghans)
• Heirloom Thread Pot Holders
• Huggy Snuggy Baby Afghans
• McCall's Prizewinning Afghans, Volume 10 (magazine)
• More Mile-A-Minute Marathon Afghans (just for the hexagon strips)
• Pot Holders Aplenty (some lovely motifs)
• Pretty Pastel Pot Holders
• Reversible Tapestry Hot Pads
• Variations & Themes Doilies (pinwheel doilies)

When I heard about the Clover Reflections crochet hook sets - colorful acrylic resin and elastomer with the ergonomic Soft Touch-style handles, I just had to have 'em! So I bought 'em on eBay!

There are 2 sets: small and large; both include a clear acrylic methacrylic resin case for storing the hooks. The case is round, however, which makes it very likely to roll off a table - it would have been better to leave one flat edge.

The small set includes G, H, and J crochet hooks (4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm). The large set includes K, L, N (6.5 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm).

Recently added to my pattern collection:

• 50 Sensational Crochet Afghans & Throws
• Crochet Pattern-a-Day: 2008 Day-to-Day Calendar (gift from my boss)
• Textured Crochet: More than 70 Designs with Easy-to-Follow Charts (Stitch Collection)

I'm de-stashing! I have way too many patterns in my stash/collection and cannot possibly make even one item from each. I've decided to not continue listing items with Etsy since Etsy is really meant for selling hand-made items.

So, I spent a majority of today creating a listing of all items, including photos and a description. Go to the list of crochet patterns, leaflets, books I am de-stashing [UPDATED March 5, 2008!]. For now, items that had been listed in my Etsy shop are still there - they are also included in the new For Sale list.

These hard to find and/or out of print patterns are now available:

• SOLD Annie's Award-Winning Afghans, including the Cathedral Rose Window Afghan
• Flower Garden
• Indian Snow afghan
• SOLD Kountry Kittens - set of 7!
• Native American Afghan & Pillows
• Tiny Turtle and Anchors Aweigh Baby Booties
• SOLD Window Critters (Stick 'em Up Pals)

If you have questions about any of these items, please leave a comment on this post - thank you!

[Latest update about what I'm de-stashing!, 7:45pm, June 16, 2007]

These crochet patterns were added Monday evening to my shop at Etsy - check the shop listings to see what's now available: http://cheryltmm.etsy.com/.

• Thoroughly Modern Grannies
• Baby Afghans 3 to Knit and Crochet
• Serape Sweater
• Springtime Mobile - Sunny Kitchen Designs
• Annies Mile A Minute Baby Afghans, Annies Attic

[Latest update about what I'm de-stashing!, 7:45pm, June 16, 2007]

I'm de-stashing! I decided to sell some of the crochet patterns and crochet pattern books I have in my collection! See my listings at: http://cheryltmm.etsy.com/

There are more items to be listed - here's what's there right now (check the shop to see what's still available):

• Award-Winning Afghans, Annies Attic - I made the Cathedral Rose Window Afghan and love how it turned out!
• Piano Afghan
• Native American Afghan and Pillows
• Kountry Kittens - set of 7
• Indian Snow Afghan
• New Crochet Basics with Round Ripple Baby Afghan
• Playtime Puppets

At first I was going to create a blog to list the items and link to PayPal, then I was going to use eBay. Etsy was recommended by someone over PayPal while I was blog surfing, so I gave it a try - and it is MUCH more straightforward (easier!) to use than eBay!

Please checkout the listings in my Etsy Shop to see if there's something you want to buy! Leave a comment here if you have questions! THANK YOU!

PAS has passed. Whew. But these additional pattern books for fusing (a quilting technique) and crochet slipped into my collection earlier this month:

• 200 Stitch Patterns for Baby Blankets
• Couture Crochet Workshop: Mastering Fit, Fashion, and Finesse
• Fun, Fast Fusies: Love to Quilt
• Fusing Fun!: Fast Fearless Art Quilts
• Noah's Ark Afghans and Accessories

I am definitely attracted to the pretty books of pattern stitches! These are some of the books I frequently refer to:

• 99 Floral Motifs
• 99 Granny Squares to Crochet
• 101 Crochet Squares
• 101 Granny Squares
• 101 Ripple Stitches to Knit and Crochet
• 101 Stitches for Afghans
• 200 Crochet Blocks
• 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns
• 200 Stitch Patterns for Baby Blankets
• 280 Crochet Shell Patterns

I'm also very attracted to blankets made with lots of colors - like granny squares, motifs, "scrap", ripples, and stripes!

Oh my. PAS again. eBay mostly. Some Amazon. Oh my. Enough said.

Recent additions to my pattern book collection:

• 4 Woman's Day magazines
• 99 Knit Stitches
• 100 Afghans to Knit and Crochet
• 101 Ripple Stitches to Knit and Crochet
• 200 Knitted Blocks
• 365 Knitting Stitches a Year Perpetual Calendar
• Crochet with Style: Fun to Make Sweaters For All Seasons
• Herrschners Award Winning Embroidered Crochet Afghans
• Illustrated Afghan, The
• Lacy Baby Afghan (round)
• Making Afghans From Favorite American Quilt Patterns
• Quick-Stitch Crochet Afghans
• Spinnerin Fashions in Living
• Vogue Knitting on the Go: Crocheted Baby Blankets

Crochet Me, the book (see Kim Werker's post about it!): Crochet Me: Designs to Fuel the Crochet Revolution.

And to feed my fascination with Japan: Knit Kimono: 18 Designs with Simple Shapes.

And, if I ever get into knitting: The Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters: A Knit-to-Fit Workshop.

I have 2 sets of Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hooks, sizes C-J, which I love using. I recently learned about the Crochet Lite crochet hooks, which have the Soft Touch style handle (also from Clover). The Crochet Lite hooks range in size from C-K and have a battery-operated light (with an on/off switch) that can be used when working with dark yarns. Last week, I bought a K hook (6.5 mm) on eBay and it arrived tonight, along with another package containing the Boye knitting needle set!

Ah, yes, once I start... I just bought these at Overstock:

• 280 Crochet Shell Patterns (new book just published!)
• The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs (new book not yet published!)

