Back to school

Back-to-School U-Neck Vest
Pattern source: Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel
Yarn: Cascade 220 Quattro, 3 skeins
Needle: 5.00mm
Comments: I finished this quite a while ago, actually. The body was a really quick knit, however I slowed down when I came to the top shaping. The original pattern is quite wide at the front top, and narrow at the back. Since I didn't like it, I decided to do my own shaping. It works out pretty well and I'm liking it. It's a nice fit and is easy to wear. Well, maybe only when I'm having 'flat tummy day' since the vertical ribbing definitely enhance bulges.

P.S.: The headless pictures will have to do since I was having 'double-chin day'

You're A Winner!

Congratulations Peri!
Will you email me at yuviniaathotmaildotcom and let me know which prize you'd like and your mailing address, please?

It's funny because Peri and I met up a few years ago when I was still living in Brighton and she was my companion to my first Stitch and Bitch EVER!

four years and counting

I absolutely CANNOT believe that I missed my blogversary! 4 years and 27 days of blogging, can you believe it?
I started this blog when I was....what, SEVENTEEN? Gosh, it sure seems like an eternity.
Going back on my old posts get me thinking of how much my knitting style has changed. Sure, I've learned so much more since then. I can safely say that I'm a much better knitter in terms of technique and understanding. But I can't help but feel that I used to be so much more fearless and creative when i didn't know as much.
For example, I knitted this bag more than 4 years ago, even before I started blogging.

I had NO IDEA that intarsia was supposed to be hard, or that crochet eats yarn, or that cotton stretch, or that fluffy white edging with blue and purple clash. But it was my own, I didn't even use to read pattern back then. I guess my point is that the more I learn, the more timid I become. I'd really like to get back on track and USE what I've learned over the years instead of becoming intimidated by them. Being a design student, it seems a little ironic to me that I haven't been doing any designs.

On other notes, it seems funny to me that I still have UFOs from back then, like this cardigan for my mom.

Or that I still have yarn that I bought back then in my stash now.
Or that my amount of posts per yarn seems to decline by almost 50% every year.

But blogging has been a great part of my life, and I have met amazing people through it and made great friends.
So, my resolution for 5th year of blogging is to blog more often, to become a better blogger. When I grow up I'd like to become one of those knitters who inspire others. ( what can I say,I might be 20, but I'm still a kid at heart)

It's also been a while since I've a contest, so....




5 skeins of bamboo yarn. It's actually leftover from the boobholder I made 4 years ago.

My favourite sock yarn that I never use for socks,yet.
If you'd like any of these just leave me a comment and let me know which one you'd like. I'll pick someone on 19 April at midnight GMT +1.

Yes, I've been knitting

I'm back!
Well, actually I've been back for a week now, a week that's been spent resting. Resting from a vacation that wasn't even tiring, yeah. I guess some people would call it slacking, but I think of it as resting.

It might take me another 3 months to share my trip pictures but I'll try to be good and do it earlier this time.
Meanwhile, let's talk about knitting!



Turquoise Baudelaire Socks
Pattern source: Baudelaire socks by Cookie A.
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino "Turquoise"
Needle: 2.5mm 80cm Addis
Comments: I've been wanting to knit this pattern ever since it came out just because it's soooo pretty and I just adore Cookie A.'s patterns. It wasn't an easy knit, not because the pattern was hard, but because it's just so tight. I think it was the combination of the lace pattern, the yarn and the needle. This is another tight fitting socks for me, sometimes I fear I'd tear the socks since I have to pull real hard to put it on. I followed the instruction for wide heels, but it didn't help much. I guess my heels are just super thick.
Anyway, did you notice my new pretty sock blockers? They're from the second installment of Socktopus Sock Club. It's about an inch too small, but my socks blocked out beautifully and the yarn feels great after blocking too.

I managed to do some yarn shopping while I was in Switzerland, but that's for another post. One of the yarn that I got was a skein of rainbow coloured Zitron Loft yarn. I cast on almost immediately when I got home and a hat was done in 2 days.

Super Colourful Beanie(for the lack of better naming)
Pattern Source: Just a simple top down hat
Yarn: Zitron Loft colour 901
Needle: 7.0mm??
Comment: This hat went so quick and the yarn was so fabulous. I even had enough for a pompom, leaving me with NO LEFTOVER at all. The yarn was quite pricey when I got it but I've since found out that I can get it for much less online. I'm sooo tempted to buy one at every colour and knit lots of pretty beanies.

