About Little Precious Stitch

About us

classics inspired modern designs. baby clothing and accessories

1. When did you learn crocheting and knitting?

My mother taught me crocheting when I was in primary school. I made charms and pencil cases to give away to my friends then. During my college year, I learned knitting from a craft shop owner and YouTube. However, I left the hobby aside for many years and picked them up when I was pregnant with my daughter. And I have never stopped since.

2. What inspired you to start Little Precious Stitch?

I started designing patterns when I was pregnant. I want to shower my dear baby with dainty clothing and accessories purposely designed for her. This blog is established as a platform to share the timeless classical designs with modern flair. 

3. Tell us about your designing process.

I am inspired by many things, the colours of the yarn, the nature and simply everything around me. I like to incorporate classical stitch such as cable into my designs. Seaming is a nightmare for me, and it can take ages for me to seam pieces together. I love seamless patterns, so all of my sweater pattern (well as for now) are constructed in a way to minimize or avoid seaming.

I like to decide which decorative motif I want to incorporate in my design first. Next, I would consider how to incorporate the stitch into a design’s construction. I also like to make my patterns customized to the liking of crafters. Therefore, I add variations such as different hemming methods or cuff designs in the pattern.

4. What is your favourite yarn to work with?

As a person from a tropical county, I prefer natural fibre like 100% cotton or yarn with a high percentage of cotton. For baby clothing, I prefer thinner yarn, like DK and sports. It feels more delicate overall in comparison with thicker yarn.                                                                                        Do you have other obsessions aside from yarn crafting?

Absolutely! I love coffee, Japanese craft books, hand lettering, bullet journaling, and I’m learning sewing baby clothing. I guess I don't have the patience to make adult clothing. LOL!

5. How do you find time to crochet and knit?

To find ‘me’-time for crafting is hard for a mom who works full-time is hard, I have to admit. Waking up early (for me 6sm) and pre-planning in my bullet journal help tremendously. I usually indulge in knitting, crocheting, and pattern write-up when the baby naps and in midnights.

6. What camera are you using?

I don't own a fancy camera. I just use my iPhone SE to snap all photos. Emil Parkalis shares tonnes of tips on how to snap photos like a pro on http://iphonephotographyschool.com.

More questions you want to ask? Want to know more about Little Precious Stitch? Just comment below. =)

Test Knitters Wanted - Spring Bloom Baby Cardigan

Hi all, I've just completed this darling baby cardigan size 12 - 18 months, and completing the sleeves of size 6 - 12 months. It's open for test knitting now. Go over to my Ravelry forum post to respond to it. 

Size 12-18 months for my colleague who ordered a custom made for her daughter,

Size 6-12 months for my daughter. There is an extra yarn over in this one compared to the brown one above.

Introducing the dainty baby sweater with lace yoke! The lace yoke is designed to make knitting interesting and add sweetness of this adorable piece. No short row is needed to accommodate for room for shoulder, which makes it an easy knitting piece.

Target Number of Testers: 10 (about 1-2 testers for each size)

Approximate Hours to Complete: 10 - 15 hours

Deadline: 25th November 2016 (Flexible)

Tools:

• 3.9 mm 60cm-long circular needles (or other size to obtain gauge)
• 3.9 mm dpn (or other size to obtain gauge)
• 3.67 mm circular needles (or other size to obtain gauge)
• waste yarn
• markers
• darning needle
• buttons


Materials: 
Yarn (Light worsted 100% cotton or any other material, as long as it’s not fuzzy like eyelash yarn which might impair the visibility of design) 
For size: 0-6 (6-12, 12-18, 18-24, 24-48) months 
500 (700, 800, 1000, 1200) metres


Difficulty: 
Intermediate, techniques used in the pattern: pick up, provisional cast on

Pattern Style: abbreviated, written, with chart for the lace yoke.

Inexperienced knitting testers accepted? Yes!

