I've moved on...
...to a different domain. Why, what were you thinking? The truth is, I just woke up one day and decided it's time for a change—a metamorphosis, if you will; or, in layman's terms, if Britney can shave her head, then maybe so can I? Nevertheless, it's been a rather handsome 10 years of talking to you, and thank you for putting up with all my moodswings and terrible dad jokes. Fear not! The hormonal imbalance and jokes are more terrible on CUBICLE, see you there.

ParknCube_Things-of-the-Month-December_01

Pattern from Kim Hargreaves Scarlet pattern book, called ‘Craft‘.

C2B, C2F, KTBL, P2…

…which is not an encoded call to Starfleet, but nonetheless a new language for me this season as I enter a new domain that is sweaters and cable knitting. Before I delve into the complexity of this sort of pattern, let me just say: if I can knit, a mattress can knit. A fingerless mattress. A blind, fingerless mattress. So don’t be discouraged when I say my eyeballs were bleeding and it took literally 32 hours to do a mere 6 inches. Cable knitting follows a grid pattern, and I’m not sure if you’ve tried doing geometry homework while watching a BAZILLION movies, but it sure slows you down (duh). Especially if some of them are Italian (La vita e bella) or French (Amelie) and you get your subtitles and knitting pattern confused and end up knitting “Bongiorno principessa“, then undo the entire row afterwards. It’s all good fun though, and not at all hard if you have Youtube and some time handy, which is exactly what this Christmas was, spending it quietly in London just with the hubby.

ParknCube_Things-of-the-Month-December_02 ParknCube_Things-of-the-Month-December_03

Ballerina flats – Josefinas

Ryan G

These navy classic ballerinas are from a Portugese brand called Josefinas, but considering how much I fondle them and dream of spring-time dates by the riverside I’ve decided to name it ‘Ryan G’ so that when the times comes I can say ‘I’m taking Ryan out for a ride’ and confuse the crap out of hubby. For now Ryan G’s in winter hibernation in a snug silk dust bag that smells like Eucalyptus.

ParknCube_Things-of-the-Month-December_04

White candle – Diptyque ‘Cypres’. Dark candle – Dior 30 Montaigne. Cuff – Chanel ‘boy’ lego brick cuff. Rings – Monica Vinader stacking rings

I’ll count, you hide.

A couple firm favourites from 2013 that I’ll be taking into 2014: a Mikimoto circle pearl necklace that used to be my mother’s, Monica Vinader stacking rings (Baja and Diamond pave), and Chanel ‘boy’ lego brick cuff from the Cruise 13 collection. The cuff is actually on loan from the Chanel press office to ‘play’ with (their words, not mine), although the most ‘playing’ I’ve done so far with it was wrapping it with bubble-wrap and placing it in a 6-digit-code safe. Which is what I used to do with my prettier looking Barbies anyway so I guess that does count as playing.  

 

ParknCube_Things-of-the-Month-December_05

Necklace – FHH Accessories via Lulu Guiness. (Similar here)

Come on baby light my fire

When this arrived in the mail my pyromaniac husband put it around his neck and ran around the flat giggling. I’m afraid I’m not even kidding. I swear one day he will burst into flames from sheer girliness.

 

ParknCube_Things-of-the-Month-December_06

Striped top – c/o Gudrun Sjoden. PJ Bottoms – Gift from mummy (from Oysho, I believe)

A new surface

Ever since spilling beer all over my slightly more ‘agile’ laptop (aka not a tank) I’ve had to get out of bed, walk a meter, sit in a chair, and start my day on the internet like a normal human being. However, thanks to the recent acquisition of Microsoft Surface 2, a tablet with a handy keypad/cover that snaps onto the side, I’ve been able to return to my blissful lifestyle of a single-cell organism, that is: wake up, troll online, sleep. Some kidding aside, so far it really has boosted my level of productivity, although if you’ve e-mailed me in the past couple of months and didn’t receive a response, MY DOG ATE MY PURPLE KEYBOARD OKAY.

