Geeky Knits

Meet Henry

2012-01-20T21:06:00.000+08:00

Head on over here to meet my little puppy!

Moving house... Again.

2012-01-16T14:39:00.002+08:00

Sorry guys it's been way too long! I'm in the middle of moving house. Again. But I've got a project in the works that I can't wait to show you all. I'll be back soon! Promise!

And I leave you today with a picture of me and my new car Lenny.

Best. Idea. Ever.

2011-11-12T21:07:00.001+08:00

The other day while I was shopping with Yosamee and I found these white canvas shoes. And do you know what I thought when I saw them? Yup! TIE DYE!! And below you can find an awesome How-To-Make-Your-Very-Own-Super-Sweeeeeeet-Dyed-Shoes. Enjoy!!

Step One:
Get yourself some plain white cotton (cotton is the best for this type of dying) canvas shoes and take the laces out for now. Add some vinegar to a small bowl of water and rub the water mix on the canvas sections of the shoe. Enough water to get it damp, but not too much so it's dripping on the inside of the shoes. Scrunch up some plastic bags and fill the shoe up with them to keep the die from getting messy on the inside.

Step Two: Mix up whatever dyes you want; for this tutorial I suggest four different colours. I chose orange and blue for one shoe and purple and green for the other. Put the first shoe in a tub or dish of some sort that you don't mind getting a bit coloured-with-dye. I've got a glass cassarole dish. Using some sort of spoon or something start drizzling bits of dye over the shoe. Start near the toe to get a pattern going. The colours will bleed a bit into each other but don't let it scare you. Continue around the shoe, drizzling dye all over the canvas sections of the shoe.

Step Three: Once there are no bits of white left and you're happy with the amount of dye on the shoe, put it outside in the sun to cook the dye into the fabric. Repeat with the other shoe. You can also dye the shoelaces at this point, by dipping them in dyes, and lay them next to the shoes outside.

Step Four: Let the shoes dry in the sun. If you want, give them a little rinse off to wash away the smell of vinegar. You can take the plastic bags out at any point now. Don't be worried about a bit of dye on the insides of the shoe, as long as it can dry it's fine. Once the shoes have dried re-thread the laces and admire the new shoes!

I'm quite proud of these shoes. And while they aren't technically tie dye, the do look very, very hippy! If you use this tutorial, I'd love to hear from you. And of course I'd like to see any pictures of them too! And I leave you today with a picture of me, Huggy and Yosamee from yesterday.

Just a quickie

2011-11-10T14:07:00.000+08:00

Just a real quick post today. Just gonna share some pictures and the like.

My hands have been a bit idle while I'm watching telly at night so I dug up my old yarn stash and a crochet hook. I don't really have a plan, I just started a granny square with two strands of thin merino wool and I'm just gonna keep going until I run out of wool or I think up a plan. It's from a dark olive green yarn and a sweet deep purple yarn. It's mainly merino wool, I seem to remember, so it's nice and squishy.

Above is the picture I took of the beginning of my project-y thingo. And down below is my picture of my poor car Ian. We got into an accident at a roundabout a few weeks ago and this is the result. We're all ok, Ian's not. He got towed away the other day and it was a bit sad.

Here's a picture of me. Excuse the quality of the picture, it was night and in a sort of darkish room and my parent's place after my mum's birthday dinner. The tie dye bag is not created by me, but it does look sweeeet! And yes, I am shamelessly addicted to this photo editing thing on my iPod, so all my pictures, or most of them, have some sort of effect added.

Bit more Tie Dye

2011-11-01T22:21:00.001+08:00

I've got HEAPS of pictures for you all today! And it's pretty much a continuation of my last post on tie dye. After I finished my last post, I expanded my collection of tie dye tools. One of the new things I acquired was a sweet dress that I'm using as my crafty apron. Let me explain: when Huggy and I were in primary school Mum would use Dad's old work shirts as art shirts. When I was at the shops the other day looking for a glass jug to use for my tie dye, I happened to spy this denim-like dress. It's the same colour and feel as my Dad's old work shirts and I figured I'd use it for the same reasons. Purely nostalgia's sake! But anyway, I digress! I bought the aporon-y dress and it works perfectly!! But it is missing two noticable things, pockets! So I decided to add them!

The picture above is me lying on the floor in the sewing room, trying to get a good picture of the dress without having to resort to getting up. Rather artsy angle, don't you think? Anyway I cut up some of the test pieces I did from my last post and sewed them straight onto the dress.

I just used a straight stitch with whatever thread was in the machine. I figured I may as well complete the indie look with the raw edges. The colours are a little off, I've been playing around with that photo editing again, but I think they look pretty cool anyway.

And there's the finished project. I didn't worry too much about the placement and even-ness of the pockets, and I think it works. Again, please excuse the angle, I wanted the pictures to match. I'm crazy like that.

Below are a bunch of pictures from my tie dyeing of today. I got new dye in different colours and it's all very exciting!

I stuck my hands into the vinegar water as I was prepping the fabric only to discover I had about forty cuts on my hands from work (checkouts are deadly) that didn't appreciate being plunged into the bowl of warm vinegar. Needless to say, I used the tongs from then on! (I still have about eight bandaids covering my hands!)

And below are the pictures of the finished pieces. The colours are a little dark, I took them a few minutes ago and it's about 10pm here. You'll be seeing these swatches again real soon, so watch this space!

This last one is my favourite. There's something really cool about orange and blue!

And this last picture was taken a couple of weeks ago, but I figured I'd show it to you anyway. And no, the shirt is not my own work but I am working on replicating it!

I love me some Tie Dye

2011-10-18T22:15:00.000+08:00

A friend of mine recently lost his dad and he's been coping with the grief in unconventional ways. Needless to say I've been on call for the past few weeks, just to keep an eye on him. Anyway, it's got me to thinking about what makes me happy in life and one of the things that makes me smile everyday is tie dye. I looooove me some tie dye! Most of my wardrobe has tie dye in it, but I've never attempted to do it myself. Until today! As you can tell from the pictures below I've been playing around with picture editing. I got a new app for my iPod and I've been testing it out today.

I went out to Spotlight after class today and picked up 1.5m of white cotton fabric, some fabric dyes, vinegar and elastic bands. I did a bit of googling on how to tie dye and pretty much just jumped right in there.

Following on from when I dyed yarn with food colouring last year I soaked my test fabric swatches in hot water and vinegar to help the dye soak in.

It's a good thing I'm not particularly good in the kitchen; I don't think I'll be able to use those tongs now for anything except dying. And I do plan to heaps more!

After I soaked the fabric I put a bunch of creases and twists in it. I didn't have a pattern, or any techniques to speak of, but it's just a test piece.

I was a little worried that the dye on the elastic bands would soak in to the fabric, so I chose the red and pink ones. Did I mention I'm a little crazy like that? I put the bundled up fabric in a jug of boiling fuchsia dye. After I melted a plastic bottle with the boiling water, of course. See? Crazy. I left the fabric in the jug for about 20 minutes or so. Pretty much as long as I could stand to wait before my patience ran out and my excitement took over.

I rinsed off the fabric and undid the elastic bands and viola! My first piece of tie dye!! Cool, huh?

I said I've been messing around with photo editing, and here's a non-crafty picture of me to finish it off. More tie dye to come!

Mr Bacon

2011-10-12T21:24:00.000+08:00

Here is a long needed update on a crafty project! It's mainly just pictures, but pictures tell a thousand words, or so they say. I've got a couple of crafty bits to blog, but as my wi-fi is a little slow I'll do them over a couple of days. This one's about my heatpack pig and Yosamee's. My new house is pretty cold at night and rather than put the heater on (I can't stand heaters), I decided to make a heatpack to warm my bed. After I made mine, Yosamee requested one too. They're made out of towel fabric and filled with wheat. Here are a few pictures.

Here's my new sewing table, in my new sewing room,
with Yosamee's pig ready to sew.

A close up of the front piece of Yosamee's pig. I had fun with
the heart detail and Yosie loved it

Just me trying not to stab my own fingers

Pretty much the same caption as above ;)

Yosamee's pig is on the left, that's mine (Mr Bacon) on the right

And that's a picture of me and Mr Bacon. And yes, it was taken
in my bathroom on my phone. Classy, right? ;)

Big Sorry!

2011-10-07T15:19:00.000+08:00

Real sorry guys! I am here, I promise! Just got a lot going on, and not a lot of it crafty unfortunately. Will be back into it soon. I promise!

Some proof!

2011-07-21T12:53:00.000+08:00

Here's some proof that I am still here and crafting!! I've just moved into my new place with BK and Huggy and things are still in boxes and whatever so it'll be a little while before I'm properly back in the crafty world. But here are all the pictures I've taken on my phone for the last few weeks. Enjoy!

A half finished scarf to match Aisha

I can't even remeber what this was, some form of test
knitting I think.

Half finished (with pattern to come!) Mary Jane style slippers

My latest sewing. A heat pack in the shape of a pig for my
lovely cold house. I will have more pictures of him
soon I promise.

Aisha

2011-06-15T10:50:00.000+08:00

I've finally gotten around to uploading some pictures, and do you know what that means? Yup! A new pattern! Yay!! I present to you Aisha. Let me give you some background.

The Story:
I tend to work most nights up in the city and this time of year in Australia it can get a little nippy at night. Between work and my place I've got to walk to my car, drive with no working heater and walk from the car park at my place to my flat. It can get quite chilly! I've got a few scarves that I rotate between each night and it suddenly dawned on me that I don't have something to keep my poor head warm. So armed with my 12mm bamboo needles (the bigger needles are better for my dodgy wrists) and 3 balls of Moda Vera's Cupcake in purple, pink and green I started knitting Aisha. I sort of made it up as I went along and now here it is for you all! That picture on the left is of me right now on the couch. (Please excuse the bags under my eyes, it's been a bit of a hectic few weeks).

You'll Need:
- 12mm needles
- 3 balls of worsted weight yarn (all three strands will held together throughout)
- 5mm crochet hook, or knitters sewing needle
- Measuring tape
- Pom pom maker

Tension:
2 sts per inch

The Knitting:
- CO 38 sts
- K2 P2 rib for three rows
- St st until piece measures about 6"
- *K2tog, K5* repeat across row
- Purl across row
- *K2tog, K4* repeat across row
- Purl across row
- *K2tog, K3* repeat across row
- Purl across row
- *K2tog, K2* repeat across row
- Purl across row
- *K2tog, K1* repeat across row
- Purl across row
- K2tog across row
- Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts

If you use this pattern I'd love to hear from you! Even if it's in 5 years time and this blog is silent. If there are any issues, don't hesitate to let me know. I have checked for mistakes but then again I'm not the most observant person in the world and I've probably missed something important. (Fine print: Please be kind and don't take credit for my design, and rather than passing my pattern around please give people the link. Also ask permission before selling any pieces based on my pattern. Thanks for your co-operation!).

That last picture is purely for fun. I do have a few pictures from a recent roadtrip with Huggy, BK and Sheldon. They're on my other camera so I'll find the connector cable and eventually put them up. Until next time, happy knitting!

Busy, busy!!

2011-06-10T14:30:00.000+08:00

Really sorry everyone! I'm in the middle of exams right now for uni so things are a little hectic, plus I'm moving house again real soon so stuff's all a muddle! But I do have heaps of pictures to upload and as soon as I can find my connection cable for my camera I'm on it! Until then here's proof that I am indeed knitting! (Please excuse the quality, it was taken on my web cam earlier).

Argh! Sorry!!

2011-05-18T09:53:00.000+08:00

So sorry it's been this long guys! I do have some crafty things to share, but today I'm at my parents place attempting to study while some random dude fixes the bathroom, and while I remembered my laptop I forgot the connector cables for my camera and phone. Instead I have no choice but to do my final essay for the sememster. Will post better soon, promise!! I'll even throw in a knitting pattern!

Some pictures of Sheldon

2011-04-06T23:51:00.000+08:00

Sheldon and Me!

Meet Charlotte and Terrance O'Flarty

2011-03-08T10:24:00.000+08:00

I did some sewing straight after my last post. And here are the pictures.

From The Big Book of Softies that I posted about last time. This was
my starting point. I pretty much followed the pattern to the T.
Which is rare for me.

I don't really have a lot of pictures from the making, but here is
Terrance inside out. A little creepy, huh?

I'd like to introduce Charlotte O'Flarty and her brother Terrance.
Charlotte has a lovely fllower apron for her work in the garden,
and Terrance has a beard.

Below are some pictures of Terrance and Charlotte around my apartment. Gnomes are pretty interesting for me and I had way too much snapping pictures all afternoon.

And to finish it all off, a picture of Sheldon sitting on my stuffing.

My attention span is tiny

2011-03-02T13:10:00.000+08:00

My attention span is tiny! Remember I posted about sewing Custard the Dragon? Well, I'm still doing that, I'm just moving on to something else for a little while. But first up, here's some pictures of what I'm up to today. The first one makes me look fat, but I'm hoping that's just the angle!

We got a new blender in my flat and today I made a
banana milkshake. (Picture courtesy of BK)

This is the finished product. I've got to say, as someone who needs help
boiling pasta, I did pretty damn well!!

And now onto some crafty things. BK and I went shopping yesterday and I got some fabric, a couple of books and more fabric, along with the new blender. I also did some cleaning and I organised my sewing shelf. Most of my knitting things are still at my parents place. This is for a couple of reasons, one: it's summer and who knits in the heat of summer? two: my RSI isn't doing so well so I couldn't knit even if I ignored the heat wave. And three: I don't have the space here.

Here's a bunch of fat quarters that I'm using to make some softies
for Baby.

I got two books yesterday and I'm so excited!! I've already bookmarked
most of the patterns and I'm starting one of the softies as soon as
I'm done here.

And this is my lovely neat sewing shelf. That's the progress of
Custard the Dragon sitting on the sewing machine. I've sort
of hit a little bit of a wall after I sewed the wings in wrong.
I will start it up again soon, promise!

I'll post more pictures of the softie I'm making for Baby soon, plus I have some pictures of Sheldon all ready to go when I get the time to post them.

Either/Or

2011-02-24T17:36:00.000+08:00

This is just a quick post, more an advertisement really. It's one of my friend's online stores, Either/Or. You have GOT to check it out, the stuff is amazing, plus it's actually pretty cheap. That's all from me today, just a shameless plug for a friend! I'll be back later this week with some crafty-ness, I promise!

