Wednesday, January 30, 2008

More FOs

I am on a roll!! I have another WIP finished. Break out the champagne!

Pattern: Iceland from Rowan 42
Yarn: RYC Soft Tweed - 10 balls
The recommended yarn wasRowan Cocoon but I couldn't really justify spending on more yarn as the stash is extensive.
Needle size: 7mm
Thoughts: I really liked the pattern when I first set eyes on Rowan 42. Now that its on me, I love it even more. The only drawback is that I attach myself on doorknobs and other protusions. The pattern is pretty easy. The yarn knits up well even though it is bit squeaky on the needles. I had to knit and reknit the ribbing a few times to get it right. It's not perfect but I'm willing to ive with it.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Catch up

I've been meaning to blog for the last week, but unfortunately, Aol disconnected our broadband service without telling us. ARRGGHHH! As a stay at home mum, my connection to the outside world is via the internet. It had been so bloody inconvenient. Anyway, rant over.


I have an enjoyable week, last week. My sister from Malaysia, came over for visit and spent some time with us. It was lovely to see her as the last time I saw her was in January 2007 when we were in KL. For her, she probably felt like a glorified baby sitter as I was constantly asking her to keep an eye on the kids or feeding them or bathing them or reading them as bed time story. I think she enjoyed herself. I know the kids loved having her. Keira kept giving her big hugs and loudly proclaiming - "I love you". Sweet!

This is for Mary- here is Juliet modelled by me. Sorry for the flash! It is just so dark and grey and foggy here in London. It still needs to be blocked and buttons attaching.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

B is for Blue

Unbelievably, I have some FO's to share. Having been struck down by the lurgy seems to have rejuvenated my knitting mojo. I've finished the knitting portion of my Juliet. I just need to hunt down some buttons and block it and it would be done.

Pattern : Juliet from Zephrstyle
Yarn : Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky in blue
Needle size :6.5mm
Size made : extra small
Thoughts: Easy pattern and with the large sized needles, it just flew along. With the top down knit, it was easy to adjust the fit. I think I'll get a lot wear out of this FO.

Next up, is the Koolhaas hat for hubby. I made an error on repeat no 5 and had to rip that out and reknit. That delayed the finishing somewhat. But it's now done and he loves it!!!

Pattern : Koolhaas hat by Jared Flood from Interweave Holiday 2007
Yarn : Malabrigo Worsted in Stone Blue
Needle size : 4mm and 5mm
Thoughts : Gorgeous pattern. Lovely yarn. The only difficulty is one of the cables where the yarn at the back and you have to knit through the backloop. Ugh! I didn't have my cable needle when I was carting it around, so that round just took forever to knit. Love it!!

Hopefully, over the next few days, I aim to finish a few more WIPs. 2 are also in blue and the other one is chocolate brown. Keep watching this space!!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Illness galore

I've succumbed to the dreaded flu for the last week. Not just me, the whole family was afflicted too. I have to say, I'm glad that we are almost through the worst patch. If baby's cough and runny nose would clear up, then I'd be a happy bunny.


The only thing that I could do was internet shop. And look at the amazing bargain I had on ebay. 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd sock for £9 and I will admit to going a bit mad (considering my sock knitting is almost non-existent!!) But anyway, I got Pinstripe, Aslan, Happy Valley, Baby Stripe, Bucks Bar, Purple Iris, Mt Creek and Tahoe. I guess I should make knitting a pair of socks my goal for January!!


Sunday, January 06, 2008

Newest WIPs

Amazingly, the sun was shining today. I always cope better with winter when the sun shines!

I haven't cast on for anything new in 2008. I have a bunch of stuff to finish off from 2007. I am going to aim to finish a few projects before Chinese New Year (Feb 8), as Grandma always used to say I should start the year with a clean slate and no debts overhanging over my head. I would consider my WIP pile a serious debt!

Here's my newest WIP. Koolhaas hat by Jared Flood (from Interweave's Holiday Knits) in Malabrigo in Stone Blue. This was going to be hubby's Christmas present but it's going to be his first present of 2008. I haven't decided if it needs another repeat before starting the decreases. We'll see.....

I also started Juliet by the Zephr girls. I had every intention of joining the Sexy Knitters Club kniatalong when it started but somehow never got round to it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I might finish it before the new knitalong starts. I really want Bella Paquita to win so that I can join in again too. (Late of course!)

Friday, January 04, 2008

New year, New me, New goals

Happy New Year everyone.

I'm not sure I'm going to make any resolutions this year. Every year I try make achievable resolutions and somehow, never achieve them. Like last year, one of my resolutions was that I'm on a yarn diet and I'm going to knit from my stash. That went so wrong - so much so that I haven't really even admitted it to myself. (Hangs head in shame). So this year, I'm not going to make any at all.

Having made that admission, I have to come clean and say that I did succumb to the yarn sales at Liberty and John Lewis. I only (only, she says!!!) bought 10 balls of Rowan Cotton glace in Maritime and in purple, some Noro Silk Mountain and some Noro Cash Iroha in purple as well. I guess I have been struck by the NoroVirus.

But on the other hand, I have been knitting. The only problem is that the light is so poor that I haven't taken any pictures yet. Here's hoping for some better light.