ParknCube_Things-of-the-Month-December_08 ParknCube_Things-of-the-Month-December_08a

Wool & the Gang ‘Ashleigh’ sweater knit kit, with custom elongated sleeves.

Chunky monkey

World, meet my first ever hand-knitted sweater! All thanks to Wool & the Gang, who generously supplied with the pattern, wool and constant cheering throughout. Their HQ happens to be located about 2 minutes walk from where I live, so sometimes I hear a ‘GO SHINI!’ which usually just turns out to be one of the teachers in the school behind my building yelling ‘NO SHITTING!’. Which, don’t get me wrong, is pretty good encouragement too because one mustn’t poop in the living room. This particular pattern didn’t take long to do (6-8 hours in total?) as the yarn is super chunky, so I’d say it’s perfect for first time sweater knitters!

ParknCube_Things-of-the-Month-December_09

Perfume – Kenzo Flower in the Air

In the air

A whiff of the Flower in the Air takes me back to that one day in June when I took a train to Paris, rode a ferris wheel by the river, and again, then hopped back on a train and came home. A fleeting moment, that’s what it smells like, which is surprisingly lyrical compared to the usual scent pairing with my sarcastic temperament. On the skin, it’s a clean, modern scent, quite sharp at first, but settles into a comfortable floral blend of rose, gardenia… almost berry-like. I can’t wait for it to snow a little actually, I have a feeling this might be a great pairing, albeit slightly ironic.

 

ParknCube_Things-of-the-Month-December_10
ParknCube_Things-of-the-Month-December_11a

Time machine

Watch & straps – Daniel Wellington

Somehow the folks over at Daniel Wellington know about the unfortunate vintage watch I cracked with a plier three years ago, I think. Then again, it was a plier that usually does the pipes under the sink, I don’t know what I was expecting. My hand slipped and crack, a spiderweb on the watch face. A roll of duct tape was the only adhesive tapey thingy I had in the flat, and for a week I’d only know when it was 2:15. This DW set, however, comes with a tool that sings finesse: a firm nudge and it dislodges the bar from the hinges, which you then slide out the leather, and back on the hinges again. The grosgrain ribbon (that comes with a rose-gold buckle) slides through the bars, then secured. I can probably duct tape my eyes shut and do it again. Curse you plier! 

Write a Comment

49 Comments

  1. Shini, you did such a great job on the cable knit! I believe I saw an insta of you wearing it? It’s such a beautiful, bold color! Can’t wait to see the blush one once it’s finished. My favorite of all of this are the little rings, so lovely! As always, nice comical relief for a Saturday evening in :) x

  2. Great post. I’m so glad I discovered your blog.

  3. Wow that cable sweater will be amazing! I still haven’t finished my first cabled piece, it’d taken me so long that the style of cardigan has kinda gone out of fashion and it’s just sitting in my cupboard with only half a sleeve left to do. I’m sure you won’t have the same fate!

  4. Dilek

    I love knitting! In fact, I just put down the needles to check stuff online. My mom and I have been marathon-knitting these cold winter days. I feel I should be studying for my upcoming exams instead of getting all giddy about every yarn I see in the store. Cable knitting is hard, but the end does justify the hardships you go through. Whether I sew or knit, nothing compares to the feeling of seeing my complete product. It’s like having a baby without all the aftermath. :P

  5. i’ve actually always wanted to learn how to knit!!
    xx
    http://anoddgirl.blogspot.com.au

  6. That jumper is super impressive! I haven’t had my hands on knitting needles since my early teens. I think everyone will be getting a knitted scarf or jumper next christmas. I might have to get on it no so I can finish in time for xmas ’14.

  7. That sweater deserves some applause!!

  8. I admire how you dont give on knitting. I found out that I dont have the patience to finish something.

  9. Does anyone else jump when they see a random gif among photos? No? Just me? Okay. Those always sneak up on me although I do love them; I’m just a total scaredy cat. To the point, the sweater looks amazing!!

