Tidal Waves

Super soft and scrummy, this yarn felt so wonderful in my hands.  Pure Merino Superwash Wool, combined with an interesting pattern made for great knitting!  You could say, all things came together perfectly.

Ready to start knitting!

The yarn colours I chose are 033 Cereza (red) and 139 Pocion (dark charcoal with reddish highlights) from the Malabrigo Rios 10ply range.  Perfect colours for my SIL.

A fun pattern with lots of leeway to be “organic” with the knitting.  I learned some new skills with the German Short Rows and Double Stitch methods.

Completed scarf.

Using garter stitch throughout means that the scarf is soft and will 'give' to fit the wearer.

The effect is amazing and I love it.  I also enjoyed the WOW factor from my SIL when she unwrapped this scarf at Christmas.

Blurry detail shot of the fringe

A well written pattern which uses up every single bit of yarn when you include the fringe.  No leftovers!

So much movement in the pattern.

Pattern used:  Moving Tides Scarf by Karen Dettering at Stitches'n'Things.

Yarn used:  Malabrigo Rios 10ply

Another Green Vest!

More Green!!!!  Yes, my Mother-In-Law chose green for a second time!  I suppose when you are a Gardener and Naturalist that is to be expected. 🌴  Back in late January, she and I went shopping at the Bendigo Woolen Mills and came away with a pattern and this gorgeous 12ply yarn.  We had gone there to purchase a ready knit cardigan...

We saw a vest hanging on the wall as a shop sample and she immediately fell in love with the style.  I thought - BINGO - Christmas sorted, but to her I gave a vague "oh, I'll get it done and give it to you sometime."  I already had her upcoming 80th birthday  knitting gift and cake all planned.

Front button and neck detail.

There were some nice little details around the neck and arm holes when you increase and decrease the stitches to make the shape.  Also, the bit I really loved about the pattern was the knitting of the "moss rib" bands around the base and up the centre front all in one piece with the body.

Front of Jacket

While it looks fairly non-descript against my brick wall, it is an absolutely perfect fit on her.  Neither of us could believe it fit so well when she tried it on.

Back of Jacket.

Judging by her reaction, I think it will get quite a lot of wear.  My Mother-In-Law is happy!!!

Pattern:  Bendigo Woolen Mills PT8341

Wool:  Bendigo Woolen Mills Classic in 12ply

Orange Knitting & Lemon Cake!

Super, super soft 4 ply yarn.  So delicate in my hands as I was knitting.  A delight to knit because it felt so good.

Lace Edge Detail

I decided to knit my sister a shawl for her 50th birthday in orange.  She loves orange, it is her favourite colour.

Blocked to open up the 'lacework'.

After starting and undoing and starting again 9 - yep 9 - times; I really got stuck into the knitting of this shawl.  I will admit to finding the outside triangles a bit hard to figure out, but once I got the stitches sorted in my mind, it was a breeze to complete.

I couldn't decide which of these two photos - above and below - to put on here as I really like the way the orange 'glows' in both the lighter and darker shots.

And, what birthday isn't complete without a cake?!  One of my favourite recipes: coconut sponge, sandwiched with lemon curd and finished off coconut/lemon butter frosting.

We were so very lucky and blessed that stay at home restrictions had lifted during the week prior to my Sister's birthday and that we could celebrate in person.  

Shawl Pattern - "Ishka" by Marleen van der Vorst of Dutch Knitting Design.

Needles - 5mm circular.

Yarn - White Gum Wool, Superfine Merino 4ply in colour Flame.

Shawl...

Some super yummy gorgeous yarn and a really terrific pattern - can you tell that I liked both, a lot? - meant that I was able to knit up a beautiful small shawl for my MIL for her 80th birthday.    Started long before I knew about the cake baking and catering that I wrote about in my previous post.

This German made yarn consisted of 50% Cotton and 50% Nylon.  It was super soft and had a lovely hand feel.  With very, very long lengths of colour before the next one, the striping effect was subtle between colour changes and gave way to stripes.

