266 Pieces. Done.

I am finally done crocheting all 266 motif pieces of the queen-sized bedspread I started last year. And this is how I monitored my count.

One word. Excel.

I am a sucker for Excel. You can organize anything on Excel, so I decided to plan my motif layout for this bedspread on it. Thing is, all the motifs on this project have the same design and only use the same 6 colors on each piece - so why have a layout? I had to make sure the order of the colors on each piece doesn't have the same order as the one beside it. The seemingly random look this bedspread has was planned. I am very detail-oriented, and it pretty much reflects on my choices for my crochet projects.

Excel also helped me monitor how many motifs I have made so far and whether or not I was doing the right number of this certain motif with a specific color order. 

Oh yes, I am O.C. that way. All I need to do now is to sew all of them together. The sewing part is not exactly what I am looking forward to, but it must be done. I hope to post the finished bedspread soon!

On Baby Booties

There is one thing I am sure of when it comes to crocheted baby booties (or shoes): they should be comfortable!

I don't know much about babies but I know they have sensitive skin (especially newborns), so I guess it is ok to assume that choosing the yarn with the right fiber is key. The yarn has to be soft and lightweight. Do take note though that the kind of booties/shoes I am talking about here is not for walking. I am talking about booties/shoes for newborns and infants.

People have been asking me what types of yarn I recommend from my store for baby projects such as these. I am only confident about recommending if I have tried the yarn, have gotten feedback from those who used them before, or have read reviews on them. 

I have crocheted with two types of yarn for baby booties/shoes that fit the description above: Red Heart Baby Sheen and Hamanaka Paume.

This one was crocheted with Red Heart Baby Sheen in Pink and Hamanaka Aluminum Crochet Hook 5/0 (3.0mm). This is a free pattern designed by Ashlee. This is 100% acrylic, but it doesn't feel like your typical acrylic yarn. First off, it's thin (with a Fine 2 yarn thickness) and you don't get the usual visible loose fiber with it. I shaped the sample below with some paper filling to highlight the shape of the booties. You can learn more about this yarn in this blog post I made last year. This pair consumed only a small amount from the compact skein of Red Heart Baby Sheen.

Crochet Wrap Around Booties with Buttons for Infants Desgined by Ashlee

It was a treat working with Hamanaka Paume. This yarn is made of 100% organic cotton from Japan. These shoes were made with Hamanaka Paume 93 (Yellow). This is an original design by Hamanaka. The pattern is available upon request when you purchase a ball from my store.

This yarn is really soft! It has a very smooth texture and I kid you not when I say the yarn just went gliding through my fingers and hook when I was working with it. It consumed only a ball for this pair for a newborn. I used Hamanaka Aluminum Crochet Hook 5/0 (3.0mm). There are 5 pretty pastel colors to choose from. Good news is, they are on clearance sale!

There are many free patterns for baby booties/shoes available on the internet. Here are 2 more free patterns I like:

Everyday Set from Yarnspirations using Lily Sugar 'N Cream Yarn

Crochet Rain Boots by Sarah (Repeat Crafter Me)

I also found this simple measurement chart for babies' feet for different ages. This should help you figure out the length of the sole if you want to make something in advance.

Other yarn alternatives available in my online store for baby projects are:

Red Heart Baby TLC

Lily Sugar 'N Cream

Caron Simply Soft
Red Heart Soft
Kuka Summer Mercerised Cotton
Lion Brand Cotton Ease

Happy crocheting!

White on Brown Coaster

Don't you just love a classic white crocheted piece on top of a brown surface? I saw a coaster pattern from the vintage pattern book, "Madonna Crochet," and had the urge to crochet it. The pieces displayed in the book had some touches of color in them, especially on the petals circling the coaster. I opted to just make it all white. I think it's lovelier and "classier" that way.

I had a ball of Cannon white mercerized cotton yarn lying around and managed to make two coasters out of the yarn left from the ball. 

