Happy Belated New Year!!!

I’ve always had a thing with ribbons. Something about them that is just so pretty and versatile. I love to collect them although I never knew what to do with them. Most of the time, they end up crammed and crumpled in a box. Until the other day, an idea struck me. I finally found a happy way to store my ribbons.


Fancy a box of ribbons? Life is a box of ribbons, you never know what color you'll pull out? Happy New Year everyone!

Rubbles & spring cleaning

Thank you everyone for such wonderful comments on the bunny baby set. For those who actually thought I had my own baby news to share, hold that thought until I get hitched! :D Now that I've read the title, I do have to agree it was misleading. Sorry for that! For those who wanted to know where the pattern came from, the Bunny hat was from Baby Center. The socks pattern came from IK Summer Knits 2005. For those who want to do this pattern, I think the pattern has to be modified a bit. The bunny ears made the hat top heavy and as a result couldn't stay on her head. So I'm gonna modify it so it fits better. There is something about baby and toddler knits that gets to you. I’m already planning for my 2 nieces in mind.

But one thing at a time. I did promise to put my FOs, WIPs and ribbits in order first. Among other things, I’ve also started a clean up on my Bloglines, some links are broken and I still can’t figure why my list doesn’t show up in my blog. I also notice that after a long break, my writting skills have pretty much detoriated to the point of being jerky. Bear with me ok? I promise to improve. :)

Macrame Belt

I recently got hold of Sweaterbabe's Fabulous & Flirty Crochet and couldn't resist trying out something immediately. This book is definitely a good buy. There's so many great patterns in it. You can even purchase the individual patterns at her website.


Pattern :- Macrame Belt from Sweaterbabe Fabulous & Flirty
Yarn :- Half a ball of Organic Cotton Yarn
Colorway :- Buffalo
Time :- 3 days



This was a quick crochet. The pattern calls for Bullion stitches for that macrame look. Pretty fun to master.

Rebeeca Chevron

Pattern :- Chevron Top from Rebecca 29
Yarn :- 4 balls of Cotton Candy from Artful Yarns in
Colorway :- Jellybean
Time :- 5 days



This one is again a very fast knit. One thing I didn't anticipate was how stretchy the yarn was. Candy is actually 64% cotton 32% acrylic 3% nylon 1% elastic. It drapes well but is really really stretchy. I strung the ribbons through the holes so it covers the front. I think this might be a knit best worn with something underneath it without a ribbon. Still a versatile piece.

Baby Talk

After my post about my self imposed abstinence, I felt reasonably revived to do a spring clean of my little craft corner. I had 2 bags cramped full of swatches, unraveled yarns, WIPs, bag handles and other knick knacks, some of which I couldn't remember how it got there. I ran through my list of WIPs and waitlist, categorizing them accordingly and was revving up my engine when I got intercepted. Quite pleasantly I might say.

Introducing couple T. Couple T is actually my other half's brother and wife. They have never showed any interest in craft let alone knitting except to occasionally make sure the cat doesn't get to my yarns left precariously out in the open when I visit. To cut the long story short, they were expecting a stork to drop them a happy bundle then. Their daughter was born 3 days ago.

So when my bf casually told me they requested for a baby hat one fine day, I was caught by surprise. Seriously, this couple has never ever shown any bit of interest in anything other then good food. Now, I already had the intention to knit up something for the baby although given their disinterest in craft, I was very prepared that they might not appreciate something hand knit. So yes, I was very pleasantly surprised because I know they were a very sweet down to earth couple and the fact that they asked indicated that they'd appreciate it. I was already excited thinking of the possibilities of different designs for a baby hat.

So the next I saw them, I asked what sort of baby hat they would like. His brother promptly said "A bunny hat!" with a big grin on his face. I could only stare at him, then I couldn’t help but smile back at them. Really they are such a cute couple. Hey, it's their first child and they were so excited, I'm not about to say no to a bunny hat. It's a pretty cute idea actually. Then their mother chipped in and said "Oh! And a pair of socks for the baby too please." Hmmmm... socks.

But socks! Oh my... socks! If you haven't notice, I'm not a socks person. In our weather here, you tend to wear clogs and sandals more then you wrap them up with warm woolies. In truth, I'm terrified of handling 4 double point needles at one go. The last try ended in disaster. Somehow my fingers and the needles kept getting in each others way. So I was pretty worried about socks.


a random shot of my furkid wondering why mommy's furiously trying to tackle some yarns and ignoring her.

