Little pouches

Being back in Singapore, I bought more yummy yarns on impulse(as usual). To my defense, they were in cute colours. So, looking at my huge bag of yarn, I decided to make something useful.. There, a new pouch. I must say I was rather pleased with it. Its super easy yet so cute. Without further ado, TADA…

Easy and cute crocheted pouch

I pretty much freeformed it by crocheting in the round and if you wanna make it, heres what you do:

BODY
- Chain till your desired pouch length ( I did 60), sc in the first ch.
- Sc around for about 8rows (or shorter).
- Start to increase. *sc in 2sc, 2sc in sc* repeat around.
- Continue to sc around for about 3 more rows
- Start to increase again if you want a pouch with more space. *sc in 2sc, 2sc in sc* repeat around.
- Sc around till desired length.
- Do not cut yarn yet. I sc-ed the bottom together so I don’t have to sew it. ( I folded it in half, put crochet hook through both front and back sts, and sc-ed the whole bottom.) Or you can just sew it shut.
- Cut yarn, leaving a little tail behind. (I usually do a knot first) Then weave in.

FLAP
- Ch 5, sc in each sc around for about 18rows. (Or as long as desired)
- Sc in the first sc, ch3, skip 3sc and sc in the last sc.
- Hdc in the first sc, sc in each ch, hdc in the last sc for 2rows(or 3).
- Cut yarn, leaving a little tail behind and weave in.
- Sew flap to the pouch. And sew a cute button to the pouch, matching the the button hole of the flap.

Don’t forget to sew in the lining or a zip if required. And… you’re done. Easy or what?

Theres another pouch that I’ve been working on. I wrote some kind of a pattern but I’ll only post it up if anyone’s interested. It will also be on sale on etsy soon. Anyone interested?

Bobbles and ribbons. Its not quite finished; theres the zip and lining and hand strap to go.

So much for not posting in a loooooooong while.. Look out for more pouch posts. Happy crafting.

Snipsnip,
Tiff

Dolly the sheep pattern

Hi you guys.. Sorry for the late post. I have been knitting these days.. Haha.. I made up a sort-of pattern. Hope you understand it. If not, feel fun to ask me and I’ll help you.

I used 4ply acrylic grey and cream. 3.5mm hook

I think I have to explain something first. Loop stitch is like a sc with an extra loop. Hold the loops down and to right to and you’d see. Its not really that difficult to do. Try out on some scrap yarn first. So in my pattern, I would say sc instead of loop stitch. But take note that each alternate rounds are in loop stitch.

The body and head shape is done in one piece(grey) but the face part was later crocheted in with cream. I was sure how to do intarsia in crochet. haha..

BODY AND HEAD
Rnd 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2: 2sc  in each sc around. (LOOP STITCH)
Rnd 3: (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) around.
Rnd 4: (sc in each of the next 2 sc, 2sc in the next sc) around. (LOOP STITCH)
Rnd 5: sc in each sc around.
Rnd 6: sc in each sc around. (LOOP STITCH)
Rnd 7: sc in each sc around.
Rnd 8: sc in each sc around. (LOOP STITCH)
Rnd 9: sc in each sc around.
Rnd 10: sc in each sc around. (LOOP STITCH)
Rnd 11: sc in each sc around.
Rnd 12: sc in each of the next 2sc, dec 1sc over next 2sc. (LOOP STITCH)
Rnd 13: sc in the next sc, dec 1sc ver the next 2sc.
Rnd 14: dec 1 sc over the next two sc. (LOOP STITCH)
Rnd 15: work 2sc in each sc around.
Rnd 16: (sc in the next sc, 2sc in the next sc) around. (LOOP STITCH)
DO NOT CUT OFF YARN.

Pay attention to the face part now. Its done in back and forth crochet.

Rnd 17: sc in each sc around, leaving the last 6sc untouched.
Rnd 18: turn. sc in each sc of previous round. (LOOP STITCH)
Rnd 19: turn. skip the first sc. Sc in each sc around leaving the last sc untouched.
Rnd 20: turn. sc in each sc of previous round. (LOOP STITCH)
Rnd 21: turn. 2sc in next sc. sc till the end, 2sc in the last sc.
Rnd 22: turn. sc in each sc of the previous round. (LOOP STITCH)
Rnd 23: ch 2. sc in each sc around.
Rnd 24: dec 1sc over the next 2sc. (LOOP STITCH)
Rnd 25: dec 1 sc over the next 2sc.
Cut yarn off. weave in the ends. Stuff.

Join in cream yarn at any point and crochet in a circle till you cover up the whole area.

Limbs (make 4)

Ch 2. 8sc in 2nd ch from the hook. Continue in sc till you are satisfied with the length.

Ears (make 2)

Ch 2. 4dc in 2nd ch from the hook.

Dolly!

This blog has been dead like forever… But I made something worth blogging about.. So… I present Dolly!!

