Knitting

I keep saying that I am going to post to this blog more often and never do.  Oh well, perhaps in my retirement.

The last couple of weeks have been spent at our big Agricultural Show here in Sydney,  The Royal Easter Show.  I've missed going for the last couple of years, usually spending a very tiring day, but this time I wanted to try something different, I applied to work as a volunteer and got accepted.  Was able to see the show at my pace by turning up for each shift a couple of hours early.  Took a couple of weeks off work using my paid vacation time so still got paid.

At the show I bought some beautiful Alpaca/Merino blend yarn and have been making a feather and fan scarf.

 

The pattern is really easy.

Cast on 70 stitches.

Knit 5 rows

1st row :Knit

2nd Row: Knit 5 stitches,  Purl to last 5 stitches, Knit 5

3rd Row:Knit 5, Purl 2 together twice, *yarn forward, knit 1 - 4 times, Purl 2 together four times repeat from * to last 13 stitches, yarn forward knit 1 - 4 times, purl 2 together twice, knit 5.

4th Row: Knit 5, purl to last 5 stitches, knit 5.

Repeat last 4 rows until the scarf is the length required.

Knit 5 rows 

Cast off. 

I'm not a fast knitter, hadn't even known what the style of knitting I did was called, until I googled it last night, I knit English Style.  Thought I would give Continental Knitting a try, so watched a couple of videos.  It feels a little odd holding the thread in the opposite hand, I started off much looser than I normally knit.  Did a few rows of English Knitting then tried Continental again, tension is much better but the stitches look messier.  It is faster but if I persevere I would improve the tension. 

Simple Scarf and Yellow Submarine update.

 Recently I found a new yarn called Moda Vera Hudson.  This brand is only available at Spotlight which has stores in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.  The yarn looks like a fine icord.  I played around with needle sizes because I knew I wanted a chunky knit, the free pattern that came on the yarn use 7 mm needles.  I used the yarn doubled to make it really chunky but none of my needle sizes worked, until I hit on the idea of holding 2 needles together.  Only because I didn't want to buy bigger needles for a possible one-off project.  I taped together 10mm and 15mm needles.   

Taped the needles near the end where the stitches would not catch on the tape.  Once I got used to them they were surprisingly simple to use.

 

Detail of yarn showing icord like construction

Free Scarf Pattern

This is a very basic scarf just knitted in stocking stitch with reverse stocking stitch stripes.

Holding 2 strands of yarn together, cast on 12 stitches

Row 1 :  knit

Row 2 : Purl

Row 3 : knit

Row 4 : Knit  - this is the right side of the scarf

Row 5 : Purl

Continue these 2 rows until knitted stripe is as wide as you want it, I chose 5 rows divided 3 rows of reverse knitting.  Just remember that  when reversing knitting to use the stitch as you used the row before. 

Result is a soft, chunky knit.  

This pattern is very basic and can be used with a variety of yarns, from lace to chunky.  More or less stitches, the choice is yours.   The stripes can be as thick or as thin as you like.  The stripes can be a different colour or yarn.  

Just have fun with it.


Update on Yellow Submarine.

 The project was a complete success, I am disappointed that I didn't get to see it in person.  I didn't get the time to drive the 5 - 6 hours one way trip.  I did try to get my parents to go as they were passing by the area for an Aunt's 90th Birthday.  Until earlier this year she lived in Holbrook.

It's now been made into blankets for animals shelters.

http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/country-living/an-ornamental-submarine-in-holbrook-nsw-has-been-yarnbombed-to-turn-it-into-a-yellow-knitted-submarine/story-fnkeragy-1226951893912

Yellow Submarine

Yesterday I found out about a project to yarn bomb a submarine.     The submarine in question is hundreds of kilometres from the sea, in a country town called Holbrook.  It's a real submarine, HMAS Otway, the top part anyway, the town originally lost the tender to purchase the whole submarine but was able to negotiate the purchase from the tender winner, saving it from being scrapped

Part of my heart belongs in Holbrook, it was were my Grandparents lived, as well as a couple of Aunts and cousins.   I'm happy to be able to be part of this project.

There's still a bit to do, the foundation  based on the Jewellery bag in my last post, the edging is crocodile stitch.  Not sure how big it's going to get, may do more pieces.  I'll be posting pics when it's ready to go.  I am hoping to get to see it in person if I get the chance.

As usual it's been ages since I last posted here, hoping that it's going to change as thanks to my son I now have a computer in my sewing room.  Actually it started with my Father In Law getting a new computer and asking us if we could use it.  Then I asked son if instead of an old very slow tower taking up space if I could use his old school notebook, he just connected a full size monitor to it, I can barely read a notebook screen and a full size keyboard.  Here I am on the first day, I no longer have to wait my turn, or get kicked off husband's computer.

I have been busy since my last post, not just with craft but I actually have a SOCIAL life.  Last year I made a ton of new friends at a local Spiritual Centre and my life has been full.   I go there for Crochet Circle, Spiritual Circle and Psychic Development on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as well as call in on other days just because.  It's not only there, the social life has extended to other pursuits, Ghost Hunts, parties.  Tomorrow I am meeting up with a friend to visit a nearby historical village site and next weekend we are heading out into the countryside for a weekend away/ghost hunt.  It's going to be fun.

