Unsure

Latest project before February ends... a shawl motif, join as go method, an easy project to make, but took me at least two weeks to finish, actually it's been like that [took longer than it should] since I had my 3rd child (not complaining though)
I just wish I would be much more faster as I have so many stuff that needed my attention.

One is my cross-stitching, remember the pattern with horses.. geesh it's been what almost 9 years ago since I started it, and I still haven't finished half of the pattern.

I want to start a tradition on my part that every time I visit Manila I will give something handmade to my SIL to show how much we appreciated her for taking care of us, always there to support the family.

Going back to the shawl motif that I just finished.. this is supposedly intended for her. Overall the shawl is pretty and such an easy breezy to make.. but am not happy of the finished looked,
I don't know what irks me, but am not ecstatic, I feel like she will not like it nor will use it.

Anywho here is the motif shawl.

Floral Bubbles

Pattern Source: Floral Bubbles  - Elena Fedotova
Materials used: DMC Petra Crochet Cotton 5 [photo]
Hook size: 2.25mm
Project started: 14.02.2016
Project finished: 29.02.2016
Item size: free size

Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder.... I MISS BLOGGING!!!

Talked about taking time off in blogging. It's been what more than a year since my last post? And this year my family will celebrate my youngest dd's 1st birthday!

I just couldn't believe that it has been more than a year already. I am still in awe as to how my baby grows so fast just right before my eyes.

Sometimes I got to wondering where the heck did the time go? I can still vividly remember how it was when I was in the delivery room, try to bring Ayelle out to the world via ND, but after 14 hours of labor, my OB decided that I have to under go C-section, and still like it was just yesterday when we got home from the hospital...so tiny and fragile.. now, she can almost stand on her own two feet, with 2 lower front baby teeth showing & one at the top barely peeping. TIME FLIES...

Not to mention that this year my eldest is now in college... feeling so old every time I think about it. I now have a Kolehiyala.

But of course it doesn't mean I didn't get to crochet or knit while I wasn't blogging from 2014 to date, on the contrary, I was able to manage to crochet my youngest DD her baptismal gown, few sweaters, two test knit shawls which I adore so much, another shawl blanket, shrugs for my two older kids, hats, socks for hubby and now I'm doing a motif shawl as a gift to my sister-in-law.

I hope this will be the kick off I've been hoping for in resuming my project blogging again.

So currently I'm doing this pretty motif shawl called Floral Bubbles by Elena Fedotova

and hoping to finish it by end of February.

I'm also eyeing on doing this project for this year called Cusp by Olga Buraya-Kefelian,
will probably start to order yarn after we got back from vacation.
Keeping my fingers crossed I will have a sweater by end of this year.

Busy, busy me....

As some of you might have known already, I just put up a Facebook page for all my handmade goodies of made to order hand knitted/crocheted scarves, hats, shawlette and shrugs.

I've already accepted several orders I'm working on right now.

I just finished the three knitted orders from my very first customer. Yay for me!!!

So I guess those are the things I'll show you today.


First is the Tomboy Hat, made from Cascade Worsted Yarn. My first time to use this yarn, and I love it!
Such a joy working with this yarn. I'm thinking of getting some for my kids cardigan, hopefully soon.

Vissia's Tomboy Cap

Pattern Source: Vissia's Tomboy Cap - by American Thread Company
Materials used: Cascade Yarn Cascade 220 [photo]-
Hook size:5.00mm
Project started: 06.06.2013
Project finished: 07.06.2013
Item size: Adult


Next order is a Holden Shawlette, I so like how the yarn has turn out, I was scared at first as to how this would look, but upon knitting the first few rows, and the color changing starts to show, I got excited. I would definetly buy another Wisdom and next time with in bright colors :)

Pattern Source: Holden Shawlette 2 - by Mindy Wilkes
Materials used: Wisdom Yarns Poems Sock [photo]
Needle size: 4.00mm
Project started: 07.06.2013
Project finished: 15.06.2013
Item size: Adult


The third one is stole called Peacock Tail and Leaf Scarf from the bookg Knitting Lace of Estonia, knitted with Jaggerspun Zephyr.
I am so impressed with this yarn, very soft yet sturdy!

