kgirlknits

{inspired by}

2012-01-28T12:33:00.000+11:00

I was trawling Ravelry looking for a simple project not so long ago and I came across "Norby" by Gudrun Johnston. Loved it! Love the slouch, the tassel, the zig zag...

The pattern calls for 4ply fingering weight, but I wanted to use up some {stash - huzzah!} 8ply alpaca I had. I was pretty sure I had the stitch pattern in an old Harmony Guide, and having knitted a hat or two in my time, I felt reasonably confident I could make something decent-looking.

ta-da!

My inspired-by-Norby hat.
Bendigo 8ply Alpaca in Grey, 5mm needles.

Simple.

just for fun

2012-01-23T21:22:00.000+11:00

I made these this afternoon, just for fun

It was another reasonably warm day here today, so after we got our chores done this morning, both of us settled into the darkened living area to relax the afternoon away with some music and quiet time...

I went looking for something a little bit mindless, a little bit instant gratification, and this is what I decided on. And I'm glad. They are coming to work with me, to be strung above my workspace on a large branch that I have suspended on fishing line from the ceiling. I try and change what's hanging off "my branch" fairly regularly and the students will soon be returning, so this is perfect!

(The free pattern for these Lotus Mandala Prayer flags/medallions can be found here)

and I have no idea why Blogger has decided to load the photo upside down, but I have neither inclination or energy to try and work it out, so instead you get the crown-like version!

sweater knitting

2012-01-18T10:09:00.000+11:00

January may have started out all about hats, but I think it will finish being dubbed "Sweater-Month"! I have cast on a Whisper for myself, using my madelinetosh "Mate" - gorgeous inky tones with flashes of cobalt. And to balance all that laceweight knitting, I also cast on a Quintet from Twist Collective (sans stripes) for my girl, in a retina-scorching shade of aqua

and to top it off, my copy of "A Stitch In Time, Knitting and Crochet Patterns, 1920-1949 Vol. 1" by Jane Waller and Susan Crawford arrived!

First cab off the rank will most likely be "It Cannot Fail to Please" by Susan Waller. This little sweater was already a favorite, but this version 100% sold me.

And I also love, love, LOVE this little sweater!

"Enchanting in Black and White". I will definitely be making this, most likely in exactly the same combination of yarn and colours as show, because I think it's just perfect.

sounds perfectly reasonable

2012-01-05T11:42:00.000+11:00

so, when you're 4 years old, and your big sister has one...

and your big cousin has one...

seems perfectly reasonable that you would want one too!

I had the request for a "black hat, please" just like the other two from my 4yo niece on NYE, so naturally I had to oblige!

another Springtime in Paris beret, this time using some stash (so far so good on stash first!) black 8ply, maybe from Lincraft? There wasn't any ball bands on it, but I think I remember buying it for Lily's granny blanket.

This pattern is a great pattern, and I actually think the black one is my favourite, but I think 3 might be my limit. at least for the time being. There are so many great patterns out there to try, it seems silly to keep remaking the same one, but the upside was I had the pattern memorised!

fresh start

2012-01-02T14:25:00.001+11:00

I have decided I am starting the year as I mean to finish, so yesterday and today I cleared out all my lingering WIP’s and frogged them, re-skeined the wool, and then set to cataloging and clearing The Stash.

I really find I don’t use the Ravelry stash function very much, in all honesty, so I am quite lax in uploading new purchases. I am starting to wonder if there is any part of denial in this action though?! I seem to have snuck quite a bit into the house this year, despite not going to Bendigo and being what I though was quite cautious this year!

(for example, there's two jumpers' worth of madelinetosh still just sitting there begging to be knit)

I am going follow in the Stash n Burn path and try to adopt a “harm-reduction” policy for 2012. so, wherever possible, knitting only from stash {pause for laughter}

No, really {further pause..}

This little hat is my first FO for 2012. “Swirl Hat”, using (stash!) Socks that Rock Lightweight – Hard Rock.

I love STR colourways... In the skein.

I am perpetually disappointed in them knit up, however. I can’t stand the pooling, and usually try and find patterns that “shift” the yarn to minimise it. This hat does a reasonable job, I think?

Unfortunately, I really do think I’ve fallen out of love with variegated yarns though. I like a subtle variation in my yarns – plain solids look a bit meh, but I’m favouring more tweed, or semi-solids these days.

Which doesn’t bode well for the amount of stash yarn I have that is variegated...suggestions?

I was also going to do the mosaic of my FO’s for 2011, but as I was loading up the photos I came to the realisation that I don’t actually *like* much of what I knitted last year? It all felt like duty knitting, most of it was to give away, nothing really jumps out at me as WOW, and I have barely worn any of the things I knit for myself.

2012 is going to be a different story, hopefully. I have seen a few bloggers posting about their plans for the year ahead, knitting-wise, and I am going to sit down and draft up some ideas too.

To assist, I ordered this book:

I love vintage knitting, and this book has been on my list for quite some time. I'm hoping it's going to provide some inspiration and ignite the dying spark, cos I definitely need my mojo back!

farewell 2011, hello 2012!

2011-12-31T12:48:00.000+11:00

I can't wait for tonight, to herald in the dawn of a shiny and fresh new year! Not that 2011 has been terrible, but I have a good feeling about 2012...

I'm looking forward to a nice, quiet gathering tonight, free from all the hoopla and stress that so often accompanies NYE celebrations. Instead I'm heading off to a friends' seaside place, pitching a tent in their back yard and we will be surrounded by a group of lovely, lovely people all with similar expectations for the evening. There are a heap of kids in tow, so there will be sparklers and glow sticks, lots of giggles and fun, plus some excellent bbq food and drink, and many laughs.

I am so very blessed with my friends.

I'm also looking forward to the new year, because it means I get to put up my new calendar!

At Meredith this year, my girl and I decided to do a bit of a project over the weekend. We spent time taking photos of all the "icons" of Meredith, and the things about it that make it so very special to us.

I had the images translated into a 2012 calendar, and I've been dying to put it up since we got the finished article.

We also had one made for the people who shared the weekend with us and made it the very awesome weekend it was.

so, here's to 2012. How can it be anything less than fantastic, when we're surrounded by friends as ace as this?

Happy New Year, everyone!

xx

lazy days

2011-12-28T12:38:00.000+11:00

ahh, the post-Christmas wind-down...how I love it so!

We enjoyed a small but lovely family Christmas this year, hosted by my Mum. The lunch rolled into dinner, then late night nibbles, and finally we all ended up staying the night. Waking up all together was one of the most surprisingly enjoyable parts.

of course, I did have to endure (briefly) wearing a paper crown.

and much to the dismay of a few members of our party, this did not make it to our gathering.

maybe next year ;)

and now we are spending time lazing away days, working on craft projects, sitting in the sun, going for bike rides and the beach, and catching up with friends and family who are doing similar.

Nearly daily one of us will ask "What day is it today - Tuesday? Wednesday?" as the days roll into one.

Hope everyone is having an equally relaxing break..

Silly what?

2011-12-19T17:50:00.000+11:00

So much for the so-called "Silly Season" - December is shaping up to be a pretty fabulous month here at kgirlknits!

I went to Meredith Music Festival, which is kind of one of my favourite festivals ever. Not only was it an awesome line up, but I got to spend time with a really cool bunch of people, including my girl and her beautiful aunty Suse, for the first time all together.

3 days of fantastic weather, music and company left us all in a very happy place as we came back to face the silliest of the season!

That said, the shopping is all done (thanks this year mainly to online marketplaces, like Etsy and madeit - huzzah!), the tree is up and the mood is calm...

I even had time to go pick up my hula hoop today! Yep, as part of my Christmas-present-to-myself ritual, I booked in for hula hoop classes with Circus Oz in the new year!! Hooping it something I've wanted to learn for a long time, but somehow the time and opportunity have never coincided..until now!

I had a quick go before I put it under the tree, and it's AWESOME! Can't wait to get started come January...

Knitting has taken a pleasant part in the month too, with ample time at Meredith during the days to finish my garter stitch cowl.

I've pared back my baby knitting due to overwhelming demand (my, the people I know are good breeders!) and now am making wee hats for all the new little people arriving in my circles.

It was a necessity for both my enjoyment in the process, and the time I have available. The majority of my friends are now onto second or third babies, so I figure they will understand.

So right now, I'm going to kick back with some very last minute Christmas knitting, because I have time and inclination - both very lovely things to be in possession of at this stage of the game :D

some pretty cool things rockin' my world this week

2011-12-02T20:01:00.000+11:00

cloudlover yarn arrived this week - a Knit Girllls special colourway called "Haunted Vineyard". It's so pretty! (cool pretty)

my awesome new chairs (there's two of them), salvaged from the neighbours hard rubbish collection pile - huzzah! Just need new seat cushions...

Some more work done on my Sirens tattoo, by my gorgeous teammate - the very cool Inkabelle

My Sirens are playing this weekend against one of our favourite regional leagues - Ballarat Roller Derby League (and we're gonna whop 'em good!) Come check us out if you're around on Sunday Dec 4th

an mindless garter stitch cowl on 6mm needles(in the round, long enough to loop) has been cast on as car-knitting for the road trip to Ballart. It's the *perfect* shade of red

My new Wayfakers sunglasses, also the perfect shade of red. It was love at first sight <3

Hope everyone else has had an equally cool week!

1-UP

2011-11-10T21:56:00.002+11:00

I gave up Christmas knitting a long time ago because I found it far too stressful, particularly at a time of year that is already subject to loads of extra stress.

This year I’m making a small exception, just for these...

Crochet amigurumi Mario Bros mushrooms!

I’m making them as a set of Christmas tree decorations for a friend of mine, who has a bit of a fetish for all things to do with old-school gaming.

It’s my first go at amigurumi, and I was surprised at how easy it was?! Just round and round double crochet, and a bit of counting. I’ll definitely be having a go at more patterns now!

If you’d like to have a go at your own set, you can find the super-helpful, well written pattern here.

and yes, I do know this isn't the specific "1-UP" 'shroom...I just couldn't resist the title :)

A day off for a horse race? Who am I to complain?!

2011-11-01T20:30:00.000+11:00

So for those who aren't in Melbourne, today is Cup Day. The day off for the "race that stops a nation". Don't know about that, but I am grateful for the day off work today, I will admit.
(Although I would rather it not be at the expense of animals and rich men making money off them (and punters), but that is another much longer discussion)

Anyway, I have some finished objects to share!

I made a felted plant mat out of my bargain-but-itchy-as-hell-yet-too-beautiful-to-throw-away yarn

It's so sweet, sitting under my white frilly cyclamen like a little lake. I have plan to make some more, maybe stripe them using up other felting wool?

I also finished another Springtime beret, this time for my girl. She loved her cousin's one so much she requested one of her own. It's a completely different hat in a sturdier yarn. I do like the mohair version, I have to admit, but Lily is super happy with her new red beret so everyone wins!

Oh, and this weekend I went into 3RRR and chatted with the Radio Marinara crew about roller derby!

What's that, you say? Marine-life and derby have a connection?! Well, it was very tenuous, but yes; yes they do! (Hint = our league is the "South Sea" Roller Derby league)

It was such a blast, and Bron & Angeline were so delightful to chat with. You can listen here if you would like to,

the way we do it these days...

2011-10-28T18:40:00.000+11:00

Fairly regularly, I like to pull out all my knitting magazines, books and stored soft-copy files and have a good flick through for inspiration...

I have a lot of knitting resources, to say the least. I have been fairly diligent in loading them into my Ravelry library over the years, although there are definitely some recent purchases that haven't quite made it yet.

Today I was thinking about my night. I have the luxury of having the house to myself and not one single place I need to be, or one single thing that has to be done. So naturally my thoughts turned to knitting.

Because I was at work and didn't have access to my hard-copy resources, I jumped on Ravelry and started scouring my queue and favourites.

It was at this point I had a mini revelation.

I went into "Patterns" and from the advanced search, I only selected "In my Library".

39 pages of patterns came up! How exciting is that?? I can see at a glance all the patterns I have access to, what resource they are in, who else has knitted them (and how they turned out!) and get across-the-board inspiration, all at one click of a mouse!