I couldn't stop myself...2 were 59¢, 4 were 99¢. I just bought these from Annie's Attic:

Crochet items:

• 63 Cable Stitches to Crochet
• 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns
• A Dozen and One Tunisian Dishcloths
• Crochenit: Cable Hook Easy Afghans
• Fun With Free-Form Crochet
• Learn to Crochet Easy Magic Squares
• Tunisian Baby Afghans
• Easy Tunisian Cable Crochet Hooks set (I already have this set, but for 99¢ I got another set of these 22-inch cable hooks in sizes M, N and P; full price is $16.99)

Quilting items:

• 24 Lovable Animal Quilt Blocks
• Quilt A Colorful Christmas

Of course I don't need any of these...especially considering the amount of crochet and quilting books I already have... But, these are on my "want" list:

• 63 Cable Stitches to Crochet
• 101 Ripple Stitches
• 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns
• Tunisian Baby Afghans
• 24 Lovable Animal Quilt Blocks
• Quilt A Colorful Christmas

All available at Annie's Attic; some on sale now; total is $53.92 + $9.00 shipping. I'm gonna think about it more.

[12:45pm November 11, 2006] Oh! I just discovered another "want"! 280 Crochet Shell Patterns which is available at Leisure Arts for $24.95 (I will wait until it is on sale).

I stopped by Michael's Craft Store on the way home from work to buy a seventh skein of Patons Divine in Regal Red for the Flattering Jacket (sweater) I've been working on. I finished the first sleeve last night. One more sleeve to make and attach, yarn ends to weave in, then it's done!

Of course, I had to browse the crochet leaflets and books to see what I might want to add to my collection of crochet patterns...and I found the new 50 Crocheted Afghan Borders booklet by Jean Leinhauser which has detailed photos of each of the 50 patterns...so I bought it!

Although the book specifies "afghan borders," these could be used for any item suitable for a border: a knitted or crocheted sweater or socks, a pillowcase, a hand towel, a T-shirt, a blouse, a pair of jeans...

It's official - I've burned out on my eBay addiction! Nothing has been bidded on since November 12 and I've lost interest in looking! Thank goodness!

Added to my crochet collection from the beginning of September through November 12:

• A Year of Teardrop Afghans
• Afghan-Stitch Crochet
• Afghan Favorites
• Afghan Sentiments
• Afghan Traditions
• Afghans to Knit and Crochet
• Annie's Favorite Baby Projects
• Annie's Favorite Special Occasions Crochet Projects
• Aran Sampler Afghan
• Baby Happy Hats
• Blue Ribbon Crochet: Exceptional Designs to Create Your Own Prizewinning Projects
• Bohemian Rhapsody, Patons Designer Series
• Casual Mix
• Cool Crochet
• Crochet Fantasy magazine (for Country Cove lily pond afghan)
• Crochet Fantasy magazine - 98's Best Afghans (for Calla Lily afghan)
• Crocheted Patchwork Granny Afghans
• Crocheted Socks: 16 Fun-To-Stitch Patterns
• Freeform Knitting and Crochet
• Granny Crochet Favorites
• Join-As-You-Go Afghans
• Learn to Crochet Socks
• Making Eyelash Crochet Leis 2
• Mon Tricot Knitting Dictionary, 1030 Stitches Patterns (Knitting and Crochet)
• More Elmore (Introducing 18 Plus New Revolutionary Elmore Techniques for Stitches, Foundations, Seaming, and Joining)
• Patchwork Bear Baby Afghan
• Pineapple Afghans for Baby
• Scrap Applique Afghans
• Snowman, Chimney, Cat Filet Wall Hangings
• Southwest Afghans to Crochet
• Special Stitches Sampler
• Stocking Feet
• Strictly Afghans
• Tender Touch Layettes
• Top Technique & Special Afghans
• Vanna's Afghans A to Z
• Wrapped in Sweetness

Additions to my crochet pattern collection from mid-February 2005:

• 1 Hour Kitchen Gifts
• 40 Fabulous Afghans
• 52 Tunisian Crochet Stitches Combine to Make An Afghan Stitch Sampler
• 101 Easy Tunisian Stitches
• 101 Filet Crochet Charts
• Advent Calendar
• Afghan Splendor
• Afghans & Pillows for Children
• Afghans for All Seasons, Book 4
• Afghans on the Double
• Afghans Plus (Antique Auto, Boys Toys, Hearts Delight Afghans, Classic Knit Afghan, Circus Clown Quilt)
• Anchors Aweigh & Tiny Turtle Booties
• Animal Planters
• Annie's Pattern Club, Dec-Jan 1983
• Antique Crochet Pincushions
• Award-Winning Afghans (Annie's Attic) (for the Cathedral Rose Window afghan pattern)
• Baby Bow Trims
• Bucky Baseball
• Busy Baby Squares
• Camel Afghans #1
• Camel Afghans #2
• Camel Crochet, Basic Instruction Book
• Charlie Turtle, Slow But Sweet (tissue holder turtle)
• Classic Quilt Afghans
• Corner-to-Corner Afghans
• Country Christmas Crochet
• Cozy Quilts
• Crochet for Today
• Crocheted Gifts in a Weekend
• Desert Ripple Afghans
• Easy Tunisian Cable Hook Afghans
• Flower Garden Afghans
• Fresh-Picked Afghans
• Granny Square Quilt Afghans Through the Year
• Hard Crochet
• Heavenly Afghans Inspired by Angels
• Heirloom Afghans
• Hug-me Animals to Crochet (turtle, panda, mouse)
• In the Round, Crochet on the Double
• Kid's Covers
• Lacy Granny Afghans in Planned and Scrap Colors (4 by Anne Halliday)
• Lacy Granny Afghans (6 by Anne Halliday)
• McCall's Book of Afghans, The
• McCall's Book of Afghans, Volume 5 (magazine)
• Misty Baby Turtle (in full Crochet World magazine)
• More Critters to Crochet (turtle, panda, dog, bunny, elephant, duck, owl, kangaroo with baby)
• New Crochet Basics (for the Ripple Baby Afghan)
• Our Best Afghans A to Z
• Patchwork Afghans Thru the Year, Afghans by the Dozen
• Patchwork Afghans Thru the Year, Book 2
• Picture Afghans by Creative Hands
• Picture Afghans by Anis Duncan
• Pineapple Sampler
• Polly Pelican
• Ponchos to Knit and Crochet
• Precious Patterns for Baby
• Quick & Easy Vests
• Reversible Ripple Afghans On the Double
• Reversible Scrap Afghans On the Double
• Ripples, Afghans by the Dozen
• Sachet Pincushions
• Scrap Afghans On the Double
• Secrets to Sensational Afghans
• Sensational Shawls
• Star Afghans
• Stitch-A-Week Afghan
• Tip Top Afghans
• Thoroughly Modern Grannies
• Tunisian Sampler Afghan
• Turtle (stuffed toy, cushion or pillow, 22-inch long)
• Turtle Pillow or Toy (in Annie's Pattern Club Magazine)
• Turtle Soap Holder
• Ultimate Ripple Afghan Book, The
• Woman's Day Book of Granny Squares and Other Carry-Along Crochet, The
• Woman's Day Granny Squares & Crafts, 1986 (magazine)
• Woman's Day Granny Squares & Crocheted Fashions, 1987 (magazine)
• Woman's Day Super Special Granny Squares, Number 5, 1977 (magazine)

These crochet patterns (many are hard-cover books) have been added to my collection since early February. Good news! I have finally developed an aversion to surfing eBay for crochet patterns!