Pattern Source: Peacock Tail and Leaf Scarf 2 - by Nancy Bush
Materials used: JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18 [photo]-
Needle size: 3.00mm
Project started: 19.06.2013
Project finished: 04.07.2013
Item size: Adult


And in between doing the Shawlette and the Scarf, I managed to made a knitted hat for a friend as going away present.

Pattern Source: Tito Alfredo's Dustland Hat - by Stephen West
Materials used: HWS Markoma Pittsburgh [photo]-
Needle size: 4.00mm & 4.50mm
Project started: 17.06.2013
Project finished: 18.06.2013
Item size: Adult

Next order is still the ever famous Holden, and I can't wait to start, it will be my first time to use the Cascade Heritage Sock yarn Solid, in shade of Christmas Green.
I will post it once done.

Happy Knitting guys!!!

Busy, busy me....

As some of you might have known already, I just put up a Facebook page for all my handmade goodies of made to order hand knitted/crocheted scarves, hats, shawlette and shrugs.

I've already accepted several orders I'm working on right now.

I just finished the three knitted orders from my very first customer. Yay for me!!!

So I guess those are the things I'll show you today.


First is the Tomboy Hat, made from Cascade Worsted Yarn. My first time to use this yarn, and I love it!
Such a joy working with this yarn. I'm thinking of getting some for my kids cardigan, hopefully soon.

Vissia's Tomboy Cap

Pattern Source: Vissia's Tomboy Cap - by American Thread Company
Materials used: Cascade Yarn Cascade 220 [photo]-
Hook size:5.00mm
Project started: 06.06.2013
Project finished: 07.06.2013
Item size: Adult


Next order is a Holden Shawlette, I so like how the yarn has turn out, I was scared at first as to how this would look, but upon knitting the first few rows, and the color changing starts to show, I got excited. I would definetly buy another Wisdom and next time with in bright colors :)

Pattern Source: Holden Shawlette 2 - by Mindy Wilkes
Materials used: Wisdom Yarns Poems Sock [photo]
Needle size: 4.00mm
Project started: 07.06.2013
Project finished: 15.06.2013
Item size: Adult


The third one is stole called Peacock Tail and Leaf Scarf from the bookg Knitting Lace of Estonia, knitted with Jaggerspun Zephyr.
I am so impressed with this yarn, very soft yet sturdy!




Pattern Source: Peacock Tail and Leaf Scarf 2 - by Nancy Bush
Materials used: JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18 [photo]-
Needle size: 3.00mm
Project started: 19.06.2013
Project finished: 04.07.2013
Item size: Adult


And in between doing the Shawlette and the Scarf, I managed to made a knitted hat for a friend as going away present.

Pattern Source: Tito Alfredo's Dustland Hat - by Stephen West
Materials used: HWS Markoma Pittsburgh [photo]-
Needle size: 4.00mm & 4.50mm
Project started: 17.06.2013
Project finished: 18.06.2013
Item size: Adult

Next order is still the ever famous Holden, and I can't wait to start, it will be my first time to use the Cascade Heritage Sock yarn Solid, in shade of Christmas Green.
I will post it once done.

Happy Knitting guys!!!

G.B.S.

This is just a quick entry, wanted to show you my new TA-DA :)

Today will be showing you my new FO...granny barefoot sandals, I saw one on etsy and it's being sold for 35USD!, it's a bit pricey for me as I know how to make the same, so why buy when I can make one, right?

So if you want one for yourself, and need a pattern let me know and will make it, just leave a comment below. 

So here it is my GBS or GRANNY BAREFOOT SANDALS

GRANNY BAREFOOT SANDALS

Pattern Source: GBS by Jinky Flaviano

Materials used: DMC cotton Perlé
Needle size:2.5mm
Project started: 12.03.2013
Project finished: 12.03.2013
Item size:  ladies size

ETD:  the pattern is now available on my Ravelry.  Enjoy.

{Socks} + {Pillow Case} = unsatisfied crafter

Enough said about my failure as a blogger, will just have to make do of what I can shall we?  So I've been productive, proud to say it.. LOL

Unsatisfied, as I want to knit or crochet something worth my time and yarn, and lately, I've been thinking my unfinished cross stitch project, feeling guilty for neglecting it for a long time... (4 years to be exact).

