Printed Halter Top

I dont know why I went on to make this, I rarely even wear halters :p But I wanted to see how it looks with the Anchor size 10 multicolor thread. I would have used size 10 also for the bottom half, but I didnt have it so I used Cannon size 8. I used the same pattern, Shell Halter Top (for details follow the link on the sidebar)

Some surprises I got!

I just received my swap package from Donna of NJ. This was our dishcloth swap at Simply Crochet. Look at the lovely thick and big dishcloths she sent me, plus some other goodies Again, thanks so much, Donna!

And look here I have another magazine. I did not buy it, nor did it come from anyone from the mail. My mom surprised me with it! Now even my mom is on the lookout for some bargain craft magazines for me. She got this for only P75. ($1.60) !
I certainly have tons of magazines now :)

Another surprise, these lovely colors of Red Heart Yarns:

I just got my color card and I'm pleased with the new colors. Btw, the RH yarns we have here is similar to the Red Heart Super Saver yarns in U.S., but here it is only 3-ply, while the RHSS is 4-ply.

T-box and job hunting...

Have you heard of the company T-box? They sell casual clothes and accessories in fancy packaging. The company originated in Istanbul, Turkey, and have branches worldwide. Here's the U.K. website.
There is a T-box store just opened here and I only got to know it since my son got a part time job there. (He is now job-hunting, and hopefully will get the job that he wants at an advertising firm soon.)
Well, I got curious with the t-box products and besides, my son has a 25% discount and I needed a new shirt ;)
Here is my shirt:


If you dont want a crumpled look just dampen or wash it. Its 100% cotton, perfect for our warm (hot) weather.

Crochet for Charity

For quite sometime I had been wondering how I can use my skills to contribute to a worthy cause. I am also wondering why crochet as a craft is not as popular as it should be, seeing that there are so many stay-at-home moms here who have time to do it in between their daily routine work. Moreover, most of these moms are poor, and crochet can be a convenient way for them to earn some income for their family.
Having this same observation, a growing non-profit organization chose to include teaching crochet and selling the items as one of their projects. But what makes this organization special is that they are working with families of cancer patients, and these patients are kids.
When I received an email from them asking me if I could help out, I took it as a great opportunity. Actually I was quite eager, though reluctant since I do not have any experience teaching crochet. Moreover, these were underprivileged people and I know I cannot give them instructions using only our language, since most of the terms are in English.
As much as possible, I wanted to come up with my own patterns to teach them. I thought a coaster would be a good project. But I made the mistake of choosing a spiral design, since I immediately had a picture of it in my mind. It seemed simple and good enough, I went ahead and wrote up a pattern. I decided to teach it on my first meeting with them. Most of them wanted to look at the finished item while crocheting, instead of referring to the pattern.
Ok, it might not have been a big mistake, but I realized that I overlooked the fact that they are beginners and making 6 sc all in one ch at rnd 1, is a big challenge. I was glad none of them complained, and they all tried their best. We meet once a week, and next time I will come up with more beginner projects for them.
For more info on Project Brave Kids please visit their website:


Btw, the coaster pattern is here in case anyone is interested ;)

Scallop Coaster Pattern

Scallop Coaster
pattern by Mimi Alelis, © 2007

Skill level: Easy
Finished Measurement: approx. 9 cm. in diameter using 1.75mm (no. 2) steel hook
Materials:
Cannon size 8 cotton thread
Steel hook no. 2 (1.75mm)
Yarn needle for weaving ends


Abbreviations
ch = chain, ss = slip stitch, sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet, st = stitch, rnd = round

