The Red Fern Beanie

I enjoyed crocheting this red beanie using fern stitch. I used Oh My Yarn’s Cotone Medio yarn in red. I used the crocheted beanie pattern by Crochet for Baby on YouTube.

This beanie pattern has trained me to be more patient. Before doing this hat, I was crocheting simpler designs. This really taught me to follow a more complex pattern step by step. At first, I was challenged by the stitches, but eventually, I found myself enjoying it. It was a journey in itself, and I’m pleased with the result.

I am now ready to take on more complex patterns thanks to this hat. If you are looking for a challenging hat that still uses basic stitches, give this a try! You will get a pretty beanie in the process, and you might also enjoy making it.

Knitting Joy

I recently finished knitting this chunky scarf. I used Cotone Grande yarn from Oh My Yarn in the shade coffee. I intend to give it as a Christmas present, and I finished this early to make sure that it is done by then. The recipient is special to me, and I hope that he will like it.

Knitting is a welcome break from crochet as it requires me to use both of my hands to control the two needles. With crochet, I only use my right hand to manipulate the hook, as my left hand controls the yarn’s tension. My process usually involves a lot of music and podcasts. For this scarf in particular, I was able to finish two novels. Crochet requires more focus, while knitting allows me to work on autopilot. Hence, the two completed novels as I worked on this scarf.

I hope to finish more scarves while on quarantine! It is a relaxing endeavor that enables me to create gifts for my loved ones.

Stay safe and healthy, everyone!

250 More For Dagupan

I am thankful that I still have yarn and buttons as I was able to donate 250 earsavers to the frontliners of Region 1 Medical Center Dagupan City. Making these earsavers has been therapeutic for me, and I hope that these will bring comfort to our heroic healthcare workers.

Please consider donating materials, volunteering as a delivery angel, or as a crafter for Earsavers for Lifesavers PH. Together, we can all fight this unseen virus with faith and perseverance.

#QuielleBaby

I have been a fan of local jewelry brand Quielle since 2018. Their quality pieces are made of either stainless steel or sterling silver, which are ideal for my acidic skin.

I love their newest personalized designs, which are the Old English name anklet and baybayin name necklace with pressed flower. I couldn’t resist them, and I ordered both of them. My pieces took a fortnight to make, and the wait was worth it. Both of them were beautiful and perfect for daily wear.

This is not a sponsored post. I am simply a fan of this local shop. With the pandemic still upon us, please consider supporting local SME’s. It would really boost our economy and help our country move forward amidst the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 virus.

Let personalized jewelry brighten up your day! God bless us all and stay safe, everyone!

65 More for QC

I dispatched 65 earsavers to the swabbing personnel of the Quezon City Health Department. I finished this batch on my birthday, and it was sent out a day after I turned 34. I hope that the frontliners who will receive these earsavers will be spared from the Covid-19 virus, and that they will remain safe as they fulfill their duties.

Please join the Earsavers for Lifesavers PH Facebook group to volunteer as a crafter, materials sponsor, or delivery angel. Every bit of help counts as we continue to motivate our healthcare frontliners as they battle the corona virus.

Let us all stay safe and healthy!

50 for JRRMMC

I donated 30 earsavers to our brave frontliners at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC) Internal Medicine department. The last photo was provided for me by Dr. Kim Acosta, one of JRRMMC’s frontline heroes.

It was fun to crochet this batch while listening to podcasts. The quarantine and Covid-19 pandemic has caused me to feel anxious and insomniac, so the crocheting definitely helped provide a sense of calm. I am hoping and praying that a cure and a vaccine will be discovered soon.

For now, I will continue crocheting earsavers for frontliners! If you also crochet, knit, or sew, please connect with Earsavers for Lifesavers PH. They also accept sponsors for deliveries and notions such as yarns and buttons.

God bless the Philippines!

50 More For VMMC

I dispatched 50 earsavers yesteday to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center Outpatient Department. They kindly shared to me the last photo in this post. I feel fulfilled that I am doing my share in helping our frontliners even while at home. I volunteer for Earsavers for Lifesavers PH, a nonprofit that aims to connect crocheters, knitters, and sewers so that we can make earsavers for our frontline heroes. The process may be tedious because everything is handmade, but the rewarding feeling is unlike any other. This project is truly the highlight of my quarantine.

If you are a crafter, or if you can sponsor deliveries of earsavers, please visit Earsavers for Lifesavers PH! Help frontliners feel more comfortable while battling Covid-19 today!

