Just quickly...

Good thing I'm not participating in Blogtoberfest! otherwise I would be doing very poorly. I have enjoyed reading people's updates though!

Drove into work today for a change (haven't done that since we moved to Bray Park!) and stopped in at Funky Fabrix - something that I had been meaning to do since I was chatting with Kelly a few weeks ago about the lack of dresses that fit me in the bosom. I didn't purchase any fabric, but did come away with Amy Butler's Mini Dress/Tunic pattern. Looking forward to eventually having a sewing machine (how many days is it until Christmas!?) and being able to sink my teeth into sewing from a pattern, and having awesome handmade clothes! Not that I don't already have awesome handmade clothes... ;)

I have a new project that I'm working on too - the Honeybee Cardigan! I've been working on this for almost two weeks now, and it's looking great - although the yarn that I've chosen (Malabrigo Sock in Archangel) certainly has a bit of an identity crisis - magenta one minute, dark purple the next!



This is where I was up to yesterday - eight inches down, only seven more to go ! I bought some small circular needles tonight so I can start doing the sleeves - thank goodness Addis come in 30cm circulars! You knit the sleeves from the elbow up, and then attach them into the body (which is what I'm working on at the moment). I'm glad that I saw a student who was taking Technical Support classes with work doing a top similar in construction, otherwise I think I would have been a bit lost when it got to that section - I'm not sure if I'm glazing over that part of the pattern, but I still haven't found the part where it says to transfer them. Go figure! :D

Was also looking through Made It tonight, and found some super cute skirts at Lilli Pilli Lane. This only strengthens my urge/need/want/lust to sew! Although then I will be starting a fabric stash... this cannot be good.

although by the sounds of it, I may be getting downstairs as my playroom...

Righto. VERY much past my bedtime now. Up early for work in the morning, and I still haven't had a shower. :D

Hitting Gold!

From skein to shirt in 10 days! :D

Rusted Root by Zephyr Style.



Materials: Cotton Fleece in Gold Dust, 4.00mm Addi circulars for body, 3.50mm for ribbing
Used: 2.98 skeins - 298g! :D
Size: Large
Mods: Main mod obviously was dropping the neckline! To do this, I cast on for knitting flat:
1 (front), pm, 13 (sleeve) pm 20 (back) pdm when knitting in the round 20 (back pm 13 (sleeve) pm 1 (front). Then I did raglan increases Kf&B until front measures 4” from cast on. Then I cast on the required stitches for the front, minus two for the two I cast on at the start. It really wasn't too difficult! :D And I only did seven rounds of ribbing at the bottom, otherwise I would have run out of yarn.
Started: 22nd September, 2009
Finished: 2nd October 2009
Made For: Me



I think I will make another one for Caitlin for Christmas. I really need to start looking at Christmas presents and what I need to make and what I need to buy.

Rooting along...

So, my Rusted Root is coming along fantastically.

I snapped a pic of it this morning while Tam and I had breakfast at C Word at Nundah Village.



I've done four repeats of the lace - had to fudge it a few times, but then again, who doesn't fudge lace (don't answer that). I cracked into ball two a few rows outside of dividing the sleeves - I did that last night. Tried it on after I did that, and I am hoping it will fit. It won't be too small, I know that.

This is the first garment I have done side shaping in, so I'm a bit unsure on how you know if you'll need to do more shaping than is advised in the pattern. I have read of people adding some increases after the decreases along the rib cage, so I might do some more reading up about waist shaping. And don't get me started on bust shaping! I think I need to invest in some books about it. There used to be a great article on bust shaping, but it's been taking down, as it has been published in UK's The Knitter. *sigh* Oh well.

Back to bagels. C Word have the best bagels I have ever had. Then again, I haven't really eaten bagels anywhere else other than there. Can you buy them easily in Brisbane?



I even eat them with egg (not the biggest egg fan in the world). Bacon, an egglette (a little omlette), cheese and BBQ sauce - the Crispy Beggel.

Tam had the Canadia - Bacon and maple syrup.



And onto other project news, I have started increasing for the sleeves on my Pucker! Yay, pucker! :D Here is me trying to measure it.



As you can see, I had some difficulties. Zorro likes to help.

Air Conditioning Defence

So, Ms Featherweight.

Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig
Materials: Malabrigo Lace in Verde Adriana, 4.00mm Addi circulars
Used: 1.5 skeins - 75g? I haven't weighed it yet.
Size: Medium
Mods: Sleeves were only knit to just above the elbow - 4 rows of k2p2 ribbing. 17" in body length. I haven't picked up the stitches around the front and neck... mostly because I'm lazy, but I didn't really see it add anything to it? I have 25g approximately left over, so if I think differently later on, I can change it.
Started: 21st August, 2009
Finished: 19th September 2009
Made For: Me

I enjoyed knitting this, although it did get a bit boring at the end, and I just wanted it finished! I liked using the Addi needles, and I think I might invest in a few of my most commonly used needles - 4.00mm and 4.50mm! I like how it flutters down the bottom of the cardi.