So my piles of WIPs and ribbits got shoved aside. I had a deadline here. I found the cutest bunny hat pattern ever. As for the socks, I found the baby socks pattern in IK Summer 2005 I had always kept in my mind. And what yarn would be perfect for babies around the equator? Organic cotton yarn of course! I used the Oatmeal which was a nice pinkish cream brown color. See how everything clicks together?



The bunny hat went quite fast. My only concern was the fit. So I made it a bit bigger with a ribbon to go around so they can adjust the size. As for the socks, gosh! The first one took me 3 days of trial and error. First I made it too small, then I made it too long, then I messed up the short row heel, the sock became too bent and etc. I was so relieved when I finished it to my satisfaction. It's mate took me another 1 day on and off. I have to say it was a very cute introduction to socks knitting.



And since the theme was bunny ears, what else but cheerful carrot orange ribbons all around? They are now proud parents of a baby daughter and the hat and socks set shall be delivered within a day or two.

Resolutions? Not Anymore!

During the later part of last year, things were getting busy and I didn't have as much time as I'd like to craft. My stash was getting out of hand, my yarns were everywhere and I couldn't keep up with all the wonderful patterns out there. Mom couldn't sit on the sofa because there was knitting needles planted there growing mushrooms. So, sometime end of last year, I made a resolution to stop purchasing yarn and mags.

Despite a devious crafty little mind going crazy trying to work ways out to circumvent my restraint every now and then, I've managed to behave myself quite well. I'm pretty surprised myself. A rummage through my stash recently was a startling revelation.

My new stash since beginning of this year. Yay!



Clockwise, the 2 balls of blue green yarns you see on your right are Candy from Artful Yarns. The one and only time I succumbed to eBay. Next, there's yummy organic cotton yarn sampler in all their colorways and 1 skein of mulberry silk yarn. The organic yarns and silk was something that I had wanted for the longest time.

You probably can't read the piece of paper there in the middle of the yarns. But it came with the cotton yarns. For those unfamiliar with organic cotton, here's what it reads

"Color grown cotton will not fade with washing; instead the colors become richer and brighter. If the color fades with sunlight, simply wash it and add a little washing soda to brighten it again.

For sampling, the greatest change happens when you place yarn in water, heat to boiling, take off heat and let yarn cool in the water. This can be done in a microwave also, use plenty of water. Try different alkaline solutions for different color changes. Add some washing soda."

And get this... These yarns in the picture are all that I've purchased this year. Can you believe it? Well, neither can I. That's just 2 purchases for the past 10 months. Considering that I've been relatively good, This a little additional to the stash won't hurt....Right?

Experimental Knitting

One of my friends recently started knitting. She's taken to knitting and crocheting like a fish to water. :) I asked for her kind permision to post her very first knit here.



She wanted to do a bikini for her young niece. So after a few basic knit and purl lessons, we went off shopping for yarns. She settled for Sirdar DK Pure Cotton in a nice bright pastel yellow. Isn't it the cutest thing?

Experimentation

I've recently started to dabble in a lot of other stuff these couple of months. Beading was one of them. So, I finally got around to experimenting with beads and wire knitting and made a bracelet.



I made a couple of them. Quite interesting. The crocheted ones weren't as great though, it looked very messy. Have you ever tried to unravel crocheted wire? :) Well, don't.



Pace yourself if you want to try it. Knitting with wire is painful to your fingers too much at one go, it is also quite slippery on the needles.

reVamp

Hello my dear friends!

It certainly had been time to change my blog for the longest time and I finally got around to it. Hope you enjoy the new look.

Life have been full to the brim. There's been some creativity and craftiness but I hadn't time to take photos and blog. Rather then one big entry, it'll probably be more palatable in small doses. So, here's one update.

Claying Around


Some friends and I decided one day to go for claying lessons. Thus we engineered our foray into clay. That was fun! We were all given a tour and explanation on how it is done and then given basic instructions on how to do a simple bowl. Unfortunately, by the time we remembered we had a camera, our hands were all so full with clay, there was no one left to take pictures. We all had fun building our lopesided clay bowls. After we were done, we left them there for the baking and finishing process to be picked up after 2 weeks. So here's my lopesided clay container.



