Expat in Korea · My Neighborhood

Daegu café and yarn shop + weekly prompt: “Is there anything you feel too old to do anymore?”

I am deep into my winter break in South Korea, and between trips - just coming from one in Hanoi, and preparing for another in Tokyo next week. Last month I participated in the WP Bloganuary challenge, and had fun writing a blog post every other day or so. I probably won't be able to… Continue reading Daegu café and yarn shop + weekly prompt: “Is there anything you feel too old to do anymore?”

My Makes · My Neighborhood

New alpaca amigurumi + market visit and walk

My new alpaca basket buddy is finished. I just put the final stitches into him last night, and he is ready to hold pens, hooks, or odds and ends. From toe to tail, he is about 20cm (8 inches). Compared to most other amigurumi I've made, this one was technically a little tricky - not… Continue reading New alpaca amigurumi + market visit and walk

My Makes · My Neighborhood

A quick hello – WIPs and ginkgo leaves

It’s already mid-November - my semester is a race to the finish. Only three weeks to go before final exams start! I’ve managed to make slow progress on some crafty items, including a gnome figure that still needs his beard and hat. The photo shows that he’s already got his suspenders and the cutest rainbow… Continue reading A quick hello – WIPs and ginkgo leaves

My Makes · My Neighborhood

Alpaca wrap is finished + Autumn vistas

The Kodiak wrap is now finished and ready for a nice trek out in the woods! I began this project in the summer and progressed slowly, as I found early on that I needed about double the yarn that the pattern prescribed. The yarn is three shades of Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca, in black,… Continue reading Alpaca wrap is finished + Autumn vistas

My Makes · My Neighborhood

New tasseled shawl; Autumn views of my neighborhood

Just checking in with some photos of my recent walks in my neighborhood, plus a new shawl. The folk village is one of my favorite local walks in autumn. Every year the rice crop fades from vivid green to a stunning gold hue before it's harvested, and it makes for a wonderful photo op. The… Continue reading New tasseled shawl; Autumn views of my neighborhood

My Makes · My Neighborhood

Mini update: Ukrainian crochet lace + my neighborhood

A few weeks ago I posted about some Ukrainian artists on Etsy that I love, and since then, I have found a few more. I'm working on a beautiful leaves mandala/doily pattern by Mykolayiv, Ukrainian designer Crochet Lace By Lara, whose patterns are stunningly detailed and nostalgic. Many of them would be pretty stretched into… Continue reading Mini update: Ukrainian crochet lace + my neighborhood

My Makes · My Neighborhood

“New Life” crocheted mandala is finished

The "New Life" mandala is done, just in time for Spring. This is a lovely pattern by The Guy With the Hook, designed to use an entire 1000m gradient yarn cake. I made mine with YarnArt Flowers and a 3.00mm hook. It is just big enough to trim my kitchen table (below, you can see… Continue reading “New Life” crocheted mandala is finished

My Makes · My Neighborhood

One Fine Spring Sunday + “New Life” mandala progress

Just a few photos and words to catch you up on one of my current WIPs, the "New Life" mandala. As of today, I've zipped ahead to round 34, and well into the green section of the YarnArt gradient cake (see photos below). I also have a few shots of today's walk around my neighborhood's… Continue reading One Fine Spring Sunday + “New Life” mandala progress

My Makes · My Neighborhood

Nammeji Lake sculpture festival + holiday bits

Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings, Merry Christmas! Whatever winter celebrations you may observe, may they be joyful, safe, and healthy. I'm preparing for a trip to the States next month, my first in two and a half years. I feel a mixture of excitement, hopefulness, anxiety, and sadness as I get ready to go. The pandemic… Continue reading Nammeji Lake sculpture festival + holiday bits