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!

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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!

Flower Button Small Bag

I finally managed to put the lining. I used recycled black fabric (it used to be Hubby’s slack). Also put a zipper. A Zipper is a must, since I don’t want all my things come out if I drop my bag. I want all my things are secured inside.

Here are the lists of things that I can put inside:
1. Name card holder
2. Key chain holder (also function as my wallet)
3. Tissue
4. Camera
5. Hand sanitizer
6. Lip gloss
7. Hand phone

Pattern: Flower Button Small Bag

Source: My Own

Materials: Karabella Vintage Cotton (100% cotton, pink), Honeysuckle Yarns by Elmore-Pisgah (100% cotton, white), Local thread (100% acrylic, black)
Hook: Tulip Crochet Hook size 7 (4 mm)

Total Cost: USD .50 for the zipper, the yarn is leftover, the lining and the button is recycled.

Start Date: 16 January 2007

Finish Date: 16 February 2007
All entry about this project

Took me 1 month to finish this project because I also did other project in between. Also I don’t really like single crochet. It bored me to death. I enjoyed attaching the button, the lining and the zipper, though.

Oh by the way, I forgot to mention that I made this bag because I admired Futuregirl’s bags so much. Before I did this bag, I think her price is in the expensive side, but after made it myself, I think her price is cheap :)

Pillow Case

I like the babette blanket that I made so much and decided to make the matching pillow and bolster case for Lauri. I could not find any nice fabric in my local shop, so I went shopping in ebay.

Then I found this material. It’s 100% cotton Loralie Harris fabric.


I attached white cotton label with Lauri name embroidered on it.

I still have some leftover fabric, I plan to cut the heart shape and do some appliqués in white cotton for the matching bed sheet.

Failed Blanket and A Bag

Remember this granny square blanket project? I decided that I didn’t like the color and put it aside. Then I started another blanket. This time I used one color only. I used the yarn that I bought from Elmore Pisgah. It’s called Naturalee. The color is dusty rose. They used natural dyes. After made about 12 squares, I decided to wash one of the squares to see how it looks like after washing and blocking. To my horror, the color bleeds very badly! But, since I made the blanket only use one color, I supposed it didn’t matter.

But, after it dried, I notice the color faded unevenly. It looked awful! I didn’t even want to take photo of it. I have total 6 balls x 50 gram. I don’t know what I am going to do with them.

Anyway, I still have something to show you all. From the leftover yarn of my Empire top, I decided to make a matching bag. Since 1 ball was not enough to make a bag, I also mixed with white color (the leftover from the Babette blanket). The pink yarn is sport weight, and the white one is worsted weight, so I split the white yarn into two to make them the same weight.



However, there were still not enough yarns to finish the bag. In the end I just used black acrylic thread (double it). The result, the black seems too strong. To balance the whole thing, I just embroidered some flowers and attached some buttons.


Now, I just need to buy black zipper and line the bag before able to wear it.

Happy Chinese New Year

It's a bit late, but Lauri wants to say Happy Chinese New Year to everybody who celebrate it!

Playing Bubbles

Last week, we planned to play kite again. However, there was no strong wind. Thus, we played bubbles. See how happy Lauri was! This was her first time.

By the way, Lauri has already adjusted well with her study. She enjoys her lessons and improved a lot. For only short period 2 weeks, she now has better control of her hand. She can hold the pencil nicely, write and draw better. On Saturday and Sunday, she even wants to go to school.

Last Wednesday, she had a fight with a boy! Yup a boy. It’s all started while we were waiting to be picked up in the sitting room. This boy somehow hit Lauri’s friend (a girl), then Lauri scolded the boy. Then when the boy wanted to hit again, Lauri moved away his hand, then they started to hit to each other. Somehow Lauri managed to hit his eyes, and the boy report to the teacher that Lauri hit him. To my surprise, Lauri abled to defend herself and said that the boy also hit her. Thus, in the end the teacher asked the boy to sit somewhere else.

I don’t know. Somehow Lauri is so girly yet she is a tomboy too.

Granny Square Blanket

I have finished my Empire Top last week. However, I still haven’t washed and blocked it yet. Now I am in the process of writing the pattern. Hopefully I can finish it by next week.