Custard the Dragon II

2011-02-23T12:08:00.000+08:00

I thought it was about time I shared some more of my crafty-ness with you all. Uni is back in full swing and unfortunately so is my RSI. Which means no knitting as of yet. It sucks pretty massively, but that's just the way things are. Instead I've been sewing. You may remember from a while back I was trying to find a knit pattern for Custard the Dragon, to no avail. Well, now I've got one for a beanie dragon. I can't find where the pattern was from, but I will try and find it again. Below are some pictures of my progress so far.

All the pattern pieces all laid out nice. It's always a little daunting
when you see the amount of pieces to go into a pattern!

And here are all the pieces cut out. Not all that interesting but that's
as far as I've got.

I'll keep you updated on the progress and I'll have to show you the doll I made for Little O the other day, it's a little creepy but she loves it.

It's been a while

2011-02-07T17:53:00.000+08:00

Wow! It's been ages!! Sorry for the break but things have been reeeeally busy! But I'll try harder, I promise! First up I have some pictures for you!! I finally got around to uploading my christmas sewing pictures.

Here are the fabrics I started with

I was tasked with creating the table piece. This is
one of the presents I created

This is a dark and a little blurry shot of the centre piece
completed. Machine sewed the lot.

This is my Santa Hat from last year. It's still being
used! (Please excuse the thread sticking to the
side, I was in the middle of a mass ass sewing day!)

One of the reasons it's taken me so long to post again is because I was in the middle of moving out of home. Yes, this morning I packed up my little car, 'Ian', with all my worldly possessions and moved out of home. It's only about 20 minutes down the road from my parent's place and it's the village at uni, but it's still a big step. To commemorate this I decided to make my own quilt cover set. I'm still putting the finishing touches on my quilt but the pillow case was done a couple of nights after work. The pictures were taken on my iPod and have done something funky to the colours, the orange is actually a watermelon pink, but whatever.

First a bunch of discounted flat sheets in a variety of bright colours,
and a quilt cover set in a plain base colour.

The finished product. It's just a simple band around the plain pillow
case with a peace symbol stitched on top, but I'm pretty damn proud of it.

I know there hasn't really been a whole lot of knitting lately, and I am hoping to change that soon, but with uni going back next week and everything else it may take a little while before I can post again. Until next time, happy knitting (sewing, crocheting, blogging, whatever really!)

Just a bit longer...

2011-01-13T18:08:00.000+08:00

Ok guys, I am on the way back, I'll hopefully have sometime to think in about a week. And for anyone that's worrying about me with these floods in Australia they're on the east coast in Queensland, I'm across the other side of the country, and the desert, on the west coast. The floods are terrible and they're catching a lot of people unguarded so always remember to heed the warnings of the emergency services if you're ever in a similar situation (God forbid). All my thoughts and prayers are with the people in Towoomba, Ipswich, Brisbane and all the low lying suburbs affected by the floods.

I'm not dead!

2010-12-31T09:49:00.000+08:00

Just a quick one today to say I'm still here and I'll be back into the blog world in 2011. Hope you are all having a safe and happy new years eve tonight and I look forward to a great year filled with all sorts of geeky mishaps!

Autumn

2010-12-06T13:55:00.000+08:00

Here is my next Geekie Design Original. I present to you Autumn.

The Story:

Since I got my hair cut short I've been addicted to headscarfs and headbands. From just a scrap of fabric tied around my head to a handknit band. It's a pretty simple pattern, chunky ribs and easy colour changes. This headband gets it's name from the colours I chose. They seem to remind me of Autumn for some reason. This band works really well keeping shorter hair up in a pony tail and out of the way. I wear mine all the time and it sits just right to keep my hair back. (Fine print: Please be kind and don't take credit for my design, and rather than passing my pattern around please give people the link. Also ask permission before selling any pieces based on my pattern. Thanks for your co-operation!)

The detail

You'll Need:
- 5.5mm needles
- Moda Vera Cupcake or similar worsted weight yarn
- Scissors
- Tape measure

Tension:
As of yet I don't have a tension made up (lazy me!). But if you need one leave a comment and I'll put it up. I never seem to worry about it with little projects like this.

What to do:
- CO 84 sts
- *K4, P2, K6, P2* repeat between * across row.
- *K2, P6, K2, P4* repeat between * across row.
- Repeat last two rows until band is desired length changing colours throughout as desired.

I hope you like this pattern and there will be a variation coming up shortly. Happy knitting everyone!

What I've been up to...

2010-12-06T12:58:00.000+08:00

Here are some pictures of what I've been up to since my last post. First up I finished off that stripey hippy skirt. I haven't got too many good pictures of it or of the making, but the ones I took on my iPod will have to do.

I took this one on the last row of stitching I had to do.
It's a tad blurry but it was late a night and I was tired.

This is my legs wearing the finished skirt. An odd sort of angle but
it's the only shot I've got so far.

Huggy and I spent two days watching Grey's Anatomy and I saw that as the perfect time to start some light knitting again.

I started knitting Corona again and I'm on the
hood now. Slowly, slowly.

I went to my LYS during the Grey's marathon and I found my favourite yarn Moda Vera's Cupcake was on sale. So I went a little crazy and got heaps of balls of the stuff.

I got all the colours available, but mostly red and green
balls. Getting ready for christmas!

I started test knitting a christmas headhand

And that's all for this post. The pattern for the headband has been refined and re-worked and I'll have it up later today. Happy knitting everyone!

Here we go

2010-11-25T13:57:00.000+08:00

At last, my pictures are up. Here's what I've been up to:

I sewed Bella the Bat for Baby, following on from the theme I started with Hoot the Night Owl

There was no pattern, I just drew it and cut the fabric then sewed it. I was pretty
proud of it, actually.

I got a new sewing book about a week ago and I started with some inspiration from
this skirt

I changed it up a little by using strips of fabric. It's got a hippy sort of vibe, doesn't it?
I'm still in the 'making of the thing' stage and I'll post more pictures when it's done.

This one is just a fun picture of me. I've got addicted to head scarfs since the creation
of Gypsy and this one I've got on is my current favourite. And no, it's not handmade.
I am devising a pattern for one like it, though.

And lastly my latest acqusition, a book by Juliet Marillier. I met her today at the release of her new
book Seer of Sevenwaters and she signed one for me! Well, you all knew I was geeky!

That's all for today, I will post more soon!

Geekie Sewing

2010-11-24T13:17:00.000+08:00

I put all the pictures from my latest projects on my laptop but they don't seem to want to upload. So I thought I'd just let you know I am still here and as soon as I can get the pictures up I'll share my latest creations. Till then happy knitting (and crafting)!

My new baby and there's an owl in my house!

2010-11-10T12:00:00.000+08:00

My sewing machine arrived early! Yup, pretty much just after I posted yesterday I got the call to say my new baby had arrived! So of course I raced down to pick it up. After using a 60 year old Singer with barely one bobbin (don't ask how you can get barely one bobbin) for the last few years since I stopped sewing in high school (man that was fun!), this new Brother NS10 is AMAZING!! I forgot how much I like sewing! And of course I began sewing Little O's Owl as soon as I unpacked the thing. It took about 4 hours, maybe closer to 5 all up. But doesn't she look sweet? (Shawl pattern coming soon, I promise!) If you'd like the 'Hoot the Owl' Pattern just let me know. It's a Geekie Designs original!

My new baby and Little O's Owl

A purple and pink owl has staked out my tree!

You can't tell here but it's actually raining, better get this
owl back inside!

Just a little longer...

2010-11-09T08:44:00.000+08:00

Sorry it's been awhile. My shawl is now complete, ready to be blocked. Things have been crazy here so I haven't gotten around to writing the pattern yet. Hang tight and I will hopefully have something up for you tomorrow. In other news I'm expanding my Geekie Designs into the fabric side. Yesterday I ordered a new sewing machine from Spotlight. It's a Brother NS10. They reckon it'll be here in about a week. I already have a couple of project ideas. All the christmas fabrics are now out at Spotlight and I can just see some fantastic ideas! Little O has already commissioned a softie from me as the first project made on my machine: an owl to match Jemima. I've got a list going too: Custard the Dragon, Father Christmas and a friend for Sheldon. Just as a start!! This is going to be sooooo much fun! That's all I've got for today, hopefully tomorrow I'll have more on my shawl. Happy knitting (and other crafts!) everyone!

Professional Look

2010-10-26T17:05:00.000+08:00

My shawl is taking shape. No pictures today unfortunately, but it's definately starting to look reeeeealy professional. Like I actually mapped out a pattern BEFORE I jumped in and started knitting. Just a real quick one today. Keep a watch on this blog, it's in the process of getting an upgrade. Huggy, my graphic designer twin, has kindly agreed to helping out with the update. Happy knitting everyone!

Shawl Progress...

2010-10-23T10:15:00.000+08:00

Usually with my designs I tend to keep quiet before I post them up, but this time I thought I'd include you all in the design process. Exciting, huh? Yesterday after I posted about the yarn I sat on the couch watching re-runs of Border Security with Little O and I cast on for my Shawl. I haven't actually written anything down and I'm making it up as I go, but doesn't it look nice? And I've never made a shawl before! When I make a pattern I research the shape and then pretty much cast on and go for it. Most of the time it seems to work out. Below are a couple of pictures of my work so far. It's definately going to need a good blocking when it's done (another thing I haven't done before!) and the pictures are a wee bit scrunchy, but let me know what you think! Happy knitting everyone!

It looks like a mess here, but trust me there is a pattern there!
...Somewhere!

There's the detail a bit closer. Isn't it just beautiful!

Cotton-y Goodness

2010-10-22T14:11:00.000+08:00

I've reached one of my favourite parts of the design process: Buying of the Yarn! I took a trip into my LYS and came home with four balls (which I calculate will be enough for my next Geekie pattern) of Panda's Cotton Blend 8ply. It's 50% cotton and 50% acrylic. And seeing as my camera has gone walkabout (I'm thinking Huggy might have something to do with it) and I reeeealy wanted to show you all the yarn, I decided to use my web cam. Classy, I know. Plus the colour seems a little off, but you get the general idea. There's also a picture of my design. I'd love to hear what you think so far. It's pretty small, but you can see the genral shape. Happy knitting everyone!

You have no idea how many pictures I took before I got
a good one!

Please excuse the shot of my boobs. See: difficulty of picture taking

This is a rather blurry picture of my design. Sketcky at best, but
let me know what you think.

Sheldon On Vacation

2010-10-20T12:14:00.001+08:00

I've been pretty slow with the knitting lately, but I have finally got around to putting up the pictures of our roadtip, mainly the ones our Geeky Knits mascot Sheldon the Turtle. He, of course, came with us and I reckon he had a pretty good time! In knitty news I'm still designing a new Geekie Design Original. But you may have to wait a bit for it while I do the pattern and the make up. In the meantime, here's the pictures of Sheldon. Hopefully I get a chance to take some more of Sheldon soon and I'll post them when I get a chance. Happy knitting everyone!

Sheldon's hugging me!

It was pretty sunny during the trip down

Sheldon, the camera loves you!

This is one of my favourite ones

Probie came down one day and brought party stuff to celebrate my
birthday (and Huggy's) and Sheldon got in on the celebrations!

Wow!

2010-10-11T15:31:00.000+08:00

Wow! I checked the stats today and numbers have jumped HEAPS!! Lots of traffic from Knitting Pattern Central- thanks to Rachel for putting my patterns up there! Just a quickie today to say welcome to the newbies, I'd love to hear from you. I am in the process of designing a new pattern just in time for the Aussie summer. Stay tuned and happy knitting!

Gypsy

2010-10-05T17:42:00.001+08:00

You'll Need:

-8mm knitting needles (or the size of your choice)

-Worsted weight or sock weight yarn, approx. 100m

-Assorted beads, optional

-Tape measure

-Scissors

-1mm corchet hook (if using beads)

Tension:

Not as important in this pattern, pretty much you want to use a yarn a couple of weights thinner than the needles you plan to use so you get a nice drape and open stitch pattern

Look closely, and there's Gypsy

The Story:

Gypsy is the result of a gorgeous Japanese yarn, too much time on my hands and a roadtrip. This headscarf has a bit of a boho chic type of vibe and something decidedly hippy to it. I started looking around for a headscarf pattern when we planned to go away for a roadtrip and I needed something to knit in the car. The only patterns I found were either too big, too lacy or too old. So armed with my 8mm bamboo needles I set to work with my design book and worked out a simple and beautiful lacy pattern. Paired up with Noro's Silk Garden in earthy browns and greens Gypsy was born. I have fallen in love with this pattern and I wear mine at every oppurtunity. There are two versions.... so far. I trust there will be heaps to follow.

(Pattern notes: To make the original Gypsy follow the pattern as normal, to create the beaded alternative follow the pattern inside the brackets-if no brackets the step applies to both)

Thoughtful...

Fine print: Please be kind and don't take credit for my design, and rather than passing my pattern around please give people the link. Also ask permission before selling any pieces based on my pattern. Thanks for your co-operation!

The Pattern:

-CO 16 (14) sts

-St st 4 rows

-^ K2, *yo, k2tog * repeat between * till end of row

-P across row

-Rep. last two rows twice more (on first repeat place beads on each K2tog)

-P 2 row

-K 1 row

-P1 row

-K 2 rows

-Repeat from ^ until yarn runs out or scarf is desired length (add a beaded fringe)

The there you have it, Gypsy. This is one of my favourite patterns of all time. And it is definately worth the splurge of Noro's Silk Garden yarn (not a cheap one, I can tell you!). If there are any any questions please leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you.

And yes, the pictures are of me. I couldn't be bothered to try and take better ones without my face, or to photoshop it out so I used the pictures Huggy took of me when we were on our roadtrip. As you can see I finished Gypsy pretty quickly and I wore it the WHOLE time! And below is one of my favourite pictures from the trip, I'm on the left and BK is on the right. Happy knitting everyone!

Coming Soon... Promise!

