OMG I am making doily!

I finished the body of my Sunshine and started the sleeve. Somehow, I got problem with the lace part of the sleeve. I ripped so many times and still could not get it right. Finally, I figured it out that I made a mistake earlier part (before I separate the body). Lucky that this is a knit project (If this is crochet, I think I will go crazy), so all I had to do was rip the lace part only and fixed the mistake. Now, everything is OK. But, the progress is very slow. I think it has to do with the magic loop technique. I tried to use 2 circulars, but somehow I develop ladder. Is there any trick to avoid ladder? I don’t develop ladder when I use magic loop technique, but it is very slow.

Anyway, the point is I got bored and I start making this:


It’s not finish, but, somehow I lost interest on it. What do you think?

Lauri in Toy-R-Us

Last Sunday and this Sunday we went to Queensbay Mall. The reason was because it’s near our house, and it has Toy R Us where Lauri can play with all the toys there. She likes to play with the soft toys and push the button on some of the battery operated toys there. The funny thing is that she doesn’t like to play with dolls. Last year her Bee-Ma (that is how Lauri called her grandma) give her battery operated doll that can crawl, walk and talk. Guess what? She run and jumped up to my lap. She simply afraid and doesn’t like it.

Anyway, this time, she likes to play with the feathers shawl. She wore it and said: “Mommy, look at me. Look, so cute.”

Last week, we went to Chopper Board Restaurant to eat. I ordered Spaghetti for Lauri since she likes to eat noodle. To my surprise her appetite was very good. She ate it without any fuss. Normally she is very picky and refused to eat, but this time she ate quite a lot.

Waiting for food in Chopper Board Restaurant

This week, we went to food court in basement, and this time she also ate the noodle quite a lot. I guess she must be very hungry after long walk.

I ordered Penang Laksa, just when my food arrived, Lauri said : “Mommy, want to sit down.” (It’s her way to say that she want to pee or poo).
Although Lauri has already toilet trained, I always put pull-up diaper on her whenever we go out, just in case we could not find any toilet. Two months ago, she just simply peed on her diaper, but nowadays she insists to go to toilet. So, I had to bring her to find the toilet first.

Lauri always went crazy over baloon. This time we were lucky and to get free baloon

After eating we decided to went home as Lauri started to get cranky. We passed a girl with clown costume and a man with rabbit costum. Lauri start to get excited and said “Mommy, look. It’s Jojo circus and Rabbit”. Jojo circus is one of her favorite show in Disney Channel featuring a little girl clown. She was even shaking hand with the rabbit. Then I told her that we need to go home because she was tired and needed to sleep. Guess what she said: “Bye bye rabbit, Lauri tired already. Lauri want to go home already, Lauri want to sleep. Bye bye.”

What's On My Needle?

I called it sunshine. Simply because it’s yellow. It’s working from top down with lacy panel on the sleeves and waist.


I was too lazy to move the stitches to scrap yarn in order to try it on, so I just continue separated the sleeves and working in a round for the body. Only the other night, I decided to try it on since I needed to know whether I could start the panel on the waist. To my delight surprise, everything is OK. I am so happy that my calculation is correct.
I think I got another winner here.

Handmade Label

I bought 6 mm wide satin ribbon and embroidery the word using normal sewing thread.
Actually, I was thinking to buy custom order label. However, I found the price is too pricey for me. Also, the idea of attaching something machine made on handmade item is a bit ironic.

Then I sew it on the hem:


It only took me less than 30 minutes. I think to spare 30 minutes to do this on handmade clothes that need more than 1 month to make is worth it, don’t you think?

Orchid Crocheted Top Pattern For Sale

I love this top, specially to wear with jeans. Just wear your jeans and wear this top, and you will be ready in a second. Very light to wear and looks flatering for any body type. You can wear with or without camisole inside. And because you made this based on your measurement, it fits you perfectly. You can make a bolero or cardigan. You can make it with cap sleeve, short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, or even long sleeve. All using the same pattern. You can even make your daughter the same dress for mother and daughter special occasion. The option is endless.
Since this pattern working from top down, you can try it as you go.
This pattern comes with row-by-row written direction in US crochet term and charts.


Sizes: Custom fit (from XXS to XXXXL because it based on your measurement)
The one in the pic is: Bust: 86 cm/34.5 inch, waist: 71 cm/28.4 inch, total length: 66cm/26.4 inch
Needle: Your favourite needle. I use size 3.5 mm or US size E - 4
Yarn: Fingering weight or lace weight or any yarn available
Yarn requirement: enough for your project
I used up around 1400 m yarn or 7 x 50 gram for the one in the picture
Notion: Tapestry needle, buttons, 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.
All about this project in my blog

Here is the sample 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$ 5.00,-

add to cart

FO: Orchid Crocheted Top

Finished this top last Sunday, but only managed to post it today because I wanted to finish the pattern as well. I love the result better than Wild Rose, although Wild Rose is lighter. I guess it is because I used size 10 thread for Wild rose. I am thinking to make dress for Lauri using this pattern. Well, we’ll see.


