There are affiliate links below, if you are unsure of what affiliate links are please go to “Disclosures/Disclaimers” and “Privacy Policy” at the top of my HOME page. Affiliate links basically allow me to receive a very small referral fee, but only if you make purchases. Just because you go to the link doesn’t mean that I will receive a referral fee.

Through a Ravelry Message, Crochet Lover TX said: “Helen, I’m sorry to bother you, I purchased your Fiesta Ripple Potholder or Tawashi Dress on 4/30/2019 cause I thought I had lost the pattern I had. My question is on your pattern called: HelenMay Crochet – How to turn your Crochet Ripple Dress into a towel topper DIY tutorial-How can I make the Fiesta Ripple Potholder into the Wine Dress with the Fiesta Ripple Potholder Pattern? With What Hook Size? I really wanted to make it into a Dish Detergent Dress. Thanks, CrochetLoverTX”

 I replied: “Hello CrochetLoverTX, The crochet wine dress is a different pattern. I don’t have the crochet wine dress written pattern at this time. Since you purchased my Crochet Fiesta Ripple Potholder Dress, I will write the pattern for my Crochet Wine Dress for you. You can use the Crochet Fiesta Ripple Potholder Dress as a dish soap cover too, but it is a different design. When I am finished writing the Crochet Wine Dress pattern out, I will email it to you for free. It will take me some time because I have several projects going on right now, but I hope to finish it for you within 2-3 weeks. Thank you for supporting my crochet work! Happy Crocheting!!”

If you would like to purchase the paid Ravelry PDF written pattern, here is the direct Ravelry link: Crochet Vintage Wine Hot Pad, Potholder, and Towel Topper PDF Written pattern

I have a step-by-step YouTube video tutorial for my Crochet Vintage Wine Potholder Dress:

I haven’t made this crochet dress in a while because I was making my Crochet Fiesta Ripple hot pad dress

If you would like to see some of my other crochet potholders/hotpads/tawashi’s, here is the direct blog link:

Crochet hotpads/potholders/tawashi’s

I loved going back to my Crochet Vintage Wine Dress Hotpad! When I was following along with the YouTube video tutorial, I realized that I didn’t give the stitch count. I have started to give the stitch count more in my newer video tutorials. When you are making my Crochet Vintage Wine Dress, it is very important to get the stitch count right in the beginning. It is easy to miss the very first dc in the round, which will throw off the stitch count and leave you baffled when you are trying to place your stitch markers. So, I decided to make a free PDF download for the beginning stitch count. The rest of the paid Crochet PDF written pattern for my Vintage Wine Dress will be available on Ravelry when it is complete. I will post the direct Ravelry link here also. Helenmay Crochet Special Donor Members are eligible for 2 of my free paid PDF written patterns of their choice each year that they donate.

Here is the free PDF download for the Crochet Vintage Wine Dress Hotpad beginning stitch count:

Crochet Wine Vintage Dress Stitch Count

If you are going to use your Crochet Vintage Wine Dress as a Hotpad and/or Tawashi, I would recommend using 100% cotton yarn. My absolute favorite cotton yarn is “I Love This Cotton Yarn” from Hobby Lobby. My next Crochet Vintage Wine Dress Set that I am making for my Crochet PDF written pattern will be with 100% cotton. I will share pictures here when the set is complete.

If you are going to use Yarn Bee Scrubology Cotton be aware that this yarn is more difficult to work with. I would recommend starting the first round with the stitches close together because it is hard to move the stitches once they are in place. With the second and third round, just make sure that you end up with the correct stitch count because the stitches are difficult to see.

I was able to find a gorgeous, and inexpensive, wine kitchen towel to go with my Crochet Vintage Wine Dress kitchen towel topper at Walmart.

Yes, it was only $0.96!!!!! You can’t beat that!

For only $5.96 you could get the potholders, oven mitt, and kitchen towel set, which includes 2 towels and a matching hand towel! I already had matching potholders and an oven mitt, so I only needed the kitchen towel.

You may like the following kitchen towel set that I found on Amazon:

I love the antique bottle opener that it comes with! Prime eligible! To go to the affiliate link, click on the picture above, or here.

I have been needing a new wine bottle corkscrew. So, when I saw the adorably cute dog wine opener, I purchased it! If you want one too, click on the affiliate picture link above, or here.  Prime eligible.

