yarns and threads

Three blue sheep sweaters (and hats)

2011-05-20T21:41:00.002+09:30

Last year, I knitted this sweater and hat for my grandson. I bought the book, Bouton D'or Layette and Junior a long time ago. My copy is very dog eared, as I have used it so often, and knitted many of the designs. I nearly didn't buy it, because it was expensive, but I certainly have had my money's worth. The sweater (or jumper as we Aussies call it) was a bit too big, but three year old's grow quickly, and it fits well this year.

This year, I had several babies and toddlers to knit for, so I decided to do a six month, and a two year size. Because it is in 8ply (dk) they knitted up fairly fast. I did twist stitches instead of 3 stitch cables. They are much faster, and look the same. I also like the slip stitch coloured bands - two colours without getting tangled in fair isle.

This is the six month size. I thought that it is a bit more modern than the traditional fine baby knits I usually do.

This is the two year old size, with pom pom hat.

Once I had sewn them up, and put on the buttons, it took me ages to crochet the heads, and attach the legs. I am still not happy with the faces, but after many tries, I just had to finish. The legs are crochet chain. I think the 3d effect does add to the overall effect.

Six silly sheep

Posting Again

2010-11-17T21:43:00.000+10:30

We recently spent two weeks in the South Island of New Zealand, which is amzingly beautiful. We loved the scenery, and every day brought new surprises, and more awesome sights. We started in Christchurch and went across the Alps on the train. Then we did a 10 day bus tour, followed by a train trip to the north to Picton, and hired a car to drive back to Christchurch.

We spent a night on a boat in Milford Sound. When we started it was beautiful weather. It rained all night, and in the morning we had a big storm. The boat rocked and rolled, but it was fun. Everywhere around us were the most amazing water falls.

I was hoping to buy some wool while there, but didn't get too many opportunities. I bought 5 skeins of varigated baby wool - Touch yarns. I also bought a fine 2ply lace weight yarn, and some varigated aspire (wool and alpaca) which has a felted appearance. Kylie chose the Aspire for a scarf and hat, but as often happens, the yarn doesn't suit the pattern. I knitted on the bus, and I started a scarf in a lace pattern I remembered. Now I have to figure out what to do in the middle. I also started gloves in the lace weight.
I had a lot of trouble because my cataracts are bad, and I am going for operations next week, and then in December. Hopefully I will be able to see the yarn better.

I have completed quite a few things, which had been languishing in the UFO pile. This is a shawl for my daughter Lisa. It is Touch 2ply, varigated green, blue, 2ply. It was an easy pattern, as I seem to run into trouble with more complicated lace. It ended up 9 feet long, and 2 and a half feet wide (she wanted it long to throw over her shoulder) It is from the Knitted Lace of Estonia book.

The Perfect Pattern

2009-08-23T20:54:00.006+09:30

The internet is such a wonderful resource for knitters. Without it I would be stuck with very little yarn choices, or pattern resources. It has certainly opened my eyes to what is available "out there". Now I fear that I spend more time trolling around looking for the "perfect pattern" whenever I want to start a new project.

There are so many sites with great free patterns, and lots of others where you can download a digital copy of a pattern for very little. Ravelry is such a fabulous resource. You find hundreds of patterns for any one thing you would like to knit. Also you can see other people's fo's and check out which colours you like best.

The trouble is, once I find a "perfect pattern", I then need the "perfect yarn". For sure I don't have it in my stash, and so I need to spend more time on the internet finding yarn. This can be quite costly, as the Aussie dollar is much lower than the US dollar, and then there is postage. Oh well, nothing like buying yourself little presents. As the fo's are rarely for me, this isn't as bad as it seems.

Going back to my Resolutions post, I have now finished 5 of those ufo's and done quite a few other things as well.

The Sweetheart sweater became a cardi for Lihle. I enjoy doing the aran knitting. However, the yarn was a wool blend, and I didn't like it well enough to give away.

I had trouble with Helena, as I couldn't think backwards - it was knit from the top down. I did the sleeves in lace, and haven't done much lace knitting in the round.

Resolutions.

2009-03-22T18:48:00.007+10:30

Like most people, I made some resolutions at the beginning of the year. Some days I do better than others. My weight goals get sidetracked with chocolate emergencies (who can do hours of accounts without chocolate?) Now that the worst of the hot weather is gone, we can walk on the beach most days. The garden is a bit sad, but DH has done a sterling job of keeping most things going.

We had two weeks at the Sunshine Coast in February, where it was hot and humid, but gloriously rainy. I took a new project away with me (resolutions don't count on holidays do they?) It is finished, and I made up a cap to match. It is of course, Trellis from Knitty. The third one I have done. It is for my brother's grandson in Perth.
Did I mention it was stash wool?

I finished the green cardi for Jess at work too. Now that I know she is having a girl, I might do something a bit lacier.

I looked after my grandsons over the weekend a couple of times while their mum is recovering from an op. They enjoyed visiting the local duck lake, and playing with our animals. They were such a pleasure to have. They love music and stories, and Kylie sewed machine embroidered T Shirts for them.

Getting organised

2009-01-24T17:47:00.014+10:30

After such a difficult year last year, I am really trying to get my life on track, and to organise everything better.We nearly had the garden finished, including taking down some large trees, when a few super hot days ko'd the new plants we had bought. It was bad luck really, because we are having an atypically mild summer so far.

Kylie, bless her, has been painting the lounge and family room. They were half done when we had the rennos two years ago. They are a lovely peach colour, and I love them.

I am working constantly on the accounts, but i know they will never stop flowing in. I will spend some time on Monday (AUSTRALIA DAY - PATRIOTIC CHEER) preparing workshops for the new course I will run for trainees at work. Tomorrow, my main plan is to do some cooking and freezing.

Today I spent finding lurking UFO's. I stopped at 12. As we are not continuing the UFO blog, I have joined the Resolutions group in Ravelry. I do love Ravelry. So I photographed 12 ufo's and I intend to complete 2 before starting anything new. That should work????

A lot of my ufo's need some working out. Most of them are the result of deviating from the pattern, making a different size, or guage. Watch this space for progress.

