The Traveling Yarn Cabinet

It will be my first time this Nov. 23 (Sat.) to go out there and sell yarn and other crochet and knitting supplies. I'm quite nervous but really excited! I've been trying to figure out how to display my merchandise, especially the different kinds of yarn that I have in my store.

I got lucky when I found this cabinet in an antique shop. It's solid wood (I'm a sucker for real wood antique furniture). It was tucked at the back corner of the display area. I was told by the store attendant that nobody really noticed this cabinet. I'm glad nobody did before :p  I didn't have plans of getting a cabinet, or anything actually, when I entered the shop. It's a one-of-a-kind piece though, so I had to have it for myself. I also love that this cabinet has wheels!

Its mobility gave me the idea that this can actually be my yarn stall. It's compact but it has enough storage to display yarn. I did some experimenting on how to display my yarn and also some crocheted shawls and scarves I will be selling during my pop-up events.

I can't wait for people to see my glorious traveling yarn cabinet! Check out when and where you can get your yarn from this little store:

Nov. 23 (Sat)

Designer Blooms Cafe: Molito Lifestyle Center, Alabang

Dec. 7-8 (Sat-Sun)

Zonta Alabang Christmas Carnivale Bazaar: Cuenca Community Center, Ayala Alabang

Dec. 14-15 (Sat-Sun)

Makers' Trunk Show: 39 Malingap St. Teachers' Village, Quezon City

It's Never Too Late To Learn

Lola Lolita is 88 years old. She's been crocheting for many years and usually creates projects by eye (unlike me who's a pattern follower!).

Lola Lolita, through her grandson Rob, sought my help to crochet a flower.

I didn't do much teaching at all, to be honest. I just translated the pattern for her and demonstrated the first few stitches of each round. She easily remembered those first few stitches and just continued the rest of the round on her own.

Lola Lolita really enjoys crocheting. She's done projects for her grandchildren. She's also looking forward to crocheting something for a soon-to-be-born granddaughter.

A few days after, here she is with more flowers all made from memory!

'Til our next crochet session, Lola Lolita!

20% Off, 100% Profit to the Philippine Red Cross

We just decided to augment the proceeds of our yarn sale for the benefit of the victims of typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). Our sale still stands at 20% off for all our Ice, Katia, Oren Bayan, and Kuka yarn. 100% of our profit from this sale will be donated to the Philippine Red Cross.

The sale will continue until Nov. 30, 2013.

You may view and buy the items HERE.

Hamanaka Claune Scarf

I've been getting my hands lately on shawls and scarves using Hamanaka's yarn. This is a scarf I crocheted using Hamanaka Claune yarn. This is also a Hamanaka design.

Hamanaka Claune is made of 45% acrylic, 32% Viscose, 14% Linen-Ramie, and 9% Nylon. 3 balls of this yarn was used to complete this project.

I like the gradation of the yarn. If you look up close, there are actually two different colors intertwined for a certain section and these two colors eventually change into two completely different colors for the next section. There's a lot of changing in colors going on. You'd think the outcome would look uncoordinated, but the colors seem to blend well with each other. This makes this yarn unique. Even if you use the same yarn (new ball of course) with the same pattern, you will most likely get a different look because of the gradation. To prove my point, check out the same project using the same yarn color.

Pattern and picture belong to Hamanaka

The picture may have been edited by the publisher since it looks lighter, but you'll see the different effects of the yarn on my project and that of the image above. And I may also need to have a good-looking model to wear what I crocheted :p The wooden hanger isn't doing it any justice.

I just call it a scarf, but I think of it more as a really cool accessory. It's actually a nice accent over a plain top. It's pretty unique because of how it drapes.

If you are interested to buy this scarf, send me an email at gantsilyoguru@gmail.com for details. This will also be available at my booth in Designer Blooms Cafe on Nov. 23.

Special Offer

For those who choose to buy any of our Katia, Kuka, Oren Bayan, and Ice yarn, you get 20% off until Nov. 30 and we will match it with a donation, worth 20% of your purchase of these products, to the Philippine Red Cross for the victims of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). For our clients who avail of this, you will be provided with a proof of donation and accounting after Nov. 30.

You may also donate directly to the Philippine Red Cross.

The items on sale may be found at our store, Gantsilyo Guru Selections.

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

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

Tunisian Crochet and Vegetarian Food

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And Now It Has Come To This

I know you've missed seeing me crochet in interesting places :p

And now it has come to this. The picture(s) you've all been waiting for. Me crocheting in a legit rocking chair. It has definitely come to this. And I am not ashamed to show it :p

And mind you, this was taken in public. Crocheting on a rocking chair in public with a pillow on my lap is the shiznit. Now another picture with my legs crossed. See the difference? The level of intensity just changed. I felt it.

From behind. No, I did not drive people away from the cafe.

I crocheted for a few good seconds on that chair. I couldn't last that long on it. I felt my retirement flash right before my eyes.