kniterature review - Knit 2 Together

As promised, here is the kniterature review of Tracy Ullman and Mel Clarks joint ventre.

Although I did rant about about knitting books with 'learn to knit' (hereafter referred to as LTK) sections, this one slipped through because that horrid section is way up the back of the book. I would have preferred an extra pattern or two, but I settled for not having the idiot section right in my face at the first page.
The book contains a couple of short knitting anecdotes throughout, but is really much more of a pattern book.



Most of the patterns are delightful - I especially like the Ponsonby Suit (shown left) which uses a technique called "binding stitches" which I had not heard of before. The jacket is definately on the to-do list, and once I see how the fabric looks I will decide about the skirt. (I am extremely dubious about knitted skirts, I am convinced they will all stretch out of shape!).
This herringbone doctor's bag has also been a favourite from everyone I have shown the book too.

I really like this book because, even though it has the horrid LTK section, it does not assume that you are beginner and the patterns are not all 'easy' nor 'quick'. There is a gorgeous stranded colour work vest, and a loverly lace shrug that would stretch a beginners skills.

However, like all publications, not everything appeals to me.

This apron (shown left) knitted in a kid mohair blend boggles the mind, as do knitted photo frames, knitted ties, and the patterns for knitted pants (Not only do I fear these stretching out of shape, I also have nightmares about crotches dragging below my knees), but some of the quirky patterns appeal to me (such as the toe-less novella socks) so I would assume that someone somewhere will appreciate the kitsch in these items.

I would much recommend this book if you are looking for something a little different. I like to think of myself as somewhat an artisan, and I like it, whilst my sister thinks herself more of a beginner, and after browsing mine is planning to purchase her own copy of the book (rather than just steal the pattern or two she likes out of mine!)

a special xmas present...

Sometimes it can be difficult for girls and their Dad's to communicate - I know this, because when I was 16, I spent a year in Portland, Oregon as an exchange student and the longest converstation I had with my Dad went something like this:-

Ring, Ring (That's the telephone incase you don't get it!)
Dad: Hello?
Me: Hi Dad, how are you?
Dad: Good, I'll just get your Mother... (pause)
Mum: Hi honey!

Fortunately, this is something that we both have been working really hard at fixing in the past 9 years or so. When I first got my licence, my Dad worked on an old Peugeot 504 for me to drive around (this car affectionately known as The Bomber). When I came home from college on the weekends if Iwanted to talk to Dad I would start by asking him anything about this car. This was the first of many 'special' topics my Dad and I now talk about.

When I started my blog, my Dad took great interest in it - infact, I think he is my most loyal fan :) When I call home now, it doesn't matter if Mum is home or not, because Dad and I have plenty to talk about because he knows what is going on in my life.

Sometimes, like when I got my Singer, I call home specifically to tell Dad about it. Because my Dad has an interest in antique machinery, and I luff my singer, this very quickly became one of those 'special' topics for me and Dad, as evidenced by this post.

So when I opened up a present from my Parents on xmas day, I knew my Dad had a bit of input into it...



See - just like my Singer, with one small difference
As you can see - I included Pierre for scale. This is actually a cute little box of sewing accessories that my Dad found in Spotlight a couple of months ago. Apparently he didn't buy it right away because he wasn't sure I would like it, but after he showed Mum it was a big goer!

And he luffed my reaction on xmas day when I opened it.... How funky is it! When I get back to Sydney I'll take a pic of it next to my big Singer.

Totem, Totem, wherefore art thou Totem...?

It is official - next to nobody stocks Paton's Totem anymore.

I am still working on Dilby's xmas sweater, and RAN OUT OF BLUE YARN!

I needed, maybe, half a ball to finish... and at first, I couldn't find Totem anyware

Finally I went to Woolsy Trading Post in Shannon Avenue (listed as a stockist on the Patons website), which is what I imagine a yarn shop to be 20 odd years ago. The yarn is stuffed into pigeon holes along the wall (still in the plastic wrapper) there is a cross stich and embroidery section at the back, a department full of sheepskin products AND also at the shop, for some reason, they sell second hand office furniture.

