Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Finally

I have finished one sock. Don't break out the champagne just yet, it's only one sock, not one pair. However, with the amount of time I've spent knitting this, I could have made 2 adult pairs in the same amount of time. Remember the progress shots from before, well I ripped it back completely and started again. The leg was too long, the heel flap was too long, there was miscounting in every decrease, I casted on the wrong number of stitches. It was just WRONG!!! But I'm really happy with version 7.8. Here's a close up of the sock. (These shots are for you Kate!!!) They are knitted on dpn's . Fiddly to start with but once you get in the groove, they aren't too bad.Pretty neat. I'm happy.I'm off on a small adventure tomorrow. I'm meeting a fellow blogger, Kate, for the first time at the sale. Hurray, hurray. More soon.

Monday, June 26, 2006

Mini thug for sale

I just had a look at my previous posts and couldn't believe I had posted 4 times a week and then had nothing for the next week. This is not because I have nothing to show. It's because I have had practically no time to myself. Hubby has been away a lot and, usually that is not too much of a problem, but when you have a dodgy leg and can only walk a small distance and have 2 toddlers to entertain, it's exhausting.


This is a slight mini rant about the kids. They have been equally entertaining and exasperating. Aidan brings me a flower every day from nursery. But takes a lifetime to eat any meals, except when we go out to expensive restaurants, then he wants everything I order especially sashimi (salmon, yellowtail, tuna, ikura and tobiko!) . Keira - oh don't get me started on her. For a 2 year old, she is so definite. She knows what she wants and she will get it. Also, she is so destructive. Until she came along, we have had no broken toys, torn books, scribbled on furniture, ........ Aidan is an angel compared to her. Today, I discover that she has broken my bamboo knitting needle. She just picked it up and bent it until it snapped. Here's the evidence. Aargghhhh!!!!! I am this close (fingers held only a smidgen apart) to selling her on ebay. Here' s the evidence.
The needles were making progress on my Basalt Rank from Knitting Nature. I'm part way through making my first hexagon. I'm using Rowan Wool Cotton in Laurel, which I got from Get Knitted on sale. It's a lovely yarn to knit with. The fabric is very soft. Yum.

My small highlight this week is that I'm going to the Liberty sale this week. I think I'll try to make there on Thursday morning. I've got the invitation for the preview sale on wednesday evening, but I don't think I'll be able to make it. Damn it! But Thursday is good enough for me. Here's hoping for some good bargains.

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Where I have travelled to....

I love to travel and have travelled to quite a lot of places. Or so I thought until I did this little test. Lots of countries unexplored. However, now with 2 little children, I'm unlikely to increase my travel by much.



Go check it out here

On the knitting front, I have made very little progress. Partly because it's been very hot (but I'm not complaining) but also hubby's been away for the last 4 days and nights and the 2 little monsters have completely drained me. Let me give you an example. This evening after putting them to bed, there were shouts for Mummy. I go upstairs. There is nappy removed. There are "bits" from the nappy everywhere in the bathroom. Great! 15 minutes later, clean child and disinfect bathroom and put them to bed. (And she looks so angelic!!) Half an hour later, there is another shout for Mummy. I go upstairs and find 2 children covered in Sudocre(nappy/barrier waterproof cream). Not just fingers and pajamas, but toothbrushes, toys, soap dispenser, mug, sink, bed, you see where this is going. Another half an hour of cleaning up. Who has the energy to knit!!!! Anyway, I'm off to do more internet retailing.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

One year blog anniversary

One whole year ago, I decided to start a blog after reading and lurking around on some lovely, inspirational blogs. I've really enjoyed blogging and "meeting" some new friends. Here's to many more years.

Even though I've been doing this for a year, I am so bad at the technical side of blogging. I don't understand html. I've only just learned to add buttons. I look up Blogger help every time I need to add a link. Arrgghhh. Tech savvy, it just ain't me.

