KnitNut Natters

Moorish Mosaic Afghan

2011-12-23T18:59:00.003+08:00

The original is a mosaic of earthy colours evoking the balmy skies of the south of Spain.

Since it was published in Interweave Crochet, hundreds have been choosing their own medley of colours and all of them have been breathtaking

You can see my medley of colours in the three motifs I made below, Grass Green, Deep Rose Red, Light Orange, Light Salmon, Lilac and my main colour Grey.

Project Link on Ravelry

I think I may have been too ambitious by choosing to use a variety of mercerised cotton instead of worsted weight yarn.

Originally planning for a baby blanket of 9x9 motifs - that has changed to 4 x 4 and possibly even 4 x5.

Here's where it stands now ( pic by Instagram with Lomofi filters)

BUT here I am already to start crocheting during the Christmas break in Malacca when I realise I forgot to bring my hooks.

Sigh!

Here's the google image search "Moorish Mosaic Afghan" for your inspiration

Review: The Winter King

2011-11-30T15:31:00.001+08:00

The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another Arthurian legend with a twist, but very much in line of a Britain in decline towards the dark ages.

Not your Morte D'Arthur variety, Bernard Cornwell's Arthur is a warlord, not a King, albeit a far-seeing leader in search of a united Britain as a last defence against the encroaching Saxons.

We know the rest, the Saxons won and Britain became England, entering into popular obscurity until the Norman Conquest.

View all my reviews

Review: Lord of the Flies

2011-09-27T15:14:00.001+08:00

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wrote a review for this book for an English exam in 6th form and received an A+. It was read out in class! Wish I had that review now.

I remember it to be profoundly disturbing.

(This book was my first introduction to English literature as a subject, where I learnt to look at language, themes, alliteration, and a big word called "Onomatopoeia". Awesome memories.)

View all my reviews

Review: The Goose Girl

2011-09-27T13:39:00.001+08:00

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this re-envisioning of a half forgotten fairy tale. The additional elements of special gifts extend the story easily to sequels, and the romance is tasteful and utterly believable.

Its beauty lies in finely tune clear cut prose, none of the flouncy flowery language that often becomes too heavy handed for young adults. And none of the heaving bosoms, or rippling muscles either.

View all my reviews

NZ May 2010

2011-07-05T17:23:00.001+08:00

NZ May 2010, a set on Flickr.

It was a year ago and I have just finished processing and choosing the best ones this album

So It begins again

2011-07-05T16:50:00.003+08:00

18 months it took!

18 months and plenty of social media experimentation such as Ravelry, Twitter, Facebook and now Google+.

It's a lot of changes for little blogger me.

I tried to microblog on Twitter and nothing beats the instant gratification of a reply or a mention not to mention the instant validation of the re-tweet.

But then it became more of a conversation rather than a self expression.

Then there is Facebook, all that poking and clicking on games gave me RSI and formed a habit for FB credits.

Ravelry has relevance mostly to my knitting yet I feel I have more to say than just about my craft....

Sooooo, in the interest of just recording the random, the meandering or just plain self- indulgent me.. KnitNut will Natter about anything.

Quick update to show this video.

2010-03-13T11:50:00.001+08:00

So not on the ball!

2009-07-01T19:37:00.003+08:00

I have been obsessing on the Clapotis since 2004.
Just look at what Clapotis search results on my blog. It's been a epic tale of stops and starts and looking for the right yarn.

And yes I was complaining about the price of Lorna's Laces then... My My how things changed.

Anyways I sucked it in and did me a nice little mini Clapotis using Handgefaebrt's Merino Extra Fine in Night Elves.

Here we go (warning! lot's of photos)

All in all I used up the whole skein of 570 yds in total and about 6 and half feet long. Yes it is very long but ooooooh sooooo soft.

Still I think a more variegated yarn would have given this pattern a bit more punch.

Here's to the next knitting obsession. And pray it not take another 5 years before completion.

Mourning the loss of BSG

2009-05-08T18:43:00.003+08:00

BSG (Battlestar Galactica) ended last month and I have been a blue funk since. To be fair - it has its ups and downs and some very illogical stretches of imagination that suggest thet the Cylons ( ie the writers) didn't really have a frakking plan.

BUT it has been compelling and very good tv for 4 years plus and the penulitmate episode made me stand up and cheer. For once we have a good non cheesy, non CGI pretentious sci fi show that dealt with universal issues. Yes the Star Trek franchise had played its part but when was the last time there was a good Star Trek series. Before, the sci fi genre was still the the domain of geek boys and fan girls who were always thought of as .. erm ... off the radar. I think this has all changed with BSG or at least it should...

In any case I was a doofos and didn't release that Final Five Cylon siren call was All Along the Watchtower. So here I have embedded a video of it in it's entirety - the BSG version - with clips from Crossroads Ep 1 & 2 - one of the best episodes in the series, I think.

Battlestar Galactica - All Along the Watchtower(Full song)
Uploaded by boyeatsgirl - Watch feature films and entire TV shows.

PS. On the crafty front - here's my latest spin FO

Singles from Baby Batt from FeltStudio UK

Fluffing Around

2009-04-04T18:18:00.002+08:00

I am sure you all have had days like these. Go off on a holiday and come back taking a long time to rev up your engines again. It's the same with hobbies, work or family. I didn't want to come home, just wanted to lie around in the sun, at the beach or just in the hotel room doing nothing.

DH and I took a break to Phuket two weeks ago. More updates on that when I can get my photoshop capabilities back on.

Just before we left, I started a new project, but I haven't touched it since I got back. I have got to only this point with my Firestarter socks from Yarnissima

Just a few days ago I received something that cheered up me up a lot more.

These are sock yarns from the indie dyer Handgefaerbt. Yummy, luscious deep hued sock squishy yarny goodness. Brings on all the creative juices and good knitting vibes. Off to finish off that firestarter so I can start another pair of socks.

It's been spinny

2009-03-16T15:39:00.005+08:00

The KL Knitter's group on Ravelry has been in a spin lately with the entrance of the second spining wheel in Malaysia. StitchingBee (Aw) got a Majacraft Pioneer and we managed to have a meet-up on Saturday to compare wheels. Sally graciously provided her house and both she and Lyn joined in to see if they would be sucked in to the world of spinning.

I think we scared them off a little, Aw and I.

Anyway - there is this gorgeous pic that Lyn took of me spinning, with her top of the range dSLR.

I've been spinning this Merino Tencel bump from Spinning Bunny supposedly to make sock yarn. But alas it isn't fine enough so it is ending up to be sport - DK weight. Haven't figured out what I am going to make with it yet.

This skein could be plied tighter I think.

This one is my current favourite although it was very tight when I took it off the niddy noddy. Had to give it a fairly good whacking, for all the kinks to straighted out but voila.. nice fat lovely 2 ply yarn.

I've got about 150 m right now with about 2 half bobbins and 2 oz more to spin - I am hoping to reach at least 300 m.

Two Hats, Two Bobbins and Topographie

2009-03-04T19:14:00.003+08:00

So the title is self explanatory :-

Topographie from the Knitty- Easy knit with some simple textured to show of the hand dye - I have to say the knitted model on the Knitty is the best I have seen. There is also a matching cowl which I didn't make.

Amanda Hat No 1 from the left overs of California Roll in that mysterious gree yarn- took less than 1 skein and about 3 hours.

Amanda Hat No 2 from some left over Noro Silk Garden also less thank a skein. I can make tons of this.

And the spinning craze kicked in again due to some very hot discussions at the KL Knitters group on Ravelry. Finally took out the wheel and spun up the sock kit I got last year. The light was bad ( I just had to take a pic at 2 am) so I might try again this weekend to get some pics in daylight before I start to ply then.

Life goes on....

2009-02-23T18:36:00.004+08:00

I'm just a little quiet lately as my dad passed away about 3 and a half weeks ago.

Not really ready to talk about it yet just that we're all happy that he is at peace and in no more pain.

Life goes on, you know and we get on with the daily stuff. Just, sometimes a stray thought will cross my mind which starts with the word "daddy" and that'll bring a few tears of remembrance.

While my sis was around I finally finished the Noro Striped Scarf inspired by Brooklyn Tweed for my brother in law.

I call it the California Roll

I used two skeins of Noro and 1.5 skeins of a Mystery yarn which I thought was Gedifra Calfornia. I think I am mistaken though, it looks more like Gedifra Fashion Stripe.

Simple and brain numbing but really fast to get off the needles if I had been consistent about it.

I actually finished Topographie too but I haven't taken the pictures yet.

Will get that updated tomorrow.

Get Your Knit On

2009-01-22T18:54:00.005+08:00

I promised the gals the report and photos from our recent KL knitting meet up on the 17th January 2009.

Jackie brought her Diamond Fantasy Shawl that was knit with ( wait for it)... 9 balls Jaeger Roma. Woot! I take my hat off to you Jackie, I can't bring myself to use my stash of Roma on a shawl! It was the most cushiest shawl ever but still...

The other girls brought their knitting too.

Kenti was knitting a baby project.

Hanne knitting continental.

Basqueiz brought her knitted doily.

I didn't get a good picture of Hernik but I got a close-up of her hands and her little bag.

Last but not least, Sally arrived with her hand-dyed yarn and modeled one of her cowls.

If you are wondering about the different colour quality of the photos - that's because I've been playing around with Photoshop. I left the hand-dyes in their original colour though, so you can see it in its natural glory.

I am just about to unveil my new FO- just need to get some decent photos first. Till next time.

Toying with ideas.....

2009-01-16T17:50:00.002+08:00

Which is all I have been doing these past few months.... other than working on the Sock Yarn Blankie Monster.

It's eating all my time and motivation. I don't feel like starting anything new nor do I never finish what I start.
But the New Year brings in new resolutions and I guess the easiest way to restart my knitting mojo is to have quick wins whenever I can.

So .... here is my first FO for January 09

Snagged a colleague in the office who had the misfortune not to go out for lunch and so reluctantly put on the cowl on the condition that I DO NOT, in any circumstances, take a photo of his face

I have all these partial balls of sock yarn now which I have been looking to work into small one skein type projects. Quick FO, Quick win, Stash busting - how can I lose?

Other stuff that have been in my stream of consciousness in the last few months are:-

Half a sock from Cherry Tree Hill - might just turn out to be anklets for the quick win again. PS Sally I haven't used any of it in the sock yarn blankie.

A nice box of yarn which was RAK to me from Germany for my sock blankie - 30 freaking gorgeous mini balls!! I am going to RAK the remainder and add more of my own sock yarn scraps for another lucky person after the monster is done.

Stash Update

2008-09-09T18:20:00.004+08:00

I've been stashing quite a bit these past month. Although I have gotten rid of a lot of yarn, I seem to replenish at an exponential rate and really the cupboards are bursting in its seams.

I'm just going to show the prettiest yarn I have ever seen.

This is Avril's cotton gima - known to those in US as Habu's cotton gima. Doesn't it look gorgeous?

This is the mulberry colour.

And this is the olive one.

I got it to make Gisela from Cocoknits. I've been thinking of garments made with thin yarn and big needles for a while now. If you see any patterns, let me know. I'm on the lookout.

I also received more yarn to feed the blanket.

From Ravelry's August 5 gm sock yarn swap.

Some real yummy colours there.

Now let's see if I can get another FO out by the end of the month.

Quick and Ease-y Talia

2008-08-26T18:35:00.004+08:00

Just a quick note to show off the very quick photos I took of Talia - finally cast off last night and ends still hanging.

The nice curvey back.

And flattering front.

It's one size too small as it is for my sister but I now really have to make one for myself - it's that cute.

A relatively painless effort that took 3 balls of Cotton Ease in Pistachio and a lot sooner if I hadn't had the boy's holidays in between, I think it would have taken about 2 weeks.

But You Know what?? Just looking at the pictures again and at the ones on the Knitty, I think I may have made a mistake on the neckline.

Sigh! Maybe it wasn't as painless after all.

It's been a long time coming....

