Little Purl of the Orient

Provence Baby Cardigan

Over the weekend, I finished a pair of linen pants with elastic bands from a Vogue pattern and a top from a Simplicity pattern. I also fixed the neck band of the cream Nani Iro top to make the neckline narrower. The double gauze is horrible to reap (very delicate) and the original binding almost 'melted' but I managed to fudge it. Although the result of my weekend sewing session is very far from 100%, I think I did take some baby steps forward. And I now have a few new own-made pieces to wear for the holiday in Penang. Before we depart this afternoon, I'll like to show you some new knitting.

One of my quickest knit to date. I guess things will get done if I focus. I started it the week before so that I could have it on time to give to Yam for her new born baby girl.

Pattern: Provence Baby Cardigan from Classic Elite available free here.
Size: 9-12 months
Yarn: 3 balls Rowan Wool Cotton, Laurel #960
Needles: Clover #7 (4.2mm) and Clover #5 (3.6mm)

I have a long queue of baby stuffs on Ravelry and I'm very glad to have friends to knit for.

Love these jade-coloured plastic buttons that I got from Spotlight before they closed down. And I have to add a little bit of red for good luck!

Nani Iro Tunic

The weather has gotten SO hot and humid these days that most of my knitting has been put aside while my mind turns to sewing. I've been very much inspired by Yoshimi who sews really well and has great taste in her outfits. Then I'm introduced to the world of Japanese sewing patterns apart from the Japanese sewing books (check out those links on Yoshimi's sidebar), and bought the Leia pattern from TAMANEGI-KOBO without thinking much about my own abilities. See, it has a curved yoke which is beyond my current skills level which didn't strike me then, all I thought of was: 'no zipper'. Yoshimi then went and made a lovely Leia and I realise that more practice might be the key to better sewing.

I decided to do something easier and chose this top from the Nani Iro book (ISBN: 978-4579111831), the one on the cover. The fabric is also from Nani Iro but from her 2009 collection.

There is only 1.5m of it left in Yuzayawa Shinjuku when I visited with Olga and Joujouka last Dec, so I made a shorter version instead of the full length dress-style like in the book. I think I like it better this way and would wear it more often.

I think I definitely need more practice as my mom saw it and immediately knew I sewed it myself. So more fabric came home with me last weekend. After a doctor's visit on Kowloon side, I couldn't resist 'passing by' Shamshiupo and picked up these fabrics for some much needed practice.

I already have some projects lined up for these fabrics. Easy, roomy cotton tops and breezy linen pants (with elastic bands for now) all with the coming sunny holiday in Penang end of the month in mind.

Charcoal and Pumpkin Baby Quilt

So, you've seen the top. And now, this is the back, also a batik print I got from Singapore. I have to piece one of the sides to make it somewhat symmetrical.

I couldn't decide on which colour to do the binding, so it is both orange and red.

Here it is. Pattern is based on Denyse Schmidt's Flock of Triangles from her book, and also available online here.

It was my first time piecing triangles and there is a lot of room for improvement. Although the quilt is far from perfect but at least now I can mail it to my brother's son in Singapore after 1 year in the making, ahem. I'm eager to start another quilt, CY is in need of one. And all I need now is more time.

Home Stretches

Has it already been a month since I last post? Work has been really busy and I've been crafting a little bit here and there to keep myself happy and calm. A few projects are now on their home stretches.

All the hexagons of the Noro Afghan are now down. All in all, I think I used about 25 balls of Silk Garden and Kureyon. I'm planning to make a border all around in the dark brown camel/yak I used for Summer Solstice but now the weather has taken a turn for the warmer, I would need some cooler nights for this task.

The pink crochet scarf should be also be finished off and put aside. I'll do it soon.

This shawl has been knitted for a while on the daily commute but I haven't blogged about it. I started it for the trip this Easter to Europe. It is the La La's Simple Shawl (ravelry link) as inspired by Terhi's version which has a contrasting border. The yarn is Trekking Sock yarn which I had a couple of unsuccessful starts for socks previously. Now I know the yarn wants to be a scarf. I'm going to finish this up quickly to see if my mum likes it. She's here visiting from Singapore with my dad and she mentions that she would like a new shawl. I've knitted the Cocoon Lace Stole for her a few years back which she loves and uses it all the time. I'll check if she likes this one to take back with her.

And this following project is kind of an embarasement. It was started last year (according to blog records) for my new born nephew in Singapore and he'll soon be 2 this month! What's left is the binding to be hand sewn. I'll have to have it done by very soon.