They had a great wall of Totem - you could probably see it from the moon. The assistant grabbed out the shade card, and we discovered I was looking for colour #3096. I didn't care what dye-lot, because I planned to use a few cunning Zimmermann ideas to camoflague any irregularities if they existed.

This is where Patons started to annoy me. They have a shade of light blue which is colour #3069. There was millions of balls of that shade at the shop, but no luck with what I wanted. And - apparently Patons is making some changes to the Totem line, so I pretty much left with the idea that I had Buckley's of finding yarn.

However, today Mum went into Lincrapt to buy some supplies, and I went along for the ride. Surprise, surprise, this Crafting Department Store had not yet been overrun by their own-branded-acrylic-novelty-yarns-that-more-often-than-not-knit-up-into-something-that-can-only-be-compared-to-carpet-underlay. I found ONE (1) ball of Totem colourway #3096. YAY!

The funny bit of the story - Mum and I went into Dymocks after Lincrapt, and left the shopping bag on the counter when purchasing a book. Thankfully we returned to the store 10 minutes later - Irony was taking a day off. After my terrible search for the yarn, I expected it to disappear before I had gotten it home. But the nice Dymocks ladies looked after it until we returned to the store. I am now happily continuing Dilby's xmas sweater and should be finished before 2007 :)

And another shopping with Mum story...

Remember way back when, and I reviewed this cosy little LYS?

Well, after making a special trip out to Point Lonsdale yesterday to show off Wildpurl to my Mum, I discovered that, unfortunately, Wildpurl is an LYS no longer. Alas - it is now a homewares store / small fashion boutique with a yarn section shoved into the back corner :( The assistant behind the counter called it "expanding" (like it was a good thing), but I think it was just too difficult for them to stay afloat stocking only yarn and knitting notions. So whilst they still stock their up-market yarns, they now stock up-market decor for yuppies - sad but true. However, the trip was not a complete loss.
In a basket marked sale items, I found these two little gems:Both off them hardcover, and each $15-20 below the RRP.

Knitting with Beads covers both embellishing with beads as part of finishing a garment, and knitting with the beads prestrung on the yarn. The beading appeals to me, lots of projects do not, so in short, for me it is an inspirational text on technique.

Nursery Rhyme Knits was too cute to not come home with me. I think an Ipsy-wipsy Spider blanket may fall off my needles in the future. Or perhaps little Bo Peeps sheep? Either way, I am glad that Lucy-lou is doing the kids thing because I have an excuse to knit some of these.

Whilst Mum and I were down on the Peninsula we decided we may as well check out the Op Shops and Vinnies (thrift stores)

I grabbed a whole lot of vintage patterns (complete with models sporting questionable hairstyles - oh and questionable mottos, like the one I photographed for the top of this post), a biography of Edward VI (for when I finally get around to making something from Stanmore's Tudor Roses), The house that wool built, which I think is a study of architecture of the early australian sheep stations (It had wool in the title and was only $2 - I had to give it a go) and a wonderfully colourful hardcover knitting pattern book that I have 'carbon dated' to be from the 80s using very scientific techniques....

Now this is one of the sweaters included in this book. It uses 11 colours, care to guess the designer?

Well, if you cheated and looked in the bottom left hand corner you would have seen Kaffe Fassett's name. Yes, I like the colour work, but I don't think this is quite for me. I am rather dubious about the rolled up sleeves, and the Jetson's style joins at the arms and collar.....

Sock and bunny crazy

So with all that sock yarn I have been purchasing lately, am I knitting any socks???

YOU BETCHA!!

(disclaimer: the first part of this post may look like it was posted by the yarn harlot)


(from left to right - all these socks are knit on 2.75mm needles)

1. Jaywalkers knit from handpainted yarn I stumbled across in Tarcutta during my last roadtrip (more on the Tarcutta craft shop with the next pic!). As previously mentioned, these remind me of a rainbow paddle pop, except for the "I survived Lord Voldemort" colourpooling mid calf.

2. Tuffers' second pair of xmas socks, knitted from WGTUP (Wendy's generic toe up pattern) in ONline supersock highland colours purchased at yarns galore.