I didn't block these anymore or starched them to make them stiffer (they'll get wet anyway). I used a size 3 IMIA steel crochet hook for this project. 

The coaster has an elevated edging encircling the base.

This is a time-consuming coaster to make! I think it took me around 1.5 to 2 hours to make just one. Honestly, you only need the base part to make this a functioning coaster, but of course, don't you think it's prettier with the petals? The hard work's worth it. 

Check out another blog entry I made about another white piece HERE.

My Whirlwind of a Summer (So Far)

It's already April and I feel like it's only January! Where did time go!?!?! I checked my blog post count for the past months and wow, I have a lot of catching up to do! I've been going through a lot of (good) changes lately and updating my blog somewhat took a back seat. Oh time, I wish I had more of you!

I just want to share with you some snippets of my past few weeks - what I have been up to and where I have been.

I've been taking a lot of "crochet-fies" lately. It's my travel thing, I guess. Some people have their pictures taken making cartwheels or doing their own signature poses. I get my picture taken crocheting...anywhere! This one is taken in the ruins of a library in front of the Angkor Wat Temple in Siem Reap last month.

This one was taken just last weekend in Hale Manna Beach Resort and Coastal Gardens in Moalboal, Cebu. I posted a blog entry last year about this place. I'm so glad we came back this year!

In other news, I started making coasters! I had the urge to make something white. I tortured myself by choosing a time-consuming pattern which I got from a vintage pattern book called "Madonna Crochet." I will be posting more about this soon!

I have also been out and about the Metro teaching crochet. I've been having schedules every month for Basic Crochet and Tunisian Crochet. I am working on a new module for advanced techniques so I can accommodate crocheters who want to go beyond the basics. Watch out for it in my workshop lineup!

I also attended the book launch of the The Candy DIY Book!

Great DIY projects from Alessa Lanot (Life After Breakfast), Mansy Abesamis (Hey Kessy), Mikko Sumulong (I Try DIY), and Macy Alcaraz (Macy's Fields and Candy). Grab your copy from any bookstore or newsstand nationwide for only PHP 175.00! Congrats, ladies!

I've also been quite busy with my online store, Gantsilyo Guru Selections. Got big plans ahead!!!

And yes, I'm still working on THAT bedspread!

Can't Grow A Beard? Crochet One!

[Intro. Option 1] No beard? No problem!

[Intro. Option 2] Turn a boy into a man with a crocheted beard!

[Intro. Option 3] This is what a boyfriend gets from a crocheter girlfriend.

We don't really celebrate Valentine's day as a couple because the thought of going out on Valentine's day is quite stressful in itself, but I wanted to give him an "anti-Valentine" gift anyway. I checked out crocheted gift ideas for guys online and nothing quite fit Rob's personality. Then I thought, why not crochet a beard for him?

Yes, I know him that well that he would appreciate a crocheted beard. Here he is wearing his crocheted beard while drinking coffee. Fits perfectly.

Here he is with our friends. They don't look distracted at all. It looked...natural.

I used Morris & Sons Estate 8ply yarn, which is made of 100% Australian wool. I kind of cheated with the yarn because he gave that to me as a gift. I think I was able to put it into good use though.

I was inspired by the Crochet Beard pattern from Lion Brand. I had to wing it and didn't follow the pattern as is because of the adjustments needed with the yarn I have. The yarn suggested in the pattern is thicker than the one I had. I had more stitches per row and made more decreases, as needed. I wasn't able to jot down my own pattern because I got really into crocheting it (and I was so lazy to write it down).

This is what it looks like flat. It's just made up of single crochets.

Go ahead and give your man a crocheted beard! Because men like weird gifts.

Want To Be A Better Crocheter?

Practice. You don't have to have a project in mind. Just practice :)

This is how I started training myself. I got a book with 300 motif patterns and I started crocheting the motifs in it.

