tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40060184044112936152024-02-18T18:31:13.066-08:00The Artful HookerBefore you faint at the mere mention of my blog title, be assured that all the content in my blog are rated G - all audiences (readers) admitted.
I'm a hooker - I CROCHET, silly. I love my crochet hooks and yarns and beads and craft supplies. I also dabble in other crafts sometimes.
Join me in my crafty and/or geeky adventures!Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-1276443967735824812011-06-11T23:08:00.000-07:002011-06-11T23:08:24.135-07:00Of Ninjas and CrochetTrue happiness--how do we know if we have found it? I have ALWAYS found it difficult to answer that question. I am pretty easy to please, but then in the back of my mind there's a little voice asking, "Is this it, or is there something better?"<br />
<br />
It took a lot of courage to step back and examine my life, as objectively and honestly as possible. I decided that unless I try to make changes, I'll never grow as a person, as a writer, and as a crafter. I had interpreted the happiness I felt as contentedness, when it really was COMPLACENCY.<br />
<br />
And so, I covered my eyes and took that leap into unchartered territory--in my full-time work, in my craft, and in my personal life. I'm really hoping it all pays off. After all, I didn't rush into it unprepared--I have my God, my family and friends at my back. :)<br />
<br />
<b>Of Ninjas</b><br />
<a href="http://www.nakamuraka.com/customer/account/create" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nakamuraka.com/skin/frontend/default/inspire-blue/images/ninja-footer.png" /></a>I quit from my (stable, relatively high-income, low-effort) day job. I really want to grow as a person, and I think that in my new job, I will get tons of opportunities to do just that. I now work as content writer for Lemonade Stand Media, an advertising company that wants to explore the new frontier in media: the online universe. We have a group buy site: <a href="http://www.nakamuraka.com%20/">http://www.nakamuraka.com</a>. Right now, that is our focus. Aside from writing content for the site, I also play a role in promoting it through different social media channels.(Please click the link to see more ninjas :D)<br />
<br />
<b>Of Crochet</b><br />
I have been writing for <a href="http://www.crochetspot.com/">Crochet Spot</a> since November 2010. I love helping people learn more about crochet, and writing patterns for them to enjoy (plus it doesn't hurt to have a little extra income doing something you like doing anyway). Rachel (founder of Crochet Spot and crochet superwoman) has been a very considerate and generous person in my life. Recently she asked me to write patterns for the <a href="http://www.crochetspot.com/store/">Crochet Spot Store</a> and of course, I was only too happy to oblige! So far I have had the pleasure of submitting two patterns for her, and I'm working on a fabulous third. ;)<br />
<br />
I don't know when <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/claire-ortega">Ravelry</a> started doing this, but boy oh boy, how happy am I that I can now share all of my patterns with non-Ravelers!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/claire-ortega"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGJ6w1dbbbPPhvGkyOLtfGs8DGr3sqoZHVLhaktSi7ZdmNox-VvZyJZppIua95mF6Hlxiei3QyAzBuz2xDRjaivpA8RHsxITv6-Tn1ITVVpOTTb2jUaUTKSBS34K0yPe68KQ8NlE2JNpu/s320/claire+ortega+patterns.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>And Another Thing...</b><br />
Another BIG change is coming to the artful hooker.<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
The artful hooker is getting married! (It's kind of weird talking about myself in the third person) :D To a civil engineer I met in college. To me he represents a lot of firsts (first boyfriend, first kiss), and I look forward to sharing more "firsts" with him, our families, and our friends. The wedding is about eight months away, and I'm happy to report that I have not (yet) become a bridezilla. :)<br />
<br />
I'm not sure where all of these changes will take me, but I have steadfast faith that EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT. :)<br />
<br />
Cheers to change, happiness, and love!<br />
<a href="" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/121/9F3E57CBBC9E3DE7DF37A1038649078B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-26507765786907723822011-03-31T19:57:00.000-07:002011-03-31T19:57:00.179-07:00P.S. I Made This...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I can't believe I just found this site: <a href="http://psimadethis.com/">http://psimadethis.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a site for all the girly-girls out there; doesn't matter if you haven't done a DIY project at all before. New York-based Erika Domesek (psimadethis.com's founder) explains all the steps in every oh-so-stylish project through a single collage-style photo! And don't worry, she also makes tutorial videos for her DIY projects.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's my favorite so far: her chunky pearl necklace. It's a great way to recycle all those pearl or bead strands you've grown tired of wearing, or have faded in some parts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg5p4b6Fh21qzymieo1_r2_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg5p4b6Fh21qzymieo1_r2_400.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><a href="" target="_blank"><br />
</a><br />
<a href="" target="_blank">Fabulous, no? :) Happy crafting!</a><br />
<a href="" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/121/9F3E57CBBC9E3DE7DF37A1038649078B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-7039309896370847192011-03-29T05:38:00.000-07:002011-03-29T05:44:57.349-07:00Lovin' Lace<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q_apOebvd-lAbXv_FABId9uO8E91PJt9mSlzuSuG2Avj5kHvDTeUzFSNq5ngfSyv_wU1GESlsFGANsbM6jkwbJQKus3jGJxeim86Owd7nBqNDl3H098TZc5Fkx4o2ryAXr-HNLI5MpOC/s1600/DSC01544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><br />
Lately I've been fascinated with lace. I only learned this week the different textures for lace like Chantilly and Duchesse. So lovely and romantic--each one more intricate and detailed than the next.<br />
<br />
I'm so thankful that I know how to crochet. This lets me achieve that lacy look without spending too extravagantly! I love the designs of crocheted lace by Doris Chan, Vashti Braha, Lily Go and our very own Mimi Alelis. I even love the look of freeform lace (by Myra Wood) even though I don't personally like making freeform crochet all that much.<br />
<br />
So for those whose interest I managed to get piqued, I'm sharing with you the link to the latest free ebook from Interweave Crochet:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crochetme.com/Crochet-Lace/">http://www.crochetme.com/Crochet-Lace/</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crochetme.com/images/premiums/lace/corset-crochet-laces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.crochetme.com/images/premiums/lace/corset-crochet-laces.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #595959; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<br />
"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Crochet Lace Pattern #1</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Corset Belt by Sandi Wiseheart</b></span>— Inspired by such Hollywood stars as Queen Latifah, this easy crochet lace corset is crocheted using suede and accented with three crocheted flowers. Corset belts can be worn high or low, to accentuate your own favorite curves."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crochetme.com/images/premiums/lace/broomstick-lace-pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.crochetme.com/images/premiums/lace/broomstick-lace-pattern.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #595959; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<br />
"<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Crochet Lace Pattern #2<br />
Broomstick Lace Capelet by Kate Pullen</span></b>—Looking from broomstick lace patterns? Light and airy, the Broomstick Lace Capelet by Kate Pullen combines mohair and silk yarn with broomstick lace to create a capelet with the perfect combination of elegance and practicality. Surprisingly warm, this accessory highlights the beauty of broomstick crochet. Stylish enough for an evening out and cozy enough for a stroll by the water, the capelet makes a beautiful addition to many outfits."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crochetme.com/images/premiums/lace/crochet-lace-pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.crochetme.com/images/premiums/lace/crochet-lace-pattern.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
"<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Crochet Lace Pattern #3<br />
Crocus Scarf by Laura Rintala</span></b>—The Crocus Scarf by Laura Rintala lends the perfect crocheted lace touch to your spring ensemble. This easy crochet lace pattern is crocheted from luscious silk and begins with a simple fan-lace pattern."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #595959; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.crochetme.com/images/premiums/lace/amazing-crochet-lace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.crochetme.com/images/premiums/lace/amazing-crochet-lace.jpg" /></a></span></div><br />
<br />
"<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Crochet Lace Pattern #4<br />
