Purple Knit

Juliet

2008-09-09T19:59:00.008-05:00

Pattern/織圖: Juliet from Zyphyr Style
Yarn/線材: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece #930 Candy Apple 5 skeins (80% prima cotton, 20% wool, 215 yards) Double strands
Needle/針號: Knitpicks Option 40"#10.5
Duration/製作日期: 1/9/08~2/20/08

Juliet really was a very simple pattern, it shouldn't take me six weeks to finish this sweater; but between taking care baby and daily chores I guess it was reasonable??

I always love Zyphyr Style's designs, I like their designs being simple, casual, and knitted from the top down, I can try it on any time I want and the greatest part is no assembly (mostly me being lazy)!!

I love these Cotton Fleece yarns, I bought these yarns at LYS during their close sales, I bought 5 skeins, based on the pattern it should be more than enough. I didn't start Juliet right away, so after I finally started this project and read some bloggers mentioned that the yardages on the pattern really wasn't enough...panicking!!! The LYS was already closed, no way I could get more yarn from them and I didn't think I could get the same dye lot from other store.

Good thing it turned out OK, I finished the sweater with only a couple yards to spare...whew! I did had to rip my swatch to do the crochet chains for the buttons. And I would prefer to knit another repeat of the lace pattern to make it longer...oh well! I still love this cute top!!

And then it took me forever to find the buttons I like. I thought about using the huge wooden button like the ones on the pattern, but I couldn't find it at any LYS (unfortunately there's only one left) or the fabric stores. I kept looking and looking and looking...no luck, and really, if I use big buttons, it would make the whole sweater even "heavier"! This sweater looks really "cute", but it is also kind of bulky/heavy - it would make me look "huge"!! I found these buttons while I was re-organizing my stash...love these!! These buttons were from another LYS close sales. There used to be 3~4 yarn store near me, now there is only one left :-(

Now that I finally finished my Juliet, I want to make one like Kessanlin's, love her version of Sweet Juliet!!

Crocheted Shell pattern babydoll top

2008-06-29T13:42:00.005-05:00

Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Cotton Frappe 6 balls (95% cotton, 5% polymide, 50g, 145m/159yd)
Pattern: Joey編織の屋 March 08 KAL

Hook:　3.5mm for top part/3.75mm for the bottom shell pattern
Duration： too long~ probably from end or March till end of May

It really shouldn't take me this long to finish this top! It wasn't that difficult!! But between watching two kids and all other house works, I guess I had a great excuse!

These Japanese patterns are always one size only and usually for a very skinny person. When I got the pattern I know that I definitely need to re-calculate all the numbers so the FO will fit me.

I probably only need to add one shell repeat for the bottom part, but I added one shell repeat for both front and back, so they would be symmetrical. I also converted it to round-crocheting; I'm lazy and main part is that I really hate assembly (I'm not good at it...hahaha)! The FO is a little too A-line to my liking, but then, it looks like it could cover up my big fat belly, so that should be OK!

I was so looking forward to wearing this top, now that I had finally finished it, I found myself afraid to wear it! Why? Because my 9-months-old is always "on" me!! And he had vomited on my clothes too many times, I don't want to take that chance! Sigh~

Red Capelet 夯夯夯的紅色斗篷

2008-03-31T11:11:00.006-05:00

Yarn/線材: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino 5 balls + 12gm, Color/色號: 700
Pattern/圖樣: Joey編織の屋 (2008年1月)
Tool/工具: Clover Lite 3.5mm
Duration/製作日期: 1/31/08~3/17/08

It seemed like I've converted to crochet now (ney, I still knit!), I mean crochet really goes a lot faster, I can see my FOs much faster than my knitting FOs. I love Joey's KAL, for Jan. 08 she picked out several projects for fellow bloggers to choose from, I chose this one! I joined the very last minute and already lots people finished their projects, most of them chose this capelet too, so I got to see what yarns other crocheters used for their capelets.

終於完成這件超夯的紅斗篷囉好高興呢粉滿意這次的成品唷!
當初在喊又時已經是一片紅海了但是真的粉喜歡這個樣式就還是選了它了
我發現每次參加群編會我最大的問題就是選線這回也不例外
原本想從自己手邊有的線挑試了幾組都不是太滿意最後還是給毛線店再賺一筆了啦

This pattern wasn't very hard, I pretty much memorized the pattern after few repeats, I didn't have to make any alteration, just follow the pattern, voila!

I love the buttons, thanks, sister for helping me choose the button!! It's a perfect match!!
扣子是妹妹幫忙挑的喔, 那時接近過年, 想說紅扣子超搭的說, 結果花這麼長時間才鉤好.

It's very difficult to take a good photo on "red" garment, flash or no flash, just can't seem to get a correct color.
紅色很難拍咧, 怎麼拍都有色差!

Newsboy Hats 報童帽

2008-03-15T21:58:00.006-05:00

Yarn/線材: Rowan Handknit Cotton #318 Mint Green 薄荷綠 1.5/1.75 balls (small/large)

Pattern/圖樣: Courtesy of 桔寶寶
Tool/針號: Clover 3.0mm (small) 3.5mm (large)
Duration/製作日期: 2/9/08~2/16/08 　

Ever since I started knitting I think I only made two sweaters for my 4-year-old, one is because everyone knows kids grow too fast, and with my knitting speed (slow!) I can never catch up; number two reason is it's a lot cheaper to buy sweaters than buy yarns to make them (this way I can more money to buy yarn for myself)!

When my 4-year-old saw this hat, he wants me to make one for him; he was so excited that he got to pick the color and the buttons. I never crochet a hat before, so I just followed the pattern, and it was fast, took me about 6 hours to make it, while I was making it, it looked kind of small, but I thought his head is not so big, it should fit if I stretch it a little bit... Well, it didn't fit!! It was too small, good thing it fits my 6-month-old! Whew!! Now, I need to make another one quick!! But I didn't know how to do increases to make it fit my 4-year-old, so I crochet crochet crochet, I increase increase increase, too big, ok, rip rip rip, crochet crochet crochet, rip rip rip....Finally it fits!!! The second hat took me 6 days, well, with couple hours of crocheting each day! Both kids are happy!! Me too!!

無意間逛到這頂可愛的報童帽, 從沒鉤過帽子的我一時興起問了四歲的老大喜不喜歡, 他馬上就催著要我趕快鉤給他!

從我開始迷上編織起, 很少有成品給小朋友, 總覺得他們長的太快了, 等我完成一件作品, 要不是季節已經不對, 要不就是他們又長大不能穿了. 而且說實在的, 買的還比我織的要便宜多啦, 所以扣扣還是留下來買我的線吧!

從來都沒有這麼快, 這麼打拼的完成一件作品, 我們家老大早催晚催, 一看到我就問, 只好犧牲睡眠趕工. 第一頂鉤好後, 居然太小了, 老大非常不爽, 還好六個月大的弟弟戴起來剛好(沒作白工呢)!
又趕快趕工, 還要加大尺寸, 又不會算, 真是頭痛呢! 努力的鉤, 鉤, 鉤, 鉤完了又太大, 就這樣拆拆鉤鉤, 總算交差啦!

最後是帽子加針的部份多鉤一圈就嘟嘟好囉!

Pineapple scarf 鳳梨花長圍巾

2008-01-20T02:53:00.000-06:00

Yarn/線材: Rowan 4 ply cotton (100% cotton, 170m/50gm) #129 Aegean - 2.5 balls

Hook/針號: Japanese #3/0 (2.3mm)

Pattern/圖樣: Courtesy of Sheep House

Size/尺寸: width(寬) 20cm, length(長) 151cm

I decided to make this scarf all because of Margaret's FO! Just loved her Pineapple scarf, especially the variegated color, love it! I didn't want to spend more money to buy yarns (I really really need to be on yarn diet!), these 2 balls of Rowan's 4 ply cotton were the leftover from my Orangina, 2 balls...really couldn't make anything except maybe a scarf. I like long scarf, but I wasn't sure how far I can go with these 2 balls of yarns, so I use the food scale to measure how much yarn is needed for each pineapple pattern repeat, each repeat uses about 9gm. The original finish size is 194cm long, my yarns are not gonna be enough to make that long, probably not even enough to make the tassels. So I asked my sister to buy one ball of the same yarn from her LYS, of course not the same dye lot; but maybe it would be close enough to finish the scarf.... After I got the yarn, the new ball of yarn is brighter, so I decided to use it for the border and the tassels. Another project done!!! I'm proud of myself!!

又完成一條圍巾囉! 會鉤這條是因為看到瑪格的成品, 她用段染線鉤出來的圍巾, 美的呢!! 所以去我的屯積線線堆找出這組線, 是以前織衣服剩的, 就剩兩球, 大概也只能拿來鉤圍巾吧! 因為不確定兩球夠鉤多長, 我就拿出電子磅秤來量看看每一個花樣會用掉多少線, 這招不錯呢(從妹那兒學來滴)! 這樣子就不怕鉤到花樣的一半才發現線不夠, 會吐血咧! 我知道妹家附近的毛線店有賣這線, 我也知道是不可能買到同缸號的線, 但是兩球真的是不夠啦, 多一球, 若顏色有色差就拿來鉤緣編跟流蘇也好啊! 結果, 真的兩球就夠圍巾的主體, 新線色差蠻多的就決定用在緣編跟流蘇. 又消掉一組線了, 給自己拍拍手!!

ネツト編みのやわらかボレロ　鎖針地獄

2008-01-19T23:37:00.000-06:00

Yarn/線材: Filatura Di Crosa Brilla (42% Cotton, 58% Viscose) #406 pink - 5.5 balls
Hook/針號: Japanese crochet hook #6 (3.5mm)
Pattern/圖樣: Joey編織の屋群編會10月份活動
Duration/製作日期: 11/9/07~1/9/08

When I saw Joey posted the Oct. 06 KAL projects, my first choice was the first crochet top, I immediately joined the KAL, not thinking that I just had a newborn baby...where would I find the time to crochet??? Oh well, I love that top too much, I'll find the time even if it will take me 6 months to do it! I did several swatches using different yarns different crochet hooks, nothing worked to my liking, I just couldn't find "the right yarn" that would give me the right feeling. Then I saw most fellow bloggers made the third bolero, some of them turned out real nice; I especially like the one prattflora made (Thanks her for providing the border pattern!), and I found this Brilla in my stash, perfect fot this bolero! This bolero really wasn't hard, it just between taking care a 4 year old and a newborn baby, I can't really crochet all I want, that's why it took this long! But at least it's finished now, yeah!!!

距離上次參加群編會已經有好幾個月了, 一方面是懷孕後期超懶超累大概無法在期限內完成作品, 不敢喊有; 一方面也是因為打好以後短期內也不能穿. 本來還很慶幸Joey大大這幾期挑的衣衣都難度太高, 自知能力不夠, 所以可以只在旁邊看看大家的作品, 結果10月份就來個百變造型秀...我最愛這種可以換穿式的衣衣了, 二話不說馬上就去報名, 決定不睡覺也要鉤第一件上下顛倒穿. 誰知道試了好幾組線, 也用了不同的鉤針, 就是找不到我要的感覺. 後來是看到了阿福的華麗版鎖針地獄, 好美喔! 當下變節, 找了這組線, 動手鉤起鎖針地獄. 阿福的部落格裡有很詳細的說明她如何改編, 我也就照作啦. 後來再去請問她花邊的鉤法, 她也非常幫忙的把圖樣po上, 真的很謝謝她呢! 其實這件鉤起來一點也不難, 只是要在照顧兩個小孩之間找空閒時間來鉤真是很難呢! 還好終於完成囉!! 又可以去喊有囉! 一月份的斗篷很美呢....

Neck warmer

2008-01-18T02:35:00.000-06:00

Yarn/線材：Rowan Silk Wool (50% Silk, 50% Merino wool) Silver - 2 balls , 1.5 yards of 1" Hana silk ribbon

Hook/針號: Clover crochet lite D (3.0mm)　

Pattern/圖樣: Cape, shawl, stole, bolero 3日で編めるカンタンかぎ針　

Duration/製作日期: 1/4~1/5/08

I made this for my cousin Catherine, she lives in Taipei Taiwan, she is always so helpful whenever I need something done, a very clever girl! This was an easy project, the original design uses a crochet chain to tie the neck warmer, but I like the idea of luxury ribbon - Hana silk ribbon. I found this ribbon at LYS, a lovely grey-purple-ish ribbon. I think it's perfect with this neck warmer!! I hope she likes it! This is the way the book shows, I like it with the ribbon tied on the side...

會織這條領圍是為了謝謝小表妹的幫忙, 她住在台北, 要什麼都買的到, 真的也不知道送她什麼好. 翻了幾本書, 覺得這個領圍我還能勝任, 還好織起來蠻快的. 本來是用書上建議的鎖針帶子來綁的, 但是看看送人實在有點單調, 就去附近毛線店找了條高級緞帶(Hana silk ribbon)來搭, 這樣滿意多了! 希望她也會喜歡呢! 我喜歡緞帶綁在側面的方式...

This one is the original.

下面這張是原版的照片, 有像嗎?!

Floweral scarf 花朵圍巾

2008-01-01T20:12:00.000-06:00

Yarn/線材: Rowan Kidsilk Haze + Hand painted rayon yarn from Mystical Creation Yarn (eBay)
Hook/針號: Boye size F (3.75mm)
Pattern/圖樣: 秋冬ボレロ　ショール　ケープ

　

This was one of the "little" projects I've been working on. I made this for mom as Christmas present. It's always so hard to find mom a present, she basically has everything already, she likes to knit/crochet, but she is always always busy taking care everybody, she has no time for that. So, how about I make one for her? But then, what do I make? Scarf? Sweater? I don't have time to make a sweater for her, and her taste is way up there...can't do! Okay, scarf it is. I combine one strand of Rowan's kidsilk haze and one strand of the rayon yarn I bought from eBay seller Mystical-Creation-Yarn. I like this little project, I'll probably find time to make one for myself.

最近迷上織小物, 沒時間織衣服嘛! 這條小領巾是給媽咪的聖誕禮物, 每次到了送禮的季節, 最頭痛的就是媽咪的禮物. 基本上她啥都不缺, 我知道她也很喜歡編織, 可是她永遠忙著照顧家裡的每個人, 忙的很呢! 所以想想就送樣自己作的編物吧! 但是送什麼呢? 衣服花太多時間, 她的品味又高高在上, 還是送條小圍巾吧! 這條鉤起來也很快, 我拉了兩股線, 一股毛海, 一股是我在網拍(eBay)買來的線, 搭起來還不錯看呢! 我想我會找時間再鉤一條給自己, 那一球毛海我才用掉3分之1, 夠我再鉤兩條呢! 用線超省! 我喜歡!!