I had these button from my old clothes, 1 pc big and 8 pcs smaller, I used them all (put the bigger one on top). I am also thinking to add purple satin/silk sash on the waist to give more glamorous look to it, but I don’t have purple silk in my stash. If I have to wait for my husband to drive me to the store to buy it, probably I have to wait until next year (well, probably not next year, but you get the idea).

Anyway, here Orchid with all her glory

Pattern: My Own

Source: Here

Materials: Elann Sonata. Color: Victorian Grape. Qty: 7 x 50 gram

Needles: 3.5 mm Tulip Crochet Hook

Total Cost: Yarn USD 20.61 (including shipping cost) + Button: Free

Start Date: 6 February 2007

Finish Date: 25 March 2007

See all post regarding this project

And The Button.....

These are re-cycled buttons from my old clothes. I am not sure whether the color is dark purple to dark chocolate, but I am planning to use them on my Orchid top.

Happy Birthday Mommy

Photos From My Trip to My Hometown (Part-3)

When I brought Lauri to my hometown in Indonesia the first time, she was only 5 months old. The second time was in May last year. She was only 1 year 7 months and still could not talk properly. I had to re-introduce her to my parent (her Akong and Ama). She was a bit shy, but after sometimes she was OK and willing to play with them. However, once she got back home in Malaysia, she had no memory of them.

Tasting The Wedding Cake

Sitting in The Cafe

Last January, when I brought Lauri to Indonesia again, I had to re-introduce her again with her Akong and Ama. However, this time she could talk more properly. She likes her Akong more than her Ama (I think because my father likes little kid). When she got home, even until now, she still can remember them. If she saw them in the photo, immediately she said: “This is Amaaaaa, Akoooong”. Then before she went to sleep, sometimes she include her Akong and Ama on her saying good night list.

On The Plane

Putting Powder Before Landed

Actually between this visit (January 07) and the last visit (May 06), only 8 months different, but you really can see the different.

Orchid and Another Project (?)

I haven’t finished my Orchid yet. I believe there are 2 more balls to go. So far so good. I think I will get another winner again. It’s been more than 2 months since I started this project. I only can crochet 1 or 2 rows everyday. Not to mention the frogging part if I did not like the result. Sometimes I had to frog almost entire ball.

This week, I also started writing up the pattern. I thought I better do it before I forget. I did some research on how other people writing pattern. In the mean time, I also started to think what project I want to do next. I think I am going to start knitting project. I already have some idea in my mind.

Then something terrible happened, when I wanted to do some swatching, I couldn’t find my 3.25 mm knitting needle. I spent 2 hours looking for it. I still could not find it until now. Instead I found my ring that Lauri lost it about one month ago. I think I should forget about it. Someday, I will find it. In the mean time, I am going to use my 3.5 mm needle instead.

Lauri's Bags

Remember this Koala backpack? Well, we lost it last December in Border Bookshop, Queensbay Mall. When we went in, Lauri still had the backpack, when we went out, Lauri without the back pack. We did not realize it until almost reaching parking lot. We quickly went back, but no back pack to be seen. We asked the cashier just in case somebody found it and put it in the cashier, but no such luck. The back pack was too cute, I guess.

The Koala Backpack

Anyway, when we went to Surabaya last January, we found the replacement in one of the factory outlets. They have four different models of puppy handbag and one teddy bear back pack, we bought all of them. It’s very cheap. For all 5 bags, we only pay less than USD20,-

Hugging the Teddy Bear Backpack in KLIA

Lauri Holding Puppy Handbag Ready to Go

Another Model of Puppy Handbag

Enough about bag. Today Lauri has new gig. She stood up on top of stool in front of TV, facing the audience (me) holding a pen like it was a mike, then she pretend to sing. When I clapped my hand, she bowed and said: “Thank you, thank you very much.” I think she copy it from American Idol.

My Orchid (New Crocheted Project)

I bought yarns about 4 months ago from Elann. It is called Elann Sonata. Originally, I wanted to make Ivy from Knitty. When the yarn arrived, I was a bit disappointed with the quality of the yarn. It’s not as soft and shiny as I thought it would be.

In the end I don’t use the yarn to make Ivy, instead I am using it to make another version of Wild Rose. I love my Wild Rose and wear it many times already, so I must make another one. This time I will call it Orchid. Although similar looking, but the construction entirely different. This version, crocheted from top down, raglan sleeve, you can try it as you crochet, all in one piece. Because of the empire waist styles, this top will be flattering for any body types. I love empire waist styles because it gives you the slim effect.

