Uses for Crochet 1: Gift Wrapping Decor

Apart from coasters and doilies, there are many decorative uses for crochet. When I give gifts, I usually want  my wrappings done with a "personal touch." And adding something crocheted can make it look special. My friend Tammy will have her baby shower and I just wrapped this gift for her.

Pattern for the heart is from Baby Crochet book by Lois Daykin ("String of Hearts," p.59). 

I just used yellow and purple construction paper for the wrapper. The cord is made up of simple chain stitches using a combination of green twine with some blue-green mercerized crochet cotton as yarns. Using two different yarns adds character to the cord. I crocheted a blue heart using mercerized crochet cotton to add something special to my wrapping. I chose blue because it's a baby boy. I just used plain tape to stick the heart on the wrapper. I didn't want to glue it on the paper so it can be detached and maybe used for a scrapbook for the baby. The red scroll in the middle contains our note for Tammy. 

My Very First Amigurumi

This is Muymuy. He is my very first Amigurumi project. I had a laptop back in college named Muymuy (yes, I named my laptop). Because I needed to name this project, I called him Muymuy as well :p I made it last year as a birthday gift for my boyfriend, Rob. He placed it on his office desk, so he is reminded of his girlfriend's special talent.

I added a cupcake because it is, of course, a special occasion :p

Pattern for Muymuy was taken from the Nov. 2010 issue of Crochet! Magazine ("Noggin," p.46) and designed by KJ Hay for Canon International. The cupcake pattern was taken from Simple Stitches Crochet book by Carol Meldrum ("Cupcakes," p.108). Yarns used were all Monaco mercerized crochet cotton.

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of making crocheted (or knitted) stuffed toys or anthropomorphic creatures. Single crochet is usually the main stitch used for Amigurumi - the stitch is simple but it can do wonders when you let your imagination go. I plan to make more Amigurumis, and will prioritize some requests from friends who want me to make Star Wars characters for them.  

I'm on Ravelry!

Ravelry is the social network for all crocheting and knitting enthusiasts. This was introduced to me by crochet  expert, Mimi Alelis. I love it! Apart from connecting with fellow crocheters, I can keep a database of my projects, yarns, and references in it. Finally, a site that caters to crocheters!

If you're a knitter or crocheter, I encourage you to create an account by clicking on my "Ravelry Member" link on the right column. And don't forget to look for me as GantsilyoGuru :)

Motifs & Squares

I have this mundane project of crocheting every possible pansy and square pattern out there. Here's my proud (first) stash. Patterns for these were taken from a Japanese crochet book, which I am unable to name because the title is all in Japanese characters. It just says "300 Crochet Patterns Book Motifs Edgings."

I figured if I can make all of them, then I can start making my own patterns. I'm still enjoying crocheting existing patterns and haven't taken the initiative of making original ones just yet. 

I tagged each pansy/square for monitoring purposes. I think this is  more or less a hundred pieces.

My Crochet Library

This is pretty much how obsessed I am with the craft. I bought my first crochet book in high school - back in 1999, I think. And ever since, I've been collecting all sorts of crochet books and magazines. Here are some of them:

Some of these books were bought brand-new and most of them second-hand (I may reveal my source in the future). I usually  choose those that offer unique creations. Crochet books tend to show almost the same patterns.Varieties usually come in yarns and colors used. 

Crochet magazines usually cost $5-$8 per issue, if latest issues are bought. Because I'm cheap, I buy back issues which  can go from P60-P100 (that's almost 20% of the original cost). Interweave Crochet, Crochet Today, and Crochet World are the more popular titles.

This is a recent discovery. I've been ignoring those Japanese magazines displayed in the crafts section of National Bookstore, because, well, they're Japanese. I just happened to check one out and saw that it was a crochet magazine. I patiently looked through the display and discovered many crochet issues. Patterns are easy to follow since they use standard crochet symbols (and not texts). You may miss out on some minor Japanese instructions, but they're good sources. They usually sell for P70-P80 per piece.