More crochet hooks?!

2007-10-26T00:24:00.001-05:00

These hooks are so nice to look at, aren't they?! I really wasn't planning on buying the whole set, I bought the size C~F (don't really have projects that need the larger hooks) from Joann.com, they had it on sale and free shipping, how could I resist it! Recently I did more crochet than knitting, and with a baby, the lighted hook seems like a good idea! Yesterday, I went to Michaels to buy yarns for Knitty's Cherie Amour, and saw they started to carry these crochet hooks, I'm pretty excited, with 40% coupon every week, soon I'll have the whole set; then I saw a sale sign said the "lite knitting needles" were 50% off...hey...those crochet hooks were hanging right on top of the knitting needles, were they on sale too??? So I asked, they are!! At $3.99 each, of course I grab the rest of the sizes! Are they any good? Well, I still like the Soft Touch ones, but these will come in handy if I do need to crochet in the dark!!

Seashell scarf 貝殼花花圍巾

2007-10-16T22:46:00.000-05:00

Yarn/線材: Paton Brilliant - Sparkling Rose 1.25 balls
Pattern/圖樣: courtesy of 佩玲
Hook/針號: Boye F/5 3.75mm
Size/尺寸: 7cm x 53cm
Duration/製作日期: 3~4 days

When I first saw this scarf, I was attracted by its uniqueness, the original FO looked like seashell also looked like flower petals, that's how it got its name I guess. Peiling was kind enough to share this pattern with me, I got it way back in March. I actually started it right away, back in March I was still getting familiar with crochet hooks (again), and still learning how to read crochet charts; this one got me, I even emailed to Peiling for help, I still couldn't get it. And then I got side tracked with other projects....until now.

我第一次看到這圍巾是在佩玲家看到的, 馬上就被它特別的織法吸引了. 迫不及待的跟佩玲要了織圖, 也馬上就動手了, 可是三月的時候我還在重新認識鉤針跟學習讀鉤針織圖, 研究了半天, 也問了佩玲, 資質愚蠢的我硬是做不出來, 後來又去織了其他東西, 這條美美的圍巾就暫時被冷凍了...

After all these months of crocheting, now I tried it again, this wasn't hard at all!! I don't know what I was thinking. Anyway it's all finished now, I added 2 strands of tassels at each ends so I can tie the scarf better. This one's shells/petals is smaller than the original pattern, but it still cute, right???

現在經過了幾個月的磨練再回去看這織圖, 真的覺得自己很豬頭. 這麼簡單的鉤法, 我也能躦牛角尖, 把它複雜化. 嗯, 是豬年的關係吧 (安慰一下自己). 花了幾天時間把它完成了, 我在兩端各加了兩條流蘇, 這樣比較容易固定在身上. 厚! 終於可以去交功課了, 再不交, 真對不起佩玲囉!

My new gadget

2007-10-15T19:11:00.000-05:00

This post has nothing to do with knitting. I am just so excited about my newest gadget - an ear wax picker/remover!! I was shopping for my post-partum supporting clothes and happened to see this product. Its just like the Clover crochet lite, it lights up so I can see inside the ear, really clever. I usually just use a Q-tip to clean my son's ears and never thought about "picking" ear wax out of his ear. The only time that my son had his ears picked was when we visited the Dr.'s office for ear infection, now with this thing I may be able to do it myself.

Look at this next picture, see how big that piece of ear wax was?! After I pulled that ear wax out of my older son's ear, he said to me "Mommy, you talk too loud!!!" #*%^#$ No wonder I found myself scream alot whenever I wanted him to do something...

Even though on the product description says okay to use on newborn baby, I actually bought this for my older son, the baby just move too much, I'm afraid I will accidentally poke too deep and hurt him. My 4-year-old loves it very much, keep on asking me to "do it one more time", I guess the "scratching" makes him feel comfortable!

I also bought more of this nose cleaning thingy. I've had it for few years now, I just love it, I like it better than the old nasal aspirator. I found something similar to this one at Mitsuwa market, I tried it, it's just not as effective as this one. The flu season is coming, this product is a must in our household, leave one in living room, one in kids room, one in diaper bag.....you see why I need more than one!

And these are the post-partum supporting clothes I was talking about. After my first son was born, I didn't buy any of these, I was lazy and kind of just let my body did its own thing, I figured after a while I would lose all the extra weight. Well, I did lose most of the weight (kept about 10lbs as souvenir, ha), but I also lose the "figure", I couldn't find my waist anymore... So this time, I want to do something!! I couldn't find these kind of products in US, I mean, there are similar stuff that targets the tummy area, something for the thigh area; but these are specially for post-partum, and I can only find these in Asia, and pretty expensive too. So even it's very uncomfortable to put all these on my body, I just have to do it, especially after spending so much money :-p I better show my hubby where his money went, right?!

Pineapple border bolero 鳳梨花小背心

2007-09-20T18:54:00.000-05:00

Yarn/線材: Jaeger Siena (100% Mercerized cotton, 153 yds, 50g) #405 Seaspray - 3 balls

Pattern/圖樣: Courtesy of a fellow blogger 紅豆

Hook/針號: Boye 3.5mm

Duration/製作日期: 7/22/07~7/28/07

Wow, can't believe it's been more than a month since I entered anything in my blog. Being lazy was one thing, also the last month of pregnancy was a pain in the "butt" (literally, really!). The baby is here now, we decided to induce him on 8/28, everything went well, I'm adjusting how to live my life with a 4-year old and a newborn boy. It's gonna be tough!!!

哇! 真不敢相信我有兩個多月沒有發文了. 一方面是懶, 一方面實在是太累了, 懷孕最後一個月真是超不舒服的, 全身骨頭都痛, 晚上睡覺翻身都是個難題, 尤其是屁屁骨盆的部位真的很痛呢! 所以我們後來決定在8/28催生, 現在的我還在調適新生活, 一個四歲加一個新生兒, 想想都怕咧!

Anyway, I've finished this bolero long time ago, but was too lazy to post it. This bolero was kind of easy to crochet, it's hard to believe that I still ripped twice before I could finish this one. Well, the first one, I didn't like the yarn I chose, so I ripped it. Then I started my second one while I was watching a movie, and I crocheted the whole back piece, and half side of the pineapple border, when I started my second half of the pineapple border that when I realized that my pineapple didn't line up in the center back, trace back....I mis-count my starting chain stitches, so I had to rip it (crying so hard). Third time is the charm, I liked the yarn I used, and I followed the chart very carefully especially when there were some rows that the number of chain stitches were different between the double crochet stitches. Overall, I like this project, I will definitely make another one when I have time...

其實這件小背心早就完成了, 只是懶病發作不想動. 我之前就有在大陸網站看到這件小背心的織圖, 當時看過也沒怎麼留意, 後來看到紅豆的成品, 真是像紅豆形容的超有氣質的! 馬上就跟紅豆要了織圖決定也來鉤一件. 選線就選了很久, 在完成這件之前就拆了兩次呢. 第一次不喜歡選的線鉤起來的感覺, "氣質"不夠好所以拆了. 第二次是我在看電影時重新開始, 因為已經鉤過一次所以很有自信的鉤鉤鉤, 鉤完了後背也鉤完半邊的鳳梨花邊, 開始鉤另外一半花邊才發現兩個鳳梨花接頭的地方沒有在正中間! 天啊! 檢查了半天才找到問題, 是我一開始的鎖針就少了幾針, 所以... 唉...拆吧! 第三次就小心多了, 看圖看的很仔細, 連在長針之間的鎖針都算的很清楚, 就怕又弄錯又得重來. 這次用的線也還可以, 完成的小背心還挺滿意的! 說實在的, 我的運氣還不錯, 成品的尺寸我還能穿, 照織圖原來的尺寸對我來說可能有點小, 我的段數又不夠高, 讓我能把尺寸加大, 後來想想我用的線比較粗, 針號也比較大, 也許行的通喔! 還好沒讓我失望! 但是我還是比較喜歡紅豆那件的感覺, 美國的細線真的很少, 有時候真的有股衝想跟羊咩買線, 不知道羊咩願不願意寄到美國來呢?!

Lacy Border Bolero

2007-07-17T14:31:00.000-05:00

Yarn/線材: Cable' Due by Filati King (100% Baumwolle cotton, 175 yds, 50g) #159 Violet - 5 balls
Pattern/圖樣: 毛系だま夏季版

Size/尺寸: 34" (胸圍 34 英吋)
Hook/針號: Clover size C (2.5mm)
Duration/製作日期: 6/30/07~7/16/07

This pattern is from one of the Japanese book I bought a while ago, at first, I didn't even pay attention to this bolero, at least not until I saw the one that Kelly made; different yarn does make difference! I didn't like the original brown color version, but the one Kelly made was so beautiful, I immediately decided I gotta make one for myself (while I can).

這個圖樣我早就有了,只是第一眼並沒有讓我很驚豔,一直到看到嘉莉的作品,才讓我決定也來鉤一件.原版的咖啡色真的沒有嘉莉那件美呢!

The yarns they used in these Japanese knitting books mostly are fingering weight, and it is so hard to find these kind of gauge cotton yarns in USA. One day while I was in LYS trying to find yarns for this scarf and saw this Cable' Due yarns ($5.95@), I picked up white, taupe, violet and blue. I crocheted a swatch, and turned out it was perfect for this bolero. It is so light weight, has a beautiful sheen to it and most important it comes with "violet" color, my favorite! So next day I hurried back to the store and picked up more yarns before they sell out, with my luck, that just might happen!

這些日本編織書大部份都用超細棉線,偏偏在美國這種線又超難找的,幾個禮拜前在找線來鉤筱昭這條圍巾時剛好看到這組線,馬上就買了四捆線. 回家後鉤了織片,發現正好用來鉤這件波蕾若. 隔天又趕快跑回那家店去買線就怕有人跟我搶線咧!

This pattern looks complicated but actually wasn't that hard, and after few crochet projects I'm proud to say that I didn't need to draw the "other" side of the pattern for this bolero, I was able to finish this project without any major problem!! There were lots yarn ends that needed to be weaved, but other than that, it went very smoothly. I really love the end result of this project, I just have to wait till after I give birth to wear it.....can't hardly wait!!!

這個圖樣看起來複雜,但開始鉤以後還好. 而且在連續鉤了幾件成品後,這件我已經可以不用畫另一邊的圖就可以繼續了呢! 整體來說,沒碰到什麼大問題,只有最後藏線頭讓我比較頭痛而已. 其實應該不要用到這麼長的時間的, 這中間我們還要整理出房間給老大, 他的房間要讓給baby, 所以有幾天根本沒鉤. 然後房間整理的差不多後, 我又累的不想動, 才拖這麼久, 現在終於完成啦,很不錯呢,我很滿意唷!! 只是我還得等到生完後才能穿吧, 現在的..嗯...咪咪實在是...有點大咧, 胸前扣不起來啦!!

Chinese Craftster?

2007-06-28T15:23:00.000-05:00

Ever since I found some fellow bloggers in Taiwan, they always mentioned that they found their patterns in China's websites, especially the ones from the out of print books. So, the past few days I spent a lot of time surfing...and I found this website http://www.bianzhirensheng.com/. Whew, they do have a lot of good stuff in it, it's somewhat similar to the Craftster.org. I found this Lili's showcase (there are total of 198 pages, and I'm still reading thru them, I'm at page 120), seems like she started crocheting in 2005, and most of her FOs were "free handed" (is that a word?), she posted some really good FOs, everyone wanted her patterns, but according to her replies, she kind of sort of just made them up when she made them, she didn't really take notes or draw charts. My god, she's good! I wanted to make couple of her boleros, but all she has was just the "motif" of her design, no detail instructions; I'm spoiled, I need detail instructions to make something!!! And to be honest, even when I have detail instruction I still may not finish something that beautiful.

There's also another post from a different user, she posted a lesson of how to make a "Butterfly bolero". She posted step by step pictures to help others to follow her instructions, she did have a little bit of written instructions, but I'm still so confused by it. I think I'll try to sit in front of my laptop and follow her photo directions and see if I will come up with something similar to her butterfly bolero. Wish me luck!!

自從在一些台灣格友那發現可以在大陸網站找到很多圖樣後一直很想試試看可以找到些甚麼. 前幾天找到編織人生這個站, 裡面的內容還真不少呢! 看的我眼花撩亂的, 無意中看到狸狸作品集, 哇!這位小姐的作品真的不錯咧, 蠻多人跟她要織圖, 她這個"帖"總共有198頁,(我才看到120頁, 還有得看呢), 看了幾十頁才發現這位狸狸小姐很厲害, 她都是找好一個模樣然後就自行發展了, 所以跟她要織圖要不就沒有, 要不就只有一個模樣圖. 起針該起多少, 鉤到那裡加減針, 都得自己想像. 難咧! 不過看著她的成品還是很開心的啦! 也許那一天開竅了也可以邊看電視邊鉤衣服三個鐘頭完成一件鉤衣. (嘻! 做做白日夢可以吧!)

另外還有一"帖"也不錯, 她提供網上教學, 是藍蝶bolero改裝版(原版是怎樣我都還莫宰羊呢). 這位小姐有提供各步驟的照片, 所以看起來可能可以學起來呢! 她也提供了作法,只是看起來還是蠻模糊的,也許一邊鉤一邊看才能體會吧!

Comfy Summer Tank Top 舒適的夏天

2007-06-26T09:45:00.000-05:00

Yarn/線材: Karabella Vintage Cotton (100% Mercerized Cotton, 140 yds) #340 - 4 balls

Pattern/圖樣: Joey's KAL 舒適的夏天

Size/尺寸: 34" bust (胸圍88cm)

Needles/針號: Knitpicks option #4 (24" circular)

Duration/製作日期: 6/12/07~6/21/07

This is another Joey's KAL project, this time, there were 4 tank tops to choose from, I picked this one (#4) because I like it's straps. It took me a few days to figure out how to do the bottom hem, Japanese patterns use charts alot, sometimes it's just so difficult to figure out what those symbols are. This pattern said to knit front and back pieces the same, I'm lazy so I decided to knit the two pieces together and knit in the round until the decreases for the arms then I seperated the front and back and knitted them flat. This knit-in-the-round part went pretty quickly, it was the crochet edges that took me a long time, I wasn't sure "where" to start and I was worry about if the front and back would not end up symmetrically (oh, well, I don't think anyone would come up close enough to tell the difference!). Overall, I liked knitting this tank top, my first try converting a flat pattern to knit in the round, I have to say it was a success try. Too bad, I couldn't try it on yet and will probably have to wait till next summer to wear this cute top.