Patterns I'd forgotten about, some I'd dismissed but now think they deserve a second look after seeing what other people have done with them, and some I just plain missed!

I love Ravelry!

small pleasures

2011-10-17T11:41:00.000+11:00

Thank you to everyone for the suggestions regarding my itchy bargain wool. I think felted homewares is the definite go; as soon as I saw "coaster" my mind started racing! Some nice felted circular mats for under bowls or pot plants, I think....

Meanwhile, there are some things making me happy today...

:: a small posy of geranium, lavender and lemon thyme, all picked from my meagre patio garden

:: a new tattoo, started on my thigh this week. Our derby travel team - The South Sea Sirens - are all getting something similar, but mine has the swallows added, and the bittersweet date of my last-ever bout... even more special, one of my team-mates is the tattooist. Shading and colour to come in a couple of week...

Hope your Monday is likewise filled with pleasurable things xx

bargain or bomb-out?

2011-10-15T20:43:00.000+11:00

Anyone who knows me will attest; I do love a good bargain. Op-shops are my favourite haunts, and I have found MANY bargains with craft and knitting materials over the years. (16 skeins of a cashmere-blend was one memorable find!)

This particular bargain bag of wool was so pretty, with it's mermaid shades of blues and greens, that I simply could not leave it behind, and at $2.99 for 240g, the price was right.

or was it??

The weight and ply of this yarn suggests it's between a DK and an Aran, and there is probably only enough meterage for a small kercheif or cowl.

It is, however, the itchiest, scratchy yarn I have ever encountered. I did the old test of tying a strand around my neck to see if a cowl were at all possible, and I could not even bear it long enough to tie it on.

So, bargain or bomb-out? What else can anyone suggest to use this for?? The only thing I can think is a beanie, but use a a softer merino in coordinating colour for the band, but it's not really something I want or need.

(almost) instant gratification

2011-10-07T14:54:00.001+11:00

two super quick little knits on the needles this week, because I am craving some instant gratification at the moment.

"Speer Cap" from Knitscene Fall 2011, in some deep-stash Wired for Fibre 10ply merino. I can't remember the colourway, but I have a feeling it was "Heaven"? Not sure in who's wardrobe this cap will end up, but it was such an enjoyable knit, and the wool is a treat to work with - so soft!

The second project fro the week was a pair of Toast, by Leslie Friend, for my girl. She *loves* her armwarmers and wristwarmers, and has been bugging me for a red pair for a while now. Again, using some deep-stash up; this is Bendigo Rustic 8ply in Redcurrant.

The cap took 3 days and the armwarmers took 2 - how's that for near-instant gratification?!

Road trip

2011-10-03T21:55:00.000+11:00

My SnB group went on a road trip to Sassafrass last Saturday, to check out the Sassafrass Wool Store, but also to get out of our usual haunt and have a bit of fun.

We possibly could not have picked a worse day for it - heavy rain and fog for the majority of the day - however we all seemed to have a great time despite the weather. A couple of newer members joined us, which was lovely, and I had an awesome time driving up the mountain, chatting all the way (and concentrating on the road, promise!)

After a quick coffee at Ripe, we headed into our main destination - the wool shop.

I bought some wool - quelle surprise!

Some Madil Kid Seta for an Angel Puff scarf for Lily's teacher as a Christmas present...

70% mohair, 30% silk

As a lovely surprise, my car companions bought me two skeins of this gorgeous Tahki Rio in a deep red wine colourway! I am thinking nice warm hat.

50% alpaca, 35% merino, 15% silk

Some Misti Alpaca Tonos Carnaval, colourway "Surf" for a Live Oak shawl from the latest Knitscene...

50% alpaca, 30% merino, 10% silk, 10% nylon

speaking of Knitscene, did you know you can now buy this magazine in digital version? and for just US$7.99?? That's a lot cheaper than buying the hard copy in Australia - I think I paid nearly $14 for the latest one!

I'm thinking I will be doing that in future, much easier for storage and projects on-the-go!!

the washing can wait...

2011-09-30T22:29:00.000+10:00

because I can't get enough of making these tonight...

a nice distraction from today's never-ending to-do list.

A blanket square and a beret this week

2011-09-28T16:35:00.000+10:00

I was walking past the campus cafeteria at work last week and noticed a group of women sitting knitting. Despite all senses telling me to do so, I decided not to be socially awkward and just bowl over to them with a big "Hey, can I join in?!" but as soon as I got a chance I headed down to the Student Services noticeboard to see if it was an organised group or just some friends having some lunch and a knit.

Turns out is is a weekly knitting group, right under my department! They have about 10 members that come and go through a two hour session that runs over lunch breaks.

I went along the following week and I'm not really sure how this even happened, but within 2mins had been signed up to knit a blanket square for a charity group they are working with. It's mindless knitting, 44sts of garter stitch for roughly 88 rows. They did provide the wool at least...

As much as I like to help and am willing to do at least one square, I won't be rushing to sign up for another one though - I have too much of my personal knitting to achieve currently!

One of which is this sweet beret I knitted up last week for my niece, who's been borrowing her mum's berets and needed one all of her very own. She put it straight on and by all accounts wore it all day, so I think she liked it.

Its the Springtime in Paris beret pattern (free on the net) and I did some deep-stash diving for the wool which is Cleckheaton Mohair (more fauxhair than mohair, but I digress) in an Aubergine colour, cos the little lady favours the deep jewel tones.

Such a quick and easy pattern to knit up, I am definitely considering another soon.

Hey, STELLA!

2011-09-19T17:57:00.000+10:00

Stella is finally off the needles!

After a long slog of stocking stitch, I managed to finish the collar pieces relatively easily (and get them sewn on satisfactorily!) on Friday night after work, all ready for our groups' knitting meetup on Saturday...then I promptly forgot to take it - d'oh!

It's a sweet cardigan, with a few gorgeous details.

I love the way the collar stands "up & away" from my neck. I've always admired this particular neckline from cardigans and jumpers from the 50's & 60's, and of course, the collar is what this pattern is all about.

I was very hesitant about starting the collar, mainly because of it's construction. You knit it in two pieces, attach them to the neckline, then graft/kitchener them in the centre back.

That just seemed like far too many chances to muck it up to me!

In the end though, it was my first attempt at an i-cord bindoff that gave me the most grief. Whilst I would say I am "happy" with the end result, I would by no means say it's a good job of this technique! I struggled with which stitches to pick up along the edging, and with keeping the tension of the i-cord even, so it's a bit lumpy in parts...

Overall though, very pleased with my new cardigan. Yet to decide if I am attaching a button at the base of the collar, or leaving it open, or wearing it pinned with a brooch...

All this recent finishing of projects left me with an urge to cast on madly though, so on a whim I started another pair of socks, a beret for my niece, and a baby cardigan!

These are the socks...

The wool is Cascade Heritage in a particularly lush shade of red, and the pattern is Conwy from Knitting on the Road - Nancy Bush, and they are knitting up really quickly!

More on the other projects next time...

Podcasts (and an FO- truly!)

2011-09-15T14:25:00.000+10:00

I'm always on the hunt for new podcasts to follow, and since being off work even more so. I'm a longtime listener to Stash & Burn. I really like the interaction between Jenny and Nicole, and the topics they discuss. Under normal circumstances their posting schedule of about once a month has been perfect for me, but having prolonged time on my hands, I've been jonesing for just a little bit more.

so I don't actually recall how I found The Knit Girllls, but find them I did, and I've been obsessing about them ever since! It's a vidcast, and they post once a week, covering repeating topics of On the Needles, Finished Objects, Spinning progress, and the occasional review of patterns or new books. I've enjoyed this podcast so much that I went to Ravelry and joined their group, plus added both to my friends list. To my thrill, they both responded by immediately adding me right

They recently reviewed the new book, My Grandmothers Knitting by Larissa Brown, which I'm hoping to add to an order this week. So many beautiful projects that I would probably never have seen, but also just some beautiful stories from people about their family relation with knitting.

What other knitting podcasts are people listening on and can recommend? I'd love to find some local content, but not having much luck. The U.S. ones are great, and thanks to Ravelry the patterns and yarns referred to are easy enough to find, but it would be awesome to find the Australian/Nz equivalent.

Ok, and to finish today's post - as promised;a Finished Object!

Mum's Gratitude socks are off the needles and they are lovely. I can't wait to give them to her next time she visits. Here they are with my nicely healing scar for reference of why they were knit.

To recap: simple 64st garter rib socks with Eye of Partridge heel flap and standard toe. Yarn is The Knittery Merino 4ply in "Berrylicous"

so now there is nothing on the needles but a nearly-finished-oh-so-close Stellar cardigan and the Ripple Rug monster... must be time for a cast-on frenzy, methinks!

p.s. thank you to everyone for the support and feedback on the epic Ripple Rug debate! I have decided to make it my "TV" project and work on it steadily until December but if it's not finished by Christmas, it's either frogged or re-homed.

p.p.s oh, the socks were my Marlenes - well guessed Leonie & Tara ;)

Finish or frog?

2011-09-05T14:01:00.000+10:00

So, my local knitting group (Bayside Knitters on Ravelry) is having a bit of a discussion on long-term UFO's at the moment. There's sort of an unwritten motivation to have these finished by the end of the year.

My biggest UFO is my Couch Potato ripple rug. It's a crochet ripple rug that I intend to be large enough to hang over the back of my 3-seater couch once finished, and I'm making it in shades of blues and browns and greys. I actually had to look up on Ravelry when I started the project. DECEMBER 2008!!

In my defense, I have not worked solidly on this project during that time. I have little flurries of activity on it, followed by months and months of completely ignoring its existence. I'm sure psychologists would have a field day on the whys and wherefores of that analogous behaviour, but it is what it is.

My beast.

Here is the current progress on it. I anticipate I am around the halfway mark, judging by measuring it against another rug of similar finished proportions. I can't even really say I love the colours still. There is a lot more red in my loungeroom than when I started this project, and the brown/grey juxtopostion that I so dearly loved 3 years ago now seems a little old, perhaps?

So, do I push forward? Or do I call it a day and frog?? Can I really frog? Will my brain and heart allow all those hours of work to go to waste? Even if I don't end up loving the finished project, someone will and I could always give it aways, I guess. I"m going to make a solid commitment to having it finished by the end of the year, I think. Just as it is bad feng shui to have dead flowers and plants in your house, I am coming to believe that its bad juju to have UFO's hiding in corners of the knitting basket for more than 3 years.

Perhaps 3 years is the deadline for finish or frog??

It's time to clear the decks!

Baby #5 and a knitting quiz

2011-09-02T16:54:00.000+10:00

So, I returned to work this Wednesday which has been great. Even though it is still a physical challenge to get from A to B, I was mentally ready to start getting back to my normal routing. Work have been fantastic, allowing me to ease back in on half days - huzzah!

My enforced knitting time was maybe not as productive as I had hoped, but I do have one finished project to report.

Baby #5's cardigan has been completed and mailed off this week. I ended up doing a short sleeve version, because when I looked at the size it was knitting up in, I doubt it will fit this babe until Autumn 2012.

I'm overall very happy with it - the colours work well together and I added a picot edge to the hem. Simple, yet effective.

I'm halfway through the second sock of Mum's Gratitude socks. She is heading home this weekend, after spending 5 weeks (some longer than others, for both of us!) looking after me. I was really hoping to have them finished by this date, but they will get done quickly from this point, I imagine.

and I have only half the collar and the i-cord trim left on my Stellar...so of course I have not touched it in weeks!

Hopeless.

I intend to knuckle down this coming week and see if I can finish both projects - don't wish me luck; wish me FOCUS :)

As promised, a little knitting quiz to finish on....

What knitted socks was I wearing to make this pattern on my puffy foot, hmmm??

One week to go? Really??

2011-08-20T20:49:00.000+10:00

Only one more week and hopefully I will be able to start weight-bearing again!

I went searching for some information on physio and such, and discovered I may still need crutches for up to 4 weeks. It sort of got me down a bit, I guess I was expecting on some level to still need assistance and I certainly didn't expect physio to be painless, but I was really kind of hoping to be done with crutches...

