final sp9 goodies!

So, funky arty sideways picture... but these are the goodies I got from Raquel, my SP9 pal.



Kinda hard to see if you can't turn your monitor on its side - so here are the details:-

• 2 skeins of yummy sunshine yarns - one with matching stitch markers (you know how much I love stitch-markers)


• heaps of kool-aid (in the mesh pouch) to help in my dying adventures - just like I asked for.


• Yummy cookies!


• Some chardonnay salt truffles!


• some buttered popcorn flavoured lip gloss


• and lots more American candy (the "Take 5" disappeared very quickly - why don't Australians mix pretzels, nuts, peanut butter, caramel and chocolate? its soooo delish!)

Mucho enjoyment from this no-longer secret pal of mine.

And completely unrelated - first day of real work today. At the cafe. With real customers. And real orders. Went well, but I my feet are feeling the 8 hour shift - guess the last job, sitting behind the computer all day has made me a little wussy.

Miss V boobrock fund update - $US75. Only 2 boobrock stitchmarker sets left, and 3 days for them to go before I have to cough up bonus funds! I think I may have to make another batch!

And just in case you were worrying - I haven't been too busy to look after Pierre. He had to have a bath a couple of days ago - and didn't enjoy it very much!

thank-you Mr Postie...

... for delivering my SP9 package #2...

...containing all of these goodies....


- some funky ceramic xmas mugs (that I think will hold a pint... at least)

- American candy (reeses, kisses, hershies, milkdud - its a chocoholic's heaven)

- yummy pampering bath bombs and lip balms and...

- some gorgeous handpainted merino yarn (hand wash only - perhaps a hint to knit myself, rather than the men in my life, some socks?) this colourway is called "Earth Day" by Sunshine Yarns.



Oh... and some tootsie rolls (that I think Pierre is keen to run away with - but remember little puppy, "Mowm says chocolate isn't good for dawgs!")

And I have a confession. I have start-itis.

I bought some super-thick sock yarn from Rubi&Lana on saturday (where I met jenwren for the first time - more detail on her and kate's blogs), and have begun some Sasquatch socks for someone (not Tuffers or my dad) to wear with work boots

And the desire to knit something flat came over me last night, so I have started my loopy-mohair trim sweater. Naughty Naughty Ginge! That is what? 9 projects on the go now?

are addictions contagious?

... can you catch them via podcasts???
Yes - I got a visit from the post-fairy today, and now have a sock-yarn stash worthy of Lime'n'Violet...


- the three top centre skeins are the SP9 colourways (waltz, chacha and foxtrot) from Susan at perchance to knit, the three on the left are merino-cashmere-sock and the three on the right are the merino 4ply sock, all from the knittery, and the one in the middle is ONline from yarns galore - it is actually the final ball from an order I put in a couple of weeks ago. Jeanette didn't have it in stock, so she sent the first couple of balls immediately and this one when it came in - fantastic seeing as this is 'blokely' colourways to make socks for Tuffers' xmas present (three and three quarter socks completed thus far). I also have some Lisa Souza on order - I am awaiting for Violet's pink ribbon and a couple of other colourways.

However, after seeing Wendy's "small" order, that arrived today.I don't feel quite so guiltly. Mmmmm - great big sea silk.. I want I want.... (*slap* Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's sea-silk)


And remember when my camera was broken I got a present from my secret pal, aka the Weasleys? This is it - complete with what was inside it (well, the muffins were baked and eaten some time ago...)
And some finished objects, completed when my ex-house-mates first son was born a couple of weeks (prolly closer to a couple of months) ago. I have been really slack, and didn't get them to the post office - I'll be back in Geelong next week so I will pass them on then.

In case you don't recognise it, it is the umbilical cord hat from Stitch'n'bitch (slightly modified for 6ply sock yarn leftover from Tuffers Jaywalker socks) and some funky pixie booties of my own design.

