Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Merry Christmas to all who are reading my small blog. Hope it was wonderful, mine was, spent with children, parents, siblings, husband!! A grand day.

I gifted only one Christmas present this year, Montego Bay Scarf, to Mrs. Osmetti, Miss 5's pre-kindy teacher, who truly did deserve the time I spent on every stitch in that scarf. I hope she liked it, it was hard to tell at the time, just the usual polite pleasantries were exchanged over it. I wanted to tell her about all the looong hours I spent, the late nights in that last week, the mistakes I didn't put up with, but unpicked to get it just right...but I didn't..of course, that's not what we knitters do is it. Only I, and all of you who also knit, share that knowledge.


Nevertheless, we live in a small town, perhaps I'll see her wearing it one day. :)



Specifics:
Pattern Montego Bay Scarf by Amy Singer
Yarn Handmaiden Fine Yarn - Sea Silk in colourway Pink
Needle took quite a few false starts to settle on 5 mm, not too tight not too loose, I also invested in some lurvley Lantern Moon Ebony needles as the yarn was so slippery.
Mods none apart from changing needle size and making the braided fringe a very loose braid.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

One big Catch Up!!

I've been missing in action for a while now, still knitting, just not so much computer time. This is because of two reasons, 1. I bought an i-phone, which can I just say I LOVE!! But it's not so easy to put pictures up on blogger from my phone, and I'm always on the internet on my phone now, rather than the desk. and 2. when I am sitting here at the desk, all I can see are all the invoices I have to deal with, and bills to pay, that I tend to, well, get up and walk away......

So, baby Quill turned 1, and she got a beautiful blanket for her birthday.
Yarn: Rowan Handknit Cotton, about 12 skeins
Needles: 4mm
Time to complete: well, one pregnancy, one summer, one year of baby's life, nearly two years all up!!
But it is what I wanted, an heirloom that she would treasure for years and years.
Also on a side note, I bought this yarn in the early stages of my pregnancy, no inkling if I was having a girl or a boy, just as well it's not a boy laying under there, must have had baby brain that day!!

Ok, next up we have a little backpack I did for my Mum. Just some acrylic yarn she picked up super cheap, took next to no time to knit, and she can throw it on when she goes for a walk.
Pattern: Textured Backpack by Ros Badger, published in Instant Expert Knitting
Yarn: Sean Sheep Little Grins
Needles: 5 mm

And something I am very fond of, is the Spring Garden tee from Nevernotknitting. I have seen some of Alana's designs on Ravelry, but never gotten around to knitting them. Then my (far away) LYS had a KAL of the Spring garden tee, and I even managed to stashbust. But had to modify the pattern to include stripes, and also did a little lace edging around the hem. I really like this top, it would nearly be one of my favourite knits ever, unfortunately, Arwen doesn't think it is quite long enough, so every wash I am stretching the yarn and blocking length length length....:)
Yarn: Rowan Calmer, from stash, I made size 4 and used every inch of yarn I had, all up I had 368metres.
Needles: 4 mm
Mods:
The stripes, I made them up as I went, and did ok I reckon. Also the lace panel from the sleeves, I added to the hem.
Next time I'll have the She-knits Mystery KAL to show, and discuss. It is currently blocking and drying, felted but not lined, and I am having issues with the scarf portion. Really I just want to finish the dreaded bag, give it away and be done. But next time. Before christmas. :)
Bye then x

Saturday, August 22, 2009

12 rows per day?


Can I complete 12 rows a day EVERY day in order to finish Zoe Mellor's Hearts & Stars blanket. Quill's birthday is the 31st August, I need 24 hours blocking time... And well I just don't know if I've got it in me. I'm slow on the best of days and this blanket is full of moss stitch, double slow for me.
I started this when I was pregnant with little Quilly and then I could only knit one row at a time. It made my tendinitis play up HORRIBLY!!! I think it would be special to give it to her on her first birthday.
Last night I knit a strand of my hair into the middle of one of the love hearts, I thought that was such a loving and sentimental statement, not my husband though, he was watching me like I was crazy!


Well, wish me luck everyone.

--Post From My iPhone

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Another one bites the dust...


I think I'm actually starting to knit a bit quicker, I started this bag for my Mum about two weeks ago. Normally it would take me hours and hours but I've got it finished, and still been knitting other things as well.
So it's the textured backpack, specifically requested so Mum could use it while walking and still be able to swing her arms. She picked the yarn and all up I think it cost under $5- not too bad for a Nana eh?!



-- Post From My iPhone

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

i love my iPhone

I've never been that bothered by what mobile phone I have, as long as its got a game or two, (and truthfully solitaire will do), and can make a call and SMS it'll do.

But last week, I was able, on DH's account acquire myself an iPhone.....and Oh.My.God!!

What a phone. This last week has seen me taking an impromptu video of the kids feeding cows over a fence, playing Bookworm as I'm feeding Quill and chatting around on Rav at 3 am when I can't sleep. What a toy!! Why did no-one tell me before? So now I'm twittering/facebooking/goodreading all around town and probably am making a right twit of myself. Haha!!

But of course still knitting too. I have finished numerous small projects lately:

Am very happy with this knit, the Turn-a-Square beanie by Brooklyntweed. I am just loving reading his blog and twitter updates at the moment.