• 24 Floral Edgings
• 101 Alphabets
• 150 Weekend Crochet Projects
• "A" is for Apple (alphabet blocks with images)
• Afghans for Men (Chessmen, Clansman, Homesteader, Fisherman)
• Afghans Traditional and Modern
• Baby Layettes and Afghans
• Big Book of Afghans, The
• Chain Link Afghans and Pillows
• Country Afghans
• Crochet A Dozen Hats
• Crochet Carry-Alls
• Crochet Collection
• Crocheted Afghans
• Crocheter's Quilt Book, The
• Crocheting & Knitting, Better Homes & Gardens
• Doily Medley
• Floral Hexagon Afghan (round)
• Flowers of the Month Afghan
• Great Afghan Book, The
• Great Crocheted Sweaters in a Weekend
• Layettes for Baby
• One-Day Dainty Doilies
• Playtime Puppets
• Prize-Winning Afghans, Woman's Day
• Quick and Cozy Afghans
• Quilt Applique Afghans
• Second Big Book of Afghans, The
• Special Doilies for Special Times
• Springtime Mobile (watering can and daisies)
• Table Toppers for the Seasons
• Valentine Plant Poke (heart-shaped)
• Woman's Day Super Special Granny Squares, Number 7, 1979 (magazine)
• Your Name & More in Filet Crochet

I also bought another set of 8 Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hooks sizes C through J - as extras and backups to the original set of 8 (in case I break or lose any!).

Again, I felt the need to reduce my crochet pattern collection a bit by books I know I'm not going to use. Mom wants to have 6 of the afghan pattern books I don't want, and 8 pattern books for sweaters and 1 afghan book will be given to the Bay Area Rapid Crocheters (BARC) (a local chapter of the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA)) for their resources library.

To Mom:

• A Bouquet of Bernat Afghans to Knit and Crochet, Book 160, Copyright 1968
• Afghans, Coats & Clark, Book 238, Copyright 1974
• Afghans by Columbia Minerva, Book 742, Copyright N/A
• Afghans Old & New Favorites, Coats & Clark, Book 255, Copyright 1976
• Afghans to Crochet, Coats & Clark, Book 291, Copyright 1985
• The Afghan Book, Leisure Arts, Leaflet 63, Copyright 1975

To BARC:

• Crocheted Lace Panel Tops, Leisure Arts, Leaflet 733, Copyright 1989
• Crocheted Sweaters, American School of Needlework, Book 1046, Copyright 1986
• Crocheting Fashion Sweaters for Women (cardigans, pullovers, vests), Dover Needlework Series, Copyright 1986
• Fashioned for Crochet (sweaters), Leisure Arts, Leaflet 664, Copyright 1988
• Gypsy Vest Accessory Book II, The (vests, boleros, skirts, poncho, tunic), Jack Frost, Volume 76, Copyright 1970
• Quick Crochet Sweaters and Vests, Leisure Arts, Leaflet 347, Copyright 1985
• Sunshine Crochet (sweaters), Patons, Book 512, Copyright 1986
• Teach Yourself Afghan Stitch, Leisure Arts, Leaflet 122, Copyright 1978
• Year-Round Sweaters to Crochet, Phoenix, Book 705, Copyright 1987

Fun, fun, fun! Thanks to 50%-off and 40%-off coupons at Michaels Craft Store and Jo-Ann Stores, low prices at eBay, and having "play money" to spend (which is included in my budget!), these crochet patterns books, leaflets, and sheets have slowly crept into my collection since the middle of December...

• 101 Crochet Squares
• 101 Stitches for Afghans
• Afghans (Susan Bates)
• Afghans to Crochet (Coats & Clark)
• All-American Crochet Afghans
• Better Homes and Gardens, Crocheting & Knitting
• Big Book of Scrap Crochet Projects
• Blue Ribbon Afghans from America's State Fairs
• Butterflies (afghan, pillows, potholder, table setting)
• Cat Doorstop
• Christmas Stockings
• Crochet Gifts to Go!
• Flower Garden (Crochet) (impatiens, crocus, coleus, bird's nest fern, Grecian windflowers, baskets)
• Granny Square Quilt Afghans
• Granny Squares, Nanny Squares: New Twists in Classic Crochet
• Great Granny Crochet Book, The
• Hats, Mittens, Scarves (Crochet) for Children and Adults
• I Love Roses Hot Mat and Pot Holders
• Illustrated Patchwork Crochet: Contemporary Granny Squares for Clothing and Home Decorating
• Lacy Crib Cover (teddy bear)
• Poncho Panache!
• Rosy Pot Holders
• Special Stitches Afghans
• Tommy Turtle and Madame Mushroom Pot Holders (includes Tot's Purse)
• Unique Granny Afghans
• Wee Floral Afghans (unique patterns!)
• Window Critters (Stick'em Up Pals)

Da-da-done! I "won" the last item on my current Want to Get list: Mosaic Magic Afghans Made Easy. The multiple-item eBay auction included these 5 pattern books:

• Afghans for All Seasons
• Afghans for All Seasons, Book 2
• Contest Favorites: 40 Afghans to Crochet
• Mosaic Magic Afghans Made Easy
• Vanna’s Afghans All Throughout the House

Hmmm, I want more hours in the day to spend crocheting!

I decided to trade the annoying, unfulfilling, and obsessively time-consuming search for low-cost copies of these crochet pattern books for the sure knowledge that they'll be arriving soon. So, yes, I paid full price for two of them.

