Fuzzy Orange Bear

Who loves ya baby?

2007-07-23T21:44:00.000+10:00

I just love me a baby knit. Love, love, love it. Quick and satisfying, and the recipient will never turn it's nose up at it (love that 'I'm too young to have head control down pat yet' thing.)

This was super cute and lots of fun. Usually I'm not one for the 'it's a girl, give it pink!' way of thinking, but this yarn was calling out to me very loudly (as you can see, it's kinda loud like that) and I love using this yarn for baby knits (lemmetellyou anything you can chuck in the wash and not think about is the best thing ever for a baby).

And those buttons are rockin' my button world.

Pattern is Pea Pod from IK (um, a little while back. I think it was a subscriber web thingo) and yarn is Katia Diana. That little bit of angora in the yarn makes it super snuggly.

You might be seeing a whole lot of baby knit love on this here site within the next coupla months, tis the season to be breedin. (and no, not me before you ask).

4 days and 2000k's

2007-07-09T19:41:00.000+10:00

We don’t do things in halves around this place. Got 4 days? Lets go to Brisvegas! We didn’t just get up and decide to go, we did have a reason (MIL’s 60th) but we thought we might drive it being that it was going to cost us $700 to fly - which is slightly ludicrous in this day and age of super cheap fares.
So I am now officially beat - it doesn’t help to start the trip with only 4 hours sleep, and that 4 hours wasn’t even restful as I lay in bed worrying that I hadn’t finished all my work. One day I will go on a holiday where I won’t come back as exhausted as I was when I left.  
Luckily, I love to drive. Love love love it. Would love it even more if I didn’t have to play dodge the caravan all the way (why do you always catch up to them just as the overtaking lane is ending? WHY?). The most unpleasant part was between Tweed Heads and Brunswick Heads where the new freeway is almost finished. We hit the traffic at the place where it joins the Tweed section as we were going south. Wondering what was holding us up as we sat in bumper to bumper, we finally found out when we reached the spot where it starts at Brunswick Heads over an hour later (a trip which usually takes about 15 - 20 mins). Yes folks, someone in their infinite wisdom decided today would be a fantastic day to open the new section. But not to cars mind you, well that wouldn’t be any fun would it? Lets open it up to pedestrian traffic! Lets have jumping castles on it, stilt walkers and even protesters. But how will we get everyone onto it? Well, what we might do is get a couple of dudes holding stop signs and stop the traffic intermittently to let people cross the Pacific Highway. That would be the main road south. I think they bought the Nimbin council in on this bright spark of an idea. The poor lollipop men were getting an earful from every passing driver (I think they must have been from Nimbin too, they seemed pretty relaxed about the whole ideal. A little TOO relaxed, if you know what I mean.)

On the way back we stopped overnight in Coffs, because if you have ever travelled long distance in a car with young kids you will know how stopping every now and then is the only path to sanity. We went for a wander down to the beach (where there seemed to be a huge amount of stones, I thought I was in the UK again) and thought this would be a nice place to show off the clap.

The stats are 1 and 1/2 balls of 2ply Ruby and Lana 100% wool on 2.5mm. It's looking almost orange in this pic - the colour is closer to the top one.

As always, Clap’s are pretty cruisy as knitting goes. Once you get into the flow they are perfect for TV and even Stitch n Bitch knitting. Speaking of SnB I managed to get along to Ruby & Lana’s last weekend which was a rarity for me (well, these days anyway). Lots of new faces, in fact it has gotten so big that after the store closes we head to the nearby cafe for lunch (which, by the way, was pretty darn good). Lots of laughs, lots of gossip, it felt good to be amongst other knitters again!

And I am currently on a roll, I have done 4 of 17 repeats using Crack to make Wisp - so far it’s pretty pain free. Famous last words...

Oh and one last thing, thanks to everyone for their lovely comments in the my last post - good to know I'm not forgotten!

Password? What's my password?

2007-07-02T20:57:00.001+10:00

This is serious. You know that it has been a long time between posts when you can't even remember your own damn password to log in to type a post.
SERIOUS.
Obviously, I remembered cause here I am, but I can't believe I temporarily forgot it.

So hi! I hope there are still some readers out there; I know it has been forever. I can't even reward the faithfuls with some pics cause it's dark out, but I promise there will be something special up here within the next week. Or maybe two. No! I will not leave it so long between posts again. Somebody poke me to remind me if it isn't here by the weekend.

I have been getting along with a couple of things - firstly a gorgeously cute thing for my besties new baby (who I haven't seen yet because I am a very bad bestie) (but I will see soon, promise!). When said gorgeously cute thing has been delivered I will deliver pics here for you all to enjoy, it is worth the wait SO GORGEOUSLY CUTE.

Second on the needles, I was inspired by Meg's super cool fine yarn Clap-scarf, so I up and made one for myself. In super bright red (cause I can't get enough red in my life LOVE IT). I will do a super fantastic post for that one.

Also something in the side room being ignored, uh I mean lovingly tended to (SNORT, NOT) is the Shawl-that-is-a-scarf Print o the Wave. It, like Butter&*($^-fly, I fear will not see the light of day. I cannot get past the 20 trillion stitches I need to pick up around the edges in order to complete it (you notice how the number of stitches I have to pick up grows each time I speak of it? It is like the plague, just keeps spreading).

While on the subject of Butter&($#)&-fly and the ~~heathen~~ lovely yarn it is knitted in (that would be Crack for the uninitiated), has anyone seen this delight in the latest Knitty? Oh my.
I will not mention that this will be my 5th attempt at finding the correct pattern for this ~~evil~~ ever so co-operative yarn. I will also not mention that there is currently something already on the needles. And before that something else.

I think I might go and (rip back the others) cast on for it now, because I am a ~~sucker for punishment~~ ever so patient knitter.

Faster than a moving toddler

2007-04-22T19:03:00.000+10:00

Sheesh, where has this last month gone? One second I'm up to my eyeballs in sport and the next... well I'm still up to my eyeballs in sport. But I'm still here, hanging on by my nails to this year that is rapidly disappearing before me. Why is it as you get older time goes quicker? Like when you leave school, time does the old hippity hop and next thing you're celebrating your 21st. And don't get me started on when kiddlets arrive, suddenly you're travelling at warp 9 (cause y'know, we can't go to warp 10 yet, I mean really, you all should be up on the latest Star Trek trivia) (SHUDDUP I know I am a nerd) and wondering when your son started replying 'of course I can!' when you as him to do things. Not that I am complaining, because really his manners are impecable, but didn't he only start walking no long ago? Oi, I can't keep up.

So I won't bore you with the worky details of why I've been absent, lets just say that my 2.5 day a week job is kinda a lot more than that. More like 5 days. 5 VERY LONG days. But as much as it has been frantic, it has renewed my interest in what I do, which was sorely needed after 10 years of editing. The tough part is finding the work/home balance, doubly more difficult when you do most of your work at home so you never really leave the office.

I have found very little time to knit, as most of my non-work time is in front of the TV (cause you know I just can't get enough, you'd think I'd be over the idiot box after having to watch it all day as part of my job...) and usually TV time is knitting time. Recently however, TV time has been brain dead time, thus the lack of knitting progress. The baby knit for my friend is on the home strecth, so hopefully I will have some pics very soon. The Print 0' the Wave Stole that is a Scarf is... hiding in the other room. The prospect of picking up 20 billion sts (ok, a small exagguration, but it sure feels like that much) is just too much information for my space poor grey cells right now so it will languish a while longer.

The one project I can show you is Little Man's latest pair of bed socks. I have knitted Little Man bed socks every year for the past 3 years, check out the size of those monster feet now.

And here they are rapidly retreating over the couch.

Branches with Flair

2007-03-18T13:46:00.000+11:00

I haven't fallen in the stash and can't get out. It's been quite a couple of months; unfortunately nothing exciting to tell, just working and working and sometimes knitting.

Here is a pic of the sometimes knitting, it's the lovely sock yarn that I got from DH at Xmas.... made into Branching Out (doesn't everyone make scraves from their sock yarn??)

I did start swatching it for a sock, but I didn't like the way the colours were graduating. Plus to be honest, I'm not a huge fan of knitted socks (I'll go duck for cover now). I dunno, I just don't like how they feel on me feet.

Next on the hit list (don't everyone fall over from shock, I actually have something in the wings to nit next!) (although my lengthy absence has given me time to ponder...) is the fab Flair from Wendy. I love that is is right on fashion for this winter (I'm seeing little swing jackets everywhere in the shops) so now have to think about yarn and colours. Maybe grey? Maybe red? Hmmm....

But wait there's more! I also have to get started on a cutie baby knit for my friends upcoming bub. It's all hush hush though, she may be lurking out there...

Huh...

2007-02-20T22:53:00.000+11:00

I will be back soon with more to say I promise, but I just had to share this little tit-bit with you.

I am done on the length of the Print O' the Wave stole that is not a stole but a scarf.
Clearly I did not think this 'change a stole to a scarf' plan through, because in order to get it to scarf length I had to do 40 repeats instead of the recommended 14... (you lace knitters will know where I am going with this).
Next step in the pattern is to pick up sts around the edge to do the edging.

By my calculations, I only have to pick up a mere 1226 sts...

...no that is not a typo.

Butterfly is looking mighty tempting right about now.

Long overdue

2007-02-04T21:44:00.000+11:00

Let me tell something to you… (thanks to Robin Williams for that corker of a line from Happy Feet, Little Man likes to quote it to me daily) (and also, hi! I’m home!)
…. this blog moving business is a long old process. So long that I have given up waiting for the email and am writing this in word.

Oh hey, here I am!

So knitting! Yep, sometimes knitting gets done on this here blog, in between the procrastination and famous people gossip.
Look! Proof!

Close friends of ours are about to have their first baby. Like a red rag to a bull, telliing a knitter that a baby is coming...

This is from Baby Cashmerino 2 by Debbie Bliss, knitted in Zara (cause I love me some Zara for kids clothes).

I just had to do the little bunny, it was THE CUTEST.

And I love this button.

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that yarn was on the menu at christmas last year (along with a fabulous pavlova if I do say so myself). Here's the treats...

A sexy blend of silk/wool from Mystical Creation Yarns. Not as super soft as I would like (but you know my thoughts on what some people think is soft compared to what I think is soft.) But those colours! Divine.

These on the other hand, super soft. (from Ruby Sapphire yarns.

That's sportweight (or 8ply in terms that make sense)

and the sockweight

Tasty indeed. My husband knows the way to a knitters heart.

And here is some progress on my Print o' the Wave. Lace is a total and utter nightmare to take a picture of, so here check out this lump.

And I still think it's scratchy. If only I could have used my brain and used some of this from the ~~stash~~ shop, I reckon I would be onto a winner. That is, if it wasn't flying out of the store like it had grown wings.

So the tennis is over for another year. I am still getting over it, my sleeping patterms are still all over the shop and I am having trouble falling asleep before 3am. Obviously I am having Quizmania withdrawls (oh GOD I really hope not. Because that would be more tragic than watching Melrose Place). It was long and tiring, but different for me this year having more responsibilty and, being in the office, more social. It was weird to not work every second I'm at work like I usually do when editing (which I did at night, but the editing night shift at the tennis is a bit more relaxed). On to the next sport - AFL and V8's. And of course the horses (which are already being discussed). I laugh with a friend from work about the endless cycle we lead of tennis, horses and olympics every other year. We arrive at an event and say 'weren't we here only yesterday?'.

Eggplants and foot hockey

2007-01-20T09:38:00.000+11:00

Almost into week 2 of all work, all the time. And do not ask me why I was up at 8.30am after getting to bed at 2am. Early night last night too, we were all pleased to be leaving work at 1am (thanks Andy Roddick and Marat Safin for not having a 5 hour, 5 set marathon match). Let me tell you, 2am viewing is disturbing. Alias is on (there is a god) however I have just watched the episodes they are playing so don't feel the need to watch them again. So that leaves a little tragedy called 'Quiz Mania'. Oh, how we joke on the night bus about that one. Basically it's a quiz show that callers ring into (at 55c a call) to answer questions and win money. Last night the clue was foot, and you had to finish the word, so foot-ball or foot-steps, etc, etc. The answer that had everyone stumped was foot hockey (??? Apparently played in primary schools. I never knew). The night before was a cracker, they even had a picture of the answer and on screen was written 'EGGPL_NT'. Like my favourite vapid 'Quiz Mania' host informed me 'It's not brain science, it's not rocket surgery'.....

No more famous friends since last weeks interview, but I did walk past Roger Federer in the hallway the other day. Surprisingly, he's kinda short (just under 6 foot? I expected him to be taller).

Knitting is coming along nicely. I am onto repeat 12 or something like that of the Print O' the Wave. This is where I would be inserting a picture of it if I had been smart enough to charge my camera battery before leaving home...

Workin.

2007-01-11T20:30:00.000+11:00

Monday: Fly to Melbourne at silly hour. Arrive and answer 2 billion emails.
Tuesday: Develop large blisters on the walk to work. Place 7 bandaids on blisters. Answer 2 billion emails.
Wednesday: Try to avoid OH&S man while wearing open toed shoes to alleviate my blisters (not allowed in the compound). Answer 2 billion emails.
Thursday: Interview Andy Roddick. While wearing open toed shoes. Get back to work and hide from OH&S man. Answer 2 billion emails. Did I mention, ANDY RODDICK?

The total stress and highlight of the week - my first famous interview in my new position. We were allotted a whole 12 mins with him (yes, we were timed) but it went smoothly and I think will turn out a treat.

If you haven't guessed, it's that time of year again - Australian Open time. Time by myself without my boys (sniff, sob) but also a bit of time to concentrate on tough lace projects (no I haven't lost my mind, Butterfly is not here with me) (however there are certain people who are in the early stages of ~~insanity~~ feeling the love). I've brought along Print o' the Wave which was coming along swimmingly (snort), until I noticed a dropped stitch and had to frog 6 rows to fix it. Last night I finished a row and ended up with 3 sts less than I needed to have. I might do some more of the KSH jumper (although I must say, one thousand sweaters has some weird instructions, I hope the KSH project demon hasn't reared it's ugly head again) (it's cursed yarn I tell you).

Off to watch some of my Melrose Place DVD box set (how SAD is that) (but also, SO GOOD).

Shaken, not stirred

2006-12-30T20:41:00.000+11:00

The visitors have been and gone, the food was cooked and eaten and now onto the business of my knitting (or lack thereof).

First up, the finished set of serviette rings:

Also on the table Little Man and I made some lovely trees, suggested by Nora. Our version were slightly more toddler-fied (think, lots of glitter).

Here's the finished table, we had an entree of prawn and mango salad (with a mango chutney dressing and naan bread, delish). Then the traditional roast chook and lamb with all the trimmings (we won't speak of how I forgot to buy gravy...). Then for dessert, my piece de resistance...

Two tiered pavlova with berry cream, topped with strawberrries and mango. I was so happy with the meringue - they can go so bad and flat sometimes if you don't treat them with lots of tlc. This one was high and fluffy and teeth falling out sweet. Perfect.

And check what my husband got for me.

The present I knew about (because I pointed it out to him) (OMG I forgot to take photos! Tomorrow I promise, it's too dark now. Oh yeah, it's yarn).

and the one I didn't.

Of course, one must knit an iPod cover, I even put in a pocket for the earphones. Fancy.

So onward into the abyss known as I Have Nothing To Knit (aka IHNTK). I seem to frequent IHNTK a lot, and many of my knitting friends don't understand such a locale. Some look at me as if possessed and mutter 'I NEVER have nothing to knit.' Which, from the look on their faces, roughly translates as 'you are some kind of FREAK'. Some look at me with pity, 'you poor child, it must be awful not knowing what to do with your hands while watching TV' kind of faces. Other with hatred, knowing that they have about 2 billion projects calling for their attention at home. So how do I get to this point in my knitting?

1. Procrastination: I mull over what I'm going to knit for a VERY LONG TIME.
2. Serious Indecisiveness: When I narrow it down, it also takes a VERY LONG TIME to decide.
3. I like a quick fix: Quite often the quick fix I want to knit does not match any of my stash. Which, means I have to visit the LYS. Which leads me to point 4.
4. LYS-phobia. Not so much a phobia of the yarn store (and certainly not a phobia of yarn, I have the wrong hobby if that's the case) but more of the sheer amount of yarn and colour. I get overwhelmed by the sight of so much yarn and forget what I was there for. I can't just go into a store and buy yarn, I have to have lists or otherwise I come home with a whole heap of yarn that no pattern on this planet will match (see point 3) (it's viscousus cylcle).