舒適的夏天完成囉! 這次的群編有四件小可愛可以挑,我選了第四件,我喜歡它的肩帶,很特別呢!這個圖樣我花了一些時間去研究,有點搞不清楚怎麼織下擺的花樣,後來還是研究出來了,日本圖樣對我來說真的很有挑戰性!我打上針是很慢的,所以這件我決定用輪針打,反正前後片是一様的,應該不會太難.我一直都很想找一個平面織法的圖樣來試試能否改成用輪針來打,這件小可愛來的真是時候呢!我起針起198針,然後在兩邊加記號圈,所以我知道在計號圈前後要加減針,這樣織法真的快多了,又少了之後的縫合,我喜歡!! 織到腋下要減針時我才分成前後片來織,然後就是上下的緣編還有兩條肩帶,最花時間的就是緣編,花了我兩天吧.線用最多的也是這裡,這組線我買了六球,本來以為剩下的線或許可以再打件bolero來搭,現在看看大概不夠了吧! (阿妹,妳覺得如何,有希望嗎?) 我上禮拜因為要參加一個婚禮就買了一件針織bolero,搭配這件小可愛還不錯吧!

Knitting books

2007-06-07T12:56:00.000-05:00

I bought more Japanese knitting books! These books are hard to find in USA, there was a Japanese bookstore in Mitsuwa market, but they closed the store back in December, fortunately they just open another one last week. I couldn't resist, just have to buy it...how many projects will I make in these books? Hey hey...we'll see! Love the books!!!

又去敗書了!在美國要買到這些書真是不容易呢! 本來在附近日本超市內有一家書店,可是十二月的時候關了,一直到現在才又開了家新書店. 忍不住又去瞄,瞄完了就是這樣子啦,荷包扁囉! 最近Joey的群編有些圖樣就是從這些書找出來的,現在有書啦,可以慢慢的織其他作品了呢!

Bolero

2007-06-06T14:09:00.001-05:00

Yarn/線材: Rowan 4 ply cotton (100% cotton, 186 yds) # 139 - 4.5 balls

Pattern/圖樣: 瑪格

Hook/針號: 3.25mm crochet hook

Size/尺寸: fits bust 34" (胸圍34英吋)

Duration/製作日期: 5/2/07~5/11/07

My very first crocheted garment! This one was done before the Green Mango Bolero, but due to the KAL deadline, I had to post that one first. I finished this one a while ago, but didn't get a chance to block it untill now. This pattern was in Japanese, and was for little girls; a lot of fellow bloggers used heavier weight yarn, larger crochet hook to make it bigger, and it worked, mine fits me just right! I'm very happy with the end result.

這是我的第一件用鉤針完成的衣服,其實比綠色情人果還早鉤好,只是線頭實在太多了,光想怎麼藏都頭痛.又因為情人果有期限的,就先把功課交了,再來慢慢藏線吧.上禮拜才逼自己把線藏好,再把它整燙一下,終於大工告成啦!

因為這是第一次看日文圖鉤衣服,真是有夠霧沙沙的. 如果只是照圖鉤我還可以應付,但是一碰到加減針我就迷糊了.我習慣用棒針,所有棒針的圖樣碰到加減針時都是在下一排加減,所以我一開始也這樣作...後來越想越不對,又去問阿妹...結果就是拆..拆..拆! 然後是要注意兩邊要對稱,一邊如果是鎖針另一邊大概就是長針或長長針,要用腦咧,所以速度又慢下來了. 看看不少格友三四天就完成一件,還鉤了不止一件,真是要立正敬禮了! 連續做了幾件鉤針作品,接下來得回來摸摸棒針啦!

Green Mango Bolero 綠色情人果

2007-05-29T19:53:00.000-05:00

Yarn/線材: Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy (34% Hemp, 41% Cotton, 25% Modal) # 17 - 4.5 balls

Pattern/圖樣: Joey's KAL

Hook/針號: Boye 3.25mm

Size/尺寸: 34" / 胸圍86cm

Duration/製作日期: 5/17/07~5/25/07

This is my second project with Joey's KAL, there were 4 projects to choose from, they were all very cute, but I only have time to make one, I love how Joey named all 4 boleros, especially the "Green Mango" bolero (that's why I chose it). Before I start this little cutie, I had couple more projects need to be finished first, so I didn't start this one until 5/17. I also tried several different yarns, finally decided on this Hempathy, it feels light, great for summer, and I just think it's a perfect color for this bolero!

這是我第二次參加Joey的群編.這次的活動是四選一,Joey大大真的很厲害,四件都取了很吸引人的名字,光看名字就很想每件都做!在開始鉤這件之前我還有一條圍巾(趕著給兒子的老師)跟瑪格那件鉤針外套正在進行當中所以一直到5/17才有時間開始.為了選線也想了蠻久的最後挑了這組,線摸起來很輕很涼爽的感覺,最重要的是這顏色很符合情人果的名字呢!

This bolero's pattern is from a Japanese book, so it's in "charts", and sometimes these Japanese crochet symbols are kind of hard to figure out. I did scarves before using the charts, it wasn't so bad; but when I start my first crochet bolero, it was a little confusing, I had to call my sister a few times to finish my project. Usually the Japanese charts only show one side of the pattern, so you need to "think" what to do with the opposite side before you start one row so both sides will match, that is very different than American patterns. Most American patterns have written instructions, so you follow the instructions word for word, just hope you don't accidentally miss anything, then it's also a pain in the XXXX to try to fix it. For this project, I have to thank Kelly, she actually re-drew the pattern for the KAL, so whoever making the same bolero doesn't have to think too much how to do the decreases or to match the flower motif so they will be the same on both sides of the front pieces.

這件情人果還是日文書來的圖樣,我之前織的都是圍巾的圖樣還好自己研究一下都還可以完成.這次群編要織這小外套,說實在的,剛開始時有點頭皮發麻咧!我的第一件鉤針作品就是瑪格那件小外套,常常鉤到一半還得打電話給阿妹請她指點迷津,那件已經完成了(過兩天會PO). 一開始真不習慣日本圖樣,因為日本圖樣通常只畫半邊另半邊得自己"畫"出來,這是鉤瑪格小外套時"拆"來的結論.這件情人果真的要感謝嘉莉畫的圖,省了我不少時間呢!都沒拆唷!(嘿嘿,當中有些小錯誤發現時也懶得拆了啦)! 另外我這件的下擺沒有減針,我不太喜歡原作的下擺,再加上看到一些格友也選擇不減針就決定不減囉!對這件情人果還蠻滿意的,我穿起來也還算合身,只是這真的不是依現在的身材作的,過幾個月後再穿我會更黑皮的啦(等寶貝出來以後)!!

Column of Leaves scarf

2007-05-21T19:23:00.000-05:00

Yarn/線材: Ella Rae Silkience (41% Cotton/39% Modal/12% Silk/8% Rayon) #6 Purple Gray - 3 skeins/捆

Pattern/圖樣: Brooke's Column of Leaves Scarf

Needles/針號: Knit Picks Options #5

Size/尺寸: 8" wide (寬), 64" long (長), 50 repeats

Druation/製作日期: 5/7/07~5/17/07

Finally finished it and made it for my son's teacher, yeah!! The first picture shows a closer color of the scarf. This is a fun scarf to knit, the pattern is not hard, but I kept the pattern in front of me the whole time cause I don't have time for mistakes. At beginning, I was going to use wool yarn for this project, but it's closer to summer, a wool scarf gift seems a little odd, and it's too warm to work with. I found this Silkience at LYS, I like the blend, and it feels nice to the touch, I decided to give it a try. I'm really happy with this yarn, love the color too, normally I'm a purple person, but I'm not sure if the teacher would love the color I chose, so this one turns out to be okay, I think (at least Mom loves it!). I usually don't like to knit a "present" for someone unless I know the person will appreciate it, but I think mostly is because I don't feel confident that my FOs are good enough :-P.

終於完成囉!趕呀趕的就怕來不及在20號以前給兒子的中文老師.第一張照片比較接近原色,第二張特寫的顏色跑掉了.這條圍巾有不少人織過真的很漂亮,所以選這個圖樣送老師.圖樣說實在的不難,但我還是乖乖的把圖樣放在面前,就怕不小心織錯得拆就慘了!還好都很順利!在選線上本想用美麗諾或絲線,但是夏天快到了,送毛的圍巾感覺有點怪(也不可能織件小外套),在毛線店看到這組線摸起來又軟又舒服,又只要手洗,應該不難照顧,就決定用它啦!這顏色也蠻特別的,灰中帶紫,紫中帶灰,應該很容易接受吧!我通常不太把我完成的織品送人,除非我知道收的人會懂的珍惜;也是因為我還不太有自信心自己的成品夠好!哎呀!不管了,反正是一個心意嘛!如果人家不欣賞下次就不送囉!!

Stamping

2007-05-16T11:41:00.000-05:00

I miss my stamps!! I made this maybe 3~4 years ago, today is one of my best friend's birthday, I didn't have time to go out and buy a card for her, how about this one?! Hand made by me!! I dug out this card from my piles of sample cards, it brought back lots of memories. I think I used water color paper, stamped the flower image, embossed it with black embossing powder, water colored the flowers with ink pads...

I really really had lots fun making cards back then, I missed taking classes to learn about new products, new techniques. I wish I had a craft room all to myself then I can spread out all my stamping tools and gadgets and go crazy... I'm day dreaming again, now the second baby is coming, I'm about to donate my "sort of craft" room to the baby. Being a mom is all about sacrifices, right?

Crocheted Bolero 鉤針小外套進度

2007-05-08T10:54:00.000-05:00

This is another "little" thing I was working on, I saw it at Cafe Knitter's blog, very cute. I'm using Rowan's 4-ply cotton too, the color is #139 Provence (very light purple). The pattern is in Japanese, I never crochet a whole sweater using Japanese chart, it's scary! Will I be able to finish this, I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!

除了圍巾之外,我也在鉤這件小外套,這件在網路上很流行,相了很久才決定來試試看. 到目前為止都還好,接下來就是模樣編了. 嘿嘿...我可以完成它嗎?? 讓我們拭目以待吧!

Column of Leaves scarf

2007-05-07T19:26:00.000-05:00

It's closer the end of school year, even though my son is only 3, he does have preschool teachers and a Chinese school teacher....that means I probably should prepare somethings for the teachers. I'm thinking about making the Brooke's Column of Leaves scarf for his Chinese school teacher. I want to use yarns that's easy to take care of, and it's almost summer now, I really don't want to work with wool or merino. I thought about silk, but not sure about the "easy care", so I went with this Ella Rae Silkience, it's got cotton, modal, silk and rayon, feels pretty good. I think the first two pictures show a closer color of the yarn, it's kind of like a purple-gray-ish color, the 3rd one is too blue-ish. I got till 5/19 to finish this project, with my slow speed, I better hurry....hopt it'll turn out pretty.

看到不少格友織這條圍巾,真的蠻漂亮的,決定來織一條給兒子的中文學校老師.因為夏天到了織條圍巾其實有些不太合適,但是我也只會這個,圍巾也不用管大小,任何人都可以用嘛! 我選了很久才決定用這組線,先織看看,若是不滿意再來換花瓣圍巾吧! 反正用鉤針也會比較快,應該可以趕在5/19前完成吧!! 加油喔!

My Cherry Blossom yarn

2007-05-06T18:27:00.000-05:00

Love this Cherry Blossom Yarn!!! I ordered at the end of March from Sundara Yarn, it arrived sometime around April 20th. Just love it! It is soooo beautiful (it's pricy too). I will have difficulty trying to decide which project to use this yarn.

好美喔!!這線是在Sundara Yarn訂的,三月底就訂了,一直到四月中左右才收到,盼的我脖子都快斷了呢(太誇張了點)! 這組絲線是很漂亮但不便宜,所以我整個四月都很乖不敢再去敗太多線,接下來就是找適合的蕾絲圖樣來織囉!!

The Not-So-Shrunken Cardigan

2007-05-05T17:23:00.000-05:00

Yarn/線材: Elsebeth Lovold Silky Tweed #2 - 7 hanks

Pattern/圖樣: Marilyn's Not-So-Shrunken Cardigan by Wendy Bernard

Size/尺寸: 34" (胸圍 34 英吋)

Needles/針號: Denise #5 circular (Denise 5號輪針), Balene #5 16" circular (5號 16英吋輪針)

Duration/製作日期: 3/31/07-4/20 /07

Another great knit from Wendy, and it's also knit from the top down! Her instructions (4 pages) were so clear and detailed as always, I didn't need do any alteration at all, I followed the pattern step by stop. I did get bored after I finished the body, it's all stockinette stitches, I don't mind doing knit stitches, but not purl stitches; so I did put it down for almost about a week without touching it. I finally started the sleeves using the 16" circular needles, it's all knit stitches again!! I like knit in the round, but I think Lara knit it flat and sew it together later, I don't like DPNs neither, so I rather invest more money on those 11~16" circular needles. I used the same yarn as the pattern calls for, this yarn is very soft and nice to knit with, I normally not a fan of the tweed yarn, but this one, it's just have a very very comfortable touch to it...I will definitely use it again. I used the Denise interchangeable needles for this project, it was grey-ish color, but it turned light mauve after I finished the sweater....I guess the yarn bleeds a little, so I use cold water to soak the sweater couple of times, now it's on my blocking board, it will probably take few days to dry, I'll post another picture when it off the board.

又一件由上往下織的毛衣,決定織的時候還蠻涼的,所以很努力的織,希望還有機會穿的到.結果懶病又發作,拖到現在才有空定型.這個作者的圖樣超仔細的,落落長的四大頁,她把所有想得到的問題都放在圖樣解說裡了. 這件織起來其實很簡單,織到後來變的好無聊喔!所以把身體部分織完後,放了大概快一個禮拜才又開始織袖子.袖子我是用5號16英吋輪針去織的,我不太喜歡用雙頭針去織袖子,我寧願去投資11~16英吋的輪針織起來舒服多了. 這件短外套用的毛線我也很喜歡,本來我不是tweed毛線的愛用者,但是這組線織起來真的很軟很舒服,不像大部分這類線的感覺比較粗糙. 這件毛衣還在定型板上,大概還要幾天才會乾,晚一點再放照片上來吧!