• 99 Floral Motifs (from Maggie's Crochet)
• 101 Granny Squares (from Maggie's Crochet)
• 200 Crochet Blocks (from Amazon)

And, I recently won these on eBay:

• 101 Easy Scrap Crochet Projects
• Big Book of Scrap Crochet Afghans

New additions to my pattern book collection:

• Christmas Joy (On The Double)
• Crocheted Pillows
• Crocheted Pillows, Book 2
• Crocheted Pillows, Book 3
• Decorator Pillows
• Ultimate Book of Scrap Afghans (the Annie's Attic version)

I'm way done with pillow books. (I was more interested in the patterns as "squares" than as pillows.)

On my Gotta Get list:

• 101 Granny Squares
• 200 Crochet Blocks

On my Get If Reasonably Priced list:

• 101 Easy Scrap Crochet Projects
• Big Book of Scrap Crochet Afghans
• Mosaic Magic

On my way home I stopped off at Jo-Ann's and Michaels looking for L and M crochet hooks (since I am compelled to have all the crochet toys tools I may ever need want and discovered a few days ago that I didn't have these hooks!). At Michaels, I ended up buying a set of Crystalites (L, M, N and P hooks) because L and M weren't individually available. Pretty colors! At Jo-Ann's, I got 5 one-pounders of Caron yarn in white (2), red (2), and forest green (1) for $3.99 each (reg. $4.99) - much of this will be used for the Christmas-themed afghan I want to make for my neighbors Dee and Van. So much to have fun with, so little time!

[To be read with a sense of humor!]

I had an epiphany on the way to work this morning: I am a collector of crochet pattern books and yarn - in the same way a stamp collector collects stamps and a coin collector collects coins. Unlike collected stamps and coins, however, the yarn and some of the patterns will actually (someday) be used!

So, in light of this realization, I've changed the Acquisitions category to Collections.

Yikes! During the past 2 weeks, I was on another spending spree - it lasted much less time than the previous one! These are my new purchases from eBay, some haven't arrived yet:

• 24 Blocks on a Roll
• 101 Crochet Edgings
• Annie's Mile-A-Minute Baby Afghans
• Christmas Spirit Afghans (tree, bell, santa, candy cane, snowman, wreath patterns with granny squares)
• Color-Bright Creatures Animal Afghans (turtles, lions, frogs, dogs, bears, pigs, birds)
• Holiday Afghans II (Valentines (hearts), St. Patrick's Day (shamrocks), Easter (bunnies), 4th of July (Uncle Sam), Halloween (ghosts), Thanksgiving (turkeys), Christmas (santa))
• Holiday Door Hangers (Valentines (heart), St. Patrick's Day (leprechaun), Easter (bunny), 4th of July (American flag), Halloween (ghost), Thanksgiving (turkey), Christmas (snowman, santa claus, reindeer))
• Hot Stuff for the Holidays (hot pads and coasters: Valentines (heart), St. Patrick's Day (shamrock), Easter (bunny), 4th of July (American flag), Halloween (pumpkin), Christmas (tree))
• How to Crochet on a Roll
• Nicholas's Dinosaur (stuffed)
• Rag Menagerie (stuffed turtle, cat, dog, bunny, bear, mouse)
• Scripture Afghan (24 pattern stitches)
• Skirting the Tree
• Snug as a Bug Baby Afghans
• Trendsetting Totes

In addition, a few days ago I splurged on the following items from Annie's Attic, mostly a variety of hooks so I could do some different types of crocheting:

• Holiday Afghans (Valentines (hearts), St. Patrick's Day (shamrocks), Easter (bunnies), 4th of July (American flag), Halloween (pumpkins), Thanksgiving (turkeys), Christmas (wreaths))
• 2 more 12-packs of 12-inch bookkeeper tabs (for pattern book organization)
• Cro-Tat with Yarn Master Hook Set (sizes G and H), instructions, 5 patterns
• Cro-Tatting Hook (for thread; size not specified)
• Crochet on a Roll Hooks (sizes F, G, H)
• Crochenit Cable Hook (size M)
• Swivel Hook (size K)

I feel "done"...again.

A few days before Halloween, I had a moment of boredom so I surfed eBay! I saw these too-cute turtle and roller skates crochet patterns and had to bid on them! They just arrived...

• Bath Buddies (turtle, panda, bear, dog, bunny, duck, hen, frog, hippo, lamb, lion, pig)
• Crochet Skates (for Pillow, Wall Hanging or Xmas Stocking) (roller skates, ice skates)
• Terence Turtle (stuffed)

Oops, I did it again! Just now. Today. Bids on 3 auctions... Must go rest the migraine now.

Because the livingroom pillows (bought in December last year!) have developed holes in the sides, I decided to crochet pillow covers for them. So, of course, I had to buy yarn in the right colors and texture!

A visit to the Jo-Ann Fabrics in Hayward yielded nothing since that store seems to concentrate on quilting and sewing, not crocheting or knitting. So, I headed to the Michaels Craft Store in Union City where I picked up 2 skeins each of Lion Brand Homespun in:

• Antique (subdued dark reds with a hint of brick combine in a rich mix)
  
• Creole (brick, gray, a soupcon [i.e., small trace] of evergreen - the colors of the old French Quarter)
  
• Gothic (cool dark purple, accented with black and gray)
  
• Plantation (dark greens and browns, with a hint of dark blue-green)
  

(Yarn images and color descriptions are from the Lion Brand website.)

These colors will match the plum, claret, sage, cream and brown of our living room! I'm going to give the Checkered Pillow pattern a try, and if that doesn't look good in this type of yarn, I'm leaning toward using one or more of the patterns in the 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan book.

Also on my list to buy were assorted colors of size 10 cotton thread so I can play around with bookmarks and other thread projects. So, I got one of each of Royale Classic Crochet Thread in:

• Mint (just like Mint ice cream!)
• Forest Green
• Wood Violet (light purple)
• Violet
• Bridal Blue (light blue but not "baby blue")
• Navy
• Cream (more light yellow than off-white)
• Maize (yellow)
• Orchid Pink
• Burgundy

Last November, I bought Red, Green, and White thread for Christmas ornaments I started but didn't finish. So, except for not having Black or any browns or oranges, I now have a nice collection of colors to choose from!

And, lastly, I bought 2 skeins of TLC in Dark Plum to make myself Dot's So Simple Wimple!

Ah, the last 2 eBay auction purchases arrived in today's mail:

• Serape Sweater
• Crochet Cotton Separates (duplicate)

Now that I'm not compulsively surfing eBay for "bargains" anymore, I don't miss it! I may miss getting "presents" in the mail every day or two, though!

