Still surrounded by boxes...

It would seem that I am still surrounded by boxes.

While it is driving me crazy and it will get worse before it gets better, that the end result will be worth all the craziness.
There is yarn in one of those boxes isn't there?

At least we are no longer crawling under the kitchen table to get to the back door, a very elegant manuver at which the cats stared at us strangely for.

At the other end it was all go, go, go to get those boxes packed.
This end I have run out of puff and am taking my time unpacking.
It is a great chance to sort each box of stuff as I unpack and decide whether the contents are really relevent to our lives anymore.
More often than not I am finding that most of my stuff is just stuff and I kept it simply because I could. I am a great believer in 'I might need it one day'.

To counteract those boxes are the other boxes of which every item must be kept, even though there is no corelating home for them at this house. Finding homes for things in a half unpacked house is tricky.

The good news is that I am finally getting to the boxes that contain some yarn. (No, still no Koolhass pattern).
Mostly yarn I had forgotten about so far, so it has been fun to explore and see how my taste and yarn purchasing habits have changed over time.
Is it only me that shakes my head at some of the ' What was I thinking?' purchases?

One ball that did make it to the needles was a ball of Opal Hundertwassers in an Orange/ Yellow/ Green/Purple colourway. I think I bought this under Miss B's 'I like orange' influence. She has since changed to 'I like green and black'....... Ah well, looks like I will have yet another pair of very bright socks.

Now to hunt down the box containing my Bendigo Rustic to start my Project Spectrum project.

How much longer?

My house looks like this





Every single room. Boxes from floor to as high as I can reach.
Some filled, some taped and waiting to be filled and some still flat.
Every day it gets that bit harder to get through the house and every day there are more things I wish I hadn't packed yet.

Like the yarn.............

and Koolhaas...........It isn't finished, it isn't packed, but I think I packed the pattern.........




Kit keeps helping.......... she packs herself into that fruit box. She doesn't want to get left behind.

Firsts

First - FO for the year



Patonyle socks with picot edge.
72 Sts on 2.25 dpns

I have little ladders in these and am reminded why I like those little circulars so much.





First- Absolutely love this knit

Koolhaas.

I am making this in exchange for someone making me a swift.

It is nice and squishy and I am going to have trouble parting with it. I am already scoping out yarn to make one for myself.

First - Colourwork.

I saw these mitts over at Chrisknits and just had to try them.

I was having so much fun with them I forgot to do the increases for the thumb....... Oooops also first mistake for the year.

First - Ripped Project.

The Sirdar Eternity jumper is no more.

I started it in 2006 and have worked at it on and off ever since.

The yarn is a mix and while I don't mind it, I just don't love it enough to keep going. It has been ripped and re wound into balls.

2007 Round Up

Meme taken fron Chrisknits.




THE 2007 YEAR IN KNITTING MEME


1) The Quickest Knit Item of 2007





The plain beanies for D&T. Not super exciting but super quick.













2) The Slowest Knit Item of 2007



Either the purple pullover because I have barely touched it and really dont think I want to OR Shedir with all those travelling cables.



3) The Funnest Knit Item of 2007



Gretel is my favourite.

Enough challenge to make me think, but small enough that I don't get bored or frustrated and shove it in a corner before finishing.



Gretel also has the bonus of being incredibly pretty.








4) The Stupidest Knit Item of 2007 (Maybe something you shouldn't have tried)



I don't think I have one........ if I did it was something that was so stupid I never got past swatching.

Oh wait! Yes I do.
Knitting the country silk jumper in a scarily bright pink was probably the stupidest thing.
I doubted my colour choice yet I still kept knitting.

Lesson: Listen to that little voice that is telling you it is ugly.


5) The Best Received Knit Item of 2007 (A much appreciated item you knit for someone else)



Gretel!!!



Miss B's Nanna is a fantastic knitwear receipitant.



6) The Worst Knit Item of 2007 aka The "one thing I will never knit again, even upon penalty of death" Item of 2007



I am not sure what to pick knitwise but I am dreading seaming Miss B's Black Black Black.

Oh wait. I really don't like the bright pink country silk jumper very much.
It's nice and warm, but the colour...........Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

Remind me that I don't usually use certain colours for a reason.

7) The Best Knit Item of 2007 aka The "I could knit this over and over again" Item of 2007

Gretel and Wicked are both in this category and I have plans to make more of each.

