Recently Completed

What have I been doing while not blogging. I've been knitting and crocheting. Thats what I did most of the time. To prove it, I've completed this FO's some weeks back. It took me some time to post this photos as the camera is down. This FOs are from knitting and crocheting.

Currently, I'm doing another crochet top. I think I'm hook on crochet. Crochet is faster and more challenging. I'm still in the learning stage and hope to churn out more FOs soon. I'll post about my current project soon in my next post.

Time Flies....

Time really flies without you even notice it. It has been more than 2 months since my last post. A lot happen in this 2 months I'm away, some sad news and some good ones too.

In the month of June, I've been to HongKong for a short trip. Basically, some sight seeing and most importantly is yarn shopping. Not much shopping done during the visit as it has been raining but nevertheless we did manage to visit all the major spots.

I was lucky that Hubby doesn't mind me going on yarn shopping. I manage to visit at least 5 of the local yarn shop. Here is what I got.

All of them are in cotton which is suitable for our weather here in Malaysia.

Well, during the time I was not blogging I was actually involved in knitting. I manage to finish 3 FO's. I only manage to upload one of it. This is the Latte Cardi which is has been left aside for quite a while. A lot of hard work for this project but I like it cause I won't be falling asleep knitting.

I'll post about the other 2 FO's in my next post. Hopefully, I won't be too lazy to post again.

Orangey Crochet Bolero

I've been crocheting. The latest one I've completed is an Orangey Crochet Bolero. The pattern is from the new World of Knits - Spring & Summer 2007. I've finished crocheting it last 3 weeks ago but I'm too lazy to blog about it.

I've used 5 balls of DMC Senso for this project. It is indeed one fast project. Here is the close-up of the sleeves and the border stitches.

No more crocheting now. I'm back to knitting. Will post about the knitting progress soon. By the way, I've completed my latte top too. I'll blog about it soon in the next post.

Crochet Bolero

I'm back again. It has been a while since the last post. I didn't post because I have nothing to post, no FO for the past few weeks.

Only last Saturday, I managed to finish this ;

Crochet Bolero (Front View)

Crochet Bolero (Back View)

Crochet is real fast, I completed it in a week. The yarn I use for this is 6 balls of DMC Senso in pastel pink. I love the crochet border. Here is the close-up of the borders;

The pattern for this bolero is from a japanese pattern book "Spring/Summer Stylish Handknits For Women". If you are interested to get a copy the ISBN No is 978-4-8347-2519-3 and the front cover looks like this;

The only modification I made for this patterns is the sleeve. The borders is too big for my arm, I have to resize it to fit my arm. Overall the pattern can be classified as easy for a new crocheter like me.

I'm currently working on another piece of crochet. This time is the pattern is from the World of Knits - Spring Summer 2007. Here is the preview;

More photos to follow once it is completed.

Isabeau Tote

Knitting progress has been real slow. I'm just not motivated to knit at all.

During the recent Chinese New Year Holidays, I manage to find some time in between visiting family and friends to finish up this tote.

This design is from Sylvie Damey called Isabeau Tote. It is one fast knit pattern but probably because I'm lack of interest in knitting, this tote like took forever to finish.

I've use 3 balls of Rowan All Season Cotton for this tote. The only modification that I made to the pattern is replacing the bag handle with a PVC handle.

On my other progress in knitting, I'm still knitting the lace top from my previous post. I'll blog about it once there it any progress on it.

I've Been Bad

I'm still here but I know I'm bad. SP 9 had been long over and I still have not blog about my last package from my SP. In the last package, my SP send me Knit Scene Magazine, At Knit's End from Stephanie Pearl-McPhee and set of beautiful stitch markers. And my spoiler is no other than Yvonne from UK. Thank you so much Yvonne. I just love all the gifts presented to me.

Here is the close-up of the stitch markers. It is really a beauty don't you think so.

My spoilee is from Hungary. Her name is Zita and she is one talented lady. She can really do magic with her sewing and like me she is into lace knitting too. I've been having fun sending stuff to her. I'm so glad that she is happy with the stuff that I've send her. You can check her out here.

I really have a super time in this round of SP. Thank you so much to both Yvonne and Zita for being a wonderful SP.

Keitodama Spring 2007

The new Keitodama Spring 2007 is out. I just got myself a copy. A lot of crochet stuff for those who loves crochet. For myself, I was only attracted to 2 of the designs. You can help yourself to a little preview HERE.