2 more packages of crochet sweater patterns arrived yesterday and today:

• Crochet Cotton Separates (cardigan, skirt, jackets, tee, tank)
• Homespun Sweaters
• Soft Wear

2 more expected (one is a duplicate of Crochet Cotton Separates). [sarcasm] I've already confessed to going overboard with sweater pattern books on eBay! [/sarcasm]

Just before dinner, my neighbor dropped off the box of yarn I've been expecting since it was shipped via Parcel Post on Sept. 27! He said the mail carrier delivered it today and left it with him for safe-keeping. Cool! Two each of Red Heart Giant one-pound skeins in Baby Peach, Wine, and Off White. Great for the lap blankets I make and donate!

The 3 auctions of 16 crochet sweater pattern books arrived in today's mail. Many of the sweaters are cute! All books are from the 1980s. Only 1 duplicate book!

• Crocheted Tops in Sport Weight
• Crocheting Fashion Sweaters for Women
• Fashioned for Crochet
• Finn Time by Eila, Volume No. 20
• Finn Time by Eila, Volume No. 25
• Finn Time by Eila, Volume No. 31
• Lace Panel Tops (Crocheted) (this one has a duplicate)
• Pretzel Sweater
• Pullovers (Crocheted)
• Quick Crochet Sweaters and Vests
• Sizzling Summer Sweaters
• Sunshine Crochet
• Sweaters (Crocheted)
• Timely Tops
• Year-Round Sweaters

Photos of and information about the pattern books are on the Pattern Books Index: Wearables page.

The eBay buying rush is over! And, the last of my eBay auction winnings are trailing in... Arriving Saturday and today:

• Blankets & Animal Companions (bear, elephant, dog, cat, lamb, dinosaur)
• Classy Capes & Cloaks (On the Double)
• Kountry Kittens (stuffed cats) (These are just so darned cute! An auction just ended for these 7 pattern books at $21.78, and someone else was selling them for $4.50 each! I got 'em all for $0.99!)
  • All Tied Up
  • Granny's Comin'
  • Kitty Bouquet
  • Morning Coffee
  • Peek-A-Boo
  • Spilt Milk
  • Swingin' Kitty
• Pooh - Little Buddies (Thread Crochet) (Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Piglet)
• Snappy Scrappy Jackets
• Weather Beaters (scarves, hats, bags, slippers, leg warmers)

Still expecting: 1 auction of yarn (shipped Sept. 27!) and 6 more auctions of pattern books.

What is your eBay addiction story?

...

Bad eBay. Bad. I've removed the hook! Finally.

This weekend I realized I needed to stop bidding on eBay! Ding, ding. Hello? Is anyone home? I was browsing around just looking for...whatever...and made minimum bids on 3 auctions for a total of 16 sweater pattern books - which I don't need and probably will make little, if any, use of!

So, I've stopped browsing, stopped looking, stopped bidding... I've even deleted (most) of my favorite searches.

There are other - better! - things I could do with that time! Like make more lap blankets! Like make some of the cute toy or slipper or sweater or vest or...patterns I have... Like take a walk outdoors!

So, the remaining auctions will end within the next 6 days - no more bidding on them. If I get 'em, I'll pay for 'em. If I don't, that'll just have to be OK. There are only so many afghan/sweater/toy/bookmarks/etc. patterns one person needs...

Anyway, these patterns arrived Saturday and today:

• Baby Bootie Boutique (there's a pair of roller skates!)
• Christmas Keepsakes (Red Heart)
• Corner Bookmarks To Crochet
• Cuddle Toys (including a cat and panda)
• Gypsy Vest Accessory Book II, The
• Friendly Frogs (I think I have a "thing" for green!)
• Happy Monster (green, of course!)
• Muffin Twins (similar to Raggedy Ann and Andy)
• Roly-Poly Toys (including a cat and turtle!)
• Ted & Tina Turtle (yes, a pair of green stuffed turtles!)

These crochet patterns arrived today:

• Summer Crochet (Patons Classics) (shawl, twin set, tank top, v-neck tunic)
• Chester the Spider (and his spider web)
• Cuddly Cats To Crochet (stuffed cats)
• Pretty Purses
• Santa Hat

[Updated 6:00pm October 14, 2004]

I learned this morning that the last 4 patterns above which I purchased from one eBay seller are most likely illegal copies of copyrighted patterns (unless that person has received permission to re-create hard copies and sell those patterns as their own - which I doubt). I have removed the name of the eBay seller from this entry and am taking steps to report the person for copyright violations. At least 3 of the 4 patterns are available for free:

• Chester the Spider - available for free on FreePatterns.com
• Pretty Purses - available as a Free Project Sheet on the Coats & Clark website
• Santa Hat - available for free on FreePatterns.com

Because Mom and I like Eeyore and Mom likes Tigger...and the auction came with both the book and a yarn kit for Tigger, I made the mininum bid on the pair - and won! The package arrived in today's mail:

• Pooh & Friends (crocheted stuffed Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet) (the yarn patterns, not the thread patterns)
• Mary Maxim's Pooh & Friends Yarn Kit for Tigger, Number 4135, size 18 inches high (sitting)

What will I do each evening after I learn to control this eBay impulse buying!?

Arriving in today's mail from eBay auctions:

• Toys to Knit and Crochet (there's a crocheted turtle pattern too!)
• Weekend Vests

12 crochet pattern books from 2 eBay auctions arrived today, 11 from a combined auction I won for $2.91! Deals like that keep me looking at newly-listed eBay auctions!

• 3 Dozen & One Bookmarks (seeing Donna's Pink Tulips Bookmark got me interested in crocheted bookmark patterns!)
• Combined auction:
  • A Dozen Doily Dishcloths
  • Baby Blankets with Animal Hoods (dog, bear, rabbit, cat)
  • Baby's Pets (stuffed dogs, bears, lamb)
  • Crocheted Bookmarks
  • Crocheted Country Coasters
  • Holiday Holders
  • Holiday Magnets (pins too)
  • Hot Pads for All Seasons
  • Lovely Wreaths
  • Simple Slippers
  • Teddy Bear Wardrobe

Two more non-afghan patterns just arrived in today's mail:

• Kitty Basket Cover
• Tunics & Tops

These pattern books arrived in yesterday's mail:

• Annie's Favorite Quick & Easy Projects (I wanted the Fun and Games Bag pattern (checkers, dominoes, tic-tac-toe), but there are a lot of interesting patterns in this book)
• Big Book of Slippers

Oh, goody! Five boxes containing 150 skeins of yarn won from eBay auctions arrived via UPS yesterday! I was so delighted!! It's so fun to just look at the colors and think of all the project possibilities! I even called Mom and she came over to checkout my new "yarn store" - not that I'm selling any or that I have the type or variety of yarn that seems to be more in demand now. I use worsted weight 4-ply yarn in Red Heart, Caron, Perfect Match, etc. brands for the lap blankets I make (and other items I want to start making) for charitable organizations.

