What a disaster that had to happen at the end of the year...
My feeling for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami and their families is hard to explain with words. We can help. Let's do that.

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I know it is already new year in Japan so "Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu" to all of you in Japan! *bows* m(_ _)m

I am so grateful that I gained my health back this year and that my family reunited. I just have to say this..... I have the very best husband! Sometimes I think I must have done something really good to deserve this man. LOL
In Oct. 2002, our son and I went to Japan, and I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He came to Japan in Dec. and commuted to my hospital room everyday for a month. Then he came back to the US alone and worked and worked without his son and wife around. During that time, I was going through chemo, radiation, blood stem cell transplantation, and recovery in Japan, and he either e-mailed me or called me EVERY SINGLE DAY for A YEAR AND A HALF! Finally in June this year, he flew to Japan to pick up me and our son, and now we are back in the States reunited...
My husband makes me laugh whenever I need to, and he is a great, great father. Let me just share with you a cute thing he did just recently. ;D On Christmas eve, he helped our son write a letter to Santa and shot it with a skyrocket! :D It is just one of many cool things he does. (*^_^*)
I just hope next year, I am not going to be a pain for him again.

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I foresee this coming new year will start out exciting and fun for me!
I am joining the thread crochetalong (temporary link) which start around Jan. 7th..... AND..... the Hello Kitty Knitalong!


The knitalong will include sweater, hat, mittens, legwarmers and a handbag which Oslofia designs and you can see some of them at her blog. After checking out her HK projects, you might have figured that some of them are crocheted! ;D I will probably make just some of all the things, but she said that's OK! Yiiipppiieee! I can't wait. (*^^*)

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I wish all of you and your family a HAPPY NEW YEAR! (^^)/~

Getting relaxed

I hope everyone had a wonderful, happy Christmas! Mine was good with all the food, people, and presents, although I missed my family in Japan a bit. All of my side of family is in Japan, and usually it doesn't bother me much, but especially during holiday season, it hits me a bit. I miss crocheting with Mom and my sister with my son and my little nephew running around in the house. LOL

Well, the Christmas is over, and I feel like I'm finally getting some rest. I've been sick with a cold, and bad migraine hit me last night, but I feel better today. I haven't been able to pick up a crochet hook since I made the wheat doily so not much crocheting news, but I sure have plans for some thread projects! (^^) Actually I have so many patterns I like, I don't know which one to start! Hehe.

Oh and one of the presents Hubby gave me was a....SEWING MACHINE! Yaaayyyy!!! I want to make a crochet hook case and a knitting circular needle case with it! But don't worry friends, sewing cannot take over my passion for crocheting or this blog. ;D

Added ---
Just one more thing I forgot to mention. (^^) It's not crochet related, but yesterday we put away our Christmas tree, and my 4-yr-old son went to pieces. (-_-) He cried and sobbed for about an hour saying "I want Christmas!" hugging the tree box! I felt so bad, I even thought about putting the tree back. Today he is OK. Thank God... I guess we are going to leave the lights outside a bit longer. (^^)

"The Wheat and Grape Doily"

Pattern Source : "The Wheat and Grape Doily" on Celt's Vintage Crochet.
Thread I used : Aunt Lydia Classic Crochet Art. 154   Size 10.
Color : 661 Frosty Green.

This is a big doily that is 26 inches in diameter so it's more like a table center. I did lots of double trebles on this doily. The pattern has some errors and some confusing parts so I can't recommend it to beginner crocheter. (-_-;)

Holiday Projects

Hiya. :D I bet you all were thinking, "Where in the world did Chie go???". LOL
Well, I am through making Christmas gifts, mailed out the ones that had to be mailed, and I only have some wrapping left. (^_^) We put up our Christmas tree, put outside lights and house decorations too.

Here are some of the things I made.

   
The beret pattern is from Coat's & Clark's booklet called "Accessorize!", which I got from my local WM. It has crochet and knitting patterns ONLY for Red Heart's Light & Lofty yarn. I used P hook instead of suggested N hook. It's probably just me, but I can't use this yarn with smaller hooks than P. (^^; The mini scarf is made with repeating HDC row and DC row.

