A Big Few Weeks!

Finally got my invite to Ravelry!! So have spent a bit of precious knitting time perusing that and am finding it pretty good. I am KnittingInOz on there.

Finally finished my September KAL's with my dishcloth group! The first was Zig Zag by Kayleen Clements which you can see here. This was a really good knit and it was really easy too. The mid-month one is Snowy Drops by Andi Worthy which I just finished yesterday and will post a pic of as soon as the batteries for the camera have recharged. I do have to admit to a mistake which I did not notice until quite a few rows later so I did (and I hang my head but I was sick with a 24 hr vomiting bug!) leave it and just kept going. I am not particularly good at unknitting especially when it involves multiple rows. But I do know what I must of done so that is a good thing at least!!! :)

This months first KAL is a round dishcloth which I have never tried before so it should be fun (hopefully) and definately something new.

In other news, Dave and I put an offer in on a house and it has been accepted. Which is good. The building and pest reports have come back good too. So we are just now waiting on the go ahead from our bank. As soon as we have that we can sign the contracts and start packing!! It is a good house, while not my dream house it is a house that checks all our boxes and will make a good investment.

Hopefully this week will finally see me roll the alpaca into managable balls, get on with the round dishcloth and get the "on circs" scarf finished!

Quick Update!!!

Just started work last week and I have been soooo tired. I am part-time but for the first two months I will be full time. But I have kept trundling along with my knitting! I started a scarf on circulars, I have never used them and just want a "try it out" project. It is coming along nicely and I especially like how the "grain" runs long ways. I am still working on my lace project and I will take some pics as soon as I remember to put the batteries in the recharger!!!

The socks have been officially frogged. May they rest in peace.

Scarves!

Well here is a pic of the partially completed Bright Column Scarf done in the green/white variegated yarn which is a baby soft 4 ply. I am loving how quickly it is coming along, perhaps that is due to the pattern repeating every 6 rows so you feel like you a flying through it!

You can just see the horrible red plastic needles I am working with, they just aren't pointy enough for all the p2tog and k2tog that are in the pattern. That's my computer table, it is a lovely old wooden table with turned legs that I have grand plans of sanding back and re-varnishing but alas it still hasn't made it that far. Perhaps one day when the pigs are flying.

I don't think I can really call this a scarf, it is a bit too short for that. It is actually meant to be short as it is (as I call it) a Tuckeriner. It tucks in to that space between your coat and your neck with out the bulkiness of a full scarf.

I started this late late last night while watching The Sopranos. I had an itch to knit but wanted something brainless while I was watching tv. This is just a couple of balls from my stash. A chocolate brown acrylic (fairly generic) and a ball of Emotive Hip which is in a nice purpley blue. Pretty happy with the colour mix and it is all done and waiting to be sent to my sister.

Going to have to sit down and work out what knitting to take with me to Sydney. Can't have anything on the plane like knitting needles - especially during APEC. Security is pretty tight in Sydney at the moment with so many countries leaders here. They should have these sorts of meetings in the outback, not a soul in hundreds of kilometres! :)

Psst!

Don't tell the socks but I may have accidentally started this scarf! Oops! Don't know how it happened - one minute I was just thinking about it and then there it was cast on and sitting patiently waiting for me. What's a girl to do? I am doing it in a variegated green and white and it is very very soft. The only problem is the needle size needed is 5.5mm and the only pair I have in that size are plastic - which I hate knitting with. On the bright side I am obviously trying to improve my fortitude and extend my level of patience!

I sent Aunty Wilma her plain jane dishcloth, I am hoping she will actually use this one! Still haven't made one for myself. I am hoping to join a dishcloth knit-along as this maybe the one way I will get some for myself. Keeps those knitting vibes happening too.

What am I going to do about those socks?

Another Dishcloth!

Those poor poor socks. I don't mean to neglect them! Honestly! But my Aunty is claiming that the last dishcloth is STILL too good to use so I have started knitting one in simple garter stitch - now she will HAVE to use it! I am thinking that I will make some plain garter stitch ones for myself in the knobbly cotton I have, I am "hoping" and that is a huge hope, to get a couple done this week before I start work.

I have been FLYING like a champ giving my house a very thorough clean before next week. It is going to be such a massive change for the whole family. It will need some adjustment but I have been running through all the changes with the kids (mainly Wes as Amelia is only 2 after all) so that they know exactly what will be happening etc.

