First Meme

Oh my God, my first meme. Someone I didn't even knew tagged me. I only knew today when I scrolled down on my entries and looked if I have any comments (sorry, Kim). Apparently I have quite a few, I didn't think anyone would be kind enough to leave a comment! Thank you for those who do! Here's the meme...

Four jobs in my life [best to worst]:
Well, I only have one job so far (I'm too spoiled)
1. Cashier at the mall's food court

Four movies you could watch over and over:
1. The Fellowship of the Ring
2. The Two Towers
3. The Return of the King
4. Pride and Prejudice (from A&E)

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. All CSI
2. All Law & Order
3. Monk
4. Charmed

Four places you have lived:
1. Surabaya, Indonesia
2. Marietta, GA
3. Marysville, OH
4. That's it

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Indonesia, of course (all of Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara)
2. Singapore, Beijing, and Shanghai
3. New York , Washington, Atlantic City, Philly, Orlando, Detroit, Indiana, Chicago
4. Mexico City

Four websites you visit daily:
1. Yahoo Mail
2. My blog
3. My SP's blog
4. Friendster

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Rawon (Indonesian food, somekind of soup)
2. Empal (another Indonesian food, somekind of deep-fried beef)
3. Ice cream (coffee, choc chip, and pistachio)
4. I don't know...

Four places you'd rather be right now:
1. My hometown, Surabaya
2. Atlanta
3. Singapore
4. Somewhere in Europe

Four Bloggers I am tagging:
I don't know anyone in the blogging world, so I'm tagging everyone who reads this. Please tell me when you do the meme, so I will get new friends!

BTW, what is a meme? I mean, I know what it is, but what does the word meme mean?

Beautiful Sweaters

The photo is a little bit unfocused. But the sweater looks nice, doesn't it?

*Edit*
Pattern: Simply Soft by Debbie Bliss
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Buly in Onyx, exactly 6 skeins


This one is focused but the sweater looks frumpy. But it is supposed to look like that, judging by the photo in Rebecca.

*Edit*
Pattern: Rebecca 29
Yarn: Jaeger Merino DK in pink, about 7 1/2 skeins

BTW, does anyone know what the correct way to block and sew all the knitted pieces? Is it block piece by piece first then sew or sew first and then block the finished sweater?

Accomplishments

I'll start with last Saturday, my Bolero Jacket is done. I finished it quickly while my friend is sitting and waiting on the couch. It was a pretty warm day for winter and the jacket holds up quite well. Even at night when the wind is getting stronger it's still pretty warm but I have to held it with my hand to keep it closed tough.


Then I spent the whole day Monday to make baby booties for husband's coworker's new baby girl. I happen to have Melanie Falick's Knitting for Baby checked out from the library so I made a pair of booties with double pointed needles. It's not really a whole day, more like 6 hours. I'm using the same dusty pink Jaeger Merino DK for the Sweater with Wide Collar. I also made some kind of lunch bag from vellum paper to wrap it.


Yesterday I finished the Sweater with Wide Collar, washed it, spin it on the washing machine, and blocked it on some towel spread out on the carpet. Tomorrow evening I'll wear it for Chinese New Year dinner at my friends' house. I'll take some photos tomorrow before I left.

Wow, a lot of finished things this week. And I also try to do the tax returns in between! Oh, I also sent the first package to my SP this morning. Silly me, I forgot to take any pictures! I just hope she post some photos on her blog. One last thing, I have bought the Somewhat Cowl pattern this afternoon and will be casting on soon (maybe next week), I still have something on the needles for my SP. It's already half way done!

Totally unrelated thing: husband went to the doctor today. He fell pretty hard last week while snowboarding and have been having chest pains all week long so he went to get some questions today. Well, the doctor only gave him some ibuprofen and that's it! He's not satisfied with the doctor so we''l just see how he feels this weekend.

Thank You!

I got a package from my SP last night! Thank you SP! I love the book, one of my favorites. It's Simple Knits with a Twist. Sorry there's no photos beacuse I already ripped away the box. I promise I'll put up photos of the next package.

Once again, thank you SP! Oh, one more thing: SP, I used to live where you live now! I miss that city so much, especially all the food.

I think there's too much exclamation point because I'm just too happy.

Progress Report

Quick update on Sweater with Wide Collar: lower ribbing is done, now I'm about 20 rows on the stockinette stitch part. I'm doing both of the sleeves at the same time. It's kinda hard to manage two skeins of yarn at the same time. It kept tangling around with each other.

I need to finish sewing the Bolero Jacket tonight because I want to wear it tomorrow. We're going out lunch (me and husband) and maybe Easton Mall afterwards so I want to show it around.

