Where Is All The Knitting?

Yeah, so normally I'd have socks on the go along with other projects (hats, scarves, mittens, etc.) and have pictures to show. But really, Korea doesn't seem to have much in the way of crafty goodness - at least that I've seen. I know good yarn shops exists somewhere (like in Seoul), but where they are I have no idea. I am seriously going to have to go on a mission to Seoul and never mind finding Christmas gifts to send home. I am going to have to go to find yarn shops! And boy, do I hope they have good yarn, including sock yarn!

Ok, so I've worked a little on my scarf. It's grown, but not by leaps and bounds. Here's what I've got so far. I put my hand in the picture to give you a rough idea of the size of the scarf. I think it's taking so long because of the size of needles I'm using - 4.5 mm. It's creating a nice size stitch, but it doesn't help in making it go fast. Maybe I should work at it more that I do...lol.


I've also included a closeup of the stiches so you can see how they look. The pattern (link is on the previous post) is super easy and only has the knit stitch and a slip stitch. It looks like a knit/purl ribbing, but there are no purl stitches used. This is definitely a good scarf for a beginner to try.


I was amazed the other day to find some knitting needles in size 5.0 mm and 6.0 mm. I went with a couple of the girls to a stationary/craft store to get some supplies for class. Like I said previously, the craft selection here isn't very good. They have a lot of google eyes, pom poms, and some ribbon...some other things too, but really nothing that I am into or am interested in. Anyway, they did have some yarn but it was more the type you use in latch hook/rug hook kits...a craft sort of yarn rather than good for knitting something from. Anyway, I happened to look down, and low and behold saw some circular knitting needles! The 5.0 mm only cost 500 won (which works out to about 50 cents), and the 6.0 mm cost 1000 won (or $1). I don't know if they are good quality or not, but at least they should serve their purpose - at least I hope they do.


Depending on how long the scarf will be, I might use one of the balls of yarn to make a hat with. I think that two balls of yarn should be sufficient for a good length scarf so this is my plan so far...to make a scarf and a hat - unless two really isn't enough for the scarf. I'll worry about that when I get to it.

I also think that I'll pull out some of the sock yarn I brought with me (some Panda wool and a ball of Fleece Artist) and start a sock (I also brought some DPNs...just hope I brought the right size for socks) because I'm having SKW - Sock Knitter's Withdrawl. I'll definitely post pics when I start the socks. I'm still waiting for the cable for my camera so I can download the pics I have on there to the computer and erase them from the camera so I can take more pictures. I should be getting it any day now. The pictures I've taken in the last couple of posts have been with my cell phone, hence the poorer quality and somewhat blurriness.


Well, best be off and do some knitting and hopefully find a movie on that I can knit to. Happy knitting!

A Yarn Holder!

Happy Chuseok everyone! This is the Korean's version of Thanksgiving, and they have 3 days off from work (plus the weekend). I go back to work on Thursday, and then have the weekend off; normally I'd be working 3 classes on Saturday, but there are no classes this Saturday or next.

Well, five of us went to Chonan yesterday and took in a movie. It was in English with Korean subtitles, and was actually an Irish film called "Once". I didn't find there was much plot to the movie, though the music was really good. I'd like to see if there is a soundtrack for it.

While in Chonan, we looked around for a craft shop but were unsuccessful. I'm sure there must be some kind of crafts stores around here, but we don't know where to look or how to ask. I might be resigned to ordering yarn and stuff online and paying shipping (some places don't have terribly high shipping costs, so that's promising). Anyway, I thought you all might be interested in what I found (in Chonan) to keep my yarn supply in...just need to figure out how to get it here and where to store it...
This is located handy to the art gallery. We went to the gallery too, and quite honestly...I didn't get it. Maybe I'm not cultured enough, but I wasn't impressed by the few exhibits they had. Nothing made sense to me, and quite honestly (in my opinion) was a waste of 3,000 Won (which works out to about $3 Canadian/American).

I've done more work on my scarf and it has grown some. I have a feeling it will take a little while to do because of the smaller size needles. I will keep plugging away at it though as I think it will look nice when it's done. I've noticed a mistake in it, but from one side it isn't really noticeable. I'm not ripping back to fix it though...too far back for me. If I was doing it in larger size needles and on thicker yarn I probably would.

Well, just wanted to show you my yarn storage bag and let you know I'm still knitting. I'm slowly making my way around blogland again, and catching up on everyones latest knitting adventures!

