Posts filed under ‘Thoughts about Crochet’
Drawing Crochet Patterns in Inkscape

Inkscape
Haayy… I’ve been trying to ‘draw’ crochet pattern diagrams using the old fashioned pen and paper. Of course, none worked out as I always end up crumpling the paper afterwards. When I learned how to draw Scalable Vector Graphics (using Inkscape) it has been useful in my work. From drawing ‘icons’ to logos and skinning user interfaces. I use inkscape for every graphical recreation I need. Since I installed inkscape, I almost have not been using my pen tablet (since it’s not compatible with inkscape) and i can draw in inkscape just using a mouse. or just the mousepad.
Here are some of my firt svg’s:
Some of Scalable Vector Graphics I drew in inkscape
Now since I’m fed up with trying to draw crochet patterns, and when it dawned on me that i could actually use inkscape, I’ve been trying (again) to master inkscape and draw stitch diagrams. So far, I am improving, and i have somehow found the technique on creating stitch diagrams. So as a ‘yehey’! to this newly acquired skill, I am giving away my instructions on recreating the winter solace bolero.
For those of you who are curious about this crochet pattern,click here 🙂 Disclaimer: I am no pro in writing down isntructions. Much more, I admit I am not also good in following one. This instructions are here just to share what i have learned so far in this field. Feel free to write down comments/corrections.
My winter solace yarns
The ‘ber’ months are coming. And it’s already cold outside. The weather’s sometimes a bit tricky.I find it bothersome to wear long sleeves or sweater because, even though it’s raining, the sun would still show up sometime in the afternoon or if I am inside crowded places like MRT or passenger jeepneys, a cardigan may still be too hot to wear. But once i stepped out I could feel the cold breeze around my shoulders. It’d be nice to make another bolero. Just the right size to cover the bare shoulders. Something I could easily take off once the sun shows up or before entering a crowded train.
On my newly arrived yarns there’s a very cool shade of turquoise. The shade will remind you of the coming season.
The yarn is 100% mercerized cotton. It’s a locally produced yarn from Indonesia. One ball is 100 gram. Just enough for a small-sized bolero. Hook-size to use would be 2.00 to 2.10 mm. The threads kinda thick. Thicker than the locally available monaco thread. If you wishes to buy a similar yarn, this multiply user has this on her for sale list. Or you could buy from craftandme.com
It’s a good thing too, that I have this soft plush yarn from Pasig.
I don’t actually know what’s the official name of this yarn (as all the yarns i bought there 🙂 ) But looking at the Berocco’s yarn list, their Soft Plush Yarn comes closest to the one I have.
If these two yarns are actually of the same kind, it’d be 100% Nylon. Hook size to use can be 3.0mm to 4.0 mm. I have a medium size ball (weight is unknown).

Berroco Plush™ 100% Nylon
Funny, coz i never found any use of the soft plush yarn from Pasig. Since it’s too thick to be made into any comfy clothing. Especially here in Philippines, even if it’s cold it’s not practical to crochet anything from this yarn.
Apparently these two yarns are great for each other. The colors are almost homogeneous and the textures are complementary. The plush yarn is soft to touch while (as all mercerized cotton threads are) the ICT is a bit rough and hard.
I am gonna use the cotton yarn for the body of the bolero and the plush yarn for the borders. Just to add accent.
Incidentally these two yarns are freebie for purchasing 2 kilograms of yarns from each store. Wow.. Great deal 🙂
Over a cup of coffee
Ahh.. when I have so many things I still have to do and the deadline is just around the corner, I cannot survive without a cup of coffee..

Crocheting over a cup of coffee
And a crochet hook to make me happy.

Brown Shrug in diamond motif

Back of Shrug
I am thinking of writing down the instructions to make this shrug 🙂
Still Hyped!


Yarn Store IV: Dreams Yarnshoppe @ Glorietta 5
Yarn is a good therapy for me. And today, i wanted so much to see yarns that I decided to finally search the dreams yarnshoppe in Glorietta 5.
They have (of course) relayout their shelves. The first time i visited Dreams was when it was still in Glorietta (1 or 2??) And that place was too small and the yarns are stucked up in shelves that i did not much appreciate the store. But this time around, I was in awe.
SO MANY YARNS!!! (I love yarns!)
But they are so expensive. I cannot pick much because i am always considering the amount of money I am going to put on resources i might not use.
But the people inside were so accomodating, I feel awkward about not buying anything. Well I want to buy! I really do. And mike gave me permission to spend. And that’s good right? Coz he did not tell me the limit. But I wish he did.. sigh.
It’s really hard to spend so much money and you’re thinking about paying a 25K cake.
I picked three out of their ‘yarns that are on sale’. Each ball costs P190. (OUCH!)
They also have the yarns i can buy from baguio and pasig. But of course (quite expensive) than to those I already have. Considering it’s in Glorietta.
One (big) ball of baguio yarn costs around P50 to P70 and theirs are around P120. Big difference right?
Still I am quite satisfied with my yarn purchase today.
Crocheted
attributed to a needlework made by interlocking and looping a thread with a hooked yarn.
Source: http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=crochet
Crocheting as I go
Sometimes when i crochet. I just crochet as I go. Meaning, I do not intend to do anything at all. I just want to crochet.


What’s to emphasize when there’s nothing at all?
