A sweater that would set a milestone.

 

After finished my pullover (Here it is. If you’re curious.) last year I started to grow extra-confidence about my knitting ability and attempted a new big project right away: A cozy-looking jacket I had been wanting to make, wear, and show off..  Obviously I was little too much excited about my first pullover that generated lots of compliments from friends here and there. However, the new one I started was a bit heavy garment taking a good deal of time and attention. The beginning wasn’t so bad but I was slowly losing my interest in it. Time goes by... During the hot and humid summer I totally forgot try to forget about the thick and chunky piece in deep deep bottom of my heart feeling pretty guilty. Frankly this unfinished business has bothered me so bad. Finally a few weeks ago when the weather got significantly chilly I decided to come clean and retake this challenge. Nothing fancy really. It is just a work of simple stockinet stitch but the construction was rather unfamiliar to this first time-sweater knitter at the begining. It took a little while to understand how ‘mitred hems’ work.

This time I didn't want to let it go. For some reason I felt this shouldn't take too long. So a few weeks of straight work (NO! I didn't get distracted by other projects as I used to.) I finally managed to complete this baby! I feel awesome to finish this Un-Finished-Object after a long neglect and also great to use up lots of this yarn stash. (Well, do you remember? I made a skirt last year with this yarn. It is going down but still I have lots left. Anyone, interested in swapping?)

Here I proudly present my new first ever sweater! (I know I knit a sweater before but that was a pullover style. Pretty easier than this. This one I could call a legit sweater! Even a jacket!)  Such a simple and minimal design yet it is rather cute and sweet!

Just one thing I am not completely happy about this is the ‘mitred hem’. I like the idea but it didn’t come out neat enough. This is the look from the back. The hem looks little too bumpy and rough to me. My knitting wasn't consistent? Maybe one more blocking would help? Well, I could try.

 It took a while to finish but I am generally happy now. I've learned lots of new techniques from this pattern that I want to use later on and enjoyed knitting quite well. It just required a bit extra patience to finish. I think totally worth it though. What do you think?

 

 

My next project? I am thinking.... something to gift. I know not so much time left. So... I might crochet something as last-minute gifts. Still I have to brush up my crochet skill but I think I crochet faster than knit. I am gonna share them on my next posting if they turned out good. (Please wish me luck!) What about you guys? What's on your needles or hooks? Are you ready for Holiday season yet? Hope you are~ :)

Teatime

Last summer was fun. I had nicely busy days with sewing and crafting: great way to enjoy some extra free time and prepare the exciting new season. One of my favorite things I’ve developed is knitting while sipping a lovely herb tea at my local teashop. I used to be a huge cappuccino-holic, and still I worship it every day (cannot imagine starting a day without one), but recently I explored a new joy from drinking herb tea. I might put up my experience this way: Coffee energizes and inspires me while the herb tea relaxes and calms me down. This means tea goes with knitting perfectly. So, what’s my favorite? Chamomile and lemongrass so far. There are many different kinds of leaves and I am so tempted to try new ones every time I visit the shop. Shapes and fragrances of tea leaves and petals amaze me all the time, but most exciting part is watching those tealeaves are getting infused creating a breathtaking colorways in the special teapot.

 

 

While the tea is getting ready, here’s something I would make: little coasters for tea cups. I got this heavenly soft and beautiful yarn by Debbie Bliss (http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/debbie-bliss-cotton-denim-aran) a few years ago and saved it for something special. The only problem is I have ‘one’ ball that it is little too small for any kinds of projects. Then one day while I was hanging out at Ravelry (Yes, I know. I am having too much fun over there), I found this gorgeous pattern called herringbone stitch. I fell in love with it instantly when I tried first time and thought it would go with my denim yarn perfectly. There are a few different types of herringbone stitches out there, but I realized the first one I tried looked most gorgeous and constructs a very durable fabric.