Detail while being blocked of the eyelet edging.

A simple eyelet edging finished it off with pizzazz.  I had to make the eyelet edging twice.  I was overnight at my sister's house, looking after her kids, when the dog came into the room with makeup in it's mouth.  I took the makeup from the dog and put it away.  When I came back into the room, the dog had my knitting and the ball of yarn almost completely unravelled and was spinning circles, wound up in yarn, in the lounge room and having a great time - until he saw my face.  I put him outside and shut the door.  CRASH!  BANG! I jumped up and the dog had emptied his metal water bowl and was hitting the glass door with it, wanting to come back in.  No way.  Not until I was ready and the kids were home from sports.

The completed shawl.

Second detail shot of the edging.

The day I decided to take the photo outside it was over 30deg Celcius, so it was a bit hard to imagine needing to wear it.  :)









A simple, small shawl which nicely sits over the shoulders for those cool evenings or it can be wrapped and tied around the neck for tucking into a coat. 

The free knitting pattern for this shawl can be found here.

Ombré Shawl

Ahhh - I really enjoy unearthing a project, particularly the zip-loc baggie ones and reconnecting with what is inside.

During 2019 I picked up this shawl project again.  I had put it away because I became very bored with knitting it.  Initially, I had thought with the different shades of red and orange that it would stay interesting to knit - but no, it didn't.

However, on the plus side, it was a super easy knit and a good project for train and car travel.  The yarn itself is so soft and has a beautiful hand feel.

Katia Ombre Shawl in progress.  The kit was purchased in September 2018.

This ombre shawl was finished in time for Christmas and was gifted to DH's sister-in-law, who promptly put it on and then wore it home!  Her delighted reaction was the perfect reason to finish this project, which had been intended for her from the beginning.

Unfortunately there is no finished shawl photo because I forgot to take one before gifting.

Scarves!

Before I went to the UK and Germany in August, I completed quite a bit of scarf knitting, to add to the ones I'd already made so that I would have some gifts for the friends I was meeting and staying with.  Using gorgeous hand dyed and small batch made local yarns, I knitted these 3 scarves...

Above is my favourite go to pattern, of the two leaves, which interlock to form a lovely neck-warmer.  The blue scarf is knitted with pure merino and the grey scarves are from a merino, bamboo and silk mix.

 

This grey scarf is using the pattern Speedbumps from Steepndeep designs on the Ravelry website.



For my quilting friends, I gifted either a collection of aboriginal prints or a patchwork pattern book with local icons by an Aussie designer.

In return I was lucky enough to have been hosted by these wonderful ladies and their families as well as receiving some fantastic gifts in return and being well looked after.

Surprise!

Surprise is certainly what DH expressed when he opened his birthday present this year!  It was this jumper (and a few other goodies as well) which I had begun knitting in 2014.

Pattern:  Sirdar Click Chunky #9390
Yarn:  Morris & Sons Estate 14ply - Mouse

14ply - brilliant, I thought, should knit up nice and quick in this lovely rib pattern.  not so, the more I knitted, the harder and bulkier it was to handle.  Perfect for winter knitting because I could drape it on my lap when the nights were cold.

My sons were with me when I purchased the wool and so they chose the colour, knowing that it was going to be for their Dad.  

A thoroughly satisfying finished project, if I do say so myself.  And... the bonus is that he loves it!! 

Buttons and Loose Ends

Sewing in loose ends and adding buttons has been on my radar this past week.

While looking for some hand-work to take along to sewing groups, I decided to dig into my knitting basket.  I found several items which simply needed ends sewn in and buttons and embellishments added.  They were actually sewn up, just not totally finished.

Here is what I worked on (and completed 100%!!!) these past 10 days while sitting, chatting and drinking coffee with friends...

Blue Green Vest

Knitted with Morris & Sons Quartet 8ply. 70%wool/30% soybean silk

Pattern:  Sirdar Escape DK #9263

Lovely soft yarn and super warm.  Perfect knitting on the very cold nights.  I am lucky there is still cold weather left to come so I can get some benefit wearing it this year.