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T20:09:00.006+10:30

Well here it is the beginning of another year. I have sat down and listed my resolutions, and when I look back, they are depressingly similar to last year's and the year before that etc. Hmm what is this telling me?

I think we are all so busy with everyday life life we don't put aside time for the things which really matter. I am glad at least that I knitted for my mum these last five years. I am also glad that I have made lots of garments for my grandsons, and for others. One resolution I have this year is to make something for everyone in my immediate family.

I have the usual wishes to finish my mulitple ufo's and knit from my stash, to try new techniques and to try designing. I didn't finish the shawl, but it is well on the way. The kids bought me a Louise Hay desk calendar, and I love it. She says this is the year for new beginnings, and letting go. Maybe I can frog some ufo's or give away some stash - you never know. These I did finish.

This cardi should have been a quick knit, but it got put aside. It is for a friend's child. The edges were garter stitch, and they rolled, so I started again in moss stitch. They still rolled, so I finally croched the edge on. I thought the flower would just finish it off.

The car sweater is for Corey who is 20 months, but is size 4. I decided to get in ahead. It took me 5 visits to the button dept to match the wheel buttons, all 32 of them. They were so perfect, I couldn't settle for any others.

Miles to go before I sleep

2008-11-12T20:44:00.008+10:30

Lately I have been trying to work on some long term goals I have had, and at least I have made a start on a few of them. When it comes to knitting I have hundreds of garments I would love to make and dozens of techniques I want to learn.

I took a look back at my first post, and I said I wanted to knit lace. I still want to knit lace, lots and lots of lace - so why haven't I been working on that goal. My wish to knit lace began when my daughter became pregnant with my first grandson. I saw a lovely Shetland lace shawl which I wanted to knit. I ended up making a simpler diamond patterned one, and several baby garments with lace trims. However, with 2 grandsons to knit for, the lace gets put to one side. I started this simple diamond patterned shawl in beautiful cashmere. It is simple so I can just knit a row here and there when I can.

I have managed to finish a few things in the last months - Dad's Vest

and my Jo Sharp Bathrobe. Yes - a project for me! However, I didn't enjoy knitting it as the yarn twisted and knotted and had way too many joins. It was also a pain to sew up.

Catch up

2008-09-04T19:19:00.003+09:30

A quickie post as life is just so busy now. We have Child Care Accreditation looming, so working 24/7. We are also doing a quick visit to the Sunshine Coast next week to check up on my parents. Mum was in hospital with pneumonia, so I'm glad I got her cape finished last time I went up. I am now madly knitting a vest for Dad as I discovered he is still wearing a cardi I passed on to him of DH's, knitted in the first year of our marriage (1971). Think I still have some of the wool in the old stash LOL. I must take some to mend the holes.

Knitting helped me through

2008-08-19T20:34:00.004+09:30

We have just returned from what should have been a 10 day holiday in Queensland. My husband had a heart attack, so we were away nearly a month. Thankfully, they eventually diagnosed the problem (95% blockage in the branch of a major heart artery, and another large narrowing). He now has three stents, and is feeling fine. The main problem is to get him to go quietly. (I offered to teach him to knit)

Luckily I had wonderful family support on hand as my sister is a doctor, and advised immediate ambulance to hospital. He was in four hospitals, and had 7 ambulance rides before they finished treatment. I had to drive the freeways (difficult for me from little old Adelaide) and find my way around. There were worrying times and lots of waiting.

I only had lace projects with me, too hard to pick up and put down. I raced out and bought some Kmart "wool" and started an aran baby cardi I had downloaded on to my computer. It may never be finished as the yarn behaved more like cotton, but it was a good take along project.

I did finish the duck sweater sometime in July.

Also the Jungle Sweater

I do love the buttons.

My El Guapo

2008-07-03T18:08:00.003+09:30

P6290485
Originally uploaded by Joanmm

My children loved the Three Amigos with Chevy Chase, Steve Martin and Martin Short, when they were young. The famous quote for us was "Everyone has to face their El Guapo" with whatever skills they had. (In the movie the villagers best skill was sewing)

I started the Duck sweater last year, and got cross with all the colour changes, so I put it away. I started the elephant sweater for a friend a few months ago. The green car sweater is a recent cast on, and it has fair isle and intarsia too. Now the pressure is on cause the children are growing, and it is cold now.

I used to enjoy knitting intarsia, and fair isle but now it is one big tangle. I have used bobbins, but I am still irritated with it.

In desperation I looked up a how to knit Continental video, and can now manage to knit with the yarn in both hands. This is great for regular two colour work, but not for when you string the yarn over a gap, and catch it in between.

Ok Ok I'll be good. I promise to finish the elephant sweater this weekend.

The dog ate the buttons

2008-06-30T16:13:00.001+09:30

Green moss cardi
Originally uploaded by Joanmm

What is it about knitted articles which attract the unwanted attention of pets ?

In the last few years my projects have suffered many indignities. My daughter's cat Tansy has a wool obsession. She has clawed up threads of garments which were blocking, she has tangled my wool, she has chewed the wool, and also sicked up on the baby shawl.

Lisa's dog ate one baby cardi, so I had to knit another. This is the latest Victim. I had to go and buy new wooden buttons, because the dog (a huge standard poodle) had got hold of this cardi and chewed the wooden buttons. Luckily most of the knitting esacaped.

I wanted to replace the buttons with plastic ones, but LIsa insists she won't leave it where the dog can get it.

We'll see.

Not blogging, but still knitting

2008-06-11T20:00:00.007+09:30

Life is busy as usual. Although owing your own business ensures a certain amount of freedom, the downside is that we seem to work every day, and long hours. After 15 years, I am starting to find it hard slog.

I am glad that I have interesting and creative handwork hobbies. I am also glad that DH is very tolerant of my largish stash, and my pechant for knitting in the car, while watching tv, and at every opportunity.

I have a long list of projects this year. The pink cardi and hat (the same wool despite the photos) were made for Mum who is 86 now, and is in a nursing home since Dad had the stroke in

January. She is such a cold frog, and happily wears 8ply(dk) garments even in mid summer.

