my own pattern

I just finished the sock I made for my dd, just in time for her girl scout camping...
she can use this when she sleeps in the camp as the weather might get colder at night though the weather lately has been pleasant, not too cold...

I made this using Magic Loop Method and knitted two at a time. The stitch I used is from Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book.

Thinking if I should make a pattern for this one, will see :)

FULL OF HOPE

Pattern Source: Full of Hope  - Jinky Flaviano
Materials used: Scheepjes Invicta Extra [photo]
Needle size: 2.50mm
Project started: 11.02.2016
Project finished: 24.02.2016
Item size: women medium

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.

16 weeks and counting + blanket! ~ C U R L I C U E . B L A N K E T

Now on my 16th week, and am so excited to feel the baby kicks. :) He's been keeping his presence felt more often now. And I also finished the Curlicue Blanket, my youngest daughter is so in-love with the blanket that she is asking if she can use it first, so I let her have it for several nights. Now my eldest is asking if she can have a similar one once she go to Manila to continue her study.

I only got confused in the beginning when doing the Section 2, but when I got informed on how to go about it, everything is just a breezy knitting.  I only got sidetracked now and then due to I'm still on my first trimester when I was knitting this, and you can just imagine knitting a few rows and suddenly you just wanted to go to sleep and do nothing.

At first I planned to use up all the assorted yarn but I decided I want the star in the middle to at least pop (such an effort as my yarns are all.. anyway)...so I thought I'll just reuse those 8 yarns and see how it goes.

My two DD love it so I guess it works :) To know more of the details of the pattern read on.

Curlicue Blanket

Pattern Source:  Curlicue Blanket by  Annie Dempsey
Materials Used:  Assorted StyleCraft Special DK [photo]
Needle:  4.00mm
Start date:  24. 08 .2014
Finished date: 27. 10 .2014

I M A G I N E . W H E N another finished item.

Before I show you the latest knit done, I just wanted to let you know that I bag the runner-up for F5 Ladies Doubles, badminton Tournament held at BSR for 4 days.  Next Friday we have team entry for the same flight, but I'm not sure if I can be able to make it.   I also had 2 other entries, Mixed Doubles, and all I can say is that I had so much fun playing with my friends, competing with them or against them.. Such an adrenalin rush.  Okay enough babbling.... on to my show off portion

Delivered the shawl I knit for a friend.  She asked me to knit this one using a two-colored style shawl, instead of copying exactly the what the designer has done.  I got my inspiration from one of the knitters who used two colored yarn, and got lucky to see it on Ravelry.  This is another envy moment, wishing that this shawl is mine to keep.

This pattern is a mindless knitting, but you have to make sure you that you have something to guide you like paper and pencil/pen to note which row you've stopped or which row you've worked on, this way you can be able to know if you're doing it correctly.  This is just a series of short rows and in garter stitch..

I never expected that this would turn out beautifully.  I was kinda hesitant when a friend choose these colors to combine for this shawl.  I even had second thoughts if I should start with the violet yarn or the blue one.

This is the first time I used Lorna's Laces Shepherd Socks Stripes, and the yarn is amazing... love how it feels on my fingers, sliding stitch by stitch.  And as always I can depend on Cascade yarn, it's very squish and oh so soft.. didn't I mentioned before? 

I M A G I N E . W H E N

Pattern Source: Imagine When - by J O J I
Materials used: Cascade Yarns Heritage Solids & Quatro Colors [photo] - Cerulean shade
                          Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Stripe [photo]- Farwell shade
Hook size: 4.00mm
Project started: 30.07.2013
Project finished: 11.08.2013
Item size: Adult

*I haven't bought the flexible blocking wires... hopefully this end of the month..*

Hitchhiking...

Some days are good, some days are not and some days are just so and so... But today is just awesome.  I just finished doing the Hitchhiker, using again Cascade yarn - this time the handpainted version.  The yarn is not as squishy as the plain colored ones - remember how I praise the green yarn from the Green Holden Shawlette -, but still love the softness and the color, so vivid!

Knitting hitchhiker is a no-brainer pattern, just got confuse as to why the pattern didn't just states that the first two is a bind-off, only the first stitch would have to be purled.

After that, knitting it is a breeze.  I didn't even noticed that I already reached the 41st peak and would have to do the next 7 rows without the increase and on the 8th row, should be doing the bind off.

