Still knitting away...

11 days of knitting and look where I am now!

60% done now...

I've done a bit more since this photo was taken, I'm currently knitting fair isle on the bottom portion now. Not sure whether to finish with ribbing or garter stitch... I really wish I'd started the neck with ribbing! We'll figure out how to fix that one later... It's rolling over itself.

Looking forward to seeing what it'll look like with sleeves! EEK!

In other news, the days are crawling by so very slowly, it's enough to drive you mad. 18 days till we start polytech... I shouldn't really count down the days like this but I can't help it. Scrubs came today but I didn't hear the courier knocking on the door... That's the problem with working in the room furthest from the door. With music on. Still I have heard people knocking before with music on in that room and had no trouble. Whatever, I can pick them up tomorrow.

Not much going on for the next few weeks except the occasional visit from my folks and the opportunity for me to drive the car. My Grandma and uncle are also coming to visit, so that'll be nice :)

So much is going to change so soon, but for now I'm just trying to make the days pass as quickly as possible.

Any suggestions on things to do?

Finished... and progress...

 Finished the vest! The buttons add that final touch I think.

And making progress on the jumper... tried it on and it fits pretty well. It does need the back short rows to fit over the shoulder blades.

Gapes a bit at the neck - could fix that simply by blocking or making some darts later on, we'll see.
Otherwise happy with it, what a relief! It's a bit scary altering a pattern sometimes.

And.... pretty plants...

Cyclamen which has come back to life after I repotted it.

More flowers this year maybe?

And a beautiful deep blue hydreanga my favourite dahlias :)

N

Photo shoot

Finally got around to photographing these projects properly. Thanks Osky for being my photographer!

Geo Shrug by David Yuhas

 

So happy with this one! Super warm, I'll have to wait a while for the weather to cool off enough to wear it.

I only used 7 skeins for this cardigan so I'm trying to think of something to make from the 3 leftover skeins....

And...

Swirl Pullover by Melissa Leapman

Which I converted into a vest, I just use the cable pattern for the front piece and changed the shaping completely.

Woohoo for knitted garments! My mum has almost finished knitting a beautiful cabled vest for me too - I'm going to have a great winter wardrobe this year :)

I'm neglecting all my other projects now to work on the fair isle jumper... I need to find more patterns for clothing if I'm going to keep making such things. Knitty.com seems to have quite a few good patterns that have been well tested and have interesting constructions. Perhaps this will be the year of knitted garments? I'll need to keep spinning fleece/finding bargain deals in op-shops to keep up the supply of yarn that these projects demand.

Keep knitting!
N

PS. Much better this new layout don't you think? Bit easier on the eyes... but I had fun adding black outlines to everything, sort of brings the page together better.

Inspired

This is what I've been making in the last few days...

Patchwork vest nearly complete! I'm in love with this project, everything about it. The fact that all the fabrics remind me of other projects I've made, the clours, the combination of patterns and the fact that it's all reused scraps! Just needs some buttons and a bit of stitching on the inside to complete it. I also love how long it is, more of a dress than a waist coat. I based the shape of the pieces on a waistcoat that I bought for Oscar. I often wear it myself though because it fits so well, not too tight around the shoulders, I hate how tight clothes can mess up your back and shoulders and make them ache. This one is loose enough to wear a few jumper underneath so I can show it off properly.

Just started this today, you can see just how much I am enjoying it by how much I've done already! Going to be magnificent when it's done and possibly add more colour work to the body and sleeves as well. Pattern is this: Idunn. Good pattern although I making it completely different of course. A jumper instead of a steeked cardigan and a lower neckline. So glad I chose to knit this, I can't get enough of knitting garments - they're so satisfying to knit and wear. I've pretty much lost interest in knitting smaller things now I think,

Anyway, that's me at the moment :) Feeling good, feeling creative and wishing it would rain! Such a dry warm summer... What are you working on at the moment? I'm curious!

Getting ready...

I'm being as patient as I can about waiting for Polytech to start... luckily there are quite a few things to get organised in the meantime!

I got my textbooks:

Which seem really good although I'm wondering how different some things are here in NZ when it comes to regulations, supplies and legal matters. There are bound to be differences even in terminology. There's a lot to learn and I'm excited because I've learnt plenty of things over the last few years I've been out of school but I'm rather keen to start learning again about things I can't teach myself. I think it would be good for me!

What else? Well I've been sewing a few things one of which is this much needed bike bag. It isn't waterproof which is a bit of a problem, but it would mainly be for jumpers and a drink bottle so that's not so much of a problem.

It isn't very sturdy, but I'm working with the limited materials that I have. I only have two rather light boxes of fabrics left :( But it is my goal to finish up all my supplies, I might as well while I have the chance. The lining is denim, recycled from an old pair of jeans and the outer used to be a blanket. I quite like the fringe and it double flap keeps everything in nicely. I've tried it out while riding and basically it needs something in it to keep it sturdy otherwise it just catches the wind! Still much better than the thing I had on there before, if you put anything in it it would fall off.

