Upcoming meet-up and an urgent project...

Sometimes when there's something crochet-related to post about, I can't find the time to sit down and actually type...then its usually a belated post. So now I try to be up-to-date ;)
We'll be having a meet-up again with some members of our crochet group on Ravelry. Some of us have met before, but now its our first time to meet a long-time member from Cebu. Since April 9 is a holiday, its convenient for some members who don't have work on that day. I'm sure it will be as memorable as our meetup last November:

As to what I'm hooking...

I have an urgent project which is a dress for myself. I really have to finish this crochet dress soon or else I would have to go to the store at the last minute to buy one, to wear to my brother's wedding...happening this weekend!
I need to finish this in 3 days, and I've calculated about one ball of thread per day. I've gotten this far, so I really have to finish!

Hope I can show some modeled pics soon ;)

Interweave Crochet 2013

I was delighted to receive the digital edition of Interweave Crochet Spring 2013 in my Zinio library! This issue is full of lovely designs that I could see myself wearing. I have yet to pick one to actually work on. The motif top on the cover is one of my favorites, though its a big project... I'll most probably be able to make a jewelry piece or use the patterns for inspiration.
These are just some of the lovely projects I wish I could make:

On another note, my Lauren sweater (2012) design was shown again in the Crochet Me blog in the topic of crochet ribbing. I just would like to mention that the ribbing I used was half-double crochet ribbing and not single crochet ribbing. The uses of hdc ribbing are much the same as sc ribbing (though in this design the sc cannot substitute for the hdc). For practice, just use hdc in place of the sc in the instructions provided in the post :)

Going Around in Circles Scarf - free crochet pattern

Are you looking for projects made from just one ball of thread? Here's one you might like to make for yourself or for gifts. Made from cotton thread, this is a stylish and lightweight scarf. It is fairly easy to make since the circles are crocheted continuously in a row. The subsequent rows are joined together as-you-go.

Going Around in Circles Scarf

by Mimi Alelis 

Materials

Crochet thread size 10 (model made with Aunt Lydia's Classic Crochet Cotton size 10, 350 yds, 1 ball)

Crochet hook size 2.5mm (4/0)

Finished size: approximately 60 x 3.5 inches

Notes

Ch 3 counts as dc. There are 16 dcs in each circle. Circles are crocheted continuously in a row. Join new row on wrong side of previous row, so that rows will be alternate right and wrong side of dcs.

Circles tend to curl up, but will be flat when blocked. 

First row of circles

Rnd 1: Ch 7, 7 dc in 4th ch from hook, sl st on the first ch of this round, 7 dc in the same ch as the first 7 dc, sl st on top of beg ch 3. (1st circle made)

Rnd 2: Ch 7, 7 dc in 4th ch from hook, sl st on the first ch of this rnd, turn halfway around (counterclockwise), then continue crocheting the other half of this circle - 7 dc in the same ch as the first 7 dc, sl st on top of beg ch 3.

Rnds 3 to 64: repeat rnd 2. Fasten off at the end of last rnd.

Second row of circles

Rnd 1: Ch 7, 7 dc in 4th ch from hook, sl st on the first ch of this rnd, 3 dc in same ch as the 7 dc , attach to the previous row by sl st on the 4th dc on the opposite side of adjacent circle, then finish this rnd with 4 dc on the same ch, sl st on top of beg ch 3.
Rnd 2: Ch 7, 7 dc in 4th ch from hook, sl st on the first ch of this rnd, turn the working end of the thread halfway around from right to left (or counterclockwise), then continue crocheting the other half of this round - 3 dc in same ch as the 7 dc, attach to the previous row by sl st on the 4th dc on the opposite side of adjacent circle, then finish this rnd with 4 dc on the same ch, sl st on top of beg ch 3.

Rnds 3 to 64: repeat rnd 2. Fasten off at the end of last rnd.

Third and subsequent rows

Repeat second row, for a total of 5 rows.

Finishing
Weave in ends. Wet-block the finished scarf, and iron on medium heat.

Chinese New Year - crochet projects

Last November our crochet group came up with another crochet-along (CAL) - lucky cats for 2013. We agreed its a good year to further enjoy crochet with more projects, more sharing, more sales and everything else for a better crochet hobby and business. The lucky cat best symbolizes this thought...(at least according to the Japanese and Chinese traditions). Thanks to Fatima for bringing the lucky cat to our group ;)
Here are some of the lucky cats we made:

Thanks to Fatima and Edwina for their cat photos. More project details on their blogs.


Another challenge that we took up to promote crochet is the Year of the Snake Swatch Contest. Its a nationwide contest open to all forms of fashionable art with a snake theme. Most of the previewed entries were made by established fashion designers. At first I wasn't sure I could come up with anything worth submitting, given the limited time. Another member of our crochet group made a snake scarf, and she actually made and submitted 2! I made a snake necklace, I submitted the 2nd one I made, since the first one was pale in color.
Here's a sneak peek at our entries.