Well, a lot of them. I crocheted around a hundred (so far). In the process, I was able to refine my crocheting and get "cleaner" outputs.

It's actually nice to have a motif collection. It's better to have the actual crocheted sample of a motif than the image in the book as reference. If you're a serious crocheter, having a collection like this can give you tons of ideas and inspiration for projects!

I had to put a tag on each of them so I could track the motifs I have done so far. I still have a long way to go! If I'm determined to make at least one a day, I can actually make all the motifs in the book before the year ends. Let's see!

Happy weekend, everyone! Crochet something!

My Crochet Fixation For The Past Weeks

Years ago, I crocheted picture frames just for the heck of it. I didn't know why, but I got obsessed making these picture frames. I had no intention of selling them or had people in mind to give them to. I just made them. I think it reached around 50+ pieces.

The patterns for these frames came from the book "At Home With Crochet" by Leisure Arts Publication. This is the same book where I got the pattern for my 3D Christmas Tree. I used mercerised crochet cotton yarn for these.

I attached magnetic strips at the back of some frames so it can be placed on refrigerator doors. I gave most of them away as gifts. These frames can also be starched and hanged as decor (for a unique banner, perhaps?).

I got fixated on those frames for quite some time. I think I'm at it again - not with frames, but with cowls! I've been obsessively crocheting cowls lately. The recent cold weather might have influenced me to crochet these. It's hot in Manila now though, but I'm still crocheting them. I'm not even changing patterns. They all have the same pattern but I wanted to see how the pattern will look like in different kinds of Hamanaka wool yarn. They're super warm! Honestly, these cowls would only have use either in a very cold air-conditioned place or in any country with snow :p

Were you ever fixated on a crochet project? I'm trying to get out of this one by looking for a pretty next project for myself.

Getting There!!!

Remember the bedspread I started with Red Heart Baby Sheen?

I went on full blast crochet mode to make motif pieces for the bedspread just this December. I'm supposed to make 266 pieces in total and have so far done almost half! 

I think I will be able to finish the entire queen size bedspread by February. When people ask me where I get the patience to make big projects like this one, I just say I simply like doing it. Thing is, even if I am doing the same pattern over and over again, every piece I make seems to be different from the one I made before. It's not just because of the different color combinations. I think it's also because I go through something different every time I make a piece. Curious, eh? I don't know, really. Crochet is very psychological :p

Here's the back side of my sample cluster. Do not underestimate the power of the back! One must try to have the back side of a crocheted piece to be as clean as the front, especially for bedspreads. It wouldn't be nice to have an ugly back when you turn it over. 

Now I shall go back to my hermit cave and crochet some more. 

Yarn Tip 1: Make Yarn Swatches

If you're a hardcore crocheter or knitter, having yarn swatches is a must. Yarn swatches can help you remember gauges, textures, and even color combinations. Maybe this is something you can do this 2014!

In my case, obviously, it's all about color combinations. These swatches easily give me inspiration for color schemes for my crochet projects. I just whipped up a few rows of single crochets to create small rectangles of colorful goodness :)

My yarn swatch collection is still a work in progress. They still lack labels. In my labels, I intend to include the yarn brand, type, color, and hook size used to make those swatches. It may sound like a lot of work but it will be worth it, for sure.

I placed these swatches in a photo album with inserts I bought from a bookstore.

I will be placing the labels just above the swatches. The swatches will be secured by double-sided tape so they won't slip out of the album.

I also have my African Flower swatches! Having swatches done in rounds, instead of rows, show a different take on color combinations.

Now, go forth and make your own swatches!

This Is What Happens When A Crocheter Attempts...

...to model her work. This post is so vain. I know :p

So I wanted to show off the cowl/infinity shawl I crocheted with Hamanaka yarn by wearing it. I was with my boyfriend Rob at his office holiday get-together. I was wearing the crocheted cowl, so I decided to have some pictures taken with it. The experience was so excruciating. It's so hard to get a decent picture!

