i heart knitting

I have jumped ship!

2007-01-20T20:36:00.000+10:30

Blogger overboard. I have a new blog. I love it! Update your links, PLEASE come and have a look. I think you will like it too!

i heart knitting

Aaaarrrgggghhhh!

2007-01-07T17:58:00.000+10:30

Well, I have been one frustrated knitter of late. I found this group and decided I needed to join them knitting two socks on one circular needle. I am here to tell you, I am well over it. I have been knitting for 26 years. Admittedly I am not an expert. But, I do know my way around a pair of needles. I understand, I really do. I just can't do it. Could it be to do with the amount of concentration it takes? Possibly. I am not a good concentrator. Not at all. I am also not very good at being patient. (My very short sentences might have given me away on that one! I am known for my no nonsense approach!!!) And so, because I am well adjusted enough, I gave up.

I then decided I would knit one sock on two circular needles. People, I bought some Addis. I have to use them. So, I thought to jazz it up a bit, I would do a Jaywalker. It was travelling fairly well. One sock on two circs - pretty cool. I like it. The Addis are great too, although I kinked my cord a bit trying to do magic loop. Holy shmoly. And one of them seems to have a little burr on it and catches and I don't know what to do about it. I can't find it when I am not knitting. Then, last night I made a tiny error somewhere, there was an extra stitch and in a fit of rage (remember - no patience) I pulled it off. The Opal that I am using is beginning to cast itself on. "Here is my long tail!!" It too is very kinky. Hmm.

This morning, I began again. Then I ripped it off. Because I found this, and I am so going to do two socks on two circular needles. And I am going to make them plain plain plain. But I am going to make them fraternal, so that I can at least see where I am up to. I will let you know how I go. At this rate, I might finish them by the end of '07!

I also ripped my Dublin Bay sock which was up to the toe, because I had made a mistake in the lace in the leg and it was annoying me no end. Do you feel for me yet? And all I wanna do is buy yarn! I like this though. This I am going to do. I hate picking up the stitches, it always feels like I am doing the wrong thing and it will all fall apart.

To prove that I am not completely useless, I would like to share this:

This is my Baudelaire sock for our tiny Baudelairealong. I am currently up to the gusset. I love the pattern, it is so easy to follow and only eight rows of repeat with every second on being knit knit knit.

I have been listening to some podcasts of late. Have you heard Lime and Violet? Pretty cool. They have a kind of KAL going on, where you measure how many miles of sock yarn you can knit in three months. I am not going to join, as looking at the pictures of other people's stashes puts mine to shame. And of course there is Cast On. And It's a Purl Man. Are there any Ozzie podcasters out there?

Oh yeah, and my phone died. *Sigh*

Ramblings . . .

2007-01-03T16:00:00.001+10:30

I have learned a lot in the past year, not only about knitting of course, but that's what we are all here for, so I will stick with that! I feel like a list, so here goes:

Knitting is good for the soul and helps me relax and sit still.
I can knit very well if I put my mind to it.
Belonging to an online knitting community is lots of fun and motivates me to try new things.
Some people really like receiving knitted gifts.
Some people really don't.
Most people think knitting is for old people, but they are mistaken and I love proving otherwise!
I am slightly obsessive and will think about knitting and yarn a bit too much if I am not careful.
Buying sock yarn is addictive in the extreme.
I don't like knitting jumpers, nor do I like wearing knitted jumpers.
That probably won't stop me trying again some day. In fact I have my eye on a cotton number from the latest Yarn magazine.

I have finished another couple of things, here is a picture of the second Mother in Law socks, which went down a right treat, just like the other pair with the other Mother in Law. I also gave a gift of a washcloth that I knitted earlier in the year but never photographed, with some yummy soap from Holy Sheet. The conversation between the giftees went something like this:

"Oh, it is so nice to receive something hand made." "It always makes me feel inadequate." "It is just so special." People should be careful what they wish for. I can feel a sock spree coming on, ready for Christmas '07. I don't know whether I could face making anything too fancy for other people. Does this make me selfish?

I forgot to share this, although Christmas is but a memory, here is our version of a white Christmas:

And in further exciting news, 2paw and I are having our own little two person Baudelairealong, so if anyone wants to join in, please do so! This has decided what I am doing with the Amethyst cashmere sock. I am yet to cast on because I have been busy with this:

and this, not to mention a pair of Fon Sox for the Tiny Madam. You will need to wait for a picture of these amazing beauties, as the model is asleep.

Sock it to me!

2006-12-30T08:00:00.000+10:30

I have been knitting like a sock fiend lately. I managed to finish two pairs of socks - one for the MIL and one for the Pregnant Friend. And here are the pictures:

MIL socks:

Patons pattern using The Knittery Merino 4ply sock in Coral Reef. MIL loved them very very much and suggested that it should become tradition that I make her socks for Christmas. She probably should be careful what she wishes for, as there are also birthdays and Mother's Days to cover! It was lovely to have someone so appreciative. She was heard to say, "There really is nothing like receiving something handmade for you"!!

PF socks (in progress - I ran out of time to take a photo of the real FO):

Patons pattern using Opal Petticoat. PF liked them very much - it is hard to tell how much because she feels very sick all the time.

Here is how I packaged them. They looked very cool if I do say so myself. The MIL socks were finished with about 23 minutes to spare!

I am also about to finish a pair for MIL2 (lucky me has two MILs!) knitted with Patonyle in the blue/grey colourway. They are also the Patons pattern, which I now can knit without looking at the book.

In further developments, because I am on holidays, I have resumed knitting the Pomatomus sock, which I am loving because it looks so good and yet the pattern is very easy to remember. I am using a sticky note to keep track of where I am, but it is really all about 10s, isn't it! For these socks I am using The Knittery Merino 4ply sock in Roses. I am also knitting another Patons pattern from this book, this time a lace pattern which is an easy 4 row repeat in my Forest Moss green Knittery Merino Cashmere sock, which I got for Christmas.

I am toying with some options for the Amethyst Merino Cashmere sock (also for Christmas). So far, I have my eye on Hedera, Monkey or maybe something else entirely. Any ideas? I also received some Opal Dreamcatcher in the 1230 colourway for my birthday, so I have to think of something to do with that too.

Christmas was lovely, I hope yours was too!

Eek! I have been tagged!

2006-12-24T21:55:00.000+10:30

My first tag. I am quite excited about this. Thanks Suzi.

6 weird things about me:

Here are THE RULES:Each player of this game starts with the weird things about you.People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

1. I find it really difficult to spell weird. It never looks right no matter what.

2. I don't really like going outside very much. I think I should have been a hermit dwelling deep in a cave somewhere. A well lit bat free cave with plenty of heating and cooling and food etc.

3. When people make speeches, I become very anxious and have been on the verge of panic attacks at various times in my life, due to someone else's speech. One of these times was at my own wedding. Another was when a colleague decided to vent her spleen as she was retiring. Just thinking about it makes my heart pound so I will stop.

4. I hate eggs but wish I didn't. They are easy and versatile and good for you, but I can taste the suckers in cakes! Gross.

5. I hated high school but ended up teaching in one.

6. I dance in the bathroom every morning.

And I tag . . . slimsuzy, Little Purl, Moorecat, Stefaneener, Kari, Sasha

Back later with some real knitting and photos of the gifts I made for Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you all!

2006-12-24T17:40:00.000+10:30

A short post today to say Merry Christmas. I will soon have time to post more often and more interestingly . . .

I hope you all have a great Christmas and enjoy yourselves immensely. You deserve it!

i bought yarn!

2006-12-02T08:41:00.000+10:30

Hey there patient readers! I have as always been completely flat out for the past couple of weeks, but there is a window of opportunity to get some knitting done this weekend, and I plan to use it.

I bought some yarn from The Knittery which is absolutely gorgeous. The red is called 'Rose' and it will become a pair of Pomatomus - I already started these twice but have trouble counting when I am tired, so I can only do a bit at a time. ADHD I think.

The other colour is 'Coral Reef' (I think) and I have no idea what it will become. Perhaps a pair of plain socks for my good friend who is PREGNANT! Woopee and hooray!

Tiny madam turned four last weekend, and we had a lovely day of family and friends visiting. Here is a photo of some of her presents:

We all had a very lovely day outside in the garden. And because I have starved you of photos for so long, I thought I would include one that Little Purl took of a plant I can't name in our garden. Thankfully we bought our house from a lovely lady who had established quite a garden, so we have roses and camelias and azaleas and magnolias and lots of other lovely things to look at most of the year.

I just love purple and green together. Can anyone tell me what this is??

And, not that anyone is counting but there are thirteen school days left this term. How exciting! I can smell Christmas, can you? At our house, it smells like sunscreen and nibbly food, and the door opening and shutting to let people in and out. We are hosting this year, and I am so excited about it. I might need to practice some culinary masterpieces before the big day. Anyone have any ideas about half traditional ways in which to spend a summer Christmas?

Eleven days until my birthday!

happy friday!

2006-11-10T18:08:00.000+10:30

I have been working up to a blog entry for a couple of days now, beginning with a change of colour scheme and a tidy-up in my sidebar. Also, I have been knitting! And, I have taken pictures of the knitting. Admittedly the pictures are shocking, but I will share them anyway.

These are what were going to be toe-up Jaywalkers, but I just got sick of the pattern, so I pulled one whole sock and one quarter sock apart, and started again. They are being expertly modelled by Tiny Madam. She doesn't quite fill them out like I do, but you get the point. I made these using my Patonyle accessories book, and I quite like the pattern.

So much that I began another pair the other day with some Opal petticoat which I bought at the LYS a couple of weeks ago. I think it is really pretty. I would love to share another photo but I can not upload. Maybe another time. (Deep breaths).

As 2paw mentioned, I went to the Deloraine Craft Fair on the weekend, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Mainly due to the SuperSpunk coming with me! He is a true gem! I only bought a couple of little things, but we had a lovely lunch and a relaxing stroll around the venues. I fell in love with some felted brimmed hats similar to this, and I think this will be on the menu for next winter. I really am a hat person, but Tasmania is not a hat place. It is cold enough sometimes, but it is not the done thing.

In other news, I am as usual completely exhausted. I finished an essay last weekend, so that is the Uni stuff out of the way for this year. Now I just have the normal day to day work to get through. I am crossing days off the calendar now. Well, to be honest I start crossing the days off the calendar as soon as the school holidays finish in February. But now I am crossing off in red.

The Tiny Madam turns four in two weeks, so we are getting very excited around here. Then my birtday and then Christmas! EEEK! I can feel some hard core shopping coming on.

Ahem, it's me.

2006-10-11T18:22:00.000+09:30

Hello! I am still alive! And I have done a tiny bit of knitting. Gosh I have been busy lately . . .