She now has many hats I have made her. I have labelled all her clothes carefully, especially

the woollen ones so I hope the laundry doesn't spoil them.

There were a lot of new babies early this year too. This outfit went to Perth in Western Australia for my nephew's baby. It took about a month to get there and I was really upset. I had the wrong street number! However, it did arrive safely. I do so hate sending handmade things in the mail. Next time I'll register the parcel.

I have completed several other baby garments and 3 for the grandsons.

I really must learn how to use my camera better!!!

A Rain! A Rain!

2008-03-25T20:59:00.016+10:30

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

2008-03-03T21:17:00.006+10:30

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

2008-02-24T20:53:00.004+10:30

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

2007-10-28T22:13:00.000+10:30

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

2007-10-17T21:15:00.000+09:30

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

2007-06-22T20:22:00.000+09:30

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

2007-05-10T19:39:00.000+09:30

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

2007-03-23T18:31:00.000+10:30

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

2007-02-25T19:54:00.000+10:30

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

2007-02-04T18:50:00.000+10:30

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.

2007-01-12T21:27:00.000+10:30

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

2006-12-30T18:13:00.000+10:30

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

2006-12-25T14:13:00.000+10:30

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

2006-10-28T11:26:00.000+09:30

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

2006-10-20T08:22:00.000+09:30

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

2006-10-07T19:49:00.000+09:30

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

2006-08-31T19:05:00.000+09:30

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

2006-08-20T20:41:00.000+09:30

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

2006-08-16T21:47:00.000+09:30

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

2006-08-16T21:43:00.000+09:30

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

2006-08-16T21:35:00.000+09:30

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

2006-07-30T18:21:00.000+09:30

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

2006-05-22T22:40:00.000+09:30

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

2006-05-22T22:37:00.000+09:30

Old kitchen

Slip stich

2006-05-07T20:05:00.000+09:30

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!!!!

Baby Presents

2006-04-29T12:17:00.000+09:30

I made this for one of the girls at work who has just had her second baby, a girl this time. I do so love making small lacy items.

Baby Wrap

2006-04-29T12:16:00.000+09:30

This is also for the new baby girl. It is a Sue Box design. The Bluebirds are in the corners. It makes a change from embroidering logos on Tshirts and sweaters.

Yes, I did finish it

2006-04-28T11:43:00.000+09:30

Sorry for the absence from cyberspace. I found that working full time, plus keeping up all the housework, accounts, embroidering shirts, making curtains, and trying to study kept me fully occupied, and thoroughly tired out. And I haven't even mentioned the renovations!!!

We are having new bathrooms, toilets, laundry and kitchen done. We have been in total chaos for two weeks so far, and the house is covered in dust. All the contents of the laundry and bathroom are out on the verandah, and everyone has to use the ensuite. Such fun. As expected, things go wrong, such as supplying the wrong bath, and tradespeople not turning up when they should, thus putting everyone else behind.

I did finish this cardi for mum, 50 years since it was cast on. She wears it and seems really happy with it.

My First attempt at Digitising

2006-03-24T20:18:00.000+10:30

This is my work T Shirt. Jess came up with the cute faces, and we made it into our new logo. She also painted our sign out front with cute little people in a train. I must take a pic. The "friendliest" came from a survey where we asked parents what they liked about our Child Care Centre and most of them said they loved it that we were all so friendly.

It costs $11 a shirt to have them embroidered, so I decided to give it a go, and taught myself out of the tutorial. I know this is pretty basic, but the girls love their new look uniforms - they are red, green or purple. I have done about 15 so I figure I only have about 95 to go. The worst part is trimming the threads when they are finished. I thought this would go a little way to justifying my expensive embroidery machine, software, classes, materials, threads, and accessories. (DH has his golf after all)

I will be super busy the next few weeks. I am working full time as my Director has time off for her wedding and honeymoon. We have Accreditation in May or June, and I am studying two courses - Certificate 4 in Workplace Training and Assessment (luckily I only have to do three of the subjects) and Teaching English as a Second Language (not the proper cetification, but aimed at understanding how to help kids in the classroom.

Glasshouse Mountains

2006-03-15T20:28:00.000+10:30

I haven't been blogging, as we are on holidays at the Sunshine Coast. We enjoyed five days with my brother and his wife, who stayed with us, before they went to New Zealand. They live in Perth, so we don't see much of them. It was great to see both my brothers, my sister, my parents and some cousins all at once. This is one of my favourite views here. It is taken from Mary Cairncross park, near Maleny in the Blackall Range. Captain Cook named the mountains when he sailed by in 1770. He thought they reminded him of Glasshouses back home.

We are watching the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Gamesin Melbourne. It is really spectactular. They go all out on these ceremonies now. maybe we should have a games knitathon

WIP

2006-02-18T12:01:00.000+10:30

Sorry about the change in blog appearance. I was hoping to be able to put my sidebar back where it belongs. So far no luck. If anyone knows what to do I'd love some help. I haven't much idea about html

Pop Quiz

2006-02-17T16:18:00.000+10:30

What is this?
5 Points if you said a smocking machine
10 Points if you said a Frustration torture device

Can woman conquer machine?
I spent about 2 hours on this today. I have used it before, but today it had gremlins in it. I placed 17 needles but it wouldn't work.
I read the instructions - 27 different languages - "place needles correctly"
Big help
I tried again, and again etc
Then I figured out the right way - YES
then I placed 4 needles and the third one fell out, placed five and three fell out, placed all, and the middle one came out, which meant I knocked most out trying to pick it up (Remember fiddlestix?)

Eventually, I had all the blighters in, and ran through the material.
Yes, those great Chinese manufacturers had done it again, the dots aren't printed on straight, so I won't be able to use it anyway.
I need chocolate

Wool Addicted Cat

2006-02-12T10:17:00.000+10:30

I have been a bad blogger (bad blogger, bad blogger), but I have made some knitting progress. Following Michelle's helpful comment, I threatened the blue cardi with the fire (I have already subjected it to the water treatment, but that didn't work). I told it that if the fourth frogging of the sleeve didn't work it was for the fire in the backyard (which is against the law in our state, but it had driven me to criminal intentions). I could have put it on the barbeque along with greasy sausages - that would have showed it.