I used Toe-Up Crochet Socks pattern to make the mini stocking ornament. The yarn is Lion Brand's Chenille Think & Quick in Scarlet 113 and white Fun Fur. I'd like to thank wonderful Sharon to make this ornament possible. *bows*

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Now it's time for me to plan Christmas meal! It's always a bit frustrating because I am not so familiar with traditional American holiday dishes. You see, sushi or tempura for Christmas is just so... improper (or not?)! LOL This year, I am planning on making lots of sweets, and I am definitely making this, this, and this! Yummy, yummy... (=^_^=) Cara is a talented knitter & crocheter who uses both yarn and thread!

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I am very excited about upcoming Crochetville thread crochet CAL(temporary link) which is going to start around Jan. 7th 2005! In fact, I'm too excited I couldn't help but to start making a doily with this pattern from Celt's Vintage Crochet, and it is almost finished. To be honest, I cannot recommend this pattern to beginner crocheters just because there are some errors on the pattern, and the doily on the picture cannot be accomplished just by following the pattern. (-_-;) There is an error on the 1st row so it's confusing at the very beginning. But with some experience of making doilies, the error shouldn't be hard to correct. Celt's Vintage Crochet has tons of BEAUTIFUL thread crochet patterns, and I love it!
Hopefully next time, I will be able to post a picture of my finished doily. (^_-)*

Getting ready for the holiday

Finished -
So far, I have made 5 scarves, 2 pairs of socks, 3 ornaments, 1 dishcloth, and 2 hats! I am going to post pictures of them probably... next week. (^_-)*

Future project -
I so want to make a doily for myself. Pattern is already picked out, and I got thread for it, too. (^_^) I can't wait to start on it.

In progress -
I've been trying to knit a vest for Hubby, but I ripped it twice already, and I have to start all over again for the third time. (>_<) Oh, and another dog sweater is also in progress...

Yes, I have been crocheting and knitting madly, but I'm not tired of it. LOL I can feel that my eyes are getting tired though... They get really dry and painful sometimes, and I just can't keep looking at the monitor too long without having a headache. As long as I keep my eyedrops and massager (Hubby bought me last week. Isn't he wonderful? Hehe.) very closely, I am fine. (^_^)

My Tawashi

"Tawashi" is a Japanese word that means "scrubbie", and 100% acrylic yarn is commonly used. Tawashi is perfect for washing dishes and bathtubs!
Caution - Do not use tawashi on your skin!!! If you'd like to use it as a washcloth, use cotton yarn instead.

**********

Dishwashing Tawashi ~ Revised on 3/4/07 ~
~ This pattern is for personal & non-commercial use only ~

Materials
* Worsted weight 100% acrylic yarn (2 different colors of your choice: A, B)
* US I/5.5 mm hook or size required to achieve gauge

Finished dimension
4 3/4" X 4 3/4"

Gauge 15 sc = 4"

Tips
I didn't cut the yarn until the very end. On the rows where B is used, crochet over the A across the entire row and continue on to the next row with A yarn. When changing row with A yarn, carry B together at the side edge.

Tawashi main body
Chain 16 ( or any number that is multiple of 3 plus 1 ) with A.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn. (15 sc)
Row 2: Sc in the same st and each st until 1 st remain, sc in the last st making the last loop with B, ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Sc in same st, *fpdc in sc 2 rows below, skip the st behind the FPDC and sc in next 2 st, repeat from * until last 2 st, fpdc in next st, sc in the last st making the last loop with A, ch 1, turn.
Row 4: Sc across, ch 1, turn.
Row 5 - 14: Repeat Row 2 - 4. At the end of Row 14, ch 1, turn, continue on to Edging.

Edging
With B, sc in each st and row making 3 sc in each corner st. Fasten off.

**********

The above pattern was tested only by me once so if you notice any errors, please let me know. I hope you enjoy my tawashi! (^_^)

Socks

My latest creation!



Pattern : Toe-Up Crocheted Socks
Yarn : Lion Brand Homespun 315 Tudor
Hook : US K

*****

I thank all of you who take time to visit here and leave me kind comments.
Nice words are like magic. They nourish me whether they are given to me or I give them to somebody. I just feel so blessed. (^^)

Puppy Sweater #2

I made another sweater for my puppy. (*^_^*)
This sweater is my original design! Yaaaayyyy. \(^o^)/
Although there still are some things I could improve, I just call it finished for this one. LOL I like it because it doesn't make the hair on her chest matted. (^_^) Here are the pictures. You see my puppy is checking the sweater out? LOL







Here is my (hopefully) happy puppy in her new sweater. LOL



I used Caron's Simply Soft yarn. I'm glad I did because this sweater is single crochet stitched, and I can imagine how heavy and not-so-soft it would be with RH SS, which I often use.