Tell me these dog wine markers wouldn’t be cute at your next wine party?!?!? I couldn’t resist them! They match my wine opener!! LOL!! They are prime eligible, and come in other animal choices too!! Click on the affiliate picture link above, or here, to go to the link.

Crochet Vintage Wine Dress CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Colors may bleed with first wash. Hand wash only separately from other clothes.

2. Wash in cold water.

3. Lay flat to dry.
MANY USES:
1. Dish towel or Tawashi
2. Dish detergent cover
3. Wine bottle gift cover
4. Set hot pots on it.
5. Set them out at Potluck Parties for cute decorations.
6. Hang them in your kitchen for both decoration and functional kitchen use.

Here are the free downloadable PDF care instructions and many uses sheets:

Crochet Dress Care Instructions and Uses Page 1

Crochet Dress Care Instructions and Uses Page 2

I like to print mine out on computer printer fabric. Click on the picture above, or here, to go directly to the affiliate link. Prime eligible.

There are affiliate links below, if you are unsure of what affiliate links are please go to “Disclosures/Disclaimers” and “Privacy Policy” at the top of my HOME page. Affiliate links basically allow me to receive a very small referral fee, but only if you make purchases. Just because you go to the link doesn’t mean that I will receive a referral fee.

“No language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a Mother’s Love.” Edwin Chapin.

One of my top video tutorials is for the Crochet Life’s a Hoot Kitchen towel topper. You can pick your favorite kitchen towel and crochet a quick and easy crochet topper for it, which makes it easy to hang on your oven handle for convenient use. My favorites are the ones with recipes on it.  I found a recipe towel at non-affiliate link Summers Past Farms for Quiche Lorraine, which would make a perfect Mother’s Day recipe!!!

I am not an affiliate for www.Marylakethompson.com, but if you like the flour sack towel that is where it comes from. If you would like to see how I made my Quiche Lorraine and how it turned out, here is the direct link:

Quiche Lorraine made by Helenmay

Here is the direct link that shows all of my different crochet potholders that you can make:

Helenmay Crochet Potholder fun!

When I was at “Summers Past Farms,” I also purchased some of their Lavender soap. I loved it! They sell it online too, here is the direct non-affiliate link: Summers Past Farms Herbal Soap

You may like my crochet soap saver to go with your handmade soap:

Your mom may like a new crochet purse! I still get compliments for this crochet purse. People can’t believe that I made it!

Have you always wanted to learn how to Tunisian Crochet? Your mom would love to get this gorgeous Tunisian Crochet Cardinal Bird throw pillow!

Did you know that I have Helenmay Crochet Special Donor Members? Here is the direct link to learn more about it:

Helenmay Crochet Special Donor Members

Also, don’t forget to check out my Contests and Giveaways:

Current Contests and Giveaways!!

Happy Crocheting Everyone!!!

Marcia and Bianca came up with the wonderful idea for International Amigurumi Day on 25Apr19! Here is the direct link to find out more about it: Sweet Softies Blog

I heard about it through Maria Pagano on Facebook. Maria said: “Happy International Amigurumi Day Thank you for All you do Miss Helen.”

So, then I started trying to think about how I could celebrate #AmigurumiDay:

One day I was googling top crochet designers because I wanted to see their crochet designs and PDF written patterns. When I saw most of the lists that showed up, I realized that I wanted to make my own list. I am not affiliated, or sponsored, by the people that I am recommending on the following list.  The people will be listed in the order that I found them.  These are all crochet designers that I think are incredible. I will be adding to this list periodically. I will make a note regarding the crochet patterns that I have purchased from the respective designer(s).  Some of these PDF written patterns are intended for the more experienced crocheters and for those that would like to learn new crochet skills.  If you would like to check out my Crochet PDF written patterns, here is the direct Ravelry link: Helenmay Crochet PDF written patterns

Again, the following crochet written pattern recommendations are in the order that I found them. I am not sponsored or affiliated with any of the following designers. Once you are proficient with reading crochet patterns, and want to advance your crochet skills, here are some of my recommendations I will post the most recent finds at the top of the list:

Last updated 31May20.

