Garter border repairs

Imagine finding this along the border when the stole is about 5 repeats to the finishing line? Stockinette in between Garter rows!!!



As with most of my knitting mistakes,I decided I wasn't going to live with it, glaring at me each time I use the Stole so decided to try 'making' some garter ridges over the stitches.


The results didn't look too bad ya? and it took a while to find the patch later.



It feels like ages since I've posted an FO, I can't wait, so here's a peep at Kimono Stole blocking.










I've sent off the first SP10 parcel to my Spoilee who is down with a bad bout of stomach flu in the hope that it'd cheer her up. Since it is Registered, the postal clerk insisted on my address on the package, how do other SP Senders get round this 'give away'?

Spoiler and Spoilee

It took me an entire dinner time to tell DH and daughter about SP10, Spoilers and Spoilees. I was half expecting them to go "ooh.. your knitting ladies again..!" but guess what, they thought it's such a novel idea and are looking forward to see how this new 'knitting gift exchange' will turn out.

I've heard from my Spoiler and contacted my Spoilee whose Blog I've enjoyed reading. All this 'must keep my identity secret' is 'exciting stress' !

Updates

Most progress...Kimono Stole...almost 40%

Slowly..Whole Clan Aran Jumper....casting on sleeves

Worst....Ogee sleeveless top...needs concentration

Maybe....IK Spring 2007....plain sleeves???

Hope everyone had better progress than me! Gosh! just realised that all the pictures except for the grey jumper are in shades of Blue.

I'm back!

I'm back...,with no new FOs, a frogged Kimono stole, 2 old WIPs and new cast on Kimono. So much for planning to complete the Aran jumper by end February and showing off Ogee in this entry!

The ten days I was off work during the Chinese New Year break were spent mostly sleeping, eating and catching up with visiting relatives. It was so hot and humid most of the time that the idea of having this huge mass of wool on my lap wasn't such a good idea. How much can one knit with sticky fingers from constantly dipping into festive cookie jars??
And that brings me to the 'mystery' of the 3 additional pounds that seem to have appeared overnight....and so today is the official start of my week long DIET.

Anyway, I decided the Aran jumper can wait till June and I'd mail it off then. Truffles was sewn up and packed but I forgot to take pictures. The one below was hastily dug out of son's luggage 10 minutes before setting off for the airport. I'm afraid it looks muddy instead of dark chocolate brown in the photo.

In the meantime, the Kimono stole pattern in variegated merino mohair just didn't look right and I decided to frog after 3 repeats. Better than regretting later I guess.
I replaced it with the Fingering weight light blue cashmere (remember that tangled mess a few blogs ago?) which shows off the pattern much better.

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Would be happy to receive suggestions on other projects for this laceweight variegated yarn.

Pattern : Truffles, Drops Pattern 25-83
Chest Size: 42"
Yarn: Knitpicks Swish Superwash, colour Truffle
Amount: 16 x 50 gm x 110 yds

Needles: 5 mm

The whole clan jumper is knitted with Swish Coast Grey on 4.5 mm needles instead of 5mm and the twisted cable -mistake rib stitches makes a much firmer texture. Although I'm happy with how Truffles turned out, it's a little too 'soft'. I'd much prefer a firmer feel to the garment and would have been perfect had I went with a tighter gauge.

I love the yarn and would definitely use it again.

SP 10 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I love working with natural fibres, especially wool / silk mixtures. Not too fond of mohair and acrylics. Buys mostly Rowan yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Most of them are kept in several long rectangular moon-cake boxes and I have a canvas Knitting Needles bag from years ago just for straights.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Possibly between intermediate to advanced and definitely no expert yet. Was taught to knit in school at 12 yrs, continued with scarves and jumpers into college and university. Didn’t knit for many years when I came back to warmer climes and saw the prices at the LYS (very little online stuff in the good ole days). Started again in 2005 when son left for college and hasn’t stopped since!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Not really, only orders from them when I can’t find the book locally.

5. What's your favorite scent?
Lavender and Rose in any form. Has many favourites, mostly floral and will always have Dior Diorissmo on the dressing table.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Not much of a sweet tooth but loves dark chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Nope, no time for anything else except for knitting. Don’t’ spin either but does some yarn painting with food dyes occasionally.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Yes, my PC plays all formats. Prefers Oldies (50s – 80s) and anything else that’s not loud.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I tend to buy darker colours for work and brighter pastels for casuals. Am a little conservative with yarn purchases and tend to go for ‘safe’ colours. However am trying to be more adventurous with my purchases recently. Cannot stand ‘electric’ colours.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Hubby,two kids, a maid and dog. My eldest son is in university and daughter pursuing ‘A’ Levels in college. Large projects like Jumpers are usually for son and daughter needs trendy stuff like shrugs. Dottie, our Basset and Golden Retriever mix loves to sniff at wool but not other yarn. (something about dogs and sheep??)

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Would love to be able to wear hats but I look terrible no matter which way I place them, so have given up unless travelling in Winter. No mittens in temperatures like ours – average 28 -30 C, year round . Likes to wear stoles / shawls in air-conditioned office and church.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks and shrugs for instant gratification! Prefers having at least 2 WIPs at one time. One for mindless knitting when watching TV and the other a little more challenging. I tend to knit things that I need and can use frequently.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Currently on the needles : a jumper, sleeveless top and the Kimono stole

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes, I do, very much. and appreciates gifts made just for me!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Depends – I prefer straights to cast on lace patterns and knitting scarves. All other work is knitted with my Addis or Denise circulars. I still use DPNs for sleeves but am beginning to prefer Magic Loop, especially for socks. Prefers aluminium, bamboo and plastic in that order.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I have a yarn winder but no swift

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Ogee sleeveless top since before Christmas 2006

18. What is your favorite holiday?
All holidays with every member of our family together is always special. In general any holiday when I’m off work where I also get to knit and knit!