2008-08-07T19:34:00.002+08:00

I just realised I hadn't update this blog for sooooo long. Blame the stress at work, the bad cold I had, my sister's visit and of course, blame it on the sock blankie I have been so manic about.

It's growing to a nice size but I think I am only about a 3rd way through.

Here's a close up of one of my favourite squares.

In between all that obsession, I did manage to knit half a Talia for my sis. I haven't finished it yet. This is the first time in three years that my sister did not go back to NZ with a kntted FO but I was really sick with the flu at the time she was here. Still I should be able to finish that up in about a week or so and hopefully get the energy to post it up here.

Meanwhile I decided last night to putt he blankie aside for a while but I was foiled by Sally letting me know she figured out a way to do the side triangles on her blankie. Go over to her blog and have a look.

Now I am obsessed all over again.

Blankie Mania

2008-05-10T19:02:00.003+08:00

Knitnut has officially gone insane and joined Blankie Mania.

It wasn't an easy process - but it all started when I finished the Aspen Grove Shawl (not yet blocked so no nice photoes of that yet) and was casting around for something to start. Yes it is a hopeless cycle. Despite the loads of WIP I have scattered around, I still need to cast on something new everytime I finish something.

I thought of the Swirl Shawl from Jojoland but I had to get to wait for the kit to arrive. And then Sally points me to this little blog and .... well you know the rest....

But the biggest challenge for me was the conscious decision that I shall never use all those balls of sock yarn I had collected. I have done maybe 2.5 socks in the last 4 years. One for my sis, who confessed she used them only in coldest of winter nights in somewhat balmy Auckland. The other sock I made, languishes in my drawer - no matter what it's just too hot to use.

The whole problem with this blankie is that it takes literally a thousand squares to make up and I certainly don't have a thousand balls of sock scraps. BUT I shall not worry about that now, I shall just use what I have now and oh dear, I'll just have to buy more sock yarn :) and add slowly as I go along.

Still there are still some sock yarns which will be not going into this blankie - the Dream in Colour Smooshy I just got and the STR I had saved for the longest time.
And this lovely Claudia's handpainted was a tough decision too.

And so here is my progress as of Friday night

With my favourite square being...

And if you want to have a look at pics of other sock blankies have a look at this Flicker Photo stream

Wavy Peaches n Creme

2008-04-26T21:50:00.003+08:00

I took my time with this project but thankfully it's now done and waiting for my friend's wee one to make an appearance early May. I used about 12 balls of Peaches n Creme, with some left overs which probably go to more granny sqaures for charity.

The pattern is Soft Waves from 200 Ripples

Catching Up

2008-04-11T11:33:00.004+08:00

I really didn't have time to catch my breathe this past month. Looming project deadlines and working 14 hour days took quite a toll into my personal time. Still I did manage to grab a bit of time here and there for different projects.

Aspen Grove Shawl is up to Chart 2 and in that "one row takes an hour to knit" stage - I think there is about 300 + stitches on the needles now so it's gonna be taking it's time to get to the finish line.

The Hexagons are also taking its time - at least I have 3 rows now. I keep stopping and admiring it each time I finish one. clours are so yummy. Take a closer look.

Ok the ripple is most urgent - cos the baby it's for is arriving at any day now - and is almost done. I have 6 colour changes to do and it's out of here!

After this, I need to take a break. I am itching break out the floss and needles and go back to cross stitching for a while. We'll See.

BTW it's the 2nd Saturday of the month this Sat so it's KL Knitters Meet up time.
Join us at Bangsar Village 2 - Starbucks - Level 3 - from 3pm onwards

I'm Paying it forward.

2008-03-20T16:38:00.003+08:00

Hanne reminded me and I am sorry it took so long to get it on my blog.

My Pay It Forward Pledge

“I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.”

So bring it on and start paying forward.

Knitting meet up 8th of March 2008

2008-03-20T16:09:00.004+08:00

Just a quick update on our knitting meeting on the 8th of March.

We met in Sri Melaka, Amcorp Mall, PJ- and bagged ourselves some cosy sofas at the smoking section, since there wasn't anyone smoking at the time.

Sally and I were the first to arrive, followed by Jackie. Hernik and her friend joined us a little later and Hanne rounded up our little merry band.

The talk turned mostly to politics ( it was Election Day after all) and the beauty of blocking lace shawls.

I brought my Peaches 'n Cream Ripple..

That's a real bad photo but I have all the other balls for the next 4 colour changes, justo give you an idea of what it looks like now. (Note self - must take update photo this weekend)

Hernik brought the slip-ons she was knitting - reminded me very much of those slip-ons I would make when I freezing myself off at college. Very nice and cozy.

Sally knitted socks on two circulars and I finally get it.. Yeah I couldn't picture it in my mind but I see the light now and of course, had go home and try it out.

Jackie is making yet another baby blanket and as usual after every meet up - try as we might we can't get her to start another project simultaneously.

Hanne brought her kind of secret lace project ( but it's out of the bag now, eh Sally ) and as usual we were mesmerised by her fast continental style lace knitting.

We have also decided to make a concerted effort to make the 2nd Saturday of the month Knitting Meet up day, which makes the next one April 12th.

Keep the day in mind, folks.

Round and round the garden.

2008-02-05T14:00:00.000+08:00

We took our little boy on his first plane trip to the Phillipines last week and the only that would keep him occupied during the 3 hr flight was that silly little game "Round and round the garden like a teddy bear..". He just would't sleep even though he was up at the crack of dawn on the day of the flight.

Have a look at our photo journal here, Volume 1 and Volume 2.

Meanwhile I put on my turbo needles and casted on the Hemlock Ring Blanket 2 weeks ago, trying to finish it by February 6 - by which time my brother can pack it in his luggage to take to my sister in New Zealand.

And in the nick of time I finally finished castin off last night and blocked this morning.

The unblocked version - looks like some sea anemone.

I didn't have a mattress large enough so I had to pin overlaps round the sides and hoped for the best.

A closer look - I love that flower in the center.

Hemlock Ring Blanket - Yarn - Cascade 220 - Colonial Blue - around 3.75 hanks
Needles 5.0 mm ( I'd go two sizes larger next time)
96 rows before casting off - using the expanded chart provided ( with grateful thanks) by the Hemlock Ring KAL Yahoo group

So glad to have an FO finally.

Playing the Hooker!

2008-01-15T13:56:00.000+08:00

Yeah it's terrible that I took one month to recover from the end-of-old-year-beginning-of-new-year blues. I have been crafting on and off but mostly picking up the threads of an old hobby - crocheting doily. It all started from seeing a gorgeous japanese doily book ( I will post a link when I find one) and deciding to do one crochet doily a month. So I spent most of January 1st nursing a hangover and crocheting this -

The center is crocheted with Coats and Clarks Floretta, leftovers from my tatting days and I didn't have enough to finish the doily so I did the outer edges with DMC Traditions. Floretta is a stiffish thread - great if you don't want to block but so hard on the hands. Traditions seems to create fuller stitches and has more drape.

It took me about a week to finish it. Here's a closer peek -

Watch out for the February one next month.

On the knitting front, I have started the Hemlock Ring blanket and that's goin on fast track cos I do want to send it to my sister in New Zealand by the 1st week of February.

And I finally sucked it in and blocked the lace fichu I finished in April last year.

Red Fichu from Baxter Knits
500yds of HandPainted yarn.com Laceweight Red Pagoda

I've realised that I really need to take each month at a time - can't seem to concentrate for too long these days. I am feeling restless under the weight of so many WIPS. So I decided to practice some serial monogamy for a few months and stop project whoring until my cupboards are no longer overflowing with WIPs. Wish me luck!

A ripple and a half

2007-12-13T18:58:00.000+08:00

I have finished my first ripple baby blanket BUT I am not so happy with the colours. It’s a little dull and manly, don’t you think? The pattern is from the free ripple pattern on Project Linus except I casted on less repeats.

I casted on another one using the Soft Waves pattern from 200 Ripple patterns book this time using the boat load of Peaches and Crème I got from this seller on eBay.

If you want to make this type of “Stash” blanket and don’t have spare stash or just want to have different colours of the same yarn, he’s a good one to go. He has a 1 lb assortment which you can request to have part variegated part solid.

I haven’t just been crocheting ripples –there’s a little top down cardigan I hope to get done by Christmas. I am not ready to let you have a peek yet.

AND I have been surfing the Drops free pattern site. Finally got my Adobe upgraded which allows me to make pdf files and I have just been going crazy…

I made a few stash sales which gave me a wee bit of money to spend on new stash for Christmas and I have been debating and debating on what to buy. I finally placed an order for a couple of Zimmerman books and Drops Bomull-Lin – a cotton linen blend from Scandanavian knitting http://www.scandinavianknittingdesign.eu/ for a very reasonable price. I have never tried linen before and of course there’s a whole host of yummy linen summery knits on Drops that are just irresistible.

What knitty/crafty stash are you buying yourself for xmas?

Stack and Match

2007-11-24T14:23:00.000+08:00

I'll let the photoes tell the story....

Babette Beginnings

2007-11-09T17:10:00.000+08:00

This has been tough! Really tough - just deciding what colours goes on the next round is freaking me out a little. I have two weights of yarn, sport and DK and I have to balance it out - one round sport one round dk - or else the sizes of the squares don't match. Then I have to think of variegated and solids and how those go together as well. Hair-raising!!

And then how to group the squares into a panel - by colour groups or by contrast. I did draft it out on paper on the sizes but I quite randomised what colours go into a square. As I laid it out I realise there are distinct colour groups. So I decided to lay the squares out by the colours of the last round.

Sorry for the quality of the pic but I took it in a hurry last night to remind myself of how the squares are laid out.

If you kind of squint you might get a sense of the overall project. My sister in law was watching me and she asked if I was going to frame the panels - which made me think about this for a while but I decided, the Babette needs larger canvas to show off its glory.

BUT it is an idea for another time.

PS I took pics of the finished circular cardi but they didn't come out to my satisfaction so it will have to wait for another bright day and a proper model.

Half a Ripple

2007-11-02T18:17:00.000+08:00

I'm keeling over from a ton of scraps!! I have scrap yarn, scrap paper, scrap fabric etc etc etc.

I used to love the idea of doing scrap quilts. My quilting days are long behind me but I have bags and bags of fabric scraps, big enough to cut 2" squares out of. My plan was to cut it all up and then sell the squares off in ebay... well when I have the time of course.

The thing about scrapping is that there is a serindipity in putting scraps of ugliness, transforming it into a myriad of different textures and colours. But of course, it doesn't always work that way. Sometime one has to control scrappiness with a colour or a tone. Sometimes it's a matter of having an eye for colours and a good knowledge of colours theory - contrast vs complimentary vs tone. Sometimes it's just a leap of faith.

For someone not very in touch with her inner artist, it's quite a challenge.

Anyways in light of my recent "baby" phase ( and plus one of my colleagues is going to deliver at any moment) I've decided that it's time to Ripple or to Babette.

Here's half a ripple. What do you think??

The Babette is waiting on me having the time to sort out all the odd balls and putting them in one place for easy access.

BTW here's how the baby surprise jacket looked after I put on the buttons. I was concerned about the small neck so I folded the tops over to make a flap and sewed it down.

As they say in Malaysia, "Cute or what!"

WAIL!!!!!!

2007-10-17T18:28:00.000+08:00

What to do? What to do? Ran out of yarn on the last round of the second sleeve before the shell motifs....

The Yarn Diet is over!!

2007-10-11T22:44:00.000+08:00

It's October and the Knit from your Stash/ Yarn Diet thingy I joined 9 months ago is officially over!! I was allowed 2 lapses and I did get two lots of yarn in 9 months and then.... just a few weeks ago.... all hell broke loose.

My October stash consisted of more Rowan Calmer - on a discount of course. And just last weekend I visited Malacca, my husband's hometown and went to this crafty wholesale place who had some limited amounts of yarn stashed away for a very reasonable price. I splurged on some Catania ( an 100 % cotton) to make a cardigan for my goddaughter, 3 balls of Millifille Fine for no reason other than it looked good and some variegated acrylic for trying out more baby projects. I do have "baby" on my mind for some reason.*

Not pictured is another 4 skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock (why? why? why?)that I got from someone's stash sale on Ravelry, which is enroute. Did I tell you I love this Ravelry feature??