 

 

If you’re interested in the pattern this is the one I tried (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/herringbone-stitch-dishcloth). Pretty simple one, but I should warn you one thing. It is very hard to fix once you make a mistake. At the beginning I attempted to ravel and tried again in the middle, but it wasn't successful. I ended up starting  over from the very begining again. However, it was totally worth it. Anyway, you might want to give an extra attention until you’re familiar with the pattern. I purely adore the texture the pattern creates and the yarn matches the pattern beautifully. Since the pattern makes the fabric pretty thick and tight it is ideal for creating mats or something needs to be sturdy. I think of making placemats in autumnal color next time.  

 

So, what about you? What are you working on recently? I am sure you guys have long lists to knit or create as I do. I heard many of my Ravelry friends finishing some fabulous projects for Christmas gifts already. Aww.. I am so~ jealous! I will really have to kick some butt this season. Hope the beautiful weather inspires you and you have lots of fun with your creative activities in this fall. Endulge yourself with some tea or coffee and enjoy whatever you do and see you soon.~

 

Soyun.

Handmade fair in Seoul, Korea

Everybody is having a lovely summer? Hope you guys stay cool and happy! It’s been a pretty busy summer for me since ‘J’ left for his own vacation to mountain Kilimanjaro. Missing him, working on new lines for the next season, starting on knitting projects for coming autumn, cleaning up my little atelier before the busy and hectic season launches, and cooking something healthy and refreshing for myself (ssshh~ I am on a fabulous vegi-diet while he is away. I will introduce this next posting.). Anyway, while I was a busy bunny there’s something I’ve been waiting forever: handmade Korea fair 2012. A handmade boom arrived here in Korea a few years ago, but still not so many people are familiar with its concept. This event could help people get to know how fabulous it is! 

Today, this happy bunny was hopping down to the exhibition center with full of excitement. First of all, look at this! Isn’t this cool? A bracelet style entering ticket!

 

Finally, I am in! There are so many things to explore. As a sewer, knitter and crafter of little bit of everything, I couldn’t resist all the vibes those little goodies sent forth.  

 

This is one of things I’ve wanted to learn so long: Korean traditional knots. Terrific vivid color combos and gorgeous texture created by knots are just my style! Wait a minute! Now I remember I grabbed a couple of how-to-knot books a few years ago. Where have they gone? Oh, well, time to check out my junk box somewhere at my atelier before I forget again. 

I knit something either practical or wearable. So there’s one kind I’ve never tried yet: knitted dolls. I’d like to wow them and talk to them (only when I am alone!), but I’ve never thought about making them by myself. This time, I found some booths full of knitted or sewn dolls. Those are amazingly adorable and cuddly. I purely felt cozy and calm when I hold them. Now I understand why babies long for those little creatures and knitters are tempted to make them. So, I took some of class information sheet they handed out. And… what a coincidence!! One of ateliers is just right around my neighborhood where I used to pass by. Obviously I knew the shop! I’ve been wondering about the owner of the shop and I’ve just found out! She is a kind and friendly lady and very informative, too. I might stop by her atelier soon or later to learn how to make little lovelies~

This is one of the biggest artwork I met at the site. A wooden piano. How fabulous! Not sure how it sounds like, but at least it is looking just beautiful and I hardly believe it is handmade. Must’ve taken lots of time, energy and talent!

Those are handmade (decorated?) wedding cakes. Gorgeous western inspired cakes got lots of attention from visitors. The last one is one of my favorites: small yet lovely. The subtle color is a plus!

BTW, here I want to share a few more cakes I found at the other bakery show a few weeks ago. Those demonstrate how Koreans decorate cakes and I guess you guys might be interested. J

Do you know what these are? I will give you some hints. You cannot eat them, yet they smell refreshing and delicious. They will melt on your body and make you feel pampered. Those are soaps made of ginseng and mushroom in a shape of traditional Korean coin money. I am wondering how I feel when I take shower with money ~ J

Here’s another Korean style artwork: Korean traditional quilts. Isn’t this similar to western one? Maybe the fabric we are using is different, but I think they are equally beautiful!

Finally, this is the place I took almost forever to wow and take some photos: Doll houses. Again, I’ve never been into doll-related things before, but who knew that I might find another wonderland today. Look at those tiny stuffs! Elegant details and constructions. I wish I could shrink myself and be a litte bunny in the middle of the photo and then live right there making all those fantastic things mine!! (I know, I know I am greedy. .. you can call me ‘piggie’ now.)

