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.

My First Patchwork Project

Lately Lauri loves to cuddle in the blanket. I plan to make crocheted blanket for her someday, but in meantime I took out my first patchwork blanket that I made long time ago. I started this project right after I saw my MIL make patchwork, borrow her patchwork magazines, bought my cotton materials and started my own design.

As usual, I did not start with simple project, but designed a queen-sized blanket! I also hand-quilted the whole thing. I forgot when I started this project, but I finished it 5 days before I delivered Lauri. Such a perfect timing.

Lauri was having breakfast on bed

Introducing Dahlia

This is going to be my next crochet design.

I am going to make 2 version: thread and yarn. The thread is Canon thread size 8 from Mimi, the yarn is 4 ply fingering weight yarn from Bendigo Woolen Mills.

This time I need several tester. I will finish writing pattern possibly around mid or end of August. If you are interested, pls email me with your size (XS, S, M, L, XL, or even XXXL).

Other People's Sunshine Top

Two Sticks and Yarn is using SWTC Bamboo to make the short sleeve version.
80schick is using wool blend yarn Paton Diploma DK to make the long sleeve version.
Jeanette is using Calmer to make the short sleeve version.

I love them all.

Lauri's Crocheted Cardigan

I made this cardigan for Lauri long time ago, but it was way too big at that time. Now it's perfect for her. See how happy she was wearing it, showing her belly button and all :)

By the way, I still love the buttons.

Lauri is Learning ABC

This is how Lauri learns ABC. She is almost recognize all the alphabet. Only S, V, W, X, Z left.

I started teaching her ABC 2 months ago. She is willing to learn because to her its playing. That is why she doesn't mind to learn ABC everyday. Actually she is the one who requests:"Mommy, lets play ABC."

She also can tackled complicated jigsaw puzzle. It's not the easy one, mind you. It's 40 pcs jigsaw puzzle. Even me have to think. She is clever enough to put all the corners and edges pieces before moves to the centre part.

Yellow Orchid Crocheted Dress for Lauri

Pattern: Orchid Top

Source: Here

Materials: Cosmo by N. Nomura & Co. Ltd. (100% cotton) Color: Yellow. Qty: 4 x 50 gram

Needles: Tulip Crochet Needle 4 mm (G)

Total Cost: Yarn USD 8.5 + Button: USD 0.30

Start Date: 11 May 2007

Finish Date: 12 June 2007
Other entry about this dress

This dress a bit too big for her, but it means she will be able to wear it longer. She love this dress and so far already wore it twice.

The "Bee" buttons on "Orchid"

Close up

Lauri Crocheted Dress (Not Made by Me)

This dress is one of the crocheted dress made for Lauri by her grandma a.k.a bee-ma. She loves this dress. She wants to wear it everytime she sees it in her closet. Actually, Lauri got so many clothes. Every year her bee-ma makes sure that she at least got 15 new nice dresses to wear on the first 15 days of Chinese New Year. This is not included everyday wear that sometimes she bought because she saw cheap sale in store.

Nowadays, Lauri wears dresses for 4 to 5 years old, because she is very tall. Most of the dresses from last year are still can fit width wise, but length wise they are too short.

Here is a nice photo of her wearing the red crocheted dress:

And some cheeky photos:

Orange Sunshine In DK Weight

Actually, I am planning to do my second crochet design. However, since the thread hasn’t arrived yet, I started this project.

I only had 5 balls of this yarn (need 8 balls to make S size), so I made the body very short. I finished my 4th ball right after the waist lace section. So I used my last ball until it barely covered my belly button. Then the left over yarn I devided into 2 to knit the sleeves. Since not much left, I just directly knit the seed stitch. So, I had no left over yarn. I used every scrap of yarn.

Pattern: My Own

Source: here

Materials: Cascade Yarns Pima Melange. Color: Dark Orange C300. Qty: 5 x 50 gram

Needles: Addi Metal Circular Needle 3.75 mm

Total Cost: Yarn USD 14.5 + Button: Free

Start Date: 22 May 2007

Finish Date: 3 June 2007 (Only 2 weeks!!)

Other post about this project

This time I weaved black ribbon on the sleeves lace pattern and attached a couple of black buttons on the front part to match. Oh, I also used short row in the bust area for a bit of ease. Last Sunday, I wore it to go to the Mall, dinner at non-AC restaurant, then took this photo in Penang Yacht Marina.

Tulip Doily Pattern For Sale

Material: Crochet Thread size 10. I use DMC Tradition size 10 (color: natural)
Hook: 1.8 mm
Finished Size Diameter: 24.5 cm or 9.5 inch

Difficulty: Intermediate

Pattern is written both in English instruction and in Japanese symbol.

