Yarn Along

My, oh my. When I checked Ravelry for the start date of this project, Ravelry informed me that it was May, 2012. And we all know that Ravelry does not lie. Poor dear 'Larch' cardigan. I had such high hopes when I began this knit. My first adult garment. It seems children's knits, I can do. Baby blankets, I can do. Adult knits? Well, they will sit in knitting purgatory for years, only to be pulled out to have a few rows added before being condemned to the knitting basket once more. 

I do wish I could knit faster. 

Lets see how much further I this time.

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Joining in with Ginny.

Ravelry notes here.

Yarn Along

I have had such an urge to knit since taking a break from the jewellery bench. I've quite missed the quiet moments spent with needles and yarn. I rummaged through my knitting basket and rediscovered an almost finished baby sweater. Ravelry informs me I started it over a year ago...

I fished out all the pieces. Front and back complete, one arm complete, one arm unravelling where a certain toddler had removed the knitting needle. I lay it over the top of one of Oscar's shirts and the finished sleeve looked too short anyway. I dismissed it, picked up the stitches around the neck and knit the final ribbing on a vest instead. I tried it on my little one and love it! I think it will still fit by Winter. The dear little elephant buttons were in my stash and add just the right amount of cuteness I think.

In terms of reading, I have been dipping in to Monkey Grip by Helen Garner, after being reminded of it by an ABC Arts story. We studied the film, starring Noni Hazelhurst, in my high school Film and Television class. I wonder if it would still be allowed on the curriculum these days?

A classic of modern Australian literature, Monkey Grip was published in 1977 at the height of the punk movement and thriving counter culture scene. Considered to be Australia’s first contemporary novel, it quickly became the voice of a generation. - ABC Arts

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Joining in with Ginny.

Ravelry. 

Yarn Along

Well fancy that, a finished project, a pile of books, and an inquisitive cat who once belonged to my sister and was known as Oscar. That was until she moved states, and we gave his name to our baby. He now goes by George. Though five year old Cohen has christened him Mr Nosey Head, which is actually rather accurate. I still haven't gotten used to the re-name and generally manage to call him 'Ossgeorge'. He doesn't seem to mind.

But I digress, distracted by a cat. A ta-dah is in order, for this scarf has been some time in the making. My hands have been quite busy with other creative tasks, like making jewellery and drawing in my sketchbook, and my knitting has been waiting patiently in the back ground. 

I packed this woolen scarf on our weekend away to New South Wales recently, and fended off the wind and rain with it tied around my neck. There aren't really that many woolen scarf days to be had in Queensland, so I like to think of it as my travelling scarf. I foresee it being packed in my old blue suitcase many times in the future, while the cats are left in charge of the house.

Joining in with Ginny.

Ravelry.

Yarn Along

The recent hints of Autumn vanished with the heat and humidity of the past few days. However, I have been holding on to the promise of Autumn with my knitting; while sitting in an air-conditioned room. And while I have been knitting, I have been making my way through the back catalogue of the wonderful free podcast, 'Stuff You Missed In History Class.' Clicking on the titles that appeal and settling in, those talented ladies have been keeping me entertained and filling my head with such fascinating facts as I knit. I'm much the wiser on such a diverse range of topics now, from the Hope Diamond, to the Domestication of the Cat. From Jane Austen to Frida Kahlo. From Mount Everest to Laura Ingalls Wilder. There is such a wealth of knowledge, my inner history geek is thrilled.

If you're new to the world of podcasts, and you have an iphone as I do, it's a simple matter of downloading the 'Podcast' app and typing the podcast title in to the search bar. Click on the podcast's logo, and choose from the list of episodes.

While speaking of technology, I have been converted, just a little, to the idea of reading a book on my phone. I don't own an eReader or the like. How I railed against the very thought of it! Until I couldn't get a library copy, or find an inexpensive copy, of our latest book club book, Walking on Trampolines. Instead I begrudgingly downloaded it though the iTunes store on my laptop, downloaded the iBook app, and proceeded to read it on my phone. And, it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. It meant I always had a book with me wherever I went, as I always tend to have my phone. This was handy as I rushed to Doctor and hospital appointments. Once I was used to it, I even curled up in bed with my phone and read during the children's nap times on the weekend. 

