WIP Wednesdays: May 2 Yarn Haul!

As I may have mentioned before, I went to my first yarn event last Saturday (if your memory is a bit hazy, take a little detour over here) and in a word, it was fantabulous. The people, the conversation, the lemonade – Ahhh, I can’t wait to go to the next one!

But of course, the MAIN reason for going to any yarn sale is the yarn. And oh, were there choices. I purposefully took just enough money for what I needed to buy, because I just knew I was going to have a hard time choosing.

Smart move on my part, but…Well, a haul is a haul is a haul!

The purple Kipling on the right was my trusty yarn bag, and I was able to stuff all of the above into it. My husband says I pack like a boss… Actually, he said ‘burglar’ but I heard ‘boss’, because I fit all that into one bag, and that takes serious skillz.

20% Nylon, 30% Wool, 50% Acrylic / 50g, 164y / Php 45

I got this pretty peach-pink skein from Yarn Shack for free, because I bought the ergonomic hook set (bottom left of the top picture). The handles are made out of the same resin that is used for Clover brand hooks. I can’t say yet if they’re better than the generic aluminum set, but that’s  because I’ve only made the one hat this week. I do love the grip, though I wish it was longer (I’ve got bigger hands than most).

Alize Diva (Batik) / 100% Microfiber Acrylic / 100g, 383y / Php 290

I’ve looked around, and I can confidently say that only Kurazu Online Shop (also known as Yarns Kurazu Rumeka) stocks the Alize brand. As a matter of note, it’s pronounced a-liz, like “a-liz ka diyan” (XD!), and not a-liz-Ay, like the drink. These yarns are imported from Turkey, which is why they’re a little more expensive. But I don’t even care because look at those colors! Asdfghjkl!!!

I may have weirded Kurazu out a little because I literally said “Take my money!” (Sorry, girl >.<) In my defense, I had been thinking it all day ever since I saw her booth because those colors had me slavering like a dragon in front of a treasure pile. Yeah, I said ‘slavering’.

These two are light fingering-weight to me, and will find new lives as scarves. I’ve even found the perfect patterns. As always, I’m wary to working with such a small hook size, but hopefully I can get over it so I can use these beauties.

Alize Cotton Gold (Batik) / 55% Cotton 45% Acrylic / 100g, 361y/ Php 290

These colors are gorgeous, gorgeous I say! I love their soft pastel hue, and I wish I had bought more. I will buy more, come the next yarn sale!

This supremely soft sport-weight yarn is perfect for baby things. Even at this moment, I’m flipping through my magazines and scouring Ravelry’s very bones for the perfect patterns. I also have to the consider the weather, which is absolutely brutal right now. It’s storm weather without the storm, just dropping the humidity everywhere without even the promise of rain. Poor Houdini is taking two baths a day now.

Alize Burcum and Batik / 100% Acrylic / 100g, 250y/ Php 250

If I were to choose only one kind of material to make hats out of, it would be this worsted-weight yarn. It’s amazingly soft and workable. If I were a braver person, I’d have hooked this up immediately. But I’m not, so I’m content to rub my cheek against it when I’m bored.

Note to self: Must find more hat designs!

Alize Burcum and Batik / 100% Acrylic / 100g, 250y/ Php 250

The obligatory purple yarn. I don’t really favor purple all that much, but it reminds me of my brother. This is a nice pastel shade mixed with a soft grey, so whatever I make can be used for either of us. That is, if I don’t fall in love with it first!

I can already tell that I’m going to have a lot of trouble selling my FOs if this is the kind of yarn I’m using, hahahaha.

Hand-dyed Yarn / 100% Cotton/ 200g, 150y/ Php 200

Of course I couldn’t go to a yarn sale hosted by Crafty Yarn Paws without getting anything from her! I had already pre-ordered these beauties before the sale, so I just had to pick them up. The colors could not be any more vibrant: Cacao, Cheesecake and Old Rose. I love Old Rose, surprising because I don’t usually go for shades of pink, but I seriously can’t wait to work with this. I could probably make a dozen hats of this color and I wouldn’t get tired of it.

Big Floral Buttons, Php 40 for 10 pcs. / Doodle Buttons, Php 30 for 10pcs.

I love buttons. I looooooove theeeeeem. These particular ones are from The Yarn Traveler and to tell the truth, I bought them before anything else. If I weren’t so obsessed with yarn right now, I’d be collecting buttons. I really may have been a dragon in another life, given how devoted I am to maintaining and growing a hoard. It used to be stamps, now it’s yarn, soon it’ll be buttons!

I’m so glad I’m working with new kinds of yarn. It makes me feel like I’m slowly growing as a crocheter because I’ve lifted my no-acrylic rule. Depending on the results after I’ve already made something, Alize may become my go-to acrylic.

Have I made you lust after some of these yarns? Don’t worry, the online shops’ links will be down below. If you missed the chance to go to this sale (and are wondering why I keep raving about lemonade), drop by the next Yarn ‘n Lemonade event, which will be July 4th. I’ll definitely be there, and I hope you will be too. For further details and to keep up-to-date on any new developments, please drop by Crafty Kitten Paw’s website. Whether or not you end up buying some yarn while you’re there is completely up to you ^.^

Facebook Page links:

• Crafty Kitten Paws
• The Yarn Traveler
• Yarn Shack
• Yarns Kurazu Rumeka

Update: Due to Real Life, Yarn N’ Lemonade events have been postponed. This is such a huge bummer because the ladies behind it are phenomenal and I love spending time with them. Never fear though, we’ll find a way to ride again!