Q&A

My SP9 sent me a few questions a while ago, and seeing as without photos of my WIPs I am in need of a little blog fodder... so I present the following...

do you like spicy? i noticed there's a favorithe indian restaurant you frequent...so i would assume at least mild spice you can tolerate! (i LOVE spicy!!!)

I love a little mild spice, but flavour rather than heat. I do have a favourite Indian restaurant(Blu Ginger in Nth Sydney, for those of you playing at home) but my favourite dish is butter chicken. Tuffers and I are a big fan of brunch on weekends, and my special dish is a tomato, capsican and red onion relish I like to throw a little fresh chilli in with for a teeny kick. I also like to throw a little chilli spice / sweet chilli sauce in when I'm whipping up a spag bol or lasagne.

does pierre wear clothes? if so, what kind? what colors? does he like treats and other yummies? what's he allowed to have? not allowed to have?

At the moment (coming into summer), P doesn't wear clothes, but seeing as he is such a little dog, he hates getting wet, and we will be moving to Canberra next year (some would say Canberra is proof hell does, in fact, freeze over) I think he may be in need of some warmer stuff. However, I pledge to only dress him in tasteful clothing (nothing reminiscint of tinkerbell or legally blonde) carefully handmade, and no brands (the exeption may be a driza-bone dog coat, but it's an aussie icon, will keep his fluffy coat dry, and isn't a diamante gucci pashmina for puppydogs...) My sis bought me a book of knits for dogs, so I will make something for P, but nothing that makes him look like I haven't outgrown the need to play dolls (such as a tiara or tu-tu)

In regards to treats - it appears quarantine has a bit of a problem with anything made from animal by-products. The dry kibble-like treats my ISE pal sent me made it through with no problems, but whatever you sent this time is going to be incinerated and destroyed :( The only thing he isn't allowed is the stuff that is unhealthy, and dangerous for dogs (ie chocolate)

He also likes soft toys he can 'kill' and pick up and drag around for a game of catch.

do you have any specific allergies to food stuff? anything food wise you absolutely CAN NOT stand?

No allergies to food, and it is fair to say that anything that most things I don't like won't make it through customs and quarantine.

anything that is hands down, no question...a favorite food of yours? do you do organic? only organic?

I- like candy... I have a big big sweet tooth. As far as organic goes, I'm half a dozen one way, six the other. (okay - I don't have a preference) I have to say, I made those green tea muffins yesterday - and despite looking like a prop from a ghost-busters flic prior to going in the oven - they were fantastic. Keep the surprises coming. But occaisionally feel free to chuck in a sample of american candy like reeses or milk duds or tootsie rolls (now that I know you're in the US!) For some reason these haven't caught on here.

coffee? tea? preferences in either category? (ex. green jasmine tea, ethiopian or colombian coffees, flavored coffees???)

I love coffee, I love tea... I love the java java industry...

I used to work at starbucks. I have been thoroughly brainwashed. Coffee - good. Tea - good.

Tuffers and I often will share a pot of tea - we will brew anything from english breakfast to 'Budda's Tears' (a great herbal blend by t2)

any particular colors in yarn you prefer over others? any particular needle sizes you are in need of? any notions? books?

As you have no doubt already guessed, I love green in all shades. However, probably due to the fact we are coming into summer, I am being drawn to nice, bright, bold, primary colours. The colours you dress kids in before they can choose their own clothes. Look at me colours :)

I don't really need any needle sizes, but as I tend to have more than one (or ten) projects on the go at once I welcome multiple of the same needle size. My preferences:- circular or dpn needles, usually nothing bigger than 4.5mm, and I like the feel of bamboo or wood.

I have recently started making my own stitch markers, so I like funky beads to make these with.

and, of course, I have already hinted that I'm keen to try some kool-aid dying :)


Another pic of the pup courtesy of my dad. Doesn't it make you want to come and visit the harbour city and take a cruise?

SP9 update

I recieved my first Secret Pal package - and it looked like it was sent by the Weasley's! (I would put a picture up, but my camera has decided not to play the game... anyone know a good camera repairer)

The box was completely covered with stamps!