Luckily I didn't quite get to that extreme, and I think I found a way to fit the sleeves. I don't like drop shoulders on a more tailored garment. Only the sew up will tell if it has worked. Now I only have to do the collar. I can't believe it - is that two years?

Tansy, who luckily is Kylie's cat, is addicted to this cardi. Every time I put it down she camps on it. Only the water spray for blocking removed her this morning. She kept playing with the wool, and making a nuisance of herself all through the blocking. Oh well, if Kylie doesn't like it, I am sure Tansy will love it for a bed lining.

Passionfruit anyone?

2006-01-30T20:10:00.000+10:30

Remember in May when I posted about our rampant choko vine, which had grown way up over the roof? I pulled it all out, and thought that I would transplant the passionfruit vine to that place.

This vine was several years old, and had been planted in various places, but hadn't grown. Lo and behold it grew on the trellis, and began flowering madly, and setting lots of passionfruit. I later found out that they love the morning sun so it is in the right place. We have had maybe 100, lots to eat and to share with friends. Although I an only a intermittent gardener, that's one of the things I love about gardening, how something will unexpectedly grow and thrive. Kind of makes up for the ones that die, or just sit there not growing.

My Purling Puppy

2006-01-28T22:04:00.000+10:30

Thought I would publish this cute pic of Merle. She loves to gather all her toys around her. She is our fitness coach as every evening she looks soulfully at us until we take her for a walk. We usually walk along the lake. Tonight it was so still that all the reflections were perfect mirrors. It is somewhat cooler at the moment, but humid, which I find hard to take, despite being raised in Queensland.

I frogged the top of the sleeve of the blue cardi (third time) I'm still trying to work out how to shape them. I wish I could get that wretched garment out of my life.

My poor garden

2006-01-21T20:33:00.000+10:30

This is a pic of some of my roses at Christmas. I wonder how they will survive this heat wave? Today reached over 110 degrees, and it is officially the hottest spate of weather for 60 years. Luckily we put on pea straw. I think all my veges will be ruined.

100 degrees at 10pm

2006-01-20T21:19:00.000+10:30

I am publishing this finished baby cardi to show you that I am still thinking about knitting, but 100 degrees at 10pm is really too hot to do anything but complain. I imagine all you northern hemisphere people turning up the heating so you can get a comfy night knitting.

I have just been outside hosing down our 70's style dark double brick walls to try to evaporate a little heat. The air con is flat chat but we are all still sweating. Kylie left to go to a Suzuki conference in Sydney today, so I am going to sleep in her room. It is cooler. Even the cats are lying under the vents and they love the heat in general. I feel for poor old Saphina who is a long haired Persian on days like this.

Knitting craft resolutions for 2006

2006-01-18T20:31:00.000+10:30

I will finish or frog every UFO in my knitting collection
I will not buy more yarn
I will finish or throw out all my sewing projects (Most of them are waiting for me to lose a heap of weight)
I will not buy more material (except as needed for machine embroidery classes)
I will finish or throw out all my machine embroidery projects.
I will finish my hand embroidery projects and not start anymore until then
I will destash, I will destash, I will destash

Good reason to work on UFO's

2006-01-14T18:19:00.000+10:30

I have been working on Kylie's blue cardi (this is the third year I think) I really want to finish it for next Winter. Last week I lost my favourite gold chain. It was on my dressing table in the morning, and then it disappeared. We did all the usual things, searched thru the garbage, undid the S bend in the sink (thank you DH) with no result. I was devasted as the chain and a watch were my last year's gifts from DH and I had lost my beautiful watch while out walking only a month ago.

When I pulled the UFO out of the cupboard to measure the sleeve opening, there was my chain. Just think, if I had not decided to work on the cardi, I wouldn't have found it for a long time.

2006-01-10T19:45:00.000+10:30

Close up

2006-01-10T19:35:00.000+10:30

I eventually finished this cardi for Rowan. Typical me, I found a pattern I liked, but changed the ply, and of course it always leads to problems. I think I frogged the top section about 3 times each piece till I got it right. It is actually purple, though it looks blue in the photo. It has popcorn stitch all over which is a bit of a pain. Kylie helped me with the face and features. Lucky I have an artistic daughter.

2006-01-03T19:07:00.000+10:30

Bear Blanket

Happy New Year

2006-01-03T18:16:00.000+10:30

I have returned to the land of Blog, and want to wish all my cyber friends a very happy and prosperous New Year.

We had a quiet Christmas with friends and a quiet new year's eve. We took a few days break and now are back in working mode. While the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing Winter, we are well into Summer. For us it has been fairly mild, and unusually showery. We did get one day of 42.5 (108 degrees F) Thank goodness for air conditioning. Parts of Australia have had nasty bushfires.

I have done a little knitting, though it is a bit too hot. I wanted to publish this beautiful blanket that Kylie made for Rowan, and completed for Christmas. It took her over a year. All the motifs are hand embroidered. It is a Jenny McWhinney design from Country Bumpkin It is really lovely, all the bears have individual expressions.

Panic stations

2005-12-09T09:11:00.000+10:30

Even though I don't think I will get a call out from a school this year, I thought I would have to prepare. I pictured myself with a class of little darlings who would all test me out and so I headed for the shops and the library to get some more resources.

I then spent several hours scanning the internet for ideas, but I didn't come up with much. The internet is so great, but somehow I always manage to spend a great amount of time researching, and coming up with very little of real use (same as when looking for freebie knitting patterns)

Today I am doing some more research into kitchens and bathrooms. Ours are badly in need of renovation. We have had some quotes and they are frightening. It is almost cheaper to buy a new home. Our house is 70's dark double brick. I have never liked it, but DH won't move. With 5 adults it is bursting at the seams - except for the huge open living areas which are hardly used. My daughter and I have some great ideas, but every time we say, "lets knock out that wall" DH says no.

