Saturday, September 23, 2006
Moi, mine, *wo de*
Now that I have said that the lace blouse will be gifted to my mom (well, I did end up modelling it during the Meetup event gathering this morning), I am *officially* over it.
I just channelled my energies to something else.
Another piece of garment that I just worked towards the finishing line earlier this week.
Something simple, yet fitted.
This is made from Katia Bamboo, a yarn so soft -- I couldn't resist rubbing against my skin every time I pick it up!
And of course, in case you think the lace is very showy, it really isn't. Here's how the garment looks when it's worn.
The extremely fitted silhouette meant that I could get away with just under 4 balls of yarn. With some to spare...in fact, more than half a ball leftover. So I did what a gal would do....
Joined a group that meets up to crochet hats for preemie babies in Singapore's hospitals. How awesome is that! Leena & the other ladies are also thinking of doing their bit also. [*Smacks* in the forehead -- Joanne is a KKH staff!]
And speaking of babies, my niece *finally* got to wear that Lachlann pants set that I test knitted for Figheadh.com. She really does know how to pose in front of the camera, don't you think?
My sis would only allow Ms P to wear the pants but not the cardi as she heats up really easily when she's sitting in the stroller. That's some cute pants! I should knit her a dress for her 1st birthday since that's coming up really soon!PS. *Wo de* -- is the phonetic translation of "mine" in Chinese.
PPS. Meetup photos coming up in the next blog post.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Giving up is not easy
The red lace top is finally finished. I have given it a long and hard thought.
Mom has tried on this knit top and she loves it. How could I deny her of her request to have it? Besides, I haven't done a knitted top for Mom this year yet (but having said that, she has already made requests for 2 to be knitted for Chinese New year. And no, this red lace knit top doesn't count as one of them.)
But I have to say that I am really liking it a lot; especially when sleeve #2 is attached.
These are the details on the waist shaping as well as the collar edging.
My wearability photo attempts:
I've got to say that the garment is really ladylike. In fact, maybe a tad too *ladylike* (whatever that means, I think it's just *tame* with the sleeves.) And surprisingly, it's acceptable looking but I promised to gift my mom and so it shall go to her.
PS. All the photos are done pre-soaking so the garment should even out better after a wash.
I have also started another gift -- this time, for an ex-colleague who is visiting China in early Oct.
I've knitted it up using size 6mm needles so it's coming along quickly!
Monday, September 18, 2006
To give or to keep?
I'm giving the red lace top full priority. However, I have a dilemma after sewing up a sleeve.
You see, I am not quite comfortable with the way the sleeve looks. Maybe I am just used to fitted garments so the sleeve looks like it's way too loose for my liking.
So I left that sleeve on for the entire weekend and showed it to a few people.
Yey : Nay
4 : 6
Most who go yey says that the sleeve looks delicate and appropriate to the lace.
Even one of the gals, Esther couldn't resist trying it on when she came for the weekend knitting class. She obviously sees this as a piece that she could wear out often. [Just don't mind the blouse-over-blouse, this is an impromptu shot to see how the garment fits on another person.]
Those who say nay has the following comments:
"The sleeve is bunchy...too much excess fabric."
"Sleeveless is more your look. The sleeve looks too mumsy."
At the end of the exercise, I am almost certain that I am going to rip those bloody sleeves off! But that last statement stuck with me for a while and gave me a clue.
Mumsy?!
A lightbulb went on. What do you reckon?
I decided to ask my mom to try this lace top on. I can't believe how well fitted it looks on her! Especially with the shoulder/arm area. [PS. Just don't mind the tiny bulges, the lace should flatten out nicely after a wash.]
In fact, mom likes it a lot. When I voiced my concern that the top might be a tad too lacey to be worn as it is for her. She assured me that she would wear this lace top if I could quickly get on with sewing the other sleeve as well.
Hey, I've got a modern mom!
What do you reckon? Should I give this top to my mom or keep it for myself (well, I'll have to rip that sleeve off for me)?
PS. I am not sure if Aug/Sep is the season for red but I noticed a couple of red projects being started, worked on, and finished...all of late! Don't believe me, check out my students' pieces!
A Special Note: Thanks to Peggy & Siow Chin for your encouragement. Wish you gals are here in Singapore to join us in our meetup!
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Up and running
Now that the engines are back on, I am picking up all the various WIP pieces and working feverishly on them.
First up...my hubby's vest-turned-sweater. It was finally completed and was put through a laundry cycle.
Yes, and that model is part of the display for the 23 Sep event! Hubby has worn it once but I didn't manage to get a decent photo of the sweater! [I never realized how expensive male mannequins are; compared to their female counterparts!]
Other than that, the red lace top is finally getting more of my attention. I'm onto the second piece.
In fact, I finished the front piece and have decided to seam both the front & back pieces together to see how they drape.
Right now, I am getting the sleeves started. Yeah, I know it's so unlikely me, but I decided that a short-sleeved blouse would be a nice addition to my wardrobe. Besides, I love the red!
Will this garment be ready in time for the Sep 23 event? I certainly hope it will be.
Time to raid the WIP basket!
Friday, September 08, 2006
Looking back
No, no mischief or anything like that. Not even zipping off to any tiny remote island for a holiday. I was just away from blogging a bit for a breather. For those of you who read my blog, you know that I conduct knitting & crochet lessons. I started offering my services about a year ago after my departure from the corporate ladder. That decision have made many people around me question my sanity. "What hobby is worth you risking your well-paying corporate job?"
For me, it's sharing the joys & passion in knitting & crochet and also dispeling myths & perceptions that many Singaporeans have:- knitting is for cold weather countries and is of no use in Singapore,- sweaters are useless in Singapore,- wool ones are especially itchy,- knitted garments are so bulky,- knitting is for grannies and aunties only,- why knit when you can buy one swater for less than $50,etc, etc.... you get the picture.To me, knitting & crochet is food for the soul. In many ways, knitting to me is akin to what cooking does for others.The joy of creating a garment; a labour of love with every stitch and loop... and having it completed and presented to your intended recipient. Seeing their expression of joy & happiness in knowing that the gift is from your every own hands.I can't tell you how many times just having the needles and yarn in my hands and working away rhythmically helps relax and free my mind. And if knitting is an art, then having fitted garments is a science. I find myself liberated by the yarn & pattern choices available out there. To be able to work on the patterns and getting it to fit the recipient -- that matters a lot too. Especially since we Asians tend to be more petite, standard European or US sizes just drown us occasionally. Besides, it's easier to alter a garment pattern to fit our bodies, than for us to lose/put on weight to fit the garment.So when I decided to start offering my services, I made fitting a focal point of the classes. To my students: Thanks for having such faith in me... and working hard to create those beautiful fitted hand knit garments that I believe every knitter should own.For all you readers out there: Thanks for all the support and generosity you have shown me; just simply being there to listen to my inner thoughts; giving me invaluable advice and just being my greatest supporters. It's actually been about a year since I started this knitting foray. And so to mark the anniversary, I am glad to announce that we'll be organizing a Trunk Show & Breakfast Meetup event this coming 23 Sep 2006 -- a showcase of garments that focuses on wearability in hot summer (These are original yarn company garments we're talking about! And did I mention student's works will be on display too?) With support from our faithful supplier too!That's my way of saying thanks to everyone out there. If you happen to be in Singapore during that time, do join us too!
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