g e e k c h i c ®

The recent lack of posts had nothing to do with writers’ block nor lacking in issues to ponder upon. Neither has it got to do with the lack of thoughts to share.

I had half a mind of shutting this down because I’m at that stage of life where I’m uncomfortable with sharing my deepest darkest thoughts. Or, maybe it’s because I’ve finally found THE one to share my deepest darkest thoughts with. However, shutting this down is like killing off part of myself. I’d realised that I needed this blog as much as I need to breathe (or buy up the next pretty ball of yarn I lay my eyes on)

2009 as it is, has not been easy for me. I thought I started it off with a bang by flying home to Melbourne from Devonport. I guess, that’s where it sort of started to go downhill.

The struggles with finding a home, the struggles of going through the doom and gloom of the economy, the struggles of trying to lead life as normal as I can all the while I feel life is being put on hold for the time being. No, 2009 has not been very kind to me.

So, if you ask me if I plan to celebrate my big 3 with a bang, I’ll tell you that there’s really nothing worth celebrating.

I’m also a little out of touch right now because a dear friend has been hospitalised. Between work and dashing to Royal Melbourne Hospital (which serves damn awesome meals, by the way), I’m just knitting to try and stay sane. From this, I learnt that I hate hospitals. I made the right choice in not being a doctor-I would’ve never made it. I don’t have the mental tenacity nor emotional capacity to deal with it. Nurses and doctors have earned a higher level of respect from me through all of this. The many staff I’d harassed at Royal Melbourne have been nothing but patient, understanding and most kind. (I’ve lost count of the number of times I asked if he’s out of the OR yet and no one has been short with me or brushed me off) So, while I’m thankful that colour has returned to his cheeks, he’s finishing off his dinner and telling me my latte smells damn good, I’m still worried and I will continue to worry until he’s back to his usual wanting-to-play footie self.

So, that’s life for the first half of 2009. If this is not solid rock bottom, I really don’t know what is. I’m just hoping that it will pick up in the 2nd half of 2009; I don’t know how else I can take it anymore.

Decided to do a spot of ironing. This time, just a couple of shirts for the milder days on Monday and Tuesday.

I think nothing is better than a crisp white shirt to brighten up your Monday. Even though you feel completely shitty, seriously, nothing lifts the mood up like a crisp white shirt with tailored pants and red boots.

I’ve only one favourite white shirt. It’s one that I managed to score at a few Country Road sales ago. Nothing flash about it, muted stripes and fits me perfectly.

Until this damn iron decided to ruin it. The iron scorched the ironing board many months back and despite my attempts of scraping the pieces of burnt bits off the plate, it wouldn’t come out. I’ve decided to resume ironing as usual. Of all days, TODAY. TODAY. TODAY. TODAY, it decides to shed the burnt bits right onto the buttonhole threads of my FAVOURITE WHITE SHIRT.

No amount of scraping would get rid of the burnt residue trapped within the threads.

Short of slamming my head repeatedly into the brick wall, I’ve decided that my next budget for a damn fucking good iron is $300.00. Yep, that’s THREE HUNDRED Australian buckaroo dollars. I’ve never really hated ironing until this damn iron turned up on my ironing board. Not only does it leak like my nose on a particularly bad flu season, the creases re-appear on my shirts a couple of hours after being ironed; as if I’ve not ironed it in the first place!

So, enough is enough with this shit. I’m splurging on an iron because ironing is slowly but surely becoming one of those loathsome household chores that I don’t have a choice but to do it.

I’m just waiting for Myer’s end of financial year sale to score a bargain.

Until then, I’m rocking up to work in my collection of knits.

My very first project made using circular needles was completed in 3 days; mainly on train rides.

This cowl has received RAVING reviews from everyone who’s seen me wear it. I’ve already received orders to make this. The purchaser will pay for the yarn and supply me with coffee for an entire week. SOLD!

This was done using seed stitch and I chose to use a super chunky yarn. The pattern can be found here.

Spotted along Whitehorse Road, Box Hill. Ambos are paramedics. No, truck drivers are not truckos.

More stupidity from Connex. Last I recall, I am in Melbourne.

And, while I was slogging away at work, almost crashing into a divider because of the fog, Tine sent me happy snappies of her roadtrip with her family.

Copyright Tine

Copyright Tine

Borders rocks. Seriously rocks.

I added these 2 books to my knitting books collection (not that I have that many to begin with). However, if you’re just starting out with knitting, I strongly recommend Stitch N Bitch: The knitters’ handbook by Debbie Stoller.