I've knitted DH a socks, pattern is very easy to follow... and the designer happens to be an acquaintance of mine. :)

So here it is in all it's glory

Plissé for Mike

Pattern Source: Plissé for Mike by Jocelyn Viernes

Materials used: Lionbrand Sock Ease -  [photo]
Needle size:2.5mm
Project started: 19.01.2013
Project finished: 06.02.2013
Item size:  men size

Love yarn as well, and there was quite a lot of yarn left after I finished the sock.  I think it can still be used to knit socks for a toddler...

And while in between new projects, I am still on my granny afghan.. I just don't have the same spirit as I have when I started it, guess I just don't like mixing different kinds of yarn on this, but I still hope it will come out fine.

After Plissé  I finished my first GRANNY SQUARE ENVELOPE PILLOW CASE.  The pattern used the basic granny square pattern, which you can easily find on the web, used word like crochet+granny square on search field. 

And I sew the other half to make it an envelope case. 

As for the yarn I used, I bought it from a convenience store here in Riyadh, thought it will be nice to make a pillow case, it's arcylic, soft, and nice to the skin, but somehow I think this will not last long after a few washing.  I think I might have to order some cotton yarn and redo this one more time. (another excuse to buy more yarn, ha!)

 ...and so that's my update on my crafty life. I still have yet to find another project that is worth knitting and mentioning, though I'm thinking of knitting WISPY from Quince & Co.. will see if I can find some yarn on my stash. And I hope to start my Cross Stitch work called Wild Horse soon...

A new shrug called “A TOUCH OF PURPLE”

And so another project has just got off my hook yesterday… and just love how I did this one, this is my 3^rd time I did this shrug, and maybe you can say I know my way around now..     As I get to make it fit for my teenage daughter.

A TOUCH OF PURPLE

Pattern Source:A Touch of Purple by Mimi Alelis
Materials used: Cannon Multicolor - violet [photo]
Needle size: 2.50mm
Project started: 03.10.2012
Project finished: 11.10.2012
Garment Size:  32"


Modification made on this one:

• used 2.50mm needle and follow the pattern for size 32”
• I didn’t do all 94 rows until I close the other end for the arms, I only go until I reach somewhere between 80-84 rows, then connect both ends.

Saturday Blues

Was feeling a bit low in the morning when I woke at 4:45 am, must be due to lack of sleep, and feeling so tired the entire week.  So many activities done and planned.

So to cheer me, I went to look for some inspiring project, and dream and wishful thinking that I will be able to do all those lovely tops, cheery afghans and cutesy hats…then I remember I have this bolero I started the other day… it’s a 3^rd time I did this bolero, using Mimi’s pattern.

This pattern starts from one sleeve and ends at the other sleeves, and I just finished the first sleeve, and now on few rows of the back… I used Cannon size 8 cotton thread – variegated violet.

And just by looking at this one, it gives me enough inspiration to finish the bolero and can’t wait to start another project using a different shade.

Don’t you just love the colour? I have other variegated ones that can’t wait to show them to you guys. I will try to show them to you on my next post.

Some unfinished worked… 3x16.. need 19x16 more

And still more projects to finish, as usual when I’m done with one, there is bound to have a new project cast-on.

I will continue where I left off on the granny squares which I started last September, but didn’t get to do more than what I thought I can finish got busy with Zenssy Top.  And then got sick for a week and half, and then had to rip the Zenssy Top 4x!

So here it is in not yet it’s full glory… Summer Garden Granny Squares (SGGS) , and showing you the yarns used for this project.

a knitting update on a Tuesday

So how far am I on my knitting you ask?  Well I just finished a very late submitted knitted project - a test knit called Chloe cardigan, a mesh shrug called Breezy Shrug by Mimi Alelis, and a knitted pouch given to a very dear friend.

I have another test knit pullover called Tiny Dancer and a crocheted shawl called Hollyberry Shawl - in the making, but they can wait for my next post. I just don't want to leave the month of July with only 1 post .

So now it's time to show off my FOs.

