Sur un petit nuage 在小小雲端上

Malabrigo Lace Merino in Tuareg Malabrigo美麗諾蕾絲線(顏色)圖瓦雷克


First off, I'd like to say something about the yarn color. None of these photos are true to it. It's really hard to capture on camera. Maybe the yarn skein photo is closer but the actual color is much deeper and has a little more indigo hue. Tuareg is a beautiful and fascinating color, and I hope the receiver of this shawlette/scarf will appreciate it as much as I do.

首先, 關於毛線的顏色. 這裡的照片沒有一張是實際顏色. 這顏色很難拍. 大概只有毛線絞這張算接近. 但實品顏色深很多, 且帶點靛藍. 圖瓦雷克是個很漂亮且很迷人的顏色. 希望小披肩的主人會跟我一樣喜歡這個顏色.

The actual color is like Indigo Dye, with the following coordinates:
Hex triplet #00416A
RGB (0, 65, 106)
HSV (203°, 100%, 42%)

實品顏色跟很靛青染料色很接近:
網頁顏色 #1A5798
RGB (0, 65, 106)
HSV (203°, 100%, 42%)



Some info on Tuareg People (quoted from Wikipedia)

The Tuareg (also Twareg or Touareg, Berber: Imuhagh, besides regional ethnyms) are a Berber nomadic pastoralist people. They are the principal inhabitants of the Saharan interior of North Africa.

The Tuareg are sometimes called the "Blue People" because the indigo pigment in the cloth of their traditional robes and turbans stained their skin dark blue. Today, the traditional indigo turban is still preferred for celebrations, and generally Tuaregs wear clothing and turbans in a variety of colors.

關於圖瓦雷克人 (轉貼自維基百科)

圖瓦雷克人（Tuareg或Touareg）是一支主要分佈於非洲撒哈拉沙漠週邊地帶的遊牧民族，是散佈在非洲北部廣大地區的柏柏爾（Berber）部族中的一支。以迥異於周邊民族的文字、語言與獨特的遊牧生活出名，今日的圖瓦雷克主要分佈在包括馬利、尼日、阿爾及利亞、利比亞與布吉納法索在內，原本是法屬殖民地的北非與西非國家境內

圖瓦雷克是一個母系社會（matrilineal）的民族，但並非母權社會（matriarchal）。雖然主要是信奉伊斯蘭教， 但是迥異於其他伊斯蘭文化，圖瓦雷克並沒有女性需要蒙面的傳統，相反的在圖瓦雷克社會中，年滿25歲的男性才需要配戴面紗。圖瓦雷克的男性傳統上佩帶著5 公尺長的藍紫色面紗，稱為Tagelmust，根據他們的信仰認為這面紗能替其阻擋所有的邪靈，因此縱使在女性家人的面前也不能拿下，但一般認為，佩帶面 紗的傳統應該是起因於為了抵禦沙漠地區強大的風暴。由於深藍色面紗對於該民族的重要，使得其間接也變成圖瓦雷克民族的識別象徵，而往往又被稱為「沙漠中的藍人」。



Here are some links to photos that presents the color more closely to the yarn:
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3

幾個顏色較接近毛線顏色的照片連結:
照片 1
照片 2
照片 3



Now, about Sur un petit nuage. It's a lovely lace shawl designed by Marie-Adeline Boyer. She herself made several of it in all sizes and different weights of yarn. One can easily adapt the pattern according to her liking: scarf, shawlette, shawl, big shawl etc. The lace patterns are easy to memorize. Le nuage - the feather and fan pattern is classic and one of my favorites and I'm never tired of it!

關於小小雲端上, 是 Marie-Adeline Boyer 設計的蕾絲披肩. 她自己用不同粗細的線打了好幾條不同尺寸的披肩. 編織者可以把織圖依自己的喜好打成想要的大小. 蕾絲模樣也很容易記, 雲的模樣 - 羽扇模樣是我最喜歡的蕾絲模樣之一呢!



A couple of months ago, Mary had an idea and suggested that we have a Christmas Gift Exchange. It wasn't specific to knitting, but looks like in the end, is it! People in this little circle of ours are all knitters. Actually, I was the one who said I would knit a shawlette/scarf for whoever draws up my name, but she had to wait a little longer for I couldn't make it before Christmas. So, the schedule was postponed until Chinese New Year.

