New Years Day finds me Frogging the socks

Have you ever misjudged guage on a basic so much.
The socks are huge..they wouldn't stay on. So two thirds of the way through the firs sock they are frogged.

Time to look for a more inspiring new years project.

Last Projects for 2008

Finished Bags on Boxing Day for Christmas...Wooo.

Started Socks for me...as a counter to the projects for everyone else!

Thinking through my knitting objectives for next year.

• Knit from stash - really and truly!
• Catalogue Stash and group with targetted projects
• MORE LACE..no really much more lace!
• Knit for me, what I want.
• Finish my Wips or frog them!!!!
• Cardis, jumpers and lace....cardis, jumpers and lace (Oh My!)
• Socks for dh and o

Christmas Projects - Completions (and to Completes)

• Bag for SIL - Knitted and Felted To be Lined Boxing Day
• Bag for Niece - Knitted, Felted and Wrapped.
• Bag for SIL (2) - Knitted, Felted and Lined (top)
• Bag for SIL (3) - Knitted, Felted and Lined (middle)
• Bag for Niece (2) - Knitted, Felted and Lined (bottom)
• Bag/basket for O - Knitted and Felted awaiting Drying To be completed boxing day.

Christmas Projects..progress

Feeling the love and achievement today.

• Bag for SIL - Knitted and Felted
• Bag for Niece - Knitted and Felted
• Bag for SIL (2) - Knitted and Felted (Above)
• Bag for SIL (3) - Knitted and Felted (Above)
• Bag for Niece (2) - 40% Knitted (Above)
• Bag/basket for DD - 80% knitted.

So now the final two bags - today/tonight.

Felting tonight/tomorrow

Lining tomorrow/Wednesday

Gift giving Thursday & Saturday.

ON TRACK! Woo Hoo!

Don't you love when you finish what you started on time!

Christmas Knitting Progress....On Track!

So I have a knitting list for Christmas and it is getting there (the sewing will have to be next weekend!)

The Count

• Bag for SIL - Knitted and Felted
• Bag for Niece - Knitted and Felted
• Bag for SIL (2) - Knitted and Ready to Felt
• Bag for SIL (3) - 20% knitted
• Bag for Niece (2) - Not Started
• Bag/basket for DD - 80% knitted.

Photos....

The Season of Bags Continues

So the bag for the SIL (Eldest Brothers wife) is first.

I have tried something different with the squares following a theme. I think I still love the bold contrasting solids..but it does look lovely.

I have slowed as I had a Christmas function and dh's birthday this week. So not too much knitting on those days.

Blue Bags are Felted

So the blue bags for Christmas are felted and drying.

They have turned out really well.

Very happy with them.

I Guess That's Why They Call it The Blues

Blue Bags ahoy!

All done and ready for felting.

A pair for Mother and Daughter for Christmas!

I am really happy with the way they have come up so far.

The felting should be fun.

Felted Bag Fever

I already have the laundry basket on the go. Only trouble is I can't knit it when the recipient of the intended Christmas present is around.

So, I pull out some other yarn and cast on this Blue Square Bag for the SIL...hopefully another Chrissie Present. It is the Square Dance pattern by Claire Crompton from the book The Knitter's Bible: Knitted Bags. This is the first evening's work.

Energizers

That's great, it starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes, an aeroplane - Lenny Bruce is not afraid.

Lyrics courtesy of REM - It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

I love when you find energizing moments when your life is taxing. In the last few days I have had a few.

• Laughter at impromptu humour - myself and a colleague misunderstanding something and realising at the same time, a colleagues silly mistake, another colleagues quick with.
• Spending time with family (playing Wii and the never ending fitness test)
• Relaxing knitting with the crew at Tapestry Craft this evening - great company, the odd laugh, the odd mental challenge.
• Did i mention laughter...
• Oh yeah and great energy infusing music...like REM.

Great day (in spite of some of the stressful moments).

