Long overdue

This is a piece of work that has been completed (the knitting portion) long, long ago, in Dec 2007.



The problem with me is this. I love to knit, but I drag the sewing up! So most of the times, I would have happily completed the different parts of a project and then leave it there till I'm really in the mood to sew it up. That explains why this was only fully completed now.



I love the cabling designs in this tank. Fell in love with it when I first saw the design. Just realised the pattern has been taken down with the closure of Magknits, a site I really loved as it featured loads of gorgeous free patterns. A pity. The good thing is I've got a copy in my knitting file. Too good a design to miss.



I love every bit of this design, down to the lovely straps.



I bet it'll be another donkey years before I can showcase my next FO. The knitting portion is largely neglected and overpowered by the baking in this blog! lol...


Mood: pleased

Cold cold morning!

It was a cold cold morning today when I brought ds to take his school bus. First time he told me he was cold. So I asked him to put on his red sweater. Only then did I realised it was way too small already. Took a look and realised it was for a 3-4 yr old (he's 8 this year)! That was how horrible a mum I've been!

Now that he'll be in the morning session for the next 4 years, I better get him a decent sweater as I foresee there'll be more of such cold cold mornings. Took out my favourite Katia knitting book and selected a nice pattern. This will be one of my to-do-list this year. Now must hunt for a suitable yarn.

Mood: happy

Blocking

I've finally finished my Calla Tank. Tried blocking it hoping that the cables will show nicely.

This is the first time I'm blocking my project in my whole knitting life. I did a bit of research in the internet earlier. I pinned the two pieces onto a big towel, then used another damp towel to press down on the knitted pieces until they're damp and left them to dry naturally. I did my blocking yesterday night. This morning they still feel a little damp, so I haven't done anything yet. Hope I'm doing the right thing.



Mood: pleased

In a lazy mood

I haven't been posting for the past week. Part of the reason was because I had been busy for the past week. Sleepover at Kat's place (mainly for the kids), shopping last Tues, went to chalet from Wed to Fri and another day out yesterday. Another part of the reason was because I'm still in my lazy holiday mood. Too much "partying" this past week. Hadn't had time to do any baking nor knitting. I definitely need to buck up on my Calla Tank top as the progress is real slow!

Next year Olina will need socks for her preschool. Not too sure if it's a good choice to knit her socks or just buy off the shelf. I've been trying to find a good reason/excuse to try knitting socks, something useable, not just another chuck-off-in-the-cupboard kind of project.

Mood: lazy

My shopping spree

I spent the whole afternoon today going round getting the things I've been wanting to get.

I first went to Creative Culinaire to get Judy's Delightful Cakes. This little book features 7 different cake recipes. The best part is, it comes with a VCD (my main reason for getting the book). I've yet to watch the VCD but am already very excited about it. Hope to learn some techniques from it.

Next I stopped by Golden Dragon, my favourite yarn store. Had wanted to find some shrug designs for my two girls, but couldn't really find any nice ones. I saw one that I was really interested in making, but it's a Japanese pattern book. I hesitated in getting the book since I've yet to learn how to interpret Japanese readings. The "teacher" there wasn't really that friendly, so I don't feel like asking her.

The happier side of the trip was, I ended up getting something for myself...lol... Bought the Jaeger Handknits JB16 book which contains loads of gorgeous designs suitable for our local weather. I've already marked one of the designs to be on my to-do-list and bought some magenta 4ply cotton for it.

After that I went to Orchard to meet up with dh. Stopped by Kinokuniya to check out the knitting books there. This was the first time I had a good look at Kino. They've really got loads of books! I went to the Japanese section and saw the Hello Kitty Crochet New Vintage Look that I was so tempted to buy over the net earlier on. Flipped through the whole book and decided I won't get it. I was glad I found it there.

Looked through the books at the craft section and the magazine racks and finally bought the Dec issue of the Knit 'N Style mag coz I really like the Britney Top in it and am considering putting it on my to-do-list.

The end results of my shopping spree


Mood: happy

Undoing and redoing

It's a little heartache to make this decision, but if I don't make this decision now, I'm probably going to have a bigger heartache later.

I'm undoing my Calla Tank and starting all over again. :( I've already done almost the full front piece.



Took the measurement and realised it was too small, at least 2 inches smaller. I don't think I can be on diet and reduce another 2 inches, so the next best thing to do is to undo and redo it. It's a "no choice" kind of choice.

