Knits Fabulous

Who said you don't need Maths?

2006-12-03T19:53:00.000+11:00

Enter the Möbius wrap..

Wikipedia - Möbius Strip

A single sided, single edged object... seriously.. it's true!

I'm using a variation on Cat Bordhi's design on the Knitty Gritty program.

I'm only 2 inches in.. :D I'll update with pics as soon as I get further.. :D

Soakers r Us

2006-11-20T18:30:00.000+11:00

:D A little proud of myself :D

THIS soaker pattern...

Innit cute??

Back behind the needles!

2006-11-03T10:23:00.000+11:00

Well, bub is born, and the CT is gone!!

Isn't he gorgeous???

So I've picked up the needles again and I'm finishing off some WIP's..

First is a Merino Tshirt for my little man..

I'm 1/4 the way through it. It's a fairly simple Knit/Purl pattern. Knit sideways in 'ribs', then seamed and sleeves knit on in the round. I'm looking forward to finishing it, it will be very cute on him :D

Legend SP!!

2006-05-04T11:59:00.000+10:00

I finally got down to the post office yesterday afternoon to pick up my final SP7 pack :D

I have been utterly and thoroughly spoilt!!

I got a hank of hand dyed/spun yarn in a gorgeous smokey purple. Two skeins of silk/mohair/wool blend in a royal purple, a block of Columbian dark chocolate, a bar of beautiful soap and a HANDMADE circ needle case!!

It's gorgeous and I love it!!

I will post pics of all my goodies tonight.. :D

Very thoughtful!

2006-03-23T20:54:00.000+11:00

Thank you SP for the CUTE cardi pattern for my upcoming bubba!

I know I haven't been posting much, and that's because 1. I haven't been knitting much, and 2. I've been feeling REALLY sick..

:D

MWAH to all!

Knitting Olympics

2006-02-15T11:02:00.000+11:00

Okay, I've cast on (finally.. am a bit of a late runner) and I'm knitting a "Waterfall Caplet".

I'll post a picture as soon as I can find one :D

S. PAL YOU'RE A DOLL!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

2006-02-10T20:05:00.000+11:00

OMG OMG OMG OMG..

I have been spoilt!!!

I have been sent the loveliest pressie from my SP!!!

I was sent...

Fiber Trends Clog Pattern
8 balls of KP WOTA in the most gorgeous jewel tones
Two little boxes of Belgian Chocolate (YUM)
A hank of KP Sierra with some Kool Aid to dye it with
Some KP colour cards for my future KP needs :D

And best of all

The sweetest note in such a CUTE card!!

I feel very spesh and very blessed :D

Plus I got to open it on my birthday!!!!!

YAYAYAYAY!!

I just wanted to thank

2006-01-29T11:46:00.000+11:00

My loverly Secret Pal.

:D

My Poohcard was soooo cute :D Left a huge smile on my face. I've been keeping an eye on my PO Box too...

I'm being spoilt rotten :D

Knitting Olympics 2006

2006-01-29T08:49:00.000+11:00

I've been sucked in!! Team Australia needs me! The Knitting Olympics is a 16 day challenge.

For me, I want to stash bust a little, so I have a pattern for a waterfall caplet, which includes stair stepping and dropped stitches. Neither of which I have done before. But let's hope I can stand up to the challenge.

In exchange for this, and the skirt KAL that I'm starting in Feb, I am going to finish the scrunchable scarf before and finish the gauntlets after the Olympics.

Bring it on!!!

IT'S ARRIVED!

2006-01-24T16:14:00.000+11:00

I scored 10 balls of Cleckheaton's Flowerdale mohair in white. Whilst it retails for over AUS$6 per ball, and I paid about $2.50 per ball including shipping!!

WOO!

Current WIP's

2006-01-19T11:39:00.000+11:00

Okay.. So I'm down to only working on three things at a time.. (yay for me!)

Scrunchable Set for me
*Hat is finished (will add knitted rose later)
*Scarf is almost 1/2 way through
*Gauntlets not cast on
3D Lace Angel
*Skirt & Arms done
Garter Rib socks for DH
*Cast on and 1/2" of ribbing done

I'm hoping to get the Angel finished and starched by the end of the month. The Scrunchable set and the Socks I'm hoping to have finished by the end of Feb, because in Feb I start a skirt KAL.

FO: Scrunchable Hat

2006-01-15T07:47:00.000+11:00

I did it!

