Monday, December 26, 2005

During my Taiwan trip

With the weather in Taiwan going at an unpredictably low of 11 degrees Celsius at this time of the year (with howling winds most nights), hubby finally decided to put on the sweater that I last knitted for him.

I am so glad that I knitted it to the measurements of his favorite comfort fit jersey as it meant he could wear a tee underneath like he did in the photo without it looking grossly tight. Though I am not a big fan of the color *green*, this lovely variegated cotton yarn works out great! I even have extra in my stash for another future project.

During the trip, I also started a project for hubby who keeps reminding me that he hasn't received any handknits from me lately.

Plain and simple toe-up socks in a dark grey (over-exposed here in this photo).

Tell me: do all men put out such *simple* requests when it comes to receiving handknitted items? I'm crossing my fingers and toes that I'll get right to the second sock really soon.

Apart from this, my earlier project has grown.

I am reaching the neckline. It should have grown faster but the coach ride isn't really that comfortable. And coupled with the lack of sleep; let's just say that my fingers aren't working as fast as they should.

Seriously, with a couple more days to the New Year, I am hoping to cross off a couple of WIPs from my list as quickly as possible! And that means NOT starting new ones just yet! (Now, that's gonna be a tough one to keep to!)

Friday, December 16, 2005

Debut

It was a delightful visit at my Mom's this week. I *finally* managed to retrieve the sweater that I made my sis during my first year of knitting. (Imagine, that's ten years ago!) Here it is, lying flat...

To give you an idea why it was gifted to my sister, take a look at this (model caught in the act of unpreparedness - me!)

As you can tell, the item was knitted up on a fairly loose gauge with great drapeyness which really made it:

a. hang on me, making me scarecrow-looking.

b. renders me a *stick woman* with no front and bums.

Well, you get the idea.

But it absolutely looks great on her! She has the sweater in the clinic where she's working to keep out the cold. It's definitely a frequent wear item as the surface is pilling terribly (which is why I took it back, to remove the pills.) It's knitted from some Japanese yarn that has linen in it so it makes for a very acceptable garment on rainy days here as it doesn't overwhelm her with warmth like wool would.

I would have loved to show you how it looks on her but my sister has declined this photo shoot request due to her post-pregnancy figure.

Ok, so no sister photo. But a photo of my little niece should be fine huh?

That's her. With pouty lips...

I wonder if she was trying to convey that she's fed up with me as she didn't manage to yet wear any of the hand knitted or crochet items that I made her. Or perhaps that little tot figures she'll be on my blog for the world to see? Maybe she is just trying to suck up to her great-grandmother, who was carrying her at that moment. Duh, or am I just simply thinking too much...she's just hungry for milk? Eh.... it's anyone's guess.

And just before I am leaving for my trip this weekend, here's a shot of a project that I'm trying to complete and mail out. Not that this photo shows you what the final item may be... (grin)

Well, I ought to be going... there's definitely more than one project that I'll be bringing along with me for the trip! Ha! Wish me luck and I'll post if I could have internet access. Else catch you all when I come back!

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Say something good!

The noodles turn out fine. They are still a little kinky but otherwise ok and way much easier to knit with.

So Ms Cranky (as I would name her) would be a *good* companion on my Taiwan trip!

Oh, and my 10 year old student made me these gifts (yes, you read correctly -- she *made* them):

Isn't she sweet?

But before I leave you, here's the Baby KAL update...

Toni has knitted this really cute Xmas hat for her nephew for the coming festivities while Christina have a lovely ripple baby blanket in those colors that are to die for!

Monday, December 12, 2005

Ready, go, restart, go!

Wondering about the title of this post?

Pretty much sums up what this yarn is making me do. I found this partially done WIP in one of the bags which I have absolutely no clue what the original pattern is (though I spot some sleeves). But I am almost very sure that it's one of those yarns that has been giving me grievances as I saw a new project that I was somehow knitting out of a completed piece.

Anyway, I decided to rip everything and start all over again.

Sounds simple right? But if you are one of those who love ripping WIPs and reuse the yarns, you'll know what the problem is -- the yarn is so curly from its previous form that my knitting is so uneven! I know, I know; washing would even the tension out.