Earsavers for VMMC

I sent 50 earsavers yesterday to the dialysis unit of Veterans Memorial Medical Center. My high school friend Helen is a frontliner there. As a nurse, she explained to me that they are already using band aids to relieve the pain caused by the garter in face masks. It made me happy that this batch of earsavers went to her team, and that I was able to serve a hospital in my neighborhood.

I am still volunteering as a crocheter for Earsavers for Lifesavers PH. If you can crochet, knit or sew, please consider making earsavers for our frontline heroes. You may also sponsor deliveries to hospitals.

May God bless all our frontliners and may we find a vaccine and cure to Covid-19 soon!

Carrying On

I just finished crocheting a batch of fifty earsavers for World Citi Medical Center. I volunteer for Earsavers for Lifesavers PH, a nonprofit focused on bringing crocheters and knitters together to craft earsavers for frontliners. Just like my first batch of donations, I used the pattern by the talented AmiEriCrafts.

I learned through crocheting several earsavers that establishing good habits has prepared me for the pandemic. Even before the lockdown, I was used to crocheting while in a meeting, commuting, or watching movies. I was never idle. Now that I am under quarantine, I am still crocheting both to help our frontliners and to decompress in between completed batches of earsavers.

I am also used to multitasking. I am still able to squeeze in some work in between crocheting for my Human Nature online shop (please support by clicking here!) and freelance writing job. I am also an avid listener of podcasts while working and crafting. Indeed, I am trained for the quarantine.

I do look forward to the day that this lockdown will be lifted. For now, I am enjoying the privilege to serve our frontliners from home.

May we all thrive during this difficult but educational time!

Battle Crafter

I decided to make more earsavers. I do not know for sure how many I can finish with my limited yarn supply, but I am trying to make more. Our frontliners need them to prevent their ears from becoming irritated by the garters in medical-grade masks. I am amazed that something so small works wonders to boost the morale of our tired doctors and nurses. If I can make more earsavers to cheer up our heroic frontliners, then i will do so.

It is interesting that crocheting and knitting for our frontliners in the age of Covid-19 is similar to Knitting for Victory during World War !!. We are battling an unseen virus now, so we must all do our share to ease the burden that our frontliners are carrying. We can all do more good if we will work together.

Now is not the time to stay negative and fight amongst each other. Instead, let us all help our frontliners win the war against Covid-19. To be a delivery sponsor or crafter of earsavers, please message Earsavers for Lifesavers.

God bless us all!

Earsavers for Easter

I finished crocheting 113 earsavers last Easter Sunday. I dispatched them through Earsavers for Lifesavers, a nonprofit that aims to pool crocheters and knitters together to make earsavers for frontliners.

I received this photo from Nurse JC of Chinese Gen, who was one of the recipients of my creations. It warmed my heart to see my handmade earsaver in action. It is very fulfilling to crochet for our frontliners, and I feel honored to be able to help out from home.

Please consider donating as a delivery sponsor or volunteering as a crocheter or knitter for Earsavers for Lifesavers. We can all work together to provide ease and comfort to our frontliners, one earsaver at a time.

Hooking for Frontliners

Yesterday, I delivered 113 earsavers to frontliners. I crocheted these bands to prevent ears from being irritated by the garter of medical-grade face masks. Our health care workers on the frontline are already overburdened as it is. Little things such as these earsavers can go a long way in providing comfort and cheer during this pandemic.

I am working with Earsavers for Lifesavers PH, a nonprofit that aims to pool together crocheters and knitters to make earsavers for our frontline heroes. There are knit and crochet patterns written by the talented fiber artist Amiericrafts on her Facebook page. She also has a pattern for buttons to close the loop on these bands.

Please help us make more earsavers for our modern-day heroes as they fight Covid-19! Visit Earsavers for Lifesavers PH today to volunteer as a crocheter/knitter, delivery angel, or to request for earsavers if you work at a hospital.

God bless us all!

A Positive Impact

I went shopping the other day for purposeful items which will benefit our heroic frontliners. I want to help in my own small way during the enhanced community quarantine. Fortunately, two of my favorite brands have offered to make it easier for me to pay it forward.

Rags 2 Riches has recently released their summer collection aptly named Sol. It is a joyful collection of bags and clothes made of upcycled materials. As always, each item is made by Filipino artisans.

Proceeds will go to frontliners and families affected by the pandemic. This was enough for me to support this worthy cause.

