My husband googled my name out of the blue the other day and he was surprised so many entries popped up, all related to this humble, little blog. It scared me a bit, feeling very exposed to the big, wide, world. Am I revealing too much about myself and particularly, my two girls, to complete strangers? Have I been wise to use real names, the idea of using a pseudonym has never crossed my mind. Then something 'good' happened. I was found by a long lost friend from University (sounds familiar, Joy?). He's traveling in Hong Kong and thought of me, his old friend from Uni who married to Hong Kong right after graduation, made a search on the Internet and found this blog. It is so amazing to be able to meet up with an old pal you haven't seen for 10 years. He came to Central for lunch on Friday and I brought him about the narrow, crowded streets and then had some authentic Wanton noodles. Good friends never failed to read your mind even after a decade. He gave me the book, The Kindness of Strangers, well suited for armchair traveling, as he knows that my husband and I won't be able to travel much now with two little kids. How thoughtful.
Really appreciate your compliments on the Cocoon stole and Terry's Joy! Being exposed is one thing but being able to share knitting joys and sorrows with other like-minded knitters is another. Terry has two other things to say about Joy. The first being the shaping, why do they have to occur in the middle of the work (sort of like darts) instead of at the sides? The increases and decreases somehow broke the line of the stitch pattern and are quite visible. Another is about denim. Terry wonders if we should knit denim garments a size smaller because the garment may get well-worn and grow bigger like a pair of good, ole, jeans. Any thoughts?
Okay, about phil-ing better. This is the latest addition to stash. My first Phildar, Eponge and Sunset to knit the cardigan that Marjorie is making. (Remember to check out the Phildar free patterns.) Here I am, starting out with a sleeve first and knitting it in the round so that I can minimize any sewing of the Eponge yarn. The body will be knitted in one piece up to armhole shaping and the shoulders shall be three-needle bound off. I'm refering to this tutorial to make the jogs jogless. Jogless joggers out there, is this jogless jog (click for picture) looking right? Why does 1 row seem to disappear at the jogging point?
Hope you all had a great Dragon Boat Festival yesterday. Don't eat too much dumplings!
Thank you so much for the links to the knitting books of the sidebar. It got me started on Amazon JP and b/c of you I was able to link to a number of great Fair Isle books and, after a couple of misfires, they are on their way to the States. None of this would have been possible the spotlight you've placed upon these fine publications.
Posted by: Pubah | Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 07:29 PM
This Phildar is really tempting. Is it time for dumplings already? My daughter loves the nonya type. But we will probably avoid eating them till the festival is over, because the price of dumplings go up during the festival!
Posted by: erin | Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 08:09 PM
Ugh! Still reeling from the effects of 'too many dumplings'!!! You want some? :-)
Posted by: joy | Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 09:03 PM
Oooo, that Phildar yarn looks lovely! I've never seen Phildar yarn "in the flesh," but it looks divine.
It's so hard to tell when one is sharing too much in a blog, but I've always enjoyed reading yours!
Posted by: Jennifer | Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 09:50 PM
The Phildar yarns are really tempting ! Should I make mine in purple ??
Posted by: Eva Shiu | Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 10:36 PM
I understand some of your misgivings about sharing information - I've felt the same way. But it's also not as if we are all giving out our addresses and phone numbers. I think the benefits are wonderful and I do so enjoy seeing pictures of your little girls, so I hope you won't stop. Your Phildar looks so soft and cuddly. I can see why you want to eliminate seams though. So glad you're feeling better!
Posted by: Dorothy | Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 10:42 PM
Looks wonderful! I need to figure out those jogless jogs, too. I hav been curious about the Phil eponge for a while. I hope you are liking it!
Posted by: Mariko | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 02:12 AM
It is always great if we managed to meet an old pal, especially those have lost contact for age. Did all your good memories flash back when you meet him in person? I missed my school life so much, and how nice if I can meet my schoolmate or classmate again.
Dumpling? Yes, it is one of my favourite food. I went to one of the shop at Fa Yuen Kai for dumpling twice during my last visit. Although it's just a simple dumpling, but it is nice and tasty ... so yummy :)
Posted by: Michelle | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 09:33 AM
I share your feelings of meeting with your old friend! And true friends are not separated by distance or time, right?
I think the Phildar yarns and their designs are so elegant. I have not seem it at my LYS but will pay attention on my next visits. I am sure your WIP will be a very nice one!
Posted by: mimi | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 10:32 AM
Oh no...I can't understand the 'jogless jog'. When I first hear this name, it don't sound exhausting. However, when I click the tutorial, I can't understand a bit. Can you teach me this saturday? I would want to start the sleeves then.
Posted by: marjorie | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 11:00 AM
Interesting thought, I have noticed a lot of information available and it's not just through the blogs. As long as you would say that which would be said, regardless of blog you have nothing to worry about.
As for denim and knitting a size larger, I think that would depend. In Europe, the washers practically boil wash your clothing so ... my stuff tends to shrink even without going into a dryer.
Posted by: P | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 01:39 PM
I admit, I was a little worried about exposing myself on the net too but I came up with a solution... go by my middle name *lol* However, I've found more good than bad through blogging! Else I wouldn't have known people like yourself and so many other 'inspirational souls' out there. Not to mention, make friends from around the world :-) Also, just wanna say that I love your new Phil-ling cardi, the colours are beautiful!
Posted by: lyn | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 02:04 PM
It sounds wonderful to meet up with old friends, and that they found you from your knittting blog is awesome. I'm a bit wary about revealing too much, but I think as long as you take care to protect the private information, you should be ok.
Glad to hear that you're Phil-ing better, and the new sweater with that lovely yarn looks great.
Posted by: eyeleen | Monday, June 13, 2005 at 08:11 PM
there's the good and the bad...:) Those are happy cheery phil good yarns you've got there.
Posted by: lauray | Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 05:04 PM
glad you're feeling better!
love the colour of eponge you got. i have some leftover from the flower dress days that i'd like to use for something -- maybe a little cardigan? i know you this, but cocoon and joy are so lovely!
i worry about the same thing with exposing myself...my husband gets concerned about it -- he worked with some tech professionals who showed him some of the ways that people use google... i think we're ok, not revealing too much personal info, and the benefits are wonderful -- like you catching up with an old friend!
Posted by: mrspilkington | Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 11:09 PM
Hello
I like your logo. It very impressive, many thanks. Good resources here. Thanks!
Bye
Posted by: sopitikoj | Sunday, September 09, 2007 at 04:40 PM