Holding Pattern

2005-12-08T21:04:00.000+10:30

Not a lot to report on the craft front. I have reknitted various parts of the purple cardi several times. It just doesn't look right. Now I just have to sew up and do one rib front and the collar. I have frogged the sleeves of the red vintage cardi. I didn't get the shaping right. If at first you don't succeed ----- etc. I think I will do a little on my smocked nightie tonight just for something different.

So far the weather has been mild though they are promising 38 on Sunday. That is over 100 degrees. I hope Christmas day won't be too hot. We have been so busy this year that Christmas will be upon us and we won't be ready. I think we will have seafood and salads.

While I was in Melbourne, I viewed our old house, and decided that it would be too small to bring up 4 children in. It is over the hill from an extremely busy 6 lane road and I think the pollution would be awful. I am glad we moved. The quality of life is much better in Adelaide. It did feel strange though, walking the area, as very little of it felt familiar. There are new freeways which become totally blocked, and it takes half an hour to travel about 5 ks in the suburbs at 8.00 am. I had a bad time at my work assignment. I just counted the time till I came home. I don't think I'll do any more interstate trips.

My teacher's registration has come through and I have put my name down for relieving. There is only one week of school left so I guess I won't get much this year.

Better make a list of what I need to do for Christmas. Maybe Santa will bring me a cook, a cleaner and a gardener this time. I have been asking for those for years.

Oh no another ufo

2005-11-20T18:54:00.000+10:30

Yes, I decided the only way to get out of my knitting slump was to cast on a new project. After all I am a self confessed ufologist. I wanted to do a small straightforward project with the right needles and yarn. I decided on a lacy baby cardi as I know several girls who are expecting, and my daughter is talking about number two. I am doing a new born size as I can give it away to the hospital if it isn't suitable for anyone I know. I found out that they give the premmies an outfit to go home in - thus new born size.

I have frogged the back of the purple cardi again (twice now) It often doesn't work using different yarn to the pattern does it? I will finish it soon I promise.

I am off to Melbourne for five days tomorrow. Unfortuanately I won't be anywhere near any of the yummy yarn shops there. Maybe that is just as well as my stash is way too big. We are going to have dinner with some friends on Tuesday night. Our families were friends all through the kids growing up years, but they have returned to their home town. DH is going with me and staying one night. He wants to catch up with an old friend who has cancer.

I will be staying near where we used to live 27 years ago. I don't know if any of my old friends are still there. I have lost touch over the years. It will be fun to see the area again, and maybe our old house, but I won't have a lot of down time.

Absent from Blog

2005-10-27T16:46:00.000+09:30

I have not been knitting much lately, hence no blog entries. This week I have been doing a full time course with the Education Department on Returning to Teaching. It is really stimulating, and has me thinking about all that good theory I learned, but haven't used a lot as my role in the childcare centre is more managerial and accounting. Did I mention I never wanted to be a manager or an accountant?

I think the biological clock is definitely racing, and I would like to do a little teaching before they put me out to pasture. I will apply for relief status in the first instance as I will have to cover holidays at the centre in the first term next year. Then maybe I can do some real teaching.

My parents are arriving on Saturday after driving down from Queensland. I think it is about 2 and a half thousand kilometers so I hope they arrive safely, Dad is now 82. He loves driving and is always doing trips in his old 1940 Armstrong Siddely. This time they are coming in his modern car. He will then fly on to Perth to visit my brother and family, and Mum will stay here.

We are hoping to get a week away before the end of the year, but it isn't looking too likely .

Spring is here

2005-10-13T09:28:00.000+09:30

Today is so beautiful. It is warm and mild with no wind. Fickle Spring is at her best. I know I complained earlier about how dry it is in Adelaide, but we have had a really wet winter and lots of rain this Spring. I don't think I have seen our city lookng so beautiful. One of the best sights along the roads are the magnificent red bottle brushes. I have never seen them so prolific. I must photograph some. I wanted to post this lovely rose from my garden. Roses are so forgiving, even to a mediocre gardener like me.

I wanted to sweeten an apology for turning on the antispam. It is a bit of a nuisance, and I hope my good friends will persist in adding comments, as it is always a pleasure to know that someone cares enough to let you know they have visited your site. I will never understand why some individuals spoil the pleasure and productivity of others. What do these purveyors of viruses and spam hope to achieve. I have had messages about a dog coat site, and I knit my own.

Grabbles agrees with me about all the above, as he sits on my monitor, preening his depleted feathers and chattering happily. He has a huge vocabularly, though he mixes and matches all the phrases he has learned. He doesn't cope with the weather changes - drops his feathers at the first hot day, and then shivers. I think I will have to knit him a budgie sweater.

I am trialling the new Yahoo photo program. It allows unlimited photos stored on the web, and easier sending in email.

Teddy Quilt

2005-10-04T20:54:00.000+09:30

At long last I finished the Sue Box teddy quilt. I hope Rowan gets some pleasure out of it.
I haven't been doing much on the knitting front as I had a lovely visit from my sister who lives on the Sunshine Coast. We had a great time shopping, and chatting, and having coffees. We watched some girlie videos as her mostly male household isn't fond of romantic comedies.
Kay finished up some of my sewing ufo's - some cushions I had done the embroidered tops for. We went to Country Bumpkin for Stitch and Chat and she is now working on a ribbon embroidery I started once (I don't have the patience to fiddle with making flowers) I am trying to finish a wool embroidered hot water bottle cover. (6 months later)
We also did a major clean up of the sheds and garage over the long weekend. DH and I are rather tired tonight. I am going to swatch the yarn for the Jaeger pullover - if not tonight, then tomorrow.

Meme tag

2005-09-20T19:27:00.000+09:30

I was checking out friends' blogs and found Cathy had tagged me with this one
THE RULES
1. Go into your archive.
2. Find your 23rd post (or closest to).
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions.
5. Tag five people to do the same.'

Why was I not surprised ( as a self confessed UFOer) to find
"Why does it take so much effort to sew up, knit up bands and sew on buttons?"
Typical me to complain about finishing something oooooooooooooh!

Footie update

2005-09-20T08:52:00.000+09:30

You can see I am only a fair weather football fan. I love it if the Crows win, but lose interest if they lose. The crows won the "Derby" against the other local team - Port Adelaide, and became the minor premiers. However, on Saturday they were defeated in the semi final by the West Coast Eagles - from Perth, so that is the end of their run this year.