This is the 2 design that I find I love personally. You may notice that it is lace stuff again for me. I can knit faster with lace. I won't get bored easily as well. It will keep me going for hours. As I've been searching for something to knit, I'm going to knit something from this issue. In fact I've started one. Here is the progress so far.

I'm using Bendigo 4 ply cotton. It is so light and the yarndage is good. The lace really shows well with this yarn.

Thats all for now folks. I'll blog again on the progress soon.

Cap Sleeve Top

Knitting is pretty slow nowadays. its either I can't find time knitting or I'm too lazy to knit.

Anyhow, I only manage to finish a Cap Sleeve Top recently. This is one of the design from the Debbie Bliss Pure Silk Collection gifted to me by my Secret Pal. At first I was quite worried that I can't follow the instructions as I normally only knit from Japanese magazine. I was lucky. The instructions is clear and easy too follow.

I did not use the recommended yarn suggested. Instead I've use a yarn with a similar gauge the Jaeger Sienna. It is in the shade of sky blue. This was knitted with needle size 3.6mm. I've use up a total of 5 balls of Jaeger Sienna.

It is a new experience for me as I was introduced to cap sleeve in this design. I do love the sleeve a lot.

Now that I'm done with this one I'm off to search for another new pattern to knit.

Have a nice weekend and Happy Knitting.

First Post For 2007

This is my first post since the New Year. I hope it is not too late to wish you all a Happy New Year.

You must have notice that I have not been blogging. The internet connection is poor. Sometimes I can't even surf at all. Two days ago, I manage to download some photos in Blogger but I can't blog. It took me ages just to open the posting page. It is really frustrating.

To cut stories short, here is my Martha finish last year. The last piece of the year. I try to modelled in it, but the photos taken by hubby doesn't turn out nice, its pretty gloomy. To compensate, here is Martha on the mannequin. (It is still gloomy but I swear this is much much better then the one hubby took)

The is another long winded project. I think it took me almost a month to finish this one which I can't really complain cause I have alternate it between the baby set. I've used up almost 6 balls of Rowan 4 ply cotton only a few yards to spare. Luckily, I've headed you girls comment to shorten the sleeves. If I had follow the full instrustions, I bet I won't have enough yarn. Lesson learned, to buy yarn only when you know what you wanted to knit it (which I doubt I can follow, LOL).

I love the shaping of the neckline. Here is the closer look of the neckline.

Currently, knitting is pretty slow. I've started 3 projects. You must be surprised. Me with 3 projects but the progress of the 3 is real slow. I just can't concentrate on any knitting nowadays. I'll post some photos on the progress once the connection is back to normal. I hope it will be real soon.

Till then take care.

What A Day

I can't log in to the net for almost the whole yesterday morning. This is because local access to internet services and websites hosted overseas came to a standstill after international links were distrupted by the earthquake that struck southern Taiwan on Tuesday night. So you can guess, life is bored in the office without internet access. I was a bit lucky, manage to get online later in the evening but it was real slow. Today is better and hope that it will get back to normal soon.

Back from lunch yesterday and I got a surprise on my table. A package waiting for me. It was from my SP. It was a real surprise as I was not aware that I will be receiving a package from her. Thanks SP. I just love it. She sent me 1 skein of the Habu Textile 100% silk yarn, chocolates, a notepad and address book, a Christmas carol CD and not forgetting the Debbie Bliss Pure Silk Collection.

Knitting progress, I've completed Martha last weekend before Christmas. I'll post about it soon in my next post as I still don't get the chance to model in it yet.

Well, I think I better log-off now before the line act up again. Till then, wishing you Happy Holidays and A Happy New Year.

For A New Born

This is what I have been knitting for the past couple of weeks. Not for myself but it is for a friend who just gave birth to a baby girl on last Sunday. I hope she will like it. I made a cardigan, hat and a pair of bootees. The pattern is from one of the Japanese knitting book. This set is knitted with KnitPicks Bare Merino Wool Fingering Weight. I use up a little over 1 skein. A new experience for me as this is my first baby knits.

Cardigan

Hat

Bootees

Here it is, in the box ready to be send out to the receiver. This morning before I went off to work, I managed to sent it out by courier. Hope she will receive it tomorrow.

An Early Surprise

Monday is normally a boring day for me.

But yesterday it is indeed one happy one for me. Guess what a surprise I got yesterday. Its a an early birthday and xmas package from Vanessa. Here's what she got me.