The entire postage between the USA and here paid in local stamps! I will pass them all onto my mum who is a bit of a collector. There was also a bit quarantine sticker on the outside, and a bunch of paperwork inside. The treats for Pierre,were apparently of a dangerous nature....

However, the gorgeous mint green silk blend wool, the yummy cashew snacks and the green tea muffin mix all made it through. I have some other treats for Pierre - but it is a bit of a shame.

However, now I know that my pal is in the US, I will make a teeny-tiny request... I have about 15kg of top waiting to be spun.. it is currently all a bland white. I would like to try some kool-aid dying (hint - hint)

Just because a photoless post is a boring post, here is a pic of P as a scruffy puppy, taken by my dad a few months ago when my parents where visiting. Isn't my boy such a poser!

International Scarf Exchange OR I'm a lucky girl :)

Look at the stash of goodies I got from my spoiler pal Sharyn (not to be confused with my spoilee Sharon :)

First of all, not one but TWO Scarves. The loverly shade of pink is knitted in bamboo, and feels so silky - I will use it to tszuj-up outfits on cool summer evenings, and the gorgeous aqua verigated/tweed is a wool/mohair/cashmere blend. It will a fantastic neck warmer when the weather gets cooler. Needless to say, I love them both.

Included were several other goodies:)

For me - yummy ginger candy, huckleberry chocolate and a mini halloween trick-or-treat stash, and a couple of funny postcards from duckboy, and a postcard that makes me and Tuffers both want to go skiing in Montana. (Neither of us are what you would call experienced skiiers, but we wish we were!)

Pierre also got a stash from Sharyn. I LOVE the handknit and felted bowl, which was then personalised for him with some needlefelting (I have heard of needle-felting but never seen it done, nor know how to do it - this makes me want to learn more!)
The treat bowl, came laden with treats, which Pierre (and Max) loved. Infact, it appears that Pierre is not only a yarn-snob, but also a felt-snob. He tried attacking the bowl, so it will live in the cupboard with his food and only come out at treat times so he doesn't completely destroy it :)

However, Pierre also gets a halloween treat - A squeaker jack-o-lantern that I will let him play with all the time :)

Now, sadly, I don't think Sharyn has a blog, however she has a business webpage. Jump over and check it out - However, I take no blame if you get a little clucky (some of the things there are soooo cute!)

On to the other Sharon... She is also blogless, but has posted on the scarf exchange blog that she recieved her gift from me. I have a couple of other goodies to send to her that didn't make the first mailing because I'm on vacation.

ISE home and hosed

I finally made it to the post offfice with my ISE3 package. It ended up being held up a few days so my sis and I could compare our work on both our scarfs. This is the finished package I send, the scarf with some ball band (all knitted in loverly super-soft merino) and a couple of kitschy keyrings. One is a toy camera which shows scenes of Australian cities and 'cough' culture through a view-finder, and the other has our old, old monetary notes printed on it in minature form. I thought, seeing as I was posting to America where all the money is green, they might enjoy this 'monopoly' money. My favourite thing about it is that each plastic 'note' has SPECIMEN printed on it in bright red. The thought that someone might mistake this for real money. Now, even if Aussie Post is really slack, I think my pal will still recieve it all before the end of October.

ISE3

Okay - I haven't posted any pics of my ise3 scarf anywhere, but have now changed my mind. As you can see, it is happily blocking on the ironing board, and I will send it away first thing monday. Whoo-hoo... another swap down:)

The Sock-wars fallout...

The killer socks arrived in the post on friday, so I am officially out. Currently making its way to the USA is one (almost) completed Sock-of-Doom, a ball of yarn to make the other Sock-Of-Doom, and some sniper inspired candy to keep my assassin motivated while she zeroes in on victim #2
And these are my gorgeous new socks, already being put to good use. The yarn is really lucious - a extra fine merino / micro-fibre / cashmere blend - far too good to put into shoes!
And I also got another goodie - some cute little sock shaped point protectors. How cool is that.
And Tuffers was completely fascinated by the skill required to turn a heel and make a 3-D garment that he has requested I knit him a pair of socks as well. Here is the beginning - made from a funky On-Line self patterning yarn.

