Happy New Year!

Pattern for crocheted numbers available HERE

Here we are about to welcome 2014 :)

Before 2013 comes to an end, I would like to THANK YOU for being part of this memorable year. Whether you have attended any of my workshops, purchased from my online store, asked me something about yarn or crochet, or read my blog, you made me look forward to what each day of this year brought.

For 2014, I wish that...
...you have more patience to finish your WIPs.
...you won't have to fear the idea of defrogging your stitches.
...you will not give up on a stitch or pattern you do not understand.
...you eventually figure out what that pattern is saying.
...you find the right yarn for a project you want (or the right project for a yarn).
...you find time to crochet or knit by yourself without any distractions.
...you also find the time to spend more quality time with your loved ones.
...you go out of your usual routine and do something different.
...you also get to make something special for yourself.

More than anything, I wish that you find happiness and fulfillment in every single day this year, and all the following years, would bring.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Let's make 2014 our best year yet!

Last Crochet Workshop of 2013! More to Come in 2014!

I held my last crochet workshop for the year last Dec. 14 at Pipino Vegetarian in Quezon City. It was a full workshop! The group was a mix of beginners and those who want to refresh their crocheting.

I can't believe this was my 28th crochet workshop in 2013! I'm really happy I get to share this craft with others.

Crochet may have a hard start; but with practice, holding a yarn and hook can eventually feel natural. In time, the yarn strewn across your fingers and the hook you are holding with the other hand will just feel like extensions of yourself. They become part of you and there's nothing to be seen or felt but the creation taking shape in front of you.

Most of the time, my crochet workshops end up like some sort of crafty hangout. We crochet and exchange stories at the same time. And of course, there is that goal of making the quintessential granny square.

Now, go forth and crochet some more, ladies!

I have already been getting inquiries for crochet workshops in 2014. You can find this calendar being updated for upcoming workshops HERE. I already plotted workshop dates for the 1st quarter of 2014. The dates and cities are already final. Specific venues in these cities will be announced later.

This kind of workshop is for beginners and is a good introduction to crocheting. I will only be accepting 6 participants for each workshop schedule. Fee is P1,500, which is inclusive of a crochet starter kit made up of a Susan Bates Silvalium crochet hook, a sampler set Red Heart Super Saver, a yarn and thread cutter, patterns, and illustrated stitch guide. Snacks will also be served. Our goal is for you to make a granny square motif (as seen on the picture above). This is a simple but classic crochet motif piece that is friendly to beginners.

To register for the workshop and to secure your slot this early, please fill up the form below:

This Is What Happens When A Crocheter Attempts...

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

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

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

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

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

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

Red Heart Celebration Yarn On Sale!

Here's a treat for those who might have some last minute holiday projects with yarn! Add shimmer to your holiday decor with Red Heart Celebration yarn, at 10% off!

This line of yarn has fun bright shades with a touch of metallic silver, which makes it perfect for everyday and holiday projects. We have five (5) available colors of Red Heart Celebration yarn.

To avail of the discount, you must checkout and pay for these items within Dec.14-20, 2013.

Click HERE to buy these items on sale.

And The Yarn Cabinet Has Travelled

To the South!

It made its debut in Designer Blooms Cafe last Nov. 23. I think the cabinet was a good fit for the place. It looked like it belonged :)

The cafe's very homey. It was actually my first time in this place. It has a craft-friendly vibe!

I had a great time crocheting here and holding a 1-on-1 crochet tutorial. We were also accompanied by great food. I can't believe I actually spent an entire day here because it went by so fast. Hanging out here with crochet and the company of yarn and friends made my trip to Alabang worthwhile.

That's my friend, Kaia (bottom right). Apart from being the Master Baker at Comfort Zone, she is also a crocheter! She passed by Designer Blooms to crochet with me and hang out with all those skeins of yarn. She's in the middle of crocheting a big square motif which is only a piece out of the 80+ she has already done to complete the required 140+ pieces for a bedspread! The patience! I gotta give it to this girl for her dedication! Check out the 2 pieces she made while she was in the cafe (within the span of less than an hour).

I plan on holding another crochet workshop here next year. I want to go back! :) I will be featuring my yarn cabinet on another entry when it made its more public debut in Ayala Alabang.

Mad For Cowls: Made-To-Order Hamanaka Pieces

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cornetto Yarn 

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

Percent Gradation Yarn

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

Gantsilyo in Global Entrepreneurship Week at Miriam College

I got invited by the Society of Junior Entrepreneurs of Miriam College to give a small talk in a forum on entrepreneurship. It took place last November 18. I was surprised by the invitation, to be honest, because I've only been in business for less than a year. Part of me wanted to also share my experience so far so that my audience can be "inspired" to be young entrepreneurs.

I told them my crochet story and how I got here from being a corporate gal.

I was so nervous before going in front of the students. It's like presenting and being graded for something in front of your class and teachers :p Surprisingly, the nerves left when I started to talk.

There were other speakers as well. A short Q & A portion took place after all the talks.

Cheers to more young entrepreneurs and thank you for inviting me!

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.

Trey's Tray

On another note, here is my crochet tray - otherwise know as Trey's Crochet Tray :p

Well, it really serves it purpose. It helps me take my crochet anywhere in the house.

I made a shawlette using Hamanaka's Claune yarn. Will be showing "proper" pictures soon. 

Basic Crochet Workshop on Dec. 14 at Quezon City

My last basic crochet workshop for the year will be on Dec. 14 (Sat), 4:00 - 6:00 PM, at PIPINO Vegetarian (Malingap St., Quezon City). This workshop is for beginners and is a good introduction to crocheting.

Workshop fee is P1,500. Fee is inclusive of a crochet starter kit made up of a 6-pc. set of Susan Bates Silvalium crochet hooks, a sampler set of 4 colors of Red Heart Super Saver, a yarn and thread cutter, patterns, and illustrated stitch guide. Snacks prepared by PIPINO Vegetarian will also be served. Our goal is for you to make a granny square motif (as seen on the poster). This is a simple but classic crochet motif piece that is friendly to beginners.

Workshop is for 2 hours, but participants will get additional guidance (beyond the workshop schedule) in another area within the same venue (basically, we'll just move to another area within PIPINO's facility). Check out some outtakes from a previous workshop HERE. Only 8 participants will be accommodated.

PIPINO Vegetarian is located at 39 Malingap St., Teachers Village, Quezon City.

Map courtesy of PIPINO Vegetarian

If you can't make it on Dec. 14, I also have an earlier basic crochet workshop on Nov. 23 (Sat) at Designer Blooms Cafe.

To register for the workshop, please fill up the form below: