New Year, New Me?

So I'm not completely with the idea of resolutions, and particularly new year resolutions, but sometimes you know that if you want to make a change its good to a metaphorical starter's pistol go off in your ear and hit the ground running. 

One of my big goals this year was inspired by a kooky dream I had -  

I was in an op shop, looking thru vintage knitting patterns when I decided to make a purchase. The sales assistant said she couldn't take my money as she had no change, but there was another way. She opened up a huge big book of appointments and told me I had to give blood. The appointment she gave me? 01 January. 

I know that the red cross blood bank is bleeding for donors (couldn't resist the pun) but I haven't quite been brave enough to bleed for the cause myself. I took this dream as my subconcious telling me to 'harden up, princess' and start donating this year. 

I happen to not be overly fond of needles (the non-knitting kind:). 

In order to face my fears I got a small tattoo in 2003 to 'beat the fear of needles'. However, lately I have been beginning to feel unworthy of such a tattoo if I am still giving into the fear when it comes to donating blood. 

I did get really close to donating once - I went in the door, filled out the questionaire and then got the finger prick test to check a few levels. It happened that my haeimoglobin was right at the bottom of the healthy range - and would have dropped into the unhealthy range if they had taken a couple of pints out of me. 

The plan to see this one thru comes with a little help from The Man - who is a regular donor. We are going to make appointments at the same time (as soon as he can donate again) and he will be there to hold my hand. He is also planning to feed me a heap of red meat the week before so I can get my iron and haemoglobin levels sky high so I don't work up all that nerve and then fail at the last minute.

If you would also like to join me in bleeding for a good cause check out the Red Cross Donate Blood webpage.

My second goal is to get moving - and start running a little more. This has been partly inspired by webgoddess and brave-and-slightly-crazy and partly inspired by a quote I read somewhere about "the black dog is lazy, if you exercise he won't bother to chase after you" (lucky Pierre hasn't a lazy bone in his body and enjoys runs with me in the park!)

I am aiming to do the couch-to-5km, but may do a couple of the sessions for more than the usual 1 week. The aim isn't to go fast, but just to get moving and build up a bit of endurance. If you're keen to see how I am going I have added my nike+ mini to the right sidebar. (the mini is also on my facebook profile.) So far the running is going well - although the forecast in Melbourne on Wednesday was for 39C, so I got up and went for a run at 6:30am when the temp was 31C (it only dropped down to 28C overnight) so I wouldn't have to worry about going to a run in the hottest part of the day when I got home from work. Ironically, the cool change came through at 9am and we dropped down to 21C. My desire to avoid the hottest part of the day had me running right in the middle of the heatwave :)

And the third wish for the new year? To get a haircut. Seriously. It has been more than 18 months since I last got a haircut so I am a little overdue. The plan was to go to the verrry cool gothic hair salon down the road and get the type of haircut that would dishonourably discharge me from the military (seeing as I no longer have to conform!). There were pipe dreams of dark, dark brown hair with blue/magenta and fire-engine red accents, but that will have to be put on hold for a while. Due to the office closing over the new year I ended up having to take over 45 hours of unpaid leave - so my paycheck was more than a week short this month. I may have to go somewhere for a bit of trim in the interim until I have some play money I can splash out on lavish haircuts. 

Inspiring window shopping...

How cute is this! - found on moncloth.com.

CCC

The VK Holiday preview is up - and my favourite would have to be this gorgeous blue dress below on the right. I'll definitely be hanging out for this subscription issue to hit my mailbox!

I f you haven't guessed from the title, this post will be the last one you can leave comments on for my blogiversary give-away. If you want to win a project bag full of goodies from GingerKnits.com just leave a comment - if you're not sure what to say, tell me what your favourite pattern is from the VK Holiday preview.

Winners will be announced on Friday (Aussie time - which may still be Thursday for some of you).

out of habit...

The Man, pupster and I ran away to the bush block last week, and I am now having difficulty getting the blog posting happening again...

There was lots of 'rain-on-the-tin-roof' of the shed when we were tucked up nice and warm in bed, lots of reading by candlelight, knitting by day and crosswords in front of the fire. 

I ventured down into Colac one afternoon and hit the jackpot at the lifeline shop - I went trawling through the knitting patterns and about 2kg of vintage knitting patterns followed me home for only 50cents! 

I happened to double up on a couple of them, so Taph aka Queen of the Vintage Patterns, if you would like some more for your collection get in touch.

The prototype Kimoncho is now complete(rav link - photo in progress sidebar) and will get the pattern written up pronto. I'll be offering this in different sizes so it will take a little while to up-size it a bit (It is supposed to be a loose fit so my size will be the smallest). Because of this extra effort it will be offered for a nominal price.

GingerKnits.com is also donating door prizes for the Bendigo/ ACS/ Ravelry Brekky meet-up in a few weeks time. There will be two prizes will each consist of a skein of handspun and a new product that will not be launched until after theWool and sheep show weekend - the Fibre Freak Stitch-marker Charm Bracelet . 

Well - it appears that I got into rhythm of writing again! 

Hopefully tomorrow I'll be back with a few photos...

a little insane....

I am not sure if I have mentioned this before, but the Man is taking me to Thailand for 3 weeks in January (actually, we leave on NYE... and arrive in Bankok at about 8pm...)

Apart from a few things I want to do (heffalump rides, silk and textiles warehouses) the plan is to spend most of our time hammocked up on a tropical island (the basic sort of island, not the resort type!)

I have a bit of a vision of me with a very simple dress I can pull over my head.... something out of bamboo and cotton... oh.. and I want to knit it myself.... hence the insanity :)

I have spend the last couple of days knitting away at this dress while sighing over DVDs of the doctor ('who...?' I hear you ask.... well David Tennant) So far, I have made some progress - I am already up to the waist!

Pictures will be forthcoming...

PS - The time is Thailand is still rather fluid, I'd love any suggestions you have of what not to miss!

Rockin’ socks..

Beware – there is a spoiler below for the most recent delivery of the rockin’ sock club – if you haven’t got yours yet, and you don’t want details yet... don’t scroll down too far!

Yarngasm!

I got my latest fix from blue moon today, and thought it was about time I reviewed what I had managed so far with this club…

#1 First and foremost – the Monsoon Inside-out sock, AKA the penis sock...

As you can see, I haven’t gotten far. This is because the cable has made the ankle too tight, and I can’t get it over my heel :( I think I may have to frog this sock and consider a different pattern (truth be told, I wasn’t incredibly keen on the ribbed sole anyway…)

#2 – the silkie walkin’ on the wild tide grasshoppers.

Well, these got put off while I wanted for the extra skein to be delivered so I could make the knee-highs.

#3 – the firebird solstice slip.

I made quite a bit of progress with these. And as they are toe-up and I have past the heel, these technically pass as a pair of socks. Very short anklet socks, but socks nonetheless. Hmmm... I really should finish these!

#4 – the newbies :)

This is my favourite out of the lot, so far. Purdy colours, and purdy lace :) Hopefully I’ll finish these before summer… And how cool are the temporary tattoos!

Rather ironically, the only pair of socks that rock that I have finished were made from an extra skein I ordered with my silkie. The little monkey foo foo socks…

So if I haven’t been knitting my rockin’ sock club socks … what have I been doing?

Making up some noodle knit kits for the markets! This is the prototype, but the plan is to have complete kits with needles, yarn and pattern for sale. Yeah, a tad bit gimmicky, but I am hoping to sucker in some beginners :)

And because it has been a while, a puppy pic… poor abandoned Pierre!

Winter Melbourne

Little monkey foo foo socks – check

Vintage hues cardi – check

Manual noro scarf – check

Roarin’ forties hat – check

Green Leather trenchcoat – check (yes, the avatar is based in some reality)

Half-blood prince audiobook for drive – check…

We are ready to head to Melbourne for a rainy winter day!

I may not have had the best colour co-ordination in the world, but I was very glad I threw everything in the car yesterday when I caught up with long-time friend CT yesterday. In preparation for Saturday’s big release, I have started listening to HBP again, and a drive to Melbourne and back meant I got a good 2 hours of Pottiness in.

