From The Dye Pot

It's Easter Monday, wet and a little chilly. The cats slept in, had breakfast, looked out the back door at the heavy rain, and went back to bed. Autumn is making its presence felt.

If you celebrate Easter, I hope you've had an enjoyable one. I've had a very quiet, uneventful Easter, as I've been under the weather with sinus :-( So under the weather that I couldn't knit until yesterday, Mum and I went out for a late afternoon coffee, and I worked on my second Honey Badger sock. No pictures of the sock, but I do have some pictures of my latest round of dyeing merino fibre.

Lemon Grass 100g Merino

Lilac Blues 50g Merino

Pink 100g Merino

I dyed these using a crock pot. The pink has a mottled effect which was achieved by heating the water and dye in the crock pot and then adding the fibre. I think it is going to spin up beautifully.

One Down, One To Go

The first Honey Badger sock is off the needles! It fits perfectly, and is so comfortable. I cast on for the second sock as soon as I finished the first. I'm already planning for my next pair of socks (and the ones after that ;P)

At Last!

 

2 years and 1½ months after she was cast on, Lady Kina is off the needles!!! One of my 2013 goals is realised, albeit a little over schedule. Mum is pleased with how she's turned out, and even more pleased to finally have possession of her :) Now, I can resume sock knitting and turn my attention to my next project,
Baileys Irish Cream, which is going to be for me, made from this yarn, or this yarn...I'm yet to decide.

The only valid reason I have for taking so long is that for the most part I didn't enjoy knitting with cotton. It doesn't have any give like wool, and as I am a firm knitter, moving the stitches along the needles became a real pain in the patootie. I loosened my tension slightly, switched to Knit Pro acrylic needle tips, and the knitting became much more enjoyable.I wouldn't rule out knitting with cotton again, but I have definitely ruled out a project that is solely stockinette stitch!

The yarn is Bendigo Woollen Mills Cotton, 8ply, in the discontinued Noir. It is a proper black, but for some reason it is looking a little charcoal in these pics...my quality control inspector is not at all pleased ;)

A Taste Of Honey

Introducing...my Honey Badger socks, which I cast on on Christmas night. I hadn't really knit them much until Sunday. It was hot outside (Sunday turned out to be the last day of a week long heat wave), and the only thing I could do was hug the A/C and watch cricket. I made great progress, finishing the cuff, and starting on the pattern, which is easy to memorise. I am also sticking to my goal of having Lady Kina off the needles by the end of January, she has grown 12cm since Sunday...phew!

Happy New Year

I love New Year. Shrugging off the old year and starting a brand spanking new one, full of hope and possibilty. I don't make New Years resolutions, but this year I am setting goals at the start of each month for things I want to achieve for that month. My first goals for January are knitting related. 2012 was not a great year for knitting achievements, and I'm blaming the following two culprits. Endless rows of stocking stitch does not a happy knitter make ;P

Lady Kina

Simple Spring Swing Cardigan

Both of these cardigans are for Mum, and I'm rather ashamed to say that the Lady Kina has been on the needles exactly two years today! The Simple Spring Swing Cardigan has been finished a while, but I have to frog and reknit the button bands. The bands are tight, as I didn't pick up quite enough stitches, and this makes the bottom corners of the cardigan turn upwards. Of course, I'll also have to frog the row around the neck, as it was the last to be knit :\. The frogging and knitting in total is 15 rows...but you'd think I have to start from the beginning, it just feels like such an effort. Getting these two off the needles is my goal for January.

Other knitting projects are for the first half of this year are...

...finding the perfect pattern for this gorgeous wool that was a birthday gift from Mum last year. I have been  marking candidates on Ravelry.

Frogging this cardigan...

Ms Greenjeans

I knit it in Cascade 220 Heathers (Celery), and while I love how it turned out, I have never worn it. It just isn't me! So I have decided that instead of having perfectly good wool sitting around, off to the frog pond it goes. It's going to be re-knit as the Hampton Cardigan, a pattern I have adored ever since I bought the book :)

Hand-spun & A New WIP

My hand-spun is finished, and it is the most consistent yarn I have spun yet :)

Perendale...Approx: 102m, 15 wpi & 80g

I started knitting my first shawl last night. It's plain, but it's easy knitting, which is a good thing sometimes. Using 12 ply and 6mm needles, I'm hoping for a quick knit. All details are on my Rav project page.

