Well, another year has gone by and it's now 2023. While most of the world is "going back to normal", the pandemic is still on-going. China has decided to end its zero-COVID policy and COVID was running rampant everywhere. It is now unclear how the pandemic will play out. There are new variants and more folks are starting to get long COVID (or at least catch COVID multiple times now). Because of this, life (for us) will be the same as it was in 2021. Which means ... 2023 pandemic purchases! ๐๐๐ ๐๐
Here's my 2023 (Pandemic) Purchases:
In January, I purchased:
- Another set of Chiaogoo US1-3 3" needles with 2 more 14" & 22" mini cables & 4 more mini connectors from my favorite knitting needle supplier. I was working on a lace weight sweater and wanted to work on the sleeves simultaneously with the body so ... I needed more needles (as I didn't have enough for the body and sleeves) & cables (as I was using nearly all my cables as life lines all over my sweater๐๐). I was so excited that it came in so quickly that I had forgotten to take a picture of my new stash and just put it all on my sweater project as soon as I got it!๐ณ๐๐
- A new swift: I happened across Paradise Fibers over the New Year's holiday and noticed they had a Super Swift II; it looked like it was noticeably smaller than my current Chiaogoo Swift (as well as more more expensive than my original swift ๐ณ๐ถ). However, it did: 1) come in walnut; 2) look like it would breakdown much smaller than my Chiaogoo swift; and most importantly 3) look like it would accommodate a wider variety of different lengths of yarn, including wider diameters of yarn as the "pegs" were fully adjustable. So, I decided to give it a try. Here's what I got:
While it's a bit too wide to put in my custom swift bag, it actually fits in another bag I had which in turn, allowed it to fit in my other bag where I keep my ball winder in! The dream of having all my yarn winding things in one (1) bag is coming true!๐๐๐ฅฐ❤️๐ฅณ
REVIEW: The swift is slightly longer than my Chiaogoo swift due to the lack of pegs. With this in mind, I had hoped that it would provide the exact diameter needed for the yarn to properly tension onto my ball winder. It did that but, due to the felt pads, there was simply too much drag on it to spin in time with my ball winder and I had often ended up with a messy and tangled ball of yarn. Hubs had some teflon tape which I put on my metal washer which helped to make it spin more smoothly. It look some testing (& patience!) and making sure my yarn was not twisted in any way for me to successfully use it but after winding a few more skeins of yarn, I find that I really do like my new swift. ๐
In February, I managed to actually purchase .... nothing!!! ๐ฑ๐ณ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅณ
In March, I broke down and purchased:
- Three (3) KnowKnits bags in a Large, Medium and a Zip bag. I had originally seen this bag when I had gone on my Big Island Yarn Crawl. Back then, I couldn't bring myself to purchase it; however, since then, I use my JIB Press bags all the time for my knitting. While it's taken me a while to get around to these bags, I'm actually glad I waited. The bags I had originally seen on the Big Island, were the Original colours and the bags that I purchased are Jewel toned colours (and the Zip bag is a newly released bag). So, it must've been serendipity that I had run across someone's Instagram shot showing these bags to pique my interest in them (again). ๐๐๐คญ๐
REVIEW: The jewel toned bags are beautiful and very vibrant. ๐ฅฐ๐ I'm so glad that I waited and ended up with these colours. ๐ They're also significantly larger than my JIB press pouches. The chocolate one is HUGE (I swear you could put a twin-sized blanket in there!) and while the description states that it could be used as a backpack, unless you don't have much in there, I wouldn't recommend doing so as the paracord on it is not that comfortable as straps. In some ways, I wish the medium Ocean coloured bag straps also connected to the bottom as I can see that as a very handy feature; otherwise, I can see the medium being reasonable for a large shawl or a sweater (adult or child) sized project in there - you'd just have to be strategic on how you pack your bag to make sure you get to what you need as you work through your project as the bag is quite deep. The turquoise one didn't feel like it held more than my largest JIB pouch but, it could possibly be bigger or comparable to it (I'm not sure as I don't have a project that maximizes the bag right now); I can see it fitting a smaller shawl/scarf type project or the beginnings of an adult-sized sweater project in there (or a whole child sized sweater project). And, unlike its cousins, the zipped pouch does not come with an inner snap to guide yarn nor are the inner seams sealed.๐ถ๐คท๐ On top of that, the owner also sent me a complimentary Orchid small bag which was really thoughtful and sweet of her to do so.๐ฅฐ๐ The small bag is actually (amazingly) quite small compared to its siblings. It's much smaller than my smallest JIB bag and is really suitable for something like a hat or sock project๐งฆ (you can literally only put in 1 skein of yarn or 2 50g skeins of yarn in there and nothing else may fit; even a large skein or cake may not fit in it (or it would fit but what you're knitting might not!)).
