It's Tuesday and I Can't wait...

... to head into Spotlight tonight for there 20% off sale and get some more material to make another pair of these.

Yoga pants for me - using a very modified version of McCall's Easy M5398

After heading into town on the weekend and coming home empty handed as I could not find any thing that came close to fitting me - I stopped by Spotlight and picked up this pattern. The jersy is from the stash cupboard and has been there since about July of 2007 (when I had intentions of making preggy pants to wear when I was pregnant with Baden)


For more people who can't wait for Tuesday head over to Buttons by Lou Lou

Pink Hearts Milo

I purchased this pattern last week and could not wait to get one on and off the needles.

I actually thought that I would make this for Baden first up - but could not help myself and picked up some pink in the stash.

It is a lovely pattern - well written - many thanks go to Georgie of Tikki fame for the great pattern.

Pattern: Milo by Georgie Hallam

Yarn: Bendigo Mills 8ply Crepe (from the bargin room in 50g balls)

Needles: 4mm Addi Torbo's
Started: June 21st 2009
Finished: June 23rd 2009

Mods: I did a lacey heart instead of the cable as I wanted it to be a little more girly.
Would I knit this again? - Yes - there will be one on the needles for Baden and Gracie very soon.

Amelia loves it, she has actually been asking for a vest for a few weeks. She proudly wore it to Playgroup yesterday and told anyone that asked “My Mum knit it” (with her fingers pointed out in front of her and making a knitting movement) awww - a proud Mumma moment.

Oh and on the stash busting - I have knitted more grams than what I have bought into the house this year - Yay for me - still have a fair way to go, but I am getting there.

Sophistication

I am in LOVE with this Jacket.

Pattern: Baby Sophisticate by Linden Heflin

Yarn: 4.3balls of Soul by Moda Vera (Spotlight) - This yarn was so nice to knit with and for a Spotlight yarn I am impressed. It has blocked and washed up so soft and lovely and perfect for the little man in my life.

Needles: 5mm 40cm bamboo circular

Started: June 16th 2009

Finished: June 20th 2009

Mods: Lots - but easy. I sat and worked out the stitch difference between the two already given sizes (previous Ravelry knitters have found that it runs small) I have made the mods to make it bigger and to fit Baden.

Would I knit this again? - Yes

It's Tuesday and I Can't wait...

to get more hours in the day.

Originally uploaded by Larry Jones

Maybe it is the fact that we are currently into our shortest daylight days of the year or the fact that I am a sleep deprived mother but I have 100 things that I want to do and dont seem to be getting any of them done at the moment.

If anyone knows where to purchase extra hours let me know.

And for those int he mood for a little Blogland love - pop over to Little Munchkins. Novy has two brand new Oliver + S patterns up for grabs.

Hanging up the needles.

I have a confession. I am a messer. I am not a very good house wife and would prefer to knit or sew then clean. Welcome to my little world.

Anyway, after searching for a set of needles in this mess yesterday. I descided that enough was enough.
I searched the internet for a solution to the problem of the tangled circulars and miss matched needles. I found this which I thought was a great idea, but still a little messy.

I also came across this great tutorial for a knitting roll. Which is also lovely. But I dont need to take all of my needles with me when I go out for a knit and natter with the girls.

So I put my ideas and brain into action. And this is what I came up with.A double sided hanging organiser for your knitting supplies. Everything in the one spot and all nice and neat. It can hide away in the closet with your coats or why not have it out for everyone to see.

Side one: Little pockets to house crochet hooks, DPN's, Staights, Stitch Ruler, Stitch Holders, Wool Needles, Tape measure and a few spare spots for extandendinf the family.

The opposite side has a little spot for those messy circulars and three large pockets down the bottom for my Boyne Interchangables and my Knit Kit (when it is not in my handbag.
So what do you think - I am thinking of making up a few and seeing if I can sell them. Would knitters that are not sewers buy one of these? Please let me know.

Now to put my thinking cap back on and think of a storage solution for a set of Addi Clicks as requested by Kelly after I presented her with this little sockyboxy last night. And a little roll big enough to store the essentials for a knit night!

But first up I really want to finish knitting a little Jacket for Baden.

Until then, stay warm and happy knitting and sewing.

Pretty in Pink!

I am getting a little excited about the up and coming birth of my new little niece. She has been named and now we just have to wait for her arrival (that is if the name stays the same!)


Anyway - this is a little beanie to go with the socks that I knitted a few weeks ago!

Many thanks go to my extra well behaved model for the photo session - Strawberry Shortcake. For more cute photos pop over to my Rav project page.


Pattern: Eva's Hat (for baby) by Barb Kopacek
Yarn: Patons dream time 4ply - this colour and yarn has been discontinued but is lovely and oh so girly
Needles: 2 x 3.25 circulars
Started: June 13th 2009
Finished: June 16th 2009
Mods: None - although I could have made it slightly bigger (maybe the next size up) It fits SSC very well with a head measurement of 33.2cm. Fingers crossed that Steph has a little bubba not like my boofas that measured 35 and 37cm.


