Interweave Crochet Summer 2012...

It has taken me a while to come up with another wearable design since I got published in Interweave Crochet Summer 2010 issue....so I thought of taking a shot at it again. When I saw their call for submission for Spring 2012 issue last year, I prepared and submitted the proposal for a tunic I was working on. They got it middle of June last year. After a couple of months waiting, I didn't get any response from the editor. I waited some more, and after four months I had to ask! They said it was for consideration for the Summer issue. So there, I needed to wait some more. Towards the end of November I got a letter from the editor with an offer to include my design in the Summer issue. Yay!
Then I had to wait for the yarns....I received it only in the middle of January 2012 (probably got delayed because of the holiday season).
I had to work on the sample right away. I also didn't have time to make changes on my original design and pattern since there wasn't much time. I was fairly confident, but I almost didn't make it to the deadline. By the time I finished, it only had 3 days to fly and arrive to its destination in the U.S. I mailed it via Express Mail Service at the Post Office. (I trust Philpost more than Fedex, and its less expensive too..)

Now I present here my latest published design, but before that some behind the scenes pics and some notes.
Last February 2011, I blogged about crochet ribbing.in this post. I showed a project using a hdc ribbing. That project was to become a tunic. I don't know exactly how yet, but I started with a bottom edge of hdc ribbing. The inspiration for the design came from this knitted tunic (my son suggested this while he was looking for design ideas for me):

After I decided to use the hdc ribbing, I thought the main stitch should be a bit interesting, but easy. I recalled the stitch pattern in my old project...so I based the main stitch pattern on it:

After repeating the sleeve edging twice and collar three times to get it right, I was finally happy with the design. This is the first sample I made using Cannon cotton threads:

I was excited to make the sample for Interweave, but unfortunately the yarns arrived a bit late...

Got the yarns on january 17, 2012

Soft, cuddly yarn

Winding the yarn....

When I began crocheting, I didn't have time to take progress pics as I was already running after the deadline. But when I finished it, I still have a bit of time left to try it on and have my son take pics ;)

Finally, here is the professional model on the magazine :)

Btw, while you were not looking the Lauren Sweater was on the Top 5 patterns on Ravelry...hehe

Interweave Crochet Summer 2012 details can be seen here on Crochet Me.
My design was also mentioned on Fairmount Fibers Blog here. They are the distributors of Manos del Uruguay yarns. (More details here.)

No Turning-chain Dc (photo tutorial)

Have you been using the technique to make a double crochet (dc) at the beginning of the row, instead of the usual chain 3? I just recently found out about it, when I stumbled upon this video...and I thought, how clever! I could really use it, mostly because its easier to do a stitch on top of a dc than on the turning ch.
I made my sample swatch starting on the first row.

Ch 12, pull the loop on the hook up to the height of a dc,

with the middle finger hold the loop in place while you yarn over on the same loop, (now you have two loops on the hook),

then yo and pull through the bottom loop on the hook (you have two loops remaining on hook),

yo and pull through two loops (dc made).

Dc in the remaining 11 chains across.  (12 dc)

Turn, and use the technique again to begin the next row. When you get to the last stitch, you'll find that it is easier to make a dc on top of the 1st dc of the previous row, than a dc on a beginning chain 3.
After several rows, you will see that the edges look better than when using a turning ch-3.

Recent crochet projects

Here are the crochet projects I made within this month ;)

A couple of thick square coasters made with two strands of Cannon thread and size 3mm hook. I used the stitch pattern in this dish scrub pattern by Priscilla Hewitt which I found years ago.

A lace bowl stiffened with white glue...pattern by Linda Permann. It didn't get sturdy enough to be used as a container...and I didn't want to use the sugar recipe for stiffening it.

A scarf I made for my SIL, I used my Stylish Chain Scarf pattern. I love this one, not just for the color but for its wonderful drape.

Lastly, (but no picture yet) I finished a crocheted bib necklace. Isn't it the current trendy accessory? I'm still in the process of adding some bling to it ;)

Some finished projects...

I still daydream a lot about my future craftroom :p...going at it one small step at a time. I've shown in my recent posts the change I've made from a bulky double bed to a sleek sofabed, that is the big step. The other big steps require big spending too, so for now I'm just glad I accomplished something.
I've also done some handyman jobs on the sewing tabletop and the working table. I reused the top of an old table and screwed it on the remaining metal frame of the old sewing machine. I also bought fake leather to (temporarily) cover the unfinished top of the working table, tacking it in with a staple gun. My hands and arms got a bit sore, but I got the job done ;)

(before pic)

(after pic)

  

(Office Chair: Homeworks, P1,500.)

Best of all, I was able to buy a comfy office chair! Now I can roll it around the reclaimed (6 ft x 4 ft) space of my room...hehe ;)

I also managed to crochet some items, showing on my next post :)

Lunch at Bellini's...

...on Mother's Day my sons took me out for lunch at Bellini's. The food is delicious and the place is perfect, so Italian ;) I wouldn't have guessed there was a good restaurant in that area in Cubao. The place looks a bit antiquated, and I love the authentic Italian design. Unfortunately, we didn't take pictures of the place (didn't think I'd post about it too, but if you Google there are lots of images and reviews on the web).

There were some stores in the area, but the one I took notice of was closed. I of course had to look closer at their window display which included a crocheted curtain, table runners and doilies.

Craftroom makeover - the sofabed!

Feels like I've been away from the web for so long...I only managed to check in for short periods while our internet connection was on hold for the past several days. Now I can post again, yay!
I've got lots of pics to show here -

First off, a few days ago I woke up to this mess (after I tidied up the mattress I was sleeping on) Surely I didn't get a good night's sleep! So I decided this is the day I was going to buy me a bed. Never mind that I was saving up for our living room sofa set - that could wait... I had a hunch I will find just the right bed for me, so off I went to go shopping.

Btw, I wore my crocheted beads necklace for a quick-fix accessory ...hehehe, had to mention that too ;)

I was looking for a sofa, the size of a single bed (36 x 75 inches) - Didn't really expect to find one, since I know that most sofa beds are ones that fold over... But I found one, and its the only one!
Orange isn't normally a color I would pick, but surprisingly, looking at it makes me happy :)

Of course, just before the sofabed was to be delivered, I managed to clear up some of the mess, and declutter a bit. I also removed the old curtain, since the color didn't match. The color and stains on the walls didn't match either, but I just ignore it...since I couldn't get it painted yet :p

Oops...soon as the sofa was delivered, I thought I should organize my craft closet - so I took out most of the stuff in there. I was able to put it back as neatly as possible. Now I know where to find my finished projects and the yarns that were gifted to me ;)

The next day I bought some ready-made curtains.

I'm loving this, and can forget about my ugly walls and ceiling...for now :)

Sofabed set: Homeworks, P13,500.
Curtains (4 panels): Shopwise, P800.

Pictures edited at PicMonkey