Crochet Designs by Noelle Stiles

Hilda Stein has a blog named Ilonaslowlifecreations. I was so happy to discover her site! I love ALL of her crochet work! The crochet work that you see in the picture drew me to her site, but you have to check out all of her other CALs too!!! Did I mention that she has all of her PDF written patterns for FREE download on her site! Please consider donating to her site, if you download her patterns. Awesome Crochet Treasure Find!!! I am not affiliated or associated with Hilda Stein or her site. I just love her crochet work!

Grace Fearon is an award-winning crochet lace designer:

Susan Pinner CoronaCal 21Mar20

Be sure to check out her crochet Running Bear CAL from the year 2018.

Lisa Mauser “This Little Hook of Mine:”

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The Guy With The Hook Mark Roseboom

Some of my personal favorites are the Spice Market CAL and the Medina Mosaic Tiles, but he has other gorgeous patterns on his Ravelry site too!

Catherine Bligh

My favorite crochet design from her at this time is her Crochet Kaleidoscope blanket!! Stunningly gorgeous!  This CAL started Nov19 and is ongoing as of 2/19/20. Did I mention that all of her Crochet PDF Written Patterns are for free download on Ravelry?!??

B, Crochet-tive Designs

Carolyn Christmas Designs

I also wanted to share this PDF letter from Carolyn

Carolyn’s letter

Victoria Gogolak Crochetrend Ravelry Store

There are a lot of fun crochet patterns to choose from, but these were my personal favorites:

Crochetrend shrug pattern:

Spike Leaves Hat:

Portofino Sweater and Blue Lace Cardigan by Sophie and Me

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Sashiko Happy Coat by Peppergoose (Susan Walsh)

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Carolina Guzman’s Ravelry Store:

Carolina has several beautiful crochet designs to choose from!

Tatsiana Kupryianchyk

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Her website is: LillaBjorn Crochet World. Check out the FREE crochet written patterns on her site!

Other Crochet Designer recommendations:

Priscillas Crochet

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When I first saw the Crochet Mattelasse Afghan created by Priscilla’s Crochet, I had to make one for my granddaughter. I also put my finished crochet baby blanket into my Crochet Diaper Favor YouTube Video Tutorial. When people saw it, they kept asking me about how they could get the crochet pattern too. After that, I saw an explosion of crochet designs using the crochet popcorn stitch just like Priscillas!! She still has this crochet Mattelasse Afghan written pattern as a free PDF download on her site!! She has a ton of other free PDF crochet written pattern downloads for you to check out as well!!! I have already downloaded a lot to put in my crochet written pattern Treasure Chest! Thank you Priscilla’s Crochet!! I absolutely love your crochet work! Here is the direct link again to her site: Priscillas Crochet

MalaDesign on Etsy:

The adorable face in the above picture caught my attention. You know that I absolutely love dragons! I couldn’t pass up the adorable “Lucky” the dragon!!

Even though I have 3 crochet unicorn patterns of my own on Ravelry, I fell in love with MalaDesign’s crochet Unicorn!!  I am sure that I can learn additional crochet techniques with her gorgeous pattern.

I wanted to purchase a lot more of MayaDesign crochet patterns, but I controlled myself. I couldn’t resist the adorable crochet cats though!!

I hope you enjoy her crochet pattern site as much as I did!!

• MK-Fifi Bears PDF written pattern. Amigurumi crochet designs. If you look at the other crochet designs by this designer, make sure that they are in English first.

I used the skills that I learned making this crochet bear on my Crochet Large Mustang Horse and Unicorn.  I talk a little more about it on the Crochet Mustang blog link. She has a lot of pictures too. I didn’t have any difficulties following along with her pattern.

• JT House Crochet Courses. Crochet tops and dresses.

I just purchased this Master Designer’s Crochet Top Elina course, and I was blown away! She is truly a Master Crochet Designer/Teacher. I was so impressed that I offer one of her courses as a prize choice for my Crochet Amigurumi Contest for the year 2019 Top prize.

I am going to slowly work on her crochet course, and I will post updates regarding my progress. I loved her course so much that I printed the whole course, and put it in paper protectors and binders.

• Dinegurumi. Amigurumi.