  

Chloe Cardigan

Pattern Source:   Chloe Cardigan  by Mishellee Zaharis

Materials used:   Katia Extra Pel [photo]

Needle size:        5.00mm

Project started:  10.07.2012
Project finished: 21.07.2012

 Honeycomb Pouch 

from the book - Circular Knitting Workshop: 

Essential Techniques to Master Knitting in the Round  

Pattern Source:   Honeycomb Bag  by Margaret K. K. Radcliffe

Materials used:   Nika (yarn details) [photo]

Needle size:        4.25mm

Project started: 30.06.2012
Project finished: 01.07.2012

Breezy Shrug

Pattern Source:   Breezy Shrug by Mimi Alelis

Materials used:   Coats Manila Bay Cannon Multicolor

Hook size:          2.25mm

Project started:  28.06.2012
Project finished: 29.06.2012

Tadah!!! - My China Bolero

So now it's done... got to finished the China Bolero the other night and so happy of the outcome. It might not look exact on the pattern I posted two posts earlier.. but I'm still happy about it..


I may or may not put the ribbon on the edging of the bolero though.. still thinking about it.

I hope you like it.

China Bolero

 

Pattern Source : China Bolero

Gouzhen Jianpin Xianghe
ISBN 978-7-80728-792-6 

Materials used :  Monaco Rayon

Crochet hook size :  2.00mm

Project started:  May 22, 2012

Project finished:  June 02, 2012

crochet bolero v1.2

The bolero has been blocked, and am still unsure how to go about the sleeves... I'm just waiting for it to get dry and will get on with it the sooner the better.. I want this to get over and done with.. all this adrenalin rush...

I also wanted to take up another workshop at Craftsy, Fit to Knit by Stephanie Japel... just not sure if the class is ok, guess I have to check out and see first all the comments about her class before I swipe my card again.

Btw, here is the photo I took just earlier after pinning the bolero... my mini me helped with all those pins :) She's just a great helper... 

crochet bolero - v1.1

Yesterday I was talking about two projects, the shawl (a test knit) and the bolero,remember, the hot pink bolero?  Well I just finished the first half front panel and am now onto the next part... I was hoping this will gonna be my very own bolero but I guess it's not gonna happen.

You see, aside from the gauge..oh which btw did I mentioned that I didn't bother making one?.. I just played it by hunch.. and now see where it got me, Oy!   - well I thought if I could just make my base chain the same width as my back then I won't go wrong.. well... ha! that's what I think.. you see when I started my base chain.. the measurement is 45cm...


so I fitted it against my back.. and I saw that it's just enough to cover my whole upper back. but was thinking.. what will happen if I sew the edges together.. now that's a revelation... but because I was still in denial, I continued working on the first panel.. and when I fitted on the dummy.. guess what, it looks like this is going to be a size S after all!

Here is the photo taken yesterday afternoon after I did got to finish the first panel....


Guess I'll just have to find out if this will gonna be part of my Christmas gifts this year.... to be continued...

it's been a looooong week....

The past week has been such a loong week... hubby just got back from a week's training from Finland.. and I have missed him so much.. I've never missed him this much before...  GETTING SWEETER??? hehehe

Anyway so what have I been up to while hubby is away?  PLAY of course!  ... before you make any ideas will show you what I did this past week.. I decided to play some stitches and search for some yarn to play with.

I also have another test knit which luckily I get to submit it on July.. :) yay! more time to do other knitting / crochet stuff.

So let's get on with the agenda for today...

Here is my Rosewood Shawl - to be submitted on July - a TEST KNIT

I had a hard time doing the lace at the beginning.. I had to rip the first 2 pattern repeats 4x! I was frustrated, couldn't understand how such a simple pattern couldn't get into my stubborn head! 

To make the long story short, I got it eventually and now I finished 8 pattern repeats, yeah still slow huh, because I can't help missing my honey hubby that's why..  and decided to put this away for awhile as I can't concentrate.

While I was missing him.. and knowing me... I can't sit still without tinkering something.. I need to keep my mind off so... first I did some mending on my kids shorts..sewing, fixing things at home.. but still can't stop this nagging voice that I have to do some more challenging stuff.

So I ransack my yarn storage.. and got a nice Monaco Thread (viscose) 

and look for some stored patterns on my hard drive...and this what I found...  Isn't it gorgeous? 

The stitch pattern is very easy.. it has three kinds of stitch pattern but I'll discuss it more on my next blog.. so for now I'll show you where I'm at on the pattern, I'm almost done on the back part of the bolero, and I really enjoy the thread I use on this...

As I have said I will tell you more about those two mentioned patterns on a my next blog.

