Holiday Headstart 1: Motif on Fabric Board

It's almost September. This means that it's already time to think about what you are going to give everyone for Christmas...especially if it's handmade. Yes folks, you have to start now :)

If you plan to give a lot of people something crocheted, choose something simple, classy, and pretty useful. I have some gift suggestions which you can consider, starting with this simple motif on a fabric board.

 Here are the materials I used for this project:

Gantsilyo Guru Balinese Cotton Blend

3.5mm Crochet Hook

Mod Podge Fabric Finish

Fabric Board

Paint Brush

The idea here is to crochet any motif pattern you want using any Light (3) or Medium (4) yarn and put it on any fabric board. This is a nice decor which you can hang on your wall or simply display on any table or shelf. 

I got the pattern from a Japanese pattern book with 300 motif designs (you can buy another version of this book here). 

This book has really nice motif and edging patterns. Even if you don't understand the language but have a good grasp of crochet symbols, you'll be able to use this. This book is available HERE.

I specifically chose Gantsilyo Guru Balinese Cotton Blend for this project because it holds a good shape and has a really nice sheen to it. The finish of this yarn is clean. It is also really nice to work with. 

After crocheting your motif,  bring out your paint brush, Mod Podge Fabric Finish, and fabric board. I got the fabric board from a Japan Home store in Greenbelt. It was a (lucky) chance purchase. I saw some and bought 4 boards. If you are not able to buy one, you can make one! I have seen several DIY tutorials online for fabric bulletin boards or cork boards, and I guess you can get ideas from those to be able to make your own fabric board. This one measures 10 in. x 10 in.

On the wrong side of the motif, apply Mod Podge with your paint brush. Don't be afraid to dabble generous amounts of it evenly (flat) on the motif. Mod Podge dries up clear, so don't worry about it being seen. Just avoid having "solid" portions so they won't look like "stubbles" when they dry. You can use a toothpick to remove those or spread them.

Flip the motif and position it flat on the center of the board. Leave it flat overnight to dry.

Ta-daaa! I think I was able to crochet one motif in less than 10 minutes. I am not so sure but I think one ball of the yarn can make 3-4 pieces of this pattern. You can hang this or put it on display using a small easel.

The Last Bedspread I Crocheted

Back in 2013 (which I can't believe is almost 3 years ago), I blogged about starting another bedspread. Well, I actually finished it after a year but I only found time to share it now!

I posted this "teaser" before, but I never showed the entire spread :) I used Red Heart Baby Sheen. Forgive me for saying this but I already forgot what hook size I used. Of all pieces of information, I forgot to list this one down. I think I used between 3mm-4mm. I wasn't also able to take note how many skeins of Red Heart Baby Sheen I used. This yarn, by the way, had already been discontinued by Red Heart so this makes this bedspread really special (and unique, I guess).

It's made up of 266 motifs sewn together through the back loops of the last round of each motif. It is enough to cover a queen-sized bed. 

I got the motif pattern from the "300 Classic Blocks for Crochet Projects" book by Linda P. Schapper. The spread is made of just one motif design but I played with various combinations for different rounds of the same color palette.

I love the layers (and textures) created by the front and back post double crochets as well as the popcorn stitches. They made the different colors in each round pop. 

I'm not really sure if I'll be able to make another bedspread soon. It depends, if that "itch" comes back for such a huge project :)

If you want to get the last (and rare) remaining skeins of Red Heart Baby Sheen, you can buy them online HERE. You must be warned though that there will no longer be restocks of this yarn in our store, so make each stitch count! 

Light Cashmere Blend Promo!

We are bringing our "Buy 2, Take 1" promo to February with our Light Cashmere Blend Yarn!

You'll be able to avail of this promo if you checkout your order of Light Cashmere Blend in multiples of 3 from our online store (or buy them directly at our Yarn Studio!). There will be no bulk discounts but you'll be able to save more with this promo.

 

This yarn has an almost silky texture. This is highly recommended for any apparel you want to undertake such as scarves, shawls, or tops. Although it is acrylic, it doesn't have the usual fluff of acrylic. It feels good on the skin and is quite light.

You can choose from 20 colors we have in stock! Included here are 7 new ones: Mahogany, Eggplant, Lavender, Smoke, Pink Berry, Scarlet, and Popsicle.

Crochet Hook Conversion

If you are new to crochet and you are just trying to figure out hook sizes, we have something for you.

Have you ever been in a situation where you noticed that the size 8 steel hook you have is different from the size 8 hook being used in the pattern you are following? Well, it turns out that even if they are both number 8, they might not be the same size. 8 might refer to IMIA or Japanese size 8, and it is different from 8mm or US 8. Think of it this way: 8 feet is not the same length as 8 inches.

Crochet hooks, and knitting needles too, are labeled with sizes based on different standards or should I say, systems. These could be UK, US, Metric, or Japanese.

I made a compilation of various hook sizes with their corresponding conversions so you will be aware of their equivalent sizes across various systems.

You also have to remember that there is a distinction between steel and aluminum/plastic/bamboo hook sizes. Steel is usually the material for the smaller hooks mainly used for finer crochet threads. Steel can withstand the extra pressure exerted when crocheting finer stitches. Aluminum, given its lighter weight compared to steel, is normally used for sizes 3mm up to 8mm. The larger hooks are mostly made of plastic or bamboo because they need to be even more lightweight than aluminum. It would be too much strain on your hand if your 15mm hook is made of aluminum instead of something lighter like plastic or bamboo.

I also made a compilation of knitting needle sizes.

Feel free to place a comment if you think there are corrections to these so I could provide more accurate information.

I hope this helps you for now (or at least prevents you from guessing hook/needle sizes).

Pantone Color of the Year for 2016

Almost every one involved in design whether it be in fashion, interior, or graphics, looks to Pantone for color standards. Every new year, they announce a color that will pretty much set the tone for the color palettes of the entire year. Last year, they announced Marsala as the color of the year. For 2016, they made an interesting choice of 2 shades: Rose Quartz and Serenity.

Please take note that actual color may vary from uploaded image due to lighting and/or screen color calibration.

The choice is an interesting one because this is the first time Pantone has chosen 2 shades as the color of the year. Here is a description of Pantone of these shades:

"Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace."

Very zen-like, huh? It'll be interesting to see how these shades will translate to design and how they will look like paired with other colors.

If you're interested to have these shades for your yarn, Gantsilyo Guru Selections has some that come quite close to Rose Quartz and Serenity:

Gantsilyo Guru Milk Cotton Light Pastel Pink & Pastel Blue

Dapper Dreamer Stardust Baby Pink & Powder Blue

Gantsilyo Guru Bulky Cashmere Blend Rose Pink & Powder Blue

Caron Simply Soft Soft Pink & Soft Blue

Gantsilyo Guru Milk Cotton Medium Lite Pink & Cornflower

Lion Brand Baby's First Twinkle Toes & Splish Splash

Dapper Dreamer Bamboo Cotton Powder Pink & Powder Blue or Arctic Blue (Available Soon!)

You can read more about Pantone's color of the year HERE.