Bayaniyarn

I finally completed my volunteer work for local charity Bayaniyarn! I enjoyed crocheting 60 preemie beanies and 76 octopus amigurumi dolls. These specially handmade items will be donated to premature babies at NICU wards in government hospitals.

Crochet has truly given me a way to help others during this pandemic. I am grateful for this skill, and the gift of health that enables me to keep going. If you have a talent or a skill that will let you be a blessing for others, please put it to good use. Let us all help each other rise during these difficult times.

Stay safe everyone!

Quarantine Joys

The enhanced community quarantine or ECQ has been challenging for all of us. We all miss our routines and our normal lives. However, I also believe that I should not take this time for granted. Life is too short, so we have to make the most out of what we have.

Here are some of the simple joys that make my quarantine memorable:

1. I enjoy driving to buy bread at Pan De Manila Maginhawa branch. I miss my foodie street, and I am glad that the bakery where I regularly buy bread, ice cream, and 3in1 coffee is open to serve us.

2. I really get excited whenever I receive my online purchases! Here I am with my box of coffee from LazMart.

3. And here I am overjoyed to receive my yarn stash from Baguio-based artisan Crocheted by Carisse. Guys, let us continue supporting small businesses during the ECQ. They need all the help during this difficult time.

I will never take my blessings for granted again! Simple joys make my quarantine meaningful and memorable. I hope that you also have some everyday miracles that define your lockdown.

God bless us all!

The Attic Adventure

Yesterday, I was invited to visit The Attic Yarn and Craftery in Marikina City. 

I’ve been a client of this local yarn store ever since I began knitting and reacquainted myself with crochet last year. After buying their yarns at The Craft Central, I have since directly ordered from them online. Since then, I’ve become their friend in real life. 

It was a dream come true to step inside their cozy “attic” space. There were yarns everywhere!

It was heaven on earth! 

The owners, Tita Ces and Ceryl, are vintage fans. I especially marveled over their refurbished typewriters. 

I received a lovely handmade present from the owners. 

I also ate lunch with them and had the best tinapa pasta I’ve ever had (so far).

For dessert, we had flourless chocolate cake from a local pastry shop. 

It was to die for.

It was wonderful to see their yarns and winders in person. 

More than having the pleasure of buying from them directly and not paying for shipping this time around, it was the friendship that I have fostered with Tita Ces and Ceryl that I truly treasure. I had a magical day, and I’m sure that this won’t be the last time that I will visit them in Marikina. 

Friends and hobbies like knitting and crocheting make life sweeter! 

Knitting Anniversary

Today is my knitting anniversary! It’s been a year since my fateful Knitting Adventure at the Banaue Rice Terraces. It was where I first learned to knit. The lesson wasn’t easy for me, and I did struggle at first. But with a lot of practice, I did get the hang of it. And I even re-learned how to crochet along the way!

To celebrate this important milestone, I crocheted and knitted this infinity shawl using chunky yarns from my favorite notions store, The Attic Yarn and Craftery. The ladies behind this local shop has become my friends, and it is touching how this friendship has also become a source of strength and inspiration for me to keep going. 

My knitting and crochet abilities are in line with my goal to diversify myself through continuous learning of skills. You may be wondering how this connects to my goal to work in a corporate setting. Well, knitting and crochet has taught me patience, perseverance, resilience (especially when I would drop a stitch and have to start over!), creativity, and imagination. I have also learned these skills from scratch through workshops (like the advanced crochet one I attended with Mayown last year). If I can train my mind and hands to manipulate yarn, needles, and hooks, then I’m sure that I am ready to learn new programs, business platforms, and skills. 

I have also started a new scarf using the knitting needles that came with my kit at Banaue. Using these 6mm bamboo needles again is humbling, as I recall the awkward stitches that I have made 365 days ago in the mountains. Now, I am in my room in the city, with pop music blaring in the background. I have yarn from Pasig, the yarn bowl that I gifted myself with on Valentine’s Day, my first knitting needles, and the determination to keep going. I have amazed myself with how far I’ve come in my creative journey. 

I know that this is only the beginning. 

Knitted and Crocheted Scarf

My friend Mitzie gave me some acrylic-wool yarn from New York when we saw each other last week, and I was excited to knit a cowl out of them! And so, on the feast of St. Blaise (patron saint of wool combers), I set out this yummy yarn together with my 10mm needles.  

I listened to some podcasts and just knitted away!

Usung chunky yarn and 10mm needles are a joy as my project was quick to accomplish.