Tunisian Lace Ascot by Ellen K. Gormley</span></b>— If you want to learn Tunisian crochet, the Tunisian Lace Ascot by Ellen K. Gormley is a great introduction to this technique. This quick and simple crochet lace scarf transitions seamlessly through the seasons, and the easily memorized crochet lace pattern makes it an ideal travel project. Though simple, the result is elegant and practical."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crochetme.com/images/premiums/lace/crochet-lace-bracelets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.crochetme.com/images/premiums/lace/crochet-lace-bracelets.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #595959; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<br />
"<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Crochet Lace Pattern #5<br />
Victorian-Inspired Lace Bracelet by Sarah Read</span></b>— Don’t let the tiny hook and thread fool you—this charming crochet lace pattern works up quickly. The Victorian-Inspired Lace Bracelet by Sarah Read is reminiscent of historic thread crochet. Inspired by vintage Weldon's patterns, this charming lace bracelet makes a fast gift and shifts effortlessly from elegant to modern."<br />
<br />
<br />
Of all these patterns, I've only made the bracelet (and I made it a looong time ago!). I made a few variations, though: I made a strap with an improvised, crocheted toggle clasp for easier closure. Here are a few pictures, and you can see my Ravelry project page for it, too: <a href="http://ravel.me/clairethere/vilb">http://ravel.me/clairethere/vilb</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q_apOebvd-lAbXv_FABId9uO8E91PJt9mSlzuSuG2Avj5kHvDTeUzFSNq5ngfSyv_wU1GESlsFGANsbM6jkwbJQKus3jGJxeim86Owd7nBqNDl3H098TZc5Fkx4o2ryAXr-HNLI5MpOC/s1600/DSC01544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q_apOebvd-lAbXv_FABId9uO8E91PJt9mSlzuSuG2Avj5kHvDTeUzFSNq5ngfSyv_wU1GESlsFGANsbM6jkwbJQKus3jGJxeim86Owd7nBqNDl3H098TZc5Fkx4o2ryAXr-HNLI5MpOC/s320/DSC01544.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqiJj8JkHmU2JFvUdrgCc7r1b2OJRN7hud58uBfrSTGfqg7YyOJ82hVNYSE6rY35jehkHpci5JpCbzhg18P3PfVFuCYBHTkV72bgN8Oq9MwAkDDLoTi9uxECSwTuJ57iJyE67wDsf2X-x/s1600/DSC01542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqiJj8JkHmU2JFvUdrgCc7r1b2OJRN7hud58uBfrSTGfqg7YyOJ82hVNYSE6rY35jehkHpci5JpCbzhg18P3PfVFuCYBHTkV72bgN8Oq9MwAkDDLoTi9uxECSwTuJ57iJyE67wDsf2X-x/s320/DSC01542.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I do love the Tunisian ascot and broomstick lace capelet! I don't see any practical uses for those though... *sigh* But it's always great to learn a new crochet technique. :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy hooking!</div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4006018404411293615&postID=703930989637084719" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/121/9F3E57CBBC9E3DE7DF37A1038649078B.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-70168560965999572912011-03-20T22:25:00.000-07:002011-03-23T07:04:26.941-07:00Totally Crocheted ApartmentMadness. Crochet madness, that is.<br />
<br />
It's what came to my mind as I browsed through the photos of the "<a href="http://curbed.com/archives/2011/03/18/please-say-hello-to-worlds-first-thoroughly-crocheted-apartment.php#knitted-apartment-1">World's First Thoroughly Crocheted Apartment</a>."<br />
<br />
I mean, I love crochet, and I love art. I even love me some crocheted art. But... Why. Why?? WHY?!?!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/5219/5537348968_391790aa81_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/5219/5537348968_391790aa81_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/5020/5537349006_9afe75bf25_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/5020/5537349006_9afe75bf25_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/5058/5536770775_70feb5c24e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/5058/5536770775_70feb5c24e_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I mean I know it makes people see crochet in a new light, but I'm not sure if that new light is all that flattering. It's bound to draw reactions along the lines of a "WTF?!" instead of a "Ooohhh.." *sigh* ..At least now we know where all that Red Heart Camo Print is going.Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-19651379940307777162011-03-18T10:29:00.000-07:002011-03-18T10:30:40.450-07:00The Complete Encyclopedia of Needlework<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFUPCTxzW0wwk5bQUUUbtgoPoaalKpKh9jtXGV7PP5bJN2igyPhCUGAgy4ZPzQzlpurcJ768xQSVuF7H8Kwor_CO_MeTwVt-HEgcTxO7pzhl6GHAJs7K7W6OSB6pBVS43FfOcPqj87sK0/s1600/DSC03298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFUPCTxzW0wwk5bQUUUbtgoPoaalKpKh9jtXGV7PP5bJN2igyPhCUGAgy4ZPzQzlpurcJ768xQSVuF7H8Kwor_CO_MeTwVt-HEgcTxO7pzhl6GHAJs7K7W6OSB6pBVS43FfOcPqj87sK0/s400/DSC03298.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Complete Encyclopedia of Needlework</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I was so happy to see this book on sale at my favorite bookstore. I went into the store just planning to browse through their craft books for inspiration... But then this beauty presents itself to me, with a heaven-sent 40% off tag to boot!<br />
<br />
I love reading it. Somehow, while reading it my posture is ramrod straight. I instantly feel maidenly and proper. I guess Madam Therese's voice transcends through all those translations--I feel like a private tutor bent on my social survival is constantly chastising me. LOL.<br />
<br />
Even though the language is a little outdated, I love the comprehensive coverage of everything yarny and thready and hooky and needly. Every time I pick up the book, I learn something new.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQnkX0e-z-nm5m08nbs7-BqY4YZh4msCAoAE0gaE-MM6l63RAXfPRFFgcPGy6UYgq0_lRJ0eXvlnerJQJUqOCrzhrfSgOWPVqfmUf4Y6iMYgWssk9thF1N6ygXXdPgNF8d6BBJRGnTLoa/s1600/DSC03300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQnkX0e-z-nm5m08nbs7-BqY4YZh4msCAoAE0gaE-MM6l63RAXfPRFFgcPGy6UYgq0_lRJ0eXvlnerJQJUqOCrzhrfSgOWPVqfmUf4Y6iMYgWssk9thF1N6ygXXdPgNF8d6BBJRGnTLoa/s200/DSC03300.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Plus, this handy dandy color wheel comes with it! It's placed in the back of the book, sort of where an accompanying CD would have been placed for something like a concise encyclopedia. How eminently proper for something so properly crafty. :)<br />
<br />
I absolutely recommend getting a copy. For a craft compendium, it's actually portable! And it's a true timeless classic you'll consult over and over again.Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-28792736901623167712010-12-26T16:27:00.000-08:002010-12-26T16:27:06.006-08:00Busy-ness. And Crochet for Pets...I have neglected my blog lately because of all the things I've been juggling. To be honest I'm a little tired of writing right now--it used to be so much fun to share my thoughts, views and creations by blog. But lately I've been doing too much of it for work!<br />
<br />
So there, I feel better after writing that. :)<br />
<br />
On to the main point of this post... I want to know if people really love crocheting or knitting for their pets.<br />
<br />
I mean, on the upside, they won't say anything bad about your work, right? But you wouldn't really know if they would like it or not until you see their reactions to the finished item. So there's a chance that your efforts would go to waste... Wouldn't it be nice to understand your pet's thoughts? LOL. I would've freaked out if my dog suddenly started speaking, but hey, who wouldn't want to have a conversation with their pet? :)<br />
<br />
I'm asking because I submitted two patterns to Rachel of Crochet Spot, for pets.<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTCnYBzDGcodOu2tpC_mMkuWxwPIqt2kv-y4Q-oHpAo3knvBBuDq0Dspfjk771OH755qcJg5WjhIb3H4R7b1_GmUgRwFRdN2r3ISB513zpxGHQN66ryuDnjQA2gSiDA_YxgMpIIwHLCp4/s1600/TJ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTCnYBzDGcodOu2tpC_mMkuWxwPIqt2kv-y4Q-oHpAo3knvBBuDq0Dspfjk771OH755qcJg5WjhIb3H4R7b1_GmUgRwFRdN2r3ISB513zpxGHQN66ryuDnjQA2gSiDA_YxgMpIIwHLCp4/s200/TJ.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Houndstooth Pet Scarf</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> <td width="300"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-computer-mouse-toy/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.crochetspot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Computer-Mouse-Toy-239x300.jpg" width="159" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Computer Mouse Toy</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> </tr>
</tbody></table>What do you think? And what do you do? Do you like crafting for pets?<div><br />
</div><div>In my case, crocheting for pets is a new idea. I hadn't done it before Rachel's requests for patterns... But my dog seems to like both! Bully for me, but does this go for everyone else too? :)</div>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-10262140720391013042010-12-15T01:24:00.000-08:002010-12-15T01:27:03.002-08:00My Christmas GiftI shared a photo <a href="http://artfulhooker.blogspot.com/2009/12/wordless-friday-merry-christmas-from.html">here</a> of the Christmas tree hat I wore last year to our company's Christmas party. Can you still remember? *Giggles*<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmodXA8XejGts-0MEq2dpAadqkw8CLPu3V4n1IJzJnlbT2lzP4q-qridE5Tqi3YN7cFJFrXFK_8r8EdBSDcCiUuEdMeX-sGrsbMWNGKHDloI1Yj8kYvJDTC3x80Gb0ZNddbzp_8LzwK4B/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmodXA8XejGts-0MEq2dpAadqkw8CLPu3V4n1IJzJnlbT2lzP4q-qridE5Tqi3YN7cFJFrXFK_8r8EdBSDcCiUuEdMeX-sGrsbMWNGKHDloI1Yj8kYvJDTC3x80Gb0ZNddbzp_8LzwK4B/" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'm happy to say that I won the Best Hat Category last year. :D The cash prize was unexpected (and deeply appreciated!). But I valued mroe the reactions I got while wearing this hat. Its glory was extended to the family reunion we have yearly... Where it met its demise at the hands of overeager relatives. :|<br />