*****

I have decided, AT LEAST I am going to make a pair of socks for Mom and Hubby's vest before Christmas (I frogged it, and I have to start it over. *sigh*). I have some more things to make in mind, but I try not to think about them for now since all the plans for the holidays started to stress me a bit.

*****

I added two more lists on my sidebar. One of them is the list of useful links to help you with Japanese patterns, and the other one is the links to my past Japanese pattern posts.

Busy Head

I haven't done much crocheting or knitting. Instead, I joined a couple of web rings.

            

I'm hoping to make more friends. (*^_^*)

*****

It was chilly here in Mississippi last weekend, and my puppy is getting used to her sweater. (^_^) However, there is a problem... The hair on her chest and front legs get matted badly wearing it. (-_-;) I found "Shotzi's sweater", and I am thinking about making another puppy sweater shaped like it.

*****

I spend most of my time daydreaming and researching about yarn, patterns, and future projects. I really need to start actually working on some projects. Clock is ticking, the holiday season is near, and I have so many things in mind that it's hard to organize.

Mona's Cable Sweater

I know, I know. LOL I just had to switch back to my old template. (^_^) It's probably my eyes, but those little fonts started to bother me.

*****

Finally, I took photos of my puppy's knitted cable sweater. (^_^)
Click on them to view enlarged photos.


Mona in her first sweater


"I'm almost 5 months old!"


"Hi! (*^^*)"


"I'm trying to like my sweater."

Things I made for Kelly

Kelly was my gift recipent for Crochetville Autumn Secret Pal swap. (^_^) I studied her color preference etc. very, very carefully and made the following.

My very first hand-made item for her was a linen doily. I combined two Japanese patterns I had and came up with this.


And the next was a cellphone cozy. This is my own design. Hehe.


I made a hook case for Kelly as well. Its pattern is here. One of the pictures on the pattern page shows that this hook case can hold up to 28 crochet hooks and many more tools. How clever! I had to make one for myself, too. (^_^)


Finally, a scarf. The yarn is Red Heart's Light & Lofty, and the color is 9617 Pheasant. I DC-ed away the scarf because I thought this way, it would become thick and bouncy soft.


I so enjoyed every steps to make all those things... Learning what Kelly likes, checking her blog to find a clue what she might need, deciding what to make, picking yarn of her favorite colors, crocheting daydreaming her reaction when she receives the item.....
Making things for somebody is just so much fun and addictive. (=^_^=) That's why no matter how many items I make, I have few left with myself. And I know I'm not the only one, I can tell from reading all the blogs of my super nice fellow crocheters & knitters. LOL How awesome!

I hope everyond had a great Haloween! (^_^)
I didn't get to have any Haloween fun because my 4-yr-old son gets terrified with anything Haloween. There was no way we could get him to wear a Haloween costume, and he didn't even let us buy a pumpkin! (-_-;) I really should have crocheted a pumpkin so I could have my own little Haloween... Oh, well.....

I didn't crochet/knit lately. It's just that I don't know what to make although I really want to start making something. But, my friend in Oklahoma called me tonight and asked me to help her crochet some snowmen for elderlies. I said OK. She said she would send me a "sample". I am looking forward to it. Talking about snowman, I recently saw Danielle's snowman on her blog, and I fell in love with it!

I know some of you are waiting for my puppy's sweater photo. I am going to take some after she gets her grooming on Monday. LOL

"Keito-dama" Winter 2004 Collection

"Keito-dama" is one of the most Popular knitting/crocheting magazines in Japan, and its Winter 2004 issue is out. (^_^) Click on the image above to visit its web site.

*****

I have finished my puppy's sweater. Hehe. She so hates wearing it, I feel bad. (^_^;) I am trying to figure out how I can get her to become comfortable in the sweater so I can take a photo to put here... I may have to forget about it and just take some photos of the sweater alone...

Crocheville Secret Pal revealed!

