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Free Patterns  Summer Cooler Glass Cover Sock Sparklers Two additional patterns are included with the "Stitch of the Month," plus check out new feature,"Crochet Product Review", for more free patterns this month!	Stitch of the Month V-Stitch (V-st): Dc in the indicated st, ch (1, 2 or 3) according to pattern, dc in the same st. Subsequent rows are worked into the ch sp between the dc's of the previous row. Practice this stitch with these free patterns! Mint Soap Saver Mint Washcloth
Fun Stuff! Free Crochet Graphics Bold Backgrounds by Nancy The Lace Fairy Crochet Cabriolet Crochet Along Grab your H hook and some yarn and join us as we crochet a 12" afghan (or pillowghan) square! We're making this up as we go, but we promise lots of texture and fun stitches. Stop back each Monday in August to see what we've added! We're going to try to use a different stitch on each round. Click here Crochet Product Review DMC Craft Thread This new 100% cotton thread is available in assortment packs of 10 yd. hanks, similar to embroidery floss. The difference between DMC Craft Thread and embroidery floss is the Craft Thread is non-divisable and has the sheen and feel of Perle Coton. What's impressive about this thread is the very wide variety of colors and the fact it is the first craft thread certified safe for children to use and wear. The only negatives to this thread are the fact that it's only available in assortment packs and that the 10 yard hanks are too short to crochet even a scrunchie. However, with the wide color variety and softness of the new Craft Thread, it might be the perfect thread with which to crochet a miniature afghan! This thread can be purchased online at Herrscheners  or Joann.com  (type DMC Craft Thread in the search box) Try our free Soft Sock Edgings patterns using this thread. Lily Sugar Babies This new 100% cotton yarn 4-ply worsted weight yarn is just fantastic. Since it has a tighter twist than most worsted weight cotton yarns, Sugar Babies doesn't split as easily.The finished crochet item has a softer feel.without sacrificing stitch definition. The free bib pattern included on the label is pretty and practical. The colors are subtle and sophisticated pastels, and there is the only drawback...I wish there were a greater variety of colors because I'd love to use this yarn for all my worsted weight cotton crocheting! This yarn can be purchased online at Herrscheners (type Lily Sugar Babies in the search box) This month's Mint Soap Saver,  Mint Washcloth and Summer Cooler Glass Cover free patterns were crocheted using this yarn. Check Out This Site! Smiley's Yarns Since 1935, Smiley's Yarns has been the ultimate source for people who take their knitting and crocheting seriously. Smiley's is the only yarn outlet offering premium quality yarns starting at the unbelievable price of just $1.00. Choose from famous brands such as Bernat, Patons, Zellers, Reynolds, and Lion Brand at savings of up to 75% off retail, the guaranteed lowest prices in America!! Check out Smiley's Internet Yarn Sale and One Dollar Sale for some great buys on quality yarn!	Tips & Techniques Looking for a way to hide the slip knot when you begin a round of crochet? Try wrapping the yarn tail clockwise behing the ring and working your first round stitches in the ring and around the yarn tail, After you join the first round, give the end of the yarn tail a little tug and the slip knot will disappear under the stitches! Meet One of Our Favorite Designers ~ Brenda Stratton ~ Brenda Stratton began her designing career in early1983. Her incentive tochoose this particular career came as a result of several things. She was searching for a way to work from home, yet still be able to care for her children, who were small at the time. Because of long-time interests in both crochet and writing, and with the support and encouragement of her family, she combined the two to create a home business. Brenda began her career by offering mail order patterns, but eventually decided she wanted to freelance them directly to the publishers. She studied then-current crochet publications to get a feel for the market and each publisher's particular writing requirements. Because the various publishers styles are so vastly different, she soon adopted a writing style that fits the major needs of all. In the beginning, Brenda primarily designed dolls, but then turned to afghans and other items such as baby apparel and most home décor items. Four years ago, in 1997, she conquered thread crochet, and now enjoys designing doilies, bedspreads, tablecloths, edgings and more. Although she has spent more time designing in yarn than she has in thread and loves working in both mediums, she prefers to work with thread. Brenda's motivation to design comes from a deep need to create, but her inspiration comes to her from many different places. Sometimes it comes from a particular design need a publisher has, sometimes from something in nature (as evidenced by the heavy accent on florals in her work), sometimes a sudden vision in her mind's-eye, and still other times a work evolves stitch by stitch as she goes along. When asked, Brenda stated that she felt her greatest achievement so far comes not so much in the many designs she has had published, but in doing her job to the best of her ability and in establishing a good working relationship with most of today's top crochet publishers. Brenda and her husband, Carl, have been married for 30 years and live in the beautiful Mississippi River Valley in northwestern Illinois. They have 4 children: Tammy, Christopher, Elizabeth and Scott. They are the proud grandparents of 6 grandchildren. You can view Brenda's website, In Stitches, at http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/2777 .Although the site is currently undergoing renovations, Brenda promises to have the clutter cleared and some new, free designs up soon. Crochet for Charity The Binky Patrol The Binky Patrol is dedicated to giving handmade blankets to children and teens from one day to 18 years old who are ill, abused, or experiencing any kind of trauma. Blankets may be crocheted, knit, sewn or quilted. The only requirement is that a binky must be at least 3-foot square, be soft,washable, and all pins removed. There are a few patterns available on the web site, but blankets of all designs are accepted. Crafters of all ages and skill levels are invited to join the Binky Patrol. There are chapters of the Binky Patrol, or the national organization will help you to start a chapter in your area. The Binky Patrol was started in 1996, is a 501(c)3 organization, and has delivered more than 61,000 binkies (as of 1/1/2000). Non-crafters are also needed to help. Volunteers are needed to deliver binkies to shelters, hospitals and foster agencies.Donations of batting, yarn, soft fabric, notions, and labels are also accepted. What's New at The Crochet Cottage? http://www.crochetcottage.com Click here to see the new patterns included in the August issue of The Crochet Cottage Magazine!