Little Cardigan and Hat (to fit 6 months)

Knitted with Creative Fibres hand-dyed 100% New Zealand wool 8ply

Patterns:  Cardigan - Sirdar Snuggly Kisses DK pattern #1835

          Hat - from Big Baby Book 5 by Sue Batley-Kyle

Delightful, fun patterns to knit.  The flower just adds a touch of whimsy to a pretty cardigan for a little one.

Triangle Scarf

Knitted with Bendigo Woollen Mills - Bloom 100%wool

Pattern:  Bendigo Woollen Mills #8338 Murano

Once, I got 'into the groove' of the knitting, because you knit partial rows to make the triangles, it became very easy to knit.  Thoroughly enjoyed this one, even though I had a couple of goes at it while trying to understand how to start the pattern.

Hat

Knitted with Patons Jet and Patons Souffle

Pattern:  Wondoflex Yarns Ladies Wool and Mohair Garter Stitch Hat

A super fast knit with an extremely easy pattern.  Incredibly warm too with 12ply and 8ply yarns knitted together.  The mohair gives a lovely softness.

Textured Baby Jacket

Knitted with Heirloom Jigsaw 4ply  75%wool/25%nylon

Pattern:  Sirdar Snuggly 4 ply #1989

Simply delightful knitting.  The Heirloom yarn is so nice to touch and have in your fingers.  The pattern was lovely too with the changing textures in the knitting and the variegated yarn just added to the overall look and feel.

It has been very nice to find some space in my knitting basket and to get these few things completely finished.  Most of these will go into my gifting basket, except for the blue green vest, which is for me.

And... the long quilting list in my last post?  I am slowly working my way through it.  I have completed one item and worked on the others, but I think I may have been a tad over ambitious when I made that list.  However, it has given me good focus and for that I am grateful.  Slow but steady wins the race - or so they say! :)

Little Red Cardigan

A finish from quite a while ago, Easter actually, I had just simply forgotten all about sharing the finish.

A red cardigan, for my niece, for her birthday.  My sister chose the colour, so I knew it would be the right choice.

There were 3 different patterns of knitting throughout the body and sleeves; it didn't get boring because the stitches were changing regularly.

This photo below, shows off the bands and part of the main body.

This next photo shows the lovely rib detail around the yoke and shoulders.

An absolute delight to knit and it's a pattern I'll definitely make again.

Pattern:  Was in a magazine, designed by Sirdar.
Knitted:   Size 6-7 girls in 8ply merino magic by heirloom yarns.

Little Travelling Jacket

Such a delight to knit - a cabled winter jacket for a little one.  Due to be born very soon, I have given this jacket to her expectant Mum, (who loves anything crafted by hand), in Mum's last week of work.

Given that I have sons and there are many nephews, it is very rare that I get to work such a pretty feminine design.  With just the right mix of cables and stocking stitch in 8ply wool, I knitted this jacket in a few short weeks.

Back of Jacket

Lovely and long, the jacket will keep her warm and snug as she moves around.  I wish I had a jacket like this one!

Front of Jacket

Pattern:  Little Vintage Sunday Coat from "Baby Book 5" by Sue Batley-Kyle.   pub. King Cole 2012

Knitted in:  Patons Totem 8ply.

Size:  To fit 12-18 months.

Brrr.... it's cold outside

Now that Winter seems to have overtaken Autumn here in the southern part of Australia, I thought it prudent that I get out my knitting projects.

Here is the first knitted project for this year:  A keyhole scarf with large leaves for the ends.

The pattern is a design from By Lynette and the wool I used was Utiku Merino/Possum blend.  I purchased the wool and pattern as a kit from the Craft and Quilt Fair about 3 years ago.

So soft and light, but oh so very warm.  This scarf will really keep the winter chill away every morning when I have to brave the frosty outdoors.