I could go on. Suffice to say, I am currently at point 2. I have narrowed down - one being this (yes yes, in Crack Silk Haze. I reckon I could just about manage it in st st) or Eunny's lovely Print O' the Wave Stole. That would be stole, not shawl. No shawls here. And I think I might knit it thinner and do it as a scarf. I was thinking of using some Malabrigo laceweight that I got from a previous Knitty SP... but, I dunno. I hear so much from US knitters how Malabrigo is SO SOFT. But in a recent poll among Aussie knitters, it's just not soft. Maybe it softens on washing? It just doesn't feel like merino to me. But then I am spoilt and get to handle 17 micron merino fleece at spinning each week. So being the sucker for punishment I am, I'm thinking about this also in the Crack. Clearly I don'rememberer the Butterfly incident(s) that plague me every couple of months. Maybe I should add this to my list, short term yarn memory loss...

On a totally unrelated note, I got to go to the movies last week (usually unheard of around our house due to parenting duties) and we went and saw Casino Royale because you gotta see Bond in the cinema). I must say to really enjoyed it, Daniel Craig did a superb job (although I heard people walking out complaining he wasn't like Pierce. Um, hello? HE WASN'T MEANT TO BE). And I love the little references all through it to the usual Bond movies. My favourite line? The 'Bond girl' Vespar walkes up to Bond and says 'I am the money'. His reply 'every penny of it'. Classic.

If you can't stand the heat

2006-12-19T11:50:00.000+11:00

This year, for the very first time, Christmas is being held at our house. Not a big crowd, just the in-laws, my dad and his partner and us, but enough for me to go into menu planning overload. I am agonising over it, taking (many) cookbooks out of the cupboard, pouring over them looking for just the right entree, main, dessert (well we all know that will have to be a pav. Can't have a xmas without a pav). I even went to the newsagent yesterday in a panic looking for cooking magazines. My dilemma is that DH's family do the traditional hot meal, whereas my family are a bit more relaxed about it - throw some prawns and ham our way with a few salads and we're set. So I'm trying to mix it up - modern entree, trad main, trad but light (none of this pudding stuff around here) dessert.

I have also decided that I'm going to go all Martha and set a table. With trimmings. Since the knitting has been at an all time low around here lately, I decided to pick up the Crack Silk Haze. Ha! Sorry, I was delusional. I meant to say, I picked up something that may be on par with the CSH, wire.

Yep, I'm knitting some napkin rings from the latest Knitty. Apart from aching hands and black fingers from the wire, it's actually pretty fun!

I have no idea what else is going on the table, but at least the napkins will be rockin. 2 down, 4 to go.

I hate sewing

2006-12-15T12:32:00.000+11:00

That is all.

Flat and sweaty

2006-12-11T19:11:00.000+11:00

This time of year. Oi. Busy, hot and really a bit flat in the knitting department. I'm getting so desperate I'm thinking of doing a shawl (and I'm sure you know my thoughts on shawls). I'm thinking socks might be the go, lord knows I have a tonne of the good stuff sitting in the next room. Maybe this tasty number from Knitty (shame I just ran out of that colourway) or I especially like this.

I'm plugging along on the old mohair cushion cover. I have read many people say that knitting with mohair is a bit like knitting with fibreglass... I'm being to understand that line of thought. Also not nice when sitting on the couch and my tshirt rides up a smidge and it rubs against my skin.... *shiver*. Almost there though, I think I can make it without resorting to wearing cotton gloves while knitting it.

We are all ready for Xmas here - lights up, tree up, presents bought (except for the biggies for DH and Little Man) and cards out. We are the lone house in the street with xmas lights up, and I feel rather extravagant with 3 santa sillouettes, a banner saying 'merry chrsitmas' and one strand of icicles (is it just me or does anyone else laugh at the irony of hanging iciles and singing songs about dashing through snow in the middle of summer?). That was until I read about Laurie's nutter neighbours. Australia is not known for it's big light shows as America is, but there are a few streets around town that go all out. I just found this. Oh My.

In situ

2006-12-02T14:39:00.000+11:00

Traditionally the stocking is hung from the mantle, the place of warmth.

Call me old fashioned but it's not quite the same hanging off the air-con...

Little Mans Xmas Stocking
Yarns: Katia 'Diane' in red and white - 3 balls (2.5 red, .5 white)
Pattern: Heavily modified version of Berroco's John Stocking

I must say I had a great time knitting this, apart from the fact that I went a bit too big on the foot part of the sock, I think it's pretty groovin'. The fair isle was, uh, interesting. Definitely lots of lessons learned on this one, and as I'm not a huge fan of fair isle that is worn I can't see me whipping up a jumper in the near future.
Oh and it hasn't been blocked or washed yet... in typical me fashion.

Next on the needles.....?

Oh, and I have a new toy that I want want want. Pity about the price, but I had a play with the lovely Sue's on Thursday night spinning class, and oh boy it was pretty. The wheel testing came about when DH mentioned that he knows what he'll get me for my birthday next year, a new wheel. Of course, I had to try it out, and bring home the brochure (you know these boys need it pointed out to them, preferably with a big red circle around it and arrows pointing to it. And may I suggest leaving it in the garage/near the remote/on their computer keyboard for an increased success rate). After seeing the price I have not heard another word about it, I did warn him...

Tangled

2006-11-23T14:43:00.000+11:00

Oi. This fair isle business is a bit messy. I know I should have the yarn on small little bobbins or some such fun but you know I like to do things the hard way (preferably the hardest way. You know, so then I can whinge about how hard it is). And the carrying of the yarn - who knew? I find that 3 sts is the furthest that I can go without carrying the other colour along, god knows if I'm doing it right, I kind of loop the colour I'm not working with over the top of the other every 3 sts and continue on with the colour I'm working with - does that sound right? I guess I should pull out my trusty Elizabeth Zimmerman book, I'm sure she has some words of wisdom on the subject.
This is where I am at.

I'm actually quite enjoying it, not as brain frying as lace but not as brain numbing as st st.

What I don't like though is that it is taking away from my precious Alias DVD watching time - I have to watch what I'm doing and not the TV. It's a hard life. However, when I do look up it seems to coincide with when Michael Vartan is on screen so it's not all bad. (Did I tell you he was one of the celebs we interviewed at the Cup. My producer gets the glamourous job of meeting the celebs, I get the not so glamourous jobs of watching the interview on a monitor about 500m away. Lucky me).

It's moving along pretty darn quick. Which is a bit scary as I don't have anything lined up to knit next - what a surprise!

Did someone say NEW COUCHES?

2006-11-20T16:57:00.000+11:00

That would be me! Saying it A LOT! Well, they are here (it looks black, but it's actually chocolate).
Here is my latest project kicking back on the 2 seater (my DH gets the 3 seater. I guess it's only fair since he is 6'5"...)

It's a xmas stocking for Little Man. I'm choosing this as my first foray into fair isle, however I think the pattern is way too busy for me, so I'm knocking it back a bit from this:

to this:

It will have his name knitted into it at the top bit too. I've just started on the first bit of white, this is going to be interesting...

I did some tasty orange/pink merino with a splash of silk at spinning this week, felt I needed to spin something with a bit of colour after the many hours of spinning Ms. Mere. Delightful as she is to spin, after a while I felt that if I saw any more sable coloured cashmere I might poke my eye out with my threading hook (don't tell her I said that, we have a tenuous relationship. She's very fickle.)

In case you didn't know...

2006-11-18T20:00:00.000+11:00

I have a sale so hop on over and check it out.
Still no knitting to see here, still have lines in the forehead. Same old, same old.

Monday! They're coming on MONDAY!

2006-11-15T18:31:00.000+11:00

In the immortal words of Big Kev, I'm excited. I just got word that my new couches are arriving on Monday. So what does a knitters mind turn to when hearing that large furnishings are descending on her loungeroom?
Knitted cushion covers.
I had asmss s sk,sspqspsapsssss.xcx'x. sorry, Little Man hijacked the laptop.
So covers. I sewed some covers for our current couch but recently they have come apart at the seams. I think this is mainly due to the fact that they are brocade and I didn't overlock the seams. Let me tell you, if you have brocade, you HAVE to overlock the seams. Otherwise your DH will sit on the couch many times over, mush up the pillows, which in turn weakens and then splits the seams. Bitter? Noooooo.
So I might do these tasty little numbers (or something like it, I really don't think I need a pattern to knit a square) (I have that in writing when it all goes horribly wrong).

And very happy that I have matching yarn in my stash - the observant among you will notice that this is the infamous yarn from the Mohair frogging incident of 2005 (the incident in which I did not learn from).

I think it will look mighty tasty with my new brown leather couches, and ties in nicely with the red and yellow asian painting on the wall. Mmmm, did I ever mention I wish I was an interior decorator?

I was just doing my nightly round of up the blogs - how GORGEOUS is this from Wendy? (the second pic, although the kiddies jumpers are super cute too). I likey.

Knitting? What knitting?

2006-11-13T20:00:00.000+11:00

I wanted to come back with a post full of flair. Wit. Charm. And lots of yarn.
What do I have for you? Nada.
I am drained, DRAINED I tell you. 12 days non stop working will be guaranteed to knock the wind out of your sails. Then coming home on Saturday night and starting work on a new job on Sunday has just sapped all of my strength. I haven't even wanted to pick up the needles, friends that is SERIOUS.

I did, however, pick up the needles a tiny bit while away. Just to knit with the Crack on that shawlly, shrug thing a couple of posts down. Didn't get too far though, it's not the most stimulating knit (probably just as well, my brain might have leaked out my ears if I had to think too much harder).

In my time at the computer while back that hasn't been work I have been getting back into a past addiction... skincare & makeup. I cannot tell you how many lotions and potions that have graced my shelves. Back in the late 90s I was a frequent poster on Make Up Alley, even made a friend who happened to be a makeup artist in the States. And how's this, she came over to my wedding on the other side of the world to do my makeup (and be a guest, of course). Many people who know me think my makeup obsession is hilarious - for someone who barely ever wears any (only if I am going out, and we all know how much going out time you get in a toddler household) I have more Stila, Benefit, et al that you could shake a brush at. And skincare! Love it. From Eve Lom to Dove I have tried almost all of it. Currently I am coveting SKII. I would say slowly making my way back into high end skincare, but at the price of SKII it's more like diving head first into the Arctic. What has prompted this reawakened interest is some serious lines on my forehead. Doing an examination in the mirror to find out what facial expression is causing them, I see that a eyebrows raised stunned look is the culprit. Not that I think I walk around with a perpetually stunned expression, the lines say otherwise. I am forever told by every beauty therapist that touches my face that my skin is dehydrated, so I figure the dehydration has finally caused the roadmap. So hydrating creams are next on the hitlist.

Here's a pic to distract you from the lack of knitting action...

Move along, no knitting to see here. Just some deep furrows in the cranial region...

AWOL

2006-11-06T20:48:00.000+11:00

Horses, hats and hooligans.. yup it's that time of year again.
I'll be emerging back out of the deep hole that is the Melbourne Cup carnival sometime next week. In the meantime I will again watch the Cup on a monitor in a dark room a mere 200m from the track... you know I think it's safer there. One year I'll flash my members accreditation and actually go and see it from the safety of the members area, much more civilised than the mosh pit that is the public area.
See you soon.

Resistance is futile

2006-10-27T16:27:00.000+10:00

It sits in my stash. Taunting.

Butter-%^&**-fly is still languishing in the craft room. I have made an executive decision.
No More Butterfly.

This week has been one of gathering. And (almost) finishing.

Gathering in the form of this (and trying to be stolen by the stealth hand of Little Man):-

The infamous Harlot found at Borders! So happy about that, I snatched it up and practically ran to the counter. Even better I had a 15% off discount voucher. Also in the same trip, next years calendar. I haven't been able to get these in previous years so I was a happy bunny about that purchase too.

Does it strike you as odd that I should sit around reading 'Speedcleaning' while my newly hired house cleaner cleans my house? I had a moment of it all being too much last week when I had a 2 billion things to do and not enough time to do them. I like to have a clean house, in fact before I had Little Man I secretly liked the fact that DH would call me 'Monica' (from Friends fame, not from presidential fame... ew) because I was a teeny bit anal about cleaning. I like a neat and tidy house. Post kiddlet I'm a bit more blase about it as I realise I cannot be superwoman and do my freelance job, my part-time job (which is more like full-time some weeks), my yarn job, look after Little Man and have a clean house. So I bit the bullet and got the cleaner. First week this week, house is looking sparkly. But as I read Speedcleaning every night before bed (SHUDUP I know I am sad) I think to myself 'I could do that. I could find 15 mins in my day to do that.' It really does sound doable, it just takes time to get everything you need together.

So, knitting (cause I know you're all here to read about my neurosies). The baby knit is all but done, needs the pockets sewn up, button put on and a trip through the wash. I had to do the neck twice, the picking up around the neck caused some nasty holes and I couldn't be doing with that. It looks better now, not completely happy with it, but I don't think it's going to get any better. Next up I might do a bunny that is also in the Baby Cashmerino book.

Today I picked up this from my favourite local newsagent.

Can I just say... this issue is up there with Rowan. I know a big call, but lately Rowan has been going a bit to arty farty for my taste and the garments are just not cutting it. This, however, is a stellar issue. Lots of nice things to make, and I may have found a new project for Crack Silk Haze...

Or even this one (but the shorter version, not with that nasty seam on the right hand side).

And I can see these on my new couch (when it FINALLY gets here)

I have been hunting for a plain cardy for ever, this one is just right.

I likey a lot.

Lotsa ends to weave in

2006-10-17T14:29:00.000+10:00

Doesn't a big pile of unblocked pieces look so beautiful?

Yep, all done on the pieces. But let me tell you, I think I lost my brain somewhere in between this knit and the last one because on the back and both fronts I managed to knit too much. As in, I had to knit for 14 cm on the back. I read forward to far where it said something about armhole shaping to be finished by 23cm, well ya know did I read that as START arm hole shaping at 23cm? Rippity rip rip. And the fronts? Same deal, but this time I wasn't paying attention and next thing I know I look down and have gone too far again. But hey, baby knits. So cute and quickity quick and so easy to fix.

I had a moment of sighing where I realised that I was about half a ball short. Popped up to the LYS to remedy that today and so now we are back on track. In the meantime while waiting to get back to the LYS (a whole 3 days as I ran out on Friday night, yup we are all action here on Friday nights - Alias season 1 DVD's and knitting. Oh and chocolate of course. Livin' on the edge!) Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, I was knit-less so had to remedy that - got out some funky sample yarn (can't say who yet, super top secret) and decided to knit a pair of socks for a certain Little Man. Got out the trusty stitch dictionary of came up with this beauty, not too girly, not too boring, kinda fun. I like.

This afternoon (because I DON'T HAVE TO DO ANY WORK TODAY. Can you hear me shouting that from here? NO. WORK. TODAY.) off to do some blocking. Oh and contemplating what I will wear at the Cup this year because I have been informed that I will have to leave the safety of my demountable and make my way through The Drunken Masses (TM) to film stuff. Which means no slothing around in crew t-shirts and jeans - gotta do the big frock up. Which has sent me screaming from my wardrobe 'I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!'

And you know that big ball of mess in the last post? Still going...

De ja vu

2006-10-06T15:56:00.000+10:00

Ever get the feeling that you've been here before?

This is what happens when you have a swift, you start to wind... and your skein falls off the swift. The yarn is a sample of something I'm getting for the store, it's very sexy. Or it will be when it's not in a mess like that.

So I've finished the French Market Bag. I was planning to do something on it to spice it up (as it's such an inspiring shade of beige), maybe needle felt or embroider. But I dunno, it's kinda feh. I don't know if it is the odd shape or lack of structure, it's just... feh.

Here's a before

And being modeled by half naked child.

And after (complete with clothed child).

Looks fine hanging, but put it down...

FEH.

Onwards and upwards, going to do a little baby knit for friends that are expecting (no, not me before you ask) picked this up and some Zara (love the Zara) to knit it with. Thought I was all set to go until I got home and checked for some 3.25mm needles... and found one of a pair. Not much use really... lucky I have a wonderful DH who ~~I can command to do my knitting chores~~ will do nice things for me, he went out and bought me a pair this morning while I slogged away working at home.

Have a good weekend (and to all the Bathurst widows this weekend, try and use the time that your husband will be glued to the couch to get out and go knitting - that's what I'll be doing!).