When I finished that book, I had in mind to read Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's most recent book, The Amazing Thing About the Way It Goes, thanks to Ginny's glowing recommendation. When I could not find it at my local library, and didn't want to wait to get is shipped to Australia, I went ahead and downloaded it too. (She's such a gem, that Yarn Harlot, isn't she?) While I still prefer a 'real' book, with real pages you can turn and crease. A real spine to bend and crack. A real and beautiful object on my bedside table, or thrown in to my handbag. I must now admit that there may just be room for the occasional downloaded book too...

Have you been converted too? 

Or are you a paper back and hard back lover all the way?

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Joining in with Ginny.

Ravelry.

PS. Don't forget, you can find me guest posting at the Bespoke zine blog all this week. :)

Made By Hand - Link Up

As has been established, I am not a speedy knitter, despite my best wishes. Nor have I found much time to devote to my knitting lately. This little sweater is still on my needles. It seems when the jewellery work takes over, knitting takes a back seat. But thankfully, stitch by stitch a garment is built, no matter how long it takes. And unlike weeding or cleaning, time doesn't serve to undo ones efforts. 

Once this project is finished, I do believe I will try to learn how to lever knit (which is apparently the fastest way to knit). I would like to make another blanket, but the last one took me three months...

What have you been working on this past week?

Made By Hand - Link Up

'Made By Hand' is a weekly creative show and tell, with an aim to foster community, conversation and inspiration.

My aim is to craft a life of homemade, home grown happiness. 

So, what are you creating right now?
Join in by leaving a link below.

I missed our creative show and tell last week. However, I was too ill to put together a coherent blog post and at times like that I know I need to listen to my body and rest. 

This week, my creative energy has been channeled in to knitting a small sweater. I uncovered the pattern in a thrifted, vintage Patons knitting book (Book 921) and was drawn to the texture of the fabric. I also found patterns in the book which are identical to a hand knit sweater and cardigan that I found at an op-shop. They were baby blue, beautifully knit and unworn. Both my children have since worn and outgrown them. I can't help but wonder if I brought the book and hand knits from the same op-shop? And if perhaps the notations in the book are the work of the same knitter? 

So, lovely readers, what have you been making of late?

Yarn Along

 

Ta-dah! My biggest knitting project to date, the Camilla Blanket, is finished. And I'm so pleased with how it looks and feels. It still needs blocking, but today is the first sunny day we've had in quite awhile and I couldn't wait to share it with you. So please feel free to use your imagination.

 

I love it. I still love that deep purple wool from Bendigo Woolen Mills. I still love those fan patterns. Despite looking at them for the past five months. I hope that Emerson will love it too. Her Mama made blanket. Her first birthday present. (Only four months late.)

 

There were quite a few times when I considered casting off sooner that I had intended, because I was keen to start a new project, or just because I felt I was never going to get to the end of this blanket. I'm glad I persevered. It's a great size - bigger than a cot blanket and big enough for the toddler bed Cohen is growing out of and Emerson is growing in to. It should also be big enough to use on a single bed one day too. Fifteen repeats in total. Cohen has already requested exactly the same blanket in exactly the same colour. Hmmm, how about a vest or a hat instead.

 

It's been a light week of reading. My nephew has been staying with us and I'm yet to get this months book club book. Instead I've been dipping in to the new Country Style magazine and day dreaming about a lounge room make over. Nothing major, just a new lounge, new coffee table and new buffet for beneath the tv...

 

What are you knitting and reading?

 

Joining in with Ginny.

Raverly notes here.



Weekending

1. I'm over half way now on Emerson's Camilla Blanket and I am still in love with knitting it. It is my biggest project to date and I was worried I would fall out of love with it along the way. So far so good. I love watching those fans forming.The nights are getting cooler now and I hope she'll be using it by Winter.