For the blue part, I opted to use a 9mm hook to crochet instead of knitting. 

The end result is a variation of textures and yummy wooly goodness!

It was wonderful to knit and crochet this cowl while listening to a couple of podcasts. I’m also thankful to receive these yarns from a friend. I hope to continue making, knitting, and crocheting!

Mentor and Manila

Yesterday, I dropped by UP to quickly print some documents for jobhunting.  

Then, I met up with my college mentor Mitzie for some Thai noodle soup at Sen Lek. 

We later had bubble coffee at Kape Tayo. It was good! 

We then parted ways and I proceeded to Binondo for a meeting. But first, I passed by Escolta to admire the heritage buildings there.  

I had an insightful meeting. I went home and received snail mail from The Pink Sisters Convent. 

I also got my yarn orders from The Attic Yarn and Craftery.  

And finally, I received a postcard from my good friend Nurai, who was on holiday at Cappadocia.  

I am very lucky to have few but well-meaning friends. I even have sisters who constantly pray for me. And I have a mentor who still advises me to this day. Here’s to a wiser adulthood and better decisions ahead.  

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!

Yarn and Possibilities

I was greeted by these balls of yarn when I got home from work the other night. These were my purchases from The Attic Yarn and Craftery, and I was able to get them using my birthday discount as a funATTIC cardholder. I even got the multicolor mandala yarn cake (the one with the card on it) for free, as a gift from the owner. To say that I am thrilled is an understatement!

I also got to watch Bela Padilla’s new film The Day After Valentine’s yesterday. I enjoyed it because it featured baybayin and Paper Moon Cafe, which is one of my favorite dessert places. The story is also heartbreaking. Do check it out in cinemas everywhere!

The thing about yarn and film is that there is always the promise of possibilities about them. Yarn is used to knit and crochet beautiful scarves and wearables. Movies help us see reality in a better light through cinematic imagery. I am grateful for these mediums that allow me to experience creativity firsthand. I know that for as long as I have yarn on my needles and hooks, I can make things better. And while there are movies to watch, I can be inspired to live a more meaningful life.  

Here’s to more possibilities, with every stitch and scene in between.  

Beer and Yarn

Yesterday, I met up with my grandpa for lunch at Via Mare. While waiting for our food, I knitted and drank some beer with my original drinking buddy. 

It was a beautiful day for catching-up.  

I had coffee to complete my lovely lunch of roasted vegetable rigatoni.  

I then walked to buy some things afterwards.  

I ended up at Dreams Yarnshoppe where I stocked up on some balls of yarn and a pair of metal 6mm circular knitting needles.  

I indulged in my passions for food and knitting in one day. I was also able to spend time with the family, and it was great to knit while doing so. Every now and then, I suggest that you also make time for the things that matter, and the people who lift you up. You will definitely appreciate your life more once you have spent time with those that  give your life meaning. 

Brownie x Knitting

Last night, I visited The Craft Central Cafe to unwind after my visit to the National Museum and Luneta. I ordered their dark chocolate brownie, and it was delicious!

I relaxed by knitting and window shopping.  

And I got one of these San Mig Light glasses for my grandpa.  

I enjoy hanging out at craft stores because they spark my creativity. I don’t need to spend much in order to fill-up my heart with inspiration. Sometimes, I just need a brownie, a pair of needles, and some yarn. The rest is up to me. 

Pasta and Yarn

Yesterday, I was able to enjoy knitting while eating delicious Italian food at one of my usual restaurants, Cibo. This time, I tried something I’ve never had before- the penne al’amado with burrata. 

The braised beef beautifully complemented the cheese, resulting in a flavorful meal that brightened up my Monday. 

My red grape shake and coffee made lunch- and knitting- relaxing.  

After finishing my meal, I proceeded to a store I have never been to before: Dreams Yarnshoppe. I was looking forward to it, and I was not disappointed.  

The store had a killer inventory for such a small space! 

Prices were reasonable for the thrifty crafter.  

I ended up with a variegated ball of yarn and a pair of oversized needles to go with it. I also got some extra point protectors.

I was definitely happy, and I carried on with my shopping. I got a 90’s pair of sunnies to update my look.  

It was similar to my old pairs of sunnies during my childhood. I am happy that skinny frames are back because I can be my 90’s self again somehow! 

I am lucky to have been able to enjoy my Monday with delicious food, a memorable retail experience, and some crafting along the way. I hope to discover more stores to inspire me create, write, and explore!