I guess the Crows take their name from "Crow eaters" which is the slang term for a South Australian, but as Western Australians are known as "Sand Gropers" I guess they thought "The Eagles" sounds classier. I am actually a Banana Bender (Queenslander) my daughters are "Thundering Vics" (born in Victoria) Do other countries have these sort of names for people from various regions?

Next Project

2005-09-20T08:47:00.000+09:30

I am so bogged down with the blue cardi for Kylie and the Purple one for Rowan I need to at least plan my next project. I saw this in a Knitting mag and now I am trying to track down a source for the book in Australia. I will spend some time on the phone today. I would love to know what ply it is in as I am tired of trying to convert patterns, it can be a real pain.

2005-09-09T20:53:00.000+09:30

I wonder why women love this game so much????????

2005-09-09T20:51:00.000+09:30

This is called "taking a screamer". If the player catches the ball on the full he takes an unobstructed kick or pass.

2005-09-09T20:49:00.000+09:30

Action the Crows fans want tomorrow

Footie Fever

2005-09-09T20:40:00.000+09:30

Adelaide this weekend is gripped by Footie Fever. Australia's most popular football game is Australian Rules or Aussie Rules. It is a fast moving and very athletic game, and really exciting if you are very involved in hoping your team wins. (I am not a big fan, but sometimes watch. DH is a diehard Rugby fan.)
This weekend is a big match in Adelaide as our two teams in the national competition, the Crows are playing Port Power. Port won the Premiership last year, and the Crows have just won the minor premiership this year.

If anything I prefer the Crows, but am always glad if one of our teams comes out on top. We are very close to the football stadium, so tomorrow will be chaotic around our area.

GAAARN THE CROWS

I've been ROAKed

2005-09-02T09:49:00.000+09:30

Thank you very much to Cheryl for the lovely set of knitting notes. It was great to receive a gift in the mail when I returned home from my lone trip away. Imagine her going to all the trouble of posting out to Australia. What a lovely group Fibre ROAK is.

Something Achieved

2005-09-01T21:48:00.000+09:30

I did manage to finish the sailing boat jumper. My daughter collects Annette Himstedt artist dolls. She decided to sell Hugo who has now travelled to his new home in the USA. I made him the jumper as an addition to the sale. Al Lien is smaller than Hugo so I hope it fits. It is size two.

2005-09-01T21:47:00.000+09:30

The sailing jumper

2005-09-01T21:46:00.000+09:30

Hugo who went to live in the USA

2005-09-01T21:45:00.000+09:30

Ai Lien modelling the jumper for Hugo

Flying in and driving out

2005-08-20T18:23:00.000+09:30

I have just returned from 3 days in a country town. I work for the government occasionally, involving country or interstate travel. All very hush hush. I hate flying in small planes, but this trip wasn't so bad. It was a bit hairy the last ten minutes before landing.
Most of the accomodation in the country is in Pubs or motels built in the 70's and not since upgraded. It is always a challenge to drive a hire car, and find somewhere to eat. The first morning they forgot my breakfast so I had to find a McDonalds and eat plastic eggs and dry English muffins - yuk.

I am off again on Monday, but this time I will drive. I refuse to drive country roads at night after a horrible experience last time I went to Western Australia. It is also foolish to drive Australian country roads at dawn or dusk because of the high risk of hitting a kangaroo.

I will be home again on Thursday. I was way too tired to knit while I was away, even though I took several projects.

Coloured Sands

2005-08-16T19:18:00.000+09:30

Not much to report on the knitting front so I thought I'd post this piccy from our holiday. This is the beach with the coloured sands, though not a good picture as the colours are in the cliffs. They are quite spectacular. The battery ran out of my camera about here. The beach was totally deserted as it is only accessible by 4 wheel drive. We had a great day, as before this we were at the end of the 90 mile beach, again only accessible by 4 wheel drive - we went in a bus with my parents and a Japanese girl. The beach behind the headland is surf. There are few people on this beach, but you can camp there. Some intrepid surfers were catching waves near the rocks. There is a disintergrating shipwreck on the beach. We went up a cliff to the lighthouse and had a wonderful view all the way south to Noosa, and north to Fraser Island. We spotted a pod of Dolfins from there. The area is called the Cooloola National park . To get there we had over an hour's ride over the worst sandy track imaginable, through the rain forest. It is shorter to go down the beach from Rainbow Beach, but there was a 4 wheel drive bogged there cutting off access. Apparently they bog about 20 cars a year. A sad end for the unwary!!!!!! I found an arial photo here

Finished Kiri

2005-08-11T16:22:00.000+09:30

Yes I did finish Kiri and it blocked out really well. I pinned it out on a large beach towel on the table, and sprayed it with water. I steamed it, and covered it up, and because I was busy it was left for four days. I used 2 and a quarter balls of Madil kid mohair which is an Italian brand. I used 5mm needles. Now I want to start another shawl but I must do more UFO's first.

One of the problems of getting back from holidays is that everything has piled up while you are away. I still haven't finished with the mail and accounts. I have spent two days at the Centre catching up. We have our Quality Accreditation check out next June so we are deeply into preparations. The garden is like a jungle, as it has been raining heaps here. I do love to get rain, but it is all a shock to the system after lovely Queensland. Kylie said that you know you are home when you swap your sandals for uggies.

Holidays Yay!!!!!!!!!

2005-08-04T21:45:00.000+09:30

As is obvious, I have been absent without leave from my blog. I meant to keep posting but this dial up is so slow and tedious, and I haven't got Picasa on this laptop, and ---- well call it holiday lethargy.
We are having a great time. The weather is mild. No wonder there are no wool shops in sight. I gave my sister the Kirishawl and she loves it (She said so) I have a photo, and will post it later.

Thought I would reply to Sharon's tag (can't put in link as instructions on other computer).
I will tag some more lovely friends next week so watch out.

What was I doing
Ten Years Ago
My four children were at home, boys at High School, girls at Uni. My husband and I were running a Management and Leadership training business. I was too tired, and busy to do much handwork.