The holidays were spent being unwell. I nursed a sore throat for two weeks and three days. Then I went back to work and it disappeared. Great. I did absolutely no knitting at all, just felt sorry for myself.

However, the other night, out of nowhere, I heard the needles calling me. I started my second toe up Jaywalker sock. I don't even know where the first one is! And since it is show day tomorrow, I will knit and knit and knit. Because I don't plant vegetables. So, show day is sock grow day for me!

What I have been doing

2006-09-13T22:47:00.000+09:30

Well, I promised I would post, and here I am. Unfortunately I did not take photos and have nothing much to add. I have not been knitting very much at all. I have done almost enough of the cardigan to wear it, and that's it.

Photos - tomorrow. I promise.

PS Is it fair to be sick in yor holidays? I didn't think so.

oh I feel so guilty!

2006-09-12T22:13:00.000+09:30

I will post for real tomorrow, I promise. Not much knitting, but I will show you what I have been doing. Apart from how I have worn out every vowel on my laptop.

I am wireless!

2006-08-22T20:17:00.000+09:30

Hey there, again long time no blog. I thought I would just drop a few lines to tell you how I have been. Knitting is going very slowly, and I am looking forward to holidays so I can use some serious down time to finish my cardigan and reassess the whole knitting fiasco. I feel like I am letting the team down at the moment with my slackness.

One problem is that we have gone wireless at my house, and sitting at the computer has become a whole lot more comfortable. I am sitting on the recliner right now, laptop atop lap blogging and reading blogs. Ah, it really is a tough life.

I went to Melbourne last week for work, and dragged the Spunk along. He had a wonderful time shopping and sightseeing, while I slaved away draining my brain. Actually, it was very interesting and I met some semi famous smart people, which was cool. I am a sucker for a semi celebrity! We also went to a SHOW - at Crown Casino. It was very good and we enjoyed it immensely. We were lucky enough to be given the tickets, which made it all that much better! The performers were so strong!!

holy genealogy batman!

2006-08-12T20:00:00.000+09:30

Gosh - two weeks, no three since I posted. Anyone would think I have been overcome by an uncontrollable urge to fill my family tree! I have been busy finding convicts and other exciting information about my family and my husband's family! We are doing well - I have six convicts (so far!) and he has two. That makes 8 for my kids!! How bad can you be? B B B B B Bad to the bone. If you were in Campbell Town last weekend you may have seen two locals heavily disguised as tourists walking the main street looking for bricks with familiar names on! We found some! We also went to Ross to the Female Factory site (not where they made females apparently) and I was shocked to see sheep pooping all over my bloody heritage! Sheesh. I am about to become a history vigilante! Watch this space.

I had finished the back and two fronts plus a third of a sleeve on the cardigan, when I ran out of yarn and of course you know where (bsodl) had none left, so I had to hit the K(mart) and of course there was none of the same dye lot, and of course they are so different I had to pull the whole bloody thing apart and start again. I have done the back thus far.

Work has been busy, we have all had the flu (again) and apart from that there is not much news. I will try to be more interactive! SO MANY BLOGS TO READ, SO LITTLE TIME!

on how life gets in the way of knitting

2006-07-22T21:14:00.000+09:30

I do not have photos to share. I have not finished the Tiny Madam's doll even though her cute little self keeps asking me when it will be done. I have not finished (er, nor started) the second Jaywalker. I have been working so very VERY hard this week to make sure I meet all of the obligations I am supposed to meet at work. And, I have succeeded. But the trade off is I have done very little knitting.

I had a special visitor at work the other day. None other than the wonderful and most terrific Cindy2Paw was waiting for me when I got back from Banjos with far too much Diet Coke. And she brought me presents! Patterns and yarn oh my oh my. I am not entirely sure it is not my fault she got sick (I love a double negative. It is a good way to almost get oneself out of strife!). I had a terrible croaky throat earlier in the week. I tried not to cough on her, I promise. Cindy brought me two patterns, one for Bolshoi which she was modelling oh so expertly and one for me to use my ill-bought Country Silk, which has started to become this:

I am home alone. SS is at work. The musketeers are with their Poppy. I have half listened to two episodes of Iron Chef. Why don't we eat the whole fish, guts and all?

PS, I am reflecting on the year past, and it is almost twelve months since something similar to this happened to me:

I don't think I am doing too bad! Have a good weekend, and I promise I will take some actual photos of actual knitting really soon!

A little bit of blowing my own trumpet

2006-07-13T16:49:00.000+09:30

Guess what? I got my Uni results back. You know how a few weeks ago I was writing those assignments? Well, I got a credit for one, and a high distinction for the other. Oh yeah, I am loving myself sick about that at the moment!

I have been so busy flat out at work and at home, I haven't done a whole lot of knitting. I am almost finished the basic doll shape for the Tiny Madam, I will finish the last leg tonight, and start some teeny clothes for it. Hopefully by the weekend there will be a walking talking livin' doll for the TM to play with. Hopefully I am better at making doll's clothes than person clothes!

I have, however, inspired some sock knitting amongst colleagues. We are yet to knit in the staffroom, but I think it is only a matter of time.

Thanks for the icy tips - I am making it to work in time. Just.

A little bit o' knittin'

2006-07-03T17:59:00.000+09:30

I was interested to read that the Knitting Party at Spotlight wasn't the greatest! I had my suspicions. Well, what have I been up to this week?

I finished a Jaywalker, and am yet to start the other one. I was a bit bored with it I guess, but I will attempt to start and finish by the end of the week. I also made a face washer with this pattern. I really like it - I am putting it away for Christmas. I will post a photo soonish. I think I will order some soap from Lush and bundle them together. I love Lush soap, especially the Rock Star one. Have you tried it? Yum yum! I have also started the doll for Little Miss, she loved Jill: (Credit to the poor suckers I stole the photo from. Thanks Google images).

Lucky mother is going to be the recipient of the red scarf from the previous post. I started the clapotis in brown Country Silk, and it just didn't work. I think it was a meeting of country and city - the yarn is too rustic looking. I think. Now I have six balls of Country Silk and no idea what to do with it. Anyone have any suggestions? Three pairs of silky sox? A manly scarf that will never be worn? A felted bag (can you felt silk???) HELP!

How cold is it? My goodness. I was so late for work this morning because my car was frozen after already being defrozen by SS. Does anyone have a trick for defreezing your windows without covering yourself in water? Please share!

I watched Walk the Line on the weekend and found it - bearable. I am not particularly fond of Johnny Cash, I prefer my country with a beard (yay Kenny Rogers!) and found that I had little sympathy or empathy for his character. It did make me remember a particularly bizarre phase I went through as an adolescent where I listened to a great deal of 50s rock - I used to have a whole lotta shakin going on!

Have a nice week!

2006-06-26T19:31:00.000+09:30

Gee I have been slack! It has been over a week since my last post! Darn work. It really does get in the way of my life. A positive outcome of not blogging is that I have quite a lot to tell you . . .

I have finished my Opal socks, and here they are:

Those really are my feet and ankles. As you can see I have added a protective layer in order to get through these cold mornings! I like the socks, they are warm and nice and long, and quite successful for my first pair of toe up, short row heel socks. And, as they have so much blue, they are fine for Project Spectrum. I thought there would be more pink in them - I am sure one day I will be able to look at a ball of yarn and picture it knitted into something. I can't yet. I did manage to make them match though, so that's a bonus.

I knitted this on the weekend just gone, using Patons Jet and this pattern.

I love love it, it is so warm and squishy. And the colours are very nice. Mother loved it too and is knitting herself one. More on that later.

I turned the heel on a Jaywalker last night, toe up upside down style, and another short row heel. I am not going to make these very long, I am a bit bored with this yarn. I am developing a philosophy on hand knitted socks: If you are going to bother making them, they should at least be interesting, or pretty. I don't think these are either. Bad photo, sorry:

I received my Project Spectrum swap card some time ago, but forgot to mention it. Thanks Crazed Weasel! I have no idea who I am supposed to be swapping with this month, as I haven't received email about it yet. And it is only a few days until the end of June! Can you believe it?

How many of you headed to Spotlight today? Mother picked me up and we went this evening, leaving Little Purl in charge of the small people for half an hour. I selected a skein of Magicline cotton, two flesh colours balls for a doll, this pattern book (from which to knit said doll), and enough brown Country Silk for a Clapotis for Mother. Unfortunately I left my purse at home, and Mum paid for everything! How embarrassing. Never mind, I will pay her back in a couple of days.

I had better go and knit! Oh, I guess it would be unAustralian to end with anything other than
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI.
(I can't believe I have done that!)

Rockin and rollin and what not

2006-06-18T17:42:00.000+09:30

I quote Danny Zuko. And I guess this sums up what I have been doing. Not a lot thank goodness. Cindy has inspired me to have a rant, but I will talk knitting first. I have almost finished a vest all of my own creating. I hope to finish it tonight, to this end I will be quick. I just thought I would update while my hair cooks. I am dying it. Again. After a fairly disastrous dying incident yesterday, I am trying again. I am also worried it might all fall out. We'll see!

I am up to the heel bit of the second Opal sock, and am knitting a pair of Jaywalkers upside down with the ebay yarn I bought. They look terrific. I had hoped to have both of these pairs finished, but hey, I have to go out sometimes.

I have made many purchases this week, including some new shoes for work, an iron (to iron work clothes) and some clothes, also for work. I have bought no yarn whatsoever. Hmm. Oh, the vest is the wrappy thing reincarnate. Waste not want not. Or want not reknit!

Ah yes, the rant. I have been witness to two incidents lately which have almost driven me to pick up pen and write to management. Incident 1 occured some weeks ago but is still irking me. Little Purl and I were shopping for a new mobile phone and had entered a reputable establishment in our little city. As we were paying for said phone, a little upstart young man was laughing his empty head off about a little old lady who was in the store because her phone had ceased to work. Her phone looked a little like this:

I was concerned he might wet his pants. I was absolutely appalled and wished with all of my wishing that I was brave enough to tell him to shut up! Of course this woman has lived through a time where some things lasted longer than a year! Of course she would be expecting to walk into a shop and be treated with respect. Grr! It was not to be.

The second incident: Little Purl and I were again in a reputable establishment, this time in the 'burbs, having a prescription filled. As we wandered the pharmacy trying perfumes and looking at trinkets, we witnessed two little chippies behind the counter having a good old laugh at the expense of someone in a set of photos that had been developed!!! Look, I am not naive and despite my youthful appearance was not born yesterday. I know if you drop a roll of film off to be developed they will be viewed by various people and perhaps even snickered at - BUT PLEASE! In full view of the public! I was disgusted. And, the comments they were making were disgusting and related to people with disabilities. I was again, appalled.