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Figurines of ducks and pigs. Wall plates, wall plates and wall plates..

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have bought most of the books I want. As for yarn – wanst to try Seasilk and Noro. I subscribe to IK, buys Rowan online. Would love to have old IK, Vogue and Rowan mags – pre 2006

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Steeking when I can find the courage and Fair Isle.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Oh yes! I’m a UK size 3.5

23. When is your birthday?
27th June

Happy Chinese New Year

It's Chinese New Year on Sunday the 18th, and in between travelling to the In-laws (an hour's drive to the south) and my brothers' (four hours to the north) during the week, I'm hoping to finish at least 2 WIPs.
The reunion dinner on Saturday is going to be almost complete for my parents-in-law as all their children, but one, and their families will be home. Last year we were minus my son in Melbourne but he's back just for the celebrations.

And so, to all of you 'Gong Xi Fa Cai', wishing you Prosperity and Good Health.

DH and I will be using these red packet envelopes, aren't the boy-girl piggies cute? (it's the year of the boar/pig )

Here's why I haven't been knitting much this past week!

I'm still short of my 12 fruit cake loaves and 'Murphy' had to come say 'hello!' The microwave function of my brand new micro-oven just went 'kaput', but luckily the oven still works and I was just negotiating with the repairman to come back after the New Year if he can't fix it today. But no, he's got to dismantle the panel and promises he'll be back bright and early tomorrow with the replacement. (He said he noticed my baking stuff on the work top, bless him!). I had planned to finish by this evening so the cakes will get an extra brushing of Rum /Brandy before gift wrapping them.

Another mad rush but it's only once a year and I do enjoy baking and giving the fruit cakes away to friends and relatives. It's a Christmas Celebration recipe which somehow became a Chinese New Year favourite where I triple the amount of alcohol in each cake. And that's not including the daily brushings on top!

I've signed up - SP10

To those of you who've commented that I haven't been updating my blog that often, you're right. I have been a little lethargic on that front since Christmas. I blame this state of affairs on the 2 jumpers I've planned to finish by February. They're huge and are taking up all my knitting time. While I'm busy knitting away, there's really nothing much to update at times.


Here's number two in Grey Knitpicks Swish , this time on smaller 4.5mm needles. Truffles was knitted as worsted on 5mm.

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This, I consider my mindless knitting project while the Kimono stole below, knitted with mohair merino laceweight, provides some challenge and requires a tad more concentration. It's an easier knit compared to my recent FOs.

SP10 is finally open and I've signed up. It's a first for me and I am kindda excited at the prospect of mysterious parcels arriving. Here's hoping I get paired off with a 'nice' spoiler and someone will find me likewise!!

Truffles

I'm in the midst of deciding my next projects and swatching for them so this is going to be short and rather devoid of exciting pictures.

Remember the tanggled mess of my last post? After more hours of sheer frustration it is now that neat little ball in the picture. As for the maroon cone next to it, I will not attempt to wash and bloom it no matter how tempting. Indeed the blue cashmere is much softer after the bath (or ordeal?).

Truffles (excuse the over exposed picture) is completed except for some underarm seaming and the collar. It's going to stay unsewn till I'm decided whether to comtinue knitting it to a Polo or leave it as is.

A tangled mess!

These two yummy skeins from the knittery came via Australian relatives way way before Christmas and I'm still nowhere near starting any projects with them. I intend to get all WIPs out of the way first.Passion Fruit, a Mohair Merino laceweight will probably grow up to be a Kimono shawl while there's no plans yet for Moonlight, the Merino 2 ply.

Clever me made some major adjustments to the ribbing and stitch count for Truffles which got knitted in double quick time. When I paused to admire how well the raglan yoke was turning out over the weekend...horrors!!!! oooh! the sick in the stomach feeling you get when you know something's gone terrible wrong? The ribbing count on both sides of the cable didn't match!
Since it's knitted in the round there was more to frog, a whole 2.5 balls of wool to be exact. Here it is, sleeves reunited with the body and a long way to the collar yet...sigh..

This is staring at me in the family room for sometime now. It was a 1050 yds cone of lace weight cashmere from Colourmart which I decided to wash and bloom before knitting. I'm not going to try explain how I got into this tangled mess.
Hope to have better news in my next update!

An FO and WIPs

Finally, a reliable connection window for pictures! I'm desperate for a blogging fix and am posting from work ...sans chit chat...some yarn and needle details will be updated later.

Pattern : Thorn and Thistle, IK Summer 2006
Chest Size: 38"
Yarn: Catania Cotton
Amount: 6.5 x 50 gm x 135 yds

Needles: 3.25 mm

Modifications : moss stitch on collar and sleeves instead of crochet

Meet Ogee, from Jaeger Handknits No 4, knitted in Japanese Novia cotton. I love the peacock green, there's a subtle sheen to it, but the yarn is a little hard on my fingers. Regg assures me I'm going to love it even more after washing.

This is Truffles (the colour of Knit Picks Swish actually), Drops design 85-23. It's for JS, my son in Melbourne.

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