  10. Love your blog and this post. Inspiring!
    Xx
    Rhea
    http://www.fuss.co.in

  11. Lovely post as always! There’s so much going on, but I’ll say this – that six inches of cable knit is infinitely better than anything I could ever do!

    xx Nicole
    http://npk-blog.blogspot.com

  12. very nice post !

    http://franchemeetsfashion.blogspot.cz/

  13. Great post, you red knit is beautiful, you are really talented and full of good ideas!

    http://www.laurablogmode.com

  14. Oh, girl what are you doing with me! That knitted GIF made my heart make a jump of jump of joy! It’s my favorite!
    With love,

    Joy

    | justlikesushi.com |

  15. Your pictures never cease to amaze me… The first one is my favourite.
    Mafalda ❤
    http://www.mafaldadotzero.blogspot.fr

  16. Love love love the sweater!!… and the match stick necklace. perfect.

    http://www.myclayexperience.com/

  17. I wish I had the patience to knit like that!
    A few days ago, I bought some knitting tools and made myself a knitting loom… failed horribly, but I’m going to keep on trying haha.
    Knitting really looks very easy when somebody else does it, but when I do it it becomes mission impossible :p
    Love the FHH necklace by the way!
    X, Jessy

  18. Love your blog. Very inspiring pictures!

    Love,
    Breathe Me

  19. OHHHH!!! you have a very good taste

  20. Very inspiring!

  21. the jumper looks great and im impressed because u just started to learn how to knit! I love knitting and the first thing i could knit was a simple scarf using knit stitches only. going to knit a scarf for this winter season x

    http://www.chariscity.blogspot.com

  22. Perfect pictures and post ! I totally need to learn how to knit xx

    http://www.mylittlefashionthoughts.com

  23. Char

    Well done on that sweater! The most I’ve ever completed is a scarf, and about 10,000 small cabled swatches.. Time to try something new!
    It’s also a great excuse to sit around watching movies and drinking wine.. :)

  24. Just that little pink square is so delicate and beautiful. I’d probably call it a day and frame it ;)

  25. Love the sweater.
    And had to laugh out loud for the NO SHITTING comment.
    Why don’t teacher shout that here in China, where kids poop in the middle of the street everywhere.

    I hope I will be able to knit that kind of sweater one day! Really great

  26. gorgeous pieces!

    monkeyshines
    http://monkeyshines-monkeyshines.blogspot.com/

  27. This sweater is really great!
    I like the color and the basic style with this BIG knit!

    Des bises and happy Holidays!
    Mademoiselle Stef

  28. Your photos and perspective are sensational! I’m dying to learn how to knit!!! I slaved over a few simple crochet granny squares during last winter (in Seattle) to keep from chewing an arm off in the dark, cold weather. You’ve inspired me. I have arms and hands so I must therefore knit. Although I wish my mattress could make a baby blanket for me.

  29. I really like your blog! It’ s very interesting:) I would like to show you A quick outfit recap of my looks of 2013 year! and If you get a second, I’d love to hear your thoughts on topic my outfits:) I greet:) Iwona

  30. Can we just take a moment to pause and recognize the fact that you have the most innovative blog in existence.

    That is all.

    xx

  31. hehe you made me chuckle. as soon as I saw the complexity of the knitwear in the first pic, i was seriously like woah, will i ever reach that level?! and then i read your comment about the blind mattress and it instantly made me laugh and have more confidence in myself, hehe!! I know i’ve tweeted you about this more times than necessary but when i saw the pic of you in that beautiful pastel blue snood, i bought my first pair of knitting needles and it might have taken me like a YEAR to do one line (not familiar with correct knitwear terminology) but i’m glad i stuck with it. maybe i’ll even try a jumper!

