yarns and threads

A Rain! A Rain!

I woke in the night to hear rain. It was soooooooooooooo wonderful. In about the last 6 months it has rained here twice. Adelaide and South Australia, are now virtually desert. We had a 15 day heatwave, one in 3,000 years this month (and Summer is meant to be finished) If anyone doesn't believe in Global Warming, they need to come live here. Everyone's gardens and lawns are dying, as we have strict water restrictions. We have installed 3 more tanks so we can be self sufficient, but they are only a quarter full.

At least now it is cooler, I can knit more comfortably. We went on a short trip to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to check on various members of my family, including Mum who will be 86 this month, and Dad who had a minor stroke. He is now fully recovered, and planning to drive with a friend several thousand kms in his vintage Armstrong Siddeley to his car club's Easter Rally.

As usual I took half a suitcase full of craftwork, to keep me busy, and I managed to finish Mum's birthday cardi while I was there. Pic on the UFO blog. The best thing about the holiday was that it rained nearly every day. I guess other holidaymakers were not as appreciative as we were, but it didn't stop us swimming or walking (and getting thoroughly saturated).

Since returning I have been busy with gifts for new babies.

This cardi and the pink embroidered wrap were gifts for a friend of Kylie's. Bec was delighted with the green cardi, as she said everyone had given her pink, and she loves green.

The wrap is a Sue Box design. She is an Aussie digitiser and I love her designs.

This matinee jacket went to Perth, as a gift for my nephew and his wife for their first baby boy. Yes I have made it before, but I think it is rather cute. I also made them a muslin embroidered wrap.
The wrap has a different Sue Box design.

I have a very large list of knits to be done in the next few months. Lisa has asked for 3 sweaters or cardis each for the boys, I must finish the beaded scarf promised to my sister in law two years ago, and do another cardi and hat for Mum. Then I have a lace shawl for Lisa and a lace cardi for Kylie. And would you believe it, I may actually do a few things for me.

Great Ocean Road

Last November, my husband and I drove to Melbourne two attend a Reggio Emilia Conference. I am interested in using some principles in our childcare centre. The conference was a bit disappointing as I didn't learn much new.

After, we spent a couple of days catching up with old friends (we lived there many years ago). We only had time for one yarn shop visit so I asked for martas yarns . As I wasn't sure what to expect, I didn't have anything particular in mind. I did however, add several different types of yarns to my stash - mainly the fine ones.

We decided to drive home via the Great Ocean Road. We hadn't been to the stretch of the Twelve Apostles before, as it is quite a bit further coming home this way. We were so glad we did. The scenery is spectacular, and there were dozens of places to stop and walk out to look outs. I have just put in a few pics.

The coastline is so rugged, and the surf is really wild. There were hundreds of shipwrecks along this coast in the early days, with many people drowned.

The formations have been made by the water washing away the limestone. This part below was connected to the mainland until a few years ago. There was a connecting arch which fell into the ocean, leaving tourists stranded on the seaward side. They had to be rescued by helicopter, but luckily no one was on the arch when it collapsed.

We passed through Warnambool, which is a port on the far south west of Victoria. My mother's grandmother came from there. Her parents had migrated from England. I want to go back and try to find more about that side of the family.

You may think you have seen this set before. Lisa asked if I would knit the cardi for Corey as the dog had chewed Rowan's. She was so upset when this happened as it was a favourite. What are mothers for? Kylie did the embroidery again for us, as my eyes struggle to do duplicate stitch.

Posting Again

It's been a while, and I can't truly say I didn't have time to post. Mainly we have had a lot of anxiety about various family members over the last year, and have been trying to help as much as we can.

At the moment, everyone seems to be in a fairly stable situation.
My grandsons are 10 months and three and a half. They are absolutely delightful, and I just love being granny and helping out where I can.

I have been knitting as everyone seems to be having babies lately. I am way behind but as it is Summer here, I think I will make some 6 month sizes, so I still have a bit of time. As usual I have way too many UFO's. I was trying to sort out my projects and found several nearly done, but put aside.

This was meant to be a quickie, 8 ply (dk)using up wool from my stash. It was claimed for Corey, and should fit him when it gets cooler.

New Camera problems

I have a new digital camera. It is really lovely, small and light. However, it has a little more than point and shoot, and I guess I'll have to sit down and read the instructions. This is really a pretty yellow colour. I started it back in June, but when I was stressed out I couldn't concentrate to work out the cables. When I finally tried them I quite enjoyed doing the mock smocking. Of course it needed to be finished as we are now heading into Summer soon, so I guess it won't get a lot of wear.