The eBay seller also included a nice-sized bag of scrap yarn in each of the boxes! Very sweet of her!

Now, I have several columns of plastic tubs and copy-paper boxes full of yarn stacked 4-5 high in my craft room, as well as two full lateral file cabinet drawers. Yikes. I did find places to store it all after all!

These kids-related patterns arrived in yesterday's mail:

• Gameboard Afghan (single pattern, with checkers and dice)
• Pillow Pets (Red Heart)

I disovered that there's a turtle pattern in the Pillow Pets booklet!

Arriving in today's mail, one of the non-afghan pattern books I've recently won on eBay:

• Stunning Shawls

All pattern books are listed and pictured in the Pattern Books Index...take a peek if you're looking for something in particular (or just looking around!).

I've been on a roll since August 9 buying crochet patterns and yarn on eBay. I've racked up 88 auctions and have 14 more waiting to end. Since Sunday's spurt of 150 skeins of yarn, the Yarn Acquisition Syndrome has died a quiet death. Thank goodness.

The Pattern Acquisition Syndrome quieted down, but about two weeks ago I became more open to non-afghan patterns and recently seem to be stuck on cute animal stuff for kids. Me? Kid stuff? I tell myself it'll be great to have this pattern and that pattern for the grandkids...whenever my son or two stepsons have kids that is! In the meantime, when I feel the desire to create something non-afghan-like and cute, I can make turtle things (yup, found a third turtle pattern today!) and kitty things and panda things for myself - and to give away to children!

I want more crochet hours in the day!

Today's mail brought these patterns won on eBay:

• Flurry of Afghans (winter-type patterns - I think I'm a sucker for these!)
• Roly Poly Turtle (single pattern) (small stuffed toy)
• Cache Critters (turtle, cat, elephant, pig, frog, bear, more - just too cute to pass up! even though I don't have young kids or grandkids)

The desire to stock up on yarn is strong, especially when it is offered at a good price and volume and is nicely taken care of! Yesterday, I won 5 eBay auctions for another 150 skeins of 3.5-ounce Red Heart Classic in a variety of solid and variegated colors. Including shipping, it cost less than $0.85 for each skein! Bill laughed!

Now the question is: Where will I store all this yarn?

And, will I ever use it all?

Arriving in today's mail from eBay auctions:

• 7 skeins of Sayelle in Grey (4), Red (1), Black (1), Medium Brown (1)
• Christmas Afghans by Anne Halliday
• Panda Afghan (and 6 other patterns in the booklet)

Also, from Laine, a Freecycle Network member:

• A copy paper box half full with 11 rolls (not skeins or balls) of acrylic gold, navy, forest green, and brick red yarn

And, yesterday evening I picked up from Mary, another Freecycle member:

• A copy paper box nearly overflowing with assorted skeins of yarn in various colors and textures

Cool! One of the two turtle patterns is here!

Patterns arriving in today's mail:

• Tommy Turtle (stuffed)
• Birthday Bookmarks

Yes, more yarn arrived yesterday! 30 3.5-ounce skeins of Red Heart Classic:

• Black (12)
• Eggshell (6)
• Jockey Red (12)

Yesterday after work, I met Lauri at a mall in Pleasanton to pick up a bag of about 13 skeins of yarn! She is one of several people who responded to my request on the Freecycle Network (http://www.freecycle.org/) listserv for yarn. Others have mailed packages to me. And, I'm meeting Mary tonight in Walnut Creek to pick up yarn from her.

And, for those of us keeping track, there are 13 more skeins of yarn won on eBay to be delivered!

Another afghan pattern book that will be good for scrap yarn also arrived in today's mail:

• Join-as-you-go Afghans

7 8-ounce skeins of Caron Perfect Match arrived today:

• Bright White (3)
• Red (4)

I branched out a few days ago and couldn't resist an eBay auction of a pattern book of 12 hats 'n' things! I would consider making a few of these for myself! The book arrived over the weekend:

• Headline USA (caps, berets, toboggans, hats)

The patterns use red-white-blue yarn, but I can use whatever colors suit me. I think Beret With Waves and Sailor Bow Hat (without the bow!) (on the front cover), and the Doubly Different Hat (top middle on back page) are so cute!

I've also bid on and won other non-afghan patterns: tunics and tops, bookmarks, and two different turtle patterns (I'm a turtle nut!).

Hi, my name is Cheryl, and I'm a yarnaholic.

30 more 3.5-ounce skeins of yarn arrived today:

• Forest Green (6) Red Heart Classic
• Paddy Green (12) Red Heart Classic
• Scarlet (12) Wintuk

50 additional skeins (in 3.5 ounces, 8 ounces, and 16 ounces) are on their way...

Three boxes containing 90 skeins of yarn arrived yesterday!

And...I recently won 2 more eBay auctions for yarn...

And...I have bids out on 3 more...

And...I'll be getting some free yarn from Freecycle members...

I've been telling myself that the price is good...and it's fun...and I'm just stocking up for winter...and spring...and next summer...and next fall...and next winter...!

My husband may be planning an intervention.

Today, I bid on another pattern book, but won't know for a few more days whether I won the auction. It was an impulse thing...

Good news! My interest in browsing eBay for pattern books has waned (I've bought everything I wanted when I saw it!). And, my interest in buying yarn on eBay has become more selective since it dawned on me that the yarn deals aren't that great when shipping is included and I could buy exactly the colors and amounts I want at a store versus buying too much or not enough or paying for lots for shipping for eBay auctions.

More good news is that I didn't win the fourth auction of 30 skeins of yarn and that the 90 skeins I did were shipped yesterday and are due to arrive on Tuesday according to UPS. I have bid on a few yarn auctions that are reasonably priced including estimated shipping costs. If I don't win them, I'll use the money to buy yarn at a store instead!