Five years ago
I was working full time as Director of the Child care centre we own. Definitely too busy and tired to do anything much else.

One year ago
My grandson was born. It was an anxious time for a few weeks, but Mum and bub came through really well. I was knitting obsessively from when I heard about the pregnancy. I loved doing baby clothes, and my first venture in knitting a lace shawl.

Yesterday
We walked along the beach, over the headland to Mooloolaba and had breakfast at a beachside cafe watching the surf. I visited with my Mum and Dad, and did some knitting while watching "girlie" videos

Today
We just came back from the movies where we saw Wedding Date which we enjoyed. We went with my sister to Montville, which is on top of the range, and looked in all the wonderful shops there, and had afternoon tea looking over the beautiful rainforest and valleys, all the way out to the Coast _ I love Montville.

Tomorrow,
more walks by the beach, we are going over to Port Cartwright. In the afternoon we are going to my sister's embroidery class in Buderim so I will work on my smocked nightie

Catch you all later

Wool Embroidery

2005-07-17T20:40:00.000+09:30

Not much to report as I have had a horrific time at work. I found that the software wage program I had wasn't calculating properly and it took me two weeks to fix it. We are going away to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland again for two weeks on Saturday, so I have been working to try to get all the accounts done - otherwise I'll have to take them with me YUK.

This is my first attempt at wool embroidery and I really enjoyed it. It is a quick easy project and I think I would like to do more. Kylie has done a couple of beautiful wool embroidered blankets.

My Kirishawl is blocking now and I have been working on the old faithful blue cable cardigan, see below. I have finished the back at long last, now for the second sleeve. I have also been driving myself crazy trying to work out the red cardigan pattern, see below too. How hard can it be. I have knitted and tinked and frogged for hours but I can't seem to get it right.

I started another cardigan for Rowan as my take along project. It is popcorn stitch, but mostly plain knitting.

Rowan's birthday outfit

2005-07-06T21:40:00.000+09:30

One of my lovely commenters asked to see the whole outfit for Rowan's birthday. Kylie made the shirt and dungarees. There are little horses embroidered on the pinwale of the pants. The shirt is actually a fine red check.

New Blogger image posting

2005-07-06T21:27:00.000+09:30

I believe you can put photos directly into your blog now, but I seem to be having problems. you click on the image in the posting window. I did this but nothing happened. Oh well, back to Hello

Warning to Patchworkers

2005-07-02T18:30:00.000+09:30

This post comes with a warning to those who love patchwork. Look away from your screen now.
I have decided that I am not the least bit interested in patchwork. If I ever start another project please send me for treatment. Why on earth would one take perfectly good fabric and cut it up into tiny pieces and resew them together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I worked all day on this project - Saturday is the day I spend sewing. I started this when Lisa was pregnant, and now Rowan's birthday is coming up. The motifs are really cute. The digitiser is Sue Box. My tutor at the sewing shop Marcia designed the quilt and hers looks lovely and took her a weekend (not a whole year) When I finish sewing all the pieces, I still have to back it and quilt it. I have lots of other projects I want to get on with but as with knitting UFO's these things take hold of you and say "FINISH ME"

Grabble's tales

2005-06-29T20:30:00.000+09:30

Grabbles is helping me type so forgive the mistttgasdakes. I have been busy with the new blog, and am so happy that there is an answering chord in other knitters to the problem of the UFO. It must be helping as I haven't started anything new except Merle's jumper.

I love catching up with knitters from all over. I even found a Rugby fan from the west coast of the USA. How about that Tracy, Cathy and Sharon. I think you Taswegians prefer Aussie Rules, and just quietly I do too. I find our Rugby teas a great time for knitting. Usually my friend Francis (a Kiwi) and I sit in one room, and the one eyed husbands and sons sit in the other. I cheer on the All Blacks or the Cantebury Crusaders with her.

I must fix up my blog, but tonight I must do my smocking homework for our lesson at Country Bumpkin tomorrow. I will put up a link to them as soon as I can face my template again. I decided to take a beginning smocking course. I have done quite a few smocked garments, but I had never had lessons. There is always something to learn. Monique our tutor is lovely, as are all the tutors and people in the shop. We will probably go to Stich and Chat on Friday. Kylie and I are going to watch Rowan at his swim lesson (he is 10 months now) and we will take Lisa to lunch, and go on to CB after that.

I have thought of starting a knit group in Adelaide, but I really don't have time. I go to sewing lessons, once or twice a week to improve my hand and machine embroidery skills. (got to get ready for retirement) I work at the Child Care Centre a couple of days a week, and I have to do all the accounts (groan). I also do validation for Quality Accreditation for Child Care and I chair a board of a small non profit organisation. I think of the blogs as my knit and chat groups.

2005-06-28T19:21:00.000+09:30

At last I have finished the cotton jacket for Rowan.

My blog has a mind of its own

2005-06-26T19:08:00.000+09:30

Overnight my blog went quite spakko. I have done what I can to fix it but I am going to have to resort to html for dummies. Please bear with me

2005-06-21T12:36:00.000+09:30

I charted in her name.

New dog coat

2005-06-21T12:28:00.000+09:30

I made Merle another coat which is a bit warmer for the winter. I used up some stash!!

New Blog for UFO's Annonymous

2005-06-18T16:30:00.000+09:30

I thought there was a bit of interest in the idea of creating a team blog to encourage each other to finish our UFO's. I have started one at http://www.knittersanon.blogspot.com . If you want to join give me your contact details and I'll add you to the team.

Ufo's unlimited

2005-06-14T17:02:00.000+09:30

No posts lately because I have nothing but ufo's. I think I am the ufo queen. I have nearly sewed up the cotton jacket (gave up when my fingers got too sore) I am 8 repeats into my Kiri shawl, and halfway up a sleeve of the blue jacket. Then I must finish the red knitting for mum as we are heading for Queensland again at the end of July.
I have curtains to make for the child care centre and they have asked for new cushions too. There are mending jobs and Rowan's quilt, sewing lesson projects as well.
I wondered if I put all my ufo's out and photographed them if I would get inspired. Maybe I would panic. Does anyone see any merit in a UFO Annonymous club? We could buddy up and stop each other from starting new things until we complete what we have started - or am I alone with this problem? I always get excited at starting new things and then the old things become tedious and boring, or too hard.