3. RPM in the Knittery's Merino 4ply sock in "Wonder" colourway. These socks are incredibly thin (almost like stockings) and stretchy. They feel really delicate to knit. The pattern has been altered to be completed toe-up, short row heel, and with a mutliple of 9 minus 1 stitches so the spirals are all equal.

4. Tuffers' xmas socks #3 in Opal petticoat, once again WGTUP, but with a 3x3 rib ankle. These should be complete by the time I get back to Sydney.

5. (finally, eh!) Brenda's Pembrokeshire pathways socks in the Knittery's merino cashmere sock in "Waterlillies" colourway. This pattern is beautiful, easy to remember the repeats, but not "mindless knitting". These won't be going anywhere in the handbag or reserved for car knitting - instead, I am trying to do a couple of row repeats a day because the cables are annoying me. Luff knitting with yarn, however! It makes a nice soft yet dense fabric. Very cushy - can't wait to walk on it :)

And speaking of stumbling onto yarn in Tarcutta.... I made another pitstop there on xmas eve, and was very happy to find the craft shop open again. The yarn had been restocked, and I had difficulty not picking the baskets to take it all with me :)

I got two skeins of handdyed angora and one skein of a yummy green handspun merino/silk. The colour variations show up much nicer in the skeins, but I got so excited with the new toys and they were all balled up before I got the camera out... The one on the right is spring / summer colours, not quite as bright as it appears here, and the other is a stormy seas colour palate. I'm thinking a nice little hat with brim for the latter. The handspun will become a nice lace scarf/ mini-shawl (it's approx fingering weight.)

By-the-way, the handpainted yarns are labelled "Annie Gregg Designs" - I googled it and came up naught, so it must be a local fibre-artist. I think I may do a little investigating on a future trip to Tarcutta because these yarns are gorgeous. If you know anything about "Annie Gregg Designs" let me know :)

And onto bunnies...
One of my best friends has gotten three new six week old gals - one tan, one brown and one black, names Faith, Hope and Grace (no, I don't know which is which, but the names are oh so cute!) Pierre is completely fascinated by the bunnies, and likewise, they are fascinated by him. Last night he was running around the outside of the hutch and the gals were following him around on the inside of the hutch - completely fearless!
Here is P trying to get a closer look at these fluffy creatures that are actually smaller than him. He can pull off strange stunts when he is curious. (Those who are wondering, the Australian cattle dog in the background is Sam - he is interested in both bunnies and teeny tiny dogs)

happy happy joy joy!

When Tuffers asked what I wanted for Christmas, I didn't take any chances - I sent him an email with a couple of specifics on it, including a webpage, a phone# and retail hours...

What I really, really wanted was...
...this...

A gorgeous wooden umbrella swift (skein holder) and a ball winder. These can be rather tricky to find, so based on a recomendation from David, I sent Tuffers out to Petlin's, where I hear they looked after him rather well.

Can you see the pile of nice neat centre-pull balls behind the winder? Man I love this toy. Of course, Tuffers, being an engineer, is already drawing up plans to motorise the ball winder :)

And in case you are wondering, the skein on the swift is the Knittery's Merino Cashmere sock in Choc Mint. (and a big hug to Tuffers for taking the photo)

And in other news, did you see this cute google storyline? Look even closer, and you will notice that that is a male (or perhaps a lesbian?) kangaroo knitting. Do you think this is google's attempt to subvert the ideology of knitting (or family?)

christmas socking....

No, that is not a typo - this post really is about xmas sock(ing)s.

When I made Tuffer's socks, my Dad tried them on and said they would be nice to have in pink.

Needless to say, a whole bunch of secret knitting later, and these appeared on the mantle sometime during the night when the fat man in the red suit was due to call....



And a close up so you can see details... Yes, they are the Jaywalkers, modified to be knitted toe-up with a short row heel. The Yarn is ONline 6ply fantasie from Rubi and Lana, knitted on 3.75mm DPNs.

