Confessions of a Serial Crafter

Phases

2011-06-29T10:05:00.002+09:30

Do you go through different phases with your knitting? Or whatever craft(s) you like to do?

After a few years of knitting it's becoming apparent to me that I do. For a while it was socks. I couldn't get enough of knitting socks. I even started this year out (again!) with my stash-sock-club, and I did well with that until my new phase started to take over...

Next it was scarves and cowls. Particularly cowls. I think this was fueled by the super-bulky and extremely lovely Head, Heart & Hands range. Of course I nabbed some of this when it first came out and then wondered what on earth I'd do with one skein of super-bulky yarn! Scarves and cowls it was! I couldn't get enough of them. Strangely so, considering scarves were never really something I wore and not something I really wanted to knit because I perceive them to be generally boring. Not so when they're done in chunky yarn! And they've come in extremely handy when I'm standing at the bus stop at 7.45am and it's only 5 degrees!

But now I can feel a new phase coming on... this time it's cardigans. I can't get enough of looking at them on Rav and queueing them or favouriting them. I've even finally cast one on for myself!

Hopefully I can finish it before the next phase starts. Socks are looking good again.

Planning

2011-06-09T21:01:00.003+09:30

Do you plan your days/lives at all? Even just a little?

I try to. We menu plan and I've also tried out a few purchased things to help me keep things in order and running smoothly. I have finally decided though, that good old Microsoft Outlook works well for making sure that appointments and deadlines are noted and easily seen. I just put everything into the calender, print out the month and put it up on the magnetic board. Anything that comes up can be written in and we (hopefully!) don't miss or forget anything.

That is as long as I remember to check it. But it is up there and it means that I don't necessarily have to have all the information in my head. Anyone else in the family can look at it and see what's going on too. At least that is my theory.

Recently though, things have gone a bit pear-shaped. I've lost my focus and I'm starting to do things on the fly again, rather than plan it out and stay on top of things. One of the big problems I'm finding is fitting in homework with everything else. We now have two children at school and we also changed to a new school at the beginning of the year. Not only do we now have two lots of homework to supervise each night, but the level and commitment expected at this new school is much higher than we've previously been exposed to. Add to that a 3-yo who is the Queen of Tantrums (especially in the afternoon when I'm not paying as much attention to her!) and things get kind of crazy around here. Just tonight we've been doing a last minute project due tomorrow which I completely forgot about and of course the 8-yo has not been proactive about. Of course most of this falls to me to supervise because I'm at home with the children most afternoons. It's draining to say the least!

So I've been reading Planning With Kids. I now feel even more disorganised than I already did! I don't know that I want or need to be as structured as their family is, but there are certainly some tools available which might help me get things back on track here. This page has lots of things that I'm interested in giving a go. I certainly need help with making sure our afternoons run smoothly and it's definitely time to get the kids doing some regular household chores.

My biggest problems really are that I don't seem to be able to sustain any long-term organisation. I find myself giving myself a break (and knitting when I really shouldn't be, or procrastinating on the computer) when I think I'm on top of things, and then within a few days we're back to chaos, and forgotten homework, and the big one - what on earth will I make for dinner?!? I love getting organised, it's just staying organised that I have a problem with!

So this weekend I'm planning to plan! As long as someone remembers to get new printer cartridges so I can print all my plans out. I should put that on the calender.

Milo Madness

2011-06-08T10:23:00.003+09:30

There was a Milo KAL over on Ravelry during May. Of course I completely abandoned all my other knitting projects to take part in this event.

It was a lot of fun seeing all the different Milos popping up on Tikki's Ravelry group. The Milo would be one of my favourite kids patterns. It's so adaptable and suits girls and boys. Plus it knits up really quickly, which is always a bonus with growing (and fickle!) children!

I managed to churn 3 out during the month.

I charted the cupcakes and the hearts myself with the help of some online knitting graph paper. It was a lot of fun making them up and then tweaking them to get them to fit.

Fortunately Miss F has deigned to wear them all and even wore all three in one day! I'd call that a completely success! There's plenty more KAL Milos to be seen on Rav, so go check them out if you're already a member there.

Passive-Aggressive Much?

2011-05-09T11:55:00.011+09:30

I got some beautiful hand-made Mother's Day cards from my boys this year.

Inside the one from L were these lovely sentiments...

Hmmm... good candidate for PassiveAggressiveNotes.com ?

He did clarify, after I asked, that my "complaining" relates to them not doing what I ask them to do, for example, cleaning up after themselves, tidying their room etc, so it's not really about me just complaining A LOT. Still.

And I like how he wrote I cook "food". Not "great food" or even "good food". Just "food".

This card is definitely a keeper.

Easter

2011-04-18T11:16:00.004+09:30

These little guys have been popping up on Ravelry and they are so cute I just couldn't resist making some!

My plan was to hang them on the "tree" with the other Easter decorations I picked up recently. The "tree" is actually just some branches with lights on them.

They make a nice decoration in the room and at Christmas it occurred to me that I could hang some baubles on them and it might look good. It did! So when I found some sparkly Easter egg decorations in Spotlight I brought them home and decorated the tree for Easter.

These little guys lasted on the tree for about 5 minutes before Miss F figured out a way to get them down and spent the rest of the night running around with her chick-chicks. I think I'll let her have them for Easter. She can really do without all the chocolate.

I used WOOLganic 8ply for all of them and they were really quick to whip up. I did two in a couple of hours and one more later that night. They still need some feet, but for now they are ok and looking really cute.

Socks

2011-03-09T10:58:00.005+10:30

I'm obsessed with them at the moment.

So far I've turned this

into these.

And I've cast on (and ripped out) another two pairs.

I've decided that I need to challenge myself a bit more now though, so I'm itching to cast on one of these patterns also - bmp and Vellamo

I'll probably go with Vellamo.

I've got some variegated sock yarn that I just can't find a good pattern for (hence the ripping out!) so I'm thinking it might look good broken up with some black.

I'm not sure I'll have a finished pair of socks by the end of March, but I'm trying!

Janaury

2011-02-17T11:53:00.006+10:30

Hello Blogger my old friend...

ok, I won't inflict any Simon & Garfunkel on you, but I will give you a run-down of January. And yes, I know February is half over already.

During January there were socks...

Leyburn socks.

This is one pair.
Fun pattern and great for variegated yarn.

There's another half-pair of a different pattern (one lone sock) which is going to the frog pond soon.

There were child-sized shrugs...

Never Not Knitting's Chloe.

Not quite finished, just needs buttons and loops.
Miss F is not bothered about the lack of these and is wearing it anyway.

And Cowls...

Dew Drop Cowl

This was from a Ruby & Sage club slot, and I actually started it right after receiving the yarn.
Halfway through I discovered I'd twisted my stitches and that was the end of that for a while!
Just needs blocking now and it's done.

A Noble Cowl

This is one of those patterns that has survived many Ravelry queue culls since I joined up.
It would easily be my most favourite knit for a long while. The yarn is madelinetosh DK and it's just beautiful. Now we just need some cold weather so I can wear it!

February might not be as productive for me though.

I do have these on the needles...

Whisper Lace Socks

I've been a bit addicted to these. The lace pattern and the colourway are both so pretty and I haven't been able to put them down. Unfotunately this means sore hands, so I'm taking an enforced break from them and the other WIP I have on the go.

Both the boys are now at school also, so things have become a bit busier around here. More homework to supervise plus a new school with a longer commute. The upside is I only have one child at home with me, but without a brother around to play with her or distract her when I need it, it's actually a bit more demanding than having two at home. She even tells me to stop knitting these days if it's not a convenient time for her to have me doing that!

Hopefully I'll also have some sewing to show off next time. Fabric is all cut, I just need to find the time to sew it together.

Books

2011-01-07T15:20:00.005+10:30

I used to read a lot pre-kids. Until recently though I don't think I've read a novel in about 5 years. Sometimes I just don't have the patience for it. Sometimes there are just too many distractions around here for reading - I certainly can't sit down with the kids around and quietly read a book! And with little ones that for a while didn't sleep through the night, picking up a book often put me to sleep!

Somewhat ambitiously though, I bought Eat Pray Love to read on our overseas holiday. I thought I might get an opportunity to read on the plane - that didn't happen, but I did find other times to get through it while we were away. With nothing else "new" available to read when I was finished with that, I picked up Pride & Prejudice which I've had sitting around for years. I hadn't actually read this one before, but I am a great fan of the story and of course of the BBC mini-series. I'd tried to read the book many times in the past, but for some reason couldn't get a rythmn going with it so never got very far. Maybe it was being able to picture Colin Firth's Mr Darcy that helped this time?! Not sure, but I flew through it and then hit the Book Depository for more reading material.

And now that I'm riding the bus for nearly 2 hours each week, I've decided I can use that time to really pick the habit up again.

So far I've read all but one of the above books in the last 3 months. I'm currently on The Book Thief, which is turning out to be quite intriguing. It's a lot longer than the others so it might take me a while to get through with only 2 hours a week to devote to it! If you haven't read The Lovely Bones, then I recommend you do, but have your tissues handy! I couldn't put that one down.

I do try to read a bit at home these days too. Now that the kids are getting a bit older and less dependent on me, it's easier to feel less guilty about taking some time out for me. Although it can be a bit difficult trying to read with a 2yo climbing on and off your lap! There was even a lovely moment last weekend where L and I were both lying on the couch together and reading our respective books, undisturbed. Bliss.

I did get another book that I wanted for Christmas too. Not a novel:

Even the kids are interested in this one! I know a lot of this is on the Bakerella blog, but the book is so cute and I needed a suggestion for DH for a Christmas present. I probably wouldn't have gone and bought this for myself, so a perfect opportunity to get my hands on it!

And I treated myself to something knitted related too:

I thought it was about time I learned how to do this so I can avoid Second-Sock-Syndrome in the future. I'm yet to give it a try, but I'm planning a DIY Sock Club for this year with the sock yarn I've accummulated, so hopefully this book will help me plough through those less painfully and with 12 PAIRS of socks to show for it! My only disappointment with this book is that the socks pictured on the front don't appear in the patterns in the book.

Do you like to read? Do you have any recommendations for me?

Bye bye, 2010

2011-01-05T14:55:00.003+10:30

I achieved my goal of finishing my two WIPs before the end of 2010! The first was my mum's Christmas socks, and then these:

Flutter-by socks (Rav link)

These were a really fun pattern to knit up. They went pretty quickly too, which is great when you have two of them to make! I had knit the first sock before I even started my mum's socks but I put them down to make hers. I had actually intended to knit one of these and then knit one of hers, and then do the same with each second sock. But Christmas crept up on me and I needed to finish mum's socks first.

Anyway, I scraped these in by finishing up the foot on our little after-Christmas camping trip, and grafting the toe on New Year's Eve! Yes, what an exciting life we lead... me knitting at home on the couch on NYE. But really, we had spent 6 hours driving home that day and life with small children means our days of partying are kind of over. I even skipped the ringing in of the new year and went to bed at 11pm!

So apart from a couple of UFOs which are really long-term WIPs, I was project free at the beginning of the year. Kind of.

Christmas Knitting

2010-12-15T15:48:00.004+10:30

I said I wasn't going to knit any Christmas gifts this year, but then all the Christmas knitting on Ravelry got the better of me.

I decided on a pair of socks for my mum.

She's a knitter and has a few pairs of socks made by me already, so I know that she appreciates them. I don't knit for anyone that doesn't appreciate the finished item anymore. Hence why no one else in my extended family is getting any knitted gifts!

These are Shur'tugal and they were a lot of fun to knit. I love the features in the heel flap.

I did make a mistake on the second sock after picking up the gusset stitches, but you can barely tell. I'm still not sure exactly what I did wrong, but when I got to that point on the second sock the pattern didn't make any sense to me whatsoever! And I know that wasn't the case with the first sock. That will teach me to leave such a long gap between the first and second socks! Or to take notes with the first one.

Anyhoo... I have decided that I must learn to knit two socks at once to avoid this and second-sock-sydrome in the future. That will be my challenge for 2011.

I've also decided that there will be no more new projects for 2010. I currently have 2 active WIPs that I want to finish off and that will be my task for the rest of the year. One is a whole sock so that will probably take up most of my time!

Hopefully I'll make a couple more posts with more FOs before 2010 comes to an end!

Decorating

2010-12-15T14:04:00.005+10:30

We are getting in the Christmas spirit around here finally. All the birthdays are over with for the year and we are able to concentrate a bit more on relaxing for the next couple of weeks.

The tree is up and we finally got the advent calender up last night.... only 14 days late! But better late than never. Although I'm not entirely sure it's the best idea with Miss F, who is a bit too young to understand that you only get a treat from the calender once a day!

This year we finally have a tree that is taller than the adults! One day we'll have a real one, but for now it's just a fake. I like the traditional Christmas colours - red, gold and green - so we've gone with that theme. It helps that we already have plenty of decorations that fit the theme!

The kids are on school holidays and I plan to spend my non-working days hanging out with them, decorating the rest of the house and hopefully managing some crafting before the 25th. No Christmas crafting though. That's another hassle I don't need to put myself through!

Christmas is coming

2010-11-19T13:57:00.003+10:30

Earlier in the year I made the decision not to try to make any knitted Christmas gifts this year. I was doing ok until I decided to make a pair of socks for my mum. Then I saw all the Christmas stuff start popping up on blogs and Ravelry, and I started to get ideas.... I've managed to contain myself pretty well, but I did think that some little things as stocking stuffers for the kids might be nice.

Pattern is Little Rocket. Great use of left-over yarns!

Now I'm considering what else I might be able to whip up, and who I can gift them to! I must get control of myself...

Long time no blog

2010-08-30T11:55:00.007+09:30

Wow, it's been nearly a month and a half since my last post. I haven't really had anything to say, and not much to show off either.

Things have been very busy around here lately - we're going away overseas very soon which is taking much organising. We've been searching for (and have hopefully found!) a new school for L & M which has been pretty stressful. All our weekends seem to have been full of kids activities and illness has been and gone and come back again. Not to mention the most boring job in the world completely sapping all of my energy. Busy, busy, busy.

I have finished another Milo recently though. I winged it with this one (although the larger sizes are now available with the pattern purchase I believe) - it's sized to fit my nearly 8yo, although I probably could have made it a bit roomier in the body for him. Still, it fits nicely and he seems to like it. And it's another Shop-the-Stash project off my needles (which means yarn out of my stash).

