FO: My Version of Babette Blanket

I finished it on Saturday, blocked on Monday morning and Lauri was able to use it on Christmas Eve. I love the result. I could not believe that I managed to finish it in a week (8 days exactly). This is the first time I used worsted-weight yarn and the first time I managed to finish a crocheted blanket. I am a tight crocheter, and working with such a thick yarn makes my hand painful.

Being satisfied with the end result (and was enjoying the whole process), I can’t wait to start another blanket project. Too bad that I only have 18 balls of yarns, otherwise I can make it bigger. I used up almost all yarns. Only a bit leftover, probably half a ball total.

Anyway, here is the details:

Pattern: Babette Blanket (my version) 90 cm x 90 cm

Source: Interweave Crochet, Spring 2006 edition (but I really do not use the pattern)

Materials: Honeysuckle Yarns by Elmore-Pisgah. 100% cotton.
Quantity: 101 White lot 9703 (6 balls x 50 gr), 1047 Pink (6 balls x 50 gr), 1046 Rose Pink lot 7298 (6 balls x 50 gr).
Hook: Tulip Crochet Hook size 8 (5 mm)Total Cost: Yarn USD 14.07 + Shipping USD 11.20. Total: USD 25.27

Start Date: 14 December 2007

Finish Date: 22 December 2007

All entries about this project

Merry Christmas!

Babette Blanket

Quite a long time ago already I wanted to make blanket for Lauri. Specially after I saw so many gorgeous blankets pop out on the net. However, I did not have a suitable yarn.

Then from crochetville I found about this online shop. I trial ordered 3 colors of their worsted weight cotton yarn (6 pcs each). At that time I ordered these, I don’t have particular project in mind. I knew I want to make blanket with them, but did not have particular pattern in mind.



When I received the yarns, I started searching blanket pattern. Then I saw Babette blanket in Ravelry (there are 140 people made/making this in ravelry, by the way). WOW! Immediately I fell in love with it. But, it required 17 different colors, plus I don’t have the magazine (the pattern is Babette Blanket by Kathy Merrick in Interweave Crochet, Spring 2006 edition). What to do?

Then, I make this draft:


I made it simpler with only 3 different colors. When I wrote this entry, I already made all the squares and joined them together. Now, to crochet the edging and weave in all the ends. Hopefully next post I can manage to show you the FO. Yeahhhh!!!!

Other Version

Here other people's version of Dahlia and Sunshine:

See photo below for Sarah's version of Dahlia. She is using Bernat Satin Sport a 100% acrylic yarn.

And here is Rachael from Cattywampus version of Sunshine. She is using Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece teal color.

By the way, she is also the designer of Fibonacci Cardigan (Magknits November 2007).

I love them both!

It's Been More Than 2 Months......

....since my last post. WOW! I really have been neglecting my darling little blog.

The reason is because I have been working on secret project, and it really needs my full attention and concentration. It is still in progress, and I think I will only able to show the result around end of May of beginning of June next year.

I also want to say thank you to everybody that bought my Dahlia pattern. Directly from my blog or through my Etsy store. I really appreciate it. My target is to design 1 pattern every 3 months. So far I manage to self-publish 4 patterns in year 2007, so I can safely say that I have accomplished my target.

Beside the secret project, I don't have any project going on. Only yesterday, I managed to knit several row of my empire top. I don't have any photo to show today, hopefully I can show you the progress in my next post.

It's almost 3 AM not, time to hit the sack. Good night!

Dahlia Top Crochet Pattern for Sale

I have a weakness on dress or top with empire waist cutting, it makes me look slim. Specially if it’s flair out on the bottom part. Combine with belled sleeves, and we have a winner.



You can make this top with cotton thread or yarn and it will be excellent for summer. Or you can make this with wool, wear it like a jacket and it’s perfect for Fall.
You can wear with a jeans, or you can wear it with a skirt for formal occasion. This top is must for your wardrobe.

This pattern is worked from top down, so you can try it as you go. Also this pattern will show you step by step how to incorporate your own measurement into the pattern. So it will fit you nicely.

This pattern comes with row-by-row written direction in US crochet term and charts.



