Blog Feed: The Handiworks: Knitting and crochet in Singapore

Wedding items; knitted and crocheted

Published on 2012-05-16 22:00:00

We noticed that some visitors routinely come upon our websites when they are looking for knitting or crochet wedding ideas.Since we have created several items surrounding the wedding theme, we figured it's time to pull and collate everything we have in a post so that visitors can find them easily.Our most recent contribution in this area was the wedding bouquet that many of you saw.Recent is probably not the right word since it was last featured in the Mar-Jun issue of Style Weddings last year. [..] > read more

Crochet prep for a baby's arrival (part 5 - end)

Published on 2012-03-19 21:00:00

When she managed to get this going, she just added casually...."Why not a crochet version?"And so, she brought along another pattern.To ensure she knew how to follow the instructions when she got home, we went through all the crochet symbols necessary. > read more

Knitting prep for a baby's arrival (part 4)

Published on 2012-03-13 22:00:00

The next project in line was a baby cardigan, right after the completion of the following:baby cap baby bootiesbaby blanket Upon casting on and knitting for several inches, Jasmine was surprised to find the baby cardigan way larger than she preferred. She likened it to be more of a one-year-old sized top - it was 10 inches across. (Actually I have already narrowed it from the 12 inches indicated in the pattern.)She argued that a newborn baby tee was just barely 6 inches wide -- she measured som [..] > read more

A knitter's revelation

Published on 2012-02-06 03:00:00

When Katherine decided to join us, she did it with trepidation. It's not due to fear of the unknown, as she has been knitting for 2 years. But rather, she felt uncomfortable doing a transition from her ex-knitting instructor to us. So she's requested not to be photographed in person. The Singapore knitting market is so small that almost all the instructors do know of each others' presence. While some do get territorial with their customers; here at The Handiworks, we embrace an open attitude.Tea [..] > read more

Our *uniform* knitting adventure

Published on 2012-01-30 23:00:00

If you have been following the other blog, you would know that the resident enabler aka Emy ("moi") loves to knit and crochet.That said, often the customers who come for their lessons get the first hand updates and access to the latest WIPs on my needles.And once in a blue moon, there'll be a project I am working on that gets everyone excited and then we'll get a mini KAL or CAL going.Let us show you the creations of our customers.Recognize these?The above FOs are knitted by Jenny and Chai Beewh [..] > read more

Great modelled capelet shawl

Published on 2012-01-16 20:00:00

Photography is not a strength of ours. Want proof?Here are some photos one of our customers have taken of their own FOs (which I have reproduced here with permission).See how real human modelling makes a whole world of difference?Chai Bee's really good with photography! In fact, the above shows the true color of the yarn which I haven't been able to capture.You can compare these to the ones I have taken.Here's how the original pattern looks like.More details of the project are posted here.****** [..] > read more

Limited weekend slots for Jan 2012 in view of CNY

Published on 2012-01-09 03:00:00

Dear customers, please note there are limited weekend slots this month.However, weekday daytime and evening sessions are still available so this notice is really meant for those customers with weekend lesson preference to plan and book ahead.The following weekend dates are currently available:Jan 14 (Sat ): 10am - 12pmJan 15 (Sun): 1 - 6pm Jan 21 (Sat): 10am - 12pmJan 28 / 29 (Sat/Sun): 10am - 6pmDuring the CNY festivities, we will be closed from 21 Jan (Sat) 12pm onwards and we'll be available [..] > read more

Knitting prep for a baby's arrival (part 3)

Published on 2012-01-02 22:00:00

Hope all you readers had a great Christmas as well as a New Year break!***************Now that the head and feet are suitably covered, the next item on the list is the baby blanket.As we all know, babies are often preciously wrapped and nestled in cosy blankets when they first leave the hospital.Following the color conventions, Jasmine opted for a light baby pink for the blanket.We went along with a conventional square blanket as we tried to balance the projects Jasmine had on hand -- the bootie [..] > read more

Knitting prep for a baby's arrival (part 2)

Published on 2011-12-15 20:00:00

The most frequently requested "learn to knit or crochet" items for babies are usually:socksbootiesor mini Mary Janes (for little baby girls)Many customers reckon that due to their small size, they can be easily started and completed quickly.The truth is far from it.What few customers realize is that the smaller and the more detailed the items are, it means that:the shaping requirements are more frequent and one needs to be reasonably familiar with basic knitting or crochet skills; producing even [..] > read more

Knitting preparation for a baby's arrival (part 1)

Published on 2011-12-14 07:30:00

Jasmine who joined us earlier this year, was several months pregnant when she decided she wanted to perfect her rather rusty knitting skills and work magic in creating loving pieces in view of her baby's arrival to this world.She also realized that it wasn't feasible for her to go to any of the knitting shops as she has tried that previously and felt she didn't get to learn much as she mostly had to sit around waiting due to the number of students.Besides, in her pregnant state,She gets tired ea [..] > read more

Not your usual (rectangle) crochet blanket in 2 weeks!

