Addi Addict: Part 2

You already knew my Addi knitting needles addiction.... Well, I did it again. Ahem... A few days ago I bought some new needles. (I really needed them! I promise.)

What's happening???? These are not Addi Needles, they are Drops Needles!

I know.

Let's see....

Did you know that Addi, Lang and Drops were all the same? It's the same manufacturer! Yes, I'm 99.9999% sure!

Let me show you...


Addi Needles:

Lang Needle:

Drops Needle:

Same nickel plated brass tips.
Same flexible and golden cord.
Same snag-free smooth joint.
Same writing font on the cord.
Same "Made in Germany" inscription (Sehr gute Qualität!)
It's written "addi" on both Addi and Lang needles.

It's not written "addi" on the Drops needles but do you still think they are different?


So why should I prefer Addi, Lang or Drops?

Addi vs Lang/Drops:

Addi:

• they have every needle sizes and cord lenght
• they are expensive (very)

Lang/Drops:

• Lang is cheaper than Addi & Drops is cheaper than Lang.
• they don't have every needle sizes (no 2.25mm, 2.75mm, 6.5mm, 3.25mm...)

Conclusion: Buy Lang or Drops for usual needle sizes, and Addi for specifics!


Note to self: Buy another circular needle case! (it will be the 4th)


My new Drops needles come from Kalidou Online Shop. (awesome, kind and fast service by the way)

For those of you, dear readers, who live abroad, you may find a Drops/Garnstudio retailer in your country, here.

Quod erat demonstrandum

;)

Oh No....!

 It's not the yarn.
It's not the needles.
Maybe it's just me?

A severe case of B.S.S. (Both Sock Syndrom)....

I tried to change the needles. Maybe I had a dpns rejection? But my beloved Addis were no help here....

Frogging was the only remedy....

Sorry, crappy pictures, but B.S.S. deserves nothing better...

Hourglass Sweater, or the absurdity of the self-portrait

My tweed sweater is finished! I'm very very happy with it. It's warm, light and cozy! The yarn is a bit itchy next to the skin, but I don't care!
Problem is: What face am I supposed to do when I take a picture of myself? Smile? Open the eyes?

Or do my usual photo-shooting grin?

Oh well, you have an idea of the sweater at least!

Don't worry, the hems are in different colors on purpose. If you want to know, the body hem is lime green, and the neckline is cream and turquoise. I like it just this way.



Pattern: Let's say it's the Hourglass Sweater, but knitted top down and without the pattern's instructions.(I lent my book)

Yarn: 7 skeins of Fonty, Super Tweed, (Chocolate) bought at Le Comptoir, Paris

          1/2 skein of Noro, Kureyon (164), gift from Japan,

Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars, 4.5mm, in 80cm and 40cm

Size: Custom. I casted-on 106 stitches and after that, tried it on from time to time.

If I had to knit this again, I will cast-on less stitches for the neckline and make the body longer.

Comme des Poissons.....

The other day, my mum and I decided to treat ourselves with a delicious japanese lunch. This is one of our "mother & daughter only" favorite tradition.

Hidden in the very chic 16th district of Paris, the tiny tiny and so lovely "Comme des Poissons" Sushi restaurant.

There's hardly ten places at the counter, and it was already almost full when we arrived. Fortunately, we had a reservation!

We ordered a Sushi Teshoku (the sushi menu):

And it was really delicious! The Sushi Master, Kino san, is a sort of virtuoso, able to cut, slice, roll, talk, answer to the phone and say jokes (both in french and japanese!) in the same time!

All the customers were listening to him, or joking with him, in a very friendly atmosphere.

Thanks to Master Kino, the Origami from Paris action is working well.

Comme des Poissons

24 Rue de la Tour

75016 Paris

01 45 20 70 37

It's open from 11:30am to 3pm, and from 5:30pm to 9pm (Tuesday to Saturday)
And from 5:30 pm to 9pm on Sunday. (Even the opening time is very "à la japanese"! ^^)

And, as all the serious and freshness concerned japanese restaurants, "Comme des Poissons" is closed on Mondays! (because the Rungis Market is closed this day)


-------------------------------------------


After our lunch, we walked for a little moment and sundenly stopped in front of a small boutique: There, was exposed the loveliest girls dress collection! The dresses were so original and chic! We immediately thought that my little niece, Ayumi in Tokyo would be so pretty wearing these! We could not even believe the prices! 50% off!

As all the outfits were so beautiful, it was really difficult to choose.

We finally bought a convenient everyday cotton dress:



I just love this little detail!

And an amazing cotton dress with a little retro touch:



The flowers are like hand-painted directly on the fabric!


Parisians, if you want to buy the same, you'll have to hurry! This shop is going to close! (the internet site is not working anymore) Unfortunately, there was no adult dress (I asked)



We will send these to Japan with other little gifts as soon as possible. I'm sure Ayumi will be the cutest little girl in town with those dresses!

New Shawl in Progress...

My tweed sweater is finished, I just need to take some pictures of it. Maybe tomorrow if the weather is nice?

I have a new shawl on the needles! It's the Hearland Lace Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark:

Holst Garn Supersoft, Plum

When I'm not folding origami cranes - the origami paper is almost missing now, my mum and I made over 300! - , I knit a few rows of this shawl. So far, I finished Chart 1 and the first repeat of Chart 2!
The yarn is Holst Garn Supersoft. It's a bit rough and smells oddly, but once blocked, this yarn is wonderful!
The first time I used it, I had some doubts, but the result was really worth the 800m of lace knitting!


Shetland Triangle, Evelyn A.Clark; Hoslt Garn Supersoft, Bleeched White

So far, this is my favorite shawl yarn! But I don't have much experience in lace weight....

What is yours? Any advices? I'd be happy to discover and adopt new lace yarn!

Happy knitting!