I am currently searching the Internet for a lace scarf pattern that would be a good introduction for a complete beginner like me. I know I shouldn't be looking for yet another project in waiting but I have a bit of a hankering after seeing this one at knitty.com but I am worried it may be too advanced for a baby lace knitter! What do you think?

Socks have Moved!

I am about 2/3 the way through the gusset, I really hate this part. But by hook or crook they are going to be finished. Part of the reason they are taking so long is that I have some other sock wool that I want to use and I think I am seeing them as block to getting to the new yarn - ahhhh I am a fickle mistress!!! I also have a itching to do a lace scarf, start Wesley's jumper and Amelia's cardigan with that "new" wool I got last Saturday!! Too much!!! Plus I also go a part-time job that starts in about a week. So less time. Thankfully I have just put all the Fly lady stuff into place and am organised! Yes wonders never cease.

Here is a pic of the absolutely GORGEOUS tote my Mum made me for my birthday - it is lovely. I had been admiring another one like it she had made so she made me one too! It was such a great suppose as I had no idea at all!

I really really need to finish that sock, it is like a mar on my knitting - I don't feel like I can do my other things till its done.

Garage Sale Bargain

We went garage saling this morning. And I found this. It is a dusky pink (much pinker than in the picture though) and it is 40% Alpaca and 60% Courtelle, I have just weighed it and it comes in at a spit above 500 grams and I paid the princely sum of $5. Thats Aussie dollars too! I wish I had gotten there earlier!!

Don't ask about those socks, I will just say see the photo below as they look JUST LIKE THAT! lol!!!

As I am trying to become a FLYgirl (http://www.flylady.com/) I am seriously going to have to make some dishclothes for myself. I have all the stuff I just need to do, as Flylady says to set out a clean dishcloth and teatowel everynight for the next day and I want nice dishclothes!!!

Back to the Needles!

Now that I am finally well, with only the odd sniffle and cough lingering about, I can get back to my socks! Those socks are starting to take on epic status. I did manage to finish the second discloth for my Aunty Wilma in the purple and orange checkered pattern. I just need to get to the broadripple socks that are in this state. Poor things must feel unloved!!! I have only another half inch to go before I start the heel and lets face it, once you have done the heel the rest seems to go really quick. I must get to them tonight at least for 30 mins or so..... but to do that I better make like a bandit and get dinner and kids ready. So off I pop.

Back to Gunnedah

Again. Lordy I still feel like rubbish and now I have spread the love to Wes so he will be coming with me and staying, so no school for him until Monday. Poor kid, his cough is hacking. Still no more work done on my knitting. I am doubly resentful at this flu, firstly for making me sick and secondly for making me miss valueable knitting time. I am such a sad sap.

I just went and took this photo of the flowers my husband bought me for my birthday (yeah they are a week old now) . If you only knew how much it pains him to spend good money on something that dies you'd know how lovely it was to get them!!!

Sick as a Dog!

I have a terrible flu, coughing, sneezing, aching bones and very sore eyes. The sore eyes part is really crappy cause it makes it hard to knit. I am still trying to struggle on with my broadripple socks the first one is about a third done so not much progress there. Though I did knit my sister a mobile phone cover like the one I did my Mum. I ended up casting on another dishcloth for my Aunty Wilma as she is thinking of framing the angel one I sent her. Thankfully her results came back no for cancer. I am knitting a checkered one for her this time, in two strands of cotton, one mercerised and the other not. Makes it easy to knit but also good and tight for scrubbing!

I am so tired!

Off to Gunnedah!

Heading off this afternoon, so no blogging for few days. Oh No!!! LOL!!!

Had to frog my socks 12 rows in as Amelia pulled out one of my needles and there was no picking up that many stitches. So I had to restart that. I am now about 3 rows into that. Last night I had to put the socks down as the pattern takes quite a bit of concentration.

So not wanting to stop knitting, I looked through my new Hollywood Knits book and found this cute mobile phone cover. It is a no-brainer really with 65 rows of knit and purl. The only 'thinking' bit was in the gap for the display screen. I had to add a couple of stitches in width and I changed the clasp from the snap the pattern asked for to a button and loop as I didn't have any snaps and wanted to get it done to give to my Mum tomorrow. A cute bit of nonsense but I like it! I am taking all my books and folders with me to show my sister as I thought she might like to try something more challenging than a scarf, maybe a dishcloth or beanie.