去年某月瑪莉小姐起意說來個聖誕禮物交換. 這本只是禮物交換, 不過到了最後似乎變成編織品交換啦! 因為參加交換的這些人都是織女嘛! 其是, 是我先講自己要手作, 但聖誕節前是來不及完成的, 請抽到我的禮物的人等一下. 後來就變成過年前交換.



I already had specifics in mind that it would be either Holden, Echo Flower or Sur un petit nuage. After we made the draw and knew my recipient was wenzi, the decision was made immediately: Sur un petit nuage. And to fulfill her preference of the color blue, I have several blue lace yarns to choose from in the stash.

當時心裡已經想到要不是打霍爾登, 艾蔻花, 再不然就是小小雲端上. 抽籤結果出來知道是蚊子抽到我的禮物, 當下就決定打小小雲端上. 且庫存中有不少蚊子喜歡的藍色蕾絲線可供挑選.





The shawlette was intended to be a one skein project, a very practical accessory in this abnormally cold winter we're having here in Taiwan. Having a scarf in mind, I knitted the little hearts according to the scarf sizing in the pattern (8 repeats) and than started the cloud pattern.

一開始就設定好尺寸是小披肩/圍巾, 非常適合現在天氣異常冷得不得了的台灣, 更適合怕冷的蚊子! 因為設定是圍巾, 所以照織圖打了八個重複的愛心模樣, 然後開始雲模樣.



Like Spring Tulips Stole, I knitted with 3.25mm needles. I didn't want to at first for the last time I used 3.25mm with Malabrigo Lace Merino, it resulted in quite a tight knit lace. I did try with 3.5mm but oddly the lace was too loose and the heart pattern kind of broke down.

和春之鬱金香一樣, 我用 3.25mm 的打. 本來不想因為上次用 3.25mm 打 Malabrigo 蕾絲線結果蕾絲花太緊. 我有用 3.5mm 去測織, 很奇怪地蕾絲花比 3.25mm 織出來差很大, 小愛心的模樣一整個散掉, 根本看不出來是甚麼東西.



Not until I finished the repeats for scarf on the feather and fan pattern did I find the yarn left was plenty. So I kept on knitting f&f and regretted knitting too little repeats of the little hearts. When I BO after the 3rd f&f repeat on chart E 4th time, I have absolutely no yarn left. Seriously. All used up. There wasn't even much of a yarn tail to weave in (about 1cm)!

一直等到打完圍金大小的雲模樣重複數次數後, 發現線還剩很多, 於是, 繼續打雲模樣然後心裡邊抱怨早知道小愛心就打披肩尺寸的十二重複. 最後, 雲模樣打到表 E 第四次中第三次雲重複後收針. 一點線都沒剩. 真的. 根本沒甚麼線頭可收 (約一公分而已).






Blocking this shawlette was a little tricky. The undulating f&f couldn't be pulled into spikey points, so I had to lightly fan-pin out the fans and after a while when it's half dry but still a little damp, unpin and smooth them out. I stood the blocking mat against the wall to let gravity and moisture pull down the fans for me.

定型小披肩還有點傷腦筋, 因為羽扇模樣的邊是波浪狀, 不能定成尖角, 所以我先把扇形部分用幾枝針撐開, 待半乾時把針拆掉, 撫平整順扇形邊, 然後把定型的 EVA 墊立起來靠牆站, 讓水分和地心引力幫忙把扇形拉出來.







Little hearts on the cloud 心在雲端上

Carrot Percy 卡羅特珀西小披肩

One day some time last September, I wore Percy on a windy morning when I sent the twins to Kindergarten, Ms Mini saw it and marvelled it for quite a while. From her blog I found that she's a Capricorn, like the twins, so I secretly asked Ms Su when is Ms Mini's birthday (sometime in January). So I decided to knit her a Percy Shawlette in one of her favorite color orange.

九月一個風大的早上, 我圍著珀西小披肩(當圍巾用)送兩小去幼稚園, Mini 老師看到了喜歡得不的了. 從 Mini 老師的幼教部落格上知道老師和兩小一樣是魔羯座, 於是偷偷向蘇老師打聽 Mini 老師的生日, 是一月某日. 於是決定用 Mini 老師喜歡的橘色打條珀西小披肩給老師當生日禮物.


I ordered the yarn and sent it to dear Mary's sister's house before Mary went to the States. She was so sweet to bring it back for me, among other things.