She knew that I wanted to try felting and she is so kind to get me some wool for a tote. She even got me some nice fabric for lining. The colour of the yarn was my ideal colour too, its call pearl gray. I hope I can find some time soon to knit it up.

Did you see there is something wrap up in that tissue wrapper? I can't believe it when I unwrapped it. Its a luxury skein of the Handmaiden Seasilk I've been longing to have for quite sometime. It is even the in shade that I'm planning to get it earlier.

Oh Van, thank you so much. This is my first birthday present and I'm going to treasure it a lot.

You are my angel.

Tutti Fruity Martha

I feel that it has been quite sometime since I last posted on any projects.

I'm attempting to knit Martha from Rowan 37. I'm knitting the eyelet version using the same yarn suggested by the pattern. It is Rowan 4 Ply cotton. Do you think the colour a little too bright? I'm not sure what I'm thinking when I brought this yarn. Anyhow since I have 6 balls of it in the shade called Tutti Fruity in my stash, I decided to knit Martha.

According to the instructions, I will need 6 balls of yarn for the size XS. Now, I'm still knitting the back (at this time of this post I still got a few more rows before reaching the neck shaping). I've use up almost 2 balls now and I'm a bit worried that I won't have enough yarn. Since I got this yarn sometime back, I don't think I can get any extra ball from the same lot. Lesson learned, always get an extra ball for any project.

I have another project in progress. I'll post more about it in the next post.

Dedicated To My Secret Pal

This is a post dedicated to my Secret Pal.

I received a package all the way from England yesterday morning. The package really make my day. Here is a photo to proof it.

(1) Woman's Weekly - Knitting & Stitching.
I found something I wanted to knit minutes after browsing through. It just came
in time, as I was looking for a cable cardi pattern to knit.

(2) 6 balls of Bergerde De France - Flamme Lin in the shade of lovely pink

(3) A pattern for the yarn - Sweater with Lacy Edges
This is a pattern that goes with the yarn. I will definately attempt to knit this once I'm done with all my other WIP.

(4) A packet of Belgian White & Milk Chocolate

(5) I box of After Eight Chocolate

(6) A greeting card

I was drooling over the package the whole morning in the office.

Thank you so much SP. Love U.

P/s : As this post is dedicated to my SP, I will post more on my knitting in the next post. Stay tune.

Presenting To You ...

Hanging Garden Lace Shawl is here.

This was knitted with Knitpicks Shadow in the shade of Sunset. I used up a little over 3 balls to create a 22" x 70" shawl. As I mentioned earlier I have problems blocking it probably because it is big. I don't think I will be knitting any shawl anytime soon. Knitting is easy but blocking is really a challenge to me.

No work in progress for the time being. I'm looking at books for something to knit. I still can't find anything yet to knit. I'll post on more on next post hopefully with one of the WIP. Till then, have a nice weekend.

Photoless Post

Life has been hectic for me for this couple of weeks. I've been been busy with home and work.

This post is going to be a photoless one. It will be a short one as well. I'm posting this in the office on a lazy Saturday morning. I wanted to show you my finish Hanging Garden Shawl, too bad I forgot to bring my camera adapter. I only realize this when I took my camera out this morning. The camera had been inside my bag for a few days and I didn't realize at all that I dont have the adapter with me till now.

I've finish knitting the shawl early this week and blocking had been hell. I tried blocking it a few times. Each time, half way through it, I give up. I find that its hard to stretch, probably because it is too long. I find that the Knitpicks Shadow bleeds as well. So anyone using this to knit just be aware that the colour runs.

No new projects at the moment, the purple rib top has been frog as well. I'll find some other pattern for the yarn later.

I'm going to post again soon with my finish shawl. Cya soon.

Dessert Anyone?

I had been a good girl last weekend. Hubby had to work so I had stayed home the whole day. I had the long weekend all to myself. So what did I do, well definately I knit and knit and beside that I prepare this.

This is "Gingko Nuts and Barley Soup". It is one of the Chinese traditional dessert. It consist of gingko nuts, beancurd strips and barley. The chinese believe that this soup will help to purify the kidneys and bladder. Not my favourite dessert anyway but hubby loves it.

Besides that, the last week I started another new knitting project. Its a shawl again. It's the Hanging Garden Stole by Sivia Harding. I think I'm addicted to it. I can't seem stop knitting it. 48 rows for each repeat and after each repeat the shawl grows tremendously. I still have a long way to go but with the long weekend ahead I hope I will have more time knitting it.