What kind of knitter are you?

2006-10-01T16:11:00.000+10:00

As I was lying in the bath yesterday trying to ease my flu aches, I read something in "At Knits End" (from the lovely Donni) that made me think. It mentioned something about process knitters and product knitters - that is, people who knit for the process and those who knit for the finished product. Immediately I knew which category I fell in - I'm a product knitter. When I knit, I want to get to the end. Don't get me wrong, I love the process, but somewhere between the 200th and 250th row of stocking stitch my mind starts to go a bit bonkers and I just want out of there. I become a bit possessed and I have to finish. In fact, I would have been happier if I was finished yesterday. I think this is why I have troubles with lace. You can't just speed up and get it over with when doing lace, you have to concentrate to the very last stitch.

I have 2 UFOs at current - French Market Bag and Butterfly (well, actually there are three, but I'm a bit meh about Tomten at the moment). Two completely different projects, and both my own version of hell. One, endless rows of stocking stitch I have been knitting FOREVER that, even though is perfect TV knitting, I cannot bring myself to knit for any length of time. The other is some kind of lace nightmare knitted on yarn that is sent to torture me. Since I am project-less at the moment I decided the other night I should try and get those monkeys off my back.

I pulled out Butterfly. Looked at it. Looked at the pattern. Looked for my notes (couldn't find them). Counted the stitches.
Where on earth in the pattern was I? After about 10 mins of trying to figure it out, I decided that row 10 looked about right and started to knit. Actually, I should say ATTEMPTED to knit. Can I just point out here that the cart on this thing would be a suitable size if you were, say, an ANT? After about stitch 10 (which took me another 10 mins of cursing all and sundry) I gave up in disgust. Threw it back in the bag, chucked it in my craft room, gave it the finger and huffed off. Clearly, when you give inanimate objects the finger you have serious issues. As I was huffing off I saw French Market Bag sitting all innocent like in a basket. So I picked it up and though 'eh, why not'.
Then I noticed that I had stoppers on the end of my Denise cord and no needles...
Do I remember the needle size I was using...?
That would be no.
DH says 'you're felting it, does it matter what the needle size is?' (see, he knows more about knitting that he lets on). He's right, does it matter that much? I pick a needle that looks about right and soldier on. And what do you know, I'm almost done! I look at it now and can see a definite shift in needle size (as in, I went larger) which is probably why it has suddenly gotten faster to knit. But who cares? Tomorrow I might have a competed French Market Bag!
And back to square one with nothing to knit.

Uh, spring?

2006-09-25T08:44:00.000+10:00

Yeah we love this 33 degrees weather at the beginning of spring...

Lookie! Rusted Root!

Rusted Root by Zephyr Knit
Yarn: Luxury Soft by Sirdar (splity, but soft).
Satisfying quick knit and lots of fun. Just enough distraction to keep me amused and I could still watch TV while knitting it.

Taken on my new 8 mega pixel SLR digital camera that I got for my belated birthday from my beautiful husband!! It's so much fun, and can I tell you how nice it is to be able to get depth of field from a digital camera. It comes with 2 lenses as well. Me very happy :)

So, next up? Hmmm..... Does it surprise you that I don't know what to knit next? No, didn't think so.

Two posts in two days!

2006-09-13T19:37:00.000+10:00

Hold me back!
Just had to put some pics up, show you the goodies..

First up, Rusted Root (again looking pink - it's RED i tell you) - seen here lazing with my new bag that I got from Cirque du Soliel.

And the other side. I love it.

Oh and the other bag I got - I'm a lucky girl :)))

On Sunday we did a yarn swap - this is what I got. Look at those gorgeous colours!! Thanks Sharon! And the book (I have been coveting Yarn Harlot books forever) was from Donni (who now has a PERSONALLY SIGNED copy).

You can see a lack of Leo pics? Well , when I took these photos DH was still at work, so I will have to snap him on the weekend in it (cause it looks like a lump of ribbing when it's not being worn).

FINISHED!!!

2006-09-12T07:06:00.000+10:00

Ya the Everlasting Leo is done and dusted. DH is wearing it to work today :)
But you know, I'm still not completely happy with it. The neck is too wide and you can see a couple of places on the front where I have done a purl instead of a knit, realised this about 5 rows down and then gone, 'stuff it, I'm not frogging 5 rows to fix that'. But it is DONE.

So I've started on Rusted Root (there ya go mum, the link just for you!) in the red cotton. Still splitting like a nasty piece of work, but eh I'll live. I've done about an 3 inches, coming along nicely.
Sorry no pics, I'll try and get my act together tomorrow and take some.

I had a very eventful weekend - on Saturday night we took ourselves off to see Cirque du Soliel. Man o man it was incredible. If you have the chance to go and see do so, it will blow you away. I love the intimacy of the tent too - you feel like you are a part of it. Then on Sunday I met up with a bunch of lovely ladies to have High Tea. This is a pretty accurate shot of the lighting situation. Just what you need for knitting.

Oh here we are.

From the left you can see Ailsa, Meg, Sharon, Donna, me and Donni...

WHOA, while getting the link for Donni's blog I saw that she posted about Knitty being up, gotta go check...

omg. omg omg OMG. I don't think I have ever been this much in love with almost every pattern in an issue.

OMG.

Viveka, Cactus Flower (may have something to do with the fact that it is the EXACT same shaping as my almost a novelty jumper), Serrano, Avast (because you know I just need another mens garment to knit up as I have so much luck with the previous ones...), Sherwood (how cute is that!), oh I HAVE to knit Intolerable Cruelty, too cool for school. If I had lots of patience (bwahaha, I crack myself up) Lizard Ridge. Oh my. I could go on and post every link (hell, I'm almost there) but I won't. And the socks. Shame we are heading for 40 degree sweltering this summer...

And edited to add (because in my delirium over Knitty I forgot) go and check out Sandra's version of Branching Out. Love it!

Racy Red

2006-09-07T15:55:00.000+10:00

I have started Rusted Root in racy red. Cotton from Sirdar (Luxury Soft) and it splits like you would not believe, However the further I get into the ball the less it splits so it might just be the end of the ball that's a bit loose. I wanted to get Twilley's Freedom DK Cotton but the red was too fire engine for my taste.
I have already frogged it - serves me right for paying more attention to Rockstar: Supernova than knitting (Donni, what is going on with our girl? A bit of controversy and she's gone way downhill. I'm predicting Toby now).

Leo is blocking in the spare room, I'm hoping to get it sewn up this afternoon before I go to spinning (and spin some more cashmere daaaaarlink).

Get your boats out Sydneysiders - what's with all the rain and where have the 27 degrees days gone? I would be happier about it if it were falling in the dams.

Good thing it's not for me

2006-09-05T20:13:00.000+10:00

I could wear it as a dress.

LEO IS FINISHED

well... almost finished. Apart from weaving in. And blocking. And seaming. And knitting the neck.

Ok, so not even close. BUT ALMOST THERE!

Aye, this has been a slog and a half for me. I have knit this to the exclusion of all else, and when you are knitting 5x3 rib until you feel like your brain might melt that is no mean feat.
Here you can see my Addi's assisting the brain meltage. (Lucky they aren't KnitPicks Options, I might have punctured something).

So to celebrate, I'm going to cast on for something for ME. You may have been following my indecision, procrastination, and general confusion over what to knit next (lets be honest, every other post I make is littered with indecision, procrastination and confusion...) and I haven't moved any further down the path to enlightenment. I think I am leaning towards Rusted Root... ask me tomorrow I'll have changed my mind. Of course, I don't have anything in my stash that is at all suitable (does anyone else have a stash full of unsuitable yarns? Thus, the reason why I don't stash buy on impulse anymore).

You may have noticed my absence over the last month. It's called The New Job. Or maybe I should call it, the Old Job with some New Bits Added that I do along with The Other Job which is not really like a Job but more like Yarn Fondling Heaven. (and speaking of Yarn Fondling Heaven, I have a sale on until Sunday night; get yourselves over there and grab some bargains). So, The New Job. I have to be all boss like and power dress on occasion. Oh and talk high ranking execs in meetings... while I go beetroot red (more on my beetroot adventures can be found here). But it's new and different, and I haven't done new and different in about 10 years, so it makes a nice change.

Before I go, pop over and say hi to my friend Penny, sewing extraordinaire (seriously, I am in awe of how she can sit at not only a sewing machine but an OVERLOCKER too and not want to throw them across the room and get stuff made).

Cashmere daaarlink

2006-08-22T10:52:00.000+10:00

In honor of joining in on the Spin Knitties ring, I thought I might show you my latest yarn on the bobbin.
May I introduce the ever so delightful, and endlessly soft, Ms. Cash Mere

I may never want to spin anything else ever again. I have crossed over to the Dark Side (as long as there is copious amounts of cashmere on the Dark Side that's fine with me).

I'm thinking it might finally become a scarf, lace and everything. These ones (p08, middle and right hand side scarves) have caught my eye. It wants to be fine, so fine it shall be (demanding is Ms. Mere).

Ahhhh, so soft. Even merino feels like a scouring pad after spinning this beauty.

Riding in cars with boys

2006-08-19T09:29:00.000+10:00

This morning as I made my way from the craft room back to my computer I looked down to see this.

Under my desk was this.

I looked up onto my desk and saw this.

I made my way into the loungeroom, and was greeted with this.

And of course, no trip to the bathroom is complete without this.

His father insists he needs more cars; well he would wouldn't he, when this is what HIS collection consists of:-

lurking in the garage...

on the driveway...

round the side of the house.

It is hard being the only girl in this house sometimes.

Look at Leo!

Onto the sleeves, doing both on one circular to hopefully get it over with quicker. It's not that I don't like knitting stuff for DH, it's just that I inevitably have many steps to get through everytime I make something - Sub the yarn, change the needle size, frog it (at least twice) agonize over it, sigh at when it's all over because it's finally done, sigh because the fit is not what I would have liked, sulk because I know I have to do it all again and try and get it right.
Let's hope that the last two steps don't come to fruition this time.

As I have been saintly during this jumper and not knitted anything else (ok, maybe I dabbled in other things a couple of times. I am only human) I am looking towards what to knit next. Since we have been feeling the hint of spring in the air (oh yes, that would be something else to sigh over, finishing the jumper in the wrong season) I think a cute little top for spring would be just the ticket. Either Rusted Root or Tempting... or maybe Tempting II... hmmm, I love them all. Will have to ponder some more (ya we all know this viscous cycle- ponder, ponder, ponder, find something else, for get the other things we were pondering and make new thing because we pondered for so long and no longer like the previous objects of fascination...)

knit knit knit knit knit purl purl purl

2006-08-15T19:58:00.000+10:00

5 x 3 rib makes for dull blogging.
Yep, still slogging along on Leo. 2 weeks before spring starts, really should get a wriggle on or else DH won't be wearing it this year. I am lucky I guess that it is not super heavy, it should be ok for September. I have been so focused, staying just with Leo (ok, so maybe I did just a little swatch of some cheapo Panda Regal 4 ply cotton I picked up, I had to look at some other yarn for a few minutes). That's dedication for you. I'm finished on the back, now onto the front. I'm wondering if i can be really tricky for the arms and join the shoulders, pick up sts around the armhole and do the arm in the round from the armhole down (yay, less seaming!! woohoo!!). Is it possible to do it this way? Has anyone ever done it with success?

More on the home improvement front, I have found another couch that I want. Even better it is currently on 2 years interest free - guess what we are doing on Thursday!! Love you Bayswiss (getting the 2 and 3 seaters, mmmm yummy). It has been so long since I had new furniture, I can't wait.

Off to sit on the couch and contemplate my navel, uh I mean knit some more Leo.

New! And improved!

2006-08-10T13:46:00.000+10:00

You may remember a photo recently of me and my failed Saturday Market Bag, standing in my VERY UGLY KITCHEN (due to foul 70s wallpaper). Here's a reminder just in case you missed that tasteful design.

Well, over the weekend, I got jack of it. Now it looks like this.

The doors still have to be done (they are still baby poo yellow. Nice) and I have to tidy up around the corners and skirting, but it is SO MUCH BETTER. I feel like it now matches the modern colour scheme in the rest of the house (actually the white in the rest of the house is a bit beiger but eh, I like it bright white in the kitchen.) I reckon our landlord should be knocking something off our rent for this, we are nice renters to be painting his house.

Onto Leo, up to the armhole shaping. I'm staying on the circ to do it, I've never done it this way before as I usually swap to straights when I get to the shaping but it's working out a treat. So much easier than hunting about for a pair of straights that are the same size (I actually think I don't even have straights in this size, so it was a necessity really).

Next on the list of to do, I am torn between 2 things (yes, yes I know you are not at all surprised as I do have a rather long history of what-to-knit-next-itis). One is the lovely new offering from Stefanie, the other is the new offering from the girls at Zephyr. Yes, I am looking to summer, willing it to come as it is DAMN COLD today. Whadaya think?

My postie was so very nice to me today and dropped off the new issue of Interweave Knits into the letterbox.
I've had a flick through.... feh. It is SO NOT making me overjoyed. It's a bit blah really. I hate when you are looking forward to something and when you get it, it fails to live up to expectations. Hmpf. I guess the only thing I might consider knitting in it (besides the Father and Son socks, just cause they are socks and it's hard to go wrong with socks) is the Breton Jacket. Although I know I won't end up doing it as it looks very much like a certain recent FO. I think that's why I like it. Oh yes, there is one other I don't mind, strangely enough it's the Spartan Pullover. I'm usually not a big fan of fair isle, but this one isn't too bad. Might be because it's all one colour fair isle, not multi coloured. Hmmm, at least there looks to be some good articles, as always.

And before I go, I have set up a forum so get yourself a-chatting!

You know you've been a bad blogger

2006-08-01T20:51:00.000+10:00

When your mum reminds you that you haven't done a blog post lately...

I guess not much has been going on of note lately - lots of Leo, then some more Leo, and well, you know the rest. The never ending rib is going on forever (much like the Never Ending Story), however I am hopeful that I will not make it to the sequel (because we all know how poor Never Ending Story 2 was, and we don't want to go there).

And how cute is this Pancake stitch marker from Amy. I love her markers, so much so that I now stock them. They are little pieces of art.

I have a small confession to make. Today as I was donning my favourite jumper, I realised that it, uh..... may be made of something that might be considered novelty yarn.
Ahem.

It was made from Katia (um, Danubio I think it was called) and it's not the best finishing job I have ever done, but I do love it to bits. This is the second year I have worn it all through winter. I won't mention the 'n' word again. I promise.

Just after my last post (almost 2 weeks ago, I hang my head in shame) I went along to SSK in Newtown. I finally got to meet the lovely Jussi with her beautiful ripply scarf (and go check her gorgeous new store) and the very talented Alison who brought along her gorgeous new quilt she working on, her quilting is such an inspiration to me, not a country bear in sight. I, of course had Leo with me. I am being very restrained at the moment, only working on one project and I will continue to do so until it is done...

Or maybe until I finish the body, because god knows I will need a break from the 5x3 rib from hell by then.

For the love of Addi

2006-07-19T19:36:00.000+10:00

Today I got some Addi's in order to attempt to get gauge on Leo.
I LOVE THEM
I have always wanted to try them, but never really needed a smaller size, being that I have my Denises and I'm usually not one for doing shawls (which seem to need the smaller size needle). I thought they would be super slippery, and they aren't they are PERFECT.
And to think that KnitPicks Options may be even better. I REALLY WANT THEM NOW.

So yes, you did read correctly, I'm going to cast on for Leo tonight. Of course I have gauge issues (well it wouldn't be a project for DH if I didn't sub yarn and change needle sizes now would it?). In an attempt to thwart problems further down the track, I'm calculating and recalculating to see if I'm doing the right thing. Put your maths head on now and see if this makes sense.

The pattern has a gauge of 24 sts to 10 cms. I'm getting 22 sts to 10 cms. The pattern says to cast on 153 sts. Now, being that I have a gauge of 22 sts instead of 24, does 140 sts seem right? (I went 153 divided by 24 which equals 6.375. So then I went 6.375 x 22 which equals 140.) Of, so working on that theory, I'm going to knit it in the round (after much discussion with Meg, such a dedicated knitter who ended up with a gauge of 42 and thus, rewrote the whole pattern. That's perserverance for you) and am I correct in saying that I have to remove 4 sts through loss of seams, therefore my final cast on being 136. *EDIT: because I am blonde and the follicles are eating my brain today, I forgot that it's 140 per side and there for my cast on would be 280 minus the 4 sts, so 276. duh. I think I'll take it down to 272 so it goes into 8 evenly. End of stupidity.