Speaking of Shop-the-Stash, I think I've been doing a bit more shopping-and-stashing, than shopping-the-stash, but it's the thought that counts right? I do look to the stash when I'm ready to start something new. I'm not buying new yarn to make projects with. I'm buying yarn to add to the stash. Then I can shop it.

Anyway, that's all from me for now. I don't expect I'll blog again before we go away, and in fact I'm not sure I'll blog again at all. I'm not really feeling the motivation for it right now. That could be due to all the craziness and illness that has been through here lately, so I'll see what kind of motivation (and energy!) the warmer weather brings with it when we return from our holiday.

MmmmmMalibgro.....!

2010-07-15T14:11:00.003+09:30

I do love this yarn. It's so buttery soft and knits up so easily. I do find it a little grabby though, and my cast on tail always seems to felt up before I've finished knitting with it. I hope that's not an indicator of how the garment will perform!

Anyway, another FO
(I was going to wait to post a whole bunch some other time but I'm on a roll now so might as well go with it).

This is Just Enough Ruffles. And the pattern name is very apt - there certainly are just enough ruffles in this! Although I seem to have flattened a few of them with blocking. The colour is "Damask Rose" and although it looks quite pink in the photo, it's not so in real life. I'm not sure I like the colour all that much now. It's more of a dirty pink. But it's so so soft I don't think I can let the colour affect me enjoying wearing it on chilly mornings when I'm catching the bus to work. It was a really fast knit - the ruffles took the longest, and even those seemed to go pretty fast. I'd like to knit this again for sure.

And a little WIP.

The actual crocheting part of this is done. I intend to sew it to something else to use as a cushion cover. So far I don't have anything to attach it to. I keep meaning to go to the Op Shop up the road and check out their clothing section for a suitable item, but I never seem to find the time. I must do so soon though because our couch is cushion-less, and it looks a little bare.

I used the Neat Ripple Pattern from Lucy of Attic24. So easy to understand and follow for a non-crocheter like me!

Bloom

2010-07-15T13:41:00.003+09:30

I'm a bad blogger. I mean to blog more than I do, but I just can't seem to find the time for project photos lately. Take a look at my Rav page if you know me on there... lots of photo-less projects! I'm trying to get caught up now though. One good thing about blogging infrequently is that when I do get around to it at least I'll have a few projects to show off! I have about 6 WIPs at the moment, all in varying stages of finished-ness. Hopefully I'll be able to get my act together with posting them here.

But for now I've just got one FO.

This is Bloom by Tikki. You may recall I was a test knitter before the pattern was released. That was a medium size done in 8ply.

This little bundle of pink sweetness is a small size in BWM Luxury 4ply in "Baby Blossom". It's destined for a friend's own newborn bundle of pink sweetness. I love this colour and pattern together! The style and the lace pattern is so pretty and sweet and the colour is so pretty and sweet also. A perfect match!

In other crafty news we've been playing with Sculpey. Need a bit more practice but it's lots of fun. Hopefully I'll have some of that to show off sometime soon too.

IKEA.....

2010-06-25T13:37:00.003+09:30

...addicted much?

and that's not even the half of it.

Cupcakes

2010-05-27T12:51:00.003+09:30

Miss F recently turned 2.

I decided cupcakes were the way to go for her birthday cake this year. And buttercream icing was the perfect choice too! I've got a cool little syringe-type thing with different tips for icing, so I had plenty of fun playing with that.

But then I couldn't decide which topping to go with.

Sanding sugar?

Hearts?

Butterflies?

So I went with them all.

Vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream. Yum!

I used a packet mix, so cheated a bit, but did make the buttercream icing from scratch.

Knitting in Public

2010-05-19T13:36:00.005+09:30

I've been doing a lot of it lately. Well, maybe not a lot by some people's standards, but a lot by mine, considering I haven't ever really KIP at all before.

Public transport is my new method of getting to and from work, and despite a few hiccups with times and getting on wrong buses which involved having to beg a driver to let me off at an intersection and running back two stops when I was already late, things have been going ok. And with the trip being approximately 30 minutes each way it's at least an hour of knitting time per day! It seems to keep the other people on the bus from wanting to sit next to me too, so plenty of room for me! Maybe they are afraid of the pointy sticks?

I've seen some people looking at me strangely, and I caught someone watching me the other day. Mostly though, I'm in my own little world. And I was going great guns on my "bus knitting" until I discovered that I'd twisted my stitches back at the start, so now I have to start again :(

But I do have another FO. Olearia - the latest from Tikki.

I snapped this one up as soon as it was released. So far just the shrug version, but I'm itching to get a cardigan version on the needles soon. Very quick knit and nice and easy. I used Woolganics 8ply and didn't swatch. I'd say that I need to go up a needle size next time. I'm a pretty tight knitter though. Miss F seems very happy with it. She especially likes the buttons. So much so that I suspect she swallowed one of them before I got them all on the shrug! One is missing and can't be found. She had some in her mouth. I'm keeping a lookout!

Foliage Shawl

2010-05-14T14:09:00.006+09:30

Sometime ago - before Christmas I think - I participated in a pattern- swap-Kris Kringle-kind-of-thing over on Ravelry. Everyone was assigned another person and the idea was to buy a pattern for that person from their wish list. I love this kind of swap! So easy, no stress, don't have to spend time making anything - just look at their list and buy something that you know they want. Easy! And patterns are relatively inexpensive too.

I was lucky enough to get the Foliage Shawl pattern from my swapper - Kris from Monsterknits.

I had the perfect yarn for it too. And here it is:

It's done in The Knittery Merino/Cashmere Sock yarn in "Passionfruit". Sadly The Knittery is no more. Thankfully I have a small stash of this yarn undyed though!

It was a pretty quick knit, although the border took most of the time and I will confess to putting it down for a while for a break before finally finishing it off. But it's done now and I love it. I've even worn it to work already and it is super warm on the chilly mornings we've been having here lately.

Photo isn't that great since it's not really easy to photograph a shawl alone, and the only helpers I have around right now are either sleeping or likely to run off with it and use it to scoop up dirt.

It's probably appropriate that the Foliage Shawl be photographed on a plant anyway.

So far so good

2010-05-06T10:39:00.002+09:30

First week back at work has gone ok. Work itself isn't too stressful (yet!), it's the getting there and getting home that cause some dramas. We're still working it out, and after a minor kid-pickup disaster on Tuesday I'll be trying a new way of getting there next week. I so wish I didn't work in the city though. I know to some people that would be a huge drawcard, and once upon a time it was to me too, but now it's just a drawback. But I do (and right in the centre of it I might add) and I'll need to try out a few things to see which is going to work best now. Plan A has been a relative failure, so on to Plan B.

I know it's only been one week (and not even a whole week at that) but I suddenly feel like I've got far too much on my plate. And here I am blogging, to add to all of that! Until last week I was feeling a little bored, and now things seem to be moving so much faster. I'm certainly glad I didn't opt for more than 2.5 days. Joining the gym at the same time as returning to work probably hasn't helped either. Just another thing to fit into what already seems like too-short days.

The big event this week - if you can call it that, I wasn't all that excited about it - was another year of my life passing by. It happened without a great deal of fuss (or presents I might add :( ) but I did get woken by my boys with birthday cuddles and kisses. Having to go back to work on that day kind of took the focus away and I actually kind of forgot that it was even my birthday.

There's been no crafting of any kind at all this week. I've been far too tired in the evenings. Hopefully I'll adjust to that soon. I do have an FO to show off but it's a hard one to get good photos of and the weather has turned cold, wet and grey (which I don't mind!) so photo opportunities in good light are limited.

Back soon with something crafty I hope!

Changes are afoot....

2010-04-28T09:07:00.002+09:30

This is my last week as a stay-at-home-mum. Work begins on Monday. Last night my "team leader" (that phrase makes me want to do air quotes for some reason) popped around to assess my home workspace for OH&S reasons. He really should have come around after the kids had gone nuts and pulled every toy/plaything they own out and strewn it from front door to back door, as they frequently do. Then I might not have passed the "no tripping hazards" criteria. But he would have got a more realistic view of my what I'm dealing with here. Ha ha.

I also took a big leap yesterday.... I joined a gym! I'm very excited about it and keen to get started, but it's a bit like the work thing. It sounds good in theory but I'm actually going to have to go there and do something. That's the hurdle I need to get over! I'm meeting with a trainer on Saturday morning though, so I'm trying to start off on the right foot with a clear view of what I need to do to achieve my goals. The good thing is a friend also belongs to this gym and she knows I've joined, so hopefully that will be an incentive to get along and make an effort. Not to mention the kilos I need to shift and the fitness I need to gain.

I've been making grand plans in my mind about how I'm going to manage all these new commitments, after 4.5 years of just having to make sure children were fed and clean and that I remembered to pick them up from school and kindy! So far it's all still in my mind. Hopefully I can put it all into practice. To do it there's going to have to be changes around here also. The other occupants of the house don't know it yet, but they soon will.

In knitting news I have been crocheting. So maybe that's not knitting news? Although when I say crocheting, I mean making chains, following instructions, getting instructions wrong when I thought I knew what I was doing and then ripping everything out in frustration. So all I have to show for it is a ball of yarn with a crochet hook shoved in it looking like some kind of bizarre stabbing implement. I did feel like stabbing myself after all of the work I put in for nothing though!

And the big news of the day is little Miss F is 2 today! Wow, that went fast. So Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter.

Ta-Da!

2010-04-19T11:47:00.005+09:30

It's done*!

The blanket is about cot-size (assuming you are familiar with cots!).

All up about a month to make. And although I did get a bit obsessive about them for a while there, I did take a break from making the circles in that time also, so it was a reasonably quick project.

I've gone with the random look, although it's more planned-random than random-random. I did struggle with the thought of random for a while there, but then I came up with a plan.... I made all the hex rounds the same colour as the centre round on each circle. Then I put them together in rows of 9 (since I used 9 colours) and made sure I had only one of each colour in each row. I also tried to spread all the colours out evenly so I didn't end up with clusters of the same colour anywhere. I think it's turned out nicely and I'm really happy with it. It's big enough to go over one of the kids if they are lying on the couch and all of them really love it too. Even DH loves it! Actually I think he loves the fact that I'm done with it so I can get back to knitting his blanket!

I'm going to have to take a break from knitting for a while though. My hands are still giving me quite a bit of trouble so it's not an enjoyable thing at the moment. I also only have two weeks left until I return to work. I have so much to do before then! The kids have started childcare successfully - in fact they are there now and I'm at home alone!! First time in almost 4.5 years I've had an entire day to myself. Now I must go do some housework...

*It's not entirely done. I'm calling it done for the CAL at Tangled Yarns, but I would like it bigger. I have yarn left so I'm going to just add to it as I feel like until it is at least big enough to cover my legs while sitting on the couch on a cold night

Seventy Two

2010-03-29T10:00:00.002+10:30

That's how many circles I've made...

I've finally started joining them together!

After much deliberation, I have decided to go with a random colour scheme. It's taken me a while to be comfortable with the thought of this. Although I'm not being entirely random. I'm doing the hex round on each in the same colour as the centre circle. I'm doing this to ensure I use all the colours evenly, as well as appease my need for less random-ness! Hopefully it will all work out ok. So far I've joined 5 together, and I think I'm going to have a sizeable lap blanket from what I already have. I'll see how it's looking when I'm done.... 5 down, only 67 to go....

Powering along

2010-03-15T10:45:00.005+10:30

All up now I've made 30 circles!

We worked out that there are approximately 504 colour combinations available to me with the 9 colours I'm using! So that means that I should be able to finish the blanket without repeating a colour combination! I'm still undecided about what colour to use as the "hex" part and for joining them all together.

As luck would have it, I am currently knitting something in dark navy, so I took this photo of a circle with each colour on the edge placed on my knitting to get an idea of what it might look like.

I do like the way it looks. Any opinions welcomed :)

I do also love the fuschia and the purple, but if I use one of those then all the circles that finish with those colours will maybe be a little lost. I'm not sure. For the moment though I'm going to just continue making circles until I have used up all my yarn. I'll made a decision on the final colour then. That should give me plenty of time to think about it!

Here's some I prepared earlier

2010-03-15T10:31:00.003+10:30

While the hex's seem to have taken over my life, I do have some other stuff to show off that are actually a few months old now.

I made these shorts for the boys for Christmas.

I "made" the pattern myself, by following some instructions on how to do this using an existing pair of shorts and tracing around them. Unfortunately I cannot find the link to the instructions right now, so I shall describe what I did.

Fold the existing pair of shorts in half - so that the "fly" part is folded in the centre (hope that makes sense?!)
Neaten and flatten them out, place them on some paper and trace around them
Add a bit for seam allowances to the tracing
Cut out the pattern piece and cut the fabric

I've probably missed something there, but it was really as simple as tracing around a pair of shorts that already fit, cutting and sewing. Don't forget to allow extra at the top and bottom for the waistband casing and a hem.

These actually turned out a little bigger than I would have liked, but I did learn a few things and I will have a better idea of what I want and how to get it if I try this again. Either way, the boys love them and wear them so all is good!

I also knit this little skirt for Miss F early in the new year.

The pattern is loosely based on the Pinwheel Sunhat. Next time I would make it slightly bigger, but as is it fits ok. If she didn't wear cloth nappies it would fit better! Must work on toilet training her!

They're multiplying

2010-03-12T09:55:00.003+10:30

The hex's have taken over.

I've got the pattern worked out now and I don't need to read the instructions anymore.

It's so much fun choosing what colours to use each time! I've also added in another colour. I had a skein of a denim blue here which I wasn't planning on using, but after doing a few I thought the light blue needed a darker friend, so I did a few last night and I think it looks good. So that's 9 colours in total!

And I know that look like circles not hex's at the moment... but that's just because I'm still trying to decide which colour to use for the last round of each. I want to use only one colour for this part of the rug. At first I was thinking the light pink would do, mostly because I have two skeins of that one! But now I'm wondering whether a stronger colour might look better. I'm leaning towards the Fushcia. If anyone has any thoughts on this (the colours are all shown in my last post) feel free to give me some advice!

And something else I recently finished...

More DIY wall "art". Just some inexpensive canvas and fabric from Spotlight. The curtains in our bedroom are almost the exact blue on this fabric so I was extremely happy to find it in different colours! It's exactly what I wanted. And what I love about this most is that if we change the bedroom decor or I decide I don't like them anymore, I can just change the fabric!

