Eva's Knitting Journal

Married !

Hello !

Since last Oct, there were so many things happened on me. James and I decided to have our own place after half years searching. We spent most of our weekends for searching furniture, decoration, clean up etc.

Two months later, we decide to get marry. Our big date was 15 April. It was a beautiful sunny day. We had about 200 guests attend our wedding ceremony and lunch buffer was held after we exchange our wedding rings.

Thanks for our parents, friends and wedding planners, everything went smoothly on our big date !

I've reduced 25 lbs to make myself fit with this wedding gown. It is tailor-made with some of my idea in design. I love it very much.

Have to wait another 2 weeks for the photos by our camera man. I will upload some of them here once we have them.

Have a nice day ! 

Removal sales

Hi All,

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am going to move to another apartment. Before moving, I think it is necessary to minimize my yarn stash. Pls take a look here ! I have yarn enough for another Swired Pentagon sweater and lots of others.

Happy knitting !

Purple Pentagons

I am back ! Sorry for not posting for month. I was busy at work and searching for new apartment since June. After 2 months searching, we've found a suitable small apartment. So, in the coming  months, I will be busy at decorate in our new place.

Although I am busy, I don't forget my knitting. I've finished my second project from "Knitting Nature" book.

Pattern : Swirled Pentagon Pullover from Knitting Nature book, designed by Norah Gaughan

Yarn    : Berroco Pleasure yarn (66% Angora/ 29% Merino wool/ 5% Nylon), Shade 8616

Completion date : 20 Aug, 2006

A close up shot of the pentagons.

Another purple pullover is on my needle now.

Pattern : Garland from Rowan Classic Garden

Yarn　: RYC Cashcotton 4 ply

Believe it or not, it is my first project using 4 ply yarn. I hope I can finish it before Oct !

I received new books from Getknitted. I am sure I have no idle hands in the coming months. There are so many nice patterns inside those books !

Happy Knitting !

For someone in ......

A few months ago, Polly announced we have the 4th Rowanette Knitting Exchange Program. Like the past 3 years, I joined the activity without any hestiation. This year, I kniited a scarf using Rowan wool cotton yarn in purple colour. I can't disclose who is the receipent for my knits before she receive the parcel. The only thing I can tell you is she love purple colour (same as me !).

Pattern : Scarf Style - Midwest Moonlight

Yarn : Rowan wool cotton

Needle size : Japanese needle size 7 (4.2mm)

Completion date : 9 July, 2006

Midwest Moonlight is one of my favourite pattern for scarf. It was my second time to knit this paattern but I still enjoy the knitting process. The parcel will go out these few days. I hope my receipent will love to have it.

Check the Interweave Knits Fall 2006 here. I like the Supernova Pullover by Norah Gaughan especially.

Happy Knitting !

FOs !

I am rather busy at work recently. My boss was very kind to increase my salary 30% since April but they increase my workload 100% or more ! My knitting time has been reduce 50% in weekdays. Fortunately, my Sat and Sun are not affected. I have 2 FOs to show now.

Pattern : Karabella KK183 Cabled Cardigan

Yarn : Knit Pick yarn/ Andean Silk/ Shade : Sangria (55% Superfine Alpaca. 23 Silk, 22% Merino Wool)

Remarks : The yoke was knitted separately and sew to the main body after-wards. Thank you very much to Siow Chin helping me to do the  sewing job. I think it is the most difficult part of the project. The length of the yoke is not perfectly match with the body so you need to calculate the nos of stitches before sewing. Without her help, I believe I may not finish the project !

If I have a chance to knit it again, I will not knit not knit the yoke separately. I think it should be more easy and looks better to pick up from the seams. Or, place all seams sts on holders instead of cast off. Then, place all sts from holders to circular needle and continue to knit the yoke.

In my previous post, I said I will knit some projects from the "Knitting Nature" book.  I finished one !

A close up shot for the cabled yoke.

Pattern : Knitting Nature/ Cabled Spiral Pullover

Yarn : Jeager Extra Fine Merino DK/ shade : 936

Nos of ball used : 11 balls

Knitting size : Japanese knitting size 6 (3.9mm)

Remarks :

1. The patterns calls for needle size 4mm but I used 3.9mm (Japanese knitting size 6). I knitted size small but the finished measurement will be 20 1/4 inches which surely too big for me. So, I used a smaller needle. Finally, the width of the sweater is 47 cm which is quite perfectly fit me (I am 38" bust).

2, In the yoke area, the pattern said pick up 8 sts along left/ right front  shaping edge. I think it will have better result if I pick up 12-14 sts. After that, I can reduce the extra sts in the coming st-st rounds. If  I have a chance to re-knit it, I will change it such a way.

3, I don't like turtleneck so I change to high round neck.

4, The pattern has no wrist shaping. I modified it to have some shaping. I think it should be looks better with it.

I quite satisified with the result and I will have many chances to wear it in the coming season.

What is on my needle now ? I am knitting another project from Knitting Nature -- Swirled Pentagon Pullover using Berroco Pleasure yarn in dusty purple colour. The project is quite similar to Cables Spiral Pullover which has 4 boring st-sts pieces but with a special design yoke. I promised I will show you the progress in my next update instead of only a FO picture !