Another WIP is this

It's Neighbourhood Tunnel socks from the said second installment of Socktopus Sock Club. I adore the yarn, and the pattern is quite pretty too, but the fit is a nightmare. I did my usual short-row heel over 60% of the stitches but it's still very tight. I have to pull it even harder than the Baudelaire. Granted, I didn't follow the heel flap from the pattern. Actually I did, but then I read the part where I'm supposed to make changes for wider heels. I ripped the heel off because I just couldn't be bothered anymore. Lesson learned: READ THROUGH THE PATTERN FIRST. The first sock is now done and I'm really not sure what to do with it.

Two days ago, I finally cast-on for this

Yep, Ivy League Vest, finally! I had to cast on twice because I didn't have the right size needle. The ribbing is going very slowly and I'm really tempted to just do a normal ribbing instead of changing colour every freakin row. But it looks so pretty so I think I'll stick with it. This will be one of those project that'll take years to finish, considering the rate I'm going at.

And last night, since I needed a bit of mindless knitting while watching tv, I cast on for this

It's Haven scarf from Kim Hargreave's Heartfelt book. The yarn is Lang Mille Colori, another holiday purchase. It's intended for my International Scarf Exchange pal. I think she might love it, but I keep on having doubts, so maybe I'll just hope for the best.

Actually, there are lots more FOs to share, I find that I'm knitting so much more than I blog that I have trouble posting about them. But I'll be back soon with a sweater, a vest, few hats and socks.

Christmas trip report, much belated

It's been 3 months since I promised to show my trip pictures. My excuse would be that we took more than 1500 pictures and boy, they were hard to sort out.
I wouldn't want to bombard you with tons of pictures(I do, really, but you might run away), so here they are in mosaic! Aren't they clever?
First stop, Vienna!

What we did:
-Visited a museum (check out first pic!)
- Hanged out with musicians (that's me and Schubert there on third pic from the left!)
- Went to the zoo on Christmas day!
- Christmas market
- Wrote on ice!!

Next stop, Prague

What we did:
- Checked out the AMAZING architecture
- Ate A LOT (don't worry, we walked a lot too)
- Walked by the riverside
- Got some action (check first picture bottom left)

Last stop, Brussels

What we did:
- Ate some more
- Met Smurf!
- Checked out the cool graffiti
- Filled my suitcase with fresh Belgian pralines
- Flea market shopping

In case you're wondering why I finally end my procrastinating and do this post, it's because I'll have lots more to show soon! Off to Swiss tomorrow, see you guys in two weeks!

Mastering the art of procrastination

Another weekend with deadlines looming, what else to do but knit!


Thorpe Hat by Kirsten Kapur
Pattern source: Thorpe hat(link to pdf)
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Maya
Needle: 5.00mm Addi Turbos

This hat is amazing!! It took me only a whole Sunday to knit. Mind you my day started way past noon. The pattern called for Dpns to begin with, but they are out of my league, so I used a very long(100cm) circular to do magic loop instead. Also, since I'm using a lighter weight yarn, I increased up to 88 stitches to get to my size. The contrasting yarn for the crochet edging I used was even lighter, so I did Double crochet instead of Half double crochet called for.
The yarn was a delight to work with, and the colour works perfectly for Project Spectrum. Orange, red and pink? Yes, please.

Can you tell yet that I love it so? I'm digging the stash to make some more of this baby!

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.

New year, same old story

Rant time....
I SO CANNOT BELIEVE IT'S THE THIRD WEEK OF JANUARY!!
AND THAT I HAVE TO GO BACK TO UNIVERSITY TOMORROW!

Ok, I guess you get my point. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. Hopefully this year wouldn't be gone as fast as last year. The last 5 days of my life was spent on the couch in front of the TV, doing absolutely nothing.
I'm not sure if it's because I'm overwhelmed by the first three weeks of the holiday going out and about every day, or maybe I'm just plain lazy.

Anyway, tv time to me equals knitting time, so I have been quite productive

Irish Hiking Scarf
Pattern source: Hello Yarn
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, Petrol blue 3 skeins
Needle: 4mm Addis
Comments: This scarf was supposed to be my holiday project, but I only managed to get a few inches done during the trip. The rest got finished quickly in about 2 days. The pattern was nice and easy to memorise. All I did before leaving town was look at the pattern hard and didn't even take any notes.
The yarn was dk weight instead of worsted weight called for in the pattern, so my scarf is thinner and barely long enough. I'm not too sure how I feel about the yarn though. Lots of people rave about it, but it just doesn't work for me. It is nice and soft and I can see it working beautifully for baby stuffs. Verdict, like it but I don't love it.

Well after the scarf was done I was still watching TV, but I need something to work on otherwise I get very restless. So I cast on for this

Henley Perfected from the latest IK. It was my favourite pattern in the book, and I just happen to find a yarn in my stash that will hopefully work out well. The back was just finished about an hour ago after about 4 days of knitting, so this should be a quick project. However I think it'll take me another month to get this done with the mountain of coursework which will soon fall upon me.

