Crafters at MAAD Dec 08

Went to the MAAD (Market of Artists and Designers) December 08 event at Red Dot Museum. Its the last MAAD event of the year before 2008 comes to a close. And boy, was I impressed with the interesting and crafty designs made by the artists/designers there! In particular, I was attracted by the Headbangers Brigade and bought a beautiful headbanger costing SGD$6. Its actually a hairband made using a black rubber band accompanied with some beautiful polka dotted ribbon and a little red bow flower. Simple yet refreshing design. There were quite an assortment of the ribbons available but I fell prey to this polka dotted design! See the beautiful ribbon ..

Knitting Accessories

Came across this useful accessories chart from Clover and wanted to share this. I dont seem to have all of these cute little tools yet too! The japanese have cleverly put them down on this page on some of these things that you may possibly need ... Do you have them too?

We are turning one!

Handknitter Craft Journal turns one on 8 October 2008! Hooray!

Its been a quick one year and we made it! Happy 1st anniversary!

This year has not been an especially eventful one. Been quite a quiet year, in fact. Not many knit works in progress this year and still have many works down the pipeline pending accomplishment. The list goes as follows:

1) my first pair of blue knit socks which I am still stuck with the 2nd pair

2) my beige shoulder warmer about 3/4 done but yet to complete

3) sewing up a third small pink pouch that i intend to give as a xmas present during year end to my friend and intend to knit up a few more for my colleagues

4) have to start knitting my xmas gifts - planning to do a small kerchief (pattern found inside my recent purchased book titled "Last Minute Knitted Gifts" from Amazon.com) ....

So to sum it up, this has been quite a year of knitting bad debts!!

However, with this new start, I vow to get all these done up quickly and I hope to complete them within this year. May the knitting force be with me !!!

Sun Festival 2008 is here

Cant believe it! The Sun Festival is going to be here again from 17-26 October 2008! So I understand this festival was also celebrated at Tuscan, Italy in August 2008 and will be at Napa, California next year in July 2009 too. So after a successful launch of the Singapore’s premier arts and lifestyle festival last year, here it is again!

Last year I attended the Sun Festival with Teddy at the Botanic Gardens knitting away while watching the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" in the evening. It was good time spent there, laying our mat, having our sandwiches and watching a good movie. Spending some relaxing time of our own under the stars in the Gardens. Of course, plus I could knit away leisurely too..

Cant wait for the day to come. Got to take out my picnic basket and start planning on some nice food for a lovely evening out. Till that day, an experience awaits ... wish you can be here too!

A Feast for the Senses.

A Joy to Experience.

A Gift for the Soul.

Experience it all in Uniquely Singapore.

Little Tweety

A little green bird came by our house last week. We were so excited when we saw it sitting on our window. Dad caught it and put it in a cage we previously housed our tortoise. Lovely little thing! It was green in colour and with a yellow beak, face was in another tone. There were blue feathers at the back. We called it “Tweet Tweet” as it chirps in that manner!

We later realised that this is the peach-faced love-bird species. Seeing the lovely bird, we could not bear to put in the tortoise cage so we spent S$10 buying a bird cage. We spent a day playing with it and feeding it with sunflower seeds and fruits. It was so happy in the new bird cage!

After a few days, we brought Tweet Tweet out and seeing how happy it was when it saw the blue sky, we decide to let it go… with regrets!

O little Tweet Tweet, we miss you so!

If you have time and recognise our apartment, do pay us a visit again some day!

Till we meet again…

Happy National Day

Wishing Singapore a happy national day! We are 43 years of nation building today. May our nation be peaceful, strong and prosperous always!

Crazy for Ewe (Wool)

These days I am crazy over buying wool. Despite the fact that I am not able to finish knitting them fast enough, I have been crazily stocking them up! Reason is because I simply cant resist them! Just asked J who came back from Australia to help buy some more Aussie wool for me. Got them at some real bargains @ A$2 (approx S$2.70) per ball! Some of the more interesting colours cost A$2.80 per ball. Its still a great buy! Wonder if its because wool costs less in Australia than here in Singapore. Got to ask her to get some more wool next time ...

