Stockholm Scarf

The scarf has been on my list for a while. I know if I make it with a winter yarn, I wouldn't be able to use it long as it was almost spring when I started making it, so I used a cotton/acrylic blend instead since I want a cowl for the warmer months.

I got this yarn when I went to the Japanese yarn store at Warden and Steeles. I don't normally go there as I hate that plaza. I had to go to Ajisen Ramen that day so stopped by the yarn store after lunch. I don't normally use acrylic yarn since I prefer natural fiber. But I like this color, it's a red and purple variegated yarn, it's different from the colors I normally use and they were on sale at 30% off so I got it for my cowl. It's the Olympus Melange yarn. Not the softest yarn to work with, I find it a bit scratchy, but I like the color so I will live with the unpleasant knitting experience with this yarn.

This should be a DK weight yarn, with 100 meters per skein. This is actually the true color of the yarn. Still haven't been able to take any pictures of the cowl under natural sunlight so the color of the cowl isn't its true color. 

The pattern was easy to memorize. I was able to finish knitting a skein of yarn a day so it only took me 5 days to finish the cowl. I had some problems with my cast on as I kept leaving too little yarn for my cast on, so I ended up doing it over and over again. I either had too much yarn left or I had too little yarn for the cast on. Took me 10 times to get my cast on right. I left too much yarn for the cast on, so I ended up casting on more stitches as I didn't want to waste the yarn. I cast on 266 stitches, I didn't do the side ribbing as I was knitting it in the round.

I used 5.2 skeins for my cowl. If I didn't cast on that many stitches, I should be able to stop after using 4.5 skeins. I still have yarn left for embroidery work on my hibernated Daphne Purse. Had to put that purse on hold as I didn't have yarn for the embroidery. 

I really like this pattern and I'll make it again for winter. 

The Tines Shawl

I want to send my blessings to all the people in Japan. I'm glad to hear that all my friends and their families in Japan are safe! 

This is my latest project, just finished it over the weekend. Finished knitting on Friday, finished blocking on Saturday. Right now it's sitting in my closet becoming part of my gift stash. I might keep it, but I think I'll give it away to a friend for X'mas this year. 

This was a test knit project I was working on for Celia from Celia's Basket. Simple shawl yet you actually need to pay attention to the pattern. Making sure you do the yarn overs at the right place. I had it wrong a couple of times and had to pull it out and readjust the positions of the yarn overs to get my straight ptbl line. 

This shawl has a stockinette body and lace edge. and it uses less yarn than I expected. I used less than one skein of Misti Alpaca Lace Solid yarn. I still have about 30 yards of yarn left. It's an easy mindless project. It reminds me of the Ishbel which also has a stockinette body and lace edge. I shall make another Ishbel for myself. 

fully blocked size is 135 cm wide and 60 cm deep. which is a decent size for following the instructions for small. 

Pattern: The Tines Shawl By Celia's basket

Yarn: Misti Alpaca Lace Solids

Yardage: 428 yards

needle: 4mm

Shopping spree

I know I shouldn't be buying new yarn this year. I just added 100 skeins of yarn to my stash since the year started. 62 skeins of new Japanese yarn I bought from Pierrot Yarn and the remaining 3X skeins are from my boyfriend's mom. She had all these Patons yarns from the 80s that she doesn't use and she gave them all to me. I'm still trying to think of ways to use up all these yarns in my stash. I had over 100 skeins of yarn in my stash before the year ended so right now I have over 200 skeins of yarn sitting in my closet and suitcases so I really shouldn't visit my LYS. 

I picked the autumn kit

Just by looking at the yarn, you know you can't resist this gorgeous four seasons hat kit by Tanis Fiber Arts. After I saw the kit on her website, I know I have to go pick up the kit. 

Sea Mineral mitten pattern available free on Ravelry.

I also had my eyes on the Spilly Janes Sea Mineral Mitten kit with Sunday Yarns. The Sunday Yarns are so soft to touch. I can't wait to wind them into balls of yarn to start knitting. 

So along with the two kits, I also picked up a skein of the Tanis Green Label in velvet for the Tilted Duster. I also got myself my first set of knitpicks Harmony needles. Another thing I shouldn't be getting as I just ordered a set of addi lace clicks for myself. 

flower shawl

This has to be one of my favourite finished projects because it's my first Japanese knitting pattern. It won't be the last. Never thought I could manage knitting a Japanese pattern without anyone to help me. Saw the store sample at a Chinese mall in Toronto and I instantly fell in love with it. The yarn the store model used was a 100% merino yarn with glittery threads. They also changed the cast off edge into a nice ruffled edge. It just looks special as I've never made any shawls like this before. All the shawls I've knitted have airy lacy edges. This is just a change for me. 

This is a pattern designed by Hitomi Shida for Couture Knits 11: Elegance knits エレガンスなニット. You gotta love all the lovely designs from Hitomi Shida. However, with my current skills, I don't think I can knit one of her sweater patterns. 


As this is a Japanese pattern, I chose to use Japanese yarn with this pattern. I've used Nikke Victor Subtle yarn for this project. I've used 8.5 balls of yarn for the actual shawl, and another 2.5 for crocheting the ruffled edge. 

close up on the flower motif.

lace edge chart and ruffled edge

Pattern: Flower shawl by Hitomi Shida

Yarn: Nikke Victor Subtle

Yardage: 1232 yards 

Needle size: 4.5mm

new tools

You gotta love it when there are sales at Michaels. Snatched these fabulous crochet hooks from Michaels a few days ago when they were having their notions sale. They were 40% off their regular price. I'm still missing 3 sizes- 2.25mm, 5mm and 6mm. I'll get them tomorrow if they're still on sale. Need to head back to get myself a clover retractable measuring tape. My old measuring tape broke and I need one now.