Winter knitting is so good

Don't you just love knitting in winter. Especially when the item you are knitting covers you and keeps you warm. I started the knee rug the saturday before last at KITGO (Knitting In The Great Outdoors), and finished it before the next weekend. It was a quick knit on 5.5mm addi click circulars with acrylic...yes you read correctly...8ply acrylic yarn (given to me by my mother in-law who can't crochet anymore). I have made this for Albion Park Show in 2011 and then I will give it to my granddaughter for next winter.

I also knitted one of the teapot cosy's which is for the show too. Most of my knitting now is for the show but with places to go after the show so they are made good use of. It is knitted in aran wool and the pattern is from Jo Sharp Issue 2 knitting book, I just need to put some beads on the tie and it will be done.

I haven't worked on the baby shawl for a few weeks now, this is hard to say and I don't know how to write it, I feel a bit numb when thinking about it.....so here it goes......son and daughter in-law lost the baby last week at nearly 12 weeks, I guess it just wasn't meant to be this time. This would have been their second child. We will be going to see them next week as they are having our granddaughter's 2nd birthday party and my parents and DH parents will be travelling up to be there too. We all can't wait to see them and give them a big hug.

My plan is to knit what is on my list and whenever I finish before the date to start the next item I will knit on the shawl.

I am currently knitting a baby 3 piece set for the show which should be a matinee jacket (not many use them these days), a bonnet (even less use a bonnet) and bootees, in typical Annie fashion I am knitting my version of a 3 piece set of a cardigan, beanie and socks.

Poncho all done

I finished the poncho on Wednesday night, it turned out pretty nice, I am still not sure I like the way one side is longer over the shoulder than the other, I like my poncho to have even sides (the virgo coming out in me). It is for Albion Park show in January 2011, so it probably doesn't matter that much, I may not keep it if I don't like the way it looks when on.

I started the teapot cosy and stitched it up last night, only to see that I had sewn the leaf edging on the wrong side, I did such a good job on the seam I couldn't find where it was exactly, and yes while cutting a piece I thought was the seam stitch, well it wasn't and I had cut through the leaf edging, I nearly took the scissors to the whole thing (not a good mind day for me), I calmed myself and though 'oh well I can just take my time with it'. At a closer look I had only really damaged the last leaf so it is back on the needles to finish today while I am at KITGO (knitting in the great outdoors) which will be inside during winter, even though it is a lovely sunny day outside it is still cold.

I have packed the teapot cosy, yarn for a knee rug and yarn for a baby 3 piece set (my version of cardigan, beanie and socks). All this knitting is for Albion Park Show next year, but all things I can use too.

Winter Knitting...

Even though I knit all year round, it is nice having knitting on your lap when it is cooler.

I am knitting away at my list of my plan of things to knit in 2010. I am knitting an adult size poncho, probably for me, depends on how I like it when it is finished. The yarn is..hang on a minute while I walk out to the rumpus room and get the label...I'm back. The yarn is Karabella Majestic it is 77% Merino, 19% Mohair, 4% Polyamid, it is a rust colour, I really liked the colour when I bought it, but I'm not so sure now, will decide on that one when I finish it. It is knit on Addi Turbo Circulars size..hang on while I walk out and look at this size.....now you know how I get my 10,000 walking steps in a day, as my knitting is beside my recliner chair in the rumpus room and the computer is in the computer/craft room. Back again....they are size 6mm. Hang on while I go get the pattern...It is a Cleckheaton pattern book for Studio Mohair 8ply and named Poncho...how original. It is #7 in the book and under the heading Poncho it says 'in garter st and lace pattern worked on larger needles....well they got that right. I wasn't sure on my gauge as I never check it before I knit. I decided to check as I knit and it is spot on. I am knitting this as part of my 'stash' busting and off my list for Albion Park Show in January 2011.
The first photo is of the poncho folded in half, the pattern knits in one piece with same shoulder and neck shaping, it is folded in half and one shoulder sewn to make it into a poncho.



I did get a bit behind in my knitting off my list...as we do....because as time went by I thought of other things to knit, mainly for my grand-daughter or for the homeless in Sydney. I am back on track now and very determined to keep to my list (for now anyway). I may need another year to get through my stash though.

I am going to SNB in Wollongong this afternoon, so after reading a couple more blogs I will get ready and drive there. I am so looking forward to SNB as I haven't been in a few months.

A week of good knitting

This week I finished the socks started at camp, they are the Diagonal Lace sock from the Wendy Johnson book Socks from the Toe Up. I knit them using the figure 8 method on 1 circular needle, the yarn is from Knitabulous Yarns.

I have completed 2 more hats for the homeless youth in Sydney the pattern is a free pattern from Elann.com called Modern Vintage Hat. It only takes a couple of nights to knit. The first hat I knit was in Cleckheaton Country Prints 8ply and the second hat was knit in the Flinders Island yarn I dyed at camp last year, I started it yesterday afternoon at Knitters Guild Kiama. I had only knit items for my grand-daugher with this yarn, but as I had plenty over I thought it would make a nice hat and it did. I have the first hat blocking over my Sunbeam mixmaster bowl and the second hat just waiting patiently for its turn to be blocked, I should be able to send them off next week.

I have checked out my list of what to knit for 2010 and need to get back on track as I have been adding to the list, which has me a bit behind now. This morning I got out the yarn and pattern to start a ladies poncho which is the next item on my knitting list.

I'm Back.....