The start of something new...

2010-03-11T10:27:00.004+10:30

This loveliness arrived here earlier this week.

Cascade 220 in a rainbow of colours.

And see this? It's a crochet hook.

I'm a knitter, I don't crochet. It confuses me. I have crocheted a very little in the past, but nothing too fancy and I promise not to frighten you all by showing the hideous blanket I made from crocheted squares a looooong time ago.

But I've fallen in love with these. And I'm joining in the Blanket KAL/CAL at Tangled Yarns during Feb, March & April. It should be fun. I don't expect to finish my blanket by the end of April. In fact I had planned the hexagons to be a lunch-time project for myself when I return to work in May. I'm rethinking that now and I can see that they will become a little addictive, and I'm really keen to sit down and make some more ASAP!

The one above is a little wonky and I can see a mistake I've made already. I think I'll leave it as is though. I'm sure I'll get better as I make more.

And see the purple in that circle up there? I'm a bit in love with that. There's also a lovely fuschia which I haven't used yet. I'm in love with that one too. I think my stash definitely needs more of those colours...

Playing with Fabric

2010-03-09T10:32:00.003+10:30

I don't have a large fabric stash (at least compared to my yarn stash!) but with my hands still playing up I decided it was time to look through and see what I had and what I could make.

This is what I came up with.

I had the denim fabric leftover from some shorts I made for the boys for Christmas (must remember to post those!) and the patterned fabrics were a couple of fat quarters I picked up at a craft fair almost a year ago now! I loosely followed these instructions but I adjusted the fabric measurements a little to make it more F's size.

I'm really happy with the way they've turned out, and I've certainly learned a lot about hems and waistband casings! I don't own an overlocker, so I also finished the edges of my seams off with a zig zag stitch. I didn't do that on the shorts and the denim frayed terribly after washing. Hopefully the zig zag stitch will prevent this happening, or at least minimise it.

No action shots but the recipient is definitely happy with them. She likes wearing them over her jeans when I'm not trying to get photos of them to blog with.

I'm back!

2010-02-23T10:36:00.003+10:30

Did you miss me?!

I didn't plan to not blog for so long, but life seemed to take over for a while there. My hands were quite bad for some time and no knitting at all was getting done. Illness hit me, teething hit Miss F and another round of HOT weather left me feeling unmotivated to do anything much at all.

And after all this time I really don't have that much to show off.

I did manage to finish another Shop The Stash project yesterday.

Another Milo, for M this time. This one is in Woolganics Worsted in "Leura". It took just under 4 balls. I made the 3 year size even though M is 4 to allow for the heavier weight yarn. It worked out perfectly, and he put it on right away even though yesterday was warm-ish. I have another one to make for L, but I need to dye some yarn first so I can have a contrasting bodice and trim.

And during all that time when I wasn't knitting, I also didn't drag out the sewing machine once. We seem to have had busy weekends lately and that's really the only time I get to use the machine without disturbing the kids when they are asleep. Oh how I'd love a craft room!

Time for some sewing maybe

2010-01-29T09:42:00.003+10:30

After all the excitement of organising my stash and projects I find myself not able to knit at the moment :(

I have a recurring problem with my hands and wrists, which sometimes flares up with knitting. It relates back to some work-related RSI from a time when I used to actually go to work! Most of the time it's ok, but every now and then it flares up and is extremely painful :( Things like using the computer and knitting can make it worse, but the weather - particularly humidity - seems to affect me also. It's been quite humid here lately.

So I haven't managed much knitting in the last week or so at all. I tried a little last night, but it was slow going and my fingers are hurting this morning. Usually the problem goes away if I take a little break and try not to use my hands too much. So things like the computer and knitting and (just lately) the Wii will have to be put on the backburner for now.

I was a bit sad about this - especially since I just received some lovely yarn for a project I was keen to cast on immediately, but which will now have to wait - until I realised that it was a good opportunity to get the sewing machine out!

I've got a couple of patterns here which I would love to make, and I have material here to make some new curtains for F's bedroom. I've resolved to get stuck into those for now and hope that my hands sort themselves after a week or two of no knitting.

In non-crafty news, my big boy L started Grade 2 this year and M has begun full-time kindy! M actually started kindy halfway through last year due to the speech delay, so it wasn't as emotional as it could have been! I think Miss F misses him quite a bit though, and the mornings are certainly a bit of a rush to get the boys to two different places at the same time! But he's enjoying it so far. And I'm enjoying the little extra freedom from just having one child at home in the mornings.

Getting Organised

2010-01-19T09:31:00.003+10:30

I had some fun over the weekend organising some of my stash, matching them with projects and putting the yarn into zip-lock bags. My hope is that this will make them easily accessible and instead of pondering what to make next, perusing Ravelry and coming up with something that I have no yarn for, I'll go to my yarn-in-bags and pick something from there.

There's 12 project's worth of yarn there. Some socks, a couple of shawls, kids knits and a couple of adult knits for me.

The scary thing is that my yarn boxes - all 6 of them - are still full to the brim with yarn! Not to mention the overflow that has made it to the drawers in the base of the bed.

My plan was going well until I started doubting my choice for my next planned cast on.

So instead I cast on something that's not from the bags. But it is still stash yarn and it is something that's been on the backburner for some time - a throw rug for DH. He asks me about it at least once a day, and considering he first asked me for one approximately 2 years ago (at which time we purchased the yarn for it), that's a lot of asking! I plan for this to be a long term project, so it will be pick-up-and-knit when I can and not a lot of dedicated evening knitting time.

I've been getting organised in other areas of life too. Have found a childcare centre that I'm happy with for the two young ones, so now I just need to fill out all the paperwork and get that sorted. I'm still trying to decide on actual hours, but I've got the paperwork I need to formalise my return to work. I'm starting to feel happier about it, and a little bit excited about the prospect of a lunch break with no little ones trying to steal my food! But then that thought also makes me a little sad. Being a parent can be such a rollercoaster.

Cedar Leaf Shawlette

2010-01-18T14:17:00.005+10:30

My quest to "shop-the-stash" this year is going well so far. Here's another FO for the tally!

The Cedar Leaf Shawlette (rav link). This was a pretty easy pattern to knit, if you're familiar with short rows. The leaf edging was slightly addictive! I really love knitted leaves. I've used Malabrigo Silky Merino, which I got from Tangled Yarns last year. I think I have to say that this yarn is now one of my favourites. I'd really like to knit another one of these, it was a lot of fun! But sadly I have no more of this yarn or anything else suitable in the stash, which would mean buying more. I hoped to get a little further than not-quite-the-end-of-January before I succumbed to unneccessary yarn purchases! Might put it on the list for gift knitting this year.

Honest Scrap Award

2010-01-12T14:50:00.003+10:30

Rach over at Stitch Sista gave me this award a while back....

This is how it works.... Receiving this award means I have to share ten honest, little known facts about me. Then I nominate 7 bloggers who inspire me.

I've been pondering what facts I could share since I got it, so this post has taken me a while! But here we go....

1. I used to think knitting was a bit lame (!) and I really didn't enjoy wearing knitted garments. I put this down to my mother's use of much acrylic throughout my childhood, and her penchant for knitting without swatching (and sometimes it would seem, measuring). I vividly remember a purple and green number (colours were actually great) that had too long arms and a too short body. And of course if I didn't wear them with happiness then she'd take compelete offence to it and start the guilt trip. At some point she did stop knitting for us though. I don't recall when that was, but I do remember the purple and green number was in high school. Anyway, given the only people I knew who knit were my mother and other "old" people, at the time it wasn't my thing!

2. I failed Home Economics in Year 9 at high school. I think the grade was a "U" - meaning unsatisfactory. The lowest grade you can get. I hated my Home Ec teacher with a passion - and I think the feeling was probably mutual! I got the U grade because I didn't do or pass in any of the homework. I don't really remember why I didn't like Home Ec so much, or even why I disliked the teacher, but I do recall thinking that they were teaching some unbelievably stupid things - it was 1986 at the time. Maybe that's why? I remember a friend saying after one class (that I hadn't attended for some reason) that she would never eat ice cream again because it was made with paint thinner. Yeesh.

3. I met my husband online. That is all.

4. I will one day move permanently to the US. My husband is American, and wants to go home. He's currently looking for a job there. It might be soon, it might not be for a few years. But it will eventually happen. We came close to possibly moving to Kansas around the middle of last year

5. I was a muso in high school. I played the flute (I may have shared this before, can't remember). Anyway, I shouldn't have been a music student, but there came a point where I couldn't give it up. It wasn't the music subject that I enjoyed, but the actual instrument playing and being part of the school band. That was fun. I wasn't really any good at music at all, and I knew that, but when Yr 12 came around my subject choices were limited, since I wasn't into math or science, and if I hadn't continued with music I would have had to do Geography. That didn't appeal at all. Needless to say I haven't touched a musical instrument since I finished high school and beyond listening to music, it has not played a part in my life at all since then. Definitely 5 years well spent.

6. I once took the train from London all the way to Inverness, because I wanted to go as far as possible in the one train trip as I could, and because I had some kind of train pass so I was trying to maximise the distance for my $$. I didn't get to see the Loch Ness Monster. In fact, I didn't even get to see Loch Ness. My trip to Inverness was relatively short, since I had to get back to fly to Rome a day or two later, but it was a lot of fun seeing the English/Scottish countryside from a train. One of my great travel memories.

7. I spent 7 years finishing a 4 year degree. I was studying part time and working full time for most of it, and I took some time off to get married also. And after all that I really don't think that I want to work in that field anymore. But I still can't decide what I really do want to do when I grow up.

8. I didn't think I'd ever have children. They really didn't appeal to me when I was younger lol And in all honesty, after L was born I didn't think I would have any more. I really didn't want to. His pregnancy was not very pleasant and I really did feel that I never wanted to do it again. Now I can't imagine life without them.

9. I don't enjoy taking my kids to the playground. There. I've said it. Maybe that makes me a bad mum, but in all honesty, most playgrounds are not parent-friendly. Or at least, not Kim-friendly.

10. I don't swim in the ocean. I don't like it. I don't like sand, I don't like salt-water, I don't like things in the water with me that I can't see. Having said that though, I have had some great experiences snorkelling in both Hawaii and recently on the Great Barrier Reef. So I will make exceptions to my dislike for the ocean, but only for something really good. Just swimming in the ocean for fun? Not for me.

Ok, I'm supposed to tag 7 people now, but I can't be bothered! lol

So if you're reading this and you feel you'd like to participate in this, then consider yourself nominated by me and go for it!

Work

2010-01-11T15:25:00.002+10:30

That word is rearing its ugly head around here lately.

I've had it pretty good really. I've been on either paid or unpaid maternity leave since November 2005, shortly before M was born. I'm very lucky really. I know that many women don't get any kind of paid maternity leave at all, and they certainly don't have their positions held for them for nearly 4 .5 years. I'm really lucky. But the time is coming for me to make a decision.

For a long time now I've been telling myself and my DH that I won't be returning to work at all. That there's no way they'd let me come back part-time. That it isn't possible for my position to be done part-time and they won't entertain a job-share situation. And there's no way that I'd want to go back on a full-time basis. So the plan all along had been to resign at some point this year and remain a stay-at-home-mum indefinitely. Probably at least until F heads off to school. That's at least another 3 years.

Only they threw a spanner in the works last week, by offering me a part-time position. Not my old position, but a new one that I could do on a part-time basis, at least until F was off to school. That's fine by me because I didn't necessarily want my "old" job back anyway. They are actually being really accommodating, which is nice, but a bit scary at the same time. Because now it looks like I'll be returning to work in May.

I've been on a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions since this happened. On the one hand I feel a little excited at the thought of returning to paid employment, especially since the financial side of things will work out to be quite beneficial to us, and also because I feel as though I'm in a bit of a rut with the SAHM thing. Not the kids side of it, but the housework side. I'm becoming lazy and complacent because housework really isn't all that inspiring. And if I did resign and stay home, by the time I might be looking for work again I'll have been out of the work force for nearly 7 years. I suspect my chances of getting a job that is anything close to what my current job is and pays, is pretty slim. So this is also a chance for me to keep a foot in the door for the future.

But on the other hand I'm feeling incredibly guilty about the thought of having to put M and F into childcare and sending L to after-school care. It will only be two days out of every week. And the reality is that they'll only be in care approximately 11 days out of every month. That puts me at home with them 60% of the time. I know there are many kids out there that go to much more childcare than that, and many that don't get the amount of time at home with their parents that M and F have. But that doesn't stop it keeping me awake at night, feeling guilty about "abandoning" them so I can go to work.

There's even two childcare centres nearby that bus kids to the local kindergarten - where M is enrolled and has already been attending - so he won't even have to miss out on that experience. The only change for him will be that he'll go to the centre after a morning at kindy, instead of coming home. And of course F would go to the same centre, so they'd still be together in a sense. They are both very close, having been at home together with me all their lives so far.

Nothing is final at this point. I still need to make a final decision, but I have been sent the forms I need to get the ball rolling.

If I go ahead my first day back at work will be my birthday.

Now just to shake the guilty feelings and make the decision.

The world's gone mad

2010-01-11T14:38:00.002+10:30

Well, the consumer world seems to have anyway.

I've seen a lot of talk around the online places I frequent about Easter stuff already being in the shops. I experienced this myself last week on a trip to the supermarket - Easter eggs and Easter-themed chocolate on sale already! Christmas was only two weeks ago! On a trip to Spotlight this weekend I found Easter crafts already available too. Last time I looked there was approximately 79 days until Easter. Are people really on the countdown for that now? Do people really buy their Easter stuff this far in advance? I know if I did it wouldn't make it to Easter! Maybe that's what they are counting on in the race to get more consumer $$?

But it got weirder on the weekend.

I ventured out Saturday 9th January (middle of summer here for anyone that might be in the northern hemisphere and reading this), in the 43 degree heat, wanting to buy Miss F a pair of summer PJs. I could not find any. Actually, that's not entirely true. I found one style of summer PJs in Target, but none in her size. What were they hanging right next to? Fleecy, WINTER PJs and fluffy warm-looking dressing gowns for keeping you cosy on a cold morning or evening before bed! Nearby were two staff members unpacking boxes of stock to hang up. Fluffy, long-sleeve grow suits for babies with cute little hoods with ears! Looking around, I finally noticed that most of the clothing racks now had winter items hanging on them! Correct me if I'm wrong, but we are in the middle of summer right now, are we not?