I have known CT since I started high school, and in the past couple of months he has shouted me dinner a couple of times, so I decided to use my creative ways to make a little thank you for him. He is a retired goth who has not yet reformed his wardrobe, so I didn’t think he would appreciate a sweater. After a quick trip to the beading shop I had purchased all I required to make a couple of earrings (my first attempt at ‘real’ jewellery) – tiger’s eye and silver(?) earrings. A (non-imperial- see below) dragon on one, and a Scorpio scorpion.

And on with the day…

First up – brunch! Caramelised banana, maple syrup, cinnamon and ice-cream pancakes at an eclectic café in Fitzroy. I can’t remember the name of the place, but they served breakfast til 4pm – la vie Boheme!

CT and I then discovered we both wanted to see ‘The Great Wall’ exhibit over, so we dashed over to Melbourne Museum in Carlton. I didn’t mind the nil photography rule until we came to the most beautifully embroidered Emperor’s gown – it was gold silk with gorgeous, precise embroidery of, amongst other symbolic totems, the Emperor’s five-toed dragon. It is astounding that something that intricate could be made 250 odd years ago, before modern machinery. Of course, I can’t find a picture of it online anywhere either, so trust me, it was divine! (oh, and with all the layers of clothing, we were glad that the museum had a free coat-check)

It was still raining, and our metered parking was running out, so we did the completely lazy and un-green thing of driving the car a whole 3 blocks to Lygon st where we decided to spoil ourselves with a hot chocolate – and if you are talking hot chocolate on Lygon, there is only one place to be!

I love how typically Melbourne this photo is – it is pouring down rain, but we are so social we want to dine al fresco just so we can people watch and enjoy the fresh air!

I tried a koko black chilli blend hot chocolate – oh la la! Very warming!

It just so happened that The Knitters Workshop was on the way back to Coburg (CT’s residence) so we dropped in. (Didn’t think I make a trip to the city without a stop at an LYS, did you?) I manage to pick up a back issue of Jo Sharp’s knit for half price (apparently ‘shop-soiled’ – it has a small tear in the back cover) and CT mentioned that he would like a scarf. I tried to sway him towards a grey black merino with long colour repeats, but apparently this would have been too outrageous for recovering goth CT (see comment about un-reformed wardrobe above) After handing him skeins of different fibres, his only request was that it ‘not be scratchy’. The mohair was dropped like a hot potato, and he ended up choosing an 80/20 merino/cashmere blend that was on sale. I grabbed the last 3 skeins, paid and we left. (CT later forced money for yarn and labour upon me – lo and behold, my first commissioned piece)

Deciding that the weather was taking a turn for the worst (hail!) and that peak hour was almost upon us, CT managed to talk me into staying for dinner – which was real Melbourne, nay, Victorian fish’n’chips take-away (Melbourne fish’n’chips they throw your flake, potato cake, dimmy and chips in the same basket to cook, dump all the contents onto a sheet of waxed paper and bundle it all up in butchers paper – it means that when you settle down in front of the telly, the paper provides an instant tablecloth to catch any spills that may occur. None of this Sydney, cardboard box and your potato scallop will cost you extra! And yes, I am a tad bit biased, why do you ask?)

All in all, the day was brilliant – I have missed Melbourne so much in the past couple of years, so it was fantastic to bundle up and enjoy a cliché or two!

short story - life got in the way...

Sorry for the silence of late - but life took a sharp hair-pin turn, I had to make a couple of big decisions and got a lot of knitting done (will show you the FO tomorrow!)

That's all I'm gonna tell for now - but I'm back...and kicking off with...

WEEKEND KNITERATURE...



Title: Victorian Lace Today
Author: Jane Sowerby
ISBN-10: 1933064072
ISBN-13: 9781933064079
Format: Hardcover
# of Pages: 192
Publisher: XRX Books,US
Published: 2006
Book Source: The Book Depository
Price: £12.22 - approx $AUD 30, delivery free with any order at bookdepository.co.uk.
Skill level/Audience: Beginners to Master Knitters

Sally did quite a bit of research in order to find this book for the best possible price - several possible sources including internet suppliers and bulk orders from local retailers before ordering five copies of this from the book depository. The volumes were not only available at a decent price (RRP is $US30 - A few days ago I saw it in a craft store for $AUD69.96) but with free delivery - which was very efficient (the books arrived at Sally's doorstep in less than two weeks)

Needless to say - with a good price and speedy delivery like that I was already pleased with this kniterature purchase before I'd even collected it from Sally - however, a detailed review still follows..