At least this made me learn a lesson on substituting yarn. I've never really done a project that substitutes the yarn completely (except for the Mississippi Top for Olina which luckily turns out ok). I did some search on google and found this useful article on "How to Substitute Yarns". I then compared the suggested yarn used in the pattern with my cotton yarn and found them to have different gauge. Did some calculations and decided on the new pattern size I should be following. Hopefully this time round will turn out fine. At least I will know whether my learning passes.

Mood: determined

My "regret"

It's been nearly twenty years since I learnt knitting (picked up the hobby from one of my secondary classmate). Although I've no problem in reading English designs, I still do not know how to read Japanese designs, which is quite a shame.

Compared to some other knitters, I do not know much about adjusting designs, just know how to follow and make slight modifications. So I guess there's a lot more to learn. I'm considering whether to take up some classes or just to self pick up, though I'm not too sure how far I'll go with my self learning.

Mood: a little gloomy

Knitting slowly......

My knitting progress has been slow during this exam period. Another reason was I've been undoing a few times after I realised some mistakes. That's the consequence of trying to multi-task (coaching my son and knitting at the same time). And I've lost my cable needles bought long long ago. Being lazy to buy another set, I just used one of my spare needles to do up the cables.

Finally got a decent length to be able to show it here. I had a hard time trying to capture the design. Somehow it doesn't stand out as nicely in the photo.



You can refer to the design here. A very pretty tank.

Mood: sleepy

FO and new WIP

I've been so busy with my cuppies these few days that I haven't updated on my last knitting project. I've actually completed the top for Olina a few days ago. In the end it wasn't too small for her, so I decided to let her have it. And she's, as usual, happy to have new clothes to wear. Before that she was quite reluctant to let her little sister have the FO when I told her it might be too small for her.



The above design was from the Katia Primavera-Verano magazine. I bought the whole magazine from the knitting shop as there are many nice kids designs in it. It's not easy to find nice knits designs for kids in Singapore.

I'm starting on another project using the same yarn as the previous since I still have over 2 balls of it. And the yarn seems to suit the new design too. This time it'll be a tank top for myself. Got the design from internet and love it when I first saw it. Will share more of it later.

Mood: happy

Too small

I've finally finished the white lacey top that I was knitting. Am sewing it up today. The sewing is a bit tricky since I was never good at joining pieces beautifully. Furthermore, the instructions provide no clear guide on where to stop the side seam...hmmm... I'm beginning to suspect the instruction was printed wrongly somewhere again (not surprising for this design since it's not the first time the instructions went wrong).

This top was originally meant for Olina who's turning 4. I've made the size for 4 yo. But it looks small now that I've sewed it up. I may have to give this to little Karina instead (who turning 2 this Fri). Olina will definitely be unhappy about it. Have to wait for the 2 girls to wake up from their afternoon nap to decide who it fits better.

Mood: not truely satisfied

Project half completed

On a happier note, I've completed half of my knitting project.



Need to make another piece to join them up and have some final touch up before it's considered done. Way to go!

Mood: accomplished

Knit, knit, knit...

Have completed only about 1/4 of my knitting project. Here's a glimpse of the design. I love the lacey look. :)



Mood: pleased

A confusing start

Started the new project yesterday on my new yarn. It was a pretty confusing start as the pattern printed is wrong! I had to force myself to sit down and calculate the correct pattern after a while when I realise it doesn't make sense to follow the pattern.

All end up well and I'm on my way to knit the pretty little top!

Mood: excited

New project, yeah!

Just came back from the knitting/craft shop in Heartland Mall. They sold quite nice yarn. Bought one very comfy 100% cotton white yarn, my most expensive yarn so far (costs $11.90 per 50g). Going to knit a nice lacey top for Olina. Looks like my old project needs to hold on a little while.

Mood: fickle

Change my mind again

I've completed quite a big piece of my knitting project. But somehow just doesn't feel good about it. Perhaps it's due to the fabulous designs that I've been seeing on the web yesterday. Comparatively, mine is just too plain. Decided to spice it up a little and change the whole design. So there I go undoing all the stitches again. Hopefully this is the last time. Can't wait to see the end product.

Mood: fickle

Embarking on a new project

I started picking up my needles again yesterday night. Did I mention before that knitting is one of my loves as well?

I've started a project a few years back, when I was still working. Had planned to knit a sleeved top for office wear, but never perservere to complete it. Now that I'm no longer in air-conditioned place as often, I'm abandoning the old project to start on a new one. This time round I will knit a simple sleeveless top that I can wear out in our tropical weather. Let's see how long I'll take this time to complete it.

Mood: creative