Anyway, I've been spending more than I should online, no surprise there.
Like many of you, I love Kim Hargreaves' designs, and I've been extremely tempted to get one(or all) of her kits. I finally broke down and bought my favourite, and it came this morning.

Yep, it's FLO!! This is purely impulse buy, even if I've been thinking about getting it ever since it came out. You see, the cardigan IS pretty, but all those ruffles.... they look pretty on the model, but I really do not need enhancement on that particular spot.... if you know what I mean.
And anyway, take a look at the yarn colour. I ordered the same colourway as shown on the model, but the colours of the yarn that came are significantly darker and duller. Now, I know that it's the downside of internet shopping, but I'm a bit disappointed, that's all.

About holiday pictures...ehmm....that'll have to wait since yours truly is being her lazy ass self. Who knows, it might be summer before I get around to doing it, but let's hope that's not going to happen. As an excuse, we took over 1500 pictures during the trip, so I have lots of sorting out to do....lame, I know.

New year, new yarns.

First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

I'll save my vacation story for next post, let's talk about the new year for now, shall we?
My year started off with an idiot splashing wine at me, then drunk guy at a bar. It wasn't too bad, but not exactly a great start I'd hoped for either. However when I got back to London on the first day of the year, I found a parcel waiting for me at home.
Inside...



These amazing yarns are from a dear friend, Van. I can't imagine a better way to start the year, can you?

Then on the second day of the year, I stopped by at Liberty at found this at almost half price off.

I've been wanting to try all these yarns FOR EVER.
I have a feeling it'll be a good knitting year, don't you think?

I have(had) a habit of writing a new year resolution. Last year I had about 50 in my list, with about 1 or 2 that I kept up the whole year but couldn't remember. This year I haven't had the chance to write one yet, but I thought I'd share my knitting resolution here with everyone with the hope that it'll give me the push to keep them up.
So here goes:

1. Do at least one colourwork project.
2. Get rid of stash yarn that I don't even like.
3. Stop buying yarn I'll never use just because it's on sale.
4. Blog about ALL my projects.
5. Deal with UFOs.
6. Actually wear my FOs.
7. Attend a knitting meetup.
8. Do more designing/thinking in my knitting.

Phew! That's all I could think of, for now at least. I'm quite sure I've said those same things before, but let's hope it's actually happening this time! You all are welcome to laugh at me when I crash and burn.
Well, at least if I do I'll still have all my beautiful yarns.

Rant and rambles...

Ok, I realise it's been looooong since I last do a real post. Actually no, it feels just like yesterday, but the date disagree.
I've been swamped by course-works, with the holiday coming up and all. I'm glad to report that I only have one more deadline to go (tomorrow, yikes!) and then I'm FREE!!! Well, not free as in I can just sit on the couch and be lazy all day, which is what I've been doing in between deadlines. My friend is coming on Wednesday which means I'll have to go out to Central London every day until we leave for Austria on Sunday. So I can't laze around but I'm freaking excited!!!

I actually managed to finish quite a bit of knitting while I was supposed to be working, but the universe got in the way of me sharing them with you. First, the weather in London has never been great in the first place, but lately it's just crap. So no natural lighting to speak of, which is fine cos I don't take outdoor picture in the first place, right? No. Because my main source of artificial light that is the lamp in my room which usually is dim anyway had gone off. Tried new bulbs, tried the fuse, nothing works. I was hanging out in the lounge in front of the tv watching Nigella Lawson and Friends whole day yesterday. Then I thought, oh well, I can take picture in the lounge I suppose, risking my housemate seeing the Fetching I made for her before christmas. But then.....the freaking lamp in the lounge went off too!!!! Agh!!!
So, no picture before I get my light fixed, and that wouldn't be anytime soon because the lazy who's supposed to be responsible for our house's is away.

Ok, so that's my rant.

On a more positive note, I finished Audrey, yayyy!!
I have no great picture for now, but here's a crappy one....

The 500 something stitches button band were done during me trying to get my coursework done. And I wove in the ends while taking breaks (lots of 'em) from my coursework. But then I got to wear it for my presentation! YAYY!!! Well, we didn't get to present our work in the end, but I'm happy with my mark.
I promise I'll take a better picture soon, and go into details about it. I love it!!

I have also finished a scarf, a pair of bed socks and a pair of Fetching for Christmas gifts. I'll wrap them up and be sure to take pictures of them with the recipients.

Anyway, I should have a lot more to share soon, sorry for the rambling. And just in case I don't, Merry Christmas!!!

Santa came early this year!