MAJOR PROs: What I've found most useful about the bags is that the snap they have on the outside is really dang handy! ๐ฅฐ๐ I just unsnap the outside snap and simply strap it to my bag and voila! I now have a "strap" that makes it quick and easy grab and go allowing me to lug it around with me now! ๐๐ฅณ๐ The large bag is really, really large!๐ณ๐ So large that you could put maybe 2 or 3 large sweater projects in there and store a couple of smaller projects in there too!๐ฑ๐ I'm currently using it as a gigantic knitting bucket to store my 2 sweater projects and a mini project and I may convert it to my blanket bag project when I'm done with my "smaller" projects. ๐
CONs (but Not Deal Breakers): I found that the bags do not cinch really tightly (due to the thickness of the fabric). It leaves (what I think is) a large enough hole that I feel that if I have little things in the bag that's not in its own bag, it could accidently fall out if it was jostled or accidently flipped over. On that note, the jewel-toned bags are thicker than the original coloured bags (they feel thinner and lighter) and some ways a tad heavier but, for the colours, I think it's totally worth it as it stands up very well when opened (and you don't even need to flip the opening over to have a firm "top". Lastly, the paracord is sewn into the drawstring area (and understandably so as it prevents seeing/having any "knots" at the end or around the drawstring area as well as prevents the paracord from really shifting around); so, if you should ever need to replace it (or want to change it with some other colour), you will need to unpick seams and possibly resew some areas to do so.
REVIEW: OMG๐ฑ I'm so glad that I preserved and found someone to make my dream knit blocker bag because it's P-E-R-F-E-C-T!!!๐๐๐๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ๐คฉ๐คฉ๐คฉ๐คฉ๐๐๐๐๐❤️❤️❤️❤️ It fits all my blocking mats pluses room for a few more (if I wanted a few more blocks) AND my Knitter's Pride blockers, pins and even my darning bag! My blocking wires fit perfectly in the zipped!! pocket I asked for as well and if need be, I could put my spare T-pins in there as well. And, to top it off, it fits perfectly in the space I had originally envisioned storing it and the grab handles makes it easy to pick up and put it away. Plus, the sweater print is perfect for this bag! ๐๐ฅฐ๐๐ฅฐ๐๐ฅฐ๐❤️๐❤️
In April, I purchased:
- The Dala Sweater pattern as it was on "sale" for Easter ๐ฐ I couldn't help myself: it was so cute and seeing how others had made their sweaters were really inspirational!๐ฅฐ๐❤️
- I also purchased a custom 3/4 sleeved shirt that said:
- And, this pattern came up for sale and I simply couldn't resist: Good Bear & Good Bunny
Look at all those cute clothing accessories that will help to stretch my skills! ๐๐คญ๐๐ฅฐ How was I supposed to resist? ๐๐คญ๐
REVIEW: I love the pattern! ๐๐ฅฐ๐ It was easy to follow and quick to knit up. What I loved even more than the stuffed animal pattern was the clothes and everyone else's inspiration on their take of the clothes! ๐ฅฐ๐๐ฅฐ๐๐ฅฐ๐๐ฅฐ๐ I had so much fun making this and its corresponding wardrobe! ๐ฅฐ๐๐ฅฐ๐๐ฅฐ๐๐ฅฐ๐๐ฅฐ๐
In May, I managed to actually purchase .... nothing!!! ๐ฑ๐ณ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅณ
In June, I purchased:
- Two (2) Yarn Holder & its accessory so that it can hold both a mini and full skein of yarn from Etsy:
REVIEW: Because it's 3D printed, it can be a little flimsy when fully extended and the bars don't fully slide smoothly (I find that it sticks on one side but it could be due to the weather environment I live in (think hot and humid!)). And, if you're winding yarn back onto it, you need to watch your tension because it can bow in if you start winding tighter than when you first start. Neither of these "issues" are deal breakers for me because I understand the limits of what this particular 3D printed item has. I am very glad that I sprang for the full extension set, including getting the larger "moons" as that's perfect for winding full skeins in yarn weights heavier than sock yarn! (I actually ripped out a sweater made with DK weight skeins for a full sweater on to it so I could wind it back into a cake. It worked perfectly and kept my yarn untwisted and untangled - perfect to put back onto my (new) swift to wind back into a cake.๐)
- I also realized how much I love my envelop pouches that I had purchased from Crimson Rabbit; I love it so much that ll of my current pouches are in use! which means I needed more of them! ๐๐ฅฐ So I picked up another "set" of custom pouches (and a wallet):
I find these pouches are the prefect little trays to hold my millions of little items from stitch markers to cable holders to my wool needles that I really do need one everywhere!๐๐ฅฐ๐(plus, it really helps to contain everything so it's not all over my table!๐๐๐คญ)
- I also really wanted these yarn bobbins but found that they were discontinued by the original maker:
But ... I was able to find them here! And ... since I needed to pay for shipping, I decided that I might as well "be economical" and picked up a "few" more things:
REVIEW:
I'm on the fence with my CocoKnits maker's board. It's ... alright; it's not as sturdy as my bookholder but, when using one (1) printed page of instructions/chart, it does work better than my original whiteboard idea. But, to double as a book holder and magnetic board, it's ... ok. I feel that where it props up isn't supportive enough (or else I'm not using it properly) as eventually, it starts sliding back and falling over.๐ณ I had Hubs make me a cardboard triangle to support the inside of it and that seems to have worked for now.
