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As a satisfied customer myself I would certainly recommend this online bookstore to everyone. I recently found a couple of books I like with almost 50% discount, and ordered it ;) You may click on the following photos to go to the store.

These crochet books and so much more are available with free shipping worldwide!

 

Star Wars Crochet

Aww...

It's also available in Spanish: Star Wars Crochet Kit by Lucy Collin

2015 crochet stuff

Hello, welcome to my blog, and happy new year!
Just a note before I go to the 2015 crochet stuff.... The past few years up to early 2015, I didn't have much time and inspiration for my crocheting projects and designs. Then the past several months somehow I found inspiration. I browsed my books and the internet...I believe I still have something new to offer :) I would like to think that I'll continue to be inspired this year. I recently finished two wearable designs, the pattern will be available this 2016...so I can't show it yet in this post. Meanwhile, here's what I came up with in 2015.

Patterns
These are all free patterns for quick, simple and useful projects :) (see all my patterns on Ravelry)

1. Handy Oval Makeup Purse
2. Circular Scarf
3. Handy Coin Purse
4. Strapped Flipflops

Projects
Started the year at 582 and ended with 607 projects - an additional 25 projects in 2015. (details of my projects on Ravelry)

Yarns
I tried not to add much to my stash - since I didn't use up much anyway. But fellow yarn lovers know how it goes... ;)
My  2015 purchases were mostly ordered online at Knitwerks and Crafts Boutique from a fellow crafter friend who sell yarns sourced from different countries.
My latest purchase from her is Nazli Gelin Garden thread, size 10 from Turkey, and Anchor size 5 thread from India.

Other purchases from Knitwerks this year are the following. I have reordered Premier Home cotton yarns and Aunt Lydia's threads, since I like it so much! (photo is from a previous order). 

Also I purchased from Gantsilyo Guru with a store in Pasig City, not so far where I live...but I prefer the convenience of buying online. I will experiment with these when I find time.

Other Stuff
I occasionally buy a crochet book or magazine to add to my library. Since I discovered how easy it is to buy from The Book Depository I often check it out.
I bought this book, but have yet to make a project from it.

I recently joined Instagram, and so far here are my best pics:
Hope you can follow me at https://www.instagram.com/mimicat18/

Thanks for looking! And by the way, there's this blog, Around the World in 80 Skeins, with posts featuring knit and crochet designers from around the world. I am in there too ;)

You can also find me here on:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Thank you!

Instagram and past crochet projects

I have just joined Instagram!...I know, I came a bit late than most. I hope you will follow me at https://www.instagram.com/mimicat18/ . I have new pics of some of my old projects you might like...here's one I captioned as behind-the-scenes shoot of the Lucky cat charm (finished in Feb. 2013)

And some throwback pics ;)

Handy Oval Makeup Purse - free crochet pattern

Handy Oval Makeup Purse

I got the idea for this makeup purse when I saw my sister-in-law using the Handy Coin Purse I gave her, to carry a lipstick and compact powder. Those basic makeup essentials hardly fit into the coin purse, but it seemed like a good idea. It saves the bag from clutter, and the front opening is most practical - since the contents of the purse can easily be seen and retrieved.
Then I recently saw the Oval Basket in my stash, it was folded flat and I immediately saw a purse!
I repurposed the pattern, using lighter weight yarn. The addition of a zipper makes it a cute handy purse. I'm thinking of making more, for gifts this Christmas. And this finished sample I'm sure, will delight my SIL!

Handy Oval Makeup Purse
by Mimi Alelis
October 2015
(updated January 2017)
Materials

Schachenmayr nomotta Catania, 100% cotton, sport weight yarn, 25 gms. (one skein is enough for 2 purses)

Crochet hook 3.5 mm (or 6/0), or hook to match your yarn
Zipper, approximately 8 inches
Needle and sewing thread
Gauge: Rnds 1-3 = approx. 2 3/8" diameter

Finished measurement: sample is approx. 7 " in  length, and 4 " wide measured at the widest part

Notes: Beginning ch 3 counts as dc. Bottom will curl initially, but will flatten when the side is done.

Bottom
Rnd 1: Ch 4, 13 dc in 4th ch from hook, (or, begin with a magic ring, ch 3, 13 dc in ring), sl st on top of beginning ch 3 to join. (14 dc)

Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc around, join with sl st. (28 dc)

Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) repeat around, join. (42 dc)

Rnd 4: Ch 3, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next) 6 times, 2 hdc in next dc, hdc in next 6 dc, 2 hdc in next dc, dc in next dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next) 6 times, 2 hdc in next dc, hdc in next 6 dc, 2 hdc in last dc, join. (38 dc and 20 hdc)

Rnd 5: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc in next 2 dc, *dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in each of the next 9 dc, dc in next 2 dc, hdc in next 5 sts, sc in next 6 sts**, hdc in next 5 sts, repeat from * to **, hdc in next 3 sts, join. (76 sts)

Side

Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, (dc in next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts) repeat around, join. (76 sts)

Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next dc, dc in next 2 sc, (sc in next 2 dc, dc in next 2 sc) repeat around, join.

Rnds 8 -15: repeat rnds 6 and 7, alternately. (76 sts)

Rnd 16: (edging and handle) Ch 1, sc in 17 sts, sc2tog, ch 16 for loop (make longer if preferred), sl st in the base of loop, sl st in each ch, sc in the next 37 sts, sc2tog, sc in remaining 20 sts.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Finishing: Sew the zipper

Circular Scarf - free pattern

Circular Scarf

Circular Scarf
A simple crochet project using only one ball of cotton thread. Made up of a repetitive pattern that is easy to do, and quite addicting. 
This design has two innovations: 1. no long starting chain, no  foundation single crochet (fsc) or double crochet (fdc), and 2. no need to add edging rounds, it begins with a neat edge.

Yarn: Coats and Clark, Anchor Lifestyles mercerized cotton, size 10 (40 g), Color, 1 ball
Hook: Size 2.5 mm (C or 4/0), adjust hook size if necessary to obtain correct gauge
Notions: yarn needle for weaving ends
Gauge: 5 pattern repeats and 9 rows = 4" in pattern stitch
Finished measurement: approx. 35 " (89 cm) circumference, 5 3/4" (14 1/2 cm) wide

Notes: Pattern is worked in rounds, turned after every round.
To customize length, increase or decrease pattern repeats on the 1st round. To customize width, increase or decrease rnds.

Stitches used
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
dc - double crochet
tr - treble crochet
Special stitch
2-tr Cluster – [Yarn over hook (yo) twice, insert hook in stitch, yo, draw yarn through stitch, (yo hook, draw yarn through 2 loops on hook) twice] 2 times, yo, draw yarn through 3 loops on hook.

Scarf

Rnd 1: Ch 5, tr in 4th ch from hook, (ch 6, tr in 4th ch from hook) repeat 43 times, ch 1, sl st in the 1st ch of this rnd — 44 pattern repeats Rnd 2: Ch 4, tr in the same st, (skip the tr and ch-3 in 1st rnd, 2-tr cluster in the next ch, ch 3, dc in 3rd ch from hook, 2-tr cluster in the next ch) repeat around, sl st on the 1st tr of this rnd to join, turn. Rnd 3: Ch 4, tr in same st, (2-tr cluster in the next tr, ch 3, dc in 3rd ch from hook, 2-tr cluster in the next st) repeat around, join, turn. Rnds 4-12 (or desired width): Repeat rnd 3.
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Cluster Stitch Pattern