Slump

Please tell me you've all been there. When every projects just seem so...NOT RIGHT. I know a lot of people like to modify patterns, but for me, when I'm following a pattern, I'd want to follow it blindly. But sometimes when things are just not working out I'd have to suck it in and ACTUALLY USE MY BRAIN.
Remember the February Lady Sweater that I started?

This has since been frogged. The pattern itself is simply gorgeous, but I've had my doubt from the beginning about how it will suit my body shape. The yarn is looking gorgeous in garter stitch that made me almost want to close my eyes and just knit away. And the old days I would've done just that, and stuck the FO somewhere unseen. Maybe I'm growing up as a knitter, just maybe.
Then there's this

This is 15.5" of the back of Cardigan for Arwen. I've since frogged it back down to 5", did some waist decrease and bust increase and frogged it all. Now, I think the cardigan looks gorgeous in the magazine (why else would I want to knit it?), and look great on the other knitters' projects I've seen in Ravelry. But a square back just seems wrong for me. The cardigan is meant to be loose fitting, but loose fitting garments make me feel frumpy and chances are I won't be wearing it much. And the drop sleeves? I can't even think of how many years it has been since I last worn drop sleeves. So it's frogged and I'm back to square one.
And remember this? You haven't seen it for a long time, have you?

Yep, it's my Ivy League vest that I started...uh...some time ago. So when I went home for summer holiday I brought tons of WIPs and new projects with me because of course I thought I could finish 3 pair of socks, a vest, a cardigan, two tops and a shawl in 3 months. My luggage on my back was mainly filled with the same WIPs. Anyway, the vest is still a WIP, however I left the IK issue that the pattern is in back at home. Which is not the problem since I was being "clever" and took high resolution pictures of the pattern before I left. Problem is, I forgot the last page, where the instructions for the neck shaping, steeking (eek!) and neck and arm bands are.
But no worries! I'll be going home AGAIN next month for my cousin's wedding and with some luck we might have a finished vest by 2008.

At least I DO have some things to show

I'm enjoying this Mystery Sock KAL very much, and how often have you seen me take so many progress pictures?

And here's the stunner, if I may say so

Ene's Scarf
Pattern Source: Ene's Scarf by Nancy Bush (Scarf Style)
Yarn: Malabrigo Lace, 1.1 skeins
Needles: 4.00mm
I finally got around to blocking it last week and took some decent pictures earlier today (my housemate saw me taking pictures outside and she positively thought I was mad). The pattern was really simple but highly effective, although it did took me quite a while to cast on 375 stitches. And the yarn...mmmm.....it was delicious to work with. So soft and light. I have almost a whole skein of leftovers, it really goes a long way. One thing I've always admired from this pattern is how the lace patterns cleverly meet in the middle and create those arrows. Gorgeous. Now I think I want a thicker shawl, or a wrap that I can actually wear without being concerned of spoiling it. This one is so delicate that I feel slightly unworthy.

pointy!

Ally Pally 2008 Yarn P0rn!

Socktoberfest!

Fancy Cotton Socks
Pattern Source: stitch pattern from Gentleman's Fancy Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Online Linie Summersocke

Charade
Pattern source: Sandra Park
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM

Fiori di Zucca
Pattern source: 4th installment of Socktopus sock club
Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy "Pistachio"

I can't believe it's that time of the year again. The weather gets colder and I get to pull out my knitted cardigan which was great. I also find myself having no desire at all to even look at all those cotton/bamboo/hemp/etc.. yarns that I bought in preparation for summer holiday and never actually got around knitting. In turn I get to dig out all those warm and comforting animal fibres I love so much. Sadly, it's also time to get back to real life, which is kinda hard to do after spending almost half a year lazing around. I went back to class last week and made a HUGE decision. Guess what's going to be my dissertation topic? Knitting!! I've always been afraid of incorporating knitting into my "academic" life since I worry that it might take the joy out of it. But I seriously can't think of anything that'll keep me interested and motivated for a whole 6 months. So now the great thing is I get to knit and call it "academic research".

Here's what else I've been working on

Those are the cuffs of the Through The Loop Mystery Sock KAL that's going on in Ravelry. The yarn is Posh Yarn Lucia that I got from Santa Swap last year. It's knitting up beautifully even though I did managed to mess it up while winding it up. I've only got 75g of workable yarn, so hopefully it'll be enough or we shall have contrasting toes. The next clue is coming up tomorrow and I'm already itching to work on it.
I finished this cowl yesterday,

Tamarind Cowl
Pattern source: Knitting Kninja(link to pdf)
Yarn: Shilasdair Cashmere Handspun
It just occurred to me that it was my first time knitting with pure cashmere. The end result is divinely soft even though I didn't enjoy knitting with it quite as much due to the inconsistency of the yarn. I thought the simple pattern was perfect for showcasing the beautiful yarn. It went pretty quick too, I think I'll make another one with the leftover yarn as a Christmas gift for a friend.

Oh, and I jumped on the bandwagon and cast on for the February Lady Sweater earlier today. I most certainly do not have enough yarn, so it shall be short sleeved or even cropped. I'm not even sure the style suits me. But if you've been reading my blog for a while then you should know that I can't resist viral knits.