親愛的瑪莉十月去美國前就下單買了線 (和其他東西) 寄到瑪莉的姊解家, 再請瑪莉帶回來.


So I had plenty of time to knit with this glorious Knit Picks Gloss Lace, and with previous experience, I know that knitting Percy slow is the key to success. I did not rip one row. Unravelled a few stitches only. YAY!

因此, 這次有充裕的時間用這組 KP 的 Gloss 蕾絲線慢慢打珀西. 根據上次經驗, 打珀西不能急. 這次都沒有拆, 頂多改幾針. 耶~




The shawlette was started and finished in December. I didn't block it right away and when I did, I found that 1 stith was dropped while binding off. It was really bizarre. I thought if a stitch was dropped the bind-off process would be interrupted. Anyway, I ripped the BO and redid it, making sure I got every stitch, and block it again.

小披肩十二月開打十二月完成, 不過沒有馬上定型. 定型時發現收針時有一針沒收到. 很奇怪. 如果沒收到, 後面的針也應該收不起來吧? 反正, 就是把針再打開重收一次, 再重新定型.


It was perfect!

這次結果很完美!


I was amazed how KP Gloss presented the pattern. It was so crisp and well-defined.

KP 的 Gloss 蕾絲線打作品真的很美, 充分展現蕾絲花, 且花樣分明清晰.






Ms. Mini was thrilled! She was going to show it off to her friends!

Mini 老師超開心的說要去跟朋友炫耀!

Babydoll Tunic 公主袖蕾絲娃娃裝

Last November I learned that the twin's Kindergarten was going to hold a Christmas Party with a dress-up runway show. I'm really bad at this. I had no clue whatsoever about what to do. Luckily, Scarlett gave me some very specific requirements: mauve, puff sleeves, princess. Immediately, I decided to knit her a babydoll tunic. I was planning to knit her one this season.

去年十一月就知道兩小幼稚園要舉行聖誕嘉年華, 其中有親子變裝走秀的節目. 我最不會弄這種事情. 完全不知道該怎麼辦. 好在若給了很明確的需求: 紫色, 泡泡袖, 蓬蓬裙, 跟公主一樣. 這樣好辦, 馬上決定打件娃娃裝給她. 反正娃娃裝是計畫中要打給她的.


Went to LYS and picked up some bargain pure wool yarn in mauve and cast right on. I kind of develop the pattern along the way. There were two inspirations: Sourpatch and Minisweater.

某個週六去了宏昌行買了六球蘇菲雅純羊毛線, 主要是便宜, 粗細適宜, 打起來快又好看, 顏色選擇多. 娃娃裝的花樣是邊打邊想的, 不過基本上有兩個靈感來源: Sourpatch 和 Minisweater.


Used tubular/invisible cast-on for a thin 1x1 ribbing for collar. Ripped the first puff sleeve for I increased too fast and made it right the second time. Applied Feather and Fan lace pattern for the skirt and knitted long enough to make it tunic length. Between the yoke and skirt I made eyelet rows.

我用彈性起針打一條細窄的1x1羅紋邊在領口. 第一次打泡泡袖有拆, 因加針加太快, 第二次就 OK. 下襬用羽扇蕾絲花打到蓋住臀部. 胸部和下襬中間有打幾排作小洞眼.


The ribbon laced through the eyelet was the ribbon tied on Scarlett's first birthday cake.

穿在洞眼上的緞帶是若一歲生日蛋糕外盒上的緞帶.



Soft Feather Super Wool *5 蘇菲雅純羊毛 5 顆


Puff sleeve taking shape 蓬袖成型中


Puff sleeve 蓬袖


Thin 1x1 tublar ribbing at the collar 領口細窄1x1羅紋邊


Feather and Fan skirt 下襬羽扇花


Babydoll Tunic 公主娃娃裝.

One Day Berets 兩小之一日貝雷

I started the berets at the same time on Friday night, late. I had an opportunity which came up quite unexpectedly to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 by myself! So I went to the cinema for the 19:50 session. It was great! When I came out of the theatre it was 22:30 and almost 23:00 when I got home. So it was even later when I CO the two berets while watching TV eps with DH.

週五晚上很晚兩頂貝雷一起開打. 週五晚忽然有個機會可以自己一個人去看哈利波特死神的聖物Part 1, 7:50 的場看完出來都快 10:30, 到家快 11 點了. 等洗好澡弄弄陪人看影集時, 才邊看邊開打.