Below is the close up look on the stitch pattern...

Sunday - MOTHERS DAY

Yesterday was Mother's Day, (from where I came from)... and we celebrated it with couple of my friends from my badminton club.  We had potluck, and the sharing and mingling did me good.  Wishing it will be more often (the get-together) *smiling sheepishly*

And the day before that was my hubby's birthday, we just had some Saaddedin cake, didn't do any celebrating, as he wants to be done next month together with my birthday.. double celebration he says :)
On my knitting side, I have 3 test knits to be finished by the end of May, so far I finished the one for an 18-mo old girl, and I casted on the second one for 4-12 years old PIXIE HAT.

The last one is a shawl and all of them will be revealed as soon as I got the designers approval to post a picture of each project.

So what's been bugging me these past weeks, you ask? well I wanted to acquire some super-washed merino yarn on bright colors, so I can make some granny square blanket just like what this guy did...

Don't you just love the colors he used?! So now I'm checking out which yarns is good that gives a much yardage so I can order them and start crocheting. It will definitely look good on my daughters bed. :)  

Am looking for a DK weight that is super wash.. preferably merino wool.  That wouldn't be so hard now I have narrowed down the search,isn't it? (ha and so I thought!).

I went to RAVELRY to do some yarn search and the return gave me 17 pages,argh!, so much for positive thinking, I guess I have to do some "cost-benefit analysis", like which yarn gives more yardage, has a lot of wide range of color and price. 


I'll try to see if I can do some study and will show it to you once it's done... I hope it will  be easy.... *fingers crossing .

Withdrawal symptons

 yeah that's right... after the skywalker, I made a shrug for Arwen as a birthday gift.  This is for 2T.

This is the same pattern I used for my daughter - purple victorian shrug 

I'll post a photo of her wearing the shrug as soon as I get it from her mom.
 
Pattern details:

ARWEN'S VICTORIAN SHRUG

Pattern Source: Victorian Shrug - Baby to Adult by Lisa van Klaveren

Materials used:  DMC Senso Microfiber Cotton 
Needle Crochet size: 3.75 mm
Project started: 14.04.2012
Project finished: 16.04.2012

It has been 4 days since I last hold held a hook or a needle.. now my hands are itchy to start another project, but I can't seem to decide what to make. I promised one of the seniors in the club I'm with (sporty club i.e.) that I will make her a bolero, specifically like a cardigan, she wants her front covered.

So went to my stash and look for some yarn that she would like, unfortunately I don't have enough yarn.. so I went to my LYS and bought DMC Petra in the shade of mocha...

So now I have my yarn... the only missing item is a pattern and I'm good to go... I'm choosing between crochet bolero from Drops and a knitted one called Easy Shrug... the only problem is the gauge - my guage; they are off... :( I hope I can find a pattern soon... this withdrawal symptoms is getting harder to control as the days passed by...

updates on my "RED KITE"

The project Red Kite is now finished [finally!].I finished it last October and totally liked the result.

Project Details:
Pattern name: KITE
Book: Rowan The Story of Little Knits
Materials:
Yarn: Neveda Athleta
Needle: 3.5mm and 4.00mm
1/4" satin ribbon

This project gave me a bit of hard time, first I used a different yarn, much thinner yarn hence using smaller needles, so that would mean different gauge, so I need to improvise...
All while I thought that everything is doing well when I finished both sleeves and found out that the arm hole doesn't fit with the armhole on the body part! [mentioned to my previous blog entry].

There were 3 more visit to frog pond after the first one, and finally able to get at least the correct number of stitches need, I seek the help of different knitting venues like the Knitting Daily forum, friends from my multiply and software I seldom use, which turns out, quite helpful, will talk more about the software on upcoming knitting adventures.

So frustrated on ripping the sleeves for nth time, and I didn't want to tackle it anymore afraid that it might not fit the body again, I did some small projects and here are my FOs...


This is a Floral pouch, got the pattern from a Japanese magazine called Knit Kaffe with ISBN#978-4-07-255444-9
This went to Ate Glenn. Hope she liked it.


A ribbed cellphone cozy made for a Michael Jeffrey.


Another ribbed cellphone cozy made for Melchor.




Made for Angel's school diary.


Abbie's headband with white floral applique.


Angel's headband with red floral applique