<br />
A Crochet Spot reader requested the pattern for this hat, so I remade it and shared the pattern for everyone! Check it out!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-christmas-tree-hat/">Christmas Tree Hat</a></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crochetspot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/christmas-tree-hat-laid-flat-214x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.crochetspot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/christmas-tree-hat-laid-flat-214x300.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Hope you like it. Better hurry, there's still a little ways to go before Christmas. ;)<br />
<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><br />
<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-80844921582969776742010-11-17T21:52:00.000-08:002010-11-17T21:52:45.544-08:00Good News!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AEYilwMJjXgMLtgAsT5v071i_Us79OzetvjPfmD2Do-FCw9XdYGX2wDvP16TGsk3p5P21zR6qM3G5nzUyZ2iYcehC5qbiyYwhScqNY02RNR7gLFil5gLR58dnGFDRjm96YPLops6CM_O/s1600/DSC02570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AEYilwMJjXgMLtgAsT5v071i_Us79OzetvjPfmD2Do-FCw9XdYGX2wDvP16TGsk3p5P21zR6qM3G5nzUyZ2iYcehC5qbiyYwhScqNY02RNR7gLFil5gLR58dnGFDRjm96YPLops6CM_O/s200/DSC02570.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Do you remember this necklace from my last post? I finished writing the pattern for it (with a few changes). I added a small star in the center, made the strap shorter, and made it in Christmas-y colors...<br />
<br />
<br />
And voila! It became a Christmas ornament!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.crochetspot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Star-in-a-Flower-Ornament-205x300.jpg" width="273" /></div><br />
You can find the pattern at Crochet Spot: <a href="http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-star-in-a-flower-ornament/#more-7401">Star in a Flower Ornament</a>. Yes, I'm writing for Crochet Spot's Rachel Choi! I've also written another post for the site, a t<a href="http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-popcorn-stitch/">utorial for the popcorn stitch</a>.<br />
<br />
I can't even begin to express how happy I am about this. I finally found a way to combine two things I love doing: crochet and writing. And make a little extra money, too! I think (and hope) that this will develop me both as a writer and a crafter. Already, I'm learning a lot about writing better posts and how to make patterns simpler to read. Rachel, I can't thank you enough for this great opportunity. :)<br />
<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-47258486533562628042010-11-06T22:23:00.000-07:002010-11-06T22:24:48.133-07:00Accessorize!They say the key to a good outfit is having the right accessories. Sometimes you need small pieces to accentuate a bold outfit; sometimes it's the other way around.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I felt I needed something eye-catching to make my otherwise plain outfit stand out. So I made this necklace yesterday before going out. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AEYilwMJjXgMLtgAsT5v071i_Us79OzetvjPfmD2Do-FCw9XdYGX2wDvP16TGsk3p5P21zR6qM3G5nzUyZ2iYcehC5qbiyYwhScqNY02RNR7gLFil5gLR58dnGFDRjm96YPLops6CM_O/s1600/DSC02570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AEYilwMJjXgMLtgAsT5v071i_Us79OzetvjPfmD2Do-FCw9XdYGX2wDvP16TGsk3p5P21zR6qM3G5nzUyZ2iYcehC5qbiyYwhScqNY02RNR7gLFil5gLR58dnGFDRjm96YPLops6CM_O/s320/DSC02570.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll be sharing the pattern with everyone soon. I'm thinking that it would make a great Christmas tree ornament too, using the right colors. :D </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Watch out for the pattern soon!</div>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-22955648220414526352010-10-22T07:06:00.000-07:002010-10-22T07:06:06.074-07:00Whoot!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Owls. I became OBSESSED with them last week. For no particular reason that I could fathom. I mean, I haven't even seen <i>The Owls of Ga'hoole</i> yet (I'm not particularly excited by the story, but it amused me to no end that the owls had English accents). I noticed that there are a lot of crochet patterns for owl-y things. They ranged from fugly to frakking cute.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Hands down, my favorite was <a href="http://www.irenestrange.co.uk/reeneegurumi_owl.html">Rupert the Owl</a> by <a href="http://www.irenestrange.co.uk/">Irene Strange</a>. I gazed at it during all my breaks at work for one week before caving in and buying the pattern on Ravelry. I both love and hate that designers can have pattern shops there--it means easy access to all the lovely patterns. Instant gratification which unfortunately equates to increased spending (at least for me :D).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">But for this particular pattern, I knew that I was going to get my money's worth. I've seen how the author explains the pattern via written instructions, graphs, and photo tutorial. She has some free patterns available on <a href="http://www.irenestrange.co.uk/shop_reeneegurumi.html">her website</a> and on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#designer=Irene%20Strange&availability=free&view=captioned_thumbs&sort=date">Ravelry</a>.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">I immediately set off to work on it. But I didn't make a toy... I made a cozy for my MP3 player! My player looks like Mickey Mouse. Seriously.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQeWRBHalCegQqG1DTPsnwjOQSjXlrg6ZvGCuBcSdwuUe-hC09nkR1INUk8rZPduw36piA7Rb1eOxun_yB4qfdfYGXUPPrvu1Cv5vkC4zC8xlaeUm1RGbNVIRlftGqv6E3R1m0OMBF6TS/s1600/DSC02525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQeWRBHalCegQqG1DTPsnwjOQSjXlrg6ZvGCuBcSdwuUe-hC09nkR1INUk8rZPduw36piA7Rb1eOxun_yB4qfdfYGXUPPrvu1Cv5vkC4zC8xlaeUm1RGbNVIRlftGqv6E3R1m0OMBF6TS/s320/DSC02525.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Whoot with Mickey</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEQVspONDbGkzCnYlrtSluBrt30wpn-H8OfPAdBHHmPrcl8aUCU8ZCig6iMA6L26H9NOUAl086nHRqkjawabxLzNozRdIwIHPqEioHt54hV-l7BpId0XvbYwp5OQN_TRfN6ZLDkY5BKFu/s1600/DSC02526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEQVspONDbGkzCnYlrtSluBrt30wpn-H8OfPAdBHHmPrcl8aUCU8ZCig6iMA6L26H9NOUAl086nHRqkjawabxLzNozRdIwIHPqEioHt54hV-l7BpId0XvbYwp5OQN_TRfN6ZLDkY5BKFu/s200/DSC02526.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>close,</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I attached a button on the back so I can open and close Whoot's head, and a loop on top so I can wear her on a necklace. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbIq3HvsUgFO54Xz22P01khG0zn_dxrXcE9pvHbTzsvGtTQ4dtYUMg8nWeZ6M-6F08lwf2n3jTxea1OO7-RoEQc-o7LpCHv5owi5HbhWrF199LRKvuRbk-zfRxfpTJPxS5ZH_HG4rALJe/s200/DSC02527.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>open!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I don't often make things that have color changes after every single row, and lots of sewing and finishing involved. But I'm really happy with this one. I just might make another. :D<br />
<div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICKRbT1YsAiCOBUFOfL6FkXw8lRo4GBcgfgiHLzvQXSRqmTaFDTUVPVJDrPxfCetRgLJ-_ErI-eTx53scD9XmwMs_daNzmIGvHuJw11eiT5Z4qu7Y_DBSm3p-tFcRxvYOEAcxC2P98Smb/s1600/DSC02528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICKRbT1YsAiCOBUFOfL6FkXw8lRo4GBcgfgiHLzvQXSRqmTaFDTUVPVJDrPxfCetRgLJ-_ErI-eTx53scD9XmwMs_daNzmIGvHuJw11eiT5Z4qu7Y_DBSm3p-tFcRxvYOEAcxC2P98Smb/s400/DSC02528.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div></div>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-54329311602031074632010-10-08T06:07:00.000-07:002010-11-02T01:18:25.006-07:00Phone-y Turtleneck Sweater (Phone Cozy)<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I’ve been away from my blog far too much. To make up for it, I give you…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">*drumroll*<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">A free pattern! My first evereverever. Ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">It’s October already, and you know what that means. </span><st1:place w:st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Holiday</span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> gift cramming! I came up with something that would be a great gift to guys, gals, and just about anyone who has a phone or gadget. Plus, it uses up your scraps! It uses up small amounts of worsted acrylic (hurrah for cheap yarn). It’s like a win-win-win situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Phone-y Turtleneck Sweater (Phone Cozy)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> by Claire Ortega, October 2010</span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQALEB04U2fjkLDXXinK2-bOyyZ2sFbN2KIWZEJ4ZHv6GWuJTBsAb8hiVzP46W6nT7jzpRnPpHjM_fLk62W_N2yqGbGCp0sBLM2ysoafymItlW0i_jikKyqeFwTW3-kPqbTeOIBa5BDc8/s1600/DSC01958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQALEB04U2fjkLDXXinK2-bOyyZ2sFbN2KIWZEJ4ZHv6GWuJTBsAb8hiVzP46W6nT7jzpRnPpHjM_fLk62W_N2yqGbGCp0sBLM2ysoafymItlW0i_jikKyqeFwTW3-kPqbTeOIBa5BDc8/s320/DSC01958.