I’m not sure how I feel about Small Business Saturday being sponsored by a company like American Express instead of being a grassroots campaign, but you know what… at least someone is shedding light on the thousands and thousands of indie businesses that are often forgotten during Black Friday sales. So, I guess I feel thankful that such a large corporation is working in our favor (for once).

However you feel about holiday sales, whether you’re a participant of Buy Nothing Day (AKA #OccupyXmas), or don’t even celebrate the holidays, I wish you a great weekend and hope you get to spend lots of time with your loved ones.

Photos by A&K Photography

Having a mountain of yarn in my room from general over-buying, and forgetting-about, I chose a few colors that I thought she’d like (and that I liked!) and went to town. I don’t even know how many granny squares I crocheted, but it felt like a million. (Also, in real life this reddish yarn is actually a pinky magenta.)

Also, if you are new to reading my blog, I live in San Francisco, where Mark Twain is rumored to have once said “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco,” so, you can imagine how it’s possible for me to crochet year-round. Visiting home in Victorville (aka The High Desert) is another story.

By the time I got to my parents’, all I had left to do was sew up the rows. This required the entire blanket to be on my lap at times. Talk about being warm!

Benny, cuddled up with Mr. Panda, watching the VMAs

But luckily with the urgency to finish it before her graduation party, and the adorable encouragement of my sister’s dog Benny (seen above), I finished it! And my sister loved it. Mission accomplished.

If you’d like to learn how to make a blanket of your own, here’s a great tutorial on how to make granny squares over on The Purl Bee: http://www.purlbee.com/granny-square-project/ And if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or shoot me an email at hellotati{at}yahoo{dot}com. I’m happy to help!

Ain’t nothing better than giving a handmade gift. And I’m not only saying this because I’m a maker of handmade things, but because it’s true. The effort and love and time dedicated to making a handmade gift is palpable.

Ok, that was a little dramatic. But true, although, I was watching Frasier while I made these, and eating those sugar cookies with the frosting. SO good. Anyway, Rocio asked me to make something for our good friend Bri’s birthday. We thought gloves would be a good idea. I was excited to make these because I have been wanting to try my hand at a glove pattern for honestly about 2 years now, but just keep getting side tracked. I searched on Ravelry and found this pattern by Robyn Fleming. The gauge was a little different than Robyn’s pattern because I used Vanna’s Choice yarn (the only choice! haha). I heart Vanna’s Choice. It’s super soft and there are amazing colors to choose from. Anyway, my chain was 30 stitches in length instead of Robyn’s 25. I made a few changes as I saw fit, but overall it was a great pattern for glove-making beginners like myself. I hope Bri likes the gloves (and doesn’t see this blog entry before she receives them in the mail)!

I still need to upload some hats, so stay tuned!

This past weekend when I was at home my mom asked me to make her a pair of booties the way our boonia (grandma) used to make them, with a puff on top. She had this pink, purple and blue glittery cotton candy-esque yarn that she never used, so I crocheted it up and made these for her! She totally loves them, and I do too. When I started making them I wasn’t really sure how they’d turn out because a.) I never really use multi-colored yarn and b.) those colors aren’t really my style… but as it turns out, I kind of proved myself wrong. Also, the big puff is as adorable as it is funny at the top of the slippers. Kind of reminded me of the munchkins of Oz.

Everyone, meet Boo Yao, Boo Yao, this is everyone.

I’m currently house sitting, and have a new kitty “friend.” I use the term “friend” loosely as this kitty and I are still learning how to get along. Really, she’s a sweetheart, but she’s just always all up in my grill; see photo evidence above. Anyway, she loves attention, so everyone, send Boo Yao your blog love.

Aside from kitties, I’ve been working on my Babushka Etsy shop update for September 1st! I’m really excited about it. It always feels nice to dream up a big goal and actually accomplish it. I’m really close, and the 1st is only a few days away. Anyhoo, I’m off to brunch and have face time with some of my favorite people, and then more crocheting. Happy Sunday, everyone!

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This weekend I was feeling the crochet itch, so I decided to work on a new product for the shop. I went with these cute booties. I worked on two prototypes before I perfected it, and voila, here we are.

I read a good tip online that if you add puff paint (or, three-dimensional paint) to the bottoms, then it will prevent you from slipping. Lord knows I’ve been watching a lot of Six Feet Under lately, so I thought it would be wise to prevent these accidents from happening.

I added cute vintage-inspired buttons and am excited to make some more of these little booties. I’ll have some in the shop in about two weeks so there will be plenty to choose from, along with special something for the gentlemen… stay tuned!

(Photo Credit)

Oh my goodness. Hats, hats and more hats are being created from my overflowing basket of yarn these days than in past years. I have Ravelry to thank for that, as lately I’ve become inspired by the plethora of quality patterns available there for affordable prices. I really, really recommend that everyone support independent knit and crochet pattern makers by purchasing your patterns on Ravelry or Etsy instead of seeking out free patterns. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love free patterns, but it’s really important for the DIY movement (and the REVOLUTION) to support our community of crafters, artists and creative thinkers. OK! Having said that, I just wanted to share what I have been working on. Nothing too too crazy or exciting, just new. Here we go!

This beanie was made using the Kelechi Slouchy Beanie Hat pattern by Donna Rutledge-Okoro on Ravelry. I’ve actually made this hat twice… both times using the same color of yarn. I initially made it for my friend who works at Barbie… I thought the Barbie pink was appropriate, but then I just fell in love with the color and made another one for my coworker who recently shaved her head to raise money for Children’s Hospital Oakland.

Ahhhh, this is what I’d like to call my SF Pride beanie. Why? Well, obvious reasons aside, I actually started knitting this bad boy in June 2009 in anticipation of SF Pride Week, since I was visiting and wanted to be festive. Turns out, I didn’t finish it on time, and it was a million degrees that weekend anyway, so, such is life. But, after being on hold for many months, it is finally complete, and will be a new addition to the shop whenever I have time to upload it. This beanie was not made using a pattern, just my brain.

Last but not least, we have the Owl Earflap Hat, pattern by Adrienne Engar on Ravelry. This was made to celebrate the 26th birthday of my good friend, and Babushka Designs Southern California Representative, Cathy. A few years ago I made her a beanie with cat ears, so I thought I’d continue the tradition of sorts with this little guy.

That’s all for now! I’m still getting through my first crocheted blanket ever… I’m about 60% done. I can’t wait to share that. Also, I’ll be posting some info soon about upcoming craft festivals that I’ll be attending (or Cathy will be attending) with our good friend Mrs. Guava of Late to the Revolution. Stay tuned!