I sewed the ends of wool in just now, hence the indoor photo.  My MIL was keeping us interested with old family history and photos of my husband's great uncle in his full regalia as a leader of the Light Horse Brigade.  When I was working on the Honour Quilt, I had no idea of the history of that side of the family.  A truly remarkable way to end what has been an emotional and poignant weekend.  This story helps in some way to make my Honour Quilt even more honourable for our family.

Warm and Woolly

Love, love, love knitting with really fat wool.  14ply on 7mm needles - I knitted each of these jumpers for my sons in 2 weeks apiece!

Patons Inca Wool (Sheep and Alpaca) and a Patons Inca Pattern Leaflet.  I knitted one straight after the other, but because of the differences in colour and size, I didn't get bored.

The kids chose their own colours...

The first jumper is nice and classy in classic black with flecked grey.

The second jumper has been nick-named:  "Chocolate and Choc Bits" (I think he may have been hungry when he chose the colours!)

I used Green!

For those who know me, I am really very much a 'blue' person when it comes to colour.  However, in a change of taste I suppose you would call it, I knitted up something in Green!

TA DA - here it is.....  A very Green Shawl.

The entire shawl with the yarn label.

Knitted with Panda Astraka (300g = 300m)  - 100% acrylic on 8mm circular needles and knitted in stocking stitch, making a different texture on each side.

I really like the effect of 'tiger stripes' in the yarn as it knits up.

1 single ball of yarn = 1 shawl.   So very, very easy.

A close up to show the texture.

The shawl has been gifted to a friend who is having a major life change and moving away so that on a cool evening she can wrap it around herself and know that her friends are close by in her heart.

Possum Baby Wrap

One of the nicest things I think I have ever knitted.  Soft, warm and cuddly with an incredible texture.  The raised garter stitch pattern has given the wrap an interesting look and stops it from being boring to knit.

Possum Baby Wrap.
Pattern:   from Issue 15 of YARN Magazine.
Wool:     Supreme Possum Merino (made in New Zealand)  colour - Natural
             40% Possum Fur;  50% Merino Wool;  10% Silk

Very, very soft and very light in weight (50g of 4ply  = 210m)

Opened out

And... Closed

Once I started to knit with this wool, I really could not put it down.  It was really very addictive knitting.

Several people have wanted to know how you can make knitting yarn from a possum.  I have no idea.  I think to find out will require some research, although I'm not that bothered, I just want to keep on knitting with the wool.  :)

Fun Cardie

Sometimes I think it would be fun to be a little girl again - the clothes are so pretty...  ahhh... sigh...

I had a lot of fun knitting this particular little number.  Using a Sirdar pattern and Patons London 8ply variegated yarn with some fun changes in pattern along the way made this project irresistable to put down.  Although next time, I would knit the bands around the bottom in rib rather than garter stitch as it didn't want to sit flat.

Knitted at size 3-4yrs, it's perfect for an adorable little miss!

Front of Cardigan

Detail

More Detail



Back of Cardigan

This particular pattern is a definite knit again project.  Watch this space for one day when I find the perfect wool.

Cabled Ribs?

Not real ribs, but the ribbing on a jumper!  Variegated yarn makes a plain pattern very interesting and then, when used in a cable pattern, the intrigue for how it was knitted increases.  This jumper has been knitted from Creative Fibres pure wool (colour Spring) which was overdyed to give the glorious colour.  So soft to knit with using Patons Classics Pattern baby/toddler book.  Size 2 child.

The jumper

Detail of cabled band

When I was knitting the bands for this jumper, I kept on thinking of fariy floss on a sunny summer day with butterflies flitting to and fro - hopefully the little girl that this has been gifted to will be a fairy in her imaginary play.  :)

Snuggly Jumper

When you use pure wool, you can't help but get a really snuggly jumper that was a joy to knit.  Using TeAwa Wool (from New Zealand) - colour Barrier Reef, I knitted up this basic child jumper, size 5, with Patons Classic Kids pattern.

The Jumper!

I gave this particular jumper to a friend for her son.  I had the wool for so long that my children grew too much for me to knit anything for them with the quantity that I had!  oops! 

Off to look at what else I have to knit now.......