Winter has finally arrived, and I am sure all the ski fanatics will be cheering as I think those storms we have had are potential snow storms when they reach the mountains. I was down shopping, bear in mind it has hardly rained in 6 months, and when I came out with a trolley full of goods it was pelting down. I was drenched getting the groceries in the car - and freezing. I am glad for the farmers though, as the drought has been so severe for so many of them.

I'm all stitched out

2005-06-06T16:28:00.000+09:30

Hmm, a little bit kitchy, but hey, it took me all day to learn how to do this on my embroidery machine. I am attending three days of workshops with a visiting tutor from USA - Marcia Pollard. This computerised machine embroidery is a whole new learning curve.

First we put all the design elements into the computer and arranged them. This design is in a "grand hoop" and given that the machine can only stitch across half the distance, you have to program in two sides, and tell the machine how to join them up accurately in the middle.

Dare I say it, but if I am to turn this into a cushion it will be yet another ufo to add to my already overloaded conscience.

Not a view of our lake

2005-06-02T20:43:00.000+09:30

Tonight I was greatly inspired by some of the beautiful photojournals on some of my much visited blogs, which show lovely countryside near their homes. When we went for our evening walk with Merle down the lake, I thought I'd take some photos to show everyone how magical it is at night with the lights and reflections. Unfortunately, my digital isn't designed for that and I ended up with black photos with a few dots of lights.
Am I defeated? No! I thought I'd give you a picture of our budgie Grabbles instead. (you don't want to hear about my slow knitting progress)
Grabbles is very much a member of the family and joins in all our conversations. He has a huge vocabulary, and loves everyone including the four cats and the dog. We have nicknamed him Budgie No Fear as he walks right up to the senior cats while they are sleeping.
If we are washing dishes he loves to have a budgie shower under the running tap, and a bath in the dish.
He loves to sit on my hands when I type on the computer.

Watercolour quilt

2005-05-29T20:19:00.000+09:30

As my knitting and other craftwork seem to be stalemated at the moment I thought I would put up this picture of a quilt Kylie and I made. It was a wedding present for her best friend and we took it to Sweden for the wedding, along with the bridesmaid's dress for Kylie.
the quilt is made out of one inch squares in the watercolour technique, (a bit like an impressionist painting). It is hand quilted and it has appliqued motifs on it. Kylie did all the design work.

2005-05-26T13:03:00.000+09:30

The beginning of the Kiri shawl. I have not knitted with fine wool and large needles before and I'm not sure I like the tension, but I think I will keep going anyway. I shouldn't be starting it , but I find that I knit this more for relaxation, when I don't feel like facing tedious projects.

Cotton Jacket

2005-05-20T17:10:00.000+09:30

Yes I am still doing my bit (however slowly) for the baby KAL. This is a cotton jacket for Rowan which Kylie designed to match a beautiful shirt and dungaree set she has made. Only the hood and front bands to go. As this is my "take along project"it may take another week or two

2005-05-20T17:08:00.000+09:30

cotton jacket

I could cry

2005-05-18T20:34:00.000+09:30

I frogged about 10 rows on the front of the cable cardigan where I had first started the pattern and got it wrong. Then I knitted back up about 2 inches and lo and behold - I had forgotten that the knitted on band was in double moss, and clever britches here had done it in single moss. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Maybe I'll cast on my Kiri shawl tonight to compensate myself. I had decided to begin it 2 nights ago but the instructions said to use the waste cast on. Could I find my new Shetland Knitting book - no. I found it this morning where it shouldn't have been, so I might just get started on something for Me.

Cable Mania

2005-05-17T22:24:00.000+09:30

This is what is holding up my knitting progress. It is an adaption of Starmore jacket, but knitted in 5 ply on 3mm needles so it is very dense. I dislike cables but I thought - hey these are just one stitch that couldn't be hard. I have to say it is extremely tedious, and takes for ever - not to mention frogging and tinking all my mistakes. I am a small way up the cable on one front. The bad news is that there is a cable all the way up the sleeves, and over the shoulder - groan.

Knitting genie needed

2005-05-15T09:56:00.000+09:30

Earlier I posted pictures of this cardigan mum started in the 50's or was it the 40's which I want to finish. I cant work out the 2nd row up from the white row. I took this photo through my magnifying embroidery light. It shows the stitches better. I can see that I need to use a bigger needle for some of the rows, but when I try the next row - is it k 3 tog, p3 tog, sl1, k2 tog, psso, or whatever, I get big holes on either side of this which don't look right. Can anyone help with this pattern.

2005-05-15T09:51:00.000+09:30

Another view

Help! Being taken over by chokos (chayotes)

2005-05-13T16:24:00.000+09:30

It is really hard to grow plants in at my place in Adelaide. We are near the beach which means the soil is sandy, and the winds are salty. Also it never rains. We live in the dryest state in the dryest continent. We put some good soil into the vege patch and I planted one choko I bought at the fruit shop. I was amazed when the vine started going crazy, and further amazed when I found a choko growing. Now the vine is everywhere, even on the roof and I have a gazillion chokos. What's the problem you might well ask? We were fed boiled chokos as children and I hated them!!!!!!!!!!!
So far I baked one and it was just edible, and I put one in the zuchinni soup and creamed it up. That worked ok.
I consulted my trusty Australian Women's Weekly Cookbook from the 70's and it told me that chokos make an "unusual and appetising first course at a dinner-party - peeled, halved, boiled and tossed in butter and parsley or french dressing." Hmmm maybe for unwanted guests. It also says that you can fool your friends into thinking they are pears and serve them for dessert. Has anyone tried this????
I wondered about the wisdom of offering them to friends - er I don't like these so maybe you will eat them?
Does anyone have a way of cooking these tasteless things - pickles or maybe curry? Please share it with me

2005-05-12T23:20:00.001+09:30

Tansy loves all our craft activities. Here she is camped in a bag of dress making fabrics.