2007 Knits

* Rosedale United

* Gretel for Nanna

* Madder Ribbed Sock

* Grey Beanie For D

* Blue Beanie For T

* Crochet wash cloth

* Ribby Pulli

* Patonyle Sock

* Pink Striped Scarf

* Pink Striped Beanie

* Blue Striped Beanie

* Socks for Sisters

* Adore Socks

* Wicked

* Beret

* Miss B's Newsboy Cap

* Roll Neck Jumper

* Mittens for Me

* News Boy Cap

* Irish Hiking Scarf

* Mittens

* Grey Beanie

* Green Beainie

* Dashings

* My So Called Scarf

* Super Sneaky Socks

* Knee Warmers

* Central Park Hoodie

* Beanie

* Fetchings for Nanna

* Urban Aran

* Patonyle Socks

* Thuja Socks

* Magic Stripes Socks

* Shedir

* Happy Feet

* Green Fetchings

* Rolling Thunder

6 Jumpers

11 Pairs of socks

12 Hats

5 Mittens/ Mitts/ handwarmer thingys

1 Knee warmers

1 dishcloth.

Last FO for the year!

Rosedale United is done. The last finished project for 2007.

I went with the rolled neck after all, I just didn't decrease as many stitches as before and I am much happier with it than I was yesterday.
It is looking even better now that it has had a bath and is now snoozing on the trampoline, waiting for the cats to keep it company while it dries.

Pattern: Rosedale United

Yarn: Noro Kureyon col148 - 10 balls

Needles: 5mm Addis

Modifications:

I made this longer; almost 20cms longer. I seem to need to make most patterns longer, but lately it seems that every jumper I make I am adding more and more centimetres to each garment.

I skipped the intarsia rectangle as I felt with all the colours this jumper is busy enough.

I also decreased about 20 stitches less than what the pattern stated for the neck band.

Notes:

I really wasn't too sure whether I was liking this very much while I was making it due to there being a lot more baby pooh brown in the mix than I had counted on. It wasn't until I had knit the sleeves and the body, joined them and started decreasing for the yoke that it all started coming together and the colours seemed to fit in a way I could live with.

Now I am looking forward to the weather cooling down and this being a very warm, cheery jumper on a cold grey day.

UGH!!!

Casting off too tightly really takes away the excitement of almost finishing something.

Rosedale United is fighting me with it's neckline.

First try - followed pattern, neck too small for my cat let alone me.

Second try - tried more stitches and ribbing instead of rolled edge and managed to cast off too tightly.

Third try - redid cast off. Neck is still a tad tight and I'm not happy with how it sits or looks.


I may go back to rolled edge but with more stitches

............ tomorrow.

Happy Holidays

I am hoping you all had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying your holidays as much as I am.

Christmas Day was spent at the beach with a picnic lunch.
Eat when you want, doze when you want.
Walk along the waters edge when you want and of course chatter and catch up.

My family is one of those which seems to be not only spread out all over the place, but also have family members who work during the holidays, so we have several smaller gatherings and it can take weeks to catch up with everyone.
The benefit......... Christmas lasts for weeks :)



Also benefitting from the holidays is my knitting.



Madder Ribbed Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks.
Yarn: Hot Socks Lincraft Brand
Needle: 2.5 mm
Notes:
I cast on 72 stitches and fudged the ribs a bit. There was no way the original stitch count was ever going to fit.
I also used my standard toe as by the time I got back to these I had forgotten I was supposed to be following a pattern.








A gifted Gretel and a very happy Nannna.

My Nero project has grown.

Rosedale United from Knitty.

The body is done, the sleeves are done. I just need to join them together and keep knitting.

Gretel

Gretel is done and I love it. Pretty, pink and poofy, just how it is meant to be.

Miss B is still in her 'refuse to model hats' mode so I will have to wait till this is gifted to get a better pic.

Yarn: Cleckheaton Angora Supreme (Discontinued) 1.5 balls.

Needles: 3.75mm and 4.5mm

I followed the pattern as written, apart from the few times I became distracted or interrupted which required fixing.

This yarn also sheds fluff which somehow ends up in your mouth when knitting. I don't remember the purple I used to make Wicked doing this, maybe it's just the pink

It is very warm and really shouldn't be knit on a 33 degree (celcius) day.

Hats

I am really looking forward to making things for those of you who are participating in Pay It Forward.
I think I am just as excited to see what you come up with for your giftees.
So many choices to make; patterns, yarn and colours.


