The Shug Take 2 - Completed!

I've now completed The Shrug - yay!

I had some initial problems with the lace pattern.  The first time after knitting about 6 rows, I realised the 'holes' weren't aligned.  Being a virgin lace knitter, I had no idea how to fix it so I my only choice was to frog it back to the ribbing.  Then the second time, the holes didn't align AGAIN.  After getting pissed off, I nearly stopped the project but on reconsideration decided that third time should be lucky.  I concentrated extra hard on my work and finally yay, the shrug was well on it's way.  For anyone who is not used to knitting lace patterns, I cannot emphasise enough that you need to pay attention! 

Once I got into the rhythm I did luuuurvvve knitting it - the lace pattern is so addictive! 

The deconstructed Shrug.  Ready for construction.  Yep.

Now onto the home stretch - seaming the edges.  Ugh.  As I mentioned in my Baby Booties post, I hate seaming.  I really need to perfect my technique before diving in to making something I potentially want to wear in public.  All that effort to knit up something nice is reduced to nothing when it gets ruined with bad seaming.  Well, that is pretty much what has happened to the Shrug.  Dammit.

My main criticism is that I should've gone with my gut instinct and not have slipped the first stitch as the pattern instructed.  The pattern promised that slipping the first stitch would result in easier seaming!  I've only ever seamed projects otherwise.... consequently, my seams ended up being so, so, SO ugly!  It's not too bad as the way the shrug sits, the awful seams are hidden beneath my armpits.  But when the garment moves, it's all too terribly obvious.  Also, it's a bit loose on my upper arms as a result of me not seaming it high enough. 

I am undecided about whether I like it or not.  Probably because I set my sights on wanting to LOVE it.  I'm much happier about how it sits on me than the previous disaster (of which the seams were much neater), but ...nnnngggh... I still can't get over my perfectionist tendencies.

The back view.  My cute posing helps a lot.

Front view.  Yep the seams are nicely hidden by my armpits. 

How the shrug will look when I am doing my 'normal' thing. 

Anyway, I probably will wear it one day.  I also may have another attempt at knitting the shrug at a later stage.  Now, onto a different knitting project! 

Baby Blue Baby Booties

In between knitting the shrug and doing nothing else, I completed another set of baby booties for Lymbo's lil one PanDanny.  Female Lymbo did state her request loud and clear and I sure aim to please. :D

They were made during down times at work and it's pretty cool that I was inadvertantly being paid to knit.  While the boot itself is simple and quick to knit up, it's the sewing up which drags down the whole job.  So fiddly!  I actually put them aside for some time to avoid the whole seaming ordeal and because of that, I think that these shall be my last booties for a while.

PanDanny - enjoy your booties!  I hope they don't fall apart (too quickly).

The Shrug - Take 2

Well after my previous attempt to make a shrug, I've decided it's time to bring the knitting needles out of hibernation and try again this time with different pattern.  I'm hoping this will be less tedious than the previous shrug and knit up more quickly given the 'holes' in the lace pattern.

My shoulder span is the same as the pattern's author so I'm going to follow the instructions exactly as written and hope for the best.  I'm not going to commit hours on end of continuous knitting like the previous shrug but rather just knit in my spare time.  So while you probably won't see the finished product anytime soon, rest assured that I'm not killing myself trying to complete it asap.  I'm quite lucky that the nature of my work often gives me some 'quiet time' and more importantly, no eyebrows are raised when I pick up my knitting at work.

Here's a progress shot - yay I've finished the initial ribbing. 

Let's hope I don't have to frog this one too!

No Longer a Security Threat!

Good news!  *excited gasp* Knitting needles are now allowed on Australian domestic flights!  Yippee for me and all the grandmas out there! May your flight pass by more quickly and may you no longer be escorted off the plane!

Applied Knitting

Well the little recipient of the knitted baby set has grown up a bit (all 8 months that he is) but it's been a fair while since I've seen him.  He's already outgrown the beanie and the mittens are a bit tight, but if I really wanted to I could force them on. Hehehe...  But it's good to know he still fits the booties (if only just). 

Here are his little tootsies - aww baby appendages are so cute.

Hibernating the Sticks

Well I'm about to finish a yellow version of the baby set sans jacket (no time!). No pictures cos it was just the same thing but in yellow. There's still a few more projects I have queued but unfortunately, I've decided to give the sticks a bit of a rest. This blog is far way behind as it is and the knitting does nothing to help. Given that the warmer *cough* weather is approaching then it seems even more appropriate for the sticks to hibernate.