I was sort of going for some "look." The image in my head, well, remained in my head. Man, I'ma get me a model to do these things for me.

This may be the most decent one, out of 35 shots Rob took of me on that wall.

My right foot leaning against the wall is Rob's idea, by the way. I don't really know what I'm supposed to convey in this picture. As long as the cowl looks good, I'm good. Actually, it probably would have looked more awkward without the cowl.

By the way, if this post made you want that cowl (miraculously), go HERE for more details :)

Mad For Cowls: Made-To-Order Hamanaka Pieces

I am here to declare that the cowl is the new shawl :)

I'm a shawl girl. I like having something over my outfit especially when I'm in cold establishments. I also like having a shawl in my bag, just in case I may need it. It also changes my look if I'm wearing a plain outfit. 

Then I got drawn to cowls. They're like shawls that got connected on both ends. Check out this design by Hamanaka, from their 2012 catalog.

Photo belongs to Hamanaka from their 2012 pattern catalog (H105-962)

The draping differentiates it from a shawl. You can also change the look by twisting the cowl in the middle to wear it thickly enough to keep your neck warm (I don't know why she looks sad here).

This may come in handy for your cold-weather trips to Baguio or Tagaytay or even outside the country. Since I have Hamanaka yarn, I decided to crochet this design with, what else, Hamanaka yarn! I don't have the yarn in the picture with the model, but I have 2 delicious yarn that go well with this design.

This one is made with Cornetto (color 6) yarn. Nice, noh? The color has some shimmer to it and the variegation between colors are subtle - a characteristic I noticed of Hamanaka yarn with some variegation in colors. When laid flat and already folded into a cowl, the length is almost 23 inches. This will go longer once the cowl is worn over the neck because of the stretching of the yarn. I can attest to the lightness of this cowl as well.

The one below is made with Hamanaka's Rich More Percent Gradation, in color 206. The yarn is a bit thicker than the Cornetto and the length is longer at around 27 inches, when laid flat as a cowl. As usual, the color variegation is impeccable. 

Both of these pieces are available on sale. Just in case these aren't available anymore, we also offer them as made-to-order items and we're also giving you the option to choose from these available yarn and colors (subject to availability):

Cornetto Yarn 

50% Polyester, 28% Acrylic, 15% Nylon, 7% Wool

Percent Gradation Yarn

100% Wool
Colors: 206 (Left), 207, Right: 213

Are You Ready To Yarn Bomb, Manila!?!?!

Details to be released soon! This is open to all crocheters and knitters! No charges. Just an open collaboration among yarn addicts. Let's prettify Manila starting with this small project. Next thing you know, we'll be yarn bombing everywhere!

Tunisian Crochet and Vegetarian Food

The combination sounds a bit new age, eh? Well, it happened and it was a steady October 20 afternoon of learning this crochet technique and eating good vegetarian food.

The place was the perfect setting for a steady afternoon of crocheting.

I love the red-bricked wall! Pipino is located along Jupiter St. in Makati City.

I taught these ladies four basic Tunisian crochet stitches using Susan Bates afghan hook. They also got a chance to work with really nice Katia Tobago yarn. The yarn is 100% combed cotton, but you can work with other types of yarn with your afghan hook.

Tunisian crochet may sound difficult, but it is not. There are also many kinds of projects that can be done with it. If you're after speed and texture, you might want to explore this technique.

We took a break in the middle of the workshop to rest our hands (and get out of that crochet bubble at least for a while) and to get our share of delicious vegetarian food from Pipino. We were lucky to "devour" latest additions to their menu.

We had tomato soup, veggie triangles, and tofu bistek with crispy spinach and annatto rice (shown in the bottom left of the pic above). I used to be vegetarian, actually, for almost 4 years. But eating Pipino's food makes me want to relive my vegetarian lifestyle!

We're a bunch of happy (Tunisian) hookers!