2. We've had a week of rain, with another week forecast. There has been Lego, play dough and balloons to keep a certain boy amused, as well as rain coat and gum boot jaunts in the garden.

3. We visited the Qld Art Gallery and the Museum yesterday. Another perfect rainy day activity. I brought this $10 print home with me from the gallery store. Cheap, beautiful art. (The framed picture in photo 2 is another gallery store purchase.)

4. My cheeky little laundry helpers, who played 'throw the cloth nappies at Mama' and rolled around laughing.

5. My veggie-store-brought sweet potatoes sprouted, so I'm growing slips from them. I recently harvested my first sweet potatoes from the garden and I'm hoping for an even bigger harvest next time!

6. Cut flowers from the garden. My dream of filling the house with flowers I've grown is slowly becoming a reality.

7. And they smell amazing.

8. These delightful roses change from pink, to peach, to yellow as they open.

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My second eye surgery is today. Hopefully I will be able to be back in this space in a couple of days. In the meantime take care.

Yarn Along

I admitted to myself recently that it would not in fact be possible to finish the Camilla blanket in time for Emerson's first birthday - which is the 27th of this month - without giving up my mothering and household responsibilities. (I thought of suggesting the above to my husband, in lieu of a Valentine's present, then thought the better of it. Dave briefly took over from me after my surgery and he is still recovering.) Once I accepted that it would not be done in time I decided to make the blanket bigger than initially intended. I purchased an additional 400 grams of wool. Doubling my blanket budget (which I have 'forgotten' to inform my husband) and well and truly ensuring that it will not be finished in time. 

I like the idea of a bigger blanket though. All that knitting. I don't want her to out grow it too quickly. The pattern required 6.5 mm circular needles, though I had 7 mm on hand. This increased the width of the blanket from 30 inches to 35 inches. By the time I've stitched up all 800 grams of wool I believe the blanket will be big enough to make the move from cot, to toddler bed, to single bed with Emerson. I am determined to finish the blanket before beginning any new projects, lest it hover in limbo like another blanket I have known that will one day be completed... Will endeavor not to bore you too much with it in the meantime. Promise.

Reading is still limited while my eye heals. I've mostly been reading blogs and commenting occasionally. I read far more blogs than I comment on. Something I intend to rectify once my eyesight improves. Do you read more often than you comment?

What are you knitting and reading?

-

Joining in with Ginny.

Raverly notes here.

Yarn Along

While pregnant with Emerson, and in the weeks after her birth, I knitted a simple striped garter stitch blanket for her. For the past year it has gone everywhere with us. Unfortunately that dear blanket came to a sad end after our disastrous camping trip (two words - tummy bug.) Yes, that lovely little blanket managed to get thrown in the washing machine with the acrylic blankets. Unlike the acrylic blankets, it turned to felt. I was horrified when I pulled it out the machine. But what is a knitter to do, except knit another blanket?

Thus I had in mind to knit Emerson a new blanket for her first birthday. I ordered the wool and already had the pattern, before I found out about my naughty eyes and the required surgery. Now, two weeks post surgery, I have been working on it little by little for the past week as my eye allows, hoping to have it finished by the 27th. There will be a wrapped book (once I choose the perfect one) and this beautiful hand knit bonnet by Greer at Typically Red as well. Surely no one will notice the missing blanket should it not be ready? 

While my eyes can not bear to read for very long yet, I am listening to 'The Happiness Project' on audio book, read by the author Gretchen Rubin. Once again, thank goodness for audio books!

And you? What are you reading and knitting?

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Joining in with Ginny.

Raverly notes here.

Knitting Wish List

L - R: Damask, Autumn Leaves. Tiny Tea Leaves

Camilla babe, Immie Tee, Camilla Blanket

Larch, Cabled Vest, Imogen Cowl

Inspired by this post on the Threads & More blog, I began thinking of my own knitting wish list for 2013. There are the knits I'm currently working on - Larch and Imogen Cowl - the knits that I would love to knit again - Autumn Leaves, Camilla Babe and an adult version of the Cabled Vest - and patterns that are waiting in my queue for time or yarn - Damask, Tiny Tea Leaves, Immie Tee and Camilla Blanket. And should I get through these I believe another knit for Cohen would be in order, or perhaps another cardigan for myself. I feel as though I may be getting ahead of myself. So many patterns, so little time...