Now, to confuse matters even more, the rib goes
Row 1 [RS]: K3, [p3, k5] to last 6 sts, p3, k3.
As the original cast on does not go into 8 (p3, k5) evenly. Since 272 does, do I omit the k3 at the end and just continue on my merry way doing a p3, k5 all the way round?

Oi, this has taxed my maths phobic brain. I'm impressed that I managed to get that far and it all make sense.

Cursed

2006-07-18T18:42:00.000+10:00

One day I will learn.
One day I will read the pattern and get the correct gauged yarn.
One day I will NOT buy a yarn that requires me to go up a needle size 5 times more than what the label suggests, and think that this will be ok.
When this day comes I will make DH a jumper that will fit.
Today is not this day.

Yes folks, it should not surprise you to find out that Vanille does not fit. Like the Monster Jumper before it (which, although fit for about a day, is now hanging down way too far, and thus I will not let DH wear it out of the house) I have succeeded in knitting something that does not fit. It's a rare talent, email me if you wish to know the secrets.

So now, what to do? In my 'oh my god it does not fit AGAIN' stupor that I am currently riding in, I'm contemplating Leo, because obviously I need to be punished for my sins and I think knitting about an acre of rib would just about cover it.

Anyone got any better ideas? I am even contemplating casting on with KSH, yes it has come to that (for myself obviously, I think KSH might be just a teeny bit feminine for DH) (and I have enough trouble with KSH when knitting it for myself without adding my own special DH sweater curse into the mix).

Want

2006-07-16T15:41:00.000+10:00

Another day, another want.
We all know about the love I have for my Denises. Light, easy, and lots of options for when you need a 100cm cord (not that I ever have, but you know what I mean).
However, there maybe a contender to the throne. KnitPicks Options. Oh my, they sure are pretty. And I WANT.
I've read so many positives about them, people are even saying they may be better than Addis. BETTER THAN ADDIS PEOPLE. That is a serious claim.
There are 2 draw backs though, one being do I really need to get another interchangeable needle set? And two, KnitPicks are notoriously hard to get for anyone not in the States (although it does help when you know someone with a KnitPicks pusher... heh heh). But oh do I want...

Another thing I want (and not at all related) is a new couch. We have 2 - one that I recovered a few years back which is now coming apart (as I am definitely NOT trained in reupholstering), and another that we bought about 5 years ago. It looks like it's about 20 years old now, wearing on the corners and has muck all over it thanks to a 2 year olds hands. DH has promised that I can get a new one at the end of this year so I have been on the hunt. I must say I have never been one that is keen on leather, however having a toddler has changed all that and I am looking at this one (love you IKEA). I sat on it the other day, it's comfy and more important I CAN WIPE IT. Liking that. DH, however, likes the idea of a Lazyboy (a la Joey and Chandler). I have told him in no uncertain terms that that type of design tragedy will be fine... in the garage. There is another couch that has a armchair that is Lazyboy like, but those padded backs are reminding me of something you might see in a retirement home. There will be much discussion.

Today I braved the murky waters that is Spotlight on a sunday. I was inspired by Amy and the latest copy of Shop till you Drop, which is showing a lot of girly girly stuff next season. Along with some hideous 80s throwbacks that should not be revisited, what is with that? Anyway, I picked up McCall's 5042 and some cute fabric and hopefully I can make peace with the sewing machine and make something wearable. I think teamed with a pair of Keds I might even look halfway stylish!

Speaking of lady like things for summer - this year I HAVE TO finally make Tempting II. How cute would that look with this cute skirt. We'll see how many of these wants actually come to fruition, I am the queen of procrastination after all.

Edited to add: I have just found this link over at Moppy & Me and it is so darn cute I can't stand it. I WANT WANT WANT. (especially those books, so much easier on here to look at than on Borders Japan.)

I'm so excited

2006-07-15T15:15:00.000+10:00

About all the new stock in store that I just gotta post about it.
Namaste Glass needles (ohh la la!!), plus knitting bags, needle cozies, needle shells, needle wraps. Also lots of funky stitch markers from Amy at Good to be Girl.
I also have Yarn magazine issue 3, and lots of delicious Hand Maiden. Phew! And still more to come, I'm like a kid in a lolly shop!

Flash your Fetching

2006-07-14T21:58:00.000+10:00

You know, the other day at SSK there were 3 of us making these. See what happens when you stick in on the cover of Knitty? The WHOLE WORLD (or at least the knitting world) wants in.
I thought about taking a pic of me wearing them with a hot drink in my hand, but being that I don't drink hot drinks (unless there is chocolate involved mmmmm... like the hot chocolate I had in Torino, like drinking a melted down choc bar. Amazing) I thought it more appropriate to show them protecting my mitts from the chill of a McFlurry. Yep we are all action here on a Friday night.

What's even more pathetic is that I am watching some MTV show on Hulk Hogan (Hogans Rules or some such rubbish.) I know I have spoken about my love of trash TV before, my reasoning is that I have to watch TV for a living and concentrate on it, I don't want to have to concentrate on it at home. Hence the mind frying nonsense I watch.

You can't see it very well, but my middle finger is sporting a lovely red scar from my latest burn. I say latest because I manage to burn myself with frightening frequency. Once I burnt myself on an iron - just a quick tap on my thumb, nothing bad. But as a result my body has decided that every month the skin on my thumb will regenerate. Lovely. Oh and when I was pregnant with Little Man, I managed to burn my stomach on the oven door. Pulled it open and forgot about the large bump in front of me. You would think being that I put on 20kgs that it would be hard to forget something that large. This latest casualty was from the other week, I opened the sandwich press when it was too far under the cupboard above, thus it hit the cupboard above and then fell down onto my hand. You can call me klutz.

So about the Fetching. Knitted in merino from Handpaintedyarn.com in Fire Engine (from my lovely SP Lucia). Easy peasy, quick fix knit. Just enough to break the constant knit knit knit of Vanille (which, by the way is getting close to done on the body). I like, but am feeling the itch as I wear them right now, I hope a quick visit with wool wash will soften them up.

And Donni, I flashed mine, time to flash yours (all sounds a bit saucy really).

Well whadaya know

2006-07-13T07:39:00.000+10:00

I just past my 1 year blogiversary!
And what do I have to show for it? Nada! Zip! Zero!
I have been knitting (halfway through the second fetching) but once again working life is getting in the way of living life (hello, 12 hour days! I'd like to see daylight sometime today so I can take pics of projects and new yummy stock for the store). But I cannot complain, you have to pay for living life somehow!
But anyways, the pics will come, probably tomorrow or the weekend at this rate.

Thanks for coming to watch me bumble through my knitting over the past year, all the comments and support have been amazing. And I have met so many incredible people, here's hoping I bumble on for many more years to come!

Sometimes you just shouldn't leave home

2006-07-08T20:52:00.000+10:00

I knew there was a reason that I drive everywhere. Public transport has it in for me.
In my job I have no need to get on public transport. I work odd hours, and it would cost me just as much on PT it as it does to drive it. But today, the first time since I have lived in this house, I caught a train from the local station.
I was off to SSK in Newtown with Julie and on a Saturday I would be a FOOL to try in park in Newtown (for the people not in Sydney, Newtown is inner city, trendy, cafe, uni student central) so the train seemed the way to go. So I drove to the station, hopped on the train and we alighted at another station to change trains. All would be well with this plan... if there wasn't track works going on which meant catching a replacement bus.
Of course, there was a accident holding all the buses up.

So we EVENTUALLY get to SSK at 3pm (it starts at 2pm). I cast on for Fetching (I must say I am a bit feh about the new Knitty. It's not blowing my hair back as my friend would say).
Well, I got as far as casting on.... then ripping back cause I didn't read far enough into the pattern where it said 'do 4x1 rib for 4 rows' and instead did the first row as st st... and I must have been shaken from being on PT as my brain interpreted it as '1x1 rib' so I got 3 rows in and gave up. (I did, however, make a bit of progress on Vanille, and I THINK IT MIGHT BE BIG ENOUGH WOOHOO).

So at about 4pm we left and I had to make the decision to get the replacement bus to Central (only one stop on the bus, but a further journey on the train) or back to where we had alighted earlier on. I choose the latter, stood at the stop for about 5 mins, and decided that maybe the other stop (on the other side of the road) might get a bus at the stop quicker. So I crossed the road... and watched two buses arrive at the stop I had just left. Another 5 mins on and I decided that I might go back to the stop I originally started at (can you tell I was rocked by indecision today?). As I arrive at the other stop, a bus stops at the other bus stop. Finally another bus comes, I was lucky enough to be standing at the stop it arrived at and everything!

I get to the station, and my train? Oh it's going to be delayed. I might call home and tell DH what's going on. Well, will you look at that, my phone is flat.

So, enough of my whining. As previously mentioned I am moving along on Vanille. Onto the 4th ball, so past the previous ~~place where I realised that it was too small and had to start again~~ end point. And I have cast on for Fetching, using the yarn my lovely SP Lucia sent me, Handpainted yarn in Fire Engine. No more progress on Tomten (I am getting the evil eye from DH when I pick it up. He doesn't understand the need to have multiple projects on the go. He thinks that if I do I might never finish Vanille. He may have a point.) And nothing doing on the KSH jumper from 1000 sweaters. I will be patient and wait till I have finished at least one of my projects.

There's a reason why it's called crack...

2006-07-03T21:59:00.000+10:00

I am addicted to it.
I'm talking about that damn Crack Silk Haze.

It all started with a purchase (or two) made on eBay almost 4 years ago. Just a little bit, I said. It won't hurt a bit.
Then I got the package from Cucumber Patch (and can I say, fantastic service). Just a couple of balls.
I had to have more.

A week later, and 6 balls were in my possession. I snuggled it, petted it. Placed it carefully in the cupboard (these were the days that my stash was teeny and my fabric took up more room than the yarn) (this coming from someone who can't sew).
There it stayed until late last year, when I spotted the delectable Butterfly.
I had to knit it NOW.

So I started, and then started again and then once more for good measure.
I cursed that heathen yarn, I wished to bury it away, yet I HAD TO MAKE SOMETHING WITH IT.

So then, lookey! A new pattern! Butterfly who? I want Rufflette!
Did we get past the swatch? That would be a big fat NO! It's still sitting here on my desk.

Looking through my 1000 Sweaters book the other night (and then later on dreaming about it, yes I am tragic) I realised that the jumper on the front looks like it was knitted in The Haze...

Hmmm....

Treats for all

2006-07-01T19:38:00.000+10:00

Little Man no longer has cold tootsies, thanks to his legend Mama (uh, that would be me)

Knitted in Inca by Patons (the leftovers from DH's Monster Jumper) pattern was from, here. I love it, and I love even more that it holds the heat so well that it is still warm in the morning, even when the water in it was only tap hot not boiling hot - amazing! He's so cute, he hops into bed and tucks his feet under it, sweet.

I have started on Tomten from Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Without Tears (as inspired by Abi) in K-Marts own brand (Homemaker 'Clinker'), surprisingly soft for a cheapy. It's working up a treat, as you can see by this HUGE amount of progress, started last night while watching King Kong - MY GOD is that the longest movie EVER. So long we are watching the rest of it tonight as after one and a half hours last night we were ready for bed. They haven't even left the island yet - don't they have to go to the city so he can hang off the Chrysler Building or something? I'll know soon enough, we're watching part 2 of what we are now calling a mini series shortly.

I would have had more done on it if I hadn't cast on, then decided to do an intarsia knit so had to re-cast on with both colours, then realise that having one ball of brown makes it a bit difficult when you want to use the same colour at both ends of the row. Thus ensued a search on the inside of the ball for the end of the yarn so I could use the same ball for both ends. Of course, this resulted in a tangled mess all over my lap that I had to untangle in order to continue. Sigh, it's so hard to make it through the day with blonde follicles sometimes. And can I say that I have been spoilt by using nice needles (bamboo and my Denise's) lately, because I am using boring old metal ones for this and I am HATING EVERY MINUTE OF IT. I'm becoming a needle snob. Soon I'll be rivaling Kathy... or maybe not, she could open a store with all those needles.

Today I picked up this little gem for a bargain $15. You select the body that you want, then the bottom half of the book is split so you can match the corresponding arm (raglan, drop etc. There's a little icon that tells you what would match) and then same for the neckline. It looks like heaps of fun.

Oh and I am just IN LOVE WITH this from Stefanie, isn't it just divine?

Off to watch the saga... and hopefully enough time for some Trek (because I might have to watch something worthwhile if the saga doesn't come up to scratch) (again with the snickering out there, I know you are all Trekkies/Trekkers too) (and how sad it that I know there's a difference...)

It's an invasion

2006-06-26T14:08:00.000+10:00

Ann & Kay have a lot to answer for.
I'm talking the Dishcloth Invasion of 2006, all started with a small little book called Mason-Dixon Knitting. I have yet to see it, but I am intrigued by the thought of knitting a dishcloth. And why is it so addicting?

I must admit, the thought of using a knitted dishcloth to wash my dishes invokes images of mucky, disgusting, germ central. Is it like that? It makes me squirm. We joke at our fortnightly knitting group about making them, yet they seem to be EVERYWHERE and suddenly the coolest things to knit. Heck, there's even a whole KAL for it (well not just for it, but check the amount of people in this KAL, and the overwhelming amount of Dishcloths! An invasion!) And here!

TAKING.OVER.THE.WORLD

Enlighten me people, this is one fad that I just don't get.

Anyways, onto last posts disasters - now a frogged and reworked (and STILL A BIT LONG - AAAAHHHHHH) bag. I think the handle is too big, I knitted it fairly short, obviously not short enough. Thankfully it's a quick fix, one I might do if I get tired of having a knot on my shoulder where I have shortened it.

And Vanille, up to ball #2, almost back to where I was. I won't know if it's going to be too small until I put the armholes on scrap yarn (it's a top down knit, LOVE YOU TOP DOWN) so keep everything crossed for me.

Yesterday I was perusing K-Mart (as people with kids know, K-Mart is your best friend for clothing your children that seem to grow weekly. Hello! Cheap!) I saw the K-Mart 100% wool that was on sale a month or 2 ago. And you know what? Pretty soft, and I'm thinking it might work a treat for the very cute Tomten as seen here done by Abi, so so cute. And a stash buster project in the form of a hot water bottle cozy for Little Man's bed. He's usually a big lump of molten lava - that boy is so hot, but I do feel for him getting into a cold bed everynight as I jump into my electric blanket warmed one. So a cozy it is, just gotta decide on the yarn and off we go.

Ok, off to check that cotton in my stash and see if it would work for a dishcloth....

If you're going to stuff up...

2006-06-19T13:25:00.000+10:00

do it with style, I say.

Here is my demonstration of how to look chic when your fruit and vege are hanging around your ankles.

1. Wear a fabulous cardigan (thanks to the lovely Jordana and her even more lovely Starsky).
2. Place a look on your face that says 'oh look, there's those organic Vanilla beans that would be just fabulous in tonight's Creme Brulee that I'm going to whip up for a party of 10! Hurrah!'
3. Ignore daggy 70's wallpaper that the landlords', in their wisdom, decided not to paint when they painted the entire house.

And look how the progress goes on Vanille. Quite stunning, don't you think? I especially like the drape.

So here we have a wonderful example of 'TV Knitting' (otherwise known as 'I should have stopped knitting about 5 inches ago but was too engrossed in whatever was flicking in front on my eyes'). And also, a wonderful example of 'The Boyfriend Sweater Curse: The Husband Edition' (otherwise known as 'trust your instincts; when you think it is not going to fit don't keep knitting' and also 'didn't you learn anything from The Monster Jumper?')

.....

2006-06-17T19:15:00.000+10:00

Vanille is too small...

sigh.

Wind, rain and dust

2006-06-15T20:47:00.000+10:00

Every year about 200 people from South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales converge on a little town called Hay.
It takes about 8 hours for us to drive there, and along the way we see a lot of this

Yep, it's brown and dry everywhere in Australia. Droughts do not help the situation.
We arrive in Hay on Friday afternoon, and promptly start this.

And well, we have other ways to keep warm.

Yes that is a wall of empty alcoholic beverage bottles.
The last time it rained in Hay was last year just before the Queen's Birthday weekend. So you can guess when the skies decided it was time to open again.
Yup.

