New Year = New Finished Projects

It is time for self assessment to see my progress and what I have achieved so far even it is only the second month of the year.
Just want to make sure that I actually will manage to achieve the resolutions which I have set in the beginning of the year.

Started with this test knit project that I signed up sometime end of last year.
This project has actually change my opinion about cable motif which I find bit annoying when you always need cable needle to work with.
Thanks to this test knit, I now find cable actually is a fun motif to work need especially when you can work with any help of the cable needle.

My second finished object for this year was doily which was part of mystery KAL in my local knitting group and was a very quick knit.
Planning to knit another piece so I can actually combine both pieces into wearable but yet to have the time to do so.

September is ending.

So today is the last day of September already and it has been more than a month since my last post. Been reminding myself to spend some time to write but sadly I still can't find spare time for it though.

The moments of yarn cuddling has been very limited for the past few weeks. I think I have been affected by the laziness syndrome. I still try to be as productive as possible though.

This month I am able to complete two hats order for a one year old. With only a given picture as sample but no pattern to refer, I am actually managed to make it look alike.

Since the time is waiting for nobody, I am now picking up myself so I will be able to finish some of my work in progress soon enough.

It has been a while...!!!

I remember few months back, after I clean up my blog, I promised to always spare some time to write in about what I have been up too. But too bad, I believed that was not happening for the past month.

My little girl finally enter school in the beginning of July and that means I have to add another remarks in my everyday to-do-list for sure. Not to forget a little bit time management issue has also become another problem of mine.

So what I have been busy with for the past six weeks? Well, I have been involving in lots of kitchen work for sure since the little one has started her school. I found that I have been quite excited with the meal box (Bento) preparing moment for her to bring everyday to school. A friend of mine has inspired me a lot with this, as she always prepare cute and nice looking bento for her soon everyday. I am still in learning process to make it even cuter for sure.

Some of my Bento that I have done

I also get to do some bread baking, at last. Thanks to recipe I found online, I have finally conquer my fear of baking bread and loving it for sure. Been baking few time since then, especially when hubby said he loves my bread hahahaha.

My favorite baking recipe for the month

And I also have managed to finish two knitting project which had moved quite slow in the knitting process comparing to my usual speed though. A vest for test knit - Merewether and a blanket - Baby Chalice Blanket.

 

So that what has been going on with me since July up to today and it has been a great experience for sure. Hope you will have a great day ahead too :)

WIP Wednesday Post #5

Whoaa... it's been my 5th WIP post on the blog, amazingly since I decided to join along posting my work in progress weekly, I have not yet skip writing on my blog every week.

Thanks to these two great crafter who encouraging this to happen Tami's Amis and Small Things. Do visit their blogs for more stories on what other crafters are doing for the past week.

So, my week been moving bit slow, since our city is currently attacked by heavy smoke haze for almost a week and still going on till now. The weather been extremely foggy, humid and hot which definitely creates big impact on our health and also our mood. Really praying hard for rain to come, but still yet to happen.

I am continuing knitting my blanket which I already started since last month. The pattern I use called Baby Chalice Blanket, a simple lacey blanket but looks elegant and beautiful. I am targeting to finish it by this week cos it was not supposed to be a long frogged project, considering the size I am knitting is only about 100x100cm.

Finished Project ~ Little Twister Sweater

Finally, another long paused WIP is completed.
Love the cabling details a lot, not to forget the interesting constructing method during the knitting progress.

Kate Gondwana always able to impress me with her every design, which involve lots of different techniques in the making.
The set up of this sweater, like usual, is challenging, started off with provisional cast on for the back neck part with German short row included, continued to the front with cable detail, then the body is finished of with working in round. As for the sleeve, it involve few short rows too. 

Overall, I just love to knit the sweater for sure.

Finished project for the week ~ Tallis Lace Tunic

I am loving it...!!!
I really am loving it...!!!
Really love this Tallis Lace Tunic pattern by Ash Kearns.

Just check out how great the lace pattern turns out when I wear it and how well it fits me.
Even though the knitting progress was a little bit slow with some pause in between, I could not be more happy to see how I manage to meet up the dateline for this test pattern submission.

WIP Wednesday Post # 4

So a week has already pass by, my Tallis tunic finally completed and under blocking process. I only need to knit its ribbing for neckline and sleeves then it's really done.

And I also have started a doily crocheting, which is part of local group mystery CAL. The doily looks just so vintage and too lovely too miss.

Don't forget to drop by to Tami's blog and Small Things for more great story from other crafters.

My First International KAL.