What is the world coming to? Now, my head is cooked. If you don't hear from me again it means I have gone into hibernation while my hair grows back. Actually, even if this happens you will still hear from me - I will have to live vicariously through my blog.

I would like to issue a retraction . . .

2006-06-11T19:46:00.000+09:30

It is not the Opal that stinks. It is the new needles I bought to knit it with! Can you believe it. Please do not sue - can someone translate that to German for me?

No photos today, but I will give you a bit of an update. I am on the leg of my Opal socks, which I am knitting toe up. I am converted, even though my short row heel is not the best. I then began doing a diagonal eyelet on the leg but the yarn did not need this, so I went back to the beginning of the leggy bit and have just made it back to where I was before this debacle. I have also finished the beanie Purl and I were doing for the Guardian appeal, and have done about half of another one. Man, I knit big. These will not be for toddlers, but there is no age limit on cold, I am sure someone will be able to wear them in Mongolia. They fit Number One Son, and he's six (but he has a BIG head!).

I have begun to obsess about what to do with two balls of bluey variegated Patonyle that does not involve socks. I think I might make a skinny stocking stitch scarf, even though it will roll. I would like a skinny cable scarf but I am not sure how the fairisle pattern will translate to cables. Oh, the problems I encounter in life are so deep.

We had friends around last night and she was knitting a dinosaur for her nephew using Country Silk. It promises to look wonderful. I knitted so many toys when I was younger I just can't bring myself to do it any more. Too many bits to sew together I think.

Little Purl is quite sick - again - with a terrible sore throat. It has been a very quiet day and as Number One Son said, "It's just not a proper day when Little Purl isn't around". I do hope my kids always love each other this much. I don't hold out a lot of hope though! Sibling relationships can be so . . . interesting.

GUESS WHAT??? I finished both of my assignments! Yes, I have done it. Well, apart from the Reference list for one of them. I am so pleased with myself! Now I get to stress out about passing! I have found this self-directed learning business to be a bit of a slog. I NEED FEEDBACK! I NEED OUTSIDE DIRECTION! I will let you know how I go.

a good day

2006-06-06T18:23:00.000+09:30

I am very pleased with myself today. I have done over 5000 words now, so only about 6000 to go! I worked most of yesterday and will do more tonight so I think one assignment should be finished TODAY! Hoo flippin' ray.

My ebay purchase arrived today, so quick! It is lovely Regia, not photographed well at all here by me, but I hope you can get the idea. Still no idea what I will do with this. Pat it and smell it for a few days I think.

Speaking of smell, I went into the old LYS this morning, and bought me a skein of Opal. It STINKS. I started knitting some sox for Tiny Madam, and the smell is disgusting! I don't mind a hint of lanolin, but this stuff smells more like sheep droppings. Hmm. I like the colours though. What do you think? I also bought some 2.25mm dpns, which I quite like. Not as nice as my bamboo ones, but they are grippier than other steel needles I have used.

Look what I made! Isn't it cute? This is two toothpicks, some embroidery cotton, a couple of beads and some glue. I will wear this with pride. So tiny and so quick to make. I will consider making these for some knitting friends. If I can find any.

And finally, my new spectacles. Are they not cool? I love them. I think I may be having a 1/3 life crisis. If you knew what I was going to do in the morning you would agree. Don't worry mother, it is nothing that can't be reversed!! But seriously, these specs are worth it just for the funky Mambo case that they came it. And I need some rose-coloured glasses right now, so there.

In my eagerness to finish the Patonyle socks I made them too small, so Little Purl is the happy recipient of these. Or that, as I have still only done one. I will put down the stinky Opal until this sock is finished. I promise Purl, I promise. STOP ASKING ME!

Thanks for your support regarding my Brady Bunch identity. I am coming to terms with it.

what a busy weekend

2006-06-04T17:39:00.000+09:30

I have been knitting like a fiend for the last few days. School holidays have arrived which is fan-blinking-tastic. I finished Clapotis and it is as wonderful as I hoped it would be. Zhivago works really well for this pattern. That't my hot tip for the day.

Here is a picture of the green curly scarf:

I have also been working on a beanie for the Guardian Angel appeal. Little Purl has also been doing some of this.

I received an email from my postcard swap partner for Project Spectrum, apologising for not sending my postcard. Ahem. I had not sent hers either, so this afternoon I spent a couple of hours whipping something together. Paper craft is not my forte, I am not very creative at all. However, I am pretty pleased with the end result. I made a couple of little additions, and I hope she likes them! I had plans of getting a real postcard with some green scenery but, um, I have not been getting out much lately.

Last night I spent hours on an assignment for Uni, I will be doing that for the next few days as I have to write 11500 words by next Tuesday. No sweat. I have done about 2000 of them. *thud*

I have also turned the heel and am powering towards the end of the first bright sock. AND I won an auction on ebay for some Regia which will be posted tomorrow so I will be thinking about what I will make with that. I really need to step outside my comfort zone with this one, and perhaps try some lace. The colours are quite dark, I am not sure that lace would suit. Maybe I will play it safe and make some variation on the Mata Hari socks. I am also planning on using up some little bits and pieces with some baby socks. And some toe up blue variegated Patonyle socks, probably just rib for these, to try doing them 'backwards'.

I have had a brainwave re Christmas presents. I am going to make felted Christmas stockings for the nieces and nephews and include a small gift. This will last them forever!!

I watched the Wedding Date last night. It was okay, your standard RomCom. Tonight I am going to get nostalgic and watch Mermaids. I remember loving this when I was younger and will watch it with Little Purl.

Edited to add:
Me: Cool - here's a quiz that tells you what Brady you are.
SS: You don't wanna be Jan!
Result:

You Are Jan Brady

Brainy and a little introverted, you tend to think life is a lot worse than it actually is.
And while you may think you're a little goofy looking, most people consider you to be a major babe.

What Brady Are You?

Er, I am Jan. Marcia Marcia Marcia. SS now tells me Cindy was much more annoying!
Thee Ya!

selfish knitting!

2006-05-31T08:24:00.000+09:30

In knit news, I have been quite busy. I have finished the first section of Clapotis and have just dropped the first stitches. I was knitting furiously last night to get to this point, and can't wait to actually finish the whole thing. After much deliberation over a suitable soft and silky yarn, I chose a blue shade of Zhivago. This stuff is SO NICE to knit with, and I can't wait to wear it. I think I should be finished by the weekend with this one. Here, for your viewing pleasure is a progress picture:

I have done no more to the sock, here is a picture to keep me honest and perhaps to motivate me into doing more:

Here is the Panta, which I think is too wide for me to wear except at home and on walking expeditions in the dark. I may make a narrower (more narrow?) version:

I apologise for the shocking quality of my photos, I was panicking because I was nearly out of batteries!

On Sunday I knitted a squirly curly scarf like this one in green, but left it at work so I can't photograph that for you. Suffice to say I had people touching it and commenting all day on Monday, and of course the usual "Oh, can you make me one?" There was nothing difficult about this scarf at all, and I may consider making some for friends. Don't you think it is a shame our Christmas is in summer? I feel that most people would give me 'a look' if I gave them some knitwear for Chrissie. I may make some cotton facewashers for the peripheral people who we see only at Christmas, which will surely be more personal for them and enjoyable for me than the usual box of chocs.

And that's that.

No photos sorry

2006-05-27T21:56:00.000+09:30

Yes, I am sorry, but there are no photos. Text heavy post.

I have actually been knitting quite a lot, I have finished the heel flap without the little 3D bit for another pair of sock for myself with the Patonyle orange and pinky colourway, and I like it a whole lot more than I thought I would. I also knitted a whole huge amount of an afghan and then took it apart and reknitted it in basketweave rather than lacy pattern. I know what I have to admit to myself - although I am actually capable of doing tricky things, I prefer to knit quite basic patterns because knitting is my escape FROM tricky things.

Oh yes, after Sharon mentioned being the only knitter who had not made Panta, I had an attack of the guilts and made myself one. As did Cindy! I have always been a bit like this. Don't challenge me! I will prove you wrong!!

Manly has been shelved. I am also contemplating taking my wrap apart, as I had to go out this evening and put it on and promptly took it off again. I don't like it! I look like an EWOK!

A note to parents. Based on careful research done by moi, if you go away for two weeks and leave a sixteen year old boy home alone with his eighteen year old brother as the adult, there is bound to be a party at your house with screaming shrieking girls and breaking bottles. And a thumping thud thud thudding bass line. Just you wait neighbours, until my kids are old enough. I am saving up for the holidays. I am sure MY kids won't party in my absence - yeah right. Mwahahahaha.

oh manly, you came and you gave . . . not

2006-05-19T20:26:00.000+09:30

I am again a frustrated knitter this evening. Exhibit A: a pile of Manly.

AKA a pile of $h;t that at the moment can not be worn because the stinkin sleeves do not fit into the stinkin sleeve holes. What does this mean? Well, since I can't convince SS that he would look GREAT in a vest, it means I will be knitting backwards tomorrow and reknitting the top of the sleeves. Two of the suckers. What am I doing wrong? I know that I have had to knit the smallest size widthways and the largest size lengthways. But I thought I worked it out. Am I being punished for loving a tall thin man? This does not seem fair. I really need to become one of those knitters who swatches, measures, multiplies, casts on and creates the perfect jumpers for all she knows. At the moment that is not me. I am more like - well, a really pissed off knitter. As an aside, the cute little foot end belongs to Tiny Madam. She will be incredibly happy to see her toes on the pooter.

In other news knit fans, I have been sidelined indefinitely. Without giving the game away, you may make some deductions if you read today's Examiner. Suffice to say I have had plenty of knitting time. Did any of you brave Kmart? I did. I bought some acrylic. Everything else was gone. Oh sure, there was some Jet, but I had no idea what to do with it. And there was some Studio Mohair, but don't even go there with me (horrid nose encroaching throat tickling fluff!!). I am planning on making a threw for my carch. Little Purl has commandeered some of it for a scarf, so it seems she may have found her knitspiration again. I am trying to explain to her before you can ditch the patterns, you must first embrace them, but you try talking to someone who turns 13 next week! What would I know?!

I bought knit.1 yesterday, it has some fabulous stuff in there. I love a vest, and a knitted chain (yeah, links and all) and there's a fabulous argyle scarf for SS, but it is in stocking stitch and you can't tell me it wouldn't curl. I am considering using a circular and knitting it as a tube - double sided methinks. I also bought a creative magazine which contains among other things some door snakes. Number One Son decided he had to have one, so I have knit about half of that this evening. No need to show you a photo at the moment, hopefully it will be finished tomorrow. NOS informed me I have never knitted anything for him, which is not entirely true - I made him a Jean Greenhowe cowboy when he was tiny, and a jumper when he was not quite so tiny but obviously nothing in this short (but getting longer) obsessive knitting stage I am going through. Tiny Madam informs me she needs a pint snate, so I will need to do that too.