I have been busy with crafting, before Christmas a couple of friends and I held a market stall, I made Dream Pillows, scented with a Herbal mixture to promote peaceful sleep and wonderful dreams.  

The last few weeks I have been madly making Jewellery pouches, 

I needed something to carry my crystals in so they didn't get banged around and scratched.  My beautiful Amethyst point sits nicely in the centre section.  Of course the bags can be used for jewellery.

My friends love them and have asked if I could make some for them as well, the turquiose one in the top picture has since been given to one for her birthday.  The pattern is available for free from The Crochet Dude.  Tonight is actually the first time I visited the site, my daughter originally found it and printed it out for me.  From what I've seen over there definitely going to keep the site in my favourites.  The cream bag is made from the new Lincraft 4ply cotton and has crocheted up lovely and soft, while the Turquoise is Moda Vera Gelato, Acrylic/Cotton Blend, again a lovely yarn.

I recently bought Knitting in Tuscany by Nicky Epstein.  The beautiful crocheted Bella Bride's Dress is the pattern that sold me on the book.  I've decided that I am going to make it as a shorter dress or top for my daught in a Mint green.  I am trialling it in fingering weight yarn, but have noticed the measurements do not what the book says, I am going to have to add extra motifs or go up a size in hooks.  Right now I am using a 3.5mm steel hook.  Will test another hook later on, but right now it's time for bed.

Halloween Costume.

It's been so long since my last post, for a while was feeling creatively blocked.  My son also took over my sewing room for his HSC studies.  He did his last exam on Monday, no longer have any school children in this house.  He sent his first job application today.  He's thinking of deferring University for a year, wants to get some savings behind him first.

Halloween today, it's becoming more popular in Australia and for the second year I've been to a Halloween event and was able to dress up.  Always wanted to go to a dress up party when I was a kid. 

As usual I left my costume to the last moment, drove home after Circle last night thinking about what I was going to wear.  I had a black dress I almost got rid of and had thought of going as a witch by adding a black cape.  Was going to rush out this morning to find black fabric but while laying in bed this morning remembered some purple crushed Panne Velvet that's been in my stash for a few years.  I found a fantastic Hooded Cape at Fleece Fun.     So easy to run up - even in pretentious velvet :), much too hot for fleece here.pretentious velvet :), much too hot for fleece here.   Almost had to rush out to buy thread because all of my purple threads looked blue against the fabric, finally found a maroonish one that looked ok.  Even had a cheap brooch in with my collection of things to put into Christmas Crackers, I'll get around to that one day. 

The hood is a long one, a bit hard to see in this shot but the gold tassel is at the end of the hood.  

I didn't bother hemming the edges of the cape, just did the edge of the hood as the fabric rolled annoyingly.

Was very happy with the final result, only took around an hour to make.   I was helping out as a time keeper for psychic readings,, scared a couple of people as they came upstairs to find me at the top in the dark.  

It's not the first pattern I've made from Fleece Fun,  Made the  Long Cape  last winter to wear on a cold, wet Ghosthunt with friends, made it in a scrummingly warm grey Coral Fleece.  Scared the crap out of one of my friends as she noticed a hooded figure walking around the back of a Church graveyard before she realised it was me.

Saved from the dump.

One man's trash is another's treasure.

Called into to my parent's place today, found Dad in the process of cleaning out his garage and was tossing out an old light fitting.  It used to be in the front entry for as long as I could remember.  It was old even before they put it, probably got for free from somewhere at a time they couldn't afford much, Dad couldn't remember where.
Told him he couldn't just throw it out that someone would pounce on it if they tried to sell it, he thought it was just junk and told me to take it if I wanted it.  So I did.

A very dirty light fitting
 I remembered it as being blue but no blue showed through the grime

A quick wash revealed the colour

both now clean

 

 Detail of the crackled glass

  

 The before and after result after giving the fitting a quick wash down.   Has some age pitting, could do with a good scrub but is pretty much usable. 

 Have always loved it and hope to one day have it up in my dream house.  Am thinking it has an Art Deco look to it, Dad built his house in the 60's and it wasn't new then.  Have to wait til Mum gets home, she'll remember. 

Edit -  I spoke to Mum she said that while they were building their house they were living with my Grandparents in Auburn.  The light fitting came from an elderly neighbor who thought they might like it for the new house, she thought it was 20 - 30 years old then.  Wish I knew something more about it. 

It's been age since I posted, am afraid that Summer took it out of me.  I am so glad that Autumn is here.  Perhaps if we lived closer to the beach or had a pool I'd be able to take it better.  If it wasn't the heat it was the rain.  The grass is so overgrown but each time we plan to mow it rains.  I've got parts of the yard dug up but haven't been able to get back out there. 

Have had a cold the last few days, am trying to get over it.  Decided to up the nutrition and go with some vegetable smoothies,  started early this morning around 4am when I couldn't sleep and came down with hunger pangs.  Put Apples and carrot through the juicer, then into the rocket blender with a chopped apple and some of the carrot fibre.  Taste wasn't too bad but texture not so great.  This morning I went with an unappetising blend of tomatoes, apple, capsicum and a little garlic in the food processor.  Nope not great, texture was horrible I ended up straining it and have only been able to force down half a glass. 

Think I'll just stick with juicing in future. 

I haven't completely given up on the fur sewing, I actually got the pieces sewn together but need to add the base and zip.