I Crochet it My Way

Since my last project, I have been very busy crochet dresses and more dresses. The one I would like to share with, is what I called Raspberry Ripple Dress. Initially it was a challenge I was really looking forward to. Than, it became a nightmare. Only passion drove me to complete this pattern and hopefully I made a little girl happy.

This dress was made from the neck (yoke) down. I love to use this style. Seamless is the way to go if you would like to attempt to crochet a dress. I used DMC Babylo yarn in white, pink and purple. Total balls were five. I wanted to use DMC Petra but I couldn't get the colours I wanted. The thing with thin yarn is that you end up doing more stitches to make up for the required size. Which means I had to spend more time working on this dress compared to using a thicker yarn. But I was willing to invest my time and the end result was satisfying.

The bodice.

The bodice was made using trebble (or the American term is double crochet) increasing at the corners to make up the arm hole. It took awhile to complete this section because of the skinny yarn I mentioned above. I have to say that I was bored and I could't wait till I reach the desired length.

Then the excitement began. I found a pattern on www.ravelry.com by Nell Armstrong called Crochet Baby set #106 which used a ripple effect. I thought it would be excellent to make the skirt. It turned out to be a disaster! Who knew that by choosing a skinny yarn would give me a headache. 

So, I stripped of the idea off and instead applied my own. At the end of the bodice, I made shells and between the shells I made chain space. For the next row, I increase stitches in these chain spaces.

The making of the skirt.

Then it was a matter of increasing stitches and changing colour until I reached the desired length. It got pretty monotonous, really. While making these ripple effects, I was thinking about the border. What can I do to this dress that will give it a distinct look? Something me, possibly.

Border at the bottom of the skirt.

Border at the sleeve.

I thought about my favourite stitch which is shell. It was not difficult to make it into a border. I used same stitches for the sleeves and skirt but the effects were different. Of all the stitches I used to make this dress I love this one the best. This was done my way. What can I say about the rest of the pattern? It's the repetition that I didn't like. It was also not being able to start off using the yarn of my choice. At the end of this project, I wish I had done more to make it outstanding, intricate, delicate. Yes, I found it. This dress lack detail.

I'm on another project. Will keep you posted. This will be a lesson learned for me. I'm not a designer, yet. And I don't know how to write my own pattern. I can use symbol but it will have to be on a large paper. I can only share with you images and hopefully you gain inspiration from them.

Buttons were sewed at the back of the bodice.

 

Finished product.

Ballet Slippers

This is not my first attempt at trying to crochet slippers or socks. But these slippers are my first success. I made not one but six pairs! You can download this free from www.craftsy.com or you can visit the designer Megan Denham at www.tampabaycrochet.blogspot.com.

I believe this pattern worked for me because of its simplicity plus you can make it into any size you want. Here I made for my son who is five and his cousins who are one and three years old. You can always add on embellishments to the slippers making them more attractive.

After putting on his new slippers, my son Ali, made a trial run. He was very happy sliding from slide to side. Then he got creative whereby he started to run and slide when he wants to stop. He almost hit the wall. I realised that I needed to sew leather sole to the slippers to prevent any mishap.

Apart from that, Megan's instructions were easy to understand and follow. I will definitely recommend this pattern to beginners who want to learn to crochet.

Ballet Slippers

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.