Here is the picture of me with the cardigan!

補上胖胖麻豆照!

Sahara Finished!!

2007-04-12T11:32:00.000-05:00

Yarn/線材: Tilli Tomas Pure & Simple (100% silk) - color Aqua Zing - 4 skeins

Pattern/圖樣: Stitch Diva Sahara by Wendy Bernard
Size/尺寸: small (Bust size/胸圍 33")

Needle/針號: KP Option #7, #5, Boye Balene 11" #5

Start/開始: 1/1/07

Finish/完成: 4/10/07

I feel so guilty that it took me this long to finish Sahara. I love this sweater first time I saw the pictures. When the pattern first became available, I bought it right away. It did took me quite some time to decide what "style" to make (short sleeves or long sleeves) and what yarn to use; I mean this Tilli Tomas really is so expensive, so far I haven't invest that much money on one sweater, plus it's 100% silk, not easy to take care of.

I love Wendy Bernard's patterns, she is so great, her patterns always have a list of substitute yarns, I did try couple different yarns out of that list, but non of the yarns seemed to be able to deliver the same result as the Tilli Tomas yarns. So I caved in and got myself some Pure & Simple from Sarah's Yarns. My sis and I decided to make this a mini KAL between us, we both started on Jan.1. She finished hers way back in February. If I wasn't pregnant, I would've finish it sooner, but in my first trimester, I just didn't feel well, plus I knew I wouldn't be wearing it anytime soon, so I kept it aside for a long time. Sis said if I don't finish it soon, it WILL be an UFO. Okay, okay, I'll try my best...

終於完成Sahara了,當初一眼看到這件毛衣就愛上它,但原作者用的線實在是有夠貴,光考慮線材就用了不少時間!這個作者很不錯,她出的圖樣都會建議不少其他線材,只是試了幾種,覺得都顯現不出這毛衣的特色,所以狠狠的就給它敗下去了.我跟妹決定來個迷你群編,她是早在二月就織好了,如果我不是碰巧懷孕又害喜,應該也早完成了.

For this sweater, I pretty much followed the instructions. I can't say it enough, just love knitting from the top down. I've knitted few sweaters from the top, all of them were raglan style sweaters. This one is a little different, it started at the shoulders with a provisional cast on, working down the back till underarm, then pick up from the shoulders then down the front, then join together at the underarms and knit in the round down to the hem. Over all, the pattern was easy, just a tiny problem on the Diamond Rib pattern (k3tog TBL & p3tog TBL), other than that everything went very smoothly. One thing I should have done was making less decreases at the waist area, but I didn't know I was pregnant when I finished the body!!! Now I can only wear this after my baby is born, I'm not so sure if I will have a waist after that or how long until I have a waist. Anyway, it's finished, I really really love it. I will definately consider making another one, short sleeves version or maybe sleeveless.

這件毛衣也是從上往下織的方式,我很喜歡這種方法,不需要花太多時間縫合,也少了很多線頭需要藏線.這件的織法其實不難,我完全照圖樣織,只有在織領口及袖口的花樣時有點小困難,主要是針頭不夠尖,織起來很吃力.我妹就聰明多了,找到一些撇步,可惜我織的時候她還沒找到這些偷甲步.另外就是腰身的部份我減了5次針,應該少減一點的,尤其是織完後又發現懷孕,唉!什麼時候才會再看到我的腰呢?

現在毛衣完成了真的還挺滿意的,我大概會再織一件吧,或許短袖,或許無袖,再看看!

Snow in April

2007-04-11T11:35:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it! Snow in April!!! Isn't it "spring" already??

Anyway, look at my 3-year-old, he is probably the only one that enjoys this snow day!!!

Crocheted Chrysanthemums 胸花完成囉!

2007-03-30T17:13:00.000-05:00

Yarn/毛線: DMC Cebelia Crochet Thread (100% cotton, size 20) #818 Pink/粉紅 - 1 ball/球

Pattern/圖樣: Kelly's Blog / Kelly@手作

Hook/針號: 0.90mm 蕾絲鉤針

Size/尺寸: 3" wide x 4" long/ 7cm 寬 10cm 長

Start/開始: 3/22/07

Finish/完成: 3/29/07

I got this pattern from Kelly, she did a fantastic job with her crocheted flowers, normally I would just admire the finished objects, this time I decided to give it a try. I first tried with size 10 crochet thread, the flower was floppy, didn't hold the shape; and then I tried with different sizes of lace crochet hooks, still not happy. So, I went to Hobby Lobby and found this size 20 DMC Cebelia thread and it comes in pink, much better color, yeah! Same thing, I tried few different sizes crochet hooks, of course, the "last one" I tried worked! This crochet thread is really really thin, and with the smallest crochet hook, my eyes were really tired from looking at the stitches so close. I'm very happy now that it is finished, this flower only used a small amount of the thread, if I want I can make more, but I don't think I will at this moment, I need to let my eyes and hands rest a little!!!

很感謝嘉莉分享這個胸花圖樣.常常都會去博客來網站去看看日本的編織書,總覺得那些作品都只能看看不太可能完成,當看到嘉莉的花,我好興奮喔!真的有人會織呢!所以去要了圖様,馬上就動手織了.一開始先試了10號線,不是很喜歡,花太大又太軟了,所以試試換鉤針,還是不滿意.直到找到這個DMC線,又是粉紅色的,太棒了!一樣,我試了幾組鉤針,最後決定用最細的針.嘉莉說的沒錯,細線細針的成品真的比較細緻,但鉤起來會要人命呀!鉤完這朵花後,眼睛脫窗,手也快抽筋了.還好結果還算滿意(但短期內我不可能再織一朵,得先讓我的眼睛休息休息啦!). 我現在知道為啥嘉莉不讓人家A了!!

Flower Scarf & Real Simple Scarf 花朵 & 極簡圍巾

2007-03-26T18:05:00.000-05:00

Yarn/毛線: Katia Gatsby (77% Viscose, 15% Polyamide, 8% Polyester, 115yd/50g) #88502 (黑/銀) - 1.25 balls/球

Pattern/圖樣: Joey's KAL Joey 編織屋

Hook/針號: #2

Size/尺寸: 158cm x 12cm

Yarn/毛線: S. Charles Ritratto (28% Mohair, 53% Viscose, 10 % Polyamide, 198yds/50g) #72 - 1.33 balls/球

Pattern/圖樣: Joey's KAL Joey 編織屋

Hook/針號: #2

Size/尺寸: 164cm x 9.5cm

Accidentally saw these scarves at Joey's Blog, they were doing a KAL, couldn't resist, just have to try it. I thought I no longer want to do scarves anymore, I thought I'm way beyond the scarves, but the scarves I saw these past few weeks were simply too cute to miss. Some of these patterns are from Japanese Knitting/crocheting books which I can never find it here, and even if I found some, it's in Japanese, unless you know how to read the chart, it's kind of hard to follow. Join the KAL for these projects is perfect, most likely you will find someone to help you if you do come to a problem. I'm glad I finished both of them within the time limit. YEAH!!

偶然間在Joey家看到這兩條圍巾,她又剛好在辦群編,我參加過美國的群編很好玩的,考慮了幾天決定試試看.剛開始迷上編織時,織了一堆圍巾,本來想不可能再織圍巾,但最近逛到的圍巾圖樣又實在太美了,不織會做惡夢的.(嘻!沒這樣嚴重啦!但日思夜想倒是真的.)

在選擇線材上花了蠻多時間,實在不想再花錢買,所以就翻箱倒櫃的找終於找出兩組線應該還蠻適合這兩條圍巾的.我本來是先織花朵的,但是研究圖樣,再找到適合的針號,弄得我快瘋了,我怕到時功課交不出來,所以還是先鉤極簡吧!極簡真的蠻簡單的,只是一開始要起針551鎖針(包括流蘇),聽起來很可怕.真正開始織就很快了,我大概花了3~4天的時間吧(懶嘛!),可能其他格友們會覺得這麼簡單的東西還要4天?但對我來說算快的啦!

花朵就麻煩多了,試線就適了2~3組都不滿意,然後又換針,拆了好幾次才定案.這個圖樣也不那麼容易記起來,一直都得放在面前才行,要知道拆毛海還不如剪掉算了(我妹說的,真是對極了).線跟針都對了以後鉤起來就很順啦!全部都整理好了準備交作業時,才看到Joey說應該是鉤兩條再合併起來才算完成.嗯...我比較喜歡現在這樣,感覺比較秀氣,兩條併起來掛在身上對我這不高的人.....好啦!就這樣吧!算及格嗎, Joey?!

Wicked

2007-03-22T10:26:00.000-05:00

Yarn: Berroco Softwist (59% Rayon, 41% Wool, 100yd/50g) #9446 (dye lot #79127, 88452) - 8 skeins

Pattern: Zephyr Style Wicked

Size: Short Sleeves M (36-39")

Needles: Denise #9

Start: 2/14/07

Finish: 3/12/07

毛線: Berroco Softwist (59% 人造絲, 41% Wool 羊毛) #9446 - 8 捆

圖樣: Zephyr Style Wicked

尺寸: 短袖 M (胸圍36-39英吋)

針號: #9 輪針

開始: 2/14/07

完成: 3/12/07

I've always loved Zephyr Girls' patterns, this is the 3rd pattern I've knitted so far, just love it. It's knitted from the top down, you don't really need to pay too much attention to the knitting except for the neck band pattern part, it's perfect project for me right now (I seem to forget lots of little things so easily).

I should really make it size S, but I thought about my tummy getting big everyday, I kind of need something that can still cover my tummy, so I made size M. As you can see, it is huge on me, oh well, I'm still "growing", I'm sure it will serve it's purpose well. I didn't do the waist shaping at all, I just kept knitting till my desired length, and bind off. This Softwist is nice, smooth and stretchy, I chose it because of it's stretchiness (is this a word?), I want to make sure I can still wear it till I loose all the "baby" weight (who knows how long that would take ~sigh~).

One thing about the pattern, it says 600 yds for size M, since I had one skein of this Softwist in my stash, I knitted up a swatch and it worked, so I went back to the store and get 5 more skeins (there were total 7 skeins left, and they were in 2 different dye lots, fortunately these 2 lots are almost identical). I thought about getting all 7 skeins of them but I really needed 5 only, so I decide to save the money to buy something else. I knitted knitted and knitted and then somehow it just didn't seem right, I was down to the last ball of yarn and I still got the bottom band and 2 short sleeves. I better go get another skein while they still have it, and I did. Oh no, I thought one more skein should do it, I was at the 2ND sleeve band and out of yarn again! Of course I had to go back to the store and get that last skein. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have that last skein to finish the sweater. That's the disadvantage when using substitute yarns. Well, lesson learned again (remember my Bubble Pullover?)!!

一直都很喜歡這兩個女生設計的毛衣,都是從上織到下,織過掖下後,隨時都可以試穿大小,然後再依個人喜好再去加減針調整腰身,這種最適合現在的我了,特別是懷孕以後好像腦袋都變遲鈍啦!

其實我應該織小號的就可以了,但我又怕織的太小到懷孕後期就不能穿了,所以狠狠的就給它織成中號的.我沒有照織圖在腰部的部分減針,我想我的肚子只會越來越大,織大點準沒錯.加上我用的線蠻有鬆緊度的,我喜歡!整件毛衣我最滿意的地方就是口袋,這是我第一次嘗試織口袋,結果最順最漂亮的就這個口袋啦!

說實在的,外面買的毛衣又好看又便宜,還有好多顏色可以挑,仔細找找還可以找到可進洗衣機的毛衣,加上現在有小孩,真的買現成的比較實在.自己織通常會買好一點的線,大多數好的線都需要手洗,挺麻煩呢!這一點自己知道就好了,老公還是讓他認為自己買線來織比較划算囉!自己織的毛衣有個好處,以後身材變了就把它拆了再重打就行啦! (哈哈!有可能嗎?)

Butterfly 蝴蝶

2007-03-17T11:56:00.000-05:00

Thanks a fellow blogger for this cute butterfly pattern, I got it on 3/14 and finished it in about 1/2 hour. It's so easy, and very lovely. I put it on my Flower Petel Scarf (also a share pattern from her), love it!!

謝謝紅豆提供的蝴蝶織圖,收到織圖當晚我就用織花瓣圍巾剩的線,把它完成了呢!只是跟圍巾同色就看不出來.所以又跑去敗了些新毛線,新線是Paton's Brilliant #3425 Sparkling Rose (粉紅加銀線),感覺很亮麗.這蝴蝶用線很少,看來我一些打毛衣用剩的線都該拿來鉤些蝴蝶啊,玫瑰的.這樣隨時可以搭配衣服也不錯呢!

My new on the go knitting bag

2007-03-13T21:59:00.000-05:00

Isn't this cute? I found a Hikosen Cara store in Super Hmart! I've heard the Hmart for a long time, but it's kind of far for me to get to, I finally got a chance to go there on Saturday. I LOVE Hmart!! It's a Korean super supermarket, it's bigger than most of the oriental supermarkets and it got a food court sells Korean food, Japanese food, and Chinese food. There is also a bakery shop, their red bean and green tea bread is sooooo good, gotta go get some more. We walked around the supermarket, bought some stuff, go thru check out and there, another 8~10 stores waiting for you. The Hikosen Cara shop is right in front of me, I took my son in there, I found this little Monkey bag, it's purple (my favorite), it's compact, perfect for my little knitting project, I just have to have it, can you see it even got a little tail on his back. Just too cute!

怎麼樣?這個小包包可愛吧!我一直都很喜歡Hikosen Cara的包包,很想每個都抱回家.只是它的價格並不便宜.我只有在舊金山看過Hikosen Cara的東西,所以每次去都很敗家.星期六那天去了Hmart,一個韓國超市,很久前就聽過它的大名,但是對我們來說,還是有點遠.直到聽到堂姐說那裡的韓國食堂很棒,才決定去看看.這一去就愛上這裡了.超市比一般華人超市都大,東西又便宜,難怪很多人都往那裡跑了.逛完超市付完錢,一出來又有好幾家店,一眼看到Hikosen Cara眼睛都亮起來了.當然不能錯過啦!帶著兒子進去逛沒法逛太久只好大概瞄一下,瞄到這個猴子包,正好用來裝編織小物,從此可以邊走邊織囉! (要敗家前總要把所有理由都想好吧!)這個猴子包做的蠻精緻的還有個尾巴在後面呢!