Sizes: Custom fit
Needle: Your favourite needle. I use size 3.5 mm or US size E - 4
Yarn: Thread, fingering weight or lace weight or any yarn available. I used Cannon Thread size 8 (9 balls)
Yarn requirement: enough for your project
Thread: For size S (M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL) needs 1750 (1925, 2100, 2275, 2450, 2625) meter
Yarn: For size S (M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL) needs 2200 (2420, 2640, 2860, 3080, 3300) meter
Notion: Tapestry needle, 6 buttons (4 fancy and 2 plain), marker
Gauge: Variable
Difficulty: Experienced
Note: Since I always like the clarity of Japanese pattern in symbol, I would like also to use those symbol into my pattern beside the normal english written instruction. You can choose which one you prefer, but I suggest to use both.
Other people version of Dahlia
All entry about this project in my blog

Here is the few pages (total 26 pages) samples of how the pattern looks like:


Click on the button below to buy a copy. It will be sent to you in a zipped PDF file via email once payment is complete. Thanks!

US$ 6.00,-

add to cart

FO: Dahlia Top

Finally after long everdue, I managed to take the photos.

Pattern: Dahlia Top

Source: Here

Materials: Cannon Crochet Thread by Coats Manila Bay. 100% mercerized.

Size 8, 175 metres, Dye Lot No. 019496
Hook: Tulip Crochet Hook 3.5 mm (F)

Start Date: 29 June 2007

Finish Date: 7 Sept 2007

All entry about this project

I love the result of this top. Yes, it took a long time to make (almost 3 months) but the result is worth it. It took a long time because I had to frog so many times. I think I could make almost 3 Dahlia if I didn’t have to frog.



I also love the transition between the sleeve and the body. I chose the solid motif for the body but when reach the sleeves it become lacy and transparent. All worked in the same round. I still amazed how I figured it out.

At first I thought I will use up 10 balls of thread, but in the end I only use 9. It’s because I change the sleeve a bit. Originally the belled sleeve part mimicked the dress part, but when I wore it, I found it a bit heavy. Thus, I changed with more lacy motif.


I also had difficulty with the collar, at first I used all single stitch, but the result was not nice, so I used the same motif like the body and it worked fine.
Actually the waist part a bit too tight for me. However, I frogged that part 2 times already. The third times, I don’t bother to try. Even it was still too tight, I was to lazy to frog. I am not fond of sc stitch. So I let it be. It’s cotton anyway, after used I am sure it will stretch.

Happy Birthday, Lauri!

Today Lauri is 3 years old. Time flies so fast.

Posed in front of the cake

Trying to show "3" using her fingers

Blowing the candles

Cutting the cake (actually it's an ice cream cake)

The earrings she wore actually not a real one. Lauri's grandparent bought a make-up play set. Inside got hairbrush, comb, hairdryer, hair-roller, eye-shadows, perfumes, and the earrings. When she saw the hairdryer, she immediately switched it on. Then when nothing happened, she said, "Mommy, no battery inside. Ask Papa to put battery so it can mmmm..... (immitated the sound of hairdryer)" Well, I was having a hard time explaining that it didn't need a battery.

FO: A Thong

I made this thong quite a long time ago. This is a “between projects” project. After I finished with Orchid and still did not know what to make next. I just could not stand it if I did not have something in my hands. So I started this project.



Did I ever tell you that I love to crochet using fine thread and small needle? Sometimes I just had the urge to make project using small hook. This is one of the results. I love the result and it’s pretty comfy too.

The back

Pattern: My Own

Source: N/A

Materials: DMC Tradition size 10. Color: Natural. Qty: ½ ball.
Hook: Tulip Crochet Hook 1.8 mm

The Back Details

I just had the opportunity to take the photo recently. It’s kind of difficult to take this photo. For the lighting issue, I took this photo in the garden outside. I constantly looked around because afraid that the neighbors saw me doing it. Hehehehehe. It’s kind of difficult to explain why I needed to take photo of a thong. Hahahahahaha!

Another Meme!

Lis from Lis's Crafty Adventure and Vicki from Heading Towards Disaster tagged me "8 things about me" meme. Since I got tag with this meme before, you can read again here.

Hallo, My Name Is Lauri......

Hello, my name is Lauri, and this is my friend, Mommy. That is how Lauri introduces me. Hahahahaha.

Lauri nowadays wanted to do everything herself, including go to the toilet herself. Today, she managed to climb the stool, drop down the pants and sit on the toilet. After finished she even tore the tissue, wiped and pulled up the pants back. Then she dragged the stool near the sink and washed her hand using soap. The funny thing was, if she takes a poo, she asks me to go away. “Go away. It’s smelly, mommy” she said.