Wow~ someday could I have a closet like this? (hope 'J' is reading this!) Well, these might be more than I need, or not? J

Anyway, exploring little houses is really fun as well as inspiring! However, what I really liked was this!!! My simple and forever joy: knitting!

So, did you enjoy my little story? I had a fun time recalling my visit while I am writing the post. My brain is busy for processing lots of new ideas and inspirations I got from the exhibition. Now time to return to my little atelier and get to create something pretty!

Have a marvelous summer and enjoy your crafting~ 

XO, 

Soyun.

Something fun indoor

Hello, everyone. How’s your summer going? Hope you have a fun and enjoyable summer whatever you’re doing. The weather in Korea is getting summer-y now. Rainy almost every day so… the humidity is way high and the temperature is going up little by little. Pretty much not my kind of weather. But, as we all do I have lots of projects to finish and orders to fulfill. Don’t get me wrong. I really enjoy creating things at my little atelier. I won’t trade it with anything. But, I am such a curious girl that my little antennas are always looking for something fun out of my studio. So, the other day I visited this lovely museum in Seoul. There were many posters promoting the exhibition near by. Literally every shop around the area displayed the poster of this exhibition so it was too hard to miss it. The poster was showing one thing: awfully cool-looking chair. I got instantly hooked~ and made a trip to the museum. So here’re posters from the museum’s website. Cool, isn’t it?

A hot and rainy summer day. It is just perfect to enjoy something interesting indoor. This is an exhibition of north-European style chairs by Finn Juhl a famous artist from Denmark. I am sure lots of you are from the Scandinavian area and familiar with those chairs I am going to introduce. Seems like he is a pretty popular designer who also designed the interior of the Trusteeship Council Chamber at the UN headquarters in New York.  

So here are some of photos I am excited to share with you. I did a bit long and tiring trip to the museum and those chairs were looking so inviting. Aww.. it could’ve been amazing if I could rest my little booty on one of those sweet chairs.

Loved all of the chairs displayed. Those are pretty different from Korean styles I am familiar with. As some of you know Koreans used to sit on floors and we didn’t really develop styles of chairs and tables much. Those fun and cool-looking furniture inspired me so much that now I really want to decorate my atelier with some nice things. I will get some cute chairs and then cover them with blankets that I am going to knit some day (hopefully by this fall).  

Finally we arrived at the top floor where we can sit on and take photos with one of famous chairs. The chairs you can sit on switch every month and this month it was the one called ‘easy chair’. Me and my boy friend J did some ‘not-so-easy’ pose (Oh, well. Anyway I tried, but I was a bit nervous if I could break the precious chair.). We were just happy to have a little date in the cool museum as you see through the photo.

It was such a fun day. Museums are exciting and wonderful places to take a vacation from time to time. You will get inspired and recharged by something you rarely pay attention in your daily life. If you’re interested I hope you check out their website, daelim museum. Also, if you’re in Seoul, I recommend you take a trip to the area. There are lots of things to enjoy including the Korean old royal palace and garden called 'GyeongBokGung'. I am sure you will be thrilled by it. I will try to blog about it sometime soon.

Hope you enjoyed my little story. If you have any questions or requests please let me know or leave a message. I will be more than happy to help you. Have a creative and fun summer and see you soon. 

XO, 

Soyun.

Not-so-‘Korean’ yarn shop

I’ve always wanted to introduce you ‘Korean style’ yarn markets I usually hang out to get my craft materials. Many of my foreign knitter friends get very curious and ask me often. “Do you knit in Korea? What kinds of yarns do you use? Where do you get your pattern books?” Well, actually Korea is just like the Western world now. Unfortunately not so many things Korean I can show off. We knit (I guess knitting in Korea has been considered to be granny’s hobby, but it gradually found its renaissance recently.) and have some pattern books (some in Korean, some Japanese, and some western languages) in the book stores. We have a few yarn shops offering various yarns and notions from all over the world. So, I can say knitting in Korea is getting more popular as well as international. By the way, there’s a huge craft market in the center of Seoul that you might want to check out (Don’t worry. I will introduce you this interesting market not too much later. I promise! J)

