Knitting Warmth

I started knitting again yesterday. It’s been quite a while since I busted out my knitting needles as I have been hooked on crochet for months now. Anyway, the cabin fever has caused me to return to knitting.

I love using these Furls knitting needles because they are handsomely crafted and they do feel good to touch. They make my Attic Yarn and Craftery yarn glide seamlessly with every stitch. The knitting experience with these tools is absolutely meditative.

Instead of feeling helpless with the extent of the corona virus, I am continuing my hobbies at home. There is joy in these simple crafts. Someday, I will look back on this quarantine as a time of enjoyment and self-assurance.

New Wave

I felt like learning a new stitch this 2019, so thanks to YouTube, I learned how to crochet the drunken granny scarf.  

I used The Attic Yarn and Craftery’s Cotton Drops yarn and my Furls 4mm hook.  

I enjoyed crocheting this project because the stitches were very relaxing. Plus, I think it turned out nicely.  

I started a new project in the same stitch, and it has the same calming effect on me! I hope that you will also get to learn something new this year, whether it’s a new stitch or a new perspective.  

Surprise!

I got a surprise in the mail the other day. My favorite yarn store, The Attic Yarn and Craftery, sent me a replacement for my Furls 4mm Blackwood crochet hook. They also sent me a brand new journal which totally fits my style! 

Furls does have a solid customer support reputation, but still, The Attic still coordinated to them for me. They also shipped it to me for free, which was unexpected since I was prepared to shoulder the expenses. 

However, I truly appreciate their kind gesture. My hook accidentally got broken, and they were able to assist me in having it replaced.  

The journal and kind note also made me smile. 

I appreciate it when my favorite brands and the people behind them become my friends in real life.  There are a number of yarn stores in the country today, but The Attic has been kind enough to help me during a difficult time in my family’s life (we are caring for a sick family member). I am grateful for their kindness and generosity. I pray that they will have more loyal customers in the future!

Craftoween

I spent my Wednesday fulfilling some family obligations at home. In between my tasks, I knitted and crocheted these works in progress. 

I also received my package from The Attic Yarn and Craftery. These yarns and my new Furls crochet hook are already my Christmas presents to myself. I am living in challenging times, so I have to be frugal. I also have to plan my expenses with prudence. 

My Halloween was not so bad! I spent it with my family, with my fiber arts, and some new yarns and notions. I hope to have more simple crafternoon moments and productive days ahead!

Colourfully Hooked

I finally finished the colorful cowl I was crocheting in shell stitch! It was fun to work with this variegated yarn I got from VC Trading. Of course, I couldn’t resist crocheting with my handmade plushies, Tubbs and Ella!

I worked through this cowl during my birthday, as I was resigning from my previous job, and as I was transitioning back to freelance life. It was quite a journey. 

I look forward to giving this as a present to someone who’s celebrating her birthday soon. 

It is also noteworthy that I now crochet with ease as I have recenly had glasses made for my astigmatism. I hope that the condition will be corrected by next year. In the meantime, I will crochet, knit, and blog as I wear my stylish specs- and live a purposeful life!

Crochet and Coffee

I’ve been crocheting, eating, and sipping coffee for the past few days. It has been a relaxing routine to balance my workouts.  

This was Breakfast Bin’s adobo with egg and talangka rice. 

For dessert, I had Papa Diddis’ cheese and coffee ice cream. 

And yesterday’s lunch was at UCC. I had their famous rice casserole with curry hamburg. 

I capped off my meal with my usual kori kohi. 

Living simply does not mean that I have to have a boring life. I still enjoy the food that I crave for and I manage to carry on with my handmade lifestyle. I believe that the secret to my resilience is that I know what my priorities are. For as long as I have good food and yarn to work with, I know that I will have joy in my life. I hope that you will also find yours! 

My Little Mermaid Scarf

I finally finished crocheting this scarf in shell stitch. The blue, green, and red yarns were specifically chosen as they match the color palette of The Little Mermaid. 

I used the shell stitch to make this scarf. It was a technique I learned from YouTube, and I was fascinated with how relaxing and quick the process was. 

I bought my yarns for this project from The Attic Yarn and Craftery . It is important to me that I support local suppliers to sustain my handmade lifestyle. In the case of the The Attic, they were able to extend personalized customer service when I was selecting my yarns and Furls crochet hook. And since I bought from their online store instead of their stockist at the mall, I was able to save money.

I am proud of this scarf because I crocheted it during my commute to and from work, during my breaks, and on weekends. I will definitely make more scarves, and I am happy that I am able to integrate fiber arts into my daily grind. Here’s to more stitches in between adulting, and fairy tale inspiration to take me further!

Faith and Crafting

Yesterday, I carried on with my auditing duties. I went to Pasig City Hall, and I stopped by their chapel after completing my tasks.  

