Thursday, June 30, 2005

Weird dreams

I have been having weird dreams lately.

On Monday night, I dreamt that I was using some Classic Elite Recycled Qiviut (?!) and knitting using Holz & Stein circular needles. Alright, we all know Classic Elite isn't available in Singapore. And Qiviut is some rare breed that I haven't even touched. Where on earth did that word recycled even sneaked in? [I reckon that it might be the Recycled Himalayan Silk that I was balling up, by hand the other day.]

Apart from the recycled Silk, I haven't got any of the above. Must be my inner droolings or the limited knitting activities last week that caused this dream.


As if this is not enough, I had a foodie dream last night. I was dreaming of piping hot tau sar piah (it's a Hokkien pronounication for "bean biscuit" literally translated). If you want to know what it is, here's a link. (Check out the 3rd photo on the 1st and 2nd rows.) This website is a great place for you to check out all the fabulous local food if you ever decide to visit Singapore. [Can't you tell I obviously love food?]

So now I have a craving for it. I'm off to lunch and to grab some of these.


In case anyone thinks I am slacking, here's a sneak peek of a project I am doing for a swap partner.

Baby KAL update

MJ just surprised us with a pair of baby rib socks that she knitted up during her trip. Look at what Joan did? She completed the cotton jacket to match a beautiful shirt and dungaree set Kylie has made. Chie has crocheted a cute bear to go along with her set.

Sophie is continuing to join us as she found some wonderful patterns that she would love to knit while Janette is working on a new baby blanket.

A great welcome to BGK & Manda -- BGK is really quick upon joining the KAL; she's already got a pink baby girl sweater almost done!

Me? Here's the baby dress with the buttons sewed in (*finally*)

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

My sister's wedding

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Family day

Not much crafty activity going on.

Yesterday night there was a Family Day event at hubby G's work unit. We went to the Night Safari! It's been quite a while (read: a couple of years) since we last visited the place.

There aren't any photos to show as it's nightfall and my digital cam can't do the job properly. There was an animal show and at one part, they uncovered a manhole a row in front of us and lifted out a big python! That caught me offguard; I've never been that close to one. [shudder]

I don't think I'm making any toy snakes anytime soon.

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Baby KAL update

Toni has her trellis and is searching for the perfect buttons and suprise! Chris has also completed her trellis with photos to be up tomorrow.

Rebecca has completed her ripple afghan for her sis-in-law. (To Rebecca: No, I won't take you off the Baby KAL.) Done is also Nancy who has her log cabin baby blanket happily being blocked.

Ring happy

Thanks for all the well wishes!

It's heartwarming to know that you gals are out there reading my blog and are so generous and thoughtful with your kind words when I am down. There are times when I wondered if there's an audience out there or do people just whizz by my blog but this time you have affirmed my belief, that you dear readers are out there!

Here's what I did in the waking hours for the past 2 days:-
1. sewed buttons onto the baby dress - finally but you won't get to see it again as the crocheted edges need ironing.
2. Did some more crocheting

See these?



Maybe it's just the randomness.
Maybe it's the mindlessness.
But whatever the case, the beaded freeform crochet is really appealing to my other personality. It takes me off the necessity of reading charts or lengths of instructions and there's no measuring to be done; except wrapping them around my finger for eyeballing (does that count?) - very liberating.

I bought more leather in a variety of colors to experiment with. I'll probably make a whole stash and put them up here if there's any interest.

Monday, June 20, 2005

sick

I got hit by a flu bug.

Throughout the whole of last night, I was cacooning; wrapped up in my comforter with the fan blowing at level 2. Now I know why ladies go for those sauna trips -- all that perspiration really gives you a workout.

This morning, I made a trip to the doctor's. And of coz, I didn't forget my KIPping though it was a short while before I gave up. How does one knit singlehandedly while having to grab the tissues occasionally for the drippy nose?

After taking medication, I was on a marathon nap from 2-5pm in the afternoon.

Knitting content to resume tomorrow.

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Water break

Taking a water break even though I am nearing the finishing line on my projects. You better do too since it's gonna be quite a list.

1. Hoodie needs a zip installed which I need to shop for
Check, zipper bought few days ago. From the previous post photo, don't you think the length is ok?

2. Baby love knot dress needs to be lined and topped with buttons
Buttons bought. I got extras which I'll use on the newly completed variegated baby dress & the booties too. [Can I make them item #2.1 & #2.1.1 instead? Makes me feel better than increasing the total tally. LOL]

3. Mom's carry bag needs a lining and a zip
Finito though I could see a frog pond trip. Mom's dropped not-so-subtle hints that she finds the handles too long and is changing her mind again.

4. Mom's coin purse is to be seamed, lined & zippered
Done and of course, there's a small voice whispering into my ear that Mom prefers it with a flip instead.