I used short rows in the back of the hat

to give it a 'head hugging' property that wouldn't leave it flapping down around my eyes.

It's a fairly loose fit, which is good, as it won't squish my curly hair.

I've now started the scarf (after frogging it), and made it a little narrower than originally planned, as I really think that a scarf made for warmth really needn't be any wider than the length of your neck :D It's a pretty quick knit up, so I should have it done soon :D

Regrouping

2006-01-11T09:53:00.000+11:00

Ooohsiboy.. (gotta love Will & Grace).

Revelation that I have some projects that are just NOT working. HP scarf being one (multitudes of slipped stitches), MP3 cover being the other. So I'm going to frog them and start over. It's a good thing, really.

Plus, I kinda want to bring my WIP's down to no more than 3 at a time. So I'm going to concentrate on:-

Scrunchable Set
Socks for DH
3D Lace Angel

After that, I'll do DH's Ribbed Set, the HP scarf and another bag.

Why do this? I'm finding I'm getting to distracted by having SO many WIP's, and not finishing any. So a finishing I will go :D

Secret Pal 7 Questionnaire....

2006-01-10T06:56:00.000+11:00

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
I definitely prefer natural fibres to acrylics. I LOVE fine merino as it's so soft. I've not used alpaca or cashmere before, but am keen to try it.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I don't spin... yet... but I do crochet, I've also started Tunisian Crochet.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
At the moment they're in a cane basket, but I have started to make a couple of needle rolls.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
On and off for most of my life (I learned when I was about 7), I would say I was about intermediate, as I am pretty good with stitches, have knitted lace, but not yet made a sweater.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I don't have an Amazon one, as the shipping from the US is quite expensive. I am looking through a couple of Australian alternatives.. ;)

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Chocolate. ;) Or Vanilla. Whiteblossom, but not Jasmine (am allergic).

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Chocolate ... hmm... but DARK chocolate, like 70% cocoa dark chocolate.. yummmmmm.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Apart from my knitting & crochet etc, I sew mostly.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I'm a jazz fan, but I really do have all the music I need. I have a very extensive CD collection.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Jewel tones are my favourite "palette", blue-reds are my favourite colour, followed by pinks then greens then blues. I do NOT however, like yellows and oranges, or orange based reds...

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm married, no kids yet, and no pets. I'm allergic to cats. I would like to have an angora bunny one day, though.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes? I haven't up until now, I guess.. but I'm back into my knitting.. so who knows?

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
As I've not tried everything, I really can't comment. But really, It depends on the project. the only yarn that I don't knit with often (besides icky acrylic), is mohair, because it's hard to frog.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Acrylic... and most novelty ones, actually... I'll only use fun fur as an accent on something for my niece or in a handbag, but other than that....

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Handbags... and shrugs... possibly socks too :D

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Anything that's 'quick' gratification, and preferably takes less than 5 skeins of yarn to make.

17. What are you knitting right now?
I have several projects on the go, including a couple of scarf/hat sets, a HP PoA Gryffindor scarf, a 3D lace angel, socks and a shrug.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I don't know, I've never really received a handmade gift, but I know I love to give them... I guess a big part of it is that I'm rather particular, probably to the point of annoyance to my DH etc.. LOL. But I'll say, yeah.. why not? :D

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I'm a bit of an AddiT phreak, so I guess circulars. I LOVE my AddiT's, oh, and my Boye Needlemaster set :D

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo is great for slipperies, and my AddiT's & Boye set are good for the stickies. I prefer not to use plastic if I can help it, but some of the HUGE needles only come in plastic...

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes. To both.. :D

22. How did you learn to knit?
Initially by my mother and grandmother. When I re-picked it up last June(ish), I went to KnittingHelp.com to refresh my skills, and move to Continental style knitting, which is soooo much faster :D

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
In knitting? That'd be my HP scarf, which is only really a couple of months old... as it's all ST ST, it's my knitting in between projects or when I'm watching TV type knitting.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Animated character? Well, I love Classic Pooh if that counts. I also love teddy bears :D

25. What is your favorite holiday?
As in Seasonal holiday? Not following a Christian Calendar in the religious sense, I don't really have one. But I love springtime.. :D

