Late night knitting

It is now waaayyy past midnight, I've done pretty much nothing work-wise the whole day, and we're having a client meeting next Tuesday that I'm so not prepared for. It is technically weekend, but really I am supposed to be working my ass off every single minute I have. But obviously I'm not. Instead, I watched TV, ate a lot, baked some muffins, and of course, I knit.

About fifteen minutes ago, I looked at the clock and it's over 2 a.m., and thought that the right thing to do would be to go to bed so I won't wake up past lunch time again. Then I cast on for a new project, because I'm hopeless like that.

This is the very beginning of Back-to-school u-neck vest from Fitted Knits. The yarn I'm using is Cascade 220 Heather, which I actually got specifically for this project back during the Knit Happens sale last year. I'm hoping this would be my simple, mindless knit, because I need one of those going on at all time.
Anyway, I'm knitting this (2nd row now!) while listening to new(-ish) knitting podcasts. There were Faery Knitting, Knitty Nora's knitting natter, and Knitting Rose. They are all pretty good so far, so they'll be staying on my subscription list. I've listened to some in the past where I just CANNOT stand the voice of the podcaster, it's a really personal thing, I guess.

And of course, I was knitting something else before I cast on for the vest.

This is half (sans thumb) of Herringbone Mittens(link to pdf) by Elliphantom.
I was feeling a bit guilty of not giving any decent Christmas present for some of my good friend (they did get Belgian pralines though!), that I promised to knit them something. One wanted gloves/mittens, the other wants a hat. This pattern has been on my queue on Ravelry for quite a while and I LOVE all the versions I've seen, so it was an easy choice. Plus I had the perfect yarn in stash, Knit Picks Wool of Andes. I'm knitting the second now, while constantly worrying of running out of yarn. But it has been a fun project so far.
My friend (the will be mittens recipient) said a really funny thing, she didn't want fingerless hand-warmers, not because they're not functional, etc (heard this one lots), but because she thinks they look "metal", you know, like punk rock style? I was like WTF?! Obviously she hasn't seen tons of the pretty pretty ones that knitters have made, not that there's anything bad with "metal".

So it's past 3 a.m. now, so I might actually get some sleep and hopefully have the motivation to work my ass off tomorrow.

P.S: Like my new header? Yeah, that's what I was spending my day doing, lol.

Obligatory new year post

Last week, I finally worked up the courage to attend a knitting meetup! I met up with Alice and went to Iknit London for their Kniterati book meeting. It was great to go out and meeting new people, and the yummy yarns and cider didn't hurt either. Hopefully I'll be able to make it to more meetups in the future.

Anyway because I didn't have anything small and simple enough to knit on during the meetup, I cast on for a hat, and it's done by the next day!

Gemma Beret
Pattern source: Rowan, found the link through Ravelry
Yarn: Jaeger Extra Fine Merino DK, 2 skeins
Needle: 4.00 and 5.00mm
Comments: I've been wanting to knit something purple for a while now, and I just adore this hat! The pattern has a lot of errors in it, so I did everything my own way, except for the lace insert pattern. It fits me just right, but I think it might need a light blocking to straighten up the stitches a bit.

Going to a knitting meet-up was one of my new year knitalution(love the word!). My theory is that if I don't just bite into it, the year will be over before I do anything on the list. So out of impulse, I ordered this

It's a kit for Ivy League Vest by Eunny. I chose to go with a kit because it'll be my first experience working with more than 3 colours at once, and all those colours just boggle my mind. I got the kit from The Yarn and Fiber Company and they were absolutely fabulous! The yarns were backordered, but they came in less than 2 weeks, and the international shipping was FREE!! I have no idea how they do it, but I'm definitely going back for more.
As to when I'll be casting on, I doubt it'll be anytime soon, since all those hanks of yarn will need to be balled first. I have yet to cave in and buy a swift, but a homemade one sounds almost feasible.

WIP wise, the knitting on Henley Perfected is all done, all that's left to do is whip-stitching the hems, and it's taking me ages to do. Seaming suddenly sounds more fun.
So while I'm procrastinating on that, I'm working on this

Yep, it Baudelaire by Cookie.A. This pattern has been on my queue ever since it came out. The yarn is Cherry Tree Hill Supersock solid that I got from Ally Pally. I love the deep and rich turquoise colour, and lace pattern always seems to stand out better in solid colours. I'm not enjoying knitting this as much as I thought I would though, not sure if it's the pattern, the needle or the yarn, or maybe the combination that makes it feel so tight to knit. Hopefully I'll be able to beat SSS on this one.

Actually my main reason for posting today(other than a much needed update) is to wish everybody Happy Chinese New Year! 恭喜发财! I love Chinese new year, and this time of the year I miss home more than ever.