2010-10-03T21:13:00.000+08:00

I promised a pattern, and a pattern I have. But there's the tiny issue of time. I don't have a lot of it at the moment, exams are approaching and we've just lost our store manager at work so it's just up to us supervisors to run the store. HECTIC!! But as sooooon as I get a few minutes to snap a few pics my newest Geekie Design Original (and my current fav!) will be up and ready to go! Trust me, it's worth the wait. And because I've been a terrible blogger lately I'll give away a tiny bit of the pattern, The Story.

The Story:
Gypsy is the result of a gorgeous Japanese yarn, too much time on my hands and a roadtrip. This headscarf has a bit of a boho chic type of vibe and something decidedly hippy to it. I started looking around for a headscarf pattern when we planned to go away for a roadtrip and I needed something to knit in the car. The only patterns I found were either too big, too lacy or too old. So armed with my 8mm bamboo needles I set to work with my design book and worked out a simple and beautiful lacy pattern. Paired up with Noro's Silk Garden in earthy browns and greens Gypsy was born. I have fallen in love with this pattern and I wear mine at every oppurtunity. There are two versions.... so far. I trust there will be heaps to follow.

Happy knitting everyone!

Happy Birthday

2010-09-23T12:38:00.000+08:00

That's right, today Huggy and I turn 19. Today I get to spend the day doing absoulutely nothing, watching Friends re-runs, messing around on my new Wii Fit, (thanks Mum and Dad) and I get to go out to dinner tonight with my family. A perfect day. In just a few days BK, Huggy and I set off down south for our roadtrip and I can reveal my new pattern. Happy knitting everyone!

Complete with pictures

2010-09-15T13:27:00.000+08:00

I've started my next design, and without giving anything away, here's a sneak peek. (Yes, I got a new camera charger so now I can post pics again!).

Above you can see what I've done so far. There's the luscious Noro Silk Garden in my yarn bucket, and my design book next to it. And no, I'm not telling you anything about the stuff on the needles... yet.

And down here we have a nice shot of my new yarn. I am in love with this Noro, it's just so different to the other stuff I've knitted with. And it suits this project to the T. Along with this new design I'm working on a new layout for my blog, thanks to Huggy and her graphic design skills. Stay tuned for the updates. Happy knitting everyone!

My next design

2010-09-13T15:52:00.000+08:00

Another Geekie Designs original will be coming up soon. BK, Huggy and I are off down south for a roadtrip in two weeks (Yay!) and I need a knitting project for the car trip down. And so my mind started working. I'm not going to tell you much about the project, but it will be one of the more complex patterns I've designed. I've done a few test pieces and I went and got the yarn today. The yarn, ah yes, the beautiful yarn! Most of my yarn shopping has been done in one of those large craft store chains, with maybe two aisles for the yarn. But since our house move I've discovered a special knitting store. Now I really do have an LYS! Well, if local counts as a 30 minute bus trip into Freo. Today I splurged on a luscious ball of one of Japan's finest silk yarns, Noro Silk Garden. It's absoulutely exquisite! And the colours! Oh, the colours are a perfect blend of earthly browns and greens with a hint of purple later on. Absoulutely perfect for this new project. Hopefully I can post the pattern next time. Until then, happy knitting!

Sheldon

2010-09-09T09:55:00.003+08:00

Since my camera's charger got misplaced through the recent move, I have been camera-less. And might I add, it's KILLING me! But anyway, today I whipped out the family's old digital SLR and looked around for a willing subject. And who better to photograph than my own Geeky Knits mascot Sheldon. He hasn't been up to much lately, but as soon as my camera is charged again I shall endeavour to capture more of Sheldon's Adventures and post them more regularly. So I leave you today with three of my favourite pictures I took of Sheldon in our new house. Happy knitting everyone!

Everyone meet Kara, Kara meet everyone

2010-09-08T16:03:00.004+08:00

I don't have a picture at the moment, please bare with me until I find my camera charger, but until then here is my newest Geekie Design. It's a little more basic version of Whisper.

Fine print: Please be kind and don't take credit for my design, and rather than passing my pattern around please give people the link. Also ask permission before selling any pieces based on my pattern. Thanks for your co-operation!

The Story:
This was pretty much a spur of the moment kind of thing that I whipped up while I was watching Bones on telly late one night. I needed something to do with my hands and the nearest thing to me was an old ball of Moda Vera's Cotton/Bamboo blend in a lilac-y colour and some 4mm needles. And viola, Kara was born. It's a pretty simple stockinette basic stitch with a little hint of a rib to stop a little of the curling. This yarn is really nice and cool to the touch and although I ran out of my chosen colour about an inch from the end it's a great way to use up scraps. I recommend it for anyone in need of instant gratification or someone in search of a small handbag project. You know everyone has one! That one tiny project just small enough to somehow find it's way into your handbag before you leave the house? That's never happened to you? Oh, well... uh... me neither... ahem. Anyhoo! Here's the pattern:

You'll need:
- 4mm needles
- Any scrap yarn to match your needles
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Sewing needle and thread

Tension:
Not important for this project. You can use any size needles and any size yarn, you'll be going off measurements of your own head so make sure you measure twice, cast off once!

Instructions:
- CO 14 sts in prefered cast on method
- K2, P2, K6, P2, K2
- P2, K2, P6, K2, P2
- BO when it reaches desired length, ie- about 1 to 2cm less that the measurement around your head (where the band will sit)
- Sew CO and BO edges together and there you have it!

If you use this pattern I'd love to hear from you! Even if it's in 5 years time and this blog is silent. If there are any issues, don't hesitate to let me know. I have checked for mistakes but then again I'm not the most observant person in the world and I've probably missed something important. Please check the fine print above before using this pattern. Happy knitting everyone!

Coming Soon... I promise!

2010-09-04T18:01:00.003+08:00

Sorry it's been pretty quite lately. I do have a new pattern coming soon, this one's a bit of a variation on Whisper. It's a little bit less tricky and plus the yarn I've used is a cotton and bamboo blend. Can you say delicious? Anyway, just a quicky today. Hopefully I'll have the new pattern up real soon, with some pictures to boot! Oh and update on the Corona: I've lost the bag I keep it in, so I haven't done any lately. I know it'll be here somewhere, but the where part has me a leeeetle stumped. I shall find it eventually, hopefully have it done in time for next winter. Happy knitting everyone!

Busy Bee

2010-08-19T09:10:00.002+08:00

I've been pretty busy lately, Uni has gone gone back and I'm busy doing a whole bunch of assignments (they all seem to be due at the same time!). Anyway, I'm in the process of designing another Geekie Designs original. Winter is nearly over here in Australia but because of this RSI I haven't been able to do much winter knitting. But there is one thing I know I need to knit before it gets too warm to wear it! Can you guess? I shall leave you with that thought! Happy knitting everyone!

Sweet Corona

2010-08-05T13:11:00.004+08:00

That's right everyone, I'm back into the sweater pattern that caused this RSI in the first place. And yes, it's scaring me, just a little. I did about 2" of the thing yesterday and I'm nearly at the hood. No knitting today, I think I over-induldged a little yesterday. Slow and steady and all that. Just a real quick one today. I will post pictures of Corona when she's done. (Want to see the pattern? Check out my other Corona posts to get a link). Happy knitting!

Update:
Maybe I lied. A few rows today can't hurt... right?

Shh....

2010-07-27T09:40:00.008+08:00

I return to the knitting world with a pattern. I present to you Whisper, a cabled headband.

(This is about as close to seeing my face as your going to get. :P Sort of makes me look like a cyclops type of thing. Oh and yes, that's my bathroom!)

The Story:

This headband came about after I was in desperate need of a knitting project. For those of you familiar with this blog, I have recently been taken down by the great enemy of the knitters, RSI. My bad wrists meant no knitting for most of this year. After the stresses of a recent house moving adventure, (not to mention Uni assignments coming out of everywhere!) I decided to create a nice little headband from a ball of... Moda Vera something in a charchol-y blue sort of colour. A headband because I love how quick they are and I always think they look nice! Not content with a simple garter stitch, 2 by 2 rib or stockinette stitch, I went all out and created a nice cable panel. The two edge stitches are garter stitch, to give some stability; the next two stitches in are reverse stockinette to create the panel and the centre four stitches are a nice cable pattern. I sort of just created the cabled bit from my own thoughts, rather than a stitch dictionary. This headband can be worn either with long or short hair, hair up or hair down. Or on the checkouts at work like I do.

Please excuse the shot of my forehead. It was one of the only ways to get a picture of the band on without getting my face in the shot.

You'll need:

- 6mm needles

- Assorted yarn, about half a ball, probably even less than that. Preferably not some sort of fuzzy novelty yarn, this pattern has detail in the stitches so you want to be able to see it

- Measuring tape

-Scissors

-Two buttons in a co-ordinating colour to the yarn *Optional*

-Sewing needle and thread

Tension:

Not important for this project. You can use any size needles and any size yarn, you'll be going off measurements of your own head so make sure you measure twice, cast off once!

The cable detail. A little blurry, I'll admit but good enough for now.

Instructions:

- CO 12 sts

- Row 1: K2, P2, K4, P2, K2

- Row 2: K2, K2, P4, K2, K2

- Rep last two rows 4 times, 6 times in total

- First Cable Row: K2, P2, C4B, P2, K2

- Repeat Row 1 & 2 6 times

- Second Cable Row: K2, P2, C4F, P2, K2

- Repeat as follows:

Row 1 & 2 x 6

1st Cable Row

Row 1 & 2 x 6

2nd Cable Row

-Measure around your head where the headband will sit. Remember to measure a few different times just to be sure.

-When your head band reaches 5cm before your head measurement, create 2 YO's on either side of the cable, on the next row use a decrease row of your choice with the YO and the stitch next to it. *This step is optional if you are going to use buttons*

-Continue with the established pattern for 3 more rows and BO loosely.

-Sew buttons on if necessary, or if you are choosing to use no buttons sew the CO edge to the BO edge using an invisible stitch.

- Et Voila! You now have an awesome Geeky Knits Original Whisper Headband!

The stress of moving

2010-07-06T18:48:00.002+08:00

Wow, I'm doing really well with this blog, aren't I? I swear as soon as we've settled into our new house and I've dug up all my knitting stuff from it's box, I'll be back. I promise!

Blog Silence

2010-06-30T18:37:00.000+08:00

Sorry for the silence lately, we're moving house. Enough said.

That was probably not the best idea I've ever had...

2010-06-11T16:22:00.003+08:00

Silly me decided to pack all my knitting things away before I even looked at any of the other stuff I need to pack before we move house. Now all my magazines, books, loose patterns, needles and of course yarn are stuffed in a great box outside my room. All taped up and everything! Bugger. To cure any sudden urges to knit, the next thing I did was go out and buy 5 balls of Moda Vera's Papagallo yarn and an 8mm circ. It'll be my interim knitting project! It's also the project I'm going to re-learn to knit on. How am I going to re-learn how to knit, you may ask. Well, I've given my current RSI situation some thought and decided the only way to help it cure (yes, it's still giving me a little grief) is either to stop knitting completely or to learn to knit with my left hand. So I'm learning to knit continental. It's tricky, slow and my tension is a little wobbly, but I'm getting it. Slowly. Oh so slowly! *Ahem* anyway! Here's a couple of pictures to end my post for today! Happy knitting everyone!

My newly organised wool. All colour-coded, labeled and stuffed into Glad Bags. It'll save me heaps of grief when it comes to unpacking at the other end.

All my various knitting things laid out. Man that's a lot of stuff, and it all managed to fit into just the one box! Well, except some of my scarfs and ponchos, it is winter here after all!!

Dying and Gifts

2010-06-07T12:23:00.005+08:00

I've been doing some yarn dying lately. When I move house I won't be able to see the kids I babysit anymore, so I've decided to get them a going away pressie of the knit variety. I've hum-ed and haa-ed over a shit-load of patterns of quick little things to knit up, and I've finally decided to make my own. And so I've got a new Geekie Designs original coming out soon! I haven't finished writing it up yet, but the pattern will be posted shortly. Meanwhile, here are some pictures.

The wool before it went into the water and vinegar mix. Yarn necklace!

The newly dyed wool. Pink, purple and orange. Lover-ly!

The newly balled wool. See, I'm not the best at winding it all, but it works just fine! Happy knitting everyone!

And so it begins... Again.

2010-05-29T13:43:00.004+08:00

I was quite apprehensive about picking up Corona again after all these months. After all, it was this project that sparked off my RSI in the first place, among other things of course. But after taking a quick peek at my Ravelry Notebook and the number of WIP's I've got, I thought I'd better get a move along with them before starting too many other projects (The RSI cure I spoke of last post has flown out the window, by the way). So last night I sat down with the second sleeve of Corona and after an episode of Grey's Anatomy followed by one of Private Practise, I had both sleeves done and added to the body. My hands are a little stiff today, but I'm not going to knit a lot today or tomorrow and hopefully my RSI is history! Here's a nice picture of my progress! Getting closer! Happy knitting everyone!

Meet Anatolie...

2010-05-28T14:21:00.005+08:00

I present Anatolie...

Isn't he just the cutest?

In other news, I'm devising an RSI program. Which basically means I can have as many projects going as I like. I've got Corona still going, that's my Small Needle Project. I'm now going to start a Big Needle project, a nice tunic made from the same yarn as my Corona. It'll be another Geekie Design pattern, so stay tuned for a Free Pattern! I can swap and change between my big and small needles to keep my RSI at bay. Fingers crossed it increases my knit time! Happy knitting everyone!

Little by little

2010-05-26T17:33:00.002+08:00

I'm slowly returning to the world of Knit. I've done that mass ass assignment and handed it in and now taking a few days to let my hands recover before diving in to some big knitting. I've been looking for some quick little toys to knit for the kids I babysit to give them before I move away (yes, we are moving away from the place I've known for the past 15 years!) and I found these Little Gnomes from Ravelry. I knit one yesterday, it was supposed to be for Cutie Boy, but it's staying here with me. I've named him Anatolie. He still needs his arms sewed on, but I'll do that later.

He's awesome, huh? In that picture he still needs to be stuffed, but I've since done that. I'll show you the pictures of him when he's done later, for now I've got to go do the socializing thing with my Gran, who's come for dinner. Happy knitting everyone!

Where have I been?