As cute as mine are and all...

They're from a company called Busted Bling (I think a derby girl runs it?) that makes cool padded covers for crutches. I've got matching caliper padding & hand grip padding in my favourite leopard print. Not only are they super-stylish, but they help a LOT with the sore hands and arms usually associated with crutches.

Despite all this though, I cannot wait to start getting back into things, although I know it will be a slow process getting full movement and muscle tone back. Going from training up to 3 times/7hrs a week on skates to nothing has been incredibly tough and I can't believe how much fitness I have lost! That first gym session back is going to be a killer!

My knitting dexterity is getting a solid work out though. Currently I am working on my Stellar (still), the second sock for Mum (yay!) and (another!) baby cardigan. The baby cardigan is the only thing you are yet to see, so here it is...

It's the simple Garter-Yoke baby cardigan that I have knit previously, and the wool is some stash Bendigo Luxury 8ply: Barley and a ball of Heirloom Merino 8ply in a soft sea-green, which is proving quite pleasing knit together.

I love this pattern. It's simple yet beautiful, and can be adapted in so many ways. I've striped the garter yoke, then will continue the body in the citrus colour.

The baby was born a few days ago, so the deadline has well and truly passed on this project! Luckily they live the other side of town, and I am unlikely to catch up with them for another fortnight or so...

Shouldn't take much longer to finish off though - I'm on the main body section. While I've been off work, I've got into quite the routine of spending a couple of hours morning and afternoon each day knitting on the couch - do you reckon I could somehow write that into my return to work program??

teehee, no..I don't think so either ;)

Healing knitting

2011-08-07T18:15:00.000+10:00

So, breaking an ankle does have a silver lining and that is I really do have nothing better to do that sit around and knit - knit wool, and knit bones!

I have made great progress on my Stella cardigan, and am now working on the collar. It's a rather old-fashioned stitch called "Leaning Star Stitch", and it knits up very quickly which bodes well for this cardigan being finished about the same time as my sick leave!

After the collar - which is knit in two pieces, grafted and then sewn onto the body - there is only an i-cord edging to go. I am concerned I am going to run out of yarn by the i-cord, but I have a back up plan if I do. Fingers crossed it works.

Mum has come down to stay with me while I'm deemed non-weightbearing, which has been of tremendous help. The other night I got her to get down my sock yarn and pick out some she liked so I could make her some socks as a thank-you.

She chose the delicious "Berrylicious", which is old Knittery yarn from years back. I love this colourway, and it's such a delight to be knitting it up into a simple garter-stitch rib pair of socks for Mum.

Currently I seem to also be sleeping a lot. Like, 10-11 hours at night and 1-2 hour cat naps in the afternoon?? I know my body is in healing-mode, but even so - I'm not used to such inactivity! I'm hoping the energy starts to return soon, so I can bring you even more finished projects!

my derby team went to Perth and all I got was this...

2011-07-31T10:50:00.000+10:00

bloody broken ankle!

and in the last four minutes of the game, too... (yes, we won)

I ended up in hospital for 5 days over in Perth and have had surgery to put a metal plate and six screws in, then had to fly home with one leg elevated the whole flight - that was fun, let me tell you. Hats off to the hosting league though - they were amazingly generous and caring looking after my stranded broken self. I am forever indebted to them for their kindness

So I'm laid up for 6 weeks, no weight bearing, can't go to work due to various restrictions and logistics. I feel so dependent, which is the worst part I think?

I guess it does leave a lot of time for knitting though...I am looking forward to getting a few big projects knocked over and some little ones that have been on the list for ages

[tuneage]

2011-07-03T20:41:00.000+10:00

this song has always had a special resonance in my heart...I love this version xx

buttons & booties

2011-06-12T15:04:00.000+10:00

I found the perfect buttons for the latest little babe's cardigan!

And of course, coordinating booties were required too . Is there any better use of those little ends of sock yarn than a sweet pair of Saartje's booties, I ask??

TOSH!

2011-06-06T11:21:00.001+10:00

when one is trying to get back on track financially after an overseas holiday, one always goes cruising yarn sites, doesn't one??

I *may* have slipped on my credit card and purchased the following beautiful Madelinetosh yarn...

Tosh Merino Light - Mare - 2 skeins


Tosh DK - Terrarium - 5 skeins

I just love the flashes of cobalt and turquoise in them both respectively.

Both destined to be beautiful garments for me - a Featherweight or something similar for the Merino Light and a more substantial jumper for the DK - possibly Hourglass Sweater from Last MInute Knitted Gifts?

that 70s cardigan

2011-05-30T16:35:00.000+10:00

One of our derby Ref’s - Battle Tank - is expecting his first baby with his partner, and they've been told it's a girl, so naturally the baby has been dubbed Tank Girl by our league!

I've made this little cardigan is for her (and it’s in my team’s colour, of course!)

I’m using one of my many retro knitting books, from my collection found at op shops and markets. It’s got eyelet lace around the yoke, cuffs and hem, which I am omitting and using garter stitch instead, trying to modernise the pattern slightly.

I really love a yoked cardigan for a baby; no seams and very easy to get on and off for new mums, but I do not understand eyelet lace on the parts of a garment that little baby fingers need to pass through?

Knitting with older patterns (I simply CANNOT call the 70's "vintage" - I still remember them!) is quite amusing, especially the different techniques for construction you encounter, however I still think some of the best little baby knits come from this era when it comes to practicality and design.

[tuneage]

2011-05-25T18:09:00.000+10:00

pretty excited to have scored tickets today to see these guys when they come to Melbourne late July!

Home :)

2011-05-21T20:48:00.000+10:00

I'm back home after my travels, and it's taking some time to get back in the swing of non-holiday life, I have to say.

I had a great time in Thailand. I loved the crazy pace of Bangkok; the culture and the people, but most of all I really loved being in a completely different country and all the personal challenges that creates.

I was very lucky to be traveling with 4 people who have multiple trips to Bangkok under their belt. They taught me all the little ways, the customs and the "rules", and they showed me how to negotiate with tuk tuk drivers and get around, giving me the confidence to venture out on my own by Day 3!

This is one of my trips on a riverboat taxi - getting on and off is a thrill in itself. You don't have long at either point, and you get very nimble when there's a risk of falling in the canal!

and there were daily foot massages...heavenly.

We did a few day trips using Bangkok as our base, hiring private cars and planning our own days rather than going on organised tours for the most part, which really worked well.

First we headed up to Ayutthaya to visit the ancient city ruins, which were so amazingly beautiful...

Ayutthaya was razed by the Burmese in the 1760's and at the same time, they removed all the Buddha images' heads. It was really rather eerie, even today.

Misty & I spent a lot of time wandering around here, and I was really disappointed that I had only taken my "point-and-shoot" camera - so many wonderful shots went by the wayside.

From there we were taken onto another temple in the Ayutthaya province, the one the has been rebuilt. We were there on the King's Day (Monday) which is why all the Buddha's were draped in yellow cloth - it's the King's colour. Apparently on their previous trips, my travel companions told me each Monday you would see a lot of Thai people wearing yellow out of respect for the King, however this time round, after the recent protests, we barely saw anyone.

We also went to Lop Buri, home of the Monkey Temple...

The monkey's FREAKED me out! They are everywhere in the town, and they are sacred, so you can't shoo them away. One large male made a running leap at my back as we walked towards the temple, and I nearly had heart failure!

Misty on the other hand, had no problems with the monkeys and was quite keen to let them touch her...{{shudder}}

Suffice to say although I am glad I went and experienced it, Lop Buri was not somewhere I would be returning to in a hurry!!

Our group also went out to Ko Larn. For this we actually did tag along with a tour group because it was easier and cheaper than doing it ourselves. The tour was OK, but it was very tourist-orientated naturally.

We took a speedboat out from Pattaya to the island, had a swim, rode some scooters around (I may have crashed mine, but that's another story!) and then headed back to Bangkok.

This trip was so fantastic that I'm already planning my next one - Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos are high on the list. The short time away showed me that there are some really important things in my life that are being neglected, and I need to pay attention and make these things important again.

Knitting definitely falls in this category, so since being back, I've set aside specific time in my day for it. I've been working on my Stellar cardigan - currently at the long inevitable stretch of stocking stitch inescapable when working all-in-one and top down. It doesn't make for the most interesting of photos, but it is good mindless TV knitting!

I've also cast on for Baby #4 - in purple!! It's a simple yoked cardigan, worked all in one to the armholes. The wool is Shepherd Merino Baby 4ply, and the colour is every bit as rich and delightful as the photo.

In Roller Derby/SSRD news, my beloved Cutthroat Charmers won another bout on May 14th - the day after I got back from Thailand, so there has been a lot of purple-love in my life recently!

I managed to line up for this one, but didn't actually get any track time - which was FINE! I am ready to go next one out though - definitely!!

Hopefully this time with 100% less broken face.

catch you later...!

2011-05-05T07:44:00.000+10:00

see you all when I get back from Thailand (knittingless, thanks to stupid airline restrictions still in place on knitting needles and carry-on, grrrr)

[tuneage]

2011-04-27T19:35:00.000+10:00

...where I share some music that I've been digging this week...

ahh...Tim

happenings

2011-04-23T16:30:00.002+10:00

in just over a week I'm heading off to Thailand for a much needed break - some eating, drinking and general relaxing is in order. I'm pretty excited about it, as you can imagine!

We plan to do a fair bit of getting around, and the people I'm travelling with suggested a lightweight zippered sling bag would be really handy, so I spent the afternoon making this out of bits and pieces I had in my stash.

I'd forgotten how much I simultaneously love and hate sewing!

Something a simple a sewing a zip into a lined bag befuddles me each and every time I do it. Do the right sides of both the lining and the outer face each other? Where do I sew up til, so I can still flip it inside out? and it goes on...

but I managed to get this little bag done with minimal re-dos, so I'm fairly pleased. The outer fabric is so pretty, and the size has turned out just what I was after.

Knitting-wise, I have finished two more baby knits this week, bringing me to a total of 3 for 2011 so far. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get a photo of #2 before I gave it to the Mum, but this is #3

It's Pebble, knit up in some Pear Tree 8ply I grabbed at Bendigo a couple of years ago. The colourway is quite predictably named "Camo". Such a great little pattern, this is! simple, yet I imagine very practical, with buttons at both the shoulder and down one side therefore eliminating the need to put the garment over the babies' head.

I think vests are really, really useful for babies, too. The keep little bodies warm, without too much bulk on the arms, and can be perfect for those in-between days and afternoons.

So, with a feeling of piety at how many baby knits I've managed to date, I celebrated and cast on Stellar for myself - squeeeeeeeeeee!

it's not very interesting yet, just miles of stocking stitch on a circular needle, but here's a taste of the colour

You can also check out the designer's blog for her prototype knit for Stellar - it's a bit different, due to yarn choice and sizing, but I think it's rather lovely too.

{the sound of sunday}

2011-04-17T16:27:00.000+10:00

Lucinda Williams, with Elvis Costello
"Kiss like your Kiss"
from the latest album, "Blessed"

Twist Collective - Spring & Summer 2011

2011-04-01T19:18:00.000+11:00

The new Twist Collective is live!

I always love it when the new Twist comes out, but this edition is particularly wonderful in my opinion, so I thought I might share my excitement over a few of the patterns with you.

The very first story, Better than basic, ticks nearly all my boxes - slightly retro patterns, lots of cardigans with big collars, great fit features, and...a personal favourite...bracelet-length sleeves!

this will be first cab off my rank

Stellar, by Jenn Jarvis

just adorable...I wish I could wear that mustard colour but I think I will do mine in deep purple Cascade 220 I recently ordered. I was planning a big slouchy jumper, but I think it just got *bumped*

Hot faves in this section also include Blue Daisy - Hilliary Smith Callis; Clearwing - Amy Christoffers, and Quintet - Melissa Whearle, although I think I'd make Quintet in a sold rather than striping it...

Pergola, by Sandi Rosner is my clear sock fave in this edition, and lace knitters won't be disappointed either, with no less than 4 lace shawls and various garments included.