All about this project and more photos in my blog.

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$ 1.75,-

add to cart

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

Tulip Doily

This is my second doily design. I designed the first one long time ago when I was teenager. I still keep it in my parent’s house. In fact when I went home last time, I still saw my doilies everywhere. They are still in a very good condition.

When I made this, I almost stopped halfway because I did not like the overall look. However, after I finished my Sunshine top, and I didn’t know what to do next, I continued and finished it. I love the result! It grows on me. And further, I love it enough to write down the pattern both in English written instruction and in Japanese symbol (like the one you found in Ondori pattern books).

I name it Tulip because the last round looks like tulip to me.

Pattern: My Own

Source: Here

Materials: DMC Tradition. Color: Natural. Qty: 1 ball (plenty leftover)

Needles: Tulip 1.8 mm hook

Total Cost: USD 4.00

Start Date: 29 April 2007

Finish Date: 10 May 2007

What’s on my needle and hook?

I just finished Sunshine in DK. Yup. I finished it in just 2 weeks. It’s a record. I think it's because not only it’s in DK, but also because it’s a mindless knitting. Just following the pattern.
This time, it’s short sleeves and the body length barely covered my belly botton. It’s because I only have 5 balls instead of 7 balls the pattern called for.

No photo yet. Probably can only post next week. I can only show you this:


Beside Sunshine in DK, I also started another Orchid. This time for Lauri and the color is yellow. The reason is because I have this thread that I got from my LYS in good price, but only 4 balls left. Four balls is not enough for me. So, I am using it for Lauri. She love crocheted dress. She got 2 crocheted dresses from her Bee-Ma a.k.a Grandma, and she keep asking to wear it, until I decided to hide it, so she can to wear her other dress.

Here is the peek:

Yes, I already put the button and the ribbon because I want to know how it looks like. I still have 1 ball left to crochet to get the desired length.

Choker From Mimi

Look what I got in my mail box! It’s a beautiful choker from Mimi. I got it because I participated on her blogiversary contest and I got an instant prize because my answer is the closest to the answer. Thanks, Mimi!

Lauri’s Daily Schedules

11.00 AM. Just woke up, drink 8 oz of milk. Then play in the bed or watching DVD while I check my email and work a bit. Sometimes she doesn’t want me to work in front of my lap top and asks me to accompany her playing or watching DVD (I can knit or crochet if that is the case)
13.00 PM. Take a bath. She loves to play with bubbles, so after I bath her, I let her play in the bathtub a bit longer. I have another 15 min to work in front of my lap top.

Lauri just woke up

13.30 PM. I feed Lauri, while she watches TV on her high chair. In the meantime, I also do housework chores like sweeping, mopping, doing laundry, etc. I only have lunch, after she finished her lunch and I finished my chores.
15.00 PM. I release Lauri from her high chair and she can playing around on the clean floor.
16.00 PM. Back to the room for her 8 oz milk and preparation for her nap
17.00 PM. Take a nap for 2 hours. If I don’t fall asleep in the process of putting her to sleep, I can use these 2 hours to work.
19.00 PM. Wake Lauri up, and play a bit before dinner

Hallo...Hallo. Yes.. yes... OK...OK..... Wait Mommy, Lauri is still on the phone.

20.00 PM. Dinner
21.00 PM. Play time for Lauri (and crocheting and knitting time for me)
22.00 PM. Lauri take her 8 oz milk, then continue to play or watch DVD in the room.
24.00 PM. Take her last 8 oz milk before sleeping. It can be 1 AM when she finally sleeps. Only then I can finish my work. So, sometimes I sleep at 5 AM!!!

Had a dinner out with cousin.

I have been “8 Things Meme” tagged!

I was tagged by Andrea from Rows of Purls
The rules:
1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves
2. People who are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules
3. At the end of your blog you need to tag 8 people and post their names
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

So, here are my 8 things:
1. I am Indonesian, my grandparent was from China, and I live in Malaysia because my husband is Malaysian.
2. We met in US, dating for 6 months and had long distance relationship for 4 years before finally got married.
3. I don’t like to teach people, but I was an assistant lecturer once.
4. I love to eat spicy stuff. In fact, I can’t eat without chili.
5. I always wore high heel shoes, but change to flat shoes as soon as I found out I got pregnant. Now, I can’t stand wear high heel shoes.
6. I never eat breakfast. I always got stomach-ache whenever I eat breakfast
7. I can eat a lot and never grow fat. In fact I used to force myself to eat to get fat.
8. I hate cooking, but I work in cookwares company.

I am not sure who should I tag, so If you haven’t got tag before, consider yourself tagged!!