Day 7 & 8 theme Song Distraction (Gangajang)

Distraction, keeping you away from me
Distraction, keeping me from where I want to be
Distraction, for a moment or a mile,
The days turn into weeks, the weeks keep turning

So what have I been distracted by

• Work...lots of it a new role and little time to get my head around it
• Family & Christmas plans...sorting the extended family out and where we are going to be when (don't mention presents..eek)
• Alternative Knitting projects....I am trying to make something small for O for Christmas....something small a laundry basket to be felted. I know it's bigger than a breadbox...but smaller than a baby elephant.
• And did I mention work.

Day 6 We have progress (Melbourne Cup KAL)

I really like when you start to feel you have some momentum with a knitting project.

Even with actually having to stop because I left my count card (i use file cards) and my pattern at home whilst waiting for dancing lesson to stop. (cafe, coffee, knitting - oops can only do so much!

Even so I am up to the arm shaping and have a huge piece of stocking stitch cotton in Lilac.

I have a suspicion I will need to modify this pattern next time I make it.

Day 4 & day 5 Melbourne Cup KAL Update (not so much)

I have been struck down with a virus. Basically I ache all over and my muscles hurt, even when i do nothing.

I have managed a whopping 2 rows on my Summer Tee (needing a break midway through the second row). I want to knit to relex my mind as it is all over the shop too, however i just cant physically do so.

Summer Tee Day 4

Not much knitting yesterday but a lot of Wii to move my mind to other things.

I did manage to finish the section of the Summer Tee without shaping and witness a discussion about the NSW Knitters Guild on Ravelry which is proving fascinating.

A photo for those interested!

Summer Tee Day 3.

I am happily making some progress. Completing the second decrease and starting on the waist.

I am actually going to complete this KAL in reasonable time (I hope!)

Melbourne Cup KAL Day 2 (Summer Tee)

Progress after the frogging has been steady. The colour looks much brighter in this photo than it does when i am knitting. The dress (this was photographed draped partly across my lap) is true to colour.

Notes for next time: try the yarn at tighter tension to get a more dense fabric.

One Leap Forwards Two Leaps back..

The joys of swatching and getting guage and knitting and getting huge stretch!

Yesterday I cast off Gabi Blue ready for blocking. With a house full of visitors incuding my niece it wasn't really appropriate to lay it out. As such I moved straight on to the Summer Tee. Somehow I have misplaced the yarn in the colourway i planned so i went hunting for an alternative Lilac BWM Cotton it is!

I settled on knitting one size, it would be a bit loose, but I could adjust as I went. I figured with the flare at the hips that would be fine.

After knitting about 30 rows I realised I had about 15 extra centimetres around (well in excess of the difference between the 2 sizes. Suffice to say it would have swum on me. As such I have frogged the lot and cast on for the smaller size so my progress is only about 6 rows.

Gabi B Moving Along Nicely

After Sleeve 1 was some sort of knitting time vortex and seemed to take forever Sleeve 2 is a joy.

It is progressing quite quickly with only 3 pattern repeats to go before the rib section commences. I am hoping to gallop through it in front of the tv today and with family round tomorrow.

I can then make a late start on the Melbourne Cup KAL (Summer Tee) for which the progress has been to move the cotton yarn around the lounge room!

I Remember When i Was Young....

(Lyric courtesy of Chain - Australian band of the 60's and 70's)

Tonight I revisited a venue I had not been to in a while.
Many years ago when i was still at the "going out every Friday night" stage (and many other nights as well). I used to frequent the Bristol Arms Hotel (Retro).

The venue is renowned for it's classic music of the eighties (and now 90's and even early 00's).
When I used to go I was much younger and drank way more and danced way more than I do now! No really!

Tonight I was there to farewell a colleague, the music was much more modern (I mean how retro is Sneaky Sound System?) and incredibly louder (or I am just much older and crankier!).

That said cartoons and drinks and laughs were had by all (and I am home before nine!)...I guess that means I am getting older, more responsible or something.

All the more time to knit and be with the family this weekend. Maybe I can finally finish Gabi.

Did I mention I was in flat shoes (none of those mad heels for me, thank you very much!).