As for the other projects I swore and declore I was going to finish. Bugger them. I am over it. I will do what I want, when I want and not before. There, can I now be a badass knitter?

Little Purl's in Melbourne. Did she tell you she was going? Off for a birthday treat with the MIL. Who, by the way, was wearing the MILMarkII today. Success.

so much to tell you

2006-05-15T18:11:00.000+09:30

Well, Mother's Day is over again. I finished both projects and both were greatly appreciated. The MILMarkII was graciously accepted and matched perfectly with a jumper (bought) that my sisterinlaw gave the MIL. That was a relief. However, in my excitement I forgot to take a picture, so you will just have to imagine there is a picture here of a basketweave, dull, charcoal scarf.

Mother's socks were not both completed when I arrived at her house for breakfast yesterday, so her present contained a box of Lindt (drool drool) chocolates and one sock. I ate my breakfast (very sleepily - I was up late Saturday night trying to finish the second sock) and then knitted knitted knitted and finished it at her house. She loved them. Here is what the yarn that I won in Katt's comp knits up like:

Pretty cool huh? The pattern is my OWN! modified from different patterns about the place. The colours in the pic are slightly off, but close enough so you can see how the pink twisted around and around.

I have received mail from my Project Spectrum postcard swap person, she blogs here. She is a bit clever and writes patterns and things, so I am feeling a bit of pressure to do something interesting and clever. I will have to think. I have a little idea, but I won't tell you in case she reads here. Very exciting.

As you may have read on Little Purl's blog, we went to the Wizard of Oz on Saturday, and my hats go off to the cast and crew. I know how much time and effort goes into making something so wonderful. The kids were so professional one completely forgot they were school kids. Brilliant!!

Mothers Day was yummy - I got some Patonyle sock yarn - Cindy is knitting some socks with one of the colourways I received (blues) and the other is the bright pink and orange one, which is cute. I am not going to do anything with it until I finish:

1. Manly
2. Armwarmers
3. Little Purl's skull sox

I also got some cute little scissors and a self winding uppy measuring tape with inches and cm and a promise of a splurge at the LYS!!! Yay hooray.

I actually knitted about 10cm of the front of Manly last night, SS began wondering what he needs next. My response was unless it goes on your head, your feet or your bloody hands forget it! TOO BIG!!!

Catch youse.

you can't always get what you want

2006-05-11T22:27:00.000+09:30

Well, the MIL scarf MARKII is done. It is a simple basketweave 6X6 pattern and I think it is quite effective. I think MIL was wanting some more lacy stuff, but hey - I don;t just knit you know. She got the colour she wanted and I think it is nice. It is maybe slightly masculine and I promise there will be photos tomorrow, but my rechargable batteries seem to be unrechargable any more. What can one do?

In other news, of course I had a visitor tonight. Honestly. One day I will have time to finish a Uni assignment and knit. But at the moment, I can only knit!

Ooh baby it's a wild world

2006-05-10T17:58:00.000+09:30

Well, it seems we here in Tasmania are in the middle of a tumultuous time. I will not go on about the miners, everyone knows about it except to say it is difficult to remain uncynical in the face of our media. I am not sure that Shannon Noll and Eddie McGuire are what Beaconsfield needs right now. A cup of tea and a quite read might be more appropriate.

A policeman was shot after pulling someone up on the highway near Pontville in the south.

It has been 10 years since the Port Arthur massacre.

We have some bloody cold weather. Seismic activity. What next? It makes one quite tired just thinking about it.

I have been knitting like a knitting freak, trying to complete two projects for Mother's Day. I will get there - I know I will. I was thinking that I would knit all day Saturday but then remembered we are off to see the Wizard, so that will be a couple of hours out of the day. Is it strange to hope no one visits so I can spend more time knitting? Still no photos sorry!

i'm still standin'

2006-05-07T21:31:00.000+09:30

Hey there, it has been almost a week since my last blog, and yes I have been knitting. I have two little secrets on the go at the moment, one for MIL who will never read the blog and another for Mother who probably will, so I can't tell you what's going on. Also, of course, I have done absolutely no knitting on Manly. I promise SS I will finish this before the end of the month! No more new projects after these until it is done!

I have been trawling ebay for yarn and patterns, and have my eye on a couple of things, so I will let you know if I win. I have been on a self-imposed ebay detox for quite some time after spending far too much time buying and selling for a while there. We made a bit of money, but we also had a lot of time where we were spending more on postage than we were getting for our sales! I have never bought yarn though, so that could be a goer. SS wants an xbox360, so we are looking at what xbox consoles are fetching. We sold a playstation2 which was broken for far too much - we were completely honest about the faults etc, so there is no accounting for people's tastes!

I finished my socks, and they are pretty cool:

Thanks Little Purl for taking the shot! I found it hard match the two socks, until I realised the blinking yarn was backwards. I had to rewind the second skein, and then voila, they matched. Something went slightly awry at the end however and the toes are not quite the same. Never mind. I am happy and they fit under my new boots I bought in Melbourne. I was staying on Bridge Road and I had an hour to kill, so I hopped on a tram and scoured every shoe shop until I found just what I was looking for. Flat black boots. There are none to be found in Launceston, that's for sure.

I hope to post with some FOs on Sunday, after Mother's Day gifts have been given. Perhaps even before then!

TTFN

You've got tag!

2006-05-01T11:34:00.000+09:30

Seven Things To Do Before I Die:

1. Bronze Medallion
2. travel the world but particularly Japan
3. buy a Winnebago
4. finish my Masters
5. knit the perfect jumper for someone!
6. learn to play the saxophone
7. sing in public

Seven Things I Cannot Do:
1. play the sax
2. mind my own business
3. stop talking during meetings and movies
4. juggle
5. ride a motorbike
6. save money
7. stop knitting

Seven Things That Attract Me To My Man:
1. his beautiful face
2. his sense of fairness
3. the importance he places on family
4. his acceptance of me as I am
5. his work ethic
6. his open nature
7. his care for those around him

Seven Books I Love:
1. The Talisman - Stephen King
2. Mother of Pearl - can't remember who wrote this but it's great
3. Charlotte's Web - EB White
4. Patricia Cornwell anything
5. The Slightly True Story of Cedar B Hartley who Wanted to Live and Extraordinary Life - this is a fantastic book for pre teens! Australian and funny!
6. Jonathan Kellerman
7. Anything really. I like to read

Seven Things I Say:
1. yes - too often especially at work
2. Righteo
3. Alrighty (as you can see these are really just variations on yes!)
4. BOO! (this is Little Madam's nickname!)
5. Just let me finish this row
6. I need to go to Spotlight
7. I love my job. No really, I do.

Seven Movies I've Loved :
1. The Shawshank Redemption
2. Grease
3. Hell Boy (thanks Katt, I love this too!)
4. Hotel Rwanda. You can't love this movie but it is so powerful and such an important story to tell
5. Beetlejuice
6. Ghostbusters
7. Finding Nemo

Australians all let us . . .

2006-04-25T21:10:00.000+09:30

What a lovely day has been had. We marched this morning in the Launceston ANZAC march, with school. Little Purl is on the SRC and Number One Son wore his great grandfather’s medals (from his father’s side). He was in PNG – this is the first year NOS has marched, and his grandfather has entrusted the medals to us now, so it will become an annual thing. Unless families are not allowed to march. I personally think this would be an absolute shame. We felt very proud today, proud to be Australian!

I knitted a bit but mainly worked on work stuff. However, I did complete armwarmer number one. I swear it is much nicer and more in focus in real life. I had a real struggle taking a picture!

And I have been working on this, up to the first heel flap. I am surprised how quickly the 4ply knits up, it doesn’t seem to take long at all.

Here is the sock I have started for Purl, SS drew me a skull and xbones chart the other evening, can you spot them? The black bit is a bit pully inny because the yarn is a slightly different size(?) and I was a bit too tight. However, she loves them so far. I am up to the heel flap on that sock too. As well as all that, I have done a minute bit of Manly. I swear I will finish this blinking jumper. One day.

Aussie Aussie Aussie.

the wrap

2006-04-23T20:30:00.000+09:30

Well, here it is in all its soft focus glory. Gee black is hard to photograph. When the flash was on, you could see straight through the fabric to my green tshirt! Not good to see two luminous boobs shining through! I was about to buy a belt to go around the thing today, when Mother suggested knitting one. So I did. I cast on a kabillion stitches and knit about ten rows, then cast off. Voila, a belt.

I have gone back to my little socky, which is quite pleasing. I went to Mother's today and she had taped Knitty Gritty for me, as she is an Austar subscriber and I am not. They were knitting in the continental style, which is not too difficult but looks really weird to me. Apparently it is quicker, once you get the hang. And I know when I do try my tension is much tighter, so it might be a good idea for me.

I am going to knit some 8ply socks for Purl, as she has nicked off with mine. I am going to make them green (I know, green . . . thanks Cindy I know you are doing something subliminal on your blog!) with little skulls on them or something. I am about to look for some charts. I know Suzi has some over on her blog.

I think I am going to attempt some lacy socks with my prize. MmmMmm I can't wait. I need to ensure that I finish Manly sometime very soon, SS is being patient but there are limits.

Oh yes, and I bought the Simply Knitting magazine too, which is at Mother's because I really should be working this evening, not blogging and knitting. Ah, what can ya do?

Ciao, adios, adieu! :)

Mmm, wrap it, wrap it real good

2006-04-22T23:07:00.000+09:30

Hooray! I have finished the wrap and I love love it. Not that I have sewn ends in, or anything that final, but it is done. Never have I knit so much garter stitch. Never would I have known how effective wrapping oneself in nothing but knit knit knit could be! I am actually going to photograph my actual self tomorrow wearing said wrap. Watch out.

Wowsers trousers, I won something! Check out Katt's blog. I won something and I am so excited, I just can't hide it! Now I need to work on my sock skills and make myself something so beautiful, so impressive and so wonderful I will be proud to show you all.

On another note, I went to the library today and got four knitting books, including one about history which is fascinating, and a May Gibbs book, which you could only inflict upon those under 5 (thankfully I have one of those) and another which has pics of patterns, which will help me choose the next MIL scarf. I am contemplating taking knitting on the plane on Thursday, although us Tasmanians have been known to create a rucus on aircraft. Whaddayareckon? Have any of you flown domestically, needles in hand? Photos tomorrow, I promise!