First impressions -

When I first opened this book, I found it impossible to flick through the pages - the photography (by Alexis Xenakis) is marvellous - it is the type of text you can pop on your coffee table and watch as your guests ignore the knitting content in order to enjoy the brilliant scenic on-location shots that jump out at you from nearly every page.

The pictures help to set the scene, put you in the right frame of mind to enjoy the period in which most of these stunning garments were originally conceived. A brief introduction about knitting and lace in Victorian England further sets the scene before Sowerby delves into the women who popularized knitted lace with printed patterns.

The chapters -

Each section shares more about these ladies, with an extract or illustration from the publication(s) Sowerby took the inspirations and patterns from to modernise for the book. These start off quite simply - with lace consisting of knit, purl and yarn overs - before becoming more complex toward the end of the book. One abstract I particularly like is an early chart - which look rather like gibberish, very involved and confusing - which is similar to the sorts of patterns the author had to sift through and translate for the book.

The PatternsEach individual pattern is beautifully photographed - usually more than once - in a way that allows you to clearly see the detail of the lace. Part of what I find so appealing about the book, is that the garments are completed in gorgeous, bright colours and the models are dressed in contemporary clothing, which makes your fingers itch to pick up the needles and get started.

And getting started is easy .Each project has

• a clear label of beginner, intermediate or experience lace (so you know what you are getting yourself into).
• a clear schematic diagram
• dimensions of the finished project
• tension required
• yarn weight and yardage
• needle size and length
• crochet hook size (if required)
• and extras, such as stitchmarkers, beads, needles and scrap yarn for provisional cast on

The charts for each project are well sized, with a clear key for each one.

Each garment also has clear diagrams of how to construct it, and in which order.The patterns include directions such as the best cast on to use, how to complete the borders and blocking instructions.In some of the patterns, a special stitch is required - and clear step-by-step instructions with pictures are included for all of these. Although it is assumed you know how to knit and purl (and not a raw-beginner) similar instructions and pictures are included at the back of the book to
cover any other technique you might encounter using these patterns. This is not a learn-to-knit quick section, but a detailed lesson for techniques used in lace construction.

Also included at the back of the book, are tips to understand lace and charts better, hints to help with knitted on borders, and blocking advice - and a fantastic section to get you started designing your own lace.

Right at the very back of the book is a lovely article that tells the story of Sowerby's journey back to the Victorian era and her obsession with lace knitting from that period. Also included is a list of the locations used for the shoot.

Overall, I think this book has absolutely everything I would wish for in a knitting text - there is historical content, technique, patterns, clear diagrams, beautiful photography and the story of how Victorian Lace Today was made. This is the type of book that would enrich any knitters library, from beginner to advance, and the technical advice for non-lace knitters to get started, and the history to please those craftster who can whip out heirloom wedding-ring shawls - and for AUD30 bucks delivered right to your door, what are you waiting for!

Of course, what I haven't shared, is the project I am keen to try. (I do have that seasilk marinating in the stash after all!)

It's the Lady's circular cape in shell pattern. Sure - it looks a tad bit virginal and girly here, but think of how amazing it would look in pumpkin orange and straw yellow!

Oh - and I almost forgot... Victorian Lace Today is my first Tome of Kniterature that is 100% Pierre Endorsed!

Vest-ed interest

Nearly two weeks ago, at Rubi and Lana, David mentioned that he was looking for a vest pattern... I knew I had this one on hand.
This is one of the patterns I bought while Op-shopping with my Mum over x-mas/new year, and I will admit I bought it for a bit of a laugh. However, the joke wasn't the porn-star mo, the rose coloured glasses, the huge cravat nor the sprayed-on tight white pants the bloke is modelling, which assures us that this pattern was published in the 70s (1979 to be exact)

The joke was that my Mum had once had this pattern and made it for my Dad. In stylish 70s colours of brown, beige and orange.

