Sewing References

How to Resize a Pattern (generic)
Adjustments and Sizing (pattern alterations for specific areas)
Seams Hoppo Bumpo
handy Tips for New Sewers Hoppo Bumpo
Zips


Wrap Skirt
Tote bag
Twirly Skirt
Project Bags

Japanese Pattern Translation
label-free How To Japanese Craft Books

2010 Knitting a Year in Review

This year there was a lot of knitting done.

There is also a bit left to finish (WIPs for Christmas anyone?). I also managed to participte in workshops as part of the Inner City Group - knitwear fitting and design (Swatching!).

I have also started the NSW Knitter's Guild Achievement Certificate Level 1 (first part submitted).

Presenting the finished kniting of 2010.

From top left

1. Sacred Socks in Supertwist Merino by Knitabulous - Sacred Forest
   
2. Rainbow Clapotis in my own Handspun, spun for stripes (Fibre from Ewe Give Me The Knits)
   
3. You Call That Yellow Socks in Supertwist Merino by Knitabulous - Acid Test
4. Wast Side Shawl in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock - Lucky
5. Fruit Tingles Baby Sweater (February) in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock - Goody Goody
6. Mountain View Cardigan in Euroflax Sports Weight Linen - Purple
7. Annis Shawl in La Drogourie Alpaga (the yarn a gift from LynS)
8. Susie Hoodie in Cascade 220 = Purple Heathers
9. Stardust in The Knittery Silky Merino - Purple Night
10. Winter Sunshine Bolero in Supertwist Merino by Knitabulous - Acid Test
11. Green Socks for a Green Thumb in The Granny Square Special Edition Hand-Dyed
    
12. Jade DragonFly (Entomology) - in my own Handspun Optim (Dyed by Ms Gusset)
13. PSC in Arrears (August) in The Knittery Slim Sock Merino - Royal Velvet
14. Rose Petal Slouch in Needlefood Worsted - Purple
15. In Case of Emergency Break out the Socks in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Multi - Watercolor
    
16. Sophie Swift in Bendigo Luxury 4ply - Iris Mist
17. Swatches for the Workshop at the Knitters Guild in NSW
18. BrandyWine Shawl in Lush Silk Merino - Trophy
19. Clapotis in Coloured Jules Wool on the Web -Blue/Purple
20. Anni Ishbel in TwistyToes 2 ply by Yarn Lust - Crush
21. Clothilde in my own Handspun Angora Blend totally Eighties inspired (Ixchelbunny Fibre)
22. Linda K's Yummy Mummy Wristwarmers in Hand-dyed yarn from Tasmania
23. Tweed Baby Blanket in Bendigo Luxury 4-ply - Grey and Iris Mist
24. Hokey Pokey Socks in Needelfood Sock - Hokey Pokey
    

Craft For Christmas

Meet The Knitting Muse a Christmas present now residing over my knitting corner.

In addition to the knitting muse I got a Wild Flyer for my Spinning Wheel and another plying bobbin. I might have dropped a few hints.

I also got a gorgeous shawl pin (from O) that i haven't been able to photograph yet. Other presents were Epic Mickey for the Wii, Bookshop vouchers (Yay) and a string of amethysts (like a string of pearls) they are just gorgeous.

Knitting Completions The 2nd

My niece loves putting on my Ishbel shawl when she comes over. I had some Yarn Lust in Crush colourway that I ordered specially. I cast on Saturday afternoon and only did ABACDE in the sections so it was incredibly quick and I finished it Sunday. All that is left is to block and wrap!

Sophie was started late November and along with the February Baby Sweater will make a great welcome to the world present for a colleagues new bub.

Don't you love when you get a heap of work done?

Knitting Completions

I have been knitting but not on big projects. First Up I have been undertaking the Samples for the NSW Knitter's Guild's Achievement Certificates (Number 1). The pieces are blocking above. Now for presentation, labelling and packaging/posting.



I knit up a Baby Sweater on Two Needles (February Baby Sweater) a wonderful Elizabeth Zimmerman Pattern. I have called it Fruit Tingles because the Socks That Rock Lightweight yarn knits up exactly like fruit tingles. The sweater is for a colleague that had her baby about 6 weeks early. It took about 5 and a half days. So quick, so easy, so gorgeous.

2011 The Year for Knitting From Stash

I am making 2011 the year for knitting from stash as I have Garment Quantities of many yarns as well as more sock yarn than I can knit in a couple of years.

Alongside the Super Special Six Pattern Sock Club I will be trying to have a steady stream of cardigans and T's on the go as well as a few shawls. It might be ambitious but setting up a schedule will help me make some progress.

I will be cataloguing the garment quantities of yarn leading up to New Years in the interests of transparency. If I say I will do it I will likely do it (or most of it at least).

Progress Review Paul Kelly - How to Make Gravy

How to make Gravy by Paul Kelly




This book is a revelation.
Written lists, anecdotes, histories and stories give you such insight into Kelly's passions, his beliefs, his song-writing process.

Accompanied by Music (available on iTunes or CD's) the reading is enhanced by listening to versions of most of the songs hand picked by Kelly.

Be warned you will go looking for music and books referenced.



View all my reviews

Personal Sock Club with A Twist

A few weeks ago an idea that had been raised by LynS earlier this year began to form into something a little more structured.

The Super Special Six Pattern Sock Club (S62011) took form.

In a nutshell it's a personal sock club with a Twist. The Twist is a group of us all sign-up and we select six patterns for us all to knit at the same time over the course of 2011

• 6 patterns for the year
• We all knit the same pattern at the same time
• Using yarn put away for the year from our existing stash (wrapped)
  

Wild Card - each member gets a wild card that can be excercised to vary from the selected sock pattern at the time.

Dates

• Start 1 January Socks Due
• 28 February
• 30 April
• 30 June
• 31 August
• 31 October
• 31 December

I started to search through my Sock Yarn Stash (only the Purple) and manged to go from

This

To This

Knitting Update
Sophie Swift is nearly done (up to the ears)
Knitter's Guild Certificate - Knitting Done for all the samples ready for blocking and a little bit of sewing up
Shipwreck Shawl - Still doing the edging

Reading Update
Paul Kelly - How to Make Gravy
I am now up to the Third Night (So just over half way through).
This book is fantastic I am enjoying every page and the accompanying music.
The anecdotes and items are starting to build threads with previous songs and is starting to build. Honestly, you could easily read this by dipping in at any point and not miss anything.