But I am making one small progress on the sock knitting front. Here's a partially completed sock. Managed to knit the heel flap and I'm now on the gusset. This tiny project has been a major pain the proverbial. I have knitted most of the sock at least 3 or 4 times. It's still not right. I was supposed to cast on 40 stitches . So 16, 16 plus 18. Off I go happily knitting away until the heel flap. Wait.... I've just cast on 50 stitches not 40. It's way too big for the kids. I'm not going to have enough yarn for a pair. I've already ripped it back so many times that I can't do it anymore. Sooo, it'll be my trial sock. Oh wait, maybe even a very small Christmas stocking. I'll just have to make more socks.
Another present for myself arrived in the post today. 2 more books from Amazon. Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan and And So To Bed by Lucinda Guy. Both amazing books for different reasons.
The construction of each design in Knitting Nature is innovative and eye-opening. Here's 3 of my favourites, Sand dollar sweater, Roundabout Leaf Tank and Phyllo Yoked Sweater. But I understand there are some errors in the pattern. Check out the Knitting Nature Knitalong.


The designs in Lucinda Guy's book is just so adorable. Very sweet designs and the illustraions are very cute. More things to include in my to knit list.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

A little bolero

2 balls of hand dyed yarn. One quick made up pattern for a bolero. And ta da!! Not bad even if I do say so myself.
Here's a closeup of the back. I'm quite impressed with my attempt at dyeing. It still smells of Kool aid even after a wash and a block.

Pattern details:
Pattern: A top down raglan knit. Increase until it's the length you require. Cast on extra stitches for the ties. Garter stitch for edges. Maybe a nice edging for fronts (not yet done).

Yarn: Cygnet superwash in white but dyed with Kool aid - Cherry (Red), Swirling Strawberry Lemonade (Pink) and 1/4 Grape and 1/2 Orange together for the Brown

Saturday, June 10, 2006

30 things about me

Kerrie at HipKnits is getting everyone to do a "30 things about me" for a chance to win some gorgeous yarn. Who can resist more yarn!

So here's mine:

1. My grandmother taught me knit when I was 8 or 9 and I made a purple acrylic garter stitch scarf which she has kept. I didn’t really knit again until 20 odd years later. I took it up when I was expecting my little boy.
2. My first knit, after the long break, was a Debbie Bliss moss stitch baby scarf and hat set. I’ve not looked back since.
3. I have more yarn than I know what to do with. I’m really into retail therapy. If I’m stressed/bored/at a loose end, I shop. (Thank goodness for internet retailing.) Pre children, it was Cds, jewellery, bags, clothes, etc. Now, just yarn, books and stuff for the kids.
4. I don’t feel guilty about buying books. I feel guilty about spending money on other things.
5. My husband doesn’t know how much I have in the stash. If he did, he would FREAK OUT big style.
6. I love learning new things about knitting. I’ve just learnt to do short row shaping.
7. I’ve got my first pair of socks on the needle.
8. I love dyeing my own yarn. I’ve only tried Kool-Aid but would love to do more.
9. I’ve yet to knit something in fair isle.
10. My finishing techniques are abysmal.
11. I’d love to join a knit group/knitting circle.
12. I would like to learn to spin, (not that I need another addiction!)
13. My “To Knit” list grows on a daily basis. It includes Kiri shawl, Log Cabin throw, Sunrise Circle Jacket, Knitted Hoodie Coat in Rowan Polar (design not finalised!), loads of stuff from Miss Bea series and Lucinda Guy for the kids, Ferragamo bag, ………………
14. I love starting new projects, but I’m less keen on finishing them. I used to have an uncompleted little stuffed toy mouse, which only needed eyes and whiskers putting in, but it stayed uncompleted for years. My husband threw him out after 12 years.
15. My WIP list is horrendous. I keep finding uncompleted stuff.
16. I can crochet quite proficiently too.
17. My blog is almost a year old. Wow!! I’ve really enjoyed blogging.
18. Most of my friends don’t know about my blog. But that’s OK.
19. Pre children, I was a boring auditor with one of the big firms, working very long hours. Now I’m a full time mother of 2 and loving it.
20. I’m on permanent maternity/career break. No, no I’m not pregnant again, I haven’t been back to work since my second was born.
21. I need a career change but have no idea what that change should be.
22. I love playing sports and exercising. I used to play for a local netball team. My tennis isn’t too shabby either.
23. I hate swimming with a vengeance.
24. My other crafty passion is pottery. I took it up in 1998 but I haven’t done anything in the last 2 years. I can throw on the wheel and have made mugs, bowls, tea cups and canisters. These are the decent stuff, I have a whole box of “pots” that I made.
25. If I had the money, I would like a separate annex to the house for a dedicated craft room.
26. I love cooking. I only learned to cook when I went to University at age 18.
27. I’m into organised chaos, ie the house is a mess but I know where to find things most of the time.
28. I’m a hoarder. I keep things. I only throw things out when I’m forced to do it.
29. Since the children arrived, I have lost the ability to remember things. I have to write everything down.
30. I’ve started a collection of dolls for my daughter, but it’s actually for me. Shhh, don’t tell her.