Branching Out


Miss Branching Out was a gift meant for my Aunt in US. I've been dragging my feet on it for the longest time after I messed up the instructions and sat on my wooden needles during a tense moment in CSI: Miami. Yes, one of my wooden needles broke. I was so upset after I didn't look at it for a long time. (*Yes, I do realize it wasn't Miss Branching Out's fault)

After neglecting it in my WIP pile for so long, I jumped when I realized that my deadline was up. Mom was going to US and I only had a few days left before she does. I was definitely out of time. I had to whip her out, fast. This time round I really enjoyed the pattern better then my first time. Kinda sad when I reached the end of the scarf. But anyway, I barely had time to finish blocking it. I had just enough time to hang it on the laundry pole and snap a hurried picture before mom carried it off to be packed.

I wish I didnt' procrastinated so I could take a better picture. This picture really does not do justice to the color of the yarn. It was a beautiful blue with wisp of gold and red thread running through it so that the color changes subtly every 5 inches or so. But I was very glad it turned out so pretty. Anyway, pretty lil Miss Branching Out is now with my aunty.

Lana Grossa Jacket

Hello my blog pals! How's everybody doing? Wow. It didn't hit me until I logged on that I haven't updated my blog since Jan. Bleeah. Well, I have been pretty much busy with work ever since I joined my new company in Feb. Nothing much happened in craft town until recently. Finally finished something worth blogging about 2 weeks ago but haven't had time to take photos and share. So here goes :


This was the Lana Grossa pattern I took on. It was actually a very fast knit that took me ages to finish.


LOL This is my version of it. The yarn I used was Phildar Flirt. Sort of a thick skin slubby yarn. The frills on the collar didn't seat well. Too over done with the yarn being thick as well. So I tried to make it more versatile. The jacket lapels have been modified into ribbings, which is more to my taste. I can wear it with the lapel folded down the way shown in the picture as well as unfolded.



The other thing I did was to replot the sleeves and changed the sleeves cuff. I ribbed it as well and elongated it and added a slight flare to it. The finishing touch was 2 mini buttons and a crocheted button loop. And Voila! Zee jacket is done. Overall, apart from the fact that my mom has snagged it, I'm pretty happy with it.
:)

Tagged

Hi girls!

I haven't much to show. I haven't exactly been productive craftwise. Lots had been happening at my end. For all the peeps who thought I MIAed, I'm truly sorry. There has been quite some upheavals. I've got news though! Things happened rather quickly all of a sudden but bottomline is, I'm moving to a new company! Phew! There are still many loose ends to take care of, but ...:D So I'll still be MIA for a while until things settle down a bit. 2005 was pretty turbulent, so let's hope 2006 would be better.

Sewing and Knitting
As for knitting, it has been just as frustrating. I've messed up Butterfly a bit. Now the front has 86 stitches and the back has 89 sts, I have no idea. And Frilly jacket was ripped again. Thank you too Kitty kitty on the heads up on the sleeves tutorial. I read part 2 but somehow, part 1 and part 3 escaped me until you pointed it out..:)

Thank you girls for such nice comments on the clothes make over and the votes on the Chinese satin fabric. A Line skirt it will be! I promise to post a picture once it is done. I'm working on a mock DVF dress right now.

Oddball Meme
I got tagged by Ruth. So here goes..:)

***Ground Rules: The first player of this "game" starts with the topic "5 weird habits of yours" and people who get tagged need to write a blog entry about their 5 quirky habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next 5 people to be tagged and list their names.***

1. Sandles - I normally go around with either sandles or sport shoes regardless of what I'm wearing unless otherwise required. I have lousy feet that tend to hurt if I wear fashion shoes and walk around with them. So I need to take care of them.

2. Shopping - I'm really lousy with shopping. Unlike my girlfriends here, I can't shop whole day and I can't shop like them. I tend to browse real quick and wilt after 2 hours of constant shopping.

3. Music - I love music of all sorts except heavy metal and high soprano stuff. Hearing a song that I like sometimes is enough to start me moving subconsciously. Sometimes I get nudges when friends realized I've started weaving and bobbing a little to a song in the middle of shopping.

4. Singing - Yep, music does that to me too. Sometimes at work when I'm too into something and listening to music, I start singing. Once a while, I get looks and nudges too or a "What are you singing?" question.