*No I am not pregnant - just a lot of of collegues and friends are.

Surprise!

2007-09-26T13:41:00.000+08:00

Just a short note to add my latest FO the Baby Surprise Jacket!

I really put on the express needles for this one - I was dying to see how it would turn out because truthfully, halfway through the pattern, I had no idea it was going to turn out.

Here it is unfolded.

Here's a quick look at the pick up sitches at the end. I fluffed my counted halfway to the project and had to make it up a bit as I go along so the pick up stitches don't exactly align to the decreases. Or in layman terms, the lines don't line up so well.

And here it is folded and yet unseamed

To tell you the truth, I didn't think it was going to be so small... I used DK weight yarn (Sirdar Sunggly Magic) and only about 250 yds and it's probably big enough for a 1-3 month old but no older.

Now it's back to the sleeves of my circular cardigan.

BTW there was a kniting meet up in the weekend but I saved the photoes on my home pc. You can find out what we did at Lyn's blog .

Back to the surface

2007-09-08T16:17:00.000+08:00

Sorry for being MIA in the last 3 months. My internet connection at home as been non existent and it has been finally restored last week. Blogging from wokr is not longer possible in the new fast paced job that I am in now.

I have been knitting sporadically and for the last week have been frantically trying to get this off the needles so I can get started on the crochet edging

I love the yarn which is Buttefly Super Cotton - but - I don't know why the center looks like a volcano.

Anyone can tell me why??

I've also been make some slow progress on aEZ's Tomten jacket for my friends new baby!

This is going to be a cutie!

Oh and I have been spending way too much time on Ravelry!

WWKIP Day

2007-06-13T21:08:00.000+08:00

8 KL Knitters met up last Saturday at Starbucks Bangsar Village 2.
A great time was had by ALL - and many of the Starbucks staff were quite intrigued by our knitting activities.So much so they invited us to join in their launch for their latest promotions. Those of us who were game enough got some free coffee and snacks for our pains.

I am not going to say much but let the pictures do the talking.

Aw, Ee Koon and Jackie. EK is holding her first project, a scarf. Aw brought her daughters as well and the youngest modeled her first lace knit. I didn't get a pic so you need to check it out at her blog.

Helen and Sally. Helen is a very talented lady who knits marvellous projects for her daughters. Sally of course brought her Forest Path Stole which convinced me I have to re-do mine with smaller needles.

Rain and Mira concentrating hard on knitting.

No pic of me cos the only one I took has me looking like I had too much coffee. There's no pic of Hanne too, who is a talented lace stitcher. I've been drooling over Hanne's site for a while now and I am so glad to finally meet her in person.

And that silly drop stitch tank - trust me to only find out I had divided the twosides unevenly just before finishing the SECOND side - it's been frogged and being redone at the moment.

It's my third day at my new job and it has been quite a trip out of the comfort zone. But I am sure I will in the swing of things soon. The biggest side effect is that I am so sleepy so early -so my late night crafting has to go out the door until I adjust myself.

Keep Calmer

2007-06-06T11:34:00.000+08:00

Wanted to know what I am knitting with Calmer??

The Drop Stitch Tank from Fitted Knits.

Only one problem -I forgot to check the errata and now I have one garter stitch seam and one ribbed seam - ARRRRGGGHHH!

I am not ripping - it's only the seam- whose going to see eh??

And the other new stitching start

Prosperity from Examplers from the Heart.

Knitnut doesn't work here anymore....

2007-05-31T14:06:00.000+08:00

It's been a littler hectic in Planet Knitnut in the last month or so.

I have been busy getting a new job and finishing up my current one. Not that I have anything against my current company - it's just time to move on. It's really difficult to leave the friends I've made here. After all I spend more time in the office with this bunch of colleagues then I do my own family.

But I took a look around at people my own age and I could see that I needed to get a better position and better pay for my experience and expertise. And much as I enjoy my work, this place is just not going to be able to provide that.

After I put in my resignation letter I still have 10 days of leave due to me, which I ma enjoying right now!! I can't tell you how good it is to sleep at night without thinking about work. Still I haven't made as much progress as I had planned with my crafty stuff.

All I can say is there has been 2 new starts and no FOs.. and I am really itching to have a FO NOW!!.

Anyway this is my last post on my beloved PC at work and I will have to get used to the notebook at home to update my blog.

I will just leave you with some glimpses of the stitching stuff I have been up to.

I received this lovely little pinkeep from Azie as part of the Quaker Pinkeep exchange organised at the Malaysian Stitchers Group. Lovely blend of brown and gold!!

And my latest WIP shot of Cirque after Page 2. It's off my rotation now - I've been knitting something gorgeous with Calmer... Will update once I take a pic in the next post.

Walking along the Forest Path Stole

2007-05-08T13:13:00.000+08:00

It's not so much of a brisk walk more of leisurely stole a this moment. Both Sally and Regg are far ahead of me. And Sally had to wait for her yarn to arrive from the UK, too.

Anyway I promised a progress pic even though it's a little fiddly -I am being my usual fiddly self and using circs all the way without actually taking each section off on holders.

I think I might move on to dpns because of that humungous hole between panels which I hope to God will block out.

Here's a pic on one of the lace panels - the one with the nupps

And here's another...

I'm also hoping this yarn will bloom as it's pretty soft and spare at the moment. AND the stink of sewing machine oil - phew - it's not over powering but I have to wash my hands every couple of hours or so.

Ok I am hoping to finish Tier 2 by today and then get back to my other stitching stuff. How does one juggle all these crafts? Sometimes I think my brain is going to explode.

Quaker Pinkeep

2007-05-07T18:00:00.000+08:00

My Quaker Pinkeep partner, Jean has received it so I am now able to show it off here for all to see.

A Pinkeep is very much an ornamental pin cushion but God Forbid if you take any of the pins out - the ribbon might fall off !! I actually was trying ruche the ribbon for the sides but gave it up as it looked like someone tried to do elaborate icing on a banana cake - the simplicity of a narrow ribbon and nice bow on top suited the design better.

It was part of an exchange I organised on the Malaysian Stitchers group and I think that everyone is very happy with their pinkeep - well those who have received theirs at least.

Another WIP pic for Jan Houtman's Buds of Life

That green motif is my absolute favourite.

I do have a knitting update to post but I need to take a decent photo first before I can show it off. Note to self - must get up earlier tomorrow to take pic.

It's been so hot in Malaysia the last few days that I have trouble sleeping - especially since we're staying over at my mum's in the aircon-less room. Hence it's been really hard to get up in the morning too. I barely have time to jump in the shower and put on my make-up and clothes (down to the bare minimal now cos it all melts off before lunchtime anyway) before I rush off to work.

Must get the tomtoms out to drum up a bit of rain. Anyone know a good rain dance??

New Look

2007-04-27T17:47:00.000+08:00

So as you may have noticed - I upgraded my template to the new Blogger template system where I can plug in codes and play around with the elements of my page.

I also used the stretched format cos -I just want to show off bigger pictures. 300 px width just doesn't cut it anymore.

Just a quick update to show what I have been playing with lately.

Kind of playing with the Bead Soup idea but I am not liking the "knitting with wire" thing. I got to look for a more pliable type thread.

More updates after the weekend.

A new Spring

2007-04-11T12:13:00.000+08:00

Over the Easter Break I managed to finish an old WIP from way back by just sucking up and knitting that mindless boring edging. Thank GOD for my new North and South DVD set and the Tudors.

Red Fichu from Baxter Knits
500yds of HandPainted yarn.com Laceweight Red Pagoda

It's not blocked yet, and I'll do that tonight now that the in-laws have gone home and I have a spare bed again. Unblocked the fichu is smaller than the picture on the chart but I think that it will block up fine.

I didn't quite like using this yarn because it was quite wiry but the finished knit especially at the garter stitch portion was a surprise. It's crunchy and spongy and a whole lot of texture that make my hand want to touch and fondle.

So with that FO I decided I want to start on a new lace project. Forget all the other WIPs in my cupboard - the huge stash need to be busted. Was chatting to Sally on GTalk and she mentioned the Forest Path Stole and I went (!!) . Of course! I've had this on my to-do list for ages!

Before you know it, Sally, Regg and I are discussing yarn and needles. I've chosen to use the laceweight cashmere from Colourmart in the colourway Aurora and because I can't find my 2.5mm needles, I used 2mm instead.

Think I need to go up to 2.5mm ? I kind of like the dense-ness of it but I am afraid the cashmere will bloom after washing.

Other than knitting - here's a peek at my stitching obsession at the moment.

Monotone - ous

2007-03-23T09:24:00.000+08:00

You guessed it - it's going to be a stitch post.

I figured a non knit post is better than none at all and at least some crafty stuff is going down in my part of the world. I got my eightsome reel back from the framers and was surprised that he decided to put the hanging bits on a diagonal so that it hung like this

I'm not sure I like it..

In honour of this finish I had started 3 more stitching projects. Yes it looks like a whole new bout startitis with a whole new hoby but this time I WILL limit it to 3 projects at any one time. I also need to make one of the three a small and quick project in order for me keep feeling motivated.

This is my small-ish project - Quaker 6 mains a Mystery sampler collaboration from Gigi and Carinne of "Broder Ensemble" and "Le 498" and Jackye of "A Mon ami Pierre". It's no longer a mystery so anyone can go the link and download the whole sampler.

Quaker 6 mains on 40 ct white linen and HDF Turkey Red

The second start is Paradigm Lost from LongDogs Designs using custom dyed Dip & Twist cotton thread from my friends Niza and Leena.
I specified a blue greyish tones and Niza added a bit of green so that it looks marvelously warmer than the cool tones I was thinking of. A good choice against the beige 22ct hardganger fabric I have chosen don't you think?

There has been a bit of knitting actually and one project is close to the finish line so I hope to get pics up of that in the next post.

Topi

2007-03-01T19:11:00.000+08:00

I thought I'd ease mysef back into knitting by doing something simple and fast. So when my colleague asked me to knit a chemo hat for her dad undergoing chemotherapy, I jumped at the chance to try out Topi.

It was a fast knit using the Rowan's All Season Cotton leftovers from Samus. Camouflage green is a nice manly colour and I just love the yarn.

It took my two nights but as I was binding off and looking at the picture I noticed something strange. The brim look very much shorter than in the picture.

Looked over the pattern again and I noticed that I did not read this line -

Work back and forth in stockinette st until brim measures 1 inch, ending with a WS row.

just before the short rowing.

So I have to go back and finish this thing tonight.

The pattern is so easy and fast, I'm planning another one in girly pink. Hopefully this will ease me in to start back on my other WIPs.

Stitching Happy Dance

2007-02-22T12:40:00.000+08:00

There are a few differences in crafter's dialect - knitters go FO!! and stitchers go Happy Dance!! - but the feeling is still the same.

Eightsome Reel from Papillon Creations. I used mostly the recommended GAST plus a few substitutes of my own. Stitched 2 strands over 2 on 28 ct Potato Cloth

I started out as a knitnut, then I became a quiltnut and a stitchnut and then a knitnut again. These days quilting has fallen by the way side but stiching is suddenly experiencing a revival. Good thing stitching stash is not as expensive as knitting stash.

There are few more samplers in my Stash that needs to be stitched but I might go back to knitting for the rest of the week. We'll see how it goes.

Happy Chinese New Year

2007-02-13T14:52:00.000+08:00

I'd just like to leave you with this great TV ad - brings tears to my eyes everytime.

Sneaking up on me

2007-02-12T14:37:00.000+08:00

Time is I mean!!

It's almost Chinese New Year again and the house is in a mess. So is the stash. I have to get the Calmer into the cupboard but that means I need to take some yarn out. Yes, yarn that has been there and I have no idea what to do with has to come out. Odd balls have to come out. To be frogged projects has to come out.