And of course I have to find something to bribe my son, so I got this for him, a fanny pack. He likes it. I almost couldn't take the bag out of his hand to take pictures (you see the little fingers sneaking in?).

當然啦,我也得賄賂賄賂兒子,幫他找了這個小腰包,也不錯吧!乾脆來開個店賣這個好了!!

Flower petal scarf 花瓣圍巾

2007-03-12T13:55:00.000-05:00

Yarn: Berroco Touche (50% cotton, 50% Modal Rayon, 89 yds/50g) #7913 Fondant - 2 skeins
Pattern: Here, Thanks 紅豆 for sharing the pattern
Hook: Boye 4.25mm
Size: 6" x 46"
Start: 3/9/07
Finish: 3/11/07

線材:Berroco Touche (50% cotton, 50% Modal Rayon, 82 cm/50g) #7913 紫粉紅 - 2 捆
圖樣: 紅豆愛編織
針號: 4.25 mm 鈎針
尺寸: 15 cm 寬 117 cm 長
開始: 3/9/07
完成: 3/11/07

I saw my sis's finished Flower Petal scarf, it was love at first sight. I know I'm not so good at crocheting so I ask if she can make me one, she agreed, but then, I kept looking at it, kept looking at it, I decide I'm going to give it a try.

第一次看到這條圍巾,是在我妹家看到的.對鉤針我已經太生疏了,自己覺得可能是打不起來的,所以就跟阿妹揩油,她也同意了.可是我三不五時就跑去她家看,看到後來忍不住了,我也想試試,所以就跟紅豆要了織圖就打起來啦!

It wasn't too hard, I can memerize the pattern after only 2 petals, I finished the scarf in 2 days. My scarf was wider and shorter, I looked at sis's scarf, she did 31 petals, I only did 19 petals, my yarn was 20 sts to 1" vs. hers was 22 sts to 1" and I used a bigger hook. After I finished the scarf, I realize I did something wrong too, can you tell? If you can't, I won't tell neither!

這個圖樣不太難,織兩個花瓣就記起來了.一條圍巾兩天就完成囉!我這條比較寬也比較短,我只鉤了19個花瓣,我看其他人都鉤31個花瓣,一開始我以為是我用的線,後來才發現我有個地方弄錯了,有人可以看的出來嗎?如果看不出,我也不點破啦!

I guess I really love this scarf, I dug out my stash yarn Cascade Pima Tencel (#1693, 2 balls) and made another one, this time I used Boye 3.75mm hook, and did 29 petals. This one is more close to the original design. Can you see my son trying to take pictures of my scarf for me?

可以看的出來我真的很喜歡這個圖樣吧,我用另一組線又鉤了一條.我兒子也忙著幫我照相,他很專心喔!

Tweed Beret

2007-03-11T12:04:00.000-05:00

Yarn: Tahki Donegal Tweed (100% Wool; 183 yd/100g) #863 red - 1 skein

Pattern: IK Winter 2006

Needles: Boye #6 DPN, Balene #6 16"circular

Size: 19" head circumference

Start: 3/7/07

Finish: 3/10/07

線材: Tahki Donegal Tweed (100% Wool; 167 m/100g) #863 紅 - 1捆

圖樣: Interweave Knits 冬季號 2006

針號: Boye 6 號雙頭棒針, Balene 6 號 16 英吋輪針

尺寸: 頭圍19吋

開始: 3/7/07

完成: 3/10/07

I thought this would be a simpler project to do after all the sweaters I've been knitting. I was lucky to find this yarn on sale at Knitche for 35% off, perfect timing! And for this project I only needed 1 skein, for $8 a skein, I get to have few days of fun, what a bargain!!

在織了幾件毛衣後,也會想換換口味來織點簡單的小物.碰巧在毛線店看到這線剛好打折,不買好像對不起自己吶,反正才用一捆線,還可以帶來幾天的編織樂,划得來喔!

This was a fast knit, easy pattern, very straightforward, I had no problem at all. The only thing I changed was I did an I-cord twist instead of following the pattern's 1x1 rib. One thing about this project is the yarn, OH MY GOD, this yarn is so rough, I've been working with Merino yarn, this is total different for me. I guess in order to keep the form of the hat, the pattern calls for smaller needle, which made it difficult to knit to begin with and I was using the Balene circular needle, these needles are super sharp, my finger hurts from keep pushing the needle while I knit. I'm glad the hat turn out beautiful (as my son said), so it was worth the pain, I thought about making another one, but first, I gotta find either a different yarn or different circular needle, the combination I had was a no-no.

織這頂帽子蠻快的,織法也很簡單.唯一的麻煩就只是在毛線上,這組線蠻粗的,跟我以往常用的美麗諾差太多了,非常不習慣.

我猜大概是為了保持帽子的形狀,所以用較小的針號,加上我用的輪針針頭又超細的,在拉線跟不時的推針頭下,我的手又麻又痛,還好成品還算滿意(兒子說媽咪美美唷!). 做媽的好像都超容易滿足的厚,只要兒子說一聲,什麼都好啦!

有點想再織一頂,前提是,我得另外買輪針或是用不同的線,再不然就是兒子開口啦!

Bubble Pullover

2007-03-10T19:59:00.000-06:00

Finally!! Meet Bubble Pullover!

Yarn: Berroco Pure Merino (100% Extra Fine Merino), #8550 Grape Jelly - 13 balls

Pattern: Knitting Nature Bubble Pullover

Needles: Denise #7 & Addi Turbo 16" circular #9

Size: Small to fit 34-38

Start: 10/07/06

Finish: 12/31/06

線材: Berroco Pure Merino (100% Extra Fine Merino), #8550 葡萄紫 - 13 球

圖樣: Knitting Nature Bubble Pullover

針號: Denise #7 & Addi Turbo 16" circular #9

尺寸: S (胸圍34 - 38英吋)

開始: 10/07/06

完成: 12/31/06

I first saw this sweater finished by couple fellow bloggers, one blogger Dragonfly Handspun is no longer "exist", the other is this one. The Dragonfly Handspun girl Amy used this yarn, and highly suggested it, I also like the idea of machine wash, so I decided to use the same yarn. I really really love this yarn, so smooth so soft, because it's merino, I don't have to worry the itchyness. The pattern starts with 8 pentagons, it was so much fun to knit and I was able to finish the pentagons within couple of weeks, the boring part was the sleeves, the bottom band and the collar. I did my 2 sleeves at the same time on the same needle and I only knit total of 22" not 25", I just couldn't imagine the 25" long sleeves on my 20" long arms. Now that it's all finished, I kind of wish I did the 25" so I can have the same "slouchy" feeling as the original sweater. Oh, well.

I also made a mistake with the bottom band, I started at the "wrong" pentagon, I didn't realize it till I was knitting the collar, I didn't want to rip the bottom band and half of the collar to re-do it, that's way to much ribbing to do. I thought about cut the bottom band and pickup sts at the correct spot and then somehow grafting together the cut piece and newly knit, still, I was too lazy to do it. And because I refuse to fix the mistakes, the buttons look weird when I put them on. Hell, I'll just put a shawl pin at the collar to hold it together for me to take a picture, I have to say, it wasn't a bad idea, I kind of like it. Anyway, I'll probably go back and fix all mistakes when I'm feel too guilty, as of now, it is finished to me!! I'm also very happy that it still fits me now that I'm 3.5 months pregnant!

我第一次看到這件毛衣是在兩個格友家看到的,其中一個已經把她的部落格刪除了,另一位在這.兩位都織的很棒,讓我的手癢的不得了.當下決定拋開所有手邊的未完成品,全心向這件毛衣進攻.剛開始時因為從沒織過這種織法,實在是又新奇又好完,很快就把8個五角形織好了.再來就是袖子下擺跟領子.我是兩隻袖子一起織,這樣子就不怕兩隻袖子不一樣長啦.

最無聊的是下擺和領子,兩上兩下的鬆緊針打的我快瘋了,越打越慢,越打越無趣,最後逼著自己在年底織完它. 織是織完了,但是還得加上扣子,領子上的扣子怎麼弄都不好看,放棄啦!決定就先用根簪子代替吧,只要不露出內在美可以讓我好好照張相就好了.

Weaving Part 2

2007-02-24T17:53:00.000-06:00

This Wednesday, my 3rd weaving class, I started to weave! This first picture was taken after few inches weaving. That is the "boat shuttle" in between the threads.

This last picture shows the threads need to stay "crossed" (a clear triangle), so I won't miss any thread or weave a thread in the wrong place....confusing confusing. When I first started weaving, Tammy told me to keep an eye on the thread, made sure they are on their correct position. Whew, how do I do that? I mean I know my thread pattern, but total of 151 threads on 4 shafts...I didn't get it. I end up with couple mistakes, I caught one right away, so I was able to weave back and fix it, but the other one was way back, oh well, we'll figure something out, there is just no way I'll go all the way back to the first few inches to fix that, my project is suppose to be 100 inches long, I'm at 50 inches now. Another few hours I should be able to finish my scarf. I need to find time to go back to the studio soon before I forget how to do it...

Wicked

2007-02-23T23:27:00.000-06:00

Well, I wanted to finish Sahara before I start Wicked, but but but....even if I finish Sahara now I can't wear it! So, I casted on for Wicked, I'm using Berroco's Softwist. I'm still working on Sahara, I finished one sleeve, one more to go, I will try to finish Sahara before end of this month (will I?!).

I'm making the short sleeves size M, I need something big enough to cover my tummy, I hope I can finish it before my belly gets too big or the weather gets too warm...

This picture was taken couple days ago, I just put the sleeves on scrap yarn today, I tried it on, so far so good, love it!

I caved in

2007-02-17T13:07:00.000-06:00

When I took my yarn dyeing class at TLD Designs, I saw Tammy's weaved scarves, stoles and some garments, I was so mesmerized by her FOs. I know it costs "a lot" of money to get into this hobby, but I just want to try it to see what "weaving" is all about.

I signed up the beginners class #1, it will take total of 12 hours to finish the class (3 hours at a time). My first meet was on 2/14, Tammy spent about 1.5 hours just to go over the different types of looms, and parts of the looms (way too many things to remember). Then I got to decide what my first project will be, I picked a long scarf (100"). Then we spent another 1/2 hour to 45 min to write up a worksheet for my scarf; basically how much yarn I need and how much yarn will go to waste and how the shrinkage rate will affect my finish scarf....lots of math. After all that, I got to pick the yarns, ooh, my favorite part. Tammy said this also a time consuming part, some people will take forever to decide what to use, it's just too many possibilities. I wasn't so bad, I picked mine out pretty quick--purple theme, I picked 2 rayon chenille yarns, one metallic thread, one thick & thin novalty yarn and one royan snob yarn (some yarns I just couldn't come up with a suitable names, sorry :-p). I found this on All Fiber Arts's website, it shows the steps of how to warp a loom, it explained better if you are lost already ^O^.

My worksheet

Then I got to use the "warping board" and "warping paddle" to measure the warp threads (yarns) and put it on the warping board. I know it probably doesn't make any sense if you don't know anything about weaving, that's how I felt for my first 90 min of the class (totally clueless)! But once Tammy got me going then I started to get the idea about the "warping board and the paddle". I can't say I completely know what I was doing, but I was able to followed her instructions pretty well, Tammy said by the time I get to my 3rd projects, I'll have better ideas about weaving (3rd project? How am I going to achieve that?). It took me about 1/2 hour to 45 min to put my "threads" onto the warping board. That was my Beginner Weaving 1-1.

We met again on 2/16, the goal was to put all the threads on to the "reed" and then onto the loom. Sound easy, eh? NOOOO! I took down my threads from the warping board with no problem, piece of cake!

Here is the hard part, well, not hard, but very tedious; I need to thread all my threads (151 threads to be exact) thru the "reed" and then put the reed on to the loom and then thread all 151 threads thru the "heddles". I was very concentrated at this task, if not, my finished scarf will not look the way I wanted. This process took me about 3.5 hours. Next week, I will need to "wind the warp" and then "tie the warp on the loom" then I can start weaving!!

threads on the reed

thread on heddles

back of the loom with all threads thru the heddles

I'm still need to put all those long threads on the back warp...comb...comb...pull tight...wind

all threads are on the the loom...yeah!!

Confession?

2007-02-17T12:32:00.000-06:00

I always thought Regina's baby countdown thing was so cute, I just couldn't resist, I had to put it up there...so guess what? Yep, I'm pregnant!

With my first baby, I did okay, I was able to eat, excise, and play with my rubber stamps. This time, I caught the "morning sickness" bug, except it doesn't happen in the morning, it happens in the afternoon, and worst between 6pm~midnight. I am always tired and nauseous (results: cranky), I've been yelling at my 3-yo and dear hubby alot (feel so guilty) mostly because my son doesn't listen to me. I feel so bad that I don't have energy to play with my 3-yo, he is like the "Energized" bunny, non-stop, I just couldn't keep up with him! I don't even feel like pick the needles and knit (I really need to finish my Sahara). Some of my friends say I should feel better after 3 months, some say they puked the whole 9 months....I'm crossing my fingers that it'll over after 3 months, I'm at 10 weeks, oh, two more weeks......

Long time no Blog

2007-02-07T09:53:00.000-06:00

Wow, I can't believe I haven't blog anything since 1/17! Well, this one is kind of like a "documentary" for our very first handmade yarn swift, it was for my sister's birthday. I couldn't post this before her birthday, that would ruin the "surprise".

Sometimes in the 2nd week of Jan. I was just wandering from one blog to another and happened to see Carrieoke made a yarn swift using this instruction. Hubby is a very very good "handy" man (to me). He likes to hand made things, he loves working with metals(especially steel), but in this case, I think wood is more practical. I printed out the instruction to see if he's interested in making one. I showed him, and he seemed pretty excited about it, he's more interested in finding out if we can actually make it under $20. We went out and bought all the material for just under $20 (Home Depot, Ace hardware), yeah!! Hubby's friend Randy has a wood workshop in his basement, he got table sew, drill, and lots other tools (which I don't know the names) that are for wood working.

We went over to Randy's house on Sunday 1/14. Hubby was only planning on cutting the wood and then go home to finish the project, but Randy offered to help since he's got all the nice tools. So we stayed about 5~6 hours and finished the yarn swift there.

