Holiday snaps

Just a few pictures of Euan over the festive season. He had such a great time on Christmas Day and got more presents than we could ever have imagined. Anyway, I think he's cute so I like everyone to see what he looks like :)

Christmas breakfast with Nona

Boxing day in front of the cricket

Enjoying having Dad home for the holidays

Finally some pictures

OK, so I promised some pictures and then didn't deliver. You'll get used to that. Here are the pictures of the finally finished Wavy. I only did 8 of the 10 repeats because I don't really like long scarves and I had gotten bored of knitting it. I desperately needed the needles for something else so it seemed like a great time to finish knitting.

What do you think? I know it looks a bit plain but it'll be a great, practical scarf if the weather ever gets cold enough or we head back overseas. The wool is a Cascade Heather so it's quite flecky, not as plain as it looks. I've got to work out how to block it now. I'm scared of knilling the wavy look. Wish me luck!

And here's my one finished Twinkletoe. These will be great little slippers when I get the gauge right and make it fit my foot. Not sure what to do with these (if I ever finished the second one). They might go to my brother's girlfriend who has pretty small feet and loves green.

Sorry, crap pic again. I really shouldn't take them at night as my camera is rubbish and just can't handle the low light.

Post xmas malaise

Well I haven't achieved much over the last few days. I was doing really well with my twinkletoes and finished the first one really quickly. Unfortunately, even though I had used the exact yarn and right needles I ended up with a really weird gauge. Instead of 22/26 (or something like that) I got 26/38 so my first slipper is very, very small. I'm so upset that I have put them on hold until I get the motivation back. Serves me right for not doing a gauge swatch. I know it's fine for scarves, but not so good for slippers or socks, or clothes for that matter. I guess I'll just have to become a "proper" knitter one day and try them! I'll get some picture up shortly so you can at least see how the first slipper turned out.

My wavy scarf is rattling along now that I have given up on the twinkletoes. I'm onto the 6th repeat fter doing 2.5 today. I have to ball up the next skein so I can finish the second half of the scarf. Should be done soon though. Hopefully it'll still be a little cool when we go to the UK so I can wear it. Will get some pictures of that soon too.

On a non-knitting note. We have finally decided to head to the UK about Easter time for 4-5 weeks as Euan is yet to meet any of his family and Dan and I haven't been for almost 2 years. I get such itchy feet after a year without travel. Luckily Dad has agreed to give us a few extra frequent flyer points so we shouldn't have to pay for the flights, otherwise we just couldn't afford it. Yay, I'm so excited!! Just trying to work out what nappies to take now.

Christmas was really nice. Euan was spoilt rotten by the family which thrilled us. They'd been pretty nonplussed about his birthday and first Christmas so we weren't holding out breath but it was a wonderful day. He is so tuckered out after all the parties and eating.

I promise I'll have a whole lot of pictures for next time. Hopefully I'll get them up before we reach 2007!

Present for me

Although I've been slack getting other peoples presents, I've managed to get a couple of little things for myself. I was starting to worry that this parecl would never arrive, but on the last postal day before Christmas my parcel man (well not my normal one, I think he's left as I haven't seen him for ages. He was so nice too) arrived with this little beauty:

Sorry, I'm having major problems with my camera. Everything looks crap :(

But anyway... I got four balls of Rowan Calmer. I refused to pay the prices asked in Oz so I bought direct from the UK and it was so much cheaper. It is just beautiful yarn. I plan to make a few pairs of knitty's finest. Hopefully some will be done in time for Christmas as I wanted them as presents. Fingers crossed.

While I was at it I thought I'd chuck in a ball of 100% alpaca sock yarn for myself. I want to have the finest dressed feet around. Artesano Alpaca is fair trade wool from Bolivia and OMG I have never felt anything so soft. I can't wait to start knitting with it, though I might try some cheaper stuff for my first pair of socks. Watch this space...

Christmas is coming

OMG! It's Christmas in 3 days and I'm so unprepared. I have just put together my first presents as I have a lunch with some long term friends today and every year I forget to get them presents so this time I thought I'd make an effort. Luckily they don't know I have a blog so they won't read this :) Here are some samples of the little gift boxes I made up for them.