We watched the sky. There was NO WAY it was going to stop. All day Saturday it poured down. The parade through town went ahead, as did the show and shine (although there wasn't much shining going on).

We watched the sky some more, even when it was dark. No way was it going to stop. It looked liked the motorkhana was not going to happen on Sunday.
So what did we wake up to on Sunday?

Blue skies. Ground dry as a bone. And a DAMN FREEZING wind blowing. Perfect weather to be standing in a paddock for about 8 hours in. (can I just say, YAY for my Torino crew clothes).

But as much as it felt like the arctic circle out there, we had lots of fun. And we consoled ourselves with the fact that at least it was just windy, not wind AND rain.

Yep that's me kicking up the dust.

Later that night is the presentation. This year we were punks. Here we are in all our glory.

How hard are we.

Lots of knitting was done, but alas no pics - work keeps getting in the way of daylight hours. I'm halfway down on Vanille, but I'm VERY worried about the size. We shall see. Also still truckin' (I reckon I listened to the truckies on the CB WAY too much on the way home) (must say they're hilarious to listen to though) on the Saturday Market Bag, I love it. Just gotta get myself to the Gourmet Market so I can actually use it.

We're all going on a... winter holiday

2006-06-07T19:31:00.000+10:00

Well, we are off until Monday now (that's 'off' as in away, not 'off' as in gone bad) for a few days of this

and some of this

and this

and hopefully not much of this

Think of us in inland NSW where the temps are currently 2 degrees C at night... mmmm toasty. And I would be wearing a mini skirt to the Punk fancy dress on Sunday night (last year we were 80s sports stars, DH was Eddie the Eagle, I was a white Flo Jo) (and here you will see reason #378 why you shouldn't brush curly hair).

So tomorrow 5 hours of knitting time in the car. Except for when it's my turn to drive (although we have borrowed a car more suitable for towing and it has cruise control so there is possibilities there....)

Have a good long weekend Aussies, see you all on Tuesday.

New toys

2006-06-05T16:08:00.000+10:00

It's all excitement around here today!

New Yarn!!

It's TLC Caramia from Spotlight, nice and soft, good colour (I will get DH out of black, I WILL) and cheap as chips at $4.99 a ball. Even has angora in it, nice. It's going on the needles to be Vanille.

Another shot of a huge lump of nothing! (otherwise known as Saturday Market Bag. I love it, it's heaps of fun to knit.

And progress with the Crack Silk Haze!! Here in the form of a swatch for Rufflette

I'm off to play with it all now (maybe not all at once though, might get a bit messy...)

It doesn't rain...

2006-06-04T00:43:00.000+10:00

Stop everything! I have found a WHOLE SCORE of patterns that I just have to knit now.
The new issue of MagKnits is up and I'm lovin it a whole lot (sorry didn't mean to turn into a McDonalds ad there).
I must say that usually MagKnits doesn't get me that excited. Maybe a few patterns here and there, but with exception to Jaywalker I had never knit one thing from an issue. Now I'm all a-flutter and I want to knit just about everything from this issue!!

First up, I have already started on Saturday Market bag just because it is so damn cool. You can see it in this huge lump of nothing here. I'm making it with the hemp/wool I got from my secret pal, Lucia

Also loving, Rufflette, maybe a replacement for Caterpillar (formerly known as Butterfly).

And Emily, such a cute little summer top.

Lux is pretty darn sexy too. (although maybe not in green, I'm not a big fan)

And I think I have found the answer to all my prays for DHs jumper in the form of Vanille. Maybe in a nice cotton/wool blend, I gotta have a hunt around for something. Anyone have a fave lightweight yarn?

I've said it before...

2006-06-01T12:54:00.000+10:00

And I'll say it again - I love Borders.

I went in yesterday in the hope that I would find Martha Stewarts new offering, and there it was. Three rows of it. Oh my.

I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I joked to DH that it may be a good substitute for my fave magazine Living etc. as I have stopped buying it recently (after buying it monthly for almost 10 years... and I still have them all sitting in my cupboard for reference when we have our own home one day. Well, one can dream.) but maybe not when you check the price they are hocking it for in Borders (that would be $11.50). Lucky it's good. I'm such a magazine ho.

I've done the Jaywalker piece for the quilt. I like it, it's a easy repeat and nice to look at. Of course, that leaves me with nothing on the needles. I'm still doing the Big Search for the next jumper for DH. After much procastination, I do think that Leo might just send me round the bend (maybe I learnt my lesson with the acres of fisherman's rib that was involved in the Monster Jumper). I hope I find something soon as we have the annual Queen's Birthday long weekend trip away next weekend, which will involve 8 hours of ~~knitting~~ sitting in the car (and how funny is it that most Commonwealth countries celebrate the Queen's birthday with a public holiday, and the UK doesn't) (and of course we celebrate it nowhere near her actual birthday, any excuse for a public holiday eh?).

Return of the MJ

2006-05-27T08:06:00.000+10:00

I was finishing up Little Man's super funky ear flap hat the other day (it was a super fast knit, love that) (and also, huge on him! but at least it will last more than a week) and DH walks past and says 'see, that's why you need to make me another jumper, you finish things too fast'.

Pardon me?

Do we remember the saga of the Monster Jumper? Aye aye aye.

And so begins the Big Search for what will hopefully not turn into Monster Jumper version 2. And I confess that I uh.... don't like the current Monster Jumper. It's grown too much (damn that horizontal rib) and pilled like a... horrible pilling jumper. In fact I don't like it so much that DH is not allowed to wear it outside the house. So I REALLY don't want this jumper to turn into a housebound jumper. Years ago I knit this (looking crumpled) from Rowan magazine 23. Let me tell you, knitting a jumper in 4ply cotton for a 6'5" man is damn hard work. Especially when you have to read a chart.

I was thinking Leo... can you say sucker for punishment.

Aye aye aye. Any suggestions?

I had a brainwave the other day while walking past my stash. I saw this ball that I had dyed and thought 'hey that would look great if I could incorporate it into the quilt, a la six and a half stitches. So this bit of Jaywalker is going smack bang in the middle of it. I'm hoping it works a treat, if it doesn't then I'm sure I'll find some use for it. Look at those stripes! Pretty darn good for a bit of kool-aid dyeing!

The Bear comes of age

2006-05-22T15:27:00.000+10:00

Well, here we are, my 100th post! Never thought I'd get to 100 but I have taking to blogging like the proverbial duck and it's favoured liquid. I have 'met' so many fantastic ladies, been inspired by so many talented people - thanks everyone, it's been amazing! I think blogging has made me procastinate less about finishing, which has been a big step forward for me, and also encouraged me to open my mind to so many other crafts that I had previously dismissed as country twee, quilting being the big one - and here I am making one! No bears or flowers on my quilt - it's all about modern lines and bright colours. It's coming along a treat, pics to come soon.

So here are the promised pics of the Wee Bunny and apron I made for Little Man the other day.

Wee Bunny has been fixed up now and back with it's rightful owner (and wasn't he pleased about that!)

I love this back fabric, a cool retro surfer print. Got it cheap from Spotlight ages ago.

And here is the apron. Rather large on him but atleast it will last for a while.

Lovin' those flames on the pocket.

In knitting news, I've started on a Ear Flap Hat for Little Man, in Rustic by Panda. I got it ages ago from Spotlight super cheap, I think it will be good for a kids hat that will more than likely end up dragged through a bush/mud/puddle so at least I should be able to chuck it in the wash.
The Big B is still in disgrace. I suspect it's laughing at me as we speak.

Driven to sewing

2006-05-19T19:36:00.000+10:00

Yes it has gotten to that. Today I sat at the sewing machine and did actual sewing type activities (I say 'type' activities as my sewing can hardly be classified as something useful).
So what has driven me to the sewing machine? Butter-$^&*%!ING-fly. See, I can only talk about it using expletives.

I thought I could continue on it. I thought, the chart is easier than the frill, it should be ok. Lets just talk about the chart. It would be fine if I was, say, an ANT as I think I might need the Hubble telescope to read it. I know, I can get it photocopied bigger, but I am far to lazy to go finding somewhere to do that so I would rather complain about it instead.

I thought, heh I can memorise that chart, it's pretty easy....

So how come I get to the end of the 4th row in the repeat and end up with 2 more sts than I started with?

I perservered, frogged it AGAIN (again with the frogging of the mohair, I know I bring it on myself. It's not like I don't have ample experience in that arena) picked up the 71 sts AGAIN got to the fourth row AGAIN. So that's where we sit. I am too scared to count it to see if I have those extraneous sts on the needles. It's hiding in the yarn room (oh how I wish I had enough to fill a room) (well, I do but it's for customers, not me) (sob). I'm pretending it's not there.

So, the sewing. The other day I went to the quilt store (a store that I previously only visited as they also have a small selection of (crap) yarn and needles in hard to get sizes. How strange was it to be in a quilt store for actual quilting materials!) Anyway, I got the backing and the batting for the quilt. Oh, and the other day when I was at Ikea (second favourite place to visit, yarn stores being the first of course) I got some fab fabric to put on the quilt (fourth one along in the pic). So, the backing is all washed, drying on the line so I hope to start on that this weekend. Today's sewing was the Wee-Bunny from Hillary (which looked fab... for about 5 mins until Little Man took it out into the dirt. And now I have to resew it as the base is coming apart) (I did tell you I am CRAP at sewing). And also made an apron for Little Man to paint in, just made it up as I went along. It came out a treat. I hope to get some pics tomorrow in the daylight.

And where does this leave me with the knitting? Well, I'm thinking either an Ear Flap Hat for Little Man (we are visiting inland NSW next month so pretty darn cold) or Drake the Dreaded. I'm leaning towards the hat, just cause I don't think I could do the hard pattern thing now after all the grief with the 'garment who shall not be named' (unless there's a swear word involved.)

On a baby note (no not me), congrats to Sharon on her newest creation! I'm sure there will be lots more news and pics from her when she has a second to stop.

My brain might fry

2006-05-16T22:05:00.000+10:00

I think I might frog Butterfly.
I have finished DH's socks, but what to do next.
Man, that Butterfly sure did take a while.
Maybe I should do a bag and felt it.
Hey, what's that? Oh yeah I already am. French Market 'knit for eternity, and then knit some more' Bag.
And you know Butterfly, did I mention I did the bottom fringe section 4 TIMES.
Hmm, maybe something else in Crack Silk Haze.
Um, Butterfly. FROGGED 4 TIMES CAUSE THAT DAMN FUZZ KEPT FALLING OFF THE NEEDLES.
But there is such a pretty shawl in Rowan 38.
FROGGED. 4. TIMES. MUCH. SWEARING.
Oh hang on, I don't do shawls
Or maybe a sock? Nah, over the socks for the minute.
.....
Maybe I should keep going with Butterfly.
....
Maybe I am slightly mental.

Hold everything

2006-05-15T19:55:00.000+10:00

IK summer issue is here. Must be some kind of record to get it here before it's even on newsstands in the States.
Off to go check it out, had a quick flick, was not over-awed. Will have to look closer.

And thanks to everyone for their lovely comments on Starsky! I wore it today without the belt and a wooden bar thingy through it, I think I liked it better than the belt.

I'm down to the foot part of DH's last sock, which means almost to nothing on the needles again (except for Butterfly, but we don't talk about that here) (and I'm thinking I might frog it cause I don't know if I'll wear it. I know I'm mad). I have to find something to work on next and fast before I whip myself into a 'too many patterns to choose from' stupor. Damn the internet and it's MANY free patterns.

Be back soon with IK thoughts.

Good Morning, Charlie

2006-05-12T15:51:00.000+10:00

Not quite Farrah but close enough...

Pattern courtesy of Jordana Paige, the lovely Starsky from Knitty.
Yarn courtesy of Cleckheaton (! I KNOW!!), Merino Supreme.
Water pistol courtesy of Little Man.
Morris Mini Panel Van courtesy of DH (although he likes to tell me it's mine so when he spends money on it he can say 'but I'm spending money on YOUR car...)
Cinematography also courtesy of DH.

I loved knitting this, it was very fun. The chart was great to read and went fast. All that is left is the belt loops, I'm almost thinking I might leave them off so I can close it with a wooden bar brooch thingy if I feel like it.

In other FO news, here's Little Man's jumper. Made (almost) from scratch, as I spun, dyed and knitted the yarn.
Shearing the sheep may be next on the list (although seeing how FILTHY sheep are, maybe not).

As usual, Little Man is moving like a speeding bullet about the place and thus, hard to get a clear pic of.

So as you can see this week has been FLAT OUT here at Bear central. On top of all this my mum has been visiting, so we have been kept busy going out, shopping, running round the park with Little Man, all those 'nana is visiting' type activities.
Oh and I got this fab cookbook, I would seriously have bought it for the cover alone, but as a bonus it full of scrumptious recipes. Off to curl up on the couch with it now.

I want to lie in it...

2006-05-06T10:58:00.000+10:00

...but alas I have to sell it. Handmaiden by Fleece Artist is here and it's in store now. Go check it out while I go and ~~fondle~~ pack it all away safely.

Bad Blogger

2006-05-02T21:35:00.000+10:00

For once I'm not talking about the program, I'm talking about me. I have been bad for not blogging. And slack. (the slack part will continue throughout this post due to the lack of pictures. But I will try to fix the bad part).

So what has been a-going on? Well. Starsky, knitting on the collar, after that it's attach the sleeves time and knit some belt loops and viola, finished. I can't wait to have it finished, I'm hoping it will go with the new clothes I bought recently - SUCH a rare occurrence for me. I am really particular about clothes that I get to a point where I have been shopping for hours, bought nothing so will just go and buy some cheap thing from K-Mart just so I can say I bought something. So then I have a wardrobe full of cheap crap that stretches and looks bad and sends me off to the shops again to repeat the whole shopping performance. Does anyone else have the same clothing anxieties? It's not like I can't find things to fit, let's be honest being a size 10 it's pretty easy to find things, but I get to the store and have a meltdown, forget what's already in my wardrobe, worry that what I want to buy won't match what I already have (and usually doesn't). It's all too hard, much like the LYS issues I have about too much choice. Lately I have been buying Shop till you Drop (well, I have been buying it since it's first issue but lately I have been buying it and PAYING ATTENTION to how they are putting clothes together) and trying to remember what might go with what. I envy those girls that effortlessly sling on some clothes and look amazing, pronouncing 'oh I just found it at an op shop'.

Anyway, where was I... oh yes this is a knitting blog huh...

So, Starsky may be a wardrobe plus for me (oh please please please let it be). Also on the needles is my handspun and dyed from a few posts back, it's being whipped up into Girlfriend's School Spirit Sweater, and I have caved and stayed with the v neck. I got all fluttery and worried about how I would do the shaping (make it a scoop neck rather than a v) so the V it is. I do love the v, I guess the only reason I wanted to try a scoop instead was to have a different looking jumper than when I knitted it last but let me tell you the handspun is making it look WAY different than it did last time. I'm almost done on it, I love how fast this knits up, just about 1/2 inch left on the rub at the bottom, the sleeves to finish and the neck ribbing. Super quick, I hope to have it done by the weekend.

Onto the DH socks, I am one down one to go. Hoping to avoid SSS, I need to cast on for the second sock ASAP, I think when I'm done with Little Man's jumper I'll get onto it. Also means I can delay picking up Butterfly again... is it possible to be afraid of a knitting project, cause you know I kinda am. It's like that Crack Silk Haze taunts me everytime I go near it, 'you're not good enough for us you know... you keep faffing about, putting off finishing us, but I know the real reason. You're afraid of our soft, slippery goodness. You know we can fall off those needles quicker than you can think it. heh heh heh....' evil Crack.

Blocking central

2006-04-24T16:40:00.000+10:00

Yes folks, don't faint, I am close to finishing a garment. I know, it's a shock to me too. (please excuse all the nasty flash photos in this post, late afternoon in autumn is not the best time to take pics inside)

Starsky is now blocking away like a tropper in the spare room, and I'm plugging away on the 63 inch belt. I'm hoping the blocking will be dry by the time I finish the belt.