5. Spicy Food - I've been getting a lot of incredible looks when it comes to this all my life. I can't take spicy food, I tend to gag or choke if it is too spicy. And in Singapore and Malaysia where it is all about hot spicy food, most of my friends ask which planet I'm from everytime they find out. LOL

Hmm who to tag? How bout Doreen, Vanessa, Celia, Michelle and Happy Spider. No obligations of course. :)

Pincushion
I have nothing crafty to show except this.



This was my second attempt at something handmade meant as a gift for a friend. But somehow, it is just not working out and I'm kinda frustrated. My mom took one look at it and pronounced it ugly and old, my other half suggested "Why don't you get her something else." Sigh, I really did want to make her something nice. As for my first attempt, ugh! Don't even ask, I'm too embarassed to show it. I don't understand it sometimes this gift thing simply isn't working out and I seem to be having a designer's block.

Entertainment

For the Chinese, right now, it is normally the time to do a spring clean so that our houses are ready to usher in the Chinese New Year, which is arriving next weekend. While cleaning my room, I came across these drawings I did in the past. Occasionally, I'd get these urges to just draw and I'll just do something that catches my fancy. Though, it's much less nowadays. Since I have nothing else to show, I thought I'd share some for fun.


This one is my favourite for sentimental reasons, quite simply because I have a fascination with unicorns and what they represented when I was young and also, it was my first piece of drawing I attempted.



Later girls!

Sewed Out

Knitting has taken a back seat while I revamp my wardrobe. Partly also because I’m bored with Butterfly and Lana Grossa Jacket had to be ripped back, I think I’ll call it Frilly Jacket from now on. The instructions are a little messy and the charts way off. It’s the actually the first time I attempt a piece with sleeves and that much seaming. Can’t say I’ll enjoy the seaming bit later. Anyways, I was doing the 2 sleeves at the same time. It came out way too big with the instructions given. I had to rip both sleeves. I threw the instructions out of the window after. I’m attempting to map it out myself. If anyone have references to how to map the sleeves, now would be a good time to share..:D please please please!

As said, I have been busying modifying my wardrobe. I think I’m obsessed with it. It’s just so fun to find something that you bought a while back but think would look better if some modifications are made that, with a sewing machine and a bit of basics, you could! And suddenly, I find myself digging out stuff that I bought but put aside because it didn’t fit well or I didn’t quite liked how it looked. I was kinda shocked, the pile is quite… err… high? Ack ack! But I’m having fun. Amazingly, I bought quite a few good stuff 5 years ago that I can still wear but required modification because it didn’t fit well and sewing by hand is just too tedious. Woo hoo!

T-shirt and jeans makeover


The T-shirt was initially a turtleneck, I loved the material, it was very comfy but I hated the turtleneck bit which was bit uncomfortable since I have a long neck. I prefer scoop necklines, it suits me more. What I basically did was to wear it, determine the width and depth of the scoop neck I wanted, marked it and then fold the T-Shirt into half and cut. Then I bought a bit of bias tape and sewed that on. Note though that with T-shirt material, it is advisable to bast it on first before the actual sewing or it will stretch and distort. I’m loving how it turned out.

Oh, did I say the T-shirts came in a set of 3? :D

Jeans


As for this pair of jeans, I loved the way it fitted me, but I didn’t check the seams properly when I bought it. The seams where the pants leg joined weren’t sewed on at all. The sewer must have been daydreaming or something. By the time I found out, which was after the first wash, it was too late. The threads had unraveled and I’ve thrown the receipt away. So anyhow, I’ve seen a tutorial on how to turn it into a skirt 3 years ago, always wanted to do it, but lacked the materials and equipment. No second guesses what happened! Yep, skirt it became. Though, this pair of jeans was boot cut. The shaping made it difficult to shape into an A line skirt.


Sorry bout the photos, that was all I could manage with shaky hands. Not too bad. But I’m still thinking maybe of unpicking the stitches again and try to tack it again. I just might.

Skirt??


Now girls! Opinion please! I just got this really gorgeous fabric out of inspiration. But I’m beginning to doubt my madness LOL. I wanted to do this Foldover skirt from Simple Chic. Mom was saying that because of the stiffness of this material, it would make the stomach look like it is bulging out. Should I consider this pleated pattern instead? The pictures are not clear. The main difference is that in the first picture, the fold starts right at the waist band. In the latter picture, the fold starts about 6 inches lower and away from the waistband. Or should I consider a simple A line skirt instead?

