• Find the free crochet pattern for this colorful granny square
• See more "Wordless Wednesday" blog posts on other topics at About.com
• Discover more "Wordless Wednesday" posts from all over the Internet

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.

In response to my Christmas poll, John posted the following comment:

John Hablinski says: I find it a very disappointing when there is a presumption by a company, or organization, that only women crochet. You know, in today's world this might be construed and litigated as gender discrimination.

Hi John, thanks for dropping by, and thanks for the comment. I appreciate the feedback, although it would have been helpful and constructive if you could have been more specific about what exactly it is that has you so offended. At any rate, you took offense where none was intended, and I apologize for whatever it was I wrote that has disappointed you so deeply.

For the record, you aren't dealing with a "company," nor an "organization." You're dealing with me - Amy Solovay - freelance writer, textile designer, mixed-media artist, and avid crocheter. I'm a real person.

Also for the record, I don't presume that "only women crochet." If you're assuming that I've assumed that, you're way off base.

Male Crocheters Who Inspire Me

• The crochet book that has most influenced me creatively is The Crochet Workbook by James Walters and the late Sylvia Cosh. In hindsight, perhaps the book might seem a bit dated. There are certainly trendier books available nowadays. Nevertheless, if you were to ask me to pick a single crochet book that has most inspired me, that would be the one.



• It would be difficult to pick a favorite crochet blog. Somewhere at the top of my list would definitely have to be Howie Woo's crochet blog - crochet creations for the playful at heart. You all simply must check it out! It's one of the most creative blogs I've ever seen. Howie is skilled at both crochet and storytelling. His graphics are outstanding, as is the photography he features in the blog. His posts usually make me smile, and sometimes even laugh out loud. I'm delighted to recommend his blog to you all, and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.



• I'm also completely wowed by Nacinimod's crochet work. Before You Click, Be Warned: Some of his clothing designs are very revealing. Depending on who you ask, some people might consider the photographs on that page "not safe for work."



• Drew Emborsky, AKA "The Crochet Dude," has plenty of fans here at About.com.



• Gene Saunders, AKA CrochetDad, is another talented crocheter who does inspiring work.

So no, I definitely do not think that "only women crochet."

Now you've got me curious about the numbers, though. How 'bout a new poll?

Real Men Do...

People have all sorts of intriguing ideas about what men "should" or "shouldn't" do. That isn't a topic I'd ordinarily be writing about - personally, I'm a believer in the "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" approach for both men and women. I discovered that other About.com Guides have explored some of these ideas in depth, and have written some interesting material on the topic. Here's a small sampling:

• Real men do wear pink: About men's fashion
• Real men wear skirts kilts: About men's fashion
• Real men eat quiche! Busy Cooks
• Real men do love cats: About cats

As always, you're invited to share your thoughts in the comments section.