At Jane's is a sweet little set of patterns which are all, again, beautifully styled. I am not really that much of a frilly person, but I can't resist this

Mamie, by Cathy Carron

I think it's the dress...and that oh so cute pixie cut on the model (you will have to click the pattern link to see the haircut!). I do really also like the tie at the neck being countered by the button at the centre bust, too.

There is a great (very funny) article about the dance of the finishing by Lee Ann Dalton too, which is worth a read, as is the piece by Lela Nargi about Annemor Sundbø.

I find the photography, layout and styling so beautiful and well-constructed, not to mention the content which is, of course, stunning and well written. The people in charge certainly have a keen eye for style and appeal, but they also know how to pony up the goods - this is definitely not a case of style over substance.

one of my few (minor) criticisms is that I just wish there was a special "buy it all" option. Because let's face it - at around $7 per pattern it can get a bit pricey if you like a lot of the content. Although, having said that, about special prices, it's not like a magazine you buy hard-copy where you may only get 2-3 patterns you like enough to knits. Twist is like the ultimate build-your-own super-mag!

anyway...brava, Twist Collective - stunning work!

cherry on top

2011-03-19T11:16:00.000+11:00

my Cherry Bomb is finished!

I went with the "stunt buttons", on advice from RoseRed, and I love love love them!

for your listening pleasure..

2011-03-18T19:40:00.000+11:00

happy love tune to end the working week on...inspired after hearing the delightful Rin over on Meet me at Mikes

oh, to have a love that honest and sweet and all-encompassing

ooh, the ides of March!

2011-03-15T17:02:00.000+11:00

beware, as they say...

I have always known of this saying, but I went investigating for the origin last night...I really like learning about how sayings become part of the venacular. Beware the Ides of March has always sounded so ominous.

I was reminded of this one mainly because I'm having a crappy week on a technology level (which someone else has already pointed out may have more to do with Mars in retrograde, but I don't think that is happening at present?)

My computer seems to be on permanent go-slow at the moment - I do not know what it's problem is? It is taking forever to load pages, and seems always trying to catch up with what I'm typing, then iTunes has started opening with a spooky poltergeist-like persistence all by itself, and finally, my email keeps crashing??

on top of that, my camera dock has decided it's had enough, so I have a perfectly fine camera that I cannot charge, as the dock is also my battery charger. So I'm still stuck with my phone camera :(

it's making blogging and other computer work very frustrating, I have to say!

said the magpie to the morning..

2011-03-13T10:16:00.000+11:00

Finally; some sun!

After what has seemed like a non-summer in Melbourne, this week just past has seen some lovely sunny days bestowed upon us - kind of like a fond farewell...

Many times this week I have had the words of Neko Case drifting through my mind... don't let this fading summer pass you by...

even though, of course, Summer has indeed passed us by and we now look Autumn squarely in the face...

I love Autumn. A time for afternoon sunlight streaming in loungeroom windows, just before the slight chill of the evening calls for a cardigan and a hot drink. I always feel there is a "softness" to Autumn; a gentleness that belies the Winter chill still to come. It's in the breeze, I do believe ;)

So, in preparation, I have been finishing off all those short sleeved cardigans lying around so I can make way on the needles for some Winter woollies!

Lily's rainbow yoke cardigan has been hanging around my to-do basket for so long I am almost embarrassed to blog about it! I finally sewed the buttons on this morning. I don't know that they would have been my choice - they are quite acid green IRL, however she is most pleased with her choice, and that is really all that matters, isn't it?

My Cherry Bomb cardigan, which I boldly proclaimed would be finished by {ahem}...January (what was I thinking???) is finally just about done. The colour is really, really hard to photograph, but it is a lot more cherry red than the orangey-red you see here.

I am thrilled with the navy bands, too! I had a vision in my head of how the contrast would look, but I wasn't 100% certain it would translate. I should not have worried, because I think it's worked out exactly as I had imagined. The bands add just enough retro-twist to the wool, which in itself is quite old-fashioned.

Now, my hardest decision is going to be buttons. I tried a few stash buttons, but I'm not sure any of them are exactly what I'm after. The red ones above are a bit too orange-red, and the square white square ones are maybe a bit harsh?

I found this one - it's actually off some sailor shorts of mine and needs to be sewn back on (are you sensing a thread of "things kgirl needs to do"??) and although it's black, I know I can get them in navy too. It's just going to be expensive because I'll need to buy the sailor shorts the buttons are attached to!

which wouldn't be such a BAD thing, seeings how cute-as-apples those shorts are ;)

down to the wire

2011-03-06T22:50:00.000+11:00

so, for those who don't already know...my secret lace-knitting was for my aunt, Loris.

It was her birthday last weekend (Sunday) and this was cast off Friday!! blocking ensured, and I was able to deliver the finished item to her Sunday....

easy!

It suits her so much, don't you think? I was so pleased that, despite warmish weather, she wore it all afternoon, and it matched her outfit *perfectly*, thus validating my choice of yarn as "very-Loris"

happy Birthday, my darling aunt. you have nurtured and inspired me for 40 years, and I love you xx

2011 baby knitting has begun!

2011-02-15T23:09:00.000+11:00

so, on December 27th I had finally finished knitting all my 2010 baby knits, and was calling for a break in 2011…

by Jan 23rd 2011, I already had 6 babies due to arrive this year, oh lordy! I do love knitting for them though, so I guess it’s hey ho, here we go!

This one is for a bub due in the next week or so. I've made a 3-6m size cardigan, using Bendigo Classic 5ply (Ruby?) The colour is a bit deeper and more blue-based in real life, but I love this Hipstamatic photo of it! plus my regular camera is having technical meltdowns at the moment, so the phone camera is all I am stuck with..

I'm also really pleased with the sizing of this garment, which is probably closer to 6m than 3m. Should work well, just in case the weather in Melbourne decides to heat up again. Hey, it could happen!!

Pattern specs: garter yoke baby cardi by Jennifer Hoel (free)

wool: Bendigo Classic 5ply crepe; colourway: Ruby, I think

sticks: 3.75

The pattern is classic top-down garter yoke, which I think is so practical for little babies. Of course, I also love love love no seaming at the end, just a couple of ends to weave in. This is a long sleeve version, which could easily be adaptable to short sleeves, or patterned body?

now...onto Baby knit #2 - April/May, I think the next one is?

how to train one's dragon...in three easy steps

2011-01-20T18:24:00.000+11:00

knit it, frog it, then knit it once more

Easy

In other news, I am desperate to cast on this bit of lovely - for someone just as, if not more, lovely.
Ixchel laceweight cashmere/merino, colourway "Zen"

It's secret knitting...shhhh! so this is all you will see of it until, oh...March?

no more clues :P

sigh....

2011-01-11T22:32:00.000+11:00

I frogged it.

I read everyone's comments, and they told me what I already knew - I really wouldn't be able to live with it.

and I decided (quite maturely, I thought!) that a good pair of socks is worth the extra effort of being done right!

it's only the heel and the foot, won't take that long I guess...

so, how much faith do we place in blocking??

2011-01-10T18:00:00.000+11:00

was just about to start the decreases for the toe on my second Shur'tugal and tried it on to make sure I had them long enough in the foot and...

...the second one felt suspiciously low on my calf.

Sure enough, when I got the first one out to compare, it seems I've missed an entire repeat on the leg section of the second sock.

I'm weighing up whether a) I care and b) if I do care, can I really be bothered ripping it out to the heel and working it all again, for the sake of 12 rows?

12 rows in 4ply/fingering weight.

Seriously - I can block that, can't I?

holiday life

2011-01-05T11:16:00.000+11:00

ahh, holidays are just a bit wonderful, aren't they??

My girl's gone visitng for the week, so there has been lots of lazy mornings, reading, painting, eating when (and what) I feel like, and of course - knitting!

I can't remember the last time I was able to spend 4 hours just knitting? It's wonderful.

I cast on Shur'tugal (free Ravelry download pattern) on Jan 2, and I'm already on the foot of the first sock. Some of you might be familiar with the current knit-along taking place - Super Special Six Pattern Sock Club 2011 (S62011 for short!)

Shur'tugal is their first pattern. I'm not formally taking part in S62011, because I know realistically I'm not going to make it through 6 pairs of socks this year! This particular pattern is lovely though, so I thought I might participate from the sidelines, so to speak.

I'm using Cherry Tree Hill supersock "Indian Summer" colourway, and though I *love* the colours, I think I'd make this pattern again in a solid or semi-solid, to let the smocking pattern show better. But meh...when I made the impulsive decision to cast these on, this was the only skein of yarn already wound into a ball, so it won by sheer laziness on my behalf!

I've also been working on a little top-down raglan cardigan, using some tweedy yarn I picked up in the Bendigo Mills back room super cheap.

It's very old school - cherry red, with pale blue and light pink tweed, and it reminds me of knits from the 60's and 70's. I've called it my "Cherry Bomb", partly because of the nostalgia but also because I was watching that film about Joan Jett and the Runaways - "The Runaways", with Cherie Currie (stage name Cherry Bomb). Film was ho-hum, but the name stuck in my head!

I'm thinking of doing the ribbed bands in navy and putting big white buttons on it?

I think I have about one more ball's worth of stocking stitch to go before it's long enough...I do love top down raglans for so many reasons - no seams, try on as you go, etc - but that long slog at the end sometimes just about does me in!

I am making a concerted effort to have this cast off by the end of January, though. Wish me luck!!

snuck one more in!

2010-12-29T10:15:00.000+11:00

another little cardigan, for my little one in Scotland. Same pattern as the last two, with yet another modification, just to keep it interesting (for me!)

I added another couple of rows to each "layer" and instead of decreasing on the last one for the final garter stitch band, I kept the greater number of stitches to produce a flounce for the finish

the yarn is The Knittery's Merino/Cashmere (OLD) in "Cherries". There is some particularly lovely variegation between pale pink, plum, chocolate and dark cherry in this colourway, and I'm thrilled with how it's knitted up in this garment.

The buttons are off an old leather coat of mine that has not seen the light of day since this little one's mum and I used to knock around the gigs and bars, so not only do they match the yarn *perfectly*; they also have some resonance to different times

phew...now I'm done!

2010

2010-12-24T09:06:00.000+11:00

I've been lamenting how little knitting I achieved this past year, due to derby commitments and new jobs, but when I went to put together my annual mosaic of knits, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I actually achieved!

2x adult sized cardigans, a lace shawl in cobwebweight, 5x baby cardigans and 3x vests, plus hats and booties - that's not a bad effort, considering!

Here's to a bigger and better 2011, in all areas.

Hope you all have a wonderful festive season and Happy New Year!!

last ones...

2010-12-08T14:25:00.000+11:00

well, I barely dare say it...but the baby knitting for 2010 is finally complete!

This little one is for Baby M, born late October. I used the Baby Ruched Cardigan pattern (available on the net here) and some lovely squishy Zarina that was gifted to me from one of the women in my SnB group.

It is such a great pattern - top down, no seams, and knits up quickly on 3.75mm needles. I've made it in the 3-6m size, and am hoping it will be just the right size once the weather starts to cool next year. The garter stitch yoke makes it very stretchy and accommodating, so I'm sure that when it's needed, it will fit!

This little one is for Baby E, born a few weeks later. M & E are cousins, so I thought it would be rather cute for them to have same-but-different cardigans.

This is some knitabulous yarn from one of the yarn clubs I purchased last year. The greens are so rich and move deliciously through the hues, especially when knitted up in garter stitch.
I modified the body, making it shorter and substituting an eyelet pattern instead of the ruching. I also shortened it considerably and added a big girly frill

The buttons are from my stash - I've been saving these since before my daughter was born, and they went perfectly with this little bolero...I'm a sucker for a little floral button, I have to say

now...can I please have a big rest from baby knitting? Please?! As much as I love it, it feels like all I've done this year given my time constraints and the sheer number of babies born within my circle of family and friends!

I am looking forward to some long-planned bigger projects, including some big warm jumpers for both Lily and I for next winter, and the notebook is already filling up with ideas for my Red Hill Show entries!!

not the type...