Again the yarn didn't fail me, Cascade has such a very adequate yardage, I still have 0.04 grams left.

HITICHHIKER

Pattern Source: Hitchhiker - by Martina Bhem
Materials used: Cascade Heritage Handpainted Sock Yarn [photo]
Hook size: 4.00mm
Project started: 22.07.2013
Project finished: 29.07.2013
Item size: Adult

*I'm thinking of buying the flexible blocking wires this month so when I make some circular shawls it would be easy to block them, or some shawls that just don't have a points in them.*

To Knit Ishbel? or to Knit Socks? - that is the question

I can't seem to be satisfied with doing nothing during those in between projects and yarn order to arrive.

So I decided to cast on the Ishbel using Malabrigo Sock Yarn, but while I am already knitting several rows already, I suddenly have second thoughts whether to continue or to create my own sock pattern using the said yarn.

The sock design I'm thinking is lacey, similar to the lace on Ishbel... hmmmm

See my shawl pin from Lantern Moon sneaking behind?  I haven't used it yet, this came with my recent yarn order from Paradise fibers.   This shawl pin is made from Water Buffalo's horn.

Can't decide, what should I knit?

 

Green Holden Shawlette - 3 times a charm

I have to keep a deadline so that I can plan my day ahead, being a stay-at-home doesn't mean I have all the time in my hands, quite contrary my dear.  I have to prepare the kids for school, their packed lunch - snack, kids breakfast, hubby's needs before going for work, then there's the never-ending house chores - laundry, cleaning, doing the dishes, folding clothes, ironing.. and there's Mr. Siopao, my ever demanding cat! - you get the picture?

As it comes to no surprise whenever I finish a project either for myself or for others, and see the outcome with such awe, there is no feeling like it!  And when I get all kinds of appreciation from family, friends, and stranger, it just makes me say it's worth it.

So here I'll be showcasing my latest FO.  This is my 3rd Holden Shawlette, a request.. this time, I wish that this is mine... *sigh* Of course obviously, I like the pattern so much, very easy to memorize the chart, and the yarn! oh the yarn, it's very soft, stitch definition is great! and the yardage.. so very generous... I might say that I got my money's worth on this one :)

The only modification I did on this one, is that I didn't stop on row 38 as written on the pattern, instead I finished the whole chart, and hence resulted to a much larger shawl forgot to count the total number of stitches, the number of stitches increase is not much, but it's okay enough for the owner, since she is concern that it might not cover her arms enough...

So without further ado, here is my Green Holden, and oh, did I mention that this comes with shawl pins?  She asked me to get some shawl pins and here I'm showing it to you :)  I hope you'll find this as inspiring as it is to me.

Green Holden Shawlette

Pattern Source: Holden Shawlette 3 - byMindy Wilkes
Materials used: Cascade Heritage Sock Yarn [photo]
Hook size: 4.00mm
Project started: 07.07.2013
Project finished: 11.07.2013
Item size: Adult

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!!!

secret project

Yes, I have a secret... sshh.. need to conceal what this is going to be but definitely will reveal this once it's done.. to whom this will go to.
But for the meantime.. here is a sneak peak of my secret project.

Skywalker Adventure... finally done

Finished my Skywalker Shawl, so glad I went through the whole class... I had a great time following Laura Nelkin on Craftsy.  I still have one project from her class I haven't started yet, it's called Clarus.  Clarus will have to take a back seat for awhile...will do this once I know for sure which yarn should I use.

Had a wonderful time working this shawl on Stroll Tonal from Knit Picks...love how the yarn wraps the needle... it gives a nice glossy sheen.  I just had a hard time blocking this shawl as I don't have blocking wires, and hardware stores I know here in Riyadh doesn't sell any stainless steel rod... bummmer no.. so what should a SAHM would do?... improvise of course! 

I used thread and painstakingly thread it onto the shawl, while one by one I pin it to my blocking board ... it only took me 2 hours to finished blocking and it was already dry when I finished.. so I have to spritz with warm water the whole thing again making sure it get it all wet so to have a nice stretch...

So happy that even when my daughter (Abbie) accidentally broke one of the needle, I didn't even gave it much thought!

Do you see the white thread I used ?

So without any further ado...

