Trip to NYC and some WIPs

Summer’s finally here!  Are you enjoying the summer?  I am and I spent one week at NYC with my hubby.  It was overall a very pleasant trip – lots of shopping, walking, and shopping!  I visited three yarn stores all together.  Purl Soho, Knitty City and Habu.  Was it ever fun!

My hubby took a few pictures of me searching through the baskets in Habu.  I was too busy searching through these sales baskets and I didn’t know he was sneaking pictures of me. haha. I didn’t get a lot of sales goodies there, but it was just fun searching through sales section if you know what I mean.  I ended up got some undyed silk, different colours of Tsumugi silk, and some paper yarns. 

Knitty City carried A LOT of yarns!  Whatever brands you can think of, they carry it.  I was originally thinking of going there to meet Ysolda as it was her autograph night; but I screwed up the date and I missed her by a day early.  DAWN!!!  Hopefully I can meet her in the near future.  She was one of the most talented knitting designers ever! I especially love her Ishbel…I am a little obsessed and I am on the Ishbel #3!

Purl Soho was another fun place to visit.  I just adore their colour collection!  I was looking for some yarns to make a shawl for my sister’s wedding and her theme colour was the “tiffany blue”.  Guess what, the lady at Purl Soho was so helpful, she found it for me!  It was the Rowan Cotton Glace.  Was it ever soft to knit with.  I started knitting the Ishel on my trip and here’s how it looks so far.

Also visited some delicious restaurants in NYC and one of them was a Korean Restaurant in the Korean Town. Look at the picture of the dish that my hubby ordered:

Did I tell you I got a new camera too? It’s a Canon SX110. I just LOVE it! Although I have a lot to learn like angles, lightings, and etc, it is so much easier and fun taking pictures with a nicer camera. I practiced some pictures taken skills at the Central Park in NYC.

Last but not least, I finished a secret project for my dearest friend Lillian (aka Craftlover). I used Handmaiden’s Seasilk Rose, and it’s a beautiful colour. My first attemtp to knit with beads and the results were awesome. Here’s the yarn, and stay tune for the finished picture of the Hanami Scarf!

Oh, don’t forget to drop by my blog soon as Lillian and I had a fun time dying some yarns. More pictures to come!

One down!

I love project like this – started last year before winter came. It was almost done but didn’t have the mood to finish it as I wanted to touch wool instead; just realized I had this project sitting around two weeks ago, picked up the needles, started knitting, and two weeks later – whaalaa!

I am loving this. Sirdar Just Bamboo is soft to touch. It’s a beautiful yarn and it got a nice drape. Seems heavy after I finished it but once I put it on, it’s light and comfortable.

I have never used a yarn that has a gauge that’s dead on to the pattern. The row gauge was the same, and the stitches was the same. The arm hole’s cable seam was knitted separately then sewed on – even that fits perfectly! It just made my life easier.

The pattern was from the Winter 2009 Phildar. It’s one of those love at first sight pattern and it was a easy one. Modification was knitted in round and splitted at armholes and knitted separately, instead of knitted front and back.

The above photo is a little darker, but it shows this tunic sweater well on me.

Last but not least – thank you all for the lovely comments on my Habu Whisper Cardigan – all the kind words are very rewarding and they’re like engine oils to a rusted machine, it just keeps my needles going! I am knitting and blogging because of your supports! Thank you again!

You got to see this…

Look at what I’ve got – Whisper Cardigan made with Habu Tsumugi Silk Yarn! Honestly, the yarn is rougher than I expected, but after it’s blocked, it got softened up a lot. Remember if you want to wash it for the first time, soak it for at least five minutes. Some oil came out and they float to the top; and after a couple rinsed, there were quite a bit of dirt too. But after it’s all washed, it’s clean and soft.

Tsumugi Silk from Habu is a lace weight, but I used it to make a cardigan! Quite an experience. It’s light as air, and yet trendy! It’s not a long project but it took me longer than a month because I no longer have luxury knitting time. But Whisper cardigan doesn’t require a lot fo attention – simple Knit and Purl. It’s one of the advantage I like about it – this way I can pick up the needles and knit anytime I wanted without looking at where I was before.