2010-05-20T15:00:00.005+08:00

Want to know what's been keeping me from BlogLand the last few days? Well, it's this:

Yes, that massive wad of paper (27 pages to be exact) is an assignment for Uni. It's over about 3,000 words, complete with pictures and borders and things as per the lecturer's instructions. It's about 65% of the entire assignment. Needless to say, this is gonna take me out of the blogging world for the next couple of days! Before I leave you today, I will show you my latest project. I may have mentioned last time I'm doing the Peekaboo mitts from a ravelry pattern. Well, I've finished one, and it looks sweet! The second is being slowly completed infront of the telly after I crash on the couch after working on that assignment.

Well, what do you think? Ok folks, that's all from me for the next couple of days. Happy knitting all!

Custard the Dragon

2010-05-15T11:30:00.001+08:00

My hands are doing really well since I started knitting again. But I can't wait for this semester of Uni to be over and I can stop typing up assignments. I haven't done a whole lot of designing since my last post about Auraleigh, but I have a bunch of ideas floating around and not enough time! Last night I whipped up a Peekaboo mitten (ravelry link) out of this really chunky yarn and my 9mm's. I've done one so far, I'll move on to the second one later today. It's a little big and it'll need some elastic to hold it on but it'll be great for those freezing mornings waiting for the train. I haven't got any pictures as of yet, but I will soon. For the rest of today I've got a pretty important Uni essay to do, I'm about 20% of the way through it. But after I finish it I'm going to start work on some serious designing. At night I like to read The Tale of Custard the Dragon to Baby and Little O. I've recently found the second part Custard the Dragon and the Wicked Knight. And you guessed it, I'm going to make a Custard the Dragon. The patterns I've found for dragons are not the best, so out comes my sketch book and I'll make my own. I shall leave you today with The Tale of Custard the Dragon, by Ogden Nash. (And yes, I do know it off by heart!)

Belinda lived in a little white house,
With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse,
And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon,
And a realio, trulio little pet dragon.

Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink,
And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink,
And the little yellow dog was as sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.

Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,
And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,
Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,
And realio, trulio daggers on his toes.

Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs.
Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard cried for his nice safe cage.

Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful,
Ink, Blink and Mustard rudely called him Percival,
They all sat laughing in the little red wagon
At the realio, trulio cowardly dragon.

Belinda giggled till she shook the house,
And Blink said Week! which is giggling for a mouse,
Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age,
When Custard cried for his nice safe cage.

Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound,
Mustard growled and they all looked around.
Meowch! cried Ink, and Ooh! cried Belinda,
For there was a pirate, climbing in the winda.

Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right
And he held in his teeth, a cutlass bright.
His beard was black, one leg was good,
It was clear this pirate meant no good.

Belinda paled, and she cried Help! Help!
But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp,
Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink, strategically mouseholed.

But up jumped Custard snorting like an engine,
Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm,
He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.

The pirate gaped at Belinda’s dragon,
And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon,
He fired two bullets but they didn’t hit,
And Custard gobbled him, every bit.

But presently up spoke Mustard,
I’d be twice as brave if I hadn’t been flustered.
And up spoke Ink and up spoke Blink,
We’d have been three times as brave we think,
And Custard said, I quite agree
That everyone is braver than me.

Belinda still lives in her little white house,
With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse,
And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon,
And a realio, trulio little pet dragon

Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chase lions down the stairs.
Mustard is as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard keeps crying for his nice safe cage.

I'm back baby!

2010-05-10T13:04:00.004+08:00

That's right, I'm back! I'm taking it real easy, and being gentle to my poor hands. But I've started knitting and designing again. And to celebrate my return to the knitted world, I've got a sweet pattern for you all! I call it Auraleigh (Or-rah-lee).

The Story:
I've knitted lots of different types of things over the years, some of them hats. And so far, not one beanie has gone the way it should. Here in Australia it never gets cold enough to really get a lot of wear out of a beanie, but I really wanted a nice one to wear when the weather got colder. All the other beanies I've made always seem to be either too loose, too tight, too short, too long or just plain ugly. No matter how many different patterns I tried, there was none that fitted my head perfectly! So, my answer? Design my own, of course! I set out to find the yarn first, and stumbled across Moda Vera's new Giaggiolo. It was so soft and the colours were absolutely gorgeous that I ignored the 100% acrylic warning and got one luscious 100g ball. Armed with my sparkly 6mm needles and my sketch pad I designed Auraleigh. Over the next few nights in front of Big Bang Theory, Bones, House and NCIS: LA, I sketched and designed and eventually knit up my perfect beanie. The name I got from a list of baby names, and it just seemed to fit the hat nicely. I haven't had a chance to wear it all day yet the weather is still not cold enough, but soon I can take her to the streets! It took me a couple of days to knit it up, but it can easily be fitted in to a lazy weekend (Please, please! Pace your self, I don't want to be the cause of anyone's RSI!). The basket weave effect across the rim holds the hat in place and there's no need to weave in the dreaded hat elastic. Make it exactly like mine, or change it suit you. If you need any help or anything, drop me a line and leave a comment and I'll do my best to help. Oh, and please send me your pictures, I'd love to see how she turns out with a different creator! (Fine print: Please be kind and don't take credit for my design, and rather than passing my pattern around please give people the link. Also ask permission before selling any pieces based on my pattern. Thanks for your co-operation!)

You'll need:
-6mm needles (or you can opt for circular and double pointed needles and knit in the round if you wish)
- About 50g of yarn. I used Moda Vera's Giaggiolo.
-Sewing needle and scissors
-Oh, and a knowledge of how to knit!

Tension:
14 stitches and 18 rows to 10cm (4") square

What to do:
- Cast on 70 stitches
- K2, P2 across row to establish rib pattern
- Continue with rib pattern for 6 rows
- Swap rib to create basket weave effect- instead of k2 p2, start with p2.
- Continue with new rib pattern for 6 rows
- Revert back to original rib pattern, beginning with k2, for another 6 rows
- Work now measures about 3" or 7cm
- Work in stockinette stitch till it measures 5" or 13cm ending with purl row
- K2tog, k7 across row
- P across row
- K2tog, k6 across row
- P across row
- K2tog, k5 across row
- P across row
- K2tog, k4 across row
- P across row
- K2tog, k3 across row
- P across row
- K2tog, k2 across row
- P across row
- K2tog, k1 across row
- P across row
- K2tog across row
- You should have about 8 sts remaining
- Cut yarn, draw through remaining stitches and secure.
- Sew seam along back of hat with tail end of yarn and weave in ends
- Et voila! You now have Auraleigh!

And, my dear knitting friends, I leave you today with some pictures and a promise of another pattern shortly! Happy knitting everyone!

The detail

The yarn (and Sheldon in the background!)

I'm so sorry!!

2010-04-28T15:36:00.003+08:00

I've re-written this post like a million and one times. I've no idea what to say. Well, I'm not healing, I'm doing all the wrong things when it comes to RSI and I'm still not knitting. No, wait. I'm lying. A couple of days ago I caved, strapped my hands up and knitted one glorious round of the sleeve of Corona. But apart from that, I am telling the truth. I know I'm doing the wrong things to heal, but you've no idea how hard it is to stop using your hands after 18 years of being able to. I've heard it from heaps of other RSI sufferers that they 'wish they'd stopped sooner', and I do really wish I had, but given the chance again, sooner or later it was going to happen. Now there might be a long silence here and I am sorry for that, but if I'm going to heal I'm gonna do it right, damn it! So if there is anyone out there still reading, thanks and I'll see you again when I'm all better. I won't say the usual 'Happy knitting' because I'm too jealous!

Long time no post...

2010-04-02T11:13:00.005+08:00

I do apoligise for my absence, but it seems this RSI is determined to stick around a lot longer than I want it to. I am still avoiding my knitting completely, and still going through withdrawal. I really, REALLY want to knit! But I know it'll only be hurting me. I'm still using my ergonomic keyboard and mouse and they do help, but I can't go on my computer for more than about half an hour at once. Annoying when it comes around to my assignments. But anyway, I have been looking for different crafts to do, and not all of them hurt my RSI.

One, is the sewing. But since my last post I haven't had a chance to pull out the old Singer and sew something. But I will be soon, hopefully.

Two, is friendship bracelets. Just the basic double knot ones you used to do as kids. I've got three I wear on my wrists all the time. I can't do it for too long, but it is good for those few minutes when I absoulutely need to do something with my hands. Here's a picture of the ones I wear all the time:

I've also developed a rather bad habbit of looking at knitting patterns. A plus is it doesn't hurt my hands at all. My heart does break when I remember I won't be able to knit it, but I can't seem to stop. A fantastic book I found at the library the other day is "Knitted Pirates, Princesses, Witches, Wizards & Fairies" by Annette Hefford. It is simply beautiful. The detail in each character is extraordinary. And one day, one day, I'd like to do it as a long term project. You know, work on it a little bit everynight for a couple of months. One day...

Anyway, here are some pictures of the book. The cover below, picturing Alistair Wizard.

The detail in the face of Breanna. Just look at that hair! Lovely!

And one of my personal favourites, Samuel Crowe. Remind you of a certain Disney character, anyone? *cough* Jack Sparrow *cough*

Such a fantastic book, don't you think? One day I'll knit one, or five.

Oh, and for those smart cookies, yes I have been playing with the new feature in Bloger Draft. I am in the process of re-designing my layout. But as I can't spend too much time on my computer I have to pace myself. Hopefully it'll all be looking great in the near future. Happy knitting everyone!

Other craftiness...

2010-03-17T07:53:00.006+08:00

Still no knitting... but the healing goes well. Yesterday I was going through a total craft withdrawal so I started flicking through my old 'Get Creative' magazines and stumbled across a gorgeous bunny pattern from the March 2010 issue. I showed it to Little O and she instantly fell in love with it! So, off I went to my LYS in search of Fat Flats. You know, the fabric sold in little quarters for quilting? I got some co-ordinating fabric, picked Little O up from kindy and set down to work.

The fabrics I chose are pictured below. Cute, right?

Combine those fabrics with the picture below from the magazine.

And combine those with an ancient Singer sewing machine,

A few jams and curse words,

And 5 hours later you have Jemima!

This picture is just for fun. It's the bunny's legs being sewn in.

But, what do you think? Sweet, huh? Little O loves her! It took quite a bit longer than I'd thought, but it was definately worth it. My RSI felt fine doing it, so I think I'll be doing some more Easter sewing in the next few weeks. Happy knitting (and other crafting) everyone!

I was doing so well...

2010-03-11T18:38:00.004+08:00

I have been doing better these last few days. Actually that's not quite accurate. I was doing really well, my RSI pain was limited to the times I touched my computer mouse, but then I had to start this assignment for Uni. I had delayed as long as I possibly could, but I couldn't put it off any longer. And of course that was when my RSI decided to flare up again. To put it lightly, I was pissed. I was so close! But I gave myself a days break and resumed typing this assignment earlier today. My hands were pretty stiff and sore all morning and I thought it would be hel trying to type this thing, but I knew I had to push through for the sake of my good marks. And now, about 4, nearly 5 hours later? My hands haven't felt this good since before I got this stupid RSI. Who'd have thought that the most common cause of RSI would actually help me! I won't overdo it of course, but maybe, just maybe this is it. Maybe I really will be fine in a few days, maybe a weeks, time (Like I keep telling myself). I may even get this Corona jumper done before winter. Keep those fingers crossed!!

In other news, here are a couple of pictures from my recent trip to Rottnest Island. Such a beautiful island, just off the coast of Western Australia.

This first picture is of my shadow. A little out of preportion (my butt is not that large, I swear!). But a nice picture nonetheless. And about as close as you're going to get to seeing my face!

This next picture is of Salmon Bay, where Huggy, BK, Probie and I spent pretty much the entire day. If you come over to WA, or are lucky enough to live here (like me!) I highly recommend going. The ferry can get a wee bit expensive and if you hire bikes there's quite a few hills but definately well worth it. Oo... I can feel the RSI flaring up a tad, so that's all from me for now. Happy knitting everyone!

Ergonomics

2010-03-05T09:07:00.003+08:00

I finally have a solution to my keyboard and mouse related RSI. Having already found a very effective cure for the knitting induced part of it, (a complete and utter ban) I am pleased to announce I now have an ergonomic keyboard and mouse to help my poor slowly healing hands. And I present to you the wavy ergonomic keyboard and sleek ring-and-pinkie-finger-platmform mouse.

Sweet, huh? This picture is a wee bit blurry and comes out pinker than the thing really is, but it showcases the lovely wavy bit nicely.

Check out the sweet little platform thingo for my ring and pinkie finger on the side of this mouse! I love, love, LOVE it!! I reckon about 2 more weeks and I'll be right as rain. Fingers crossed! Happy knitting everyone!

The End is Near!

2010-03-03T17:51:00.004+08:00

And no, not of this blog or of my knitting. I mean that my RSI is doing so much better and my self imposed computer and knitting ban is nearly over! I have been on my computer for the last 20 minutes and so far so good. I am still getting an ergonomic keyboard and mouse, just to make sure I'll be alright to write my Uni essays, but let's keep hoping I'll be back on track with my Corona project in the very near future. Just another quick one today to remind you that I am still here. And also as a test run to see how my hands go typing. This is the most I've typed since I did my RSI over 3 weeks ago. See? Knitting and typing too much can hurt and cause serious damage that takes weeks, even (God forbid) months to heal. But none of you are as stupid as me, right? Happy knitting everyone!

This is where I have been...

2010-02-24T18:10:00.005+08:00

Since I got RSI in my wrists I have thrown myself head first into my studies. I know. Sad, isn't it? And boy do I miss my knitting! My Corona project and yarn bucket sit on my desk with a HUGE sign on them "DO NOT TOUCH ME! No matter how much you want it..." So, my knitting is gathering dust and all my time is spent reading this mass ass pile of books for Uni, which started last week. And these aren't all of them.

You've seen the next picture picture in my last post, but here it is again, to remind all you knitters out there DO NOT OVER DO IT and if it hurts... STOP. Trust me on this.

All this typing this has made my hands a tad sore again. So, I bid thee farewell! And hope to be back in the near future! Happy knitting everyone!

I am still alive!