Stuff I still want to make include some toys (a knitted lobster!), a different shrug and the usual shawls, scarves and hats (just prettier ones). Aaah too many hobbies, so little time *sigh*

The Knitting Answer Book

My recent obsession with knitting has lead me to accrue an wondrous assortment of knitting related stuff. Anyone just learning how to knit? Come to me, I'll probably have something you can play with! The difficulty with not personally knowing a professional knitter can leave me in a sticky situation when I don't quite understand pattern instructions or just need good old fashion guidance. I could ask my dear Mummy, but hmmm she's on the other side of the world and hasn't knitted properly for a good two decades. Where's a Rental Knitting Grandma when you need one? I've found the next best thing - The Knitting Answer Book!

You could try and carry a laptop in your knitting bag and access the various helpful websites (Knitting Help is an excellent one and youtube has heaps of videos), but it's not exactly practical. This book is smaller than your average novel, more like a pocket dictionary but it's packed full of knitting tips, conversion tables and diagrams. It sits very happily in my Cath Kidston knitting bag. I first picked up the book in Loop and thought 'Hey! This is really useful!'. Of course, then I went to Amazon to find it cheaper haha. Hmm I just realised the author runs knitting classes. Useful to know, but I don't reside in the US.

I don't think I can apply my normal book rating scale here as it's not really something you read from start to finish but I'll rate it anyway:

Quality of Content: 4 if you're a knitter, 1 if you're not
Readability: 5 if you're a knitter (very plain English), 1 if you're not

For those who can't find the answer to your knitting dilemma and need a bit of human touch (via email or in person if you live in London!), then I totally recommend Aneeta Patel of Knitting SOS. She'll happily answer your email query (efficiently too! Roughly about a 24 hour turnaround) all free of charge! Aaaah, some people are just so generous!

The shrug - Completed!

Well, I've finally seamed up the shrug that has haunted me over the past two months. I actually finished it about two weeks ago but the baby set took up all my time that I hadn't bothered to blog about it.

I could tell from early on in this project that it wasn't going to turn out how I wanted. But I persevered just so I could see the completed garment and have some idea as to whether I could really construct a wearable piece of clothing.

Here's the shrug sewn up. Yep it's a circular shrug.

How it looks assembled. Looking ok there I guess.

This is how it sits on me with a brooch I bought from Primmy for £1. I bought it just for this purpose!

Anyway, I think the shrug is DISGUSTING. I didn't realise that the mock rib stitch would make the garment so dense. Coupled with the thickish yarn and large needles, the result was a shrug which was heavy and better resembled a blanket. It felt like a thick jacket but with no arms - a pointless piece of clothing and not what I wanted at all!

So.... what to do with a knitted garment you don't want? You frog it! And so I did.

Pulling it all apart and re-balling all my yarn.

All the yarn that once constituted my shrug.

Now that I've got all this yarn (It's quite pretty too - it's got sparkles!) I should decide how it should be reincarnated. I still want to make a shrug but I think this yarn might just look better as a lacy wrap or scarf and hat combo. I think I'll just ponder for a while until I find a pattern I like. Also, I bought this particular yarn for the bargain price of £2.50 a ball at I Knit because it's now discontinued. So I can't go around making stuff willy-nilly or else I might not be able to source this yarn if I need extra!

Knitted Baby Set

Knitting for me is quite a joy but it is a serious time killer. I'm not quite up to scratch to those who can knit without glancing at their needles and I'm fastidious about ensuring my stitches turn as as regular as possible. It all leads to a well-fitting garment!

The project I've just completed is a baby set for a newborn who will be my first cousin-once-removed. I had to wiki that. The knitting has taken a whole 2.5 weeks. That might sound like a short period but seriously, ALL my spare time was taken up. I even snuck in a few knitting sessions at work. It's the reason why this blog is not up to date and why the house is so dirty. Also, I killed myself pulling an all-nighter last night in order to complete this in time for the baby shower I'm attending.... today!

But *happy sigh* through my sleepy eyes, I am adoring the fruits of my labour. All the bits of the baby set have now been blocked and I have to say, they look pretty good - I don't want to give them away! However, that would be pointless as I am not with child (or puppy for that matter). I understand there's a kind of daggy stigma attached to hand-knitted goods. For that reason I'll won't be upset if the baby doesn't ever wear them ...... so long as my efforts are appreciated :D

Again all of these knitting patterns are free and easily found on Ravelry.

Baby booties! Pattern can be found here.

Baby mittens. No need to include thumbs - too fiddly!

A baby beanie. The pattern can be found only on Ravelry.

A baby jacket. It took about 7 of the 25 days but I really enjoyed making this. My first project which involved picking up stitches which was a bit of fun! Ok, I find weird things fun.

The baby set ready to be given away.

