Doily, What?

Here's an idea. Get any doily pattern (any doily!) and instead of using the usual mercerized cotton yarn or thread, use a thicker (and shimmery) yarn, like this one!

I used Red Heart Holiday yarn with a 5.0mm hook (US H8 or Japanese 8/0) to crochet a big "doily" of sorts. I got the pattern from this vintage book, published in 1975, called "Decorating with Crochet" by Anne Halliday.

The place mat in this picture had a diameter of 16.5 inches. Mine ended up with 24 inches, because I used thicker yarn. Instead of using it as a table place mat, I plan on making it a decorative floor mat! Because floors need to be pretty too!

Red Heart Holiday and Red Heart Celebration yarn may already be branded as the kind of yarn you use for holiday projects, but try to see past that and you can create playful things with them. The shimmer on them ain't so bad too!

I'm not so sure if I can give the pattern away, but click HERE for free vintage crochet patterns for doilies (ssoooooo many pretty doilies)! Choose your doily and make a bigger version of it using Red Heart Holiday or Red Heart Celebration yarn!

Because you reached this part of my blog entry (thank you!), I have a treat for you! Please click the link below to see!

Psychedelic Shawlette

I wanted to experiment with the Ice Merino Gold Batik Yarn in Purple Pink Orange Lilac. Clearly, the colors of this yarn are not for the faint of heart. I expected not so subtle transitions from one color to the next because of the hues of these colors. I got attracted to this yarn because of the bold statement the colors make.

Pictures of Ice Merino Gold Batik belong to Ice Yarn

I decided to crochet a shawl using the pattern called "Almandine Shawlette" by Anastasia Popova. This was published in Interweave Crochet Accessories 2012. The yarn used in this photo is Fyberspates Sheila's Sparkle Sock made of merino, nylon, and stellina. It has the same yarn thickness - Fine 1 - as the Ice Merino Gold Batik, so it became the perfect substitute.

Scanned image from Interweave Crochet Accessories 2012

Working with variegated yarn can make the process of crocheting amusing because of the color changes from one stitch to the next. I took this picture when it was still a work in progress.

This is my finished version of the pattern. I used up 1 whole skein plus around 40-50% of a second skein of the Ice Merino Gold Batik yarn. I used hook 3.5mm (6/0 Japan or E4 US).

This is a shawlette, so don't expect a full-blown shawl that can cover your entire body. In terms of size, it might be between a scarf and a shawl. Check out the spread of this shawlette. The length from left to right is around 64 inches.

This is the back. The variegation has a different effect from this side compared to the front.

This shawlette can also be worn like a scarf. You don't have to go full on grandma wearing it like this. Wearing this shawlette can catch attention. If it can talk, it will shout :) I actually have a love-hate relationship with variegated yarn. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I don't. Honestly, the pattern of the shawlette itself can work without any variegated effect because the design already stands out on its own. Sometimes though, I get the urge to "destroy the peace" and create a different character for the project.

I am accepting commissioned work for this pattern. A different yarn color may be used, depending on yarn availability. This shawl is also on sale. Kindly send me an email at gantsilyoguru@gmail.com or a private message at my Facebook Page, Crochet by the Gantsilyo Guru, if you are interested.

Ice Merino Gold Batik is currently being offered at Gantsilyo Guru Selections in varying colors.

Crocheted Baby Beanie Workshop with Red Heart Baby TLC Yarn

Do you need help in crocheting a beanie for a baby or a kid? In this workshop, you will get guidance from me on how to crochet the Baby Bobbles Hat designed by Linda Permann for Red Heart. The yarn provided in this workshop is more than enough for you to make a few more beanies (up to 5, to be conservative) which you can give away as handmade gifts for friends or relatives with babies or kids - and for your own as well, of course!

Participants of this workshop, at the very least, must know how to do a chain and single crochet. For beginners who want to join, come an hour earlier (1:00 PM) to learn some basics.

I have 2 available sessions this September (2:00 - 5:00 PM):

Sep. 25 (Wed), PIPINO Malingap St., Teachers Village, Quezon City

Sep. 28 (Sat), PIPINO Jupiter St., Makati City

We will be crocheting with your choice of 3 skeins of Red Heart Baby TLC yarn.

Participants of this workshop also get an Inox Pompom Set. We will use this to make the pompom on top of the hat. This is also a good addition to your craft kit - because you'll never know when you might need pompoms! :)

There will only be 5 slots per session. Fee is P1,650. As mentioned, each participant gets 3 skeins of Red Heart Baby TLC yarn, Inox Pompom Set, printed pattern, and snacks from Pino and Pipino Vegetarian. Participants are required to bring their own crochet hook with size US F5 or G6 (3.75 mm or 4.00 mm). If you do not have any of these hooks, you may purchase this with a set from me for P460.

The Baby Bobbles Hat pattern by Linda Permann is a free download from Red Heart.

To know more about Red Heart Baby TLC yarn, please go to this LINK.

To know more about Susan Bates crochet hooks, please go to this LINK.

