Unglam pics

or are they just funny? Anyway, I just happened to pass by these two places.
So is the postman going to deliver letters later?

I'm absolutely not allergic to coins and shillings. =P

And a sneek on Salina. Sorry for the spotty mirror and also the messy hair. Guess I was having a bad hair day then.And Rusted Root is on the block. I tried it on right after weaving the ends, the fit is almost perfect. More pics soon.

One more shawl

This shawl is already in the hands of the recipent. And I hope she likes it as much as I did knitting it.

Pattern: Diamond Fantasy Shawl by Sivia Harding
Yarn: 2 hanks of Knitpicks Gloss in Wedgewood
Needle: 4mm Addi Turbos
Size: NA
Time to finish: 1 week? or less?
Recipent: Aunt

I was running out of yarn when I was binding off 2/3 of the way. So the bind off had to be tinked. Instead of doing the i-cord bind off, I just did the regular one and was left with less then 2 feet of yarn. That was so close.

This is one of this patterns which I will knit for the second time. And also the first pattern which was repeated within 3 months.

Baudelaire for Socktoberfest: Finito

Just bind off and had the pictures taken before I start procastinating and blaming the weather. My bit for Socktoberfest 2006 is done!



Pattern: Baudelaire by Cookie A
Yarn: 2 hanks of Knitpicks Gloss in Cocoa
Needle: 2.5mm circulars, Addi Turbos
Size: Small
Time to finish: 2 weeks

I had a bit of problem trying to match both socks. Re-knitted the gusset and heel twice for the second sock. I guess its best to knit both socks at the same time. And thats precious lesson learnt. Also, Gloss is really lovely to knit with. This is the second time I've knitted with it. Stay tuned to see what's the first project I used with Gloss.

Thanks for all the lovely comments on Aegean FFL. I am still waiting for the right occasion to wear it. Most probably at the next wedding reception in December. Meanwhile off to cast on for Rusted Roots

Another Shawl Time

When was the last time an FO was documented here? Though there's not much FO updates, my needles have been kept busy. Anyway, here is the long awaited Aegean Flowers & Leaves.




Pattern: Frost Flowers & Leaves from A Gathering of Lace
Yarn: 8 oz of Jaggerspun Zephyr in Aegean Blue
Needle: 2.5mm circulars from Aero and Addi Turbos
Size: NA
Time to finish: 4 months ++

I could have finished it in less than 4 months, it was all due to distractions and the wait for needles to arrived. Never in Singapore can I find a 120cm size 2.5mm needle, somehow I managed to find 1 set online. All thanks to the internet.

The pictures don't do justice to the real thing at all. I took the picture half an hour ago before the sky opens up. There goes the natural light. I have another shawl up for post very soon.

No pics yet

I have some pics in my mobile's camera, however it does take a little effort to upload it. And now I spent less time on my PC, the chances of uploading is scarced. I shall try again soon.

The weather is still as hazy as ever. This is the worst haze we have experienced since 1997. More stories on the haze situation HERE.

On another note, I am playing with the idea of having my own domain and webspace. still thinking of a name. I think my coding skills are already rusty.

Baudelaire for Socktoberfest

I'd better say HI before I dive deeper into my stash. I've been busy with knitting hence the blog was neglected. Loads of yarn arrived during the past week. Unfortunately, time is something which I do not have a lot.

I started Baudelaire for Socktoberfest. And I'm on the Leg portion for sock #1. Not bad for a day's worth of knitting.

You might be wondering that since I have the time to knit the whole day, why wouldn't time be spared for photo taking and blogging? Don't ask me why, my heart very much wanted to but the brain just keep telling my hands to not stop knitting.

Now I need to dive into my bed. Nights all~

Weather report

The air here is in a very undesirable condition. I don't mind the raininess or the heat. Just don't give me haze. I am suffering from a dry throat which worsen to a sore throat. The haze is pretty bad, skies look very gloomy as the sunlight trys to penetrate.
Enough with the downside, I shall talk about happy stuffs.

Note to my SP9 pal: do take a look on the side bar on info about me.

On another brighter note, my boss just handed me the long overdue confirmation letter. This means I will be shouldering more responsibility. More stress means I need more knitting. In turn I will be paring down more yarns.

During the weekend, I blocked DFS #2. Its now nicely folded waiting for its owner. Also Salina is currently lying over my shoulders. I will follow up with a pic of Salina.