Spindle Goodies & A WIP

After thoroughly enjoying last years Tour de Fleece, and feeling encouraged by the activity on Ravelry, I have started planning my goals for this years tour. I have decided I want to spin a decent quantity of a plain coloured fleece. I honestly don't think I could spindle enough for a jumper or cardigan during the tour, but I have decided I want to spin a 3ply, sport or DK weight, and would like to set a respectable goal of maybe half. I realised achieving my goal would be easier if I had some spindles which were the same weight. That way, I can fill 3 spindles, ply from those, and still have a 'working' spindle. I found these drop spindles from The Knit Store on Etsy.

Maple Top Whorl Spindles

I have already taken one for a spin, and it spins beautifully. The fibre is perendale, which I bought last year. It is fuchsia and orange, and the colours are combining beautifully when spun. 

On the knitting side of things, I have finally finished the back of the Simple Spring Swing Cardigan, which has been on the needles for far too long!

The fronts and back are knitted separately, seamed at the shoulders, and then stitches are picked up along the edges of the garter stitch sections to knit the sleeves. To reduce seaming even further, I have left the stitches on either side of the back live, and will do the same with the fronts. I can then do a three needle bind off, and will only have to sew seams on the sides :)

I am knitting the fronts both at the same time, so to keep the yarn from the two balls of wool from getting tangled, I have come up with a rather nifty little idea...

...it's the little plastic bit from a spice bottle which I have attached to the snap lock bag with a locking stitch marker. It is very effective :D

Colour Lovers

Choosing yarn is always a thrill, and I'm usually decided in the weight and type of fibre I want, but when it comes to choosing the colour, it takes me quite a bit a time and deliberation before I decide on one. When I'm choosing the colour of yarn to knit garments, I find the my final choice is influenced by how that colour will look in the chosen pattern, and how it will fit in with my existing wardrobe. After spending time knitting a cardigan, I don't want to be limited by what it can be worn with. So I tend to choose more mellow colours. My Radiate cardigan, which I knit last year, is a perfect example...

...I wore it at every opportunity, and received many compliments on both the design and colour. It's washed and ready to go again for this coming winter.

An example of being influenced by the colour a pattern was knit in is my Puff Sleeved Feminine Cardigan...

The pattern showed the cardigan knit in red, a colour I like, and I was so smitten with it, that I didn't really give a lot of thought to the design, but the pattern just isn't me. Suffice to say, I have never worn it, and it has languished in my wardrobe ever since. 

Crochet blankets are where I can really go wild with colours...

...my current project is a Granny Square blanket, made of scraps of acrylic, with each square edged in white. 

Al Fresco Knitting

After a few quite chilly days this past week, today has seen a return to glorious autumnal weather. The kind which makes doing something as mundane as pegging out the washing a pleasing activity. Once the last load of washing finished, I put Lucy's collar on her, and we made our way outside. 

She rambled, while I pegged, and then I spread an old blanket on the ground and took out my knitting, while she rambled some more. 

I'm knitting my first pair of socks, and so far, so good. I love the yarn (Jitterbug by Colinette in the Morello Mash colourway) and the pattern is easy to follow, but with just enough to keep it interesting.

Shade for this outdoor crafting was provided by our tea tree, which is in full bloom at the moment...

...it is covered with these cute, fluffy flowers. The tree attracts a lot of butterflies, and it literally buzzes with bees...

Yarn Along

Joining Ginny again this week for Yarn Along.

