Break free

It has been months since my last yarn hoarding. since July, i have only 1 hank of Butterfly cotton (for the corset), 1 hank of Alpaca Cloud, 1 ball of Cashsoft Aran on the books. (excluding acrylic stuffs)

I'm really really frightened by the amount of yarn that I will hoard soon. Just by imagination has already set my heart pumping faster, and adrenlina running high.

However this is a planned hoarding, I have already lined up my future projects. It's time to break free from yarn rehab.

PS. still tweaking this layout, the previous one has too much clutterings.

PPS. look out for the snowflakes floating from the top to the bottom of the screen.

For a friend

This sweater was started in March and left with the front to complete. However, little did I know that i will be swamped with my own projects, that I left it as un UFO for nearly 7 months.

Lesson One: all finish a project within 2 - 3 months. I do not know why, but my gauge is totally askewed. I was knitting much tighter and i could hardly transfer the open stitches from the holder to the needle. It was only after completing the front then i discovered about the HUGE difference. Although I did the same number of rows, the front was longer by about 10 rows. So I ended up frogging the piece till after the armhole shaping.

Lesson Two: the first time to pick up stitches for the neckband and a v-neck as well. Details on the second picture.

This sweater is meant for a friend, just in time for Christmas! Actually I volunteered to knit a sweater for him so we went to get the yarn and pattern together. Somehow, this sweater wasn't finished till today.

It could have been finished earlier if not for the change in row gauge. I did some changes to the bodice and armhole lengths. I doubt my friend has a long torso, but he definitely has freaking long arms.

Some thoughts on Sirdar patterns is that I would try to avoid using them. I'm not sure who's fault, but it takes quite a while for me to understand some of the shaping instructions

Pattern: Sirdar Leaflet
Yarn: Sirdar Denim Tweed DK
Needle: 4mm (US 6) and 3.75mm for the ribbings
Size: Small
Time to finish: minus the lapsed time, I think about 1 month

IK Winter 2005

adding these to my very long list of knits.

Brilliant Retro by Teva Durham


I may need to pick up my sock knitting soon. I stumped by the heel and gusset.


Rest of previews are HERE.

It's been 12 months of knits and purls

not exactly 12 months, a bit more or less as I don't remember exactly when I pick up my first circulars. I'm glad to have my knitting with me, it just suppress the insanity.

With the days counting, I have seen through 2 knit groups and have established one with the kind knitters in Knitters Community. Hope to see more more people enjoying this craft.

This was completed during last weekend. Purple pancakes, it is not. Can someone pinpoint the pattern? No prize for the correct guess though.

FOs: 1 New and 2 Old

Finally, i have the time to take the pictures. Let's start with the oldest FO. I knitted the vest version as it requires less yarn and would be easier to mix and match with my other clothes.

Pattern: Butterfly, Rowan 37
Yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Toffee, 1 ball plus a few more metres
Needle: Bryspun Circulars, 4mm (US 6)
Size: Small
Time to finish: slightly less than 2 weeks

When I first browse through this pattern instruction, I almost blackout from it. I was really lost. It was only after joining the KAL and saw some of the finished corset, that drew me back to this pattern. Learnt stuffs like i-cord bind off and cast on. these 2 techniques really give a more sturdy armhole.

Pattern: Corset Tank Top by Annie Modesitt
Yarn: Butterfly Super 10 cotton, less than 2 hanks
Needle: Boye Needlemaster 4mm (US 6)
Size: (smallest)
Time to finish: 2 weeks

Inspired by her, i started this one just 2 mondays ago. This yarn is incredibly soft to knit with. Too bad the DK and Aran weight is not available here. I can't wait to try Cashsoft, I'm sure its just as nice to knit with. I only had 3 balls of this yarn, and I got so paranoid of not have enough yarn. so much that the sash is only half the stitches called for and ended with about 12 grams of yarn left.

Pattern: Rebecca #29 Wrap Cardigan
Yarn: Rowan Cashcotton in Chintz, 3 balls
Needle: Boye Needlemaster 4mm (US 6)
Size: Small
Time to finish: 1 week