Wednesday, June 28, 2006

There and back again

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.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Dyed and gone to Cotton Sock Heaven

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..

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Random Tuesday

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.


Thursday, June 08, 2006

Ole Ole Ole!!

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??