Anybody interested in testing the pattern? I am planning to write the pattern both in sport and DK weight. It needs about 9 balls x 50 gram yarn for size M. Drop me an email if you are interested.

Now, since I am finished with that top, I am making crocheted blanket again. It’s actually not a new project. It’s an old project that I started long time ago. Since I haven’t finished writing down the pattern of the Empire Top, I can’t start designing new project, they will mixed up in my mind. So in the mean time, I am doing this mindless project.

Fire!

Besides teaching Mandarin, they also teach Bahasa Malaysia (Malaysian language). Here, what I heard from where I sit:
Teacher: A, a, Api (api is fire in Malay)
Student: A, a, Api
Teacher: Good. Repeat again!
Student: A, a, Fire!!! (because the book showing fire picture there)
I can’t help but laughing

Empire Top Update

Lauri class starts from 9 to 12 everyday from Monday and Friday. Except for Tuesday and Thursday, she has mandarin class as well from 3 to 4.30. Since I choose to wait for her there, I bring along my knitting as well. Thus, my Empire Top grew a lot since last week. I am on my last ball now.

From the photo below, you can see that this top slightly different from the original draft. The lace in the draft was horizontal, but in the end I made it vertical. I also didn't put the lace on the sleeve. So far I love the fit and the look on this sweater on me.

Lauri Goes to School

Wednesday, 2 Jan 2008: First Day
We went to her class. Gave Lauri to her teacher. I said bye bye, Lauri bye bye me back. The teacher closed the door. That’s it. Everything went smoothly. After sometimes, I saw her talking to her class mate and didn’t even miss me at all. It seems that she likes school after all.

Went to beach after school still in her uniform

Thursday, 3 Jan 2008: Second Day
Lauri went inside her class room herself, sit nicely in her place. After 1 hour, I heard a child cry. When the door open, OMG it’s Lauri that was crying. She cried so hard and quite long. It turned out that she didn’t want to write. So it’s a homework for me. She had to finish write 1, 2, a, and b at home.
When I asked Lauri why she cried, she said: She (she refer to the teacher) scold me.
Even at home, she give me all sort of reasons not to write, from “I am sleepy”, “I am tired” until “I am not feeling well”

Friday, 4 Jan 2008: Third Day
Today, my MIL who sent Lauri to school since I had another appointment. About 30 minutes after the school started, I called her and asked how was Lauri doing. She said, “Well, you can hear it yourself” and I could hear in the background that Lauri was crying. Waaahhhh, I think I have a problem here.

Monday, 7 Jan 2008: Fourth Day
In the morning when I changed her, she already told me that she doesn’t want to go to school. Then she refused to go to her classroom. When I forced her in, she cried. However, the teacher managed to make her stopped crying and she stayed in her class until it’s over. She seemed happy enough when she got out from her class.

Today: Fifth day
She still said that she didn’t want to school in the morning, but at least she was willing to get inside the class and didn’t cry the whole day. Well, at least some improvement.

I noticed that in her class, Lauri is the only new student. All the other students were already attended the school the previous year. They offers Pre-Kindy 1 (for 3 years old), Pre-Kindy 2 (for 4 years old), Pre-School 1 (for 5 years old) and Pre-School 2 (for 6 years old). Since Lauri is going 4 year this year, she is in the Pre-Kindy 2 program.

When I first saw the other class mate, I thought I went in the wrong class. They are all smaller than Lauri. Until I double check again with the principal. She said that all of them are 4 years old in this year.

Playing Kite on New Year 2008

Today Lauri was having so much fun. We went to the Esplanade, originally want to buy some Rojak, however the stall still closed. Then we saw people selling small kites. Naturally, Lauri attention went to the kite, so we bought 2 kites for her to play. The wind was very strong, so it's kind of fun playing kites. Lauri and the father play together while I was busy taking photos.





On the way home, along the road by the beach, we saw a lot of people were fishing and playing sand, so we decided to stop and play with kites again, until the sun started to set.



Tomorrow, Lauri have to go to pre-kindergarden, so have to sleep early tonight. Hopefully she can adapt well tomorrow.

Note: I wrote above post on the 1st January, but just save it as a draft as I had not downloaded the pictures.

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,-

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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.