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5blCwwvtB4TEJwWVGxOcLXwpX5pvBAqmE8JGlLHfJ0906EjaARnyw3ZxBjw75n1ea1q-RD5X8qjde-Pm0MBVLPjEIyOXPSIPTURX5SCWJpVHATEVXoh1h5v-Onr-43Niq5cFNAcIuAWY/s1600/DSC01971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5blCwwvtB4TEJwWVGxOcLXwpX5pvBAqmE8JGlLHfJ0906EjaARnyw3ZxBjw75n1ea1q-RD5X8qjde-Pm0MBVLPjEIyOXPSIPTURX5SCWJpVHATEVXoh1h5v-Onr-43Niq5cFNAcIuAWY/s320/DSC01971.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I love sweaters. Unfortunately they don’t look good on me. I’ve always wanted one –so I make it for my phone! I have a Samsung Champ 3303 (I think it’s a standard size for touch-screen phones). If you’re making this for something else, the pattern is easily adjustable though. Read on to the customizing tips at the bottom. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">These would make fast gifts for Christmas. Now you can finally, really, truly make a sweater for everyone for the holidays. LOL.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Skill Level:</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> Easy<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Materials:</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> about 30-40 yards worsted or medium weight acrylic (But I’ve been informed that other fibers work fine, too. J One even tried it in DK weight and it still came out about the same size.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> H / 8/0 / 5.00 mm hook<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> Tapestry needle/ yarn needle, for weaving ends in<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Gauge:</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> Not overly important – but my gauge was 8 sc x 8 sc rows = 2 inches.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Finished Size:</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> Stretches to fit most phones and some rectangular gadgets. My phone measures </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">96.3 x 53.8 x 12.97 mm. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Cozy could be made bigger by starting with more chains (to add width) or by making more row repeats (to add length).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Notes:</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> Cozy is made back in forth in rows, constructed from side to side and then seamed at one side. It is designed to be stretchy, so if you’re customizing it for a specific gadget, make sure to take that into account. Ch 1 at end of rows does not count as a stitch. Optional notes are added in italics.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Stitches used:</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> US Terminology<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> Ch = chain<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> Sc = single crochet<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> Hdc = half double crochet<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> Hdc 3 together = (yarn over, insert into back loop of next stitch) three times, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Other terms:</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> Blo = back loop only<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> FO = Fasten off.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Row 1: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Ch 18.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Sc in 2</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">nd</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> ch from hook. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I like working the stitches in the back loop, but do whatever you’re comfortable with. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 sc in each of next 9 stitches. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 hdc in each of next 6 stitches. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">5 hdc in last stitch. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Continue working on the other side of the starting chain.</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> I crochet over the starting chain’s tail at this part for easy/lazy yarn-tail hiding. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 hdc in each of next 6 stitches. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 sc in each of next 10 stitches </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Ch 1, turn. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">~ 20 sc and 17 hdc ~</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><i>At the end of row 1, you should have something like this:</i></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjEkgQQLWPsxrd78q6x1xheF9XLlkbC4elIO6ZLMJUR6D7mjsZ_RoeBl8isQCd0_IHwW_NbPxY4t42BBHsi_n6ali2UC8QWvQRNge1ytDZnnw866DnvgFtaksfCadJyvTJKQdybHPvUIb/s1600/DSC01963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjEkgQQLWPsxrd78q6x1xheF9XLlkbC4elIO6ZLMJUR6D7mjsZ_RoeBl8isQCd0_IHwW_NbPxY4t42BBHsi_n6ali2UC8QWvQRNge1ytDZnnw866DnvgFtaksfCadJyvTJKQdybHPvUIb/s320/DSC01963.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">From this point forward, all stitches will be made in the blo.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Row 2: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 sc in blo of 1</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">st</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> sc and each of next 9 sc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 hdc in blo of next 8 hdc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">3 hdc in blo of next hdc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 hdc in blo of next 8 hdc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 sc in blo each of next 10 sc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Ch 1, turn. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">~ 20 sc and 19 hdc ~</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><i>At the end of row 2 it should already have a hint of a shape:</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidToCSS7CShG_lTwURxs4HPHU7HFLa6WyJzDY3aTpkir35TfxwPsJDFvOBjCp_KtygrpJghPNbW-IMS_aHeyuUwRL2gde8qxDrilbIQczBYn-4xWLdyb79u6YwCbe9UIN_eI2N0OeHzBrz/s1600/DSC01964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidToCSS7CShG_lTwURxs4HPHU7HFLa6WyJzDY3aTpkir35TfxwPsJDFvOBjCp_KtygrpJghPNbW-IMS_aHeyuUwRL2gde8qxDrilbIQczBYn-4xWLdyb79u6YwCbe9UIN_eI2N0OeHzBrz/s320/DSC01964.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Row 3: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 sc in blo of 1</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">st</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> sc and each of next 9 sc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 hdc in blo of next 19 hdc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 sc in blo each of next 10 sc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Ch 1, turn. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">~ 20 sc and 19 hdc ~</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><i>After row 3:</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aLMKk9ZtmzPlIlxVERxyLzbTdcYSpmn1MGJxqJMrKgTkTJcLzBt8G7r3fYSCB32LoXvWE24vbX-I3kGPy65Eaq0pJ61uxekvijVQtv1rwpUBheXvfs3XdW5q5JwruAV7bS1UoqU80er3/s1600/DSC01965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aLMKk9ZtmzPlIlxVERxyLzbTdcYSpmn1MGJxqJMrKgTkTJcLzBt8G7r3fYSCB32LoXvWE24vbX-I3kGPy65Eaq0pJ61uxekvijVQtv1rwpUBheXvfs3XdW5q5JwruAV7bS1UoqU80er3/s320/DSC01965.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Rows 4-8: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Repeat row 3.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><i>After row 8:</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWf9bQjLXT1Ot950u0cSGy2te_jIpDc5OKpTPLKTyXa4dFBllCVfrLm9t3x14tTt36NyKolL9Y5JrA8DrjCCvkJzlRpF9oagjdyDnyAadlb-Z4EQLaibUFCv8Wxlh7fiBnktcCjz4Khg2/s1600/DSC01966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWf9bQjLXT1Ot950u0cSGy2te_jIpDc5OKpTPLKTyXa4dFBllCVfrLm9t3x14tTt36NyKolL9Y5JrA8DrjCCvkJzlRpF9oagjdyDnyAadlb-Z4EQLaibUFCv8Wxlh7fiBnktcCjz4Khg2/s320/DSC01966.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Row 9: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 sc in blo of 1</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">st</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> sc and each of next 9 sc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 hdc in blo of next 8 hdc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Hdc 3 together (in blo of the 3 stitches). (Counts as 1 hdc) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 hdc in blo of next 8 hdc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 sc in blo each of next 10 sc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Ch 1, turn. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">~ 20 sc and 17 hdc ~</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>hdc 3 together:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWu2x-H8jxx5CIZdih665GW9pixBzwWTE2RHPLbj6agl3vfAhMGokO3sIgh9g4KJ7AtsKyp9XyjE08-9FeB9zCXn7NFLInuJAMAIlEGYAlsFijzHwQAmJKXsMq4fu3CtrDUxkXMzyMUY9/s1600/DSC01967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWu2x-H8jxx5CIZdih665GW9pixBzwWTE2RHPLbj6agl3vfAhMGokO3sIgh9g4KJ7AtsKyp9XyjE08-9FeB9zCXn7NFLInuJAMAIlEGYAlsFijzHwQAmJKXsMq4fu3CtrDUxkXMzyMUY9/s320/DSC01967.