The yarn I used was Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK which resulted in (mind the gushing) lurrvely garments. Also, I've realised it really pays to use a decent yarn as it leads to a much nicer finish on your garment. Duh, obviously. I've done a few practice projects with acrylic and while it's functional, the finished garment just doesn't look as luxurious.

So now, I'm off the the baby shower! *clap clap*

Pink Knitted Hat

The thing about knitting is that there are TONNES of free patterns available online. I got the pattern for my knitted hat from here. I used the same wool as my waffle scarf, so I could have a matching set - yay!

This was my first project using circular knitting needles and a step up from the sewn up hat that I made last year. Man, circular knitting needles are easy to use! Also, you don't get that horrible seam on a sewn up hat! This knitted up fairly quickly as the yarn I used is kinda thick and the needle size was a 6.5mm. I modified the pattern slightly so it was more floppy like a beret rather than a beanie.

Look! I'm using the stitch counters from my knitting accessory kit! *clap clap* Prior to that I was using a mixture of rings and elastic hair bands.

The finished product after blocking (ooh knitting lingo) the hat:

One side... the other side!

Hippy doing a pretty good job at modelling the hat.

How it sits on moi.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with how the hat turned out. It's a pretty good project for first time circular knitting and gives you just a slight challenge with the button strap so it's not an overly repetitive knit. It's turned out fairly dense because of the thick wool but that pretty useful for the winter here. Otherwise, once I leave London, I might never wear it again!

Cool Knitting Stuff

Yes, I put the words 'cool' and 'knitting' together in the same sentence. It is cool! And fun! And somewhat satisfying too!

My birthday was hmmm a few months ago but my friends didn't forget. They were just hanging out for the perfect gift for me (one of which I specifically requested hehehe).

My current obsession for knitting needed to be fed and I was generously given a few pressies including a Clover knitting accessory kit - full of very useful items indeed. Also, I received a Cath Kidston knitting bag which is just uber, uber cool. I know there are people out there who aren't fans of the retro chic designs but I just ruv, ruv, RUV them! I want to buy the whole store!

Me filling up the bag so it looks good for it's first photo shoot. It's quite roomy too! I can fit several balls of yarn, plenty of knitting needles, my knitting help book, the accessory kit and have room to spare!

In addition, I also received the Porsche of interchangeable knitting needles, the Addi-Click Turbos :D I need never to buy another needle again! Ok, ok so maybe one or two pairs. Oh Addi, the product of German manufacturing, I do adore you.

The cords are made of gold. GOLD, I tells ya!!

Yep, I was pretty darn happy to get these.

The case is pretty darn sexy too. *purrr, purrrr*

Look at the kit *rawr* Like a sexy dissection kit. If this doesn't make knitting sexy, I don't know what does.

Also included was this pretty heart pin. The function of this pin is a bit mysterious. Might just be for pritti-prittiness only.

I can't wait to use my pressies! Thanks guys! *muah!*

Knitting Project - The Shrug

My current knitting project (which has taken a very long time) is a shrug. I got the pattern for free from here and thought 'Yep, ok this is the next step from hats and scarves'.

Here is an almost-finished progress shot:

I've nearly finished the second 2x2 ribbed section! Yay, the home stretch!

The mock ribbing middle section took FOREVER and I tried to knit during idle time e.g riding on buses, the tube etc..

I kinda think I picked the wrong type of yarn because a shrug should be a light piece of clothing and already I feel it's too bulky. I'm going to complete knitting this anyway so I can see the final product. Then I'll sew up the seams and then decide if I hate it or not :S

Me: The Superbad, Super Evil Security Threat

I'm pretty eager to finish off this scarf for Smee in time for the London winter. Before leaving London and with the long haul flight in mind, I figured knitting was a really good way to wile away the hours and be productive at the same time. I was a bit apprehensive about bringing my needles on the flight but after reading a few sites (this one being quite useful) and checking my international airline carrier's prohibited list, the general consensus was that knitting needles were okay. I packed my project along with the most innocuous needles - clear plastic, bendable, blunt ended, glittery - into my carry-on. They don't even appear on the security scanners. If I had to remove from my carry-on, oh well, I'd just buy another pair of needles later. They're not exactly expensive.

Anyway, I made it through the Heathrow security scanners without an issue. I managed to knit for a few good hours on the flight from London to Hong Kong and again during the Hong Kong-Oz leg. Woo-hoo! The flight attendants didn't give me a second look. Yay!

I figured if I can knit on an international flight, then I would have no probs on a domestic flight, right? BZZZZZZZ ..... WRONG!