I know I sometimes buy winter clothing in advance. But that's usually in the-end-of-season sales for the coming winter, not the new-season stuff during summer!

I'm not sure when all this started happening. It seems to me like a new phenomena, but I do have to say that I really can't remember if stuff like this has been happening over the last few years, or if it's just a new thing.

Is this happening everywhere?

It is summer afterall

2010-01-11T14:04:00.001+10:30

Current outside temperature. It is most likely higher out in the sun. Today's forecast was 43C. Third day in a row. That box in the top right corner showing 26? That's the inside temperature. I know it's a good 14 degrees cooler than outside, but let me tell you, after 3 days the airconditioner is struggling, and that's the temp at the back of the house where the unit it. The front of the house isn't quite so cool. Have to venture out to hang out clothes soon. Upside of the hot weather is they'll dry quickly.

2010 - A year of changes

2010-01-08T15:05:00.003+10:30

I'm not really into New Year's resolutions - like most people I don't usually keep them!

But I do want to make a few changes around here, and the start of a new year seems like a good time to implement some of them.

The first one is my lifestyle. I go to bed far too late every night and of course the kids get up at their usual time, so I don't get enough sleep. I'm not a great sleeper as it is, so you can imagine the lack of sleep that I'm coping with most of the time, and unfortunately it's mostly my own doing. Also, I don't really think too hard about what I eat, and I always go for the quick-fix option when I'm feeling flat or tired - coke, chocolate, stuff like that. I know this only makes me feel worse in the long run, but often I'm on the run and am not organised enough to have something healthy to grab as a pick-me-up. I also do very little exercise. Once upon a time, many years ago, I could probably have been classed as a gym-junkie. These days, I feel like I could be the #1 couch potato in the country. I come up with all sorts of excuses as to why I can't do any exercise. But really, I'm not getting any younger, and my body is really starting to feel like it's ageing, and I know that this is something I can remedy with just a bit more activity in my day. I know all of these things are compounding each other, and if I just make small changes then I'll begin to feel much better. I also need to lose some weight. I know my lifestyle habits are contributing to that not happening right now. I'm not going on a diet, but I do hope that the lifestyle changes may result in some weight loss.

I'm also supposed to be returning to paid employment later on this year. Nothing's final at this point in time, but that's going to be a major change if it happens, after 4 years of being a stay-at-home-mum. More on that to come in a future post, but the lifestyle thing needs to improve if I'm going to be able to manage to be a mum and an employee and do them both well. I need to start making those changes now.

The other major change I want to make this year relates more to knitting. I don't want to say that I'm going to go on a yarn-buying ban, or a stash diet - I know I won't stick to either of those, and like any kind of "diet" I think I'll do better at reducing the stash if I allow myself a little purchase here and there. I've recently culled my Ravelry queue significantly. Now, for the most part, the items in there are things I really do plan on making - not just things I might someday make. And they should all now be things I have either already bought yarn specifically for, or have something in my stash that I can sub with. So this year I'm going to "shop the stash" first. I'm not saying I won't buy yarn if I don't have something suitable, but I'm going to try hard not to be tempted by new patterns, or buying yarn just for the sake of buying yarn. Of course if something comes along that I just can't resist, then I'll buy it or I'll knit it! But I'll try to keep that to a minimum. I'm also open to changing my mind about what project the yarn I already have will be used for :)

So I've tried to get off to a good start for 2010. I can't say I haven't had coke - I have, but only one can of the full strength stuff this year. I've taken to drinking coke zero if it's around, and given that I dislike the taste of that, my plan to drink less is working! So far the more sleep thing isn't happening. I blame this on Miss F mostly, but I haven't been getting myself off to bed any earlier than usual anyway. I'm trying not to be too hard on myself about that though - we're in holiday mode here even though DH has returned to work, and more often than not it's been far too hot to go to sleep so an early bedtime wouldn't work anyway. The heat has affected the exercise thing too. See I'm making excuses again! But once this coming weekend is over - 3 days forecast to be 41 degrees! - I'll be making a more concerted effort to get the lifestyle thing on track.

On a postive note, everything I've knit so far this year has been from stash and has been something that's been in my queue for a while, so I'm on track with that one!

So here's to 2010 - hopefully it will be a good year for all of us!

A couple of softies

2010-01-06T08:53:00.003+10:30

More Christmas gifts made by me, but this time on the sewing machine.

This was my first time making softies like this, and it was kind of fun. Up to the point where I had to sew up the hole left for stuffing! But I worked it out in the end. Not perfect, but not too messy either. You can see the Matryoshka Doll's head looks a bit flat.... That's because I left the opening at the top, instead of the bottom. And then there wasn't enough fabric at the top to sew it up properly. Oh well, live and learn. There's a bunch more of those dolls on the fabric piece, and I remembered to sew those ones correctly!

I'm a little disappointed with the lack of enthusiasm over them from the kids, after all my efforts! But really I should have expected that. What with all the dinosaurs, remote control cars and shopping trolleys that were under the tree as well.

Both of these fabrics are by Kristen Doran. I really want to get the Matryoshka embroidery panel too. But I really don't need another thing on my list of "to do".

Pinwheel Sunhat

2010-01-04T09:48:00.004+10:30

My first FO for 2010!

This is the Pinwheel Sunhat. I bought this pattern ages ago and just never got around to making it.

It was a lot of fun watching the pinwheel develop. And a pretty quick knit too. Only took me 3 days.

This one is in Bendigo Woollen Mills 8ply Cotton, which I just love. Miss F loves it too, and appeared in the kitchen this morning with it on after finding it where I left it last night after finishing. No action shots sorry. Miss F is a bit too fast for the camera these days.

The boys both want one now also. Not with the frilly brim of course! I'll be making the beanie version for each of them.

Off and running for 2010!

December FO Month Wrap Up

2010-01-04T09:29:00.006+10:30

Remember this post?

Well I didn't quite get there with the 4 WIPs that I had planned to finish. I only finished one. I'm blaming the last minute Christmas-gift-knitting-frenzy. Oh, and my lack of motivation to finish the other three.

So here's the WIP I did finish....
This one had been hanging around soooooo long. The stripes seemed like a good idea at the time, and they really were until I had to split at the front. Then they just became the thing of nightmares. Anyway, I buckled down and it's done. The good news is that it still fits! Even though I started it at the beginning of 2009, with Winter 2009 in mind for wearing, I do think that it will still fit for Winter 2010.

I modified it a little from the pattern. The neck on the last one I made to the pattern wouldn't fit over M's head, so this time instead of modifying the V-neck, I just didn't join up one shoulder to the back, and I put in a buttonhole so we can still get it on. Hopefully should work. Still need to get a button to confirm this though.

So what is the fate of the other 3 WIPs? Well I have to confess that I can't remember what one of them was, since I didn't actually detail them in the previous post! But either way it's gone. I think I may have frogged it. Or maybe I finished it and forgot? It must have been insignificant regardless.

One of them is definitely being frogged. Travelling Woman will soon be no more. I just lost the love for this one, and found something else I'd rather make with the yarn, so it's off to the frog-pond as soon as I can be bothered.

The last one is a cushion cover in Noro. I need to buy two more balls of it to finish it off and I just haven't been able to get to the LYS to do so. It's going to survive though and I will finish it soon I hope.

One of the socks mentioned in that post is off to the frog-pond also. Wanida by Cookie. A. I really love the pattern and I was kind of enjoying the knit, but for me it was some intense chart-following and I kept losing my place, and then I had to rip back the heel because I couldn't get it on, and now it's been so long I really can't remember where I was at with it. I can't be bothered trying to work it out either. So it's coming off the needles as soon as I get the time to do that too.

I was pretty happy to move into 2010 with those decisions made and WIPs finished. A fairly clean slate for the new year! And my first FO for 2010 already completed.

I do plan to try to stay in control of WIPs this year.

PS: Sorry about all the Rav links for any non-Rav readers. There aren't any other options for all those patterns I'm afraid.

Another impromptu 2009 FO

2010-01-04T09:18:00.004+10:30

Some time ago my husband asked me to make some mitts for his mum (mom). She lives where it is probably snowing right now, so he thought some toasty mitts might help to keep her hands warm while she's out in the garden in that kind of weather! These started out as something else, but then I decided I didn't like them and they were reborn as the Cupcake Mittlets.
These were super-quick - the first one was made in an afternoon/evening so probably about 2-3 hours. The second one took a little longer, but I blame the children for distracting me on that one! I knit these with an extra pattern repeat to make them a little longer on the wrist, as per the pattern suggestion.

These are supposed to be a Christmas gift, but Christmas has been and gone of course, so they will be a little late. I didn't start them until after Christmas was over last year! But since I started their first incarnation close to a year ago, better late then never, right?!

Wow, that was fast

2010-01-03T21:30:00.003+10:30

Christmas and New Year have been and gone already. I had planned to post just before Christmas, and was hoping to get another one in just before New Years, but things got crazy around here. All the kids home, sick bub for the week leading up to Christmas Day, Christmas lunch at our house this year and a last minute decision to knit some gifts meant that me and the computer haven't really come together too much in the last 3 weeks! Probably a good thing though.

I need to do a follow up on my FO month in December. I didn't quite get there, but more on that another day.

But here are some FOs that weren't part of that plan.

French Press Felted Slippers. This is where reading blogs can get me into trouble. I first came across these on the Yarn Harlot's blog (as did many others!) and decided immediately that they'd be great gifts for my mother and SIL. First pair turned into a "practice pair", but I managed to knit two more pairs (including those pictured above) in time for Christmas Day gift giving. I was sewing the straps and buttons on Christmas Eve! I forgot to take a picture of the other pair, but they were a pink colour. Both done in Bendigo Woollen Mills Rustic 12ply. The felting was a bit hit and miss, but they did felt enough. Interestingly the pink pair felted much better than the natural colour. Anyway, I'm happy with them, and I want a pair for myself now!

This next FO you've seen before. But I finally fixed the dropped stitch and blocked it enough to get some pics of it on.
I LOVE it and I'll be wearing it to death I'm sure. Only I do think that it will be an autumn/winter/spring garmet, as I felt a bit warm in it while take pictures this evening. And it's not all that hot here right now. I modified the neckline on this one to make it lower, but I think I could have gone a bit lower even. It seemed really open and low before adding the ribbing to the neckline, but it really pulled it in after it was added. Anyway, I'll probably knit another one eventually.

I have a few other non-knitting items to show off that I completed before Christmas, as gifts for the kids. I'll get around to photographing those this week hopefully.

I hope that everyone had a lovely Christmas and New Years!

Christmas is coming....

2009-12-14T13:13:00.006+10:30

50% off Christmas decorations + hot glue gun = DIY Christmas Wreath!

I got the idea for this off Ravelry, although the one's I saw there were made from polystyrene balls wrapped in scrap yarn.

I didn't have scrap yarn in the right colours, or the time to hot glue yarn to foam balls, so we did it this way. All the baubles and the plain wreath were half price at Spotlight.

The boys helped with bauble placement and I manned the glue gun. L got to use the glue gun too which he was happy about.

I'm happy with it as is, and it looks just as I envisioned, but maybe it needs something more?

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

2009-12-07T13:20:00.004+10:30

Spongebob Squarepants!

Ever since our holiday to Qld, the boys have been interested in Spongebob. I don't think they'd ever seen him before, beyond maybe an ad or two on tv or something in a catalogue. We don't have Foxtel and as far as I know he's not on free-to-air-TV (which is the only tv I'll ever have!).

Anyway, we saw the Spongebob show at Dreamworld... we rode the Spongebob Flypants ride at Nick Central... and lucky us got to watch a Spongebob marathon at our apartment on the Gold Coast, on one of our "down days" that also happened to be a bit rainy and cold.

So when I discovered that a local bowling alley had a Spongebob themed party for kids, we booked them in. And the perfect opportunity to make a Spongebob cake!

And yes, I know he doesn't have his spots, but I had got that far without anything going wrong, it was late when I finished and I had no time to make another one if the spots didn't work out, so I quit while I was ahead!

Just when you think you've won.....

2009-12-02T12:23:00.005+10:30

So here' s my finished Rusted Root (Rav link).

Still unblocked, but I only finished it yesterday and I was eager to show it off. The endless rows of stocking stitch, broken only by a small patch of lace were actually worth it, because it fits! And I like it, and I'm sure to wear it!

I'm so happy to be finished.....

But wait.

What's that piece of red scrap yarn dangling away there on the side?

Lets take a closer look......

Oh, hi there... DROPPED STITCH! Didn't see you there.... until I had completed 43cm of knitting!

Not sure what to do about this. It's in the sin bin until I can work something out. Anyone got any suggestions?

Birthday Treats

2009-11-30T14:41:00.003+10:30

My big boy L turned 7 on Saturday. It's been a weekend of cake and gifts. I'm all caked out, but I had enough left in me to make these tasty little treats for L to share with his classmates today.

Made with the trusty Eggless Muffin recipe. I got to use my new toy, an icing syringe for these too. That was fun, but I think my technique needs some work. They were tasty anyway!

A Declaration for December

2009-11-30T10:10:00.004+10:30

With the end of the year nearly upon us, I've decided that December will be UFO Month.

I don't want to start the new year with outstanding WIPs. Well, not too many at least.

Remember this photo?

Well I have to confess that it's not a truly accurate representation. There are two other WIPs that didn't make it into the picture. I discovered them after I posted. I did know they existed, they had just momentarily slipped my mind. Yeah, that's right.

But the good news is that one of them just needs some finishing touches, and the other is halfway done.

So out of the above projects, 2 of them will be finished in December, plus the other 2 that aren't pictured. So that's 4 WIPs to be finished before 31st December. The other 3 are socks and I'll keep them as my take-along WIPs, since I haven't worn socks for about a month now and I'm not likely to put any on until maybe March.

The good news is that as a parent of 3 young children, I have no social life, which means plenty of evenings at home to get these done!

Oliver + S - Popover Sundress!

2009-11-23T13:26:00.003+10:30

With the recent heatwave my inclination to sit and knit has waned a little. And since my sewing machine's recent lack of use has been playing on my mind a bit, I decided it was a good opportunity to do some sewing instead.