SP9 Questionaire...

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love anything naturale - my current fav is silk, but I am a fan of just about anything of a critters back.

Novelty Yarns are a bit No-No (and bad Ju-Ju)

Arylic is okay when it is only a small percentage of a blend with natural fibres. I am also keen to try a lot of new fibres such as soy, banana and 'seasilk'.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

Usually the plastic pocket packets they come in, in the box / basket in my knitting corner (I am not all that organised!)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

Years and Years - My nan taught me when I was a young-un (>10yo) which I forgot and rediscovered out of books when I was about 12. I would consider myself to be an advanced intermediate knitter that has learnt all the basics out of books and is trying to learn new techniques from the interweb and books ordered off amazon. Someday I would like to be able to call myself a 'Master Crafts(wo)man knitter'

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Not that I have written down anywhere...

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)

Peppermint! Frangipani!

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Does the pope S*** in the woods? Is the Bear a catholic??? Yes, and do I have to pick just one Candy??? I'd have to say anything chocolate for starters....

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I (try to) spin and weave, and in the past have made my own clothes. If I get a working sewing machine I would like to be about to give quilting a go (thou probably not anything bigger than a metre^2)

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I have eclectic taste - jazz, musicals, pop, top40, classical, house... I am not a big fan of doof-doof techno / dance music. Artists - I love Jamie Cullum, Micky Bubble, Ben Folds, Cat Empire, Robbie Williams, Jet... I also like to watch Australian Idol and am not horrified by a good cover. MP3s Are AOK.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I love Green (forest, hunter, emerald) - Nice deep royal blues, maroon reds, chocolate browns. anything rich!

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I live with my Boyfriend, Tuffers, and our furkid rascal, Pierre (who is a Papillon)

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Big fan of scarves and hats in winter, but more of a gloves than a mittens person

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Anything with a nice yarn and on not too big needles (I will go up to about a 7mm, but anything over that is too much trouble). Currently I am a bit fan of articles made in the round with as little finishing as possible.

13. What are you knitting right now?

A Simple knitted bodice, some socks for Tuffers, and an experiment in reversible double knitting (I like to have a couple of things on the go)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

If a lot of thought has been put into it - ie, it was made for me

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Circulars and DPNs. I have some Addi Turbos for small diameter circulars, and bamboo for larger diameter (small diameter bamboo circulars have an annoying bump where the plastic joins the needles). I will someday be spoiling myself with some nice rosewood needles to see what the fuss is about.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Not yet

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

When was 'Feathers' new and interesting and the only novelty yarn on the market? I planned to make something out of it before I new better (possible mid-teenage years?). It currently lines my wooden stash box against moths

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Any that let me sleep in! If I was American I would say Halloween, (you dress up and get candy!) but we don't really have that here.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Tuffers would ask if there was anything I didn't collect. Yarn ;) Books, Giraffes, SingStar games, Oroton handbags and accessories, Notebook: magazines, Disneyana, Cool sesame st toys..... old reciepts, packaging from electrical appliances.. oh wait, that's the stuff Tuffers is now getting me to throw out :)

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Nil mag subscritions (the Aussies ones are that crash hot - if I see a pattern I like I'll find the issue at the newsagents) - I love the online mags.

yarns - Handmaiden Seasilk, Noro silk garden, Cashmerino, anything that feels nice to the touch

books / patterns - I'd like to check out Alice Stanmore's Tudor Roses, and I'd like a good stitch bible, a dictionary of cast-on/cast/off methods and some new finishing techniques.

needles - I'd like to take rosewood for a test drive.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Advanced techniques that aren't covered in the 'regular' learn to knit books.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I am beginning to jump on the sock bandwagon (turning heels is very satisfying) - I have a size 8.5 foot (Uk/Eur 39)

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 28th March

There's a bullet with my name it...

