I've taken the plunge...

and knitted in public! I know I know...while this activity seems normal to the avid knitter, I must admit I've never done it until this Sunday past. I've always thought I'd feel strange knitting in public or someone would sort of start pointing at me. To my surprise, I knitted in public without any major drama. In fact, has knitting came out in the open so much that no one would bat an eyelash to see someone knitting in public?

Anyhoo, the knitting in public episode has resulted in this!

I finished Juliet II! ^^ Knitting in the bamboo has been a mixed feeling. While it does split and drives one mad when needing to unravel a couple of stitches when mistakes are made, I cannot say I'm displeased with the result at all. In fact, knitting the pattern in slightly smaller needles produced a good gauge IMHO. While initially I had problems with a couple of rows, after taking a break, I actually knitted Juliet II without any mistakes. I did not have to do any creative embroidery with this! I love the colour and I'm still undecided if the button would be it. I still want to consider an interesting ribbon to finish it off. But I must say, I'm extremely happy. Serenity gave me knitting bliss! ^^

And knitting in public certainly makes one more productive!

*note Serenity is the name of the yarn used.

In memory of the cakes shared....

... every Saturday by me & J. Peggy Lee's Siamese Cat Song playing on the computer as the customers sip their tea or coffee while browsing. The dead bugs in the jewellery display cases and the dust in the front book case. And the number of times I had to tell people the ugly yellow and black colour choice on the website was not my doing at all and of course...the vacuuming.

This Saturday (23rd Feb 2008) will be my last day working at Wool Baa.

The things I learnt, the things I experienced, the friends I made will be treasured. :) In fact, it's not a goodbye to all, so you'll see me there from time to time. Just because I'm quiting, does not mean I have to stop knitting. ^^ As Melita said to me, now I can be a customer and I can be demanding if I want! ^^

Imelda's Wish

It all started with a birthday wish...

.... and thus Imelda's Wish is contained in this box. She requested for something hand-made and this is what I came up with...

This short necklace features a lovely cloth button, crochetted & glass beads to delight and a little "wish" tag to make sure that all Imelda's wishes would come true. ^^

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On the knitting front, taking time to catch up with my knitting over the long Australia Day weekend. Juliet II had a growth spurt, but not much to deem it finished. So the knitting goes on...

Finally, one project finished!!! (Dad's Scarf)

Forgive the grainy photo, but I did try to catch the details to this scarf knitted using 15mm needles with Zara Col. 1468. ^^ This scarf is my dad's Christmas present... at which point during Christmas I presented to him still in yarn format. ;;^^ But anyway, it's done now and hope my dad will get to get at least 1 wear out of it during winter... for some reason I found the males in my life don't really wear scarves. Except for my older brother who lives in tropical Singapore. Go figure. :P

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Pattern

Material:
3 ends of Zara Col. 1468
A pair of 15mm needles
Darning in needles

How To:
Cast on 10 stitches.
1st row: *K2, P1, repeat from * till last stitch K1.
2nd row: *K2, P1, repeat from * till last stitch K1.
Repeat this until balls run out or desired length is achieved.
Cast off.

A Job!

I've finally been offered a longer contract with the university I'm working for before. However, I've been given the position at another department. Everything seemed so scary, but I guess it it part of going for that first full time job. I didn't know when I got this job, it was meant to be full time... it was really a do'h moment...;;^^

But anyway went for my first day today and they actually gave me an office. I'm still amazed even though there may be a slight chance of me being moved to another office. It was still an office. The place was like a maze and I'm also amazed when I went to staff room I saw a large flat screen TV!!!! With Foxtel on it... o.O

Unlike April's workplace though...lol the dustmites are a mix of male and female...;;^^

Anyway, everything seemed to be pretty much flexible, starting and finishing time etc...

I just hope everything will work out...;;^^

Anyway, hope I can knit soon... if only it's not so hot here...;;^^

New Year's Resolution

This entry is inspired by April's blog entry. The new year is only hmm... hours away and like everyone else, I have my own resolutions. Every new year is a beginning and a continuation so here are my resolutions. ^^

1. To lose weight & live healthier.
I guess that is 2 resolutions isn't it? ;;^^ I have to admit that I have recently gained weight. Maybe it's the Krispy Kreme Donuts, the Doughbuoys Donuts... the creamy (but oh so yummilicious) long-johns and donut that J always got me on most Saturdays... but I really have to lose some weight this coming year. I got the exercise machines. I just need to use them now. ;;^^

2. To actually have a "career".
I've finally finished my official study, so I guess that next step is to actually work properly. Yes, I'm working now, but I guess I just want to be a bit more serious about it now. I hope next year things will work out as I planned and I'll be able to say really what is my occupation by the middle of the year. I don't mind having multiple career, but I just want to work and actually earn some serious money, not erm just pocket money.