Friday, June 09, 2006

Presents for myself

Blogger can be so annoying sometimes. Well at least it's up and running this morning.

I love it when the postman comes. First up is a big package from America. I ordered a whole bunch of Cascade 220 from Webs. The purpley heather one is going to be the Sunrise Circle Jacket (although the colour might be a bit intense for me, but we'll see.) The light blue will be for the lil man and the pick for the lil princess. (Boy, is she a princess at the moment. We are going through the joys and tantrums of the TERRIBLE TWO's. Quote of the moment - "Don't want that!" and obviously "NO Thank you!"). I've also bought some Regia sock yarn because I'm going to learn sock knitting this summer. Nothing like a stash mountain of sock yarn to make me start!I also had one/two deliveries of Kool Aid from friends visiting America. There are some yummy exciting flavours/colours there. These include Mango (deep yellow), Pineapple (also deep yellow), Artic Green Apple (green), Soarin' strawberry lemonade (pink), Raspberry reaction and a Switchin secret (not sure what colour it's going be!). And the weather is going to be brilliant for dyeing. Hurray.
I've also bought loads of books from Amazon. These two I'm really enjoying at the moment. There are at least a few projects from each book that I would like to start.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Here are the photos

Prairie Tunic (I've actually finished the back by now!) More photos later.Here's a close up of the lace.

Monday, June 05, 2006

I'm back and recovering

Hello everyone. Thanks very much for all the well wishes. The knee surgery went well. I got home after 1 night in hospital. My knee is swollen to the size of a small cantaloupe melon. It's been 4 days now and I've got bruising all over the back of my legs. It's a lovely purple shade at the moment and I'm sure it'll go through the whole colour spectrum. I won't gross out anyone with a photo.

But I will show you some progress of my next project. I'm knitting the Prairie Tunic from Interweave Knits Spring 2006. This is after 1 day of knitting. I did have a lot of time to knit - waiting for surgery, after surgery in hospital, recovering at home. I have made a startling discovery - I would make a lot of progress if I didn't have children and didn't have to do any housework. So I am going to use this recuperation period wisely!!

Anyway, I'm making this in Jaeger Siena 4 ply in an Ice Blue shade. The pattern calls for 5 balls for the smallest size but I only have 4 balls. So, I have decided to make it slightly shorter (I'm not that tall in any case!). Here's a closeup of the lace pattern.

I would show the photo but blogger is not cooperating.

I did have some very good news today. I received an e-mail from Jeanie letting me know that I had won a prize!! I was in the draw for completing both Orangina and Somewhat Cowl at SKC
and I won!! The prize is this. It's really made my day. WOW!!