I can't exactly recall how I found this pattern from Hollaknits , but I know it was love at first sight and I told myself that I must make one of this for myself, cos it is just too lovely. This pattern called Nachtfalter by Stefanie Pollmeier and I am just so thrilled when I found out that there are lotsa knitter on Ravelry who actually want to held a knit-a-long for this. 

  

This pullover is worked in round for its ribbing with a very neat cable pattern and continue by working flat for its lace part with a very beautiful Honeybee stitch that creates a sophisticated overall look. 

It is a 6weeks KAL, which started on 3rd June and to be finished latest by 15th July 2013. And the best part of all lots of great prizes offer for those who can finish the project on time.

So I start my swatching yesterday night, using a local made yarn called Soft Cotton Acrylic, made of 60% cotton, 40% acrylic which I found will be suitable enough to be worn in a hot weather country like mine here.

Call me lazy or anything else for doing the swatch both the ribbing and the lace part on one piece, but I love to see how my swatch turn out and makes me can't wait to see how my whole project will look like on me once I finish.

Managed to get the gauge for the ribbing area after swatching it for two time, cos this part seems to be kind of important in determining how nicely fit it will be once finished.
As for the honeybee lace, I am just loving it. It actually was easier that I thought earlier, thanks to a very detailed explanation on Stephanie's Blog.

Gauge achieved with needle size 3mm for ribbing & 3.75mm for the lace

However I decided, I will go a size higher for the ribbing part, cos I like it to fit me comfortably with a positive ease. And really can't wait to finish mine soon.

The Last Wednesday of the Month.

I finally have the time to sit down in front of my laptop and web browsing through some great blogs, on this very last Wednesday on the month of May.

Found out these great blogs : Tami's Amis  & Small Things that encourage people to actually share their work in progress on any crafts online every Wednesday. 

You can check out what other crafters are doing this week listed in those two blogs as well. It caught my interest for sure and definitely is my first event to join which sounds really fun.

A little encouragement from others will sure boost up the mood to get the project finish soon, especially when you know there will be some of the reader that will drop by to read your blog on the progress you made, I assume.

Tami's Amis Blog

Ginny's Blog - Small Thing

So here is my work in progress for this week: a pullover with a cable and lace pattern, progressing at 60% done, worked in round and I am desperately hoping to get it completed by end of the week. 

The only issue I have now, I accidentally hurt my right hand while I start knitting this few days back. Somehow this yarn that I used was not moving smoothly on my bamboo needle - Etimo Carry C, so I have to push almost every stitch I am about to knit. 

Never have this kind experience with other yarn of the same type though. I ended up have to change the needle to aluminium circular - Addi fixed circular and it did help the stitches to move smoothly but sadly my hand already hurts, so I still need to slow down and take a rest another day or two.

Finger crossing that my hand will heal soon and I can get back to finishing the pullover.

Finished Project on May.

Only a couple of week left to end of the month of May. Gosh..how time moves very fast do scare me a lot sometimes and make me think back on what I have actually done to get through it.

I know I supposed to update my blog as what I have promised earlier this year, but sometimes with all the hectic activities happening almost everyday, the brain seems to get stuck on what should I write on blog.

However, I do force myself to at least write in once a month though, or else what is the point of creating the blog, rite.

So, talked about my achievement, I actually manage to finished two wearable project as a test pattern project from Ravelry; Windsong Bolero by Nitza Coto. This is a lovely lace-button down bolero which turns out to be cardigan for me cos I am only 5.1" tall and still I love how it looks on me.

 

The other finished wearable is also a test pattern called V-Line Pullover designed by Svetlana Volkova, this is a very quick top down pullover which really great for a beginner to try on, and I just love the colour gradation effect from the yarn.

I definitely proud of myself and could not believe at first on what I am actually capable in achieving. Yeay Me \'(^^,)'/

My very own SOCKS...finally!!!

Yes, finally....!!!

I have knitted a socks from scratch after having the book on how to make one for as long as I could remember.
Been haunted with the eagerness to actually try on the process of knitting my own socks and triggered by quite numbers of picture posted by another knitter on Instagram, I force myself to spend the time to start making one.





Referring to this great book called "Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks", my very own hand-knitted socks finally completed within a week time. Considering I only knit for an hour or two a day, it was a great achievement for a beginner socks-knitter like me.

This book is really a very good references for any new sock knitter with a very detailed step by step picture shown on how the knitting progress should be and the best part of all is you will have both side finished at the same time.


 Though the size made is only fit my daughter's foot and the design is simple enough, I am really glad that I have accomplished my goal of knitting socks.

A Great Start of April.

