Knittipina Report 003

What have I been up to?

[Before this I was derailed by a couple of vintage fountain pens I was restoring to working order. Maybe I should have a separate pen blog for that.]

I got a little tired of knitting the lace wrap thingy, so I'm putting that aside. I actually started a basic tank top that I am making from scratch (writing pattern as I go, but made with tips from Stitch 'N Bitch Nation and Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design. Woke up very early last Friday with a low grade fever, and couldn't sleep, so I made me a schematic based on my favorite cotton v-neck t-shirt.

I knitted steadily, got my proportions wrong, and unraveled half my work. Today, since I am still recovering from that souvenir from the flu season, I discovered where I went wrong and am prepared to frog the whole thing. Yes, the masochistic Gravelcat will start all over again! This should be frustrating for most people, but you see I had a Eureka moment. Today my best friends are my yarn winder, my measuring tape, my calculator, and of course, my needles.

Worldwide Knit in Public Day was a no-go for me, as it wasn't wise to leave quarantine, what with the AH1N1 virus spreading in nearby schools. My friend May told me to stop knitting as I might be knitting continuously into the night. Yes, that danger is ever present, but then my fingers need rest too.

May you all knit in the best of health!

Addi Turbo Lace Needles at Dreams Glorietta 5

I finally got some Addi Turbo Lace needles!!! *Does the booty shake of joy*

They were PhP690 for the US size 00 (1.75mm). I know, it seems like a lot, but when the prices at online stores abroad plus shipping are still higher. This is a lifetime warranty TOOL, and therefore worth it.

I couldn't afford the US size 000 (1.50mm) yet, maybe later on. I wish there was a book I could get that contained just knitted lace borders, like there is for crochet. Yes, Nicky Epstein wrote several, but not all the titles are available locally. I'd like to learn the traditional kind, the kind you put on the edges of nightgowns or bedlinens. I could use DMC Petra for that. Or anything Egyptian cotton that's reasonably priced.

I also met Marivic, a very dedicated crocheter/knitter who also completed her Addi set one by one - because she goes to Dreams all the way from the province!

Dreams is in the new Glorietta 5 building near Rustan's Makati, on the 3rd floor, near the escalator.

Dare To Knit In Public - In Manila

Lion Brand Notebook sent me a notice about this year's World Wide Knit In Public Day. I borrowed the really cool logo above from there.

It's actually TWO weekends this June - 13/14 and 20/21. Amy tried to organize something last year for our little corner of the world, but I wasn't able to join. This weekend is tight, it being my dad's birthday on Independence Day and all, but the weekend after might work. MIGHT.

The last time I knitted in public seems to be at the dentist's office. Er... no. I think it was actually at Cibo Shangrila. I was knitting a baby sock while having a leisurely coffee with a childhood friend. Unfortunately, there are no photos to mark that event. I was also a bit afraid of spilling coffee on my knitting. But the admiring glances of passersby were encouraging.

I wonder what my crafter friends are planning.

Hooked on Crocheted String Bags

Ever since my cousin gave me a pretty & compact reusable shopping tote from the States (a nylon Enviro-sack, I think), I've been obsessed with making a crocheted version.

The first I made is of a thread locally available in Manila called Raylon #8/3-ply. It's based on a free pattern by Deborah Erbach Burger of Crochet: The Extraordinary Realm.

This bag is so roomy, I was once able to fit a king-sized cotton blanket in it while shopping at an Earth Day bazaar. This feature I love: when turned inside out, the bottom of the bag serves as a pouch for the expandable mesh portion.

Recently at Tru Value I saw the Envirosack and other similar products; the lowest-priced ones go for P199 (about USD5.50). My mesh bag, which holds twice as much, costs about P75 (about USD 1.50) for materials.

Currently I'm trying out other patterns with different locally available materials like Monaco cotton twine, which is cheaper & probably sturdier, but also just a bit bulkier than Raylon, which has a soft drape, silky sheen and folds away smaller.

(Cross-posted from Making Time for Joy blog)