Little Purl of the Orient

It's finally February

February Sweaters are sprouting out everywhere and I've been wanting to knit one for ages. Completely inspired by this charming little one where the lace is replaced by stocking stitch, I had to cast on for one.

This one is intended for charity. And the beautiful Fleece Artist wool is perfect for this project. Before I could post about the WIP earlier, the sweater is done! And I even have the perfect vintage buttons for it in my button stash.

I added another inch to the sleeves, which are just very slightly shaped, after I cast off for the body. At my husband's suggestion, I kept the garter stitch edges at the sleeves at different lengths from the body egding.

This is knitted entirely seamlessly, the sleeves are knitted in the round and the underarm stitches are picked up.

I've about 69g of the same yarn (worsted weight) leftover and would like to knit a matching something. Any suggestions?

And have you seen the adult versions like this cute stocking stitch one by Melissa and Pamela's fabulous February Lady Sweater (free pattern available too)? I can so see myself knitting one for myself too. One day.

Because something very special arrived from Japan today and I just can't wait to start swatching! I'll have to knit whatever on hand (which includes a Fluttered Sleeve Cardigan, ahem) every quickly before they become UFOs.

The best rainy day projects ever

Today is the last day of the Dragon Boat Festival weekend and finally we see the sun. The skies cracked and poured mercilessly. The black rainstorm warning was hoisted and we were homebound the whole of Saturday and most part of Sunday. It was too humid to knit, so out came the sewing machine.

My sewing plans are just as grand and unrealistic as my knitting ones. Too many things I'd like to sew but too little time. I'd always wanted to fiddle with the Liberty fabric that Joy gave me so I decided to sew JY a skirt. I used a 'pattern' from a Japanese sewing book. Essentially, there is no paper pattern just a few pieces of rectangles to cut out and sew.

Easy, so I thought, until the gathers nearly had me. Thank goodness for elastic bands. They are just so forgiving and hide a many crooked lines.

And thank goodness JY has some style. She can make a plain, normal skirt looks so cool.

Since summer is approaching, I let JY search my stash to choose the fabrics she likes and sew her some more. I wonder how she's going to wear them.

This one is just one rectangle with an elastic band and rickrack.

When CY saw the below red one, she asked what I'm doing with sister's pillow. Yes, the fabric that was used to sew JY's pillow.

Speaking of CY, she just doesn't like any of the skirts and wants only pants which are a lot trickier to sew. I'll have to think of something.