Happy New Year 1434

I'm feeling blue. The Seashell Dress is almost finishing and I suppose that explains the feeling blue. Like all journey that begins it also ends. Personally, I love happy endings. But if life ends all the time with a happy ending it's almost magical.

I have worked on the back left and right opening. The buttons will be sewn here.

Tomorrow marks another end of a journey. It's the end of the year 1433. Twelve months ago I was in Mecca enjoying my hajj with my husband. We were oblivious to what was going on around the world but everyone was certainly talking about Syria.

A lot had happened since up to today. Major events in my life would certainly be my hajj, kids got very sick while we were away, I started crochet-ing for Fabric & Yarn hence writing on this blog, my daughter's first experience sitting for entrance exam (twice!), I took the kids to Jakarta - their first flight experience. Many more events big and small that I do not wish to publish because it means I have to take that walk down on memory lane. Feeling nostalgia I do not want. But I am blue.

Since a lot had happened I'm not sure if I am ready to face another day let alone another year. Will I still be feeling blue tomorrow? Another colour perhaps? Like my Seashell Dress project that is coming to an end, I am planning another project. I bet all crafters feel the same. You cannot stop when a project ends. You want to do more. I am already looking at my yarn stash. Going through my pattern books and crochet magazines. What next? Should I embark on a simple or challanging, big or small project? Maybe a skirt. Still thinking....

The end of a year also prepares my brain on my next life project. Yes, daughter will commence her primary school, son will embark on his preschool. But I? What lies ahead for me? New career? A makeover? I can't tell. I know my family will start new journeys for the new year but not mine. I have a feeling my journey will be stagnant. Watching other people take their journey and watch their lives change. Is this something possible to do? Only time will tell.

Crochet in High Spirit

I just came home from visiting my in-laws in Johor Bharu. I actually drove there..... well half-way that is. I persuaded my sister-in-law to tag along and she drove the other half way. Personally, I didn't think that I can stand driving for 4-5 hours.

My mother in-law (MIL) was diagnosed with dengue last Tuesday. This is her second infection in three years! I have to say her body may be weak but her spirit was high. She was happy to see us and surprised that we actually drove all the way just for her. It was a booster and I was thrilled that I had a small contribution to this high spirit of hers.

I don't usually visit any sick relatives. I wouldn't know what to say. Wouldn't know what to do. But when I heard my MIL was sick, I just had to see her. My father in-law wouldn't know what to do either. There were no other relatives to help them. I just had to see her.

Sometimes your presence is enough to lift a sick person's spirit. Don't have to say or do anything. We talked about everything under the sun. Her worries and her joy. Of course she had to talk about her grandchildren. They are a part of her. But not once did we talked about her aches and pains, discomfort or complains about being in the hospital. It fact she was a very good patient.

That's the beauty of my MIL. Her iman is her strength. Her focus is on making ibadah for Him. Hence she is always in high spirits because she embraces what's being given to her by Him. The good, the bad and the ugly! And she waits for her time to meet Him.

As she was talking, I was crocheting. The dress is coming out good. I'm so thankful. After 14 1/2 inches from begining, the pattern decreases. How interesting it was by just reducing the double crochet and chain, the dress tapered to form the waist. Easy instruction. Thank you Elissa Sugishita for this pattern. It didn't take long for me to form the divide and shaping for front and back. I should be finishing soon.

There was a slight nagging feeling about leaving my MIL alone in the hospital. But she was in good hands. In fact she would rather be in the hospital than at home. As I huged her, the thought of not seeing her crept in my mind. But the thing about being around someone in high spirit is that it's contagious. Soon I was overwhelmed with this sensation. Yes, the nurses will take care of her. Her doctor will monitor her progress. But most importantly, He'll look after her because she is always thinking of him. Every breath, every heart beat and every moment.

Easy Peasy

After my work piece measured about 33cm I made a decision to undo the whole piece. It looked too small for a chubby 3 year old. The decision was not a difficult one. I assessed the dress, made the decision and then pulled the yarn..... all the way.

It made me wondered (while I was pulling this beautiful fucshia coloured yarn) about my power to decide. Have I ever come to a crossroad whereby I made easy decisions? What catagorises easy? Something that I didn't loose any sleep? Easy being the number of minutes for me to come up with a desicion?

This brought me to my experience last year. I decided that it was time for me to start saving in Tabung Haji again for my hajj (pilgrimage). It didn't take me long at all to do this. My next paycheck I started saving. Three months later my husband got the invitation from Tabung Haji to perform his hajj in the year 2011. A month later I got mine! A simple and quick decision which lead to a life time change.

Back to my work piece. It was a simple decision but I have not overlooked on the effort I have worked on the piece. From a mere 112 chains at the height of 1cm until it measured 33cm. It took me three days and many hours. I kept pulling on the yarn until all the chains are gone. I knew it was something I had to do so I did it. God willing, good will come at the end of this process.

Seashell Dress

This pattern was designed by Elisa Sugishita. I embarked on this journey today courtesy of my Wommer friend Nani. She wanted me to corchet a dress for her neice's 3rd birthday. Elisa's pattern uses Thaki Cotton Classic but I am using DMC Petra No. 5 instead.

I love this yarn. First of all it's cotton and secondly when finished this project will have a beautiful sheen. The yarn also glides through my fingers. I have used the same yarn for the girl's dress in my first blog. I am using tulip's needle size 6. The finished size will fit 24'' chest circumference. Skill level: Intermediate.

I hope this pattern won't keep me up till late. It's pretty straight forward. Hving said that I have had to undo twice since I started!

KaitKiat and still KaitKait

KaitKait and still KaitKait

I can't believe that it has been so long since my last project and my last post. I found this gorgeous pattern created by Doris Chan when I subscribed to Inside Crochet magazine. I saw it and I thought I just had to try it. It turned out to be a very, very difficult task.

I had difficulties understanding the instructions and after several times of undo-ing and crochet-ing, and undo-ing and crochet-ing, I just needed a break.

I will get back on the horse but I so need a break from this pattern. Thank you Doris Chan for this extremely difficult challenge. I know that you have created some wonderful projects with laces. I've seen them and I respect your talent and skill. I am envious.

I won't give up! I will complete this project.

kaitkaitcrochet

As a young child I used to play with my mother's yarn, pretending to crochet like her. When I was still in primary school, she taught me how to crochet. This as it happens became Mama's greatest gift to me.

Since then I have made doilies, table runners, hats, bags, slippers. Of all my projects I am very, very happy with the green dress I made as shown in the picture. This pattern was easy to follow and I completed this project in three days!

I never liked to make sweaters or cardigans because I have to attach the sleeves to the body. This dress was made in one piece starting from the neck down, which made this pattern so easy.

I used DMC Petra yarn and for this size (32cm length from shoulder to knee) it took only one ball. This dress fits 3 - 6 month old babies

I love this yarn. With its exceptional brightness and softness, Petra is a quality crochet thread with natural, mercerised 100% cotton thread that does not go fluffy or knot easily. When finished this dress has a nice sheen to it. For colour chart please go to 
http://forum.dmc.com/majic/pageServer/1y0101003w/en/Colour-card---Petra.html

If you are keen to have this dress as a gift for only RM80.00 with postage and handling (within Malaysia only) please e-mail to me your name, contact details and your colour code, and I will get to you as soon as possible.

It's been nice to share this bit of information with you. I look forward to hear from you.