So my thoughts have been moving to what to do next. Trying to avoid my usual End of Project Confusion, I'm thinking ahead before I have nothing on the needles, I also have DH's socks on the go, as well as French Market Bag (shiver) (knit central, sleep inducing) and Butterfly (shiver) (lace central, brain frying). So I'm thinking of doing Girlfriend's School Spirit Sweater but without the v-neck this time, maybe more of a rounded neck. The lovely Wendy advised on how I might go about making it more rounded, fingers crossed I'm going out on a limb. I rarely stray from what the pattern says, I need that set in stone reassurance in front of me so I am a bit nervous. I guess if I wasn't knitting it with my freshly spun and dyed yarn I wouldn't be as nervous, but the last thing I want to do is have to frog it. I've started swatching for it today so here's hoping it will be an easy knit rather than a 'do a tonne of maths to make it work' knit.

A few posts ago I stepped out of the comfort zone and mentioned I might want to do a quilt and have been thinking about what I want to do and what I want it too look like. Today I had a revelation (they sometimes happen) and thought about all the bedlinen I made for Little Man when he was in a cot (I must have had a truce in place with the Singer at that point) (either that or the child in my stomach kicking my ribs was keeping my mind off wanting to throw the sewing machine through the wall).

So instead of it all going to waste I'm going to make it into a quilt. The colours are so nice and bright and will go fab with his current sheets (don't they remind you of a Roald Dahl illustration? I love them, they are from Ikea, the Hokus range by Silke Leffler). I'm quite looking forward to it, more the finished part than the sewing part.

A developmental milestone

2006-04-24T09:20:00.000+10:00

Yesterday, Little Man (age 2 years and 2 months) walked up to my yarn stash, pointed at it and said 'yarn'.

I'm so proud.

Sydney chickas

2006-04-21T19:39:00.000+10:00

Just a quick one to let you know I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, just using my free time lately to knit like a crazy woman (pics to come tomorrow) and to let the Sydney ladies know that there is a knitting morning tomorrow at Rubi & Lana's in Gordon (in the arcade that joins to the station carpark). Around 11 till 2ish, only a few of us go so would be great to see some new faces. Also gives you a chance to check out Rubi & Lana's gorgeous store (and I hear Paula has some new stock for us to ~~fondle~~ look at).

Thunderbirds are go

2006-04-16T15:17:00.000+10:00

It is all action all the time here. Since my bout of E.O.P.C many decisions have been made, many projects have been started... none finished yet but hey it's a start.
Firstly, months ago you may remember I received a large bag of fleece straight off some lovely merinos back. Well, this weekend (cause what else does one do when they have 4 days of eating choc... uh I mean public holidays) I got around to washing some.
Some befores

Mmm doesn't that look like a nice bath you want to soak in for a few hours...

And some afters.

I think I may be washing it for a while because this lot didn't even make a dent on the HUGE PILE of fiber.
When I first spun it it was unwashed and came out brown. After 3 washes (3!!) it has shown me it's true colours.

A dent was made, however, in Starksy. I'm powering through it, finished the back

and onto the front. I am seriously concerned about it's size though (as my psychic powers told you a couple of posts back).

I finally finished spinning up a huge bag of merino I bought when I first started spinning, so I decided to make a jumper for Little Man out of it (pattern yet to be confirmed. Well I can't go using all my knitting brain power all at once can I? Too many decisions make me faint.) White is not the most suitable colour for a child who's best friend is dirt and muck, so I'm going for a deep red (looking decidedly pink in this shot). I dyed that up this morning.

Also I found my Mickey Mouse watch that I had as a child. It has no bands so what a perfect way to do Wendy's Boogie Time for Little Man! Excited about starting that one.

And the biggest most exciting news. I was pondering what else to knit a few nights back (as you do when you have a few hours to fill in before your favourite trash TV shows start) and DH said to me 'aren't you going to make me some bed socks?'

Wha? Huh? uhh... eh?

He has NEVER asked me for socks. NEVER!!! So, excited little worker bee me dashed off to the stash all a blather, dashed back again, grabbed DH saying 'you have to choose the yarn' to him while dragging him back to the stash. He kept finding the cheapy, acrylic stuff while I slowly edged him towards the delights of angora. So deep purple and beige it is. I'm so excited!

A day in the life

2006-04-09T17:11:00.000+10:00

What do you do when you are unwanted and unloved?

Take some time to play on the swing,

kick back...

... and have a beer.

Do some sight seeing,

Go for a drive.

Try myself on Little Man (beanie courtesy of my mum and some lovely Mollydale he will wear that beanie even when it is 30 degrees Celsius outside)

obviously itchiness runs in the family.

Here's the specs on what not to wear, I mean Backyard Leaves.

Backyard Leaves from Scarf Style, knit with yarn from hell, I mean Heirloom Alpaca.

When good yarns go bad

2006-04-05T20:23:00.000+10:00

Finally some knitting to be shown. I have started on Starsky, it's going great guns (Starsky, guns, get it bwahaha I crack myself up). I was going to take the lovely Donni up on her offer of employing the services of her yarn pimp to get the illusive Knit Picks as required by the pattern, but I was itching to start (more about the itching later) (don't worry it's not as gross as it sounds) so I popped into my lovely LYS and picked up some Cleckheaton Merino Supreme (which, by the way may be my new fave. It is SERIOUSLY soft) (maybe I should have used that to stop the itching...). And at a great price of $5.50 a ball you can't go wrong. But not before stopping by in Lincraft to check what they had in. After coughing up a faux fur/glimmer/glitter/whatever latest fuzzy novelty yarn they had in store fur ball while passing by the ROWS AND ROWS of this stuff they have (one day they will realise that we are not all 12 and wish to use REAL WOOL!) I found a few semi normal yarns, lots of Katia (which I really quite like, especially great for kiddies knits as they don't pill and wash easy!) and some Cleckheaton Merino Supreme, but not many balls of that to be of any use to me.
So here's a pic of it visiting my HUMOUNGOUS basil plants (I have never been able to successfully grow basil anywhere but it is coming out of my ears at this house. Must be all the neglect.) It is much darker than the photo shows, more of a chocolate brown, not this wishy washy brown.

I must have been having some sort of fit today because I actually felt like finishing something. As in blocking it. As in SEAMING it (albeit a seam that is shorter than a dpn but still it is something like seventh hell to me). That 'it' that I felt like finishing is none other than (trumpet please in Closing Ceremony fashion) BACKYARD LEAVES!! Yes my Olympic/Paralympic/'could have been a Commonwealth Games knit if I had been organised enough' knit is finally done. I steamed blocked, I pulled out my needle, sewed that puppy up and whipped around my neck with a flourish...

... and promptly whipped it off and threw it to the ground with a look of disgust on my face.

IT ITCHES. BIG SCRATCHY ITCHY ITCHING.

How does this damn thing itch? I tried the yarn when I bought it, put it up to my face, felt it with my hands, over and over and over so much so that I was getting funny looks from the LYS owner like I had some kind of yarn fetish (but I did stop short of sniffing it) (oh who am I kidding I probably did that too) (and hey what is it with my overuse of brackets today?) (and... nah just kidding). I am so sad, I was really looking forward to popping it on when the days get cold (whenever that will be, being that it is about 30C here today. It's autumn is it? Could've fooled me), swaning about town looking fab. Now it will be relegated to only being worn over things that totally cover my neck.. kinda defeats the purpose. You'll get some photos when it is cold enough for me to don thick enough clothes so I can't feel the itching.

Hmphf. I'm off to watch some trashy TV in the form of America's Next Top Model (I'm sorry I cannot get enough of this crazy trash. And project Runway too, the tears! The tantrums!) and knit my Starsky (which I suspect is gonna be a bit too small... I now have a record of when I should have come to my senses so when I have almost finished it and it IS too small I can come back to this post and sob) (and I just had to put one more lot of brackets in! It's all gone to crazy land here!)

Who's the Fool?

2006-03-31T23:44:00.000+11:00

Today, 1st of April, there is 20% off EVERYTHING at Purl Yarns. But only until midnight AEST so don't miss out!

The other white meat

2006-03-31T12:07:00.000+11:00

Due to the lack of knitting going on around here at Chez Bear, I will distract you with my other love.

Cooking.

More accurately, cooking books. (and we will not mention the fact that the top shelf is bowing under the weight.)

I love to cook. Let me rephrase that, I love to cook when I have time. When I don't have a toddler hanging off me (can't wait till he's old enough to help), when I don't have to scope out my local chinese supermarket for tamarind root or some obscure ingredient. I like it to use what I have in the cupboard, I don't want to go get more. Unless the time is there, then I can make the list, browse the deli, cruise the supermarket. When we have friends coming over for something special I love to spend a day creating a masterpiece, love it. But these days, time does not allow for such luxuries, so I pour over my lovelies (seen here in their neatened rows) (which I just fixed before I took this photo, can't have it looking like a dogs breakfast like it usually does now can I?). I love my Jamies, my Nigellas, my Donnas especially off the shelf by Donna, I likey the sound of Off The Shelf.

There is one small problem though. Out of the million and one cookbooks I own... I don't actually eat much of it. Yes, I am a fuss pot of the highest calibre. Green vegies? I'll only eat snowpeas (or mangetout for our UK friends). I'll eat most meats, except duck just because I can see them down at the local pond. I expect that if I lived on a farm I would be a very thin vegetarian So I browse my food porn, looking at the gorgeous pictures. Desserts on the other hand, I have no problems with. Oozy triple choc thing that looks like it might make your teeth fall out if you eat it? I'm there in an instant. Giant creamy cakes? I'll have five (but only if it's not that nasty mock cream stuff, make mine real cream thanks). Mmmmm, I'm hungry now.

Aren't they for ladies?

2006-03-23T18:18:00.000+11:00

I have a confession to make....

I don't get shawls.

Not that I don't understand them, I know what they are and what they are about. But, really, aren't they for like, grown ups? You know those glamourous ladies with lots of money with houses in Tuscany who use them to keep the chill out as the wind comes over the olive trees? I know, SO MANY people knit them, and they really are beautiful. But do you actually wear them? And where do you wear them to? I dunno, I just can't see them working with my Bonds t-shirt, cargo pants and sneakers down at the local Woolies.

Something that will work though is my International Scarf Exchange scarf from my pal Marti It is gorgeous, Branching Out from Knitty in Cherry Tree Hill Alpaca in Java . I love it, and amazing matches nicely with the colours I am wearing today!

Also in the scarf department, my truly gorgeous mum weaved this for me for my birthday, I'm not sure of the yarns but I has a silk/wool combo in there (I think maybe from Jo Sharp) and another yarn with a hint of sparkle. She has just started weaving with one of those looms you hang off the door handle (which I suspect is the same as what Donni is using too) and she's going great guns. I love it to bits, and it will go fab with my vintage coat I got in Melbourne.

I had spinning class last night which was great fun as always. I spun up some of my new stuff, mainly the silk caps and tried (and I do stress, tried here) the soy. Silk was lots of fun, how tough is that stuff!! All that yanking about will build muscles that's for sure. And the soy, lets just say that my teacher thinks it can't be spun without being blended. It was HARD, too much spin and it snaps, too little and it falls apart. I know sounds like most fibre, but there is a very fine line between too much and too little with this stuff. So I'm thinking a nice merino/bamboo blend might be the way to go. An adventure to say the least.

Still no joy in the what to make next quandary. I would love to make Starsky and it means I can get an order from Knitpicks - any one want to go in? I have a friend in the States who I might lean on for some postage services (unbeknownst to her, hi Kathryn!) I don't think I could do it any cheaper with yarn from Oz. And I might do some bed socks for the Little Man, much like the ones I did for him when he was smaller cause they rocked. And I can use some of my stash for it, a huge plus.

Sock it to me Summer is still rockin' on, even though it's, uh, autumn. So we need a new name cause we would like to continue it as it's been lots of fun. So any bright ideas from you crafty chickas out there? My brain is consumed with what to knit next madness.

Du-BLING, Jetlag and general musings

2006-03-22T14:59:00.000+11:00

I am tired.

Tired to the bone.

I don't think I have felt this tired since I was pregnant... no, I'm not pregnant (although there certainly is something in the water in Aussie blogland of late). But you know the kind of tired I'm talking about? When exhaustion feels like it's weighing you down like a bigball of scratchy yarn? I don't know why I am feeling so tired, yesterday and Monday I felt absolutely fine, minimum jet lag, went to work and everything. Bright as a button. Today? Feels like a Mac truck has knocked me down.

And to add to the weary feeling, I have NOTHING ON THE NEEDLES. Nothing. Zip. Nada. This is truly a sad state of affairs. And also, I am currently visiting a place that is well known to me, End of Project confusion. You know, as I get to this juncture at the end of every project, I am beginning to realise why I have all the confusion. Too much choice. Too many things to knit. Too much inspiration, from books, blogs, websites. I have this problem in yarn stores too, like I don't know where to look. It's overwhelming, all that colour and texture. Sensory overload, and more often than not I come out with nothing. Maybe I should join in on Use your Stash Month but it may take me a whole month to decide what to knit. Then I'll get frustrated cause I'll find a pattern that I like but nothing in my stash would be appropriate, then I'll end up back in the LYS with my sensory overload issues, then I'd be back to square one. A vicious circle I tell you. If anyone has any bright ideas I'm all open to suggestions.

Anyway, onto Dubai, or should I say Du-bling! What a place, such wealth just flashed about the place with wild abandon. Gold! Big expensive cars! Big expensive buildings! The largest shopping centers I've ever seen (complete with snow and ski slopes, as you do). But surprisingly, not very expensive to visit. Accommodation, moderately expensive, but buying stuff? Cheap as chips. And the people, friendly as anything and Little Man was a big hit with the locals, not a surprise as he always charms everyone everywhere he goes. We had a great time, alas no yarn to be found.

I'll leave you now with a couple of pictures that make me smile.

Now doesn't every mother dream of their children reading yarn magazines and pointing out what he wants?

p.s. I hear you out there muttering about unfinished Olympic knits. Surely I have aired enough of my issues in this post to be going on about my blocking issues as well...
p.p.s I just looked at my blog and noticed I do have something on the needles, French Market Bag. We'll just ignore that one, all that knit knit knit may just push this weary body over the edge by boring me senseless.

Just a quickie...

2006-03-20T19:09:00.000+11:00

...cause I have been flat out since getting home (got home yesterday, still in some other time zone.)
Looking at this to add to my list of things to covet (I love you eBay)(and also PayPal) and also have just put a whole heap of Lorna's Laces up on Purl Yarns so if you're in the mood for some yummy yarns go check it out.
Will be back soon with a full jet setting report, promise!

Who'd have thunk it?

2006-03-15T07:12:00.000+11:00

Soon we are off to Ikea (I cannot go too long before I hear the call of all things cheap and Swedish) to get this for Little Man. The Big Move to the Big Bed is on. And strangely enough, my mind has wandered to... quilting. I know, I'm astounded too. Not only because it will involve making peace with the Singer (I'm thinking of following Grumperina's road to sewing machine bliss), but also because I'm not usually a big fan of quilts. To me they scream COUNTRY DRIED FLOWER ARRANGMENTS and HOME SWEET HOME TEDDY BEAR IKYNESS in a very unladylike way. Alison's beautiful quilts quickly dismissed these images from my mind, and seeing yarnstorm's gorgeous daily dose of fabric lovliness, I have decided to give it a go. Of course, most people when starting a new craft would do something small, manageable, something that won't be cast by the wayside at the first sign of ~~sewing machine hatred~~ trouble. Me? May I remind you of my first lace garment? Butterfly. Hardly a beginners lace knit. First pair of adult socks? Go With The flow. So it stands to reason that my first quilting project should be a single bed cover. Quite logical really.

I have FINALLY finished my Paralympics Knit (cause at least it's finished before those are over), I will get to blocking it when we get home. We leave the UK tomorrow for sunny Dubai, I'm looking forward to visiting a souk or 4, most probably the gold souk and I hear there is a amazing fabric souk (with maybe some yarn to be found, one can hope) (or maybe some unusual fabric I can use on a quilt) (god help me like I need another thing to spend money on).

It's raining... FIBER!

2006-03-11T04:11:00.000+11:00

Last night I did a bit of a yarn store search. You'd think there would be many yarn stores here, being cold an all. You'd be wrong. And the ones you do find, full of Rowan, Jaeger and Debbie Bliss. All well and good, but I can get that all at home. I want to see new stuff (not hard to please am I?). Anyways, I stumbled upon this place, and it just happened to be in the neighbourhood of where we were planning to go today. Handy no?
Whoops, did my hand just slip into my wallet? (or more accurately, DH's wallet heh heh).

CASHMERE!!! *droooooooool*

Mmmmmm, silk

MORE silk!!!

Soy!! How fun!! I also got some bamboo, but who knows where that photo got to.