12-row i-cord stalk 12排i-cord


The pattern didn't have the stalk but I like it on a beret so I made a 12-row i-cord then started the beret. I didn't finish them until Tuesday 1AM. Very little knitting were done on Sat, Sun but I managed to finish the increase part for both and finished the decrease for Scarlett's Monday morning before going to work. Seba's decrease was done suring lunch break and all I had to do Monday night were the brims and tubular bind-off.

織圖中並沒有頭上那個梗子, 但我喜歡貝雷帽有個梗子, 所以直接起 4 針打 12 排長的梗子再接著打帽子. 週六週日沒怎麼打到, 所以到週二凌晨 1 點才完成. 不過週日晚上把兩頂加針加完, 週一早上上班前把若的減針減完, 週一中午把謙的減完, 回家就打邊緣和收針.






The reason why I was rushing so much and got almost beyond myself was because we're going to have a severe cold front on Tuesday. I yet have to buy the twins new coats, prefereably with hoods. And since we're told that the winter's going to be very cold (houses here are not equipped with heating system), hats are needed.

之所以這麼趕是因為要趕在週二前完成, 因為週二有寒流要來. 趕死我了差點掛點! 今年要幫兩小買新的大衣, 但還沒買, 又聽說今年冬天冷的日子長, 所以本來就有計畫要打帽子.只是計畫都不能順利進行, 才會這麼趕哪.


This is a really nice pattern. It's knitting from the center top, unlike the conventional way of knitting from the brim up. Although the latter does have a gratifying feel when you get to the decreases and the stitches reamaning are getting less and less, I found that knitting from the top is like knitting a top-down sweater, you can try it on and see along the way. And I used tubular/sewn bind-off for the brim, the technique I applied quite a lot recently and have grown to like it very much and enjoy doing it.

這個織圖蠻好的, 與一般從帽沿往上打不同, 是從頂上往下打. 雖然一般的打法往上到減針部分針數越減越少很有成就感, 這個帽子跟上往下打的毛衣一樣, 可以邊打邊試戴, 且現在我都用縫收來收針很有彈性且越來越喜歡用, 所以我不介意最後針數還是很多.


I started to decrease once the center diameter is about 8.5". I didn't knit plain rows in between. I think I should've knitted 1"~2". Should I want to add those plain rows, I can easily undo the brim, rip and add! Nice!

帽頂加針打到直徑 8.5 吋時就直接開始減針, 中間沒有平織部分. 其實應該要打1~2吋平織. 不過這個織圖好在可以從帽沿拆上來加打, 一樣邊加邊試戴, 蠻不錯的.


Anyway, mission accomplished! I should be knitting more hats or hoods...

總之, 任務達成! 我該再多打幾頂帽子...

Top-down Cardigans for S&S 兩小的top-down拉克蘭開襟外套

I've been planning to knit Scarlett and Sebastian several cardigans and vests this year, along with some hats and berets, and maybe a scarf for each. So the fair isle vests were started in mid-summer. But after that, nothing went on as planned. In a few words, the twins were sent to Kindergarten, got myself a job (restarting EXACTLY five years since I left the last), and was interrupted by many other projects (what else).

今年計畫要給兩小打好幾件外套背心, 可能還有帽子圍巾, 所以七八月就開始打費爾島風背心. 不過之後就沒有一計畫一件一件打...


My mother bought the twins each a pound of fingering weight merino in Beijing this summer. The color pattern was dyed like sock yarn and I strongly suspect that these are actually some renown sock yarn! I was attempted to knit socks with them! I was suggested to use these to knit new garments for the twins but had yet to make swatches. Curiously, the yarns came with a swatch card! It was machine swatched though... I was knitting the fair isle vests with fingering weight yarns and was a bit fed up with the weight so I really wanted to give it a pass.

兩小外婆今年暑假去北京給兩人各買了一磅 fingering weight 的毛線, 染的花跟襪線一樣, 我懷疑根本就是歐美某牌襪線, 很想拿來打雙襪子! 很好笑的是買線有附織片卡...還是機織的, 一點幫助都沒有因為還是要打織片. 兩小外婆說要用這線打衣服但織片沒做不能開工, 剛好那時打費爾島風背心打細線打得有點煩, 想要換換粗細.