To register, please fill up the form below:

Oooh, Baby (Sheen)!

Last week, I posted this work in progress of a vintage baby bonnet pattern using Red Heart's Baby Sheen yarn (yep, it's already available here in the country!).

I wanted to test this yarn. The label says it is 100% acrylic. It felt like cotton though! According to Red Heart, this yarn has a soft cottony feel (I agree) with the wash performance of acrylic and is perfect for light and lacy baby items. A skein of Baby Sheen yarn is approximately 281m (307yd) and weighs around 100g (3.5oz). The color I used for the bonnet is Pink (Color Code 700).

I just finished the bonnet today! Well, technically, the crochet part is finished. I still have to add lace ribbons. I still had so much Baby Sheen left so I decided to make bootees! I still have to add buttons on the side of the bootees though. Next week, I will be featuring these projects with their embellishments and with a baby wearing them :)

So I managed to make a bonnet and a pair of bootees and I still have some Baby Sheen left! I think the remaining yarn is still enough to be used to crochet another pair of bootees or some accents for the baby.

As promised to those who have seen my post on my Facebook Page, go to this LINK to get a copy of the bonnet's pattern (just zoom in to be able to read it clearly). With the Baby Sheen yarn, I used 2.5mm aluminum hook (equivalent to 4/0 Japanese and 12 UK/Canadian - no US size equivalent though). On the yarn label, the gauge used is done with US F5/3.75mm hook (check out my entry on how to read yarn labels HERE).

This booklet is my source of the pattern. Unfortunately, there is no mention of the creator of the pattern. This seems to be a common case among published crochet patterns especially those in the 1950s up to the 1970s. This was published by Patons and Baldwins, Limited (Toronto). I followed the pattern as is and did not make any adjustments to it. The pattern has instructions if you want the bonnet for a 3-month, 6-month, or 9-month old baby. I used the 3-month pattern here (but I think it can fit a 6-month).

"Beehive for Bairns" 

The baby bootees came from a free pattern by Ashlee of "I'm Topsy Turvy." I used Susan Bates Silvalium crochet hook size US F5/3.75mm for this. It's a simple pattern but an adorable one :) The pattern says that the output can fit size 4 feet.

Screen grab from: http://www.imtopsyturvy.com/crochet-wrap-button-baby-boots-girls-boys/

I still have to add buttons on the bootees I made! I can't wait to see how they'd look like on a baby.

Red Heart Baby Sheen will be available in my soon-to-be-launched online store this August. But if you can't wait to get your hands on these skeins, you can just send me an email at gantsilyoguru@gmail.com or send me a private message at my Facebook Page.

Not in picture (but available in stock): Pistachio and Baby Blue. Home decor provided by Torch.

I have stocks of all the colors of Baby Sheen: Baby Blue, Lilac, Pink, Pistachio, Sunshine, Turquoise, and White. I love all the colors! It's tempting to make a granny square blankie out of these colors and use the white for the lining. By the way, the yarn labels on Baby Sheen have a free pattern on them!

A skein of Baby Sheen yarn is PhP 250.

I also sell another baby yarn from Red Heart called Baby TLC. It's like a "fluffier" and lighter acrylic yarn compared to Baby Sheen. Check it out HERE. I also have all colors!

I would like to thank Torch by Scentimentals, Inc. for providing the lovely setup with their home decor for the yarn. You will see more of their products in my website!

Free Patterns With Your Hooks!

Freebie alert! Those who will be purchasing this set of 12 hooks from me...

...will be getting 5 free patterns that use locally available yarn!

Patterns are: Christmas Stars, Square Tissue Holder, Mini Pouch, Poinsettia, and Christmas Ball Accents.

For those who have already purchased the hook set, you will be receiving these as scanned copies through email soon! :)

Click here for more information on these hooks.

You Can't Go Wrong With Vintage Crochet

I just started the grueling task of organizing my "crochet library." I began with my vintage crochet magazines and patterns. I'm placing them inside plastic fillers so they're protected. And because I'm O.C., I have different binders to cater to different categories like home accents, wearables, and others :) It can be therapeutic, you know.

These pieces, in particular, are from the 1950s. Guess what crochet newbies, the patterns you see in those cool (expensive) colorful crochet books might just be taken from old patterns. I think most patterns out there are based on old designs. They're just "updated." If you really want to practice crochet, try learning vintage patterns. It can get you places :)

If your grandma or mom crocheted, try going through her library. She might have a vintage crochet book or magazine hidden somewhere there.

My Bedspread On An Actual Bed

Thank you, Tyzia (of Noah's Nest), for taking this beautiful picture of the bedspread I made on an actual bed! 

There's no such thing as a color overload when they all look so good together!

Check out my previous post on my bedspread here.

I Made a Beanie for a Coffee Cup. Whut.

It's for the 2012 planner of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf here in the Philippines. Check the beanies out on its November spread.

And guess what, you can make your own (if you think your paper cup needs some styling). Pattern is available here for free.

Thanks, Alessa and Belle De Jour for making me part of the project!