I'm still VERY much a novice at this, but this cute little pattern - Popover Sundress - was pretty easy going. The instructions were really clear (even if I did manage to attach and sew the first arm strap on wrong!). Once I worked out what I had done it was plain sailing from there. I also managed to burn my thumb twice while pressing the straps, before I decided to turn off the steam.

The fabric is just some from the quilting section at Spotlight that I picked up some time ago. Fortunately I had contrasting shades in the same print so they go well together. And they were the only pieces that I had enough of to not have to go and buy more.

Seems to be a hit with Miss F. She arrived next to me at the computer this morning with it on - albeit inside out and not over her shoulders, but the fact that she had both wanted to put it on AND managed to do that much herself, impressed me and tells me she likes it :)
The sewing bug has bitten!

Spring Cleaning

2009-11-18T10:04:00.003+10:30

I'm slowly making my way through a number of things that need to be done around here. One of them was to sort out my WIPs and see just what I've got sitting around waiting to be finished.

These bags contains all my WIPs. Fortunately, for all but one, they live to be finished another day. I'm actually in two minds about the unlucky one. So for now I haven't ripped it out, but I have taken it off the needles (to use for something else). What will be will be on that one.

One very unlucky, longstanding WIP, has been layed to rest though. This one is from waaaaay back. It's presence in the drawer has been bothering me since I put it there, who knows how long ago. I finally decided that I'm never going to finish it. It was likely going to be too small for me anyway. So this is what it now looks like.....

R.I.P Central Park Hoodie....

And a recent addition to my crafting paraphernalia....No chance to even have a play with it as yet. I'm hoping to get to some lessons. For now it's decorating the bedroom. The kids are fascinated with it.

This is getting ridiculous

2009-11-15T22:34:00.000+10:30

Forecast for Monday
Fine with high cloud. Light to moderate southwest to
southeast winds.

Precis        Fine. High cloud.
City:         Min 19    Max 28

Tuesday       Fine. Sunny.           Min 15    Max 34
Wednesday     Dry. High Cloud.       Min 20    Max 41
Thursday      Possible late thunder. Min 25    Max 41


It's not even summer yet!

In knitting news I have restarted my Rusted R o o t and finally got back to
where I was when I ripped it out.  It's amazing what a sweat you can
work up just sitting, knitting.

Make It Perfect

2009-11-14T09:02:00.001+10:30

Make It Perfect are having a mega-giveaway on their blog.

So get on over there and get yourself an entry! I did :)

Not really knitting weather

2009-11-09T16:02:00.006+10:30

Warning Summary
The SES has issued an Extreme Heat Watch for South
Australia.

Forecast for Monday
Dry, hot to very hot and sunny. Light to moderate northeast
winds, tending southeast in the evening. Light to moderate
afternoon sea breeze. 

City:         Max 37

Forecast for Tuesday
Dry, hot to very hot and sunny. Light to moderate northeast
winds,tending southeast in the evening. Light to moderate
afternoon sea breeze.

City:         Min 24    Max 37

Wednesday     Dry. Sunny.      Min 25    Max 39
Thursday      Dry. Sunny.      Min 25    Max 39
Friday        Dry. Sunny.      Min 20    Max 36
Saturday      Dry. Sunny.      Min 16    Max 34



Please note, I don't live by the sea.   Maybe it's time I started that dress in
cotton that I've been planning to make for F?

Eggless Chocolate Muffins

2009-11-06T15:18:00.004+10:30

Take this...

and this..
.
put them together...

and you get this...

mmmm...

yum!

Recipe here. I added chocolate chips.

If I could turn back time

2009-11-02T14:39:00.003+10:30

I would have listened to that voice in my head that said "oops, you've knit a bit further than you probably should have before joining the front", and I would have ripped it back a bit then.

I would have tried it on just a little bit earlier.

And most importantly.... I would have checked the pattern before ripping it out entirely, and then I would have known that the next size down actually requires casting on the same number of stitches as the size I originally started.....

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Halloween

2009-10-30T15:51:00.002+10:30

I know some people don't like Halloween. That it's just an *American* thing (which it's not really, but that's a whole other discussion). But we do find it a bit of fun and the boys are interested in it. And hubby being of the North American persuasion, means that it gets a look-in in our home.

We get a few trick or treaters around, so we *decorate* the front of the house a bit to let them know they are welcome to knock on the door.

Last year was the first year I relented and let DH take the boys around to a few of the neighbours houses. Luckily they were all very accommodating and the boys had a great time.

But another bonus of Halloween is the opportunity to do some themed crafting with the kids.

Felt bats and pumpkins, ready to go!

Progress

2009-10-30T13:16:00.003+10:30

I've been monogamous with my WIPs lately. And I'm making good progress with the one I've chosen to be with me day and night at the moment.
Maybe I'll even get to wear it during the season it was meant for, and within the same year it was made!

I do feel a spring clean coming on though. And maybe a UFO week coming up. I feel it's time to be realistic about a few things that have been sitting at the bottom of the UFO pile. A few breakups are going to happen. My mind is made up. I just need to break it to the UFOs gently.

Some more TY purchases

2009-10-22T14:05:00.006+10:30

Here are the rest of my purchases from Tangled Yarns...

Malabrigo Silky Merino in "Plum Blossom" - there's two other skeins, this one is balled and waiting to be transformed into this (Rav link).

One of these little cutie-pies....

A Stitch Pixie project bag,

And one of these gorgeous shawl pins.
Not that much yarn really. I was more restrained than I thought!

Knitting vs Housework

2009-10-20T09:06:00.004+10:30

I was pondering these two things this morning. Mostly because the piles of folding and washing seem to be multiplying faster than I can take care of them. And because my children seem to have in-built crumb-spreaders, and I'm forever sweeping or vacuuming up crumbs. And that's not even the half of it.

In some ways they are both alike. Housework is repetitive and boring. Knitting can be that way too. I can see why some people might think that knitting is about as interesting as folding the clothes, or doing endless loads of washing. So why would you bother?

Well my pondering led me to the conclusion that yes, while knitting can be repetitive and boring and sometimes a project can feel endless (especially when my mind is already thinking about the next thing I want to start making!), that at least there is an end to it. Sure, you might knit something that isn't terribly interesting to make - something mindless for tv watching perhaps - but at the end of it you'll have something. Even if it is the most mundane thing you can think of. A bit like this....
Not-very-intersting garter stitch (to me at least, I'm not a fan of knitting garter stitch). But as I was making it I could see it growing and changing and become something. Something that would be useful. It's this pattern here. A not-terribly-interesting cushion cover. And it's only one half of the entire pattern, so I still have more garter stitch to go. But it's going to be something I can use. And there is going to be an end to it. This project isn't going to continue to haunt me - I can never make another one if I like! And when it is finished I'll have made something.

The housework never ends. I never feel like I've achieved anything with it, because as soon as something gets "finished" I turn around and find more there waiting for me.... more washing to do, more clothes to fold, more dishes to clean, more tidying to do. The list goes on. It's not satisfying to me.

So in my world, in a Knitting vs Housework match-up.... Knitting wins everytime :)

I suspect it's the same in your world too?

Some sewing

2009-10-19T11:10:00.003+10:30

In a frenzy yesterday morning, fuelled by the thought that if I did something constructive it would take my mind off the shocking headache I had, I made this.
Does this fabric look familiar?

I had a bit left over.... perfect for making a matching cushion cover for our new couches. Although I'm actually going to put this cushion on our *old* chair from IKEA.

I followed this tutorial for making the cover. Super easy to follow. My first time inserting a zip. It was really easy to do. Sadly my workmanship is still lacking a little, so I won't show you the stitching around the zipper LOL but it is good enough.

I have a few more I need to do so I'll be more careful with the next ones. Turns out I was sick anyway - the headache was the beginning of something worse :( - so that's my excuse for my less-than-perfect stitching, and my can't-be-bothered-unpicking attitude.

There's no place like home

2009-10-19T10:37:00.007+10:30

It's nice to go on holidays.... but it's nice to come home too. I think we probably stayed away a few days too long. It was fun though... rainforests, reef, mountains and finally, beach.

I got a little knitting done. Mostly completed on *rest* days when Miss F was napping in our apartment(s). Fortunately for us our accommodation was overlooking either the pool and/or the beach so DH was able to take the boys out for some fun and I could still be a part of it while knitting from the balcony.

I was also lucky enough to make a visit to this place....

I could have spent all day in here (not to mention how much money I could have parted with!) but I had DH giving me the *hurry up yarn shops are boring* look, and hungry children that needed to be fed. I got to catch up with the lovely Lesley from Cherub's Kiss too.

Here is one of a few purchases....

There were a *few* more. I'll post those a bit later.

We also got to meet up with the lovely Sarah Bean and her boys for a play in the park. Sadly I don't have any pictures of that as I left the camera in the car.

And now we are home. Back to the old routine. Except the old routine is a bit off since the car isn't working :( But happy news is that it will be fixed tomorrow. And I will no longer have to rely on other people to ferry my children about. More happy news is that due to not having to ferry my children about, I am stuck here at home, with time to knit :)

Last blog post for a bit and a DIY project

2009-09-23T10:13:00.008+09:30

Holiday time is drawing near, and I've been thinking about holiday knitting. I won't tell you DH's reaction when he saw that on my "list of things to pack" lol Needless to say he clearly wasn't expecting me to bring any knitting!

I'm torn about what to take though.

I posted this photo of current WIPs a little while back....

I'm thinking I should take one of these, but I'm not feeling the love for any of them. In fact, the blue-green shawl is actually off the needles and cable altogether. I'd love to knock the striped vest off, but it's just too fiddly and probably not a relaxing knit for a holiday. The green sock requires close following of a chart, which I don't think will suit holiday knitting.

I originally thought I'd do the second sock of the purple one picture top-left, but the first one is not a good fit, so I need to fix it first.

So it looks like my choices are limited. I want an easy, thoughtless knit, that doesn't require charts or close pattern following. I don't want to knit anything that I've already got on the needles. I want some new and exciting yarn and a new project (even if it isn't exciting!!) on my needles. I think I'm going to take my Dyelicious Sock Club cashmere blend and make some more plain socks. Or maybe not. I've got a few days to decide.

And something else I've been meaning to post for a while. My DH made me this swift some time ago. I think he was getting tired of (a) hearing me cursing at my yarn when I tried to wind it msyelf and (b) being used as a swift himself! He used an online tutorial as a guide (can't find the link), but he made the entire thing out of wood - no metal parts at all. Works a treat! And now I can wind yarn to my heart's content, all on my own!

Babydoll

2009-09-15T13:37:00.004+09:30

Miss F sure is just like a little doll to me :) And so I couldn't resist making her a cute little babydoll top for spring/summer. The pattern is Kaia Babydoll and it was super-quick and easy to do.

It is knit in BWM 8ply Cotton. I used "Wild Lavender" and "Parchment". The colour looks a little blue in the pics, but it is actually a lovely purple. I did make a small mod to the pattern - I knit an extra 4 rounds after finishing the increases, before casting off the arms, as it looked as though the armholes were going to be too small. I was right, and it has turned out perfectly! I want another one on the needles asap!

Oh, and at almost exactly 16 months, Miss F decided she'd like to try walking :)

Bloom

2009-09-15T13:26:00.004+09:30

I was very lucky and privileged to be asked to test knit Tikki's new pattern "Bloom"

I used WOOLganics 8ply in "Kyoto". The one dress is designed to grow with your child, and it's pictured here on a 1yo, nearly 4yo and a 6yo!

Love it! Can't wait to knit another one! Look out for the pattern release soon :)

Fire!

2009-09-15T13:11:00.004+09:30

Some people may have seen this on the late news on Channel 10 last night. It was a plastics factory.

I walked into our bedroom around 6pm and for some reason decided to look out the window, and this is what I saw! Must have just started. You can see that the smoke plume is *new*.

The next pics are about 20 minutes after the first and the smoke is just starting to be blown around. Look at those toxic fumes!

We could actually see the flames from where we live. If you look at the very last pic, although it's quite blurry, the orange lines about 3/4 down just below the horizon line are flames.

2 hours later and we could actually see the building itself burning from here, and the smoke was still billowing out. I think they had a hard time containing it.

3 weeks

2009-09-03T15:54:00.002+09:30

And my ILs will be here. They haven't seen L since just before his 2nd birthday. They have never seen M and F (apart from photos of course). And they haven't seen our house fully finished. The last time they were here we didn't have a garden, fences, or most of our flooring. And we certainly didn't have all the accummulated "junk" we have now. So I've got 3 weeks to do something about it! You know, all that stuff that you stick somewhere to get rid of it, because you don't really have a place for it, and you think you'll come back in the near future to deal with it properly, but you never do. All that cleaning up you need to do that regular visitors to your home might never notice, but people actually STAYING IN YOUR HOME will have more opportunities to find. I have a list. It's pretty long. DH has been very good and done a few things from the list without even being asked to. Much better than me. I wrote the list, and that's about as far as I got.

Fortunately they won't be here for all that long before we head off for a family holiday together, but still. Although I don't really know why I am worried about it. I remember the story my MIL told me about how she was once addicted to Pacman (remember that revolutionary game?!). About how she would pack the kids off to school (all 5 of them) and then sit down in her jammies and gown for a morning coffee and some pacman, and all of a sudden it would be 3pm and ooops! kids will be home from school soon! Makes me feel not so bad. But still. I've got a bit of work to do.

I need a new system.

2009-08-27T15:57:00.001+09:30

Or maybe I just need a system fullstop. Apparently what I do have at the moment isn't working for me :( I just received a disconnection notice in the mail from the electricity company :( And it would seem that we are now on a shorter payment cycle until we pay a certain amount in a row, because we've apparently had three late notices in a row! The good news (for me) is that the account is not in my name LOL

It's not like we can't pay our bills. I just completely forget about them, and then bam... a late notice arrives and I remember, and I pay it. I never used to be like this. In fact, this is DH's game. He doesn't like paying bills... so he doesn't pay them. Which is why I manage all the finances around here. I've always payed things on time. But these days bills come in, I note them in my head, put them on the desk and then they disappear into the abyss. Until a late notice arrives. I even bought myself an organiser system where you can put the bills into a folder and stick them in the week that they are due. But this requires me to actually do that - stick them in the folder and put them in the week they are due, followed up by actually checking the folder each day/week/whenever. That's the part I seem to be having an issue with.

