Crochet on Earth Day and a new free pattern

Its Earth Day today April 22...details of this commemoration can of course be searched on the internet ;)
I thought of posting today to remind ourselves to be more conscious of our choices for our crochet hobby. We can crochet with more earth-friendly materials (have to do a search on that as well...). Better yet, we can crochet with recyclable materials such as plastic bags, old t-shirts and other fabrics on hand. Try to make your own paper yarn, t-shirt yarn, plastic yarn. Some even used old VHS tapes as yarn. (see google images)

Another option is to buy recyclable materials at the thrift shop. I previously bought used sweaters and cardigans made of yarn that can be recycled. (posted here) The prospect is good, however, I have yet to find the time to actually make projects from those recyclable materials :p
There are plenty of free patterns on the internet using plarn (plastic yarn) or tarn (t-shirt yarn), or just substitute whatever you have on patterns requiring worsted weight or bulky yarn.
Crocheted flowers and purses are practical projects for recycled materials

Another crochet earth-friendly way is to use remaining threads to make home decors that at the same time will save your wooden tables from scratches and stains. I've got that covered with this new free pattern, Pinya Glass Cozy.
Each cozy used only 11 gms of thread (size 8 cotton thread).

Blue Glass Cozy

.

Thrift store finds for my crochet hobby

I love crocheting, and I also love buying/collecting crochet wearables...at least those that I could afford and be able to wear. I do have a simple and practical taste for crochet or regular clothing, so its mostly affordable. I buy some in bazaars or at the malls. When I see someone's thrift store finds though, I'm quite envious...when will I ever get as lucky? Here in the Philippines, thrift stores (ukay-ukay shops) are everywhere, but I'm not really eager to get inside the shops. Its kind of smelly and its hard to find interesting stuff in the racks stacked with used, worn clothes. Well, I think I got lucky one day in one shop, and another day in another shop ;)
I got these several weeks ago, when I was scouting thrift stores to buy denim pants to make the recycled denim placemats. As I said, I don't like going to those shops...and whatever I bought I immediately wash it and dry in under the sun.

These two shawls still look new, they're easy to wash too...

This one looks like a machine-knitted shawl

This is a motif-based crocheted shawl, most probably cotton

This crochet sweater is made of very nice yarn, rayon with metallic. Its a bit heavy and big sized, and I immediately saw the potential of recycling the yarn...

 This hand-knitted pullover is a Karen Millen product made of 100% viscose ribbon yarn. I also got it for the yarn...

I think they're all wonderful finds. The shawls i got for P90. each, the sweaters I got for P40. each at another shop.

Designing Issues...

Crochet Update

Not much creativity here lately...but just want to post to update my blog and my blog viewers :)
I finished another pair of slippers using my pattern, but won't show a picture yet since its for a private swap ;)

Other than the slippers, the only recent project I'm doing is a black shrug that was ordered from me. It isn't hard to do even in black, since its going to be light and lacy. Here it is, I'm now on the 2nd ball of size 8 Cannon thread.



I would also like to show my recent yarn purchase. Not much, but its the first time I bought fromDreams yarn shop in Glorietta. I was fortunate to have been able to visit the store, since I rarely go to Makati. I was also lucky to be able to meet the owner, Ms. Lilli de Leon, though we didn't have much time to talk. When I told her I designed for Coats, she was so glad to meet me in person :) She gave me some discount on the yarns, but honestly I was overwhelmed at all the imported yarns she had on display, that at first I didn't want to buy. I wouldn't really be able to decide which one is practical, and was also in a hurry since my companions are not interested in yarns and are waiting outside :p But I thought, what the heck - I should just buy a few yarns since I'm already there.
So I thought I'd try a different yarn texture, but again played safe with the color.
I had sling bags in mind when I bought these:



The unlabeled yarn seems nice at first, but back home I did not like it. Also, I wouldn't be able to use it for designing a new pattern. I wound it into two cones the next day, since I know if I kept it in the closet like that, the more I won't want to use it. It was too darn difficult to wind since the yarn was so slippery...but now its ready and waiting to be made into a small bag.

Meanwhile, I also tidied up my craft closet a bit. I then rediscovered a few thread ornaments I made about 15 years ago. These can be made as wedding souvenirs or tree ornaments:





I vaguely remember the pattern for the Angel came from an old magazine, but I made some modifications. The bell, hat and basket were made from my own patterns. The pattern for the hat is on my free patterns, while the patterns for the bell and basket is yet to be dug out of my old pattern files...