I think I now have all scrap yarn crochet afghan books ever made! (Well, that's probably an exaggeration, but I have all I've seen!) This one arrived in today's mail:

• Scrap Sensations

The last package of the initial 53 eBay auctions arrived today:

• Subtle Shades

Whatever possessed me to bid on 30 additional skeins???

Well...120 skeins of yarn (if I win these 30) will definitely keep me busy for the next year or so!

In a weak moment last night, I checked out the yarn auctions on eBay. I bid on one auction for 7 skeins in 7 different colors - and won it. Then, I found a few auctions I wanted to watch that were ending this morning...

I am now the winner of 90 more skeins of yarn! Yikes.

Red Heart Classic, 3.5 ounces each:

• Black (6)
• Blue Jewel (6)
• Cameo Rose (12)
• Emerald (6)
• Honey Gold (6)
• Olympic Blue (6)
• Orchid (12)
• Pale Yellow (6)
• Rust (12)
• Tangerine (6)
• White (6)
• Wood Brown (6)

The cost is $80.98 plus shipping of about $28.00. So, including shipping, just about $1.20 per skein (vs. $1.49 plus tax in a store). Cool!

Saturday afternoon, when Bill and I came home from getting Mocha Frappaccinos at Starbucks, I saw a package on the front porch - it was the Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hooks I bought on eBay! So, I spent Saturday evening and pretty much all day yesterday crocheting with the H hook on the purples-white-lime green-yellow hexagon lap blanket I started last weekend.

I don't know how "ergonomic" the hooks are. Time will tell. They are lighter than aluminum crochet hooks, have a Wrights-style hook shape (I usually use Susan Bates crochet hooks), and are shorter than aluminum hooks. They are comfortable to hold. At first, it was noticeable that the hooks were shorter since I didn't feel the bottom of the hook on the pad of my hand. Overall, if they'll help resist the tendonitis in my writst, they're well worth the $29.95 I paid for the set of 8. (If you're interested in buying a set, search for "Clover crochet" on eBay.)

These are the sizes:

C 2.5 mm
D 3.0 mm
E 3.5 mm
F 4.0 mm
G 4.5 mm
H 5.0 mm
I 5.5 mm
J 6.0 mm

[Update January 6, 2005] Read my opinion of and experience with these hooks.

Another pattern from an eBay auction arrived in today's mail:

• Holiday Afghan (single pattern)

2 packages arrived yesterday and 2 more today:

• Classic Afghans to Knit and Crochet (duplicate in a combined auction)
• Fast & Fun Textured Afghans
• Heirloom Sampler (single pattern of 3 square designs) (thrown in with combined auction)
• Lattice-Weave Lapghan (single pattern)
• Marvelous Mix & Match Afghans
• Quick Crochet Afghans Book 3
• Timeless, Textured Afghans

I'm still waiting for 2 patterns and the set of Clover crochet hooks to arrive.

My rate of buying and wanting/desiring has slowed down considerably (because I already won the pattern books I wanted!!). The last eBay auction I won was August 26.

Total auctions won: 53 (unchanged since August 26)

Currently watching: 5 auctions (some I'm just curious about and at least 1 I really want and 1 I'd like to have)
Currently bidding: 0 auctions

1 package with 2 pattern books arrived today:

• Christmas Afghans
• Scrap Afghans

Also arriving in today's mail: the 3 packages of 12 12-inch bookkeeper tabs from Annie's Attic. I will now be able to organize all pattern books, including the taller ones, into binders!

I'm going to miss receiving packages (almost) every day when all my eBay auction winnings have arrived! 4 packages with 9 pattern books arrived today:

• Checkerboard Afghan (single pattern)
• Indian Snow (single pattern)
• Loop 'n' Lace Squares (single pattern)
• Mile-A-Minute Crochet Baby Booties
• Navajo Afghans
• Piano Afghan (single pattern)
• Pinwheel Baby Afghans (single pattern; two color combinations)
• Scrap Yarn Afghans
• Winter Patterns (Inspired by Traditional Norwegian Designs) (duplicate of pattern received in 20-book combined auction)

The Piano Afghan and Indian Snow patterns are extremely lovely!

3 more packages arrived yesterday and today. One was a packet of 20 crochet pattern books that weren't specifically listed in the auction so I didn't know what was included - really like a present!

• 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan (duplicate of one I've had for many years)
• A Year Of Q-Hook Afghans
• Afghan Book (The)
• Afghan Elegance
• Afghans by Columbia Minerva
• Afghans by the Dozen Mile-A-Minutes
• Bernat Afghans (A Bouquet of)
• Bootie Collection
• Classic Afghans to Knit and Crochet (duplicate of book included in another combined auction)
• Comforts of Home
• Contest Favorites Mile-A-Minute Afghans
• Country Mile-a-Minute Afghans
• Easy Crocheted Afghans
• Herringbone Afghan
• Light & Lacy Afghans
• Old-Fashioned Garden
• Pansy Romance
• Quick Crochet Afghans Book Six
• Royal Square Afghan, Floral Granny Square Afghan
• Teach Yourself Afghan Stitch
• Teddy Bear Parade (Baby Love)
• Winter Patterns (Inspired by Traditional Norwegian Designs) (duplicate of one I bid on separately but haven't yet received)
• Wrapped In Love

Received 4 packages of 4 pattern books in yesterday's mail:

• Afghans for Kids (Teddy Bear, Cats in the Corner, Soccer Ball, Checkerboard, others)
• Native American Afghan & Pillows (single pattern)
• Reindeer in the Snow Afghan (single pattern)
• Rustic Warmth

Last night, I bought outright ("Buy it now!" button on eBay!) a set of 8 Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hooks, sizes C-J, for $29.95 (the retail price online seems to be about $5.50-$5.70 each).

Total auctions won so far: 53
Total spent so far (not including shipping): $206.40

Currently watching: 5 auctions
Currently bidding: 0 auctions

4 packages containing 9+ crochet pattern books and single patterns arrived in the mail Monday and Tuesday:

• Afghans (Coats & Clark #238 1974)
• Afghans Are A Natural (Coats & Clark #312 1985)
• Afghans Old & New Favorites (Coats & Clark #255 1976)
• Afghans to Crochet (Coats & Clark #291 1985)
• American Favorites Quilts to Crochet (Red Heart) (Coats & Clark #373 1992)
• Barn Raising Quilt (single pattern)
• Braid-Look Rug (heart-shaped) (single pattern)
• Cat Rug (cat-shaped) (single pattern)
• Encyclopedia of 300 Crochet Patterns, Stitches and Designs (book)
• Plus about 20 single "Free" afghan patterns from publishers (included in one bundle of books)

While hunting around Google looking for a pattern for the crocheted Cats Afghan I saw on eBay but didn't bid on, I found a page at About.com which listed a Cats Afghan pattern available at FreePatterns.com (http://www.freepatterns.com/). So, I got my free account and, sure enough, there it was! The Cats Afghan pattern!