From grandma: Sebastian's golden brown and stone 外婆買的線: 謙的咖啡金+石頭灰


From grandma: Scarlett's mauve 外婆買的線:若的紫紅




Anyway, I decided to use this wonderful luscious lambswool/cashmere/angora handpainted yarn bought a few years back in my stash to knit the twins cardigans. I used these same yarns to knit tow cardigans two years ago. I was supposed to ripped them and use that part of the yarn first but I was lazy so I cast-on with new balls. Each cardigan used less than 3 balls (150g).

最後決定用這組前幾年跟南萍姐買的羔羊毛/山羊絨/兔毛手染線, 手感很好, 又輕又暖, 線撚得實卻不硬, 不容易被針戳開岔. 兩年前用過同組線給兩小打外套, 本要先拆來打, 不過實在懶, 且沒打過的還好幾球, 就拿新球來打. 一件用不到三顆 150g.







As I used this yarn before and I made two swatches so I can CO right away, after calculating and get all the figures required, of course. I used tubular/invisible CO, as instructed in Interweave Knits Fal 2008. I like the rolled edge feel and decided to do an invisible/sewn BO for the hem and cuffs. I also wanted the button/buttonhole bands to be sewn to the collar band instead of knitting them all the way up to the collar, inspired by the lovely Marie-Adeline's Un peu de chance Cardigan. M1 increases were used to the raglan instead of my usual kfb.

因為之前打過做過織片所以馬上就起針了, 不過當然還是要先算針. 算針最麻煩了, 但不算開打不了啊! 尤其這次沒有織圖自己想著打, 更要算. 我用 IK 2008 秋季號中介紹的隱形/彈性起針法起領子, 且計畫用隱形/縫收針法收袖口下襬釦子和釦洞邊. 我喜歡那個圓滑的邊緣. 這次釦子釦洞邊不挑到領子邊, 只挑到前襟平針部份, 然後再和領子縫合. 從 Marie-Adeline 的 Un peu de chance 開襟外套來的靈感. 這次拉克蘭加針用的是扭加針, 和我一向用的打一前一後不同, 效果也不一樣.



The button/buttonhole bands were sewn to the collar band, inspired by Marie-Adeline's Un peu de chance Cardigan. 釦子釦洞邊與領子縫合是從 Marie-Adeline Un peu de chance 開襟外套來的靈感


M1 increases for the raglan instead of the usual kfb 拉克蘭用扭加針與以往一前一後不同


I planned the chest circumference to be about 25" but it came out almost smaller. The cardigans were only steamed to smooth and even out the stiches and hopefully it will relax a little more after wear. The cardigans were knitted Continental style while the swatches were made English style. Although I had that in mind and increased a few times more, the size didn't come out as large as I would've liked. But they're still fine. Really.

原計畫胸圍打 25 吋但打出來較小一點. 外套都有蒸氣定型讓針腳平順, 希望穿過後會大一些. 我想是因為衣服是左手掛線打的, 但織片確是又手線打的. 我是知道這個差別所以加針時有多加些, 但仍沒有我想要的大. 不過還好啦. 太大了很麻煩, 小孩衣服就是這樣, 太大了捲東捲西自己看了很窩囊, 太小的又可惜.


Scarlett's was CO first and 3.3mm (Japanese size 4) needles were used to CO the collar then switched to 3.6mm (JP5) for the body. Then I thought a smaller size needle would render an even better stitch definition so Seba's was CO with 3mm (JP3) and switched to 3.3mm for the body. The result was very good and I didn't have to worry and tug on the stitches.

若的先起針用日規4號起領子, 5號織身體. 後來覺得要再小一號針目會更漂亮, 所以謙的就用 3號起領子 4 號織身體, 果然不一樣! 如此我就不用擔心每一針都想要去多拉一下拉緊一點.


Sleeves should've been knitted first after dividing the body and the sleeves, but I went on knitting the body, anyway. 3.3mm and 3mm needles were used to knit Scarlett's and Seba's ribbing respectively and then invisibe/sewn bound off. The button bands were knitted next for I still had to calculate the spacings of the buttonhole bands. The buttonhole bands have a 2-stitch garter edge, inspired by Veronik Avery. After knitting Dollar and a Half Cardigan and Oblique, I found it her signature to keep 2 or 3 stitches at the bottom of the band in garter stitcht to keep them neat and easier to block into shape/measurement.