Heres to hoping I am back on Sunday with at least one Broadripple sock done!

Today's My Birthday!!!

Yep, big 33 years old today. I am hurrying through my housework (bleh!) to be able to sit on my butt and knit. It is my birthday after all!!!

I finished Amelia's socks last night. I mucked up a little - not that you can actually see it just that I know. It happened as I didnt understand the pattern halfway through and had to change it to four needles and base it on a pattern I did understand. Though in one way I should be glad as it shows that I am getting more confidence as before I would of frogged it and started fresh with a new pattern.

When I sit down to knit today I am casting on for my Broadripple socks from knitty.com. I have some self striping wool that ranges from dark blue to vibrant aqua and am itching to get started. From my best friend I got a knitting book (I so love her), it is Hollywood Knits by Suss Cousins and there are some absolutely beautiful designs in it and I particularly love her colour choices. I suck badly at colour choice so this book is just right for me!

Angel Off - Socks On

Finished Aunty Wilma's Angel dishcloth last night. It came out really well but no photo as my camera is crap. I really need something with a zoom, this one is really just a point and click variety. So I posted that and the marmalade off to her this morning before going to Wesley's Sports Carnival.

I did take Amelias sock pattern with me and my needles and yarn but this silly duck did not read the instructions properly and it requires 5 needles and I only had a 3.25mm 4 pack. Bummer. Anyway I have come home and cast the 32 stitches on and spread them over the four needles, so they are officially "on the needles"!

I can see that I am going to have to buy some more double pointed needles as I only have sizes 3.25mm and 3mm. How tragic - I will have to go to the yarn store - boo hoo NOT!!!

First Socks!!

Yeah, I have finished Wesley's socks and I am itching to start my next pair! Love them socks! The cuff is too short as I did these with less than a full ball, so I had to be a bit tight with the cuff. If I had known they'd turn out so well I would not have skimped on them! There are a couple of mistakes but they are my first and I think they are great!

Next time I do a pair for Wes I must remember that he has really high arches so I will have to find a pair that accomodates that.

I am half way through Aunty Wilma's Angel dishcloth and am determined to finish it tonight so it can be posted tomorrow! It is in purple cotton as that was the only cotton I had left that would have been enough, of course I could have used two strands of 4 ply but I didnt think about that until just now - genius I am! LOL!

Nooooooo!!!!!!!!

I have got to calm down! I just had to rescue Wesley's second sock (yes still on the needles) from the resident two year old. I think I lost a few years off my life there. I have now given her two pencils and a small bit off left over yarn. Crisis over - well I hope so as I haven't given it a close inspection yet, I don't think I could cope!

My Aunty is rather sick, so I am thinking of sending her a jar of the lemon marmalade I made last week and quickly knitting up a dishcloth and putting them in a little box with a letter. I think she will really love it as she is one who appreciates the time spent. She has just had her 70th birthday and hasn't really been well for the last few months. Hopefully tests on Friday will find out what is going on so it can be properly sorted.

I have to get those socks finished asap, I got 6 balls of striping yarn for a bunch of socks and I want to get started. I am one of those knitters (so I have found) that need to get a project completed before I can move onto the next, the exception being dishclothes since they are so quick to do. I tried having four things going at once but it really felt like I was getting nowhere fast! Totally have to stop procrastinating and actually finish the socks because apparently they don't knit themselves!!!

Heap of Stuff!

Lordy Lordy Lordy, I am sooo behind in updating this blog. I have made a pile of stuff. And sadly I didnt take pics of it all! :(

So I am totally in love with knitting! I have just finished my first sock and am half way through my second. I can fully recommend http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/SockClass_Start.htm to help you learn all the basics. It has fantastically clear instructions with pictures of every stage.

Well to what I have been up to.......

David's Basketweave scarf, for those winter morning walks to work - I made this from some 8ply maroon acrylic that I had from ages ago, when I was going to make a travel blanket for car trips. The pattern is a free one from KnittingDaily.com and it is all knit and purl. Comes out fabulously.

I also got a baby jumper pattern out of the Guardian Angel winter knit for charity book. It is worked in two strands of 4ply Patons Big Baby yarn. I thought to try this jumper as I want to make jumpers and wanted to get an idea of construction and some of the techniques that I would need. It has a few mistakes but nothing horrific and I am sure it will find a happy home for a little baby somewhere.