My Mum claims to have knit this pattern in 1979 (the year it was published). I can't be 100% sure of the date it was finished, but in 1984 my Dad wore it in the family portrait. A huge framed picture hangs in the hall at my parents house with the date on it. The portrait is just Mum, Dad, Sis and I (Little big brother - aka LBB - wasn't born until '85, as if often referred to as the twinkle in Dad's eye in that portrait)

And, as evidenced here, this item still hangs in my Dad's wardrobe. (Okay - no big deal, my Dad is a terrible hoarder, a habit which one day will prove to be genetic)

Every so often, my LBB "borrows" it to perfect his "golf-punk" look - not bad for an article of clothing we have photographic proof of being older than he is. (in fact - if Mum did finish it in '79 it is older than all of us "kids")

This vest has held up incredibly well - it is made from Patons Bluebell - a 5ply/sportweight pure wool. It actually isn't longer on one side than the other - I rotated the photo and it changed the perspective so it looks like it was made for Quasimodo. Trust me, my Dad is no Sean Connery, but neither does he have a hump :) ("Hi Dad, I love you!")


Here is a close up of the vest - I am a tad bit jealous of how neat my Mum's stranded knitting is.

I really like the pink female version of this vest, so it has gone into the "one-day" pile of patterns.

Big "ta" to my Dad for taking the pictures of the vest and emailing the up to me so I could include them in this post.

PS - Wish me luck - I have a job interview on Friday arvo. Yes, I know it's a holiday, but it suited better than Saturday, which is when I plan to be knitting at the Opera.

a new future project

Flicking through the latest Vogue knitting, I discovered lots of asthetically pleasing patterns, but this one I have decide I must knit at some stage in the future.

It's unique, I love the fact that it is asymetrical, and the use of fair isle to create something that has an eastern feel to it, rather than a traditional european article. Of course, the fact that it is green has nothing to do with the fact it caught my eye ;)

I'm not such a big fan of the mock-obi, I think that may be hiding the fact that there is no shaping to create that loverly fitted look. But a couple of subtle darts should fix that.

It is really dissapointing that the chart for the fair isle isn't included in the magazine. You have to print it off from the Vogue website. It kinda takes the fun out of it - I'll have to print it off when I have access to a printer and pop it in the mag, so when I finally get around to making it I'll have it all in one place - who knows how long it will be up on the web.

Now I just need to find a good substitute yarn that's available in Oz. I think this would look fantastic with the sheen of silk, but I want something a tad bit more elastic. Possible a wool / silk blend. Any suggestions welcome - leave me a comment :)

Sydney - sorry for the thunderstorm...

Okay - so the forecast for this weekend may be fine and 28, but that may change..

Inspired by the recent fine weather, Tuffers and I went shopping. On Sunday a brand-spankin' new BBQ was purchased (stainless steel, four burner plus extra for wok, hood with window etc etc)... and some outdoor furniture was browsed. Due to the fact that Myer couldn't order the set we were about to buy in for another month (this after we spent 45min in the store waiting for them to get their act together) I was given the order to drive out to the supacentre and find something stylish, sturdy and solid wood (Tuffers was out of town, so I got to shop but he provided the credit card...) I found a great 7pce setting, with additional umbrella and stand for half-price at Knott's Pine. Both purchases are being delivered tomorrow...

Now, why the forecast may change.. In line with washing your car, and going camping, I am fairly certain that purchasing brand-spakin' new outdoor furniture and BBQ means the weather will turn drizzly and wet therefore ruining any enjoyment in said activity. Throw in on top of that, my parents are visiting from Melbourne, and you can see why I have my doubts about the weather this weekend. Especially as we are planning to do Taronga Zoo, the Blue Mountains, the Manly ferry and markets, and the Bondi coastal walk. Alas - I have an umbrella, and we are all aclimatised to 'four seasons in one day', so I think we will survive and enjoy our outings regardless. Apoligies to the rest of Sydney if they don't...

In other news, I got my delivery from Sarah's yarns today. Tucked inside the yankee bag was some Jagerspun colour cards thrown in for free. Before you say "not more green" - I have to mention that I was really keen on Morroccan Blue, but didn't want to pay through the nose at some other retailer when such a great sale was on a Sarah's. So it was either olive, burnt olive or atmosphere. Being a red-head I had to go for the green over the silver. (aside: I have just booked in for a hair appointment tomorrow, and am considering going short [marilyn monroe-esque] and darker [auburn towards downright brunette] so that may become a moot point, although I think olive will still suit a brunette me better). I love the tilli tomas bag that came with the yarn (but is this what $US39 a skein gets you? A gimmicky carry bag?) The skeins look really teeny tiny and I am not sure I will get a simple knitted bodice out of it all, but perhaps they have mystical properties akin to a Mary Poppins bag or the Magic Pudding. But yes, the yarns feel divine and I love the beads in rock star. I now need to finish my ISE scarf so I can start swatching with my 4.5mm needles.

