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Check this out! Instant stash!
The lovely Yahaira was selling off some yarn and I took advantage of a grab bag she had up for sale. I did not expect that she'd throw in extra bonus goodies. What a treat!
Apologies for the craptastic photo -- I took it with my silly camera phone.
A few random links for your reading and viewing pleasure - not necessarily knitting-related.
Some shallow, some not.
- Check out this gorgeous tapestry. I found this interesting blog via Yarn Magazine -- the brand new knitting magazine out of Australia.
- Lord of the Rings' Viggo Mortensen on Charlie Rose. "Being patriotic is not supporting your government. Being patriotic is supporting your country, your nation". Viggo's publishing company's site is also worth a visit.
- Handbags and J-Girls - I'm not sure what the point of this site is, but some of the pictures are kind of fun. I like this photo of a girl napping on the train.
- Hair extensions are nothing new, but did you know about eyelash extensions?
- Make your own tube station sign. Instructions on the London Underground Tube Diary.
- It's been out for quite some time, but I finally got the Nars Orgasm lip gloss. It's a subtle, but lovely accompaniment to their Orgasm blush (one of my favorite cosmetics of all time). The new Nars holiday collection is now online. The Mounia blush and Vera Cruz lipstick are calling me.
- Lil Kim Jong Il's Pyongyang on Google Earth. I wonder where Mo Kin lives (I know I've linked to the world's cutest xylophone player before, but couldn't resist watching that video once again).
- Wish I was on the Knitty Anniversary Cruise today.
- iPod Nano owners in screen scratch trauma. When I first saw the Nano I was sorta wishing I didn't already have a regular old iPod. However, now that I read about all of the issues with scratches and cracked screens, am rather glad I don't have one (via Metafilter).
Yes, patient readers, Orangina is finally finished!
Though finished with the knitting quite some time ago, I had a bit of trouble with the shoulder seams and couldn't be bothered to sort it out until this afternoon. I'm so happy to be done!
If I had it to do over again, I would have knitted the smaller size and used needles other than the Addis. I know those needles are a favorite of many. They were just a bit too slippery for me with this fine cotton yarn. The only thing I changed in the pattern was to go down a needle size for the ribbing section. I can't remember which blog I read that tip on, but it was very helpful. I seamed the sides using mattress stitch (my first attempt), which turned out quite well. I resorted to crocheted seams to fix my shoulder mess, which I then flattened with my steam iron. I lightly blocked the lace section using steam and a pressing cloth (thanks, Mary for that bit of blocking advice).
Now I just need to find the perfect "nude" camisole to wear under it!
The Project: Orangina - designed by Stefanie Japel (Glampyre Knits)
The Yarn: Rowan 4 Ply Cotton in Cheeky purchased from Needlework Unlimited
The Needles: Addi Turbo US3 24" circular for lacy section and US2 24" circular for ribbing
Started: April 2, 2005 (worked on project very sporadically until finished)
Finished: September 24, 2005
OK, I should really be posting about Orangina and how it's all finished and gorgeous and blah blah blah. BUT, instead, I have to admit it isn't quite ready. I made a silly mistake on the shoulder seams and just haven't been able to face the task of fixing them.
Instead I will distract you with my most recent knit-reated shopping -- Rebecca 30 and GGH Sollitaire to make the cute sweater with eyelet pattern (pattern #33). I'm just not so sure the yarn is the right color for me. I hadn't noticed until after ordering that it was a heathery sort of grey, and am worried that it won't look so fab with the lace pattern. I may have to re-order. If I do, that will give me time to get over myself and tackle learning how to decipher those lace knitting charts. To help me with this, I found a great resource for charted lace knitting.
I made that purchase to reward myself for finishing up a couple of projects at work. I'm also starting my weekend a bit early today and heading to the brand new H&M that is opening at the dreaded Sprawl of America. I'm more excited than I should be about this. My sister got me hooked on H&M when she lived in Glasgow and we've been waiting a very long time for H&M to come here.
And so I'm back, from outer space...
Life has been crazy so haven't had as much knitting time as I would have liked, but am in the final stretch of the hubba bubba bobble scarf I'm making for Oiyi. I just attached the third and final ball of the luscious Noro Cash Iroha and will soon be entering the final bobble zone. Woo hoo! The yarn is sort of strange to work with because it's thick and thin and the resulting fabric is rather stretchy. It's a bit of a struggle for me to give in to the fact that it would never be mistaken for anything other than handknit. However, I do think it looks great and feels even better.
The cute bag in the photo is from Jay McCarroll, the winner of Project Runway. I ordered this oh so long ago that I nearly forgot about it, but it finally arrived last week. I read somewhere that these totes were the bane of his existence (I believe the phrase he used was something like those f***ing tote bags), so am happy I actually got one, even though it's black and not the pink I ordered.
Does anyone have any idea what he or my precious Austin Scarlett are up to? I had hoped they would show at Fashion Week, but didn't find anything about them.
**Update** It seems Project Runway's Jay McCarroll lost it at some party (via Flypaper).
Knitting News
Often boring, but sometimes interesting!
This post has moved to Knitting News.
I finished this scarf sometime last week. This was my "go to" project to work on while riding the bus to my office.
The yarn was great to work with and I have to thank Jill again for the idea of what to make with it.
I'm planning to send it to an auntie of mine who has been very hospitable to me over the years. The colors will be perfect for her.
The Project: Easy Peasy Bias Scarf
The Yarn: Whisper - 100% Peruvian Alpaca handpainted by A.L. de Sauveterre
The Needles: Crystal Palace Bamboo 4mm
Started: July 31 2005
Finished: August 2005
In other knitting news, I've fnished the easy peasy bias scarf and just need to stitch up the shoulder seams on orangina. I've also been going to town on the hubba bubba bobble scarf. I'll post photo updates soon!
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True confessions of a novice knitter!
I learned to knit a few years ago, and started a knit blog so I could keep a journal of my knitting progress (or lack thereof).
This blog is currently on hiatus, but you can find me over at my new blog, China Shepherdess, where I write about my do-it-yourself decorating and other home improvement projects.
-Amy