I have also been fighting with the machine today and managed to put a zip in - Yay - am so happy with that. Anyway. I can only give you a sneak peak as it is going to the lucky commenter for my 22222 hit giveaway.


And yes Bec - you spotted it in the last pic - it is indeed the mushrooms. I will be making myself one of these very very soon.

It's Tuesday and I can't wait...

to show you my new sewing machine.

Purchased a month ago and has not done very much work at all. I really have to do something about that. I seem to be spending more time sitting on the couch knitting at the moment!

Off to finish a newborn beanie and then I am going to hang up the needles so I can get some sewing time in and break in this new machine. Actually I need a little help - how big were your babies heads when they were born? I think that this beanie is going to be a stretch and is more like a premie size then a newborn...

For those interested it is the Janome CS995 and I love it!

For others playing head over to ButtonsByLouLou and see what others are showing today.

Knitting for Me

Can you believe it - I actually picked up the needles and what came off it is something for ME! I am so excited.

First up a cable jumper. Not overly happy with the colour and after all of the work that I have put into it I dont really like it. Yes, it looks good and is passable to wear outside of the house. But it is itchy and bulky. I am going to knit myself something for summer and see how I like lighter yarns on me.

Pattern: Patons Book 1259

Yarn: Caressa DK - held double through out. Purchased in 2007 when I fell pregnant with Baden and had grand plans LOL!

Needles: 7.5mm and 8mm circulars

Started: May 1st 2009

Finished: June 13th 2009
Mods: Cast on and joined in the round (so I did not have to sew up the seams)

Next up is a scarf I went out and bought two balls of NORO. It looks so lovely but oh my. It really is a love hate relationship with this yarn. I would love to know how customs let it through with so many burrs in it. Honestly - if it was not for the colours (oh the colours) this would be in the bin. It is itchy and scratchy (lets hope that after a soak I can soften it up a little more - blocking did zilch) ranges from a tightly spun 5ply though to a bulky (ball band states that it is a 10ply!)

Anyway - for step by step and day by day upsets with this project - duck over to my projects page (you will have to have a Ravelry account to view it)

Pattern:Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf by Karen Baumer

Yarn: NORO Silk Garden

Needles: Started on 4.5mm Knitpic straights (on loan from Kelly to try out) Frogged and ended up casting on with 6mm as I did not want this scarf to cost almost $40
Started: June 9th

Finished: June 13th 2009 - just in time to wear on Saturday night - I weaved in the ends at Gelatissimo
Mods: Knitted on larger needles than the pattern recommends and did the alternate triangle at the end (listed on the pattern)

I returned Kellys needles back to her in this special little case to keep them safe

(hopefully she will allow me to try them again later in the year)

WWKIP Day 2009

Well what a day - I had massive plans, but they all got thrown out when Tim had to work and this sleep deprived Mum descided that she was not going to go out for the morning with two toddlers that would fight for attention.

I did however meet up with the Knitting and Knotting (our local SnB) for a regressive dinner.

It was only while we were sitting down last night that it clicked that we were indeed eating from different places around the world - wonder if that was the plan and I missed it.

Anyway. We started off at Gelatissimo and enjoyed a coffee.

We then moved onto the Indian Restaurant for mains - the rude owner said "What are you doing knitting for - that is for at home!' I knew there was a reason why I no longer support her with my business after being turned away over a year ago because were were indeed 'pram people' (although her meals are always nice)

We then went for a cool walk up to have Japanese (although some how wires were crossed and we did not end up having a booking - which was fine because I dont think that I could have actually fit one more grain of rice into me) I also learnt that crows gard some of the street signs in town - I have never noticed these little metal creatures on top of every fourth pole LOL.

So, we went back for another coffee and dessert to Gelatissimo and finished up the night at 11pm.

Kelly finished off a vest for Jayden and then started a pair of toe up socks (with Bec's help) Bec, knitted/frogged/knitted/frogged and then cast on a pair of toe up socks. Kerrie worked on a pair of longies, Isobel knitted a sock. Kate fought with the picot edge of a sock (this sock has been a WIP for three years) and Elisabeth worked on the second glove to keep her chilli hands warm while walking to Uni.

And I cast on and knitted a whole two rows of a new born sized beanie - I was obviously enjoying the company - oh and flicking through the new Yarn and Knit1 Magazines.

I then came home and knitted on the couch with Tim while he watched the end of The Rock on TV - and I actually got more knitted in the hour on the couch then during the night.

I am enjoying looking around blogland and seeing what the all the other knitters got up to on WWKIP Day 2009

When it is Wet and cold outside...

Stay in and have fun


I think that it will be a week of wet and cold weather - similar to last week.