5. The beaded purse
I conveniently forgot about this. This project is the reason that I purchased the chibi.

6. The black and white project
Which I am not telling you more yet. But here's another hint.




Moral of the story (with reference to point # 4 & 5):
If you are going to hand craft something for a dear someone who's constantly changing his/her mind, have it all penned out in black and white on what's to be expected. More importantly, do not disregard the importance of having credible witness(es) to grace the event.

They are crucial to ensuring your success at winning eventual disputes [that, assuming if you have done everything to previously-agreed specs.]


But she's my Mom afterall and I still love her anyway. (grin) I'll just have to try my best at dissuading her on those so-called improvements.

Time to weld the darning needle!

Friday, June 17, 2005

Black or white?

What do you make out from this photo?
Apart from the obvious black and white colors?

There's a Chinese saying: A picture speaks a thousand words.

So here's my story behind the picture:
1. They are knitted using 2 different yarns.
2. Both have nubby textures; the black yarn is much softer.
3. The black piece is knitted on needles size that is bigger by 1mm compared to the white but the resulting size is remarkably close.
4. Using this yarn made me feel like I am back in kindergarten - counting rows is mission impossible.
5. Intense concentration, quiet surroundings, inner zen and faith are very crucial elements when using such yarns.


Using these nubby yarns once in a while is such a *good* workout for a change! Do the yarn manufacturers design these yarns to indulge themselves in the joy of torturing knitters or are they out to destroy whatever self-confidence knitters have? These yarns should have a warning label on them that says "Warning: Use this yarn to enjoy great frog pond trips!" or "Not for newbies".

I can imagine the grief that results when these yarns fell into the wrong hands!
[ok, I don't use row counters so maybe that's the problem.]

Keeping my sanity

Keep my hands busy to keep myself sane. How many times have you heard that? Due to some hiccups, I can't move into my apartment until 2 weeks later which means it'll be early July at best when we're fully settled.

I shouldn't be rummaging my stash as they'll need to be packed away for moving. So a gal's got to do what she has to do -- go out for stash shopping instead. I bought a zip for the hoodie.

Pattern: Pinguoin pattern book

Specs: 1/2 ball 4ply Big Baby Yarn, size 3 needles

Some things to note: Changed pattern for circular knitting and finishing edges with crochet is much easier and quicker

Time taken: about 2 weeks

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Baby KAL update

Lu's completed the baby tank from Debbie Bliss' The Baby Knits Book, isn't it lovely? Poor Janette is taking a break; she still have lots of babies to knit for but her break knit is a hat for the preemie project. Toni is also knitting up some fabulous lace doilies in between; they are so gorgeous and I wish I could knit them myself (except dpns and I are not really on speaking terms)!

Marina has more photos of the various baby sets to show that are really cute.

Hmm...I really love knitting up baby items but I do that sporadically when the urge strikes (knitting baby garments, not making babies) LOL

Saturday, June 11, 2005

First Secret Pal package received!

My secret pal sent me an email just 2 days to say that she's sent out something to me. Guess what, the package turned up at the doorstep this morning!

Of course, my dear SP took the effort to send it out via Priority Mail [it took just 5 days from France to Singapore] and I am guessing that I'm probably among the first few lucky participants in Asia to receive this. The next time, you could just send it via normal airmail -- it'll just take 2-3 weeks so you can save a little more on postage :)

You don't think I am going to sign off without a photo of the goodies, would you? Here's the loot:


See that pink yarn? That has hemp in it -- something that I always been wanting to try for a while! Those colors are so *ME* too. And those flowers are for my bag embellishments!

The mini sweater on her note is so irresistible that I'll have to loop it onto my carrybag! Just before my sister snatches it up.

Thanks so much, secret pal for brightening up my otherwise duh day!


" Mayday, mayday: I am working on my package to go out soon. Over."

Friday, June 10, 2005

Small but big!

Yes, ironic isn't it? I mean, look at this:



This is a dress meant for a one year old. When I casted on and started knitting a couple of inches, I was floored. Can you imagine the width of the hem was about 42 inches?! It could be my dress since my waist is only 32"!

I didn't think that knitting a one year old garment was gonna be that long stretching; I could have knitted myself the Nothing but a T-shirt designed by Alison who is also incidentally the host of Sockapal-2-za of which I managed to squeeze in during the latecomers round.

Now, despite saying this - I still love fine gauge knits but they really do take a lot of time and effort. I find them more classic and lasting. So this project on 6.5sts to an inch is still alright for me.

I think I want to go fondle my recycled silk yarns and unkink my fingers for a while.

