I noticed that the crochet projects that I am working on lately are all big blankets. Yes, I am working on several WIPs (Work In Progress) at the same time, tee hee! So the other day, I got bored on doing the same stitches over and over again, so I decided to take a break. Taking a break for me basically means reading a book. And the first book I grabbed was this Japanese crochet book that I bought at National Bookstore for Php85. There are lots of cute projects in this book, and since I haven't made a small project for myself, I decided to make this cute little purse. I don't have the yarn that was specified in the pattern. Most of my yarns are cotton from Baguio that are just too soft for a bag, so I opted to use the Monaco mercerized cotton thread. I just doubled the strands for extra thickness. I used the left over threads from previous projects because yarn is not cheap and I hate throwing away things that can still be used. I even unraveled some of the stitch samples I have. Started doing this the other day. My hand ached from stitching too tightly. I wasn't using the recommended yarn and hook so I had to make adjustments. This purse is so easy to make. I was intimidated at first because when the bottom was done and I started a few shell stitch rows it didn't look like it would transform into a purse.. But after a few more rows, yay! I made it! They are not completely finished yet, as my sweetheart suggested that I should put a lining and a zipper on it. I am not very good at sewing so he has to teach me how.
For now, more of my cutie mini purse. :) It is WIP ( Work In Progress) no more. My Sunny Ripple Blanket is finally done. You can see the start of this project HERE. Actually, I have finished this blanket late February but I was so busy with life that I've only now found the time to blog about it. It took me more than two months to finish the blanket. It measures 58in. x70in. I wanted to make it bigger but I ran out of yarn and the source hasn't posted any new supply, so I had no choice but to finish it. I made a very simple border to complement the ripples. First, I straightened the ripple using this method. Then, I did two double crochet on the spaces on the sides. On the top and bottom, I did two double crochet on every other stitch. Then, on the next row, double crochet all around the blanket. Was that confusing? :) Because it is made of cotton, the blankie is comfortable even on hot summer nights, and so warm during cold days, perfect for rainy season.
This blanket is love! Oh... and it weighs 2.02kg. That much yarn! :) Because of my ever loving boyfriend, I finally had my first taste (or touch?) of imported yarns. I got these yarns from a local blogger. She imported the yarns from Turkey. I will make a separate post on online stores where I get my yarns. Ice Yarns is an online store based in Istanbul, Turkey and they ship all over the world. They have huge selections of yarn. And the ones I got are called Ice Yarns Baby Merino Wool, the solid color ones and Ice Yarns Colorway, the multicolored. The yarns are so nice to look at that I am hesitant to use them for projects.. hehe.. Anyway... more yarn pics to drool at....
YSM's cotton yarns in White, Golden Rod and Unmellow Yellow
I have lots of cotton yarns from Yarn Source Manila. These yarns are said to be sourced from Baguio City. I love them because they are very soft to the touch, unfortunately the also easy to break as the strands are quite thin. So different from the sturdy, glossy and not so soft mercerized cotton like the Monaco and Cannon brands. So trying to deplete somehow my stash I looked for a project that could be made by my cotton yarns. And I thought, why not a blanket? A soft yellow, sunny, cheery blanket... (Oh by the way, yellow is my favorite color. :D) I have lots of options in mind but I decided to start with the RIPPLE PATTERN. This is quite easy to make and the repetitive motion when doing it relaxes me. I have only started after Christmas of 2012.. so far I have only finished a few rows. Here goes.. take a look of my ripple.. isn't it .... sunny?
Various cotton yarns of different weight from Baguio City
I learned crochet during my elementary days. I remember being nervous when our Home Economics teacher said that the next lesson was crocheting because it looked so complicated and difficult to me. And indeed my hand got spanked with a ruler several times at first, but when I got the hang of it, I started to love it. Over the years of being a full-time student, I have forgotten crochet. It was only just last year that my love for it was revived. My sister and I love cross stitch embroidery or other needlecraft. The stores that sell embroidery threads are so few nowadays compared to its heyday back in early 2000s. And so during my search for thread stores I came upon an article from a blog of a crocheter called Gantsilyo Guru... and poof! I remember crochet and been crocheting again since then.. My yarns are mostly cotton yarns from Baguio that I bought online from Yarn Source Manila. I love how soft they are when made into scarves, shawls and blanket. I also use mercerized cotton thread from Monaco. This is the thread that I learned crochet on. Below are some of my yarns. All of them locally made. I still can't afford those luscious imported yarns.. hopefully soon. |