But I am so annoyed. I am intending to start this as a mindless project to tote around for my Taiwan trip this coming weekend. Ugly knitting does no good for holidays!

So here's what I did:

Skeined it...

Gave it a long bath soak in softlan (while I was having a quick shower.)


And hung it out to dry.

Doesn't the yarns remind you of noodles? If it airs out tomorrow nicely, I'll re-cast on again!

Sunday, December 11, 2005

It already feels like Xmas!

That's right. There is a couple of darling angels out there who are thinking of me.

Remember Celia? Here's the loot she brought along for me...all that fibery goodness!

Aren't the colors lovely? She's got me some white merino so that I could have a go at dyeing too! You'll probably not see their appearances for a while as I have yet to master proper spinning techniques -- I am tough with myself.

She also gave me a little surprise.

An Australian published magazine called Creative Knitting. There's a crochet shrug in it that we both liked though -- there's the yarn name but no gauge or whatsoever! Right, I'll *indulge* in deciphering this mystery (we've both suspected that it's likely a 4ply yarn judging the garment photo on the model.)

Oh, Ruth... Celia and I did finally get around to taking a photo together -- that's about 2am in the morning in her hotel room but we aren't at our best [think: red teary eyes, stifling yawns etc] so that photo isn't going to shown to the world. (Actually Celia looks great, it's just me.) We'll try and get a better photo the next time.


Other items arrived in the mail too.


Dear Cherilyn, as usual, wowed me with knitting and crochet magazines that I can't get around here in Singapore. This time, she even included a Knit Picks catalog! What can I say? I really have to send big hugs to this sweet dear!


Here's the other package.

It's a bag from Valerie. Isn't it gorgeous?! It's a round-robin so I am sending out a bag to someone else. I'm way behind schedule so I really hope the bag I am sending will make the recipient happy enough to make up for the delay.

X'mas is definitely around the corner! Arghh! So little time to knit, yet so many wish projects!

[I am sure by now everyone who reads my blog realize that I have a magazine fetish, loves bags of all sorts, apart from yarn hoarding. What does that make me? ]

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

My first time

This, after doing a glorious exchange with Celia, who is based in Australia. And just this week, she popped by Singapore for her work stint and we met up. I brought my digital camera along but forgot to take pictures of both of us! (How careless is that? Last time, I didn't have my camera. Now when I have it, I still forget to ask. tsk, tsk.)

Anyway, she brought me more fibers (I put up a cheque; she did the shopping...) and then she surprised me with some lovely gifts too! I'll show them in the next post.

I'll have to bring my spinning along for her critique.

And my students' response when I gleefully showed them this: "Haven't you got enough yarn already?"

Now, when is enough ever enough?

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Baby KAL update

Penny continues to deliver more gorgeous completed sweaters while Elspeth is showing her baby sweater in progress. Does anyone has more to share?

My younger sister just given birth over the weekend. So that'll mean more baby clothes soon in the works!

Thursday, December 01, 2005

May we interrupt the scheduled Baby KAL update

Exhibit B:
Another parcel all the way from the US....
from my very own Gift Elf: Kim!

I told the Elf about my love for vintage patterns and she literally gave me something vintage (see that Bernat's pattern book?) & something new (The VK Vintage Collection!)!

To add to this, a calendar with all that gorgeous yarn photos [looks like I gonna have to try doing something similar but they'll probably turn out amateurish] . See that pink pencil? It's from Knit Happens! Woo hoo!

And pink yarn too.... this elf really reads my mind well.... thank you, my sweetheart.


Now, I am all for Festive Celebrations all across the globe! Watch out! I'm trying to get more production time soon!

Alright, I know I am pass my quota for exclaimation marks in this blog entry but hey, I can't help feeling so excited. It's like having a birthday you know (well, technically since I have to *unwrap* these packages...) Won't it be nice if I can have a birthday every other week? [dreamily....]

PS. I am going away for a holiday middle next month and I've been told that half the time spent in this trip will be on coaches, getting from Point A to B. Those journeys average 3-4hrs... now you know what I am going to pack in my hand luggage? [I am just so waaaayy behind on my exchanges....I'll get there soon! Wait for me!]