Last Sunday her father bought her Play-Doh, She still could not make anything yet, but she asked me to make snow ball. I don’t know why or where she got the idea from.
She asked me to put eyes, nose and mouth and arms. When she saw me making the arms, she volunteered herself to make the legs. I was surprise that she could make the two legs identical. Too bad that I didn’t take the photo.

Progress On Empire Top (20%)

I start my third ball already. I separate the sleeves and already join the front and knit in a round. It’s ribbing time!
I just tried it, and it looks good. Still looks wonky and uneven, but I believe that can be fixed by blocking later.

As you can see from the photo, it still looks plain. However, I could see the final result in my mind. It will look gorgeous, at least on me!

What is the orange line you ask? Oh that is my lifelines. Yes! I still use lifelines. In case I need to frog or if I make a mess somehow.

Edit: I just changed the photo as the previous one is too dark.

Dahlia Photo

I have finished my Dahlia more than 2 weeks now. Two weekends have already come and passed, but still not able to take picture of it. It’s because it always rains in here for the past 2 weeks. This is the perfect weather to knit and lazing around. I need the sun to take photo, otherwise the photo will not turn out nice.

In the mean time, I give you real Dahlia photo:

As for the pattern, I finally managed to finish writing it down. Yippie!!! Finish! Finish! Finish! Opps sorry for the over excitement! It required a lot of work to write the pattern. Actually it’s not the written part that required a lot of work, it’s the drawing part. I had to draw one by one. I tell you, my hand feel painful after 1 or 2 hours drawing using the mouse. That is why normally I just draw about 1 hour everyday. Just one step at a time.

Care for Doughnut?

Just kidding!

That is the photo of my first ball, almost finish Karabella yarn. By the time I wrote this post, I had already started the second ball. I had a rough start. I just could not get it right and had to frog 4 times. I was having dilemma how to approach the edging part. Should I pick that up and knit after everything is finish? Or knit it directly. In the end I chose the last choice. It’s more practical and easier that way. I wrote this at 3 AM so probably it doesn’t make sense to you.

Don't you love this?

Have you seen Knitty Fall 2007 edition? I love Cherie Amor! It's a type of design that I love to knit. However, most probably I will modified it so I can use lighter weight yarn. It's too bulky to wear in tropical country.

Tricky Lauri

Lauri is getting very smart and now already trying to outsmart me. The other day, while we were waiting in the car while DH was filling the gas, she was trying to open my handbag. I told her not to. You know what she said: “Mommy, look at outside! So nice flower there.”
Yup! She is trying to distract my attention so she could open my bag. Such a tricky girl!

Then yesterday, she was trying to change the TV channel, but the remote control was not working. She said: “Mommy, the control is broken. Wait, Lauri fix first.” Then she flipped the remote and opened the battery cover and said: “No more battery already, ask Papa to fix, OK!”
Hahahahaha

New Project: Empire Top

Dahlia is still in the testing process. My next project after crocheted project is a knit one. My inspiration for this project was a result of window shopping. I saw this gorgeous top in QueensBay Mall and thinking to buy. Then again, I was thinking that I could use the money to buy yarn instead. Hahahahaha!

The top was actually from cloth material, so I had to modify the design and the construction so it would be suitable for knitting project. As usual, it’s raglan top down construction, and somehow it looks similar like my Dahlia. The front is overlap, empire waist, and bell sleeves although the details are different. I called it Empire Top.

I planned to use Karabella Vintage Cotton Yarn in pink. I bought this yarns quite sometimes ago from SandraSingh. It looks so yummy and I can’t wait to work with it.

I Am Excited!!

Remember my complain in previous post? Payloadz freezed my FREE account because my sales already reached US100 within 30-days period. They asked me to upgrade to the next level, which have to pay USD 15/month. Well, I decided not to upgrade and send my pattern manually instead.

Yesterday, somebody from E-Jungky e-mailed me, and offered me a free trial for their services. For 2 years!!!!! I went to their website to look. I saw that they do have a free trial, but only for 1 week. Confused, I emailed that person back, and said that I could not find the free for 2 years service. You know what she said? She said that that offer was especially for ME!!! Wow! I was so flattered and excited.