It straps on with dog collars, I'm not joking! They are really strong and adjustable. Also they were cheap at the 2 dollar store ;) No-one will ever know... You can see here how the bag opens up and folds over. I'm thinking of adding a clasp to the front, it doesn't really stay closed that well.

This is how it attaches to the bike, two clips at the top (bit of a problem with the bike lock and the front reflector) and a tie at the bottom to keep it secure. The best thing about this bag is how easy it is to take off and bring with you. I think I'll do a bit of tweaking of the design and see if I can't get it to work a bit better.

Went to a friends place recently and they made sangria with plum slices in it, delicious! They gave us plenty of plums to take home so we decided to make jam :)

Plum and Rhubarb jam. It took several hours to thicken and pass a setting test but I didn't have to stir it all the time, just occasionally. I even got to knit while I kept an eye on it. The finished jam is brilliant, not too sweet. Really good on oatcakes with butter. Or on toast like I had for brekkie.

We also made a rhubarb custard cake (recipe here) for the friend's BBQ. It disappeared so quickly! Must be alright then. I always seem to take photos before things cook and then forget to take them when they're done....

The recipe says to roast the rhubarb first but I find it's fine if you just cook the cake with raw rhubarb in it. It might take a bit longer but it makes for a better cake, it would be too dry otherwise. One of favourite cakes, I highly recommend it.

What else? Oh yes! I finished a jumper :D

Just after I cast off, I couldn't wait to finally try it on. It's a bit hard when you have 320 sts on one rather short circular needle. I wove in the ends yesterday and plan to block it when the weather improves a bit so it will dry better. You can read more of my notes here on Ravelry.

I've also been doing a bit of stash busting and have been cutting out many patchwork squares. In theory these shapes could be cut in half and turned into triangles for more interesting designs. I just want to turn my box of scraps into something useful. Not sure what I'll make this into... but they're there if I want to use them.

Other projects lately; home brewing and new Irish stout, bottling cider, crocheting socks, bike riding, writing out recipes into a new cookbook, a silk tie dye top, reading and a bit of gardening.

Currently on the needles/hooks

• Purple cashmere slouch hat
• Crochet socks (I'm having gauge issues because my yarn is slightly thicker than the patterns)
• Striping legwarmers
• Long ribbed socks

Got a good list going in my Ravelry queue of things I'd like to make this year. Trying to find more garment patterns, but it's kind of limited when you want seamless construction and free patterns.

I'll leave you with some pictures of the most amazing summer sunset in Timaru. I forgot to post these pictures up earlier.

May the next four weeks fly by!

Almost looks like a shot of Jupiter don't you think?

Summer blast

Me and Osk setting up kites on the very brown grass at Caroline Bay.... Timaru is very dry and hot this time of year, can't say I like it! 29 degrees on the 27th of December.... Back in Dunedin it's warm and I'm wearing summer clothing but there's a fresh cool breeze that makes it bearable. The NW wind in Timaru just makes everyone grouchy!

Setting up the dragon kite :)

 

Petanque man, my dad.

Hanging out with my little niece Eloise. She is a character alright! Serious like this in the photo when she's just woken up and full of beans the rest of the time! Laughing and squealing and playing with everything, it's fun but kind of scary, she doesn't know how dangerous some things are. Ovens, heights, small objects etc. Constant supervision is necessary! Nice to spend some time with her :) I think she liked her starfish toy that I knitted her... hard to say. She'll pick up one thing play with it for a bit and throw it away for the next thing she finds. Which makes a big mess! Everywhere! Once she snuck up behind me while I was wrapping dolmades and poked me in the back, gave me such a surprise :0

Elo's knitted starfish!

Xmas was pretty much family, food, hot weather, cold drinks, walks, bike riding, going to the carnival and watching movies and playing games. Got a little bit of knitting done, Not much though. I always plan to take several projects with me and they never get touched!

 Started making this... a slouchy hat with those interlocking lozenge pattern things..

Went for a walk on Patiti point with Oscar and we found heaps of beautiful rocks, red ones, green ones, striped ones and speckled ones. Also several large thin and long ones which we are using as door stops. We found that if we polish them with oil they look like they are wet again which brings out their beautiful patterns and colours.

Intrigued by the gift one of Oscar's clients gave me - a box that she made herself using pipe cleaners and tubes of magazine paper. All the rolls are different - different flowers and plants on each. I really appreciate a handmade gift! More than a store bought one... I never usually receive them.

Working on crocheting up some knitted blanks into leg warmers to go with my new boots:

Two rows of each colorway... fun to see the colours come into play in the fabric. Makes me want to knit more blanks! I only have blue, red and black dye however... perhaps a purplely one....