Update on the scarf - am up to the last ball of yarn. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have cast-off and be up to blocking...

The cable jet top is on hold - I am waiting for my addi turbo circulars (I ordered ages ago) to show up. I am sick of knitting on the bright green plastic straight things... Addi's - hurry up puhlease....

I go to rio!

Only one thing to say - Hugh Jackman is wasted as a screen actor!

He was amazing - completely amazing. He worked the audience, ad-libbed, made prank calls and got a country lad to dance in front of 10,000 people. He was completely Peter Allen, and didn't once break character. Although the show skipped over a lot of detail from his life (it a musical, not a documentary) it still told the story. There was at least 3 standing ovations, one after 'I still call Australia home' (with kiddies singing in the bleachers it felt better than the qantas ad) half way through the second act. And I think even Tuffers admitted to having a little bit of 'dust' in his eyes during 'Tenterfield Saddler'.

Of course - it was so fantastic I had to take home a couple of mementos - A DVD doco of Peter's life, and the Broadway soundtrack of the show. It seems that there are a couple of songs different from the show we saw.

Of course - that's not all we got up to on the weekend. Another wonderfully sunny weekend - we spent most of saturday morning loitering over brunch at the Lane Cove mall, where Pierre made another canine friend, this time a Siberian Husky called Latte.
Finally - I promised a photo of my mail drop on Thursday - and here it is, a loverly package of Dale of Norway goods from Yarn Barn. Lucky, lucky me, another project awaiting in the wind.

oooh.. delivery!

I got home today to find a package sitting at the front door - it was my order from yarn barn of the pattern and yarn for the lady-bug sweater... pics tomorrow!

JACKPOT!

Buggar - In addition to not uploading pictures blogger just ate my post.... so here we go again...

Trivia

Even though we had a majorly crapola night at Trivia last night, we somehow managed to come first, winning a $50 voucher for the NthSydney Club. This will pay for dinner, drinks and a cheese platter for our team next week. Too bad the BF will miss out as he will be interstate for work.

On the way home from Trivia we decided to stop by the New Orleans Cafe in Crows Nest for some dessert and coffee (I had the sticky date pudd - yummy!). We were treated to some funky (and very loud) live music - was a great place, and I feel rather silly not having gone there before seeing as we pass it two times a day on the way to and from work.

Windfall...

A good friend of mine has somehow managed to stumble across 30 odd kilos of fleece.. yes, rub your eyes - 30 odd kgs. He called me up to say he had a bag of Top - which I have translated to mean it is washed and carded and ready for use - the only hitch - I won't be able to pick it up until the next time I drive down to Geelong... In October :( However, with that much practice I should be able to (literally) get the kinks out of my spinning. I also plan to try some rug tufting (and then I plan to train Pierre not to attack and kill said rug made from merino.... yeah right I hear you say)

WIPs and in the Q...

As we have nothing on tonight I will be warping up my loom ready to start my next project - another dog rug / blanket for my sister's puppies. This will essentially be more weaving practice (the dog's won't care if the tension is out a little) but will be a tad fancier than the one I made for Pierre as I will be attempting a check / tartan pattern.

I have also fallen in love with Dale of Norway Designs - how could anyone not after seeing Julie's gorgeous ladybug sweater. I am so inspired to jump on the fair-isle wagon :) I am rather annoyed that there is no stockist in Oz, so am considering putting a big order in thought YarnBarn for a Pattern book and some machine-ready wool. Never mind that already I have another Jet sweater, a 8-ply sweater, some cushions (to be woven) and lots of fibre to be spun already sitting in my stash.

Finally - does anyone know of any patterns for Weasley Jumpers that are out there? Or even just graphs for the initials? I know, I'm lazy, but what should I do the hard work if it someone else has already done it?