Knitting in absentia

I have had a wonderful weekend away celebrating the wedding of an old friend in the wine region of Mudgee.

Wedding on a Vineyard, reception at a winery. Drinking at the wine bar in town on the night before the wedding. Relaxing, fun and casual.

I managed to finish the first sleeve of Gabi, and cast on the second, this pattern is working me hard. I am definitely finding the progress slower than expected. I suspect it is also slowed by work eing taxing at the moment.

Knit alongs.38 Morgan Petersha
Melbourne Cup KAL Progress to date (official start date was 4th of November) 0% (Summer Tee)

Southern Summer of Socks - Target for October 1 pair, progress for October 0 pairs (and no progress).

Slow Going on the Knitting Front

Work and family are conspiring to keep me from knitting. I can't quite point out how or why. But my progress has been slow recently.

I have finally finished the front on Gabi Blue and have started the sleeves and whilst I am knitting the progress is not as fast as it feels (ie I am knitting some but not seeing the rewards).

Perhaps a night out, extra heavy on the thinking side on the work front and some late nights and sheer exhaustion adding to the frey. Hopefully this weekend or this week we will have the components of Gabi Blue done...so i can get ready for the Summer KAL on Ravelry.

Tipping Point - Do Knitting Projects have tipping points

Hmmmm..as a avid Sock knitter, as well as venturing to other projects I have been contemplating if a Knitting Project has a tipping point. The point at which the effort so far has been slow and painful but you then sail into the home stretch.

Currently I am being relatively faithful to Gabi Blue - My Blue Cotton lace jumper/sweater.
Both the front and back have significant decreases that progress slowly 2 stiches every 8 rows then 2 stitches every 6 rows. They both start at 220+ stitches and it seems to be until i reach the 200 mark that rows take forever and i can't get my rhythym going. Then a switch flicks and it is like sailing home...swish, swish, click, clack and ten, then 20cm is complete....but the first 10cm's that took hours, days, weeks even.

I find this with socks...but they have the "fooooooooooooooooooooot" for top down, and the "leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeg" for bottom up that puts a huge slow section in the middle.

It's interesting because once you reach that point it is a quick and relaxing end. Let's hope the front of Gabi Blue is over soon. Then I can start on the sleeves (which start under the 200 stitches) so hopefully will be quick, quick, quick.

An Evening with A National Living Treasure

Last night I ventured out to the Opera House to see Paul Kelly.

He, along with Paul Grabowski have re-arranged a whole heap of Pauls music with God as a theme (Some of the connections were tenuous). They have teamed up with the Australian Art Orchestra, The Ladies Bull (Vika & Linda) and The Choir with No Name (As they were referred to..as they had not yet found themselves a name). The event was called Meet me in the Middle of the Air.

A fabulous evening of soul, blues, rock, gospel and good company. It reminds you that we have talented musicians. A few songs in and you are reminded of the significant difference between Linda's beautiful clean diva sound and Vika's magic dirty R&B/Soul voice.

If you have a chance to check out any of the AAO's events whether teamed with an artist like Ruby Hunter or Archie Roach or not you really should - they are a revelation.

Stash Enhancement

Generally this year I have been pretty good and not added too much to my stash.


In the last week or 2 a handful of events have conspired against me

1. A Bendigo Woollen Mills new Cotton range with black, red and brown it was too tempting. Did I mention it was on sale?


2. Lincraft in the Sydney CBD is closing down and is offering 33% off. I don't use much lincraft brand wool, but their cosy wool felts beautifully. So a huge bag of yarn later....hiding in the wardrobe for Christmas presents.

Photo of the BWM hall below

Blue Gab gets some work and the Collapsing Computer

Don't you love when life throws you little curve balls. My computer decided it wasn't going to play nice on the Friday of the long weekend (now lost weekend!). DH spend most of the weekend rebuilding her Saturday was just trying to rescue as much as we could off the damaged primary harddrive.

Saturday night and Sunday he spent reinstalling software.

Monday was spent trying to recover all the items on my Ipod..danm you itunes!

As such i spent the weekend knitting (And playing Wii with O - but that is a different story).