On my last blog, I did mention that I have submitted some of my finished knitting project to a contest held locally by an online shop, using the yarn bought from the shop as the main condition to be fulfilled.
I submitted 4 projects in total: a triangle shawl, a kids sweater and 2 adult wearable.

And guess what.... one of my project WON!!! As a reward from winning I received an amazing great package of yarns, knitting notion and books from the shop.

I could not be more happier as this awards has earned me the recognition of my knitting skill from all local knitters and also has become the stepping stone to sharpen my skill for sure. 

What is up with March.

It has been a while since the last time I write something on this blog.
Promise made to fill up the blog with some writing has not yet been accomplished for sure. Time management has been an issue for me lately. Hassling with house-chores, kid and hubby, not to forget my offline yarn shop.

But I still manage to get some knitting project done in this month though and entering to few contest held locally and international too.

Polaire Pullover, Pattern by Julliana Lund

The above pullover was made as a pattern testing for Julliana Lund on Ravelry, named Polaire pullover. Knitted using Pierrot Yuttari Silky yarn, used up only 250grams yarns to complete. I also submitted this for a chance to win some amazing prize at 2013 Spring 8th Pierrot Yarn Contest. The contest is ending on 10th May, so hopefully I earn a spot as one of the winner in it.

Sashiko Cardigan, pattern by Ellen Gill

This the second wearable project is also one of the test pattern from Ravelry, which I managed to complete this month. The pattern called Sashiko Cardigan, designed by Ellen Gill. I entered this to a local contest held online by Papiput Yarn Shop. This was knitted using Sublime yarns and used up 400grams of yarns. Loving the details of this pattern for sure and never regretted to have signed up for the test cos I get to learn some new technique through it.

This month of March also been truly an amazing month for me, surprisingly the project which I posted in Google+ for fun, was chosen as the weekly winner by Yarn Mountain and won me a copy of free eBook of knitting pattern and some discounts applicable for any yarn purchase at Yarn Mountain's website.

    

So... I were asked how was my March been going, all I could say is "It has been really amazing ^^, "

Week 5 - 32/365 : Exhausting week!

So it has been a while since my last post few weeks back, whereby I promosed myself to update this blog weekly earlier this year.
Actually things been hectic the last few weeks, both me and my little girl had a very bad cough and flue. And even worse my hubby infected by chickenpox.
The sickness moment been going for about a week and a half with all the normal activities been reschedule. It was quite intense and tiring for me honeslt, but I just have no choice but to go through with it and have to stay stong even I am actualy struggling from recovering my self from the cough and flu.

During that hectic period, for sure no yarn and needle touched. I was just to tired for everything after along busy day, replacing hubby to stay at the shop whole day.
Thankfully, with a very strict diet for the cough, I recovered quite fast and able to finish up some project from the WIPs bag after that.

I am just glad with my this two weeks performance and just could not be more proud,
I finish 2 kids cardigan, 1 adult cardigan, 1 hat and 1 shawl, qute impressive huh, hahaha.
So here are the pictures of my finished project for these 2 weeks:

Week 1 - 02/365 : First post of the year

Here is my 1st post of the year 2013. As the resolutions have been set up for this year, one of it will be regularly updating this beloved dog, which mostly about my handmade of course.

So I have been spending my year end & new year holiday with house sitting for my mom since they are on holiday. Kind of sad though since I can't join along. But then having the companion of hubby and my daughter, it sure cure the sadness.

Talk about resolutions, aside from the one goal I mentioned earlier, for this 2013 I have decided to set few goals to achieve by end of the year, which are:
1. Knit at least 5 pieces of adult size wearable, using the pattern I have purchased all this while.
2. Focus more on handling the business of my yarn shop.
3. Stop spending recklessly on yarns and pattern books, which I know for sure, this will not be as easy as I thought it will be.
4. Clearing the projects kept in the WIPs bag, have start to decide to finish it or just rip it of to make some other project. This includes to finish one WIP before starting the new one, unless there is some exceptional case like this one - not enough yarn of the same colour.

Finger crossing the few points mention above will eventually all checked when the year 2013 end too with the enthusiastic new year spirit along the year. Happy New Year \'(^^,)'/

It is the last week of the year!

Another 4 more days, the year 2012 is about to end. Was thinking and analyzing did I managed to get my resolutions made earlier this year actually accomplished.
Well, let's just say there some resolutions still will be included in next year list definitely.
I guess it is just a common human mistake and error..hahahaha.

So, lately ideas on yarn and needle related been flying everywhere in my head and I ended up with jugling with few projects at the same time. And for those of you-fellow knitter, might just understand how frustrating it can be, when there is just too many things to complete within such short time and yet you still have to feed your curiousity on making your idea comes to life.