These were stuffed with a couple of candy bars before they were hung up. The verdict? Dad luffs them.
Of course, they weren't the only secret socks I have been knitting. Tuffers wasn't wearing his funky blue Jaywalkers out of the house, and after alot of excuses, he admitted that they weren't very 'manly' colours. A quick visit to yarns galore, a paypal payment and one express parcel later I started on these.

These are Wendy's generic toe up socks, knit in ONline super socks 4ply sunset colours #833 on 2.75mm needles.

It's a good thing that Tuffers likes his socks to be on the short side, because it means I can get a pair out of one 100gm ball.

There is another pair recently completed in a different colourway, one sock on the needles almost finished and wanting a mate, and a ball of yarn that only arrived last week. It appears that Tuffers will not be in want of socks for some time.

On a side note, Tuffers asked me how much each sock will cost if I was paid minimum wage per hour. He was floored when I told him $400... a sock... Apparently this is the most expensive gift anyone has ever given him, and he appreciates the effort. Of course, if you look at it the other way, an approx $20 skein of yarn can yield up to 40 hours of knitting for me, so it can be the most inexpensive form of entertainment for me.

And finally, an actual Stocking.

This was made by Lucy-lou and has all sorts of goodies stuffed into it - both beef and chicken smackos, gourmet dog biscuits, mini t-bone treats and a squeakie ball. It appears that Pierre was a good boy this year :)

Merry Christmas (or whatever you celebrate)

From Ginge, Tuffers and Pierre.
(pic courtesy of my dad)


I am about to head home to Geelong to spend xmas with my family (via Canberra and Lucy-lou's) so I may not blog for a couple of days, but I promise to be back to show off the great new toys Tuffer's gave me for xmas, and the socks I gave him :)

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.

A WIP & a pup update

Remember that knitted donut I posted about way back in october? Well - here is another little snippet of that project. And me demonstrating my completely unco-ordinated way of double knitting. Some days I just wish I knew how to do it continental style....

This rather lurid looking thing (the orange doesn't quite scream council worker in the flesh - I am just lazy and use flash photography...) will become Dilby's xmas present. I have completed the body and one sleeve- but no sneaky-peeks of those because, although Dilby's mum Lucy-lou does know what I am making, I want the finished project to be a surprise.

For those of you in the blog-o-sphere, this is an article of my own design and experimentation. And my first go at double knitting. And before you think I am a two circs kindagal, I actually prefer dpn's, but it was too difficult with the colour work to balance the multiple pointy sticks.




I have been playing around with my spinning wheel a bit, and finally figured out how to make a (fairly) even yarn. This is gorgeous emerald green merino that I bought from spin'n'knit at the crapbook and beads expo way back in August. I love the shine I am getting off of the yarn (probably a product of over-spinning) and it is a pleasure to spin. I like to sit at the wheel and chill with an audio-book on my ipod. It's my last week (ever) in the office this week, and then I probably won't have a job until March, so I am hoping in my leisure time I may be able to take a class or two at virginia farm wool works, and perhaps even learn how to ply...


And in dog news - Pierre has been learning all types of new tricks. Some we even trained him to do...

Provided you have treats at the ready, he will shake (hands, not shiver), balance way up on his hind legs (stand on tippy-toes, not beg while sitting on his hindquarters) and leopard crawl (drag his tummy along carpet)

Tuffers did discover another trick he had picked up when playing catch with him the other day - when mistakenly tossing his toy onto the dining table, P did a fair bit of sniffing before leaping onto a dining chair, as a step to jump on to the table. We now have to ensure that all the chairs are completely pushed in around the table to keep the pup away.

i love borders....

The post in which we understate the return of my digital camera and photo-posting abilities..

One of the best promos I have ever signed up for is the Borders Books email list - this week (or rather, this weekend, fri and mon inclusive) you got a whopping 40% off when you purchased four books, and 40% one dvd or cd....

I recieved the email yesterday morning (a little late seeing as the promotion had been running for two days already) and made a mad dash after work to the Bondi store in order to score a book for Tuffer's xmas present....

You see, Tuffers didn't want any old book - no, he wanted a very expensive cookbook...