On yet another note, we went to check out the Graeme Base exhibition today, which was oh so good, especially for us grown ups. What a clever man. He draws something, and then uses tracing paper in order to redraw and make minor modifications and then repeats, repeats, repeats until he has what he wants. Perhaps I could learn something from Mr. Base. No one, nowhere ever creates something perfect the first time around, do they? Create, reflect, refine and recreate.

omg

2006-04-21T22:47:00.000+09:30

Well, have I been knitting?! However, there is nothing to show . . . as yet. I began my socks, which will be beautiful if when I finish them. BUT I found out on Wednesday night that I am off to Melbourne NEXT WEEK for work, and I really want to wear the wrappy vest, so I knitted, and knitted and knitted and I swear this thing could keep 4 kabillion orphaned wombats cosy (it is freakin huge), and yet it is still not finished. It is huge. I think I now have about 100 rows left, so I have left it for tonight knowing that I will finish before Thursday morning, when I am planning on looking chic, put together and completely crafty, and being able to drop into conversation that yes, I did knit this fabulous wrap that I am wearing. Ha! As if anyone could care less. But at least I will know.

Purl has blogged, check her out. She has a way with words that child, I am hoping she continues on her quest to become some kind of travelling aide worker with a regular spot in Girlfriend magazine. At least that is the plan at the moment! It's nice to have her back after she has been travelling with Poppy.

Mother arrived today to show me her new pattern book, which just happened to be the Cleckheaton Studio Mohair book I bought ages ago and made the Stripey Horror from. Perhaps her much slimmer physique will suit the patterns better. Perhaps she will have more sense than to wrap herself in fluffy stripes?

PS Thank goodness for the hiatus in rain. It allowed me to go walking for the third time this week. I may be morphing into someone who exercises, thanks to a much younger and much more exercise enthusiastic friend. Bah!

I know what you're thinking . . .

2006-04-18T15:18:00.000+09:30

Where the #$%^ was I? Well, I was here! I am afraid SS and I decided to take advantage of a relatively unbusy day and take the Number One Son and Tiny Madam and expose them to a bit of culcha. Hmm, jury is still out on the exhibition, while I thought it was interesting, it is quite small and the number of interactive machines is quite small. Still, we had fun looking at the rest of the museum. Gee willickers I spend a lot of time at the museum. I will chain myself to the Royal Park site if they decide to sell! Golly, the weather must be making me feel a bit political! How windy was it last night! Sheesh, it clean blew the camellias of my trees!

I have been obsessing over this wrappy thing that a woman was wearing at the Craft Fair, and so I went to Spotlight today and bought the pattern book. This is the object of my obsession, I have started it in . . . black. There are some really nice patterns in the book. I am not using Zhivago however. I also bought some more of the CaraMia in charcoal as MIL wants another scarf and two skeins of Patonyle sock yarn in pinky purply sort of variegated colours. I will probably cast on something soonish. I might use Shazza's pattern.

Sorry I didn't meet you girls, you must be beginning to wonder if I exist! I promise you I do.

Stop the world . . .

2006-04-15T19:05:00.000+09:30

I wanna get off!

The busy period has only just died down, and although I have managed to keep up with reading blogs I have not been able to sit down and post myself. However, I will make up for it now.

I finished a couple of projects this week (take a look and let me know what you think), and thankfully also finally managed to finish the back of the Manly:

I have been having a little bit of time off the needles, as I have been finding my hands have been a bit painful at times. I can't stay away for long though, and have knitted at least a couple of rows each day. As I type I have done about 15cm of the first sleeve of Manly. Mother gave me a good tip - knit the back, then the sleeves then the front. I don't know about you, but I always find the sleeves take longer than you think they will. I am going to take her advice for this jumper.

I have decided I am not going to knit Tubey, after buying the yarn for it and all. I have been reading a KAL where people have complained that it makes them look a little busty, and as I am already more than a little busty I am not going to tempt the booby gods of fate. Instead, I am looking to find the perfect high neck sleeveless thing pattern to wear over my favourite long sleeve tshirts and shirts for the cooler days. I am even contemplating making up the pattern myself! I get quite warm at work (read flustered!) and so anything too covered just makes me purple. This project will be black. Cursed black knitting, but I can't get away from the fact I like wearing it!

The colourful bits and pieces I also bought for Tubey will be for Little Madam, not sure what but probably a cardigan. I need to go through some of my pattern books to find something suitable. She insists on wearing pink most of the time, but if I am creative and use some colourful buttons I think I can convince her to branch out.

I am getting quite excited about joining my online friends on Tuesday for a face to fact meeting. Excited and just a bit nervous. Cindy has given me directions, so I know exactly where I need to be. I don't know what I will bring to knit. Perhaps I will have something else started by then? Wasn't it a beautiful day in Launceston today? I hope Easter Bunny comes to you all, and that you have a happy and safe day. Don't eat too much chocolate!

nod . . . nod . . . zzzzzzzzzzzz

2006-04-09T17:52:00.000+09:30

Firstly, in non-knitting news, I am exhausted after a busy weekend – dinner out Friday night (Calibrisella yummy as ever), Hobart yesterday and a birthday party at Maccas for number one son today plus a visitor last night, and two lots today. Back to work tomorrow for a break!

I went to the Craft Fair in Hobart yesterday, with Mum and my friend and her mother and mother in law and a couple of other taggers-along. I was slightly disappointed (read incredibly pee-ed off as this is what I went for. I have tried and failed at so many other crafts! I know what I want!) that there were only two stalls with yarn, and about 400 gazillion quilting/fabric stalls. Fat quarters as far as the eye could see. It was great to see so many people about however. And some of the quilts were amazing. And I love Japanesey things. I bought very little - some wire to knit a bracelet, which I did last night. It looks okay, I haven’t finished it with a clasp as yet but will probably do so later this evening. Maybe. I don't think I will do this again. I didn't really enjoy it and don't wear a lot of jewellery. It would be a cheap quick knit for a fair or market stall perhaps, but then you risk having 300 gazillion knitted wire and bead bracelets! And I only have three and a half friends!

I also bought some Noro Silk Garden, which I am busily turning into a beanie for moi. I have knitted most of the band, from this pattern using black and will do the top with the Noro. I am a sucker, I just had to buy something. Mum bought me some bamboo dpns 2.5mm for socks. I will get some sock yarn later in the week I think. I could have spent thousands of dollars, but as I don’t have thousands of dollars I kept it to a respectable $20! We had a lovely time and it is a while since mother and I spent time together alone, so that was cool.

In other knitting news, I finished the beanie for SS, am half way up the first armwarmer and am still plodding away VERY slowly on the Manly. Guess what? I am going to come to the SnB meeting on Easter Tuesday. I am very excited about this, can’t wait to meet you all.

Off to read some blogs. I will post photos in the next couple of days, more birthday frivolities tomorrow, but Tuesday is looking clear!

Knit on, sisters.

Two pats for me!

2006-04-06T17:51:00.000+09:30

Well, the MIL Scarf went down a right treat, the MIL loved it, put it on and wore it for the whole evening last night. It suited her. Well done me, pat on the back. And, I have finished the SS Beanie despite stuffing up the extremely simple pattern and having to work out the top decreasing on my own. Did it fine and he loves it. Another pat on the back. Sorry, no photo at the moment as the camera is on Grade 7 camp along with Little Purl.

Thanks Cindy for your advice re the armwarmers, mine was okay too. I am finding it quite interesting following a graph rather than written instructions - better in some ways and not in others. Because I can't memorise the little symbols I have to keep checking what to do next. Still, I am liking them.

I am so over this week and it is only Thursday. Five work days until Easter break. Thanks heavens. I haven't got six in me at the moment.

I just checked out Cathy's blog and couldn't resist doing the quiz. Some of this is spot on. Some of it is definitely not. I am NOT an animal person. I like to look at them but find it difficult to interact with them, much like other people's babies. I never quite know what I am supposed to say to them!

You Are a Hunter Soul

You are driven and ambitious - totally self motiviated to succeed
Actively working to acheive what you want, you are skillful in many areas.
You are a natural predator with strong instincts ... and more than a little demanding.
You are creative, energetic, and an extremely powerful force.

An outdoors person, you like animals and relate to them better than people.
You tend to have an explosive personality, but also a good sense of humor.
People sometimes see you as arrogant or a know it all.
You tend to be a bit of a loner, though you hate to be alone.

Souls you are most compatible with: Seeker Soul and Peacemaker Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

yikjam

2006-04-04T19:28:00.000+09:30

Yes I knit, just ask me!

Wow, isn’t the weather getting colder? And it is supposed to get even colderer. Perfect weather to debut the Alien Scarf! Golly, did I impress at work today?! I have been rabbiting on about knitting for ages and have drummed up some support for a knitting group. Today I wore the scarf and carried my knitting in my Posterboy. I have had so many comments. One colleague has asked if I can knit a similar bag for his daughter – Oh boy, I don’t want to do this but what do you say?! One lot did not believe me that I knitted the scarf, and oohed and aahed about the soft squishiness of the wool. My male colleagues were enthralled and I had quite a discussion with them about post feminism and the need for women to embrace knitting again. Some of them confessed to having knitted jumpers for their teddies as young men and one said he was the fingerknitting champion in Grade 4! It was quite fun.

Here is a picture of the beanie I am making SS. I bought some of the wool silk blend which I really like – it is soft and scrummy and the little knobbly bits are a diversion (you never know how or when they will appear!). It is the perfect colour for him, just what he wanted. It looks very small at the moment and he has a big head, but the 2x2 rib should stretch. He wants it to turn up at the brim, but even so I should have this done tonight. I finished the MIL scarf and have posted the picture here. I am a bit upset, the scalloped edge did not translate to the other end, I have tried to iron it in, but it remains quite straight. Never mind. There are a couple of other photos, check them out. I particularly like the Tiny Madam bag.

I have also finished one yellow sock, also for SS (I am only knitting for him at the moment!). It is longer in the foot than my pair. The toe is a mess. I do not graft well, but since they are really only going to be worn around the house I guess it doesn’t matter. One day I will ask someone to show me how to do it better. I feel – ambivalent – towards socks. Perhaps I need to get some expensive and yummy yarn in a tiny ply and knit some that I can wear with shoes. Maybe I need to cut my losses and move on.

Are any of you locals going to the craft fair on the weekend? I am going on Saturday. Has anyone been in the past couple of years? I went about five years ago when it was at the Silverdome and when I wasn’t quite so obsessed with knitting. I bought a cross stitch kit that was obscenely expensive and still sits in the cupboard unfinished like so many other guilty cross stitch secrets in my cupboard. Do they have lots of knitting stuff??

I have bought the yarn for Tubey and at the moment am considering making myself some armwarmers. There is a cool pattern in SnB Nation which I might try. I guess it will just be like a pair of socks with no heel and instep, they do have a viney pattern on them, so this should be interesting. I am going to use leftovers of black and green. Still trying to work out some more things for Project Spectrum – there will be an orange stripe in Tubey. The Manly Sweater is still on the go, albeit slowly.

photos as promised!