Today I am going to take you to a lovely yet not-so-Korean yarnshop. A few days ago (well, have to admit it is not a few days anymore.. it’s been a few weeks now. I know. I need to be more diligent for blogging. I am working on it!) I visited this well-organized as well as well-known yarnshop’s house warming party. This shop called ‘banul story’ (http://www.banul.co.kr ‘banul’ is a needle in Korean) has been one of the famous yarnshops among knitters and crafters in Korea. Originally located in Myeong-dong area in Seoul it moved to near Ewha women’s university in Sinchon area recently. 

Being extremely excited and thrilled to explore this new shop I couldn’t sleep the night before it opened. Getting up ‘amazingly’ early (such a night owl as I am it was a huge devotion I made that morning.) and feeding myself well to survive a long and busy day I headed to the place I’ve dreamed of. You could’ve seen me doing happy little dances if you were with me on the way to the shop. J

What a joy! My friend and I turned out to be the very first guests. The shop looked great already yet they were busy for working on some of the final touches. The owner of the shop opened the door for us (Do you see the doorknobs looking like knitting needles? How creative!! I seriously wanted to grab them and run away with. What a naughty girl I am!) and warmly welcomed us. Yay, I got overly emotional and felt my small devotion of getting up early totally paid off at the very moment.

Look at the inside of the shop full of fun and lovely treasures. Colors, shapes, and textures of those goodies grabbed my attention instantly. What a great collection they got! I desperately wished I could live in the shop playing with all of blingy knitting needles and crochet hooks, gorgeous-colored yarns, and cool knitting notions. Do you see these itsy- bitsy buttons? How adorable! It seems like they were waiting for me to pick them up. Those would go perfectly with a baby sweater I am currently working on.  

I already own many sets of knitting needles, but I decided to indulge myself with extra thick knitting needles I’ve been looking for. (As a gift, I received another small-sized circular needle. Wow! Isn’t that amazing?) As many of you understand (hopefully) we knitters do never own enough yarns, needles, and knitting notions. As a serious sewer, I also collect lots of fabrics and always long for more. I know, I know. I need to control and discipline myself. But, those little luxuries inspire me and excite me all the time and I should admit they work exactly like ‘vitamin’ to me. Oh, well, perhaps the most expensive vitamin I could ever take though.

Now, here’s a fun part of the shop. There’s a lovely knitting café on the 2^nd floor. (Sorry, I was having so much fun enjoying the coffee and the interior of the room that I mistakenly forgot to take photos of the café.) But, I assure you that this is the heaven of the knitters and crocheters. I really hope you make a trip here and have fun and enjoyable time with your fellow knitters. What would go with knitting better than good music and savory coffee or tea? ‘Knitting, coffee, and music’ altogether sound so right, don’t they?

I purely enjoyed this day at the fabulous shop. It’s always a pleasure to find beautiful and interesting crafts shops that make you dance. I wish I could open my own atelier just like this someday. I will invite all of you guys and throw a cool party on opening day. Hopefully you can make it and celebrate with me dancing together! It will be wonderful to see you from all around the world!

So, now I am wondering how your local yarn shops look like. Similar to the one I’ve just introduced? Or, do they have any cool personalities? I am sure you have your favorite yarnshops in your neighborhood you’d like to share with me. Or, you might have fantasized your own dreamy yarnshop? If so, please don’t be shy and feel free to leave a comment. Who knows? You can inspire me and I might take your suggestions when I open my own shop later. 

Oh, one more thing before I close. As many of you already know, I am doing a giveaway celebrating my blog renewal. I hope you’ve already checked it out and participated in. If not, you still have time so please take a look. You can be the one of those who will receive the adorable pouches. It will end Apr. 23^rd and I will announce lucky winners shortly after. 
http://www.atelierdesoyun.com/2012/04/returning.html

Thanks for visiting and supporting this new journey. I am so excited to see you real soon.

Have a happy and crafty day!