1.) Option A – First Pic
2.) Option B – Latter Pic
3.) Option C – Simple A Line Skirt

Girls?

Simple Chic Blouse

Hello peeps! I hope everyone had a great Christmas. There is still the New Year celebrations to look forward to and Chinese New Year at the end of January to busy ourselves with. I'd guess everyone is still in a holiday mood? :) I know I am cause I'm clearin leave for the whole week! Yay! Yes, I suppose it is easy to tell it has cheered me up a lot. Though I'm pretty amazed at how many errands and things have to be run daily. It astounds me sometimes and time flies by like a jet plane. So alas, no, crafting has been put aside for a while. On the other hand, I've been a good girl and have been making myself do my "To Finish" pile. Like weaving in ends for minisweater and UO shrug among others. :P Yes I'm terrible at that sometimes.

Simple Chic Blouse



This blouse is from Simple Chic. No 1. The slight sheen and the geometric pattern makes it difficult to photograph well. I took it many times but details like the neck tie still doesn't show as well and the geometric pattern isn't as dizzying in real life as in the photos. Anyways, if you had thought sewing is easier then knitting like I did, you thought wrong. There were a lot of false starts and real stops. But all in all, I'm happy with my first piece. There are defects but I can live with it. On retrospect, I think I could have done without the buttons at the back. I can slip it on without unbuttoning. I might just do another one with slight modifications. Next in line would be a faux DVF dress and a nice little slip dress for Butterfly. All that, after I finish that huge pile of clothes I'd like to alter or embellish..:D Ok, obligatory blouse on me shots.



On Other FOs
Thank you girls for the tips and suggestions on MiniSweater. I've decided to leave it as it is. All I've done is weave in the ends and sew the armholes smaller. I might add a button if I see one that goes well with it, but for now, I'm content to just tie it on. As for Butterfly, I'm not too sure yet. I might just do as Joy suggested, shorten it if I start thinking I'd start crying if I have do another stitch. Muah haha!

Happy New Year Girls! Hope it'll be a great one for all of us!

Updates

I was getting ready to do a long update, then I realized that more than half the pix I took was so blur they are not usable. Sigh... So some updates then until I can retake the other photos. I've completed sewing a blouse from Simply Chic. I'll have to retake the photos before I can post. I've also started a jacket from Lana Grossa free pattern archive. I'm already eyeing some other projects.

Life is still busy. Lots of things in planning and set in motion. As for blogging,
I'm begining to wonder bout keeping a blog or bloglines for that matter. I get a bit batty nowadays cause everytime I log into Bloglines I have 400 over posts (and counting) to contend with. I no longer enjoy it. :( I feel like I'm plowing through them Darn it, no fun. I do still enjoy reading the blogs of people I know or are close with. Apologies all round, I do try my best to drop by whenever I get some free time. You girls totally make the effort worthwhile. :)

Just in case I don't get back in time for another post before Christmas day itself.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPAY HOLIDAYS everyone!

Butterly

I never thought I'd feel this way but Butterfly is starting to bore me to tears and I'm only at the hips. Before I started Butterfly, I was bit hestitant cause reading the forums, they've encountered problems with the pattern. I'm just glad that Kiri was my first lace project. I learnt a lot from it. Butterfly is actually quite a simple lace stitch. Only 2 lines of 6 sts to remember. It's fast, but because it is a dress, it's still very slow going. Worst is I can't watch TV while doing this to ease the boredom. If I ever get to the finishing line, I'll be very glad to finish it.

Bangle Bag



My bangle bag was done quite some time ago, but I didn't get around to finishing it. Now finally the lining is completed. I think I could possible try a side pocket next time. These 2 pics are all I got. The rest of the pictures were so blur they gave me a headache just looking at them. This is the same color lining I'm using for the bamboo cluth. Though, I have a feelin I might redo the bamboo clutch to sort out some pattern problems.

Knitty Bittys

My Surprise Gift
When Ruth said she had something for me and was sending me a package, I had no idea! I didn’t know what to expect. Then, it arrived! Just look at the package! It’s awesome!