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nbcT7zPRyHaEHcWw40ZvcbG67zomZHDv8_v_IcdQbNCbw1NBOkZ8D5gl_6UaDbIi58HwhLhBnwCIx4RmP2tesaW2V2tUj9OfXJuGxECd2orgSODItTxBRvoUYaN5kpgzkX4eK5GxZn3S/s1600/DSC01968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nbcT7zPRyHaEHcWw40ZvcbG67zomZHDv8_v_IcdQbNCbw1NBOkZ8D5gl_6UaDbIi58HwhLhBnwCIx4RmP2tesaW2V2tUj9OfXJuGxECd2orgSODItTxBRvoUYaN5kpgzkX4eK5GxZn3S/s320/DSC01968.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Row 10: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 sc in blo of 1</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">st</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> sc and each of next 9 sc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 hdc in blo of next 7 hdc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Hdc 3 together (in blo of the 3 stitches). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 hdc in blo of next 7 hdc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1 sc in blo each of next 10 sc. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">~ 20 sc and 15 hdc ~</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Finishing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">FO, leaving a long tail for seaming. Seam sides (I just used the good ol’ whipstitch). You can also try slip stitching or sc’ing together the two sides, if you’re more comfortable with that. Weave in ends. Fold the top over (the part with 10 sc) in half to make the “turtleneck.” If you seam it neatly enough, it would be reversible.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTNli_EiEB3y87Ur6eEP6DDmdJvLdkVBmfOiH8fleElSskpU_k9FtCkxJbLutrLXbMAR64xe6INCldAA_3Zi78RYHfUd-XOXQnK5bAJhVpRYbcVP3BrekWE7GeFjg1fvFVRYyNv-LjakM/s1600/DSC01969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTNli_EiEB3y87Ur6eEP6DDmdJvLdkVBmfOiH8fleElSskpU_k9FtCkxJbLutrLXbMAR64xe6INCldAA_3Zi78RYHfUd-XOXQnK5bAJhVpRYbcVP3BrekWE7GeFjg1fvFVRYyNv-LjakM/s200/DSC01969.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7ZjuotBt1Aov_ock-noWg2v5SJv7-rNSLliF2XSW1Z257cfibrRyWwOUMOoo67rjxJb9DtfzjHXQnq0o4ljNAjPPUbwCXi21dosPHWXY9O4x6fDppNANecdJBAiVPQlMNtkOSglHZKDw/s1600/DSC01970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7ZjuotBt1Aov_ock-noWg2v5SJv7-rNSLliF2XSW1Z257cfibrRyWwOUMOoo67rjxJb9DtfzjHXQnq0o4ljNAjPPUbwCXi21dosPHWXY9O4x6fDppNANecdJBAiVPQlMNtkOSglHZKDw/s200/DSC01970.JPG" width="200" /></a><i>After folding the top over</i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Make it your own (optional tips and suggestions to personalize your cozy):<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">1. The first and last ten stitches make up the “collar” of the cozy. Add more stitches if you want to make it more turtleneck-y.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">2. To make the cozy larger, add more hdc’s before the increases in the first rows.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">3. Embellish! Make appliqués (flowers I think would be great) in thread or thinner yarn and sew/glue them to the cozy. I think beads and charms would work great too – wonderful for those bits and pieces of beads you may have. It would look like brooches for the sweater.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">4. Line it. Some acrylic yarns can be very stiff – if you worry that it might damage your phone’s screen, better line it with soft cloth (I think the ones that come with eyeglasses would be great). You wouldn’t even have to sew it in; just put it in, making sure that the cloth goes over the part where the screen will rub against the inside of the cozy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Enjoy your new cozy!</span></b></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-91440064703375325762010-10-06T05:48:00.000-07:002010-10-06T05:48:24.340-07:00Sneak Peek...<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've been away from my blog for far too long. I know, I know... It's criminal.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I wanted to make it up to y'all so bad... That I decided to make a pattern. Just for you. For free. :) Just a little something to make a serious dent in your yarn stash, and quickly diminish your Christmas list.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Curious?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">:D<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wait for it....<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wait for it...<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wa... All right, I'll tell you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ladies and gentlemen, it is with deeply overwhelming, sincerely overflowing, everlasting happiness that I give you...<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtgabnernrZaOpG9YjSBkFtgbivcc6afOSMYwomfcS8zkP7F_R_1UX8QU3KOdDvreb7eGGMjdR35jHAPhxX2KjpwliRlMqEDLZY2UiAoF6ptIqIko5cEpLApvj0f_5CRpA-7qoRgn8stn/s1600/DSC01957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtgabnernrZaOpG9YjSBkFtgbivcc6afOSMYwomfcS8zkP7F_R_1UX8QU3KOdDvreb7eGGMjdR35jHAPhxX2KjpwliRlMqEDLZY2UiAoF6ptIqIko5cEpLApvj0f_5CRpA-7qoRgn8stn/s320/DSC01957.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtgabnernrZaOpG9YjSBkFtgbivcc6afOSMYwomfcS8zkP7F_R_1UX8QU3KOdDvreb7eGGMjdR35jHAPhxX2KjpwliRlMqEDLZY2UiAoF6ptIqIko5cEpLApvj0f_5CRpA-7qoRgn8stn/s1600/DSC01957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>C</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ould it be knitted? Nope, it's crocheted...</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQALEB04U2fjkLDXXinK2-bOyyZ2sFbN2KIWZEJ4ZHv6GWuJTBsAb8hiVzP46W6nT7jzpRnPpHjM_fLk62W_N2yqGbGCp0sBLM2ysoafymItlW0i_jikKyqeFwTW3-kPqbTeOIBa5BDc8/s1600/DSC01958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQALEB04U2fjkLDXXinK2-bOyyZ2sFbN2KIWZEJ4ZHv6GWuJTBsAb8hiVzP46W6nT7jzpRnPpHjM_fLk62W_N2yqGbGCp0sBLM2ysoafymItlW0i_jikKyqeFwTW3-kPqbTeOIBa5BDc8/s320/DSC01958.JPG" width="320" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Were those mismatched booties? (As I've been asked, twice. Hmph.) Nope, they're phone/camera cozies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9GJe-F7Qd9-HZ6W3cWGJmcZCF7zmllNAcD4NFJbn0zXY84K_3MWoRvS9dNTjX_lrbcXI5eT2RuUyRYw5AXhVxLDvgeiuqCKdnVh_-djVDlax5M5j83uomOa-CgOTUqBs4Fbdmusaxrzs/s1600/DSC01960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9GJe-F7Qd9-HZ6W3cWGJmcZCF7zmllNAcD4NFJbn0zXY84K_3MWoRvS9dNTjX_lrbcXI5eT2RuUyRYw5AXhVxLDvgeiuqCKdnVh_-djVDlax5M5j83uomOa-CgOTUqBs4Fbdmusaxrzs/s320/DSC01960.JPG" width="320" /></span></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And yes, it only uses up about 30-40 yards of worsted acrylic yarn!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pattern coming... Soooooonnn. ;)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">...After I "szuzz" it up a little. Thanks so much to a group of lovely ladies over at Ravelry who tested my pattern and gave me ideas on how to improve it.</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><br />
</div>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-51603199278508512382010-07-06T17:50:00.000-07:002010-07-06T17:50:00.417-07:00Help Rebecca sell her "Decorative Doilies"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was browsing through the new online games when I came across something peculiar... Could it be? An online game about crochet? And crocheted doilies nonetheless??? XD</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with deep honor and explosive delight that I present to you:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i><a href="http://www.girlsgogames.com/game/Decorative_Doilies.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Decorative Doilies</span></a></i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yAj6b-8d5BYu-oq4nVu5Gjb5oMH4g-rvRk0Za_XJ1VLCZGeD8b-9XCfdzkMkzok0wT9HAvw9hYORL-7u4cqLlgOKeNIeEbfd9BM0mzWparmizb9JfitiNIZT74OSGzrEfPe1Iq7R3sXD/s400/decorative+doilies.JPG" width="400" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">Love that start page, by the way. From the game description: </div><blockquote><i>"In the land of pioneers, a doily makes the ladies feel like they're not living in the wild..."</i></blockquote>... Because "in the land of pioneers," ladies often feel like they're in the jungle, hmm.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Go5mcWtpXrEnBeIpEO_0bpCqkwCCBMfc4wIhpCblSlHIuMJOsJqYCvs_sK6VlCfgHUf3spdjwomDx4FTStN3DloACRAxd0KYw7ZZ8cDtqz_S9cxnrk4yLLEr_Taq5HDuJTinJeQP-Dl_/s1600/decorative+doilies+instructions.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Go5mcWtpXrEnBeIpEO_0bpCqkwCCBMfc4wIhpCblSlHIuMJOsJqYCvs_sK6VlCfgHUf3spdjwomDx4FTStN3DloACRAxd0KYw7ZZ8cDtqz_S9cxnrk4yLLEr_Taq5HDuJTinJeQP-Dl_/s400/decorative+doilies+instructions.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hooray for Rebecca! Such entrepreneurship skill at that age! :D I really do feel like helping her out. Although she looks more like a chef (with a rather dirty coat) than a young <s>hooker</s> crafter living in the age of pioneers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.girlsgogames.com/game/Decorative_Doilies.html"><i>Let's play!</i></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QegCeFeZ4QKad2_eA_nNPMvF8xz7fqDdst5M-tXxztH2gHcaLf3auZWrDPUpw1dYIfHb8pS0cznl7GbyF8vk9jP3JDOZ75CBRUQsuVpzu117TIBg8laWAnKhdfUooVUMT70eXi8GiNvs/s1600/decorative+doilies+in-game.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QegCeFeZ4QKad2_eA_nNPMvF8xz7fqDdst5M-tXxztH2gHcaLf3auZWrDPUpw1dYIfHb8pS0cznl7GbyF8vk9jP3JDOZ75CBRUQsuVpzu117TIBg8laWAnKhdfUooVUMT70eXi8GiNvs/s400/decorative+doilies+in-game.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Graphics = Excellent</div><div style="text-align: left;">Intentions = I think, were good</div><div style="text-align: left;">Gaming Experience = FAIL</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've NEVER seen such angry comments on a game before! LOL.