Hazy Days

The haze is back. This is from the smoke fire in Sumatra and Kalimantan. I'm not sure how long this will last. But according to the meterological department there will be change of wind this few days, so we just hope the condition will be better soon. Below is the view of the Twin Tower in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre. This was taken like less then 1km away. You can see the visibility is real bad. Just hope that it will rain soon and wash away the haze. It has been humid too this couple of days.

My latte top has to be frogged. It turned out a bit long. I'm getting a bit bored with the pattern. It is still sitting in my bag, I'm going to frog it soon and use the yarn for something else. I casted on another top last week. The progress is real slow. It is a ribbed top with moss stitch in between. Here is the progress so far.

I'll post more on the progress soon if there is any as I'm itchy to start something else now.

Secret Pal 9 Questionnaire

What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely
*not* like?
I like to knit with cotton blend yarn which is more suitable for our weather here in Malaysia which is hot and humid. I also love to knit shawl and scarf with lace or fingering weight yarn. Most of my yarn is in fingering and sport weight. I prefer to knit with them more then worsted or bulky weight.

What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
At the moment, I store my straight needles in a vase I got from IKEA and I'm still looking around for a circular needle case to store my circulars.

How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your
skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I'm not sure myself now, how long I have been knitting. I learned knitting from my mom and
the rest I pick up from books. I consider my skill level is intermediate to advance.

Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I don't have any now but I'll create one on my side bar soon. So look out for it.

What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I'm don't like scented candles but I do like sweet scents like lavendar and any fruity scents.

Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I love dark chocolates or any chocolates with fruits and nuts (definately no no to white chocolates).

What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I think I'm not a creative person, most of my knitting is straight from books with instructions. (I use to design my own pattern but with all the new books around, I think it is easier to knit straight from the books). So, beside knitting I still do a bit of crocheting. Not into spinning at the moment.

What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD?
I love sentimental and love songs and most of the time I listen to musis from my computer or MP3.

What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love pastels colours. No bright colours for me i.e. orange and red.

What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I stay with my hubby and I do have a kitty pet call Baby.

Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I do wear scarves but not hats, mittens or ponchos. Guess this is not suitable for me in this weather.

What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I love to knit lacy tops, scaves and shawls. At least lace won't get me bored and I can stay more focus.

What are you knitting right now?
Nothing in progress rite now. I'm frogging at the moment. I'm planning though, will post on my blog once it is in progress.

Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Not so much into handmade gifts but I do appreciate it.

Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Previously, I prefer straight to circulars but for the past one year I find that circulars are easier to handle. Therefore, now I can say that I prefer circulars more than straight. I prefer my circulars in aluminium.

Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I just bought a yarn winder and still waiting for it to arrive. I don't own a swift, probably will get hubby to make a simple one for me if I ever needed it.

How old is your oldest UFO?
At the moment I don't have any UFO.

What is your favorite holiday?
My favourite holiday will be yarn shopping. Been pestering hubby to go on holidays so I can get more yarn.

Is there anything that you collect?
Is yarn consider a collection? My stash is growing.

Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I'm dying to have a set of Knitpicks Interchangeable needles. As for the rest I'll post it on my side bar soon. I subscribe to Interweave Knits but I'm going to stop once the subcriptions end.

Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I love to learn more about crocheting as I find my stitches are not even.

Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I'm not a sock knitter as I seldom wear it here in Malaysia and my foot measurements is 36.

When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
November, 24th

Sometimes One Is Just Not Enough

I have not been blogging for a while. Nothing much to write I assume, as not much knitting have been done and life is normal. Before I forget, thank you so much for all the compliments on the vest. All the compliments really brighten my day.

During the non-blogging period, I managed to finish the Diamond Fantasy Shawl by Sivia Harding. This is knitted with Knitpicks Bare - Merino Wool Fingering Weight. I only have 1 skein of the yarn so the scarf actually turns out quite small. Here it is before blocking.

And this is how it looks like after blocking.

I think I better not start knitting any new project anymore. There is still another UFO. Sometimes it is really hard to stick to only one project. With all the new knitting books I've got myself, it is really tempting to start something new. Yes, I've bought some new books again.

I also managed to grab a copy of World of Knits, Autumn and Winter issue yesterday from the local book store.

I'll post more in the next post.