Which mean there's going to be a sale here very soon.

Knitting slump

2007-02-05T19:39:00.000+08:00

I am in a knitting slump for one very simple reason - have an FO that makes me look huge - don't know if I can get up the courage to post the most unflattering picture of it here.

All I can say is - no more boatnecks for me .

While I gather up my courage - I leave you with a little bit of my other crafty pursuits

Eightsome Reel from Papillon Designs

Celtic Bookmark

Old Friends

2007-01-25T18:17:00.000+08:00

Last saturday I met a new friend, Ling who was visiting from London. It's always a little awkward to explain this to the family, "I'm off on an internet date with a knitter from London," and leave them wondering why on earth I was meeting strange people I have never met before just because they knit.

In truth , I am always a bit apprehensive about meeting new people. I am a bit shy and I never assume that I am going to get along with every knitter I meet. There's bound to be just that one bad apple that will wind up spoiling the whole bunch. Thankfully Ling was very very sweet and I felt quite comforted. She was almost like an old friend.

She brought my last stash purchase of the year 2006, a bag of Rowan Calmer in Blush. I now have total of 15 balls in this colourway (although in 2 colour lots). Can you imagine?? I am rich in Calmer. It's all I can do just to stop myself from just diving into the pile.

She also gave a gift - a skein of HipKnits 100% wool (I think it's sock yarn).

Thanks Ling!!!

The funny thing is Jackie joined us a little later and both she and Ling were puzzling out why they looked so familiar. After a little backtracking and family history, they discovered that they were neighbours when they were in school! How freaky is that! They Were old friend after all.

Speaking of old friends - I dragged out this UFO and finally finished it.

Well it still needs the edging around the neck and bottom and a very stern blocking. I've been playing around with crochet edgings and settled a very simple net.

More pics once I am done with the edging.

Knitting goals for 2007

2007-01-17T16:04:00.000+08:00

I am still getting my grip in 2007, a little aimless wandering around especially to do with knitting. Although I have been working on Ariann on and off, it's not inspiring me at the moment.

I have been spinning a lot more and I finished off the batts from Crosspatch Creations.

Started on my own hand dyed roving but I wanted to take a seres of photoes on how the colour changes on the bobbin so I'll update that on a later date.

On the knitting front, I have been looking over my huge stash and books and starting to decide what I really want to achieve this year.

These are the goals I have come up with and in no particular order -

1. At least one lacy top from the numerous Japanese Mags I have
2. At least one cabled sweater
3. At least one colourwork or fair isle project
4. Knee high socks for my sis
5. At least one shawl from Simple Stunning collection from Sharon …
6. Try to finish the Forest Path Stole
7. At least 3 spin to knit projects
8. Finish at 3 WIP or recycle the yarn and finish the project
9. Start charity craft project
10. At least 1 lace doily or table cloth from my very beautiful Japanese lace book which apparently has some Kinzel patterns in it.

Making lists really work!! I was so fired up that I immediately worked up a swatch with my chosen yarn , Rowan Felted Tweed, for what will be my colorwork project.

Not bad for someone who hasn't "stranded" since 1991.

So I have been thinking at first of making a tunic or vest with just a colourwork border at the hem. But I had a look at Eunny's Deep V and decided that that will work for what I want. Plus it has an added challenge, "Steeks"!!!

Catching up

2007-01-11T17:09:00.000+08:00

Oh I know it's been some time since I posted but there's been so much going on the last 3 weeks.

1. A whirlwind trip to Penang just before Christmas
2. Christmas dinner with DH's family at our place, and dinner with my family at my mum's on Boxing Day.
3. Internet interruptions after Boxing day (and still continuing to this day). It's almost impossible to upload anything to Photobucket and getting into Blogger has only recently stopped being a pain.
4. New Year Eve weekend in the East Coast
5. Greg starting Kindy after the New Year - which was thankfully almost painless. He's enjoying kindy and looks forward to it every day.
6. Back to a whole pile of work for me and DH.

I haven't done much knitting. In fact I am still a little shellshocked at the amount of stash I bought in December to compensate for the 9 months yarn diet. When I feel a little less in denial I will show you the amount of Rowan Calmer I got.

It's not so much what I ought but now trying to figure what to knit with it. This weekend will be devoted to looking through my numerous books and finally starting to mark out what yarns would suit what project.

I hope to have a more to update in the coming days - espcially now the 'net is back to almost normal.

Meanwhile I will leave you with a few scenes of Penang which I took during our fly by visit.

The entrance to Campbell Street.

The view from the most prestigious hotel in Penang, The Eastern and Oriental courtesy of a more fortunate friend. I wish I had the chance to stay there.

Traditional kebayas hanging from an armoire at the Peranakan Museum Penang.

From Batt to Bobbin

2006-12-20T16:49:00.000+08:00

I was just finishing up this spin project last night when I remembered I had not taken a pic of the batt itself so here it is :-

From Batt to Bobbin to Yarn. The batt is from Crosspatch Creations that I found on ebay many moons ago. Have a look at more Crosspatch Creations batts at The Bellweather and drool over the lucious colours.

Crosspatch Creation batts are a mixture of many fibers ,wool as well as some silk noil and it produce a nubby type yarn with lots of interesting textures.

I used a flash in this pic to show the reflection of little silky bits.

I split each batt lengthwise into four and just pre drafted a little before spinning. The result is a two plied aran weight yarn - I haven't measure the wpi yet.

I'm thinking making this into a nice bag maybe the RYC Belt bag with some co-ordinating yarn.

And now for a quick look at the dye-pot.

More updates on that later.

Knit from your Stash 2007

2006-12-19T13:52:00.000+08:00

I've not been kniting much in the last week - Christmas has snuck up on me again and the nights and weekends have been mostly taken by Christms shopping and placating an excited almost-4 year old who wants to buy the whole toy shop.

The next few nights will be taken up by Carolling. It was one of our informal agreements before DH and I got married that we would continue both our families' tradition of carolling so we joined our neighbourhood carollers for 3 nights of door to door singing the Chistmas blues away.

This little challenge on Wendy's blog caught my eye and it's really something I'd like to try. Those of you who have been to my house would know about my enormous stash.I have been quite good in last 3 months limiting the stash buying to one lot a month but I feel that I really need to use up what I have as well as finish up on some of the UFOs.

Here are the rules ( with a couple of comments from be in bold):-

Knit From Your Stash 2007: Guidelines for L-B and Wendy

1. The Knit-From-Your-Stash-a-Thon will start January 1, 2007 and run through September 30, 2007 -- a period of nine months.

2. We will not buy any yarn during that period, with the following exceptions:

2.a. Sock yarn does not count. What? You think we are made of stone? I do have enough sock yarn to last me a while so no worries there.

2.b. If someone asks for a specific knitted gift that we really and truly do not have the yarn for, we may buy yarn to knit that gift. I truly have no yarn for many many things that could be gifts for someone else :)

2.c. If we are knitting something and run out of yarn, we may purchase enough to complete the project. Hooray!!

2.d. We each get one "Get Out of Jail Free" card -- we are each allowed to fall off the wagon one time. My personal pledge is that I will only use this Get out of Jail card in May.

3. We are allowed to receive gifts of yarn. hint hint hint!!! Say does this mean we can swap for yarn too??

4. Spinning fiber of any sort is exempt. Thank God!! cos I am in a spinning mood lately. And spinning means - more yarn!

The downside is that - now I have the urge to buy lots and lots of yarn before 1st January. Ling will be coming down in January and has offered to bring back more Rowan if I want it! How can I resist??

Back in the spin

2006-12-15T16:00:00.000+08:00

I was inspired by Eunny Jang's post on blocking her handspun shawl. See the yarn was spun out from merino tencel roving and it just so happened I had about 2 oz in my spinning stash of merino tencel roving I got about a year ago.

So I decided to spin it up to the thinnest I could and this is what I got

The colourway is called Beach and it's from Kendig Cottage. It spins like a dream, it's soft and shiny but not as tough to draft as silk. I know that there are many hand painted rovings on offer on the 'net but I seem to like all of Vicki's colourways and her service has always been top notch.

This is roughly fingering weight and it's not very even BUT I think it's the best I've spun so far.

Now I need another 4 oz to get a decent yardage of a shoulder scarf.

Must-have yarn in your stash

2006-12-11T13:52:00.000+08:00

When I first started knitting years ago, as a student, I didn't have much disposable income - so I would only buy enough yarn for one project at a time. In fact I sometimes had to use a layby - where I buy about 4 balls to start off and got the LYS to keep the rest of the pack for me to get later.

Whne I started knitting again about 2 and half years ago, I fell victim to the joys of unlimited credit ( well to a point, even I have a limit to how much I can spend on yarn) and started to buy everything on sale in sight.

Lucky for me, stash is almost always recyclable and as the years go by, one gets a knack for what type of yarns one really likes and learn to be a bit more selective when buying yarn. That is not to say I am not tempted by a bargain or two every once in a while.

I've noticed lately I have some definite must-have in my stast. What's a must-have yarn? A must-have yarn is normally:

1. ... a yarn that is soo precious you must keep in your stash at all times.
2. ... you probably almost never use it and if you do, you have to buy a second lot to replace what you used as soon as you can.
3. ... you probably have about 2 bags of 10 for each colour that you buy or you will forever regret it becuase 1 bag of 10 may not be enough for the one project that would be perfect for the yarn.
4... you probably have it on one of your favourite searches on ebay.
5. If, God forbid, it is ever discontinued - you have the overwhelming urge to screw themortgage and start buying up as many bags you can.

My list of Must-have yarn includes:-

1. Rowan Calmer
2. Rowan All Seasons Cotton
3. Cascade 220
4. Jaggerspun Zephyr
5. Socks that Rock
6. Koigu

What's your must have yarn??

BTW I am selling some of my not-so must-have yarn to make room for the other.
Check my destash blog for details

And just so it won't be a pic- less blog - here's my latest spinning

Grape cormo 2-ply
roughly DK weight and slightly underplied

Yes I am spinning a little. That's a story I'll leave for another post.

Snapshots

2006-12-05T18:05:00.000+08:00

I always hate modeling my knits - I never catch the hubby in time to take a pic in the morning rush for work and I am always not in the best attire during weekends. (read braless and messy hair).

And when I do find someone in the office to take a pic, this in itself is a nervewrecking experience cos there's always someone or other coming round to investigate the flash of the camera. There there are family, friends and collegues not really clear on the concept of "focus on the knit" and take a full mug shot as well as the messy desk in the background, or never bother to get you sit or stand properly to show off the knit.

Anyways I tried my best and here we go :-

The one in the mirror at home.

The one in the office with the misaligned neckline.

I am due for a destashing soon - some Rowan ASC as well as some DK yarns - I have to take the pics and should be able to upload tomorrow.

Bianca's minor surgery

2006-12-02T14:33:00.000+08:00

I had thought the dropped stitches on Bianca meant major surgery and so I put it off until I had a bit more time to myself. It turned out to be not as bad as I thought.

I got myself a small tripod today and decided to test it out on some super close ups.

It's not a very good picture but if you kind of squint you can see the two dropped stitches hanging out.

Luckily it's close to the neckline and also on the last lace repeat - so I didn't have to undo any more stitches to reknit the section. I only used a crochet hook to hook up the stitches for a few rows.

Since I had already crocheted the scallop edging I coundn't hook the stitches all the way to the top. So I cheated...

I pulled the stitch to the wrong side and secured it with a few double crochets in to the purl ridges.

Do you think the operation is succesful?

For Sally's benefit, here's a picture of the neckline

And a better pic of the whole project.

As for my modeling Bianca - I have to wait for DH to come back from his outstation trip this weekend as I have to confess I haven't worked out the timer on the camera yet.

So this is Bianca

2006-11-28T18:31:00.000+08:00

Cotton Ease - Just over 6 balls

I will update with a few more pics and details later. I just discovered a huge hole where I dropped two stitches!! Major surgery will be performed tonight.