Lauri's Favourite Restaurant

Along the Gurney Drive, just opposite the beach, there is a restaurant that Lauri always go whenever she “kai kai” (go out) with Bee-Ma and Bee-Pa (grandma and grandpa). She knows all the waiters there. She always says hallo and smile at them. That is why the waiters also likes her. They knows that Lauri doesn’t like to eat food (she is very picky eater), but she likes to eat fruits. So, everytime we go there to eat, they always serve the fruit first and it’s free!

After eating, we normally crossing the road to go to the beach.

Hmmmm...What are they? Let me pick them.

Mommy, look what I have found!

Oops, I make my hand dirty.

He..he..he...

Sunshine Top Knitting Pattern For Sale

Dress it up, or dress it down! You can pair this top with jeans for casual look, or you can you can weave ribon on the lace section for romantic and feminine looks. The front opening is low enough to show your sexy cleavage, or you can sew it up if you feel it is too low (I add button for accessory). This top is knit in the round, from the top down, and in one piece, so there’s no seaming. Pattern is available in fingering weight and DK weight yarn.

This is knitted up using fingering weight yarn

Click here for DK Weight Version

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) for fingering weight and 4 mm (size 6) mm for DK
Yarn: Fingering weight or DK weight
Yarn requirement:
Fingering Weight: XS: 1000 meter, S: 1100 meter, M: 1200 meter, L: 1300 meter, XL: 1400 meter, XXL: 1500 meter, XXXL: 1600 meter
DK Weight: XS: 700 meter, S: 775 meter, M: 850 meter, L: 925 meter, XL: 1000 meter, XXL: 1075 meter, XXXL: 1150 meter
Notion: Tapestry needle, button (optional), ribon (optional), marker, scrap yarn
Gauge:
Fingering Weight: 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.
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 (it's very easy actually, only the lace part that is a bit challanging for beginners).
All about this project in my blog

Click on the button below to buy a copy. It will be sent to you in a PDF file via email within 24 hours once payment is complete. Thanks!

US$ 5.00,-

add to cart

Here is Sunshine!

Actually this top doesn’t need button, however when I put it on, I felt that the split is a bit too deep for me. So, I put button to close it a bit higher.


I am also thinking to weave ribbon along the sleeve lace pattern using black color. I think it will dramatize the appearance of this sweater.

Anyway, like I said in my previous entry, I love the result. It’s very lightweight and flattering. You can dress it up or you can just wear it with jeans. Practical yet feminine.

Pattern: My Own

Source: Here

Materials: Miami Four Season. Color: Yellow. Qty: 5 x 50 gram

Needles: Addi Metal Circular Needle 3.25 mm

Total Cost: Yarn USD 19.5 + Button: Free

Start Date: 28 March 2007

Finish Date: 10 May 2007

You can read all entry about Sunshine here.

Sunshine Sneak Preview

Finished my Sunshine yesterday. Directly after binding off the last stitches, I put it inside my laundry bag and throw it to the washing machine. Then I just put it flat on towel and let it dry.

I love the result. It’s very lightweight and flattering. The yarn is so soft and silky. Once I put it on, I felt very reluctant to take it off. Too bad nobody around to take picture. This weekend, my husband is going to Thailand, so I guess I have to wait until next weekend. In the meanwhile, I can writing down the pattern. Hopefully, I can put the pattern on sale next Sunday.

Here are some sneak-peek of Sunshine while blocking:

The lace pattern on the waist

The colar with one button closure

I use picot bind-off for hem and the sleeves

Paging Melissa Burton

I tried to email the pattern to your email address, but it is undelivered. Can you email me at lprajogo@hotmail.com? Thanks.

Love to Read Books

Lauri loves to read books. Or I should say that she loves to hear me reading books for her while she is looking at the pictures. I started read for her since she was 4 months old. I got these nursery rhymes mini cardboard book set on local book shop (consist of 12 books: Hey! Diddle Diddle, Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, Little Jack Horner, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Sing-a-song of Sixpence, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Ladybird Ladybird, Little Miss Muffet, Round the Mulberry-Bush, Pussy-Cat Pussy-Cat, and Old Mother Hubbard). She specially likes Humpty Dumpty and Pussy-Cat Pussy-Cat.

Hmmmm.... which one should I read first? So many choices.

Better I sit on my bag, so nobody steal it while I am reading this book

Now, she still likes those books, but she also has other collections, like Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rumpelstilskin, etc. She also likes to pretend to read by herself. When she read by herself, she always begin with “Wadadam” and end with “The End”. At first I didn’t understand what the “Wadadam” means. Then later on, I realized that it’s “Once upon a time.” He he heh...

This photo is taken on Dec 06 in Popular Bookshop. If you notice she was wearing my first knitted project.