So anyway, we have electricity until the next billing cycle comes around, at least LOL But does anyone have a tried and tested system that works and they want to share? I know part of my problem is being pro-active, which I seem to not be. I'll work on that one. Might start with cleaning up this desk.

Instant art

2009-08-25T15:45:00.002+09:30

Cheap canvas frame + fabric from IKEA + staple gun = Inexpensive artwork for the wall.

The spot above the TV in the lounge has been empty for YEARS. We've never been able to find the "right" thing to hang there. And I don't like looking in print stores. So I decided I'd make something myself. I have enough fabric left to make a cushion cover too. All up about $20 for this. Maybe less actually, since I can't remember how much the fabric actually cost, but I only got a metre of it.

Looks pretty good, and it's nice to finally have the blank wall gone!

Knitting and other news

2009-08-22T11:55:00.002+09:30

Sadly, the green sock in my last post is definitely going to get frogged :( I thought I'd just live with the dropped stitch and fix it somehow, but then I tried the sock on and it's too tight around the ankle. So, I have to frog it back anyway to make the heel flap longer to fix that, so I might as well go all the way and fix the dropped stitch properly anyway, right? This means that the project has been relegated. To the back of the line. I was going along so well with it too :(

And note to self... next time I decide to make a striped v-neck vest.... DON'T. Doing stripes on shoulder straps is extremely annoying and fiddly. If I ever feel like doing that again I should read this post to stop myself.

In non-knitting news, my littlest big boy, M, started pre-entry kindy yesterday. Yes, I know it's week 5. He's missed half the term. He's not actually supposed to start until next term, but he's recently been diagnosed with a severe speech delay :( SEVERE. Apparently this qualifies him to get an early start at kindy. He's been going fortnightly anyway to occasional care, which he loves. He was initially sad that he would no longer be going to the OC room, but got over that pretty quickly. When I went to pick him up yesterday he burst into tears crying "I don't want to go!" So I'm guessing he liked it. He'll do two session of kindy next term and then start fulltime kindy as planned next year. Hopefully this will help him along a bit more with the speech thing. We are now doing a pretty intensive speech program with him and seeing a private speech pathologist for it (just as an aside, if anyone is looking for a new, lucrative career, then speech pathology would be my suggestion). The biggest challenge for me has been trying to get a 3yo to sit and focus on saying sounds and words correctly for more than a few minutes at a time. It's exhausting! But he's going well.

Hopefully I'll have an FO to show off one of these days. It's slow going at the moment.

WIPs

2009-08-20T12:12:00.003+09:30

I seem to have accumulated a few of them. I have been trying to keep them to a minimum, focusing on one project at a time, but somehow I've managed to get two socks, a vest and another shawl on the go at the same time. And actually that's not all - there are a couple of longtime WIPs still hanging around also :(

And the green sock in the bottom left hand corner even has a dropped stitch that I only discovered last night. I'm not really sure how I managed to get so far with it with a dropped stitch right back on the leg. It's a chart pattern too, so something weird seems to have happened. Anyway, I've decided that one will get fixed as is, there's no way I'm frogging it back to before the heel flap. I'm on the home stretch!

The shawl was an impromptu cast on after a visit to my LYS which is having a 30% off all yarns clearance sale! Found out about that one by accident and promptly headed over there and picked up some Noro. The colourway is so beautiful so I was straight back home looking for something suitable and couldn't wait to cast it on. It is certainly addictive watching the colours emerge.

The vest is fast becoming an annoying niggle in the back of my mind. I powered along with it to start with. All I've got left is the front shoulders, then to seam it and do the neck and arm bands. Oh, and all those ends to weave in because of the stripes :( I don't know why I can't get motivated to just get it finished. I need to make some time for that this weekend I think.

I blame Ravelry for all of this. If only people would stop favouriting and queuing lovely things, I might actually be able to get some projects finished!

Better Ishbel Photos

2009-08-09T20:19:00.003+09:30

Managed to get some half decent photos of Ishbel in the daylight this afternoon. Unfortunately I had to take them myself, so it was an interesting photo-shoot, to say the least. Lots of photos of the garden behind me with the shawl barely in the pic, and lots of mostly my head and not much shawl. Lots of cropping during editing! The colour is much more accurate in these pics.

One of these is not like the other.....

2009-08-09T16:03:00.003+09:30

Oh. Wait. Hmmmm...

I'll leave you to ponder this one alone.

Liesl

2009-08-09T15:28:00.005+09:30

And here is my other Ysolda knit - Liesl. Again another popular pattern, and I know why! Before I even cast this off I had the next one planned.

This took 2 and a teensy bit skeins of Melody from The Yarn Cafe. The colourway is "Ivy". I love, love, love this yarn. It has held up so well. It first became the DIC shrug. I ripped that out, started something else. Didn't think I'd have enough yarn for the other thing, so ripped it out again, rewound and cast on for Liesl. And it still looks fantastic and feels divine. When I was knitting this I really felt like the yarn was made for this pattern. I've just now blocked it with a steam iron for the photos, and sits really nicely when on. I was a bit disappointed that blocking it lost all the squishy-ness that the it had due to the pattern, but it did open up the lace really nicely and it fits well. I knit it two sizes smaller than I measure, for a few reasons - I knew my bust size was going to shrink as I wind up breastfeeding F and after reading a bit on Rav I felt that it might end up too big if I knit my size at the time. So far it's worked out perfectly, but time will tell!

I did the capped sleeve version of this, with the picot bind off on both the arms and bottom. It looks so pretty. And after all I've read about attaching the arms on Rav, I think I'll just stick to the cap sleeves in future. Makes a nice vest-type thing over a short or long sleeved top I think. I put two buttonholes in this (I meant to do three but forgot to do the third... doh!) but I'm starting to think it would look good held together with a lovely shawl pin. Will have to see if I can find buttons I like or not.

Can't wait to wear it out somewhere!

Totally addicted to shawls

2009-08-09T10:10:00.004+09:30

I haven't really been that into shawls until now. Not sure why all of a sudden I am. Well, I should say I like the way they look and some of them are incredibly beautiful patterns, but I could never see myself using one, so never thought I'd actually knit one. Maybe it's the way that everyone seems to be wearing them as scarves that swayed me? Not sure, but I do think they look a lot prettier as a scarf than most scarves do!

So I jumped on the bandwagon too. But as Sam says, popular patterns are popular for a reason. This is Ishbel (Rav link), and I'm in love! This is actually my second Ysolda knit. The other one needs buttons and blocking, so no pics of that one as yet, but soon. I am in love with this shawl. the finished object is so pretty, and it will work well as a scarf I think. I knit the large stocking stitch and small lace, so it's not a huge shawl. But that's a good thing since I really have nowhere to block something really large. This was my first time blocking lace too. I'm not entirely happy with the end result, so I'm going to do it again. I think I can probably get it a little bigger with another blocking. I used DIC Smooshy for this and it's lovely and soft.

Anyway, since casting this off I've been scouring Ravelry for another pretty shawl pattern. I'm really itching to get one on the needles! This is despite all the issues I had with Ishbel. Not that it was a particularly hard pattern, but me and double-decreases don't seem to mix well. I will say this required quite a bit of concentration, and lifelines. Thank goodness for lifelines. But I think this one is a good prep for more lace in the future. Not too hard, not too easy. The photo is of it blocking. I'll get a better pic and put it up soon.

I love it.

Goodies from across the ocean

2009-07-29T13:12:00.005+09:30

My DH has recently returned from a trip *home*. It was a work trip primarily, but seeing as he was in the mother-country he decided to add on a few days to visit with his parents. He hasn't seen them in 5 years. So I took the opportunity to make some purchases that aren't that easy to make locally and have some stuff sent to my ILs for DH to bring home with him.

First up, some lovely Malabrigo from Little Knits.

I do have to say though, that I wasn't all gaga over this yarn like I thought I would be. The hype would have you believe it is the softest most luscious yarn ever, but in all honesty it doesn't feel any softer than any of the lovely yarns I've already used and been able to get locally. That's not to say that I don't like it, or I don't think it's soft. I certainly do love it! But I think maybe my expectations were not met based on the raves it gets on places like Ravelry. And I'm yet to knit with it so I still have to have that experience. I may change my tune after using it!

And I couldn't believe the good fortune of finding out that not only are Little Knits located in the same city as my ILs, but that they had some excellent sales on some of the very yarn I wanted to get my hands on! So how could I pass up the chance to get some Koigu sock yarn AND some Dream in Color Smooshy?!?!

I don't have pics of the DIC smooshy as one is already a WIP and the photo came out all blurry of the other skein and I can't be bothered re-photographing! Both were purple colourways though, and I think the second skein will actually become socks. The WIP is not socks.

That was pretty much the extent of my *gifts*. And I had to purchase them myself LOL I did get this mug and a t-shirt from NYC also. Here's some fusion for you - drinking English Breakfast Tea in a NYC mug in Australia lol

Long time no blog

2009-07-23T13:59:00.003+09:30

Well, it feels like a long time, but the blog tells me it's only been a few weeks. I could say I haven't really had the time to blog, but I have had plenty of time to waste at the PC, so I really could have blogged while I was here. I'll blame it on the recent bad weather which meant taking nice photos of things was near impossible, so with no pictures I haven't been motivated to write anything.

The sun is out today though so I'll get off my butt and go take some pictures.

One interesting thing that has happened since my last post is that my big boy lost his very first tooth!

It had been wobbly for a while, but finally went completely sideways the night before at scouts, which was quite amusing. It was hanging by a thread the next morning, and my brave big boy just reached in and pulled it out himself! The one next to it is wobbly too, so I expect that will come out soon enough. I whipped him up a little drawstring bag to pop his tooth in, and The Tooth Fairy visited and everyone was happy.

In knitting news, I am working away on a few things and I do have some goodies to share, so I will do the picture thing this afternoon before school pickup post something of knitting interest.

Milo

2009-07-04T09:33:00.003+09:30

Finally done! My first Milo.

I love, love, love this pattern. So simple, but so cute too! My only mods on this version was to do a picot cast off on both the sleeves and the bottom. I wanted it to look a little prettier for my pretty little girl :) I did the giant cable option also.

This one is done in Woolganic in the "Samsara" colour. It's lovely and looks just like butter. I can't say enough good stuff about this yarn.

I had actually finished this vest in the same yarn already, but I'd knit the 18month size with the owl cable option, and it was just a little too big, and looked a little stumpy since I made it shorter. So I ripped that out and started over and this is the final product. The yarn held up really well to being knitted and frogged and knitted again.

Very happy with it!

A shawl

2009-07-01T11:38:00.006+09:30

I never thought I was really a shawl type of person. I don't accessorise much at all, tbh. But I've seen some really lovely shawls on Rav, and people wearing them in ways I would never have thought - one of my reservations about shawls is how on earth do you wear them without looking like Grandma??!! I also have had some Noro sitting in my stash since an impromptu visit to my LYS, which I have had no idea what to do with. Then I saw this. And so many pretty ones in Noro! So here is mine.

The colourway is #205. A pretty simple knit, and dropping the stitches was fun! I didn't find it too difficult to do given the grabby-ness of this yarn. Many people complained about this in their project notes on Rav. I liked this particular shawl pattern because it's definitely usable as a scarf too. The Noro feels lovely and soft in my hands, and suprisingly so against my neck too, but I do think it's not a yarn that I could wear too close to my skin for too long. I think it will be more of a shoulder wrap for me. Anyway, I love it. The pic is not so great as the light was bad, and I haven't blocked it yet, but I'm happy with it. There is a lot more dark pink in the colourway too, you just can't see it because I couldn't get it all in.

I had some apprehensions prior to using this yarn. I'd read a lot of negative stuff about it on Rav, and was starting to think I'd end up regretting my not-so-cheap-purchase of this stuff (6 balls in 3 different colourways!). But I have been pleasantly surprised. I only had one join in one of the balls, and the colour match-up, while not the same, wasn't completely different so I was able to just continue on without searching for a more suitable join. I also didn't experience any of the vegetable matter and dirt that seems to be the problem of so many on Rav. And I've rewound all 6 balls, so I'm not talking just about the 2 for this particular colourway.

So for me, this yarn and pattern combo gets a thumbs up! I really feel like making another one, but I should find something different to do with the two other colourways, right?

A sock.

2009-06-29T09:48:00.005+09:30

And not really a very exciting one at that.

I'm falling behind on my plan to knit a sock per month. Which actually started out as a pair of socks per month of course. Socks are interesting to me. I love knitting them. I like the small needles and the thin yarn. I like that I don't have a huge pile of stuff sitting on my lap. I like that I can stuff them in a small bag and put them away so little hands can't get hold of them. I like that I have a very usable item when I'm done with them. But I have so. much. trouble. deciding what pattern to knit and with which sock yarn. I think the major problem is that I mostly have very pretty variegated colourways in my sock yarn collection (yes, it feels more like a collection that I should put on display than a stash). And I like pretty patterned socks. Often the two don't seem to go together. I need more plain sock yarn, or at least less variegated, maybe more semi-solid colours. Or something.

Anyway, here is this month's sock. Actually it's May's sock. I started it in June. But lets not get into technicalities.

It's the Sell Your Sole sock. Just plain stockinette. I added the picot cuff for a bit of interest as per some other projects on Ravelry. I've been afraid of plain socks, because I thought that (a) they'd take forever, and (b) they'd be boring. But this has been suprisingly quick and interesting, funnily enough. It's been a nice relaxing knit without any charts to follow or purls to make at the beginning of a needle (which annoy me no end, btw). I wouldn't call this a pattern so much. I didn't really follow the instructions for the gusset decreases, because I always add a few more rows to my heel flap anyway to accommodate my high instep. The second sock is already over half done too, btw. Just in case you were wondering. I have until tomorrow to finish it if I want to meet my goal.

I love how the colourway has knitted up. I really don't think I could have found a patterned sock that would have been so nice in this yarn. It is a 5ply, which would account a bit for the speed at which it has gone, but still, it's pretty relaxing just knitting something small round and round. I can see more plain socks in my future!

I don't have much else to show on the knitting or sewing front, although I am trying to get stuff done. A currently-absent husband and the onset of illness in the remaining four of us literally the minute he left has meant that I've spent far more time wiping up snot than knitting. Hope to have some more projects finished in the near future though.

