Here Be Knitting

It's Been a Long Time Coming

Hi Shelagh

It's been a long, long time.  Too long, I know.  There are plenty of reasons for this, but most, at their core, can be explained by the black dog that continues to hound me.  I'm much better than I was, but well is some ways off.

Last week we took off for a week down on the coast at some of our favourite places - The Great Ocean Road or more particularly Port Campbell and Portland (strictly not part of the Great Ocean Road, but close enough).  We also took in Mount Gambier and it's amazing Blue Lake.  If you scroll down, you will see some extraordinary photos - it really is that blue.  The DH has gone to bed or I would get some of his photos - much better than the ones in Wikipedia.

Here are some of the photos we took, with my knitting enjoying the view as we lunched!

As you can see, not much knitting actually done, but I think a good time was enjoyed by all :)

We arrived home on Sunday and on Monday we went out to one of our favourite places close to Melbourne, Mount Donna Buang (and Warburton) where it was snowing.  Turns out, the holiday to catch the last of the summer weather had been perfectly timed.

Next time, I'll fill you in on the latest edition to our family - Lilli the labrador, who is almost one already. (and who managed to drop the iron on my ankle yesterday - ouch!!)

Australia Calling. Summer of Lace and Socks

Hi Shelagh,

I have joined two knit-a-longs for this summer.  The Southern Summer of Socks is on again this year.  I enjoyed watching many of my blogging friends furiously knit socks during their northern summer so I am really pleased ours is happening again.  It is open to all - even you cold old northerners :), so join up if you want to - we'd love to have you. 

Bells is also hosting a lacy summer of knitting and I'm 100% with her regarding lace being a perfect summer project (which has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I am lace knitting obsessed...). 

Most of the sock and lace knitting projects I have planned are for Christmas gifts for family and friends. I have completed one already:

And

It's the second Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn Clark knit in Noro Kureyon Sock Colour 95 (I think).  I just love this pattern - quick to knit, enjoyable to boot and lovely finished gift.  One skein is all this baby needs so cheap as well.  Ticks all my boxes.

I've begun yet another:

This time in Noro S229 and I think is the prettiest yet.  I still find lace's transformation on blocking to be a gob smacking miracle.  How this pillow of nothingness becomes a fine thing of beauty is at the heart of my joy of lace.  I've just finished the first nupps section, so not too much more and I'm done.

I have two other skeins of Noro sock and these will actually become socks - not sure of the patterns yet but they will also be for gifts.  Muir will have to wait until I get this Christmas knitting done - I am determined this year to complete these before (before, before, before.....) Christmas.  It will be a first.

We have been out and about most weekends enjoying our beautiful national parks.  I have so many wonderful photos that I thought I might just drop a few onto the end of each of my posts.  I don't mean to make you jealous as you head into your cold winter, but I just can't help it :) :)

The beautiful Australian Waratah

Enough for now....

Australia Calling. How Sweet It Is

To be loved by me ... To be Finished! Actually I think it IS pretty sweet to be loved by me - and Her Dad had better agree :)

Pattern:  Sleeveless Pullover from Australia's Creative Knitting (Winter 08 volume).

Yarn:  Noro Silk Garden 9 skeins

Needles:  4.5 mm and 4 mm

Knitability:  Easy, straightforward knitting.  The cable pattern is much more visible than the photos would have you believe.

Not lieing, however, is how happy Her Dad is with the finished vest.  He loves the colours and they do really suit him.

Enough for now...

Australia Calling. No Podium Finish

Hello Shelagh

Well, as the title suggests, I didn't finish Her Dad's vest for the Ravelympics.  Latest photo:

In case you can't notice much progress from the last photo :) -  I've now completed 6 repeats of the cable patterning with 1 and 3/4 to go before the armhole decreasing.  Well short of the finishing mark, but I'm not really disappointed.  A lot of knitting to get through in 16 days for me - the back completed and more than half the front.  I love the Noro Silk Garden and the colours are beautiful and look fantastic on Her Dad.  His skin tone really suits the rich palette of predominately pinks and browns.

We had a big weekend of reorganising the house.  Our two eldest have decided to come home and our little rented house is bursting at the seams.  I no longer have a private study and Her Dad's study is going back into our bedroom.  It is great having them home, but we had forgotten how noisy they are or perhaps how quiet the house becomes with only one (and a geeky chess one at that) at home.  We have had more fighting over who is cooking the dinner in the last 2 weeks than we have had for the last 8 months.  Nonetheless we probably wouldn't really want to be without them....  truly..... I mean it...... lol.

Enough for now...