身體袖子分家後應先打袖子, 但我還是先把身體打好. 下襬的羅紋邊用 4 號和 3 號針打且用縫收收針. 接下來織的是扣子邊, 因為釦洞邊還沒算好間隔距離! 釦洞邊最下面 2 針打起伏針做邊, 這是打了 Veronik Avery 的一塊半開襟外套還有斜斜開襟外套得來的靈感和經驗. VA 喜歡將釦子釦洞邊最下面 2~3 針打起伏針做邊, 這樣比較平整且容易整型.



The 2-stitch garter edge on the buttonhole band, inspired by Veronik Avery 釦洞邊最下面 2 針打起輔針最邊 - 從VA那得來的靈感


2-stitch garter edge on the buttonhole band 釦洞邊的 2 針起伏邊


The cuffs were knitted with 2.5mm dpns. I don't have circulars in that size. Normally I don't used needles more than one size smaller than the body for cuffs for I don't like the cinched look. In Japanese patterns and many compatriot knitters, they do, and the latter most likely never block their finished sweaters so the cuffs, hems and collars are all scruffled up. I only lightly steam block the cardigans so that it is visible that needles more than one size smaller is used for the cuff. Had I blocked it the normal way, one might never tell that needles three sizes smaller were used. And because the needles were dpns, I got those horrifying ladder effect. I didn;t want to "aggravate" the cinched look so I knitted loosely and didn't tug when I carried the yarn over to the next needle. The invisible/sewn BO contributed the smooth rolled edge and neutralized the ladder effect shock.

袖口是用 2.5mm 的雙頭棒針打的, 因為我沒有 2.5mm 的輪針. 通常我不喜歡用比打身體的針小超過 1 號的針來打下襬袖口或領口. 那種束口的感覺我很不喜歡. 有些織圖和一些同好喜歡用至少小兩號的織, 且後者通常不將毛衣定型, 所以成品的袖口下襬領口通通縮起來, 一整個看起來很頹... 我還只有輕輕用蒸氣烘過定型, 如果照一般定型的力道, 整型完可能沒人會發現這是用小 2~3 號的針打的... 這次之所以用小這麼多號的針打是因為怕袖口開太大. 非常時候要用非常手段嘛. 不過為了不要更加強束口的感覺我還織得鬆鬆的, 所以換針帶線時沒有拉, 產生了樓梯效應. 還好縫收做出來的圓滑邊緣可以中和一下.



The ladder effect.... 樓梯效應


The small ladder... 小樓梯


The twins were excited when they saw me photographing the cardigans. Will post pictures of the twins wearing them!

兩小看到我在拍外套成品時很高興, 知道有新毛衣穿了. 穿了毛衣在拍照放上來.

Mandala II (2) 第二條曼陀羅II

Back in 2008 I knitted my first Renee Leverington shawl: the Mandala. It was also one of the 3 shawl knit-alongs I participated, and it was also my first shawl knit-along outside Taiwan. I have always been a fan of Renee's but never really had the courage to start one of her designs, when the Anniversary Mystery Shawl Knit-along started, I just had to jump in! I used a cobweb deep purple merino lace yarn DH brought back from Beijing and casted on. I didn't designated the shawl to anyone while knitting it until a little before I was finishing it: my grandmother. It was her 80th birthday. What could be a better gift than this circlular lace shawl which took me 8 weeks to finish (TONS of effort, including spending ONE week unravelling 6 rounds 3456 stitches one by one for my son JUMPED on me and a stitch fell several rows...)? She loves it a lot.


Two years later, another Anniversary Mystery Shawl Knit-along had started and right from the beginning we knew that it was Mandala II. And again, I had to jump in! Right away I knew this shawl is for my mother's 60th birthday. I used the same yarn as my grandmother's but in the color deep red. I chose the most complicated pattern from each clue which I knew my mother would appreciate. She did! This time, with more lace knitting experience it took me about 5 weeks to finish.

My aunt likes my grandmother's Mandala a lot, and likes my mother's Mandala II even more! I did plan to knit her one for her 60th birthday in another 2 years, but seeing her yearning so much for hers, I decided to move up the schedule and knit hers now. I ordered yarn specifically for this project. The yarn is Knit Picks Gloss in Cyan. She likes bright colors and since she has lots of black in her wardrobe, the color would go with any piece she wears.