New Project

Well, slowly I've been working on some knitting. I don't have much done, but I've at least started my first ever knitting project in South Korea! I am working on a scarf - the Corrugator Scarf by Paula. It's an easy knit, and only uses the knit stitch and a slip stitch.



Don't mind the photo as it's not the best. You see, I still don't have the cable to hook my camera up to the computer to download pictures so I used my new cell phone that has a built in camera. I'm sure it cost me a fortune to email from the phone to the computer, but honestly I haven't a clue. I wanted to just download them to the computer but the phone is very new (I've had it three days) and didn't really know what I was doing. I do know there are several features that are on it that are free, but don't know if that is one of them. Well, when I get my first bill I will know I'm sure.

Anyway, this is the yarn I mentioned in the previous post - the stuff I bought here in Yesan, South Korea. It's 100% extra fine merino and I can't find the yardage/ounces on the label anywhere. The colour is a little lighter than shown in the picture.

I see that the Canadian dollar is pretty much on par with the US dollar so I might order some yarn and have it sent here...like from Etsy since some that I've checked out actually had pretty good international shipping rates. Maybe the Loopy Ewe will be my choice...but have to check their rates (I don't think they were too bad though).

Ok, well I'd better sign off and do some more knitting. I'm waiting for the cable to be hooked up on my TV today and he hasn't come yet. I was told (by the man who's in charge of setting things up for my apartment and making sure I get settled here) that it would be 3:00 or 4:00 and it is now 4:20. I wonder if it will happen today though, because it's a holiday weekend here...actually it's 5 days including the weekend. Korea has their version of Thanksgiving, called Chuseok (I don't think that's spelled right) and it is a 3 day holiday plus the weekend, so I think that services like hooking up the cable would not be open today. We'll see, though. I'd like to be able to sit and knit in front of the TV (we have about 3 English channels from my understanding - 2 of them are news stations, CNN and BBC).

Happy Knitting!

Finally!

I finally have internet hooked up in my apartment! Now I should be able to make more frequent posts.

I finally found a yarn shop not far from where I'm living. That's the good news. The bad news is that there isn't really much of a selection to choose from. I got 3 balls of Torino (100% extra fine Merinos) yarn in pink. I think it's from Italy. It seems to be a good thickness to make a baby sweater or something. I could make a scarf or hat with it, but the size requirements on the ball band are for 3.5 - 4 mm needles. The great thing, is that the store has a policy that if you buy 3 balls you get the needles free. Unfortunately she only has circulars, which is good, but I was wanting some straight needles.

I think I might make a scarf with it. Just need to find the right pattern. The size 4.0 mm needles make for a small stitch, and 4.5 isn't much better. I suppose I'll just have to knit something and see how it looks.

Unfortunately, I still don't have the cable for my camera to download pics (it's on it's way), so I can't take pics of the yarn just yet. I will though when I'm able. I tried to come up with a pattern for a scarf on my own when I didn't have access to the internet to find a pattern - unfortunately it didn't look that great. It was lace and was looking too holey, so I decided to rip it out and try a drop stitch scarf, but the needles were too small (it didn't have the effect I was wanting). So, I ripped that out too. But now I have the net so I can find a pattern, borrow the printer (or go to the teacher who has it) and print some out.

There are also 2 foreign teachers (what they call us over here) in my building who want me to teach them to knit. How cool is that? One of them taught herself a little a few years back but she wants me to help her learn better. We're working on a day/evening when we can all get together and sit down to knit. I'm looking forward to that - knitters in my building!!

Well, better head off for now. Happy knitting!

NIL

The knitting is nil at the moment. I haven't really had a lot of time or energy since moving to where I'll be living for the next year (a place called Yesan). I'm still waiting for my chair to be delivered, so then hopefully I'll have a comfy place to sit and knit.

We're supposed to be going to Seoul on the weekend, and I've asked the girls if we can find a knitting/yarn store and they said no problem. From my understanding, the yarn is expensive because it's imported from the States (I think). However, I'll still be looking and buying. Someone told me the cheapest thing to do is order it online, even with shipping charges it might not be as much. Well, I'll still have a look, and will probably buy some (and some needles).

I've also joined Robyn's stitch marker exchange (signups are closed now), so I'll be looking for some things to make the stitch markers with. I didn't want to chance bringing my stuff on the plane and have them end up throwing it out because it was considered dangerous goods (don't know if it was or not, but just didn't want to chance it). I did bring some glass beads with me though.

Well, just wanted to make a brief update on here so you would all know I'm still around. I hope to get to some knitting soon...I hear it calling me, but just haven't had the chance to sit down and pick it up yet.

Happy knitting!