That one time I commented to her about Yarn Harlot. She remembered and she sent me, not one, but two of Yarn Harlot’s fabulous books! That’s not all! Ruth also gifted me with a Knit Bits Calendar wrapped in that really cute piggy present wrapper and also KoolAid! I’ve already poured through one of her book in one sitting. It was as hilarious as promised. I know I’m going to thoroughly enjoy and savor the rest of the package. A Big Thank you to you Ruth! This package made my day!

MiniSweater
My minisweater was done quite a while ago. I had decided not to post it because I was uncertain about it and haven’t quite made up my mind. I haven't tied up the ends and I have not blocked it yet. I used 3 balls of Schachenmayr Punto in Blue that I had.

I added picot edging for the sleeves and hem. I thought it would be fun to give it a little pixie look with flared picot edging sleeves..:)Now I'm not too sure. Blame it on the Christmasy spirit going around with that pixie theme in my head. Heck if I had green, I'd probably used that for minisweater LOL And now, my problem with it is this : -



1.) The sleeves are very pixie looking
2.) The overlapping hem edges are too long. So long that I have to knot it to close it instead of sewing in a button to fasten it down.

So girls, I have half a mind to leave it as it is and another half a mind to frog it but I’d like to hear your opinions. Should I leave it as it is? Or correct the sleeves only or hem edges only or both?

Rumblings

My apologies to Kitty Kitty & Meowgirl for getting both their names mixed up with that tag. :) I've ammended that post.

Erin had asked what yarn I was using for Butterfly, I'm using Sirdar Silky Look in Champagne, which I dug out from my stash. :)

I have nothing much to add for now. I have so many things to share but no time to take pictures and sit down to organize my thoughts. I just felt guilty that I've been neglecting my blog.

Minisweater is completed, Butterfly doesn't flutter, it plods. And I've cast on for another project, one with simple st st so that I can knit that in the car. I'm not about to risk fumbling with Butterfly lace sts when one eye is looking at the road. I'm putting this down so I'll get myself moving to take photos soon to show. I don't think I'm too pleased with how my mini sweater looks. But I have no patience to frog right now.

I have had another 3 balls of Gedifra California which I suppose will have to resign itself into becoming another shrug. I had my eyes set on this other number. But it looked like minisweater. It is a variegated white grey color and I haven't found a pattern that speaks of a match. Any great ideas girls? I could always count on good suggestions from you ladies..:)

I'm being distracted by a myriad of things. My sewing for one, and other crafty endeavours for another. Mom has also set up something which I'm helping out with. Ever heard the phase there is not enough hours in a day? Yea, nowadays, I wish that the day has 36 hrs.

My yahoo got hacked into recently. So girls, I will no longer be using Yahoo. If anyone message you or email you with my ex-profile, please ignore.

Rant on Yahoo Skip if you don't wanna hear rant

Also, take note, that Yahoo sucks big time. Make sure ur firewall is up and that you log on securely because otherwise it is unsecure. Their support personels are also useless and don't give a hoot about their users.

I wrote 4 times to them requesting help. Each time I get an automated reply. In my 4th email to them, I pointed out to them that the hacker went in and changed my profile details, I can't verified my original profile, it's been changed. However, I can provided details that is not from my profile. Information that would be logged in their email server, like my IP or my timetable. All of which would be logged in their mail server and can't be hacked like my profile. I asked them, you are going to allow a hacker (who changed my profile data) to rummage through my emails because I can't verify my changed profile. I have sensitive emails inside. At least suspend or delete my account if I can provide matching details (Not from my yahoo profile) to their log. I don't see why they can't, especially if Hotmail staff can and will go that extra mile. They emailed another automated reply to me saying how they can't do anything because I can't match details with what is in my yahoo profile.

I sincerely hope the twerp of a hacker will get just dues in the end. And as for yahoo, they can go fly a kite for all I care. It'll be useless to do anything now, it's been 5 days. The hacker would have already rifed through all my mails and gotten what they want. My account is lost, with it, 10 years of data. I was with yahoo for 10 years and this is what I get in the end. I certainly won't be using them anymore, not if that is what they call support.

Tagged

Tagged by MiMi and Kitty Kitty and also Meowgirl(if she had gotten to me first :))


1.What is your all-time favourite yarn to knit with ?
All time favourite? Hmm, I don’t really have one yet. I like to experience different yarns. Though if I have to choose, Rowan 4 ply and Knitpicks Alpaca Cloud comes to mind.