Make sure that you are purchasing your PDF written pattern in English.  I was amazed by all of the beautiful crochet design choices offered on this site. I used PayPal without any difficulties. I was instantly able to download my Crochet PDF Dragon written patterns easily. They are written in a slightly different crochet style than I am used to, but the pictures are phenomenal. I haven’t attempted to make my crochet dragons yet, but I have saved, and backed up, my purchased dragon written patterns for later use. There are other amazing amigurumi choices from this designer to choose from too.

• Elisascrochet on Etsy. I first saw one of her crochet designs on a Designer Crochet Amigurumi Online Contest. Her crochet written pattern designs would be easier to follow for people new to following written crochet patterns. She lists her crochet patterns as intermediate.

Top notch artistic graphgans: Geeky graphghans

• Havva Designs Etsy

Havva Designs has a lot of wonderful crochet goodies to choose from. Her dolls and doll clothes are adorable too! My favorite was the adorable crochet lion. She has a lot of pictures to help you along. I love the different crochet techniques that she used for the nose and the arms and legs.

• Little Muggles Amigurumi

Narcissus CAL Dec 2019 by Rosina Plane. Free PDF download on Ravelry as of 15Feb20!  This is an ongoing CAL as of this date.

Baby Henry’s Designer Heirloom CAL is a masterpiece by Jessica Wifall!! This one is definitely on my to-do list!!  So many crochet beauties and so little time!!

Jessica Wifall also has free PDF downloads for some amazing crochet snowflakes!

Here is the direct link to her crochet snowflake e-book!

Mochila Bags!!! Marion Verloop. One of these days, I will definitely make one of these Mochila Bags!! If you haven’t found her Facebook group and all of the group’s wonderful admins, then you are in for a treat. These ladies put a lot of work in the Crochet Alongs teaching people how to make these wonderful crochet bags!!! Here is the direct link to their Facebook Group: Mochila Bags Facebook Group

Here is the direct link to Marion Verloop’s Ravelry page: Mochila Butterfly Bag

My recommendation is to save your favorite PDF crochet written patterns. You never know how long the crochet pattern will be available.

That is all I have for now. I will update this page periodically.

I am not affiliated or sponsored by Scheepjes. I just wanted to talk about their famous Crochet-Alongs (CALs). There are two of their most recent CALs that I particularly like, but they have others on their site too. These CALs are available for free download on the Scheepjes site. If you haven’t already, I would recommend creating a favorites crochet file. I have several favorite crochet pattern files on my computer, but I also back up the computer file on a back-up memory device. You never know when inspiration will strike, and you can go back to your favorites at any time. You never know how long the patterns will be available either, or if you can ever find them again.

The first Scheepjes CAL I will talk about is the Ubuntu CAL from 2018:

“UBUNTU is a word that originates from the Nguni Bantu language meaning “humanity towards others”, but it is much more than that and so hard to define with just one word or sentence. Through Crochet-A-longs, designer Dedri has found a community that constantly reminds her of the essence of Ubuntu: connection, community, and mutual caring for all.

The talented Dedri Uys from the blog LookatWhatIMade designed this beautiful CAL in collaboration with Scheepjes.” I downloaded and saved my free version a while ago, but I wanted to mention it again here. Here is the direct link to the Scheepjes site:

Ubuntu CAL on the Scheepjes site.

For some reason, I never noticed the Scheepjes CAL from the year 2017. Yesterday I was perusing over Instagram and I ran across this beauty:

People are still mentioning it on Instagram. It was exactly what I was looking for. Some of you may know that I am eventually going to make my own sewing/crochet holder. I am slowly gathering ideas and trying to formulate how I want to make mine. One of the ideas that I am considering is the use of cross-stitch/embroidery in my design. One of my favorite cross-stitch/embroidery designers is Carolyn Pearce:

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Good luck trying to find her book with the embroidery pattern. It has sold out on this site: Inspirations Magazine

There is a blogger named Janet that made one of them, and the pictures above are of the one that she made. Here is her blog link: Janet Grangers Blog

I don’t plan on making one just like Carolyn Pearce’s, but I am gathering ideas. So, when I came across Scheepjes 2017 CAL using cross-stitch and embroidery on crochet, I loved it!!

If you would like to download their free 2017 CAL, here is the direct link:

Scheepjes 2017 CAL

If you would like to see some of the other Crochet Hook Holder/Sewing Kit ideas that I have, here is the direct link to the blog post:

Top 5 popular crochet hook holder and sewing kit designs

Happy Crocheting!!!