This turned out very well, except my jogless stripes, my first attempt and they came out jogless on the inside but the outside, the part EVERYONE will see is running a marathon...great big bits of contrast yarn stretched in one smooth stripe vertically up the hat.....Not Good!!
Particulars:
Yarn: Jo Sharp silkroad dk tweed in colour Granar, and the contrast is the delightful Filatura di Crosa Zara print in colour 5031 (don't' you just hate it when 'they' cant' come up with at least a name)
Needle: 4mm and 4.5 mm
Alterations: none
Also I rather quickly whipped up the gorgeous little pair of sockies for Buby Quill. I made myself Roza's socks in this yarn and had enough left over for some baby socks. I don't think the colours work with the stitch pattern, or with the Roza's sock pattern either for that matter. But they are made, and they are soft and comfy! Now if only they would stay on her feet!!
Particulars:
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock multi in colour Baby stripe (ahhh!!!)
Needle: 2.25 mm Brittany birch....the best sock needles EVER!!
Alterations: none
And before I go, can someone please read my Blog....even my Mum doesn't :)

Friday, July 3, 2009

Crochet blah blah

I'm not sure if I really like crocheted garments, but I am SOOO happy to have learned how to do it! I'm sure it will come in terribly handy to add to my knitting. Since the Sweet and Swingy Dress I have made a scarf, the Tea Scarf by Pixeldiva. It was a quick crochet, but used a fair bit of yarn. The pink I used 52 grams, so had to buy that second ball for a mere 2 grams!!

Particulars:
Yarn Cleackheaton Country 8ply in colours green, pink and blue.
Hook 6 mm
Alterations none, really liked this pattern after I saw Kelly from Tangled Yarns attempt one.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

A Good Week for Jett and Quill

I'm very happy to say I've finished not one, but two projects this week. Firstly Robin from Rowan's Story Book of Little Knits. There aren't many boy patterns in this book, I like this one as it's done in cotton...perfect for Aussie weather. Plus yarn was on sale at the Woolshack hehe!!


Particulars:
Yarn Rowan Handknit Cotton in Black, Celery and Chime
Needles 4 mm and 3.75 mm circ
Alterations none, but I had a massive amount of yarn left over at the end. Sewing in the shoulder patches was a pain!!

Look at Jett's face: he has to make funny faces in photo's now, we say smile and this is what happens......:)

Okay, next was my crochet dress. It turns out crochet is surprisingly easy, and quick...but I don't have to tell any fellow crocheters that do I??

So I made the Sweet and Swingy dress that was in Crochet Today. I used left over stash yarn, and if you sort of squint it looks perfect. Yes, there are a few mistakes. But overall, quite good. (if I do say so myself eh!!!!)
Particulars:
Yarn Jo Sharp Dk Wool in a brown colour. I bought this off ebay and it was unlabeled. And Cherry for the trim
Hook 5 mm
Alterations I didn't do the reverse single crochet around the neck and arm holes as I thought it would be too fussy. Instead I added a flower, which I think is so cute!!

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Crocheting for ducks

I have joined a crochet group, in the hopes of learning how to crochet. I don't really like the look of crocheted items, but I love the edgings and pretty flowers that add to knitting. So I called up a lady who had an ad on the local noticeboard.

I went to her house and I was the youngest (by about half) of all four ducks who also belong to this group. I was given instruction on holding the hook, using the correct hooks (plastic is not acceptable sorry), how to strand the yarn through my fingers (acrylic does some very nice colours nowadays says the boss duck), and was strongly encouraged to do a lap blanket to start. I put my foot down at this and (barely) convinced her I could do a washcloth.
But from the amount of crocheted blankets around the ducks house I bet she is a master crocheter so I will return next week, and meekly take my shoes off, sit on her plastic covered hard chair, and be taught to do something other than a granny square...haha!! Hopefully!!!!

By the way, is it just my old duck, or do all crocheters hate knitting?

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Quilly Magrilly

Quill received her first (and probably only) hand knitted toy this month. I made a toy for all my kids, Red Ted, Penguin and now Ballerina Bunny.

After my first two attempts at toy making, I am extremely proud of Ballerina Bunny...she is perfect (apart from her unusually floppy neck anyway).

Yarn: Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK in Piglet and Vanilla
Needles: 3.25 and 4 mm


I think Quilly likes her anyway, which is just as well as I'm not making another toy until I have grandchildren. It's the massive number of tiny little pieces you have at the end, all with yarn hanging off them, and you know you have hours more of sewing up, sewing in ends, stuffing....blech blech blech...

Friday, March 13, 2009

Knitting, children, money....you know general flashes of brain activity.

I am being baptised on Easter Saturday, my children too. We are becoming Catholic's. I am aware I need something white to wear, so I'm making myself a shawl. The Summer Lace Shawlette from Interweave is what I've decided on. It is coming along nicely too.

I also finished a dishcloth for DBrother's new home. Don't think he quite knew what to think/do with it. ;) It is Grandma's Favourite dishcloth in Peaches & Creme Raspberry Swirl. Yummy!!

And I've also finished some rompers for Quill. Sooo cute!!! They are Debbie Bliss Romper Panties printed in Essential Baby. I made them in Filatura Di Crosa Zarina as the gauge was slightly tighter, and I had read these pants came out huge when made to the recommended gauge. And they fit my bubba fine, as you can see, she's not a starving child either. She snacks from green pastures.

DH and I are applying for a home loan, our first one. And it was all looking very good, except we have a debt on our credit file which is holding us up. It was only $500 four years ago, but nevertheless it is there and there's nothing we can do about it. I've been praying some generous person will read our documents and feel moved to tick the yes box, instead of the no box. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will spark for us.
Arwen started pre kindy this year and is thriving, and Jett is doing well. Just about out of the terrible two's....

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Merry Christmas!!

Well it's that time of year again. And how exciting for us now with three little ones to be joyful with. Here they are posing for their christmas card photo.

My knitting has been coming along well too. I have lots of projects ready to start. My lovely brother even visited a knitting store and bought me some things whilst on holidays recently.
Ahhh!!!