2010-12-07T22:50:00.000+11:00

so, my lawn mower guy, who shall be called "Dennis" for the purpose of this post, and who is most likely in his 60's or thereabouts, came round to do the lawns this morning and when I went downstairs to drop off his money he asked me about the South Sea Roller Derby sticker on my car.

I told him it was the league I play with, and he got talking about the derby of the 70's, and the wrestling similarities, etc. We had a lovely chat about the theatrics and the physicality of it all.

I then was telling him about the fact that there was a derby tour in the 30's and 40's, and we both expressed our surprise at the thought of women from this era playing such a physical game....

He paused but a brief second and said...

"yes, but they wouldn't have been nice girls..you know? not the kind you'd take home to Mother.."

I went upstairs giggling to myself...

so that's my problem in the men department, LOL!!

Final bout of the season - we won!

2010-11-14T15:53:00.000+11:00

Last night was our final roller derby bout for 2011.

Our travel team - the South Sea Sirens - played Ballarat's Rat Pack, and we won!!!! Final scores Sirens 114 - Rat Pack 96. It was an incredibly good game, a real nail-biter the whole way.

I didn't play (still broken from the last one) but I was Bench Coach for the night, which was nearly as stressful as playing!

I was pleased to still get a uniform, too - how cute are they?

awesome way to end our debut season - SSRD rocks my world :)

done!

2010-11-13T17:22:00.000+11:00

Just waiting on little green apple buttons to be sewn on :)

just in time for the warmer weather!

2010-11-07T15:12:00.000+11:00

I finally finished the Garter Yoke cardigan! It just needs buttons and to cast off the cap sleeves...

I had originally cast this on for myself, but during the process I realised my daughter would actually get a lot more use out of it. She decided that she wanted it to be cap sleeves, a decision I'm still not 100% sold on, but we'll see!

The beauty of knitting top down is that if longer sleeves are required at a later date, I can always unpick the cast off and knit down.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the finished product though. I would have preferred to have a little of the aqua in the hem border, but alas there was no more left in the skein :(

I think I might decrease a few stitches in the cap sleeves before casting off too, just to give them a slight puff?

as promised

2010-10-28T20:19:00.000+11:00

proof I still knit ;)

a wee beret and matching booties for another new babe

Welcome, Radha xx

There are two more babies to go this year, and then we're done!

i promise there will be knitting content soon!

2010-10-22T17:50:00.000+11:00

Went to the doctor and they think maybe a fractured skull now :(

really hoping not!

you can check out the jam that caused all this here, if you have a strong stomach!

owie!

2010-10-17T12:44:00.000+11:00

so, after being all fired up for nearly 4 week in anticipation, look what I went and did midway through the first half last night?!

somehow, I manage to land nose first on the track, closely followed by my forehead. Still a bit groggy about the details, but apparently footage is being uploaded to Youtube as we speak.

First blood spilled on the track for SSRD - go me!

I am VERY grateful that my nose appears not to be broken, and I thankfully escaped concussion. Our first aid crew were awesome and checked on me all night.

I'm still beautiful, right? just say it's so...!

(oh, my team won!)

on a lighter note...

2010-10-06T21:19:00.000+11:00

I got voted by my team mates as co-captain of our travel team!

Travel Team is the League's finest who get to play against other leagues (which is really cool and a big deal), instead of in-house bout with our own two teams (which is still really cool and a big deal)

We're called the South Sea Sirens, and we're trying to work out uniforms as we speak...!

1 year, today.

2010-10-05T08:00:00.000+11:00

It’s been 365 days since my daughter’s beautiful step mum decided it was too much pain and she’d had enough.

52 weeks since a gorgeous, loving soul couldn’t take it any more.

12 months since a woman, so full of promise and love made a decision that sent shock ripples out amongst my family.

1 year, today.

Bernie, we still think about you. We still talk about you. We still love you.

We hope you have found peace.

Blocktoberfest! (aka shameless cross-promotion)

2010-10-01T21:59:00.001+10:00

BLOCKTOBERFEST –

the South Sea Roller Derby wenches serve up bout excitement by the steinful!

After a strong start, the girls and guys of South Sea Roller Derby league are ready to celebrate – in the most spectacular way they know how. Get ready for BLOCKTOBERFEST, a festival of blocks, knocks, and the best roller derby you can jam into a Saturday night! Pack up the Volkswagen and take the autobahn to Keysborough, as BLOCKTOBERFEST gives the determined Dolly Rogers a chance to even the score againt first-time victors the Cutthroat Charmers, in a germanic grudge-match to slake the biggest derby thirst. It’s a blitzkreig of derby delights – get ready for SSRD fear wenches to do their wurst!

BLOCK-FEST BREWING

In August, more than 1000 Victorians embraced derby south-east style, packing into Springers Leisure Centre for the first ever SSRD bout. And they got more than they bargained for – a spectacular 2-point victory by the Cutthroat Charmers, in a hard-fought and hard-hitting spectacle.

In bout one, Charmers Harmin’ Miranda and the Red Baroness starred on the jammer line, and Inkabelle and Sailor Mouth Sadie were a wall of strength – but there was no shortage of high-voltage style from Dollys Van Haley, Nurse Pain, and Sugar Me Sweet. The ladies in red are raring to take the title back - and the Charmers will stop at nothing to continue their purple patch.

And look out for some bright new faces! Skaters from BRDL and VRDL starred alongside SSRD’s best for the first bout – in October, a new crop of South Sea girls will be strapping on the skates, as the baby league begins to grow up.

And while the SSRD girls love their bloodsports, but they’ve got more than violence on their minds. This month’s high-energy, highly violent bout will raise money for the Ovarian Cancer Organisation, with $1 from each ticket to be donated.

When: Saturday, October 16, from doors at 7pm for 8pm start

Where: Springers Leisure Centre, 400 Cheltenham Rd, Keysborough

Who: All ages welcome, alcohol available for 18+

Cost: $10 per person, children $5, under-5s free - tickets on the door, at Hellbound Tattoos, or online

More: www.southseasrollerderby.com

STILL TO COME

Stay tuned as SSRD’s 2010 season continues – doing it interleague style on November 13: SSRD vs Ballarat Roller Derby League.

stash diving

2010-09-04T23:54:00.000+10:00

I'm loving my stash silly at the moment, so when I had to knit up a quick little baby gift for one of the girls at work this week, I went shopping in the stash cupboard.

I'm also enjoying combining yarns to see how they play out as knitted fabric. I wanted roughly an 8ply in a relatively gender-neutral variegated colourway. The multi is angora bunny from ixchel - on its own perhaps a little too pink? but adding the semi solid grass green (unbanded, not sure??) seems to have broken it up a bit more to my liking. then again, I'm not adverse to baby boys in touches of pink, particularly bright magenta pink. That could just be me!

The green seems like a 4ply wool/nylon blend from the touch, and it helps balance out the fluffy bunny fibres - although there is still that lovely angora halo and softness.

and there's enough left over for booties!

in non-knitting escapades - our first derby bout was last Saturday night! and the knitters were well represented, with Wired for Fibre, stitchsista and TrainknitterinOz from the local crew, plus a surprise appearance from the Bendigo group - The Huff and Fiesty Wench well and truly thrilling me by driving over 2hrs both ways to be there!! thank you gorgeous ones!

and, to top it all off - perfect day (or Lucky Day as she's known on the track) was a guest skater on my team, coming over from VRDL for the night :D

it was made even more delicious by my team winning - go Charmers!!!!!

you can check out photos here, and footage here

all baby knitting, all the time...

2010-08-22T20:26:00.000+10:00

so, there has been more baby knitting going on here at kgirlknits. It doesn't seem to end! This is my 12th knit this year, and there are three more to go before Christmas.

This little vest is made from bamboo/wool and is so silky to the touch. Simple and practical - just perfect for a tiny babe.

and I worked out my Bad Baby cardigan dilemma. Not exactly what I'd imagined when I started it, but very pleased with the result. (as was the recipient, which is all the better!)

To be honest, these wee small knits are about all I can manage at the moment though. My derby and work commitments don't leave a huge amount of time for sitting down to knit. And I must be honest, I do so love making little woollies for all my friends and families new babes!

it's almost here!

2010-08-04T10:06:00.000+10:00

sooo, you're all probably sick of hearing about my derby escapades, but this is a big one - it's our League's debut bout on August 28th! If you're in Melbourne town and you want to come and check out the new girls on the block, it will be the place to be!

Tickets will go onsale via our website on August 14th, $10 adults, $5 kids under 12, kidlets under 5 free - www.southsearollerderby.com (or click the logo in the sidebar to be redirected from here)

South Sea Roller Derby's first two teams

The Dolly Rogers (red) and the Cutthroat Charmers (purple) with Team Zebra (refs)

It's all so very exciting, and the culmination of over 12 months of hard work - we can't wait!

somewhat redundant now, but true..

2010-07-31T22:52:00.000+10:00

ok, so... Bendigo might be over a fortnight ago, but I can still post, yeah??!

Let's just start by saying, for me: Best.Bendi.Ever

#1: great company - you all know who you are, you Hustler St Hussies ;)

#2: Awesome socialising: Thanks again to Tara (feistywench) for the Friday night Bowls experience and the RavBaa brekky the next morning to work off any...ahem, hangovers? mmm, bacon and egg rolls...

#3: getting this photo :) (phone camera - that's as large as it goes)

#4: the Show. ah, all the pretties and the thrill of the Show itself. This year I targeted the unusual and the stash-gaps - and even tried to sneak a few more skeins of ixchel's lovely laceweight in under the watchful eye of the Posse (to no avail - busted!)

#5: Belgian beer for breakfast (earns you 20% discount off your meal - well, when in Rome...)

Every year is different, and I know, like the Olympics, I always proclaim this year's "the best". I can't wait to see what 2011 brings!

one more sleep!

2010-07-15T18:03:00.000+10:00

One more sleep and I'll be heading up the highway for the Bendigo Sheep and Wool show!

As tradition dictates, I have a new hat for the occasion. It's the Moss Stitch Diamond beret, made in Bendigo Luxury 8ply, colourway "Barley".
I used 4.5mm needles, which has knitted up into a lovely drapey beret, without too much slack.

I love it! I was planning wristwarmers to match, but time has got away from me.

and you know you're going away to a knitting weekend when you pack your current projects plus back up's, before you pack your toiletries! (don't worry, roomies - I will pack them eventually!)

I can't wait to catch up with you all tomorrow and the rest of the weekend - see you there!!!!

roll on

2010-07-10T11:50:00.000+10:00

"3 weeks? really? I can't believe it's been that long since I last chatted to you/blogposted/cleaned the house..."

pretty much sums up my schedule at the moment!

I recently passed my Green Star test with derby, so am now ready to bout! We have our debut bout coming up August 28th, so training has had the intensity upped, to say the least. I put my training schedule into my calendar and lets just say other than my derby chicks, I won't be seeing many others! Lucky derby chicks are pretty awesome ;)

I will however, be making time to catch up with friends from near and far at the BENDIGO SHEEP AND WOOL SHOW!! This time next week we'll be traipsing around Bendigo Showgrounds.

Although it will be about the wool (always about the wool!), for me this year will also be about the people. I'm planning on meeting a few knitters I've "known" for years online, staying with a bunch of rowdies that I'm sure will lead me astray, and sharing it all with the wonderful women from my local knitting group. The Saturday is our usual meet-up day, so although we are all coming to Bendigo we think we might do our usual meet-up lunch up there, and I'm really looking forward to checking out the indie-dyers stalls the most, seeing what treasures I can pick up

and in a little aside, we recently had a bunch of VRDL skaters join us at training due to their training space being taken over by school holidays, and during cool down I heard a voice say "Are you Kylie?" Now, no-one at training calls me Kylie - it's Sadie all the way - so I'm thinking, who is this? Turns out it was Nell (perfectday on Rav) who has been a Rav friend for ages and long-time reader of this blog. Small world :) Lovely to meet you in person, Nell, and hope to skate again with you soon!

Finally, there has been knitting (phew, they say...about time!)