2010-02-15T12:54:00.003+08:00

Those of you who've read my most recent posts will know I have been suffering from RSI in my wrist. First up it was my right hand, and now in the last few days it's my left, too. But good news is they are on the mend and as long as I don't knit or type for too long I'll be fine in a few days. Below is a picture of my lovely new wrist-wear. It's ever so stylish, and I attract such looks when I tell people why I'm wearing it. No one believes me when I say I got it from knitting for nearly two weeks straight. Well, it's a good thing I don't care what people think about me!

Today, after work I headed out for a spot of retail therapy. And as Uni is starting tomorrow (yay!) and I can't go to my LYS (the temptation is just too much!) I went to get supplies for Uni. First up is some notebooks. Lovely colour coded ones from my favourite stationary shop of all time, Smiggle. Aren't they awesome?

I also had to get a new handbag. My old one, pictured below, has been a trooper. I've had it for years, and it was from the Salvo's anyway so goodness knows how old it really is. But it finally bit the dust when the clasp ripped free of the bag. So, off I went to get a new one.

It's gorgeous, soft, brown, has oodles of pockets and most importantly has plenty of space for my yarn bucket and knitting projects. Sweet, huh?

Well, guys I don't know when my next post will be, hopefully in the next few days, but you never know. Fingers crossed my RSI just goes away forever! The power of positive thinking is an amazing thing! Though, maybe not that amazing. But it can't hurt to try! Happy knitting everyone!

Ahhh.... That's better...

2010-02-11T14:02:00.002+08:00

The last few days I've been feeling a bit... well, titchy. Sort of restless, like I don't know what to do. My wrist is still rather sore, but today it was feeling a bit better. So, I decided a few rows of my Corona sleeve couldn't hurt. So, I picked up my needles and knitted. Pure bliss. I was going through knitting withdrawal. I only did about 1 and a half rounds of the second sleeve of Corona, but now I feel better. I figure if I keep going like this for the next few days, I'll be back to normal soon. Fingers crossed! Happy knitting everyone!

Mmm... Noodle Soup!

2010-02-10T11:33:00.002+08:00

I have just returned from a nice long shift at work and instead of being able to sit down with Corona until my afternoon shift, I've got to find something else to do. Yes, my arm is still rather sore and I'm refusing to hurt it again. I made a pact with myself last night that I wouldn't touch my needles again for at least 24 hours. But that of course doesn't count cuddling the progress of Corona. It's just so irresistable! So soft, and light and fluffy! *Ahem*... Anyhoo! No, instead of coming home to my knitting, I came home to noodle soup. Delicious and full of MSG, I had 2 minute noodles for lunch! And because it's me I thought everyone should hear about it! (Hey, I once wrote a nice long post about the healing properties of trackie dacks. No judging.) Thanks to everyone for their kind messages and hopefully I will be back on track with Corna later this week. Happy knitting everyone!

Oh, woe is me...

2010-02-09T19:25:00.002+08:00

We interrupt this near week long knitting frenzy with an important update:

Knitting for over a week straight is harmful.

Do you want to know how I know this? Well, I'll tell you anyway. I've done it, and now have an RSI in my right forearm. Just like they used to get in the 80's when people would spend too long typing. A Repetitive Stress Injury from knitting. Well, that's just perfect. As you can tell I'm a little peeved. And so a word of advice to fellow knitters:

The finished piece may looks more beautiful that you could imagine, but it's JUST NOT WORTH IT.

There, I've had my vent and now I can go watch NCIS in peace, but alas withouth the comforting click clack of my needles. Until my arm heals (I'll re-evaluate after a 24 hour cooling period) I bit thee ado. Happy knitting everyone (you lucky bastards).

My entire days work

2010-02-09T09:54:00.002+08:00

Yesterday Huggy started back at school, she's studying graphic design at TAFE, and she was there from 8 in the morning till 8:30 at night! I know! So, I was pretty much alone yesterday. The rest of my sisters having gone back to school a week ago, summer holidays are finally over! Anyway, I went on Ravelry for a while yesterday, looking up more patterns and the like. But at around lunchtime I got bored, and this is when I'd usually go across the hall to Huggy's room and hang out there for a bit. But, of course she wasn't there. So I knitted (what else?). I curled up in the corner of my bed, between the wall and the headboard, and made sure everthing was in easy reach and knitted ALL afternoon. I was, of course, working on the sleeves for Corona, and I was using my new 5mm double pointed needles. But the problem was, the mohair hasn't really got a lot of substance, so the needles were clicking together very annoyingly. But I just turned my music up louder and eventually fell into that medatative state where knitting becomes automatic and I'm off with the fairies. A few hours later, at around dinner time, I checked my progress. I'd finished all 11" of one sleeve. Yay! I did try to take pictures, but of course I couldn't really get the angle of my camera right with it on my arm, so I moved the sleeve down a bit and took a sort of blurry picture from there. Still looks cool and the colours turned out right this time. I did get sick of the 1X1 rib at the cuff, so gave up after about 2". I also didn't really trust the pattern for the sleeves so I improvised, and didn't need any increases because I'm cool like that. But, what do you think? Sweet, huh? It's a three quarter sleeve, if anyone's insterested. It falls just past my elbow. So, more of a 2 thirds. But whatever. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

I cast on for the second sleeve last night and that'll be my project today. In non-knitting news, soon I'll hopefully be getting a new layout, thanks to Huggy's designing skills. Stay tuned for that! Happy knitting everyone!

Corona Cable

2010-02-08T07:50:00.003+08:00

Corona is coming along nicely! I'm almost up to the arms. Yay! The cable along the collar is taking shape, but thanks to my inability to read a pattern and follow it word for word I have changed the cable. Instead of a fancier type of cable-within-a-cable I've got a 12 stitch rope cable. Which looks fine anyway, so I'm sticking with it. There's a rather blurry picture of the detail below.

The mohair doesn't need fancy cables anyway, it looks plenty fancy on it's own. The only thing is I've got 11 balls of the stuff, and so far, about 75% of the way up the body, I've used 1 and about a third. This yarn goes really far! So, it looks like I'll end up with lots of green mohair things in my winter clothes. And because I can, here's another picture. This one has my hand in it so you can see the relative size. The colour is actually a bit brighter, but it looks cool anyway. Happy knitting everyone!

Organisation is the key!

2010-02-07T16:04:00.004+08:00

I've been steadily knitting Corona, and I'm loving this pattern! It was a bit fiddly when I came to the collar bit, but it gets easier with every row. I have made a change to it, slightly. I decided to do a different cable on the hood, just because I could. It's from Harmony Guide's Cable and Aran Stitches. And right now I can't for the life of me remember what it's called. Oh, well! You'll see pictures of it soon enough! I don't have any 5mm double pointed needles, but I do have 4.5mm, so I think I'll use those for the arms. Just add a few extra stitches to make sure. I really can't be bothered to run all the way out to my LYS and I'm pretty broke right now! So, 4.5's will have to do! The first picture below is of my progress so far, well up to this morning anyway. I've done a wee bit more now. The colour is actually pretty spot on. It's hard to get my circs to lay flat on my desk, so it looks a little odd. But, whatever.

The next picture is an artsy type one of the detail. Sweet, huh? Just because I like to take pictures. You can sort of see the stitch marker in there. They are soooo awesome! If I do say so myself!

In other news, I am the Queen of organisation! Well, not really. My room is a mess, my desk is not visible under my knitting and books and don't even get me started on my car! But I have just organised all my little knitting notions into an old hard top pencil case. Stitch markers are hanging off a pocket, my tape measure, my stitch counter, my pen and a stitch holder are all in their own places. Isn't it sweet? Now it's all organised and I won't loose any little things! Well, I can't say I won't loose the whole thing, but at least it'll all be together when (I mean, if!) I do! Happy knitting everyone!

How to make Stitch Markers

2010-02-06T12:30:00.004+08:00

I have been busy with my newest project, Corona. I've almost done the ribbing at the bottom now, pictures to come. I am loving this pattern, the fact that it's done in the round is my favourite part so far. I hate having to do the back, only to start again on the front. It is a known fact I suffer from Second Sock Syndrome, which also extends to sleeves and any pieces of knitting that require two of the same piece. Yuck! But, I do reccomend the Corona pattern! It can ben found here on Ravelry.

In other news, I have made a tutorial for you all! Ages ago I had some stitch markers, just your average round things from my LYS, but then I lost them. All of them. But because they were so cheap, I didn't really worry about them. After all, stitch markers can be made with anything, right? The last few patterns I've used have needed stitch markers, so I have been using a loop of constrasting yarn. It worked really well, until I was knitting last night and at least 3 times I attempted to knit the marker too. Hey, in my defence it was dark and I was exhuasted. I was knitting infront of old Friends re-runs. So, I decided that was it, I needed some good stitch markers, ones that I'd actually look for if I misplaced them. So this morning I took a trip to my LYS and found some stuff from the jewelery aisle to make some stitch markers. And here is how I did it!

Step One:

You'll need some glass beads, earring hooks (or anything round with a clasp, and big enough to go around your biggest needle) and some jewelry pins, with the little heads on the end.

Step Two:

Thread the glass beads along the pins. Easy.

Step Three:

This is where things get fiddly. Using some pliers bend the top of the pins in a round shape, big enough to go onto the earring, and making sure there's no gaps so the pins won't fall off.

Step Four:

Thread the pins onto the earring hooks and Voila! You've got your very own stitch marker! You can use anything you want, but I like the glass beads. They are also great little gifts for the knitters in your life! (Wow, listen to me! I sound like a commercial! Haha!)

The above picture also showcases the beginning of my Corona. The green of the mohair blend is a bit funky in this picture, but since I was taking a picture of my new stitch marker I didn't really worry about it. I'll take some more pictures of Corona when I've knitted a bit more. Also, if you read this tutorial, please leave a comment so I know if it's helpful. Any questions or anything, leave me a comment and I'll get right back to you! Happy knitting everyone!

As one nears it's end, another begins...

2010-02-03T11:16:00.005+08:00

I have done the knitting part of my jute uni bag, and might I say... yay!! It's looking good! I have started the embroidery on the front and will be stitching it all together, pockets and all, hopefully tomorrow afternoon. The jute was so hard to knit with, and as soon as I finish it, you'll get the pattern.

Yesterday, I had fun with my camera and some buttons taking heaps of artsy type pictures. These buttons will go on the front of my bag, the smaller ones becoming the centre of embroidery flowers. Sweet, huh?

In other knitty news, I have started my new project. Yes, I know I've still got 2 WIPs, as my ravelry notebook keeps reminding me, but I so badly wanted to start this! It's called Corona, it's a ravelry pattern, and it's absoulutely gorgeous! I'm doing it out of all that Believe I got ages ago. Apart from a little sizing issue when I first cast on, I am going really well. Well, I'm 2 rounds into it, but I had work this morning and couldn't very well do it there! I am loving the yarn, I've never really worked with mohair and it feels delightful. I can't wait to wear the sweater when it's done! There will definately be more to come with this pattern. I already have the ideas

going. I haven't taken any pictures as yet, there's not really much to see, but I will soon... promise!

Below is a my new profile picture, "Geek" made out of buttons. It took like a gazillion shots to get it to look right, and the colours are still a wee bit off, but I think it looks sweet. It'll also become my ravelry picture as soon as I figure out how to put it up there. (Anyone that can help me, feel free to leave me a comment!). Stay tuned for the pattern of my Jute Uni Bag, hopefully in the next few posts. Happy knitting everyone!

All in a day's work...

2010-02-02T09:19:00.003+08:00

Well, more like 2 days since my last post. I've spent most of my time doing knitty things the past 2 days, mainly snooping around ravelry trying to find a pattern for all those balls of Believe I have lying around. But I have been knitting my jute bag, well the handle at least. It's almost done! Yay! I'm still deciding on what to make pockets out of, calico or more jute, but I'll decide that when it comes to finishing. I can't wait to try this bag out! That's one of the best parts about knitting things, the testing at the end. Well, unless they don't work, then it's just depressing. But, anyhoo! I eventually did find a really nice pattern for that Believe yarn. It's called Corona and it looks GREAT!! I'm hoping to start this afternoon. I'm also working on how to fix that tubey sweater thing I started and gave up on. I think I've got the design fully worked out now, but I need a trip to my local library to find the technique instructions. And since I will be completing the pattern myself I'll give it to you all once I'm done. Yay for free patterns! Well, I am now off to finish this bag and hopefully take some nice photos of it for you all to see, oh and get around to writing up the pattern for it. Happy knitting everyone!

Ow, ow, ow!

2010-01-30T09:13:00.004+08:00

That's what I said when I got up this morning and tried to move my hands! I knitted like an absoulute demon yesterday! All on my Jute Uni bag, of course. I'm doing it double stranded with my glittery 6mm needles. And let me tell you it's hard work. Like, I mean, this is really tough knitting. Not a beginner's project, despite the easy stitches. So far, it's just stockinette. My hands have loosened up a bit now, but they are still a wee bit stiff. I know I won't be able to knit very much today, but it's definately worth it because I got heaps done yesterday. I started the front piece of the bag just after I posted yesterday, and I knitted a rather steady pace all afternoon. The rest of the family was out for the night, Huggy was at work till 4, so I decided to run myself a nice bath and knit in peace with my music blaring from my i-pod. It was lovely. Even if I did accidently dip the jute into the bath water a few times while knitting. Oops! Oh, well no lasting damage was done! You can see in the picture below (excuse the razor) the big ball of jute twine I got yesterday and my progress sticking out of it.

After Huggy got home from work we sat on the couch and watched old episodes of Friends and I knitted. It wasn't until I was almost done the back piece as well as the front did I stop to look how much I actually knitted. Wow! I'm now almost done the main knitting part, just have to do the strap. Yay! I love quick knits! The picture below shows both the front and back pieces. Don't they look awesome?

I'm still debating what to do the pockets out of, because every bag I knit must have pockets, but I'll decide that when I come to it. I guess I'll have to find another way to keep occupied today, considering the state of my hands. I just know they'll hurt when I pick up the needles, so I'm going to give them a rest for the most part of today. Possibly by tonight they'll have loosened up enough for me to do some slow rows of the strap. Or I'll be crippled for life. Happy knitting everyone, and here's an artsy picture of the jute twine knitted up. Sweet, huh?