Karabella again !

The weather become hot and hot here. The temperature raised to 32 degree last week. I remember last year  I started summer project in April. This year, I still have nothing in cotton. One of the reason is I couldn't find a summer pattern I desire to go for. Another reason is I want to clear reduce my wool stash before 06 winter come again. I say reduce not clear out.  My stash is impossible to clear out unless I stop buy yarn for another 2 years !

Pattern : Karabella pattern K183 Cabled Cardigan

Yarn : Knit Picks yarn/ Andean Silk (55% Superfine Alpaca, 23% silk, 22% Merino wool)/ Shade Sangria -- very soft yarn !

Needle size : 4.5 m

Only one sleeve and yoke to finish. Hopefully it can complete in another one week. After the project complete, I will start my adventure in "Knitting Nature" book. There are at least 3 designs inside this book I will knit. I think it is another great pattern book after Scarf Style. If you have not order your copy yet, I strongly recommend you buy it before sold out !

Another cardigan FO

When I just start this project, my knitting pal Siow Chin told me the pattern is something wrong. One knitting blogger knitted it but failed at the end. (she is not beginner and knitted quite a lot of beautiful projects before) I felt so scare coz I've started it and I really love the design.I did't want give up it.

I am lucky at the end.

A close up shot of it.

I tried it on but nobody can take a picture for me. It is not problem except the button band is a bit curve. I think it is quite common problem for knit in button band. Anyway, it doesn't make the cardigan ugly !

Project details :

Pattern : Karabella KK219C/ Cardigan with cabled yoke

Yarn : Jeager Extrafine Merino yarn/ shade 941

Needle size : 4mm/ 4.5mm

Completion date : 2 May, 2006

Remarks :

1, Pattern said use 3mm for the cable rib and cable yoke and 4.5 mm for the st-st part.

I think it doesn't make sense to use 3mm for the cable area. Also, the yarn is aran weight. So, I decided to use 4mm for the cable rib and yoke area.

2, The pattern said 6 buttons with 3" distance each. I follow the instruction but got 9 buttons.

3, I used 13 balls of Jeager Extrafine Merino yarn, total yardage is 1130 cm.(my size is Large)

4, I learn short row technique in this project. It is my first cardigan with yoke.

I haven't decide my next project yet. Any good idea ?

Yoke is coming...need help !

My first no seam cabled yoke cardigan is going well until the short row appears.

I need some help !

Next RS row : K2, ssk, K20, wrap next st, turn; purl to end. Next RS row, K2, ssk, K15, wrap next st ; purl to end. Place on a holder 46 sts. join yarn, k to last 4 sts, k 2tog, k2.

Can anyone tell me what is wrap next st ?

Another question here.

Next RS row : K2, k2 tog, work to last 16 sts, wrap, turn work to end. At same time, work short rows at neck edge, working 5 sts less one, 3 sts less 3 times.

Wrap = wrap next sts ??

working 5 sts less ???

Please help me !

Long time no see !

Hi All, I am still alive and knitting.

My new notebook just arrived last week the Internet has been reconnected. So, I have no more excuse for lacking of post for my blog anymore.

In my last post, I mentioned I knitted a scarf during my stay in Spain/ Portugal. Here is Midwest Midnight scarf, design from Scarves Style book. I used Knitpicks yarn, Andean Treasure (100% baby alpaca) in Wild Rose shade. The yarn is super soft and light.

Do you remember Peggy ? Finally, I have FO ! It took me over 2 months to completed it.

Pattern  : Jaeger Handknit JB 25/ Peggy

Yarn     : Madil/ 100% Camel Hair yarn

Needle size : Japanese size No. 7 (4.2 mm)

Completion date : 9 March, 2006

The original flower has a knitted flower. I didn't forget it.

It is my first time to knit a flower. I haven't decide if I should sew it on the cardigan yet. Any idea ?

What is next ?

The pattern from Karabella, named cardigan with cabled yoke (design No. KK219C). I will use my favourite yarn, Jeager Extrafine Merinos (aran weight) for this project. I hope it won't take me months to completed like Peggy !

Happy knitting !

Some where in ..............

I'm back. After 8 days tour in Spain and Portugal, I was sick for 2 weeks. I thought it was due to the abnormal cold weather in South Europe. Now, I am 98% recover (only a little bit cough remains).

Some where in Spain. James was wearing his Here and there cables scarf in my favourite yarn, Jeager Extrafine Merinos yarn.

Some where in Portugal. I wore a cable hat in Rowan Plaid yarn. James wore a cable sweater I knitted years ago. 

During my vacation, we spent quite a lot of time in tour bus. It was enough for me to finish my Midwest moonlight scarf (pattern from Scarf Style) using super soft Knitpicks Andence Treasure yarn. I will upload the pic her soon.

My current project :

Pattern : Jeager JB25/ Peggy cardigan

Yarn : Madil 100% camel yarn

Needle size : Japanese needle size No.7 (4.2mm)

Target : Finish by mid March

I am going to have a business trip to Japan from 5 - 8/ March. Let's see if I can squeeze some time to visit yarn shop there !

Happy Knitting !