It's pretty warm here in Ohio so when we went snowboarding tonight, it's very slushy. I got new bruises on my knees. I'm too lazy to wear knee pads. I still don't have any photos of myself snowboarding. I need a proof or something to show everyone that I can do it.

How are you SP? Just wanna say hi! I wonder what are you gonna be sending me?

Yummy Yarns

I went to The Yarn shop again last Saturday and I got 9 skein of yummy RYC Cashcotton in Apple, it's a fancy name for green. It will be The Somewhat Cowl. But ONLY after I finished all my UFOs.


I'm wondering how big a stash can be and still be considered healthy? I want to add some more yarn to make the Pale Blue Jacket. Of course it's not gonna be pale blue. I'm thinking Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece would be nice for summer, especially since I already spent some money on Cashcotton. The Yarn Shop don't have enough skeins in the color that I like, so I'll think about that after I used up my stash. I have enough yarns to keep me occupied for a month or two.

I already made up my mind to at least do 2 secret projects for my SP7 pal. One is easy but need some planning and the other will be something new. If you read my previous entries, maybe you can guess one of the projects. And there's still one more secret project that I'm still considering. All I can say is that it's something soft.

The Sweater with Wide Collar is progressing successfully, although not as fast as I wanted it to be. I'm done with the backside and just casting off for the right shoulder for the frontside. Knit the shawl collar for another 14 cm and then do the left side. And there's still 2 sleeves to be made! Whew, feels like a long way to go. I'm debating whether to knit the sleeves at the same time or make them individually but in circulars so no seaming for me.

Sunny Day

It's been a long time since I woke up with sunshine on my windows. Last week maybe, but it just seem like a loooooong time ago.

I got my SP7 match yesterday!!! I've already sent email to my giftee and received email from my gifter. I have some ideas on how to spoil my giftee. I'm not exactly sure because she didn't blog much about her knitting lately. Well, I just have to read her blog again then.

My WIP right now is the Sweater with Wide Collar from Rebecca. Not so much pattern that I want to make in the magazine but I'm really interested in the Pale Blue Jacket (scroll down to Rebecca 29). Isn't just pretty? I'm thinking maybe this is THE sweater that I should splurge on. It's either GGh Scarlett like the one they use on the magazine, or Rowan Cotton Glace. I haven't decided what color I want the jacket either. I want some color that I can use day or night for spring and summer.

But I'll save it for later. I'm gonna spent my time knitting the Wide Collar Sweater. I'm using the dusty pink Jaeger Merino that I got from the sale at my LYS. Right now I'm doing the armhole shaping for the backside. I've already frogged it a bit yesterday because I made a wrong calculation. I was so surprised when I first got the magazine because the pattern is so vague. It just said decrease every 2nd row, or increase evenly 8 times. Thank God, I'm not math-challenged. We'll just see how it turned out later. Oh, and I simply don't understand the instructuons for making the shawl collar. Maybe it'll make more sense once I knit it. No trying to make socks for me this week, or next week for that matter. I'm just gonna do the lovely pink sweater.

One more thing, my giftee said on her questionnaire that she would love to receive a hand-knit socks. Pressure, pressure, pressure!!

Counterpane Pouch

Pattern: Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick
Yarn: Jamieson Sock yarn in Red

The pattern is quite easy and gives beautiful result. I just love the scallops. I've sewn a lining inside with fusible interfacing so it will hold its shape. I think I will add a wrist strap so I can use it as a wristlet. The book told you to buy a longer zip to be used as the strap but I don't think that pretty enough. So maybe I'll make an I-cord or something else, haven't thought about it. That's reserved for some other day. I'll just use it inside my bigger bags now for small change, lip gloss, or whatever. More photos on my Flickr (on the sidebar).

I still have to sew my Bolero Jacket!!! Oh, why? Why should I sew it? Why can't I just use it rightaway after knitting? And where's my Rebecca 29? I paid for it on Thusrday, so where is it now?

Official from SP7

OK, I didn't know that SP7 is gonna have their own official questionnaire. So, here goes...

Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? I am a yarn snob but only in parts because my budget won't let me. So now I just use basics like Cascade 220 and Lamb's Pride. Yes, I do avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand.

Do you spin? Crochet? No spinning and just a tiny little bit of crochet. But I considered myself very knowledgeable in crochet. I can read a Japanese crochet pattern that is.

What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I just made my own needle cover from some fabric. I am planning to make some more once I found the appropriate fabric.

How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've been knitting quite constantly for about a year, more or less. But I learned knitting around five years ago. I'm not so sure about my skill level, I can make any pattern, lace, cable, fairisle, whatever, but I'm not so sure if I can make socks.

Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, it's here (on my husband's name).

What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) Nothing in particular, but I'm kinda partial to lavender, white tea, sandalwood, and ginger.

Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? No chocolate for me. The only sweet stuff for me is Japanese cookies and snacks. Yan Yan, Collon, Pocky, Genji Pie, Caramel corn, Xylitol, I don't remember what else.

What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I do scrapbooking and just started sewing. I love to buy all kinds of paper. Giftwraps, tissue paper, scrapbooking paper, notebooks, journals, envelopes, cards, stationeries, and everything that's paper-related.

What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Right now I'm into Diana Krall and Michael Buble, but I'd love to try some new age or easy jazz, or something like that. Yes, my computer does play MP3s.

What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? I already have red, heather blue, and dusty pink on my stash. I would love some more yarn or knitted stuff in off white, grey, red, pink, and blue. Mind you, not just any grey, red, blue, or pink. It's light heather grey, like the one they usually use for sweats and running shorts. The perfect red is like the Coats and Clark zipper in Bluberry Red or Burberry Red (it's almost like a burgundy). This is the easiest example beause I just bought some to be matched with my yarn. The pink is not baby pink. I hate baby pink. I like a really pale one or a dusty one. The blue is kinda easy. I like almost any kind of blue as long as it's not greenish. I'm sorry if I sound kinda picky-picky, but most of my friends don't have the same color preference like me so it's hard to get the right kind of color from them.

What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I've been married for a year. No pets.

Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I wore hats and gloves the most. No scarves unless it's very windy and no ponchos at all.

What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Don't have any yet.

What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Acrylics!!!

What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? Sweaters for me, me, and me. I'm a selfish knitter. I already have 3 sweaters on my mind. I also want to make a knitted babe.

What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Sweaters, although I hate the seaming-up process.

What are you knitting right now? I'm currently in between projects. I still have to seam up my Bolero Jacket from Debbie Bliss Simply Soft, sigh... and I'm still waiting for my Rebecca 29 magazine. After it arrived I already have the yarn on my stash to make the Sweater with Wide Collar.

Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes please!

Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Circulars.

Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Clover bamboos and Addi turbos.

Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No, I don't think I need one. I like the process of winding the hank into a ball by hand. I know it's slow but it's comforting to me.

How did you learn to knit? From my mom. She'd been knitting for forever and finally I took some interest and I asked her to teach me. Because we only have Japanese books in Indonesia, I held my yarn in my left hand. I know how to held the yarn in right hand but it seems awkward for me.

How old is your oldest UFO? None!!! I'm so happy about this. I just finished sewing my husband sweater last Thursday.

What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? Sanrio characters and that's only because I like the stuff, not the character. For example, if I need a pen, I would chose the shape and the function first and then chose the character.

What is your favorite holiday? My birthday and Christmas.

Is there anything that you collect? Paper stuff, crafting supplies, cute Japanese stuff.

What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? None, I just bought them if I found some intersting pattern.

Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? RYC yarns, Alterknits by Leigh Radford, Knitted Babes, and Holiday Handknits by Melanie Falick.

Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? How to knit socks. I just checked out Knit Socks! from the libary today. I have some yarn so I guess I'll try it next week.

Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Not yet. I'm size 5.5.

When is your birthday? August 17, that's Indonesia's independence day (my home country).

Wow, looking back at the questionnaire that I filled out last month and the one I just finished I realized how I've changed in one month. I hope I will still feel the same in the next 3 months, or if not I'll just fill out another questionnaire.

Yarn Craze

Today I stopped by at The Yarn Shop to buy some Lamb's Pride Bulky for my Bolero Jacket. Apparently they're having a sale! It's 20% off everything in the store. Everything! So I just went kinda nuts and grabbed everything. I gave my bag to my husband and he just sat patiently in one the chairs. In the end, I bought 4 skein Lamb's Pride in black, 9 skein Jaeger Merino in pink(to make Sweater with Wide Collar from Rebecca), 3 Cotton Fleece in heathery blue, #3 single point needle, and #4 double point needle.

Tomorrow I plan to flip through every book, magazines, and online patterns to think of what yarn I might need for future projects. I've already set my eyes on some Rowan Denim.

Oh, Buckeyes win tonight against Notredame. My husband watched the game at his friend's house and I tagged along. I brought my knitting with me, of course. I'm making the Counterpane Accessories Pouch from Handknit Holidays. One side is done and I'm half way through the second side. I already bought some fabrics on Sunday for the lining and for the bags from the new Japanese craft book. Lots of craft plans for this week.