That tool on the right was used to "round" off the edges (one of Randy's suggestion), which turned out very nice, very professtional looking :-P

Hubby drilling holes on one of the piece.

After everything was cut, drilled, smoothed/rounded, we took it home and hubby used something called "Bee Wax" to finish all the pieces. We assembled everything together, it spins beautifully. I didn't have a chance to take a picture, this one is from my sis's blog. I'm proud to say "it works"!!

I'm BACK....

2007-01-17T16:25:00.000-06:00

I've been to the "frog pond" and back...

I had to rip my Sahara, I tried it on after I joined the front and back, and it was way too small (I refuse to believe that I gained that much weight over X'mas!). I did my swatch with KP Options #6, and the stitch gauge was right on, but not the row gauge, that was why I decided to follow the pattern by inches. After I saw my sis's Sahara WIP, I can see my froggie friend is waving at me...

I love my KP Option needles, I really do, I guess I'm just having bad luck with it. Somehow I decided to use my BOYE knitting gauge ruler to measure the needles I was using, I couldn't believe it, it fits right through the size 5 hole!! How can it be? I checked all the needles before I made that call to the Knit Picks, I know I have all the correct needles. Then I remembered I had another gauge ruler from a different company, I test it, it fits the size 6 hole. Then I thought, it doesn't really matter what size needles I use, as long as I get gauge, I should be fine! ~long sigh~ Well, I kept staring at my Sahara, stare at it won't fix it. Okay, okay my froggie friend, I'm coming....this was Jan. 5. After 3 days I was back to where I was before the rip, this time I switched to #7 needles (perfect gauge swatch), it fits much better (can't say perfectly yet).

So far, I've finished the body and knitting the neck band as of now.

I have no problem with the Diamond rib pattern, they are easy to memorize, but the k3tog tbl and p3tog tbl are not easy to do, especially with this silk yarn so splitty, can't wait to finish that neck band (all that p3tog tbl)! I want to finish the neck band tonight, so I can do the sleeves on the plane tomorrow (ha, that's if my son lets me...good luck to me!).

Casted on for Sahara

2007-01-03T10:48:00.000-06:00

I casted on for Sahara on Jan. 1, this is a mini kal between me and my sister. I casted on while we were sitting in the car waiting to exit the Navy Pier parking garage ^0^, the girls was watching movie, I was knitting, poor hubby!

I'm using Tilli Tomas Pure & Simple in color Aqua Zing, I bought it from Sarah before the whole messy pricing situation started. I got gauge using Knitpicks Option #6 needles, my swatch was 22 sts/30 rows before blocking, I guess I'll be following the "inches" instructions not the "rows" instructions.

This is what I have so far, I'm knitting long sleeves version size S. I always have problem trying to decide what size to make, now this one suppose to have "negative ease" but this yarn stretches...I hope I chose the right size....crossing my fingers.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T22:38:00.000-06:00

I still couldn't believe we went to Navy Pier for New Years' Eve!! We haven't been "celebrating" New Years for the past few years, I mean with a little baby, we'd rather stay home, watch TV, play with the little one and just relax. This year, with the 2 teenagers staying here, they really really want to go somewhere and do the "count down". Where can they go? The only place I can think of was the Navy Pier, no age limit, tons of people and fireworks. After a long talk to dear hubby, finally he agreed to drive us to Navy Pier (hubby hates crowd and traffics). We left home around 10:30pm, there were almost no traffic at all, I thought it would probably takes us at least an hour to get to Nave Pier, but we got there in about half hour. And then we thought that we probably won't find parking, we did and it was in Navy Pier's parking garage (unbelievable, I think the "bad luck" had already gone somewhere else)! Everything was great, we did the "count down", watched the fireworks for 15 minutes, the girls were jumping, screaming, calling their friends to wish them Happy New Year, they were EXCITED!

So, 12:30AM we went back to our car, we parked on the 7th floor of the garage, we started to drive, got to the 5th floor, then a complete stop. We sat in the same spot for like 45 minutes, finally started to move slowly, it took an hour to leave the parking garage. Good thing was that the traffic coming home wasn't so bad, and the girls were watching a movie in the backseats the whole time (aren't we a great host or what?).

Well, the girls are going back to school tomorrow, let's hope their flight will be on-time, no more delay, no more cancellation. I need a break too! Most importantly, I need my knitting time back!

Look what I got!!

2006-12-28T23:55:00.000-06:00

Look at all these!! The LYS Wool & Company was having a super sale on 12/27; all yarns are 40% off if you get there between 7~8am, how can I resist that?!

I got there about 6:50AM, there were already a long line! Around 7AM, the owner started to hand out numbers, I was number 34. They let 10 people in first, then wait it about 5~10 minutes, another 10, another 5~10 minutes, I got in, this time they only let in 5 people, lucky me! I went to the store a week before the sale to scout what they have, so I pretty much know what I want. I got Silkytweed, Ultramerino 4, Karaoke, Kurayon and some pattern books. When I was at the register, the owner was pretty clever, he said "you saved one hundred some dollars" (can't remember the exact amount), that made me feel less guility, I saved a lot of money not spent a lot of money...big difference when I use the same phrase when I brought the big bag into the house. ;-)

Just received email from WEBS, they are having close out sale too...oh what should I do???

Yarn Dyeing Class

2006-12-26T23:22:00.000-06:00

I took a Yarn Dyeing class at TLD Design on 12/21, yup, the same time those girls called me while they were stranded in Boston Logan Airport. But ENOUGH about that, this is for my yarn dyeing!

In this class I dyed 2 skeins of different textured Cotton/Rayon blend yarns. The teacher Tammy Deck herself is an artist, seems like she's into all kinds of arts and crafts. She carries all the supplies needed for yarn dyeing. She also does weaving, her finished scarves are very beautiful, the materials (fibers) to make the scarf isn't too bad, but the class itself is a bit pricey for me right now, I think it's about $140 for a beginner's class (6 weeks). She was on one of the HGTV show once with her Felted Silk Chiffon Scarf, very interesting too.

About dyeing yarn; we first soaked the yarns with Soda Ash and luke warm water. Then while we were waiting for the yarn to take its "bath", we mixed up the dye powders with water, we then wrung the yarns pretty dry then put it on top of a piece plastic (18"x36" is prefered). We used foam brushes for each color and started painting. Paint it anyway you want, that means most likely you won't get 2 skeins of yarns exactly like each other. After painted the whole skein, use that plastic (I used clear garbage bag cut open) to wrap up the yarn, put it in a basin so it won't leak, then keep it in a cool place and leave it for 48 hours, then rinse it.

Here are the pictures of me giving them a shower. The left one is my first try, I think I used Raspberry, Sapphire Blue, Lilac, Deep Purple, and Chartreuse. The right one I used Turquoise, Chartreuse, Deep Yellow and Sapphire Blue.
Doesn't it remind you the Caribbean?

This is after another 48 hours, completely dried, the colors are more accurate after it's dried.

Which one do you like? I'm pretty happy with my first Yarn Dyeing class, I hope she offers this dyeing class again soon, I would love to try it using wool/silk yarns (according to the teacher, it needs to be "cooked"), it'll be super fun!!

What are the odds!!

2006-12-23T22:15:00.000-06:00

I'm not so sure where to start. A friend's daughter came (from Taiwan) to US to study, she is in a small town (total population of 2000) high school, this holiday she and her friend decided to stay with us. The plan was for them to go on a East Coast tour (12/16), the tour ends in Boston (12/21), then they will fly to Chicago on 12/21 and stay till 1/2.

We've been very happy with this December's weather, not much snow and not too cold, perfect for traveling! These two girls are only 16 years old, don't really speak English, first time flying by themselves, so I made them promised me to call me at every stop/transfer city (me being paranoid). Nightmare starts here! This is gonna be a LONG LONG LONG post. ~sigh~

On 12/16, they called me and told me that they got to Chicago alright, but their connecting flight to Newark got cancelled, the airlines (AA) has arranged for them to take the next flight which will depart 2 hours later. Okay, I contacted the tour operator and gave them the new flight number for pick up. Whew, no problem, they will monitor that flight and pick them up accordingly! An hour and a half later, got another call, their flight has been delayed for another hour. I asked them if they know what the problem was, they had no idea, they tried to ask the gate agent, the agent told them that she was busy, don't have time to talk to them!! What the....! I told them to be patient and just wait, there were still time, worse case scenario I'll pick them up. One of their question was what if the airlines cancel this flight again (that was the latest fight to Newark for that night) then they would miss the tour. Well, we'll worry about that later, I said. That flight delayed for another half hour, finally headed to Newark. Everything was fine till the 21st.

12/21, first phone call, the fight was delayed for 2 hours (not again, I thought), then the 2nd phone call, the flight got cancelled, and there was no next flight, that one was cancelled too! WHAT ARE THE ODDS!!! I mean, if it's snow or thunder storm I can understand, there was NOTHING going on (after talking to AA, it was heavy fog)! Hubby called AA (he being a "great" negotiator) try to figure out the whole situation, the reservation agent was able to find them two "first class" seats for coming in the next day. I thought, okay, that wasn't so bad. Then hubby yelled, no, you booked them on 12/23, Saturday (he was online checking the girls' reservation at the same time) not 12/22! The agent apologized and checked again, those were the only 2 seats available, because the holiday all flights were sold out and possibly over booked, and they still need to take care all those passengers whose flights had been cancelled. Fine, we got the picture!!

Hung up the phone, called the girls back let them know about the new flight. Now, problem is, where will they stay? Go to a hotel (checked, around $110 + tax per night)? How are they going to get to the hotel? They are only 16, can they even stay at the hotel by themselves? I was pulling-my-hair frustrated!! The girls are exhausted, don't really want to move, they don't have credit cards, don't have a lot of cash on them and they rather "stay" at the gate area so they can save the money for Chicago! Do I really want to let them do that? I'm assuming my "host family responsibility" starts when I actually "picked" them up, so I shouldn't worry too much right?! Ahhhhh...but she's friend's daughter! The search for a solution goes on.

We checked all other airline for available tickets, none, zero, nada; while doing that, found out all other airlines flew to Chicago either on time or delayed, no cancellation (I'm keeping this information to myself, can't let the girls find out)! We also checked Amtrak and Greyhound. Amtrak's schedules didn't work. So we focused on Greyhound, we checked the route from Boston to Chicago, it takes too long, and bus won't leave till Friday night which means they won't arrive until Saturday. We checked other destinations, Detroit, Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, Cincinnati...based on the bus fares and number of transfers, we thought Cleveland ($96) was a reasonable choice, we should be able to drive there pick up the girls turn around and drive back to Chicago. We offered this option to the girls, they liked it. Now they just need to find someone to get them their baggage (checked-in already); find a taxi to go to the "South Station" (after a few phone calls to the Greyhound, finally got the name of the station); all these sounded easy for us, but it's kinda hard for the girls. I've been on the phone with them the whole time try to walk them through everything and make sure they didn't get lost.

After they got to the bus station, bought the tickets to Cleveland, I told them to call me once they're on board the bus (12:30AM EST), and at every transfer city, New York (4:50AM EST) and Pittsburgh (3:10PM EST); did I mention that this is their first taking the bus and they have to transfer at 2 cities!

We knew it would take us about 6 hours to get to Cleveland, but with holiday traffic we decide to leave around 11AM just to be safe. We were on the road, tried to enjoy the "drive", expecting to receive a call around 3:15PM, I didn't, I thought, okay, maybe they want to wait till they are on the Cleveland bound bus then call me; 4PM, still no call. Finally around 4:20PM, they called, they said they are still on the road, not yet arrive Pittsburgh, there were lots of traffic, and heavy rain, so they are a little late (and they couldn't tell me where they were at the time). @#%$^$& I want to scream!!! That means they missed the bus to Cleveland!!! I have to be calm, I can't panic, the girls depend on us! Told the girls, we will check with Greyhound and let them know "whatever"...basically I'm speechless. How can this be???

Okay, don't panic! Hubby started to call Greyhound. Can you believe the Greyhound people said they don't have this schedule on their system, they kept asking what was the bus number, what was the "carrier", was it really "Greyhound". We printed out the schedule directly from their website, and they are telling us they don't have that schedule! We must've tried at least 3 different agents, finally the last agent told us that once the bus is enroute, they can't see the schedule (really?). That agent said we can get more information from the departure station or the arrival station; we tried, we call Boston, got transfered, then click, got disconnected; tried calling Pittsburgh, went to voice mail, and the voice mail box was full, click, disconnected. Whatever, it looks like we won't get any help from Greyhound.

Then, the unbelieveable thing happened, the girls called again said the bus now has broken down, the bus driver already called it in to have another bus to pick everyone up and drive them to Pittsburgh. I don't know how to react anymore...Really, WHAT ARE THE ODDS?!!!

While this was "happening", we already drove passed Cleveland, it was only another 2 hours to Pittsburgh. What to do? We'll drive to Pittsburgh to pick them up, so nothing else can go wrong!

We got to Pittsburgh around 8PM EST, I've never been to Pittsburgh before, I just have to take some pictures. I don't know where we were at, but it's Pittsburgh!! This is the proof that this really happened! We picked up the girls and headed home. All 4 of us got home around 3AM Chicago time. Exhausted, but safely home!

What a day!!

We are determined to have a very very Merry Christmas (we need it)!!!

My Sock Advanture

2006-12-20T00:55:00.000-06:00

While I'm waiting for my sis to get her yarns for the Sahara (our mini KAL), I decided to try knitting my first sock. I bought Knitting Korner's Sock I & II a while back with Joann's 40% coupons, I like the idea I can always go back to the dvds if I forgot how to do something. In these dvds, Nenah Galati uses 2 circular needles which is easier then using dpns (I think), and you can even knit 2 socks at a time, how great is that?!

And then I saw this booklet "Magic Loop" uses only 1 long (32"~40") circular needle. Hey, I like it even more.

I was going to start my sock with 40" addi #1, but I couldn't find a pattern (I liked) written using Magic Loop. I found some patterns uses 2 circulars, but no luck with Magic Loop :-(

Since this is my first sock, I'd better follow a pattern, I went with Diamante. I started it using 2 #1 KP 24" circular, this is a toe-up pattern (so I can try on as I knit), I used Judy Becker's Magic cast-on, I did it just one try, and it looks great! Hey, it's a good start!