I managed to finish the back of Blue Gab and have since cast on the front, I am very pleased with it as you can see above.

Tide Pooling

Check this out!

Blue with a touch of green, burgunday, golden orange, yellow, yellow green and maroon.

Birthdays are best spent...

With friends - laughing, drinking, eating and relaxing.
And that is exactly what i did!

Lunch, drinks and some sticky date at the local pub with beer garden.
Morphing into an evening with Dr Who and my mum..and yet...it was a day of love and laughter...just what the doctor ordered.

Dh gave me a Wii (which he and O have spent the first day of the school hols playing whilst I am at work), a new compact digital camera and a great hat in purple (my colour!)

Lots of wine, some scented candles and the odd gift voucher...and I am just happy to spend some time with family and friends.

Bonus Birthday present was the new Rockin' Sock Club yarn ..Tide pooling that looks pretty great.

FLS Finished! Progress on Blue Gab(rielle)

Knitting, knitting, sitting, knitting. More sitting than knitting in the end!

Don't you hate it when you are all set for a knit and a chat and you run out of yarn.
Thinking you put another ball in the bag, but obviously not - as it isn't there. That is exactly what happened to me at the Stitch 'n' Bitch last night.

My knitting has been productive. I finally sewed on the buttons for my FLS and she turned out beautifully. I even got a chance to wear her before the weather got too warm. The buttons are great (if i do say so myself)

I have also made much progress on the Gabrielle (Rowan 43) in the maritime colourway (Bendigo Woollen Mills 4 ply cotton). Knitting up qucikly, with an easy to remember pattern (even with no instructions on when/where/how to decrease) and the soft, soft, soft bendigo cotton.

Finishing WIPS and Blocking FLS

So Anya is complete, blocked and ready to wear! Looking shiny and yummy (almost good enough to eat...well it is called Chocolate Anya!

My FLS is blocking (after removing the white constantly sheding cat) quite well.

I purchased some stunning buttons today to wear...a little unusual but they caught my eye.

Blocking Chocolate Anya

I love a morning when you make lots of progress!


With the sun promising to provide a warm day I have done a load of washing, dishes, cleaned the kitchen. An initial tidy and assessment of the dining room (Our leftover bits room at the moment) and set up Chocolate Anya for Blocking (in addition to enjoying the Wollmeise Sock Club Package!).

I love the sound of completing a project in the morning!

Finally My Wollmeise Arrives

Finally my lovely Wollmeise Sock Club package has arrived...Yummy yarn, needles and there was a choccie as well.

Blue Gab

I have swatched for the Blue Gab (Gabrielle) in the Maritime colourway.

I had to start a couple of times, as I did it at the end of a workday/workweek (Since I have today off to get some things organised). Note to self - do not start swatching new relatively complicated pattern at 8 at night after a massive week

Today brings more cotton knitting and hopefully some blocking and sewing up.

Oh yeah and some cleaning, storing and locating a missing ipod. (it is definitely in the house but I suspect it has been put into the pile of yet to be unpacked boxes!)

Knitting in Spring & Summer..oh and some WIP Update

As the weather turns warm and then a little warmer knitting big cardigans in thick wool is becoming not so much fun.

Luckily, I have finished all the knitting for My February Lady Sweater. I just need to buy some buttons. Tomorrow I will head to All buttons Great and Small to find the perfect match.
I will have to Block

Weather permitting I should get to finish Dark ivy in the next few days...all the knitting bar the neck extension at the back is done..its the sewing up in warm weather I am avoiding.

And the Chocolate Anya still needs blocking (I know I am slack).

As the weater has warmed Tulip has been liberated and I am also swatching for a Gabrielle by Sarah Dallas. Roll on Summer for cotton knits and colours both pale and bold!

I have been trawling Ravelry for the best in Summer knitting and have queued many a summer top! So my knitting appetite is inspired.

EZ Baby Sweater on 2 needles Again!

When in doubt reach for an Elizabeth Zimmerman Pattern
2 days from Start to finish. You can't beat that.