Digital photo of FO required? Yes, please. =)

Expectation on test knitting: 

I would like

• Each tester knits the sweater of their chosen size. If more than 2 testers knit the same size, I’ll request another tester to knit the size no one picks up.
• pattern to be tested on the clarity of the pattern, technical errors, spelling errors and layout.
• I would like testers to post photos to their project page and link their project page to the pattern page once it goes live. Photos and pattern details cannot be shared publicly in any form (Ravelry, blog, etc) until they have confirmation from me and the pattern is published.
• to have feedback on the fit of the items so preference will be given to testers with children to try the items on.
• generic project survey filled in, specifically on the clarity of the pattern, technical errors, spelling errors and layout.

What I've learnt after 3 months of Bullet Journaling

Hi pals. How have you guys been? Well, I've been busy with family, work and customed orders at Little Precious Stitch. I'll list on Ravelry and Etsy after I complete the orders. 

Front cover with my favourite font.

But anyway, today's topic is about bullet journaling or BuJo in short. I first discovered BuJo in early June this year, and I was extremely thrilled I've found a system suits me, after failing the ordinary planner system, which is too rigid for me.

And in August and early September, I had what Boho Berry mentioned in her vlog 'planning slump' as I was simply lazy to plan and busy with my work and family stuffs. 

Then earlier this week, it came to my mind that avoiding planning when one's busy would probably make the busyness more crazy. So, here I am BuJoing again with a brand new notebook (my third notebook actually) I bought a while ago.

It's a cheap dot gridded notebook I bought online. There is a ribbon bookmark, a back pocket and an elastic closure. I've never tried any branded ones but I think mine is of reasonable quality though the elastic closure is a little loose. I don't use fountain pen. However, I think there might be ghosting ghosting is you use a heavy inked pen. 

Evolution of my bullet journal:

• more minimalist style compared to when I first started bullet journaling
• use a vertical Dutch door system for monthly and weekly logs
• use conventional monthly log date system, than a calendar look log
• progress tracker for my goals
• colouring and wash taping for weekly and monthly logs, respectively

With this new notebook, I incorporate Dutch door system. I was stoked when I discovered this system on Pinterest (can't remember the webpage). I think part of the reasons for my planning slump is my notes and dailies are scattered all over the notebook and I couldn't bear the messiness. This system would work perfectly for me as I can write notes after pages spared for the weekly and daily logs. 

I use the vertical Dutch door system for both my monthly and weekly logs. 

Monthly spread with calendar on the left

Monthly spread with goals on the right, and there's a fold for expense tracker

For the monthly spread, left page is for calendar and right page is for goals. In the middle, there is a sheet for habit tracker and expenses tracker on respective page.

Fold in the middle of the monthly spread, first for the habit tracker

Rolling week with goals, to-dos, and habit tracker on the left

Rolling week with dailies folded

This week, I use rolling week system introduced by Jessica from prettyprintsandpaper, as I started the weekly log halfway through the week. I really like the rolling week system for weeks when I don't have all dailies to fill in. Bew\tween, I also like to write Bible verses on my dailies, during my Bible reading (part of my morning routines).

Next week, I'll set up a full week with left page for my weekly log and right page for weekly goals. The daily logs are on the folded sheets. So basically my set up is like the horizontal Dutch door system but instead of cutting the pages I fold them, for more space to write. 

There're many collections like prayer list, master to-do lists are yet to be transferred and filled up. 

How's your BuJo going? What do you use your bullet journal for? How has BuJoing changed your life? What are your collections?

I'll be very happy to listen to your comments. Till then, bye and see you again!

Lacy Leaf Baby Cardigan

The cardigan is in size to fit 24-inch chest.Honestly, I think the motif would be more prominent with a
more rigorous blocking. 

So happy my colleague loves it and bought it instantaneously upon seeing it!

As you've noticed from my previous baby bonnet pattern, I LOVE LOVE LOVE lacy leaf motif and try to incorporate them whenever and wherever I can in my patterns. Here is the pattern of a feminine lacy baby cardigan/ sweater I made using blended cotton a while ago, before I gave birth to my now 10-month old daughter.