I knitted for about 2", figured it would be a good time to try it on, OMG, it was big! How can it be? Then I realized that I miscalculated the stitches, my gauge was 32sts=4", but somehow I had 36sts=4" in my mind...I increased too many stitches! Ok, let's try again, I ripped and re-knitted. Still too big! Why? Why? Why! I read the pattern again and again and again...well, it says it's for women size medium, could this be it?! At this point, I had no idea what size M means anymore! When I decided to knit socks I thought if I just follow the pattern (using same gauged yarn) I should be ok. Well, lesson learned!!

I took time to measure my foot this time, and used Knitty's Universal Toe-Up Formula to calculate all the numbers that are needed to knit a pair of socks that will fit me. Now I got all the numbers, I also found Anastasia socks has the Magic Loop instruction in it, perfect! At first I wasn't sure how to apply Magic loop, after knitted with 2 circulars, I kinda got an idea how it should work. It was easy! I just keep pulling each "ear" (the 2 loops) at the end of each row instead of pulling the whole circular needle, and it worked like using 2 circulars!

See the picture on the left, I was so happy that I can start my heel soon, then of course, I found a boo-boo, one set of the k2tog and YO was messed up. ~sigh~ I put in a life line, it's all ready to be ripped...oh...do I have to? Or can I just drop that stitch and pick it up use crochet hook?

Calorimetry

2006-12-13T14:21:00.000-06:00

Cast on: 12/13/06 1:56AM
Cast off: 12/13/06 4:00AM
Yarn: Patons SWS Natural Geranium 1.2 oz. (1/2 ball)
Needle: KP #8 24" circular
Finished Measurements: fits my head just fine :-)

The new Knitty winter 06 issue was up few days ago, I already found my favorite the Eiffel, since I still have a whole list of knitting projects to go through, I'm in no hurry to knit that one. Last night, I saw there was a Calorimetry KAL, it looks pretty interesting and "fast", maybe a perfect X'mas gifts for my 3-year-old's "teachers" (3 for his totschool and 1 for his Chinese school). So I took out 1 skein of SWS and KP #8 and off I went...couple hours later, the "Calorimetry" was born. Since there were only 9 pages of posts (as of last night), I read through it fairly quickly and followed some of the modifications those "super fast knitters" suggested. I casted on only 80 stitches (not 120 as pattern stated, some said it came out "huge"), it's knitted in rib sts, I figured should be able to stretch it to fit me or I'll just give it to friend's daughter if it doesn't. I didn't even do swatch, the idea of being able to finish it within couple hours (I also wanted to find out how SWS is), I just started to knit.
The pattern is easy, I followed row 1~5 and did the repeat row 5 for 11 times more (actually, I lost count...it's was weally weally late ~yawning), did row 7 for 13 times more, then finished it as the pattern says. It looks like I still have about 1/2 ball of SWS left, I wanted to know if I can make another one out of it so I weighed it using a post office meter (in my office), and it weigh 1.6 oz, hey, for $5 a ball and I get 2 Calorimetries, great deal! Now I just need to buy a button and I can say it's officially finished!! You like it?

Clapotis Finished

2006-12-12T23:34:00.000-06:00

Clapotis is finished!!

Cast on: 11/9/06
Cast off: 12/11/06
Pattern: Clapotis
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb Black Purl 3 skeins
Needle: Denise #8 circular
Finished Measurements: Width 18", Length 60"
Modification: Section 2 (increase rows) for total of 6 times; section 3 (straight rows) for total of 14 times; section 4 (decrease rows) for total of 6 times.

I'm surprised I actually finished it in about a month. Usually with this much St sts, I would get bored and set it aside and forgot about it. But that drop-st action kept me going, it was really fun knitting this, I already have other "yarns" line up ready to make a lighter one for Spring. The Clapotis KAL helped a lot, I read through the whole 100 pages, picked up couple tips that made the whole knitting process easier; like k tbl before marker and on 2nd st after marker; and how many increase rows they did to make it narrower or vise versa, I mean it's all in the pattern, but see someone actually did it makes big difference. There was one gal did the drop st in Purl so she didn't use any markers, I like this idea, too bad she didn't post until I almost finish mine.

That KAL also gave me ideas what yarn to use for my next one, I saw quite a few people used Noro's Silk Garden, it's just GORGEOUS!! Some used Blue Heron's Rayon Metallic, also breath taking!! Everyone needs to have their own Clapotis!!!

Hooked on Lace

2006-12-11T20:58:00.000-06:00

I joined the Victorian Lace KAL today! I ordered Victorian Lace Today and the Options needles from Knitpicks last week (free shipping). I've been flipping thru the pages, love all the projects in this book, I'm having trouble decide which one to make first :-p.

I don't have too much lace weight yarn in stash, my stash yarns are like between 400 yards and 630 yards, that means scarf only. The blue scarf on the left seems easy enough, not too complicate; the purple scarf on the right is more lacy look, probably the easiest in the whole book.
I'm thinking I should start with a simple project, get familiar with reading the pattern/charts before I tackle the 100,000 sts projects, just the thought of the 100,000 sts, scary. Emm...this triangle shawl is yummy too... it would look great with SweetGeorgia's hand dyed yarn.

Enough about the lacy stuff.

I'm very happy with Knitpicks, great customer services. I got my Options needles set on Dec. 1. I unpacked it and put all the needles in the organizer, each size/pair in their own little space/pouch. It was all nice and tidy.

Tuesday, I took out the size 9 to knit, somehow, it feels weird, like one is bigger than the other. The Options needles are great, the only thing that bugs me is that there is no size marking on the needle tips. So I took out my needle sizer, measured the 2 needle tips in my hand, one is #9, one is #10. Ok, I must've grab the wrong one. I went and got the #10s. Ha! Guess what! The #10s are #10! Ok, measured all the needles, turned out I have 1 #9 tip and 3 #10 tips. Frustration!! I called Knitpicks the next day, explained what happened, the lady was very polite, she told me I can keep my "extra" #10 tip, and she will send me another set of #9. And I got it today! Another great experience with online store!

LYS closing

2006-12-05T01:50:00.000-06:00

Another LYS is closing (sigh), we just had one closed at the end of August (got a lot of bargain back then). The LCYs are like the "ToysRus" to me, I know I can't have all the yarns, but I still like to see it, touch it, and hope one day I may win lottory and buy as much yarn as I can (keep dreaming).

I picked up few skeins of Manos del Uruguay (40% off) for the cutest felted slippers (from Knit 2 Together).
Here is another cute pattern Novella Socks from the same book, I don't know if I will ever wear leg warmers, but I'll make an exception for this baby!

I also found some Berroco Denim Silk (I may use this to make a short sleeve or sleeveless Sahara); the red yarn is the Karabella Breeze, maybe for Tiger Eye or Dayflower lace scarf; and the pinky yarn is the Rowan Cotton Tape, it's for this version of Circular Shrug. These are the 40% off yarns, I'll probably go back later to see if she offers more discount on the rest of her yarns. Instant noodles for the rest of this month....

First Snow

2006-12-01T10:58:00.000-06:00

I thought it would be worse, not too bad at all, looks like only 4" vs. 6~12". We will take the little one out to play later in the afternoon. Snowman, snow ball, snow angel?

Here is the WIP report, Bubble pullover on blocking board, I'm only doing the neck and armhole areas for now, so I can sew the sleeves on. And the Clapotis is moving pretty fast, love the drop stitch effect.

Couldn't resist

2006-11-30T21:29:00.000-06:00

Yup! I couldn't resist it any longer...here is the pattern and the yarn (the yarn was originally for the Simple Knitted Bodice). I read the pattern, it's a bit confusing, I'm sure it will all make sense once it's on the needle. Oooh....gotta hurry with my other UFOs. Sis, do you want to do this one together? Our little KAL?

Just heard the news, we'll probably get 6~12" snow tonight. We've been so lucky that there has been no snow the whole November. Well Snow day=Knitting day, so I should be happy, right?

Sahara is here!!

2006-11-30T15:08:00.000-06:00

I've been waiting to get this pattern ever since I saw the Stitchdiva's newsletter. Finally it's available for download. I love all 3 versions! I think the hardest part will be deciding which one to knit "first" =)

I actually haven't download it yet, I really need to finish my Bubble pullover and Clapotis first... Well, I can at least "study" the pattern and maybe start shopping for the yarns or maybe give my dear hubby a hint...X'mas is coming....

Clapotis

2006-11-19T10:25:00.000-06:00

I started another project, the "Clapotis". I'm using the Lorna's Laces' Lion & Lamb in Black Purl colorway. I originally used it for the Stitch Diva's Cardi Wrap, (I got the yarn from Ebay at $25 per skeins, very good deal); I did my swatch and the wrap still turned out too big, silk drapes....be ware! Well, I frog the whole thing and here is the Clapotis.

I don't want a huge Clapotis, so I only did the "increase rows" section 6 times, I'm on "straight rows" section now, I did 2 drops already, you can see it at the top right corner. This one goes fairly fast, love it!

I didn't abandon my Bubble pullover, it's just I don't have time to block the sleeves yet (I was too excited to block the SWT). Next week, I should have time to do the blocking, I sure want to wear it before the Spring comes. ^O^

Swallowtail Shawl Finito!

2006-11-18T11:25:00.000-06:00

After cast off. All wrinkled up.

After 20 minutes of "bath", on the blocking board with wires.

Off the blocking board. Unbelievable what blocking can do!

Budding lace.

Lily of the Valley lace.

Peak edging lace.

Yarn: Misti Alpaca Lace Weight (100% Baby Alpaca) 1 skein (437 yards) #8501 Green Meadow
Pattern: IK Fall 2006
Needles: KnitPicks Option size 4/24" circular (Love Love Love)
Size: 44" on top, 23" center down (after blocking)
Start: October 20, 2006
Finish: November 15, 2006

Yeah!! All finished!! After that little "surgery", it was smooth sailing till the end. Here are the photos of my very first lace project. This is the first time I use the wire to block lace too, very easy to use. I like it especially for the pointy parts, they turned out very pointy, eh?! The finished size on the pattern is 49" at the top, I pulled mine very very hard, I can only get to 44" (I was afraid I will break the whole shawl). I still haven't decide whether I'm going to keep it or give it as a X'mas present, well, I've got till 12/24 to decide.

Aaaaaaaa....Grrrrrrrrrrrr

2006-11-13T10:13:00.000-06:00

I can't believe I did this!!! This is the last purl row of the Lily of Valley lace chart 2, while I was watching CSI, I dropped a stitch (欲哭無淚)! I tried to act quick and pick up what was dropped, too late, 1 st became 2 sts then became...I don't know anymore!!!

Well, I thought about rip back to the lifeline and start over, but I so don't want to, I took out my crochet hook, 2 #3 double point needles, and start to "fix" this mess. Voila! Can you tell?

Don't ask me what I did, I know I won't be able to do it again :-P
Now on to the last pattern chart...

SWT closer to finish

2006-11-11T11:40:00.000-06:00

Yeepii!! I finished 6th rows of the Lily of the Valley Border 2 chart, so excited!! I was so worried about the p5tog (after the nupp), I'm really really really glad I used the Knitpicks Option needle #4, the sharp tip really helped; Addi won't do it. I did the p5tog as sl2p, p3tog, then pass the sl2p over, it looked kind of sloppy, but I think the blocking will fix it. Another 22 rows, yeah!!

Hooray to "This and that"

2006-11-07T23:12:00.000-06:00

Couple days ago Coloursknits wrote "This and That". Hooray to that!! I'm into all kinds of crafts too, I can't imagine my life without crafts. I've done cross stitch, Chinese knotting, paper cutting, beading, rubber stamping, crocheting and of course knitting. I almost forgot all of my past FOs that were non-knitting. Here are some of them;

Few years ago I was all rubber stamping, I went to stamping demos, classes and even drove to neighbor state to be at a stamp show. After my little one (he is 3 now) was born, I kinda had to give up on stamping (at least for a while), stamping needs a lot of time and space which I didn't have back then. And on a trip to SFO, I saw a flight attendant knitting a scarf using eyelash yarn, I knew I found a new hobby. I went to my mom's house and dug out all my knitting supplies, went to Michaels and got myself whole bunch of Lion Brand eyelash yarns and knit knit knit. I went from eyelash scarves to ponchos to sweaters, I'm happy with this hobby, I love that I can carry my projects almost everywhere and work on it anytime (but not my stamping). I still love stamping, I still pay attention to what's new in stamping world, if there is a "star" teacher (like Tim Holtz) showing up at Carolina Moon, I'll sign up immediately. Oh, I really miss my stamps...

My avatars

2006-11-06T21:43:00.000-06:00

I love playing my Avatars. After having my little boy, Boy, do my figure change. I'm so out of shape, and even worse on camera. There is some saying in Chinese, "There is no ugly women just lazy women" (I'm not sure if English has something like this). Well, I admit, I'm lazy, super lazy, and I love food. Every time I finished a knit object, tried on, I so want to go out and buy diet pills, but I know better not to try those pills, who knows what's in those pills (I guess I rather use the money to buy yarn). Actually I would go on food diet than yarn diet :-p
Where am I going with this? Oh, I was playing with the Avatars, it's fun, I get to try on clothes that I would never wear (I'm too fat), and different backgrounds (no budget to travel around the world), and accessories (I can't afford). I put a scarf on (my avatar) today, a turquoise one, that reminded me the weather is cold enough I can start wearing my scarves.

Speaking of scarf, I was reading the Clapotis KAL last night, I want to make one ever since I saw it on Knitty, but was afraid of getting tired of it and it becomes a UFO. There are like 90 pages in that KAL, you can find some really great looking Clapotis, yarns used for this scarf/shawl/stole are Artyarns Regal Silk, Koigu, Paton SWS (Michaels' sale this week @ $5 each), SWTC Bamboo, Blue Heron Rayon Metallic yarn (one of my fav), Noro Silk Garden (WEBS overstock sales), Brilla, Lorna laces Lion & Lamb, Malabrigo... Amazingly, these yarns are all different weights, but they all worked out, some heavier suitable for fall/winter, some are really light and airy for spring/summer, after seeing all FOs, you would want to make one for fall and one for spring and one from each different color ways. I like it better with varigated color yarns, I'm thinking Paton SWS or the Lion & Lamb,or the Regal Silk, the Rowan Tapestry is yummy too. I'm adding this to my to-knit list, like the 8th or the 15th?

LBT Finished!