Lily has been patiently waiting for a new cardigan. patiently, like 3 years patiently, poor babe.
I cast on this for her a couple of weeks ago
It's the Garter Yoke cardigan from Knit 1. I saw a few projects popping up that used Noro or something similar on the yoke and thought it was a pretty effect, especially for a young girl. And I had Noro in my stash, which was even better!

I love the way the Noro looks in garter stitch, and thankfully there were none of the notorious Noro-knots to spoil the stripe sequence.

The body is Pear Tree 12ply and it's the third incarnation for this yarn. I just haven't been happy with the projects I've used it for - the last one was my Loppem. I just was never 100% happy with it; the hem was too swingy and the sleeves sat out at a weird, perky angle. On top of that, it was too short and boxy to be flattering on me.

It's too good a yarn to leave sitting in the cupboard as an unwearable, so one night I patiently ripped it all back. Thankfully the yarn has held up reasonably well, but I don't think I could do it another time. It's very "feltable" yarn, and I would fear it would turn to a matted mess should it have to endure knitting and frogging another time!

That also got me to thinking, though. How many other garments are sitting in cupboards, never worn because the sleeve is too long, or the neckline gapes? What do we do with them? Some of mine, the are great garments but just not really me? I loved knitting them, but not wearing them. Do I rip them out and re-use the yarn? (Can I be bothered?!) Do I give them away? What if I offer them and people feel obliged but don't really want them? or worse, say outright - no thanks?!

What do you all do with your unworn knits?

tangled up in you

2010-06-21T17:40:00.000+10:00

oh, my Untangled Yoke is done, and I am so in love....!

The fit, the yarn, the pattern - it's all great.

Specs:
Pattern:    Tangled Yoke - Eunny Jang, Interweave Knits
Yarn:        Grignasco Tango - Graphite
Needles: 3.75mm Addi Turbo
Size:        34"

Mods:

Removed the cable from the yoke. Yeah, I know. It's the whole point of the pattern, for a lot of people. It just didn't really do it for me, but the rest of the elements of the garment did. I'm glad I took it out. I love the clean, simplicity of my cardigan, and can imagine wearing it everywhere

Happy about:

The fit of this garment is superb. I think it would have to be the happiest I have been with a finished garment, ever
The construction. Hello, knit almost entirely in one piece. Plus, sleeves knit in the round then joined in for the yoke. The only seaming was a small amount of grafting under the arms
The yarn. Bought on clearance at my LYS, this garment has cost roughly $28. The yarn is lovely - a warmish charcoal gray with tan and baby blue tweed flecks. Yum

I would gladly contemplate using this pattern again - maybe with a variation on the garter rib bands? A slightly heavier weight yarn too, perhaps...The Tango knits up beautifully soft and drapey, but it is a thinner-weight cardigan, definitely.

A group of my friends went to Sleeveland and all I got was this lousy scarf

2010-06-14T13:12:00.000+10:00

So if you've been following the blogs lately, it seems as if everyone is taking trips to Sleeveland at the moment! It started here, I think, then quickly spread to here and here. Who knows where this might end??

I myself should have been in Sleeveland - my Untangled Yoke has barely crossed the halfway mark and Bendigo is around the corner.

However, I felt the call from a single skein of pretty handpainted merino from Wired 4 Fibre, and a simple pattern...

The LaLa Simple Shawl is perfect - you can just cast on and knit til you run out of wool! Plus the simplicity of the pattern allows both plenty of relaxing unfocused knitting time, plus doesn't compete with the multi-coloured loveliness of the wool.

now, of course, I will need to renew my visa before my trip to Sleeveland, but I think the detour was worth it!

blossom

2010-05-31T18:26:00.001+10:00

another little baby knit - this one is heading off to Scotland tomorrow...

I'm also adding in this touch of brightness to the parcel, just because I don't believe babies should be all pastel all the time!

not made by me, but made of wool felt, and handmade by someone :)

let a little colour in

2010-05-29T13:44:00.001+10:00

It's been a good week, full of fun things, and it seems like everywhere I turned there was beautiful, beautiful colour...

Lily and I were cleaning up her room, and she loved my idea of sorting all her pencils by colour - she is so my daughter! We even sharpened them all a-fresh, such a thrill

the second Black Japan installment from knitabulous arrived, and the rich cherry red hue in combination with the luxe 50/50 merino silk yarn made me squeal with delight. The colourway is as yet unnamed, and knitabulous is offering up a skein as reward for the most inventive blogger - you should go check it out here!

and yes, some astute readers will remember that I recently de-stashed a heap of yarn because I {ahem} had too much and needed cash*?? Well, Katie brought a pile of Wired 4 Fibre goodness to our last knitting meetup, and this skein of gorgeousness was too good to pass up! One little skein in compared to the dozen that went out should be a good balance, shouldn't it?

I think I'll make a small bandit scarf with this one, something to really let the sumptuous colours shine.

Hope your week has been just as splendid - colourful or otherwise

* and thank you to all the lovely bloggers who bought my yarn - hope you all loved your purchases :D

oh, and thank you also to everyone who offered ideas on how to fix the ~~bad boy bubby~~ bonnie wee babe cardigan. It is now languishing in the naughty corner until I can deal with its behaviour. but the ideas were all very useful!

grrrr

2010-05-26T20:20:00.000+10:00

you remember that lovely cardigan I was working on for my friend's babe in Scotland?

well....this, people, is why you should always, ALWAYS ...

check the friggin' dyelots.

I knitted on the bands (using the new ball) at our knitting group, so didn't really take much notice until I got home. At first I thought it was just the grain of the knitting playing with the light...

can everyone say "delusional"? De-loo-sheeon-al

I grabbed the sleeve, which had already been knit with the new ball and it didn't take much to realise this was no play of light.

So now I am trying to work out how to a) get a gift to my friend's baby, who has already been born nigh on 7 days now, btw; and b) fix this without it looking like a disaster zone?

Help, anyone?!

it's a stash down!

2010-05-09T11:24:00.004+10:00

I've contemplated a stash-down a few times but every time I go to the stash room (oh, yes - there is a room), it seems I can't bear to part with any of it...

Well people, the time has come. It is time for me to be realistic, and realistically due to roller derby - I need some extra cash! So I got tough, and hopefully there's something in here that's just what you're looking for...

Please email me (link in sidebar) to purchase - I'm doing Bank Deposit payments only to minimise fees, as I'm including postage within Australia in all the listed prices. If you are international, please email me for postage and I'll see what I can do.

My wool is stored in ziplock bags, in sealed tubs - no camphor. They are smoke and pet free (Lucy the guinea pig is an outside pig!)

hope there's something in there for you all!

Pear Tree 12ply 100% merino wool
175g - 1 full skein (100g) and 1 wound ball (75g) - please note this yarn is slubby and loosely spun. It has NOT been knit up and frogged, it is crinkly by nature
Perfect amount for a hat/mittens set, or a squishy cowl
$35 (includes postage within Australia)

~~Rowan Kidsilk Haze~~
~~Colourway: Meadow~~
3x 25g balls - you can make a short sleeved top out of this amount of KSH, so good is the meterage per ball!
~~$45 (includes postage within Australia)~~ SOLD

Opal Petticoat
love it or hate it, Opal is a good starter sock yarn and this colourway knits up in pretty, subtle stripes with small amount of fair-isle.
100g - enough for a pair of socks
$12 (includes postage within Australia)

Hemp Wool
50% Hemp/%0% Wool
2x 100g balls, 195m each
8ply equivalent
$15 (includes postage within Australia)

~~Moggy & me/Yarncakes - 100% baby alpaca 4ply fingering weight.~~
~~Weight/meterage: 100g/approx 400m~~
~~Colourway: Sir Walter~~
~~I made my Ishbel out of this yarn in a different colourway, and it is super soft and luxurious~~
~~$18 (includes postage within Australia)~~     SOLD

~~Malabrigo Merino worsted weight~~
~~100g/approx 192m~~
~~Colourway: Sauterne~~
~~$10 (includes postage within Australia)~~

~~*** This yarn has incredible meterage, as we all know. I made a slouchy cabled beret and matching fingerless gloves out of a single skein ***~~    SOLD

~~Malabrigo Merino worsted weight~~
~~100g/approx 192m~~
~~Colourway: Glazed Carrot~~
~~$10 (includes postage within Australia)~~   SOLD

~~Malabrigo Merino worsted weight~~
~~100g/approx 192m~~
~~Colourway: Bobby Blue~~
~~$10 (includes postage within Australia)~~     SOLD

~~The Knittery Merino sock~~
~~Now defunct, a destash is now the only way to get your hands on some of The Knittery's beautiful handpainted merino sock yarn!~~
~~Colourway: Orange Blossoms~~
~~100m/approx 450m - plenty for a pair of socks~~
~~$20 (includes postage within Australia)~~ SOLD

~~Cascade Ecological Wool~~
~~I bought this with the intent of making the Hemlock Blanket, so there is the perfect amount for this project!~~
~~2 x 250g balls bulky weight~~
~~shade 8063 : dyelot 3840~~
~~$25 (includes postage within Australia)~~ SOLD

Guardian Angel Knitting 2010

2010-05-07T17:05:00.000+10:00

CALLING ALL ANGELS TO KNIT FOR NEEDY AUSTRALIANS

2010 Guardian Angel Knitting Program

I was recently contacted to see if I would assist promoting the 2010 Guardian Angel Knitting program via kgirlknits, which I am more than happy to do.

I have participated many times over the years in this program, which collects donated knitted goods and distributes them to those in need - the last few years the goods have been specifically given to the Salvation Army to distribute.

this is the press release, with all the details - if you have some spare stash wool lying around, this is the perfect opportunity to put it to good use!

2010 Guardian Angel Knitting Program

Guardian Pharmacy is asking Australians to turn their knitting needles to a good cause with the 12th Guardian Angel Knitting Program kicking off on 1st May and running until 31st July 2010.

Each year, the three month program encourages Australians to knit warm clothes, blankets, scarves and other garments, which will then be donated to The Salvation Army.

People wanting to become a ‘Guardian Angel’ can visit their local Guardian Pharmacy to pick up a free pattern book, full of helpful hints and tips on different garments to knit. Finished garments can then be dropped back at any Guardian Pharmacy throughout Australia before 31st July 2010.

Details of the Guardian Angel Knitting Program are as follows:

WHEN: 1st May to 31st July 2010

HOW: Pick up a free pattern book from Guardian Pharmacies and knit for someone in need

WHY: To help The Salvation Army support Australians in need with knitted garments

“Studies have shown that the repetitive action of knitting can help lower stress levels, so for a practical and stress-relieving way to help fellow Australians in need, take flight as a Guardian Angel this May through July,” said Angie Moore, Guardian Pharmacies Australia.

Custodian of all things knitted, Guardian Pharmacy will be collecting the garments and blankets dropped back at each store and, in partnership with The Salvation Army, give them to Australians in need.

Major Brad Halse, Communications Director for The Salvation Army, says: “Last year, through the Guardian Angel program, we were able to provide over one hundred thousand knitted garments to help individuals and families who were experiencing difficult times; in 2010, we are encouraging all Australians to get involved again and knit a gift for someone in need.”

Spotlight has again joined the campaign as a partner, supplying patterns and discounts on wool through the 2010 Guardian Angel Knitting Book for all participants.

For more information on the Guardian Angel program or to find your nearest Guardian Pharmacy store location, please call 1300 888 666 or log on to www.guardianpharmacies.com.au.

bonnie wee cardigan

2010-04-25T09:55:00.002+10:00

one of my oldest and best friends is about to have her first baby - all the way over in Scotland, can you believe it?!

I can't fathom that she is going to be a mother and I won't be able to just call in and give her a hand, or cuddle this little babe for many months.

so of course, I'm sending some knitted love to wrap her/him in until I can do it in person.

a really simple, fine-weight cardigan, with 3 buttons at the yoke, and a slip stitch pattern on the border using some beautiful handpainted yarn.

black japan

2010-04-22T16:59:00.002+10:00

yes, I indulged a second round - how could I not?!

The first installment of knitabulous' second yarn club arrived this week, and oh my - is it pretty, or what?