Long Awaited Knitting Books

Finally! They are here! The 3 knitting books that I ordered from Amazon... Hooray they are finally here!! The books are "Knitting over the Edge", "Last-Minute Knitted Gifts" and "Knitalong - Celebrating the Tradition of Knitting Together".

1. Really like this Nicky Epstein book "Knitting Over the Edge" I borrowed from library so much that I had to get my hands on it. It is probably a knitter's collector item, as the book is just a collection of all the nice stitches for unique ribs, cords, appliques and over 350 decorative borders! In case I need some nice knit border inspirations, this book will probably do just fine! Having read reviews that her first collection "Knitting On the Edge" was filled with errors, I understand this second book is a better compiled collection. It has gotten rave reviews so far!

2. Joelle Hoverson's (owner of Purl) "Last-Minute Knitted Gifts" is a collection of some simple to do knit gifts that you can accomplish between 2-8 hours. This will be handy guide to some last minute gifts you need to do during special occasions. I especially like the kerchief scarf and the lovable little soft toys! The layout and photos in this book is also another great reason why you have to own it.

3. The 3rd book by Larissa Brown "Knitalong" is another collectible item I thought I need to have. Bought just to recognise Larissa's effort and the knitalongs that she has been organising all this while. I have been a follower of her blog "Stitch Marker" - getting tips from her online knit diary. This one is a real pleasure.

Away in Bangkok, Thailand

Its been a busy month and I did not even get to update my blog since so many weeks passed! Had a short break at Bangkok, Thailand last week and did not get to touch any of my knitting for this while. Decided against bringing my needles on board the plane, as I really do not know whether they are allowed given the strict flight restrictions (plus I was taking a budget airline and you never know they may ask you to dump your needles and wool before you board the plane at the security checkpoint) - I wouldnt risk my knitting stuff like this!

Visited Bangkok famous Chatuchak Weekend Market (or JJ market as affectionately known) where I spotted some clever handcrafters churning out nice wool stuff e.g. hats and toys. These markets are the testbed and grounds of many talented new crafters & ingenious people, so beware and take a look while you are there in the country!

Knitting books

Found some great knitting books by Nicky Epstein at the Singapore Library. I think these are not new books but they are really a great reference for starter knitter like me! The book compiles lovely patterns/stitches with all their instructions. Liked it so much that I made an order for it with Amazon.

The titles were "Knitting On the Edge" and

and "Knitting Over the Edge".

From Posie

I am so excited ! I just received the package from Posie "Rosy Little Things" - the Country Girl Clothespin Doll Kit ! Lovely stuff containing the doll pins, pin stands, head beads, assorted cloth materials, acrylic paints varnish set among other stuff including instructional notes to help me hand make 5 cute little dolls. The overseas package costs me US$38 but I cant resist it as the dolls look so adorable ! Got to get it moving after I finish my blue socks ...

Shawl inspirations

Visited one of the events by Style:Nordic at La Salle School of Design last week during the Singapore Fashion Week held in Singapore from 28 March - 6 April 2008. Was delighted to have met Monica, founder of Freja Designs at the event! Freja Designs showcases many lovely designs on shawl and jewelleries from Scandinavia of which many adore. See above simply gorgeous piece of art - a handmade shawl !

First Blue Sock Part 1

My first attempt at making my first sock is almost 80% done! How happy I am! Can you spot the heel already done up? Didnt know it could be this easy. Now I still have to shape the front toes of the first sock then to sew them up and it shall be completed! Just cant wait to see my other half completed as well... and see my first pair of socks done up!! *Applause please as an encouragement to a novice*

Pay It Forward !

Lovely idea
From “The Yarn Café” Blog

The first three people to comment on this post will receive a gift from me,

sometime within the next 365 days.

Who knows when it will turn up, or what it will be, but rest assured, it will arrive.

All you have to do is promise to make the same declaration on your blog,

and send out gifts to three of your lovely readers.
Easy Peasy.

Great knitting companion - International Channel FM 96.3

Love to knit at nights where it is quiet. Its even better to knit in the night with a lovely companion - easylistening music on night programs called "Music Interlude". Great music to go along when you knit away! This is an international channel by MediaCorp Singapore. Bet you will also love this wonderful companion at International Channel 96.3 FM to knit with too ...