2006-03-30T20:11:00.000+10:30

Hi all, some photos for your viewing pleasure. Firstly, here is some of what I saw yesterday. Some of the people I was with had never been in a cave before, and I had not been since I was a small tacker, so we made some discoveries together. I was blown away, and not even a little bit claustrophobic. There were only a couple of squeezy parts. At one stage the guyde turned off the lights and it was just so dark, I was glad I could hear voices. In that sort of darkness you can not tell your elbow from your - well, you know.

And, a koala!

And now, the MIL scarf. I have tried and tried lace patterns over the past few weeks, this is very easy to do, a simple repeat and I have decided all that I am up for of an evening whilst watching the box and having a couple of quiet drinks. Anything else just confuses me. I don't want to have to think too hard. I knit for relaxation for goodness' sake. I quite like this, and think she will too. Can you spot the error? No prizes, sorry.

The yellow sock, I have begun my April Project Spectrum early. I have a small orange vest which will come apart some time in the next week or so which may become something else, not sure what yet.

This is what I am doing with the cheapy cheap yarn from mother. Tiny madam requested a bag to take things to Brandma's or Branny's, so I am doing this for her. She loves to pack some things to take with her.

And, the lengthened stripe on the manly. I have not done anything to this for two days, so once I have posted I will pick it up and do a bit. I feel guilty, and with the mornings getting colder I am sure SS will appreciate something toasty.

Speaking of toasty, thanks for the comments on Little Purl's blog. She was tickled. Poor dear is in bed now with a MASSIVE SORE THROAT! Why do other people's children have so many germs?

TTFN, happy knittin'

is blogging an inherited affliction?

2006-03-29T16:46:00.000+10:30

To begin, an apology. No pictures today (only one in the FOs which I barely dare mention due to its plastic horridnous)! I have not done much worth photographing, although I did finish the back of the Manly only to find it was wayhey to short, so I have increased the width of the green stripe. I am paranoid about running out of yarn. I have also done about 15cm of the lace scarf for the MIL and have cast on one bright yellow 8ply sock for Project Spectrum. I have also received some yarn from Chickenfeed from mother, 5 balls of shiny bobbly purple stuff. Oh, I did finish the beanie for the daughter, who from now on shall be called Little Purl. Check out her blog and leave a comment if you have time, she will drop dead with excitement. Oh, and I did knit a scarf for the smallest daughter on Sunday, which she loves. I will photograph tonight and blog again tomorrow.

And the name of my post? Well mother has a blog, I have a blog and now Little Purl has a blog too. Where will it end? Mum concentrates on her health and wellbeing and seems to inspire others to lose weight and generally become fabulous. When I say others, that is other than me. I now wear her fat clothes. I'm a busy girl! And I love Twisties!

On another note, I went on a 'business' trip today to a wildlife park and a cave, and gee willickers we are lucky to live here. Such natural beauty. Interstate visitors - visit! It is truly wonderful. And guess what? Tasmanian Devils are cute. And they don't spin, not even a little bit.

what self control!

2006-03-25T18:47:00.000+10:30

Well, I am very proud of myself today. I went into numerous shops today and did not buy a thing. I browsed knitting books in bookshops, yarn in yarn shops and knitting magazines in knitting magazine shops. Not one purchase! Even though SS was with me encouraging me to go for it. Nothing jumped out and grabbed me. Not even the possum/merino blend (!) in a gorgeous shade of purple. Actually that turned my stomach. I hate possums.

I am looking to knit Clapotis in the nearish future, and have been looking for an appropriate yarn to use. I can not possibly afford the suggested Lorna's Laces, as it is a 50/50 wool/silk blend I am wondering about the Cleckheaton Country Silk. Any advice for me?

Here is what I have been doing lately:

These are my socks, and I love them. Yes, they are baggy. Yes, 8ply socks are completely impractical because they will NOT fit into shoes. But who needs shoes? I never wear shoes at home anyway. Just my new green and purple socks. I am unsure whether I will ever knit another pair. But, I have done these. Challenged myself and been successfulish.

This is a very simple roll brim hat knitted for the smallest member of our family who is three, and who loves pink. I have actually undone and reknitted the end of this twice as in my enthusiasm to finish I made it too small. Twice. Anyhoo, it fits now, with a bit of room to spare. Now the first daughter wants a beanie, in time for camp on the 5th April, so I have done this tonight:

The yarn is disgusting acrylic which is fat and skinny and oh so plastic, but this is what she chose at Spotlight last weekend. She is knitting a bit too.

And finally, this:

Which is the bulk of the back of the Manly Sweater from SnB. I really like it and so does SS. I am finally in the swing of the 5 1 rib. I like the green stripes. The other colour is black - I have 'enhanced' the photo and it looks brownish. I don't know whether Cindy has been sending vibes my way, because gee willickers I am into green at the moment. What the heck am I going to do for Project Spectrum next month? Orange! Yellow! Eek.

I have added and subtracted from my wishlist. MIL is about to get a scarf, a very simple lace pattern. Are any of you going to knit for the Guardian Angels this year? I thought about knitting something a couple of years ago and never did. Now those morons at Sunrise have alerted me to the project, I think I will become involved. And will work to involve others, which I can do through my work.

TTFN!

New FOtos

2006-03-22T16:38:00.000+10:30

I have been updated my FO blog, so you can see some pics of the things I have finished lately. Very very soon there will be a pair of socks as well. I have always had a thing about green and purple together (until I watched Barney ayuh!) and have put them together for these sockies. I love them. However my incredibly loose knitting has meant they are slightly loose fitting. I am wondering whether I would need to use kebab sticks to knit 4ply!

What do you think of this little guy? My daughter knitted him and filled him with rice so she can zap him to put in her pocket on the cool mornings we have been having. His name is Mr. Toasty! He looks bemused at the moment, but his mouth can be rearranged to match his mood.

Long time, no blog

2006-03-20T19:58:00.000+10:30

No, I have not dropped off the side of the planet. I have been very busy in the past week, knitting and otherwise. On the knitting front, I have finished the raspberry jumper, which I really like although my seams are a mess. I think I will make some kind of embellishment to add to the joy, as it is a bit plain. I have also finished the Odessa hat, plus a beanie for the smallest child in my care, and have knitted and seamed the posterboy bag, but it is yet to be lined. Nor have I lined the pink ribbon bag.

I have also knitted a sock. Congratulations to my fellow Launcestonians who were successful in their WWSock Competition. I don't think mine would win any prizes, but my heel is fairly neatish and the toe is really good. I have done them in 8 ply, so they will be no good to go in shoes but fabulous for Tassie winters.

Photos to follow.

The Manly Sweater from Stitch n Bitch is on the go, in black which is a bit silly and difficult to knit at night, but it is looking good. I think I will put a stripe in it around the chesty area to break up the black. Oh, and also because I didn't buy enough black yarn and when I went back to Spotlight there was none of the same dyelot left. Go figure. Who knew so many people were buying black wool? While there I also bought a set of six bamboo pairs of knitting needles in a hideous tapestry case, and I am in love. They are so light and sturdy. I am sure that you can get them slightly more smooth than these, but they are fantastic none the less. I also bought two skeins of machinewash 100% wool for 99c a ball. I should have bought more, but I have no idea what to do with this as it is.

Does anyone know how I can give up a fairly well paid job and knit all day?

Who needs to pay for a ticket?

2006-03-11T19:51:00.000+10:30

Well, here I am in suburbia and the noise from MSFest is assaulting my ears. There is a music festival on tonight and the bowl that Launceston lies in is behaving like an enormous ampitheatre. I can only thank my lucky stars I am not at the festival. My ears would not cope! Sometimes I feel so old! At least the money is for a great cause.

I have been knitting up a storm. I have done this: (The raspberry jumper is all knitted and I love it in its un-constructed form. I am nervous about putting it together in case it makes me look like a little red ball of fluff, but I think it will be okay. I completely ripped the sleeves and reknitted them, they are now the right length at least.)

And this: (The pink bag took me all of about two hours, it is not sewn nor lined, but I found some handles at Spotlight which I liked, so I will cut up an old cream camisole that never fit for the lining and finish this as soon as I get near a sewing machine. Really looking forward to sewing shiny fabric. May try to convince mother to do this.)

And this: (Posterboy is coming along nicely, with about 25 rows to go. He is lumpy and I have made mistakes, but I like it anyway. I will need to buy more yarn to finish and as I noticed the woman restocking shelves at Spotlight I probably won't get the same dyelot but never mind. He was really an experiment and as I am not wearing it I think it will be okay. May blend new yarn in.)

And this! (This is Odessa. This almost stumped me. I did not know what SSK meant. I fiddled around for two days before googling Slip Slip Knit and finding a list of extended abbreviations. I know SSK means Slip Slip Knit thank you very much, but I thought it meant slip one, slip one, knit one. Could not for the life of me figure out how I would then yarn over without ending up with infinite stitches. Going along famously now! This is about two hours work. [Minus the five or so cast ons that came before!] Like my stitch marker? I made it myself!!! It is much less blurry in real life.)

Guess what? I asked the aforementioned woman at Spotlight if they had a new wool/silk blend yarn as mentioned by Cindy, she tried to sell me some ribbon yarn. She had not a clue what I was talking about. I accept perhaps she had not seen the new yarn, but should she not know what a wool silk blend might look like? Heavens to Betsy. I ended up apologising for bothering her! Then heard her complaining that some supplier had sent more colours! The horror!!

Does anyone else think it is a bit strange that most of my current projects already fit in the Project Spectrum colour for March?

I am planning to use some extremely cheap beads from my three year old daughter's bead stash and some yarn left over from the alien scarf to knit up a little purse. I am also planning a lace scarf for MIL for Mother's Day. Strangely enough, the yarn used in this pattern is the same as the yarn I used for my raspberry jumper and Odessa, I really like it although I know it is not pure nor wool. It is soft and knits up to be almost felted in appearance. I thought Yarn Harlot's post was quite good recently, talking about yarn snobs and the like. If it works, it works. Who cares? Besides, I have a really nice jumper, and two skeins left over for $35! Woohoo!

The Dreaded Lurgy

2006-03-07T09:08:00.000+10:30

My goodness me what a few days I have had. Unfortunately the only knitting news I have is backwards, in that I finished one and five sixths of the sleeves of my raspberry jumper and they are way too long, so I have undone one and am reknitting. The pattern said to increase every six rows, I am going to do so every four and hopefully this will fix the issue. Live and learn (again). Still, I have plenty of time on my hands, in our little family we have fallen one after the other with terrible icky sickness. Every one of us. So I am up to day two off work.