As for the Cocoknits leather cord and needle kit, it's actually pretty ingenious! I had read this review which convinced me that I had to try it; true to her review, she was right about everything about this kit: from how the cord "threads" on and really holds to how you can slip stitches on and off it it easily because of the needles, it was truly worth it. While I also have my silicone ones, I find that those "drag" much more than the leather cord does. I'm looking forward to finding 1.5mm (slippery) nylon cords to also try out as I can really see how handy this will be (from provisional cast-ons to holding stitches).๐ฅฐ
The Addi Eddlewise stitch holders are very pretty but, my US 7 needles can't actually fit through them ... So, it's not as functional as the heart versions I have.๐๐คท
The Knit Picks wool needles are very similar to the Pony needles I have, just more colourful and have a sharper point.๐ฅฐ
- And to top it off, oddly, I was working on three (3!) large sweater projects and I actually ran out of 37" SWIVEL cables and cable connectors!๐ณ๐ฑ So, I went back to my favorite Chiaogoo distributor and picked up 2 more cables and 4 more connectors.๐๐๐๐ฅณ
In July, I managed to actually purchase .... nothing!!! ๐ฑ๐ณ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅณ
In August, I managed to actually purchase .... nothing!!! ๐ฑ๐ณ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅณ
In September, I broke down and purchased:
- A custom printed yellow mushroom bag! I had come across this Etsy seller when I found this bag and found that she had a mushroom print! So, of course I had to ask if she'd make me a yellow version.๐๐ฅฐ
I know the bag was supposed to be 9”x6”x3” but it's been ages since I've purchased such a small bag that when it came in, I didn't realize how s-m-a-l-l it really was!๐ณ๐ But I very much love the mustard yellow and the print! It is so amazing and cute! ๐๐ฅฐ๐ The only thing that I don't love is that it's not zippered all the way (which is odd because the bag I requested the mushroom print to be on had the zipper end to end) and the zipper sticks (a lot) so it makes it hard to open and close (or won't zip all the way unless you kind of force it; plus I don't think she used a YKK zipper (again my fault for not asking)). I think a little bee's wax will help make the zipper easier to use.
- The following books from Amazon:
- A new book from Andrea Rangel: KnitOvation Stitch Dictionary
- Melissa Leapman's Knitting Modular Shawls, Wraps, and Stoles (it was on sale!)