Published on 2011-12-04 23:30:00

Angela came and joined us recently. She attended our preview end Oct and immediately commenced her first private crochet class with us the following week.Why crochet lessons (basic or advanced) are hardly offered these daysThat's because, in order to really scrutinize and see if the customer is doing the right actions requires the instructor to sit right next to her i.e. to observe if the crochet hook is put through the right loops, whether the wrapping is done correctly etc. You would be hard p [..] > read more

Gina the Knitting Gifter

Published on 2011-11-30 20:00:00

While going through my folders and having a feeble attempt at photo organizing, I came across lots of photos that deserve to be posted on the blog.It's interesting to note that while many of us knitters and crocheters tend to create items for ourselves or our immediate family; Gina is an exception. She has learnt to knit so that she can create fabulous gifts for her friends! Talk about being selfless!Here are some of the knitting projects done by Gina previously.A little girl toddler's dress Sor [..] > read more

Crochet, my foot!

Published on 2011-11-28 23:00:00

(Pun intended.)Ok, I know it's not funny but I am running out of blog titles.This is a finished project photo of the crocheted bedroom slippers that Edith started sometime back in 2009 which I noticed I somehow missed posting. (Yup, that's not the oldest backlog photo I've got, I am ashamed to admit.)As we couldn't find the appropriate leather sole, I suggested she crochet double layer of the soles and have them stitched together (that additional layer provides walking comfort as well as minimiz [..] > read more

Crochet and knitting combined tunic

Published on 2011-07-03 21:00:00

Speaking of crocheted skirts, remember the project that Lynn was crocheting back in Oct? Well, we managed to get the knitting going. After the main body was knitted, Lynn then joined the smaller round of crocheted squares to the bust area. As y > read more

Crochet squares back in fashion

Published on 2011-06-29 21:00:00

Or so I think... I went through my photo storage and found these which I haven't uploaded. Actually, there are still lots more photos of various WIPs and FOs since we keep having new customers join us all the time with new projects while our curre > read more

Yeah! Back online!

Published on 2011-05-07 21:00:00

I know it sounds rather silly but I haven't been able to gain any decent access to my blogger dashboard for the longest time ever since CNY. Not just my blogging dashboard but also other blogspot blogs that I read frequently. This situation is pro > read more

Our crocheted hand bouquet featured in Style Weddings Mar 2011!

Published on 2011-04-05 21:00:00

Sometime ago, Style Weddings magazine editorial Senior Art Director contacted me and mentioned that he had plans to do a hand bouquet spread that features craft materials ala Martha Stewart style. He was keen to have a crochet bouquet featured and as > read more

Restart completed!

Published on 2011-02-14 20:00:00

An oxymoron -- the title, that is. But just in case you readers wonder if our customers ever get around to finishing their ripped back knitting/crochet projects, they actually do. Take Jenny's case for example. You might be wondering what happened > read more

Knitting rejuvenation

Published on 2011-01-10 20:00:00

As much as we all love to knit/crochet and cross our fingers (and toes!) to wish for successful completion for every project we start, sometimes things just don't go our way. Usually the imperfections or eyesores would include things like: Uneven bi > read more

Lacing up 2010 - a knitted FO

Published on 2011-01-06 20:00:00

The last few weeks of 2010 has been hectic. There has been a surge of lesson requests as customers tried to speed up their knitting/crochet pace for projects that are intended for Christmas gifting. Some of the ladies wanted quick and hassle-free p > read more

Happy Holidays!

Published on 2010-12-27 21:00:00

The Handiworks would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays for this festive season! We are currently in the midst of celebrations, pretty much like everyone else so pardon us if our blogging and communication can get a little slow. We'll be resuming > read more

Crochet blooms

Published on 2010-12-07 20:00:00

Of late, Lynn is very mesmerized by the idea of crocheted blooms. She went to the book store to purchase 2 pattern books that focused on just crochet flower patterns. Unlike the typical two-dimension flower motifs that we are used to, the patterns > read more

New customer's first knitting project

Published on 2010-12-05 20:00:00

Does any of you regular bloggers have any tips on how you can manage daily blogging? I just have to discipline myself to plug in the camera and upload the photos weekly. At the moment, it's more like uploading once every 3 weeks or so. There are so > read more

In less than a week

Published on 2010-12-01 20:00:00

Remember the blog entry I wrote about Francisca's visit and her tighter-than-tight deadline? I really shouldn't have worried. She came by last Sunday and showed me this. Not only has she gotten the scarf completed, she finished it within a week! > read more

Time management for year-end period

Published on 2010-11-25 20:00:00

This is a constant subject that I battle with for the last few years. Whenever I want to do gifting, I always feel that a handmade item always demonstrate sincerity and extends that extra bit of personal touch. However, if you tend to be a procra > read more

Just buying knitting materials please?

Published on 2010-11-21 20:00:00

Occasionally, we do receive email requests from customers who would like to know if we have a shop front location and how they can purchase yarn or knitting related materials from us. If you have been one of them, you would most likely receive the f > read more

Shoulder cover ups

Published on 2010-10-26 21:00:00

Isn't it ironic that though Singapore is known to be a tropical island with hot humid weather, we knitters and crocheters are often in the quest for appropriate shoulder cover ups? Blame it on the blasting air-conditioning in the malls and the cold- > read more

Amigurumi 編みぐるみ [crochet toys]

Published on 2010-10-24 21:00:00

I am sure those who are into crochet must have one time or another heard of the term above. Although in wikipedia, it refers to both knitted and crocheted items, somehow it's my personal impression that the crochet technique is often preferred. Yan > read more