The cardi was inspired by Debbie Bliss - Nursery knits. As usual, I did it in different yarn, and tension etc, and left off the collar and pockets.

The bodice was meant to be straight, with dropped shoulder sleeves. However, when I did the smocking, it would have been too tight across the chest. I decided to add in a placket under the arms, and did set in sleeves. It turned out wide enough, and I think it looks ok.

Original bodice

I picked up stitches, and knitted them together at the sides.

I decided I needed to learn some more techniques, so I read Maggie Rhigetti's Knitting in Plain English. It is very readable, and full of great ideas and advice. I have changed the way I increase for sleeves, and cast off shoulders. I am now doing short rows, and casting off both shoulders together. (The bad piccy is of the inside shoulder seam) It is so much neater.

Girl babies wear lace

Hi, remember me? I'm the one who used to blog at least semi regularly.
I have been really stressed these last few months because several close family members have been ill. My brother had major heart surgery, and arrested. Luckily, he was revived, and is slowly progressing. My sister and I went to visit him and his family in Perth a couple of weeks ago.

I found I couldn't concentrate to knit anything with a pattern, so I haven't completed much. I have just bought a new camera as the old one was unreliable. I will publish some Perth piccys when I work out how.

One of the girls at work had a little girl last week. I found a home for the pink cardi, and am making her an embroidered wrap. I have plans for some of the lacy patterns I have been wanting to make for ages.

I am kicking myself back into gear. I am back to knitting, and trying to catch up with lots of things which I let lapse.

Baby things

Seems like a lot of my time has been around baby things lately. I have spent a day a week with my daughter and her two lovely boys. Corey is now 10 weeks and is absolutely delightful. Of course that is Granny's point of view. I don't have to get up in the night do I?

I have been knitting a few things for Corey, because Rowan was a different age in the Winter. Also everyone at work seems to be having babies. The outfit at the top was one I made for Alana's baby Taziah. I just love the buttons. They have ducks etched in blue on them.

This jacket was also for Taziah (to be know as TJ). I also machine embroidered a wrap.

I have had an enjoyable visit from my sister who lives in Queensland. Her husband is interested in wines, so they spent time in McLaren Vale, the Barossa Valley and the Clare Valley. It was great having them here, and we will soon see them again as we are off the the Sunshine Coast at the beginning of next month.

I am enjoying tutoring my students. I have five girls studying at our centre, and I supervise some TAFE students as well. We have been doing major renovations at the Child Care Centre, and also extensions. It is very costly, but we want to maintain our reputation as an excellent centre. People appreciate attending a family business, and we have mostly long term staff. We have to compete with the corporations who offer 8 weeks free child care. Interesting that they have to bribe people to attend their centres.

Lately, I have spent some time researching family history. I have had my father record some of his early life on tape, and I am typing it up. When we go north we are going to stay at the Gold Coast a couple of days, and we will go to Ballina, which is where my father's grandfather was a pioneer sawmiller and builder. There is apparently a really interesting museum there. I have traced back a couple of generations of my family, but after that I think it gets quite difficult and time consuming.

Back in Cyberspace

If I have a knitting and craft blog, I need to have made some progress in these areas so that I can report. Everyday life seems to have taken precedence over crafts for a while. My second grandson is now a month old, and is a beautiful baby, and his mum says worth all the illness and pain she went through. She is now mostly recovered from what turned out to be an emegency Caesar. Baby Corey is also doing well.

I spent some time helping out, and of course loved every minute of it. I have also become busy on the work front, doing some time with both TAFE and the Ed Department. Again this is work I enjoy, so I'm not complaining.

I did manage to finish the shawl, which is more like a blanket, being over 4 feet square. It took me about 10 hours to sew on the border as there wasn't much to attach it to, and I wanted it to look good from both sides.

I washed and mended all the handknits which Rowan had, and put crochet chains in all the booties and mitts. Lisa prefers them to ribbons, as they stay tied up. I also did a few hats, mitts and booties in tiny sizes as it is now getting cool. I have to reknit two cardis Rowan had - one the dog chewed up, and the other had to be discarded because of stains. They were ones Lisa loved, so I'll do them in 3 month size.

I am also knitting a couple of things for a young girl at work who is delivering a boy any day now.

In amongst this I began a sweater for myself. The wool is a lovely ruby red, which I have had in my stash for years. I did about six inches of a great lacy pattern, but ripped it out as it is too stiff. I will try again with larger needles, but I wonder if I'll get it done for myself this Winter. I never seem to have time to knit for me.

I haven't done much sewing as my machine was away at the repairer for over 6 weeks. I was not too impressed, but at least they reapaired it for free. I have so many embroidery projects lined up.