I miscounted the top a little and decreased more than I should for my size. Although the neckline still fits, it's not quiet as wide as I would have liked it to be.
I crocheted scallops around the edges which I think worked very well for this knit and eliminate the needs for buttons. I can still put them in if I want but I'm planning on just wearing it open with a brooch at the neck.

I'll just leave you with one knitting success - Chris' lovely blouse (her BF calls it the pink christmad tree, the silly man) which she wore to our mini meet on Sat.

Look at all that detail!!
And see! It suits her perfectly

Shedir Skull Cap

2006-11-22T18:31:00.000+08:00

Quick update on a quick project I did in the weekend.

I have never done a cap before and I wanted to practice so that I can gear up to making some chemo caps in a charity project some of us Malaysian knitters are still discussing.

Shedir from the Knitty.com
Sirdar Rio Cotton Rich 50 gm ball x 1
3.75 mm size needles

I used needles a size too big and found that out quickly so had to reduce the number of repeats at the brim. The result is a Shedir skull cap for a very big head.

But I love the top motif and I enjoyed the cabling practice instead of all that lace.
That's all for now folks

Lace capers

2006-11-14T13:09:00.000+08:00

I was going to try to finish Bianca's Jacket in one week because I was going up to Cameron Highlands again to stay in this lovely little bungalow. Look at that welcoming door..

Unfortunately I managed to finish one sleeve before I got distracted with my Lacevember project.

There's so many thing to say about this project. I used the laceweight handspun from Handpaintedyarn.com in the color Red Pagoda. Ok this is not merino laceweight so it isn't as soft or buttery but it has an excellent spongy texture in the garter stitch section that surprised me. Still this hank seemed to be more on the wiry side. The other hank of laceweight I am using for Madlis' Shawl is softer.

The pattern is really easy to follow. It's ingeniously shaped as a horeshoe by some simple short rows, then an edging is attached.

I am about half way through the edging and already I am thinking I'd definitely do this again with a different edging.

As for where I am with Bianca's Jacket?? Still on the second sleeve...

Lacevember Questions

2006-11-07T19:27:00.000+08:00

The knitting questions, or the usual suspects

How long have you been knitting? Ohh maybe 16- 18 years but I took a long break and started again about 2 years ago

How did you learn to knit? At school

Favorite thing about knitting? I love how fast a project can grow with just 2 hours of knitting.

How long have you been knitting lace? About as long as I have been knitting

Favorite thing about knitting lace. The delicate lace always turns heads and well, it's never boring.

The yarn questions, or flash your stash

Favorite lace yarn? Hmm I would have to say Jaggerspun Zephyr or any merino lace type yarn

variegated or solids for shawls? Can do both-

Favorite lace color? I am trying to steer away from blues and greens and I am doing red at the moment.

Technique, or show us your skillz

Circs or straights? Circs

Favorite lace knitting trick? For the longest time I never brought the yarn to the front of the needle for a yarnover.

Lifelines? If so with what? Sometimes but not often – I use quilting thread – stash leftover from my quilting days.

Fancy blocking wires, or just sewing pins stuck in your carpet? Sewing pins stuck on a mattress we have lying around for extra guests

Pattern, or can you follow directions

shawls or lacey items? Shawls and tops but I want to branch out to doilies and tablecloths

triangle, rectangle, or circular shawls? All except the circular shawls – don't like the circular cast on. I can do it, but not very well and I tend to skip over patterns that have it.

Charts or printed instructions? Charts, Charts, Charts

Favorite lace you've knit? Just finished the Mountain Peaks Shawl and that's my favourite for now.

Favorite lace you want to knit? Hm Rose of England one day? Or Frostflowers and Leaves.

Just Fun, yup that right, just for fun

Favorite jelly belly flavor? Err what's that?? I'll eat if it's purple.

Tell me everything you know about Eric the Red..... You mean Eric the Viking right? Well he's the viking who doesn’t like to rape and pillage played by … Susan Sarandon's partner ( Tim something)

Coke, classic or with lime? Coke classic

Holiday carols, sing along, or wish they would be banned from all public airwaves? Love the holidays carols and can't get enough of them on Malaysian airwaves.

What is the definition of irony? "10000 spoons when all you need is a knife, meeting the man of your dreams and then meeting his beautiful wife"

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop? Ok sorry tootsie umm

Why is my cat always puking in front of my son's bedroom door? No cat

What is your superhero power? 8 arms and all of them doing different crafts.

If the laundry is 9 foot by 11 foot (just dreaming, that' a big laundry room), and the walls are 8 feet tall, and you are going to tile the entire room in tiles that are 3 inches by 5 inches, what color should those tiles be? Blue… it's aways blue

What's for dinner tonight? Going home to mom's cooking

What is clogging my children's bathtub drain? My hair

Mountain Peaks blocking

2006-11-03T12:24:00.000+08:00

I notice different bloggers have different ways of showing off their FO. Some wait for it to be fully blocked and then take beautifully modelled shots. Some like me who can't just keep posting in spurts the finishing process. I take about 3 posts to do the just off the needles, blocking and then maybe a modeled shot if there's good daylight and someone to model it for me.

Anyways here's a shot of the Mountain Peaks shawl blocking

Click on the pic for a bigger sized photo.

I was in a hurry to block so I didn't use the threading method to get a straight edge at the top. I didn't stretch it too much and still it turned out to be a good size shawl, about 50" across. Not bad for 650 yds.

Here's a look at the botton pointed edge

I just noticed as I took this pic that I had blocked the purlside facing up. I don't think that makes a difference does it?
As you can see it's a little wonky on the right side of the center leaf BUT nothing I can't live with.

As for Bianca's Jacket - one sleeve done.

FO FO FO FO FO!

2006-11-02T18:02:00.000+08:00

I have been so busy at work that I have had no time to update the blog but I have been knitting like crazy. Finally after the whole stitch knitted bodice fiasco - I slaved and slaved and got this done.

Mountain Peaks Shawl from Mimknits
Yarn: Jaggerspun Zephyr in Elderberry
Amount used: Just over 2 oz - 650yds.
Needles size : 3.75 mm
Time taken: 1 month to the day

I was so annoyed when my 2 oz ball ran out just inches from the finish line. Talk about yarnus interuptus!

It's unblocked and I am not to happy with the short row edging at the sharp mid point. It's a little scrunched up so I hope it will block out fine.

Stay tuned for pics of the blocked shawl.

My current challenge is to finish Bianca's Jacket in 1 week.

Don't ask - I will explain more later in a couple of days.

Fichu Thinking

2006-10-16T19:12:00.000+08:00

I was completely swamped at work and just realised I didn't update the pics I took at the last meet-up on the 7th.

Jackie came along with her latest project - an incredible cable and lace afghan.

You have to take a closer look to fully appreciate the enormity of this project.

She's going to tell you more about it when she gets round to updating her blog.

Sally came along with her well fitted Green Gables

Mira and Rain were there too, knitting on some very luxurious looking tape yarn and Doreen popped by a little later.

Everyone agreed that my SKB needs to be sent to the frog pond so it has been chucked into my death bin ever since.

Over at the Knitters Review forum, there was a discussion a couple of weeks ago about a lace fichu pattern selling on ebay.

As far as I can make out a Fichu is a smaller version of a triangular shawl, draped over the shoulders for a decorative purpose more than for warmth, which, to me,makes more sense to me in these tropical climes.

I love knitting lace shawls but I sometimes balk when I think of whether I will ever use the FOs. With a fichu I can pair it up with a simple blouse without looking too OTT. God knows I have too much laceweight that I really need to stashbust.

Anyways have a look at these gorgeous little fichus.

Ethereal Fichu from HeartStrings Fiber Arts

Lace Fichu

Smaller triangular shawls would also work as a fichu

Swallowtail Shawl

Everyone's Favourite Flower Basket Shawl ( my version)

Diamond Fantasy Shawl. Doreen brought hers to show during the meet- up but I didn't get a pic.

Anyone else has any other suggestions?

Grey's Anatomy

2006-10-04T16:25:00.000+08:00

I'm hooked on this show.
We're only on season Two in Malaysia and I am just waiting for my set of DVD's of the whole season to arrive so I can have a marathon. In fact it was very much on my brain when I went over to Singapore for a day trip. So I got this gorgeous colour of Jaeger Roma called mineral

If it knits up well I am gonna get more!!

By the way anyone who is going to Golden Dragon in Singapore please take note that it is in People's Park Center and not in People's Park shopping complex. I think I took an hour just walking around looking for it.

I was very much tempted by the Japanese yarn there as well but the price was..... err ...a little scary. They didn't have any RYC Cashsoft DK, only 4 ply and Aran and now thinking back I should have gotten some Aran. But I didn't want to lug too much back with me on the bus to Johore.

I am doing a mini craft challenge together with some of Malaysian stitchers, where we try to finish 5 mini finishes of any craft by year end.

So here is my first

Don't you think the colour difference is so strange? Just by taking a different angles

You can get the pattern here. It's really easy but extremely fiddly - especially when you're doing 320 single crochet into one small space.

I finished mine in about 2 hours so this would make good quick gifts. I might do a couple more for the charity too.

Quick shots

2006-09-30T12:02:00.000+08:00

I am down south on work and have limited internet access so I thought I should do a very very quick update.

Progress of my bodice

It's not a bodice now it's a sloppy sweatshirt. I overestimated the size this time and it's huge. Anyways I will definitely make a slimmer version in the future.

When I am too upset too work on the bodice I did do this

It's round 1 of a doily from Be-stitchd.com (don't have the url handy but will post it later).

And last night in my very lonely and very big hotel bed, I casted on this

This is my second attempt at the Mountain Peaks Shawl from Mimknits, I had to frog my 1st attempt when I put it down for a while and forgot which row I was at and when I was trying to figure it out, I dropped a YO stitch that unravelled a few rows.This time I have a notepad and pen ready for counting rows and lifelines.

Ok hoping to go over the Causeway in to Singapore for a flying LYS visit on Monday. Not that I need more stash but who can resist RYC???

Purple Goodness

2006-09-21T12:34:00.000+08:00

I finally received my lace swap parcel after it languished around in snail mail territory for a while.

Open the box and what do I see?

Purple tissue and a lovely little note book- just a hint of what's to come.

The next layer is the Field of Flowers pattern from Fibertrends and a huge skein of hand dyed cotton rayon blend. I love this pattern and have been eyeing it for a while and the cotton rayon blend is an excellent laceweight for the Malaysian tropical weather.
But it doesn't stop there!

Under that layer is Size 5 Addi Turbos ( my favourite needles) and a center pull ball of Skacel Merino Lacewight which was hand dyed by Laura herself!!!

And then ...*drum roll*

A lovely hand made project bag made out of gorgeous purple batik - I love it!!!!
and a little box for with stitch markers and needle caps.

There was some maple candy and boston baked beans but my boy has already swiped that by the time I could take the pictures (which are too dark, I know,but there hasn't been any decent sunlight these days)

My swap partner was Laura and she has been more than generous. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Meanwhile I have been busy with this

Just taking a very short knitting break which will continue again tonight.

At Last An FO

2006-09-14T11:18:00.000+08:00

Ok Plaza is soooo doone. Out of here. Hitting the Road. All the way to NZ and out of my sight.

You can see the body is really short, shorter than I expected.

Here's a look at the curly wurly details at the collar. That darn thing is soo heavy I think the collar might stretch out loads from the weight

The collar is still a little small I think.

Anyway on to my next project - I still haven't gotten round to getting the extra yarn for my Stitchi Diva bodice So I might just start a new project - hmmm, we'll see.

Meanwhile I met up with some Knitters last weekend - I did manage to engineer it so my in-laws would go shopping at Bangsar Village where the meet up was.

heheh

Here's Sally and I. We're sitting by the wndow and it was really storming so the photo got kind of dark.

From left- Doreen, Rain, Mira, Chooi Wah (she of the gorgeous blog), and Sally.

Doreen is wearing her latest FO, she always looks good in her knits.

I have to be back at work tomorrow, sadly, but I have bought myself a spa package to last 6 months, so I have to remind myself to take some "me" time every month before work gets on top of me.