...which I purchased today after standing half an hour in the checkout queue. The book is The Cook's Companion by Stephanie Alexander and has a RRP of $125.

I was a bit sneaky with my purchase - you only get the discount if you are buying full price items, so even though there were a couple of this Tome (and given that this is a very heavy book, Tome is really the only word for it) with a sale price of $99.95, I grabbed one without a sale sticker and with the 40% off it came back down to $75 - the better deal by far.

Of course, Tuffers knew I was going to chase after this Tome so I gave it too him as an early present when I got home. Also, he will be heading across the country to spend xmas with his family in Perth, and it would be riddulus if he packed this mammoth there and back again. The other upside is he was so inspired that he cooked a yummy kangaroo and cous-cous meal for me tonight :)

So of course - what other books did I buy? A fantasy novel in the series I am currently reading... and two volumes to add to my kniterature library...

...yes, I finally got a copy of Zimmermania to add to my own shelf!

Also, on a whim I grabbed Knit 2 together - had a flick through and am rather interested. A kniterature review will follow in the future.

All up the books cost me just under $140 - not bad considering two were hardcovers. I like to think that I paid full price for Tuffers book, $15 for my novel and got the kniterature for free.

Just as the visa was being process, I noticed behind the checkout, season two of House was no long on sale. So I grabbed that at 40% off too.

On top of all this, Borders is having another promo that for every $75 you spend you get a $10 voucher to use in January. I received one voucher with my book purchase, but the DVD purchase was put through seperately, so even though I spent over $150 in one visit, I only got one $10 printout. When I brought this up, they did a manual override to print out another voucher, and ended up giving me another 2! So there you have it - that's why I love Borders. I have $30 to put towards my next Borders visit. I am thinking Kaffe Fassett's Stitch Library to add to my kniterature.- its expensive at $75, but with $30 off it would almost be worth it...

And while I am on the topic of kniterature - I want to send a message to all publishers and bookstores, somewhat in line with Brenda Dayne's knitters manifesto.

*WARNING : RANT STARTING*

I am an accomplished and experienced knitter. I am sick of books that exploit the fact that knitting is fashionable and someone would take it up just look cool or because a celebrately got paparazzi'ed with the pointy sticks...

I DO NOT want "Learn to knit books". I DO NOT want "Basic knits for beginners". I DO NOT want patterns for needles larger than 7mm. I DO NOT want "groovy knits for cool girls". I DO NOT want "easy projects cos knitting is cool".

I DO WANT books that contain challenging patterns. I DO WANT to learn complicated techniques. I DO WANT to learn more than one way to cast on and cast off, increase, decrease and complete colour work. I DO WANT to learn more about the history and traditions of the craft. I DO WANT to be able to get these books locally (not through internet or mail order!) I DO WANT all the knitting books to be on the shelf labelled knitting...

*RANT OVER*

sorry - I just got so gosh-danged sick of all the 'knittin for idiots' books I had to paw through in order to find something with a little more than garter and stockinette stitch in it.


In other news - I stopped off at Starbucks for a Gingerbread Latte (it doesn't feel like xmas without them) and saw the BEST bear-ista ever. Little green aprons with Australia embroidered on them! For those of you who don't know, I was a Starbucks partner (employee is such a tacky word!) when they first opened in Melbourne, and was thoroughly brainwashed by the company. (It has gone from being my second-place to being my third place (TM)) I didn't buy one of these cuties, but dang-it, am wishing I had now. Next time I drop by for a caffiene fix I am sure there won't be any of these left. (sorry for the tacky picture, I didn't have my flash on)

attention wool lovers or those wanting to fight the drought

Want to help a sheep or lamb in a drought stricken area? Well,
I can't link put you in touch with all the farmers suffering along with their animals in the drought, but if you want to help, one woolly critter at a time, check out adopt-a-sheep. For just $35 bucks you can help a lamb, ewe, wether or ram for 100 days - ensuring they get enough feed and water. And you get a cool certificate too....

ugh - white!