2. Your favourite needles ?
None at the moment actually. It depends on what I’m knitting. I have a preference for circs, pointy points and the kinda of nylon string that doesn't twist so much like the Addis.

3. The worst thing you ever knit
That have to be my very first project. Eons ago, while I was still a teen I saw this off shoulder sweater on a TV show that I just had to have. I got the stuff in KL. The Malaysian knitters will find this very familiar. The shop suggested doubling the yarn. Yup, their favorite con. They didn’t follow any pattern either. Let’s just say the pattern wasn’t even like what I described to them. I chucked it aside when I reached the collar. It weighed a ton because of the doubling of yarn, was way too warm for weather here and I knew I’d never wear it. I dug it out 6 years down the road, completed it and gave it to my aunt who lives in a colder climate.

4. Your favourite pattern
Don’t have one, but I have many favourite patterns LOL. Right now I’m into ruffles and lace. Current favourites are Butterfly and AV Ruffled Cardigan.

5. Most valuable knitting technique
A few actually. Knitting in the round, (I hate seaming, I’m terrible at it.) Short rowing as my Lelah attested. And continental knitting.

6. Best knit book or magazine
I haven’t found a best. I’ve found many good ones.

7. Your favourite knit-along
Currently, it has to be Butterfly a long :)

8. Your favourite knit blogs
Well, I wouldn’t be reading if I didn’t like them now would I?

9. My favourite knitwear designer
I draw inspiration from things that catches my eye. So, I don’t really have a favourite designer yet. No designer has been ‘calling’ my name.

10. The knit item you wear the most.
Orangina. It’s the only piece that can work and play at the same time.

Flutterings

I took the opportutnity to take pics last weekend while snapping some samples. Life is still hectic. I'm still wishing for a long break which would be hard to come by right now. Anyways,



That's my butterfly progress. Not much huh? I have another 4 to 5 repeats before I'm done. My knitting and sewing is really plodding right now. Good news is, I found the right shade for the shift I'm going to make for butterfly to wear under. Yep, butterfly is lying right on top of it. It's a warm dark chocolately wine color. That's the way I can best describe it. Do you think it goes well?

I got a nice fushcia pink lining to go with my bamboo bag. But yep, no time yet. I'm also plodding with minisweater until last night. I had to frog it completely to restart. That's what you get when you are too tired to pay attention to your knits at 12 midnight.

I'm leaving you with these wandering soap dispensers. They do look like they are looking about their surroundings. My favourite pair of tourists, recently arrived..:)

When I saw them, I knew I just have to get them. I find the overall packing really unique and appealing. The sheep, which reminds me of wool and knitting and a cheerful translucent minty green colored mint flavored hand soap! Pretty unique my part of the world. Well, don't look at me like that! I know the soap in the dispenser is white. Well...:) you didn't think that the mint flavored soap would stay in there forever right? For some reason after getting it, my bathroom seems to be a favourite whenever anyone needed to wash their hands. I had to refill with whatever else I have now until I get more the next time. There's other cutesy in this range too.

PS I know my blog is having some technical issues. My bloglines subscription list has disappeared too. Bear with me yea, I haven't have the time or energy to deal with codes right now.

Of Garters and Bags

Annual leave I said, it's beginning to look more like a sabbatical..:) I'm still catching up on a hundred and one things in my life. It doesn't seem to be slowing down. Anyways, just a quick 'sporadic' post here.

My Friend's Wedding Garter





This is the second garter I'm doing for her wedding which is coming by very soon. The first garter was too loose and she wanted a snug fit. I wish she would let me put beads at the lace edge though, it would have been lovely but she didn't want anything that might cut into her skin while wearing it. A very pleasant crochet this one.

Bamboo Bag





Few weeks back, there was this one day I felt so stressed out, I just sat down and knit and knit and knit. I think I slept at 3am or so. Knitting under duress. LOL This is a bag I whipped up that night with the one ball of Rowan River Tape that I got. I quite like the effect with the bamboo handles. It's not completed yet, the lining haven't gone in yet and I have to figure out some technical details, like how to keep the stitches on and how do I want my lining to be like and the sort of button I want there. I used a semi precious stone as a button there, but I'm finding it heavy.

Nothing much else. Butterfly is plodding, I forgot to take a pic of that. Nothing else a doing yet. Some plans though. Cheers!