Burnt Out

2006-09-07T18:17:00.000+08:00

I'm having a bit of a crafty burn out at the moment.Add the immense workload at the office at the moment - I can't seem to concentrate on any one project.

It's not that I haven't done much knitting but too much on too many different projects.

I worked on the Plaza edging until I ran out of yarn and I haven't been back at my other stash cupboard at my mum's for the extra two balls I have left. BTW, Vanessa, I remember you said you weren't sure how this edging was going to go? I have to say it's pretty basic crochet, so you wouldn't have a problem.

I worked on Stitchdiva's Knitted Bodice until I ran out of the accent yarn I have been using for the lacy parts. So I have trot along to that local LYS that I hate because of the outrageous pricing and get me another of that outrageously priced metallic chain mail yarn.

I finished one heels and toe sock and am having second sock syndrome for the next one because I am not so sure I have enough of the Koigu I used for the main colour.

I started Pomatomus with this sock yarn I dyed but a bit of the dye is rubbing off my fingers so I am not sure if I want to keep on knitting or rip it out and soak it in vinegar.

I picked up my Madli's shawl and feel like puking cos I am just not feeling the love anymore -at 13 repeats I'm not sure if I should rip it out or not.

Talk about a comedy of errors.

Next week I am going on leave and I gonna get every inch of my body pummelled and kneaded by a masseuse, every inch of my face scrubbed and polished. And then knit till the cows come home. And since there are no cows in this part of the world - that's like --- heh -- forever.

Well at least until I go bak to work.

Hope for better crafty inspiration next week.

Light at the end of the Plaza

2006-08-27T17:46:00.000+08:00

so after one year of slogging intermittently on this project I can finally say that the knit part of it is done. And all I have to do is crochet the bobbly bits of the collar.

This is a sneak preview only - more pics will arrive once I have done the crocheted bobbly bits which is probably the only interesting feature of this knit.

This is the only pattern in this book that doesn't have a full length picture. And I had to choose this one to do for my sister. Be warned the body is very short - almost bolero short and the collars do not seem to be as big as in the picture.

This will be the 1st and last time I'll be working with Cleakheaton Country 8 ply. It's very "country"- it's already pilling.

BUT I'm soooooo glad this one's done.

Albany Bodice

2006-08-21T18:06:00.000+08:00

As you might know the Stitch Diva Knitted Bodice calls for a mucho expensive 100% silk yarn from Tilli Tomas. As usual, there are plenty of discussion over the Net, particularly in the Knitty and in Craftster on various yarn substitutes.

Now to me the beauty of this pattern has to be in the yarn - the subtle colours and slight nubby texture helps to bring out what is essentially a simple but stylish cut. I did do my share of surfing around to find a reasonably priced sub until I looked into my wallet. Then I had a look at my yarn cabinet and found .....
Jaeger Albany.

It's a discontinued cotton tape yarn from Jaeger and it was the just right gauge.

And here what it looks knitted up -

Or if you want to look closer

It's NOT the most perfect of subs BUT it works for me.

More Weaving

2006-08-17T17:45:00.000+08:00

Just a quick post to show you the second weaving project off the loom.

It's supposed to be enough for two cushion covers but I underestimated the width. it's a funny piece, enough for one funny shape oblong pillow (and I have to make up the pillow myself) or two tiny tiny cushions (I have to make that up myself too). I haven't decided - I might just line it and just leave it as a table runner.

As you can see the selvedges are still pretty messy but improving.

Tonight I'll be using my mum's dining table to warp my next project - yes another table runner. This time in novelty threads. And then after that, I intend to pick up some some pick-up techniques and do something different.

Have a look at what sweetgeorgia is doing! Giving me all kinds of ideas tsk tsk tsk.

There has been some knitting going on - truly! Just don't have any FO pics to show. I'm almost at the finish line with RYC Plaza - having one half of a collar to do. Notice my sis has come and gone - but she took Samus as compensation - so she can't complain.

Also almost to the cuff with Heels and Toes and still some lace on the side.

And... and started this new project too.

I really need to sleep less.

Beads and Pieces

2006-08-09T19:05:00.000+08:00

The great thing about having my sister around is that we can go bead stashing !

The great thing about bead stashing with my sister is that I don't get to spend any money and I get free beaded jewellery to wear

The great thing about having a sister around is that she can model your finished knitwear.

That's Samus from the Knitty.

And since it fits her so perfectly - she's taking it back. It seems that I should resign myself to the fact that I have been making knitwear that fits my sister better than me.

So the great thing about having a sister who looks better in my knitwear than me and lives in a temperate climate is that I can buy wool again!!!!

Yay!

Guess who's been stashing on wool....

Weaving around the bend

2006-08-03T15:53:00.000+08:00

Yeap that’s what I’ve been doing these past two nights. I got myself a very simple rigid heddle loom – the Ashford Knitters Loom which my sister brought back from NZ for me.

It’s a gorgeous lightweight little number that’s a perfect start up at a reasonable price. Now I’m sure you’re thinking “new hobby, new stash” but that’s the beauty of weaving is that I can basically use almost the same stash as I do in knitting.

My first effort - a 60 inch scarf woven with golf rayon thread as the warp and variagated Rayon flakes as weft.

Here's a closer look - My DH says it looks like mud, but I think the gold thread gives it a cool accent.

My first experience in weaving was when I was a unemployed bum (right after graduation) and I was flatting with some textile design students for the local polytech. This was during my knitting for sale days so it was quite a perfect arrangement for me. One of the girls bought back a table loom all warped and ready to go. She was supposed to weave this piece of cloth to make a vest but she had other more social things to do so she paid me to do it.

If warping is a huge tangled mess with 80 warp ends - how bad do you think it will be at 200-300?

She had done all the dyeing of the thread (a gorgeous pink and blue) and warping, showed me which lever to pull, when and away I went. I slaved over that thing for 2 weeks.

Hope this second project will take me less than 2 weeks. Cushion cover in a check pattern with Butterfly Super 8 Cotton (DK weight)

I did want to sign up for a weaving class after that but the complexity of planning and warping of the loom put me off. Even now, the words “multiharness’ and “treadles” and the cryptic image of a weave pattern draft is sending signals to brain to “Keep Out!”.

Weaving, however, is a local art cottage industry in Malaysia. Weavers (mostly women co-ops) weave a much sought after cloth with gold threads and patterns called songket. Songket is used in many wedding attires and ceremonial functions and many of the patterns are handed down from generation to generation. Click Here and Here for more information and some gorgeous samples.

What the local weavers here do not have are the fancy technologically advanced looms of the west and still, they can produce such lovely complex fabric with the same two harness loom they used for hundreds of years.

No harnesses just one reed that goes up or down. And already I'm searching the net for more patterns.

My journey into weaving is going to start small. With little baby steps. With the objective to reduce the huge oddball collection in my yarn stash. So tell me why am I starting to dream of having my own weaving studio??

With DK weight, you can see the fabric is quite open - MUST get more worsted weight or reeds with more teeth.

Autumn offerings

2006-08-01T17:44:00.000+08:00

Can't resist drooling over the new autumn releases from RYC - quite a few new books and the release of the Silk and Wool yarn in soft muted colours and the brochure RYC Classic Style

Charm

Cherish

Harmony

Oddly enough the main RYC site doesn't have the latest information, so click over to English Yarn for detailed descriptions.

Then there's Fall Interweave which also has some drool-worthy designs

Gatsby Girl

Bianca's Jacket

Enjoy!!

Fun Time

2006-07-31T17:23:00.000+08:00

I've joined two new fun knitting games - Sock Wars and Lace Swap.

Sock Wars is a sock swap with a difference. It reminds me of some similar game we played in school camps. The process of elimination continues until one is left standing as the winner. Plus it really fits my mood for socks lately.

Lace Swap is just a great way to send away some of my extensive lace yarn stash and get some more in exchange. Wonder if that still counts as stashbusting??

I'm gonna be quite quiet in the next two weeks cos my sister is here and she's pushing me to finish the various WIPS I promised her, namely the Plaza cardigan and the Heels and Toes socks I'm working on. And I managed to get the DVDs of SHARPE!!

Yes that is Sean Bean!!

I'm out of here.

PS The secret something that I have been clearing out my room for is here and is waiting for a good day for me to take a photo. I will be back to post some photoes once I get some decent light. Bloody rain this morning caused a jam and made me 1 hour late for work.

Dishcloth Dillema

2006-07-24T18:38:00.000+08:00

I've always wondered why anyone wanted to knit dishcloths.

I mean all that work and then they use it to do the dirty dishes.

Don't you feel the knitting crying out to be saved?

But what if you're not washing the dishes with them. What if your faithful net scrunchie gave up the ghost and refused to go back into it's natural scrunchy state? what if it's been so hot the past few days you've been having two showers a day and your face need a nice scrub??

Imagine an absorbent cushy textured soft cotton cloth is washing your face. It has bright and happy colours. The pattern has just the right amount of texture for the most gentle abrasions. It costs half the cost of a good net bath scrunchie from Body Shop ( not the type that gets untied within a month).

Oh Help! I can't stop knitting them now!!

Sugar n creme yarn came from a swap with Carrie (no blog) and the pattern is from here. I was inspired by the loads of Mason Dixon dishcloths to be found here.

Now that the personal hygiene crisis is over, I got to go back to my heels and toes socks.

Heels and Toes

2006-07-19T17:45:00.000+08:00

Well the heels and toes won!!

I just started of with the deep hunter green and then gradually increased the number of rows of the contrasting Koigu after the toe was done. I plan to do this before the heel and before the cuffs, finishing off the cuffs with the deep green.

Tried out the jogless round and I think that I have been pretty succesful although not neat enough.

Erin - with toe up socks, you can adjust the curve (think that is the right term) of the toe by varying the amount of stitches you wrap. I wrap around 9 stitches on each end but you can wrap more if you want it to be pointier or less if you want it to be flatter.

This pair is going to my sister as she's complaining about the cold winter in Auckland this year.

BTW I got the cute sock bag in a swap with Trek casts on. Have you seen the Gumball Footies sock she made from my Papaya Rose colourway??

Regia India

2006-07-18T18:25:00.000+08:00

Quick post to show off my newly finished Regia India socks

They're fraternal twins, basic toe up pattern using 2.0 mm circulars and 64 stitches.

They could be a bit tighter and I could have been 1 cm more patient before going to the heel.

Will probably cast on either Baudelaire or Pomatamus tonight. Although I have a hankering to do a bi-coloured sock with solid toes and heels similar to Toni's . Well we'll see which desire wins over tonight.

Yeap the sock bug is still biting although I have been doing a little lace on the side. And I'm still hankering over a log cabin. I just saw a gorgeous one in progress done with Rowan Felted Tweed. How luxurious is that!!

Log cabin

2006-07-14T17:25:00.000+08:00

There's been a spate of log cabin knits all over blogworld, due to the Mason Dixon's book and I must say they look absolutely fabulous.

Here's a whole list of worthy Log cabins

A Chance to Knit - in Felted Tweed no less.. that must feel real cushy.

january One - the pallette is gorgeous and it’s all STR!!

Monkey knits- it’s gorgeous as a baby blanket

Erica Lee - uses Plymouth Encore DK for a multicoloured version

Joan Knits -uses a different arrangement more akin to the traditional quilted log cabin – you can play around with the lights and darks.

My close encounter with the log cabin is a traditional one - here's my scrappy one that I was doing some years back (pre-baby).

Gregory is graduating to a big boy's bed this weekend and I was thinking that he needed a big boy's blanket instead of that swaddling flannel he's been carrying around.

I think I need about 6 more squares ( 2 rows of 3) to make it a decent size blankie for him. I have 3 hanging around and need to do 3 more. I used the traditional red square for the center - to signify the hearth as the heart of the home and the lights and darks. The fabrics are all scraps as you would have probably guessed y now - I am very much a scrappy type of gal.

The benefits of clearing out boxes is that you get to find your old treasures -

Paper pieced coasters

Hawaiian Applique - Breadfruit

The quilting is done but I have no idea what to finish it as. This thing is at least 20 inches square.