I read an article recently about how Victorian brides wore white, not to show purity, but to show how wealthy they were that they could afford a dress that they would only wear once (after all, it was white, it got filthy, they couldn't clean it, and no-one would be caught dead in a dirty dress)

It got me thinking...

For the past four years, I have had a job where I have had to wear a white uniform for 6 months of the year.

Stark white.

Blinding white.

White, from the tip of my hat all the way down to my shiny shoes.

White pants, white shirt, white shorts, white skirt, white socks.

Of course, nothing attracts filth better than white. A pen placed in your pocket will always leak. A passing summer storm will leave muddy spots around the hem of your trousers. A small scratch on your finger will always bleed on your shirt.

The napisan challenge happens on a regular basis in our house.

Of course, every day I have dressed completely in white, I have dreaded spilling my morning coffee all over my clothes. And this morning - two weeks to the day that I walk out of this job and never wear that uniform again - I decided to try wearing my daily caffeine dose. And oh yeah, it was a full-to-the-brim coffee.

White is a very unfriendly colour - unfortunately, I can put my uniform away and never wear it again. I started thinking about brew-friendly uniforms, and I think that's why the army wear fatigues. Not to hide in the bush - to hide their clumsy coffee stains.

My whiter-than-white uniform became a 'hang-over friendly' beige in desperate need of a napisan bath. And this happened 15 minutes into my day no less.

I blame my clumsiness on not yet having drunk my first coffee of the day.

Vogue knitting followup

I got up this morning to find the following email in my inbox -

Thanks for writing. The charts are on the way via snail mail.

Unfortunately, when charts are as complicated as these, they cannot be reduced to fit in the magazine, and we just don't have the space to print them in full size.

Please feel free to email me directly if you have any tech questions.
Regards,

If you are considering a subscription with Vogue, I say go for it. It was great to get a positive, polite and timely response from their customer service.

I like to ensure that, as a paying customer, I get my full entitlement*. Vogue obviously is aware of their consumer's rights :)

*This does sometimes mean embarrassment for Tuffers, when I order customised food and drinks. But hey - if I'm paying I, just like Meg Ryan's Sally ".. just want it how I want it..." Who wants to pay for something sub-standard?

a touch of whimsy...

following on from yesterday's post in regards to charts not being published in magazines, I sent the following yarn harlot inspired letter to vogue today...

Dear Vogue Knitting,

I absolutely adore the patterns in your current (holiday) publications. Especially the asymmetrical / fair isle sleeve / eastern inspired sweater on page 21. However, I am incredibly disappointed that the charts for this design are not included in the magazine. I find it rather inconvenient that I require access to the internet in order to download part of a pattern I have already paid for by purchasing your publication. Furthermore, I find it incredibly short sighted that this chart is constructed in full colour, as I do not have a colour printer at my immediate disposal, and in greyscale the chart becomes rather murky and difficult to read. There also appears to be some problem with the chart for the sleeve - every time I try to open the PDF file, I get an error message from adobe, and it causes my web browser to crash.

In order for me to make this lovely garment could you please mail me a full-colour hard copy of the chart for the front and the sleeve and to the address listed above?

I have recently paid upfront for a full international subscription, and am in need of some assurance that you will endeavour to help your subscribers to create the wonderful patterns they purchase the right to make when they buy your magazine.

Yours Faithfully

I received the following automated reply -

Thank you for your message.

Due to the overwhelming volume of mail we receive, we cannot answer every comment. We do value your input!

I'll keep you posted if I hear anything else back...

However - I did get my new YARN mag today :) How yummy is the yarn ice-cream cover :)

Again they have come up with the goods - a great interviewee, patterns that use cotton, and a great article on different types of pockets. Kudos to yarn for continuing to teach knitters more than 'this is a knit / purl stitch'.

I also love that people I know are getting street cred as designers. (Celia had patterns published in an earlier edition) And congrats to M-H's for her first published pattern. I love that cotton sweater!

I wish I could go to the mag-nation knit-in, alas - I'll be getting to Melbourne a week too late. I'll have to send sis instead

And speaking of sis - she and Nico have arrived home from their "extreme holiday" in New Zealand, and she has finally updated her blog - since about October.

