Adventures in Tunisian Crochet

There seem to have been a lot of talk about Tunisian Crochet lately. I've been wanting to try this "knit-like stitches but actually crochet" technique quite some time, but finally had a chance to try it out the other day.

And it was quite fun! It's refreshing and interesting to just pick up stitches across without taking them off the hook. Then, instead of turning, the stitches were taken off the hook to go back to the first stitch. Intriguing isn't it?

This process makes these stitches

My first attempt at Tunisian crochet. How did I do?

I found Tunisian purl stitches were a bit hard to keep even tension, but other stitches were rather easy to learn.

I used Tunisian Crochet: The Look of Knitting with the Ease of Crochetingas reference. I was lucky to find the kindle version of this book for free (yay!), but I think it's worth buying as well. The instructions for the Tunisian crochet were easy to follow if you already do regular crochet. There are a few patterns that I'd like to make like Honeycomb skirt and Ivory shell sweater. The vest can be re-sized to fit my little one. And there's also a simple sweater for children so I might make this for my little one, too.

I had some difficulties, though, in finding afghan hooks. I went all three major craft stores but only Hobby Lobby carried them. Even there, I could only find 3-4 sizes. Some patterns I'd like to use require the sizes I can't find! Where did you buy your afghan hooks?

I also bought the latest Tunisian crochet book, The New Tunisian Crochet: Contemporary Designs from Time-Honored Traditions. The book has so many beautiful patterns. I can't wait to read through and actually make something from it!

One day, I'm hoping that I can design something using these amazing stitches....

Mochi's Doll's Day

The 3rd of March was Doll's day (or Girl's day, "Hinamatsuri") in Japan where we display beautiful traditional dolls in kimonos to celebrate and pray for the girls' prosperity in one's family.

How did Mochi celebrate this Doll's day?

Watch.

Swirly coasters

If you liked the swirling pattern for this cat blanket that I wrote about in my previous post, but don't have a cat to make for, this pattern may be for you!

I used the same swirling technique to make these coasters. It's rather a quick project but it is so fun to come up with all kinds of color combinations. I bet you'll be making multiple of these because it's addictive (well, at least to me). Good thing is you can use up your leftover yarns to make this fun coaster.

The pattern is priced at $3.5 on my etsy shop or on Ravelry.

Start anew and crochet cat blanket

Hi everybody!

I'm back to blogging after a a little bit more than a year of taking a break. I used to blog elsewhere and I missed blogging a lot. Now I'm back and my etsy shop is also re-opened and revamped (I was on a maternity leave), I thought I'd start a new blog as well. I'll bring back some old contents like free crochet patterns and tutorials here but this blog mainly focuses on my craft life and motherhood with a vegetarian (vegan) flair. I hope you'll enjoy this journey with me.

For today's post, I'd like to introduce my crochet cat blanket pattern.

This is a special blanket I designed for our cat Mochi (who has, by the way, her own blog the adventures of Mochi). She is such a sweet kitty and loves watching outside and lounging around with us. I wanted to give her comfortable spaces for her to enjoy the views from the window and to be near us (and to protect our furniture) so made these. As it turns out, she loves her blankies!

Excitingly, this blanket was featured in Catster last June and one lucky winner has won one of these blankets. Since then I have some inquiries for the pattern for this blanket. I have been debating (since patterns are sadly more easily to be "stolen"), but why not. I'd be honored if many more kitties can get their comfortable treats than one person can make and sell them for.

Take a look at these kitties on my blankets.

Aren't they precious.

If you crochet and are interested in purchasing this pattern, please go to my etsy shop. It is $5.5. 15% of the sales from this pattern will be donated to Santa Paws Drive (or a similar charity to help unfortunate kitties) this year's holiday season.

And now the pattern is also available on Ravelry!

And when you've made a blanket from this pattern, we'd be happy if you could share a photo of your kitty with the blanket on FB (or send via etsy convo so we can share it on FB)!

Of course I'm accepting custom orders for the final products also. Please let me know if interested.

another customer photo