WIP Wednesday!

It’s been two weeks since my last post, and I have to admit… I’ve only finished one WIP!

It’s been slow-going around here for the past few days. I’m coming up with a fun new venture with a friend, and if it all works out… well,  I’ll have a nice surprise for everyone. I’m also preparing for a new blog feature that, I’m hoping, will give our local crochet community a big boost. Super excited about this one!

While we wait for the big reveal, feast your eyes on my new works-in-progress:

I’ve finally started my baby girl’s birthday dress! It took me two weeks to get up the courage to actually put hook to yarn, and I’m so glad I did. This has got to be one of my favorite baby dress patterns: it’s well written and easy to understand.

Up close, you can just see it’s simple treble clusters, but the drape is really nice. I’m using Baguio Cotton Sheen in Blonde. It’s darker than I would have liked, but it’s a lovely beach-brown that Houdini can wear around until she grows out of it. My mom heavily hinted that I should make a matching set for her too. Don’t think I have enough yarn for that, haha.

 

I’m finally using Crafty Kitten Paws‘ Tablea and Egg Yolk! I’ll honestly forever love her 12plys. They are soooo soft and workable! Every time I see a 12ply ball go up for sale at The Yarn Traveler, I have to sit on my hands to keep from buying it.

As I said before, I’m working on making a baby sling. Houdini loves being chauffeured around in someone’s arms, doesn’t matter who, and our backs are paying the price. The essentials of a good baby sling is that it should support the baby’s back and legs properly, while at the same time dispersing the weight so that you can move about freely. The trick here is getting the tension right, so in the above picture, I”m testing different stitches to see which one has a good stretch without becoming too warped.

I’ve decided on two stitches. For the Tablea, I’m going with the Honeycomb stitch. Not too much stretch, so it’ll give good support. Also, the holes make it nice and airy, perfect for our humid weather of late.

For the Egg Yolk, I’m going with the Grit stitch. This one is a little stretchier than the Honeycomb, so it’ll give way when Houdini gets heavier.

Now I just have to decide the length and actually begin these projects so that when the rest of the yarn comes in, all I have to do is join them along.

That’s my update in the midst of this busy week. Stay tuned for next week, when I uncover my newest feature!

Links:

• Crafty Kitten Paws
• The Yarn Traveler

Yarn Hoard Friday!

I said I would post when it came and here it is!

Look at them! I just wanna roll in their colors and love them forever!

From left to right, top to bottom:

• Local Hand-dyed Cotton in Yellow Yolk
• Local Hand-dyed Cotton in Ocean
• Local Hand-dyed Cotton in Pink Frosting
• Local Hand-dyed Cotton in Tablea
• Baguio Cotton Sheen in Earth
• Baguio Cotton Sheen in Blonde
• Baguio Cotton Sheen in Seafoam
• Abaca Fiber in Tan

For those not in the know regarding the local yarn scene here in the Philippines, let me just give a little breakdown.

Crocheting used to be a big deal in my grandmother’s time, but like other handicrafts, it has fallen by the wayside in these modern times. Happily it’s been making a comeback, with online yarn stores and crochet groups available for all to see (and join) on Facebook. The bulk of craft yarn comes from Baguio, where the colder temperatures make shawls and beanies items of necessity, instead of mere fashion statements. There are many types, Cotton Sheen being one of the more uncommon ones, but supply is always one message away so they are the cheapest brand available. The ones I’ve handled before were of a different line (acrylic or rough cotton, I’m not sure) and weren’t really baby clothing appropriate, but Cotton Sheen is much smoother with a lustre that appeals to the magpie in me. As of right now, I don’t have a solid plan for either of the colors that I bought, but I’m on the lookout for something fun and wearable. I’m hoping Blonde works out as my baby girl’s birthday dress, but I’m still searching for a pattern.

Abaca Fiber, also known as Manila hemp, is also sourced from Baguio. It’s very sturdy and surprisingly shiny, but it tangles up oh so easily. I know because there’s a huge mess of it on my lap now. It’s a lesson in patience, it really is. My plans for this will be coasters, many, many coasters for my many, many in-laws. Gotta get a head start on those Christmas gifts if I’m making them by hand!

The mass shipping Baguio yarn aside, the making of local hand-dyed cotton is also taking off, though there are only a few who make them so far. The ones that I have were from the magical hands of Crafty Kitten Paws (awesome name, right?) and they smell delightful. Since they’re handmade, this kind of yarn is more expensive than the first, but not by much if you really want quality stuff. For these sweet-smelling fancies, I’ve got some solid plans : Ocean and Pink Frosting will find new lives as friends’ birthday scarves; Yellow Yolk and Tablea will somehow be crafted into a chevron baby carrier. I lie tell not, Houdini is the reincarnation of a baby koala bear and my arms can’t handle it anymore. I may have to make my own design up though, since there aren’t any baby carriers available on Ravelry.

Fortunately for me (but unfortunately for my bank account), a friend of mine owns the online yarn store that all these babies come from. There are quite a few local shops like these here in the Philippines, but they basically all sell the same thing. My friend is doing her best to stand out from the pack, and so far she’s doing very well. The store’s name is The Yarn Traveler and, joy of joys, she’s unveiling a new line of CKP’s ombres and pastels this weekend. And guess who’s naming them!

Anyway, If I’ve tempted anyone to visit either website to oogle at beautiful pictures of fiber fantasy, drop me a line so we can oogle together!