Delayed FO posts

Yes, I HAVE been knitting. Actually I just finished a whole cardigan (gasp!) and is working on a second sock. But you won't get to see them today, because you know how bad I am with posting knitting progress.
Instead I'll show you what I've knitted and never got to show you.



Clementine Shawlette
Pattern source: Interweave Knits Spring 2007 by Michelle Rose Orne
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk DK 4 skeins
Needle: Honestly can't recall, this was like 3 months ago!
Comments: Well, my grafting sucks, that's for sure now. The pattern really is lovely and the lace was easy to memorise once you get the hang of it. When I was done knitting it, the length was perfect. BUT, after I blocked it, uh-oh...it's TOO LONG! You can actually see in the first picture how my hands have to hold it because otherwise it'll be dropping off my shoulders. I'll leave it like that for now just because I can't be bothered, but perhaps one day I'll get to it and block it shorter. That's possible, right?
Anyway, the yarn is lovely to knit with, a bit sticky with my Addis but no biggie. I love how crisp it's showing the lace and garter stitch.

Ok, next one...

Butterfly
Pattern Source: Rowan 37 by Jennie Atkinson
Yarn: Jaggerspun Zephyr wool silk
Needle: Umm....4.0mm Addis?
Comments: Before I started knitting this, I did some research on how others do it. I decided to knit it flat, because doing it in the round and trying to keep track of the increases and decreases will probably be a disaster. I also put an extra stitch at each side for seaming. And the straps are i-cords instead of garter stitch. The knitting part was pretty easy, even though I don't really like knitting laceweight yarn on big needles, and the addis were a bit too slippery. I like the end product well enough, despite THIS

If you're familiar with the pattern you should notice the stupid mistake I made. For one of the side, I idiotically pick up the stitches at the WRONG SIDE of the border. I noticed this only when I was going to seam the sides. There's no way I'm frogging it, I simply don't love it enough to do it. Well, you can barely see it when it's worn anyway. I still think it's pretty, don't you?

Oh anyway, these 2 projects are just the peak of a mountain, or a hill, really. I've stil got tons of unblogged FOs, which I'll show you in the future, when I have nothing new to post about ;)

OMYGOD, OMYGOD!! Guess what? My housemate just told me that we got Amazon delivery, on a Sunday! You know what this means, don't you? I'm stopping right here to indulge in my new knitting books! Oh ok, I'll tell you what I got. Knitting Classic Style, Romantic Handknits and The Friday Knitting Club! Gotta make a cuppa and curl on my sofa/bed. Yeah, I have a DEADLINE on Tuesday which I'm way behind of, but who cares when you have knitting books to read??

THE PORN IS BACK!!!!

Ready for some yarn porn? I bet you are, it's been a while.
Lorna's Laces Sheperd Socks in Mt.Creek

Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Solid in Turqoise (the colour is sooo gorgeous, but so damn hard to photograph)

Jaeger Matchmaker Merino DK in Hop (I was telling myself not to buy sale yarn anymore since I'm running out of space, but I can't help it)

Chameleon Colorworks Evolution in Rose from Socktopus.

100% Handspun Cashmere from Shilasdair (the colour really is magenta, it's so yummy I want to roll around nekkid on it)

Sesia Pura Lana Ecologica (I have no idea why, but I couldn't resist it. It's so simple yet gorgeous I simply have to take them home with me.)

Not so long ago, my blog used to be mostly about yarn porn instead of real knitting progress. I've been really good these few months, haven't I? (well, not that I haven't been buying, *ehmm*....just not as much). But going to Ally Pally really *helped* me going again. Now I feel like I'd do anything to afford those qiviut that literally makes me shiver in delight. And more cashmere too, please. I think I need a job to fund my fibre addiction.....anybody hiring?

Anyway, I've been wanting to get a sewing machine for a while. It'll be my THIRD machine, since the first one is at home and the second one came broken. I need your opinion on this since my knowledge on sewing machine is purely based on their price and look. What do you think about this one? Do you have any recommendations? I need something cheap since everything here are generally more expensive than everywhere else. Help me, or my cushion covers will remain one-sided.