2006-11-06T19:16:00.000-06:00

Lotus Blossom Tank by Sharon Shoji (IK 2006 Summer)

Cast on: sometime in August 06

Cast off: 11/4/06

Finished size: 33.5

Yarn: SWTC Bamboo, color White, 3 balls

Needles: Denise #5, #6 & #7, Addi #3 cir.

I did my gauge swatch in Denise #7, it was right on, so I started my lace pattern in #7 needle. After 9 rows, it looked kinda big, from my past experiences, my FO often turned out a little big on me, so I switched to #6 till end of 3rd repeats. And then I did the rest of the lace pattern in #5, I wanted the top to be longer than the original design, so I did total of 5 lotus lace pattern repeats. I was following the LBT KAL (I didn't join the KAL) through out, and from reading the posts, I learned how to "modify" the design to my liking. I did my St. sts section for 12.5" (verses 10") so it will not show the undergarment. And also from my dear sis, I did the front neck decreases 5 times (verses 4 times), and then changed to #3 needle, knit 3 rows, BO all sts knitwise, by doing this I avoid the rolling problem that most of the knitalong-ers had. Over all, I enjoyed knitting it, it turned out exactly the way I wanted (thanks to you, sis)! I really like this top, I wish I was thinner thou...sigh... Anyway, I can't wear it until spring/summer next year, diet (hehe...food or yarn)?!

Progress report

2006-11-04T14:10:00.000-06:00

Lotus Blossom on blocking board, this is the first time I use the "wire", I use 2 wires for the side seams, worked pretty well. As of today, I finished the neck trim/band and one arm hole, just one more arm hole, I'll be done with this baby. I tried it on, no rolling at the chest area, good good good!

Swallow Tail Shawl, I'm on the 11th repeat of the budding lace, my first lace project, it looked so small, I'm a little worried, maybe I should do 19 repeats, but will I still have enough yarn (I only have 1 ball of this Misti Lace)?

This is my Bubble pullover sleeves, I'm so tired of St. sts, 1 more inch to go then I can start the decrease. I'm going to try to finish these sleeves this weekend (still waiting for my yarns from WEBS).

Look what I got today

2006-11-04T13:37:00.000-06:00

I received this from Sarah's Yarn today, I am so satisfied with them, excellent pricing, fast delivery and check out the packaging. Each yarn is individually bagged, labeled with yarn information and yardage. I gave them two thumbs up!! Definitely will order from them again.

The one on the top is the JaggerSpun super fine Merino, color Chanel; bottom left is the JaggerSpun Zephyr, color Fuchsia; bottom right is the JaggerSpun Zephyr, color Lilac. Yap, all in the purple (or kind of purple) family.

Now, this is a surprise for me, I order "1" color card (JaggerSpun Zephyr $3), and I got all these! Just to name a few, there are Artyarns Regal silk, Supermerino, Ultramerino 8, and other JaggerSpun lines. I think I got all the yarn samples she carries, that's gotta be worth like around $20~$40 (consider $3 per color card from her website). You gotta love Sarah's Yarn!!

StitchDiva's Sahara

2006-11-04T13:15:00.000-06:00

I received StitchDiva's email last night, look at this, it's gorgeous!! This one is designed by Wendy Bernard. I like her patterns, it's so well written, and always provides options (no sleeve, short sleeves or long sleeves), I love options, and it's a top-down sweater! Hooray!!! I just love love love kintting from top down. I hope the pattern will be available for download soon!!! This sweater used Tilli Tomas's yarns again, I have to start saving money to buy yarns for this. Or maybe I should start my X'mas wish list?! Hey, I still got that Aqua Zing Pure and Simple, I was planning on using it to knit another SKB, since my first one is pretty much a test sweater. Maybe I could use it for this, I'll have to wait and see how much yarn is required for this beauty.

Still knit knit knit

2006-11-01T12:43:00.000-06:00

Don't have any picture to show, I'm working on my Bubble pullover sleeves, boring St sts, feels like taking forever. The pattern says to knit 6" ribbing, then 12" St sts, then starts decreasing for the cap, and that is another 7", total of 25"!! I'm somewhat petite, 25" is way too long for me. I think I'm going to knit just 9" for the body of the sleeves, since I'm so tired of St sts, I like that idea a lot. ^_^
I also ordered 3 more balls of yarns from Webs. I read Amy's blog, she had to buy more yarns for her Bubble pullover (I'm using the same yarn). I originally bought 13 balls (after calculation), I used 7 balls for all those pentagons, and the sleeves I'm working on (I'm knitting 2 sleeves at the same time), I'm only half way, and I already used 1 ball for each sleeve. I still have bottom ribbing and "huge" collar ribbing, I definitely need more yarn. I just hope Webs still has the same dye lot...

Too many patterns, too little time...

2006-10-27T23:22:00.000-05:00

Here are some of my favorites for this fall/winter. I got the yarns and the beads for this Cobweb shrug (Rowan 40), the charts look complicated, it's gonna be a challenge.

Then there is this yarn Tapestry, I really like this yarn, which one should I make?

This is a cute top too, but the flower part? A real big challenge!!

I just picked up the VK couple days ago, already found my new love. My list just getting longer and longer and longer....

Lacy Kerchief Scarf

2006-10-24T17:46:00.000-05:00

Here is another UFO, Lacy Kerchief scarf from IK summer 05 issue.

This yarn is Endless Summer Luna from Elann.com, it's rayon and cotton blend, very soft and shinny. I used the Knitpick's Option needle #4, I should've use bamboo needle for this. The yarn is slippery (rayon, da), and a little spongy, I'm still trying to get use to the feeling and keep the tension even. I often go back to reginalolaca's blog to look at her finished Lacy Kerchief scarves, (yes, she made more than one, amazing, her FOs), hoping that will keep me motivated to finish this scarf.

I did a bad thing

2006-10-24T17:16:00.000-05:00

I found these at Mitsuwa's bookstore (can't remember the name of the store), the bookstore was closing, so everything was 30% off. I like Japanese patterns, sizewise it would probably fit me better, I'm petite. Unfortunately I could not read Japanese, even though most of the instructions are in drawings and charts, I can only guess what I'm suppose to do. Another thing is the Yarns, I'm not good when it comes to substitute the yarns; on top of that, the patterns use "weight" (gms) instead of yards. That makes me wonder if I will ever make something out of these books?! But they are still very pretty to look at, great "tea" table books (since I don't drink coffee.... ).

The red cover is a Hairpin Lace pattern book, very interesting book.

This is from the Hairpin Lace book, cute eh?!

I don't like crochet, but look at that stole, I will definitely make that.

Look at this convertible shrug/sweater. Smart!

This one is from the Keito Dama winter issue, simply too cute.

Can't help it

2006-10-23T21:43:00.000-05:00

I can't help it! I've been eyeing on the Swallow Tail Shawl for a while now. After seeing so many FOs on the Knittng Nature KAL, I can't resist it anymore!! I have the yarn and needle, Swallow Tail Shawl, here I come!!

This is what I did for this special cast on:

Use waste yarn and crochet hook, chain 4, fasten off.

with another yarn pick up and knit 1 st in each of the bumps at the back of the crochet chain,

knit 6 rows, so there are 3 garter ridges,

turn side way, then pick up and knit 1 st in each of the 3 garter ridges, (5 sts on the RH needle now),

unzip the waste yarn crochet chain and put the 2 exposed sts onto LH needle,

knit the 2 sts from LH needle, total 7 sts.

Of course, this is not the yarn for the shawl, I use thicker yarn, so I can see what I was doing. I tried it using Misti Alpaca Lace yarn, it was much harder, the yarn was much thinner, the garter ridges weren't that clear to see and I was using the Knitpicks' Option needle which is very slippery, it took me about 3 tries before I finally got it.

This is what it looks like after the Budding Lace 1 chart.

This is after 2 repeats of the Budding Lace 2 chart. It looks pretty good to me!! This is my first lace project, let's see if I can finish it before Christmas, it could be a present for someone!

Lotus Blossom Tank top

2006-10-23T18:07:00.000-05:00

I started the Lotus Blossom Tank back in August, I just finished the top part last week. Yeah, I had to put it aside because the SKB KAL. I still need to block it so I can sew the front together and then still need to pickup stiches (not my favorite thing to do) around the armholes and the neck band. Well, since I can't wear it now (too cold), I guess it can wait just a little longer...

More pentagons!

2006-10-23T17:50:00.000-05:00

This is pentagon #6.

This is a closeup of my pentagons!!

I tried indoor and outdoor, I just can't seem to get it right! Non of these pictures show the true color, it's the Berroco Pure Merino #8550 Grape Jelly. Actually I finished all 8 pentagons, I'll post a picture soon. I had 13 balls of this pure merino, I used up 7 balls for the body, I hope I will have enough to finish the sweater, keeping my fingers crossed!!

What I'm working on

2006-10-18T14:01:00.000-05:00

I casted on the Bubble Pullover from Knitting Nature book. I'm using Berroco Pure Merino. It is so soft and smooth, very easy to work with and it's machine washable!!
This is the first pentagon, I actually finished 5 of these fun pentagons as of today, 3 more to go, then the sleeves then the bottom ribbing then the collar. Busy busy busy....I love this pattern!!

SKB Finished!

2006-10-16T17:45:00.000-05:00

Cast on: 9/11/06
Cast off: 10/13/06
Pattern: Stitchdiva Simple Knitted Bodice by Stefanie Japel
Yarn: 9 balls Lang Yarn Musica #0034 (lot 332) from Elann.com
Needles: Denise #7 & Addi #3 32"& Clover #3 12"
Other: Sequins & beading thread (local bead store)

Finally, the SKB is finished! I decided not to use sequins on the sleeves and the neck band. I like the way this sweater turned out. I was going to try the Magic Loop method on the sleeves, but with the lace and small needle, maybe next time (with something a little simpler). I knitted additional 22 rows before the lace pattern, so the lace part will kind of line up with the waist lace pattern. And I didn't do as much increases after the lace, I didn't want a big bell sleeves. This picture here is pre-block, I just couldn't wait to put it on and take a picture.

My birthday present is here!

2006-10-16T13:08:00.000-05:00

I love it!!! Thank you sis! My birthday was in August, but I didn't decide what I want till the day of my birthday. I told her I wanted the Pink Frosting from Interweave Crochet Spring 06 issue. We both bought the yarns to make it, but I really don't feel like crocheting, and I've always liked her FOs (she is a perfectionist to me). So that was a perfect chance for me to get a sweater from her! And here it is, my Pink Frosting.

My new row counter bracelet

2006-10-03T18:09:00.000-05:00

I've seen my LYS sell those DIY kit for row counter bracelet, I like beading too, but I rather save the money for yarns, so I figure I'll just use my user friendly Clover clicker. Couple days ago, I saw the bracelet Turtlegirl made, it is just so adorable. So I dug out my beading stuff and made this using Katie's tutorial:

My 3 year old son likes it too, he said "Mommy, it's purty!", it is, isn't it?!

I also made a stitch marker couple months ago, it's a Hello Kitty!

Fortunately, I don't have a daughter, otherwise, my stitch marker may become a pair of earrings.

SKB WIP

2006-10-03T18:08:00.000-05:00

This is what I started with:

Yarn: Lang Yarns Musica
Blue sequins and Beading thread

This is what the sequin looks like.

I strung the sequin onto the beading thread. Yeah!! I got a sequin carrying yarn!

I know I know this is not the best picture, I promise I'll post a better one as soon as I found my photographer...(Honey! Honey! Where are you?!)

I'm knitting the Small size, my stitch gauge is right on, but not my row gauge, mine is 7 rows to an inch v. pattern 6 rows to an inch. Good thing this is knitted top-down, so I can try it on and adjust to fit me. I didn't do the sequin for the bottom hem; one, it is too glitzy, might not be good for work; two, knitting with sequin and #3 needle wasn't as pleasant as I thought it would be, it was taking way tooooooooo long!! Now I'm working on the sleeve, I'm still deciding whether to add the sequin or not, it would be nice to match the waist lace pattern, but but but....glitzy? knitting like a snail??? I still got about an inch before I have to decide....sequin or no sequin?

I'm in the blog world!

2006-10-03T18:07:00.000-05:00

I'm in the Blog World!! This is all new to me. I like to knit. This will be a journal for my knitting. This is my last FO Rusted Root. I love it. Pattern can be found here.

Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece 2.5 skeins
Color: Sedona Red
Needles: Denise #6 & Knitpicks Option #4
Modification: none

Purple Knit

Juliet

Crocheted Shell pattern babydoll top

Red Capelet 夯夯夯的紅色斗篷

Newsboy Hats 報童帽

Pineapple scarf 鳳梨花長圍巾

ネツト編みのやわらかボレロ 鎖針地獄

Neck warmer

Floweral scarf 花朵圍巾

More crochet hooks?!

Seashell scarf 貝殼花花圍巾

My new gadget

Pineapple border bolero 鳳梨花小背心

Lacy Border Bolero

Chinese Craftster?

Comfy Summer Tank Top 舒適的夏天

Knitting books

Bolero

Green Mango Bolero 綠色情人果

Column of Leaves scarf

Stamping

Crocheted Bolero 鉤針小外套進度

Column of Leaves scarf

My Cherry Blossom yarn

The Not-So-Shrunken Cardigan

Sahara Finished!!

Snow in April

Crocheted Chrysanthemums 胸花完成囉!

Flower Scarf & Real Simple Scarf 花朵 & 極簡圍巾

Wicked

Butterfly 蝴蝶

My new on the go knitting bag

Flower petal scarf 花瓣圍巾

Tweed Beret

Bubble Pullover

Weaving Part 2

Wicked

I caved in

Confession?

Long time no Blog

I'm BACK....

Casted on for Sahara

Happy New Year!

Look what I got!!

Yarn Dyeing Class

What are the odds!!

My Sock Advanture

Calorimetry

Clapotis Finished

Hooked on Lace

LYS closing

First Snow

Couldn't resist

Sahara is here!!

Clapotis

Swallowtail Shawl Finito!

Aaaaaaaa....Grrrrrrrrrrrr

SWT closer to finish

Hooray to "This and that"

My avatars

LBT Finished!

Progress report

Look what I got today

StitchDiva's Sahara

Still knit knit knit

Too many patterns, too little time...

Lacy Kerchief Scarf

I did a bad thing

Can't help it

Lotus Blossom Tank top

More pentagons!

What I'm working on

SKB Finished!

My birthday present is here!

My new row counter bracelet

SKB WIP

I'm in the blog world!

ネツト編みのやわらかボレロ　鎖針地獄