Little Purl of the Orient

Knit Happy

A quick checking in the blog. So here is the current status of the Minimalist Cardigan. I'm using the Jaeger Merino Aran stashed many years ago for an Inishmore. Looking back at the finished size of Inishmore, I'll most likely be swallowed by it so it was forsaken after a quarter of sleeve is knitted.

Two sleeves of the Minimalist Cardigan are now done, so are some parts of the fronts and I'm now knitting the back full force. As usual, I started with the sleeves as there are fewer stitches and if anything goes wrong, like mis-reading the swatch, there would be fewer stitches to rip. Then I knitted this a bit guerilla style, a bit here and there whenever I can squeeze out some minutes.

By the way, the locals here call moss stitch the pineapple or pineapple studs stitch because it just resembles the skin of the pineapple. Don't believe me, just look at these pictures here.

It should take another one to two weeks to finish and I'm hoping to have this as a belated birthday present for myself. And it'll just be in time for the cooler weather by November.

Here are some goals for the near term:
1)      Finish knitting the above Minimalist Cardigan.
2)      Finish JY's Brambling, it needs only buttons.
3)      Take photo of hubby’s stripey scarf, it's been on the needles since April this year and just completed last week.

Speaking of Brambling, it's all sewn and the little peter pan collar gave me a bit of trouble. It just couldn't stay in a nice peter pan-y manner. It just loves to flip.

So I took some yarn and needle and tack it down. Now I'm happy.

When the mojo comes back

Many, many thanks for the good luck! I survive the first 2 weeks at the new job. Still trying to get used to the new environment, new faces, new routines, new working style. My kids are also adjusting to my new longer hours. My nerves are now more or less settled down. And my mojo came back, not only has it come back, it came back with an oomph.

The blankets around here got bigger. Not very much bigger though, they grew from mini sizes to baby sizes. I would also say that the beautiful projects in Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts that arrived jotted me wide awake. Although I've seen some of the photos online, when the book arrived, I discovered more projects that I would like to sew right away and I did.

So last weekend, I sat down and made 2 baby blankets. They were not as quick for me as the 2-4 hours slated but took me 2 days of the weekend amidst doing lots of other things. I just love the idea of using one-yard fabrics to make these. And the batting for each is one-quarter of a twin-sized batting. Once upon a time, I ordered 3 twin sized cotton batting which resulted in whooping shipping charges all the way from the States and when they arrived, they were stuffed in the overhead cabinet for ages as I didn't have time to do any quilting. So now at least one of them get to see daylight.

This orange one is for CY. It is a nice lap-size for my 4-year-old and would be portable enough to bring about for picnics or just simply to use when watching TV in the living room. One side is Heather Ross fabric and the other side a reproduction 30s fabric.

See it goes well with the green pillow case and the fitted bed sheet that I sewed here earlier.

As for the 'ties', as I didn't have quite the satin stitich function on my sewing machine, I improvised and used something similar.

This pink one is a truly last minute gift. In fact it is a belated birthday gift for 2-year-old Jasmine. Maryann, are you peeking?

The pink floral is another reproduction 30s fabric, and the other side is a Laura Ashley rose print sent to me by Lyn which I had to literally tear away from JY's hands. I paired it with a solid pink fabric.

I enjoyed making these two blankets and there is likely to be some more, maybe another bigger one for JY. Wait, I even sewed a drawstring snack bag that I promised JY since last academic year. Now I'm 'sew' happy.

And I'm knit happy too. The other morning, while walking my way to the new office and enjoying the new pathway, taking in the new sights around me, I started seeing things. Isn't that big rock over there just great for taking that sock WIP photos? Hey, this old, red brick building would just give the right background for the cream Minimalist Cardigan when it is done. Hmm, and that cathedral over there…. I just need to find a photographer though. Now can you see what I meant when I say my mojo has come back with an oomph?

I'm still here

I haven't felt so lost like I did the last few weeks. No mojo for anything, barely knitted, hardly sewn anything, not enjoying reading blogs like I used to, going about like a robot. The reason. Well, I've made one of the biggest decisions of recent years. I've decided to move on, leave the old, comfortable job that I've been with for the past nearly 11 years and take up a new challenge in a different organization. Granted, I'll still be in the same profession, but it would be a completely whole new world to me. New office, new faces, new system, new everything. To say that I'm a bit anxious is quite an understatement. It has been a very difficult decision to make, in fact. I'm sort of married to my job. And there were some emotional farewells with my colleagues whom I'll miss very much. Anyway, it has come to a stage to move on.

Tomorrow will be the first day of my new work. And I wonder if I would have the luxury to come to this space in the near term while I learn my ropes in a new organization. Maybe I would just keep my posts short. I would definitely be itching to continue to find out what you're doing from your blogs. Knitting and sewing would hopefully still be happening to me. I certainly wish I would still have the energy to knit on the commute. Let's see but do wish me luck!

There are still some old projects from earlier on to post about. Here are some 'minis'.

I sewed a quilt for CY's Squeaky Rabbit using the trims leftover from these blankets.

Look, stippling! First time I used the 'free-hand' (it's that what you called the round foot?) foot with the feed dog down. Great fun making this.

I'm going to have my hands full if my kids start asking me to make something for each of their little friend.

Here's another one for Pooh. A mini granny square afghan. I need instant gratification and want a granny square afghan immediately after seeing this one (5th photo from the top).

And I don't think many of you will remember the stripey project. Anyway, I got stuck with just three pieces so why not assemble them and make it into a blanket, this time for Po.

Now, all nice and cosy. Well, some of you've got to share before I make some more blankies.