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoLQbFfyryR94sl0_ps5skedpURyiPTIXgVUrBiT3GmNL0ytDUHKpFD620g4aYYdKv6jLk65k3y0RgfwNjz713xi4iqaD4TbnX1xPbT0mZjKyOXTmrBdDaM19b2-7_lYxQTlOkr2UA7_Q/s1600/decorative+doilies+comments.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoLQbFfyryR94sl0_ps5skedpURyiPTIXgVUrBiT3GmNL0ytDUHKpFD620g4aYYdKv6jLk65k3y0RgfwNjz713xi4iqaD4TbnX1xPbT0mZjKyOXTmrBdDaM19b2-7_lYxQTlOkr2UA7_Q/s640/decorative+doilies+comments.JPG" width="358" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">What a tragic end to such an auspicious beginning. :(</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.girlsgogames.com/game/Decorative_Doilies.html">http://www.girlsgogames.com/game/Decorative_Doilies.html</a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-43520012429491025072010-06-20T04:08:00.000-07:002010-06-20T04:10:33.130-07:00Happy Father's Day!You don't have to father a child to become a father. If you inspire other people by living an exemplary life, then you become a surrogate father to them. Sometimes without even knowing it!<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Today, we went to PICC for The Feast (the weekly gathering of the Light of Jesus Catholic community led by Bro. Bo Sanchez). After the mass, and Bro. Bo's preaching, he called on all the fathers to gather in front of the stage. He gave each of them a rock, telling them that they are the rock of the family. That their equivalent is St. Peter, for what he is to the Church. It was a touching sight when all of the men raised the rock in their hands, while we all prayed for them as they guide their families.</div><div><br />
</div><div>And, me being me (I being I???), I did this:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1s4VkFoSFOyEb8DTENclJmMsUaUOXUYObMkAwUKVN2292V6jZNM83kkec7-lv0KBxU4mcFei916ffwOsJG_ovPcL4gT4TLDczFkpISPSvOcZi2BT1Y1Z647PSVb5zyhJC5Jj5IDBQhSe/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1s4VkFoSFOyEb8DTENclJmMsUaUOXUYObMkAwUKVN2292V6jZNM83kkec7-lv0KBxU4mcFei916ffwOsJG_ovPcL4gT4TLDczFkpISPSvOcZi2BT1Y1Z647PSVb5zyhJC5Jj5IDBQhSe/" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>My dad wanted to display it somewhere he can see it every day, so that he would be reminded of his calling as a father. Why not cover it with crochet, then? :D Now, every time he sees it, he would also be reminded of how much we love him, too.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Don't forget to thank your fathers today. Even if your paternal father is gone, I'm pretty sure we all have other people who stood in their place in some way. :)</div><div><br />
</div><div>See this project on Ravelry: <a href="http://ravel.me/clairethere/lrr">http://ravel.me/clairethere/lrr</a></div>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-25869018141995897842010-05-12T23:26:00.000-07:002010-05-12T23:26:59.576-07:00Mama for my Mommy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0YUtzl0sdXrcnhGkCXiTkNI-UqiAYtYxKEsQJom9bhuJqWpmetLX5SjJBdQD63XBdTtm0S0F6VJ_24P0mhD58onK8gicx7e8fEoZqeR1oyGNavpjleDyyXwmDzFJWmqzXC8udDHzo2EN/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0YUtzl0sdXrcnhGkCXiTkNI-UqiAYtYxKEsQJom9bhuJqWpmetLX5SjJBdQD63XBdTtm0S0F6VJ_24P0mhD58onK8gicx7e8fEoZqeR1oyGNavpjleDyyXwmDzFJWmqzXC8udDHzo2EN/" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Catholics here in the Philippines affectionately call the Blessed Mother “Mama Mary.” My mom has always been a devotee, specially to Our Lady of Guadalupe. When I showed her this shawl, she literally begged me to make it for her. :) The pattern is called Blessed Mother Shawl, and is available for free (!!!) at <a href="http://www.crochetmagazine.com/newsletters.php?mode=article&article_id=639&key=NL00">Crochet! Magazine's website</a>.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I love how it came out. With such light rayon thread, it feels like a hug when worn. Doesn’t really make you feel all that warm -- perfect for my mom who scarcely feels cold.</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Finished the shawl in 3 days. Delayed adding fringe until the last minute. Just in time for mother’s day! :)</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Love the pattern, even though the tiny filet chart may have caused permanent damage to my eyes (I swear they’re a little closer together now).</div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">If you want to talk shop, visit my project page for this shawl at <a href="http://ravel.me/clairethere/bmps">http://ravel.me/clairethere/bmps</a></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I hope you all had a wonderful celebration of mother's day! :) I think no matter how much we do for our moms, we'll never outdo all they've done for us... Hurrah for moms!</div>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-43683276674434953792010-04-28T18:24:00.000-07:002010-04-28T18:24:47.841-07:00Proof That All Knitters/Crocheters Are Loopy<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">I found this charming little book through Google books. The <i>Mary Frances Knitting & Crocheting Book</i> is a lovely introduction to crochet and knitting.Detailed tutorials are given, in story format! With talking needles and yarn! I love it.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">My only problem is the title. Why can't it be the <i>Mary Frances Crocheting & Knitting Book</i>? Crochet does come before knit in the dictionary, after all. Plus, crochet is shown first in the book. Boo. Knitters have all the fun. :(</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Enjoy! :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="500" scrolling="no" src="http://books.google.com/books?id=SjTWM6czkpAC&lpg=PP1&dq=subject%3A%22Crafts%20%26%20Hobbies%22&lr&as_brr=1&pg=PP1&output=embed" style="border: 0px;" width="500"></iframe></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-5187131260137536682010-04-23T17:44:00.000-07:002010-04-23T17:44:37.761-07:00Oh Baby, Baby, Baby (pronounced "bay-beh")I just finished making the first ever baby-related crochet project. ... And now I understand why people skedaddle to crochet things at every drop of a baby.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8hUKT1aq5hvWUFk948hAAAnm-9kNw7oO87IHFt_lR7tqKB8AK8Um8K_Aevp01ZsKhM_jrDfrMbTUy_lQyWzxRmQsQ5aPjtMMucHpJo5kcJjA4HcU4u88bkmpFWLry6lBMRAlpCON5LYP/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8hUKT1aq5hvWUFk948hAAAnm-9kNw7oO87IHFt_lR7tqKB8AK8Um8K_Aevp01ZsKhM_jrDfrMbTUy_lQyWzxRmQsQ5aPjtMMucHpJo5kcJjA4HcU4u88bkmpFWLry6lBMRAlpCON5LYP/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Soooooo frakking cuuuuuuuuute... I wish it fits my head. But then again, only a cute innocent little angel can do justice to this hat. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks (a million times over) to Ms. Mimi for the free pattern... She posted about this on <a href="http://mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com/2007/08/baby-hat-pattern-finished.html">her blog</a>, but the pattern is available only on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-cotton-hat">Ravelry</a> (login needed).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVd-t_e8qodqvFnBQ8w098WcsqUgjAeri7-EPzfoCJbGzgpMXqaXsCRlbgZZjIPP7Fo1b4kZcFkH42ObIFNENv4-NyJ_AMPqCVjLp_pZ9LmwsctjBVd7V36OulybfgH7_afC0I4XGHQE7/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVd-t_e8qodqvFnBQ8w098WcsqUgjAeri7-EPzfoCJbGzgpMXqaXsCRlbgZZjIPP7Fo1b4kZcFkH42ObIFNENv4-NyJ_AMPqCVjLp_pZ9LmwsctjBVd7V36OulybfgH7_afC0I4XGHQE7/" width="320" /></a> The flower is from Suzann Thompson's <i>Crochet Bouquet</i>. The five-petal Traditional Rose. :) Lovelovelove.</div>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-35653523377630192922010-04-06T05:08:00.000-07:002010-04-06T05:08:29.714-07:00Hole-y Week<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I was going home from work last Wednesday (Holy Wednesday), I mentally prepared myself for a long weekend of contemplation. The following days, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Black Saturday are observed traditionally at our home. I found myself wishing that I'd bought "Crochet Today" magazines at Booksale--what better way to pass quiet days than working on a mindless crochet project, right?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I decided against that though, since I felt guilty of all the books and magazines I had at home already. Lent is partly about shedding unnecessary trivialities, after all.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I get home. Waiting for me is a package from a local courier. It's my Interweave Crochet magazine! :D And it's the Spring issue, too! I subscribed to Interweave Crochet last year... I was disappointed when January rolled around and I hadn't received my Winter issue yet. I let their office know, and they sent another copy. February rolled around, and I had lost hope. Not in Interweave, but in our local post office. LOL. So I was SHOCKED when I saw the magazine calmly waiting for me (Yes, it appeared so very calm as opposed to my shock. :D).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">THE VERDICT:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love it. Comparing it with Crochet Today, it's meat compared to fluff. Crochet Today is filled with easily completed projects. Whereas Interweave Crochet has in-depth discussions, and a wider range of difficulty levels for projects. Don't get me wrong, I like Crochet Today too. Mainly because the projects they publish look so current and are easy to complete. But I especially loved the designs from Interweave because a lot of them used shells, plus there was a complete article about shells from Doris Chan. She discusses the varieties of shell stitches (all of them lovely) and how they can be used to contour garments and projects.