NYBA

Yep No Yarn Buying until Easter. Since:-

1. it's my current obsession which I feel I should learn to control (yeah right)
2. my credit card needs a break
3. I decided I like the feeling of finishing something for a change so I want to work on the stash I have first before buying some more.


After finishing Butterfly, I was half heartedly knitting on the green Japanese Lacy Top and looking around for something new to start. I know I was thinking of Rogue, but I can't seem to print out the pattern. For some reason, I get stuck at page 15. Something about slow network connections in the office. I can't print it at home as my printer there is on the blink ( need more ink!!).


So I casted on for Lara from Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk collection using Filatura di Crosa Zara. WOW! this is just about the best wool yarn I have ever knitted on. I mean it's soft and not fluffy and it doesn't have those bits of vegetable matter you have to pull at every yard intervals. It feels lighter and cooler than some cotton yarns I have felt up. I guess it's true that some wool yarn can be lighter and cooler than some cotton yarn.




The colours looks like freshly steamed prawns - there's no other way to describe it.


Then I caught sight of these two lovely patterns in a Japanese pattern book while browsing in a book store yesterday -




(sorry about the quality of the pic)

So I thinking of not doing Lara with this yarn and using it for the sweater on the left.

Decision! Decisions!

Secret Pal

I think I have the best secret pal ever!!

On valentine's day I received a $20.00 gift voucher from Amazon - whooo!
Then the next day I received a little postcard from her with recipe for Southern Fried Chicken.
And yesterday I got another package containing the Knitter's pocketbook - a journal where I can keep track of my stash and projects- and a kit to make a beaded clown fish which is too cute.

I surfed around Amazon a bit before deciding which books to buy and I settled on



Spin It - by Lee Raven - of course so I can learn a little more about what I am doing with that Spindle.


Knit Socks - cos I want to try knitting socks and don't have a clue where to begin.


Thanks Secret Pal Mwahh mwahh!!!

The other big news is .....

I FINISHED THE BUTTERFLY

I sewed the last seam yesterday at 2.30 am. My little boy has a fever and I was waiting up to give him his last dose at 3.00 am, so what better activity to keep me awake then seaming? Let's just say today is not a good day to be talking to me about quantum physics or asking me to operate heavy machinery.

I put it on immediately to have look at myself in the mirror and ... hmmm. although I am pretty happy overall- I just have to knit pick a little on this project.

1. I have the sloping shoulders - perhaps it's to do with the seaming - perhaps If I used a binding stitch instead of a mattress stitch to seam the shoulders, it might tighten up the top a little.

2. I liked this pattern partly because the front left and right looked as if it was cut away - ie slimmer at the bottom - gradually increasing to the bottom of the collar than decreasing back. Mine just hangs straight down and looks kind of limp.
If I ever do this again, I'd probably draft it out and do the increase - decrease myself. Or I may put a little button flap at the back of the jacket to pull in the waist a little.

3. I love this chevron stitch - it really shows off the Noro colourway and I am happy with the colour way I choose. BUT after putting it on for less that 10 minutes, I was already swimming in my own perspiration. Also I don't like the heavy drape, it seems to detract from the lovely pattern. I am very tempted to try this again using a double knit cotton yarn with similar variegations - a yarn that doesn't hang so heavily.


I will be putting up a pic - just as soon as I block the collar.

Catch the Spindle

It's arrived!

My little starter kit arrived on Monday from Inspirations Yarn and I wasted no time in opening it up and giving the spindle a little twirl. But the twirling spindle caught the eye of my two-year-old and he came running to inspect the new Toy. No amount of "Mustn't touch" could stop him from trying to play "Catch the Spindle" which meant I had to put it away until he was in bed for the night.



What an appropriate Valentine's Day surprise for my love affair with fiber.



Unfortunately, DH and I had to do this dinner thing that evening so I couldn't play with the spindle until the next evening.



The next evening - this is what I produced:-

Corriedale roving

It's looks like more roving than anything but I've seen some novelty wool which looks similar. I have to save this little skein for posterity. My first skein of hand spun yarn.

My next efforts did look a little more promising but with a different roving - a Shetland

My DH looks like he's seriously worried. He said " umm.. I thought spinning was done with the wheel thing and Rumpelstiltskin will come and help you at night?"
I just answered " I haven't got a wheel yet, but maybe I'll get one once I've saved around US$700."
I think he turned a slight shade of green but he didn't say anything more. I'll give him a break - I won't buy any more stash for the whole of Lent.