Around 3PM today, UPS car stopped in front of my house. I saw it through the window, and my heart started beating hard thinking that it may be a package from my Crochetville Secret Pal just because it is almost the end of Autumn Crochetville Secret Pal Swap. Well, I was right, it was, and the secret was revealed! My Pal was "Kari"!!!
When I opened the box, the first thing that hit me was the sweet fragrance of potpourri, incense, and a candle. (*^^*) And there were 3 skeins of my favorite Lion Brand's Wool-Ease (I gave them a big hug! LOL), Southmaid's "Masterpiece Doilies" booklet, and a sweet message note too! Actually, I was having one of my bad days today feeling exhausted, disgusted, and I was eating every candies that came into my eye sight UNTIL I received the package! Kari, you made me smile AND cry. LOL Oh, and I stopped eating all the candies, too! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH Kari, for sending me all the goodies and for all your thoughts and concerns. You have just been so great! I absolutely love everything you sent me. (*^_^*)

Now what am I gonna make with the yarn? (^_^) *the goofest happy dance of mine* LOL LOL I just can't help it! (^o^)

Sailing... Sailing

Sailing Sailing

It's a doily that has waves and ships around. (^_^)

ADDED - About its pattern.
On the site I found the pattern of this doily, it was written both in English and Japanese. Once you click on the link above to go the pattern page, your browser(IE) may ask you to download a Japanese text display file. Go ahead and do that, and next, you have to make sure Japanese text is showing properly by clicking on "View" >>> "Encoding" on your brownser. If "Japanese (Auto-Select)" is checked, the page is displaying as it supposed to.
In order to continue on to the next page, click on the link (in Japanese) at the very bottom of the page.

If you go the top page of "Crochet in English" where I found the pattern of this doily, you will see pictures of some more beautiful doilies. You can go to the pattern page by clicking on the photo of your favorite doily.
One thing is though, you can find most of the doily patterns there on other free pattern web site such as Crochet Pattern Central. Patterns there do not have Japanese translation so you won't have to change encoding on your browser. Unluckily so far, I have not found "Sailing... Sailing" pattern anywhere else but the one above. I will keep searching its pattern only in English, and I will post the link here when I find one. (^_^)

Puppy sweater in Progress

I am now working on a sweater for my 4mo. old puppy. I haven't knitted for so long, it's hurting me. (-_-)

I can't believe it's been more than a week since my last post! (^^;) I was busy doing this and that for my son's 4th birthday, and after that I needed a good rest. LOL

I finished a doily today. It needs to be blocked. I also started knitting a sweater for my puppy. I will post some photos later. (^_-) -*

Crochetville Autumn Secret Pal exchange is almost over. I am sending out my final package tomorrow. After it is received, I am going to post pictures of the things I made for my pal. This exchange ha's been so much fun. (^^)

I feel better...

TORISH Doily

I found the pattern of this doily at "Panda Crochet!". When I first saw this doily on the site a couple of months ago, I just fell in love with it. I printed out the pattern right away, but it had been in my folder untouched until today. It's because it looked hard to make... But finally today I spent the afternoon crocheting this doily, and I'm glad I did. (^_^)

At "Panda Crochet!", you will find many more beautiful doilies and patterns. I recommend this site to anyone who love to thread-crochet. Mr. Panda Man is just so talented and generous! (^_^)

Another CP cozy

It's been a while since my last post. (-_-;) My boy brought back a cold from school one day, and we all have been sick since ( for a week already, and we are still sick. *sigh*). But I managed to make a few things. I made a pair of socks exactly like the other one I made before, AND this.



This is again a cellphone cozy. I crocheted it with size #10 thread and 1.5mm hook. When I saw Donna's post about her tea and teapot, I thought about this Japanese pattern I had, and I just had to make it. It came out a bit too big for my cellphone, but it should hold all the cellphones in the current market. The teapot is crocheted, embroidered, and sewed on. One thing is... I wish I had red thread!

Oh, and most importantly, thank you so much Donna for your concern. *bow*

*****

Next thing I really want to try is Tunisian crochet. Mom asked me on the phone if I needed anything from Japan so I answered very quickly that I wanted a Tunisian crochet book. Hehe. I also bought the famous "Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick". I liked everything in the book, and especially those finger puppets kills me! They are too cute. (=^_^=) But I still don't know if I'm going to knit anything from the book... I don't know... I just don't feel like knitting much... Since I said this blog is about "crocheting & knitting", my feeling of guilt just keeps growing and growing. LOL Maybe I should change my blog title. Really seriously.....

