Thursday, September 20, 2007

Crochet Saturday

What else is there to do when it seems to be a rainy day today and I've got a fractured toe? I know its a stupid accident, since it happened in my own room and there was no one else but me to blame...

Yesterday,(as I was engrossed again - looking for new patterns at Ravelry...) I was in a rush to get out of the room, realizing it was already late and I needed to attend to marketing chores - I tripped on the foot of my bed! I almost crashed on the floor, but was able to do a balancing act while I held on to a chair nearby. Then, when I composed myself, I saw my smallest toe on my left foot was obviously broken, pointing to the left, and it was painful. Now, even a minor injury like this cause me to panic - not outwardly, but just within myself. But my two dear sons wanted to be sure I'm ok... so we went to the hospital, had it x-ray and was diagnosed with fractured proximal phalanx fifth digit, left foot...

Now I ask myself how did this happen, but I know. My room is cluttered...everything is here in my room: bed, office desk, bookshelf, computer table, computer ware, clothes, craft supplies and merchandise.
I promise when my foot is ok, I will rearrange and de-clutter my room. How many times have I said that before???..hmm...but now that I have learned a little painful and expensive lesson, I really have to do it.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

More Baby Crochet Items - Free patterns

I found some more free crochet patterns for baby items
There are several on Adriafil site from Ditto & Rovescio no. 42
I have already made one hat from the above magazine:


...sorry, I can't remember if I used 2mm or 2.5mm hook for this. If you look at the baby projects page on the above link, you'll see two baby hat patterns which look similar. I used both patterns, I think I used the Hat "Formentera" for the top of the hat and the Hat "Giava" for the brim. Since I did not use the suggested yarn, the hat turned out small...I don't know if it is appropriate for a newborn.
Here's how it compares to my baby hat, which is size 0-3mos.:

And here are two more online patterns from Martha Stewart website:
Baby Booties
Crocheted Baby Blanket and Ball

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Meow, meow...

This is too cute not to share to all you cat lovers ;)


Ever wondered what your cat is trying to tell you? A Japanese company hopes to solve this conundrum with a new toy that seeks to interpret your pet's meows.


read more...

Friday, September 07, 2007

Crochet Online

My latest discoveries on the web:

* There are several lovely shawl (crochet patterns) online, many are free. I have seen some diamond patterns, but this one is the prettiest. Best of all, its also a free pattern!


* Have you all known that there are numerous free crochet videos online?

Josi Hannon Madera probably has all the crochet stitches demonstrated in videos. Take a look in her Art of Crochet website.

There are also plenty of crochet videos available on YouTube.

How about learning to crochet a beaded wire necklace?


Or drooling over this lovely crochet dress?


More crochet fashion projects on my crochet fashion blog.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Crochet hobby, crochet buddy

Today I met Gene, a new Crochet buddy in real life! She found me through my blog, and sent me an email. It was quite fortunate that she lives near my son's school, since she was very much interested in buying crochet supplies from me. Eager to get back to her crochet hobby, she bought a lot of materials and supplies in different stores, and she also bought some hooks and a cotton thread with metallic from me. I would love to see what Christmas project she will make from the metallic thread.
And here's one of her cute projects, made from my pattern:
Striped keychain purse

By the way, I would like to thank Carol in Illinois, for sending me some handsome yarns and lovely threads. I thought I had posted about this...I totally forgot, but I posted it on the wishlist thankyous at Crochetville. I just remembered this since Carol's husband is Filipino too, and they have plans to visit the Philippines.
I just thought how wonderful it would be to meet a crochet buddy from abroad ;)

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Finding inspiration for designs

Other than what I see online, I sometimes find inspiration in my designs from the clothes I wear. Usually I take the form and shape from it, then I imagine the crochet stitches that could fill up that shape. I cannot purposely do this...sometimes I stare at a piece of clothing, wanting so hard to envision it in crochet. It doesn't work that way. So I just forget about it, and weeks past and even months past, and still I don't have any new design!
Sometimes I panic and think I might not be able to live up to the name of crochet designer, or that I might not be able to keep earning to support myself and this hobby-business of mine. But surprisingly, it is when I almost give up that an idea, or a vision of a design comes up. I know I have to work on it right away and make it come alive, otherwise I would forget the idea and lose the inspiration that goes with it. So it is with my new tunic design. I cannot show yet the finished piece, but I can show you what led to its creation.


I have been wanting to make a tunic since several months ago. I started on one, but somehow I knew it wasn't what I wanted. I kept going with it though, till it was almost done. I liked the color when I started it, but later realized its not that good. (When I can finally show you my finished design, I think you'll agree that the color is wonderful.) I couldn't decide what kind of sleeves to add, and I also knew that it had to be longer on the body for it to be a tunic. Anyways, I totally scrapped this one. I came to the realization it wasn't going to work out, even if I added length or sleeves to it. Also, I did not intend for it to be as see-thru as it turned out.

Before I completely lose hope, I went out to do some clothes shopping at one of my favorite neighborhood store. I saw this P200. ($4.30) brandless tunic, I liked the color, and the soft fabric. I thought it was a bit like lingerie though. I don't know exactly how it inspired me, but because of it I was determined to create my own tunic design. What I was sure of was that it was going to have cap sleeves, and it was going to be shapely at the waist. I proceeded to work on my new tunic design. For the stitch patterns, I leafed through my notes and books, studied some patterns, and adapted it to my design. For the sleeves, I made up my own style of cap sleeves crocheted directly on the armhole. In less than two weeks, I'm finished and content with my new design :) I have yet to finalize the pattern, and draw up diagrams though...

If you're looking for a crocheted tunic pullover style, with cap sleeves and waist shaping, then you would surely love my tunic as I do ;)