Details of hand quilting

Take a look at the detail. I quilted it hawaiian style shadow quilting ie following the motif inside and outside the patch.

More treasures of the past will be making its way soon to this blog. The stash busting must continue!!

Stripping bare

2006-07-10T17:42:00.000+08:00

I'm feeling a little exposed here.

The process of cleaning up the store room and putting the stash into the new cabinets has just made me realise what a terrible stasher I am.
Remember this?

The cabinets finally came on Saturday afternoon.

Doesn't it look so neat and clean?? You haven't seen the rest of the kitchen and living room. That's where all of the stuff that was previously in the room is.

I had to do a little shifting around of PC table since the cabinets were bigger than I thought they were.

Lyn gave me a good tip of putting all the yarn in plastic baggies and in the cabinets, instead of the WIPs. So now all my WIPS except the current sock obsession is in the plastic bins.

This is far as I got before I had to leave for my parents-in-law's place in Melaka. Bearing in mind that I have yet to put in all my odd balls and my old quilting stash (trying to sell them all).

I prattled about the cabinets for at least one hour before I finally thought to ask DH, "Do you have anything to put in the cabinets?" I think his tongue was almost bleeding from biting, I know his eyes nearly rolled off his head. But he's a good sort so I'll make some space for him. That's what marriage is all about I guess!

BUT ... the whole lesson learnt is that I must do some serious stashbusting. I mean I think I have every kind of yarn I have ever wanted to try for all the patterns I want to try. What more could a girl want??

Oh I forgot .. the whole point of making some space here was because the ... other thing that's arriving at the end of the month.... Sigh! I can just see another stashing cycle looming in the horizon.

Plugging in.

2006-07-07T17:59:00.000+08:00

Sally was pointing me to some knitty patterns when I stoppped for moment wondering why I haven't seen these patterns before. Then I realised that the new knitty was out and it's full of socks, gloves, hats and other accessories.

My favourites are RPM and Widdershins. Looks like my sock craze is going to last longer than I thought. Aren't I lucky I have this stash to see me through??

I need to plug my little bags

Want it? BID Here

I'm setting up the wi-fi internet access at home tonight so I hope to have more blogging during the weekend now. Sometimes I have so much to say but forget it by the time I get to sit down in from of the PC. Age is really catching up with me.

Fragments of my past

2006-07-04T19:08:00.000+08:00

I haven't been doing much knitting lately - so caught up with the exciting developments of the World Cup - both Argentina and Brazil out of the running leaving four European nations (Portugal, Italy, France and Germany) fighting for the most prestigious cup in football.

The husband and I stayed late last Saturday to watch both the England - Portugal match. I was so upset after that match that I couldn't sleep so I stayed to watch the next match ( France-Brazil) with him. The second match was by far more exciting and less frustrating. We both have a fondness for the underdogs so we were glad to see the favourites Brazil leave and in such sporting manner too. I caught sight of Thierry Henri (France) hugging Ronaldo (Brazil) and that is a far cry from the ugly Germany-Argentina post-match free-for-all the night before.

Needless to say we spent all of Sunday recovering. Never thought I would take such a long time to recover from an allnighter. Age is catching up with me.

Instead of knitting my World Cup project ( shame on me, I know), I picked up the threads of an old hobby after attending a refresher class on Saturday afternoon with the Malaysian stitchers group.

Yes as you can see I am far out of practice - the picots are of varying lengths ad the joins are a bit twisted. I will have to practice a lot more before I can progress to the next step I think.

Meanwhile I forgot to update what I received from the Dye-o-rama swap.

Look at that gorgeous hank of yarn !!

I also received from Lynn some lovely tea , baseball cards for Gregory and tatoos for Megan and castille soap for me :). Thanks Lynn.

I had a week's reprieve on the cabinets. They are arriving this weekend instead - and I have half the room sorted out but need to take some trips to the rubbish tip today to get rid of the bigger stuff.

I have to make room cos I have a new toy coming at the end of the month. Heheh! see of you can guess what it is. All I can say is that I think I have gone completely bonkers but as Lyn says "Hey if it makes you happy, why not??"

There and back again

2006-06-28T17:23:00.000+08:00

I've had a rocky couple of weeks since my last post.

My dad was hositalised after having a epilepsy attack ( he's a parkinson's patient) and most of my days were tied up with ferrying various relatives to the hospital and back. He's on the mend and on the way back home now so at least one worry is off my shoulders.

So while that was going on there was not much knitting except for small protable projects like socks.

Speaking of portable, here's another new thing that's been occupying my time.

That is my new Dell Inspiron which is almost 3 days old. This is my first blog post from this new baby. I've been busy installing stuff and transfering file from the old pc but it also means that YAY! I will have internet access at home gain . Now to get the broadband up and running at home.

The one sock is knitted out of Regia India ( colourway Kerala) and I am working on the second. Soon I'll be surfing and knitting at the same time like a pro.

I've also decided to get cracking on putting my craftroom in order and two weeks ago ordered two cabinets for books yarn and other various stash. Due the recent events and one proscrastinating excuse to another, I now have TWO days to get the room in order before the cabinets are delivered. Want to see what I'm up against??

Ok so, that not ALL stash !!! There's boxes of old cassettes and VHS, computer peripherals, fabric and some yarn, even and old PC monitor hidden there some where.

Wish me luck I ruthlessly prune and discard useless items that my hoarder husband and I have collected through the years.

Dyed and gone to Cotton Sock Heaven

2006-06-15T15:55:00.000+08:00

Just a little something to show you before the weekend.

An assortment of Opal, Regia, Online, and Schoeller Stahl and they're all cotton mix. From the wonderful Martina and her great website whose name I can't pronounce. She also added some happy Coal sweets and some nice postcards.

The only sad thing is not all of the sock yarn are mine. But thanks Sally for giving me a chance to fondle them first before sending them to you.

I've always wanted some Opal Petticoat so I am quite chaffed that they came out with a cotton version. The colours are muted because the yarn is marled but incredibly soft. I had test knitted a bit of Opal Rodeo cotton and Regia India and found the Regia just a wee bit splitty.

Guess this weekend will be sock knitting time..

Random Tuesday

2006-06-13T14:30:00.000+08:00

What's up with the dye run

Trekcelt answered my call for test knitters for papaya rose and she has had quite an adventure with it. Read her exploits here. Firstly I am very glad that she likes the colour . I can't seem to duplicate it and I have officially run out of base yarn.

I'm so sad that the dye is running even though I dyed with vinegar in the dye bath and had a clear rinse. She's gonna soldier on with it but I've offered to replace her needles. The least I could do.

My World Cup KAL project

I wanted something sexy, full of grace and passion so I choose Elann's Sonata Crest of Wave tank, although I hope to add some sleeves to it. Using the Hot Pink Rowan Calmer I have in my stash. The tank is graceful and sexy and Calmer is ... da BOMB! I've been hoarding it for the longest time searching for the right project and now I think if I could afford it I would knit with nothing else. It's so soft and cushy and light, and after Trinity, glides smoothly along the needles with no problem at all.

Watch 3 games and I'm almost done with the top half of the front. I hope to have it done by the end of the world cup or sooner.

Summer bags for swap or sale.
I've been shopping the flea markets and picked up some of these really cute handwoven bags. They're from Indonesia and are handmade by a village co-op. I have yet to get more details about the co-op ( these type of details are really difficult to get as suppliers are not too keen on giving out details for fear other people may muscle into their business). But I thought that it would be great to put them up for sale or swap.

They're $18.00 each and postage is $5.00 international or I'll swap for hand dyed sock yarn like STR, Fleece Artist, Sweetgeorgia's, etc etc., email to offer.

Ole Ole Ole!!

2006-06-08T13:06:00.000+08:00

We've been travelling around the country the last two weekends. Our first trip to Cameron Highlands I already mentioned and then last weekend in to the East Coast, Kuantan.

Now I'm back after 2 weeks, very little knitting and a pile of work on my desk to go through.

In between trips, I took a breather and dyed the hank of yarn for my Dye-O-Rama buddy

It's starting its journey to her tomorrow.

Everyone here has the World Cup Fever!! And I'm getting into the groove as well. I am very very tempted to join in the World Cup Knitalong but I really don't know what to start!

As usual I have been halfheartedly picking up all the previous WIPS like the Madli Shawl (did another 3 repeats watching HOUSE) and the Sampler Stole (couple of rows). Started a sock using Regia India Kerala, a new wool/cotton sock yarn with Indian named colourways which called to me ( 'fess up! don't you sometimes buy a colourway because of the name?). Playing around with my weave-it and lusting after Ashford's new Knitters Loom.

It's time to start thinking of the next BIG project - something FEVRISH, Something FANATICAL, something that combines Style, Grace and Passion, to symbolise the madness that is the World Cup.

Any suggestions??

And the Winner is......

2006-05-31T18:12:00.000+08:00

You know part of my job is thinking up contests to run on our website and we're in a middle of planning a big one currently. We can't do sweepstakes so we have to be a little more creative at choosing the winners.

There were so many lovely entries - some actually gave me insipirations for future colours. The haloscan commenting features don't allow to email each one individually so I have to say here and on the Knitters' Review forum -

THANK YOU!!!

Now here are some honourable mentions

Erin made me laugh when she suggested "Ribena Berry" because that is a famous little mascot herein Singapore and Malaysia for the Ribena Blackcurrant drink.

Blueberry Rose was suggested by both Linda and Ajoursteek.

Dolcetto Delphinium is the sweetest name suggested by Sandy. I'm already planning this colourway -Deep deep grape and blues next.

BUT I have said it on the Knitter's Review forum that my preference is leaning towards the Strawberries because of this

So Strawberry Hyacinth and Gayle wins !!

By the way, Gregory and I picked those strawberries ourselves. See...

Latest dye job

2006-05-26T18:13:00.000+08:00

OK here's the latest Dye job I did.

I can't seem to decide what to call it. I would love to keep to the flower + fruit combination. Its working name is "Brandywine" but there's too much pink in it to justify the name.

I'll give this hank free to the visitor who proposes the best name.

It's 100g 450yds of Henry's Attic Monty 3/9 which is fingering weight. It's not going to my dye-o-rama pal cos I have another colourway planned for her.

BTW Erin - Wilton's is a brand of food colouring used for icing and easter eggs which many home dyers have succesfully used on yarn. More colours choices than Kool Aid and best of all- you can buy it in Malaysia ( and I guess Singapore) at any baking supply shop.

More Stuff on My Destash Site

2006-05-25T18:26:00.000+08:00

Too exhausted for being up late watching Xmen III and a whole morning of meetings (thumbs down to both)to update on anything.

Will try for coherent thought tomorrow.

Adventures of Dye-sister and the Dyeorama capers

2006-05-23T17:48:00.000+08:00

In pictures only

Washed out dyed yarn with no super human qualities waiting to be saved

Wilton's icing colur dye to the rescue

Kick A@@ cool mutant yarn drying out waiting to be reskeined and sent out to spread its knitterly goodness across the ocean.

More pictures once mutant yarn is ready to move out.

Can you guess I have X-men 3 on my brain . I'm watching it tomorrow - woo hooo!!!

Growing up

2006-05-22T18:23:00.000+08:00

When my hand dyed yarn grows up I want it be like this -

Very Berry hand dyed yarn from Over the Rainbow ebay shop
I don't think she has this colourway anymore though

You wouldn't know to look at it but it has bits of gold, light blue, lavender, pink as well as the overall plum. How does she get it to dye that way?? Does she just put all the colours in the the pot and hope that it falls on the yarn and dye it before it mixes up into a grey mush?

I speak of this because of my dismal Dyeing failure this weekend. It's like the goddes of dyeing (whoever she may be) just left me after 3 succesful dye jobs. I guess after a certain time I can't rely on luck to get nice colours. Either that or I need to get me some proper dyes instead of experimenting with silk dyes that don't stick.

A good hand dyed yarn will behave beautifully even when it is not being knitted.