We'll know the result of the contest by the end of this week....

Crochet and Other Stuff in 2012

Goodbye 2012! I look back and am thankful for all the good things that happened, and though there were bad things too, it just leaves so much room for improvement :)

So now crochet lives on to 2013!...talking about my kind of crochet, alive in this blog ;)
Hopefully I will have many more to offer in terms of new designs, for sale and free patterns, and projects to share.
But first here's a rundown of what came in 2012.

Yarns!
- came from different sources and some were surprises :)

In January, I received Manos del Uruguay Serena yarns for my design submission to Interweave Crochet Summer 2012.

I ordered more Cannon threads this year to stock-up on threads, mostly blue shades for my consignment projects...though the project went well, I didn't have time to make items on a regular basis...I'd rather focus on my designs and creating personal accessories to use instead of buying at stores.

Some of the cotton and bamboo threads I bought from Crochetgal on Etsy. I want to have more of these threads since its the practical choice for wearables for our tropical climate.

Southmaid Cotton 8, a sportweight cotton yarn from HandmadebyBheng. I've bought some of these to try, then I also swapped some of my Anchor size 10 threads for some more ;)

These yarns and more, I got from crochet buddies when we met up last Nov. 23. More details here.

A surprise yarn package from my son when he came home from Baguio. These are simply called Baguio yarns by our crochet group, since these are unlabled, unbranded, and made of assorted materials.

These luxurious silk/cotton/bamboo yarns are my first order from Fe (The Pinklady's Closet) in Singapore. I'm surely tempted to buy more high quality yarns from her.

Projects!
- I started the year with 458 projects in my Rav notebook and ended with 524. Here are some of my favorites:

Cotton thread scrunchies made from Moira's pattern...interesting stitch pattern.

 Puppy Cellphone cases...hope to be able to finish the pattern.

Coin Purse made from my cellphone purse pattern...planning to make more in assorted colors and sizes :p

 This custom-made tunic took a while to finish...is also my size so I got to try it on ;)

Experimented with a crochet insert...would like to practice more and improve on this technique.

 My best bag project so far! Just had to whip up this celebrity style bag...inspired also by our crochet group's crochet-along. (more details here)

This top, and more projects in my Nov. 2012 post.

This and more in my Dec. 2012 post.

Patterns!

- 10 patterns were added to my designer's page on Ravelry:

Teeny Tiny Heart - free pattern

Striped Shells Glass Cozy - free pattern

Jar topper/doily - free pattern

T-shirt shrug with crochet insert - free instruction

Lauren Sweater - published in Interweave Crochet Summer 2012

Oval Basket - published in Crochet Calendar 2013

Pineapple Motif Earring - free crochet chart

Going Around in Circles Bracelet - published in Crochet Calendar 2013

Flower doily/jar topper - free pattern

Jellyfish Earrings - free pattern

Crochet Buddies!

- a  much-anticipated meetup of crochet friends...

 This year we've experienced more interaction and support for each other, thanks to Ravelry and Facebook.

Year-end Stats

Lastly, some end of year comparisons...though no dramatic changes occurred, I'm so thankful for the positive feedback from sales, increased income from Ads, and increased followers in my blog and Facebook page.

Thank you family, friends and followers, for helping me continue to do what I love to do :)

Thank you Google, Inc.and Interweave Crochet!

Crochet Stuff Update

I have more than the usual crochet stuff to update ;)

First of all, thanks to all who joined the Zinio blog promo in my previous post! I guess you're now enjoying your free digital magazine subscription :) I chose Interweave Crochet and I was delighted as I flipped through the pages of the latest issue - IC Winter 2012. I already picked my favorite projects from the magazine, most of all Dora Ohrenstein's  Quartz Lace Top...will talk about this issue again on another post :)

Now I'd like to share my latest projects ;)

Jellyfish Earrings - this pair of earrings is a quick and easy project...if you love working with beads :)
Free instructions are on my Facebook page here. (You don't have to log-in to view the page.)

Abaca Shoes - These shoes really look nice, abaca material is comfortable and durable. But this pair is a bit loose-fitting, since the soles I used are size 39 and I'm a size 38 or 37. I might try wearing foot socks, so these shoes won't slip off my feet. I have yet to write up the modifications I made on my Basic Slippers pattern...

Christmas Dress - this is my project for our Christmas crochet-along in our Ravelry group. I found a Christmas-y skirt, and I thought to recycle the fabric into this dress. The crocheted bodice is made from Cannon size 8 thread.






For Christmas projects its not too late to make Santa Hats and Christmas ornaments...
Here are some recent projects I found on Ravelry, made from my designs:

Santa Hats - my friend Tina made several hats based on the pattern Playful Santa Hat :)

Christmas stars - lovely stars by Ravelers, made from my Christmas Star Ornament pattern.



Lastly, I got a surprise from my son this weekend. He came home from Baguio with yummy breads and food treats and these yarns - 2 kilos of assorted yarns, yay!!!