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

Mini update: New Life mandala in progress

My semester is back in full swing, and I'm alternating between the classroom and Zoom classes, as the Covid protocols make the return to "normal" life a bit rocky for the time being. There are a couple of small projects I have started recently that I can fit into short bursts of free time that… Continue reading Mini update: New Life mandala in progress

My Makes · My Recs

Hamster amigurumi + yarn recommendations

The hungry hamster amigurumi is finished! It took a little longer than planned, because I had to wait for the correct nose size to arrive in the mail. I love this little figure, with his tiny pink hands and feet, big cheeks and haunches, and a tail that helps him prop up. He also has… Continue reading Hamster amigurumi + yarn recommendations

Free Patterns · Treasures

Free market bag crochet pattern + beautiful Japanese crafts

A couple of my bigger crochet projects are on hold (supply issues), so I finished another wonderful cotton market bag as an in-between task. This bag uses Paintbox Cotton DK in Eggplant. It was such fun to make that I might crank out a few more for friends. If you are keen to try making… Continue reading Free market bag crochet pattern + beautiful Japanese crafts

My Makes · Treasures

New embroidery adventure + Japanese coloring book

Just a couple of crafty updates to share. I recently ordered some exquisite coloring books by the Japanese artist Kanoko Egusa. They were shipped to me from Pomadour, an Etsy seller in Niigata, Japan. Below are a few sample pages with adorable, fanciful animal figures and floral themes. I think my mom will like this… Continue reading New embroidery adventure + Japanese coloring book

Expat in Korea · My Makes

Tweedy poncho is finished! + Seollal, Year of the tiger

Welcome to a new Lunar New Year, a new month, and to my finally-finished Tweedy Poncho! I so enjoyed this poncho project and look forward to wearing it, especially since it uses one of my favorite yarns - Rowan Felted Tweed. The poncho is from a pattern in Issue 141 of Inside Crochet magazine. PHOTOS:… Continue reading Tweedy poncho is finished! + Seollal, Year of the tiger

Expat in Korea · My Makes

Busan sea views; new crochet poncho project

My plans to go back the U.S. have been postponed until July, so in Korea I remain for the time being. The pandemic has presented complications that have kept me in a kind of physical limbo, but I'm doing my best to use my time well, which includes digging into several fun art projects I've… Continue reading Busan sea views; new crochet poncho project