Butterfly update
I am still halfway through the Butterfly's Collar - with another 6 inches to go. It's slow going cos it was freaking hot here over the past week! Just felt like yesterday when Lyn and I were freezing our butts off in Starbucks.

But I am sure I'll get it done by this this week. That is, if I am not too distracted by, uh, other things.. ;)

Happy Chinese New Year

Will be away at my in laws for a week.
Frantically trying to finish Butterfly by midnight tonight!!
Have fun with family and friends for those who celebrate and don't pig out too much.

Mail box heaven

Look what popped into my mail box on Wednesday!





Yeap it's the Koigu - soft luscious beautiful Koigu.
Except for one thing - that skein of dark green sticks out like a sore thumb.
Take a step back.


Nope still sticking out!


Anyone want to trade for this skein of Koigu Solid? There's a label with this number on it - 1510/9 and it is dark forest green. I'm happy to trade for another skein of Koigu PPM in a lighter green colourway or make me an offer.


Now that I have got my Koigu - I can lay this obsession to rest now - very happy not to make anymore Koigu purchases for at least... oh 2 months.


Meanwhile I also receive a pack of 10 Filatura di Crosa Kid Mohair from Emy in Singapore for a steal! I absolutely love the mohair and it is a fraction of the price of Rowan's Kid Silk Haze. Didn't have the time to take a pic this morning but I have to break it out this weekend and bring it to our meetup for a fondling session.
Planning to do Polly's Kiri shawl with this lot plus other projects from the Lavish Lace books.


As for the Colinette obsession, it still continues although under control. I keep picking out balls of yarn from my stash of odd balls of eyelash/fugly scarf yarn and placing it side by side to see if I could make a nice striping progression. I will keep working on it and see if I can't come up with a pseudo Ab fab throw/ stole by the end of the weekend.


I realise that it's the Ab Fab pattern that I am mad about - although that may change once I receive my first lot of Colinette yarn.



Feeling a little rich today as my Quilt book Dear Jane that I put up on eBay is garnering a lot of interest and is almost at its retail value with another 3 days of bidding left to go.


Now this book isn't out of print - and yes it is signed by the author but it is addressed to me. So I didn't expect it to go for more than half the retail value. Half of me feels like emailing the current higest bidder and saying "Are you sure you want to pay so much for this book?" But then I see bids for Alice Starmore books or for the Proper Stitch going above $100, I think I should just be quiet and get the most out of what I can.


Then the other half of me ( the pack rat half) is thinking, "Why am I selling my precious book?". Why indeed! So I may one day save enough to buy a spinning wheel, that's why!


I have Jane Ellison's Simply Noro up for bid as well as packs of 50 2.5 inch Cotton squares. Do check it out if you are interested.

SP4 Questionaire

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high- a nd/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
Not really fussed - yarn selection here is so dismal that I am sure anything from US/UK/Canada is wonderful.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I want to start spinning but haven't really ordered the basic items yet. I know how to crochet but it isn't my favourite pastime.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Not that I know of.

4. How long have you been knitting?
ohh maybe 20 years or so but I took a break for about 12 years and started again last August.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Lavender and violets

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
prefer savoury

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Rubber stamping, cross stitch , hardanger, tatting ( also learning)

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like quite a variety ranging from Swing, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, ro marron 5, Linkin Park ( no kidding) and the soundtrack to all the Lord of the Rings movies.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?
I am partial to the purple, lavender and pink, but am trying to get more into blus and greens.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married, one 2 year old son and no pets

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Ohhh - I love handpainted yarn - because I live in a tropical country, the yarns are use and mostly lightweight - cotton or cotton blends. Although I lust for wool , i know it isn't practical.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Not found one yet.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Ab Fab Colinette Throw, Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk designs.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Lacy Scarves and Cardigans.

17. What are you knitting right now?
err - Noro Butterfly, Japanese Cotton Lacy Top , Lacy Tunic from Rebecca

18. What do you think about ponchos?
don't think I'll ever wear them

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? I can do both

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
no bamboos - for some reason I can handle the squeeking as they rub together

21. Are you a sock knitter? haven't tried although it is in my plans one day.

22. How did you learn to knit?
A teacher in boarding school taught me how to contruct a sweater - before that I just knew the basic rib- purl straight rectangular type of knitting.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
oh 3 months or so

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Boo - from Monsters Inc and I like cats

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Koigu. Colinette.