There are new things galore in this weeks picture! New book, yarn, needles and pattern...and, of course, a new WIP :) I cast on for the 'New York Cardigan' tonight, using my new yarn from Bendigo Woollen Mills. It's Rustic, 8 ply in the Bluegrey colourway. I think it's going to knit up beautifully, I'm also very drawn to greys, especially the lighter ones. The needles are some I bought last month to add to my ever expanding Knit Pro collection. I have the Harmony set, and some of the Nova metal, now I've added these cute pink Spectra Flair tips. This is the first time I've used them, and they are wonderful to knit with. I had been worried they might grab the yarn too much, but the stitches glide along them very smoothly.

The book arrived in the mail on Tuesday, and I started it that night. It's 'The Clockwork Prince', which is the second book in The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare. I recently finished the first, The Clockwork Angel, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The setting is Victorian London, and the main characters are Tessa, Will and Jem. The latter two are shadowhunters (warriors who seek to destroy demons)...I won't say much more, as it could spoil the books for those who have yet to read them. There are a few warlocks, demons and vampires in the mix. The last of the trilogy is to be published later this year.The books are marketed as young adult, but like the Twilight and Harry Potter series, seem to be popular with all ages.

iPod Touch Cosy

Simple stockinette stitch, knit in the round.

Gauge: 22 sts per 10cm
Needles: 4 mm
Yarn: Spotlight Basics 8 Ply

Cast on 29 stitches and knit in the round until piece measures 11½cm. Cast off using three needle bind off. Starting at the centre, crochet one round of single crochet around the top, and instead of ending, join with a slip stitch, and crochet a chain long enough to wrap around button.

Kindle Cosy

I bought a kindle last Friday. As a life-long book lover, I always swore and declared that I wouldn't go down the e-book path! Then I stumbled across some Kindle users who use their Kindles not only for novels, but knitting patterns too, and that got me to thinking. Wherever I go, my knitting goes too...and I thought how great it would be to have the patterns of my current knits all in one place =D So I browsed Amazon and found, to my delight, that my most used knitting reference book was available too! Of course, the icing on the cake was that a lot of the classics that I love to read (think Jane Austen, the Bronté sisters, Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell) are available as free downloads, or complete collections of their works for only a couple of dollars...I was sold.

Of course, the next thing I had to do was knit a little cosy to keep it safe! I used the leftover yarn from my Radiate cardigan, and, while watching a Poirot movie last night, quickly knit a cute little cover.

I will most likely knit something a little fancier in the future. The yarn is Bendigo Woollen Mills Aran 10 ply in Lake. The pattern is my own, but very simple...

Gauge: 20 stitches per 4"

Needles: 4.5mm and 5mm dpns

Yarn: approximately 70m

With 5mm needles, cast on 46 stitches (this is for a snug fit, add a couple of stitches for a looser fit). Divide stitches onto dpns, and, making sure stitches are not twisted, place a maker to indicate the start of the row, and join to knit in the round. Knit until cosy measures 7¾".

Change to 4.5mm for 1x1 rib, starting with a knit stitch, K1 P1 for 4 rows. At start of 5th row,knit 7 stitches, and make an eyelet buttonhole (yo, knit next two stitches together) knit next 7 stitches and repeat buttonhole. Knit in pattern to end of the round. Knit another three rounds of rib, and bind off loosely in pattern.

To finish, sew up the bottom of the cosy, and sew on buttons.

TDF and A New FO

The Tour de Fleece finished a week ago, and I have myself a very modest skein of 3ply merino, hand dyed by moi using food colouring :D

'Spring' 55m fingering weight merino.

I also finished my 'Radiate' cardigan this month. It's had a couple of outings. I'm more than pleased with the result, and am glad that there is still some cold weather ahead of us, so I can enjoy it a little bit longer before packing away the winter woollies!

'Radiate'
Yarn: Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 10 ply
Colour: Lake

A Sock In The Works

At long last, I have chosen a pattern, cast on, and knit the cuff of my first sock! I bought sock yarn late last year, and my Mum bought me several pair of sock-size Knit Pro dpns for Christmas, but for some reason, the thought of actually knitting a sock intimidated me. So late last night, I bit the bullet and cast on for 'Nutkin', a free Ravelry pattern.