The pattern was fun to knit as well. It’s a top down so I basically knitted to the length that I wanted. Less than 2 cones were used, and I got the length that I wanted. It’s just perfect for the spring weather!

Due to the new love experience with Habu, here’s the yarns I am using on my needles -

It’s Tsumugi Silk in Red Wine, with Shosenshi Paper in Grey. I got one ball each from the Knitter’s frolic, and knitting two together. And these are the results so far –

Isn’t it pretty? It’s an exceptional combination and I’m loving it so far! Although it’s hard to knit, the shosenshi paper is REALLY PAPER like. My hands are actually sore from knitting it. Not to mention I got a hard time purling. I ended up knitting it in round so I can move on faster.

I just love the combination.

Planning to make a top down sweater. Original design. Well, design as I go. Hopefully it will work well!

FO: Hanami

A Hanami is finished. It’s a special gift I made for my teacher/manager Jean. If you have read my blog, I had mentioned I accomplished a 7 year program, work related, and the person who helped me got to this stage is Jean. In order to thank her, I made a Hanami. It’s so hard to choose the yarn and pattern! She said she loves creamy colour, and she wants something to wrap around the shoulder on a cool summer days. So I choose Estelle South Pacific. Do you know it’s actually hard to choose something in cotton and creamy colour? I am glad Mary’s yarn carry that!

This is a DK yarn, so I can cast on less than the pattern had asked for. And because of the yardage I have, I only repeated 4 times of the basketweave pattern.
Basketweave pattern is so hard! I love lace pattern, but basketweave is just different. It took me half way through the couple repeats to get used to it without making mistakes. I used stitch marker to mark the repeats; but realized it’s not the same stitches within each repeats every row. That was the part that took me the longest before I figured it out the hard way.

After the basketweave pattern, it was much easier to work on the lace part. It’s such a clever pattern and it’s so smooth in the transition. Brilliant! As for the lace pattern, I didn’t finish it all. It’s already long enough, so I ended it earlier.

The ruffle was also shortened but it showed well in this Hanami.

All together, 2 skeins’s used, around 500 yardage.

Hanami indeed, how do you like it?

FO: Another Ishbel Shawl…this time for myself

I have the passion for shawl lately. I guess it’s a sign a spring’s arrival! I knitted a Ishbel Shawl and gave it to my beloved best friend Lillian. I immediately casted on another one for myself because I love it! I also went online and bought another skein of Jitterbug. The yarn’s just cute….it’s one of the must have yarn.

Ishbel is a fast knit – easy to knit, and it gives you a quick accomplishment as it only requires 300 meters! This time I use Handmaiden Fine Yarn 2 Ply Silk Cashmere in cream. Is it ever soft! It’s handdyed so it’s got a nice creamy-golden tone, with a hint of soft pink and pale blue if you look closely. It’s one of those colours that will match anything in your closet.

Have you noticed any difference between the real one and this one? Well, I actually added more lace at the bottom. When I’m on the second last section, I noticed I have so much yarns left that I can keep going. So I keep repeating the second last section for 3 more times….until I got tired of the pattern. Believe it or not, I still have yarn left for another 2 sections! I originally thought it doesn’t look as nice, but then as it’s blocked, it’s actually not bad! Good thing I didn’t rib it off….I am not loving it! It added length, lace effect, and it’s a bit bigger which is perfect.

Tada…it’s done!

Now I am working on a wrap for my teacher….hopefully I can show you some WIP photos soon. I just can’t concentrate…not only making tons of mistakes, but it’s ended up too big so I started all over again last night after I was over 20 rows. Oh well….got to enjoy the progress. Ribbing is part of knitting right?

Enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine out there! Happy knitting.

Where was I?

I spent the last week in preparing the most important exam in my life…..it took place in Anaheim, California. My teacher came with me (basically to speak for me and give me moral support). Surprisingly, I was CALM….calm like still water. I did really well and when I’m back to the office, this was on my desk.