Flower Tawashi

I won't be buying any more commercial sponges for dishwashing, since they're all expensive and don't last long. Also, I've discovered that the rug yarn I have in my stash will make a good scrubber ;) When I bought it many years ago, I didn't really appreciate it, but just wanted to stock up on yarns. And with the high prices and unavailability of many imported goods nowadays, I wish I hoarded all the rug yarn I saw then!
Anyway, I still have these and I'm sure I can make plenty of tawashis :)



I am seeing a lot of cute designs, but I don't have any of those japanese pattern books on tawashi. There are some free ones online, and can easily be found on Ravelry. Still I wasn't content, so I came up with this flower design.
I like it so much, since its a quick project and very practical to use!
Pattern is now available here on Ravelry.

Another goal in Crochet

There is one more thing that I've long wanted to do: to make projects from all the yarns/threads that I've received from gifts, swaps and online purchases. But most of all, from the gifts I got from my dear crochet friends, (you all know who you are) and from my dear sister. One of these days I'll take them all out from hiding, sort them and feel them. And maybe one by one they'll speak to me and tell me what they ought to be ;)

Felted it! crochet hook case

Lately it seems I have started on a number of projects, with patterns needed to be written up...and I don't know what to work on anymore (sigh...) Blame it on the hot weather, I suppose.
So I thought I should make something that is a little more interesting and easier to finish, and no need to write a pattern.
I know I had to try felting, and needed a simple hook case...and with the Caron felt-it that Deneen sent me, the only thing to add was a bit of time and a little imagination. I followed the instructions on the label, and used a 6mm hook. I roughly calculated the no. of stitches with the gauge given...crocheted it vertically in alternating sc and hdc rows.
How I felted it, was just a trial and error process. I didn't want to use a washing machine for something so small. I used a basin, hot water and detergent. I set the basin under the heat of the sun to keep the water hot. I think it felted in about 20 mins. I swirled the item in the basin and pounded on it too. I really didn't know how it should be done(I might have looked mad doing it, LOL!), but after a while it seemed to get thicker and I could hardly see the stitches. So I thought it was good enough. After drying it looked like this:



I'm wondering why it looks more felted in person than in the above photo. Anyway, I thought with a little trimming and a button, it would be a good-looking hook case. With my local acrylic yarn in dark pink color, and using a small hook (size 2mm), I poked the hook through and sc'd along the edge. At the flap, I made a loop for the button.

More cotton yarns!

A while back last month, Deneen was destashing yarns...I told her I would love to buy some of the cotton yarns. She was surprised but understood why I'm willing to spend $10.+ for the shipping alone, so she just RAOKed me the yarns instead :D To my delight, she packed in as much yarny goodness as can fit into the small package. When I took out the yarns, I was amazed how much yarn was inside!



I love it all, thanks so much Deneen!
I plan on making a felted hook case with the Caron Felt-it. With the other yarns, I have yet to look at project ideas on Ravelry ;)

WIPs and yarny stuff

Haven't been doing much crocheting as I planned to... So after a while of not posting, I only have these to share:

First of all, I finally got the goodie box that my sister sent me all the way from London! In it were all the crochet-related wishes that she granted me, plus some vanity products and yummy treats. (Thanks again, Sis!)

A while back she sent me some yarns called Lustre, which I used to make some keychain purses. I like the softness and sheen of the yarn, so I requested some more of the purple color, which I plan to make a shawl or shrug. Again, she surprised me with more yarns :)

Then I got very interested in the Hilos La Espiga nylon cord, which was used by designer Mary Jane Hall for her keychain purse design. So I tried to buy some online, and was able to order it from Mona of CrochetStyleETC, based in Ohio. I asked her to mail it to my sister in UK. She was very nice and accommodating, and the products she offers are wonderful and her prices are so good. I ordered two rolls of size 18 nylon.



She also sent me some snippets of the other sizes of nylon cord. I'm sure I'm going to order again from her, though its so hard to choose what to order...there are so many things I want from her shop to make various projects.


Meanwhile, I'm working on another of my cropped cardigan design. This will be for my sister if she likes it ;)



Lastly, here's a Baby Newsboy Cap I made. This is sized for about 16" head circumference. I'm working on other sizes so I could offer the pattern for sale.

A Wonderful Surprise from Sweden!

Several weeks ago, Ulla in Sweden, invited me to join in on her pay-it-forward. I wasn't sure if I would, but it was so nice of her to have thought about me. So I convinced myself...why not? I could surprise some people too.
I was thrilled when she asked me what color of yarn I like...and I answered: any shade of brown. She immediately sent me the surprise package, and here it is. It was all so wonderful...yarns in my favorite colors and the most beautiful fabric purse I have seen!


