New wishlists

I have been a little uninspired in the last week - just trundling along looking for new inspirations (even though my WIP's are still just that - WIPs). I do however, always love to have something to look forward to after I complete a project.

To my delight, I discovered Wenlan Chia's Big City Knits. I have never heard of Twinkle before - dont think her label has graced Aussie shores just yet, but I did love a few of the preview pictures.

And I also discovered Stefanie Japel (aka Glampyre)'s Fitted Knits book. Unfortunately, i have not seen both these books at my local borders so may have to order them from Amazon. It's not something I like to do though because I really enjoy looking at pictures and deciding if it is worth my buying or not... So maybe I'll scrounge around for more reviews and previews.

Anyhoos, i'm sick at home today with a bit of a temperature. On Saturday, I followed the Yaolin Liondancing troupe around for the CHinese New Year celebrations in soaring heat and temperatures. Coupled with dehydration, I developed a little bit of a cough and temp. So, I thought I'd make use of my sick days by taking it easy and hoping it goes away given that work is due to be tough the next few weeks!

Rowan Studio

I've never heard of Rowan Studio before, but a quick browse on Amelia Raitte's website and the curiosity of a knit magazine fashioned on current trends just got the better of me.

So off I went to Rowan Yarns to have a squizz, and I am in LOVE...

Well actually, only two patterns I loved - but 2/6 is a prett-y good ratio! :D But I'm already behind in my knitting and my ability to catch up with what I want to knit and the latest "must knits" have been hampered by my work travel , work in general, and training for nepal.

*woe is me*

Secret Pal 10 Info

Secret Pal 10 is up! This is my info :

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love to knit with blends - things like cashmere/merino, wool/cotton, angora/wool etc, wool/silk etc As with many others, I don't like acrylic as it is too rough on my hands and uncomfortable to wear, and I don't like any novelty yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a knitting needle roll that I sewed myself ..

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting seriously for about 8 months, and learnt mainly from books and websites. I think of myself as an intermediate knitter -I can cable, I can do not-too-fancy shaping, I can seam (though sometimes my finishing is a little dodgy), and I have just learnt to read charts... but I have not yet learnt to knit with dpns!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I have a wistlist HERE and I have an amazon wish list HERE

5. What's your favorite scent?

I love fruity fresh smells and my perfumes currently include things like Ralph Lauren Ralph, YSL Babydoll, Ralph Lauren Romance, Ralph Lauren Blue , and I also love DKNY Delicious and Britney's Curious...

Other smells I love include the smell of fresh bread, and I love the creaminess of vanilla.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Certainly! I love chocolates - especially chocolates with hazelnuts, I love truffles, and I love those japanese chewing gums and lollies! I love dark chocolate, but no white chocolate thanks!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I also sew - but not too often, and not particularly well.. !

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

My current favourites include Snow Patrol, The Fray, Cold Play and Keane - that sort of music. My computer can play MP3s, but my car can only play normal CDs. And I have a Creative Zen Micro so I can play mp3s on that too.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I love all things cheerful - so pastels, and bright colours such as turquoise, fuschia, greens... I also love a lot of neutrals such as olives and grey.. Im not too big a fan of browns, oranges and yellows..

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I have one brother and sister - both younger and my dad. No pets.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I do! I love scarves and mittens .. Unfortunately, as much as i love hats and beanies, I look ridiculous in them .. and ponchos often swamp me :(

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I like to knit sweaters and cardis - things that are functional and I can incorporate into my wardrobe easily.

13. What are you knitting right now?

I am currently knitting a bunch of cardis and sweaters. The more wellknown objects include the Norah Gauhan Cabled Cardi, the Phildar Swing Jacket, Amelia Raitte's Pippa and Cherry and other girlie but functional sweater type projects.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

I do - but they need to be animal and smoke free :)

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I'm a straight knitter - and I prefer bamboos from size 3.25mm up , and aluminium or metal if they're smaller (I tend to break my bamboos and plastic ones otherwise!)

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?

About 3 months.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I like adventure holidays where I get to do things and immerse myself in another culture. I'm going to Nepal in April to trek Everest Base Camp so I'm really looking forward to that!

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Not really.

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 am dying to get my hands on some of the Kim Hargreaves patterns which are currently Kit-only but where I only want the pattern. Patterns such as Maggie, Carrie, Marigold, Bea, and Violet

Patterns - I would also love to get my hands on the pattern for knitted dress from Vogue SS07, and the Central Park Hoodie.

Books on my wishlist can be found at my amazon list HERE

Needles - I would like some addi turbos - currently my circulars are bamboo and I'm not particularly fond of bamboo for circulars..

Yarns - I would like to try yarns not available here in Australia. Things knitpicks, some of the rowan range, cascade yarns, etc

I don't currently have any magazine subscriptions but I do read and buy on a regular basis Phildar, Vogue Knitting and Interweave.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

To knit with dpns!!

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

No - i can't knit with dpns so it's beyond me at the moment.

23. When is your birthday?

8th December

Progress Pics

Living in Australia, I dont have the luxury for wearing wool and knitted goodies for the majority of the year.. So when people ask me why I knit in summer, I just say to them that it's to build up my little winter knits for those few months when it gets cold enough to wear them...

On my current projects list (and yes, I have failed in my resolution to only have 3 WIPs at a time), is Norah Gauhan's cabled cardi from Vogue Knitting's latest magazine.. I have to say that these little pentagons have just been a delight to knit - amazing to watch them come into shape, and I have loved seeing my cardi base grow as I've continued to add stitches on...

At the moment I'm up to pentagon #6 - and feverently trying it on as I go because I've heard stories about the ill fit of it from Craftster... Some progress pics:



On another WIP , my Phildar Cropped Cardi *was* coming along nicely until I did my left sleeve. After casting off, I measured it against my armhole and realized it was way too short - I had missed by 2cm!! How frustrating.. so now I have to frog back that little bit and fix it up ... :( I know that will take me ages though because like a lot of other knitters, I hate redoing something .. the fun just isnt there!

That's all for now ;D