Thursday, June 09, 2005

Partial apartment reveal

If you have been an avid reader of my blog, you will notice that a couple of months ago there's been mentions of the renovations that is taking place in our newly acquired renovations. Some good and bad news - the good news: it's looking so much better than it used to be. The bad? The handover is delayed until middle or late this month. There are some hiccups but let's not talk about them.

Here's a sneak peak for those wondering how it looks like. It's essentially still bare as we have yet to move in our furniture (which we can't until they have done the floor acid washing), hence the layers of cardboard on the floors.

My next favorite spot where dear hubby's bought a display coffee table (with see through top and sides) so that I can lay out my handknits and toys or curl up with a good knit!

[Edited to add: The pouch has 2 compartments which essentially has a divider piece in the middle that isn't quite obvious in the photo. If anyone's interested, let me know and I'll write up something for this.]

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Baby KAL update

MJ has been working at her little smocking dress while Amy has her second instalment of her baby jacket to show for. A beautiful fan and feather afghan is at Jane's site. Toni is on sleeve island with trellis while Marjorie managed to knit up a pair of booties for her friend's daughter.

Morgan & Liberty has just joined us too!

Sunday, June 05, 2005

Ring-a-ling

Here's what you get when you cross crochet skills with beads:

A funky cool ring!
Or wear it as a pendant if you like!

Pattern: Own creation
Specs: Just some jewellery wire, crochet needle & beads

It's a little big for me (fits finger circumference: 60mm) so this will probably be put up for sale here later. Email me if you are interested as I could do custom orders for these.

Saturday, June 04, 2005

More things on hand

As if my previous list of WIPs isn't enough, I gotten myself more busy:

1. The Secret Pal 5 exchange
Yes, I've just gotten my SP5 pal so the fun is going to start soon.

2. Sockapalooza Two
You know I just had to try my skills at making another pair of socks, don't you?

And this:



Mom's been good too! Here's her first attempt at lining the crochet canvas bag I made since I chickened out.


I know this doesn't count as my FO but I am happy that this one is done!

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

SP5 list

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I love to use natural fibers where possible. However, having said that, with baby or accessory items, it's not uncommon to see me using acrylic or synethic blends. All I ask for is that they do not feel plasticky on the hands. Afterall, knitting and crochet is a hi-touch craft.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I do crochet, in fact I knew crochet even before I started knitting.
I haven't got into spinning but that's my next target.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
If I could help it, I'll avoid smoke as it makes my eyes red.
No heavy perfumery as I have an allergic nose.

4. How long have you been knitting?
It's 11 years this year.


5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
There's one here.

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I love sandalwood, ylang ylang, rose and lavendar.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Chocolates' my lifeline. I love plain milk and dark chocolate; no fillings. And no mint please!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I am into beading & crochet at the moment. I would love to get into spinning too :)

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love fusion jazz and smooth grooves.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I'll avoid greens and tawny browns as I have a yellow skin base. Otherwise, most deep dark colors are my favorites.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married to hubby who is a Omega fanatic. No pets.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
To be able to work from home (yeah, staying home not working for the past 6 mths has been a challenge!) in a dream job that makes people happy and me happy. Like a yarn or craft store of sorts. Maybe some volunteer work too.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Contrary to most, I love to work with cotton and cotton blends; mainly in view of Singapore's weather. Anything that is pretty gets me as well. Like handpainted yarns.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Nothing so far that I have detested. Unless they really drag on my needles or chaf my fingers.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
I love cables! The celtic ones are really cool but I haven't gotten to them yet. I also love any unusual designs that flatter slender body shapes.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I love to knit sweaters and tank tops as they are wearable in our weather.

17. What are you knitting right now?
A cabled hoodie cardi for my sister.

18. What do you think about ponchos?
Not something that I could wear in Singapore. Shrugs will probably do much better.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circulars absolutely!

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
In the very same order though I have only 2 pairs of bamboo so far. I don't like plastic as they don't work well with cotton at all. I am still on the lookout for small size circulars (smaller than 2mm). I would love to try those ebony, rosewood or Bryspun needles if there's a chance.

21. Are you a sock knitter?
Yes. I have knitted up a pair. Really plain ones from toe up which I love as I have skinny feet :P

22. How did you learn to knit?
At 18, decided that I needed some way to tame my fiery temper. Walked right into a knitting store and figured that the repetitive motions will create some zen rhythm for me and that's it!

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
If *it* can be classified as a being, she'll be 10 this year.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I love dolphins.

25. What is your favorite holiday?
I hope to have a chance to attend Stitches or the Maryland festival one of these days.

26. Is there anything that you collect?
I am beginning to collect beads, zippers and buttons - all in the name of crafting. But I also collect Omega memorabilia with my hubby.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None so far. I just pick them up occasionally at the stores.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I have them listed in Amazon.