This sweet card is suitable as a layering clothing. It is knitted top down, and the sleeves are made by picking up stitches left on waste yarn during splitting for sleeves. The yoke is in stockinet stitch and the increase is raglan style, which means there's basically no room for confusion in increasing! To add feminine flair to this lovely piece, lacy leaf stitch is started after the underarm.

Materials needed: 

Yarn : see table for yardage 

Needles : 3mm 60cm-long circular needles, 3mm dpn

Notions : markers, darning needle, buttons.

Gauge: 27 stitches x 36 rows = 4 x 4 inches on 3mm needles

Abbreviations:

CO : cast on

k : knit

k2tog : knit 2 together 

kfbf : knit front and back and front (increase 3 stitches)

m1L : make one left

m1R : make one right 

p : purl

mb : make bobble 

pm : place marker

psso : pass slipped st over

R : row

WS : wrong side

RS : right side 

sm : slip marker

ssk : slip first st purlwise, slip second st knit wise, pass  

          both st back to left needle, knit both st together 

st : stitch

yo : yarn over

Make bobble:

Small bobble: (k1, yo, k1, yo, k1) in a single st, k5 together

Large bobble: (k1, yo, k1, yo, k1) in a single st, turn, p5, turn, k5, turn, p2tog, p1, p2tog, turn, slip one knitwise, k2tog, psso.

Sizes: To fit chest of 15, 17, 18 and 22 inches

Neck band:

CO 46 (55, 59, 73) st.

R1 (WS): *p1, k1* repeat **.

R2 (RS): increase 8 st evenly. Note: I used kfbf (57, 63, 67, 81 st).

R3 & R5: repeat R1

R4: increase 8 st evenly. Note: I used kfbf (62, 71, 75, 89 st)

Continue to yoke.

Yoke:

R1 (RS): k9 (k12, k12, k15), m1L, k1, pm, k1, m1R, k9( k10, k10, k12), m1L, k1, pm, k1, m1R, k18 (k19, k21, k27), m1L, k1, pm, k1, m1R, k9 (k10, k10, k12), m1L, k1, pm, k1, m1R, k9 (k12, k12, k15).

R2 (WS) and all WS: p

R3 and all RS: k to first st before marker, m1L, k1, sm, k1, m1R, k to first st before marker, m1L, k1, sm, k1, m1R, k to first st before marker, m1L, k1, sm, k1, m1R, k to first st before marker, m1L, k1, sm, k1, m1R, k till last st

Repeat R2 & R3 until there are 158 (183, 211, 257) st on the needles. Count the st at the WS.

Split for sleeves: k26 (k30, k36, k37), place 28 (30, 36, 56) st on waste yarn, back loop cast on 4 st, k57 (k63, k67, k71), place 28 (30, 36, 56) st on waste yarn, back loop cast on 4 st, k26 (k30, k36, k37).

Continue to body.

Body:

For all sizes:

Knit stockinette stitch for 3 rows, end with row on WS.

R1: k3, *k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3* until the last 11 st, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k4.

R2 & all WS: p

R3: k3, *k1, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, ssk, k2* until the last 11 st, k1, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, ssk, k3.

R5: k3, *k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, k1* until the last 11 st, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, k2.

R7: k1, k2tog, *k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, slip 1 purlwise, k2tog, psso* until the last 10 st, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, ssk, k1.

R9: k3, *yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k1* until the last 11 st, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k2.

R11: k3, *yo, k1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1, yo, k1* until the last 11 st, yo, k1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1, yo, k2.

R13: k3, *yo, k2, ssk, k1, k2tog, k2, yo, k1* until the last 11 st, yo, k2, ssk, k1, k2tog, k2, yo, k2.

R15: k3, *yo, k3, slip 1 purlwise, k2tog, psso, k3, yo, k1* until the last 10 st, yo, k3, ssk, k3, yo, k2.