My boss got me the biggest bouquet of flowers I have ever seen….I am 5″7, and the flower in the vase was placed on my desk and it is taller than me! I got emails congrats, cards, gifts, and more flowers in the following days and I am thrilled!

Back to last week’s excitement at Anaheim…..after I finished at the exam, my boss treated me and my manager to a day at Disneyland. Here’s Micky and Goofy:

I didn’t line up to take pictures with them. The line up was just too long. I was overwhelmed with all the kids as well! Other than the castle, can you see the stroller parking lot? Believe it or not, when it was getting dark, there was actually employees handing out numbers to make sure you park your strollers right and take the right strollers home.

We took a couple rides including the Little Small World (which was silly and tacky) and the Pooh ride (I took a picture of the Pooh’s bump):

Although the Little Small World is ideally for the little ones, can you see the Green Horse at the corner(or is it something else)? It’s neat!

The most funniest thing was seeing the sale of Turkey legs! I guess the picture can’t do the justice, but they’re HUGE…..I mean HUGE…..I would say it’s bigger than my arm….how can a person eat it all? I guess it’s meant for sharing between family:

The Disneyband was also playing and it just made everything more exciting!

Ellis and Magic Hat was also dancing along….Disney just made everything fun!

My inner child came out a bit on the Disneyland day. It was tiring but fun. Back to reality, people told me although I finished my exam, it’s the start of my journey in the career. It’s just exciting to know there are people care and happy for me. I am very blessed.

Needles is busy right now…hopefully I can show you something in the next post soon! It’s Shawl indeed!

How to keep your neck warm

I have attracted by Ysolda’s Whimical Little Knits. This is the love at first sight thing….especially the Ishbel shawl.

Believe it or not, the pattern only calls for 300 meters. My added on stash from Craftlover (she was doing a massive sale because she’s moving out of the country…check out her books, and yarn stash…lovely lovely lovely!), the Colinette Jitterbug, only has 291 meters. Love the red/purple colourway so I decided to take a risk. Every row/repeat I was doing, I was weighting the ball with my hands to see how much I have left. Surprisingly, after finished the last row of the pattern, I still have yarn left! I think I can make a couple granny squares with the left over!

It’s a very comfortable size of shawl to cover my neck like a scarf, or a shawl if I’m wearing a camisole to add warmth to my shoulder. I am loving it! Even my boyfriend said it’s a lovely one. He’s a picky person and he rarely comments on my knits, except this one.

The next little thing I did was The Queen Anne’s Scarf, a free pattern from 1Craftyboy’s webblog. Craftlover is right, it takes only 2 hours to do! If you want instant gratification, this is a must crochet item!

Easy to memorize, and fun to crochet. The good thing is that, you can use any yarn in your stash, and keep the flower growing until you ran out of yarn! I was using the Noro Kureyon and it only has 110 meters. One ball gives me a decent length to show off! If you got 200 meters, then you can make it a wrap around to keep your neck warm.

When I’m not keeping my neck warm, I place it by the den with my plants…it adds tremendous colourway to the corner!

FO & WIP: Shifting Sands Scarf, Misty Garden & Big Cables and Small Ones Too

I didn’t expect moving out of the house means no freedom! Grocery, cooking, dishes, laundry, cleaning…..all these new duty of my new life overwhelmed me! By the time I sit down at night, it’s almost 11pm which only allows me to knit a row here and there and that’s it. I used to knit sweaters, cardigans, all of them consider “big” projects for me now. I still have a passion for them…..the latest one I’m trying to do it Big Cables and Small Ones too by Suvi S. It’s such a beautiful piece and I hope I can finish it before winter leaves!

This sweater contains a couple cables – as the name reveals, it has big ones and small ones….so cute. The one above is a big one and here’s a small one:

Also managed to finish two scarfs since a while back – one was my bf’s Christmas present, and one was my aunt’s birthday present for her January 1 birthday….both are belated presents but it’s better than hanging in my WIP baskets forever!