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 :)

more things to play with...

today I got a bulky envelope in the mail - celia found out about my desire to try a little kool-aid dying, and as she has moved onto the real dyes, send me her left over packets. I love personal mail (as opposed to bills and bankstatements).

Also, I found the pattern-a-day knitting calender at a borders store yesterday.

I'm off the pub-knitting :) Need to finish a couple of gifts before xmas :)

*hello to my secret pal - hope your week is going well*

rainbow paddle pop socks

*no FO pictures - but I dropped my camera off at canon today. seems that there may be a bug with my camera that they will fix free of charge yippee. but I doubt I will get it back in the near future, or even before christmas*


Remember this funky yarn I found on my roadtrip?

well it has been slow knitting but I finally finished one knee-hi jaywalker from one skein. The colour is incredibly funky - it knits up like a streets rainbow paddle pop. I get ice cream cravings whenever I sit down to knit them.

Now, due to the fact I need to get a few gifts finished before the silly season I will be suffering a little second sock syndrome until the new year... oh well.

Ned the knitter...

Just got back from knitting at Rubi and Lana and was surprized that we had a little celebrity within the group today.


A gentleman entered the store and introduced himself as David. This was followed with a barrage of questions such as "Blue mountain David?", "Sticks-and-string David?" and "Podcast David?". Thou none of us had met David before, we knew him from the cameos he has been making in the blog-o-sphere recently.


And why is David so famous (or, perhaps infamous)? Because he happens to have a really unique podcast at sticks and string - by an Australian Bloke who knits. The show is updated every saturday, so get thee along and listen.


Because I finally met David (who has become a regular at SSK) I decided to pass on this clip I found at youtube


hope you enjoy, cos I did...

Kniterature - Wendy knits

So I may have missed the knitting calendar at Borders the other day, but when I checked out the craft section (which is a complete dog's breakfast - the shelf labelled 'knitting' had few books of that topic, they were spread all the way from 'interior design' to 'antiques and collectables'. A librarian would have an aneurism!) I found this little gem.

Wendy would have to have one of the best knitting blogs on the internet (if you haven't seen it go check it out). I think she has, on average, one FO per week. And I'm not just talking socks, or even pairs of socks. Wendy completes intricate fair-isle and fingering weight aran sweaters with an effortless breeze. She is rather inspirational and makes you wish you could knit while sleeping, eating, and showering so you can keep up with her speed. So when I saw her book wedged between *shudder* scrapbooking techniques and the quilters stitch bible I knew I would be adding to my kniterature stash.

The book is mainly a knitting memoir - Wendy's personal knitting journey. There are patterns spaced out within the text, and the patterns begin with the simplist beginner projects and build up in difficulty to projects such as a steeked fair-isle sweater. There is no annoying "how to knit" lesson, and the garments are shown on everyday people (I guess Wendy and her friends). It more detailed the yarn harlot's Knitting Rules and Yarn Harlot, and has the great knit-biography of Stitch'n'bitch without the 'try-hard' feel or the too-cool photos. As a memoir, I knit it from cover to cover. As a pattern-book? Well, I will definately give the generic toe-up socks a go, and I like a couple of the tops with lace edging.

And why am I so keen to buy the books of knit bloggers when most the content could possibly be found on the website?

1 - because I like the way they write (obviously, or else I would visit their blog anymore)
2 - the books have been edited, and therefore are a little more refined and flow better than a blog that sometimes is just thrown together so you can get a post out (admit it, we have all done it)
3 - who wants to curl up in bed with a cuppa and their computer? Give me a good book anyday!
and finally..
3 - the books are written by knitters. They have patterns that they know will work (most designers' have awful ways to complete a project - they tend to work in flat fabric, not shaped knitting) . They understand the buzz words and the lingo (most writers wouldn't know the difference between 'ripping' and 'tinking'). And finally - these people enterain and inspire me to try new things with my knitting. I think they deserve a little success for that.

So go out and treat yourself to this book (if you're on the border's email list they have 30% off vouchers this week - so really, you'll be saving rather than spending money!)