Quick post

2009-06-10T10:29:00.006+09:30

I feel like I've crossed the line with things I'm doing at the moment. Or I should say things I want to be doing. I've got far too much going on at once I think. I've got some fabric cut to make pants for F (hopefully!), but I can't seem to find the time to get the machine out. I've cast on two new projects in the last few days that I'm not getting anywhere with, when I've got unfinished stuff waiting to be finished. I spend far too much time sitting at the PC looking at stuff, as opposed to actually doing anything. And I've let my internet addiction take over again, so this one will be quick before I turn the PC off and try to get my act together again!

So first an FO. The vest for M. I had to modify the neck for this one to make it slightly rounded to get it over his head. Turned out ok I think and he's worn it a few times so that's a plus. I don't like the neck and arm shaping in the pattern of this, so I've got one for L unfinished that I'm going to do my own thing on and hopefully I can get a v-neck that fits over his head.

My birthday presents purchased with birthday money.

This book has been the cause of my knitting frustration I think. So many socks in here that I want to knit! And already half-way through the other book.

Next is my new toy (and my first attempt - it looks like a nasty tangled mess, but it wasn't all that bad, that's just what it looked like once I took it off the spindle). Haven't had a lot of time to play with it unfortunately and not likely to in the next few weeks either. Lots of time to watch more youtube videos on how to do it properly!

And some delicious fabric that arrived this morning from the Crafty Mama Shop. Have plans to make some things for F with all of these, but what I don't know yet. It's so lovely though, that I'm really feeling afraid of using it!

And that's it. PC is off for the rest of the day. Dishes will be done and groceries will be purchased!

On reflection this wasn't such a quick post!

Somewhere over the rainbow.....

2009-05-30T21:02:00.003+09:30

Another Rainbow Dress finished! This only my second, so it's not like I've been churning them out or anything, but I'm excited anyway. This is the project that I cast on while pretending the vest debacle wasn't happening. I'm still in denial about that one, but may have come up with a way to rectify it without too many tears.

Anyway, this particular knit is done with Four Bags Full merino from TYC (my most favourite place to buy yarn!) in "Maia Jade" and I used Treliske OM in "Fuschia" for the garter bodice and the lace trim at the bottom (which is curling up so you can't actually see it properly). I love the way it's turned out. I did an eyelet row too (as I'm sure you can see!) for some ribbon. This one is the 9 month size, and I suspect it will fit her for quite some time, first as a dress and then as a top.

Such a great pattern! And so easy.... So you think that it would be mistake-free and quite simple wouldn't you? But no. It's not. Well not for me anyway. Maybe it is because of it's simplicity that I just tune out or something, but I knit, knit, knit and then realise I forgot to increase, I lose count, various other bad things happened while knitting this one too, and the same with the first one I made. Not sure what is up with that, but one day I'm sure I'll knit a Rainbow Dress that is perfect!

Have cast on something for myself now, while I continue to pretend the vest isn't mocking me.

The Harvest

2009-05-29T12:57:00.002+09:30

Here's our haul from the mandarin tree....

And here's what they looked like while still on the tree.

This is our first real crop of fruit. I think the tree's been there for about 2 years now. I'm not sure if this is a good haul for a tree of that age or not, but we are happy with it. And some of them were huge! We were a bit worried about how they'd taste, having never grown citrus before, but they taste alright. Not the sweetest, but they certainly aren't horrible to eat. We did get a tip that apparently you should pick them from the tree and then let them sit for a few days, and then they will become sweeter. And I can say that the one we ate straight from the tree was ok, but the one's that have been eaten subsequently after sitting for a few days did have much more flavour.

Note that L is eating a mandarin section, but not one from the tree. Not sure why he has to be a goofball in every.single.photo, but he does! Like father, like son I think.

Getting organised

2009-05-25T10:28:00.006+09:30

I like organisation. I like organising things. That's not to say that I'm a particularly organised person myself. For some time now we have not been able to walk into our walk-in-robe. I tend to stuff things in there that don't have a home elsewhere. And sadly the WIR is not the only organisational issue in this house. But one step at a time here.

We had some wasted space in the corner of our bedroom, which was being used by me for things that had no home and couldn't fit in the robe because there was no more room for them. My robe disorganisation was spilling into the bedroom! and something had to be done. So off to IKEA we went.

Trips to IKEA in this house are generally not without their drama. In fact, after the last trip (which was only a few weekends ago) I vowed that I would never go to IKEA again. The drama that time involved the play room and poop. It was fun. Previous dramas have involved the restaurant and vomit (not to associate IKEAs restaurant with making us sick - the vomit was an unrelated illness that didn't manifest itself until after lunch had been eaten). I'd like to point out at this time, that neither of these incidents involved the adults in the house (beyond the clean up), just in case you are wondering what the heck is going on with us. There's been various other things, mostly just involving shopping with kids and people going the "wrong way" in both the marketplace and the showroom.

Anyway... we had to return the loan clothes, and I decided I needed to get my act together and sort my stuff out. Storage was the key! So yesterday we purchased this.

I would have liked a bigger one, but this is what would fit in the space. Now I'm figuring out where else I can use these things in the house! I haven't finished filling it up with my stuff yet, but two of the boxes are already full of yarn, as are the two plastic boxes at the bottom. There's still another plastic box of yarn in the robe, as well as various bags of yarn bits and pieces. It's a bit like having my own little yarn shop in there! I'm aiming to free up
the two drawers in the base of the bed for something other than stash and WIPs, to make those things more accessible and so I can store other things in the drawers and not on the floor in the robe. Although this presents the danger that DH will finally see the true extent of my yarn addiction.

And yesterday's trip to IKEA? Drama free!!

Ch-ch-ch-changes....

2009-05-22T11:04:00.003+09:30

There are things going on here at the moment that make me realise I really don't like change. I say I'm ok with it, and I deal with as necessary, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. So it's official - I don't like change.

I also don't like it when I spend hours lovingly knitting something, ripping things out because they aren't "perfect" and re-doing them so that they are at least better than before, only to discover that it.doesn't.fit. Even though I followed the pattern correctly and I am getting gauge. The problem would be with a vest I'm knitting for M. So close to finishing it - have only to seam the sides and do the arm bands, and he could be wearing it. And I could be showing it off on here. But. It does not fit over his head :( I followed the instructions correctly. I've been back over them and redone in my head what I did. It looks lovely. Nice and neat and just like a V-neck vest should look. Only it does not fit over his head. The other major dilemma with this is that I'm knitting the same vest for L. And I'm afraid that we'll have the same issues with his. I've been so traumatised by this, that I've dealt with it in the most appropriate way possible. I cast on a completely new project and having been pretending like it never happened. Isn't that what you do when faced with this kind of knitting "challenge"?

I've also ripped out my Dream in Colour shrug. It was painful. But I could not leave that beautiful, beautiful yarn languishing in an unwearable garment. I hope that it will become something else for me very soon. As soon as I get enough motivation to swatch for it. The yarn cakes are sitting here staring at me so I should pay them some attention soon.

*Sigh* So no photos as yet of anything remotely interesting. Many apologies. But I am trying to channel the stress that I'm feeling right now into something other than completely freaking out about things, so I have been plugging away hard at some knitting. There should be something of interest to show soon I hope.

Snapshot of my life

2009-05-09T09:38:00.002+09:30

In the absence of any finished projects, or much else interesting to say! I thought I'd put up pics of a few things that occupy my time (other than my children, which totally dominate me!).

So here's my knitting. Well some of it at least. While things are in progress they generally sit on this little lamp table beside the couch. I can pick them up easily at anytime by leaving them here, and so far this has worked ok. Access to the table is blocked by an ottoman, so it's all been relatively safe from Miss F... until recently. She's worked out there's a back entrance and it looks as though I will have to make the effort to put this stuff away finally. The boys leave it alone for the most part too. They both are showing an interest in learning to knit, and I'd love to teach them. L already has some kids needles that I bought him a while ago. M is a bit young yet I think, but he likes to hold my wool while I'm knitting.

I do have to confess that this is not all of the WIPs. Others which are in hibernation are in project bags, or stuffed into various drawers around the place also. I do try to keep it to a minimum though, and there's only 3 current WIPs in the photo. I am itching to cast something new on though, but I think I'll have to have a WIP month again sometimes this year and knock a few off the list.

Next we have a fairly new distraction....

I wasn't going to succumb to the craze - I rarely do. In fact before this, the last major game technology we have is a Playstation. And when I say Playstation, I mean the original. Not PS1 or PS2. The very first one. And we got that one late in the game too. L plays it occasionally and has no idea how far behind the times we are LOL But back to the Wii.... there was a great deal on, and we needed something that would get us off the couch, before our Homer-dents became irrepairable LOL Note that I've taken the photo while it's still in it's hiding place of a drawer in our bedroom. The children do not know that we have this. Shhhhhh... Not that I think they even know what it is (we miminise their exposure to advertising etc) but if they saw we had it, they'd for sure want to know what it was, and then want to play with it, and I don't want to have to listen to the nagging about it all day! And I like that it's Mummy and Daddy's special "toy" LOL Although I'm a bit annoyed with Wii Fit for telling me I'm overweight and making my Mii pudgy! So it's a lot of fun, but it takes away from knitting time. At least I'm able to fit more knitting in during the day these days to make up for it!

Lastly is my PSP. This was another major leap into gaming technology for me! I actually got this a few Christmases ago and I played it quite a bit to begin with, but not so much lately. Although the fact that I've got it out on the desk instead of put away, means that I am trying to get back into it. I've only got the one game (well two if you count the new one that DH got me for Christmas last year, but I haven't even opened that one!). It was the Simpson's edition (hence the yellow) and I'm completely stuck at Lard Lad :( I've been trying to defeat Lard Lad for months. Actually, maybe closer to a year? Sad I know... I know how to do it, it just takes so long and you have to do it all in one go, so I just keep giving up. I'll get him one day though....

So there's just a few things that take up some of my time. I could show you the numerous baskets of clothing that need to be folded, or the ginormous basket of ironing that I keep hiding behind the curtains in the bay window, but I'm sure a lot of you have plenty of those of your own to keep you amused LOL

What else takes up your "spare" time??

Off the needles... finally!

2009-05-04T12:19:00.004+09:30

These ones were a bit of a challenge. Mostly because I got SSS halfway through the second sock! I just didn't have the concentration for following the chart. Not that it was hard, it just felt like slow going, and so I cast on a few other things that were easier and kept picking them up instead. Anyway, so they are done now and I love them :) Can't wait to wear them.

Haven't decided on the next pair of socks yet. To be honest, I'm feeling a bit socked-out right now. I might give them a break and work on some other things before starting the next pair.

Has it been a year already?

2009-04-28T09:34:00.004+09:30

Happy Birthday to my baby girl!

This time last year I knew that I would meet my new little one before the day was out. I had a rude awakening (to say the least) at 4am when my waters decided to break! I spent the next couple of hours trying to convince myself that that was NOT in fact what had happened, because she wasn't due for another 5 days and I was completely unprepared for her arrival, having convinced myself that she would come late like her older brother M. How wrong I was! By dinner time she was out and having her first cuddles with mummy and daddy :) Meeting her two big brothers for the first time, and having her first bath.

These days she's almost walking, into everything (esp my tupperware and pots and pans cupboards!), wrestling with her brothers when she can and *finally* (fingers crossed it continues!) sleeping through the night!! Although the downside of that is it comes with 5am wake ups. But I don't mind too much :) A bit of mummy and daughter time before all the chaos of the boys begins when they wake up. She's such a sweet and cuddly little thing also. Very patient - being dragged here there and everywhere after her brothers, sometimes having to wait for a feed or a sleep.

So a big Happy Birthday to my sweet little girl :)

Sew Cute!

2009-04-27T10:19:00.004+09:30

Last week, with F's 1st birthday looming, I decided that it would be lovely if I made her a little outfit for her birthday. Let's not mention that the only thing I've sewn so far is a couple of bags - nothing anyone has to wear! Anyway, after a bit of help from the Crafty Mamas forum, I was direct to this pattern. Super easy! I had some fabric lying around from a SL sale, so all I needed was a bit of elastic and ribbon and I was away!

I think I did pretty well. Although I will admit to a bit of trickery in the photos. The waist on the skirt is not finished - I just have to sew up the elastic and I'm done! I'm going to leave the casing open so I can easily change the elastic, as this skirt will likely fit for a very long time! I couldn't find maternity elastic (or whatever they call that adjustable stuff) at SL. Will have to look around for it because it would make life so much easier! The little butterfly applique was so much fun too. So sweet, and I can't wait to see my little girl in an outfit (almost) entirely made by me!

Dream in Colour... or is that Color?

2009-04-25T16:40:00.003+09:30

Well after all the drama I finished it.

And I love almost everything about it. Almost everything. I don't like the way it fits :( I know it's a shrug, so it's not meant to be huge, but I was hoping it would fit like the picture with the pattern shows it. And even though I browsed the projects on Ravelry numerous times, and saw that most of them fit the way mine fits, I was kind of hoping that mine wouldn't fit that way. I do think it may be a tad small, but I am planning on losing some weight (oh, yeah, I'm totally into the buy-clothes-in-the-size-you-want-to-be-not-the-size-you-are thing). I'm not sure that I'd be happier with the fit if I was smaller either.

I'm not sure what to do about it now. I like the idea of it, but it's such a beautiful yarn that I'd had to waste it in something I may never be comfortable wearing.

My first thought was that I could try adding another pattern repeat and making it a bit longer. I'm not sure if this would just result in longer arms or not though. I can see some people from Rav have done this, but not easy to see if it would fix the problem that I've got. I don't want to frog it back and re-knit if it's not going to help.

I could also rip the whole thing out and knit it on larger needles to see if that makes a difference too. But again, a lot of work which might not necessarily change the outcome.

I uses exactly 2 skeins of this yarn, and I have one full skein left. So I could also rip the whole thing out completely and make something else using all three. But I'm not sure if 3 skeins is enough to make anything else I might like.

I think I'm going to put it aside for now while I ponder what to do. If anyone reading has any suggestion, I'd be happy to hear them :)

And now a peek at something else I'm working on.

It's this pattern (Rav link). I'm not following the stripe sequence for it though, I'm just kind of doing it randomly. I think it's looking ok. The brief was "orange". I really couldn't see myself knitting an entire vest in orange, so I'm trying to make this as orange as possible. It's for L and he said he likes it and will wear it. I'll get him to sign a contract to that effect shortly.