Also getting close to finishing my Geo Cardigan too. Nearly finished knitting one arm up to the neck. That one will stay on needles while I work the other arm from the armpit up to the neck, then I'll graft them together at the back and knit a rib border around the lot. Really happy with the way this is turning out. The fabric is just the right weight and very soft and lofty. It will be a good size too. The arms seem snug now but will stretch with wear and blocking.

Oscar gave me a 300 lot of Magic the Gathering cards of my own for xmas! I also got his old folder (broken but I repaired it easily) to store them in. So many multicolour cards... They look so pretty in the folder... Not sure if anyone reading this blog knows about this game, but I'm pretty keen on it - I've just made a Morph deck where all the creature cards are morphs, giving the element of surprise to the opponent!

The front of the folder looked a bit plain so I slipped this National Geographic illustration in to brighten it up a bit. I have many plans for new decks to make with my new cards... I seemed to get lucky with the cards they put in my lot, they are completely random, but this really was a great lot.

This is our old crappy chopping board. Yes it split in half! Water damage most certainly...

But Oscar got me this!

A beautiful hand made chopping board made by the Dunedin Wood Turners. It needed a bit of sanding and I oiled it to protect the wood, so it should last a while I hope. Taking extra good care of it so it lasts. Perfect size for a pizza to sit on so you can chop it up. Now I just need to sharpen my kitchen knives and cooking should be easy.

And now Oscar is on Holidays so he is happy and enjoying time to himself :) It's really not that long till our courses start... I am trying to think of ways to get ready for it, but it seems a bit early really. I can use this time to do ask much crafting as I can... Use up my sewing supplies perhaps... prepare a study area... I need to start getting up earlier (I'll have to get up at 7am to get ready and ride 2 km to polyetch by 8.30am, I currently get up at 9am and have done for a long time!) I can work on my bike... make a proper basket/carry bag for it and get used to riding it more. I can order my supplies... scrubs, books stethoscope etc...

I'm sewing this again:

I'm liking the way it's turning out! Needs more rows of pieces and a back and a lining.. perhaps buttons as well.

Well that's all for now, what a long post! We have no plans for New Year's celerbrations but I'm looking forward to welcoming in a new year which is going to be so very different and exciting and busy!

Enjoy summer Southern hemisphere people and winter Northen folks!

N

A year's worth of knitting...

Well it's been a rather quiet this year on the knitting front. I have to say that I haven't made that many things... last year I finished 21 projects, but then again a lot of those projects were smaller and quicker. This year I've finished two garments, which took a few months each to complete. I might get another garment done before the new year too. :)

This year I completed 11 projects in total!

Three of them are omitted from this photo because they were gicen away for gifts already or will be soon and I can't show them. They're wrapped up for xmas!

If I dig back till the start of the year I made a listof knitting/crafting goals... how did I do?

• Hand knit a vest
• Learn how to use knitting machine - socks in the round, fair isle, jumpers etc.
• Make another quilt big enough for our bed
• Sell more of my creations, go to more markets, find something that sells
• Learn how to use the inkle loom
• Try new recipes

I knit two vests, and got more familiar with the knitting machine although I didn't learn how to knit actual items, I made most of a quilt for the bed, I did go to markets but didn't sell much but I did do sewing for people and made a bit from that. I had a go at the inkle loom, should really get back into that! I tried plenty of new recipes. So pretty good really althogether. I couldn't predict the projects and goals I would actually do. I didn't include costuming several plays, sewing a total of 18 costumes for A midsummer's night dream, spinning and dyeing all the yarn for a jumper, making all xmas gifts, brewing 8 batches of beer with my dear and many more projects completed this year. Not to mention all the other goals I've achieved this year.... getting my restricted license, selling a large portion of theatre costumes for the benefit of the theatre, trying busking and succeeding, trying acting on special occassions, (even on stage), getting into polytech...

I guess it's time to make a list of goals for next year huh?
Here's what I have so far;

• Get fit riding the bike so it becomes an easier form of transport
• Try and finish at least 10 knitting/crochet projects, use it as a way to relax after studying all day.
• Keep homebrewing, a batch a month!
• Get excellent results in vet nursing
• Keep busking regularly
• Keep going to choir every week.
• Keep costuming plays... perhaps not sewing all of them though...

As you can see, most of them are about keeping up my hobbies while I study. We'll see how I go with that one...

I would most like to keep knitting, singing and home brewing. I'm not so fussed about some other hobbies I have, but I'd like to keep those ones going if I can. Oscar is wanting to keep playing MTG and acting. He also wants to keep home brewing and singing in the choir. I have a feeling he'll be less keen on computers at home when he studies them all day at polytech!

Perhaps I can make a post of all the sewn projects I've done this year too, that would be cool. There's a lot more of those.

Well it's going to be a busy week ahead, baking, travelling, celebrating with rellies and camping, it's going to be fun!

Hope your Xmas preparations are fun filled too:)

N