All this began last Thursday night, then that one recovered enough for me to go ahead with a planned girls night (mother, mil and best friend) over for a knitting/crochet evening. We were all set up when . . . oh oh, I don't feel so good. Friend and mil took off like shots (who can blame them?) with mother left to hold the fort (bucket!) until SS came home from work. Then he fell, then daughter two and last night daughter one. That's it though, unless it spreads furhter afield to grandparents and various others we have been in contact with.

Do you like my little picture? This is what can happen when I have too much time on my hands. Sure I could be cleaning the house or knitting, but a girl needs a break every now and then! Have fun you Launceston SnBers, I am thinking of you, wishing I was there! And let me know the upshot of your market talks!

Here are some of the patterns mother has found me at the new op shop. I will let you know if I decide to knit anything retro. Something with parrots perhaps, a la Kath Day-Knight! Can you spot Lavinia Nixon??

Another first for me!

2006-03-02T10:57:00.000+10:30

Here is my Olympic Gold medal. I think this is my third ever medal - and it's virtual! I don't really feel like I deserve it as the scarf did not stretch me that far, but none the less...

I have finished the back and front of the raspberry jumper, and have not done much more of the bag. I am going to knit the two sleeves together, so hopefully I will have that jumper finished b the end of the weekend. I am quite busy at work, so it is nice to go home and vegetate with the television and some mindless stocking stitch! I will probably have enough yarn over to do Odessa, so I will find some yummy beads on Saturday.

I joined a knitalong! I am so excited. It's a funny thing, I keep finding different and new things that I want to try. My obsession is not waning, it is growing and gaining speed. And in this instance instead of visualising a snowball, I see a yarnball somehow winding itself up into a bigger yarnball!!

Mother has supplied me with some excellent knitting patterns from the new City Mission shop that has just opened. She was there for ages sifting through the apparently gazillions of pattern books there. Of course some of the stuff is incredibly dated, although weirdly that is generally the knitwear that is less than fifteen years old! What were we thinking dressing ourselves in enourmous knitted sacks? SS also got me seven books from the library, I had to return SnB this week, so he raided the shelves for some more fuel to the fire! What a sweetheart.

A grammar question. Do you say knit or knitted for the past tense? I have always said knitted, which is correct (I checked) but I notice a lot of bloggers use "I knit this last year". What do you think?

what quality is it? 'cos it aint patience

2006-02-27T20:33:00.000+10:30

I had an interesting conversation over the weekend, strangely about knitting. As I mentioned before I started the posterboy bag and had to unknit it. Since then I have made numerous mistakes and had to go back and try again. The comment was made that "I don't know how you do it aj, you have such patience!" Now, this is not true. I am not a patient person. Put me behind a Sunday Hat Driver and I nearly go insane. I yell and scream "Bloody hurry up! Get off the road you old tool" and other such terribly offensive rantings. I think that it would be more fair to say "I don't know how you do it aj, how do you function while being such an obsessive person, so driven that you won't allow a pattern or technique to beat you?" Because I think that is closer to the truth. Knitting something new is a challenge, even if it is a plain old stocking stitch jumper - the challenge is to get it to fit, to be a piece of clothing that I want to wear. Not going so well with this challenge, but I will get there!

Here is a pic of the bag as of last night (note the weird unhinged finger - a genetic defect!):

The lumps and bumps will be ironed and blocked out (!). I am pretty pleased with it, although it is of course smaller than the one in SnB.

My friend picked up a free pattern from Spotlight, so I know what I am going to do with the ribbon yarn I bought a couple of weeks ago:

I am planning only to have two or three dropped sections, as I would prefer to use it as an evening bag - of course I go out so much I need so many evening bags (not). I will need to find some handles. Should knit up in about two hours I reckon. Again, hoping Mother will help with the lining. I am in no hurry to get my sewing machine fixed. I hate sewing!

Happy knittin'

Oh oh, I spent more money

2006-02-24T22:23:00.000+10:30

Thanks Suzi for your kind remarks - love your blog!

I have finished the back of my raspberry jumper, now I am concerned it too will not fit me. I am going to cast on extra stitches in the front to compensate for my womanly figure (read fat bits). Here is a shot of the back:

As I suffer from knitting ADHD, I went to Spotlight this morning and picked up some new wool, a pair of needles which I hate, but they are better than what I was using:

I think I need something firm in a needle. I also bought a circular needle, and have cast on and knit 7 rows of the Posterboy bag from SnB nation:

This is quite a feat, extreme knitting for me, as I have had limited experience with circs and none with the fair isle technique. I have already had to rip it apart once, due to a counting malfunction but I have come back. I am even using two hands to hold my yarn. Very proud. However, I didn't check tension so anything could happen. And, I am hoping when it is done Mother will line it for me as my sewing machine is on the fritz. Definitely one for deep concentration, but I am finding the stocking stitch of the raspberry jumper a bit boring.

SS has suggested I go to Knitters Anonymous; I have been dreaming about knitting and wondered yesterday if I nicked off from work to Spotlight whether anyone would notice. As I pointed out, I admit I have a problem, so therefore I do not need a support group.

What's with this heat?

Happy knittin'

I did it!

2006-02-23T20:47:00.000+10:30

I have finished the scarf, to my specifications. I don't think at this point I will add the tassels, I am not really a tassel girl.

You can see a picture here, where I have decided to post pics of my FOs. On an exciting front, I have joined a mailing list of local SnBers, not sure whether I can a) make the meetings or b) gain the courage to face a room full of strangers, but we'll see.

My daughter is powering ahead with her scarf, I will add a photo when it is done.

Wowsers, what a guy!

2006-02-20T17:22:00.000+10:30

Well, as mentioned, I ran out of yarn for my alien scarf, so had to find other things to do. SS was home today and emailed to see if I wanted him to go to the LYS and get the rest of what I need to finish. I said "Oh, if you can be bothered, make sure you get 12ply, don't worry too much I can do it later in the week after work." When I arrived home there it was on the table! Gorgeous man.

I have been reading so many knitting blogs lately, it is so cool to know that other people have frustrations and doubts about their crafting. I have lost some confidence after my last jumper turned out to be such a disaster, but this time I have made better choices with pattern, colour and yarn. I hate to admit it is not pure anything, but a plastic and angora mix, but it is so soft and knits to be almost felted in appearance. I hope it works I hope it works! If it does, there are lots of other colours, including a gorgeous light lime green that would look fabbo for Bristow, so we'll see.

I'll chalk it up to . . .

2006-02-19T21:22:00.000+10:30

. . . experience. I bloody hate the stripey jumper, so I took a photo for your amusement and then folded it carefully and put it at the top of the cupboard. I may wear it if hell freezes over and it gets really REALLY cold. Notes to self:

tiny model I am not. Do not knit horizontal stripes ever again. We all know that rule. I put this jumper on and look like I am seven months pregnant.
grey, taupe and brown are not nice colours together. This baby is boring in the extreme.
if something irritates your arms while you are knitting it, it will not be pleasant to wear.
if your MIL says you will look like a bushy bumble bee wearing something, although hurtful, it may be true.

Never mind. Here's the end product:

After posting last night I knitted my arse off to finish the yarn I had for the alien, so I didn't feel guilty starting something else. I learned that I knit a lot faster if I listen to upbeat music, as I love a rhythm and can't resist trying to keep up. Maybe I should try some death metal and see what happens! Anyhow, I cast on some of the pink ribbon and began a drop stitch scarf. The result:

Looks a bit like one of those toilet roll dollies my old auntie used to make. UGLY. I have found another idea here, so I will try this one. Frogged said pink toilet roll whatsit.

Cast on a jumper out of Stitch n Bitch nation, and am hoping that the shaping in this will make me look less dumpy and frumpy. And so far I am liking what I see. Gorgeous colour. I may even attempt some felting and add the flower as in the book! Wowsers, look out.

Had a friend around who said she was at a book shop and saw a knitting book and then couldn't stop thinking about it. She cast on last night to see if she still had it. I encouraged her to buy the book and come around tomorrow night and I would help her get started. We'll see. Her idea was to knit various squares including some beaded and cables etc for an afghan extraordinaire. Quote of the day: "If I get sick of it you can always do it"! Yeah, thanks.

It's done, and so am I!

2006-02-18T15:39:00.000+10:30

I have reknit the bottom of the jumper to make it longer. I have decided at the moment to leave the neckline, because frankly I don't know how much I am going to wear this. The effect is not as nice as I had hoped it would be, and the colours are a bit drab. I am hoping that in winter I can wear it with a short black skirt, stockings and boots or heels to dress it up. If I wear it with jeans I will look like a little rectangular prism. Now that I have done this I must get on with the scarf! Deary me. I have been quite neglectful of the poor aliens. I am actually looking forward to wearing it - it is sure to get some comments! Although, my gauge is way off and it is going to be v e r y wide.

I went to Spotlight today and bought more yarn. No idea what I am even going to do with it, but it is a really pretty colour - dark pinky raspberry. I bought enough for a cardy or jumper, or I might use it for some different bits and pieces. I love the cabled cap in Stitch n Bitch nation. I also bought some ribbon which was really cheap - 99c a skein. No idea what I am going to do with that either. I will have to trawl the net for some ideas. I have never knitted with ribbon, so it should be fun. And my daughter asked for a big chunky skein and I cast her on 30sts for a scarf. She was amazed how fast it was knitting up! I hope she sticks with it, she will love having something she has made herself. Her little friend was with us and said "I wish I could knit . . ." Hahaha, the net widens! If I can get these little funky chickettes knitting, it is sure to catch on at their school.

On a slightly different note - I watched a repeat of Foreign Correspondent today and the journalist had travelled to New York to Sesame Street. Oh my God I loved that show as a kid, and still find myself likening situations I come across to events that occured on Sesame Street. My brother does the same thing. Watching the piece today, it was amazing to look back on the 35 years this show has been on air, and the comments that the actress that plays Maria made about the people on the show being real, being able to age and even to die. I am slightly embarrassed to say that they showed a part of the episode where Mr. Hooper had died and they were explaining it to Big Bird, and I cried! I am getting worse. Sentimentality may kill me.

knitting and other bruises

2006-02-16T22:46:00.000+10:30

I have not gone much further than my last post. I finished another alien, so only have four to go, but am conscious that there is just over a week until I have to be finished. I have recruited others for the sit n knit and just have to find time to get it off the ground. The stripy fluffy monster will be re knit by Sunday night. In case it is cold . . .

Ho hum

2006-02-13T22:32:00.000+10:30

I am not the happiest of campers this evening. I finished the stripy beast, mattress stitched the seams, conquered the four needle thing, weaved in the ends and put the thing on, and it is about 10cm too short. If you look at the photo below, I guess you could argue that sight impaired Freddy could see that it was too short. So, I began unpicking to reknit the bottom and add some length, and a rolled hem as the rib is too loose done on the same size needles and looks stupid. The neckband is also wrong, so I will probably redo this as well - it is only three rows of purl, so I will do at least three more until it rolls. Why don't things you knit from patterns ever turn out how you think they will? I have done everything right with this one, and still a good deal less than ideal result. Maybe it is because I am slightly larger than the model in the pics? Here it is as of about 24 hours ago (thanks Mum for the old school crochet afghan):

I have only done a few rows of the scarf in the past couple of days, I have no doubt I will finish by the deadline.