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, without further ado, I present to you my first Tunisian entrelac project:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is the Forest Petals Shawl (or at least a miniature version). I loved learning how to do Tunisian, and entrelac at the same time too! Granted, I made quite a few attempts before the thing bore a similarity to the picture... All the same I'm proud of myself because I managed to learn how to do it based on instructions that assumed readers knew the basics of Tunisian entrelac. Here it is, totally unblocked and curling at the edges. :D</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDoy1koG4fT8ITC4wjDzym99TLAMOf6-LpVvVeMfdBBTyAYUXcIJzL6PZUTaoYxvnTSo0fPYreIL4TSI6m58iLBHObnCiYiOJzgaUZljVV9yzom1JyzCK0nyYRe9p_P36ytNl6yjizb1q/s1600/DSC01169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDoy1koG4fT8ITC4wjDzym99TLAMOf6-LpVvVeMfdBBTyAYUXcIJzL6PZUTaoYxvnTSo0fPYreIL4TSI6m58iLBHObnCiYiOJzgaUZljVV9yzom1JyzCK0nyYRe9p_P36ytNl6yjizb1q/s320/DSC01169.JPG" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I used a regular size F hook -- the diamonds were small so I could use the normal hook. I was just so happy that I was able to manage the gauge swatch, that I just continued on until my Canon size 8 thread ran out. Here is a closer look at the diamonds:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwEy3KCH7_Y-I-6MlPwzOdJ8jQgFP2xXexggh4IksTZxVcXdbnrSUusnhySD706kSCgH7jTZW3jlbWjGWECHInPVdoIkhV1ZJr1SnBtjqvL2nkQ6PhDlOBe1nzPgONql5JO4PBCiJexto/s1600/DSC01171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwEy3KCH7_Y-I-6MlPwzOdJ8jQgFP2xXexggh4IksTZxVcXdbnrSUusnhySD706kSCgH7jTZW3jlbWjGWECHInPVdoIkhV1ZJr1SnBtjqvL2nkQ6PhDlOBe1nzPgONql5JO4PBCiJexto/s320/DSC01171.JPG" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh and as for the free pattern, Interweave is giving away an e-book with </span><a href="http://www.crochetme.com/blogs/crochet_me/archive/2010/04/05/free-ebook-8-free-crochet-scarf-patterns.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8 Free Scarf Patterns</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And the fabulous Mimi Alelis just published a free pattern, perfect for summer. :) It's the </span><a href="http://mycrochetstuff.blogspot.com/2010/03/tropical-shawl-with-fringe-free-crochet.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tropical Shaw</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">l -- a lovely openwork shawl made in multicolor Cannon thread with a large hook. The pattern for the cute flower accent is also available at her blog. :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That felt good.*sigh* This is what happens when I don't blog often -- sorry for the uber long post! :D Happy hooking everyone!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDcryPqEaA4KDUvD1GaxczRa9Sc4Zpua2t4TGnH_uSm3cCpxrREWnyakemqClR9EN5Hl4v-UAoQ6UTmd7lhvaflbwEbMsVW8kIV8Bsd3lqpnr-EPIe8kJz9wgJkSHCVO866WhNpjU29VG/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDcryPqEaA4KDUvD1GaxczRa9Sc4Zpua2t4TGnH_uSm3cCpxrREWnyakemqClR9EN5Hl4v-UAoQ6UTmd7lhvaflbwEbMsVW8kIV8Bsd3lqpnr-EPIe8kJz9wgJkSHCVO866WhNpjU29VG/" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh, and update: I got the Interweave Crochet winter issue today! :)</span>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-2595996684133642232010-02-14T04:29:00.000-08:002010-04-06T03:49:10.125-07:00My Hot Valentine Date2010's day of hearts is about to close. At least for us here in the Philippines. It's about 8:30 PM here. I just finished my hot date! :)<br />
<br />
Want to get more juicy details?<br />
<br />
I saw the classic Gone With the Wind. For the first time! Soooo romantic, I know...<br />
<br />
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://reviewsbylola.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/gonewiththewind.jpg?w=300&h=228"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 228px;" src="http://reviewsbylola.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/gonewiththewind.jpg?w=300&h=228" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />
<br />
...With my mom and dad. At home. :D<br />
<br />
You see, every year, Valentine's Day is not just the day of hearts for our family. It's also my mom's birthday. We had a lovely family lunch, caught up with each others' lives, and went home. My eldest brother went home to the seminary; my elder brother and his wife to their home; and my parents and me to Scarlet and Rhett. :D<br />
<br />
I fell in love with the movie... :)<br />
<br />
Why can't we still wear those huge gowns every day? And the ladies doing needlepoint together, how lovely. Then again, they didn't have Ravelry or Craftster. Neither did they have internet or TV. :| I guess that's why their homes were crawling with doilies and afghans and pillows and bedspreads and blankets.<br />
<br />
I really like the picture of the South that the movie painted. I mean, sure there was slavery and all... But chivalry was still alive there. And did I mention that all the ladies were well-versed in fiber arts? I can still remember my delighted shriek when I spotted Mammy holding a ball of yarn. Haha.<br />
<br />
Hope everyone had a great day of hearts! :)Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-24001849915680705672010-02-08T06:41:00.000-08:002010-04-06T03:48:57.988-07:00But on the upside...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://crochetme.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/crochet_5F00_me/8233.CR_2D00_hats_2D00_collage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 452px;" src="http://crochetme.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/crochet_5F00_me/8233.CR_2D00_hats_2D00_collage.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight:bold;">CrochetMe is giving away a free eBook: <a href="http://crochetme.com/Crochet-Hat-Patterns/">6 Free Crochet Hat Patterns: Crochet Hats with CrochetMe.</a><br />
</span><br />
You just have to subscribe to their newsletter though. :)Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-54063794420304072502010-02-08T06:17:00.001-08:002010-04-06T03:48:52.033-07:00Sorry...So I logged in tonight just to delete my last post about the giveaway. I received some feedback that some people were not able to post comments on the album. So in fairness to them, I just took it out of Facebook too.<br />
<br />
Boo. Me. Boo.<br />
<br />
I've just been busy at work with a new project for our client. Combine that with writer's block and laziness and you're going to come up with the laziest worst blogger ever = me.<br />
<br />
Boo. :(<br />
<br />
On the other hand, my crafty life is not dormant (as my blog would make it seem). I have a lot of projects that I haven't uploaded here and even at Ravelry. There are no pictures either. Dry spell much for digital creativity? Sigh.<br />
<br />
The big news I haven't shared is that my mom bought me an awesome insanely cute little sewing machine. :) I hope I get around to blogging about it sometime in the near future.Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-6694195632970396892010-01-21T19:53:00.000-08:002010-01-21T20:12:42.355-08:00Public Menace at Large: Carlyn "Cahz" Delos Santos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/v22939/418/71/n1245456426_982.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 163px;" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/v22939/418/71/n1245456426_982.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I was involved for a while in buying/selling online at Multiply. I had a lot of fun making connections with great sellers and buyers. There was only one person with which I had a FOUL experience: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Carlyn Delos Santos or Cahz Delos Santos or Carlyn Eve Delos Santos.</span><br /><br />This girl had also scammed other beaders and sellers at Multiply. <span style="font-weight: bold;">She still owes me money.</span> After our "incident" she erased her account instead of taking action to rectify the situation. She also stopped using her mobile phone and YM account for a while.<br /><br />After a few months, she started using her phone again. (Yes, I ring it once in a while. I was THAT angry at her.) By the way, her number is +63915.535.9140 and she also used +63927.779.4917 to contact me. She even logs in at YM again (username <span style="font-weight: bold;">princess_cahz20</span>).<br /><br />And then horror of horrors, I find out that she has a Sulit.com account: <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://cahz.sulit.com.ph/">http://cahz.sulit.com.ph/</a><br /><br />And a Facebook account: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/carlyn.delossantos">http://www.facebook.com/carlyn.delossantos</a><br /><br />Twitter account: <a href="http://twitter.com/princess_cahz20">http://twitter.com/princess_cahz20</a><br /><br />I just want to warn everyone who would want to make a connection with her. Looks like she's at large again (pun intended, LOL).<br /><br />She describes herself (carefully leaving out the scammer part of course):<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"nAmE -cahz</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">DOB - 10/30/1988</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">hEiGhT - 5'1 jz a short gal,but cute......