The yarn is Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball in the Blackberry colourway, and it's a beautiful yarn to knit with. One thing about the pattern, (and this is my fault, because I don't read through a pattern before starting to knit) is the cuff. You knit five rows, purl one, then knit six, fold over and knit the cast on edge with the live stitches. I must say, that round was a bit of a white-knuckle round, but I made it, and am pleased with the result, although I think it may be a little crooked, I guess I'll have to knit a little more to see how well it has turned out.

One of my other WIP is 'Radiate', which I'm knitting in Bendigo Woollen Mills 'Luxury' Lake colourway. I love this knit, and am wanting to have it off the needles soon, as the approaching winter is really starting to make it's presence felt!

Autumn Announces Its Arrival

We had a very strange summer. A heatwave toward the end of January, but little else in the way of sweltering hot weather that we are accustomed to. Now, Autumn is definitely making its presence felt. When I'm out in the garden, I can feel the coolness in the air as evening approaches. The nights are cool enough to pull the quilt up to the chin, and the cats are snuggling...a sure sign that cool weather is approaching ;) Another sure sign is the flowering of my Crabs Claw.

I got a section from a neighbours plant a couple of years ago, and grew it in with a Cascading Geranium. It is now a small plant, and this is the first year that it has produced  a lot of buds, so I will soon plant it out into a hanging pot all its own.

On the knitting front, tonight I'm going to swatch for something new for winter. Radiate has been on my Rav list for some time now, and it will make a perfect transitional piece. I bought the wool, a 10 ply in a gorgeous blue, back in January, it's such a beautifully soft yarn, can't wait to get started.

Knitty Goodness

I have been stalking the newsagent since before Christmas, impatiently waiting for the Winter 2010 issue of Interweave Knits. Finally, I walked in today, and there it was :). I then went to check my PO box, and my copy of 'New England Knits', which I ordered just over a week ago, was there waiting for me =D

I have coveted this book since I first came across it on Ravelry.  I had already added some of the patterns to my Rav queue/faves, and now that I have the book in my hot little hands, I'm dizzy at the thought of trying to decide which project will be my first (conveniently forgetting that I already have two WIP)!

At the moment, I'm leaning toward the 'Greenfield Cardigan', and have thought of using the Bendigo Woollen Mills 'Luxury' yarn which I have in my stash. Then again, I really like the 'Montague Bulky Lace Vest' but that would mean purchasing yarn...hmmm...decisions, decisions ;)

Week One

The first week of 2011 has been and gone, and I've started two knits from my 12 in 2011 Ravelry group.

Lady Kina                                                     Iced   

                                                                                                

A little collage of photos I've taken through the week...

Happy New Year...

I love the first day of a year, we wake up with a clean slate, and for me, January 1st is a chance to put everything behind me, and look forward to whatever the new year may bring. This year, if everything runs to plan, it will bring 12 new knitted items as planned in my 12 in 2011 list (rav link). I started preparations last night by finally getting the Diminishing Rib Cardigan (rav link) off the needles! It turned out to be quite a frustrating knit at times. I started over twice, gauge issues, then I ripped the sleeves back, as the ribbing was quite heavy. I'm glad I did all that, because there is a finished cardigan which the recipient (my Mum) absolutely loves, and which the knitter (moi) is pleased to say is her work ;) I just need to block it and then take pictures.

The 12 In 2011 Challenge.

I came across a group on Ravelry Saturday evening who have set themselves the task of knitting (or crocheting/sewing etc) twelve items in 2011. As my queue list is getting longer, and my favourites list even longer, I decided to join up. I finalised my 12 (all knitting) this morning, and I'm very happy with the mix of items.

First up, that is, the one which will be cast on on New Year's Day is 'Lady Kina' (rav link) which I'll be knitting for Mum. As Mum doesn't feel the cold too much, she chose cotton from Bendigo Woollen Mills in black...

Sock Swatchin'

I received two ball of Zauberball sock yarn in the mail today, both in the Blackberry colourway. I had to cast on and swatch as soon as I got home. The yarn is unbelievably soft and so beautiful to knit. This is the first quality sock yarn I've bought, and I'm now looking for a pattern that is not too difficult...but not too boring ;)