- I'm in the process of finding a new job and I promised myself that if I got an interview, I could treat myself to a new clothing item. I've gone to a few interviews so, it was time to reward myself and my clothing item of choice was: a wool dress shirt from Wool&: arden twill shirt. I'm hoping that this will be a comfortable and multi-use shirt for me (and maybe I can use it at my next job!). ๐ค๐๐๐ฐ
REVIEW: The shirt was a very nice eggplant colour (a good winter purple for me) and it's actually quite comfortable. I wear it as shown in the picture but, if I wanted to have full long sleeves, it's a good length for me. It's a heavier shirt so, one can also use it as a light jacket as well. When I initially received it, there was a deep wrinkle on the pocket but I was able to get it out. Then when I washed the shirt, it did come out wrinkled but, I think a good hot shower and some water spritzing will get the wrinkles out (without needing any serious ironing). Overall, I'm very happy with this shirt and glad I purchased it. ๐ฅฐ
In October, there was a sale on Etsy and it was Socktober and, I was actually feeling my creative juices to knit again so... I bought:
- A "couple" of sets of stitch markers! I couldn't help it ... I've been wanting these stars and hearts for a long while now and now they also came in glitter and what girl doesn't want & love something glittery? Plus, there was a really good sale and free shipping so, there was no other excuse left but to buy it! ๐๐ฅฐ
- Then I found these books at a great price on E-bay & World of Books:
I couldn't resist buying them!๐๐ It was simply too good a deal to pass up.๐๐๐ฅฐ
- And, since I was finally getting excited about knitting, I also bought yarn to supplement my stash (I didn't have enough for the pattern I wanted to make). Plus, Hubs said that he wanted me to make him a Gansey sweater (now that I have a Gansey Sweater book!๐๐) so, how could I deny him a knitted sweater?๐๐ So we also bought yarn specifically for this sweater project. ๐
In November, I missed Socktober by 1 day so, I ended buying my sock yarn in this month ๐ณ๐ฑ๐คฆ๐คท
- Simply Sock Yarns has a promotion that if you bought sock yarn during the last week of October, they'd throw in a free bag. Thankfully for me, I needed more yarn for my Dala Sweater, yarn for Hubs Gansey sweater and I also wanted to try Malabrigo's Ultimate Sock yarn so here's what I bought and my "free" bag:
- Then I realized that I didn't buy enough yarn needed for Hub's Gansey sweater pattern (that I also bought this month) and fortunately for me, LoveCrafts had a great sale on the same yarn so I bought 3 more skeins.
- And while not knitting related, I also wanted to try some wool bras by Branwyn as I wanted to reduce my polyester footprint. I ended up purchasing both the Essential Bralette and the Essential Busty Bra as I wanted to try both of them. While they're not a traditional bra (and it's really more like a bralette), I did find them quite comfortable and supportive (although it's not as good a my Ridge Merino Send-It Sports Bra because the Branwyn bras doesn't come with any slits to add in cups to reduce/prevent "highlights"). What I would rave about it is that it actually comes in "bra" colours so, you can't see it under your clothes and so forth. Plus, while it doesn't have slits to add my own padding to reduce/prevent highlights, I found that it did keep me warm/cool enough and I didn't feel as sweaty in it like I do with my more traditional bras, particularly on hot humid days.
In December, I purchased ....
- Worth Mending's Swift Darning Loom: Darning + Weaving Bundle. I had run across Worth Mending's Swift Darning loom on someone's post in Instagram so I was looking into it. Then it was showcased in Knitty.com's latest Winter issue and I was sold!
Plus, it helps that I have a pair of silk pajama pants (that I've loved for years) that has a pretty big hole now where I need to mend it so, this will come in handy to actually fix it.
- In conjunction with my new loom, I had to buy some silk thread to actually mend that hole in my pajamas:
- I saw these 2 patterns on Raverly and I just couldn't resist purchasing them: Autumn Alpine & Sipila. They were so cute and inspiring!๐ฅฐ๐
- And while I actually purchased this last year, my EEW Cone Winder finally came in!
- Lastly, while not knitting related, I decided that I wanted to finally give water colouring a try (insteading of waiting until I retired). So I purchased these water colour brushes, paint and paper to get me started:
I've been finding it refreshing to learn something new and be a beginner with it (and also be ok that I may always be a beginner with this "craft" as I was never much of an illustrator). While I haven't used my new water colour paper yet (I have some cheaper water colour paper we were using for cards that I've been using to test out my brushes and paints on), I look forward to seeing how my skills improve as I slowly advance on this new adventure. ๐
Year Four of the pandemic has nearly ended and it seems like the world has simply given up on the pandemic. Where we live, testing and checking for COVID has simply stopped and most people have simply gone back to pre-pandemic times. It's clear now that folks whom are immunocompromised are literally on their own. For all the "talk" of taking care of one another, that has gone to hell in a handbasket as it seems that "going back to (one's old) life" is more important than being mindful of everyone's health as a whole. Now, when people are "sick", it's unclear if they have allergies, a cold or they really have COVID. Even the said sick person doesn't know (and sometimes doesn't care) if they have COVID or it's really a cold. ๐ณ๐๐คฆ๐คท
Unlike last year, I haven't purchased as much as last year; nevertheless, it has been a stellar year in my knitting & accessory purchase buys; being at home has allowed me to search the web and find things I would not normally come across, much less allowed myself to indulged in. ๐ฒ๐๐ I have also thoroughly enjoyed all my purchases (both from prior years and my current purchases) and am quite grateful for some of the things I've purchased (they've come in so handy and have really made my life so much better!). I wonder what next year will bring and what else I will be buying next year ... ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐
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