What's on your knitting list this year?

A year of knitting

L-R: Autumn Leaves, Larch Cardigan, Raglan and Lace,
Camilla Babe, In Threes, Raglan Jumper, 
Cabled Vest, My first sock, George

L-R: Emerson's blanket, Imogen Cowl, Baby Blanket,
Cabled hot water bottle cozy I, The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief, Cozy II
Ripple Blanket, Toast, Kerchief II

I wondered what I should write about for the last post of the year. It has been a year full of many things. The birth of our daughter, the growth of our son, establishing a vegetable garden, renovating our house, a move to greater self sufficiency with a water tank and solar power, and so much else besides. But when I thought about it I was reminded that my intention when I began blogging was to have a record of my creative endeavors. While the blog has changed and grown, that intention has remained. First as I sewed and quilted, then as I crocheted and silver-smithed and now as I knit. In terms of craft I think it is safe to say that 2012 has been my year of knitting.

Were it not for Ravelry I would probably not be able to tell you that last year I knitted eight projects. (Though I could tell you that prior to that I had really knit nothing more than a few garter stitch scarves.) This year though my total stands at seventeen. More than double my previous figure, as I moved away from crochet towards knitting, and my confidence grew. This total includes my works in progress, and a single sock that is destined never to have a mate. But I am still counting it. I knitted a sock! I never thought I would be able to knit a sock.

It's been so encouraging to have the blog and Ravelry to chart my progress as a knitter. I learnt much this year, from knitting in the round on dpn's to the magic loop method, long tail cast on to provisional cast on, turning a heel and knitting lace. There have been many knitting related posts on the blog as I shared my journey. The most popular being the Ten things I have learnt about knitting post, and the posts Anyone can knit I and II. It's a joy that my creative pursuits can inspire and encourage others.

Thank you for sharing the journey with me this past year, for your visits and comments. Thank you for those who took part in the Christmas Ornament Swap and the Twelve Days of Christmas giveaways. Thank you to those who have supported my shop and encouraged me.

I look forward to sharing this space with you again in 2013 and continuing our conversations. Wishing you a wonderful New Year!

Yarn Along

Baby knits are so forgiving. Knit them too small and they make wonderful gifts, knit them too large and they just get put away a little longer. So shall be the case with this sweater. Intended for Emerson next Winter, it may be a Winter or two after that before she wears it. I had read a few comments on Ravelry about this pattern knitting up a little big. But I was shocked this morning, after weaving in the last end, to realise that the twelve month size I knitted actually fits Cohen. He turns four in two months.

Oh well, like I said, knits for little ones are so forgiving. I enjoyed knitting it and I'm pleased with the result, despite the size. I do believe I will knit it again. Though next time I will aim for it to be a lot smaller and a little longer, by adding an extra fan repeat at the bottom.

In terms of reading this week, Happier At Home is still the first book I reach for when I have a few moments, though those moments have been a bit scarce.

And you? What are you crafting or reading?

-

Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

My Creative Space

Three years ago I left a comment about a brooch on a blog post (the last brooch). A post I found through My Creative Space. I inquired about the price. Kylie wasn't yet selling her beautiful wares, but she wanted me to have it anyway. And I still have it. Cohen was just a baby then. I remember nervously going to my first mother's group wearing that brooch for a bit of added confidence. I met one of my very good friends for the first time that day. She recalled a couple of years later that she had first noticed me because of my brooch.

A few months ago, Kylie saw a hot water bottle cozy I'd made and commissioned one for herself. It was a lovely compliment. I have been knitting away here and there and was pleased to stitch the buttons on yesterday. Just in time for Kylie's arrival home from a working/holiday to London, Berlin and Paris. I sifted though a tin of op-shopped buttons until I uncovered these. An old pair of metal Eiffel Tower buttons. They seemed just the thing. 