I saw in their price list they are more reasonable than Payloadz (see E-Junky price list here, Payloadz price list here). Their next level (after the 1 week free trial) is only USD 5 monthly fee, this is limited for 10 downloaded patterns and 50 MB hosting space, but they are not limit your sales like payloadz. Thus, I think this is more worth it.

If you subscribe my blog, I am so sorry that you have to see my “Pattern for Sale” posts again, as I have to change the setting. I hope this is the last change.

If any of you interested in E-Jungky free trial, Robin (the E-Junky developer) offers not only 1-week trial, but 3-months free trial, especially for you. Just plug in the code “iknit” in promotional code box when you sign in.

Sunshine is Nominated in SKC!!

Thanks Kitman from Knit Your Love who nominated one of my patterns in Sexy Knitters Club. Because of her all of the sudden there was a big jump of visitors in my blog and eventually it affected my sales. Normally I had very slow sales on weekends, but since she nominated my patterns in SKC, I managed to get sales on Saturday and Sunday as well.

At first I was a bit worried the members of SKC would not like my pattern, as I did not think my pattern as nice as the other nominations, but to my surprise, I got quite a good responses :)

I used Payloadz to sell and deliver my patterns. I only started to use it about a month ago (11 August). I liked it because it’s FREE and compatible with PayPal. So after my customer paid using PayPal, automatically they can download the pattern they bought. However, it’s only free until you sold USD 100 within 30 days period, if you have reached that amount you have to upgrade your account and pay USD 15 every month.

Because of my nomination in SKC, I exceed my USD 100 per 30 days period limit (not that I am complaining :)). I found the USD 15/month fee very expensive, thus now I have to change my setting and back to manually send the pattern to the buyer. That is why, if you subscribe my blog, probably you keep seeing my “pattern for sale” posts lately.

Lauri New Words

Nowadays Lauri picks up words very fast. Sometimes I did not even teach certain words, but she knew them already. Probably she picked them up from TV. Like the other day, she saw a helicopter toy (belong to the father), then she said: “Look Mommy, it’s an aeroplane!” then after 2 second she added, “No, this is not aeroplane, this is helicopter.” I had never taught her helicopter word before. Then she also can say mountain, dragon and dinosaurus when she saw them (on TV not in real life, hahahahaha). She also now able to use fancy words like: Amazing, wonderful, excellent.

Eating noodle in Sakae Sushi (Queensbay Mall)

Asking me to kiss her

Posed with a clown

My mom and dad gave her a lion soft toy on their last visit a month ago. It becomes her favorite toy. Yesterday, I asked Lauri, who gave that lion because I wanted to check whether she still remember it. Her answer was: “Akong and Ama give lion to Lauri” Yes! She still remember it!

Photo Model

Dahlia Finish!!

Today I finish my Dahlia. I weaved in all the thread ends and also attached all the buttons. Now, I have to wait until Sunday to be able to take photo. I really like how it turns up.

Now, I really have to finish the final part of the pattern and send it to my testers.

How Much You Get?

For a while I have been wondering how much you get if you submit your crochet or your knit design to a magazines. Then the other day, I read about it in Crochetville. There was a lady asked about it, then somebody answered that the starting price is about USD 50 - USD 150 depending on the item, USD 50 for accessories up to USD 150 for a really nice detailed sweater. Only when you are more established and published in several venues you can start to get more money from this. Then another discussion in Ravelry about the same subject mentioned that a very famous designer got about USD 500.

I feel the number is quite low. Let say you are a designer, and you come up with new design every month. That means you only get USD 150 to USD 500 max per month? Furthermore, once you sold your pattern to a publication, you also surrender your copyright. That means you can not sell it in your website. I think people submit their design to magazines or any publications in order to get their name recognized rather than for the money purpose. Anyway,

I don't think I want to submit my design to magazines at this moment. Probably later when I have designed 20 patterns, then I will think it over.

My Blog View from Firefox

I finally managed to fix my blog. If you use Firefox, you probably saw that my blog a bit messy. The left side overflowed to the main page.




I didn't know this until somebody told me that problem, and I don't know how to fix that problem since I could not see it myself. Until another person told me the my blog looks OK if the browser is Internet Explorer, but not OK if the browser is Firefox. Then I quickly downloaded Firefox and fixed the problem.