Yes I know, I've been playing with my vintage weave-it - the older version of Weavettes - the new tool taking the crafting world by storm, courtesy of Martha Stewart Living.

Have a look at some other websites and blogs with more information on this cute and handy tool.

eLoomaNation - an excellent resource for the different types of hand looms and various project ideas.
Cosmicpluto knits - I wait every week with baited breath to see what new squares she produces.
Jessimuhka knits
Booga J

But what to do with these little squares?? well hey *blank stare* I'm supposed to make something out of them??

Latest update: I dropped by a baking shop and got some Wilton's. More progress on the dyeing tonight, I hope.

Sad day

2006-05-17T18:04:00.000+08:00

I had a bad week and it's only wednesday.

I've been in the lovely island of Borneo over the weekend for work and really thought it was going to be a great week. BUT on Monday I pronged my car. My lovely zippy 4 wheel drive tiny car that sometimes doubles as a stash cupboard. The left headlights and mudguards are crumpled and ripped away. This is what happens when I was inattentive and didn't brake in time.

I spent the whole of Tuesday running errands from the insurance company to the mechanic. That precious day of that I had set aside to do some dyeing for Dye-o-Rama.

The only consolation is to return home to this

In fact I'm not sure if I was going to laugh or cry. The yarn is 100% silk and sooooo beautiful as well as soooo ruinously expensive. I don't know if it is worth it or not but as in many Kim Hargreaves kits, it's all in the packaging. Have a look at the HandMaiden website and you see what I mean. Isn't it just droolifying?

But how many other smaller yarn companies have similar products but not the means to create such beautiful pictures and lovely tags?

Salina, Salina

2006-05-09T17:40:00.000+08:00

First of all got to apologise for the PMS rant in the previous post. I do get the blues monthly and couple with the fact I also get the blues when I am about to "finish" something. Can't quite explain it - maybe I just find it hard to let go. The mounds of stash from various crafts in my house is a testament to that.

Anyways here is Salina (sans the cuffs for the sleeves)

Forgive the picture quality, you don't want to know where this was taken but suffice to say it's a place that has a huge mirror and lots of light.

As you can see it's shorter than I had expected. I think my boobs are dragging up the hemline. If I were to do this again I'd make the division for the neck lower and the torso longer. It fits great though, I even have a shell underneath and it's not skin tight. If it grows an inch width and length, the fit would be perfect.

I've decided to do a short sleeve version, and I haven't decided what to do with cuffs yet. hopefully I'll get that done my tonight and try to take some picture in natural sunlight with less messy hair.

Lyn and I were discussing sizing the other day and I've come to realise that I haven't found that magic formula yet. When I was much younger and thinner, I remember only following the pattern for the required size and had no problems with sweaters being too small or too short (although I always had an issue with sleeves - always too long.) Now that I don't have an 21 year old body anymore, I have to find that perfect ratio, what number to cast on for which weight of yarn and what length to make for my body.

Anyways on to my next project.
I bought this japanese pattern book European Knits from Lyn and I like quite a few of the projects in it. Here are my favourites

I'm leaning toward starting the Lace Cardigan on the bottom right. With a longer torse this time.

Floating Around

2006-05-03T17:59:00.001+08:00

I'm actually dreading the end of this project.

I always feel like this when I'm approaching the end of a project.. This general malaise that comes after too much anticipation, racing to the finish line. It happens when most often when I’m playing pool and I’m on the last shot for the black after potting 3 balls in a row or something. The black’s usually in a nice position, not too easy and not too hard and if it was anything but the black ball, I would have aced it. But … then something always goes wrong and … well you know the rest. I miss the shot, and my husband coaching from the sidelines will shake his head and say, “No Killer Instinct” .

So often after I finish the pieces and then seam it up and try it on … and there’s this *bleah* flat feeling. I look into the mirror and go “I guess it’s ok….”

The consolation is that
1. I have stash busted 5 balls of yarn.
2. I’ve substituted yarn successfully and love the effect, so much so I want to get more Trinity.
3. I will have completed a project in just over one month and have actually been quite faithful to this one project.
4. It's a usable top for this weather. I haven't wasted all that time making something I'll wear only to the next trip up the highlands just because I love doing cables.

The fact that I am contemplating Hattie for my next project just shows how I am just setting myself up again. I guess it's the curse of being a process Knitter.

See my boy! At least he's getting the hang of floating.

Anyway I've decided make an effort to be more organised. I need to take a good hard look at my stash. So many odd balls of novelty yarn and some completely illogical purchases, yarn bought because they just look nice as a ball.

I've always liked the look of art scarves with different yarn and textures. So I've done something different to those one or two balls of odd yarn I bought when I started to get back into knitting. Instead of stranding them together to make a scarf, I'm tying them at regular intervals.

My first effort..

Bigger lots on normal yarn like Koigu, Cherry Tree Hill are on sale at my destash site.

PS I'd like to welcome Krista to the Tri- Knit-y KAL

Lap up the Lapels

2006-04-24T18:07:00.000+08:00

The Salina front is done and I have only the sleeves to do!

I know it's a bit of an odd angle and you know Trinity is almost impossible to photograph. The colour looks like royal blue but in reality it is a lot more violet.

But check out those lapels. I love it!

It's pretty simple to do. Where a normal v neck front will have decreases at the neck edge, in this case just knit straight. Instead increase the moss stitch pattern by one stich on every row. Once the neck is finished, you only need to fold back the two flaps and there you go - a nice little lapel.

And here's a little taste of a mystery project I am working on.

Oh and I signed up for Dye-o-rama . Can't wait to get started.

Papaya Rose

2006-04-21T13:43:00.000+08:00

It's a funny name but I can't really think of another name for this new experiment of mine.

This one was done quite some time ago actually but I never got the chance to take a picture in natural light.

I used a different method for dying this. I had two balls of Adriafil Baby in natural which is 100% wool 4 ply weight. I just took off the label and place both in a dish of water. Then I squeezed some green dye on one side and rose on the other then just steamed it until the water is clear. After some time I add a few drops of orange here and there.

By this time the balls look quite awful. I'm sorry I didn't take a picture but I was ready to throw them out. I left the balls to dry out on their own which took a really long time and then decided to skein it and ... well - serendipity!

Because of the very short spaces between dyes, it's not self striping or variegated, but a mish mash of colours of warm orange, rose and green.

I can't wait to knit something this yarn. Maybe Pomatomus.

However if someone wants to test knit this colourway for me, please email me and we'll talk. I am really thinking of doing more of this colourway.

TRI-KNIT-Y KAL
Sally has finished her Trinity project. She must be a knitting speed demon. Hope I get to see it this Saturday when we meet up.

Erin of course has debuted her beautiful smocked project last week

Carey (aka: bovinekitti) has just joined us and she is blogless but I'll post her updates from time to time. She has this to say :-

So anyway, I have this Trinity yarn and I'm looking foward to working with it again, but with support of others doing the same. I frogged my first attempt with it from a pattern book, but only because I was pregnant and realized I'd never finish and be able to wear it anytime soon. I still plan to make that garment, but will wait until I'm done with kids and get my figure back. Eunny made the same sweater and gave it away, and so I learned I'll need to size up to get the same look as the model is wearing. One thing I found is that Bryspun needles are easier on the wrists and fingers when working with this yarn. I think it's got some stickiness to it, as well as it being so unelastic. I tried bamboo, and needed the yarn to glide better on the needles, but aluminum wasn't the answer. The Bryspun are a pleasure to work with and I've since bought DPs to use on socks and the booties.

If there's a way to do a simple blog...where DH doesn't have to get involved (he'll say there's plenty on my plate to be working on that! - I have SO much to catch up on around the house as it is :) Then, I'll try to post updates on my progress. The only thing is that I'm going to try to finish a baby gift for a friend... It's become my albatross, as I'm making it bigger than baby-size, double-stranding the yarn on size 8's ....and it's an acrylic boucle (for washability). It better turn out good for the pain it's giving me ;) I'm giving myself two weeks to finish it then start on the Trinity. If I don't finish in two weeks, I'll start on the Trinity KAL anyway so I'm not too far behind.

The rest of us are still plugging away :)

Till later.

Let's go to the Zoo!

2006-04-18T18:21:00.000+08:00

Not a knitting update - only a little post on what I did during the weekend.
We took our three year old and his two and half year old girlfriend to the zoo.

** Warning - Graphic Heavy**
As with all trips involving small cute children- there are a lot more photoes of the children not much of the animals so if you want to see a very good blog entry about Malacca Zoo and its inhabitants, go here.

Greg and Megan wave hello - spot the macau in the background.

Greg and daddy pose but Greg's still a little traumatised by the mummy marmoset and her baby ( bottom left) he just saw.

And here's the daddy marmoset.

Greg starts to get the hang of smiling into the camera with giraffes in the background.

Never attempt to walk the whole length of the zoo on a hot Saturday afternoon - thank goodness for the mini train. Actually the zoo is very shady and has plenty of places to rest but with 3 year olds it was easier for the parents to hop on to the train.

I think the loveliest sound on earth is the sound of children laughing.

And this is the whole reason we decided to go to the zoo. Nothing like a good long walk to persuade a hyperactive 3 year old to have a nap.

Tri-Knit-Y Round Up

2006-04-12T12:23:00.000+08:00

I've finished the back of Salina. I'm surprised it went so fast, as I really don't like knitting in double knit. I put in roughly 3 hours of mindless stockinette a night since last Thursday and revisited my Star Trek : Voyager dvds. Thank God for Star Trek.

Lyn has changed her project to Tea Time and that flamenco colour is looking good.

Sally casted on a simple tunic knit and I believe she has finished a back too.

Lois is knitting the Drops Cardigan and reports that she is pas the 3rd lace repeat.

Erin has finished the knitting part of her project and is SMOCKING the waist! My hat's off to her! I'm really tempted to get that nice blue colour Trinity that she has.... it's subtle - like the Hibiscus colourway but lovely.

The others have not reported in yet but I am sure there will be on their projects in the coming weeks.

Twist and Skeined

2006-04-10T18:47:00.000+08:00

Want to make your dyed hanks look more like the professionally hand dyed sock yarns?

Skein them in a different diameter, and twist.

Got to run and pick up my son. I hear he is causing a havoc at his cousins' house.

Will update on Tri-Knit-Y KAL on Wednesday.

Knitting Meet Up 1st April 2006

2006-04-05T13:11:00.000+08:00

It was great to meet up with Lyn, Sally, Jackie, Poh Lin, Doreen, Kitman and Rozita on Saturday.

Sally and Lyn have already put up some photoes and here are some from my camera.

Sally and Poh Lin surrounded by stash and magazines.

Lyn showing Kitman her Diamond project. Lyn is wearing her Katia Jamaica top and Kitman , a lacy Japanese pattern top.

Jackie and Doreen doing a spot of KIP ( Knit in public). Doreen is wearing her Trinity Ribbed Corset.

All of us except Lyn - from left to right: Rozita, Jackie, Doreen, Sally, Poh Lin, me and Kitman.

Lyn and I casted on for our Tri-knit-y projects but Lyn has decided on another project while mine is too big. I'm getting 18 st to 4" instead of 22 st so I am going to recast a smaller size. I must be the loosiest (is this a word??) knitter in the world.

Until I have some significant progress on Tri-Knit-y project, let me just show you the first lot of books that I ordered during the course of last month. I was on a YARN diet not book diet!!

I've decided to go on the STASH diet after my momentary lapse last week. From now on I will only use destash maney for more stash. So why not help me out by checking out my destash site . There's still some fabric left and I will be posting some books in a couple of days.

Mea Culpa

2006-03-31T17:03:00.000+08:00

I have broken my Yarn Diet.

It's all WEB's fault. They had Elizabeth Lavold's Silky Wool at $5.00 per ball. How can I resist??

Now I can knit Hattie.

Tri-Knit-Y KAL
We're all ready and set for tomorrow and Erin has decided to join us after a lunchtime yarn run. Erin has made that gorgeous Michael Kors Sweater in Trinity which is one of the inspirations for this KAL.

Pictures of our casting on will be posted next week :)