I was so happy with the first yarn club - Indian Summer - that when this second one - Black Japan - was announced, I jumped.

in fact, I think knitabulous yarn is the only yarn I've bought all year? {checks list} yep, only addition to the stash!

well, when you're on a good thing, you stick to it ;)

check this out

2010-04-20T16:41:00.005+10:00

a bit of shameless promotion here. This shop - Inspired Insanity - is run by one of our derby chicks; in fact, she's our President and founder of the League.Not only is she an awesome skater, person and President, but she also single-handedly runs this ace store.

if you're after kitsch, retro, rockabilly or punk, go check out Inspired Insanity TODAY!

check out this super-cute cupcake apronI'm also lusting after this tee

and this is what I use as my skate-bag - love it!

and she always has the freakin' cutest shoes - squeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

get it while it's hot!

2010-04-14T17:39:00.004+10:00

mixtapezine Special edition: The Kids Are Alright! (for parents and carers)

get it here :D

a flurry of finishing

2010-04-10T10:59:00.003+10:00

ahh, a few days away can work marvels for you UFO pile, can't it?!

Entomology is off the blocking pins and came for a trip to the beach. The colours remind me so much of the Australian coast, so I was well pleased with the resulting photo shoot.

here was the alternative shot, not nearly as ethereal!

The cashmere/merino blend is divine to wear - so light and airy, but very warm indeed. Can't wait to get some more of this cooler weather so can wear it a bit more.

and as previously mentioned, there are a little bundle of babes being born in my world. I was starting to really stress about getting everything done, but this week have managed to finish off a substantial amount of them.

This little bolero cardigan is a freebie from Debbie Bliss - you can find it linked on Ravelry or here. Knit all in one piece, then the only seaming is sleeve and side seams - huzzah!
I broke out some more of my Pear Tree stash for this one - I bought it at Bendigo '08 and it was unbanded, so not sure...

I also made these two sweet little hats and have plans for another few. It the Umbilical cord hat from Stitch'n'Bitch; a personal fave for a quick go-to baby project. It's simple, quick, and easily modified to fit a range of baby head sizes.

and it's a great stash-buster! These two are made of some Bendigo Rustic "Peppercorn" that I bought years ago to make a cardigan for me (so I have a lot of it!) I've since decided that it's not really that great a colour for me, particularly in a whole garment. The little bit of colour trim is more Pear Tree yarn.

My Untangled Yoke cardigan is coming along really well too - I would say I'm about 3/4 of the way to the underarms? Love working all in one piece, but it can feel a bit slower. Well, until you reach a certain point and realise you're almost home, that is!

I'm just glad it looks like I'm all on track - all babes should be in receipt of something woolly by time of birth, and I should have my new cardigan in time for Bendigo!

99% done

2010-04-03T12:39:00.003+11:00

Entomology, that is! After finishing my final row last night, I cast off this afternoon and it's now happily blocking on my bedroom floor.
As always, the transformation from lumpy to lovely has proven a marvel.
The colours of this yarn have melded beautifully - I was a bit concerned that they would not end up working as well as I had hoped, but all went well. I can't wait to show you all the final product!

In other happenings, I answered a bit of a blog competition over at mixtapezine and won! The lovely Justine has passed on her copy of "A True History of the Hula Hoop" and it has arrived at exactly the right time.

I've just started some much needed holidays, and am very much looking forward to hanging out with my girl, and heading down to a cabin near the beach where we can read and swim and generally relax!

I started my relaxation with breakfast - fresh figs, good raisin toast and some honey & cinnamon ricotta.

ahhh, I love holidays

making time

2010-03-27T10:37:00.003+11:00

This week has been about making sure I make time for all the elements of my life, not just roller derby! I joined a group on Facebook called "Sorry I can't, I have roller derby!" because it pretty much sums it up. I loved their by-line:

"Nope, I can't tonight I have practice. Friday? Sorry that is our fundraiser at the bowling center. Saturday? ugghh nope...game day"

It's been lovely weather in my part of the world this last week. Beautiful balmy days, sunshine on shoulders and soft breezes. Today I've decided to take advantage of it while it lasts, and ride my bike along the beach road between my house and the cafe my knitting group meets at.

I spied these carnations as I was leaving the market the other day and thought they were too pretty to leave there. Their buttery colour and pink frills have added a lovely touch of freshness to my lounge room, and I love the way they look like part of a painting in this photo?

and my little gift-vest is finished, ready to be whisked off to Sydney. I made this pattern last year for another babe, and it came up trumps for the second time! It's "Oz Vest" from Natural Knits for Babies.

so here's to sunshine, and bike rides, babies and knitty lunches - hope your week has been just as fulfilling :)

busy girl

2010-03-19T07:11:00.006+11:00

South Sea Roller Derby League - Feb 2010

Life has been keeping this girl busy so far this year - my apologies for the sporadic posting :(

In addition to training three times a week with South Sea Roller Derby, I've taken on a coaching position within the League and am also the head of the Media & Publicity committee.

Last weekend saw me training Friday night for two hours, Saturday night was the VRDL season opener bout (go Dolls au Go Go, go!) and Sunday we had an information stand at a local community festival from 9-2, then I assisted with our latest Bootcamp sessions 4.30-6.30pm!

Don't get me wrong, I'm 100% loving it - it just doesn't leave room for much else.

So much so that the Red Hill Show entry deadlines have been and gone without a contribution from myself. I even had the knitted pieces ready to go, just missed the cutoff for the entry forms? I'm trying to tell myself that it's ok, I will be more organised next year, but I know I'm going to feel a pang of regret next weekend when I'm looking at the knitting displays and there's nothing of mine there.

On the knitting front, there are still days in a row where I don't get a chance to pick up my sticks, but I'm plodding along on Entomology and I've only got 1 & 1/2 repeats to go before the border!

Another one of my cousins (there are a few!) has had her first babe, the darling little Maximillian, so there has also been baby knitting. A little vest for this baby who's living up north, using soft Bendigo 8ply cotton (I can never get over how soft this yarn is?) in periwinkle blue.

As part of the Media & Publicity committee duties we've started a SSRD blog so you can always catch up with me over there too!

new season, time for a change

2010-03-04T18:58:00.005+11:00

I thought the heralding of Autumn and the {slightly} cooler weather deserved a new banner. The wool is from last year's Bendigo Sheep & Wool show - over 800m of gorgeous merino single laceweight, spectacularly dyed in the "Jitterbug Perfume" colourway by Melissa from Stranded in Oz.

Just seeing it gets my tastebuds all worked up for this year's show!

On the home front, the latest edition of mixtape is out, and it's a corker! Running with the loose theme of "Life's a circus", Justine and her merry band have produced another great edition.

I have a couple of articles in there this time round - tea cosies and The Fireballs - what a combo?! Nana meets psychobilly. Welcome to my world!!

As a little treat, you can also head over to the mixtape blog and download one of my very own tea cosy knitting patterns.....for free! Enjoy :)

"Aster" tea cosy pattern, now available as free download at mixtape

This week I also grabbed myself a copy of "Bark", a cool little mag that gleefully proclaims its "shameless self-promotion" on the cover.

don't know much really about the genesis of it, but it seems fairly tied with 3PBS and 3RRR, perhaps RMIT students?

Whatever or whoever it is, it was a good read and a good look. Worth a check-out, methinks...

and finally, this shot of the outfit of the week, put together by my 10yo.

Shirt I've had for years, worked back with black jeans and blue plastic beads, which were the girl's Christmas present to me.

you gotta hand it to her - for a 10 year old, the girl's got a good eye ;)

better late than never...

2010-02-22T07:36:00.003+11:00

I always plan to do a reflective mosaic each January, just purely to look back over the year that was.

bit late this year, but you get that!

There's a few projects missing, through lack of photos, scale of mosaic and the like, but overall I'm pretty happy with this lot. That's a fair bit of knitting there!

4 pairs of socks (was one more but no photo); 2 shrugs; 3 vests; 2 rugs (ok, one's not finished!); 4 tea cosies; 3 hats; 3 cowls and a lace shawl; 3 jumper/cardigans; 2 arm/wristwarmers and a wedding clutch

let the preparations begin...!

2010-02-16T07:12:00.006+11:00

This week, message activity around the boards, and a couple of exciting email invites! have reminded me that Bendigo Sheep&Wool will be here before we know it - squeeeeeee!

which of course led me to.....Bendigo knitting!

What to make, what to make? Much planning and deliberation goes into this every year, and of course - each year the bar is raised higher and higher at the Ravelry breakfast!

As previously mentioned, this is the time of stash-diving (have to save my pennies for replenishing in July now!), so after checking out my Ravelry stash, I have settled on Tangled Yoke cardigan as my main work, using some lovely dark charcoal Gringasco Tango I picked up on clearance at my LYS.

I seriously love this yarn. It's a dark heathery charcoal gray, with flecks of lilac and violet and ochre. Yum.

I decided to take my measurements before casting on my usual 38" size, and much to my delight, I am now a 36" - thank you Roller Derby and training 3 times a week!!!

so knitting it up in time for Bendigo - along with a jumble of gift knitting that is making it's presence known - should be a breeze, right?! I mean, it's a whole 2" less the whole way up ;)

all these decisions made and lists written; it all feels so good!

Then I came home to find a sweet little package on my doorstep, courtesy of knitabulous. Our final installement of what has been a great yarn club - Indian Summer

Merino laceweight in "Mumbai Nights"

doesn't it just say "Featherweight cardigan" to you? I'm not sure there will be enough, but I'm working on the theory of slightly shorter sleeves and did I mention? a 36" chest. A-ha.

of light and shade

2010-01-29T19:54:00.001+11:00

I have to admit, I love the look of lace pre-blocked. I know, it looks like a crumpled sack, a tired old jellyfish, etc, but oh...when you hold it up to the light, and all the subtlety and potential is revealed. It's magic.

Entomology has been ticking over nicely, and I'm now nearly halfway through the pattern (given that the stitch count grows each row though, I guess that means about 35% done?)

I'm now managing about half a repeat a night, but life is busy and I have to admit there are now nights that I do no knitting at all!! Who ever would have thought it possible? But yes, Virginia - life does indeed go on if I do not manage to pick up my sticks everyday!

What I do find now is those times I get to sit with my string and sticks is oh-so precious, and a time to savour. I also have project-monogamy at present, so it does very much feel like a time of process and journey - just perfect to start a new year.

delectable goodies

2010-01-22T20:14:00.004+11:00

In my quest for an unusual cake for a birthday upcoming, I discovered Pariya foods has an online store.

oh dear.

Sweet pistachio Turkish delight (raahat), sour cherry nougat, rose petals and Persian fairy floss, or pashmak. Heaven on the taste buds - let's hope they last long enough to be-deck a white chocolate mud cake!

I also recently received my second installment of Knitabulous' Yarn Club - the lovely 50/50 in a Bollywood colourway. So many plans already for this yummy yarn...

My extended family meets post-Christmas each year in Melbourne's beautiful Botanical Gardens, to catch up and eat, drink and be merry at a more relaxed time than the silly season. My sweet cousin made cupcakes and her darling middle daughter happily posed for my camera with them.

I'm not sure who is sweeter in this shot?!

another year over, and a new one just begun...

2010-01-09T13:38:00.003+11:00

Happy New Year, everyone!

I've been relaxing, catching up with friends, eating and drinking more than I should, and of course - skating!

On the knitting front, I managed to finish a lurking WIP though, which has pleased me no end. Blackrose from Knitty, in STR Lightweight "Valkyrie"

I loved this colourway so much that I found it hard to find the "perfect" pattern for it. Did I finally succeed? Meh, not sure...

What I did do was tell myself that it's just yarn, not spun gold and it's there to be used! The pattern itself is OK, but I wouldn't knit it again. Despite using 2.25mm needles, it's a bit loose, particularly around the ankles because the lace opens up so much with wear. But they are done, and it is one less unfinished item in my knitting basket!