On the whole, please support Consumer Friendly Yarns

Repeated

Anyone saw IK Gifts preview? You might find some of the stuffs in other IK's publications.

The Twilight Lace caught my eyes though.

Opinions exchanged

A lot of opinions and views had been exchanged on different forums and blogs. I was just wondering why would there be so much "politics" in the world of knitting. Aint we a jovial and amicable bunch?

There's no way I can stop people from exploiting others or those being exploited unknowingly. I can only shake my head in resignment for those unfortunate souls. There are too many facets to one issue and I'm simply too exhausted to care anymore.

Today, who sells me cheap and quality yarns will get my money. And here's what my mom brought me from the mail box. Two luscious skeins of Tilli Tomas Pure and Simple in Dusty Pink. (I think there's too much flash in the second pic)
And if you are interested to get some? Get from her. While stock last.

For good a cause

I spent the last evening with a group of ladies, including a few from the forum, crocheting & knitting preemie hats. Here's a glimpse of the session.
I'm half done on my crocheted hat. I hope to churned out more during the next two weeks before the next session. If anyone is willing to donate preemie items feel free to drop me a comment with your email. Donations can be in the form of yarns, needles or hooks too.

For the local Singaporean, you can get more information by registering at the Knitters Community forum.

Venue: Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints near Newton MRT station

Date: Every 1st and 3rd Tues of every month

Time: 7pm onwards

Chocolatey Meme

I got this questions via the Chocolate Swap. Consider yourself tagged if you are reading this.

Do you like to eat chocolate cookies and what kind do you like?
All crunchy, bitter-sweet, chocolate chips, double chocolate, triple chocolate. With or without nuts.

What kind of chocolate do you like?
Dark and bittersweet ones. Mint or orange chocolates too.

What are your favorite brands of chocolate?
No particular brands, but Meiji (Japanese brand) is my current favorite.

Do you enjoy chocolate covered candies, pretzels, fruits, coffee beans, cream filled, caramel, nuts etc?
Nuts and pretzels.
Do you like fudge with nuts or without?

Do you like solid chocolate bars with or without nuts?
I like both, but nutty ones get eaten up faster.

Do you like hot coco mixes.
I love hot chocolates.

Is their any particular chocolate treat that you would love to try?
Nothing too sweet would do.

Do you have any food allergies that your pal should be aware of?
Nothing so far.

What kind of yarn do you prefer?
cotton, wool, mohair etc.
Nothing that looks like a dead bird or striped from a muppet.

Do you have any fiber allergies that your pal must be aware of.
Natural fibers please.

What small knitted items do you prefer to knit?
Socks, scarves, hats, mittens etc.
I have a small collection of sock yarns. I'm looking yarns for Interlocking Balloons and Ene's Scarf from Scarf Style.

So far behind

I have quite a handful of FOs yet to be up on this blog. So what's the purpose of blogging when I don't blog about FOs? DUH! *slaps my forehead* moreover, I still have a backlog of FOs from 2005.

The backlog list so far:
- 1952 cardigan using Jaeger Trinity
- Cropped cardigan from Knit1 summer 06.
- Frost Flowers & Leaves
- Fiery Bolero from IK
- Swallowtail Shawl from IK

I think I should be awarded with a PhD in Procastinology.

Anyways, Salina's seaming party is postponed as Central Park Hoodless is busy on my needles. CPHoodless is on the last stretch before seaming begins and stitches pick up for the fronts and collar ribbings. Its destined to be hoodless as I'm left with 2 balls of yarns out of 10.

Bye for now. Off to work.

Sweaters post

There hasn't been any post on sweater projects for a long time. I have loads of yarns for at least 5 sweaters. (As if I need a lot of sweaters in this weather.) Well, here's 2 which are in 2 stage of work-in-progress.
All pieces are done, all Salina need is a seaming party. I find it too dark to seam at night, so I shall do it this coming weekend. I find that a fresh mind in the morning hasten the seaming process.
I started the Central Park Hoodie out of bordom and I need some simple cabling. I will most probably make it hoodless.
The pics are really crap, but this is the best I can get.

In swapping news, I have join the SP9 and Chocolate Swap. The latter sounds so yummy. I'm still waiting for my Lace swap package and my Yarn Aboard box is still traveling.