I was trying to put aside time once a week to knit or do craft with a friend, but she is as busy as me and we are lucky to make it once a month. I do try to make Saturday "MY" day to do handcrafts, but that doesn't always work either.

Blogger ate my post

Don't you hate it when you have spent 15 minutes on a post, and it disappears into cyberspace? This time the recover post refused to work, so now I will have to rewrite.

I don't have heaps to report on as I have mostly been working on the baby shawl. It has been really hot and humid, and is not cooling off for Autumn at all. However, today it rained - for the second time this year. Most of the city had a good downfall, but we have had only light rain. The garden is not happy as we can only run sprinklers once a week. However, it is a little cooler so maybe I will knit tonight.

I am about two thirds of the way with this. It will be about 140 cm square (45 inches) The baby is due in three weeks so it won't be finished, but Lisa has two other shawls to begin with. This will be more of a cot blanket I think. The rows are over 300 stitches, and take about 12 minutes each. Slooooooooow progress, and just a tad boring after all this knitting.

I made some matching hats and booties for some cardis I made Rowan. This is a green set. We know the baby will be in intensive care, the same as Rowan. Lisa had had to inject insulin, so the diabetes has been severe. I am going to make some mittens tonight as a break from the shawl.

I am busy at work as I am now working with TAFE to train 5 of our Childcare staff in their Diploma studies. I am really enjoying it. I also have a job starting mid year to supervise other TAFE students when they are doing their work placements.

Holiday Snaps

We have just returned from 12 days away on the "Sunshine Coast". As it is the wet season up there now, it rained hard, every day. We didn't mind at all as it was still warm. Rain is such a luxury for us. I think we have had one shower in about five months.

DH is now semi retired, so we decided to make the trip now, before the new grandson is due. Thanks so much for the good wishes for Lisa. She is now on insulin and is feeling much better and gaining weight. We will go through the baby things she had for Rowan this week, and see what else we may need as this will be a winter baby. She hasn't felt up to doing this before.

I started the shawl in January, and so far have done about a quarter of the main part. I decided to take the border away with me, and despite the humidity managed to get about 4 metres done. It will be a battle to get it finished before April, but nothing like a deadline LOL.

I did finish Mum's green sweater. I decided to do the sleeves plain as it was so hard knitting 3 purl into the back of the stitch when I stopped the circular part. I threw it in the back of a dark cupboard for a while as I had so much trauma with the lace pattern and neck shaping. I had to do a v neck as Mum hates high necklines. Again, nothing like a deadline. Mum was in respite care, and we took her home with us for various meals and outings.

Of course the bonus of the visit was spending lots of time with my great sister. We shopped and shopped, and I went to her embroidery class with her. We also spent time with DH's best mates and their wives from school days, who stayed near us the second week.

Just wish I could have brought some of that rain home with me, the country looks so dry and dead as you fly over.

Found Camera, can blog

I mislaid the camera and just found it today. I always like to put up a photo with my posts. I would rather see piccys than read loads of writing, so I assume there are others who also prefer this.

I have been doing a little sewing lately, starting a few projects for the new grandson. I guess I won't make as many things for him, as most of Rowan's clothing etc is still fine. However, he deserves some new things too.

These designs are by Sue Box , an Australian digitiser who has some delightful designs.

My daughter Lisa has been very sick this pregnancy, and is now on insulin, so I hope this makes her better. She has had a terrible time. I made this dress for her, as well as some blouses.

Found lost post.

I had to share this pic of Merle on Christmas Day with her new toys. She got several new "squeekys" as her old ones had worn out. We may regret this when she drives us mad wanting to play with them

That is a new pink jumper I made cause Kylie's friend Mia thought we should explore her femine side. It has her name on the back. It was chilly on Christmas Day.

Wow, I just discovered the recover post button. I wrote the post below and it disappeared, and I was so cross I haven't tried posting again till today. You learn something new every day. Now, I'll try uploading a piccy, which is where I fell apart last time.

In time for Christmas

The secret is out. Lisa is expecting in April and it is a second boy. I just had to do a newborn outfit to put on the Christmas tree. I will do a hat to match as soon as I have finished my current UFO's. See the Knitters Anonymous blog. As I made so many outfits for Rowan, I probably won't do too many for this baby, but I will do a shawl. I am waiting for Lisa to choose one.

As for New Year Resolutions, I would like to really become a better knitter. I have had the syllabus from the NSW Knitters Guild, for ages, so I intend to work on that this year, and to attempt some techniques I haven't tried yet - including Continental knitting. I also might take some quilting classes, and keep going to my machine embroidery classes. If I can find time, I intend to also do some hand embroidery and smocking. In between all that I want to get a teaching job, and I also want to do more social things this year.

