Crochet for Charity #1

It has always been my wish to do some charity work since years ago but wasn't into the idea of volunteering work.  I also have this dream that if I were to open a store selling food or a bakery, I will let the elderly eat free at my store and free bread/cakes at my bakery.  Well, that did not materialize... yet but I am still hopeful that one day that dream will come true.

On the other hand, something did happened unexpectedly and I had my wish to do some charity work.  Last year, a friend linked me up with a group of crocheters and knitters at Give a Little Warmth to make scarves and beanies for SWAN Fund, an organisation that collects donation for the needy, mainly in Thailand. 

I am so grateful to both my husband and son, they are so supportive when I said that I joined the group for a good cause.  They gave me time to myself when I mention to them that I am making scarves/beanie for SWAN Fund.  They even gave me suggestions on the design and color combinations.

It didn't take me long to join them, and in a span of months, I managed to make 6 scarves for both adults and kids in the midst of fulfilling my orders.  It was not a great contribution because some of them makes 50s or more in those months, they really have fast hands!

This year, they added beanies to the list, the group dived in to work almost immediately and the result was tremendous!  Some of them made as many as 50 beanies with almost the same amount of scarves!  Look at the many bags of beanies and scarves, all packed and ready to be sent to Thailand!

A friend blessed me with a few skein of printed yarns and I used them to make the 8 beanies below.  These are Marvel 4 Seasons 8 ply acrylic yarns, beautiful printed colors but some of them are of darker shades.  I didn't fancy dark colored beanie coz I wanted my beanie to be happy beanies with bright colors that brings a smile to the person wearing it.  Thus I double up the yarn and was amazed how differently it turned out to be when it's paired off with different solid color yarn!  I had such a wonderful time making these beanies because I never know how the whole thing will turn out till I finish the last stitch.

I love this printed yarn but thought it's kinda dull color for a beanie so I added another brighter lavender to it. Am pleased with the color combination. I would like to explore more mixed colors project in future. #shopofcurios #crochetaddict #crochetingmum #sgmumblogger #craftblogger #crochetblogger #ilovehandmade #ilovecrochet #whatsonmyhook #wip #crochetwip

A photo posted by Jennifer (@shopofcurios) on May 26, 2016 at 12:53am PDT

Here's another one using the same printed yarn but pairing it off with a beige yarn. What do you think? Still as sweet? #shopofcurios #HOTH #ilovecrochet #ilovehandmade #crochetaddict #crochetingmum #crochetbeanie #mumblogger #craftblogger

A photo posted by Jennifer (@shopofcurios) on May 27, 2016 at 8:16pm PDT

Here are the beanies I made, I put them on a Styrofoam head to show you how great they look on the head, gorgeous aren't they?

Adult's Beanie

Kids Beanie

This is an on going project by SWAN Fund, besides monetary donation, they also accept donation in kinds such as soft toys, clothes etc, great way to pass on the things that are still in good condition but you no longer needs them.

If you like to do your part too, you can contact them on the following links;

SWAN Fund

Website : http://swanfund.sg/

Facebook :  https://www.facebook.com/swan.fund/

Alternatively, if you wish to contribute some yarns to me so that I can make scarves and beanies for them, do drop me an email at shopofcurios(at)gmail(dot)com or send me a private message in my facebook page here.

Fish Boxtroll & Boxtrolls Keychain

I have this girlfriend who has been throwing birthday parties for her girl with different themes every year for the past 8 years.  They are not simple themed parties with themed cakes and deco, it is complete with games and entertainment for every one.  It is actually one of the most look forward event for us every year and this year it is extra exciting because she approached me to be party of the party~  

In 2014, the 3D stop-motion movie Boxtrolls, a story based on the novel Here Be Monsters! by Alan Snow hit the screen.  Both of us, together with our kids, fell in love with these night creatures.  Thus, the birthday theme for this year is Boxtrolls!

I searched the web and came upon Little Black Marker and her Fish Boxtroll, she did an amazing job in creating Fish Boxtroll, however she uses other materials such as felt and cardboard to make up Fish's eyes and box, which I wasn't keen on coz I would like to keep it to yarn and crochet.

At that moment, I have no idea how I can replicate that, I took out the yarn, stared at it for seconds with ideas/methods racing through my mind and I started to visualize how I want the eye patch, eyes and box to look like.  Once I have that image, I held on to it and sets my hands working.  It turned out not too bad eh?  

The biggest satisfaction I had was the fish applique, I did not follow any pattern nor wrote it down before hand, I just did a mental pattern and made it, there were a couple minor mistakes where I have to frog it to redo again, 15mins later, the fish applique is done.  

I was contemplating whether to make the box in one piece or in 6 separate pieces, after thinking it through I decided on the latter.  I sew the pieces together with the same colored yarn with simple whip stitch, this creates a "fold" which makes it looks more like a box.  I didn't want Fish to have removeable box so I did not make his body, instead I made the head, arms and feet then sew them onto the box.

I used 4mm hook on acrylic 8 ply yarn, it turned out to be about 30cm from head to toe, a good size for the birthday girl to hug it to sleep.

My girlfriend wanted the little guests to have their own Boxtrolls too and so they each will have a Boxtroll keychains with their initials on it.  It took me quite some time to start doing these fellas because I couldn't find the RIGHT yarn, it's either of the wrong color tone or unsuitable yarn thickness till I chanced upon the jade colored cotton yarn from Daiso.  I was so happy that I almost jumped up with joy on the spot!  It almost match the color tone of Fish Boxtroll too! 

This Boxtroll keychain is my pattern, again mental pattern only; yes I have a habit of doing that which probably is not a good practice, I should try to pen it down some time soon, but they are simple basic stitches that not too complicated. As with Fish Boxtroll above, the box are 6 separate pieces sewn together for that "boxy" effect.  

Initially I wanted to make just "stick" arms and legs but it didn't feel right to me; injustices to these little fellas too, so I made fingers and thumb for them - don't they look cute?

Overall the whole thing turned out much better than I expected, from the feedback from my girlfriends and the mummy friends they love them too! 

I am very proud of myself with these Boxtrolls because this is my 2nd mental pattern (1st is a Batman keychain), it just makes my heart flutter with excitement knowing that there are 23 of them out there, showing off my creations to the rest of the world.

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