Skywalker Shawl in Deep Waters

Pattern Source:  Skywalker Shawl by Laura Nelkin

Materials used:  Knit Picks Stroll Tonal  in Deep Waters
Needle size: 3.75 mm
Project started:  27.03.2012
Project finished: 14.04.2012

Of course this doesn't mean I am now free and not doing anything yarnie...

I am now making a crocheted bolero for a friend's daughter who will be turning one this week.....

I just finished the back and the first sleeve, started the other sleeve last night while watching Private Practice and Ghost Whisperer (re-run).

Photos of it will have to wait.. so lazy to upload it now...

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

a new project: Red Kite

So I finished Abbie's Tunic last month, and so happy with the result, it's my very first wearable, and so happy with it can't stress that enough! lol, although I need to practice more on my seaming techniques though...

I also casted-on a pullover this time it's eldest DD. The pattern is from The Rowan Story Book of Little Knits, but before I go on about this new project here is the photo the finished Tunic.

Project Details

Project Name: Abbie's Tunic
Source Pattern: Debbie Bliss Knitting Workshop Workbook
Pattern Name: Child's V-Neck Tunic
Materials Used:
Yarn: Nevada Athleta (SportWeight)(cream and bluish gray)
Needles: 2.75mm and 3.75mm straight needles
Date Started: April 15, 2009
Date Finished: July 06, 2009

I've added a monogram which is my daughter's initial. The tunic kinda big on her but I'm sure by fall or winter this year, it will fit her much better.

Now on to the next project - I called this red kite, i just love the color and and the little lace edge on it.

The pattern called for an Aran weight yarn, but instead I used a sport-weight yarn and smaller needles. So you can just imagine the modification I did. I did some math magic to determine how much I needed to cast on, and with the help of some of my knitter friends I was able to finish the back part. I am almost finished with the front, now I'm on the arm hole shaping, can't wait to see this done - target date is at the end of August.

I will then cast-on a vest for my DH... hope he'll like the pattern I'm going to use.



And here is the yarn I used for this project, wind it up using my yarn winder which btw is one the most wonderful thing that I purchased when I was in Manila. I so love my yarn winder
.



And with all these projects, my youngest is now demanding to make her another pullover with purple or fushia color! such a demanding child she is ...

I'm still thinking of knitting some scarves for my badminton friends, as a Christmas gift.. now I' wonder if I can still be able to do that....

Holiday, Yarns and Knitting

Been very busy, so it's just now that I am able to put anything on this site.

My family and I had a very nice holiday in our hometown. I was able to meet Mona of Knittipina, and her sister Joy. It was so nice meeting my fellow yarn addicts so I hope next year we can hook up again and maybe meet new friends like say - Mimi of Crochet and Other Stuff and Gene of Gene + Experiment. I also got lots of goodies from Joy and some of the stuff I ordered through Mona - needles and book from Knitpicks.

Here are the photos...







You can see here the knitpicks, and also I got the chance to visit my favorite yarn shop in Makati - Dream Yarn shoppe by Tita Lilli. I bought several knitting accessories - split ring markers, cable needles and saw these dpns that I can't resist it comes with different colors, so I bought two sets, which by the way if my budget would've allowed I could have bought 4 different ones I also got the chance to get the last remaining yarn guide tool (not sure if that's what you called it) the one that you put on your index finger when you're doing color knitting so that the yarns will not get tangle up with each other while knitting them. Bought some Bernat Afghan yarn two skeins for each four different colors, Patons Kroy sock yarn, and 7 cones of Monaco raylon crochet and embroidery threads (removed the spool, it's causing some heavy weight on my luggage)

And you think I left my knitting back home? no way I brought the Tunic with me and was able to do most of the front part of the tunic in Manila and finished it after I got back. I added my youngest daughter's initial on the left side and this is my very first attempt in color knitting as well.

I'm now doing the first sleeve, I getting so excited over this, I can't wait to block and seam them together. Am still hoping I'll be able to finish the Tunic by the end of June. Here's keeping my fingers crossed.

But before all these things, I was able to finished a simple lacey head band before I went to Manila, and here it is...

Me while waiting to board our plane from Bahrain to Manila, I let my youngest daughter borrowed my camera as she was so bored and tired imagine we have to wait 5 hours for the flight (it was a connecting flight - from Riyadh to Bahrain) and it can be tiring to a little girl that have to wait that long. Good thing she was able to take a 3hr nap and woke up feeling refreshed.








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