Merry Christmas Everyone

My apologies to any visitors for my non blogging. I have been in a bit of a tailspin this last month. We went to Perth for my nephew's wedding in December, and took my parents with us. They drove down from the Sunshine Coast, and stayed a few days either end of the Perth trip. I wanted them to stay till Christmas, but Dad felt they had been away long enough.

We had a Christmas Eve party and present giving last night, as Lisa, Darren and Rowan visit their other in-laws today. Tonight we are having an open house with family and friends, so that will be lovely too.

Today is quite cool, which is a bit unusual for mid summer. I even put the heater on earlier. We have had a little rain, which the garden appreciates, I only hope it is raining in the places where it is needed most, especially where the bushfires are.

Best wishes to everyone

I'm a fan

I just returned from the weekly shopping trip, which always includes a browse of the knitting magazines in the newsagents. Luckily we do get several national and international magazines, because it is really difficult to buy the knitting books I want, except over the internet.

I have never wanted to buy any Jo Sharp books before. Today, I came home with knit issue 2 and I really want to knit lots of the garments in it. I love the bathrobe, the beret, the cotton cardis, oh yes, lots of things. Now I will have to save up cause I think her yarn is rather pricy. The magazine is not yet on her website, but The Wool Shack have the contents on their's.

I am really concerned about the plight of the Aussie farming families with our record drought. I heard a radio program where they say many of the farmers are suiciding. I would love to reach out to these families and tell them that we city dwellers really care about their welfare. I intend to see how I could do that.

One small thing I can do is to promote our wonderful wool and handcraft products. I have a listing of Aussie suppliers in the sidebar, and I will add more as I find them out. If you are aware of other suppliers, please leave a comment and tell me about them.

Sydney visit

Last month we went to Sydney to attend the wedding of DH's oldest friend's son. We stayed with DH's sister, and spent three days doing a rellie crawl all over Sydney. I hate the traffic there, and you seem to spend most of your travel time diving in and out of tunnels - including (extra scary thought) one under that massive harbour. I hate even thinking about all that water on top of you. However, on the bright side, sitting in the back of the car, and sitting chatting, were very good for knitting.

The wedding was in St Mary's cathed ral, a beautiful old church in the city. The bells pealed most of the time which was lovely. The constant rain was a pity for the wedding party. The reception was at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, and we stayed there the night with some of DH's old friends. Everyone had a great time at the reception, with a band which played a range of music, if too loud, and the dance floor so crowded you couldn't move at all.

There was a great view of the harbour from the yacht squadron, so I have posted a piccy of the Opera House. We went on to spend 5 days at the Sunshine Coast, which was as enjoyable as ever.

I knitted this blue version of Trellis by Knitty, in "storm" by Cleckheaton. The buttons are wooden. It is for my daughter's friend's child. She didn't want a lacy knit, so this should fit next winter. I didn't enjoy knitting this one as much as the first one, was it the wool colour?

I am so super busy at the moment. I put my name down for relief teaching, as I want to appy for a job next year. So far, I have had only one day at a year 1-2 class, and it was a nightmare!! I think I'll stick to Kindy .

Computeritis

Isn't it fun, when you have spent a lot of time and thought on a blog entry, only to have it tell you there was a "fatal error" and it all disappears into cyberspace?

Blog entry number two for the day.
In the last unpublished entry, I described the enjoyable day I spent with Cathy when she was in Adelaide for a conference. She had her delightful daughter with her. We visited one wool shop, and then the Marian Shopping Centre which is our biggest here. Lincraft didn't have much in the way of yarns, they seem to be into scrapbooking. We had lunch out, then went for a lovely walk on the beach with our dog Merle. We picked up shells, and just wandered along. Then we had a coffee outside, and looked at knitting books. Thanks for spending the time Cathy, I had a great day.

I did buy some kid mohair for a shawl to match my current wear to weddings outfit, at Barbs Wool shop. She is such a character, she always tries to sell me a knitting machine. (I froze in Sydney, and we are going to my nephews wedding in Perth in December. It will probably be about 40degrees, but you never know.)

I have been organising all my craftwork and found a huge number of UFO's, sewing, hand embroidery, crochet and of course knits. I put them all in ziplock bags with instructions and materials, and hope to be better disiplined about finishing them.

The cardi above was finished a while ago, but I didn't post the piccy. It is a Bouton dór adaption from a book I've had for a while. I must get my latest piccys organised.