3. To re-study my problem-solving materials that I got from my previous supervisor.
This is an odd sounding one... but when I worked as a Research Assistant, I was lucky enough to work with a supervisor who wrote an interesting material on problem solving. I studied it but I got lost somehow in the middle as it became technical. This coming year, I want to study it again and actually apply it.

4. To be a better person (ie. more patient, more loving, more determined and less procrastination!).
You get the idea. :)

5. To study for my JLPT exams (maybe).
I'm still unsure if I really want to get the certification for my Japanese... but I studied it for 3 years before... :P I guess I might as well if I have the time and the money for the lessons. ;;^^

Anyway these are really the ones so far... I'll add to it as I go... haha...

Anyway would be lovely to hear what your resolutions are. ^^

Kris Kringle Scarf II

Similar to my other Kris Kringle scarf (which I'm glad was liked by the recipient as the next day she wore it when I happened to see her on the street!!!), this scarf utilises the idea of patches. So I used up my Jo Sharp DK wool stash and my Cleckheaton Country Natural stash and this is what I came up with. ^^

Hope the other person to get this would be happy too...^^

A Greeting....

What Kind of a Knitter Are You?

You appear to be a Knitting Goddess. You are constantly giving and are unconcerned with reward, you simply want others to love knitting as much as you do. If someone wants to knit miles of novelty yarns, you are there for them. If someone wants to learn short row shaping, you can help. There are no taboos in knitting, only opportunities to grow. Everyone should have friend like you around if they want to learn to knit, and there's a good chance that your passion has rubbed off on a few others.http://marniemaclean.com
Take this quiz!

I love Kris Kringles!

Not that I love receiving presents (though who wouldn't) but I also love making my presents or even going through the whole present finding process makes me happy...;;^^

Anyway, this year I have 2 Kris Kringles with 2 groups of friends so I decided to use up my stash. This scarf may look "strange" when rolled up... almost boxy isn't it?

Well, it is! ^^ This scarf has been knitted with 3 ends of 8 Ply on 12mm needles, with a pattern adapted from Lynne Barr's Knitting New Scarves. If you have to get a scarf book, I wouldn't give this book a miss. I picked it up by accident. It was located right at the top shelf of a local Borders store. Those who know me personally would have known I am vertically challenged and could have completely missed the book. But out of curiosity to see what is on the top shelf, got a stool and grabbed this, browsed it and I was sold! I love the designs for the sheer creativity and best of all, the scarves are actually not that hard to make and they are adaptable as shown on this featured scarf.

Anyway, I hope whoever gets this scarf would be happy... ^^

As if I need more buttons....

but yep. Each time there is a button sale, you can bet that I'll be there. Though I did pick up some really cool buttons. ^^

This would be a rather longish entry... at least many photos and information to share. So please bear with me. ^^

So I took a break with Juliet II and produced this! This scarf has been knitted with Karabella - Aurora Melange in shade 18. As usual, I knitted this scarf on a 15mm needles with 3 strands at the same time. This piece is actually knitted for mum whom I think always look lovely with a dash of amethyst colour. She'll be arriving for my graduation so I'll keep you posted if she likes it or not...haha

Hopefully this scarf will tantalise my knitting mojo so I can finish Juliet II...though I have this sudden urge to knit more scarves. In summer..d'oh!

Also, being quite productive produced 3 jewellery designs. Well, actually 2 are pressies for people and they've been made with the people in mind. One features a long necklace with a filigree detail to suit my friend, Evelyn while the other one is deliberately kept simple as Chia (my other friend) seemed to like more simple accessories. ^^ Well, the third...umm it's mine. My own piece was made short, almost like a choker. I was playing around with wires and some of my buttons and I saw this choker/necklace idea from a Taiwanese drama I was watching. So the design kind of evolved from there.

For Evie

For Chia

For myself

I didn't post them at my jewellery site as I'm trying to keep new things until the new site is up. But I had so much fun doing them that I couldn't wait but to share them...;;^^

Also, have posted new links for yarns or book purchases. ^^ One courtesy of Melita and one courtesy of a customer. For great yarns you can get some from Webs, while Book Depository offers FREE International mailing! So these two sites are great resources for any knitters! ^^

Ok, that is enough from me... lol you can stop reading now. ^^

...progress?

Here is Juliet II knitted till the bodice part. I still need to do the lace part...though I had to unravel it again the other time. Maybe I just need a break before attempting it again...;;^^

If you need more buttons....

all that is left....

is this. Juliet II unraveled before my eyes when I decided to unravel a couple of rows. She became a tangled mess... but I didn't like the looseness of the knitting anyway and will re-do this on 6mm needles instead to help with my tension.

Though... it was about 3 hours of work unraveled... ;_;

Oh Juliet!!!