Yarn: Shepherd Colour 4 Me 8ply.

This pattern is interesting to knit, quick, and looks great in any yarn.

With the Scarf On

The Scarf looks good on!

WIP Progress & FFO (Finally Finished Objects)

As you can see Light 'n' Easy/Breezy is done - blocked quickly due to the open lace and looks even better in brighter light. Pity it is a greyish day here.

Chocolate Anya is progressing I am nearly at the end of the second lace repeat. Which puts me on track to start the third one this morning. I predict a finish this week.

It is such a joyous feeling to be completing items and loving the finished product.

I can't wait to wear Anya and see L'n'E in action.

Another Day of Blocking and Lace

Finally the Light'n' Easy/Breezy scarf is blocking. It's a little dark (no light at night). So I will take one when it dries in the morning. But it is soft and colourful and I can't wait to see how it goes after blocking with all the lace opening up.

On the knitting front I am sailing through the second lace repeat on the Chocolate Anya. It's so much easier when you know what the pattern is doing. Additionally the pattern is very intuitive in the placing of the the Yarn overs, SSK and K2tog. The Knittery 2ply Silk Merino is a gorgeous choice. I cannot wait to see how this will look blocked and ready to wear.

Perfectly Matched

One of the challenges of being a knitter in Australia with access to the world of patterns is yarn-substitution. You are never really sure if the yarn you substitute will have the right drape, colour or if the guage will remain consistent with the swatch (when you do it!).





This of course is followed by the pattern variation. I just want to change this from what the designer intended.





There is an amazing joy and satisfaction in picking the right yarn, right colour, and having your variations work.





Anya was a pattern I found on Ravelry by accident. I liked the look but didn't like the purl rows every other row so i swapped it to give the background more stocking stitch with a garter stitch edge.





The Knittery's Lace Silk Merino was my pick...and it is gorgeous to knit with, every stitch is a pleasure. I thought it would look great as an Anya and I needed something brown to go with a couple of brown outfits I have and thought the Chocolate Colourway would be pretty good. So good you can eat it!





I have been unbelievably lucky lucky and it has turned out beautifully. This photo probably doesn't show it off as much as it could...However, wait until i finish her and she gets blocked. I predict a Stunner in the making.

I knit because....

It is amazing how the current knitting project or book I am engrossed in is a counter balance to work or family life.

If my work or family life is hectic or stressful or mentally taxing my knitting will be simple - lots of garter stitch and stocking stitch with only a little pattern.

Examples are the Film Festival Socks, Even Dark ivy was a simple pattern that allowed me to get through hospitalisation and a season of reviews and budgeting at work.

When my work or family life is quiet and not taxing enough my knitting will be cables and lace to vex and challenge me. Such as Anya or Juno Regina (Which I and many others have been wrestling with for some time).

Dh and a former colleague and friend once said my knitting was about me wanting to control something from start to finish. I acknowledge this may be a little bit true since my work is all about negotiating and co-ordinating with others to achieve things (projects or individual development) and was probably very true at the time of the comment (over five years ago).

Now I am convinced it is supplementing my reading. I have always been somone that has multiple books on the go usually one fiction and one non-fiction - biography or commentary. They tend to range from the easy/enjoyable reads to the complex detailed. I will reach for the easy to read when my brain has been busy. I will reach for the complex when my brain is crying out for something meaty.

Right now I am switching between the mindlessness of a fun Chick Lit and Billy Bragg's recent offering. Spending more time on the Chick Lit (The review budget season is not quite over yet!).


I am enjoying the act of anticipating some time with Billy on the weekend.

Maybe I will liberate Anya from her moving hibernation as my fingers are itching for some lace.

A Season of Blocking!

With the dining room now returned from an oddysey in Backdrops for the School Band Fundraiser and my blocking boards rescued from the shed after the move. Let the blocking commence.

First up is Dark Ivy which I now only have the neck band to join across the back and the ties to complete.

After that is the Light 'n' Easy/Breezy Scarf.

I can't wait to have these finished and be able to wear Dark Ivy!