And looky!! I have wanted to get this book for ages. I also wanted to get hands on spinning by Lee Raven but they didn't have it.

I'm almost done on Backyard Leaves, unblocked photo to come soon. Got about one repeat to go and then I have to sew (blurgh) (sorry involuntary reaction) it together. Also knocked some little mittens for Little Man, but getting photos onto here is a major act at the moment so a pic might have to wait till when we get home. They are too cute, but could be a little longer. I forgot how long Little Man's fingers are (much like his mummas).

Cold, but no rain... yet.

2006-03-05T21:18:00.000+11:00

How good is my husband?
The man knows how to make me happy on my birthday.

Yes dear readers, THREE issues of Rowan mag. I might faint from excitement.
But that is not the extent of the presents for the birthday, especially not when it's the over-the-hill type birthday. I found a fab little place that custom blends perfumes, sounds just right for a big birthday to me. Oh and there's the little town called Dubai that we will be stopping at on the way home that just happens to be the center of the world of all things gold...

So, I have said ciao to Italy and am now saying 'oi!' and 'wot?' in the land of expensive everything. Luckily there where savings to be had on the Rowan mags, at almost half of what we pay for them at home. But the cost to even get to the place to buy the mags? We may have to take a loan out to pay for it. I have visited a couple of yarn places, one being John Lewis (just Rowan Jaeger and Debbie Bliss there) and Liberty (I love visiting Liberty) (oh and just Rowan, Jaeger and Debbie Bliss there. I sense a feeling of de ja vu). I hope to get to Loop sometime this week, I probably won't be dropping any cash in there (as all my savings would have gone on the tube ride to get there) unless something SPECTACULAR catches my eye.

Some knitting has been done, slowly but surely. Did I hear you say Knitting Olympics? Well I may have been KO'd on the old KO. About halfway thru the 16 days, somewhere in amongst scoffing another bowl of pasta and dragging myself home at 5am I decided that I just might not make it. Especially since I was no where near half way through the knit. So I have about a quarter to go on it, this is not including the blocking (blurgh) and sewing (double blurgh). I see Miss Moggy managed herself a gold (and I'm sure many other bloggers that I read did too, but I haven't gotten that far on the blog reading front yet.) Well done Donni!

Next on the needles, some mittens for Little Man. The only DPNs I have with me are only big enough for sock yarn, and as I happen to have some left over Lorna's Laces with me I think there maybe some socks for mum and matching mittens for son action going on. Next step, matching jumpers for the whole family (I'm sure I have a Lion Brand pattern for that somewhere...)

Because it's perfectly normal...

2006-02-22T12:39:00.000+11:00

... to be taking pics of yourself at 4am!

Leaves and Snow

2006-02-20T13:25:00.000+11:00

So here we are, 7 days to go and I tell you I am BEAT. Working 21 days straight on a night shift where you aren't in the time zone you come from or the even the time zone of the country you are in is damn hard work. Even when I get home early some nights (early being 3am) I am wide awake until about 5am. The things we do for sport!

All is going well in the land of pizza and pasta (can I say I don't think I have had a meal WITHOUT cheese and or bread in it since I got here. I never thought I would yearn for a plate of chops and vegies. Or even better, roast mmmmmmmm).

All is moving along on my maybe-a-silver-medal knit. Not quite halfway and thinking that the top podium won't be achieved. But I am getting better at the chart, not having to refer to it as much, which is what I wanted to achieve. Usually when I do a chart I rewrite the whole thing in long hand (yes I am a freak) as all the dots, crosses, lines and what have you send me crosseyed. But I'm getting there, slowly but surely.

Oh cool, it's snowing outside!! It snowed a week before we arrived and apparently that had been the first time it had snowed in 7 years in the town. So our hopes for snow while we are here have been low, but looky outside! Snow!! Sorry, all the pics I took aren't showing it. Pooey, hopefully if it selttles I'll get some pics of it later.

Bend the rules

2006-02-11T11:09:00.000+11:00

What I am about to reveal may get me disqualified from the KO, but I think I have a valid reason.

I am going to start on my Knitting Olympics knit, Backyard Leaves, this afternoon.

I think that this is only fair since I will be working (on the Olympics even) at the time. In fact, my shift will not end until about 4 hours after the ceremony ends, so really I can do 4 hours of knitting before it starts? Right? (back me up here ladies). I haven't done ANY knitting since I got here, it is a crime I tell you.

So, Torino. Yesterday I had a pure European moment while eating in a cafe out in a plaza, with a Vespa scooter sitter nearby, eating a bowl of pasta drizzled in the most yummy olive oil (man they go nuts with the olive oil here), while Italians gestured vigourously around me and a man playing an accordion hovered nearby. All i needed was some old Italian men to be playing chess to make the picture complete. It's really a gorgeous place, I never fail to be humbled by the age and history of European cities, we really are such a young country in Australia. The buildings, with those quaint balconies, ornate railings and huge wooden doors are just so perfect.

And of course, the Italians attitude to everything is... shall we say... relaxed. Things are not quite ready. As an American I was speaking to last night said, they need another month to be ready. But another month they do not have, tonight is the night.

Here is a shot from my balcony. Yes there is some snow on the ground, it hasn't snowed since we got here, but it has been too cold for it to melt.

Ah, the weather. 4 degrees people. Hard to acclimatise when you have come from about 35 degrees. Helps that we have big coats, gloves, beanies, thick socks and hiking boots. We also have central heating. Mmmmmm.

Here's a shot I took this morning while waiting for my bus to go home. Half an hour standing in the freezing cold is not the way I like to spend my time, especially not at 3am.

It's the archway across the bridge that goes to the athletes village. Pretty funky huh. I can't quite place what I reminds me of, maybe something similar at an American airport? JFK? San Fran?

Off to get started on my controversial knit, shhh don't send the officials around.

26 hours

2006-02-04T21:47:00.000+11:00

This is the approximate amount of time I will not be able to knit because needles are such dangerous objects.
Therefore, this will be a WASTED 26 hours (although I do hope to actually sleep during this time, well as much sleep as you can get with minimal leg room in a tinsy chair).

26 HOURS. WASTED.

That is all I will say about it, many others have gone before me in the grumbling about air safety discussion (see Stripey for my thoughts exactly). I did eye off some chopsticks in shops today...

So, believe it or not I have some finished objects!

First up, my International Scarf Exchange scarf. I'm pretty happy with it, I came up with the pattern myself (with the help of a stitch directory) and I think it came up a treat.

And looky here, my Go With the Flow socks from IK (Spring? I just put the mag away and can't be bothered going to check it). Done in Lorna's Laces 'Icehouse'. I likey alot.

(Excuse the bad photos, I ran out of time to take pics in the daylight today - probably due to the 25 odd people BBQing at my house.)

Something I discovered doing this, I was, er.... knitting it inside out. Don't ask me how, I managed to do the lace pattern inside out and the feet the correct way (ie, the correct side of the stocking stitch was on the outside). Who knows what kind of sleep deprived state I was in when I was reading the pattern, somewhere along the line the dots on the chart changed from meaning purl to meaning knit... Only talented people such as myself (ha!) manage this type of knitting magic (look you damn blonde follicles, if I've told you once I've told you a thousand times - STOP BURYING INTO MY SKULL, YOU ARE KILLING OFF THE BRAIN CELLS)

This could be my last post until I board the big steel object that will be flying me thousands of miles from home, but I will try and keep posting when I can and keep you up to date with anything interesting that may be happening around me (oh, you think the Olympics might be interesting enough?)

So ciao for now (sorry, I will try and keep the Italian to a minimum).

The end is in sight

2006-01-28T15:06:00.000+11:00

As I finish my time in Melbourne, the weather once again turns. Yesterday it was stinking hot and raining all at the same time. Today it is just raining.

Here's a look back on what has been achieved.

Much progress has been made on Butterfly (yipee!)

And also on my second Go with the Flow sock (up to the heel, I think some quality time with the couch and the sock may be in order this afternoon).

Some yarn has been purchased (from Wondoflex, great store lots of goodies. Of course mostly the usuals but also some nice stuff from Te Awa and Touch in New Zealand. This is some alpaca from Heirloom that I'm going to do my Knitting Olympics gold medal winning knit in, which will be Backyard Leaves (hoping to conquer my fear of that heinously large chart with many abbreviations). It is actually blue but due to lack of natural light today (see top pic) I had to take it under a lamp.

Many bottles of this has been drunk (about 7 half drunk ones are littered around my apartment)

And of course, many, MANY hours of this has been watched.

So I am off home tomorrow back to my beloved boys and my comfy bed (ah, bliss). Sadly only for a week, as next Sunday I fly out to Torino for 3 weeks of more Winter Olympic watching than you can poke a hockey stick at. But it's not all work and no play, after I'm finished in Torino I'm off to London to meet up with DH and Little Man to ~~buy lots of yarn~~ spend time visiting ~~yarn stores~~ friends and family.

They've all gone down

2006-01-26T10:47:00.000+11:00

A little history on Australia at the Winter Olympics for you.

In Salt Lake 2002, Australia won it's first gold medal. We went on to win another 3 days later, making it our most successful Winter games ever. To win a gold it requires skill, talent, quite often speed... And a whole lot of luck.

Our second gold was won by Alisa Camplin, an aerial skier at the top of her game. She was World Champion, had won the World Cup, basically a contender.

Our first was won by Steven Bradbury, a short track speed skater. This was his fourth Winter Olympics, a massive achievement in itself, and he had previously won a bronze in the same event. With skill and determination, he was through to the final alongside USA favourite Apollo Anton Ohno. The race starts, all skaters jockeying for position, and it pans out with Apollo at the front and Steven at the rear. It stays this way for almost the entire race, and it looks to be Apollo's race. Until one fateful slip of a Chinese skaters boot. In the last lap of the race the commentary went something like this (who am I kidding, I've heard it 2 billion times to know it went exactly like this):

"Oh and there's a lot of contact, oh! They've all gone down, Bradbury is going to come through and win gold!!"

Yes dear readers, Steven won the gold as all the other skaters lay in a heap on the ice. Steven was celebrated as a hero, as his way of winning was close to our proud Aussie hearts, the 'she'll be right mate' attitude that is bred into us was apparent on that fateful day. The look of surprise of Stevens face was echoed on the millions of faces watching. We had won a gold in true Aussie, laid back fashion.

So here is my button for the Knitting Olympics

Feel free to download and use on your blog.

Where's Jeff Probst when you need him?

2006-01-18T17:01:00.000+11:00

Here is my survival guide to navigating your way through the deserted island that is the Interstate (or International) Business Trip:

KNITTING

Preferably something difficult - will keep your mind off loved ones at home.

SHOPPING

Especially easy when you are in the shopping capital of Australia, and you find goodies such as this.

$120 for a vintage calf length leather coat. Can we say BARGAIN?

WEBCAM

Very useful to see who you are missing at home and chat to them face to face. Helps to have broadband and box of tissues nearby when your son tries to hug you through the monitor.

MORE KNITTING

Well, one can never have enough. And can be combined with...

CHOCOLATE

Although both at the same time can be dangerous, if you prefer your yarn to not be sticky I advise to alternate between chocolate consumption and craft making.

Butterflies, beads and green furry balls

2006-01-16T11:30:00.000+11:00

So here I am again in the city of tennis fever. My second home it feels sometimes, although the things that make it home (aka, my family) are still in Sydney. A couple of nights ago DH told me that Little Man said 'mama cuddle' when he was putting him to sleep, talk about breaking my heart. Otherwise I feel OK, alone during the day with not a lot to do (this feeling of not a lot to do is quite alien, even though 2 years ago Little Man wasn't here, it feels like he's always been here and I have always been running about doing stuff with or for him. Does anyone feel like that when away from their children?).

The one bonus of this trip is that I'm on a night shift (vote in the Kia Rio Hotshots if you're watching the coverage!) so I have lots of time off in the day to knit. I have already started for the uh... 4th time shhhhhh on Butterfly, this time on *coughcough* correct sized needles *cough*.

How pretty is it? This is the hem, only HEAPS MORE to go, joy. The fact that it is so pretty may be the only thing keeping me going on it, it really is hard slog. I think I might need to get some bamboos (in the right size this time) for this, it seemed to go a lot quicker on them. There's my mission for the day, find some bamboos. I have yet to venture into Marta's (apparently gorgeous but expensive yarns) in town, did someone say per diems? (what, I'm meant to spend that on food? ha!).

Also have started on the second Go with the Flow. I really love knitting this, it's such a satisfying knit.

So much to see there huh.

I have even finished my scarf, on the last night before I left (at about 11am when I had to get up at 5.30. Mmmm, nice having no sleep and then flying off to work the next day). So I haven't even had a chance to block it. There are a few little boo boos, but overall I think it turned out great. I'll post some pics of it when I get back.

And here's some stitch markers I forgot I had in my bag! I made them over xmas when I found the BEST bead store ever up at mums. Check out those bags of beady goodness.

Time to get off my expensive dial up connection from the hotel (dial up sucks can I just say).

A Vogue Idea

2006-01-12T13:12:00.000+11:00

A couple of days ago I bought my first copy of Vogue Knitting.

Now for me, Vogue has always evoked images of glamour, couture, sophistication.

Imagine my horror when opening the pages to find more novelty yarn than you can shake a ball of Feathers at.

I truly cannot see myself knitting much from this, MAYBE one or 2 items (the beautiful cardy on page 91, a gorgeous kid silk haze looking thingy. Much like butterfly. Sucker for punishment any one?) also the funky coat on page 81. Not that I would ever knit it, but it's pretty darn cool. But the rest? And wait for it, they have a section called NOUVEAU NOVELTIES.

NOUVEAU NOVELTIES

I can't even get past the word 'Nouveau' without it screaming 80s at me. Turn the page and horror of horrors, A WHOLE VEST MADE OUT OF FEATHERS. Now, I'm not immune to using Feathers, what do you think Fuzzy Orange Bear is made out of? But that's a toy, for a child. Rather appropriate use of Feathers.

A vest? NOT APPROPRIATE FOR ANY GROWN ADULT.

Is it always like this? Has the last bastion of style become the upholder of all things squeaky?

Oh be still my throbbing head, they have made something in here with a yarn called 'Bling Bling'....

Clean closets?

2006-01-10T22:35:00.000+11:00

Pah, who wants to be doing that when you can be making your blog look all purty (shush up out there about diversionary tactics).
If anyone is feeling html savvy right about now, can ya tell me how I go about getting that thar green box to go away? (scroll down a bit, you'll see the offending graphic).

eta: I think I have it!

1 job down, 2 billion to go

2006-01-08T09:37:00.000+11:00

As you may have noticed by now, I procrastinate.

A lot.

Hell, I even procrastinate about what I might say to people on the phone when I make an appointment, or have to call someone I don't know. Should I say 'Hi, I'd like to make an appointment?' or "Hi, is there any appointments available at x time?' Mostly I muck up and get a skewed combination of the 2 'Hi, I'd like to make an x time appointment, is it available to have an appointment at that time, oh I might not be available, is the dr/hairdresser/salon chick available..' and on the madness goes. Then I will go beetroot red (I'm a shy kinda girl, really I am.) cause I'm making an arse of myself. A prime example of this is in the checkout line. When the checkout chick asks for the money, I like to get rid of coins. Now if the ferreting around for coins takes anymore than, say, 5 secs I start to feel the pressure. The pressure of the waiting chick, the pressure of the waiting people behind me in the line. I feel their eyes boring into me 'what the HECK is she doing? can't she just pass a note over already? who does this freaky kinda thing, this is not the time to make up $5 in coins!' Viola - red face. Sheer embarrassment. You would never guess I spent half of my life in dance shows on a stage with many people looking at me.

So the procrastination. I have been procrastinating about cleaning the library as we call it (just a room between the studio and the garage, happens to be the place where all the bookcases are, thus it is the library). It also happens to be where all my sewing and knitting stuff is, and where I wanted to put all my yarn for Purl Yarns, cause it was sitting in the studio cluttering up the place. So I set to work the other day getting it tidied up, cause it tended to be the room where everything got put that didn't have a place anywhere else. And here's the result, I'm pretty happy.

Yes I do have a tiny stash, I use this to my advantage tho. Like when DH says 'you already have heaps of wool (notice the reluctance to call it yarn? I have discussed the reasons for the yarn calling many times with him, but he continues to call it wool cause he know it winds me up (wind! haha). Ain't love grand?) Anyway, the advantage of the small stash - I happen to know that Celia has a HUGE stash. In a linen closet. MASSIVE. So big it falls out and hits you on the head when you open the door (although this only happened to her BF when he tried to put wine in there -SEE?? THE YARN WILL REBEL IF YOU MAKE IT SHARE IT'S SPACE). So when DH says to me about the 'wool' I say 'but Celia, she has a whole CLOSET' It's obviously not that successful, due to puny stash size, but makes me feel better.