I ended up bought another ball and made it longer. Guys, especially my guy, looked funny if the scarf is too short. Now it can wrap around the neck and let it hang comfortably.

The yarn is soooo soft. Sandnes Garn Alpakka. Ever since we watched a show on TV talking about Alpaca, my boyfriend fell in love with them and wanted a scarf to make with Alpaca yarn. How can the knitting girlfriend say no when you got a request?

Shifting sands scarf is a free pattern found here, from Grumperina. Blocking is definately required for this scarf as it curves at the end. But the magic of blocking resolved the problem! Highly recommended if you want something different, a little challenge -knit cable sts without cable needles, but you got to stand the boredom because cables are done every two stitches throughout the whole scarf. Patient is needed! Well, at least my mission is completed!

Misty garden in purple for my aunt. Added a little fur at both ends to make it more feminine…..idea from Craftlover, my best buddy. I think my aunt likes it when she opened the gift.

That’s it for now. I got the whole day by myself (odd!). I will keep my needles busy and hope I can get some knitting done!

Happy Knitting

Knitting Project On the New Year

First of all, Happy New year everybody! I have been “away” from my blog for a long while. Busy on cleaning the new condo, packing, trips to Goodwill, move in to the condo, unpacking….and now I am finally settled! Moving is such a big job. But it was a nice way for me to clean up what I have been accumulating over the years. Perfect way to start 2009!

I have been working on this Shifting Sands Scarf for my boyfriend since September 08 for Christmas. I just kept knitting it until December I realized I made a mistake on the scarf. Basically the pattern shifted and I couldn’t accept it so I ribbed everything off and started all over again.

For this carf, I made it extra wide (10 inches), thinking my bf can fold it in half so it will keep his neck warm. What a big mistake! I didn’t realize it will just take me twice as long to knit the scarf. Then I realized I was running out of yarn. I even ribbed out the hat that didn’t look nice on him so I got an extra skein to work on the scarf. I guess I will need to make a trip to Mary’s Yarn to get another skein to continue on the scarf.

Now that I’m settled, I will keep my needles busy to try to finish it as soon as I can! There’re so many new patterns out there that i want to knit and I think I lost track! What’s on your queue and what do you recommend? I am thinking of something top down with no seam. What do you think? I want your opinion!

Last but not least, I wish you all have a healthy, prosperous, and a happy 2009! And keep your needles busy too!

Mittens and Scarf

What’s the best way to keep warm and cuddly in this winter? My way of doing it is to wear mittens to keep my fingers warm and to wear a hand knitted scarf to keep my neck cozy.

Joy Harvest Mittens, pattern from Vogue Winter 08, by using the Joy from Needful, I changed the name from “Yellow Harvest Mittens” to “Joy Harvest Mittens”. I have never known that wool mitten can be so warm! Blocking was not required and the result was fabulous! It’s my first time making a mitten and I would definatley recommended it for the beginners.

It’s a nice pattern, but make sure you get the errata here before you started. I did not add the bobbles – I find them too bulky; but I actually regreted afterward because it’s a bit bare. Oh well, if people didn’t know the original pattern, it doesn’t really matter! My only comment with the pattern is that it started off very “tight”, although I’m a loose knitter. I guess all the cable works make it hard especially on the dpns and knitted in round. It got loosen up signifcantly when I”m on the body and I was flying by then. Now that I”m wearing them, the tight wrist area actually acts as a elastic band to keep it tight on my hands! Love it.

I made a last minute birthday present for my “future mother-in-law”. Found this stitch pattern (from the same Japanese dictionary knit book I used the last time for my double-sided scarf), and using one skein of the Cascade 220 in my stash was just a perfect match! Blocking definately helps – it just defines all the stitches and makes them all even and uncurled on the two sides! She’s a pink person and she seems to like it.

Oh, thanks for all the lovely comments on my double-sided scarf and the Lisel. For those of you who’re interested in the pattern on the double-sided scarf, please drop me a note. If you’re seriously interested, I will write it up and put it on my blog.