No, this is not my hand. This is Lauri, trying to crochet

At this moment, I am almost reaching the waist. Just tried it on before writing this post, and I love with the result. I am definitely will write down the pattern.

In case you are wondering, yes, I am splitting the yarn again. Elann Sonata yarn is in DK weight, so I split it into two to become fingering weight yarn.

Tip to split the yarn:
1. Unravel about 2 or 3 meter yarn, then tied the ball using rubber band
2. Split the yarn apart, make sure you pull the yarn tightly (ask for help or use your toes to hold), then wind the splited yarn at the same time. In short, you pull, split, wind at the same time, and slowly release the yarn bit by bit using your toes to control (or ask your helper to release bit by bit. But, make sure don’t loose the tight tension, otherwise the yarn will be in a tangled mess.
3. Hang the ball and let it spin before you unravel for more.
4. If your yarn got 9 ply, you split 2 first (3 ply and 6 ply), later you split the 6 plyinto 2 again.

Once I got somebody to take photo, I will post the photo tutorial how to split the yarn.

Oh My God!

Lately, Lauri likes to say “Oh my God!” If she sees something cute, she will say “Oh my God, it’s so cute” .Last week, she saw her DVD on the floor (her father dropped it), she stopped walking, looked at the floor and said “Oh my God, it’s my CD.”


She can count 1 to 1o, she can recognize some alphabets, and she can wear her own blouse and button it up. She also now likes to choose her own clothes after taking a bath. She is 15 kg and 93 cm tall. Everybody thinks she is 3 or 4 years old, but she is only 2. Even I, sometimes forget that she is still 2 years old.

Her father keep asking me to teach her how to write alphabets, because he said last time he knew how to write A to Z and 1 to 10 by 2 years old. I tried many times, but she simply refused to write the letter, she just wants to write her own way. I know she can do it if she really put her mind into it.


In this Chinese New Year, we tried to teach her to say: Gong Xi Fat Choi, but she only remembered the last two words: Fat Choi. When she got angpao (red envelope contain money), she directly opened the envelope, took the money out and put it inside her bag and threw away the envelope. Nobody teaches her that! Last Chinese new year, she just ignored the angpao. What is she going to do next year?

Japanese Crocheted Book

I got so many question regarding the pattern for the blue crocheted top that I just finished recently. Below is the cover looks like:


And the back:

The ISBN number is 4-529-03528-x. It has so many nice designs that I would like to make. All crocheted. So far, I only made 2 patterns from this book. The first is the white crocheted cardigan and the second is the blue crocheted top.

I bought this book about 6 years ago before I got married and still lived in Indonesia. It cost me about USD 21,-

Actually the pattern on the cover that made me bought this book. However in the end I decided not to make this pattern as it is consist of 113 parts. I am afraid that if I don't like the result, I won't be able to reuse the yarn as it is already cut into that much of pcs.

Sage Cardigan Pattern on Sale

Finally I manage to finish writing down the Sage Cardigan pattern. Writing down pattern is not as easy as I though it would be. Every time I checked, I still manage to find some error. I wrote the pattern row to row, so no need to think, just follow the pattern. I also include the charted pattern if you preferred to follow the chart. Don’t be surprise with the total pages you have to print (32 pages total). I could change the font to smaller one, or resized the charted pattern so it would fit into 1 page. But, what is the point if you can not read it? If you prefer to follow the chart, print the chart only, but if you prefer the english instruction, just print that part.

Originally, I wanted to put this pattern for free. But, on second thought, because of the time I spent to write this pattern, I think I just have to put it on sale. Just email me if you are in doubt and want to ask question first.

Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL
Needle: 3.25 mm (size 3), 3.5 mm (size 4) knitting needle (straight/circular), 2.75 mm (size C) crocheted hook
Yarn: Fingering weight or double strand lace wight yarn (eg: Rowan 4-ply cotton, double strands of Jaegerspun Zaphyr). Yarn requirement for XS: 1200 meter, S: 1300 meter, M: 1400 meter, L: 1500 meter, XL: 1600meter, XXL: 1700 meter, 3XL: 1800 meter
Notion: Tapestry deedle, buttons (6 pcs), marker, scrap yarn
Gauge: 30 sts and 40 rows = 4” (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch (St st) using 3.25 mm needle or adjust the needle size to get gauge. I agree that this is not a quick knit. There are a lot of stitches, but if you invest the time and quality yarn, you will get a timeless cardigan to love for years.
Difficulty: Adventurous beginner (you need to know how to do knit and purl, decrease and increase, make button holes, simple cable, short row, and crochet)
All entry about this Project: Click here

If your gauge is different from above, email me along with your measurement, I will advise you which size you should make.