Being a mixture of the weather and the fact that it was a Public Holiday here yesterday (not that the Dad in the house got the day off he was busy at work, but that is another story) Amelia and Baden have a slight case of cabin fever. Not wanting to venture out (There have been a few suspected cases of Swine Flu here and I am happy to stay in the safety of our home and away from it) I have been thinking up ways to keep them busy.

Last week we started the base for a 'Mr Grassy Head Man'

Look what has happened in a week

And we did a little experiment

3 pea seeds in a glass and two out in the garden. I think the ones in the garden are a little water logged - but it was fun watching these grow each day.

I will be doing a few of these little Toddler ideas over the winter I think and am slowly finding some great blogs so I will share those with you too.

Just don't run inside - cause this is what will happen...

Ouch!

I was doing so well...

and then I walked into a few opshops!


Opps - there goes the stash diet - bad bad girl - I will hit the back of my wrists for you all - that did not stop me.


800grams of Bendigo 4ply Cotton - I am going to attempt to over dye this with Dylon Dyes - wish me luck


and 1000grams - yes 1kg of Bendigo 4ply in a cream


Not 100% sure what these will be turned into just yet - but we are moving north and cotton attire is an essential. If not it will make good cheap bags. At $1 per 50g how could one leave it just sitting there.


On a recent trip to Tim's parents I managed to be in the opshop at the right time andd picked up a stack of Enid's books


and a few more knitting patterns - not that I need more ideas - I have so many things in my Ravelry list it is not funny.

A Fabric Giveaway at the Fabric Shopper...

What would you do with 30 fat quarters? I think that I would turn them into a quilt for Amelia - but then our bedroom could do with a revamp.

Quick go tell them and you could be in the draw to win these.

State Against State...Mate Against Mate

Tonight is the first of the State of Origin Season for the year.

No guess as to which side we go for.

The lighting is not good in the house at the moment - it has been raining all week (not that I am complaining - there are people out there that need it) So these photos were snapped in the bathroom, with a little model that really did not want to keep the beanie on - tell me knitting Mummas - why do we knit things for the little people in our lives when we know that they are not going to keep them on for longer than five minutes???

Pattern: Inspiration from Saartje de Bruijn Noro Hat
Yarn: Cleckheaton 8ply
Needles: 4mm 30cm circular and 4mm DPN's to decrease crown

Started: May 30th 2009
Finished: June 1st 2009

Mods: Modifications: I fell in love with this hat a few months ago and thought that Baden would look cute in it. After seeing the modifications that Melissa did I just knew that I would have to try it out.
Her modifications can be found here

Blogland LOVE Giveaways

I am obviously spending too much time in front of the computer instead of knitting or sewing. Oh and lets not even talk about the state of my house at the moment...

Anyway - join in the fun!

Brisstyle - are having a giveaway from the June featured members - and i enjoyed reading the write ups and seeing a picture of the places in which each create.

Polly Pratt - is heading to her first Makers Market and is giving away treats.

Actually Laura - is celebrating her first year of blogging (happy blogbirthday Laura)

Matilda Jane - give away on Feisty, Frugal and Fabulous This one is open to US and Canada addresses only - wonder if they will post it to my cousin in NYC???

...if anyone else knows of any other giveaways in the land of blog I would love to know - I love finding new blogs to check out too - it is always fun.

Snailblazer Swap

10 little wash clothes went in the mail.

And in there return this arrived. In no real order, A patchwork mini-scarf; a cake of handmade soap (not in photo, amelia was walking around the house with it) a hairclip and brooch (brooch missing - amelia is was wearing it) a drawstring project bag; a wristlet; a cute sock owl; a fabric basket; a loyalty wallet; a crochet beanie; and an apron

Thankyou Cass for organising this - I am looking forward to the next one and even thinking of maybe organising a 'Christmas in July' one - I will put my thinking cap on!

Sorry about the quality of the photo's as you can see I had little people stealing my goodies.

Warning - Contains Cuteness!

If you are slightly clucky look away now...

Ok - just a little peak

I warned you!

Aren't these the cutest little socks you have ever seen - newborn sized and pink to boot.

They are going in the pile that I am slowly making to send up to my Brother and SIL for there soon to be little girl.

Pattern: Basic Baby Socks on 2 circulars

Yarn: Cleckheaton Merino Bambino 4 ply

Needles: 2.25mm circulars x 2
Started: May24th 2009

Finished: May 27th 2009
Mods: None - they are super cute as they are.
Project notes: There will be more of these little wonders knitted for gifts in the future.

And the end of May means that I can knit something for others. I failed by the way - I knitted these last week - but I just could not help myself after finding the pattern.

I am half way through one sock and only have the sleeves to knit up on the cable jumper. Amelia has asked for a knitted vest, so I best at least finish the jumper for me before I cast that on.