A couple of weeks ago, I read an article about the London 2012 olympics. The article was written by Charlotte Higgins and posted at guardian.co.uk. There are quite a few interesting points to discuss in that article, but there's one point in particular that I've been mulling over ever since I first discovered the article. I've quoted the relevant portion below:

...Shauna Richardson will crochet three 10m high lions and display them in a taxidermy-style case. "I want to breathe a bit of life into an endangered craft - and show that it is a valid contemporary medium."...

An endangered craft? Oh yikes, I really hope not! What do you think? Crochet - Is it "endangered," in your opinion, or not?

I agree 100% that crochet is a valid contemporary medium. That point is open for discussion as well, so if you have a different opinion, please share your point of view.

Congrats to Shauna Richardson for attaining this most impressive opportunity. I'm thrilled that a crocheter's work will be in the limelight.

• Find the free crochet pattern for this colorful granny square
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Photo © 2009 Amy Solovay, Licensed to About.com, Inc.

Christmas Necklace - Photo © Amy Solovay.

This flower necklace is merry and bright. Originally, the necklace was made using other colors, but this is an updated version crocheted in red and green. It is embellished with a satin bow.

If the Christmas colors aren't for you, there are plenty of other color variations for the necklace. Please feel free to experiment and choose any colors you like.

The finished necklace makes a lovely, and inexpensive, gift for a friend or loved one.

Side View of the Christmas Necklace - Photo © Amy Solovay.

• Free flower necklace pattern
• Step-by-step tutorial, with complete instructions for making this necklace
• Christmas button necklace
• See more Christmas patterns
• Find more free patterns for crocheted jewelry

'Tis the season for end-of-the-year holiday patterns. I'd love to know more about what kind of holiday patterns you're interested in, so I put together a new poll. As usual, I didn't have enough space to include all the possibilities I would have liked. So with that in mind, please leave comments if there isn't an answer that really fits.