Ravelry

Oh look! There is new group in Ravelry that is using my sketch of Dahlia Top and also my photo as their banner. The group called Designers and Crafters Working Together.

I am very flattered. When they asked permission to use my sketch and photo, I thought they also used others as well, I didn't know that they only used mine.



Starting middle this month, I also tried to put my ad in Ravelry. Since the rate is very cheap, I think I should try it. I had no experienced putting an ad, thus this was something new. At first I linked it to my Etsy Shop, however, in the end I decided to link it here so I could check whether the Ad resulted to sales or not.

Simple Cable Cardigan Details

OK, here are the details of my Simple Cable Cardigan:

Finish the piece today, but not yet washing and blocking. At this below photo, I haven't attach the button yet.

As you can see, besides button up to the neck, you can also choose not to and let it flap open like a collar.

Cable details on the waist:

From the waist, the cable continue to the back:

Cable details on the sleeve:

Here are the button that I used:

The result:

What do you think?

Simple Cable Cardigan

At this moment I am knitting my next design. It's called: Simple Cable Cardigan. Because it has some simple cable. This is my first cable knitting, so I use simple cable design and see whether I like it or not. The cable is in the neck, the waist and a bit on the sleeves. Overall, it's just simple design.

At this moment, I almost finish knitting it. Just need to knit the button band. It means probably I need several testers by next week (hopefully, I am able to finish the pattern by then). As usual, I write the pattern in sport weight and in DK weight. Email me if you are interested to test this pattern.

Sorry, that I just able to post the sketches as I don't have opportunity to take the cardigan itself.

Happy Birthday, Mama!

This is conversation between me and hubby:

Me : So...What you got for my birthday present?

Hubby: Emmm..... (thinking)

Me: Nevermind. I got your credit card number. So, I can order whatever I want.

Hubby: Hah!

Hahahahahaha! So, I ordered some yarn online and also crochet book from YesAsia.

Empire Top as Maternity Dress and The DK Version

This is the reason why I have to ask my mother in law posed the Empire Top for me:


Yup, this is my "secret project" that I mention in my older post. I am pregnant! Another 2 months and Lauri got a little sister to play with.

As you can see in the photo, although originally I designed this top when I was not pregnant, however, in the end I am able to wear it. I think it’s because I knit this top using cotton yarn, and we are all know that cotton can stretch. The good thing about cotton is, once you wash, it shrinks back to the original size.

This is also the reason why it took 5 months to finish this top. I could not do anything on the first 4 months of pregnancy. I got bad morning sickness (I don’t understand why they call it morning sickness, when the reality is all day sickness) and just want to lie down and sleep.

Also you can see in the photo that I carried the flower button bag.

Below is the DK version of Empire Top (size L). Fernanda from FML Crochet tested the pattern for me. She is using Patons Classic Wool Merino (5 skeins). She decided not to knit the ruffles sleeve as it doesn’t suit her. Anyway, the empire top looks good on her. Although with the body like that, I think anything also looks nice on her.

Empire Top Knitting Pattern For Sale

After having Lauri, my tummy not so flat anymore, that is why I like to wear something that makes me looks slim, although I am not. Top with empire waist is my favorite, because it makes me look slim. That is the reason I create this design, thus the name.

Sizes: See measurement table. The sizing of the sweater is easy to customize. I’ve included sizing guidelines, but keep in mind that you can control the size. I also included tips how to make it fit to your own measurement. Since this is knitted from top down, you can try it as you go!

Needle: 3.25 mm (size 3) 80 cm long circular needle for Sport weight and 3.5 mm (size 4) 80 cm long circular needle for DK. You also need another pair of needles (same size or smaller). Can be straight or circular.

Yarn: Sport or DK Weight

Yarn requirement:

Sport Weight: XS: 1200 meter, S: 1300 meter, M: 1400 meter, L: 1500 meter, XL: 1600 meter, XXL: 1700 meter, XXXL: 1800 meter

DK Weight: XS: 1000 meter, S: 1075 meter, M: 1150 meter, L: 1225 meter, XL: 1300 meter, XXL: 1375 meter, XXXL: 1450 meter

Notion: Tapestry needle, button (optional), marker, scrap yarn

Gauge: Sport Weight: 25 sts and 30 rows = 4” (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch (St st) using 3.25 mm needle or adjust the needle size to get gauge. Double Knit Weight: 20 sts and 28 rows = 4” (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch (St st) using 3.5 mm needle or adjust the needle size to get gauge.

Difficulty: Intermediate

All about this project in my blog

Click on the button below to buy a copy. This pattern is a pdf file, which you will be able to download once your payment is complete. Thanks!

US$ 5.00,-

add to cart

FO: Empire Top

Finally I am able to post this FO. This is Empire Top that sketched last year. My mother in law modeled it for me. She is 60 plus, but the top still looks OK on her.

Pattern: My Own

Source: Click here

Materials: Karabella Vintage Cotton. Color: 302 Pink. Dye Lot # 4745. Qty: 9 x 50 gram

Needles: Addi Metal Circular Needle 3.25 mm

Total Cost: Yarn USD 39,- plus shipping USD 15.72,- Total USD 54.72,-

Start Date: 11 September 2007

Finish Date: 5 February 2008

All posts about this project: Here

There is discrepancy between the sketch and the final result. Originally I want to make the lace on the bottom section only, however, in the end I think I like it vertical. I also eliminated the lace on the sleeve.


It took me 5 months to finish this top, because somewhere in between, I lost interest in knitting. Only picked up again when Lauri started kindy. Since I had nothing to do while waiting for her, so I bring my knitting along.

Knitting the top part is interesting, however, it bored me to death knitting the bottom part. But, I have to say that the result is really worth it.

So far this top is my favorite. I wear this top too many times already. If it can talk, I am sure, it already called for help.

The yarn is nice to work with. I bought 10 balls from Sandra Singh. I used up only 9 balls and the remaining become a bag. After so many washing, it holds very well.

Solution To My Failed Blanket

Remember my post about failed blanket? Well, yesterday somebody emailed me the tip how to wash that.

"Was just reading your blog about the naturally dyed wool that you used for your blanket. Tip: when washing naturally dyed wool, never use laundry detergent - it is designed to digest anything organic, like perspiration, food, and natural dyes! I use hair shampoo (preferably, one for coloured hair), when I wash wool that I've dyed with natural dyes.

You may be able to even out the colour by placing it in a top-loading washing machine, with a good squirt of dish detergent, 2 or 3 tablespoons of vinegar, and raising the temperature to close to boiling, without aggitation. Leave it in the water to cool, moving it gently, from time to time (so the colour doesn't puddle). Then rinse carefully, spin and air dry. (I use a squirt of dish detergent, when dyeing to help the colour to take evenly. The vinegar should help to fix the dye better.)"

I tried to wash one square yesterday with shampoo. I don't have shampoo for coloured hair, so I just use normal shampoo that I normally use. It still bleed, but not too bad, and after it dried, I notice that the color is still nice and even. It works!

Thanks Lyn!