The Melb-Syd flight is not a long one, but it's a decent amount of 'knitting time'. There I was happily knitting when the following occurred (the conversation was a little more extensive but you get the picture):

Male Flight Attendant: Excuse miss, but I'm going to have to ask you to put those away.
Moi: Huh? But they bend. *bends needle as proof* And they're more blunt than a pen.
MFA: I'm sorry, but it's because of these... *points to needle ends* Unfortunately, we don't make the rules.
Moi: Ok, fine. *finishes row and puts needles away*

Ten minutes later.....

Female Flight Attendant: Excuse miss, but because of your prohibited items, I'm going to have to ask you to remain on the plane when we land.
Moi: *raises eyebrow with an incredulous look* What? *I scoff*
FFA: We're going to need you wait behind while all the other passengers leave and security will need to guide you out of the terminal.

My face was a furrowed brow with wide-eyed absurdity. I nearly started laughing in her face. Smee sat there gaffawing in the window seat. What logic allows me to knit for HOURS on an international flight and yet it is intolerable on a 1 hour domestic flight?

I mean, I know I look super-dangerous and intimidating with my body builder frame, gold teeth, mean monobrow, scarred face and tattooed forearms but ...... really? My bendy, glittery knitting needles? Maybe they were more worried about my innate ninja skillz suddenly materialising.

So I sat waiting for 'security' to guide me out of the terminal. What I got was a female airline staff member (no older than me I assume) who happily tried to chat to me on our way out of the terminal. It was all just a bit ridiculous.

Annoyed as I was, I later reviewed the airline's prohibited items list and there is NOTHING ... NOTHING!! about knitting needles. I totally understand the importance of airport security but where do they draw the line between the necessary and the excessive?

My First Hat!

Wanting to move up from the world of scarves, my next knitting project was a hat. After re-knitting my scarf, I had some leftover yarn which I estimated would be enough for this simple hat. I have no idea how to use circular knitting needles at this stage, so I chose a pattern which required sewing up.

Photowhoring.

The hat doesn't really sit on my head like how it does in the pattern's photo but it sits ok-ish. I do think I look like I'm wearing a tea cosy, but it's a warm hat and it matches my scarf so I'm quite content.

Re-Done Scarf

Well, I did it. I unwound the four balls of wool which collectively made my moss stitch scarf and re-knitted them into a less bulky version. I'm quite happy with the result because now, the puffin-chest effect has disappeared.

Before and After

Before - Scarf chokes and causes Puffin Chest Effect
After - No Puffin Chest!

Not terribly happy with having to end on a purl stitch at the end of my rows, giving the sides a wonky look but the scarf does the job and that's what matters. I will look back one day and laugh at my feeble knitting attempts. At least, I hope I do.

Knitting Projects Completed

Well since I picked up the sticks, I've just stuck to a few simple projects. Three scarves in fact. You can never be short on scarves in London.

My moss stitch scarf.

Using a thick yarn and big sticks, this was completed very quickly. I didn't realise how bulky it would be and when I wear it, I get sweaty!

The scarf.... slowly suffocating me.

I think I might have to 'frog' it (oooh knitting slang!) and knit it up again and make it less bulky.

My waffle scarf. Oooh I do like this one. The free pattern can be found here.

Another scarf. *yawn* It was made with the thought of giving it to a man. I might just force this upon Spuey.

Once you've mastered the scarf, it does get a bit boring. I feel the need to be challenged. I think I'll try a hat next.

Picking up the Sticks

I first learned how to knit... oh I dunno about 16 years ago. My ma is a trained seamstress and a deft hand at knitting and crochet. While growing up our house was always full of sewing kits, thread, material, yarn and knitting accessories. I remember trying to teach myself how to knit from her books but in the end it was all a bit confusing and she taught me the basics instead.

I began a scarf of which I completed one half, got bored, set it aside and it was completed about 3 years later by Mummy dearest. I still own it!

For a skill that lay happily dormant for the better half of my life, for some reason I've been itching to learn it again. Maybe it's the impending London winter. Maybe I'm just getting old. When someone suggested going to knitting classes, I said YES! When someone else said they had a friend who's been knitting since she was 5 and was happy to teach us, it was even happier times!

I bought my knitting needles and a ball of yarn in preparation for the free class, but they sat there longing for me to play with them. That is where the age of information comes in handy. I basically re-taught myself the long lost knitting skillz before the free class even started. This website was particularly helpful.

So when everyone gathered at my place - all seven of us, I did feel like a nerd who completed her homework before everyone else. I can't help it, I got really excited!

At the same time, I can see this is bordering on obsession. Also, I'm not exactly a fast knitter and I can see that this will already eat into my recreational time. I barely have enough time to blog, exercise and read books as it is. Grrr, why do I always have to pick up the time-consuming hobbies!?! It's a love-hate thing. *pat pat the knitting needles*