It seemed apt to post the finished cozy here too, in My Creative Space.

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More Creative Spaces here.

Ravelry.

Yarn Along

A knitting project and a book. These will be the first two things I pack for our upcoming camping adventure. Two nights in a tent, next to the beach and the river, with my husband and two little ones. Our first real camping trip as a family. We're all excited. And while I fully intend upon immersing myself in the great outdoors, throwing in a line, treasure hunting on the beach and exploring the river, I am hopeful that there will also be time enough to accumulate a few more stitches and turn a few more pages too. 

Gretchen's second book, Happier at Home, arrived last week. I'm keen to get a little further in to the book. The opening chapter introduces her new resolutions, but also re-covers much of the subject matter in The Happiness Project, which would be beneficial to readers who haven't read the first book, or read it some time ago. However, having recently finished the first book, I experienced an urge to skip ahead. 

The In threes baby cardigan has been in my Ravelry queue for quite some time now, the yarn waiting in my basket. Despite once again telling myself to finish the projects that are currently on my needles (a blanket, a cardigan and a sweater) I could not resist casting on another project. To take away with us of course. I could not resist knitting a row or two (or 31) either.

What are you reading or knitting?

Do you have any tips for camping with children?

-

Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

Yarn Along

As usual I have surrounded myself with knitting, books and gardening this past week. I cast off the cozy on the weekend and look forward to blocking it one warm day soon. Then I shall (nervously) choose some buttons before delivering it to it's new owner. I am going on with the Camilla Babe sweater for Emerson now.

"The real point of a garden is to increase the value of our lives. It gives us the best chance we have of fitting ourselves back into a world that cities make us forget. A garden locks you into the slow inevitable rolling out of the season, cycles of growth and decay, the lengthening of fays and shortening of shadows.  

A garden gives you pleasure, instills calm, grafts patience into your soul. Gardening slows you down, masks worries, puts them in proportion. A garden teaches you to be observant and how to look at things. You become less inclined to leap to quick conclusions. A garden hones your senses." page 77-78, The Curious Gardener, Anna Pavord

These paragraphs make me wonder if Anna Pavord is a knitter as well as a gardener? I see many parallels between the two, don't you? I picked up this book from the library whilst looking for something else. Despite it being a large print edition, which makes my eyes feel strange, I am enjoying it. It's a light hearted, humorous collection of gardening essays that follow the months. It is an English book, so much of the information isn't relevant to me as an Australian gardener. However, Anna's charming writing on topics like what to wear in the garden has won me over enough that I am happy to skim and flick to the parts of the book that interest, or are helpful, to me. Reading these sort of gardening memoirs is a new and delightful discovery for me.

What are you currently reading or creating?

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

Yarn Along

I think I have spent as much time undoing my knitting this week, as I have actually knitting. I slowly made my way back to where I had overlooked a row of the cable pattern on one side of the cozy. The pain of this venture subsided by the time I had finished knitting the shaping of the neck. The 3 x 3 ribbing begins.

I am now reading October's book club book, Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks. Having read 59 of the 304 pages, I find myself absorbed by the protagonist and the historical and geographical setting of the novel. I was interested to note that it appears 98th in a list of the 100 best books of the decade (2000 - 2009) on Good Reads. My new favourite book, The Book Thief, comes in at number 11 and . 

Are any of your favourites on the list?

Any books you would recommend for a book club?

What are your current favourite reads?

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

Yarn Along

I feel as if I am on the homeward stretch with the hot water bottle cozy, with only one repeat to go before shaping the neck. Then only several inches of ribbing remain. So perhaps not quite on the homeward stretch after all. But it 'feels' like it, so I am going with that.

I'm a third of the way through The Happiness Project and find it interesting and motivating. Gretchen takes principals of happiness and puts them in to practice in her life, then talks openly about the results. A lot of the principals feel well known - sleep more, exercise better, declutter, enjoy now - but it is how she chooses to tackle a list of resolutions each month and her individual experience of them that makes for compelling reading. We all know we should sleep more and exercise better, but what does that look like? How do you achieve that if, in Gretchen's case, you are a mother of two and a writer? What are the results? 

