Great Things-Mamachee Crochet Patterns & Giveaway! ENDED

We hope that you are enjoying our new series of "Great Things."  Today we have another amazing store to share with you:  Mamachee Crochet Patterns.  Tara Murray is the face behind Mamachee Crochet Patterns and she is one talented lady!  She has a successful etsy shop and blog called Easy Makes me happy.

Tara opened her etsy store in October of 2008 with these things in mind: "My dream is to be able to stay home all day with my husband and kids, working together as a family. With the help from etsy and you lovely buyers on etsy, this may be able to come true for me....and I am so thankful!"

I hope that her dream is coming true.  It sure looks like she is quite successful!  She's made over 4000 sales with 100% positive feedback!  She also has a thriving blog that offers many free crochet patterns, tutorials and other crafts.  Check it out here!

My two favorite patterns that I ordered from Tara are the Headband, flower and bow pattern and the Warm Winter Booties. I've made my sweet Anna a flower in almost every color.  I get compliments on those everytime we are out.  We recently had professional pictures of Anna and these headbands made the pictures even more precious.

 Here is a closeup one with full flower showing!

We actually got the this last picture in black and white with the flower being the only thing in color.  It was beautiful!  I really feel the headband and flower just made her pictures extra special.

Mamachee patterns are well written and very easy to understand, even for the beginner crocheter.  What is even better is Tara is more than willing to help you if you have questions or struggles.  She also has deals when you buy more patterns.

Here are some items that are on my list to buy:

Buccaneer Booties

Elizabeth Headwrap

Flower Shower

Oma House Slippers (for adults!)

One of the neatest items on her blog is a measurements guide to help you make your own creations.  This is definitely at the top of my list!

Okay, enough of my love for Mamachee!  I want you to share in the love.  Tara has been nice enough to do a giveaway for all our fabulous readers!  How does FIVE free patterns to a lucky winner sound?  I think that is awesome!  For those of you wanting to learn to crochet, this is a great way to start off with some fantastic patterns.

Here is how you enter to win the 5 free crochet patterns:


*Leave a separate comment for each entry*

1. Mandatory entry:  Like Our Seven Dwarfs on Facebook or tell us you already do.  (leave a comment too).
2.  Visit Mamachee on etsy and tell us at least one pattern you would choose.
3.  Subscribe to Our Seven Dwarfs by email.
4.  Follow Our Seven Dwarfs via Google Friend Connect (click follow on sidebar).
5.  While visiting Our Seven Dwarfs on Facebook, click share by any of the postings for the Mamachee Giveaway.  *Once you click share, a new window will pop up, click on the lock button and choose everyone, then click share again.  This will make your post show up on our Facebook and Mamachee's Facebook.  This entry will not be counted unless it shows up on our page.   Then leave a comment here for your entry.*  Easier than it sounds.

That is 5 chances to win 5 free patterns!  Remember, you don't have to do all 5 entries, but it sure would make us happy and increase your chances.  Make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry! The giveaway closes at 11:59 pm (EST) on Saturday, March 26th. We'll announce the winner on Sunday, March 27th.

Good luck to you all! 

Learn to Crochet!

As you may know, I love to crochet.  I've been crocheting for about 12 years.  I've known all the stitches, but just over the last couple of years, I learned to truly read a pattern.  Wow, my world has been opened up since then.  There are so many cute things you can make by learning to read a pattern.  There is so much more to crocheting than the old Granny Square (which is even coming back in popularity)!

I want to help all of you who might have an interest in learning to crochet.  Crocheting is different from knitting.  Unfortunately, some knitters bad mouth crocheting and vice versa.  I don't know why.  I prefer to crochet as you get a product much faster and the supplies are less expensive.  I know how to knit and I like the look of knitting, but I don't have the patience to spend the extra hours it takes.  Knitting uses two long needles, whereas crocheting uses one crochet hook.

Before, you get started, you 'll need supplies (not many though).

Supplies needed:

• Crochet Hooks:  You can get a set of hooks size D through K for about $13 (or less).  See here.  These are the most popular hooks that you will need.  I typically use the H hook and I hook the most so I have multiple of those as I always keep one with the project I am working on, but you don't need multiples.

• Yarn Needle (for weaving in ends of yarn)
• Scissors

• Yarn of choice (see label on yarn for appropriate hook size).  My favorite is "I love this yarn" from Hobby Lobby.  It is super soft and easy to work with.  Caron Simply Soft is another great choice.

• Stitch marker (either a piece of yarn, paper clip or actual stitch marker)  You need this if you are working in the round (like making a hat) to know where a new round starts.

There are many resources to learn to crochet.  You can borrow books from the library, view videos online and see pictorial step-by-steps on many website. I don't suggest buying books online until you've had a chance to really look over it in person.  You can crochet right or left-handed so make sure to find the tutorials that best suit you needs.

Here is a list of helpful how to sites:
Lionbrand yarn: video tutorials and illustrated steps
Bernat Yarn:  pdf illustrated steps to print
You tube:  tons of videos!
Find more by just searching "how to crochet"

Pattern resources:
See the ones I have on the blog here
Lionbrand yarn:  tons of free patterns
Crochet Pattern Central
Coats and Clark
Bernat Yarn
Etsy:  Crochet Patterns for purchase
Find more by searching, "Crochet patterns"

If you begin to crochet, I highly suggest you start by making some swatches or even a washcloth in a particular stitch.  This will help you master the stitch before you combine it with other stitches.  There are 5 basic stitches:  slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc) and triple crochet (tc).  These are very simple stitches.  Once you have the stitches down you can conquer just about any pattern!

I hope you find this brief overview and resource list helpful!  Are there specific items you would like me to give you more information on?  Just leave me a comment and I will write up future posts on the topic!

Oh, and check out the next post, it is a giveaway for 5 free patterns!  What a wonderful way to start crocheting!

Happy Crocheting!