Last night SS and I began frogging a jumper I knitted for my daughter about four years ago. I think I will turn it into a vest for myself. Why not? This one is cute! I only have two colours at the moment and may be pushing it if I want to buy more yarn in the next couple of weeks, so I might work out a pattern with my purple and orange.

On a slightly different note, I came out at work today and told my mostly male colleagues about the Knitting Olympics. Cue the crickets. They literally stared at me, speechless with their mouths gaping. Maybe too much too soon on my part? I am close to Knitting In Public and have discussed with some workmates the idea of a Sit'n'Knit club - in my workplace a Stitch'n'Bitch would not be appropriate! I have one interested party at this point!

Late nights, early mornings

2006-02-11T21:17:00.000+10:30

Well, I went to bed last night (Friday) at about 12:30, after finishing one sleeve and a bit of the next in fluff. I set my alarm with all intentions of getting up at 5:30 this morning to watch the opening ceremony. I turned said alarm off at 5:23 before it had a chance to buzz and went back to sleep. But being the dedicated knithlete that I am, I did manage to get out of bed at 6:10 and cast on the scarf. I didn't see much of the ceremony because I was concentrating, but I thought it was pretty cool. I love the Olympics, summer or winter. The scarf is is bloody easy. I have set myself a completely achievable goal. By 10 this morning, this is what I had:

I wowed the inlaws who said I was very clever. I had to tell them that if you can knit and count, you can do it - one day I will learn to take praise (whether I deserve it or not!). I have been out twice today, once for a new 'do (looking shmick if I do say so) and out for the afternoon with the family, have entertained twice today, once for five hours, have ferried children and sent SS off to work, and still have managed to do this much:

So, I have put it down, and have picked up the fluff. Maybe the challenge will be that I am about to go back to work and have just received my course work for a post grad degree I am starting this year, and I really do not have time to knit.

I do love the effect though - we have been walking around the scarf saying "I can see it" "Wow it looks cool from here" and my kids have been playing Where's Walien? I am having visions of being stopped in the street and being offered copious amounts of money for knitting scarves for strangers. It could happen. The other challenge is that I was supposed to need 2 x 100g yarn for the scarf, and I have nearly used 2 x 50g and have not yet done two repeats in a six repeat pattern. I will need to revisit the kindly lady at the LYS. How are you all going???

Great day! Woohoo

2006-02-10T16:56:00.000+10:30

I had a corker of a day today. Slept in a bit, went shopping with SS without children, went to the LYS and had a chat, looked for appropriate yarn for Manly out of SnB, didn't find any (minor setback as I have to do the scarf!!), bought beautiful black and green wool for scarf, bought set of dpns to do neck of stripy monster fluffy jumper, bought Stitch n Bitch Nation, came home, inspired daughter to knit, about to sit down and try and finish the jumper tonight (ahem. Don't think so, but you never know. I am up to the raglan shaping on sleeve one).

Then, I checked the YarnHarlot site, and I am listed among the Olympians. I am so excited to be doing something like this, on a global scale. Woo hoo. And my darling SS washed up the dishes before he went to work so I could concentrate on my knitting! My God, I am blessed.

(Saturday night...) Unfortunately I was sidetracked making pompoms for eager children. Did not get as much knitting done as I would have liked, but I have finished one sleeve and cast on the other, so I guess I am on track.

I'm in

2006-02-09T20:23:00.000+10:30

Well, I have decided I am going to participate in the Knitting Olympics, although I think I am too late to actually join in officially. I am going to knit an Alien Illusion scarf from Stitch n Bitch (thanks to the poor person I have flogged the link from. Did a google search and this was the best pic - oh God she said it took ages!!!). It is too cool. I don't like aliens that much - well, I've never met one personally, but it will be a challenge to follow the chart, and I figure I should be able to do it withing the sixteen day timeframe. Unsure whether I will wear it, but SS said it would suit me, so who knows.

I finished the front of the stripy monster this afternoon, and am motoring through the arm at a pace that begs the question - can I get someone to put the thing together for me? I really hate putting them together. My other question is, with this blocking thing, can you block something that is half mohair, half acrylic?? I suppose you can, the mohair bits would take the blocking and you can't damage the acrylic. I have never blocked before. And should I have a board or something? I remember back to a jumper I lovingly knitted for SS, and the poor bugger wore it, but it was too short and too wide. I had no idea I could have fixed the issue with a bit of hot water! As I said before, where the %^&* have I been?

Where the *&%$ have I been?

2006-02-08T22:00:00.000+10:30

My God. I am amazed and astounded. I have had my eyes opened. All this time I have been a closet knitter when I should have been celebrating my ability to wrap some yarn around a stick, fiddle about a bit and end up with a scarf, a toy, a jumper, any bloody thing I feel like. I have been on a mad search today to find a photo of myself age 7, proudly sitting on a couch at my great Auntie's house knitting something. I think it was a slipper (does anyone still make these?? three skeins on the go, rib at the end, tied off tightly at the toe??). In my polka dot pjs, with my brother lying behind me. I was always supposed to knit a scarf for Uncle, which I eventually did but it was pitiful. He kept it anyway, and joked about it quite a bit. Now he's not here, maybe I will knit one anyway and call it Uncle's scarf. Which reminds me - I knitted a scarf last year for someone at work anonymously. We have secret buddies, you are supposed to do something nice for them every now and then - she got a beautiful black rib scarf with faux fur red ends. I liked it. She never wore it!

I went to the library and picked up Stitch n Bitch. What a book! Who knew knitting was an expression of post-feminism? While I was reading, I was reminded of an exchange with a colleague. I mentioned I had spent time in my holidays knitting. He thought I was joking. Admittedly the man is a touch old fashioned. And I, of course, am semi-young, semi-gorgeous and semi-hip. I had to bring him photos to prove I could knit. Apparently knitting is not, in his mind, something anyone as semi-fabulous as myself would be doing. I am going to force my 12yo daughter to read the book, hoping she will be inspired. I have tried to teach her on numerous occasions to knit but she gets frustrated and she doesn't like being frustrated. Maybe if she sees the funky fresh young things wearing their hand knitted apparel she will be inspired. More likely she will ask me to make it for her!

On another note, SS has decided he likes THE MANLY SWEATER, (sans stripes) and so this will be my next project. Thanks to SlimSuzy for the link to a site which helps me work out what ply to use for substitution.

Back to the fluff (Nearly finished front of jumper. Son commented I looked like I had been hugging a really big cat. Note to mainly blackwearing self - no more &*#%ing fluffy yarn).

What's random about this?

2006-02-07T19:35:00.000+10:30

I am becoming incredibly frustrated with this yarn. I thought I would have an interesting randomised striping effect for this jumper, instead there seems to be a strange phenomenon occuring. I was still using the two skeins, but have abandoned that as it was making no difference. I finished the back of the jumper and am about 1/3 of the way up the front.

I have also been into a local shop that used to stock a lot of yarn. They seem to have downgraded and had the most pitiful range I have ever seen! I am hoping to hit the city tomorrow - I ordered a copy of Stitch n Bitch at the library (cheaper than Amazon!) and have received an email saying it is there for collection. I can't wait to look inside. There is also a dedicated yarn shop in the city, so if SS is willing, we will go there for a look. Poor darling man.

In typical me fashion, I have become obsessed with knitting; I do this from time to time. For a while there last year I was in search of the perfect bead, trawling ebay and local shops, looking at market stalls hoping some little old lady had died and her family was offloading some junk. That obsession died out quite quickly. I wonder if this one will too? Maybe not if there is a promise of something nice to wear at the end of it. After all, I am not really a jewellery type of girl.

Speaking of something nice to wear, and obsession, I am dying to knit Tubey which I think is amazingly cool. I need to think about it though, we seem to have different yarns down under. I may put a question out there in cyberspace and seek the wisdom of those who have gone before me!

My Progress . . .

2006-02-06T20:58:00.000+10:30

I am quite pleased with my progress on the jumper (sweater) I started yesterday. I actually took the time to check my tension/gauge. The pattern asked for 4mm needles, I tried this and was a cm out all round, which would have made quite a difference in the size. I then tried 3.75mm - still too big. I hit paydirt with 3.25mm! I have never actually done this before, and the five or so jumpers I have knitted before have always been enormous! Haha. Thank you to the blogs I have just discovered, the advice and experience has already helped me on my quest. Here is the back of my jumper to the shaping for raglan sleeves. I have taken the advice the pattern gave me and am alternating skeins, but I seem to have created a pattern anyway! Not sure what to do about this. Perhaps I will not use variegated yarn again! I am trying to be philosophical and thinking that it adds to the charm of my jumper. The colours are various stages of grey and beige. I quite like it.

I am continuing to find interesting blogs, and am on the lookout for the next project. I would like to get this jumper finished by the end of the week. Then . . . look out. I am intrigued by the number of knitters out there making socks. I have never tried this, and have not looked for yarn suitable. I know a colleague who has made some very cute little numbers, so I will be pumping her for information (and patterns!) in the near future. The night is a little cool here, so I can imagine a time where I might need some socks fairly soon.

I am looking ahead to the neck of this jumper, I have never used a set of needles before, always choosing jumpers where the neck was knitted on two needles and sewn at the side. I am up to the task!!

Back to the needles.

I really do love to knit!

2006-02-05T20:05:00.000+10:30

Well, a knitting blog. Not an original idea I admit. I have been staggered in the past couple of days by the huge community of net knitters. And, I have been inspired to start something other than a scarf.

I have been a knitter since I was about six, and I am now . . . over 30. I would consider myself fairly competent, but until now unadventurous and a bit of a slacker in the knitting stakes. However, I have set myself a new challenge - to challenge myself! I visited the local enormous craft and soft furnishings store with SS (SuperSpunk) and kids in tow, bought a pattern book: Cleckheaton 10 Feminine Designs , and some yarn, and off I went. Unfortunately I had forgotten how bloody fluffy mohair is and at the moment am having a break from knitting to try and work all the bits out of my gullet. Ahem. I am sure it will be fine to wear.

I intend to keep this blog updated with pictures and tales of my knitscapades, and will attempt to become part of what seems like a global knitwork of likeminded and yet diverse people who share a love of creating something from not very much at all. Remember this is a work in progress, but considering I am always looking for a way to dodge real work, I would assume I will be posting regularly!

Until next time, happy knitting.