Image from Pulseras by Kim

Another local brand that I continue supporting is Pulseras by Kim. The jewelry brand has recently dropped a fundraiser collection to benefit frontliners as well. I bought this locket, which featured a free photo printing service with each purchase. Of course, this made the decision to purchase easier.

Shopping for a cause is one of my favorite things to do. I hope that you will also support brands that pay it forward, because we can all make a difference even while at home.

Stitching Home

I have been knitting scarves again since the community quarantine has been extended to April 30th. My yarn supply is running low, and I crochet fast. Knitting has regulated my crafting pace and also, helped me conserve my yarn.

Knitting at home has helped me process my feelings during this quarantine. I felt grief for the recent death of my loved ones, especially now that I am unable to visit their graves. I thought things through as far as relationships and friendships are concerned. I felt blessed that I am healthy and safe at home. And I felt thankful to have hobbies to keep my mind alert and preoccupied.

Stitching these scarves together has also helped me realized that home is a feeling, rather than a place. Someday, when this quarantine is already lifted, I will still continue knitting and crocheting. This is home for me.

Basket of Happiness

I just finished crocheting this basket made out of fabric yarn from The Attic Yarn and Craftery. I used a 9mm hook, and I hooked this together in a span of two days.

Being under quarantine can have its ups and downs. The highlight of my day is crocheting, because it is honestly relaxing and soothing. The low point of being at home the whole day is the solitude. I am an only child with a few real friends, so I really miss seeing other people. I have also come to realize that I am an outdoor person after all. I love commuting and walking around the busy streets of Manila.

I simply miss the outside world.

Since I finished this basket, I realized that I am lucky to be safe at home. I am fortunate to be able to work on four different knit and crochet projects while in my room. This basket was not exactly kind to my hands, as the fabric yarn and metal hook caused my hands to ache. Thus, this is a one-off project. I am using it to hold the other works-in-progress that I have on my needles and hooks.

There is something magical about finishing a project and setting a hook or a pair of needles free. Now that I am done with this basket, I can live in the moment and appreciate the projects that I can make at home. This may be a lockdown, but I have every reason to be happy where I am safe and sound.

Crocheting Mood

I just finished crocheting this infinity scarf using yarns from The Attic Yarn and Craftery. It was satisfying to work on this while I am on quarantine.

I watched movies and listened to podcasts while working on it. It was uplifting to get information while I am stuck at home. Or rather, safe at home.

Crochet has helped me maintain a cheerful mood while being alone in my room. Having a scarf to hook together kept me optimistic. I have a new project to work on next, and I know that I will approach it with the same fervor. Until this quarantine period is over, you will find me making scarves that make me happy.

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.

Borealis Heart

Borealis Crystals is a homegrown jewelry brand that I love. Here are a few reasons why this shop keeps me coming back for more:

• It is PWD-owned and managed

• Most of their jewelry, especially the bespoke ones, are locally handmade using quality materials

• Their online platform allows them to price their bling fairly

• They offer bespoke orders which may take time to make, but will definitely be worth your money

• Every purchase helps a PWD family and their artisans continue their craft and business

I am so into this garnet and sterling silver ring which I purchased from Borealis Crystals. It is not my first purchase, and once again, I am one happy customer. The ring looks and feels more expensive than it really is. They used materials to give it a premium vibe, which also works with my vintage aesthetic.

This is not a sponsored post, and I am simply a satisfied customer and fan. Please check out Borealis Crystals’ Instagram page and order a bauble or two soon! You won’t regret it.

Zapateria 2019

Yesterday, I joined a bag-making workshop at Zapateria Marikina. I was mentored by Mariel Manalansan, a KL-based Filipino leather craftsman and teacher.

I enjoyed the workshop, and I was able to make my own shoulder bag! I met new friends, got to eat delicious tapsilog at Tapsi Ni Vivian, and support my grade school classmate Unyx’s creative co-working hub. It was a privilege to make something by hand and explore the shoemaking capital of the Philippines.

My creative journey has only just begun!

Homespun Scarf

I just finished knitting this scarf using The Attic Yarn and Craftery’s Lion Brand homespun yarn. It has a slightly faux fur feel to it, which I love. It can also provide substantial warmth and style to any outfit. 

This project has helped me remain cool during this week’s challenges: job interviews, meetings, appointments. I was able to do some adulting while knitting this scarf! 

I know that I can achieve many things while applying my skills in knit and crochet.