I'm so so so in love with this fantastic pattern from Zephyr Style (Thank you to Shanwen & Melita who introduced me to the pattern by blogging about it.)!!! I've finished my Juliet and love it so much, I'm going to knit one in Patons Serenity in Pink! ^^

The lace did cause some issues...but I've worked it out by the time I've done the third set. And I think the way the pattern was done, it was easy to follow. ^^ I haven't decided if it'll be buttons or ribbons... but at the moment pin will be it, since on me, it does overlap...;;^^

On foodie note... I was experimenting with prawns the other day... and came up with this! ^^ It's Stir Fry Seasoned Prawns. Recipe will be coming soon. ^^

A breather....

Daylight savings has started in Melbourne and I actually missed it... waking up really late (thinking it's still early). :P Anyway, since my work from the research is on track, I've been able to cook and experiment...and of course knit! ^^

Reasons to love Ikea: Swedish Meatballs!!!

I have to admit, I'm one of those person who loves going to Ikea, imagining what my ideal house should look like (including a walk-in wardrobe!). One other reason I love Ikea is for their Swedish Meatballs... it's cheap and yet filling. ^^ Imagine my happiness when I discovered we can actually get them frozen, the sauce in packs and cook them ourselves. Hence, my version of the Swedish Meatballs courtesy of Ikea and frozen fries. Real easy, and affordable too... ^^

Oh Flour, Flour Everywhere

Mochi made with Rice Flour

Mochi with Green Tea Ice Cream

Was exploring Shanwen's blog the other day, and through her links to cooking blogs, found a recipe for making Green Tea Daifuku. I decided to modify it with green tea ice cream filling instead. The first batch I made was hard... and I was thinking this can't be right. Yep... I was wrong... I used rice flour instead of glutinous rice flour. Tried a second batch and it was much much better. Only thing though, I had issues with the ice cream. So instead of filling it with the ice cream, why not just eat it with the ice cream? The green tea ice cream is from Baskin Robbins Melbourne Central @ Lower Ground Floor. ^^

Oh Juliet, Wherefore Art Thou?

On my knitting needles apparently! ^^ Inspired by Melita and Shanwen who are knitting this cute top, I've finally jumped in and started my Juliet from Zephyr Style too. ^^ I am knitting it in Bendigo Woollen Mill's Classic Venetian in 2x 8 ply. Hope I'll be ok when I've reached the lace bit...considering I don't do laces at all... but so far it's a quick knit. ^^

No new project to show...

http://www.ivanhoharlim.com

I've been quite busy recently with data entry tasks for my research assistant job. So I haven't had the time to actually do any any knitting. On the personal side, I've finished re-working on my brother's site, so now it's back up! Just working out the little kinks now... :P

However, just because I couldn't knit doesn't mean I couldn't talk about knitting! I got this most amazing book from Debbie Bliss, The Pure Cashmere Collection. The patterns are just divine! Great accessories with a lot of potentials to play around. Also includes simple garments that I can do. I'm simply excited! ^^

Also, it is confirmed that my next project will be the Tilted Duster as inspired by Shanwen's entry about it. Yarns? Checked! Needles? Checked! Mental preparation? Checked!!! With my speed of knitting I'm pretty confident if I start now, I can finish it by next winter. ^^

new look coming soon....

My accessories store will have a new look soon... so do watch out for it! Anyway for current stock, there is 30% discount (excluding mailing costs) for purchases for items dated on or before 19th Sept 2007. This is in preparation for the new website... ^^ Clearing out whatever current stocks I have. So why not buy presents for Christmas now? ^^

http://www.suki-desu.com/me.u

offer valid until 31st Oct 2007

of food & summer knitting ideas

Continuing my food blogging... ^^ Tonight's menu is Chicken Baked Rice. I've done this recipe for many times now and my mum helped me come up with the original one ages ago... But I've decided to improve on the presentation by garnishing it with the parsley that Shanwen had suggested I put into my pasta.

This is it, full view and presented. ^^ BTW I'm working on putting some of recipes together in a little book... I mean a book for myself. ^^ But that means that I'll be putting some of them online on PDF format when I can. However, my style of cooking is anything goes... I'm the type of cook who rarely measures anything... ;;^^ So chances are my recipe would not have much measurements... everything is kind of done to taste.

On the knitting front, I'm thinking of a summer project... I have this nice silk yarn. I guess it's going to be another scarf... But I'm hoping to merge the jewellery making technique with this one... hope it'll work! ^^

BTW Melita, when you asked me the vest I was confused... lol I was talking about my supposedly quick knit vest. ;;^^ But later I realised you were talking about the vest I borrowed from you...haha. Sure I'll bring it down to Wool Baa when you are coming down. Please let me know in advance. ^^

Imported Jewellery

Have decided to help my friend with her business... so I guess this is my business too... ^^;; Anyway here's a voucher if anyone is interested... :)

http://ellawoods.bigcartel.com