Next time... or maybe next cardi? I don't know! I want something without purling.

Summer Knits

Well, I have finished my Featherweight Cardi, but I didn't get a photo of it today while I was out like I planned, so that will have to be for another day's post. Instead, some things I am working on, or planning to start in the near future!

Firstly is a current project - Pucker by Norah Gaughan. It has been put on the back burner for a while, because I was working on Featherweight - a much more suitable project at the moment for work - we share the air conditioning with next door, and it gets a wee bit cold in the store in the afternoon!



The yarn that I'm using is the recommended - Seduce - and it's quite nice to knit with. I washed my swatch, and it softed up nicely. I do need to get around to buying some Soak, because it just makes your knits so much softer after blocking.

This is my first adult garment that is done in pieces, so I'm a little bit wary - hoping it fits! I was on gauge when I swatched, and it's generally stayed on gauge during the project... oh well. Just breathe. Will need to learn some seaming techniques. I know that I will do a three needle bind off on the shoulders though - I learnt that on my clutch, which I thought was awesome!

The other project that is on the cards is Rusted Root by Zephyr Style. The big thing that I'll change is dropping the neck line, a la goodkarma. Much more flattering for the ample bosom. ;) Yarn and pattern all ready to go - I bought this while Alison was in Brisbane. I had to show her around Tangled Yarns, of course!



My love affair with mustard continues!

I am going to try and blog more, so each time I blog isn't a massive update that goes on and on forever. ;)

Oh dear...

I think I'm a little bit in love.

So, I'm working on the Featherweight Cardigan. I am loving this SO Much. It’s so soft, and it’s going to be great to wear at work. And $36 for a pure wool cardigan? Ha! :D I am loving the colour - I'm using Malabrigo Lace in Verde Adriana and it has just enough subtle colour change to keep it interesting without being too variegated.

I chose to trial the Addi fixed circulars with this, and I am surprisingly enjoying them! I thought that I would be a wood/bamboo girl forever, but I started the body on the Addis, and then I thought that I’d start the sleeves before too much of the body had been done. Picked the stitches up with my Harmonies, and it just felt gritty. I’m not sure if it’s the difference because I was used to the Addis… or what. But it’s very, very smooth, and no gritty metal noise. I'm not sure if it's going to be a permanent change, but for this project, am sticking with them for sure!

We might finally have a stable internet connection, so I'll be able to upload photos of our new home, and better photos than my phone camera of my recent projects!! ;D

Yes, I have been shocking...

Yeah... hello there, blog. How's it going? :) I know, I have neglected you. In the past two months, I have:

• gone to Mackay, and have had duties of Maid of Honour for my oldest friend's wedding
• finished a few projects, including an Ishbel shawl for Chrissy for Xmas in July!, a February Baby Sweater for little miss Kaylee who turned 1!, Porphyria for a stashbuster swap, and Springtime in Philadelphia for me!
• continued knitting my February Lady Sweater
  
• played with my drop spindle!
• signed a contract on our first house
  
• gone unconditional on our first house
  
• settlement for said house is this Friday :O
  
• started packing up our current house
• donated some yarn and needles to Lifeline
• donated a lot of clothes to Lifeline
• continued to love working
  

Mum, Pop and Caitlin arrive today, so it will be busy busy again. Some quick photos of what I have finished though, and then to continue cleaning/packing. :)

Spinister!

This will be my pretty new drop spindle... when it arrives from Kentucky in like... two weeks. It's from an etsy seller named Sarabee Designs. I am looking forward to it immensely. It has a 7cm whorl, a 22cm shaft with a brass cup hook and weighs 48g.

I also started some needle felting tonight.



Ain't he cute? :)

Time for more Stargate SG:1, season 9. It's a bit meh. I miss Richard Dean Anderson. Woe. Vala is saving it though. There is a lot of silly episodes... well, not silly, but... *shrug* Oh well. Almost to season 10, and then I can focus on all the tv that has just finished airing (NCIS in particular!)

Fibre Fantastic Weekend!

Wow, what a lovely weekend I have had!

Yesterday, Christine and I jumped on a bus, and went to the Textiles Festival at the Convention Centre. Soooo much better than the Stitches and Craft Festival. We got there about 10am, and got home about 5:15pm (that also involved a trip to Tangled Yarns...). I didn't get any photos of the festival, but I do have photos of what I bought! :D


Firstly, some Mulberry Silk from Prudence Mapstone - it's delicious, and I'm going to make a shiny little cowl/neck warmer with it. Not sure how warm it will be, but it'll be pretty!


Prudence also gave us our very own Rav badges! YAY!! Thank you very much, Prudence.