The blue things are luxury White Christmas, with pistachios, craisins and white chocolate. The pink ones are a really rich chocolate fudge. The little things in silver foil are mini choc-coated christmas puddings. And the biscuits and almond shortbread. All made with my not-so-talented hands.

The final presentation:

Making waves

This is the first repeat in my Wavy scarf. Using Cascade 220 in Aster Heather. It's knitting up really nicely although I'm a little slow at flat knitting. Sorry about the quality of the pic, it's a rush job :) I'm really hoping that I can finish this before Christmas.

On the needles

I only have 2 things on the go right now. I won't say too much about them, but here's a taste.

Something great for girls. Brilliant for the little ones or over a day nappy for bigger kids.

This would be great for boys or girls. One of our specialities.

If Euan sleeps well this weekend, they'll be up on Monday.

Just dyeing to show you...

I haven't had much time to knit or dye lately as Euan has been overly helpful, but Jeremy (my brother) came over the other day and helped out while I dyed up a storm. Here are a few samples. These should be up in the shop soon (fingers crossed).

These will end up being Spare Ribs

And these will be shorties, capris or longies. Haven't decided yet.

Welcome to me!

Well I thought it was about time to join the late 20th century and get myself a blog. I have so many things on the go at once that I thought this would be a good way to keep track and maybe a few people will pop past a see what I'm up to. This is just a quickie and I'll put a whole lot of pictures up later today.

Secret Pal 11 Questionnaire

Sorry to put this in a weird spot. I just didn't think everyone would want to read it. I hope it's helpful!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I really like the more sustainable fibers like bamboo, soy, hemp, sea silk and organic anything. I especially love anything worsted or aran weight as they are so hard to find here. Also like good felting yarns as I can’t find good ones.

I hate novelty fibers and really chunky yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have just got a KnitPicks sets so I’m hoping that folder will work. I only use circulars so I’ve never bothered with a needles roll, though I have been eyeing off the Offhand Design Circular Clutch.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I’ve been knitting for about 2 years now although I did learn when I was a little girl. I would say I’m intermediate. I can do anything except really complex lace but I’m hoping to start that soon.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Nope, sorry. I keep it all in my head.

5. What's your favorite scent?

Lavender, bergamot, citruses - I really like natural oils.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Love sweets but not a huge fan of chocolate. Don’t really have a favourite but love chewy things.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I don’t spin yet but I’m hoping to learn one day. I sew and used to do cross stitch, although that’s on hold while my son is young. I’ve also started trying a bit of felting. Oh, and I love to dye wool and silk.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I love rock music, especially classic rock (eg. The Doors, Led Zeppelin and other 60's, 70's stuff). For the more modern stuff I really like the Scissor Sisters. Hate RnB!

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Love purples, blues, reds – deep not pastels. Don’t really like orange, mustards.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Have a 2yo son and a very old husband J Also have a big fluffy Maine Coon cat called Koshka.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Not really. Doesn’t get cold enough.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Clothes for anyone. I make a lot of baby stuff but really want to make more things for myself. I mainly makes tops and sweaters but I’m hoping to make some skirts for summer. I also like making bags and doing a bit of felting.

13. What are you knitting right now?

A sweater for me, some pants for a friend’s baby, a baby sweater, some socks.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yep

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Circular and aluminum, although I don't mind bamboo.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Yep, both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

It was about 5 months old but I’ve just frogged it and started something new.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Going to France. We have just got back from Europe and France, especially Paris, is my favourite place in the whole world!

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Apart from yarn? No.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I have just gotten a subscription to Interweave Knits and bought a stack of back issues. I really want a copy of Fitted Knits and the No Sheep one that I can’t remember the name of.

I would really like the EZ Pi Shawl pattern as I want to understand how to knit flat circles.

I’m dying to try some Handmaiden Sea Silk and Classic Elite Bamboo.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I want to learn to knit lace and I’d like to work on my cables. I think I can do everything else, it just needs more practice.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yep. Size 8.5 feet so length 9.5” and circ 8”

23. When is your birthday?

16^th March

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

No, I’m still waiting patiently. I heard about it when it first started and thought to myself “it’ll only be a month or two before it goes fully live so why bother signing up”. Silly me.