Sock away!

This time I must try my hands at knitting a pair of socks! This will be my first attempt! Its not going to be easy to manage on my own but I will try. Found an easy pattern and here's my progress so far -about barely 5% done of sock 1.

Pattern: Bumper Book of Knitting
Yarn: Rowan Classic Cashsoft 4 ply yarn

Knitting Needles: 3mm bamboo circular needles

NO dream is big to be fulfilled

Found inspiration lately from a TV program called "So Simple" telecast on Channel U. Its about life inspiring travelogues and simplicity of life looking through the eyes of a poetic traveller played by a Singaporean TV artiste. Through the program, saw few people featured from Taiwan and Japan leading simple yet fulfilling lives. Have you ever wanted to learn to be organic, to live in a tree-house or just to leave your busy lifestyles behind and venture to a new place? No dream is too big to fulfil if you wish to ! Enjoy the essence of life ! Please spread the wonderful life lessons to everyone. Inspirational shots abound at :

So Simple TV Show Blog 2 (in English/Chinese)

So Simple TV Show Blog 1

Some lovely crafts produced by The Simple Folks (mastermind of the "So Simple" TV progam) at Poetic Zakka.

Simply Knitting magazine

Got my latest copy of "Simply Knitting" magazine from Borders bookstore. Rated the Britain's best seller, this has been my favourite read for knitting inspirations and stories. This issue comes with a thoughtful pattern counter to track your pattern progress, in case you forgot which row you are at. This will be definitely useful for the FORGETFUL me!!

p.s.
Simply Knitting is having their Simply Knitalong where you can join in knitting a pair of socks. You can get your free sock pattern for download and to knit. The link is at "Simply Knitalong: Feet First (21 Feb 08 post)"!

See My Free Pattern Counter above !

MAAD Sunday

It was a MAAD Sunday on 2 March 2008 at Red Dot Museum, Singapore. MAAD stands for "Market for Artists and Designers" and typically this event falls on the first Sunday of every month. I had never been to MAAD and got an invitation so thought I will go and take a look. It was quite an interesting bazaar! Quite a few mini stalls set up within the Museum at Maxwell Road and saw quite a few crafters there. Mostly, jewellry and accessories creators. Some handmade fashion makers and also 1 decorative light inventor. The Red Dot Museum was open free to public that day and so I had a chance to visit and get some creative ideas.. Will probably visit the MAAD again to get some interesting inspiration ... or ha! maybe get my works displayed one of these days !

Dropped a stitch

I dropped a stitch and did not discover this mistake. Now what a headache! Had to reverse all the 4 rows of my knitting on my shoulder warmer as I made this silly mistake. Aarghh..

This piece of my shoulder warmer (knitted in Jo Sharp Rare Comfort Kid Mohair wool) would probably still need another month or so to complete. Although the pattern is pretty simple but I just wonder why the knitting still takes such a long time to complete. I better speed up cos I still have other knit plans ....

Ravelry community

I joined the Ravelry Community as a member on 11 Feb 08 - nickname "KNITCRAFTER". The site contains lots of interesting news, patterns, people and info about knitting and crochet. Still in its beta version now. The community is growing stronger by the day! If you wish to get connected with the community and not to miss out on the fun, you got to visit http://www.ravelry.com/. You have to sign up in order to receive an invitation to join the community so act now.

Moda Vera wool

Finally got my hands on some new wool from the Spotlight store. They were having a sale. Australian wool. Simply irrestible colours and texture! These are gorgeous wool with a blend of 50% acrylic and 50% wool. Look! These are the 50 gram MODA VERA Harmony wool in Colour No 5 Tones of Red & Brown.


Composition: 50% acrylic 50% wool
Meterage per ball: approx 70m
Needle Size: 5.5mm
Tension: 20 stitches x 25 rows (10cm x10cm sq)

These wool would be perfect for the next knitting project -scarf, hat, sock ... Due to the lovely colours, I could not resist and had also gotten wool in Colour No 4 Tones of Blue and Colour No 6 Tones of Green. Now I think I might have too many of them. If anyone likes these wool too, I am willing to let go of some of them at the price of S$3 per ball, but you will have to bear the related packing and shipping charges. Do leave me a comment or drop me an email if you are interested and you can tell me what quantity you need. Now what I need to do is to find some nice knitting pattern for these wool...