Next, some Dream in Color Classy in a colour called In Vino Veritas, from Peppermint Stitches. I didn't even know they had DiC. It's going to become a February Baby Sweater for Miss Kaylee for her first birthday in two weeks time. That's plenty of time to knit that, right? :)


Some YUMMY ladybug buttons. Aren't they cute?!


YARN Magazine back issues. Particulary the ones with dyeing tutorial things. Sharing these with Chrissy.


And an Ashford Needle Felting kit. Chrissy got one too. We were sold, after we saw the camel in it and the teddy bear. I'm looking forward to creating some things out of this!

And then today, we went to the QSWFA Open Day, where I almost (kinda) bought a wheel, but whe I got back there, it had been sold. Christine was luckier than I (hehe), and bought the other second hand one that was for sale! It looks lovely, and she is eager beaver to start learning how to use it. I did buy some fluff to start spinning though...


Treetops in Rhubarb




And some Merino Sliver.


And some yarn, of course! Couldn't go past this beautiful red...

It was great seeing all my SnB friends who I have missed terribly the past six weeks. Hopefully I'll be able to head back and socialise soon on Tuesday nights.

Err... I also bought a drop spindle today off etsy. Hoping it will turn out awesome, it is from the states though, so I'm also hoping it gets here in once piece.
Okay, just about to gout for dinner with Mel and her boyfriend Mark. Some yummy Vietnamese food will be in my belly soon!! :D

Busy, busy!

Wow, it's been a while since I updated this. Lazy ass I am!

Thought I'd do a quick drive by update on what I've been doing lately. We'll start with my most recently finished knit:



Autumn Leaves by What To Knit When You're Expecting (Rav Link)
Materials: Biggan Design DK in Vintage Rose, 3.75mm needles
Used: 125g (I think? I haven't weighed it yet but it wouldn't be much more than this... maybe 150g)
Size: 6-9 months - 18cm armpit to armpit, 29cm top of sleeve to top of sleeve, 24cm top of neck to bottom of garment.
Mods: Only three buttons instead of the six. Knitted sleeves in the round, instead of flat+seaming. I stopped the 'skirt' increases about 5cm before I started the moss stitch edging.
Started: 26 May, 2009
Finished: 29 May, 2009
Made for: Baby Laura, born 24 May, 2009!

Very lovely knit, very easy, my first top down actually (that has been completed! I still haven't done the waste yarn for the sleeves yet on my FLS), and it went like a dream. I started it on Tuesday morning, was dividing the sleeves Wednesday afternoon, finished the moss stitch Thursday night, finished the sleeves Friday morning and blocked it Friday afternoon. Yummy! I think I want to start a stash of baby knits in different colours/styles so I have stuff ready when our friends pop. Just gotta make sure they'll appriciate it (and it's machine washable... ;).

Omg, I finally finished the Boyfriend Beanie.



A Hat Fit for a Boyfriend by Stephanie Likes to Knit. (Rav link)
Materials: Jo Sharp Silkroad Tweed Aran in Ivy, 4.5mm needles
Used: 0.88g, or 84m
Size: Tam sized!
Mods: *shrug* I dunno! Not much
Started: 28 February, 2009
Finished: 20 May, 2009
Made for: Tam!

That took way too long. I don't know if it's because it was on dpns, or whatever. It just was painful. I still think it needs a bit more length, and I might make another one top down. Am loving top down construction for fits. And seeing I know how to do a nice, stretchy cast off, it will fit!

And my bolero! I mentioned in my last post that I was going to make a ribbed lace bolero to wear to Megan's bridal shower thing in Malabrigo Worsted. Well, work didn't have the colour I wanted to make in the Worsted, so I went with some Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece instead!



Ribbed Lace Bolero by Kelly (10 Feet High) (Rav Link)
Materials: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Salmon Berry Red, 4mm and 5.5mm needles
Used: 115g
Size: Shoulder Width: 19 inches
Arm Circ: 14 inches
Mods: I did a k2tog, yo, yo, k2togtbl because I was lazy. Sewn bind off ♥
Started: 21 April, 2009
Finished: 17 May, 2009
Made for: Me!

I had to sew under the arms a bit more after I wore it the first day, as the cotton had stretched out a little bit. But it's okay now. I think I might do a bit more sewing, just to get it to stay in place a bit more, as it falls off my shoulders sometimes. It's nice to keep my shoulders covered, but I think I would have liked something a bit heavier in weight. Nevermind :)

I've started my February Lady Sweater in the BWM 10ply Luxury in Autumn Glow, and have another February type knit for a special little girl who will be turning 1 soon! I bought yarn for that today at the Textiles Fair - Dream in Color Classy in "In Vino Veritas", a beautiful semi solid red colour. Nom. I may be knitting this more for a special mother, but at least the little one will get use out of it too.

I think I will do another post about our fibery weekend tomorrow. Maybe I'll snap a couple of pictures tomorrow too, seeing I was too lazy to do that today.

Now, time for shower, time for bed. So glad we have electric blankets this winter.