I've temporarily changed country since last time I wrote. For the next month, I'll be visiting my folks in California, helping out a bit around the house (cooking, gardening and such), doing a little prep for my upcoming semester, enjoying some fun local sights, and, of course, crafting. On Monday, Mom and I visited Barbara… Continue reading Alpaca farm visit + crafty catch-up
Category: My Neighborhood
I live in two places: see what I see in my US or Korean neighborhood.
Crafty and nature bits + media I love these days
Crafty projects are slow to finish, as my work is eating a lot of my fun time at the moment. Hot off the hook is a crocheted grandpa-like vest to wear around the neighborhood while it's still a bit cool in the mornings. It was made with a 4.5mm hook, and about 220g of King… Continue reading Crafty and nature bits + media I love these days
Early Spring bloom + craft update
Under the wire with my first post in a month, and the last and only post for March! While on vacation in January, I predicted I'd have a rough time of it in March, as I have an extraordinarily heavy load at work this semester. Not to worry - I find time to play whenever… Continue reading Early Spring bloom + craft update
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?”
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
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
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
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
WIP progress: shawl + mandala
A few crafty updates - I've been quite busy at the end of the semester, but still plugging along with some WIPs. One of them is a gradient shawl using a Scheepjes Whirl + a Whirlette to extend the pattern. It's rare for me to make a garment in these shades of blue and purple,… Continue reading WIP progress: shawl + mandala
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