I’d been lusting after this book ever since I laid my greedy eyes on it. But, at $30, I was a little reluctant to part with my hard-earned cash. (Ya know, times are hard!) So, with the 30% discount Borders voucher in my hands, I was a little more willing to plonk my plastic for it. When I picked it up, I was a little dismayed at the condition. It’s not that bad but just a little well-flipped. The very helpful staff at Borders very willingly took 10% off the price. And, on top of that, I got my extra 30% off as well! BRILLIANT!

And then I saw this in the bargain bin and I couldn’t resist.

I’m very thankful to be in Melbourne where I’m spoilt for choice for yarn. I also have the choice to spend as little or as much as I wish on yarn. And books! Books are cheap!

And my favourite season is upon us.

Fall.

Tough day today. It’s the 2nd day this week I stayed past official working hours. Stuff just seems to happen.

If you know my lifestyle for the past year of working, anything past 5pm is unacceptable. Even my boss thinks so. Which is why she dropped me off at the train station because I stayed back late to finish up what was critical.

And then I came home to this:

Why wouldn’t I smile?

I’d been told not to mention names so, no names but to those 2 lovely people who sent me this, a huge thank you! You may have just piqued my interest in makeup again!

And, this is finally something for myself. It’s EASY to knit and with working full time, I could finish this in less than a week.

Shryh and I were at Clegs and were randomly pulling balls of yarn together and this combination just clicked.

Yarn: Rowan RYC Cashsoft DK
Skeins used: 2 (1 pink, 1 grey)

Colour A: Cast on 4.
Row 1: K, knit through the back loop, knit the rest (Colour A)
Row 2: K
Row 3: K (Colour B)
Row 4: K (Colour B)

Continue doing this until it’s completely unbearable or until you have reached 50% of your skeins. Then, start decreasing.

To decrease:
Row 1: K, k2tog through the back loop, k
Row 2,3,4: k

Bind off when you are down to 4 stitches.

Or, if you prefer, read the original of the pattern here.

I weigh my skeins before I started my knitting using regular kitchen scales. Then, as I move into fits of panic attacks, I kept on weighing my remaining skeins to ensure I’m down to 50%.

Yes, it’s an indescribable high to wear something you’ve made from your very own bare hands. Also, yes, that’s how short my hair is right now.

My days and nights are spent contemplating the evils of hardcoding your well, codes. Also, when it was finalised that the giant monstrosity of Oracle had bought over Sun, I got a huge kick out of thinking how easy it was for Oracle and Sun employees to exchange ideas since their buildings are literally across each other on St Kilda Rd.

Speaking of Oracle, I cannot wait to head off for the training that’s coming up. 2 days of intensive beginners’ course followed by 2 full days of the advanced administration course. It’ll be a refreshing change from the work. I’m also a little antsy awaiting for the 11g to be released and I’m dying of curiosity to see how they’re going to bundle all their products and incorporate WebLogic (which they’ve bought, of course).

My nights are spent knitting and finding patterns and hoarding yarn and knitting and fretting over dropped stitches.

That’s the life and I’m contented.

Oh, what makeup? Nothing in the market is remotely interesting and nothing from the Oroton 50% sale caught my eye.

OK, I lied. I bought a ginormous black (read: timeless) clutch when it got slashed 50%.

Next stop: Clegs for more yarn.

This yarn requires 4mm needles but being a noob who’s disgustingly horrible at purling, I’ve lost count of the number of times I frogged this scarf. I initially casted on 32 stitches and started it in K4, P4.

It was just a little too hard to keep track of and 4mm took my complete last shred of sanity.

So, thanks to Shryh’s brilliant idea of doubling up the yarn as well as using 7mm needles, this was completed in a little less than 2 weeks while I was working on other projects at the same time.

By the time I was ready to weave it in, it was close to 2m long and I reckon this is good enough as a long and skinny scarf.

Yarn: Cleckheaton Country
Material: 100% wool
Needle size used: 7mm
Made for: Po-oh Moo

I’ve to remember not to hoard yarn because this is such a tiny basket! The stash I have there are for upcoming projects for Rotus and a couple of items for myself.

YES! I’m finally making something for myself!

On another note, with the help of the Cow, we’ve managed to figure out what I should get for myself as I turn 30. I plan to take the week off to just rest, relax at home and spend time with friends and family.

Knitting with 5mm needles on just pure knit really almost swayed me to sleep everytime. So, I was so glad when I was finally weaving in the ends for this scarf. Had the most fun making the fringes!

Yarn: Moda Vera Attraction bought from Spotlight South Melbourne
Material: 100% wool
Needle size: 5mm
Gauge: Cannot be bothered since it’s a scarf
Crochet hook for fringes: 6mm
Made for: Romus

Youtube’s a great source to learn how to knit. Or make fringes for the scarf in my case. There are so many ways of doing them that I refused to use any of the methods until I found one that I liked.

I think I should add a new category: Knitting for this blog