Baby shoes and a new coaster

I've been really busy making hats, hats and more hats! My Flickr set will show that. XD In any case, I got a request from my friend if I could make baby shoes. She likes the ballet type of shoes. So I searched for patterns for baby shoes I could use as basis.

So after a bit of searching, I found these cute baby shoes. The pattern is for mary janes but I thought that if I didn't add the strap, it should be a fine enough basis for baby shoes, ballerina style. And I was right!

The baby shoes without the ribbon. Not yet, that is.

Aren't they adorable? I don't have ribbon at home so I'd have to get some tomorrow or before I give them to my friend. I just added 5 chain stitches to make a slot for the ballet shoes' ribbons. Because I used variegated yarn, I could buy peach, cream or light blue ribbons. The next time I make them, I might use two strands of cotton thread instead of just one. Oh well. Now I know better. :)

Because the thread was just too cute, I decided to make a coaster for myself using this thread. :D I have a booklet with patterns for doilies and coasters. I'm still not totally used to reading patterns using the marks instead of the words. But I have no choice but follow the diagram because the booklet's in Japanese. The coaster wasn't that bad. It's quite usable. :)

See? It's not so bad. It's really colorful!

Also: I finally made one of my notebooks into a yarn and thread scrapbook so I could remember which ones to buy and how to care for items made using them. After all, each kind of yarn or thread will have its own quirks.