If you notice I also put new blog banner :)

Another Dahlia Progress Post

One sleeve is done and another one to go. Then I realized that I didn’t have enough thread to finish this top. I need another 2 balls to be able to make this top tunic length as I plan it. I sent e-mail to Mimi for help. Guess what! She still had 2 balls of thread in the same dye lot. Thanks Mimi! I sent an e-mail a week ago, and what I got in my mail today? Yup, threads from Mimi.

In the meantime, I already started the pattern testing. I managed to write the pattern up to the waist, and thinking that it’s better for me to start the testing, while I am still working on it and still fresh in my mind. Thus by the time I finish this top, hopefully, I won’t have to wait too long before all testing is done, and I can put it on sale and move to another different project.


As usual, I give a lot of flexibility on the pattern. You can use whatever thread or yarn you have and use your favorite hook size. You measure your own gauge. Then using your own measurement and using your own gauge, you just plug in the numbers into my template to get the starting chain. Then from then, just follow the pattern. By doing this, it doesn’t matter how small or how big you are, because you make this top using your own unique measurement.

However, I just realized that not all people like to do calculation. Some people just don’t like to see numbers. So, probably I also need to provide fixed measurement and fixed gauge, just in case.

So far, all my testers have given me valuable inputs. I really appreciate all their efforts and times that they dedicate to test this pattern. You know who you are. I really thank you for that!!! BIG TIME!

I have been awarded

I am awarded as a Rockin' Girl Blogger by Kitman from Knit Your Love and also by Annie. Thanks girls!!


Now, it’s my turn to award 5 other blogger that Rocks.
Here is the list in no particular order:
1. Lindsay from Needles&Pinza. A knitter, crocheter, spinner and also designer.
2. Jade from Bee Knits. She has a lot of nice FOs. Very inspiring.
3. LilyBeth from Confession of A Sociopathic Knitter. Another inspiring knitter. Go see all her excellent FOs
4. Vanessa from Coloursknits. I always drooling looking at her FOs and her Photos in her blog.
5. Svetlana from My Knitting Island. Super fast crocheter and knitter.

If you’re either a guy or your name isn’t on this list, it doesn’t mean you can’t participate. Just grab the badge and tell a girl blogger out there that she rocks!!

My Addi Needles

My favorite knitting needle is Addi Turbo. I don’t really enjoy knitting without my Addi.

If you recall from my previous post, I lost one of my needle. It’s size 3.25 mm (my favorite size). So, I directly ordered the new one online. However, before my order arrived, I found the lost needle. It was hiding between my pile of documents.
Now I have two Addi size 3.25mm. The reason I post today was because I found that both needle are not the same. The new one is more slippery and more pointy (I love it!). I don’t know why this is happen. This is needle from the same brand. I thought they are all the same. Probably it looks the same. However, once you use it, you know the different. I wonder if anybody have the same problem like me.

I tried to take the photo of them side by side. Can you see the different?

Akong and Ama Came to Visit

My Parent was here from 31 July to 7 August. The main purpose was to have medical check up. I was very happy to see my parent again. Lauri also very happy to have 2 additional peoples that spoil her. Every night she came to my parent room and played with them. Asked my father to scratch her. She even wanted to spend the night with my parent and did not want to come when I called her to sleep.

Lauri with her grandparents (from left: Bee Ma, Ama, Akong, and Bee Pa).

I think you can guess who she loves the most. Yup her Akong and Bee-Pa

Now Lauri is sick! I guess she got it from me. I got flu last week. I think it’s because I was too tired. I went to see her pediatrician today. She was very cooperative and willingly do whatever the docter said. Then when we leaving, she said: Bye Bye, I love you! Hahahahaha! Even the docter also laughed.

Progress on Dahlia

Almost finish my Dahlia.

I started the sleeve before finish the bottom to my desired length, mainly because I want to know whether I got the overall looks as per my original vision. I also attach the button. In the end it will have 4 buttons as per original drawing, but in the meantime I only attach two (just so I can button it up when trying). I must say that I really satisfied with the result so far. It fits me nicely. It doesn't look that good in the photo, but it looks nice on me, and that is more important, right?

After I finish with the sleeves, I will continue with the bottom part to make it longer, pick up the colar and FINISH! No seam no nothing. It work in one piece. Don't you love working in one piece?

In the mean time, I already started drawing my diagram pattern. Boy, it is a lot of work.