I won't be able to match Ulla's lovely one-of-a-kind creations, but I will try to surprise a few people and hope they pass it on. My pay-it-forward is coming up next post ;)

Meanwhile, here's a link to some more cool free patterns online:

http://www.spotlight.com.au/projects/yarn_projects2

Purse Keychain by Mary Jane Hall

Last week, I wanted to give to my 3 nieces visiting from Australia, a handmade gift that they will like. Just in time, these yarns arrived from my sis in London.



Lustre Fancy Yarn, distributed in UK by Wilkinson,
50% polyester, 50% acrylic.
It has a metallic look, so its hard to photograph. I loved working with it, its smooth and soft. (Though I had a hard time weaving in the ends with a large needle.)


These are the three keychain purses I made, I bought 2 pairs of fancy silver earrings, which I used to embellish the purse. I also bought 3 charm bracelets, to put in each of the purses, it was a nice gift!...but I think they liked the bracelets more :p



Yesterday, I made another one of the purse keychain, since I have one more of the earring to embellish it. I tried to get a good shot, but still...



So, I scanned it...

What's on my hook and what just got off my hook...

Another rainy day, and fortunately or unfortunately, classes were cancelled again, now for the third day in a row. Our crochet group meeting was likewise cancelled for today.
I always am in the right mood to finish up some projects soon as the air gets cold, and most of all when staying at home is advised.
So what have I been hooking?

Depends on what size of hook ;)

On my 1.5 steel hook:
A set of star coasters about to be finished

Another set of glass cozies (need to make one more to finish the set)

A variation of the basic glass cozy pattern I made:

A new coaster design for christmas:

On my 2.5 aluminum hook:
My cotton top design which need to be revised (sorry this is taking too long...)

On my 4mm hook:
A square that I'm about to send off to someone putting an afghan together (sorry for the delay...)

Another lazy cat (pattern from Kristie's Kreations) which I needed to sew together to look like this one I finished before.


Lastly, but not included in the title...a very old project that I dug in my closet. This a pair of legwarmers made from yarn that doesn't have a label. Its acrylic and its a bit itchy. I liked the color though, but this was already faded from washing. I remembered this project upon seeing Pearlin's Wip, the yarn looks very similar...

Random Pics

Peaches and cream cake - one of several desserts that my future SIL made when my sister and bf was here.


Three's company - one of the few occasions to hang out with my sister and her b.f. during their short visit here, together with my son and his g.f... we dined out and later strolled at the mall/park.


Peek-a-boo Shrug - the shrug I made for my sister's b.f.'s niece. Hopefully, they'll send me a picture of her modeling it ;) This was a quick project, and I made it from one skein of Peek-a-boo yarn, made in UK.

Lazy Days...

Thank you for the comments on my previous post. I'm looking forward to share some more on my sister and her b.f.'s vacation here :)

Meanwhile, I have so many things on my crochet to-do list, and I'm somewhat stuck (or lazy) and not doing any of it :p ...But I have a FO to post now, this is what I have made recently. I wonder why I couldn't get myself to make the other animals, only the cats and bears appeal to me. So here are the cats, the bears are still WIPs.


Incidentally, these are from Kristie's Kreations Lazy Days pattern. I used Carmencita yarn for the pink one and Red Heart 3-ply yarn for the brown one.

Got my swap package from Kimberly, yay!!!

These lovely goodies came from my American friend, Kimberly, in Belgium. She is my swap partner at our Kitchen Swap at the FiberFreaks forum.

Look at the lovely thick dishcloth, with a nice pattern stitch, I love the green and ecru combination! The design looks like people holding hands ;)
The two other ecru dishcloths are lovely too, with the pretty stitches, esp. the broomstick lace stitch :)
The trivet (or potholder) is very interesting, I would love to make one, what a clever idea! I'm really very lucky to have Kimberly as my swap partner, her handmade items are all beautiful!

And the chime, how cute it is!
And the fridge magnet too, with a wonderful Irish saying:
May the roof above us never fall in and may we friends gathered below never fall out.

The necklace kit, I am sure I will make several of those pretty chokers and necklaces!
The beautiful fur yarns (great color!), I will have to look on the internet for more inspirational designs to turn the yarn into lovely accessories.
And last, but not least, the cute stitch markers!...I'll be using it now, since I only used safety pins before ;)

Thank you so much Kimberly for all the time and care (and expense!) you put into this to send me a wonderful swap package