And with the holiday season around, I actually have the spare time to actually make it happen. Here are some pictures of the projects which I have been working on during the holiday:

This Entrelac kids cardigan is actually inspired by a friend project. And because I finally managed to get myself familiar with this technique also found the suitable yarn from my stash, I decided to give it a try on knitting even without any pattern to refer to.
I am done with the other sleeve already and now left another sleeve also the edging to finish up.

I started this project because I attracted to the design shown in a book while correcting my student's work which is also in the same design. Decided to knit this specially for my mom, since she always complaining bout how old is her favourite sweater already.

The initial plan is to get it done before the 30th December so she can bring it along during her vacation. But I doubt the timing now, since I still need to work on both sleeves and its edging.

This hat is a-one day project which at first was meant for my hubby's customer's son but turn out it fits an adult head instead. So decided to give it to my sister as her upcoming birthday present, since she did request me to make her a hat some time ago.

The hat pattern is my original design and just love the finished look of it. Hoping to have time to write down the pattern soon.

20.12.2012

A date to remember which may only be experienced once in your life time.
And from what been predicted, it may be the last day before the dooms day.
So I have this one thing about learning this knitting thecnique called Entrelac, which has been bugging me for a while since the last time I saw a friend's finished knitted project.
Just like usual, lack of time has been always be the main reason why I have not managed to actually learn this technique though I have bought the book since a year ago.

Today, I finally decided to actually spare some time for it without clearly knowing what to create using this technique though. Found out that Entrelac, despite of its complicated looks on the finished project, its not as difficult as what I thought earlier. Really glad to finally able to learn it at last.

After all, you just don't what will happen tomorrow but at least you manage to fill your available time with something which might be useful and you just have nothing to loose ;))

Finished project of the week!

Here comes another weekend and it is the third week of November 2012 already.
I managed to finish 3 project this week. Not quite big achievement if I said, since I didn't spend my time fully on finishing them too. But at least the list of WIPs is finally slowly cleared up and it is time to work on something new.

I did this same pattern of hat last week but with different colour.
This was made by order received online too. Comparing it to the green one, this one has a more slouchy finishing since I used bigger hook to crochet.

This stokinette circular scarf was knitted with my very own pattern, with a garter stitch ribbing on its side.
Started it of with a provisional cast on, which meant to hide its seaming.

Since I knitted it quite long, approximately 190cm, it can be worn in three style as shown in picture. This is too made for order received online

Just finished this square today, which takes only about an hour to crochet. A new pattern released by Thata Pang, this square is just so lovely and simple to make.
Planning to make more soon and turn it out become a big project.

Colour changed ???

Remember my last pattern tester done from last month? The Haubergeon tops?
When I finished knitting it, I have not got the time to actually blocking the tops to get the better final result. So the other day, I finally make it to happen.

Since the material was actually local made cotton and the colour also not too stricking, I was expecting there will be no colour changing at all. But check this out, see what happen.

The colour of the water is changing yellow instead of purple, when I expected the water to have no colour at all.

Here is the clearer picture on how the colour of the water had changed from no colour to yellow after I soaked in the tops. Luckily I wash this tops separately.

So here is the tops after a mild wash, ready to be blocked. It seems the garment had shrinked a little bit after wash and I am just glad to find out the that the bust has actually meets the size which I supposed to do for this oattern though.

By the way I had detached the sleeves which I done earlier since I have done a size bigger than my actual body size, that is why during blocking, I pulled the tops longer hoping the bust of the garment will become smaller.

Friday WIPs

Here some of my WIPs that I am planning to finished up soon. Considered to be a nit greedy to work on spfew big project on the same thing I think..hahaha..but it is all part of kicking out the boredom if having to work on one project.

Digged this project out from my WIPs bag, a wearable started way long ago, from 2004. Never get to finish it since it started, due to lack of knowledge in knitting wearable without any guidance.

This was the second project after my very first lesson from the local yarn shop where I learn to knit.

So since currently I think that myself been capable enough to knit on my own, I decide to finish this project up soon.

Second WIPs for the week is this circular scarf made by order received online. The request is this scarf to be long and wide enough to be wrapped around the neck.

It has reached 100cm length now, with a simple my very owned design of stokinette with garter band on each side. Plan to finish it off with 180cm length.

Here is my another project that I am soon to start. Was checking the gauge with the soft cotton from my shop.

This project taken from Free Pattern Tester Group called 'Hear Apart Girl's Sweater' design by MariChiba.

The submission dateline is this end of the month but I just want to finish this up as soon as possible so I can clear up my another WIPs.