So next on the list? I might procrastinate a little bit longer on going through the clothes closet.

Lovin' the Flow

2006-01-04T19:08:00.000+11:00

Here's some pics of my loner sock, partner yet to be cast on (I know, I know, I will get on with it soon, I promise).

And here's a close up cause I love the pattern so much. I actually think I did it wrong but hey, who cares! Looks fabbo to me and thats all that matters.

Sale Time at Purl Yarns

2006-01-04T10:17:00.000+11:00

Get 10% off all Lorna's Laces stock until Sunday 8th!

Also, our new line, Mollydale Knits, is in. Gorgeous hand dyed yarns in slub, mohair and 100% silk.

Out with the old

2006-01-03T21:43:00.000+11:00

So here we are in 2006. Where does the time go? Ever since I left school time has flown, now I am with toddler it's moving at warp 9.9 (because we all know you can't do warp 10 unless you want to turn into an swamp thing) (shuddup you know you are a closet trekkie too). My Little Man will be 2 in February (with his mumma weeping on the other side of the planet missing his birthday) and it feels like yesterday I was holding him for the first time. A week from this coming Saturday starts my 5 out of 6 weeks away from him and DH. I have never even spent a night away from Little Man, let alone 5 weeks. I hope I cope.

So Xmas and New Year were great, we spent it with my Mum up on the lovely North Coast of New South Wales. After hearing about the searing temps we were having down here in Sydney, I was pleased to be feeling the sea breezes. I hope everyone stayed safe and away from fires.

I managed to even get some knitting done, halfway through my Scarf Exchange scarf (looking mighty fine with my own design if I do say so myself) and finished one of my Go With the Flow socks from IK Spring 2005 (I think it was spring?) I love it, and have to get going on it's partner soon else I get stricken with one-sock-itis. Butterfly is, ahem, uh, um... sitting in a bag somewhere like the naughty (evil) thing it is. I think I will have to take that with me on the first business trip when I have lots of uninterrupted knitting time. Only something that complex will keep my mind off not being home with my boys.

Lastly, I'd like to say a big thankyou to everyone out there in Blogland. I must say I never thought I would have a blog, let alone meet such wonderful, caring, giving people through having one. May you all continue to keep writing and inspiring, everyday I am blown away by the creativity that is out there.

Feeling hot hot hot

2005-12-23T10:33:00.000+11:00

Well we're away for xmas break now, up on the NSW north coast visiting my mum, and it's a tiny bit sticky. Well, lets be honest, a lot sticky. They're forecasting 40c or something stupid for xmas this year - just one year we hope to have a Christmas with a slightly cooler day.
So this is just a short merry Christmas to all, hope you are keeping cool (or warm depending on where you are in the world). And staying safe with all these fires around, another xmas tradition that we wish we didn't have.
Just the scarf for my exchange pal and my KAL socks on the go at the moment, small things that are easy to knit in stinking hot weather!

See you all in the new year!

OH OH OH!

2005-12-14T17:26:00.000+11:00

No, not a backwards Santa - I GOT MY INTERWEAVE KNITS WINTER 2005 TODAY!!!

I'm so happy, especially after all the drama I've heard other people having. Very cool, off to look at it now.

Before I go though, don't you love it when you come home to see the socks you are knitting... with no needles attached? Was I the silly mumma that forgot to put her knitting out of reach last night so the Little Man wouldn't be able to play with them....

Master Harry

2005-12-11T20:54:00.000+11:00

So I FINALLY got to see Harry today (after more eeeedjits at Hoyts trying to stop me - it's a conspiracy I'm sure).

Hmmmm.

If you haven't seen it yet, avert your eyes.

If you have and you've read the book, were you as disappointed as I? Every scene change you could hear me murmuring in the dark "but what about x' and 'huh? What was that about? I don't recall no dance lessons in the book'. I understand they need to drop stuff to fit a 800 odd page book into a 2 and a half hour movie, but to drop vital stuff for useless scenes such as the dance lessons. What about the house elves? The fact that Barty Jnr escapes and therefore the sole proof that Voldemort is alive is gone? Dumbledore in his speech - 'oh the ministry doesn't believe that he's back' but there is no storyline in the movie to show WHY they don't believe it. I reckon you would have had to have read the book and know it well to follow alot of the movie, DH kept saying 'and who's that' and 'what's that about?' The French girls for example, the sighing Veela thing, would you have known what they were doing if you hadn't read the book?

And one CRUTIAL storyline. THE KNITTING. HOW COULD THEY DROP THE KNITTING???

Hmpf. Everytime I see the next HP movie I am disappointed. Ah well, can't be perfect I guess.

Oh hey, don't faint - I have a knitting pic to post!

This is the start of my Go With the Flow Socks from IK, done in Lorna's Laces Icehouse (aren't I a good girl, I even bought it from myself and all!). I'm enjoying it immensely, it's such an easy pattern to memorise, even with my chart phobia!
Speaking of charts, have you seen the chart on Backyard Leaves in Scarf Style (as knitted by the lovely Meg, I love this scarf) aye aye aye this chart SCARES me. It's a WHOLE page, devoted to every stitch abbreviation known to knit-kind. People such as Celia get a kick out of this kinda thing. Me? I need a chocolate and a lie down.

It's a girl!

2005-12-05T20:20:00.000+11:00

Or possibly a boy... whatever the case my new baby is born!

Purl Yarns is open for business!

I feel so proud, yet nervous all at the same time. Is this what it will be like when Little Man starts school??

Not alot going on here, I've finally started on my scarf for my exchange pal (it's all a bit secret squirrel so I won't be saying much about it). It is ***** in colour and has ***** on it. There ya go, descriptive enough for you?

And, drum roll please, I HAVE FINISHED THE OPAL SOCKS! Don't fall over in shock (I know I almost did but doing so while clutching thin dpn's could have been fatal). Here they are in all their glory:

NB: I would think about wearing sunnies while viewing this pic so as not to be BLINDED by the luminescence of my legs. You would think they have never seen daylight. Aye aye aye. (and maybe don't go in for a close up, is that a stray yarn I see up near my heel. So maybe I lied a teeny bit, shhh don't tell the finishing police).

In other knitting news, about that 'lovely' pattern called Butterfly from an equally lovely company called Rowan.

You see that side bar project monitor thingy I have?

Is it possible to put that into negative figures?

Because it seems my blonde follicles have reared their ugly, uh, follicles and buried themselves deep into my brain. Because, my friends, only I could cast on for the 3rd time and knit about 4 inches of it... with the wrong sized needle.

THE. WRONG. SIZED. NEEDLE.

I seem to recall a post not too long ago about my love of frogging mohair. One would think one would learn from one's mistakes.

Well, one would think.

Obviously the aforementioned follicles PROHIBIT such behaviour as THINKING.

So, uh, when can I book?

2005-12-02T11:38:00.000+11:00

I just wanna see Harry. Not a big ask, is it? I mean there is one billion sessions at the cinema, and we have La Premiere gift vouchers (that are almost expired, so they gotta be used soon) so we are using them to see Harry.

But can I get some kind of useful information from the "staff" (and I use the term loosely) at the cinema?

Monday: Me - 'So Hi, I'm looking on your website and I see there is a session next Monday at 8pm, could I book using my vouchers for that session please?'
Stupid "staff" member no. 1 - 'uh, no we don't have a session at that time'.
Me - 'well you have it on the website'
SSM1 - 'are you looking at the right cinema?'
getting irate me - 'well it has your cinema location written next to it so I guess I am'
SSM1 - 'oh, well there is no session at that time'
deep breaths me - 'ok then, how about 7.15?'
SSM1 - 'oh sorry, no session then either....'

So eventually we find a time that suits, but I have to ring our friends to see if it's fine with them (as they are looking after Little Man for us that night) so I tell SSM1 that I will call back. In the meantime I discuss our options with DH and sensing that getting our friends here early enough to make an earlier movie and give Little Man a bit of 'getting used to them' time is going to be a bit of a task. So how about Sunday? Maybe the 11th?

Me - 'Hi, am I able to book for a session on the 11th?'
Stupid "staff" member no. 2 - 'yes no problems'
me - 'so for the 2pm session'
SSM2 - 'oh we don't have a session at this time'
me, sensing a feeling of de ja vu - 'right. How about 1.30?'
SSM2 - 'sorry no session at that time either'
me, wondering why these people even BOTHER with a website telling people about session times that don't even exist - '12.45?'
SSM3 - 'yes we have a session at that time'
me - 'ok great, can I book please'
SSM2 - 'so that was the 4th?'
me - "no the 11th'
SSM2 - 'oh sorry you can't book that far ahead, try ringing back on Wednesday when we have the session times for the next week'.....

So, I finally get a chance to call back on Friday. You can guess how this one will go.

Me - 'Hi, calling to book a session to see Harry on the 11th'
Stupid 'staff' member 3 - 'on the 11th? no sorry you can't book that far ahead, you have to call back next Wednesday'
me - 'ok well someone on Monday told me that I could book for that date from this Wednesday and being Friday I thought all would be ok'
SSM3 - 'no sorry, try next Wednesday'
me - 'ok, will it still be in the La Premiere cinema then?'
SSM3 - 'yes, but it won't be playing as many sessions as before'
me thinking - 'so based on my previous experience of trying to book for the PLETHORA of session times you have available, there will probably be a total of 2 session times I could choose from?'

So APPARENTLY I'll be seeing Harry, sometime. Maybe.

When does the DVD come out?

promise some knitting content very soon, I have knitting morning tomorrow, I might even start on some socks!! You know for that KAL I'm running? What a novelty!

You know you want to

2005-11-28T17:21:00.000+11:00

Join the Sexy Knitters Club that is!

Because one cannot be in enough KALs.
So lets cast off those grandma knitter stereotypes and be proud to be a sexy knitter!

Join here

This man is (not) a dentist

2005-11-25T08:20:00.000+11:00

So we can't show you his face on blogs, morning DH!

(for those of you who don't remember this ad, see here)
This is my first knitted article made from my very own handspun! How cool is it that I can say 'I not only knitted this but SPUN it too!' Ahhh, it's the little things.

Next up I might do Bubby although since it is so teeny tiny (more suited to a newborn than my almost 2 year old) I might do it on thicker yarn and see if I can't make it a big bigger.

Also on the to do list, a scarf for my exchange pal. I'm thinking I might make use of the book my fab SP Lu sent. I might have a look through and choose a purty cable pattern and adapt it to a scarf. Ohh clever, watch out kiddies, she's on fire!

More on the (ever growing) to do list, socks for the KAL Alison and I are hosting. If you too are looking forward to a summer of sweating all over your knitting, at least do something less sweat inducing! Come along and join in!
I think I might do Go with the Flow from IK, the 2nd coming. (First attempt: try socks for first time, use scrap yarn, get to the tough bit (heel shaping) promptly run out of yarn. Yes, well.) As to what yarn, I haven't decided, you'd think I would be spoilt for choice (ohh what a crafty plug) but alas it is for looking only, not for using. You can't understand how tempting this is, having it sitting RIGHT NEXT TO ME everytime I sit at my computer.

Hope everyone in Sydney is coping with the big wet. How much fun is it keeping toddlers happy inside when they look longingly out the window at the P-A-R-K (cause you know you can't actually SAY the word, you have to spell it) across the road say 'park' ALL DAY LONG.

on the third attempt, she CURSES blogger for it's stupidity and finally gets a post up.
even more blogger stupidity, it seems to have lost my previous post &*(^$@

Sock it to me Summer

2005-11-20T19:12:00.000+11:00

Alison and I have started a socks KAL here for us in the southern hemisphere. There is also a yahoo group for those of you that don't have blogs.
Come along and join in the fun!

I'm a slacker

2005-11-19T21:56:00.000+11:00

I have been meaning to post this for almost a week now

These my 2 closest friends and I was honored to be Jo's bridesmaid at her gorgeous wedding last week!
We had a lovely time (yay! no food poisoning!) had some nice chats and ate desserts that looked like goats beard (and darn it, it's too sticky to knit).

Congratulations Jo & Rich! May you have many wonderful years ahead of you.

Spinning Class

2005-11-18T10:38:00.000+11:00

I had lots to take for spinning class last night - I was undecided what I wanted to spin, so I was taking the lot

some yummy fiber (corridale and mohair) from the lovely Alison

even more from Alison (some merino and the blue is english leicester and romney)

my own small selection from the large bag of 5kgs merino (complete with dirt and sheep poo. Nice)

And here is how much I got done.

Looks kinda like it hasn't changed from the last time I took a pic eh?

Well that would be because it hasn't. Not one bit.

Why?

Well that would be because my DH was stuck down the coast waiting for someone else to drive him home so he could get home in time to look after Little Man so I could go to class. He got home at 7.30, I was meant to be there at 7. It takes half an hour to drive there.

Not happy Jan.

And neither was DH, it wasn't his fault but he felt so bad, bless him. But there is always next week.

As promised here is some photos of the treats that arrived for me this week, lots of it in the pics above (all the fiber from Alison, along with some soap that I didn't take a picture of as it's all gooey in my shower).

These are the Knit Picks sample cards (also from Alison) that I have been pouring over, I LOVE the Andean Treasure, I'd love to do Union Square Market Pullover with it but the gauge is totally different. Also the Elegance is gorgeous, I reckon I could swim in the Ambrosia and the Panache they are so soft, the Shine is divine, I think I want it all. Actually, maybe not all - the Palette is a bit blah. Feh about the colours, it feels a bit harsh too.

Also arriving on my doorstep (in the hands of Celia

How cute are they! My very own Orange Bear stitch markers! (without the fuzz). I love em. Thanks everyone for the lovely gifties!

Shameless self promotion

2005-11-17T12:52:00.000+11:00

I have been a busy chicky, here's a part of why, the real site will be done soon (oh so cryptic)

5kgs of fun

2005-11-13T19:53:00.000+11:00

Last Thursday (such good timing, right before spinning class) a 5kg bag of fleece landed on my doorstep.

Oh my.

The story goes like this. Friends of ours who we know thru a car club we belong to have a sheep farm. We have known them for at least a couple of years, we see them at events and DH chats to them frequently on the net. Now DH has been watching me spin for a few months now, looking on ebay for fleece, asking around about spinning classes, and did he think to tell me in that time that these friends of ours have a sheep farm? Did he?? Well, what do you reckon?

A week ago, 'oh yeah, such and such have a sheep farm, I'm sure they could get you some wool.....'

Well did I jump on that piece on information like a kid in a candy store (I did have a much funnier and somewhat cruder analogy, but thought I should be civialised). 'why did you never tell me this?' I demanded 'email him' I pleaded.

The outcome? A not at all expected, but very much appreciated big ol' bag of fleece.

So off to spinning class I trot, small sample of dirty fleece in hand, thinking I'll find out how to wash it and I come home with this:

No need to wash now, my teacher said, spin away, she cried. And so I did.

Sorry I took that photo at night, tomorrow I should get out and take it in the sunlight so you can see it better. But it is a lovely colour, and so fine! I very pleased.

The mailman has been nice to me this week, setting lots of nice pressies down on my doorstep. But I will take pictures tomorrow in the daylight to do them all justice.

You will notice that the 5% of Butterfly that I have noted in my sidebar has not changed in a few days. There are 2 very good reasons for that. They would be 'Star Trek' and 'watching while knitting'. I would advise you not to partake in these 2 things at the same time as they may result in a small problem called 'suddenly not enough stitches on the needles and oh my god where did they go don't tell me I have to frog the Kid Silk Haze I think I need a lie down'.

Spoilt rotten

2005-11-11T10:51:00.000+11:00

A big thankyou is going out to my fab SP - Lucia (whom I'm guessing is lux2night? did I guess right??) I received a big ol' box this morning full of FAB goodies.

A big skein of kettle dyed merino from malabringo in stone blue
4 balls of hemp yarn (wowee hemp! I've not knitted with hemp before!)
a fab book '100 more afghan squares to knit'
and a gorgeous reindeer book for the Little Man

Thank you SO MUCH for making this a wonderful experience, being my first SP I've thoroughly enjoyed it!

Off to decide what to knit with all the wonderful goodies...