100 things about me

1. I have been called Lois since 1997.
2. I was born in 1980.
3. I was born in Singapore and had been staying in the western part for over 20 years
4. The time I shifted my home, I was almost 5 and hardly any impression of the shift.
5. I had travelled a few parts of Asia and Australia.
6. I used to have 6 roboroskiis, who had leave me 2 years ago.
7. I hate to eat the king of fruits, Durian, the smell is lovely though.
8. I remembered going for dancing lessons at 5.
9. I love my primary school uniform, especially it collar which looks like a big stalk of lotus leave. Don't ask why I still like it
10. I was in the Student Council during secondary school days.
11. I graduated from Ngee Ann Poly with a Diploma in Quality Assurance Engineering
12. However, I did not persue a career in the engineering Field
13. My favorite vegetable is mushrooms.
14. I prefer chocolate over vanilla
15. I speak English, Mandrin and Cantonese.
16. I cannot stand smoke.
17. Even haziness will keep me sneezing non-stop.
18. I like movies with sequals
19. I do love to take up Japanese or Korean, for the sake of understand anime and dramas
20. I can't cycle for nuts.
21. But I can do inline skating.
22. I took up volley ball practise for extra curricumlum activities.
23. I grew to hate ball games.
24. I stand at 163cm.
25. M&Ms keep me happy.
26. I can't cook.
27. But I can bake. or have baked.
28. I gave up on a degree course half way through.
29. I stayed in the same room as my grandma for more than 10 years.
30. I first crocheted at 11.
31. I camped only once so far in my life.
32. I like in-flight dinning food.
33. I am second youngest among cousins.
34. I do like to swim
35. and I can't thread in water.
36. I read a lot of Enid Blyton.
37. Especially Famous Five series.
38. I have short and quick temper.
39. I forget easily too.
40. I baked my fries instead of deep frying them.
41. I read no magazines other than knitting related ones.
42. I can bearly put down my knitting to read books now.
43. I wish to be not working but knitting 24/7 everyday.
44. I can't take beef, but I love the swedish meatballs at Ikea.
45. I took Midsummer Night's Dream for literature class.
46. I love comedies, romantics one would be a plus.
47. I wear 37 for Birkenstocks.
48. When I hear a song I like, I can listen to it over and over without tiring of it. I will usually sing along if no one else is around.
49. I can't snap my fingers
50. I have yet to get my driving license.
51. I collect loads of postcards.
52. I'm monkey in term of Chinese Zodiac Sign
53. I have been shortsighted since 8
54. I had my ears pierced at 4.
55. I had another 3 piercings 17 laters, but I'm left with 4 piercings, 2 in each ear.
56. I prefer nachos to popcorns.
57. I have no favourite perfume, anything fruity, citrusy and flora will do.
58. My two lower front teeth sproutd before my milk teeth dropped.
59. I also love cheese.
60. I use my mobile to tell the time, since I hasn't worn a watch as long as I had my mobile.
61. Sleepless in Seattle is my favourite movie.
62. My other liking is eyeshadows.
63. I only listen to the radio duing office hours and on my way to work.
64. I love tom yam soup, teppanyaki, Cantonese cuisines like dim sum.
65. My chinese name is given by my aunt.
66. I hate singing.
67. I have never tried waitering.
68. Sidney Sheldon used to be my favorite author.
69. I had organise a bbq for class gathering.
70. My first real toys was a bucket of Lego bricks.
71. I got my first Barbie doll at 12.
72. I love to multi-task.
73. I hate to do the dishes
74. I dislike cold and gloomy weather.
75. I can't live with internet, if only I can.
76. I prefer to take short-cuts
77. I prefer lime to lemon.
78. But I like lemon tea.
79. I like room cluttered.
80. I do not have a microwave oven.
81. My SO does not know of my yarn obsession.
82. I prefer lig gloss
83. But I seldom apply it.
84. I tend to be implusive
85. I like ballards and sentimentals.
86. Insects with wings frighten me.
87. I have tried smoking and never like it. Thank goodness.
88. I groomed my eyebrows.
89. I am very close with my brother, although we are at each other's throat 30% ofthe time.
90. I have wanted to do this 100 things many times over.
91. I'm not a person to make small talks.
92. Did I mention I like escargots more than mushrooms?
93. My grandparents were from China.
94. I used to do origami.
95. I do not believe in lucky numbers.
96. I'm loudspoken.
97. I like vodka lime.
98. I used to hate beers, but Hoegarden is growing on me.
99. I like to cry, is a way to relieve.
100. I so love to KNIT.

This is done during office hours. =p

Stashing again: ACT II

I hasn't been not knitting at all. In fact, I'm on sleevie island for Salina. Here's proof: I think I have a little mess at the lapels. *sigh* hope things turn out fine.