Finished Socks and A New Project

2010-01-29T10:43:00.003+08:00

First up, Sheldon didn't get up to much this week, so Sheldon's Adventures will appear next week. On to the Cankle Sock... Ta da!! It's done! Finally! And might I say pretty cool looking! The yarn did do something funky with it's colouring towards the end, as can be seen in the picture below on the toe of the right sock, but whatever. It still looks sweeet! I think these will be the last socks I knit for a while, I love them but boy! Hard work with that damn heel! Oh and not to mention Second Sock Syndrome! But one day I'll do some more, at a tighter gauge though. I mean, I love my droopey socks, but I do want some that stay on!

I went out to my local hardware store this morning in search of Jute. Why, I hear you ask? Well, Uni starts in the middle of February and I need a bag I can take on the train up to the main campus to carry all my books. I knew I wanted to knit one, but I also knew that unless I line the inside of my bag, it'll probably stretch out of shape with the massive weight of my books. So, using some inspiration from a knitted shopping bag, I decided to design my own with jute. Jute, for those that don't know, is like string. Extremely course and tough string. So, off I trot to my LHS (local hardware shop, get it? Haha.) and find a nice BIG thing of jute twine. $25.50 later I've got 600m worth of jute twine. Below is my initial sketch of what I want my bag to look like. The final embriodery will not be decided until I actually finish the bag, but you get the idea. Pretty cool, huh?

In other news... I'm on Ravelry!! Yay! You can find me here. After months of reading about other knitters and crochetters and their designs on Ravelry, I finally succumbed and signed up myself. I'm in the process of adding all my knitted items, and the yarn from my stash. It may take a while, but hopefully I'll get it done soon. Right, well that's all from me today, I'm off to start my Jute Uni Bag. And don't worry, I'll give you the pattern when I'm done! Happy knitting everyone!

Progress, Progress!

2010-01-28T15:09:00.004+08:00

Wow, two posts in 1 day? Aren't you lucky! I took a picture of the progress of the Cankle Sock and wanted to show it off and couldn't wait until tomorrow! Looks pretty cool, huh? Well, I think so! Can't wait until they are done!!

The Hard Bit is Done!

2010-01-28T12:21:00.005+08:00

I really, REALLY didn't want to turn the heel of my Cankle Sock last night! On the first sock, it took me at least 2 days to do the stupid thing, so of course this time I was quite... um to put it lightly, scared shitless! But I concentrated on it really hard while I watched telly with Huggy last night, and VOILA!! The heel has been turned, and I'm on the home stretch! There isn't any finishing with these socks, I've substituted the grafting of the toe stitches into a 3 needle bind off, which looks just as good, and is much easier! So, hopefully tomorrow morning I'll be done!

In other news, I stumbled across this article on knitty.com about 'Hat Heel' socks. The technique sounds like a great idea! And I am itching to try it out, but I know I'll have to make my own tweeks to the idea to fit my cankles- it's a genetic thing, I blame Gran. Anyhoo... I'll be starting a new project in the near future, so I'll keep you posted. Happy knitting everyone!

Artsy Picture

2010-01-27T09:27:00.005+08:00

I've almost finished the leg part of my other Cankle Sock. It's looking pretty good, if I do say so myself. It is however at a slightly different gauge than the first one. Though I'm hoping it loosens up a bit when I put it on, to match it's rather droopy and saggy counterpart. Not that I have anything against the droopy, saggy one, I'd just like them to match. The picture below is of the half finished Cankle Sock. I got bored wainting for my computer to load up this morning, so I took sme artsy fartsy pictures. The second one is of the ball of yarn I'm using, Moda Vera's Noir. It's getting smaller and smaller and this is how it looks at the moment. Pretty, huh? Again, artsy farsty pictures.

Just a short post for today, happy knitting everyone!

Pirates and Socks

2010-01-26T10:10:00.003+08:00

I have decided not to knit anything else until I finish my other Cankle Sock. Let's hope I can stick to it! Last night Huggy and I put on one of our favourite movies of all time: Pirates of the Caribean. It's been AGES since I've watched Pirates, and I can still recite most scenes off by heart. Sad, isn't it? But at least it's one of those movies that goes well with my knitting. The only thing was I had to keep picking up my needles from my lap every few rounds because I'd forget to start the round again. Haha! While I started the first Cankle Sock I watched Edward Scissorhands, and now on the second I watched Pirates. What is the common thread here? Haha, love Johnny Depp! Anyway... actually that's all I have to say today. Happy knitting everyone! Oh, and to the Aussies, Happy Australia Day!

Slow Progress

2010-01-25T10:15:00.002+08:00

I am making slow progress on the second Cankle Sock. I've finished the cuff and am now working on the leg part. I wore the first one last night while I knitted infront of Friends re-runs. And I decided how I like to wear it. It's got no shaping between the calf and ankle, hence the name, so it tends to fall down. Plus my gauge seems to be off a bit so it's rather droopy. But I like wearing it with it pulled way down, sort of like those funky legwarmers scrunched up at the ankle. I'm sure it makes me look a tad strange, but I love it. As soon as the weather gets colder I'll be able to wear both of them all the time. In other news I finished the tube like thing. And I've got to say I'm not totally impressed with it. I'm going to rip back to the bind off and start again I think, as soon as I can bare it. I never like to admit my projects fail. I spend all that time wondering what the finished product will look like, and sometimes it works well, others it comes out different, and sometimes it just comes out bad. But that's ok, I'll just start again. And my next project? I don't really have any idea of what I'm going to knit next. Another turtle? Or possibly a green mohair jacket? Tough choice. And let's hope winter is a cold one this year. Considering we are having one of the hottest summers on record, wouldn't it be fair to ask for the coldest winter? Just something for the powers that be to consider! Happy knitting everyone!

Sheldon's Adventures

2010-01-23T09:25:00.006+08:00

Welcome to the first edition of Sheldon's Adventures. Usually this would be on a Friday, but I was too busy yesterday to post about it.

First up this past week, Sheldon didn't get up to much. He sat on the couch with Huggy and myself watching old episodes of Grey's Anatomy, then Bones when we ran out of episodes. There was a bit of a heat wave here and Sheldon even had to get out of his shell to keep cool!

When the weather got a bit cooler (still above 30 degrees C, but cooler than the 40+ it had been!) Mum cooked her famous Banana Choc Chip muffins. She's been cooking them for 18 years, since Huggy and I were born, and still needs her recipe! Still, they are the most delicious things in the world! And it looks like Sheldon liked them!

I got my Stitch 'N Bitch book later on in the week and Sheldon promptly stole my book. I think he liked looking through the patterns and telling me what I should make. Although he did look a little disapointed there weren't any patterns for turtle shells. (I have yet to show him the patterns I found for more shells!)

But I think the highlight of Sheldon's week was his new friend. Mum's friend had a baby and I decided to knit her a baby turtle. I have yet to put eyes on this new addition, but Sheldon liked her. Stay tuned for more of Sheldon's Adventures next week. Happy knitting everyone!

Oo! Yay!

2010-01-19T16:02:00.004+08:00

Guess what I got in the mail today? Yup... you got it! Didn't read my post at the beginning of the year about what I ordered from Angus and Robertson.com? Well, I got my copy of Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook by Debbie Stoller. And might I say... WOW! I LOVE it! If you can, get a copy. She's such a great writer, very funny. And the patterns are great. Now I have HEAPS of patterns just waiting to be knit! Yipee! Ahem... ok so maybe I got a wee bit excited.

In other news... YAY!!! I've made it to 50 posts! And as promised for my readers here's a....(drumroll please).... FREE PATTERN! The first pattern I ever designed myself, ok so maybe the first one I actually liked. These Chunky Armwarmers have been featured in a previous post and here's the pattern for all those pattern searching readers that don't really need to read my pretty much daily greatness in all it's geeky glory. And without further ado I present to you... Chunky Armwarmers! (See, this post to read about their history. Hint: They are the second picture in the post)

Creation Time: 3 hours (for 2)

Materials: 2 x 50g balls Basics Entwine, or any bulky yarn (Entwine: 50% wool, 30% acrylic, 20% alpaca. 60m per 50g ball), 7.5mm straight needles

Instructions:

- CO 23 sts

- K 3 rows

- Work st st till 10" starting with p row

- Inc 2 sts each end using inc method of your choice (on K row)

- 3 rows st st

- BO 4 sts at beg next 2 rows

- Work even in st st till 13'' from beg

- BO all stitches loosely

- Make one more

- Stitch seam leaving thumb opening open

- Et Voila! You now have two lovely chunky armwarmers!

(This pattern is for personal use only, not for commercial and not to be publiched without my consent. Be courteous, don't say this pattern is yours and link to this site if you feature this pattern in your blog or website. Thanks very much for your co-operation.) If there are any problems with this pattern, leave me a comment and I'll check it out for you. You may have noticed I didn't do a gague for this piece, that's not just laziness on my part it's that I just can't find my tape measure at the moment and didn't worry about tension when I made this pattern. It should be fine, if not adjust the needles as you see fit. And if you make these, I'd LOVE to see a picture. Well, folks that's all for now, and I thanks for reading my 50th post! Let's hope I am still around in another 50. Happy knitting everyone!

Baby Toy Complete

2010-01-18T17:31:00.002+08:00

I have spent the last 2 days non-stop knitting. And boy are my fingers sore! But the baby toy I knit for Mum's friends new baby is done. I used my favourite pattern at the moment, Sheldon the Turtle from knitty.com. My next project is to finish the tube like sweater thing I started a while back. It was inspired from this pattern from knitty.com, called Tubey. I used the picture from the top of the page and made up the pattern from there. Unfortunately, I won't be posting the pattern and if people would like to knit one similar to mine (when it's done, of course I'll post pictures!) I'll be passing on the link from knitty.com. It's not my place to take credit from the original creator.

Anyway, future knitting plans include more Sheldons for the sisters (Little O having fallen in love with my Sheldon), some long gloves sort of like these from knitty.com and possibly some more sweater like tops for when winter finally comes (we are in the middle of a 40 degree heat wave!). As soon as I know the patterns I'll be using, you'll know. And if I'm not mistaken this is my 49th post, so keep an eye out in the next couple of days (could be tomorrow, could be the day after. Who knows?) for a little suprise. It's nothing big, but it's just a little smoething to celebrate I've actually lasted this far in my blog posting, and I am actually enjoying it. Also, I'd like to send out a quick plee: if you read this, could you perhaps leave me a comment? Just so I know I'm not talking to myself? It doesn't have to be much, just a 'hi I read this'? Thanking you all kindly! Happy knitting everyone!

Baby Toy

2010-01-16T10:08:00.003+08:00

Yesterday I headed off to my LYS with no idea as to what I was going to knit for Mum's friend's new baby. I had spent the morning looking everywhere for a nice pattern for a teddy or toy for a baby. But, I couldn't find a really good, relatively quick knit. So, I decided I'd find the yarn and then find the pattern. I got one ball each of Paton's Smoothie DK in a light pink colour and Moda Vera's Cupcake in a rose pink colour. And then it hit me: A Sheldon for the baby. I was already famililar with the pattern, and wouldn't take too long the second time around. Last night I cast on for the body and head piece and this morning I took a picture of my progress. I started with the Smoothie DK as the main colour.
I did quite a bit in one night, don't you think? Hopefully by this afternoon I'll have the body and head complete and maybe even a couple of the legs. Huggy and I are going out tonight to BK's place for pizza. I might take my knitting with me, but then again I might not. We're in charge of desserts so I think I'll just stick with the mars bar dip. Haven't heard of that one? It's delicious! Just melt a couple of mars bars in the mircowave and viola! A lovely sweet dip for marshmallows and fruit! And if I'm eating that, the baby's turtle may just get covered in chocolate. It is a rather messy dessert. Happy knitting everyone!

Meet Sheldon...

2010-01-15T10:26:00.003+08:00

Meet Sheldon. Thanks soooo much to Ruth for the amazing pattern! You can find it here. Make sure you follow the link at the bottom of the page to go to the Sheldon the Turtle Blog. And definately, if you make your own Sheldon, let me know, I'd love to see him! Below is the technical shot of Sheldon, showing his removable shell.

I did change the pattern slightly, simply because I am incapable of following a pattern completely to the T. I did change my way of increasing from kfb (mainly because I find it too fiddly on the purl rows) to k1 m1. It works just as well. I also made up the head myself, I lost my place in the pattern (it's a loooong pattern!) and gave up trying to read the small type at 11 o'clock at night and in the dark watching Grey's Anatomy, so I just went with what felt right. That taken into consideration, I think he looks pretty good! And I made the legs all 2 stitches bigger than they were supposed to be because, again, I misread the pattern. Next time I do Sheldon, I'll definately follow the pattern better, and possibly substitute the applied i-cord for double crochet. I have done i-cords before, but not applied. And boy did my fingers ache afterwards!! And to commemorate Sheldon coming into my life I am starting up a new segment. Every week, on a Friday I think, I'll post Sheldon's Adventures. Along with a picture of what he's been up to the last week.

In other knitty pursuits, I'm off to my LYS later to get some super soft baby yarn in pink to knit a baby toy for my Mum's friends new baby. She wanted me to knit a pink Sheldon, and I might, but it was rather fiddly towards the end and although everyone was saying it's such a quick knit, it took me nearly 3 days of straight knitting. Something which I do not call a quick knit. For me, a quick knit is an afternoon. But I'll let you know what pattern I do choose for the baby toy. And as always I'll take some pictures for you all. I haven't touched my ribbed winter sweater tube thing since I started Sheldon, and after I've finished the baby toy I'll get right back on it. And my Cankle sock is still sitting on my desk, about 1 fifth the way down the cuff and gathering dust. But I'm in no real rush to finish it- it's still stinking hot here and not really sock weather. Remember to look for post number 50, and on Fridays you can read all about Sheldon's Adventures. Happy knitting everyone!