Free Time

2009-04-24T21:34:00.004+09:30

I have more of it. So I've been using it wisely. I've recently extricated myself from a forum that I continually found myself returning to. Not really sure why, just one of those things that I couldn't let go of. Anyway, I recently decided my relationship with it was over and I'm feeling like a weight has been lifted. I haven't been there for more than a few minutes each day, only to tie up some loose ends, and I've been soooo productive around the house. My house is tidy, I've been sneaking in some knitting, some baking, and most importantly some time with my wonderful kids :) I'm so glad I don't feel the pull to sit here and waste more than half of my day in there anymore. I feel so much more productive, and HAPPIER!!!

So here's some recent stuff I've been up to since Easter.....

Platzek - No, that's not dirt on the top. It's a brown sugar/butter/flour mix. Delicious! It's a polish Easter bread that comes from FILs family. MIL makes it at Easter every year so I'm trying to continue on the tradition. Good with butter and a cup of tea :)

Banana cake (that's cream cheese frosting on the top). I buy bananas each week, and they never get eaten. And they seem to ripen at a scarily rapid rate, so I'm always left with 3 or 4 that are too ripe to be eaten by the time the new one's arrive. I think I'm subconsciously wanting to make banana muffins and cake - why else would I continue to buy them when no one eats them in their original form?!

And a little something I'm working on for Miss F's birthday next week. I'm actually well beyond this stage, but I'll put up pics when I'm completely finished.

What to do?

2009-04-08T09:48:00.005+09:30

This is my Dream in Colour Shrug.

I love everything about it. I love the pattern. I love the yarn. I love the colour. The pattern is really easy to remember and I'm flying along with it. I love it so much that I've pretty much stopped everything else I've been doing so I can knit this. I want it done so I can wear it!

And so to my problem.....

This morning I was admiring my handiwork, and quickly glanced at the pattern... you can see where this is going, right? In my enthusiasm (and my false sense of security at having memorised the pattern well) I seem to have left one row out of each pattern repeat (well, actually two as there'd be a purl row to go with it) **insert crying smilie here** Honestly, it's barely noticeable and you'd probably only notice it if you were familiar with the pattern and you were looking closely. I did knit the very first pattern repeat (it's 20 rows) correctly, but from then on I've knit the next four repeats minus the last two rows.

So what do I do???

I figure I've got 4 options.

1. Continue knitting, and then when I get to the very last pattern repeat, knit it correctly so that I have at least got it symmetrical.

2. Continue knitting and ignore it completely and just keep knitting as I have been pretending that those two rows don't exist.

3. Rip it back to where I was last correct and start again.

4. Start knitting correctly from here.

I have 4 more pattern repeates left. So far my favoured option would be 1. My least favoured would be 3, as since it's lace I suspect if I try to rip it back then I'll end up having to go right back to the ribbing - not an attractive prospect!

So what would you do? Any advice appreciated!!

ETA: Thanks for your thoughts everyone :) I think I have decided it needs to be frogged though :( I'll be short 16 rows if I just keep going, and that's not a whole pattern repeat. I'm not sure how I'll make up for the missing length. So back to the ribbing I go *sigh* at least it is an enjoyable and quick knit so it shouldn't take me too long to catch back up! wish me luck!! lol

PIF Creation

2009-04-01T11:51:00.006+10:30

And now that these have *finally* been sent (and received!) I can reveal them...

I made these for the PIF Swap from early last year. I only got the one comment (which I was secretly happy about, because I really couldn't imagine having to make three things for three different people!! I had enough trouble deciding on this project!) and after a bit of thought (and a bit of stalking LOL) I decided some fingerless mitts would be the way to go. And the recipients favourite colour is red, so I chose one of my very favourite yarns - WOOLganic in Chilli Pepper.

This is the "Cafe Au Lait" mitts pattern, which I love, love, love (can't seem to open Ravelry for a pattern link right now). I'm going to make myself a pair in Gondwana when I get the time. Really quick knit, although not without its dramas - all knitter related unfortunately. I finished the first one really quickly. Then put them aside to do a few quick Christmas projects. Then I cast on the second mitt and it literally flew off the needles! Had it finished by Christmas, all ready to post off early January to meet my 365-day deadline of Jan 26. After I finished I held them up together to admire and... what's that?! One mitt is smaller than the other? Oops, I must have done something wrong with the pattern right? Nope. My inbetween projects were on smaller needle tips, and I completely forgot to check this before casting on and finishing the second mitt. Doh!

It took me a while to be able to face frogging it and re-knitting, but I did and finished it by the deadline. Getting to the PO proved to be a problem though! But they are now safe and sound with their new owner and I hope she loves them :)

Oops

2009-03-31T16:14:00.008+10:30

I can't believe it's been nearly a month since my last post. I've been meaning to come on here and post, but the I kept forgetting. And then I'd remember at the wrong time - like in the middle of the night when I'm feeding F. Or I'd get distracted with other things - like wasting time on forums and various other unimportant activities that I shouldn't be doing. Also I've been trying to be good and actually turn the computer off to avoid temptation. It's working ok.

So I haven't got much to show for a whole month's worth of knitting to be honest. I have this

It's a mini wonder soaker. I love it. The pattern was great and it was a pretty quick knit. The yarn is very lovely - worsted merino from Dyelicious (now Tangled Yarns) in "Strawberries & Cream". It's beautiful and fits perfectly. I see more of these in my future.

I also have my one sock for the month. This is one Embossed Leaves sock from 25 Favourite Socks.

I have to say I didn't really enjoy this knit much, although I love, love, love the pattern and the colour. To start with I couldn't seem to get into a rythm with it. I only did 10 rows of ribbing on the cuff instead of the suggested 18 because I was ribbing the soaker at the same time and I was a bit over ribbing. So I stopped short. Also I couldn't seem to get the needles and yarn working together well. I started on some knitpicks harmony dpns, but the needles were a bit grabby with this yarn. So I put the call out for some nickel plated ones, which made a difference, but I think I was already tainted :( The yarn isn't as nice to knit with as the previous socks I've recently knit either. Although I am now onto the second sock and it doesn't seem as harsh. Maybe I just had a bad yarn vibe after all the ribbing and needle issues. I think also, the pattern wasn't all that easy to follow. For me at least. Not in the "it's a hard pattern" way, because it's not. Just that it required some concentration and keeping up with the correct line and counting. I don't like counting LOL Anyway, the second sock is on it's way and I'll have that by the end of April I'm sure.

And I've really fallen off the wagon with the no-yarn-buying-ban. But that will have to be another post because I need to go make dinner :)

Charades anyone?

2009-03-03T09:53:00.005+10:30

Finally finished these.

Took me the entire month. I must say the first sock seemed to take forever, but the second sock went much quicker. I did knit a lot more frequently on the second sock though. I love the way they've turned out, and the pattern was nice and easy, but I don't think this is a pattern I'll knit again. Just a bit too tedious after a while. I need something a little more interesting I think. Especially when I've got to do it all over again after I finish the first one!

I did make a small mistake in the second sock, which is not noticeable at all, and since I didn't notice it until I was nearly finished it, there was no way it was getting ripped back to fix.

Have cast on my March pair already, but it's not going as smoothly as I would like LOL much more un-knitting than knitting going on. I'm sure I'll find a rhythm soon though.

Functioning on only 3-4 hours sleep a night doesn't help much either :(

Unfortunately...

2009-02-24T21:28:00.003+10:30

Ok, saw this on Donna's blog and couldn't resist giving it a go myself.

Google unfortunately *your name* and have a giggle.

Here's mine...

Unfortunately, Kim has inherited his position of leadership on the basis of filial loyalty and commitment to his father's ideology

Unfortunately Kim is something we seem to have to tolerate on this site

Unfortunately, Kim wore an ugly dress.

Unfortunately, Kim's contract expired before he could make a strong impression, and had no choice but to come back to Korea to play for Chunnam Dragons

And my personal favourite...

Unfortunately, Kim was trapped and prepared to be killed by a GIANT BLENDER!

Gotta love google.

A girl can change her mind, can't she?

2009-02-23T13:27:00.002+10:30

Remember my plan for 2009....

2009 - A Plan

There was a thread over on Woolaholics with people's knitting plans for the year. I don't think I can break it down to specific projects and when I want to do them, but I do have some ideas about what I want to achieve this year....

- one pair of socks per month - January done!
- complete my Central Park Hoodie for winter 2010
- 3 squares per month for the afghan I'm (trying to) knit for DH
- I'd like to try a colourwork project - if anyone knows of anything that would be a good starter project then let me know!
- By the end of the year I'd like to be able to sew myself a skirt
- Make that necklace from the kit that my mother bought me for Christmas a few years ago.
- winter jacket/vest for L & M
- New soakers/shorties/longies for F

Well I've had to have a rethink. My knitting time seems to be getting less and less - maybe that's because I've actually been trying to keep up with the housework?! And it seems as though I'm getting slower and slower. Or at least I'm being easily distracted with other things (like wasting time on the computer in the evenings instead of knitting). And I don't think I've come anywhere close to achieving anything on my list so far...

- one pair of socks per month

Well I did get a pair knit in January. And I am almost halfway through the second sock for February. But really and truly, it's all I've been knitting. So if I stick to this plan, all I'm going to knit this year is 12 pairs of socks and nothing else. It's taking me a whole month to knit a pair. So I'm revising this to:

Knit a sock a month - so a pair every other month - 6 pairs this year.

- 3 squares per month for the afghan I'm (trying to) knit for DH

I've managed a half a square so far. That's a pretty poor effort for the approximately 5 I should have knit by now. And the second one is only a boring old garter stitch one. Maybe cause it's boring I can't seem to get into it? Anyway, I will revise this to one per month. At this rate he'll have his rug by the time he retires LOL

- winter jacket/vest for L & M

well it's still summer technically, but if I want these by winter I really should start now. So far I don't even have patterns picked out. I'll get on that this week.

Let's see how that plan is working in a few months LOL

And here it is....

2009-02-14T21:40:00.005+10:30

I know you've been waiting patiently for it (well, at least one of you LOL). My second ever sewing project!!

A library bag for L. And I didn't even follow a tutorial.

L is obsessed with the colour orange. It all started with Harmony Day, the "colour" of which is orange. Then he ended up on the orange team for sports day. Since then it's been orange-this and orange-that. If it's not orange, he doesn't want to know about it. I actually don't like the colour orange all that much myself, so it's been a bit taxing LOL

So he chose the fabric for the bag. And he liked the camo-print-north-american-animals because it had orange on it. Orange coyotes to be specific. I wanted to make the bag reversible so I got some matching orange fabric to go with it and voila! A reversible library bag that indulges his obsession with orange.

It took me quite a while to finish, mostly due to wanting to applique his name on the orange side of it, but being a little afraid of doing so. Last weekend I bit the bullet and did it. And it wasn't all that hard. Don't look too closely at my sewing though LOL And then today I finally got stuck in and made the handles and attached them and sewed the two pieces together. It's turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. I needed to finish it by Tuesday next week, because Tuesday is library day. And we've already had 3 library days without a cool library bag. He's pretty happy with it.

Now, what to make next?

Charade and other things

2009-02-12T10:02:00.004+10:30

Still not a great deal of knitting going on around here. My hands are feeling better so that's a good thing. I think taking a break for a week really helped. I also think that the weather was causing me problems because once the heatwave broke the pain stopped. I'm really hoping that I don't have arthritis. I really need to look into that more. Anyway, knitting has been limited in recent times as I've been sucked into the vortex that is Facebook. Not sure why, as nothing really happens on FB and it's a complete time waster, but I totally have way more friends than my DH so that's a good thing LOL

Charade is going ok. I really like how the yarn is knitting up with this pattern and the pattern itself is quite easy to remember. It just feels a little tedious. It's only a 2-row repeat, so to me it seems to be growing quite slowly. Somehow longer pattern repeats - like Monkey for eg - seemed to go so much quicker. So I'm still not at the heel flap on the first sock and I've got probably another 1.5 inches to go before I'm there - if I decided to make it that long of course. And then I have to do it all again! My plan of having both socks on the go at once hasn't come to fruition as yet. Maybe I'll try to cast the other one on tonight. I'll do that one magic-loop. Maybe that will go quicker with less needle switches. So here's progress so far......

And I finished these capris for F back in January but haven't posted them as I wanted to embellish them, but haven't got around to it yet so I'll let you have a peek at them as is and then again when I'm done with them (assuming it all works out of course, otherwise you won't be seeing them again LOL). They are more like longies on her atm, but by Spring they should be a nice pair of capris or longish shorties for her. I made them a bit big for that purpose. I love how the yarn knitted up in these too - "Frolic" is the colourway from TYC.

I'll also have my second ever sewing project to show off in a few days I hope! Just trying to find a good time to pull the machine out and get it done. F has been quite unsettled in the evenings recently due to a throat infection and well, being 9 months old LOL I'm too afraid to bring the machine out in case the noise disturbs her anymore than she's already disturbed. You'll be excited to know that there's some hand-applique on this one, so I know you'll all be on the edge of your seats waiting to see that LOL I need to get it done before next Tuesday so I will make it a priority this weekend.

Sick baby + extreme heat =

2009-02-06T12:29:00.000+10:30

Not much knitting.

And the winner is....

2009-02-03T10:04:00.002+10:30

Charade!!!

I even cast on yesterday afternoon. I'm going to try to do two socks at once - one on a set of dpns and the other magic loop. We'll see. Pics soon I hope.

Eeeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo...

2009-02-02T11:35:00.002+10:30

L has been doing this for everything late. Which toy to take to bed. Which drink to have (water or milk?). Which shoe to put on first.... And of course if he doesn't get the result he wants, he does it again, starting with the other one so he's gets his desired choice. Not sure why he just doesn't just choose the one he really wants in the first place. But then he's a 6 year old boy. I'm not sure why he does a lot of things LOL

So the point of all that is, I'm having trouble deciding which socks to knit for the month of February. I'm trying to decide between these (non-Rav link) and these (no non-Rav link sorry). I have variegated yarn so I've tried to narrow it down to patterns that seem to work ok with this. But I'm still torn. So I'm going to implement the most sophisticated decision making tool - Eeeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo - to help me choose. And seeing as there are only two choices, I will be a bit more scientific about it and I'm put the patterns upside down so I don't know which one I'm starting with LOL I want to knit both of these sock patterns so either way it won't matter. I'm just hoping it will help me get past choice and move on to cast on.

I'll report back tomorrow with the results.