Australia Calling. Hitting the Wall

Hello Shelagh

Finally, I think I can say that I have turned a corner, illness wise.  It wasn't until last Sunday, almost 2 weeks after the dreaded lurgy began, that I actually could say this.  The time wasn't entirely wasted - once I got over the absolute worst, I could actually knit again.  Friday night last week and my Ravelympics project looked like this:

The back done - woohoo.  And another photo, because it really does look that good :)

I've hit The Wall since the high of Friday night.  Wednesday night:

I'm only just coming up to finishing repeat 3 and there are 7, almost 8 repeats before casting off for the armholes.  At this rate, I will not finish before the end of the Closing Ceremony.  Sigh...  Interestingly, I'm not sure I really like this knitting to a deadline, but it is amazing how much you can knit when push comes to shove.  I picked a project I actually thought I had no (zero.zip,.nil) chance of completing and I'm going to come surprisingly close.  So, I've learnt something about me and my knitting.  Don't know if it is really very useful, but it sure is interesting :)

In other knitting news, I have almost completed a sweet jumper for my new niece:

It is the Lacy Sweater from The Big Book of Kids' Knits by Zoe Mellor.   I have knitted it in Debbie Bliss Prima an absolutely gorgeous 80/20 bamboo/wool yarn.  My only complaint about the yarn is the number of knots - grrrrrhhh.  All the yarn hanging is finishing I will have to do because of the breaks.  The sweater is lovely, a pretty feminine design and in the blue I think it isn't "too girly".  What do you think?

And a close up of the flower:

I was trying to knit this when I was.really.sick.  I had to knit the flower motif 3 times. I think it was worth it.

And finally, I've been a little naughty and ordered some yarn (at a super special price) for myself for a zippered sleeveless vest:

The pattern and the colour are just right for spring and that is my story and I'm sticking to it.

Enough for now...

Australia Calling. Melbourne - The Knitting

I've changed my mind (so what's new).  I'm going to leave the details of our trip away for another time and concentrate, instead, on the knitting.  Much more satisfying :)

Finished Objects to report:

1.  The Swallowtail Shawl from Evelyn Clarke (scroll down to access free pattern) in Noro Sock Yarn.  This has been in my "to knits" since it first appeared in Interweave Knits in 2006.  It is a straightforward, quick knit and I think it looks lovely in the Noro.  The unblocked FO is quite small, so I was ruthless with the blocking.  I have already given this away to a work colleague/friend for her birthday.  I'm sorry to say that I'm not sure she really likes it.  She enthused enough on the day but hasn't worn it since and has worn a shop purchased scarf absolutely every single day of the week :(  I tell myself I don't really mind, but truth is, I do.  A lot of work and kind thoughts went into this scarf, damnit.  Sigh....

 

2.  Beaded Lace Scarf 2 - another one.  I know, I know I said I wasn't knitting anymore, but this one is for me.  It is in Nature's Palette from HandJive Knits and I simply adore it.  This baby isn't leaving this house unless it is on my shoulders.

Further progress was made on my version of the Melon Scarf from Victorian Lace Today:

And a close up of the pretty pattern:

When it is blocked the pattern will open out more and look lovely.  But... it is a very boring knit.  A 6 row repeat where row 5 is the only slightly exciting row.  I am now a little more than half way through and I'm hanging in there making myself get through it.

I have begun another pair of socks - please, I don't want to talk about all the single and other unfinished socks I have in my baskets - that is what therapy is for :)

This is the Show Off Stranded Sock pattern (a freebie - don't ya just love that) knitted in STR silk/merino knit.  Mmmmm... almost good enough to eat.

Now for the good news and the bad news.  First, the good - my yarn for our knitalong of Muir has arrived:

This is a merino/silk lace weight in pomegranate hues from Schaeffer Yarns which I purchased from Little Knits.  One of my favourite online suppliers - always good prices and they keep their postage as low as possible; even refunding when they can.  Great service!

And the bad news - in the same parcel, I received:

I joined Ravelympics!  From the Opening Ceremony through to the Closing one, I have commited to knitting the above.  17 short days, one large vest for Her Dad.  I'm not sure I can do it, but it will be fun trying.  But... this means no Muir until I'm through.  Hope you don't mind.  Wish me luck; arms and hands that don't go down on me; and good knitting weather.

Enough for now...

Australia Calling... Survived for Another Week...

G'day Shelagh

Welcome to the land of Blogging!  It is a funny country that can be very addictive.  Your photos were lovely.  The Clapotis is stunning and the bag is wonderful.  I own the Stained Glass Bag pattern - I really must get my act into gear and rustle up one of my own.  Your garden is so green!!!!  The flowers are beautiful - the Columbines (we also call them Granny's Bonnets - do you?) are some of my favourite cottage garden plants and alliums in all their forms are spectacular.  Both are obviously very tough in cold weather :) 

We have been back to The Block and ..... our plants (and fence) have survived.  They have grown as well although that is hard to see.

