Crafty Old Days….

I was at my Mom’s place last weekend and was looking through the things when i came across some old crafty stuff of mine which i want to share with you.

This is my first doily that i did on my own. I think i am around 14 years at that time. I learnt how to do sc and dc from my cousin during summer vacation but i could only learn crocheting in round before the holidays finished. So mostly what i did were doilies. The doily is done in some cheap acrylic yarn. My Mom still uses it on the phone table. The hook used was “Titoni”, did i get the spelling right??? i don’t remember the size of it, it might be 3mm or 2.5mm. My mom got it to make a crochet bag with plastic wire. She still has the bag but the handles (round plastic ones) broke and she (even i) don’t know how to replace them.

These things are done after i got my first glass painting kit. You can see all the wonky lines done with the liner. The fish done on the acrylic sheet was supplied as a part of the kit.
The Fish Cup is my favorite one. The plastic cup is a freebie with a Boost pack and had a scoobie-doo print on it. I washed with soap till the print is gone and then using a picture from “Young World” (remember the corner picture for coloring) I did the Fish.
The Glass tumbler is also a freebie probably with Coffee Powder , Mom now uses it to put some flowers.

I learnt to make these stocking flowers when i was doing my Masters. Every wing in the hostel used to have 1-2 crafters and i always used to hang in their rooms. During the start of semester we used to have a lot of free time and i used to spend my time learning something or other.
I learnt kutch work embroidery like that though i couldn’t master it. My MIL is an expert in that. I learnt ribbon embroidery also there.
There is a shop in Tirupati, I don’t remember the name of street (its off the Gandhi Road) (The street is full of tailoring shops and crafty stores) nor the shop name which used to stock all the crafty materials where i used to buy my supplies then.
You can see the flowers are placed in a vase made out of ice-lolly sticks.

Chennai Weekend: Prize and Gift

My Prize
My First CAT Prize came along last friday..
I won one of the hourly prizes in August CAT and Grace was the Prize Donor and she sent me a wonderful package.

There is a set of steel hooks (I think that is the reason the package was opened by the postal authorities.. See its tied up with a string) A nice surprise for me as i am thinking of trying some wire crochet and they are of the perfect size…

A Tape Measure so that i don’t have to borrow my MILs. I still have an eye on those retractable ones
A Dishcloth, in a soft yellow color and an unusual star shape which will be a nice addition to my new kitchen.
A Cute box full of stitch markers.
Some pattern leaflets.
A Nice postcard from her state.
And a personal note which i always like to receive.

Thank you Grace.

My Gift
Then its time for package from Rima… The package reached when i was away at my Parents place.

She sent a Bundle of Yarn and the best i like was the Cone of cotton…. I am only dreaming of Dishcloths… Anyone was any ideas for some other kitchen accessories.

I couldn’t stop myself from sharing this incident that happened around Rima’s package.
The cardboard box in which the yarn came has a sticker saying “Rock Salt Crystal Lamp…” (There is no from addy).My MIL thought that somebody might have sent me a gift as i am leaving the job soon. Since i was not in town and my SIL’s kids are jumping around, she kept the box in a safe place. When i told her that i am not expecting any lamp… she was afraid of the box and my cautious FIL told me to open the package only outside (This is after the saturday’s Delhi Blasts )…. When i opened it i couldn’t stop myself from laughing and explained the whole thing to them…
It was a nice incident on a dull day )

Thank you Rima

Knitting Weekend: Pink Silk Scarf

PINK SILK SCARF

I finished this scarf a week back but didn’t take pictures, so the posting has been postponed. The pictures are taken at my Moms place when i visited them over the weekend. (I felt a bit awkward running around the place with a camera and bright pink scarf, in search of a pink flower tree )

History
With my two knit projects crawling, i wanted a quick knit as i was dying for an FO. I searched up and down Ravelry for a 1 skien scarf and came across this lovely lace scarf.

Yarn: Pure Silk by Debbie Bliss in Pink – 1 skien (I got this in my “Mini Purse Swap”)
Needles: I first used 4mm after some 15 rows changed to 5mm.
Others: Tapestry Needle
Gauge: Gauge is not specific, 5mm gives a lacier feel than 4mm.
Size: 4″ Wide and 46″ Long
Pattern: Pattern is simple as for both RS and WS its the same pattern notes. The pattern is here.
Notes:
The only change i did was,I added one more pattern repeat as a wanted a bit wider scarf and didnt do the fringe as i don’t have another skien for back up.
The scarf is divine… the yarn is so soft. Doing a “P2 tog” is a bit tricky with this yarn as it tends to split. It can be used either as a scarf or as a stole or as a headband to keep your hair off your face.
I didn’t block the scarf, Should I???? Its looks fine for me now.
If i make it again;
I will add a fringe as the pattern says.

Learnt:
I did the bind off by using a tapestry needle instead of the normal knit bind off i use. Now the cast on side and the bind off side look almost the same…

Time:
A week.

NEWS to Break

I am going to Australia

…. Sydney to be exact. Tickets are booked and i will be flying around mid-October. I am so excited, among all other things I will get to visit my first LYS.
(yay… dancing around the room, Now i am back at my desk..)
I will be Jobless soon. I am planning to spend the time after work and before flight with my parents and in-laws, also pack my stuff for the next two years. I have lots of things to take care and so little time, most important is my stash. I felt that there is no point in taking all my yarn, but i am planning to take all my needles and hooks along with other goodies including my bead collection and jewellery making stuff. I will have some free time before i start working there and yarn and beads will keep me occupied.

I have 2 main concerns… any suggestions????
How do i store the yarn i have to leave here for two years, as of now everything is in zippered bags. Is occasional airing needed?? (I will be leaving wool yarn here).
I have seen on the internet that knitting needles don’t make it through the security check, are plastic hooks allowed? Did anyone travel from Chennai on any international flight with hooks/needles in hand luggage?

Before i dream about my new temporary home,I have some shopping to do here. Decide on what to take and what not to.
I always have travel jitters when packing for a long stay, even after 4 moves (I was in Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore before i kind of settled in Chennai after getting married). I always feel that i forgot something or other, of course i have this feeling daily when i start for office

Now i have thoughts… should i have named my blog “iaminchennai”. I kind of thought i will get stuck to Chennai after marriage and will not move anywhere… How wrong i am!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway for the next two years you will see more of Australian stuff than Chennai on this blog. Since i will also be using my blog to log my time in Australia you will see lot more beside my crafty stuff.

Award for my Blog

I got an Award…
It has been passed on to me by Purlycues.

Good to have an Award, its always a good feeling receiving one, Thank you Purlycues.

I would like to pass it on to
Super EggPlant
Ponmozhi