Another Side Track

2010-01-13T09:34:00.002+08:00

I keep stopping in the middle of my projects to start something new! First, I thought "I need a break from these double pointed needles" so stopped my socks in favour of my Cynthia sweater/top tube thingo. Then yesterday I decided I needed a really quick knit, something fun and quirky. So I started Sheldon the Turtle. Search for his pattern on knitty.com (where else?). I used Red Heart's Eco Cotton (remember from my Poncho with Armholes?) in thiss pale, lime green colour. I knitted his body and head all afternoon, and stuffed him last night watching Grey's Anatomy. Turning him the right way almost killed me, and stuffing him through such a small hole was a nightmare. But now Sheldon is half done. I'll do his arms and legs later today, and his shell tonight. He's absoulutely gorgeous! Plus, this is the feature that sold me to his pattern, his shell is removable! Yes, he can come out of his shell!! Yay! How cute is that? It's just a quick post today, but I'll post pictures when I get a chance. I think I'll start designing a girlfriend for Sheldon? Haha! Happy knitting everyone!

Knitting Hands

2010-01-11T17:32:00.002+08:00

I knit like a demon yesterday afternoon! The family and I were at a BBQ with family friends, and I sat at the table and knitted ALL afternoon on my tube for my winter top. It's now about 35cm long, and my hands are SORE!! I'm going to give my hands a break for a day, and resume tomorrow afternoon, after I get back from the early shift at work. In the meantime I'm researching more projects. I went to my LYS this morning to get more of Moda Vera's Cynthia, for my sweater thing, and I stumbled across a bag of Moda Vera's Believe (49% wool, 30% soya and 21% mohair) in olive green, 11 balls for $10. YOINK! It's so mine! I'm going to knit another winter top/sweater thing when I finish with my current one, I think. Probably another knitty.com pattern. I am so addicted to that place! Another pattern I really like is Sheldon the Turtle, again from knitty.com. He's just so cute and he has a removable shell!! I'm going to raid my stash later and find the perfect yarn, and if I don't have a good green, I'll just have to take another trip to my LYS. Yay! Alright, I'll let these sore hands rest for today. Happy knitting everyone!

Second Sock Syndrome!

2010-01-10T11:05:00.002+08:00

Alas, it is true! I am suffering from SSS, Second Sock Syndrome. I've finished the first Cankle Sock, and you've all heard about it, and I've started the second one, and again you've even seen pictures of it. But I yesterday I took a trip to my LYS and found this beautiful Tencel and Acrylic blend yarn. Moda Vera's Cynthia. Need I say more. It's absoulutely delicious! I got 2 balls, one in chocolate brown and one in a nice soft pink. I had been admiring a pattern from knitty.com called Tubey, and I wanted to re-create a similar look, completely from scratch. So I started with my Cynthia yarn and made up a test swatch, and worked it all out from there. Construction is really easy and hopefully it won't take too long. There's a picture below of how far I've done since yesterday afternoon. I'd have done more, but I had my work Christmas do (yes, I know it's January). I've got a couple of ideas on what to call this piece, but I'll figure that out once I'm done. This pattern, although based loosely on a picture of Tubey (search for it at knitty.com) is completely made by me! As soon as I'm done, I'll write up a pattern and it's all yours! Oh, and keep reading for the 50th post, I've got a little something for my readers! Happy knitting everyone!

Cankle Sock Progress

2010-01-09T10:20:00.002+08:00

After I had that knitting marathon to do my first Cankle Sock, I haven't really done a lot of the second one. I hate starting the knitting in the round. But I'll persevere for the sake of finishing, and soon I'll find that groove again and work like crazy to finish the second one. Meanwhile, here's a couple of pictures. The first is of the finished Cankle Sock. I love the colourway! You can't really see it as clearly in the picture, but around the orange is a border of green. It looks awesome, if I do say so myself.

This picture is of the beginning of the second Cankle Sock, and me knitting it. I put the timer on on my camera and I started knitting. And that's the picture I got. Pretty cool, huh?

Huggy, BK, Probie and I went to the city yesterday. We just sat around under a shady tree in King's Park and ate our picinic and ice-creams. Good times! I was this close to bringing my knitting with me, I mean socks are the ultimate travelling project, right? But I didn't for two reasons: One, I would have to have brought my bigger handbag to fit my yarn in it, and I had already packed up my smaller one. And two, I wasn't sure if I'd get a lot of time to knit. My friends aren't knitters, and I know how they feel about me knitting in public. Not that that stops me. I think sometimes they make a fuss because they can, half the time they don't really mean it. Do your friends do that? Make a fuss about you knitting in public? Here in Australia we haven't had that big knitting boom that America has. In Australia the only people to knit are little old ladies on buses. And not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just sometimes I wish people were a little more accepting. Ha! I sound like a tool! But I think knitters understand what I'm talking about. Right? Haha! Now I'm talking to myself! Before I start a long rant about my trackie dacks (oh, right, I've done that before!! Hahaha!), I'll be off! Happy knitting everyone!

I dub thee 'The Cankle Sock'

2010-01-05T11:51:00.002+08:00

I finished my sock last night. I finally figured out what was going on with the heel- it was my bad, not the pattern. I used a three-needle bind off to finish it, then I put it on. And I immediately thought of a name. The Cankle Sock. For those of you that don't know, a cankle is when you can't tell the difference between your calves and ankles. I have cankles, Huggy has cankles, Mum and Gran have cankles. It runs in the family. And the sock has no shaping between the calf and ankle, and so obviously it's now the Cankle sock. I'll cast on for the other one as soon as I'm done here. I don't really like casting on with double pointed needles, it takes a few centimetres to get into the rhythm. But as soon as the rib is over, it's back to the groove of knitting in the round. I've been up since 5 this morning at work, and I'm exhausted having stayed up too late finishing the sock last night. I'll probably fall asleep knitting my other sock later, but I'm on holidays, so I don't really care. Happy knitting everyone!

Argh!! It was going so well!

2010-01-04T10:15:00.003+08:00

Now, I have a confession: I HATE double pointed needles. It's more than just a "oh, I prefer the straights or circular needles", this is a complete and utter loathing for those little annoying sticks. And yet, I started knitting a sock. And I came to really appreciate those little annoying sticks. I still don't like them, but I got into a groove knitting my sock yesterday. I found myself drawn to knit more, and more, and MORE. I don't want to sock done- I just like the movement, and repetition, the rhythm of knitting them. Until I got to the heel. I've done a pair of socks before, and the bit I liked was the turning of the heel. It was fun, quirky and I understood how it worked. But, last night while I watched Bones, I nearly threw my knitting at the telly in frustration. Not at Booth's complete ignorance of why Bones really stayed in DC (you'll have to watch it!), but at my inability to get the heel to turn, and to understand the pattern. It could be it was late, my hands were sore, it was hot and I'd been at it all day. Or it could have been the pattern came from the back of a ball band and therefore not as reliable as a pattern from a book. Whatever reason it was, I am now back to hating those little annoying sticks. I'll try again later, and hopefully get somewhere with it, and if it is the pattern I'll find a better one. Well, that's my rant for today and now I have nothing else to say! In just 10 posts time I'll be up to 50 posts, yay me! Watch out for the 50th post, I've got a surprise for you! Happy knitting everyone!

Socks are go!

2010-01-03T10:40:00.002+08:00

The kids loved their teddies. Cutie Boy was especially grateful, and I can tell he's going to take good care of his! I just hope all the ends I weaved in are going to stay put. After I put the kids to bed last night I sat on the couch with my Noir yarn and the Moda Vera pattern from the back of the ball band and cast on for some socks. I thought 'it's sock yarn, so I may as well knit socks'. And after the ribbing, which was for about 3 rows, and incredibly tough to knit, I actually started to enjoy it. I was going to have these socks be part of my train knitting for Uni this semester When I travel to the campus, I can knit them on the train. But I'm thinking I'll have them done before February. That's if things stay the way they are. The colourway is really nice. It's purple, pink, green and orange. And I know what you're thinking, YUCK! But the colours actually look really good! I knitted about 3 inches while I watch Edward Scissorhands last night. This is another movie I definately recommend! Johnny Depp is an amazing actor, and well worth watching. What else can I report? Hm... nothing else knitty, but have I mentioned we'll be moving soon? Yes, the parents have bought a nice big block and our house will be going on the market soon. So, hopefully within 18 months, we'll have a new home. It won't be my home for very long, I'll be leaving after I get my degree (3 years left!). But still, it's exciting, I think. Anyway, that's all for now folks. Happy knitting everyone!

Finished Amigurumi and Scarf Picture

2010-01-02T10:11:00.004+08:00

I always love the knitting of projects, of course. But I HATE the finishing! I hate having to spend ages stitching fiddly bits together! The less finishing required, the more likely I am to knit something. That said, I did happen to enjoy making the Amigurumi teddies for the kids I babysit (which reminds me, they need code names too! Check out Family and Friends to see them). The teddies all came out different sizes and all look completely unique, even though I fully used the same pattern for them all. You can tell knitting is my forte. Anyway, below is a picture of the finished product. I finished the last one last night while Huggy and I watched Grey's Anatomy on DVD. The teddies are actually really cuddly and I hope the kids like them. I'm giving them this afternoon, so I'll have to find little boxes later today.

Below is a picture of my with my new scarf. I knitted it on New Year's Eve. Yes, I had nothing better to do on New Years than sit around with Huggy and watch a Friends marathon and of course knit this lovely scarf. I have forgotton the name of the yarn I used, but it's massively bulky. It's a k1 p1 rib, and as always if you want the pattern, just leave a comment and I'll forward it to you. It's all designed by me, not that it's any sort of biggie. Scarves are easy. But, yeah, just let me know and I'll email it.

Today, is a lazy day for me. I'll probably just sit around knitting, or looking up knitting patterns on the web. Yesterday, I ordered Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook from the internet. It was my first go at ordering online, and let me tell you, I could get used to it! And FAST! But alas, I have yet to aquire a credit card of my own, so until then, I'll make do when Mum lets me scab hers. Well, knitters that's all from me for today. Happy knitting everyone!

My Family and Friends

2010-01-01T09:34:00.002+08:00

As some of you more observant readers may have noticed I have never mentioned the names of my family, nor my friends, or even the place where I live. I haven't even told you the name of my LYS (though, some of the smarter Aussies, may have guessed). The reason for this? Simply for my anonimity. And I have decided instead of saying, "my little sister" or "my buddy from high school" all the time, I'll invent a code. It can be found on the right hand side of the blog under "Family and Friends". Let me introduce you to them:
Mum and Dad are obviously my parents, no biggie there.
Huggy Bear is my identical twin sister (yes, I have a twin. And no, we are not telepathic)
Yosamee (pronouced Yo-za-mee) is my 14 year old little sister
Baby is my 9, nearly 10, year old little sister
Little O is my 4 year old little sister (and when I go out just her and me, people think she's mine!)
Nan is my Dad's mum. She's a knitter from way back, and I get heaps of needles and old patterns and wise words of advice from her
Grandad is my Dad's dad. He's supposedly retired, but he still works for my Dad sometimes
Gran is my Mum's mum. She's a knitter, too. But she's more of a crochetter. I do get some nice compliments about my knitwear, though. We won't go into my Mum's dad, he's... well, we just won't go into it.
And now onto my friends:
Probie is one of my friends from high school. She's studying to be a teacher, too. But at a different Uni
BK is another friend from high school. She'll be joining me at my Uni this year (when we start in February)
If I happen to introduce any more of my family and friends, I'll add them to the list. All the nicknames are related to the people I know, somehow, but unless you know them, they mean nothing.

Oh, and I almost forgot! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 2010 is upon us and we'd better make the most of it! I started the new year finishing up a scarf I cast on for at about 8 last night. It's a nice chunky yarn on 12mm needles, knit in a 1x1 rib pattern. I'll post a picture later, and the pattern if anyone wants it. And since my last post I've added another feature- "What's Happening". I have been looking at a lot of blogs recently and there's nothing more annoying than reading the first post on the page and being completely lost! So, over on the right hand side of my blog I have a "What's Happening" section for all the newer readers to catch up on all the things I have recently started knitwise. I'll change it every now and then. I hope it helps get more readers, I do want my blog name out there. (If you read this, maybe you could help out? Giving the adress to friends or people who like knitting?) Anyway, now I'm off to design a fingerless gloves set with the new yarn I got yesterday, Noir. I'm trying to design it all my self then embroider it with a word along the knuckles, like this pattern from knitty.com- http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTknucks.html It's a great idea, and I knew I had to have a pair! Alright everyone, I hope you all find what you're looking for in the new year, and I'll post again, probably tomorrow! Happy knitting everyone!

My Dyeing Experience

2009-12-31T12:42:00.007+08:00

Yesterday, I had my first ever go at dyeing my own yarn. And... I LOVED it!! I did it with the microwave with some left over merino yarn and food colouring. Here's how I did it:

First up, I skeined my yarn into two small, what else, skeins. That was tough in itself, I've never skeined a ball of yarn before. But I tied some cotton loosely around the skein to prevent tangling. I found a microwave dyeing method from the internet, (forgot where I got it from, though. Silly me!)

Next I soaked both skeins in 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water, then squeezing the excess water out and putting them both in a bowl of water. In one bowl I added red dye and mixed it together. In the other I dribbled blue and green food colouring around in a pattern around the bowl. I covered the bowls in cling wrap and one at a time, I put them in the microwave for about 3 minutes all up, or until the water started to steam.

This picture sort of looks like a bowl of heart soup or something, but it's of the pink yarn fresh out of the microwave. I let both bowls sit for about 15 minutes, or so, with the cling wrap still on. As soon as the water was clear I rinsed them both out with warm water, (adding cold water to warm yarn would make them felt), then dried them on an old towel and let them dry overnight.

They turned out rather nice I think. The blue and green one turned out as an aquamarine sort of colour by accident. I had forgotten that the microwave would spin the bowl and the dyes would mix in there. But, never mind. Next time I will remember that and use the boiling water method instead.

I went out to my LYS today and got some beautifully soft 100% pure new wool yarn, Cleckheaton's Country, to dop some more dyeing. I also got a ball of Moda Vera's Noir, a nice multi-coloured sock yarn. Oh, and here's a picture of the finished Christmas Tank Top, still to be blocked.

Looks pretty cool, huh? The tree is a bit off centre, it's not just the picture. But I like it. I can see this becoming a tradition to wear this on Christmas, along with my Santa Hat I knitted earlier. Now, I am off to dye some more yarn. This time I'll use boiling water first and see of I can get the variagated pattern to stick, before I chuck it in the microwave to mix it. I'll let you know how it all goes. Have a wonderful (and safe!) New Year's Eve and I'll see you all next year! Happy knitting everyone!