Miss B could not be bribed into modelling hats today (or any time in the last week) so I'm sorry, you get flat hats on a table pics.






These beanies are going to family in Canberra.

Yarn: Cleckheaton Country 12 ply
Needles: 5mm
Size: Hopefully one that fits; it's hard to measure peoples heads when they live hours away.

Seeing as these were cast off I decided to ignore all other WIP's and cast on for Gretel.

I am taking Miss B's advice...... we don't need those jumpers finished until winter....
Shush about taking advice from a teenager when it suits me.

I am loving the prettiness of this and will shut up about having just stuffed up half of the last row by twisting the wrong way in the wrong place.
Just when I was thinking I knew what I was doing.........




Time for a cup of tea, some chocolate and some fixing.........

Pay it forward

I saw this on Chris's blog.

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange.

I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise!

The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

Flitting all over the place

I have spent a ridiculous amount of time just staring off into space and wondering why we are here.

Why do some people die early and others seem to live forever?

Do each of us really have something we are meant to achieve in this lifetime?

If so, what is it?



Losing someone close also makes you look a little more closely at your own life.

Am I living in a way that makes me happy?

Am I really focusing on the goals that matter?

Do I still want what I previously wanted?

What do I want the most?


All of this in an attempt to deny the reality of just how little control we have in our lives and how much it scares me.

Luckily I can control yarn and needles.

The back of miss B's BlackBlackBlack Jumper

A Blue sock in Patonyle.

A Sleeve in Noro.

And Crochet.

Inspired by the dishclothes I saw over at Brainylady's I decided to give these a go.

Shush about the fact that mine came out as a long rectangle. I just kept going till the ball of cotton ran out.

And Thankyou to those of you who left messages or e mailed. It means a lot.

Lost

I received a call last night, letting me know that a friend had passed away.

I only spoke to them the other day, arranged to catch up and now they are gone.

It just doesn't seem possible.

I am going to play with some yarn and try not to feel so lost.

A Meme

For Kate

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night.

Troy. His interpretations and explanations are certainly unique.


2. What were you doing at 0800?

Thinking about what I need to do today and comparing it to what I am going to do.


3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?

Making myself a cup of tea


4. What happened to you in 2006?

I graduated from Certificate IV in Women's Studies.

I shared some writing at the graduation ceremony and made a speach. I still have trouble believing I did that as I hate public speaking and sharing anything that isn't knitting.

5. What was the last thing you said out loud?

I don't think I have spoken yet today. Last night it would have been something like, "Move over Kit".

6. How many beverages did you have today?

2 cups of tea

7. What colour is your hairbrush?

Black

8. What was the last thing you paid for?

Yarn. Silly, silly question.

9. Where were you last night?

At home.

10. What colour is your front door?

White. The back door is a little more interesting......... undercoat green.


11. Where do you keep your change?

My purse or in a small basket on my dresser.


12. What’s the weather like today?

Peeking out the window - It looks cloudy but will probably end up being a nice day.


13. What's the best ice-cream flavour?

Not really an icecream fan. Vanilla. I can add whatever I want to it and it tastes good.



14. What excites you?

New yarn, fabulous patterns, meeting challenges, connecting with people.
Robbie Williams, a jar of chocolate sauce and .......... oh shush.


15. Do you want to cut your hair?

Yes. Yes. Yes. And colour it.


16. Are you over the age of 25?

Yes.


17. Do you talk a lot?

Not at first, but once I get to know someone I don't shut up.


18. Do you watch the O.C

No.


19. Do you know anyone named Steven?

No

20. Do you make up your own words?

accidentally, often.


21. Are you a jealous person.

Yes. I want all that yummy yarn that is taunting me in ravelry.


22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter 'A'.

Ann


23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter 'K'.

Kate


24. Who's the first person on your received call list?

Andy


25. What does the last text message you received say

" I'm having a boy!!!"


26. Do you chew on your straw?

No


27. Do you have curly hair?

Nope. It's wavy though.


28. Where's the next place you're going to?

That's a toss up between the tissue box or the yarn stash.



29. Who's the rudest person in your life?

They are no longer in my life :)


30. What was the last thing you ate?

1/2 an easter egg. Brilliant breakfast food. I am not sure what is worse. Eating chocolate for breakfast or the fact that I still have easter eggs left.


31. Will you get married in the future?

I like to think so.


32. What's the best movie you've seen in the past 2 weeks?

Because I said so. Not sure it would be the best,That's but it is the only movie I have watched in the last 2 weeks.