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Too much yarn/material/books?? Hehe.. Not really, I'm not really a trinket person.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None, can you beleive it? If I were to get one, it would probably be the Yarn Magazine, which is an Australian publication.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Ooh, YES!!! the Fibre Trends Clog pattern, and some WOTA from knitpicks.com in Tulip, Violet, Blue Bonnet & Spruce.. unfortunately KP doesn't ship directly overseas :(. Mind you, there's a LOT of their yarn that I'm kinda keen to try... Although, it might be best that I don't, otherwise I'll fall in love with something I can't get my hands on on a regular basis.. LMAO.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I'm about to start some Tunisian Crochet.. just so I can say I've done it, really :D

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I'm starting to be :D I'm an 'average' foot... I'd have to measure my foot for socks though :D .. I'll get back to you on that :D

31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
February 10th, I'll be turning 30!

Shhhhh... Secret Pal 7

2006-01-05T10:07:00.000+11:00

I have signed up for a 'Secret Pal' exchange.

Kind of like a 'Secret Santa', but not during the festive season. :D

I have NO idea what to expect, but I'm hoping it will be loads of fun!

My SP'er will be coming into my blog to read (yay! that'll make one reader!!) to get a feel for things I like and knitting related things that I might be yarning for (geddit... yarning / yearning???). I'll put a schpeel on that a bit later.

I'm very excited and can't wait for the 'games' to begin!!!

Scrunchable Scraf!

2006-01-04T09:38:00.000+11:00

Well, I'm making my first winter toasty. I know it's still the 'middle of summer', but if I get ONE set done each for DH & I, then we at least have one set... right?

So, I'm making a "Scrunchable" Scarf and hat set for myself, and a Ribbed set for DH.

It looks like it's going to take about 3-4 balls of Patons Inca. My scarf set will be in 7004, and DH is going to have 7007.

Spanky new stitch markers

2006-01-01T22:18:00.000+11:00

PRETTY!!

Made with Fire Polished Crystals, shown sitting on a 10mm needle.

I'll soon make more and post them on Ebay for sale.

The next project?

2006-01-01T10:28:00.001+11:00

Well, I desperately need a needle case, but I have no plans of knitting one. So the question is, what to knit next?

I have some great yarn that's like an icord made with cotton, which I have to make a shrug out of... so maybe I should knit that?

Now to find a pattern, it would have to be very lacey, otherwise it would be too chunky. And I think I'd like a bell shaped sleeve.

If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears!

FINITO!

2005-12-30T07:37:00.000+11:00

Sock is done!!!

I'm so proud of myself!

Sock it to me!

2005-12-28T15:48:00.000+11:00

I'm FINALLY knitting a sock.

After doing a short course, and having sock yarn in my stash for MONTHS, I'm finally knitting a sock.

I'm doing a 'trial' sock to start with, just to make sure I can actually DO a sock :D

SUCCESS!

2005-12-26T10:22:00.000+11:00

They loved the knitted gifts!

I'm so glad!

It was my first knitted set of presents, and I was worried that they wouldn't be liked. But YAY!

With design in mind...

2005-12-21T09:29:00.000+11:00

I have two things that I am 'designing' at the moment.

One is an MP3 sling, but for hoping to have it published on Knitty.com, I can't show any progress or 'workings' while I'm doing it... but it's there.. k?

The other is a top. And being my first article of clothing, I think the 'workings' need to be public, so any knitters might be able to help me out of a jam.

The yarn I'm using is a viscose/silk blend, in a gorgeous olive colour. The shape I'm still deciding on, but it has to be summer/early autumny, flattering on larger figures, comfortable, and must be able to go from 'smart casual' to an 'after 5' top (my wardobe is that limited).

So that's where I'm at with that.

Christmas knitting done!

2005-12-19T23:19:00.000+11:00

Yay!

All I need to do is sew liners for the eye pillows and stuff them.

Christmas Sets

I'm very excited :D

Knits Wonderful, Knits Marvelous....

2005-12-19T11:41:00.000+11:00

Not to imply that I'm a fabulous knitter, but that knitting itself is fabulous!

I have many WIP's and even few FO's, all of which will make an appearance in my gallery which has a link in the menu over --->

I have a bit of a stash. Mind you, each and every ball of yarn has a finished project 'attached' to it. I just keep finding yarn that would be 'perfect' for something particular, and then buying it.

I find knitting both very zen and very challenging (depending on the project). I love that it's portable, and I thank the stars that my mother and grandmother took the time to teach me to begin with. And I love that it was the internet that got me BACK into it.