Dolly(front)                                                                           Dolly(back)

Wonder why I called it Dolly? Here:

Sheepie and dolly

For those of you who still don’t get it, remember dolly the cloned sheep? Haha.. Anyways, I was happy at how it turned out since it was my first attempt at doing fur stitch. I tried quite a few times before getting it right actually. I might explore more options using the fur stitch.. So.. look out for more “furry” amigurimis from me. If anyone wants the pattern, just holla. I’ll try my best to write up one.  Happy crafting!
snipsnip,
Tiff

I can now poke you with pointy sticks within one metre radius

I need to slow down really. You have no idea how many projects I have at hand since I’ve learn knitting. :X Two sweaters, one for nips, one for me. Both less than 10percent done; sitting on the table staring at me. Bah.. And I have to make another cheer-up package for a distraught swapper. I’m quite strained emotionally. I haven’t been doing much of anything. I’ll just give my lazy self a few more days before I start my hardcore crafting again. God I feel like a lifeless nerd. Writing is a kind of craft right? This is a little something I wrote before I broke down and refused to do anything. “Enjoy” the short piece. I’ll be back soon.

Happy Crafting

snipsnip,
Tiff

The fine line between loneliness and solitude

“Wow! That was a great movie!” she chirped as we advanced out of the theatre. “It was good but very forgettable.” I replied thoughtfully. We soon found ourselves on the train back to our respective homes. We had the usual mindless chatter on this short journey home. I can’t seem to recall if we ever had a serious discussion on something that actually matters.

“That’s my stop now. Bye!” was all she said. “Bye…” I echoed. Then it came to me. I ignored it and distracted myself with music. I whipped out my ipod nonchalantly and pumped up the volume. I know it wouldn’t go away no matter what I did, but I did that anyways so my mind would be preoccupied.

The sight of my stop was a relief. I automatically programmed my mind to get dinner and go straight home; much like a robot. I liked that feeling. I liked being robot-like. I liked the feeling of being discipline, the feeling of being in control. So I got food even though I wasn’t hungry, and went straight home. I used to love food a lot. But I have since lost interest in food, as if eating was a phase. I now eat for the sake of eating.

With no recollection of the journey home, I found myself at the door. Home at last. A smile escaped me. I settled down, switched on the telly and started on the cold and slightly soggy food. I didn’t mind cold food at all, not even if they are a little soggy. Perhaps I’m used to eating cold, soggy food that I have come to like it. Just as I had enough, it came; creeping up on me.

Despite the sweltering heat, I shivered. I hoped it would go away. But it didn’t. It drew nearer and it hit me hard. Washed over by the sick feeling, I threw up; emptied my stomach. Slummed over the toilet tiles, I began to cry. It wouldn’t let me go until it gorged my heart out. I finally stopped crying. I hadn’t any energy left. I stood up, robot-like again. I smiled. I knew how to take it from here. Disappearance; it always works. Embrace the solitude.

 

Guess who’s back in Singapore

Hello Singapore. I’m back. Haha.. I haven’t updated in awhile. But I’ve been busy. I’ve taken up knitting!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!! *a round of applause* from myself to me. So I’ve been learning at this people’s park center. Quite expensive I would say. But now I’m “cabling” away and threatening to jab people 60cm away. I do expect myself to be pretty busy for the next couple of weeks. I’ve engaged myself in several projects. Courtesy of shopping trip at spotlight:

Some cheap/cute/nice fabrics.
Big crochet hook(12mm onwards) at 0.50sgd(less than 0.25euros each) each
knitting needles at 2sgd(less than 1euro) each
big yarn sale( all under 4sgd/less than 2euros each skein)

Now tell me, which craftster wouldn’t go mad at a sale like that. So… I’ll update when I’m done or when I need to rant in the process. Hah..

Happy crafting everyone!

snipsnip,
tiff

Tired crafty hands

So I have been busying myself with items for the swap and pen pals. I’m so tired crocheting. Fortunately, I’m almost done with the package for the swap. I’m going back to Singapore for a visit soon. Thus, the crafting will stop for awhile.

Today’s schedule:
-Sewing linings and a new bag project.
-Some marbling if I have time.

Thats about it. I have been troubled by the bf’s cousin even since the day the bf said she passed on. The words kept echoing in my head “Daniela sono morto”. I kept having stupid/weird dreams about rising her from death. UGH.. Is that freaky or what. :S

But anyhows, I haven’t been feeling too good cause no one back home has time for me anymore. We don’t even see eye to eye anymore. I guess thats life. I have to find new friends perhaps. Perhaps…

While I haven’t been all that happy, I’m crafting relentlessly. Well, one done project is one done project.

I hope you guys have been happy crafting though.

Snipsnip,

Tiff

I scream, you scream, we scream for ice cream

So.. I haven’t been crafty lately, taking a break from crafting and decided on making amazing cookies. Got the inspiration one day after having amazing store-bought cookies. As I munched on those divine little things, the wheels began clicking and then ” Hmmm.. I should make some myself. Just look online for a recipe and start baking. How hard could it be?”. And so, it became really hard indeed, the cookies I mean.