    XXX

  32. Wow, your doing a lovely job of the cable knit, to be honest the thought of it frightens me to death. But your right with the help of you tube I might be able to manage it! Xx

  33. I’m working on knitting my first pair of socks, currently. Well, first sock. We’ll see how it goes. Love the look of the cable sweater you’re working on now!

  34. LOVE the sweater you made, as well as the story about the matchstick necklace. Too good. Thanks for sharing.

  35. […] It’s borrowed, don’t ask. I’m flattered though, that anyone would assume I have enough speech & debate skills to convince my husband, to whom Tommy Hilfiger is couture and Tom Ford is the CEO of Ford – the car company – that spending three months’ rent on a bag (a transparent one at that) is reasonable. I can’t even convince him to shower when he’s Shrek-green. My usual tactic is throwing self down in the middle of the aisle/kitchen and crying hysterically but this only seems to work up to a certain price limit, it being £40 for sock yarn. Truth is, deep inside I don’t believe we (I say we, but I mean me) are not yet in a junction in life to warrant a brand spankin’ new Chanel boy bag. I’ve always seen luxury goods as sex: the right person, the right time. Admittedly, this blog did place me in a bit of a ho-bag tangent with some of the generous gifts, I still want to work towards a stage in life where I can afford a Chanel/Hermes/LV bag without disrupting priorities. So please forgive me if, for the time being, I can be a little cheeky and seize the opportunity when the press office allows me to borrow to ‘play with’. Play we did, generally by me wearing it under a big coat and treating it like a secret, walking around town like Aladdin stealing bread: sartorial equivalent to ‘bubble-wrap it and place in safe’. […]

  36. That might just be the chicest GIF I ever did see.

  37. […] It’s borrowed, don’t ask. I’m flattered though, that anyone would assume I have enough speech & debate skills to convince my husband, to whom Tommy Hilfiger is couture and Tom Ford is the CEO of Ford – the car company – that spending three months’ rent on a bag (a transparent one at that) is reasonable. I can’t even convince him to shower when he’s Shrek-green. My usual tactic is throwing self down in the middle of the aisle/kitchen and crying hysterically but this only seems to work up to a certain price limit, it being £40 for sock yarn. Truth is, deep inside I don’t believe we (I say we, but I mean me) are not yet in a junction in life to warrant a brand spankin’ new Chanel boy bag. I’ve always seen luxury goods as sex: the right person, the right time. Admittedly, this blog did place me in a bit of a ho-bag tangent with some of the generous gifts, I still want to work towards a stage in life where I can afford a Chanel/Hermes/LV bag without disrupting priorities. So please forgive me if, for the time being, I can be a little cheeky and seize the opportunity when the press office allows me to borrow to ‘play with’. Play we did, generally by me wearing it under a big coat and treating it like a secret, walking around town like Aladdin stealing bread: sartorial equivalent to ‘bubble-wrap it and place in safe’. […]

  38. Silvia

    In love with the sweater you made. I need to know where did you learn to do that, i really want to do it<3

    I'm a new reader and your blog it's lovely, your DIY are amazing.

  39. I would really, really, really like to know what yarn you are using for that divine cable sweater!!!!!

  40. The yarn is Rowan Angora Haze (discontinued) which I got way before the whole angora issue, but it can also be done with Rowan Kidsilk Haze!

  41. @Shini, thanks so much for the reply!

  42. […] *image via park & cube […]

  43. […] / tricot (Park and Cube) Il me faut ce t-shirt… (Thug Life shirts) Café / câlin / bouquins (Lena Bobkova) Et […]

  44. […] from park&cube […]

  45. […] Header image source: Park and Cube […]

  46. […] r: the house that lars built; cote maison; bekka palmer photography; love with a perfect stranger; park and cube; hanna’s room; est […]

  47. […] r: the house that lars built; cote maison; bekka palmer photography; love with a perfect stranger; park and cube; hanna’s room; est […]

  48. […] Header image source: Park and Cube […]

  49. Great post