Rnd 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join, work in a spiral up to rnd 13. Mark the beginning of each rnd.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12 sc).
Rnd 3: 2 sc in each sc around (24 sc)
Rnd 4: sc in each sc around (24 sc)
Rnd 5: (sc on next 2 sc, 2 sc on next sc) repeat around (32 sc)
Rnd 6: (sc on next 3 sc, 2 sc on next sc) repeat around (40 sc)
Rnd 7: (sc on next 3 sc, 2 sc on next sc) repeat around (50 sc)
Rnd 8: (sc on next 4 sc, 2 sc on next sc) repeat around (60 sc)
Rnd 9: sc in each sc around (60 sc)
Rnd 10: (sc on next 5 sc, 2 sc on next sc) repeat around (70 sc)
Rnd 11: sc in each sc around (70 sc)
Rnd 12: (sc on next 6 sc, 2 sc on next sc) repeat around (80 sc)
Rnd 13: sc in each sc around (80 sc) Ss on the next sc.
Shell Edging
Rnd 14: Note: Ch 3 for 1st dc. *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc in the same sp) skip 3 sc, repeat from * around (20 shells) Join with ss to beg of round.
Rnd 15: ch 1, *5 sc in ch 2 sp, sc in between two shells repeat from * around. Join with ss. Finish off. Spray or dampen with water and slightly press.

Scallop Coaster by Neicee:

Two Knitting Mags and a Crochet Book

I went to the nearest mall last Saturday, looking for crochet magazines. I didnt find any, but I found a knitting magazine at a price I couldnt resist :p

I enjoyed looking at the projects especially since its a summer issue. Maybe next summer I will be knitting...

Yesterday, I received what my sister sent me, another knitting magazine :D This one is perfect for when I start to pick up my needles again. The projects here are cute and simple. It has a crocheted bag in there too, with crocheted flowers :) Thanks again, sis!

Not content with the knitting magazine I found at the bargain bookstore, I looked at all the craft books in there and the only crochet book I found was this. The price is about the equivalent of $4., yes! I have not made an afghan yet, and maybe one day I'll make one from this book. It has so many designs that appeal to me ;)

Crocheted Dishcloths

I recently joined two swaps in a row. For the first one we exchanged two crocheted dishcloths, and here's what I sent to Mary:

(pattern: crazy cloth; yarn: cotton size 5; hook: i forgot...)

I didnt make only two dishcloths, of course :p Its really a fun project and its the first time I indulged in making it, so I finished up some more (for me):

If you notice they all look the same, except one which I just made up without a written pattern. The other three were made from the same pattern, Crazy Cloth, shared by Kimberly. Fortunately, she is also my swap partner at the Kitchen Swap at FiberFreaks, which is the second swap that I joined in. For this, we exchange two knitted or crocheted kitchen-related items. Quite predictably, I sent her two crocheted dishcloths. But not only the crazy cloth one, but another one which is my first finished tunisian stitch project. Here it was in its early stage:

Now we'll have to wait until Kimberly gets her package of goodies (hmm...two weeks would be the normal time) to see the dishcloths I sent. No, I dont think I spoiled the surprise, you have to see the finished project...plus I had a few more surprises in there too ;)

Crocheted Brimmed Hat, Japanese design

Here's the hat I made two weeks ago, modelled by my son. (I made two, but couldnt show it here until my sister got hers.) For the black one, I had some local acrylic yarns in my stash, I used 5mm hook, and it turned out quite big, but just right for my son. He didnt say he'd like to wear it though :p
Since I was looking for something to make for my sister's birthday, and I had some Carmencita yarns in a nice brown color, I made another one. This one was done with 4.5mm hook and it turned out to be just the right size. I mailed it to her in London on Mar. 27, and surprisingly it got there April 3, just a few days before her birthday :)


She spent her birthday and Easter vacation in Prague.
These are just some of the pics she sent me, and I played with it on Adobe Photoshop:


Btw, I'm not advertising the Carmencita yarns anymore, since they've already discontinued it. They said they got another supplier for yarns, and now they have Red Heart Yarns, which unfortunately is not the same as the Carmencita yarns that I like :(
As for the pattern for this hat, I got it from a Japanese book which I have a few more copies on sale. Details here ;) And here's a close-up of the hat.

Get to know Pam

designer and model: Pam Gillette

I've always admired Pam, not just for her talent, but for her personality. She's someone I could look up to as a model in a lot of aspects.

If you want to know more about Pam go to BellaOnline: An Interview with Crochet Designer Pam Gillette

Crochet Insider

I followed the link from Cathy to Crochet Insider, an online magazine that is very informative and features great crochet artists. For the current issue, dont miss Dora Ohrenstein's interview with Lily Chin!

Cathy's curtains were also featured in the gallery, she has more of it shown on her blog - I really admire those curtains!

(photo borrowed from http://catena.typepad.com/)