bags!

http://www.yarnies.com/Shaped%20bags.htm

I love love love the first three! The patterns are 8.99, but what I don't understand is why they're charging 4$ for shipping! Can't they just email it to you? And even if they send it by mail... four dollars? I don't know, it sounds like a lot. Meh.

Maybe I'll buy one when my current projects are done (and when I have more money :p)

Returning

I took a little Internet break for personal reason. I'm trying to keep this blog knitting-related (I have a personal journal on livejournal, my username is amarillys). But I'll just say I've been feeling very down, still am in fact. But knitting is therapeutic at least.

I finished my funky purple scarf. No pics yet but they will come later.

I think I'll drop out of the DNA-along. The project has been frustrating me way too much. I haven't frogged it yet so maybe I'll pick it back up someday. But for now let's just say it's on hold.

I'm going to try to make the lacey poncho from Chicknits. Because I really do need a poncho.

Thanks to all of you who have commented on my last entry. I bought some Noro Silk Garden from a link someone recommended. So THANK YOU. :)

Yarn envy

All of you who gave me encouraging comments (either here or on the KR forums) after my last post: thank you. I still haven't given up on the DNA scarf. I'm now at row 6 on the chart and I'm doing a little bit at a time.

I'm also almost done with my fuzzy purple scarf. Woohoo.

Now I have a question. Does anyone know where I can find the best prices for:

-Noro Silk Garden
-Opal Brasil Sock yarn (I'm in love with this)
-Cascade 220
-Lamb's Pride

Unfortunately, all the LYSes I've been to in Montreal don't seem to carry the more popular brands so I have to shop online. But I'm not rich and with the exchange rate, yarn gets pricy. So I'm trying to find the stores that have the lowest prices.

Soon to come: a post where I'll keep track of all the projects I want to make someday.

Stupid DNA

I frogged the DNA scarf three times now. I guess I'm just not ready for cables yet or something. I always mess up somewhere and I try to unknit up to the error but end up messing up more. I'm not having fun with this project at all and I think I don't really like the yarn I got. *sigh*

I'll try one more time but if it doesn't prove to be more successful, I may decide ot put it on hold or to give it up entirely.

I feel like such a loser. It's just a scarf, shouldn't I be able to do it? And I wanted to make a sweater soon but now I'm scared to even think about it. Maybe I'll stick to bag or stupid garter stitch scarves.

(ok that last paragraph wasn't really true. I know I can do it and I'll keep on trying and there's no way I'm sticking to garter stitch scarves :p)

Forget Louis Vuitton...

...the world's most gorgeous bag was made by MOI.

Before felting:


Final result, modelled by a girl in her pajamas

(I spared you my morning face & hair)

Close-up


I used Noro Kureyon #139 and 10½ circular needles.

That bag was so easy to make and it really knit up quickly (I started it last Friday). I know I'm gonna make more of them for sure. I think I'm gonna make one in non-Kureyon yarn. Maybe a two-colour one in more neutral tones. Now you should all go and make one if you haven't already.

I'm in love...

...in love with my booga bag. Yes, I finished it! Well, actually, it's currently in the washer but I just took a peek to make sure the felting was going all right and it's gonna be gorgeous, I tell ya. I think one cycle is gonna be enough though, which is weird because I've heard a lot of people say it took them 3-4 cycles.

It sucks that it has to block and dry! I want to use it now! And I just know I'm gonna make more of them. It's so easy! And cute!

***

In other news, I don't know if anyone actually reads this blog. I'm mostly writing it so I can keep track of things I make and so I can babble incessantly about my obsession without annoying the non-knitters in my life. But if anyone reads and can help me, I'll be forever grateful.

I finally decided I wanted to make the Chinese Charm Bag from Stitch N' Bitch for my mom for Christmas. Why? Because when I showed her the book a while ago, the bag is what jumped to her the most. But as you may know, the yarn the pattern calls for (Noro Gemstones) is discontinued. I did find a few online stores who sell it, but it's quite expensive. I love my mom, but the bag requires six skeins and the exchange rate from US to Canadian dollars is terrible so it would be an expensive bag. And I want to give her other stuff too. So, I think yarn substitution is in order. But, I don't know what to use! I'd like colours that are similar to the ones in the book because I know my mom liked them. I did find some Noro Silk Garden that has similar colours, but it's mohair so I'm not sure it would look nice... I don't know. Any suggestions?

Earlier I was googling the bag to see if I could find yarn suggestions from other people who made it and I stumbled upon this:
http://knit.sushi-cat.net/index.php?p=37&c=1

Isn't that cute? It makes me want to knit a Chinese Charm bag for myself!

Booga

I simply couldn't wait to start my booga bag. I've been wanting to make one since I first saw one. I love love love the colour of the yarn I chose (Noro Kureyon #139). I wish a LYS in Montreal would sell it so I wouldn't have to order it online. Oh well.

I-cord is terribly boring to make. But it's done. I'm currently doing the bottom of the bag. I really want to marry that yarn.

I showed my mom the fuzzy feet I made for my sister and she LOVES them. She tried them on and they fit her which is not good because her feet are much bigger than my sister's. So I'll probably end up giving them to her and knitting a new pair for my sister. And I'll make a pair for my mom's boyfriend too. And for myself, why not? They're fun to make and not too complicated.

I feel bad about starting new projects when I have UFO that are taking forever. But at the same time... this is my hobby and I'm not gonna work on stuff if I don't feel like it. I'm sure I'll come back to my illusion scarf someday. But I really want to finish the stupid baby blanket (the blanket is stupid, not the baby... since there's no baby). I want to finish it because I have only 14 rows left. This week, hopefully.

I'll also be starting a DNA scarf tomorrow, as part of a knit-along. It will be my first try with cables. I use an acrylic yarn, not too expensive. If I like the way it looks, I may make another one with a nicer yarn.

I got two e-cards from people on the FiberRAOK list. Unfortunately, I'm on my mom's crappy computer (I suspect it's probably the older computer still being used) and I can't see them. So I will send thank you's after I get back home. But if the lovely ladies who have sent them are reading this: thank you! Just knowing that someone took the time to send me a card made my day. :)

Felting = magic

I finished the fuzzy feet!

Pre-felting:


Post-felting (colour more accurate):


In other knitting news: I finally got my Noro Kureyon! It's so pretty! I want to marry this yarn. Men suck anyways. *pets yarn*