Next Project...

2009-12-30T13:58:00.002+08:00

While I was on holiday I had a lot of knitty time (and at the end of the day some very sore hands). But when I ran out of yarn for some of those Calorimetry headbands I mentioned in earlier posts, I decided to look for more quick patterns on the internet. And I stumbled across knitty.com's Feature Articles. I am almost ashamed to say this, but before I Googled 'quick and easy winter headband knitting patterns' I had not really used the internet for my knitting adventures. And yet, here you are with a blog? I hear you say. But alas, I believed the only really good fool-proof patterns were to be found in books (which just goes to show you who much of a geek I really am!). That has all changed now, of course, the olf belief I mean, not me being a geek- some things will never change! Anyway, I found knitty.com's Feature Articles. One in paticular has caught my eye, http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring07/FEATdyeyourown.html, it's about dyeing your own yarn. I used to think it was for knitter's that got bored, but I'm not a bored knitter and now I want to have a go! It sounds so easy and if a little messy, still supremely fun! I even have a pattern idea as to what I will knit with my hand dyed yarn. A matching Calorimetry headband (search for the pattern at knitty.com) and fingerless gloves. I don't have an idea about what colours to go with yet, but the idea is taking shape! There's also another pattern I'd like to try, with a few modifications mind you. The pattern is called Tempting and can be found here: http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTtempting.html. Another design from knitty.com, and I fell instantly in love with it. I've already thought about how I want to change to suit me, and once I figure out exacly how I will knit it, I'll let everyone know. Right now I'm off to stitch up those delightful Amigurumi teddies I crochetted for the kids I babysit. I'll take some pictures and post them when I get around to it. Then, I might start my hand dyeing adventure and test out my food colouring on an old ball of yarn in my stash. Wish me luck! Happy knitting everyone!

Home again, Home again

2009-12-30T11:41:00.002+08:00

Yes, I have just walked through the door back home. After a lovely week down south, it feels good to be getting back to my own room, my own space. And, of course, my own yarn stash. I had brought a couple of balls of my favourite yarns with me in my 'Travel Stash', but I quickly used them all up. This is just a quick post, I've got to go and unpack the car now, but I may post later this afternoon after I've settled in. Happy knitting everyone!

Knitting, Knitting, oh so much Knitting!

2009-12-28T14:23:00.002+08:00

We now have 2 more nights here on holiday, and I have been busy busy with my knitting. Let me run you through all the things I've done since we arrived here:
Firstly, I finished my christmas tank top (pictures will be posted when I return home). Then having nothing to do with my hands I looked up headband patterns and found Calorimetry from knitty.com. And proceeded to knit 2 in as many days. Phew! Then I got an Amigurumi crochet book for Christmas from my Gran, and while not strictly knitty, it still involves yarn, and I crochetted a small teddy for one of the kids I babysit. Then I went BACK to Calorimetry and knitted and almost completed one more. I had to stop when I ran out of yarn. I hope I still have that spare ball of it in my big stash at home, fingers crossed! Then yesterday, I badly needed some space from the siblings, so I closed myself off in my room and crochetted not one by two more Amigurumi teddies. One in purple and one in red. Now all the kids I babysit for have a little teddy. As soon as I get home I'll stuff them and stitch the parts together so I can give them to the kids on the 2nd of January when I see them next. And... that's all of my knitty news for the past few days. Amazing, isn't it? I had planned to finish my tank top then spend everyday on the beach working on my tan. But, instead I find I've knitted everyday since we got here! I wasn't even going to bring my yarn and needles, I didn't have an idea, let alone a pattern. But, boy am I glad I did! Knitting seems to be the perfect holiday activity. Now, if I could only convince my sisters to take up my obsession they wouldn't mind me ranting about it all the time! Next time I post I should be back home again, all refreshed and ready for the new year! Happy knitting everyone!

Holidays...

2009-12-26T11:36:00.002+08:00

I'm sitting on my Dad's laptop in the house we are staying in for Christmas. It's lovely here! We all had a great Christmas day yesterday! I hope everyone else did! I have been doing a lot of knitting the last few days. I finished my Christmas Tree Tank Top, it looks GREAT!! The tree is a little off centre, and I need to block it later, but it looks, and feels, wonderful! I wore it all day yesterday, over my bikini. After I finished my top on... Thursday morning, it must have been, I found a really nice winter head band called Calorimetry from knitty.com, and I decided to knit one for my Mum with some left over green worsted weight yarn I had brought with my stash. It looks AMAZING! I finished it within the day. I got orders from the rest of my family for one too, so I knitted my youngest sister one in a nice pink yarn on slightly smaller needles. I've given my knitting needles a break for a bit while I make Amigurumi things for the kids I babysit. My Gran got my a book on crochetted Amigurumi for Christmas, and I have started and almost finished the first of three teddies. They are bigger than the books suggests, because I did mine in worsted weight yarn from my stash and it's a bit lospided because I'm not really a crochetter, but it looks good so far. Now my arms are sore from holding the hook so tightly; it'll take practice, I think, before I can get my tension right. Once I've finished the next 2 teddies, I'll continue with my winter headbands. The next one is a white one for me. One day I'll try one in a bamboo and cotton blend for a summer version. I really recommend checking out the pattern from knitty.com. Right, well that's all from me for now. I'm off back downstairs for lunch. Happy knitting everyone!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

2009-12-22T11:14:00.007+08:00

This will be my last post before I leave for down south. So, MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone! And a happy new year if I don't get to post before 2010. Wow, things go so fast!! So, in honour of the turn of the decade, I think I'll share pictures of my favourite knitted pieces. If you want the patterns for these, leave a comment with your email adress and I'll get right back to you!

The first picture is of my Poncho with Armholes. It's not the best picture, having been taken a few minutes ago on my bed. I couldn't find a picture of me wearing it, so that'll have to do. I've got to say, this is one of the most used knitted items I've got. I can't wait until the weather is cooler so I can wear it again. It's knit on 5mm needles with Red Heart's Eco Cotton.

This picture is of my Armwarmers. This was my

first go with a wool and alpaca blend, which I instantly fell in love with. When I was in my last year of high school these armwarmers kept me warm. The uniform Nazi kept catching me with them on, so I got very good at taking my thumb out of the hole and shoving the warmer up my jumper. A lot of people from my year were suprised when I told them I knit them myself. The yarn is Basic's Entwine and knit on 7.5mm needles. After I knit this project I fell in love with chunky yarns and quick knits.

This picture is of my Fuzzy Slippers. This was my first go at felting. The slippers are actually massive and one is bigger than the other one. But I loved knitting these, and one day I'll try them again. During the last few weeks of winter this year these slippers kept my feet nice and warm. They were knit from a pattern in Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'N Bitch Nation (thanks so much to the author of the pattern!). They were done on 9mm needles with Basic's Entwine and Moda Vera's Jazz then felted to size. I hand felted mine, and it took a long time, but I was very pleased with the results.

This picture is of the project I made right after I finished my slippers. It's a felted bag, completely my own pattern. It holds all my things when I go to Uni. It's not strong enough to hold my books, so I hold them in my arms, but one day I'll make one to fit them, too. The strap goes across my body and has a ribbon sewn into it to prevent stretching. There's pockets galore inside and I LOVE the buttons on the front. It was knit with 9mm needles and Basic's Entwine and felted to size with a buckle on the strap and buttons sewn all over the front.

This picture is not knitting, I'll admit. But my mum is a crocheter and she taught me to do granny sqauares. I got hooked, so to speak, and made it as big as I could. It's been dubbed The My Blanket. Yes, with capitals. And it is a very comforting thing, I think everyone should have a My Blanket of some sort. I've started making one's for my sisters, but it's sort of on hold for the summer. When the weather starts getting colder, (hopefully soon!) I'll start up again.

Well, that finishes up the top 5 of my projects. There are heaps more, and I'll post about them when I get around to getting pictures of them all. I hope you've enjoyed looking at my creative awesomness (haha, it is so a word!) and remember, if you want a pattern I'll let you know either where to find one, or I'll give you a copy of mine. Just leave your email adress in your comment, and I'll get back to you as soon as I get back from holidays. Well, it's been a fine year and I hope you all have a great Christmas, I know I will! Happy knitting everyone!

It's decided...

2009-12-20T15:52:00.001+08:00

I have decided on how to best create the Christmas Tree motif on my tank top. I attempted to do picture knitting last night on a test piece, and although the results look ok, it was hard work and I got tangled after every row. I want my tank top to be done soon, so I've decided to do it in duplicate stitch after the piece is finished- which should be soon. I haven't had a chance to take many pictures of the work in progress but as soon as I get around to it, I'll post them. At the moment it's HOT here. I mean, really hot. About 35 nearly 40 degrees C. It looks like it will stay that way until Christmas, so I guess we'll be spending the 25th on the beach. Yay! That's the best way to spend Christmas! Right now, I need to give my feet a well deserved break, I was at work all morning (yes, I know on a Sunday!) and my hands need a break too, I think. I'm going to sit down and read Heart's Blood by Juliet Marillier. You may remember I was very excited when it came out in November, and I am in need of my Marillier Fix, so I'm re-reading it before we go away for Christmas. Hopefully next time I post, it will be to say I've finished the front piece of my tank top, and that I have a great idea as to what I should knit for the kids I babysit for while I'm away. Anyway, I am back into the little world of Whistling Tor (you should definately check out this book- it's GREAT!!). Happy knitting everyone!

General Ramblings...

2009-12-19T11:08:00.002+08:00

First, I'd like to apologise about my last post completely devoted to my trackie dacks. As I may have said I was sleep deprived and the first thing I did after hitting 'Publish Post' was fall asleep on my desk, waking up about 20 minutes later with a rather large puddle of drool. *Ahem* Anyway....

Knitting. Nothing new to report I'm afraid. I wanted to knit but I'm up to the picture part of my tank top, and I want to be fully conscious when I start it. I also have to re-design my knitted toys for the kids I babysit. I have sort of given up since my last atempt. What I'll probably do is give up for a bit, then on the last day of my holiday down south, I'll whip up a little something to take back for the kids. Or, I'll get home and go "Oh crap!!". That's generally what I've been doing the last few days. When I got up this morning I went out to the kitchen to find a messy bomb has gone off. I had planned to tidy the house yesterday, but as you all know I was not all there. When I returned to my room after breakfast the messy bomb had got to my room, too. With the rest of the family already on holiday I've been spending my time watching Grey's Anatomy in my sister's room with her and my knitting, or in the telly room at 3 in the morning. So I didn't even notice the state my room had gotten to. And with the grandparents coming around on Monday we'd better get the place cleaned. On Monday morning we've got Mum's mum coming around. A loney 60 something women, who lives in the hills with her cat and the trees and has a habbit of turning up anywhere WAY too early and saying really inappropriate things at the dinner table (and commenting about my '...interesting' shoes. Long story). Then after we take her out to fish and chips and evict her from the house before she starts to clean, we've got Dad's parents coming for dinner. Nan drives, of course, and Grandad asks us trivia questions he doesn't even know the answer to. Of course, I love my grandparents! But, you know how it is. Both my Gran and my Nan knit, so I like to ask them what they think of my creations. Nan usually tells me I'm clever and that if I "cast on like this... it'll have a nicer edge". Gran will take one look, and say "You made this pattern yourself? It looks... interesting. Well done!" complete with cheesy smile. Gotta love grandparents. And now I'm off to tidy the house, and then off to work. And tonight I'll start on my christmas tree design on my top. Happy knitting everyone!

Trackie Dacks...

2009-12-18T13:28:00.002+08:00

That's a pretty Aussie term, I think- Trackie Dacks. Well, a bogan term at the least. I live near Bogan Central in Western Australia, so I'm used to seeing teen mums wandering the streets near my LYS in their trackie dacks. But I've got to say, trackies, apart from a real bogan indicator, have theraputic qualities. I had a terrible nights sleep last night (you know how it is, that time of the month), so I gave up at about 1:30am, took a couple of Panadol and went to the telly room to watch TV until about 7:30 when my sister got up. Not really being in the mood for anything else today, I watered the plants then got changed into my trackie dacks and passed out on the couch. Not really related to knitting in anyway, I just wanted to let the world know about trackies, and their strange properties. How can it be that I was feeling like absolute crap this morning, and yet as soon as I donned my trackies (and took some more pain killers) I'm feeling, if not good then better? It's one of life's great mysteries. I still feel like I'm going to drop dead from exhaustion and my stomach is killing me, but I feel... better. It may not make sense because I'm in a semi-comatose state right now, and can't be held accountable for the words I type. My sister has just left for work and she promised to bring caffiene on her way home. So, for the next 4 hours until she gets home I'll knit and watch telly, I think. I'm up to the christmas tree motif of my tank top, and it's looking good. Before I fall asleep on the key board, I think I'll say bye for now. Thanks to listening to my ranting today about my trackies (I swear, it's the sleep deprivation) and next post will be more knitty, I swear. (Hmm... lots of swearing today?) Happy knitting (and sleeping) everyone!

So maybe not...

2009-12-16T13:36:00.002+08:00

I started and finished my practise gift for the kids I babysit for, and it's... ok. The legs are too short, and something about it just doesn't look quite right. Also, I think I need to stuff it with somehting different, to give it some weight. But, it was a good learning curve. I've decided to start from scratch, but at another time. Maybe sometime next week, I'll try and get my tank top done then tackle it again.

Making projects from scratch takes practice. I've pretty much always done it. I don't think I've ever done a pattern exactly the way it says to, even if I've written it myself. I've failed a lot, and I've got heaps of great things I made with my own patterns. The only things you need to know are the tension of the knitting, and how big you want it to be in the end. Oh, and the shape. Knowing the shape before you start is important! Believe me! Just pick up your needles, cast on how every many stitches you think looks right, and go from there. If you think you want it to get narrower, then do a decrease row. Wider, do and increase row. It's all about what you want it to look like.

For now, I'm back to the tank top. I had my days rest, I knitted a strange little doll-ish thing, and now I want back on my tank top. The rest of my family, except for myself and one of my sisters, left for Busselton today. My sister and I follow later next week. So, I have 7 days to get all my christmas knitting done. I have work this afternoon, tomorrow morning from 6am (great), then Saturday and Sunday and that's it until New Year's Eve.