Yarning Along

I'm still at it - my garter-stitch scarf with the wonderful colourway.  Yup, I'm a slow knitter.

But I must say, it is coming along very nicely. A few minor irregular-tension type of thing going on here and there.  But that's the beauty of "handmade", no? ;)

So this will quite definitely not be in time for Christmas, but it's OK.

And I am reading this fantasmical book, "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern.   It's no literary masterpiece.  But, boy, what a story!  It takes a bit of a stretch of the imagination, but you get used to it by the 1st chapter, and then you are hooked!  It's so good, I am high-five-ing myself (sometimes on the inside, sometimes aloud and physically - which constitutes an audible "Wow!" and me putting the book down for a second to give a self-satisfying clap.)  My family is used to it.

Yarning Along

With the Big Square Baby Blanket done, I am going to start on my next woolie project: a scarf for my acupuncturist, Silvio Andrade, a practitioner of Classical Five Element Acupuncture.

I had been having terrible aches in my shoulder and upper arm.  It was basically a super strain.  The type that was beyond "muscle pull", and well into "ligament damage".  It became so bad I couldn't carry on with daily chores.  Hell, I couldn't even fasten up my bra without wincing in pain.  It was that bad. :S

Well, to cut a long story short, I am all better now.  All thanks to Silvio.  For 6 weekly sessions, I had needles up my spine, in my ankles, wrists, and arms (thankfully, no, not all at one time O_O).  And contrary to popular belief, acupuncture does hurt.

And at each session, Silvio was the perfect listener and counsellor, offering little nuggets of wisdom for every dilemma, confusion, worry and doubt I had.  From my having second thoughts about MAYA & RUHI's Spitalfield's gig, to being true to my Self as an artist.  From realising my sense of self-worth as a wife and mother, to admitting the fact that I drink far too little water a day (which is seriously bad.  Coz all I ever drink is coffee or decaf coffee. Tsk tsk...).  So all our sessions are filled with meaningful chit-chat, punctuated with "OK Pearl, needle in..."/ "OUCH!!".

Anyway, I am now able to cook without cutting corners, carry reasonable amount of grocery back from the supermarket, and vacuum almost all of the house at one go!  I am so happy. :)

So this is a scarf for Silvio.  No, I haven't quite started, as you can see.  But the intention is all set.  And I wanted to show off the yarn's lovely colorway.  This is Bouvardia by Moda Vera, color 104-07. For my lack of knitting skills, I thought this gorgeous colorway would make the scarf look quite fab.  I'm only good with garter-stitch scarves, you see. ;)

And I am reading "The Cat's Table" by Michael Ondaatje.  So far so good - I'm about a quarter though.  A lyrical little story written in the first person of an 11-year-old boy.  Reminds me a bit of "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel.  I like it. :)

 with Ginny at Small Things.

Yarning Along

I discovered a lovely blog called Small Things.  Full of stunning photographs and stories of a simple yet fulfilling life, this the blog of Ginny Sheller, a mom of six, and an avid knitter.  Every Wednesday is Yarn Along day, where all those interested, can share their works-in-progress.  This is mine...

... the Big Square Baby Blanket for my cousin who is going to pop soon.  I'm going to do 2 more rows of black, and maybe a picot border, to make it extra special. :)

And that's my trusty Kindle, in a gorgeous cover I got from Amanda at The 2 Sisters Shoppe.  I have just finished "The Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Tracy Chevalier.  A good, riveting read.  Problem was, I kept having visions of Scarlett Johanssen and Colin Firth in my head.  Note to self:  NEVER watch the movie then read the book.

Of Swaps and Squares

I've put my name down for some fun via the lovely blog oh, hello friend.  If you haven't been round, you've got to.  Danni shares some of the most wonderful ideas and inspiration for simplicity and gorgeousness.  Plus, she does loads of fantastic deals and yummy giveaways! :)

Anyway, what happens with this shop/swap is that, if you are a crafter with a shop, you sign up for the swap, and Danni will pair you up with another crafter with a shop, and you send each other a surprise-something!  How fun is that! :D

 

On another note, my Big Square Baby Blanket is coming along nicely.  A few more rows and I should be done.  I just hope there is enough of this baby-soft cotton yarn to go round.  Coz I bought this yarn in Singapore, and I don't even have the labels to search for it online.  Silly me: should always keep yarn labels...

Big Square Baby Blanket

I am in the throes of crocheting up a baby blanket for my cousin, who is due to give birth in about a month's time.  It's basically one giant granny square, but I like the fact that it has a round centre, which makes it look like an Evil Eye.  A talismanic, protective blanket of sorts. :)

Many thanks to Angie for sharing her crochet pattern at her gorgeous blog, le Monde de Sucrette.

My Spring Fashion

 

It's proper heartwarmer-weather nowsadays.  And I love it!  So glad I don't have to wear my heartwarmer as Super Burly Scarf anymore.  I love how it looks super-chic with a touch of Jane Eyre!