R17 - R32: repeat R1 - R16.

(R33 - R46): (Only for 20- and 24-inch chest)

R33: k3, *k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3* until the last 11 st, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k4.

R35: k3, *k1, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, ssk, k2* until the last 11 st, k1, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, ssk, k3.

R37: k3, *k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, k1* until the last 11 st, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, k2.

R39: k1, k2tog, * k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, slip 1 purlwise, k2tog, psso* until the last 10 st, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, ssk, k1.

R41: k3, *yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k1* until the last 11 st, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k2. 

R43: k1, *yo, k1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1, yo, k1* until last 11 st, yo, k1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1, yo, k2.

R45: k3, *k3, mb, k1, mb, k4* until last 11 st, k3, mb, k1, mb, k5.

R47: k3, * k4, mb, k5* until last 11 st, k4, mb,k6.

Continue with stockinette at for 3 rows, end with row on WS.

Continue hemming using mistake rib hem.

Sleeves:

Using double pointed needles, pick up 28 (30, 36, 56) st on waste yarn and 4 st casted on using back loop CO.

pm at the middle of armpit section.

17-inch chest:

K for 7 rows, sm, k1, k2tog, k till last 3 st, ssk, k1. (2 st decreased).

k for 7 rows.

Continue with R1-R16 for body.

19-inch chest:

K for 7 rows, sm, k1, k2tog, k till last 3 st, ssk, k1. (2 st decreased).

Decrease 1 more times.

k for 7 rows. 

Continue with R1-R16 for body.

20-inch chest

K for 7 rows, sm, k1, k2tog, k till last 3 st, ssk, k1. (2 st decreased). Decrease 3 more times. 

k 4 rows.

Continue with R1-R16 for body.

24-inch chest:

K for 7 rows, sm, k1, k2tog, k till last 3 st, ssk, k1. (2 st decreased). Decrease 4 more times. 

Continue with R1-R16 for body.

Mistake rib hem:

R1 (RS): k

R2 (WS): *p1, k1*, repeat **, end with p1 on the last st.

Repeat R1 and Rs for 5 more times.

Bind off using Elizabeth Zimmerman’s long tail bind off (to match my long tail CO), you can use any bind off method you like instead.

Button Bands:

Using smaller needles, with RS facing, pick up and knit approximately 2 sts in every 3 rows. 

R1 (WS): p2, (k1, p1), repeat pattern in bracket until 1 st left, p1.

R2 (RS): knit all.

R3: Same as R1.

R4: Work buttonhole row (on one side). Make 5 to 10 buttonholes, evenly spaced in band. 

Repeat R1 and R2 two more times ending with WS. Bind off loosely on RS. 

Buttonhole: k2tog, yo, continue knitting until the next intended buttonhole

Finishing:

Weave in ends, sew buttons to band opposite buttonholes, and block finished garment. 

Download pdf file on Ravelry.

Tell me what you think of this pattern! I'd love to hear your thoughts! Enjoy knitting and share your finished projects (here or ravelry). =)

Basic Crocheting and Knitting Course Launched!

A number of friends asked me to start teaching and after much preparation, my first basic crocheting and knitting course is launched!

Venue: Sungai Petani/ Bukit Mertajam

Time: October 2016

Seats available: 5 persons 

Content of course:

1. Know your yarn and notions needed

2. Casting on

3. Knit, purl, different types of increase & decrease

4. Binding off

Concise course with clear instructions to enable a TOTAL BEGINNER to knit this adorable baby bonnet.

Save

Baby cardi to knit

I love love love the design I just purchased! You can tell from my previous design, Mori Hikari baby bonnet, that leaf motifs are my FAVES!

http://tincanknits.com/pattern-HUK-lush.html

Baby Cardi Design in Process

In designing mood again! 😁✌️

Knitted using yummy 100% cotton yarn, this top down raglan style baby cardi incorporates mini cable.

Hope to finish this baby ASAP! Striving hard to 'squeeze' some time everyday for knitting. 😄