33. Is there anyone you like right now?

Not sure yet.


34. When was the last time you did the dishes?

Last night


35. Are you currently depressed?

No.


36. Did you cry today?

Yes. And Last night too.


37. Why did you answer and post this?

Because I promised Kate I would:)

Too Too Hot

Summer has made it's presence felt and the plans I had in my head for knitting seem to have gone out the window.

Reading has been preferable to having yarn on my lap the last few days. The closest I have gotten to actual yarn is reading blogs. I love the bright pink being spun up over here.

I very much envy all you who are just going into winter.

Can someone send me some snow? I think I need to throw it at these guys.

They decided that a house just down the street was a good place to hold a training session for some new recruits.

The cats and I decided it was a nice moring to sit outside and be entertained.

November, ribbing and yarn additions

It's November and there is a challenge I have seen floating about.
National Knit A Sweater Month.

Considering how I flit between projects I decided to give this a miss. I think I enjoy watching everyone else race to the finish line more than participating.

What I did decide to do was play with Noro in November after being inspired by all the Noro Knits I saw last November.






And just because I had nothing on the needles that wasn't at some point of needing concentration I started a beanie for Miss B's Uncle.

Miss B's Black yarn has arrived. Time for some craziness.

And as a reward for even considering to attempt black ribbed craziness 5 balls of Rustic Red Currant joined to order.

I did have plans for a wrap cardy but I think this yarn wants to be something else.

Ribby Pulli is done!!!

Finally! It is done. I have been wearing it all day and I love it.
I wish I had stuck with it and finished it sooner.
Remind me of that next time I get bored with a project halfway through. OK, maybe don't.

I decided on the roll neck and no the neck doesn't really sit like that - it is the top I am wearing underneath that has bunched up.





Notes:

Ribby Pulli by Bonnie Marie Burns
I lengthened the body and added a ribbed roll neck instead of the patterns funnel neck.
Cascade heathers yarn purchased at www.yarnsonline.com.au I used 5 and a bit skeins.
Knit on 4mm addi turbos


Update on Miss B's request:

Incredible amounts of grovelling have happened. Incredibly amusing reasons as to why I should knit her a black jumper and she shouldn't have to knit it have also been forthcoming.
Reasons such as " But it's 'special'(insert sing-song voice) when you make it."
Accompanied by grins and giggles as she gets more outrageous with her sucking up.

I'm a suck. Yarn has been ordered.

Miss B's Request

Miss B has requested that I knit her a jumper.

She would like it to be black and it would have a lot of ribbing.

I am considering it.

Absolute craziness.

That feels so much better.....

After being annoyed with the Ribby Pulli for so long, it feels incredibly freeing to have ripped back, fixed and gotten it back onto the needles.
I am up to the neck shaping now, sooooo close to being done.

The next dilemma comming up is the neck. I am not sure if I want to go with the funnel neck in the pattern or if I will change it to a ribbed roll neck.

Any thoughts?





I started the Madder Ribbed Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks - Nancy Bush

The yarn is Hot Socks by Lincraft. While not a spectacular yarn it is a ginormous improvement over spotlight's adore yarn.

I am enjoying this, it is ribbed, but not so ribbed that it is killing my hands ribbed.




Recent discussions about random balls of yarn and teaching a friend to crochet has inspired be to pick up the hook again.

This will be a scrappy blanket.
Blues, blacks, greys.

No particular method or order in colour sequence - I will keep going till I am either sick of using a particular colour or run out.

No timeframe for finishing.



Simply a way to make use of those random balls of yarn that aren't enough to make anything out of.

FO FO FO!!!

Mainly due to distract myself from how much I had just ripped back on the ribby pulli I finished some other projects.

Pink Striped Beanie

Pink Striped Scarf. This used the same yarn, same dyelot - very different results from the two balls of yarn.
One side has very long repeats of colour and the other stripes frequently as it did in the beanie.

And Patonyle socks. I love these.

Bright and happy and so, so soft.

I think I can face putting the Ribby Pulli back on the needles now :)

Ribby Pulli - Progress???

This is how close to being done the Ribby Pullover was on Tuesday night.




I tried it on and love it.

All except the mis matching ribs where the body and arms meet.
The ribs are out by one stitch and in my more" fudge it" moods I figure my hair will cover the bits I am not happy with.

In reality I know I wont wear it like this and not being totally happy with it is the main reason I haven't finished it.

Bugger.

Time to rip.