It was fun to say hello to images of my patron saints, St. Clare and Padre Pio. 

They also had a beautiful image of St. Joseph.  

I also had to pose with their summery entrance! 

Then, I revived my old planner and jazzed it up with fresh kikki.K inserts, and various sticky notes, stickers, and washi tapes. 

Then, I took my paints out and sketched some food I recently had.  

I stamped the wrong date. It was supposed to be the 12th of July already. Handmade does have its imperfections! 

I was also able to finish this cowl using cotton yarn from Dreams Yarnshoppe and my Furls hook purchased from The Attic Yarn and Craftery. 

And just like my status quo, I ended my productive day on a high note- by beginning again, with fresh yarn in a fresh aqua green shade.  

Scheduling Joy

I dealt with errands yesterday morning, and I must say that I adulted with only good vibes in mind. 

I crocheted again in between my meetings. I am beginning to understand why so many people are hooked on crocheting, pun intended! It is a time warp, and it feels good to hold the yarn in my hands while stitching this scarf.  

Then, I had lunch at Yoshinoya. Their Go Solo meal was a delicious combo consisting of their beef bowl, coffee jelly, and iced tea. 

After accomplishing another round of errands, I went crazy at the stationery section of Landmark Department Store. They have so many cute and affordable stuff for planner girls like me!

They have washi tapes and sticky notes! 

Van Gogh notebooks were available in various prints and sizes.  

Thankfully, I exercised some restraint and just bought three washi tapes and three books of sticky notes.  

Then, I went to The Craft Central.  

I bought more planner essentials: two washi tape holders, one frosted divider, and a ruler divider.  

I am so excited to fill my planner with new schedules! For now, I am buying the basics. 

I am reviving my planner journey with washi tape!

I wrapped-up my day with dinner at Ok Street, the new Korean food court at Vertis North. 

I ordered their kimchi fried rice. It was tasty and filling! I’ll definitely go back.  

I am building my planner because even if I am constantly blogging on the go, I still prefer using pen and paper to organize my life. By buying these bits and pieces, I am giving myself room to customize my agenda. Having a planner lets me enjoy a tangible experience of “fixing” my day. In the next few weeks and months, I will be going through changes which will surely make me learn, improve, and grow. For now, I am planning, hooking, and scheduling things. 

There will always be room for happiness, one day at a time.  

Hooking, Burning, and Yearning

I started my day by crocheting while waiting for my workout to start. 

Then, I satisfied my craving for cheap pares by having it for breakfast.  

I continued hooking while having cofeenut.  

I later rode the BGC bus (which was efficient and comfortable) to Net Park.  

I took a few selfies  (using self-timer!) at the lobby. I was wearing a scarf that I quickly knitted using chunky yarn and 10mm needles from Dreams Yarnshoppe. 

Then, I proceeded to Manila House...

...for the Katutubo Pop-Up Market!  I bought a woodland garland for my mom from Knitting Expedition, one of my favorite social enterprises. Their stuffed animals and home trimmings were handknit in Ifugao. I also joined their Knitting Adventure at Banaue last February!

I caught up with some of my mom’s friends from the fashion industry (she used to be a ramp model).

I also saw Candy Reyes, Knitting Expedition’s girl boss and master knitter! 

I also looked around the fair. Everything was beautiful. I saw this wallpaper in the premises, and I loved it because it was somewhat related to my crocheting and knitting. 

I sat down for a cuppa. 

And I transferred to Fully Booked to enjoy their sale.

I wrapped up my Sunday with a visit to the PAWS Pet Cafe. My favorite shelter dog Ruff was there! If you want to adopt him, please contact PAWS!

I also saw other PAWS dogs in the cafe.  

I ordered my favorite tapa from The Craft Central Cafe. 

I had a productive Sunday! I worked out, crocheted, and supported my favorite advocacies. The way I see it, is that I get to hope and yearn for a brighter future for myself by sharing my blessings with social enterprises and causes I believe in. I am claiming that more blessings will pour into my life in the coming days, weeks, and months! 

Crocheting Inspo

Yesterday, I took my Furls handmade crochet hook for a spin. I was delighted with the lack of drag and its comfortable grip. The wood was warm on my hand, and my yarn just seemed to flow along with each stitch. 

I am definitely a Furls fan and I am glad that I finally bought one of their crochet hooks. Their cult following is definitely telling the truth about these babies.  

I finished this short cowl in a day using my new hook. I hold my Furls with a pen grip, and my hand never felt any strain or discomfort. I am floored! And I can’t wait to crochet again. 

Investing in quality tools will get you far. Read reviews first if you are unsure before investing on notions and materials. I make it a point to choose quality over quantity whether it’s for my knitting needles, crochet hooks, or watercolors. Choose tools that inspire you and craft what’s in your heart. You will definitely be motivated to create more!