Isn't she a cutie? (^_^)

Here is my latest creation.



I saw "meomi cellphone cozy" the other day, and I loved it. I also looked at the price and thought... "I'll just make one. (^_^;)" LOL



My version perfectly fits my CP, and it has a TAIL! Hehe.

I also found other people who was inspired by "meomi" at crafter.org. They made their CP cozies too, and I think they are super cute!

I love making CP cozies! I know I am making more. (^_-)-*

My 63 Square Afghan !!!

OK everyone, I DID IT!!! I finished this afghan! I don't dance, but today I feel like it! LOL Anyways, here is the completed picture:

Completed 63 Square Afghan

Joining wasn't too bad, and the border was great! Last night, I worked on this afghan like I was obsessed until I finished it. I probably scared my hubby a bit. LOL

I sooo love this afghan! Now I don't know what to do with it. LOL I am thinking..... maybe I can make it a wedding gift for my son. He is only three now though... (^^;) Well, Hubby said he can make a cedar chest for the afghan if I really decide to save it until our son gets married. I like the idea! Yayyyy!!! I'm just so happy! (*^_^*)

All 63 squares!!!

I finally finished all the 63 squares! Wooohoooooooo!


63 squares

I will start sawing them all together... I hope it won't take as long as making all those squares. LOL

*****

Today is my 3 yr-old's first day of school in the U.S.! He was scared at first, but I just received a phone call from one of the teachers, and she told me he is doing just fine. Oh, what a relief. (^^;)

He needed a small pillow to take to school so we bought him one, but I thought about the pillow Jennifer made. I had some Homespun yarn so I just had to make one too. (^_^)



I added a large bandana...


I just crocheted in round with DC, and crocheted 2 rows of SC to close the sides.

51 Squares!

I couldn't get on the Internet for 3 days, but I finally fixed the problem after all the hours of talking with tech assistant on the phone. I have been so busy lately, but I managed to make 12 more squares. (^_^)v Here is my favorite one.



At some point, I started to use ONLY H hook for edging even though I use bigger/smaller hook for the main square, and it works for me! I can never get those pictures right for my squares though... I guess it's because all the resizing I do. (-_-#)

Although I said that I would work only on my squares until I finish all of them, I made a couple of fun things for my Crochetville Secret Pal exchange. (^_^) I personally really like them, and I hope the recipient will like them too. I am posting pictures of them at the end of October. (^_-)-*

Dear my Secret Pal

Secret Pal,

I hope you will read this post because I have something to tell ya. Hehehe. (^_^)

I received an E-mail the other day from a lady. She liked the scarf you made for me, and she is interested in its pattern. (^_^) If it is OK for you to share the info. about the pattern source with her, please leave me a comment so I can give you her E-mail address to contact her. That way, you will share the pattern source just with her. (^_-)-* How do ya think?

By the way, I have a permission from the lady for this post. (^_^)

I have lots in mind

I had not been feeling so well until today. I am OK this morning, and I am happy about that. (*^_^*)

*****

Since the cradle purse, I worked on a project for my Crochetville Secret Pal, and squares for 63 Square CAL. I will post pictures of my squares next time. Oh, I almost forgot, I also worked on one of my WIPS, "Best Vest" after another long enough interval! (-_-;)



Well, I still like knitting (and I figured that knitting is so much easier on my shoulders and arms), but I think it is the vest that keeps me away from knitting needles. The pattern is just so complicated, I don't have patience for it anymore. BUT! Like I said before, I am finishing it this year.....(hopefully).

As the weather gets cooler, my mind starts going toward knitting. I have many nice Japanese knitting patterns to knit, and I am thinking about getting some Japanese yarn.

*****

I have decided to work ONLY on my squares from now on until I finish the afghan. (^_-)-* I am not good at having multiple projects going at the same time. When I do that, I lose my concentration, and I don't finish any. (^_^;)

After I finish the afghan, I plan to knit my son's poncho, crochet Hubby's vest, two pairs of socks, some things for Halloween, scrubbies, doilies, etc., etc...... (^o^)

"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!!! (^_^)

"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.

*****

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!

"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^)

*****

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. (*^_^*)

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... (^_^;)

*****

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... (^_^;)

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

*****

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