Truth be told, I am not entirely happy with the "fall" of it just yet.  I need to experiment a bit more on the "hugginess" of it.  It needs to be less of a simple triangle, and more of an ergonomic wraparound.  Especially for the adult version, where boob-room is required.  For lucky folk who are boobier than me, that is.

On My Lust List

Aren't these just the most darling-looking things ever?

 

Truthfully, my metal crochet hooks get really cold to the touch in this dastardly weather.  So I went about looking for crochet hooks with a handle.  And I found these!  Crochet hooks with handy (and gorgeous) grips, made by Emma at Emsyjane.

 

These are just a few.  She has loads more irresistible designs. I am planning to one day HAVE THEM ALL!  MUAHAHAHAHA!!

Poncho Production II

I know this looks nothing like a poncho right now.  But this is the one I am custom-ing up for a friend.

It's basically constructed from half-stitching together two almost-complete giant crocheted circles.  I say "almost" because I incorporate a nifty little boat-neckline for to slip the head through.

Sounds rudimentary, I know.  But, boy, does it look oh-so-smart!  The aran-wool blend that I'm using is soft yet sturdy, which makes the poncho quite warm, and gives it a very contemporary look with it's fairly structured drape.  With the rounded hem and a no-nonsense design, it is a really gorgeous updated poncho-style.

I can't wait to make one for myself!

Too Cold For Comfort

It suddenly became cold a few days back, just when everyone began saying "Oh, it's been such a mild winter this year..."

And so, it's Payback.  Runny noses, coughs, headaches... you name it.  From what I can see, half the population is down. 

It's bitingly cold.  And when the wind does it's thing, you just want to go inside somewhere, anywhere.  The sun is out, but it's no help.  In fact, it's a cruel tease...  Days like these, I miss the sweltering heat of Singapore... and just want to lean against the radiator all day...

On the bright side, I get to use all my crochet-ed stuff.  Now, my heartwarmer has come in handy, as Super Burly Scarf.  So good against the elements on my Common treks. :)

Poncho Production

This is a poncho I crochet-ed up for Ruhi.  I found this lovely pattern at the website Le Monde de Sucrette, written by a generous and super-talented crocheter and artist named Angie.

Ruhi's poncho turned out so cute, I did another one for Cousin Isha.  And right now, I'm halfway through another one for Cousin Amiya.


Since then, I have received many compliments.  I've also been told I should get this done for sale.  In fact, I have already received custom orders.

So I guess you know what I shall be busy with the next few weeks...

A fellow jewelry artisan friend of mine has suggested I exhibit at an artisans' fair at Clapham High Street.  I told her I'll have to see how fast the crocheting can get... ;)

Truth be told, I experimented with another poncho style, for an adult, in a lovely aran wool blend in a graphite hue - a significantly more sane colour scheme. ;)

It turned out so super gorgeous, I gifted it to my sister-in-law.  I have no pics of that one. But I do have a custom order from her friend who saw her in it... ;D

Happy Simpliciti Customer #1

This is Georgia. See how she smiles... and how fabulous she's looking in a Simpliciti heartwarmer with matching beanie?

In fact, she's so happy with it, she shares it with her favourite Unicorn....

Thanks Khia May! :)

Simpliciti

That's the name of my new Etsy shop, where I am hawking the products of my crochet addiction. Do drop by and check it out at www.simpliciti.etsy.com.

Kiddy heartwarmers of various bright colour combos - all lovingly handmade, and nicely warm. I'm doing up a couple more colour combos, and also going to start doing matching beanies.

I really like how these are so useful for summer-cool days, as well as winter-cold ones. Worn like a wrap-shrug, it's easy to use and sufficiently cozy. And then when it gets bitterly cold, this can be wrapped around and around as a super-warm, burly scarf. Or tied over the head as a scoodie (scarf/hoodie).

Ruhi is the Simpliciti Poster Girl, so every new colour combo has to be done first in her size. I'm working on making available sizes aged 4/5, 6/7, and 8/9, although I will take on any custom orders of specific colour combos and/or size.

Maybe I should get her to pose in the heartwarmers a la bitter winter. Right now she's just all cutesy in Spring/Summer fashion...

My First Lace Shawl

Ah, the satisfaction of completing a fairly intricate lace shawl!

I have been working on this (in between lots of other things) for almost a month. Pattern and instructions courtesy of BernioliesDesigns, the Etsy shop of Bernadette, whose day job is a costume designer for a circus in the Netherlands.

If you're into gorgeous shawls, shrugs and scarves, check out her crafted stuff at Berniolie.

It's A Heartwarmer

I kid you not. It's officially known as a "heartwarmer". I did some detective work at Ravelry, super fun place to hang out at. If you're a knit/crochet nut. ;)

So this is the mini version, complete with matching beanie, I crafted up for my little 4-year-old niece. 7-year-old Ruhi models it...

Ruhi loves it. (Can you tell?) So much so that I have been ordered to craft up a set for her, "in a slightly bigger size, in light purple and dark purple. OK?"