Experiment 001:
Breakdown of specimen 001:
1. Recipe taken from foodgeeks.com, a five star recipe in which tons of people rated with comments like: “thanks for posting this! its amazing!”, “everyone adored it!”, “i have been searching for something like this for years!”

2. Got all the ingredients right, mixed everything right. Cookie dough turned out to look like biscuit crumbs?! Senses something wrong. Contemplated with adding extra egg/butter. But didn’t dare doubt recipe. Thought to myself: “Bah.. Its a five star recipe. Everyone loved it. I better not mess up the recipe”. Proceeds to shove it in the oven. Set the time. OK! Done. Have a glass of ice water, sit back and relax.

3. “Ping!” Done. Smells great! Took one and ran down to the bf a.k.a guinea pig. “Crack!”, followed by silence… “Shit! Did you just broke your teeth?!” another moment of silence… “Its a bit hard but they’re good.. Really!” Sigh.. Ran upstairs and got one for myself. Almost broke my teeth. Made a mental note to find out how a mixture of flour, sugar, butter, baking soda and company can create an uncanny bone like texture.
—————————————————————————————————————————
Conclusion: They taste like bones. Never trust people who rate 5star recipes on the net.

Experiment 002:
Breakdown of specimen 002:
1. Recipe taken from joyofbaking.com, not many people rated it but it was a 4star recipe. No comments. Recipe looked promising and more realistic.

2. Did everything right. Dough looks a bit wet. But seems fine/great to me at the moment. Grimaces and proceeds to drop tablespoonfuls of cookie dough in the pan. Sets time, recipe said 10minutes(so fast?!) so had a glass of water while watching oven intensely(thank God for see-through ovens). Watched on in horror as tablespoonfuls of cookies fused together. “Goddammit!” Too many tablespoonfuls of cookie dough, too little space. These things expend to 3times their original drop size!! No kidding!! Sighs…

3. “Ping” I got a huge pan sized/shaped cookie. Trying to cut it when its still warm was a horrible idea I ended up with gooey bits and flakes all over. Waited for it to cool. Then it occurred to me that it was still gooey means its not exactly cooked yet. Set timer to five more minutes and shoved them in again; bits and pieces, flakes and all.

4. “Ping” Not exactly very nice yet. Let them cool and dumped them on a plate. Avoiding eye-contact with the plate of monsters, I proceeded to try to put in a second batch. This time, small drops and more space. Set for 18minutes…

5. “Ping” Didn’t know what to think.. Could it be?! Could it be?! My mind went as I feast my eyes upon edible-looking cookies.. Ahhhhh… pokes at cookie(and burns finger). Waited and waited and waited some-more. Cookies take forever to cool down. Peeled them off the pan and ran to the bf. “Mmmmm.. These are good”, at top speed, I ran up and took a huge bite. Waiting for that “Mmmmm.. These are good” feeling to set upon me…. Didn’t happen. “Too much egg?! It taste like fried eggs!!! ARGHHHHH”
————————————————————————————————————————–
Conclusion: Store-bought cookies are my best friends forever. No more homemade cookies for me. I can’t live through trying-to-finish-the nasty-batch horror again.

So.. that was it. I’m off to the store to check out/get new cookies and snacks.

SnipSnip,
Tiff

Disaster in money-ville(a.k.a wallet)

So I spend half a day designing my wallet on scrap paper. Using paper, I even made templates. And how did it turn out? It looks like ^&@%#. Oh well, maybe a crocheted one would work better.

Problem 1: I realized I need a stronger material perhaps.

Problem 2: My designer coin pocket is still not working. I shall use some stupid scrap cloth to do a few prototypes.

Problem 3: If I used a stronger material, it means the wallet would be too thick. Which means, it’d be more difficult to sew and defeats my original purpose of making a sleek wallet. Dammit. >:(

Hmmm.. Food for thoughts. Let me chew on it a bit.. I’ll be back…

And shifting gears a bit,

I have been working on a swap item. Hope it works. Sigh.. Busy busy..

Snip Snip,

Tiff

Summer fun

So I took a break from the sewing machine and made some teeny crocheted stuff with embroidery thread. I am mad. Lol.

They are alot smaller than a one euro coin!! :O

I think crocheted version is as cute as the felt version. Better quality anyhoots.

A raincloud that some idiot said looked like lemon with blue legs. >:(

I don’t know about you guys, but I love them!! I shall make an army of them.
Anyhoots, they shall be on sale soon if you want some. Haha..

snipsnip,
Tiff

bzzzzz… goes the soldering gun

Short sunday post

I don’t think I told anyone that I bought a soldering gun. Anyhoots, I was gonna make something with the soldering stuff but didn’t realise I ‘ve got to have copper tape as well. &@%^!%@^. The best part is: I couldn’t find any around here. What luck. >:( Determined not to waste my 6.90euros, I started making these cute little pendents. Haha..

( PS. my soldering is still a bit bad so the pendants are a little messy. Argh.. Soldering is hard. )

My crafty mind is thinking of a wallet next. WALLET?! yea.. wallet.. We’ll see. Haha.. Till the next post..

snipsnip,
Tiff