The kangaroos had been looking but couldn't get in:

The clouds were amazing - like cotton wool teased across the sky:

And I can never get enough of our trees:

I have also been knitting.  My second Beaded Lace Scarf in the Nature's Palette is almost finished.  This one is for me.  I am glad - I am over the pattern; at least for now.  The result is stunning, I think all these Beaded Lace Scarves have improved my lace knitting and definitely my blocking skills. But.enough.is.enough.

The first in the Nature's Palette has been blocked:

And is now off the pins:

I am definintely a process rather than product knitter.  Having finished The Hanami at Easter, I have also finally (finally, finally.....) blocked this beauty

Have you had any further thoughts about our Lace Knitalong?  The Girl and I are about to embark on a trip away for almost three weeks.  Two for chess and one for a family holiday in Melbourne.  We are all converging on Melbourne - it should be fantastic fun.  The Girl and I are away early Thursday morning to Adelaide and from there onto Melbourne and then Geelong.  I am already planning what knitting will come away with me.  I think it deserves its own suitcase this time :)

Enough for now....

These Stilettos were made for ...... Knitting!

I have been very extravagant.  Lately, I have been purchasing plenty of yarn, books, magazines and .....

My new Stiletto needles!  I purchased the size 1-5 set and they are wonderful ...

I can't use circulars for my lace knitting (I can't keep tension even), so when I saw these, I just had to have them and they have not disappointed.  Beautiful tips, perfect for their purpose and pretty to boot - not to mention their potential as weapons :)  I will, in the next few months, get the 6-10 set as well (I can hardly wait, they make with shiver with anticipation - sad isn't it??!!)

I have now finished, but not blocked...

The Beaded Lace Scarf II in the super gorgeous Nature's Palette.  So, of course, I have already cast on for the same pattern in my second skein of this wonder of the knitting world using, you guessed it, my new Stilletos.  Here's another photo of the finished scarf because you just can never have too much of a good thing

I've finished some socks:

These are the Hedgerow Socks in STR colourway Lenore.  Easy, simple to memorise pattern with lovely results.  I will knit this pattern again.

And I've begun another pair:

These are the Primavera Socks in Jojoland Melody sent to me by a friend in the US.  Another great, free pattern.

We are off to Sydney tomorrow for 3 days of The Girl's chess. I am taking the Moroccan Days Shawl and moving it onto my new needles - did I mention I purchased some new lace needles :)  Because I haven't really begun I don't think there will be any harm done swapping over to my preferred new obsession.

Next week, I've got some big (huge, ginormous...) news about changes to The Blog. Stay tuned.

And a final dose of needle porn:

Enough for now...

Scarves, What Scarves

I have been knitting while I have been absent.  I have also been purchasing yarn, books, magazines and knitting tools as if tomorrow it all becomes illegal.  Shhhhhhhhhh...... don't tell Her Dad - he's becoming a little suspicious of the illegal story :)

On the finished front, this:

Became this:

A merino rose laceweight Beaded Lace Scarf II.  It was for a friend's birthday and I'm happy to report that she loved it.  This was one of the images I had in my competition from last month, for those who might be wondering.  Here is a closeup:

I have begun another Beaded Lace Scarf.  So this beautiful merino/silk skein of Nature's Palette from Hand Jive Knits:

Is becoming:

And another photo just because.....

The yarn is divine - soft and smoochy with a wonderful spring; the naturally dyed colours are luminous.  This scarf is for my Rowanette Exchange Partner.  This year's theme is Footloose and Fancy Free and I nominted myself in the Fancy Free category.  I think a beaded scarf with this yarn meets the bill, do you agree?  I have another whole skein of this perfection, so think I will create a scarf for me.

I've also begun another scarf for a friend's birthday.  So these:

Are working with me to create:

The Melon Scarf from Victorian Lace Today.  I am using a simple garter stitch border of 6 rows cast on and cast off and a 4 row garter stitch border on each of the sides.  The birthday is at the end of July, so am trying to get through 2 repeats of the 6 row pattern each night.  The pattern is quite straightforward and so far I am on track.

Unfortunately this:

Has progressed no further towards:

This wonderful shawl Moroccan Days.  It was the second entry in my Competition.  As you can see I have knitted the beaded border (which is gorgeous) and completed only a few rows.  It is my Saturday afternoon football knitting (you know, the TV you can easily watch and concentrate on the impossible project).  But... I haven't had many Saturdays at home since I began - out with chess mostly, but life in general seems to get in its way.  I've even dedicated a table to its production:

It is on threat of death that anyone touches this table!  I am determined, so hopefully this weekend I will begin again - wish me luck I will need it.

Enough for now...

 

Competition

Last night, I decided on a little competition - to see if anyone can guess what I am knitting now.  I realise now that my second photo is really pretty unfair.  So, here they are again:

and:

Something knitterly for the first to guess either or both of these patterns!  The competition is open to Friday.  You can ask me questions in the comments if you would like some further hints :)

Enough for now...