summer

First swimsuit design

So most of you probably know that I have two kids :) and I do not feel so comfortable flaunting my tummy to the public anymore, so to compensate because I still love showing some skin during summer, I have to look for one piece swimsuits. Sadly, I only like a few designs, so this time around, I decided to make my own one piece swimsuit :)

Of course, everything starts with a ‘design’ first:

Quick sketch, yarn selections and initial go

I made a very quick skecth on what my swimsuit would look like. Then I choose my colors and then decided to start the project swiftly.

After sometime, I decided to make the design a bit clearer, and make the upper body into a lacy mesh still with the same aesthetics, zigzag, lines etc.

Second Draft

Second Draft

The bikini top should be more nude tone but I do not have the right hue, so I just used this pale light brown one that I have.

3 5

It is always exciting to finish a project, right? :)

 

And tada! photos taken during our anniversary in palawan :)

swimsuit-1 swimsuit-2

Sunflower dress

Hi!!!

It was almost a year since I made this small summer dress just in time for my summer getaway :) drew a sketch of the dress and got inspired to make the stitch for the sunflower motif :)

Concept Design / Sketch of the Sunflower Dress

Concept Design / Sketch of the Sunflower Dress

Disclaimer, I have a notebook with already builtin drawing of tiny girls in poses, so do not get mislead that I know how to draw croquis!

 

Anyways, so after crocheting 3 layers of the floral motif  in pale yellow with leaves in blue green hues, I decided to crochet the top layer in white :) just so to emphasize the design below but still using the same motif.

Next layer of motifs in white

Next layer of motifs in white

Then the rest of the body is done in ch mesh :) i made sure that i partitioned the stitches in parts where there would be ‘folds’ and stretches because of the upper body’s curves.

Upper mesh

Upper mesh

Then i filled in the gaps by just crocheting dc’s in between :)

Filling in the gaps

Filling in the gaps

Then continue crocheting the upper part to form the upper part. A little shaping for the sleeves and the neckline :) Ohh… some small florets for the neckline :) and voila :)

Tada! the sunflower dress

Tada! the sunflower dress

I added some tassels below the hemline :) just for a little flirty look. And because I am not a pretty model, I imported my husband’s cousin to model the dress for me :) and it looked so pretty. well, she is so pretty 😀

 

Crocheted Shorts – All Lacy and White

Today, I have finished crocheting the made-to-order shorts by one of my friends who is currently working in Laos. She wants a crocheted shorts she can use as an alternative swimwear coverup.

At first I was reluctant to recreate my first crocheted shorts, as it was not an original design.

Crocheted Shorts

Crocheted Shorts

But my friend’s requirement was just it has to be white like that.

I finally am able to create my own design of a crocheted shorts after going over my previous crocheted shorts (I had already three, none were original designs). Here I present how the concept of the shorts is actually made out.

First, you have to think of three different patterns:

[1] The Upper Mesh that usually consists of just dc – ch repeats

[2] The middle part which will composed of motifs

[3] The lace edging that will form the partition between the legs

On my first attempt to design a pair of shorts, I picked up a snowflake design motif (hexagonal)

This is my first use of a hexagonal motif, hence I am not really sure where should I join the edges:

Snowflake motif

Snowflake motif

My first attempt is to join the motifs on three points, I later found out that it’s better if i connect them on five points so that the holes are smaller and minimal. Also the stretching factor would be lesser.

The trick to actually be able to gauge the size is to get one of your shorts and laid the motifs flat. So you would know how much the sewn motifs will have to accommodate stretch and where you have to add the edges.

Snowflake motif

Snowflake motif

Next is to crochet a dc-ch mesh on top of the motifs to secure them together and maintain the shape. Take note that the mesh should have more rows on the back than the front, to accommodate the fullness of the buttocks.

The fun part here is i added a strip of “flower” open-lace-work to giveway to the very plain dc-ch mesh.

Summer Crocheted Shorts

Summer Crocheted Shorts

And now I have chosen an open-work-pattern for the lace edging that looks as if the points of the snowflakes bends and meet and make little droppings of icicles down the edges.

What do you think?

Summer Crocheted Shorts - Funky and Sexy

Summer Crocheted Shorts – Funky and Sexy

The shorts is available in Made-to-Order Basis starting at Php1,200 for size small. If you are of different size, add Php200 per size increase. So if you are size medium, the shorts will cost Php1,400. I used a laceweight cotton yarn and size 1/0 hook :)

 

Mix & Match – Ginantsilyo

Though the air is still chilly specially in the morning, most of us look forward to summer vacation. Ginantsilyo offers a stylish mix to match the summer heat!

Summer Get Up - Blue Ginantsilyo

Summer Get Up – Blue Ginantsilyo

So, what’s on the shelf? The crocheted skirt is up as a “made to order” item. Small – medium size costs 1,200Php. Add Php200 per size increase.

Blue Crocheted Skirt

Blue Crocheted Skirt

The skirt is made of cotton blend on soft blue tone. The hipline is accentuated with a square motif with adjustable “drawstring” belt.

Another up for grab is the very stylish owl crochet earrings

Blue crochet owl earrings

Blue crochet owl earrings

This pair is a smaller version of the Big & Chunky Earrings offered last month. The earrings are made from embroidery cotton thread with sapphire blue class A stones and kidney earring hooks :)

The earrings are currently available for Php 250. The owl is approximately 1″ (not including the hook and the bead)

* (Bikini top is not available for sale)

**Shipping fee not included.