I got this lovely surprise on Saturday morning

It's from the UK Secret Santa swap that's going on in Ravelry. The rule is to send 100g of yarn from your stash, I signed up for the sock yarn category (cos we all know I don't have enough sock yarn!). My swap pal, Alice, sent me this lovely skein of PoshYarn Lucia in a lovely deep burgundy/brown colour. She also included some pretty stitchmarkers and a cute card.
Thanks again Alice, it totally made my weekend!

Anyway, the back, and fronts of Audrey are all done. The pieces are blocking on my home-made blocking board (duvet and towels) and when they're dry all that's left is the ribbing! Can't say I'm looking forward to it...
On other news I just got my Schengen visa for Christmas holiday! Yay! I'll be going to Vienna, Prague and Brussels. Anyone know of good yarn shops there?

Anybody got tired of my FO posts yet?


Anastasia Socks
Pattern source: Pepperknit
Yarn: BFL Superwash sockyarn in "Sophia" from Radiant Twist
Needles: 2.5mm Addi Turbo 80cm
Comments: I found the pattern on Ravelry, and thought it's perfect for hand-dyed yarn. It's knitted toe-up, and I'm simply smitten by the construction of the short-row toes. Not so much with the heels though, I have to pull real hard to put it on.
Here's my sad attempt to capture the gorgeous colours

Anyway, I'm convinced now that I have sensitive ankles, if such thing exist. After taking these socks off, my ankles itch like crazy! When I went to Ally Pally I was wearing my Monkey socks that's knitted out of Trekking ProNatura, who knew that bamboo could be so itchy?

Peekaboo
Pattern source: here(link to pattern)
Yarn: I'm pretty sure it Malabrigo worsted merino, bought at Ally Pally last year
Needle: 4.5mm Addi Turbo
Comments: When I was wearing my Fetching, I found my fingers curling inside because they're freezing. So, while I love my Fetching for spring, it just won't be enough for the coming winter. I can't be bothered to knit all 10 fingers (imagine the horror of all those yarn ends!gasp!), too lazy to knit a convertible mittens, so this pattern is the perfect solution for my lazy a**. Anyway, after I was done with the first one, I found it waaay too short for me, so I knitted the second one longer and ripped the first one from cuff-down, and added a few rows. They fit quite perfectly now. Let's just pray that I don't have sensitive wrists.
They are cute, but not exactly fashionable or elegant. And since I sometimes like to pretend to be both of the latters, I foresee a pair of pretty gloves in the future, if I get motivated enough. Or I might have to just buy a pair.

And here's my latest WIPs

This is Audrey. I think she's going to be pretty. I've been working on her somewhat faithfully over the last 3 days that my hands hurt. I'm using the green Jaeger Matchmaker Merino Dk that I got from Ally Pally with my trusty 4.00mm Addi Turbo. She's such a pleasure to knit.
However, I'll be taking a short break from her since I'm going to my friend's house and I've promised to teach them how to knit. So naturally I have to cast on for something myself, no?

Am I the only one who can't believe it's already another weekend? That it's already halfway through November? That Christmas is only 6 weeks away? I wish it would slow down as I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

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.

London calling

So, it's been more than a week since I'm finally back in London. The crazy weather so far assured me that I am indeed back. I've been busy catching up with friends ever since, and trying to make my new room (which really is a living room), a home.
But fret not, since my needles are still clicking away, albeit less often.

I've been itching to try knitting mitered squares and log cabin ever since I bough Mason-Dixon knitting book and them floating all over the net. But I know me, and a decent sized log cabin blanket would probably be done just in time to send off my grandchild to college. So come the obvious answer, cushion cover! This way I can try different yarns and different colour combination without worrying about having to buy 100 skeins of the same yarn at once. Now all I need to do is actually attach them to fabric backing....any volunteers?

Just before I left home, another pair of socks flew off my needles...


Sidewinders: A PerpenSOCKular Pattern
Pattern source: Nona
Yarn: Regia colour 4ply, gift from Mimi
Needle: Addi Lace 3.00mm 80cm
Comments: I've been intrigued by this pattern ever since Nona published it, just haven't had the time to sit down and actually work on it before summer. It's not a pattern that I can just print off and cast-on while on the go. However, once you "get it", the construction makes a lot of sense and it was a lot of fun looking at the socks taking shape. The second sock, naturally, took a while to get started, but the it went fast. When I got the yarn from Mimi, I knew straight away that it'll become my Sidewinders. Now I want another one in self-striping yarn, it'd be so much fun to look at!

As of now, I'm spending hours on Ravelry looking for patterns to knit from yarn in my stash. In most case, I'd have the pattern but not enough yarn, or the wrong colour for the pattern, or I don't have the pattern. My hands are itching for some serious fall knitting, but for now maybe I should deal with my piling UFOs first....