If you want this pattern, it and lots of other crochet and other crafts patterns are FREE at http://www.freepatterns.com/.

Later, I discovered (via Google) that the PDF file of the Cats Afghan pattern can also be found at:

http://www.freepatterns.com/fp_pdfs/pre-database/
crochet/Cats_Afghan.pdf

[July 26, 2006] Heather posted a comment on another entry that she found the Cats Afghan PDF at:

http://truelovetreasures.com/PDFs/Cats_Afghan.pdf

[December 2009] The link above is broken. I have not found another link. Sorry!

[January 2010] Found a new link for the Cats Afghan (PDF):
http://mypages.iit.edu/~veltjes/cats_afghan.pdf.

I'm De-stashing!
For Sale:
Crochet Books and Patterns. Cross-stitch Patterns.
Last updated June 2008!

[Ignore the date of this entry...the entry will be updated as needed.]

Below is an index to the pattern books in my collection. The books and individual patterns are not for sale. You may be able to find the pattern you're interested in on eBay or another website by carefully searching Google or another search engine. It is against the law to photocopy and distribute patterns - do not ask.

• Crochet: Afghans A-K
• Crochet: Afghans L-Z
• Crochet: Baby / Children: Afghans / Wearables
• Crochet: Cats, Kittens
• Crochet: Holidays
• Crochet: Pandas, Bears
• Crochet: Other
• Crochet: On the Double, Tunisian, Roll Stitch, Camel, Other
• Crochet: Toys, Animals
• Crochet: Turtles
• Crochet: Wearables
• Cross-stitch
• Knit
• Sewing and Quilting

• Crochet Hooks in My Collection
• Knitting Needles in My Collection

Cross-stitch books need to be added, as well as information about pattern books I've won from eBay auctions but haven't yet received.

[Updated September 30, 2004] Separated crochet patterns by category.

[Updated January 9, 2005] Added cross-stitch books.

[Updated April 29, 2005] Added "Turtles", "Cats/Kittens", and "Pandas/Bears" categories.

[Updated May 22, 2005] Separated into "Toy, Animals" and "Other" categories.

[Updated June 20, 2005] Added list of crochet hooks.

[Updated June 25, 2005] Added list of special stitches (On the Double, Tunisian, Roll Stitch, Camel, Other) books.

[Updated October 13, 2006] Added sewing and quilting books.

[Updated February 21, 2007] Added knitting books.

[Updated March 4, 2007] Added list of knitting needles.

Today's mail brought 3 packages:

• 63 "More" Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make An Heirloom Afghan (yes, another duplicate!)
• Garden Cat Afghan (single pattern)
• Granny Square Christmas Afghans

I'm working on a list of all crochet books to publish online so I won't buy any more duplicates! After lunch with Mom today, we browsed through the pattern books I've received so far. I gave her the duplicates of two books: Patchwork Grannys for Afghans, Pillows & Bedspreads and 63 "More" Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make An Heirloom Afghan. She wasn't interested in the duplicate Luscious Scrap Afghans (On the Double) book so I'll just hang onto it for now.

5 more packages from eBay auctions arrived in the mail yesterday:

• 35 Granny Squares Combine to Make a Granny Sampler Afghan
• 63 "More" Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make An Heirloom Afghan
• As Months Go By
• Calico Quilt Afghans
• Just Jeweltones
• Luscious Scrap Afghans (On the Double) (duplicate I mistakenly bid on!)
• Old-Timey Scrap Afghans
• Patchwork Grannys for Afghans, Pillows & Bedspreads (was included with Scraps to Beauty Afghans; duplicate in my pattern library)
• Puffs & Fans (single pattern)
• Scrap + Black = Afghans
• Scraps to Beauty Afghans
• Southwest Serenade
• Variegated Visions

I bid on a cute cat-shaped crocheted rug pattern. I searched through Google to see whether I could find it somewhere else online. No luck. Since the pattern is unusual and cute, I bid up to $14.77 for it - and was outbid. I got a Second Chance offer at the price of my last bid. I thought about it for 10 minutes and then accepted the offer. What can I say? I could have probably figured out my own pattern for a cat-shaped rug based on the image on the auction page... I don't have a "place" in the house for a cat-shaped rug or blanket... But, I wanted the pattern...and I've spent more than $15.00 on meals, on fancy coffee, on things that aren't tangible and don't last long...so I bought it!

Total auctions won so far: 34
Total spent so far (not including shipping): $106.64
Some are multiple books, some single patterns...too many to total!

Currently watching: 19 auctions
Currently bidding: 1 auction

Since Sunday, I've been working on a loudly colorful (greens, oranges, red, black) lap blanket and am going to dutifully finish it before diving into a project from a new pattern book.

Of the 27 crochet patterns (booklets and single patterns) I've won in eBay auctions, I've received 2 packages of 6 booklets so far (listed below). I'm so excited to checkout all of the patterns! I just love the colors and ideas and, well, the calmness of crocheting.

• Grannies On the Double
• Luscious Scrap Afghans (On the Double)
• Magnificent Mosaics
• Patchwork Patterns
• Pick-A-Pattern
• Speedy Tweeds

I have been an eBay maniac since Saturday when I bid on a few crochet pattern books. I've now won 11 auctions (individual books) and have bids out on 12 more auctions (some are multiple (i.e., a "lot") of books). Whew.

Some of the books are available in stores (like Michaels Craft Store), but more are out of print and more difficult to find. I've found at least 4 scrap crochet afghan pattern books and have bid on each of them. The prices (even including shipping) are under the retail value (well, as long as I don't get carried away with the bidding!).

It's a fun process. I see now that it can be quite addicting! Searching for items of interest, bidding, checking to see if you're still the highest bidder, re-bidding, ... and winning!

Saturday marked the day of my first bid - bids - made on eBay...

Sunday I watched them like a hawk and re-bid as necessary...

I won a few yesterday...

I paid for 2 today...

OMG. A monster has been created...

I'm soooooo hoookkkkkkeeeedddddd!

(The object of my desire: crochet afghan pattern books!)