Saturday, August 28, 2004

"Keito-dama" - Japanese magazine

I found a web site of one of the most popular knitting/crocheting magazine in Japan!!!



This magazine is "毛糸だま (Keito-dama)". They publish it 4 times a year, and the fall version is out! Look at all these pictures of beautiful sweaters!!! (^_^)

Friday, August 27, 2004

"Cradle Purse"

Here is my latest project. (^_^)



The pattern is here. I made some changes ONLY to the "Hood" to make above cradle purse. They are:

- HDC instead of SC.
- Repeated Row 1 once.

I really enjoy small projects like this one. This one is going to be a gift for my 4-yr-old niece.

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I received a package from my Crochetville Secret Pal today! (*^_^*)

She sent me a crocheted scarf in my favorite color pink, "Kitchen Witches" pattern, a beautiful mirror in a matching bag, and a pretty flowery journal! Thank you so very much my Secret Pal, you made my day!!! (*^_^*) I can't wait to make the "Kitchen Witch" for Halloween!

Sunday, August 22, 2004

"Kitty Kat Pillow"

I finished the pillow. (*^_^*)


Pattern Source: "First Steps in CROCHET" by Mary Thomas p. 15
Publisher: American School of Needlework.

The colors of this pillow on the book are light and dark orange, and eyes are green. The nose and the mouth are crocheted chain sewed on.

My son seems to like it, and he carries it around. (^o^)


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I am now working on a secret project for my Crochetville Secret Pal. After I finish it, I will start working on cradle purses for my nieces. (*^_^*)

Wednesday, August 18, 2004

WIP

I am making "Kitty Kat Pillow" in "First Steps in Crochet" pattern book published by American School of Needlework.



I have made all the little squares and triangles already to make this pillow, and now I am joining them. This pillow was a request from my son. He seems to like kitty cats better than puppies... (^_^;)

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I have many things to make in mind... squares for 63 Square CAL, more toys for my son and my neices, and a secret project for my Crocheville Secret Pal, socks for my hubby, my sister, and Mom. Wow, that's a lot... (^_^;)

Tuesday, August 10, 2004

Just a quick post :P

I finally finished my linen hat. :)))



I just love this hat, it's so earthy. :) I am repeating this, but it feels really soft, and it has nice weight that helps sit on my head really well. I couldn't make it exactly like the original, and I still like the original better, but I think it's OK. :P

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Now I have 39 squares done for my 63 squares CAL.

Sunday, August 08, 2004

Link to Patterns - Japanese

I have been super busy with my 3 yr-old son and 7 wk-old puppy, I can hardly find time and energy to work on my projects, but it's been fun. :) By the way, I named my puppy "Mona". :)



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I am still working on my linen hat, but I am almost done. :) I am hoping to finish it tomorrow.

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UPDATE >>> Currently, I see lots of missing links on this site. :( Because of this issue, I thought about removing this part of the post, but... well, there are still some downloadable ( although not TONS anymore :P ) you might enjoy. :) ---08/12/04 <<<
Barbara left me a comment asking about a Japanese web site with patterns for bath scrubbies, and I have done some search. Look what I found! Tons of free patterns of crocheted AND knitted wearables and scrubbies! :))) On this site, I even found the patterns for the scrubbies I made before!

The browser may require you to download files to display Japanese text. Here is the URL. ;)

http://www.rakuten.co.jp/gosyo/461397/
  1. Once you go to the page, click on a category of items.
  2. Click on the picture of a project you like.
  3. Now you should be able to see enlarged picture of the project you chose. In order to view its pattern, click on a image that looks like a flier OR a text link nearby, which is in most cases underneath the button image. Patterns are PDF files, and you need a software to view the patterns. I use Adobe Reader. Following is a tip which one of my visitors "pt" gave me. Thanks pt! :))) "The Adobe Reader may need to be updated with Japanese Language Support. Go to the Adobe Reader site and download the file. Then, reboot your computer. - pt"
  4. The patterns are written with symbols & with some instruction in Japanese language (so that means for many of my visitors, some guessing may be required). Siow Chin also mentioned this before on her blog, but this site, ABCs in Knitting explains how to interpret Japanese patterns, PLUS this site has some free patterns. :) Crochet symbols can be found at Hass Design.

I promise I will introduce more links to Japanese free patterns. ;) One thing though, is that there aren't so many of them which I can present here because many patterns by individuals are written completely in Japanese language, but I have already found some more with symbols so check back. ;)

Let me know if you have any trouble downloading the patterns. :)