Choosing the pattern from each part is kind of tricky for I have to avoid knitting the same pattern in my mother's Mandala. But the remainning patterns left in each part sometimes don't meet with my liking. Anyway, I just started part 3, still a lot to go!


Clue 2 chart B
第二部分模樣B



Clue 2 chart B
第二部分模樣B



Clue 1 chart B
第一部分模樣B

Teacher's Day Gifts 教師節禮物

At the end of August I was starting to plan to knit something for the twin's teachers and decided that some simple lace scarves would be nice. So I picked Lace Ribbon Scarf using Baruffa Cashwool in morning sky blue (a light blue with a light gray undertone) for Miss Mini and Mandering Vines Scarf also using Baruffa Cashwool but in light pearl pink (a light pink with a slight peach undertone) for Miss Su. Cashwool is a cobweb lace so I wound the yarn into 4 (for the blue) and 3 (for the pink) balls by dividing the weight of the skein.

八月底就開始想教師節該打 個甚麼給兩小的老師, 覺得簡單大方的蕾絲圍巾應該不錯, 於是選了蕾絲緞帶圍巾給 mini 老師, 彎曲藤蔓圍巾給蘇老師. 兩條都是用 Baruffa Cashwool 來打, mini 老師是破曉藍 (帶一點點灰的淡藍色), 蘇老師的是珍珠粉 (帶一點點粉橘的淡粉紅). Baruffa Cashwool 線非常細是一般蕾絲線的一半, 所以一重量平分藍色的捲成四球, 粉紅色的捲成三球來打.



Top and botton left: Miss Mini's Lace Ribbon Scarf; top and bottom right: Miss Su's Meandering Vines Scarf.
左上與下: mini 老師的蕾絲緞帶圍巾; 右上與下: 蘇老師的彎曲藤蔓圍巾.


After the scarves were finishd, I started to fret over the packaging, for I forgot to go to the packaging store for pretty little paper bags! But I remembered the Little Ditty Bag I saw dear Linda made, which I was thinking about making one for Scarlett, so I made one for Scaralett first as a test knit to see the result. The little bag came our very nicely so I crocheted two, both two-colored, for packing the lace scarves. It is an easy and quite addictive pattern, so afterwards, I made another two, that's five in total and I had to stop. I didn't want to cause carpal tunnel syndrome for my right wrist was quite sore.

圍巾玩成後又開始為了禮物的包裝傷腦筋, 因為忘記去包裝材料行看漂亮的紙袋或紗網袋. 好在之前看到這個針線袋一直想鈎個給若玩, 於是先測試性鈎一個給若, 覺得效果不錯, 於是做了兩個裝蕾絲圍巾. 這小袋很可愛, 容易鈎也容易上癮, 所以後來又鈎了兩個, 前後共五個. 應該是不能再鈎了, 得休息, 因為手腕很痠, 不想腕隧道症候群發作.




Top left: Scarlett's tiny 7.5cm x 7.5cm ditty; top right: Miss Mini's 12.5cm x 14.5cm ditty in black and blue, Miss Su's 12cm x 12cm ditty in cherry and pink; bottom left: 10cm x 10cm ditty in black; bottom right: 8cm x 8cm ditty in orange.
左上: 若的桃紅小小袋 7.5 公分 x 7.5 公分; 右上: mini老師的藍黑雙色小袋 12.5 公分 x 14.5 公分, 蘇老師的櫻桃粉紅小袋 12 公分 x 12 公分; 左下: 黑色小袋 10 公分 x 10 公分; 右下: 粉橘段染小袋 8 公分 x 8 公分.



Left: Miss Mini's ditty with her Lace Ribbon Scarf; right: Miss Su's ditty with her Meandering Vines Scarf.
左: mini 老師的小袋與蕾絲緞帶圍巾; 右: 蘇老師的小袋與彎曲藤蔓圍巾


I haven't decided if I'm keeping the black one or gift it, for my Summer Flies shawlette was knitted using the same Lana Grossa Gala. The ditty was made from the leftover. As to the orange mohair ditty, it is being used as my notions bag now but I might gift it later. We'll see!

我還沒決定黑色小袋要送人還是自用, 因為是用與夏日飛逝小披肩同種線鈎的. 粉橘毛海小袋現在正裝著編織用的小物, 也還沒決定要送人還是自用, 看看吧!