It's difficult not to feel inspired when reading about her experiences. I have had several 'ah-hah!' moments and have been thinking about exactly what brings me happiness. I have been reminding myself of two simple points from the book over the past week, because small changes can make big differences. Firstly, "by doing a little bit each day, you can get a lot accomplished." And the "one-minute rule." The first idea strikes a chord with the knitter in me, I know that a little each day can accomplish a lot. A row here and there will eventually make a blanket. But in day to day life I often find myself discouraged at starting a large project when I know that I will soon be interrupted by one, or both, children and won't have achieved much. Rather than feel discouraged I have been reminding myself that every little bit adds up and have changed my outlook. I don't have to organise all the photos on the lap top at once. I can just start sorting them out and come back to it. I don't have to Spring Clean the whole house in one day. I can go room by room, closet by closet, there is no time limit. One day I won't have two lovely little ones wanting my attention, but at the moment it is about finding ways to achieve things that work with our life.

The "one-minute rule" attracts me because a clean house makes me happy. The rule inspires you not to postpone a task that you can get done in less than a minute. Gretchen writes, "I put away my umbrella; I filed a document; I put the newspapers in the recycling bin; I closed the cabinet door. These steps took just a few moments, but the cumulative impact was impressive." I agree. It's the main task when tidying just putting things back where they belong? Putting my hair clips back in their tin rather than leaving them on the bathroom sink. Putting clothes in the laundry basket (even if they are not mine.) Returning shoes to the closet. If only I could get everyone in the house to live by this rule...

What are you reading, knitting or crafting?

Do you have any rules that help create happiness?

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

Yarn Along

I took your advice about the magic loop method of knitting in the round. I unravelled the sleeve and ordered 100cm long circular needles. Unfortunately, the needles arrived from the UK before I had finished knitting the hot water bottle cozy I've been working on. Thus, my dedication to solely knitting the cozy gave way to my eagerness to attempt the new method. You were right though. I believe I am a magic loop convert. Now that I have confirmed this I intend to finish the cozy, less there be further distractions...

I sought out The Happiness Project after seeing it mentioned on Jodi's blog. Though usually one to shy away from anything that sounds corny or self-helpy, I had heard other good things about this book and Jodi gave me the gentle push I needed. I'm still still in the midst of the first chapter, but I am already enjoying it and looking forward to the rest of the book with anticipation. The 'Secrets of adulthood' in the first chapter include lessons we can probably all relate to, such as - 

People don't notice your mistakes as much as you think.

Most decisions don't require extensive research. 

Bring a sweater. 

By doing a little bit each day you can get a lot accomplished. 

You don't have to be good at everything. 

I have already placed a hold on Gretchen Rubin's second book, Happier at Home, through our local library. (They don't even have a copy yet. It's 'on order.' I am, however, already fifth in the queue. A positive sign that it's a good read?) I found an excerpt of the new book here. 

Have you read The Happiness Project? 

Do you have a happiness project of your own?

What are you reading or knitting?

Are you a magic looper?

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.

Yarn Along

How grateful I am to our local library. It satisfies my love of books more than my budget could allow. Monday we returned from our weekly visit with a calico bag heavy with printed pages. Among them, Elevate the Everyday. A photographic guide to picturing motherhood. A book I had seen mentioned on several blogs I follow.

I piled up my borrowings on the couch when we returned home. This book was placed uppermost on the pile. I couldn't wait for both children to nap so that I could make a cup of tea and sit with it's pages in that rare quiet. I was rewarded with a beautiful, inspirational reminder that as mother and blogger I am documenting the history of our family for prosperity. Clark also offers technical and practical advice on how to challenge myself to improve my photography. I am already rethinking my shots and using the 'auto' function less on my camera. Certainly a book other mothers and bloggers will enjoy.

In other moments of quiet I have continued knitting the twisting cables of the hot water bottle cozy.

What have you been reading or knitting?

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Joining in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Ravelry.