... somewhere between here and California...

I have been contacted by my assassin and aparently the socks of doom are in the mail.

Yarn snob strikes again!

Now this may be a little hard to see, but this is Pierre helping me to showcase the yarn I bought for my ISE3 pal. Yesterday Tuffers and I went out for breakfast and to do a little shopping and when we got home we discovered the problem child had got out of the bathroom and into the yarn stash. So I guess I can say the yarn is an incredibly soft fine merino and it is 100% Pierre Endorsed.
Here he is before we went out - looking incredibly cute and innocent. It is due to the rain that the pup was left at home - a great day for sitting inside the cafe (because the al fresco area was flooded) which means the pup had to stay home. Was also a great day for knitting. Yes, incase you are wondering that is my Jet lace panel jumper. I have been wearing to and from work every day since completion, and wore it (nearly) all weekend. It is due for a wash...
...Which is what Pierre had tonight. The tyke had a bit of an accident, and there was no way he was sleeping in my bed without a bath (I know, spoiled dog, but Tuffers headed across the county this morning). Sorry for the inclusion of my less than pedicured tootsies - He goes a tad bit psycho after the bath and I took an awful lot of photos of tails, paws and blank floor space before I bribed him to sit still with a treat while I took the photo.
Finally - a bit of knitting. I dragged out the pieces from the Hanne Falkenberg Mermaid jacket, and finished the i-cords on the sleeve cuffs. I have sewn one sleeve in and the other will be completed tomorrow night at pub-knitting. I really love this pattern. It is worked side to side in garter, so there is very little finishing left. The appearance of 'tailoring' is created by the use of short rows and by changing colours. I bought this in a kit from cucumberpatch, and have decided that I am not a huge fan of the wool - it is a 4-ply shetland and it feels a bit rough in comparison to all the alpaca and superfine merino I have been working with lately. However, I think using a less coarse yarn would compromise on the shaping. Tuffers really likes this jacket and has been after me to finish it for ages (I started last november and put it away over summer and just didn't get it out again) so I am hoping it gets a little softer after a wash or two.

I also spent my lunch break working on my ISE3 scarf. Sorry, no photos - I am trying to keep the pattern a surprise. I did spend a bit of time working out cast on numbers etc, because I am bastardising a pattern used in another garment that I really like for the scarf.

Pierre and Josephine

As you can see, the yarn snob strikes again to make a bed out of Josephine.

I still haven't sorted out fasteners for the front, but thought I may reply to a few q's I have recieved. Difficulties with the pattern? There were two. The first is that there was no overlap with the front panel so it tends to gape - hence the requirement for fasteners. The second is that there is an error in the centre cable chart for the back. One of the symbols requires you to cross over two stitches instead of one. It results in the cable being off-centre, or at the worst a travelling cable :) although compared to some mistakes found in knitty patterns its fairly tame.

Lots of exciting email today. Firstly I got an email from my ISE pal, making first contact, another from SecretPal9 to tell me they got my app, and one from Yarn Barn to say they mailed my order today - Hopefully I should have it within the week.. oh such excitement...

More details on Pierre - currently he is 4 months old and he weights about 1.6kg. Although he is still growing, he will probably never top 3kg. His shoulders sit about 20cm high. When we were walking on sunday an adorable little girl tried to tell me that he could not be a dog, because dogs were bigger than cats and he was nowhere near the size of her cat. She then kept trying to get his attention by calling 'kitty, kitty, kitty', which, of course, worked because he is a sucker for kids :) In case you were wondering, green is his favourite colour (his collar, harness and lead are all green, and I want to get him a metallic green dog tag). Tuffers had a moment of 'fatherly' pride last night at the vet when we were told that his 'testes had descended well'... however the pride then turned to horror when the next sentance was 'he'll be old enough to castrate next month, would you like to book him in now?'. Tuffers casually crossed his legs.... Aparently men don' t like to hear the 'c' word.

I'm in!

Check out the side bar - I signed up for International Scarf Exchange 3 and Sock Wars!