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$ 5.00,-

add to cart

Tip:

I know it's very daunting to knit a project with small gauge. However, I found that knitting with bulky yarn and big needle doesn't give me good result. It's bulky and make me look fat.

So, what is the guarantee, after knitting so many hours using fine yarn and small needle, that the result will be satisfying? Knit the back first. Wash and block it. No need to stretch or pull so tight. Just pat it a bit and make sure it shape properly and lay flat. After it dried, compare it with your favourite cardigan. If it's match then continue, if it doesn't then at least you only need to redo the back part and not the whole thing :)

Crocheted Blue Top FINISH

I finished this top about a week ago and wore the first time yesterday for the Chinese New Year. My first plan was to use the red top, but the weather was too hot to wear that red top.

I like the look on this top. It’s quite versatile. I can use it with or without camisole inside. Yesterday, I used it with my black camisole.

I used Miami Four Season cotton yarn for this project. As usual, I splitted the yarn into three (yes THREE!). So, I only used up 4 x 50 gram balls.

On my previous trip to Indonesia, my mother asked me to clear up my wardrobe as I got so much clothes that I never wear again. I got so much junk that need 2 days to sort everything out. In the end I got some button that I like for my projects. The button in this project is one of them.

Pattern: Japanese Pattern Book
Source: Lets Knit Series
Materials: Miami Four Season. Color: Blue. Qty: 4 x 50 gram
Needles: 2.5 mm Tulip Crochet Hook
Total Cost: Yarn USD 20.60 + Button: Free
Start Date: 20 September 2006
Finish Date: 5 February 2007

I just realized that it took me almost 5 months to finish this top. I think it’s because I rarely touch this project as I was concentrating more on my Sage cardigan.

Other entry this project: Start, 50%.

Photos From My Trip to My Hometown (Part-2)

Looking out from window in Sheraton Hotel

I want to leave some note for Mommy and Daddy

Hallo..Hallo.. Room service? I would like to order food please.

To Strengthen The Button Holes

First of all I would like to thank you for all the lovely comment on my Sage cardigan. Sorry if I could not reply to your comment because somehow some of the comment did not provide the replying email address.

I got a lot of question regarding splitting the yarn. Actually it’s not that difficult. I could split 1 balls of 100 gram (200 meter) in 2 hours. For the normal 50 gram balls yarn (100 meter), I could split within 1 hour.

Anyway, regarding my original plan to change the button, somehow I could not find any suitable bigger button to replace the current button on my sage cardigan. I decided to make the holes a bit smaller so it won’t pop out easily.

Using tapestry needle and a strand of yarn, I sew the round edge of the holes several times. This will also strengthen the holes.


As to stabilize the button, I put scrap clothes folded several times and sew it in the back of the button.

Sage Cardigan Details

This was my first original design for knitting. It’s a long knit because I was using small needle and using fingering weight yarn. Well, it’s actually DK weight, but I splitted the yarn into two to get fingering weight yarn. The yarn brand was Wendy Supreme Cotton DK that I bought from Cucumberpatch. I bought 4 balls (1 balls = 100 gram or 201 meter), but I ended up only using 3 balls (only about 3 or 4 meter left). The cost of the yarn itself was RM20.50 or USD5.85 per balls (including the shipping cost), thus this cardigan only cost me RM61.50 or USD17.55! It’s very cheap for hand made one of the kind knitted garment, don’t you think?


I really enjoy knitting using small needle, although it takes longer time, but the final result is really worth it.


At this moment I am trying to write down the pattern as my mother in law also wants to make it. She wants row by row pattern complete with the chart. So, I must finish writing up the pattern before I start another project (although I have another design in my mind and I keep thinking about it).

I am thinking to change the buttons as they are a bit too small for the holes. If I can find nicer button, I will change it. Otherwise probably I will leave it as it is.

Pattern: My Own

Source: NA

Materials: Wendy Supreme Cotton DK. Color: Sage. Qty: 3 x 100 gram

Needles: Addi Metal Circular Needle 3.25 mm

Total Cost: Yarn USD 17.55 + Button USD.40

Start Date: 1 Nov 2006

Finish Date: 31 Dec 2006
Other entry this project: Start, 25%, 75%, 95%.

On other news, remember the new product launching in Kuala Lumpur? My friend called me saying that she saw an article about the launching plus a photo of me in Saturday STAR newspaper. It’s also on the star online.

I am a bit disappointed because in the photo did not show of my Sage cardigan in the best position. I think after giving presentation I forgot to straighten my clothes and directly posed for photo shooting session.