Not sure if you can see the colours very well but it is a pale green and a peachy colour. Lovely and soft too. The button at the neck is a little flower. I love looking a buttons - there are some absolute cuties out there.

I have also made Lydia a purple and white beanie and scarf for her birthday. Purple is totally Lydia's colour and the hat came out very similar in colour combination to one of those Billabong Ski Hats! I was amazed as the purple was very vivid (See what I mean?). I did knit that with two 8ply strands for extra snugness. When Lydia got her's, Erica, her youngers sister wanted it for herself. Happily I made Erica a pink on pink hat, scarf and (to try out something new) some mittens. I stitched a 'L' on the left cuff and a 'R' on the right one. I was really pleased with the way the mittens turned out. My mum had made Amelia a pair and had sent me the pattern to try so this was a good excuse. Both sets came out so nicely I wish I had taken a photos of the finished items.

I have done piles of dishclothes but have given them all away! I did make one for my friend Trish and here is a pic of it. I made it with 8 ply cotton on 4.5 mm needles. I am going to post that off today to her. I hope you can see the heart motiff that is on it. I got that pattern from: ttp://freepatterns.k1p1keepingyouinstitchesstudio.com/ewa.html

On the needles as I said I have Wesley's second sock and a chevron discloth for me (finally!!!). I am hoping to get both of those finished by Friday so I can start Amelia's basic crew socks. I plan to do a few pairs of basic socks first but I can tell you I am completely mad to do some others!

Back to the Beginning

Due to having a dropped stitch in Annie's hat that I couldnt work out how to fix I have had to rip it back to the beginning!!! I was about three quarters of the way done!

On the bright side, this time I am going to use a smaller needle as the 6mm just makes it too loose with the lower than recommended ply that I have.

Oh well it is all a learning experience. I also added a pic of my hat and scarf!

Big thanks go to my Mum (Hey Joanie) and Uncle Ronnie for giving me heaps and heaps of yarn to start knitting with. Yay free wool!!! My stash has grown tremendously already. I have got it all in a plastic bags that my bed quilt came in. Looks mighty good!

Scarf - Curly but Done

The stocking stitch scarf is done and curled. I actually dont mind the way it looks so I am not going to undo it.

However, towards the end I did drop a stitch and using books and the internet I tried to work out what to do to pick it up and I just couldn't. I tried and tried and I just could not work it out. Now you cant actually see it due to the curl but I do know that it is there.

I wish I knew someone to help me out. If someone could just show me I think I would be right. At least the lack of knowing means I will be more vigilant!

Just started Annie's hat. Trying to get it done by Saturday. Wish me luck!

I am a Beginner!!

I have just started knitting, and I have to say I am loving it! I only started three weeks ago!

I learned to knit when I was a young girl, but I only ever did about ten to twenty rows of a scarf and then threw it away as boring. However last year my SIL gave me a knitting book for my birthday. I really liked some of the stuff in there but didnt do anything about it until now. I had to teach myself the continental cast-on as I couldnt remember how to do the other style I had been shown, which is a bit of a blessing as I love the long tail cast on, easy peasy. I also had to "phone a friend" regarding why my purl was coming out wrong! Well actually it was "phone a workmate of my sisters" but got fabulous advice. It is hard learning when no-one you know is a knitter but there is some great resources on the internet (thank heavens!) with videoes and pics which are just what I need. I also successfully taught myself to bind off! It is a good feeling when it goes right.

So I have finished my first item which is a Beanie for my daughter. It looks pretty good considering I used the wrong ply. I will post a pic as soon as I get some more batteries for the camera.

I am working on a matching scarf that is in stocking stitch. I thought it would be great cause it would match the hat but it is curling along the edges and I have since found out that is a problem when using stocking stitch for something like that. Bummer. I am loathe to unknit it as I am more than halfway done. I am thinking I will finish it then block it and reassess then.

I am also doing a lounge cushion. I have knitted the striped front in garter stitch and have just started the back which is in decreasing squares. I am going to have to learn to change colours mid row once I get to row 21 and I am hoping to be up for it! I am thinking to use the easiest way I can for this first go and look at the more complicated ones later.

I have bought the yarn for 3 more hats and 1 (garter stitch hee!) scarf and I cant wait to get them done!

Off to knit!