My Dear Valentine

THE WIFE PLEDGE

To my dear sweet hubby valentine,

I promise to be good. To be sweet, nice and tolerant to you.
To cook, knit and be there for you at all times.
And to always be your wonderful lovely wife! Smoouch !

Love always, xoxo
Your wife a.k.a. Handknitter

Thought I ought to declare and make a pledge to my dear valentine on this special day for any bad times I made him go through ... sorry dear!~ I will do my best ..

Gong xi fa cai!

That means "wishing you many good luck and fortune" in Chinese and that's what we greet each other during our Lunar New Year! Following the Lunar Calendar, we celebrated our Chinese New Year on 7 Feb 2008 this year to usher in the auspicious Year of the Rat !!

7 and 8 Feb was a public holiday and we were out busy visiting and reuniting with friends and relatives that we have not seen for a while. It was a busy time for everyone! Springcleaning, shopping for new year goodies, packing red packets... etc (Distributing red packets or "ANG POW" by the married to the younger children and the unmarried is a Chinese custom to show that one has reach independence and to give good wishes to the younger) It was a good time to gather and reunite with friends and family ! May spring be a good start for everyone and wish everyone a Happy New Year ahead! GONG XI FA CAI!!

Lovely buttons

Look what I've got from the market! Some lovely buttons. Intend to buy them in anticipation of my next little knitting project and to have them sewn on to it - probably on the next little purse or a pouch or bag! Been also looking around for suitable wool. My considerations on ordering wool from overseas is that shipping will probably need to take 3 weeks or so. For faster turnaround time, it might be better for me to go and hunt around the yarn shops downtown. The problem here we face is that yarn shops are not aplenty so we dont have many choice when it comes to buying wool. I will still have to make a trip to see what wool I can get from the few yarn shops that I know of ... at Spotlight or probably Golden Dragon Store.

Knitalong inspiration!

Been looking around for Knitalongs (KAL) to join for some knitting inspiration ... as that's what I had resolve to do this year. Guess what I found? A whole list of information at http://knitalongs.xaviermusketeer.com/ in case you are interested too.



Wanted to join the Socks-Knit-Along 5 but its already closed. What a pity! It appears there is still 15 open invites so there may still be a chance that if the 15 dont respond, it will be open to others on the waiting list. So I may still stand a chance if I register... or else I will wait till March when it opens again. Oh well.

Also stumbled onto the "Complete Jane Austen Knitalong" blog pretty interesting. Its more for Jane Austen fans out there. You get an episode installment every week to watch and knit together. Then share your comments as you knit. Interesting! But pity I am not really a Jane Austen fan so I may just drop by when I need a dosage of Jane Austen.

A good start to 2008

Here's to the new year and a good calm start to 2008! Before you know it, its already the 7th day into Year 2008. One week to be exact, with christmas and new year celebrations all over. I had the chance to take a good break at the start of the year to rest and reflect on what I have done for the past one year. What about you?

Soul-searching with your partner?

What lies on the road ahead?

For now, its back to knitting on my scarf. Got to finish it soon and embark on a new project ...

During the holiday break, found some nice free knitting patterns. Have listed them in the "Knit Patterns I like" on the Left. Do check them out and leave me a note if you manage to get yourself going on one of these patterns and how its been progressing so far!

Its a dog's life in 2007.. Welcome 2008!

Photo of Bulldog Wang, courtesy of 3rd bro

Its been a dog's life rushing things through in year 2007 ... and thats where it all ends... amidst minutes of cheering and seconds of fireworks in the sky for us Singaporeans at the Marina waterfront and at Vivocity's countdown!

May 2008 be a year where all wishes be fulfilled and goals be accomplished !

My New Year Resolutions are to:

1. start on knitting a pair of socks

2. make a nice little gift (booties?) for my newborn-niece-to-be by March 08

3. complete my knit projects at least 4 within this year

4. sign up for a knit club/ get a membership so as to accomplish #3. Refer above.