('' feel like vomitting'' )</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">emm..........wat else about me????????</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mmm.......actually i jz a simple gal..i like to sing n dance..when i'm primary school,i took part in singing competition every year oh......but when secondary school i bcome laz to do dat....it is better i take some time to sleep....hehehe</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">bcoz now i'm a hrm student n alwiz not enough time to sleep...hahaha</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">im....</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A bit clumsy but smart sometimes</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A bit careless but Caring</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A bit stupid but friendly~</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A bit fierce but easy going</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A bit chubby but like 2 act cute lol~</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And like 2 meet my friends n hang out all d time ya!!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">So conclusion is..im a trouble maker but nt faker n a nice person dat u guys looking for(coz most of the times i like 2 joke n geh boh lah!!)</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">So if u guys interested in me?remember add me up ya!!wait yah.."</span><br /><br />***<br />So if you see this mug, be warned.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/335814686/29003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 447px;" src="http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/335814686/29003.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">THIS PERSON IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED.</span></span><br /></div>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-42513779415211798452010-01-15T04:21:00.000-08:002010-04-06T03:48:41.366-07:00Victorious!Let's flash back to the <a href="http://artfulhooker.blogspot.com/2009/07/just-gotta-shrug-it-off.html">first ever shrug I made</a>. It's the Shells and Flowers Shrug by the wonderful Mimi Alelis.<br />
<br />
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDxbs80Lh1ll4FmLBsHNObowuAMEUdtUrN6JofeJb0cwH0MgF5wYMgXVc1_Q4xFPVZ_aKHjSfNkMU7QuyNU1IeWyOu_-hFuwzMLCfg3UmqZ8jUAnSNMxsOy09l9t-ut-7bdW05Mz9P6zw/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDxbs80Lh1ll4FmLBsHNObowuAMEUdtUrN6JofeJb0cwH0MgF5wYMgXVc1_Q4xFPVZ_aKHjSfNkMU7QuyNU1IeWyOu_-hFuwzMLCfg3UmqZ8jUAnSNMxsOy09l9t-ut-7bdW05Mz9P6zw/" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
Perfectly lovely, soft, pretty, nice, beautiful, yarnlicious. The only problem -- It didn't fit me.<br />
<br />
I always thought of this shrug as <span style="font-style: italic;">the one that got away</span>... Yes, that was how much I loved it. It hurts, putting so much effort into something so pretty, and eventually ending up not having it. So I promised myself that I would make another one and make it right, demmit.<br />
<br />
But then other patterns got in the way, and it got shoved in the back burner of the crochety part of my brain. ... Until I came across this lovely beige shade of Monaco Raylon. :D So last December, in the midst of my yuletide mass production frenzy, I hunkered down and made this.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZmXvzT2RmP-sLcLYfSqaSQ1oBv0VpEJybXnYn4zJkHWa7gT7-bkSbqS8EVxl7y8lestbTW7FdYcdoqsVaHYRuRx2NeIPVic9xgLIBQj52nFLxiWPE2s9l0tjsXRQc0WBzFcFFiTEC2Mr/s512/DSC00588.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZmXvzT2RmP-sLcLYfSqaSQ1oBv0VpEJybXnYn4zJkHWa7gT7-bkSbqS8EVxl7y8lestbTW7FdYcdoqsVaHYRuRx2NeIPVic9xgLIBQj52nFLxiWPE2s9l0tjsXRQc0WBzFcFFiTEC2Mr/s512/DSC00588.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wfTIrdxN59Y0VwJnbbwfn6mX7DpcRmqJZVXBQubeCYOGKcxAUDX-PIiCEFybNw2RNkrj3tgnrXM7pJu3Xj_ghjG8TiRv_mnfRgpfdI_j2hMCyEgGz47x9x8HEU84jIYAGJM5zyH4h4iw/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 354px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wfTIrdxN59Y0VwJnbbwfn6mX7DpcRmqJZVXBQubeCYOGKcxAUDX-PIiCEFybNw2RNkrj3tgnrXM7pJu3Xj_ghjG8TiRv_mnfRgpfdI_j2hMCyEgGz47x9x8HEU84jIYAGJM5zyH4h4iw/" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPcB3F6zEvy-m4LhgoNxfU2zHnMNEHTAV1WK0JcOLBk4oyhdlNvlMthyphenhyphen6qF3Nf2yeA0EusrA7KzPpS3pm_JpEpKr3-gfeYXL8UPsp1SvZ5Jd5NxicJ0qr7HF4B0JUy5Pj3ExgMvufHuxg/s576/DSC00592.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPcB3F6zEvy-m4LhgoNxfU2zHnMNEHTAV1WK0JcOLBk4oyhdlNvlMthyphenhyphen6qF3Nf2yeA0EusrA7KzPpS3pm_JpEpKr3-gfeYXL8UPsp1SvZ5Jd5NxicJ0qr7HF4B0JUy5Pj3ExgMvufHuxg/s576/DSC00592.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />
Hurrah! Success! Altered the pattern by adding more repeats and changing some things here and there... Forgot exactly how I did it, but here it is! It came out a little loose in the back. But I do love that I can wear it with both light and dark tank tops. And that it gives me modest coverage, but is still very open. I absolutely love Monaco Raylon for wearables -- they always feel fresh to the skin, light but drapey.<br />
<br />
I apologize for the poor photos -- I took them myself. Never mind the bizarre lighting -- I never know how to arrange myself harmoniously while posing for the camera! :|<br />
<br />
I felt like a hardcore DIY-er for life today, wearing this shrug with a necklace and earrings that I made too. I can't believe that I'm <span style="font-style: italic;">that </span>girl--the one who makes her own clothes and accessories. :) Just last year I never would have thought this possible.<br />
<br />
Crafting has really changed my life... *sigh* :)Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-1524913997432468712010-01-06T15:22:00.000-08:002010-01-06T15:29:55.085-08:00Goodness gracious, great balls of...I reach the office early today, my McDonald's breakfast in tow and brimming with anticipation of what the new day shall bring.<br /><br />I boot my computer, and as part of my usual routine, log in to Ravelry and peruse the recently added patterns to the database.<br /><br />And what do I see???<br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37985267">Men's Jock Strap*</a></span></h2><span style="font-style: italic;">*I'll let the title of the link warn you about itself.</span><br /><br /><br /><br />It is too frakking early in the morning to encounter something of this magnitude. I still haven't even had a cup of coffee, man!<br /><br />As if to add to my early morning distress, the pattern is FOR SALE for $5.00. Wowowowowow.Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4006018404411293615.post-6922083725400167072010-01-03T17:53:00.000-08:002010-04-06T03:48:25.764-07:00New year, new threads (yarns?)What were you doing while you were waiting for the new year?<div class="notes markdown"><p>I was crocheting. Working on this quick project. Here in the Philippines, Christmas and new year are big events–specially for kids. They parade their brand spankin’ new outfits on Christmas day and new year’s day. I remember always having new outfits for these special days in my childhood.</p><p>On the first day of the year though, it’s popular belief that wearing polka dots will bring luck for the whole year. LOL. My grandma never failed her tradition of wearing her red and white polka dot house duster, reminding me of clowns… I miss my lola…<br />
</p><p>Anyway, since I didn’t buy new outfits for either Christmas or new year’s, I made something! I love this pattern, turned out so well and so quickly. It's Doris Chan's <span style="font-style: italic;">Anisette Vest </span>from her book <span style="font-style: italic;">Amazing Crochet Lace</span>. Made this with yarn I bought in Baguio by the kilo. Unlabeled, of course, the vendors simply called it “velvet.” It’s a little furry, kinda bulky. Came out feeling like terry cloth in this vest. :)</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitC3OoncSUfigYpyHESAFL1W0DvFxkCHwq0iNAj1Fx7PH3CV0Edf6yJ295My13UhI93jMq6w8_DBgrJqCNO_23jNB4GHckkPgwX5vaMWpjc96gUTEepDBjMiulm6tOtE0RWWFRrxuqtVCQ/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitC3OoncSUfigYpyHESAFL1W0DvFxkCHwq0iNAj1Fx7PH3CV0Edf6yJ295My13UhI93jMq6w8_DBgrJqCNO_23jNB4GHckkPgwX5vaMWpjc96gUTEepDBjMiulm6tOtE0RWWFRrxuqtVCQ/" alt="" border="0" /></a></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPE17KCs9T-xZuhGpN7a3sEIgY5ncpTadk8fADOaZ0lamyoSPUWOn-j8613X2ENWdIj-ybKT1oKzSjqtMS1Wv_kXHCbztxgpNVc7DpwEcTVAC2LBvax9XytV0F_aye-i2OSH9rq8mkG3a/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPE17KCs9T-xZuhGpN7a3sEIgY5ncpTadk8fADOaZ0lamyoSPUWOn-j8613X2ENWdIj-ybKT1oKzSjqtMS1Wv_kXHCbztxgpNVc7DpwEcTVAC2LBvax9XytV0F_aye-i2OSH9rq8mkG3a/" alt="" border="0" /></a></p><p>I love that it gives me coverage, but is still breezy. I made it in S-M size width-wise, but made it in L-XL size length-wise (it wouldn’t cover my chest if I made it shorter :|).</p><p>I so love Doris Chan’s designs – they are almost always very flattering for most women’s bodies. And I love that her patterns almost always come with a diagram. Other crocheters find her patterns a little difficult to understand, but I don’t. :) It helps that each of her creations has a story behind it. It makes every garment not just an ordinary project, but a journey taken with her.</p><p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Happy new year everyone! :)</span></p></div>Claireity Crochethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546457593349315485noreply@blogger.com2