This week I cast on Entomology (also) from Knitty using some of my beautiful Ixchel cashmerino cobweb weight procured at last year's Bendigo Sheep & Wool show. The colourway is "Forest Moss" and the subtle variegation's are just beautiful. I have left out the beads because, well quite frankly...I like my sanity. The thought of threading 1200+ beads onto yarn was too much for me to contemplate!

The pattern is simple enough in itself, although you work yo's and decreases on both sides. I do miss a nice purl "rest" row...

When Southern Summer of Socks started up again last year, I decided that Summer 09/10 was going to be all about getting through my stash of sock and laceweight yarn. It's my weakness when it comes to stash-enhancement, so there's a-plenty to get through!

One plus is that since starting roller derby, I have bought little-to-no yarn. We will ignore the fact that I have actually just supplemented one horrendously expensive habit for another equally-if-not-more expensive one.

For the next little bit at least, when I want to start a new project I will go stash-diving, and there's some pretty amazing stuff in there let me tell you...so stay tuned!

our Christmas, 2009

2009-12-26T11:22:00.007+11:00

it started with Christmas Eve skate...

with my derby girls...

there were lilies, a tradition in our house, and lots of cards from loved ones...

Lily did another magnificent job decorating the tree...

we ate and drank far too much, and had a ball...

Mum saw my new tattoo and is still talking to me - here's the photo she took of me and my darling sister-in-law...

but most importantly, I managed all this and I finished the damn socks with hours to spare!

I took photos, but in my tired state have somehow managed to delete them without uploading them, so you'll all just have to believe me ;)

want a laugh?

2009-12-24T07:21:00.004+11:00

What do you think my chances of turning this into a pair by Christmas Day are??!

it's my Christmas present to my mother

2009-12-20T11:32:00.005+11:00

my lotus arm piece, still a little flaky ;)

I had a cover up done on an old piece on my arm. Mum hated the old one, which was much smaller (you can still see it peaking through a tiny bit in the bottom section with the waves), so she's going to LOVE this one. I think I'll do the big reveal at Christmas lunch, after a few wines!

this shot was taken the day I had it done, so very bruised and shiny, but I wanted to show the beautiful leaf that blooms up onto my shoulder. I love the shape of it so much.

I've wanted a lotus tattoo for such a long time - a symbol of beauty coming from mud, and every time I look down at my arm it makes me very happy. It reminds me that adversity can produce beautiful rewards, and my reward was so very, very good; my darling Lily-girl :)

knitabulous!

2009-12-06T12:08:00.002+11:00

The first of the knitabulous yarn club arrived this morning - squeee! Most surprised to see the Australia Post van pull up in my driveway on a Sunday, but extremely pleased he did.

A skein of gorgeous, vivid green yarn, a sock pattern, some teeny little (short) needles, a lip balm, chocolate and sweet-smelling tea - all in all a most lovely way to start a Sunday :)

ishbel, sweet ishbel

2009-11-27T20:59:00.004+11:00

ah, dear sweet Ishbel.

You have been my monogamous knitting project, these past 7 weeks. We've had some good times, some bad (but tell the truth - it was my fault, no...really. It was, dear thing)

Now you are complete; you've had a bath and a stretch, and have come to life.

You are off my needles, and suddenly...I feel bereft.

Forlorn, and missing the comfort a few rows of you provided.

Sweetest Ishbel. I'm so looking forward to reuniting with you once the climate accommodates us.

I think I'll console myself with some socks...

39

2009-11-22T11:59:00.003+11:00

So, this week saw me celebrate my 39th birthday.

39.

wow.

that means next year...yup, the Big One.

I didn't really feel up to having a big bash this year; it's been a very turbulent time in our family and it just didn't seem appropriate, so I spread the word that I was just after a quiet one and wasn't planning on doing anything, really.

As it turned out, a quiet one became one of my most lovely birthdays thus far, full of little unexpected surprises and moments of gratitude.

At work, there was strawberry cheesecake and a lovely card.

My girl rang the radio station and got the Breakfasters to send me a birthday call-out and they played Lucinda Williams for me.

My girlfriend in Scotland sent me some wool, which I was particularly impressed with as she is a non-knitter!

I found this album in our local second-hand music store. I've been looking for this for a couple of years on and off. For my 10th birthday I was given a portable cassette player (oh, how grown up did I feel?!) and my Nana gave me this album on cassette. I loved it so much, and played it again and again. It occurred to me as an adult that it was actually a pretty good compilation tape, and decided I needed to have it again for nostalgia.

I bought myself a new frock with some birthday money, and wore it to a local theatre production friends of ours were in, then followed it up by heading out for drinks with my Derby sisters.

and finally, went out for lunch with my knitty friends and then dinner with my mum, brother and sister-in-law.

All in all, not a bad way to start one's last year in one's 30's.

I feel like I should be making a list of "things I want to achieve before 40" or something, but instead I think I'm just going to sit back and relax, enjoy this time for what it is, and savour it all.

it's official

2009-11-17T21:17:00.003+11:00

I passed my White Star skills test last week which, amongst other things, means I can register my Derby name!!

may I please introduce....

*** Sailor-Mouth Sadie ***

squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

nautical

2009-11-07T08:44:00.004+11:00

I'm having a bit of a red-white-and-blue phase at the moment. i just can't seem to get enough of it. Here are a couple of the many examples of the phase!

platform espadrilles scored for $5 - brand new in box!

delicate applique earrings found at Byron Bay market,
for considerably more than $5 ;)

We had the most wonderful break in Byron this week just past; a much needed chance to regroup and recharge exhausted batteries. The days were filled with friends and laughter, lots of swimming, great food and (plenty of!) wine, and the beautiful wedding of two very special people.

When was the last time you went to a wedding where the reception was held in a bright red Bedouin tent and you get to pass the evening playing bongo drums with 50 other people instead of dance to "Oh what a night"?

catch ya!

2009-10-29T17:07:00.002+11:00

I'm heading off to Byron Bay for some much needed R & R, sunshine, and a wedding!

see you when I'm all mellowed out.

because everyone else has one

2009-10-21T21:39:00.004+11:00

Ishbel, that is.

Really, 3657 people can't be wrong. I'm using some of my beautiful baby alpaca from Donyale - colourway "Splat!". I don't think the colourway actually has an ! in it, but I always see it that way in my mind.

This yarn is bee-u-di-ful, can I just say? Soft as a.. well, baby alpaca, and a delight to knit with. Lucky I have another colourway stashed (Sir Walter) because I have plans, people, oh yes indeed!

and just a quick hurrah to all those participating in Blogtoberfest - you are amazing! Such stamina and commitment, I am exhausted merely trying to keep up with my bloglines. Today I quickly logged on to check a few before bed and someone had a very special event to share. Go check it out :)

when worlds collide

2009-10-10T19:22:00.007+11:00

You all know by now that Roller Derby is my latest love, and my team is the newest addition to my tribe of like-minded people. At training, one of my Derby girls rolled over to me and handed me a bag; said she saw this and immediately knew who should have it.

Sorry the photo is so crappy, but it's a coffee cup with wool on it and it says "Knit one Sip one". Love it! That's my derby helmet and mouthguard with it.

We also did some promotion out the front of the cinemas, advertising the new Derby movie Whip It, and our league - South Sea Roller Derby. That's me in the middle, with D and M either side. (I had my stripy pirate knickers on, but only a special few got to see those!) Then we snuck our skates into the cinema so they could be part of it too - a Roller girl just isn't a Roller girl without her skates ;)

People who don't know me raise an eyebrow - from knitting to Roller Derby, how bizarre? Reality is, nothing could be further than the truth.

Knitters are fabulous and generous and cool. Derby girls are freakin' awesome and generous and cool. I think I've found my tribe.

and I've already been planning team wristwarmers and pirate-y knitted scarves in our team colours :)

something old, something new...

2009-10-03T07:29:00.002+10:00

I made it! By the skin of my teeth, the deadline was met, and this special wedding bag was delivered on schedule.

I wanted to base this bag around the concept of "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"

The "old" is the stitch pattern. Although this pattern is the Counterpane Accessories pouch from Handknit Holidays", the stitch pattern is based on a vintage one.

The "new" was the silk yarn - so luscious and soft. "Something borrowed" was my contribution in the creation. I was asked to make this, which I felt was like a borrowing of my craft, if that makes sense?

And of course, "something blue" was the sweet blue braid carefully stitched into the lining. If I had more time (and frankly, more embroidery skill!) I would have loved to feather-stitch this detail into the lining. I really think it would have added to the vintage feel and the hand crafted nature of the piece.

After searching Ravelry for ideas on the lining, I ended up making a zippered pouch to insert and attach to the knitted outer shell. I used interfacing to stiffen thick calico, then lined it inside and out with ivory satin. This made the bag much less floppy, and made for a much neater sewn edge next to the zip. A rather long tassel finished it off.

I'm so thrilled with the finished piece, and even though it meant leaving for Ballarat at 8.30am this morning (2 hour drive from my place), it was worth it!

where do the weeks go?

2009-09-29T13:55:00.003+10:00

It's all been a bit of a whirlwind and a blur here, these past few weeks. I've barely had time to sit, let alone blog!

I start a new job (yet another, but we won't go there!) on Wednesday - good grief, that's tomorrow?! Between applications, interviews, school holidays, knitting and roller derby, there's just not that many hours left at the end of the day.

I did manage to make this little vest, in a lovely rich burgundy, with mechanical looking silver buttons. Sadly, it was shipped off with a whoosh, before I even got time to photograph it. Such a quick and enjoyable little vest to knit - will definitely be making more of these! It's from Louisa Harding's "Natural knits for Babies and Moms".

I am really digging knitting for boys at the moment - after (literally) decades of only girls in our friends and family, finally we've been managing a few XY chromosomes!

I've also been madly working away on this darling little bag. My cousin's friend is getting married and wanted a knitted clutch for the big day. I promise it will be there in time, promise!

yes, that's silk - my first time.

ahh, sweet lordy it's a pleasant fibre to work with, isn't it? I've used Wired for Fibre's Bette 4ply, doubled-stranded, and I'm loving that lustre.

The pattern is the Counterpane Accessories Pouch, from Handknit Holidays, kindly procured by a member of our knitting group, mcmandeth, thank you kindly.

I'm lining it with ivory satin, and the blue ribbon with be the trim on the inside, for her something blue...

and due to popular demand for Roller Derby attire shots, I give you The Frilly Butt Cherry Knickers!

what? you didn't seriously think you were going to get an arse shot, did you ;)

done & dusted

2009-09-18T19:49:00.002+10:00

My Loppem is finished! You were all right - this was just a wee diversion, not really even a cardigan at all!

I love how quickly things can knit up. Sometimes all the knitting gods just align, don't they?

In this case, the combination of 12ply wool and 5mm needles, along with a garment knit entirely in one piece (hello, no seaming!) and the fact that this wool spit-splices like a champion (yes, no ends to weave in - woot!) meant an all-round stellar knit in the fast category.

However, this is a Norah Gaughan/Berroco pattern, so what's the first things one does?

Check the errata. I don't know who proof reads for Berroco, but bloody hell, why do they always end up with so many errata? Loppem has two pages, one being the charts.

The second thing one must do is read through the pattern to spot the tricky bits. You know, the "Knit in pattern as established until garment measures 14" from beginning, blah blah, etc and etc, and oh yeah, AT THE SAME TIME, decrease 5 stitches every 1 1/2 ", can ya?"

Grrrr

I added an inch to the body length, and I'm glad I did. In hindsight, I probably would have like to have added even another inch still - it's quite short.

I'd read a few people said they moved the buttonholes, and when I was doing them I debated it but ultimately thought they'd be ok. I thought people were talking about the spacing vertically, so couldn't see the problem. Too late I realised it was the horizontal placement that had people curious.

Where they sit now means the garter stitch border flaps around a bit, which I don't like. I think I'm going to move the buttons to the centre of the garter stitch and sew press studs underneath instead.

On the upside, I was rather pleased with my buttons - more from the stash, and a good match I think? I only had two of these, so it did seem a match meant to be...

All in all, I think she is a good knit, though. It's just my sort of garment - good for layers, not too heavy, and I love the colour.

Oh, and I still have 175g of yarn left? How awesome is that?!