Trellis for Rowan

This is a cardi I finished a while ago. Lisa has kindly given me permission to publish the photo. Who wouldn't want to knit for such an adorable grandchild? The pattern is Trellis from Knitty. I knitted it in 8 ply Cleckheaton Country Naturals - yes - for the Aussies - Spotlight do stock it. It is a lovely soft wool with a brown fleck in it. I enjoyed knitting this pattern very much. It was easy to memorise, and just seemed to grow quickly. I have started another in the blue Cleckheaton Country Naturals which is called storm. It will be for a friend's child.

I also bought enough in the cream and the aqua to make 2 more children's garments. Did I mention I love this wool? I was afraid it would disappear from the store, and not come back. This happens often in Adelaide. I find that if I see something in the shops which is just what I want, I need to buy it then and there, as when stores here sell out, they don't restock the same items. Comes of being a fairly small city I guess.

I am looking forward to spending the weekend with my sister who is flying in Friday, and out Monday. They have direct flights to the Sunshine coast now, and air travel is so much more affordable. We will probably just shop, or watch girlie videos while she embroiders, and I knit. I can't wait.

I did achieve some knitting

While the house was in renovation chaos, I did still do some knitting. This is of course for Rowan, my grandson who has just turned two. I spotted the pattern on the Patons site, in a book called Tiny Treasures (I think). I have spent all the last week putting things away, and I can't find this particular book.
The pattern had a small giraffe for the pocket, but when I knitted it, it looked very strange. Lisa had these cute finger puppets, a giraffe, a zebra and a monkey, and I crocheted chains on them so they won't get lost. Rowan loves them.
It was really funny about the pattern book. It came up on Ebay. I was interstate and bidding on it, and Kylie was bidding on it for me at home. Lucky I stopped before it got too dear. This book is not available in Australia.

Alexandra Headland beach

This is a view of the beach in front of our apartment. The buildings in the background are Maroochydore. I love the pandanas trees.

My morning walk

I walked several kms every morning. I just love the surf beach. We live near the beach at home, but Adelaide is on a gulf and there is no surf. The weather was really mild. Not like Winter at all.

Vest for mother

I didn't manage to blog while I was away. I spent two weeks in Queensland at the Sunshine Coast looking after my mum in our holiday apartment. I think she enjoyed her holiday, and my dad took the time to do some travelling. I knitted her this while I was there. She likes green. I can't help myself, I put in lace at the front from the armholes up. My sister and I revamped mum's clothes, and added some new ones, which we hope she will enjoy wearing.

Return to Cyberspace

There's nothing like renovations to make a complete hash of your life, and sadly ours are still not finished. I have located the computer as you see, and will attempt to reestablish contact with the blogging fratenity. I am heading for sunny Queensland tomorrow to spend two weeks looking after my mum while my Dad takes a well earned break. I will be staying at the apartment on the beach at the Sunshine Coast so it won't be any hardship.
While I'm gone the ensuite will be redone, and the cork floors relaid. I would have to move out for the cork anyway as the coating is highly toxic.

I have packed enough wool to knit mum a long sleeved, and a short sleeved sweater and maybe some hats while I am there.

I have been knitting along when I could, and when I find the photos I will post them. This is a Jacket for Rowan which is in 12 ply. I didn't enjoy making it at all. (I broke my rule of never knitting 12 ply)

To this

New Kitchen, partly completed.

This is why I have been away from cyberspace. Half of my house has been gutted and is still in the process of being rebuilt. This is week 6 and the bathroom, laundry, toilet area is still not done. I think I could write a movie on what has happened. I think it would be a comedy. Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. Oh well, I do love my Tasmanian Oak wooden bench. I can still serve you a coffee, and we can sit and knit and contemplate how great it will be when finished.

From This

Old kitchen

Slip stich

I have discovered slip stiches. I have never tried them before. They are really effective, and so much easier than weaving in wool as in fair isle. I have knitted the body of this cardi for Rowan (who else) in plain mauve, with just a cable up either side of the front for a zip. I was moving along with the sleeves, when of course I discovered that I was using the number of stiches for an 8ply sleeve, not a 4 ply as this is. I have put it away for the moment, until I feel like starting again. Maybe this sleeve will do one of Kylie's artist dolls. I do so hate to frog.

Our life is in chaos at the moment with our renovations. I have been 3 weeks so far without a laundry or main bathroom and toilet, only our ensuite. It is looking good, the tiling is done in the bathroom and toilet, but the plumber is not coming back till Tuesday. Luckily DH plumbed the washing machine up outside under the pergola. Tomorrow they are coming to rip out the kitchen. I have spent the last 3 days clearing it out and cleaning it up as we may reuse some of it at the Child Care Centre. Can't wait till the dust starts flying again!!!!