I got my last package for SP8 and also a bag of Rowanspun DK in Rush on the same day. (Pic was taken last week)
Did I mention I have many sleepless nights due to a spree? Air mails from the States never take more than 14 days. This particular package took 7 weeks to reach me. I will never ever order from this retailer for fear of losing sleep and hair over the delay. A loot full of Rowan Calmer, Cascade 220, King Tut Cotton, Noro Lily. However, only 15% of them belongs to me. and since this morning my stash has grown to a staggerly 204 balls of yarns.

I MUST KNIT FASTER
I MUST KNIT FASTER
I MUST KNIT FASTER
I MUST KNIT FASTER
I MUST KNIT FASTER
I MUST KNIT FASTER
I MUST KNIT FASTER
I MUST KNIT FASTER
......

Knitting: Impractical?

Is practicality in your thoughts when you are putting up your To-Knit List? Do you knit for practical usage or because you really need to knit that oh-so-pretty-i-must-have-it sweater?

I tried to use whatever I have knitted, but then I know that I can always frogged it and have the yarns recycled for something else. Not that I will do it to my FFL. Yes, the Frost Flowers & Leaves Shawl is indeed huge, approximately 5 square feet in size. Who would be using this as a shawl? Even yours truly who's standing at 5ft 5 won't need this. But this is going to be another milestone in my knitting journey. I'm gonna challenge myself with a major project each year. They may or may not be practical in any sense.

Anyways, sometimes the knitted piece's practicality is no longer an issue. It is seen as a piece of art or a heirloom. I might not leave behind a legacy or a huge stack of color bills, but heirlooms which may worth all the time in the world.

On another hand, which I've been frequently asked by non-knitters, are you going to wear this in our climate? I would just smiled back and continued on my knitting. Nonetheless, I'm afraid of the cold. The family calls me the cold-blooded. A simple lace wrap would keep me nice and toasty in the office, while a heavy stole companies me in a freezing cinema theatre.

The next time you see me turning blue, wrap me up in your thickest sweater.

Frost Flowers & Leaves Update #5

I think the photos will tell a better story.

After 4 months of working on this project. I finally have this shawl blocked. Its actually dried and off the block. I shall have it modelled soon.

Midweek treats

I really hope this week is getting better, it can be as I am expecting more packages. It's like buying yarns has became my full time job. Anyway, all the yarns had already been called for.
From the far left,
- Woodland Sage, Gloss from Knitpicks, between Diamond Fantasy and Swallowtail Shawl
- Blessed, Rowan Yorkshire Tweed 4 ply, won from a contest. (something from Vintage Knits)
- Cream, Merino Stretch from Schoelle Stahl. I shall knit this once again as I'm not satisfied by the result previously.
- Cactus, Soho Summer from Jo Sharp. Cherry shall turn into a cactus.
- color 97, Cash Iroha from Noro, a choice of either Raspy from Rowan Denim People or the Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts.
I got to get them into ziplocks right now. And more edging to go for FFL shawl.

Opps, before I forget. Did I mentioned Yuvee was in Singapore the last weekend? I managed to meet up with her the day before she left for home. We agreed to meet at the usual yarn store. Fortunately we walked out from the store unscathed.

Blogspotlight Show #2 Local Knitters' Blogs

Another 4 noticeable knitting blogs have sprung alive on this little island.

Hooked on Yarn by the lovely Karyn. I saw her Sweetpea Shawl from SnB Hooker, and it was so pretty. Hope she's uploading pics soon.

Next three are from the Swallowtail Shawl KAL. Jollin, Regg and Matilda. Wish them success in the KAL, specially Jollin who has quit using Alpaca Cloud.

Frost Flowers & Leaves Update #4

On the home stretch here. Two weekends and I'm half done with the edging. So it isn't as tedious. And that means half the stitches had came off the needles. Here's a picture of one corner.
I started with 12 oz which is made up of a 8 oz hank and two 2 oz yarn cakes. I think I'm gonna left with 4 oz worth of Jaggerspun Zephyr in Aegean Blue. Most probably gonna destash it. any takers?

And thanks for the concern about my outburst in the earlier post. It must be the lack of knitting that caused it.

By the way, I finally got a new phone after 2 two years. The picture above was taken by this new gadget. I need to get a 2 gigabytes MiniSD card so that I can have those PDF patterns stored on the phone.