Knitalicious
Knitting, stuff and craft that I do.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Happy Chinese New Year
Christmas - red and green
Chinese New Year - red and gold
Valentines - red
Remember the dahlias I planted last October? They have bloomed in time for the all the celebrations.
Happy Chinese New Year everyone. May this year bring us all luck and happiness!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Australia Day and Caps/Hats
Time of late has been a frenzy of activities looking for a job, attending interviews and adjusting to waking up early in the morning again for work. Today marks Australia day as well as the 1st week of work. I thought I’d compile all the hat/cap knitting I've been up from last year to date to commemorate.
Yarn :- Lincraft, Big Wool
Needle :- 5.5mm Circular Needles
That Cloche Thing
Pattern :- Cloche from Craftster
Yarn :- Jaeger Luxury Tweed and another nameless similar one from my stash.
Needle :- 6.5mm Circular Needles
A satellite TV knit that took me 3 weeks after completion to find the time and energy to felt it. Felting wasn’t as difficult as my first experiment. I got worried when I first soaked it. It went from a shapeless bowl shape to a big flat pancake. I was apprehensive that it won’t shrink back, thankfully after 15 mins, it shrunk well. In fact, it shrunk too well. I would have liked it to be longer. Added a ribbon and flower for that lovely vintage look.
Rowan Rope Yarn Beret
Pattern :- Beret, Rowan It’s a Rope Thing
Yarn :- Rowan Cotton Tape in Taupe
Needle :- 6.5mm Circular Needles
Following the instructions, it turned out too small. I don’t think my head is big, I always had trouble finding caps that fit me because they are too big so it shouldn’t be me. I ripped it and added an extra panel to make it bigger. Other than that, it’s a nice easy knit. Love the effect!
Now if you will excuse me, it's time to celebrate Australia Day. Cheers!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas my dears.
This is my very first Christmas in Australia after moving here. It's been a long time since I felt Christmas. We haven't settled down truly, we have yet to find our own place. We don't have a Christmas tree to hang ornaments on nor could we offer much to our family and friends or indulge ourselves in all things Christmas. Yet the feeling is there. Perhaps it's because for the first time, I feel that I have a choice, things are falling into place and that I am truly with family. I just had a pre Christmas dinner with my family, and tomorrow we are going on a short fishing trip with family.
I wanted to take a nice Christmasy photo to show you gals when I saw this beautiful rose from my aunt's garden. So here's a gratuitous shot of the rose from the garden for you. Merry Christmas my dear family and friends, I wish you all peace, happiness and joy in your life.
Friday, December 21, 2007
This.. 24...Freaking... Hrs
Adding to that, the stupid bag now has to be frogged entirely. It looks really odd doesn’t it? The whole proportion is wrong and I followed the pattern to the T, ignoring that little voice that was telling me all the time something was wrong. Now my throat is swollen with hayfever and I’m just fuming with every stitch I unravel.
I just need to vent. Someone give me a baseball bat and show me a target.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Making an anthill out of a molehill
Huffing, fuming and thwarted from buying the exact yarns I desperately need for this and that pattern, I looked for some loop holes. The yarns are still in the carton boxes buried deep into our unpacked boxes and I can’t get it out, there is currently no place to store them until we rent a place permanently. I have to keep digging the box out and sealing it back on. Tedious, tedious. We head on to Bunnings where I sulkily picked a plastic storage box to store my yarns for ‘easy access’.
What? Ok, ok I haven't unpacked the box of craft books & mags and the 3rd carton box of fabrics.
Yes hubby, I said meekly, there won’t be any yarn purchases until I finish my stash.
Until next time that is. :)
Friday, November 23, 2007
Adrienne Vittadini Lace Ruffle Cardigan
Now for some knitting news. For some of you still guessing, the finished FO is the Adrienne Vittadini Lace Ruffle Cardigan.
Pattern :- Lace Ruffle Cardigan from Adrienne Vittadini
Yarn :- Jaeger
Needle :- 4.5mm Circular Needles
I have been knitting a bit since I arrived. And somehow, the Ruffle Cardi got finished (finally). This has been one slow knit. The front, back and sleeves was completed a while back but still hanging off the needles. Rip Rip Rip. I can't remember how many times I had to rip the sleeves or the 2 front panels. Because of sizing and fitting issues. So much so that I dropped it for a while. When I got back to it recently, I have forgotten where I left off and had to relearn the whole blabberdash again. Again, fitting issues. It was too long at the top after binding off and the sleeves could not be seamed to it. Rip Rip Rip.
The finished jacket was was an anti-climax. The fit wasn't quite what I expected and I'm feeling overdosed by this particular lace pattern. I thought it may be because I haven't wash and blocked yet. Well, it's been washed and I haven't a place to block it. Bummer. Anyways, I'm still trying to kid myself that it'll look better after blocking. The front panel is a little too narrow and it pulls the neckline out. And the front somehow is still too long.
My fault really. I forgot to factor in that cotton is heavy and it stretches, throw in lace and ruffles into the equation... well end results above. On a positive note, it's still very pretty with the detailing and all. And it's not all that bad. I like how it looks when I overlap the front like a wrap jacket. I might just sew a button to it. :)
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Souffles & a Mini Herb Garden
Souffles
Hubby and I have ventured into the realm of desserts and occasionally, main dishes. We had some vintage ramekins in hand and souffles was one of the first desserts we tried.
We forgot to use a knife to slice around the ramekins so that it rises properly instead of rising in the middle like a cupcake. So far, we've tried lemon, choc chip and orange, choc chip and banana, choc chip and strawberries. Souffles anyone?
In the garden
Spring in Melbourne is unlike spring in Perth (where I lived before). I guess we came at the right time. The landscape is like a wonderland, constantly changing everyday as spring creeps in. In Malaysia where they are small and wilt quite quickly. Here, there are flowers everywhere and they are so huge! I should take a picture of the orchids here, it really grows well here. And everyone has roses in their gardens. The colors are amazing big and lovely roses of all kinds! I took a picture of the rose bed in the family garden. Gorgeous colors aren't they? I have to get my hands on some purple roses when we find a place of our own. I just can't get enough of them. And all this has inspired a mini garden of sorts for us.
That's our little mini herb garden we started. I have always dreamt of having my very own herb garden to play around with. Oh the possibilities!!!
Of course, I couldn't resist these either when I saw them in the local plants section. Dahlias! I got a little pot of mixed dahlias and a black dahlia bulb to plant. I hope they turn out well with the heat.
A Finished Knit
And just to peak your interest a little, gals, yes I finally do have a FO to show. Can you figure out which one is this? It's washed and being blocked now and should be ready for show in the next few days. :)