I have been up north right on the border, nice weather, took all the wrong kind of clothes, clothes which are more suited for our winter weather, not the northern winter. Had to go and buy a short sleeve top for some days to wear. I had a wedding to go to and it was great that it was where my son lives so I got to visit with them....just wonderful. Stayed a week longer than planned, a bit of a hiccup and stress, stress, stress, but all good now. Somethings seem surreal, but I guess that will pass and the excitement of things will come back.

I did take knitting but with my grand-daugher to enjoy I wasn't really planning on doing any. She was sick most of the time with what turned out to be a bad infection through her body from scratching sores on her face, she gets excema and scratches it until she makes a real mess of herself and then scratches some more. The Dr. said the sores on her face were school sores, not sure how she got them, maybe off a shopping trolley if that is possible. I did get some knitting done while she slept which was a lot for a couple of days while the medication kicked in.

One day she came downstairs after a sleep, I had been knitting socks, I had put them down on the lounge and she climbed up beside them, she lent over picked up the knitting and started clicking the ends of the needles together, how cute. But then she reached over and picked up my reading glasses and put them on and started to look like she was knitting....priceless.


I guess she always sees me knitting with my glasses on and she probably thought that is what you do....she is 22 months old.

I did get a photo of her which I will upload at a later time.

With that I am still on the second sock, so after I get a bit more organised now I am home I will get knitting on it to finish it.

One, two, three....

I'm as happy as can be....
Still sick but happy.

I finally felt up to sewing up my cardigan and I just need some buttons to complete it. I love it, I will get good use of it this winter. It is knit in Cleckheaton Country Silk 8ply.



Monday afternoon I started knitting a jumper for my grand-daughter, it was a pattern in the Patons Sugar Fairies book. I bought the book and wool from CR&K Daisy Designs (Fairy Meadow) knitting retreat. The pattern book is for Dreamtime 4ply & 8ply. I knitted a bit that night and tuesday was knitting away when I thought is didn't seem right, the pattern called for 4mm needles and 4ply yarn....well that is what I thought. It was 8ply yarn...no wonder it didn't seem right. Ripped it all back and looked for another pattern in the same book. Decided on "Caitlin" which needs 4ply and away I went. Thursday saw the finish of this lovely cardigan, it even has a crochet edge, which I don't really do crochet, so I had to google instructions and it is all done and it looks really pretty. I just need to get one button and it will be ready to go. I knit the body in one piece instead of all separate, and I did the sleeves in the round too, never done that before, but I have watched Shirly do it a few times, she does it on double ended needles and I wasn't going to do that, so out came two pairs of circulars, the only problem was in the size I needed I only had a 1metre and a 1.5metre circular, so it was a bit fiddley with so much length getting in the way, until.....about half way on the first sleeve I knit onto the wrong needle and only had it all on one circular, so I had it going like the magic loop?? and it worked perfectly.



At the knitting retreat I also bought enough yarn for another baby shawl (you know the one I don't need yet) Well guess what....I do need it now....happy, happy, happy. So I started it yesterday afternoon, it is a nice pattern in Patons Dreamtime 4ply.


When I finish this post I am going to find the sock yarn from Knitabulous' first yarn club and wind it into a ball and find a sock pattern from Knitting socks from the toe up and have them as a project to do when not working on the shawl. Well after I make a nice hot cup of tea.

still sick.....but still knitting

well some knitting did get done. I can't seem to shake this virus and I am convincing myself I will be fine for work tomorrow....well hopefully. How much more of coughing, blowing a runny nose and sitting on the recliner can one take, it may sound ok but you get pretty achey after 8 days let me tell you.

Here are some photos of the finished scarf for my Mum for mothers day.


I managed to finish the socks, the yarn I got at the Knitting Retreat over ANZAC weekend with CR&K Daisy Designs (Fairy Meadow). It is Regia Kaffe Fassett design Fire, knit on ONE circular needle (thanks to those who showed my how at the retreat). I made the first one with the whole ball as I wanted a longer sock, I finished with a tiny bit of yarn left, it was a bit close but it made it.(see bottom left photo) When I went to cast on for the second sock the ball of yarn didn't match up either end of the ball, I would have wasted alot of yarn to get it to stripe the same, so the decision was made, and I just started it where the yarn started. They aren't that bad and the striping is not that far out (it is out more than it seems in photo), who will notice under jeans anyway, and I like them and that is all that matters.


The grey Country Silk cardigan is waiting, waiting, waiting, for me to stitch the shoulders together and knit the bands, maybe today I will get to that. DH has gone for a ride to the Blue Mountains with friends for lunch, I just couldn't make it unfortunately.

My plan for today, wash Ruby's bed blankets (yes she is a dog and yes she has 2 quilts that she sits on one in the sun and the other she sleeps under in her bed, even in summer. Then have a look at sewing the cardigan together and maybe sort out my knitting plan for 2010 and get the patterns out and sort through some yarn to match up with patterns so they are all ready to go when I am ready to knit them. I am adding another baby shawl to the list, not that it is needed yet, but I want to be prepared as the other one took me 6 months solid knitting.

Mother's Day Scarf is off the needles...

and is blocking as I write. It is a couple of days after mothers day, but as I have been sick all through the weekend and still very sick with a bad head cold I took the extra time for finishing it.

I didn't get to see my Mum for mothers day as I was sick and don't want to spread my cold around, I am struggling with it so my mum really doesn't need it. I will try to see her over the weekend coming before her and dad go travelling around the countryside for winter.

Pattern: Luscious Lace Scarf by Knitting Pixie Design
Yarn: Flinders Island Fleece Pure Merino 2ply
Needles: Addi Turbo 2.5mm circular
Time: approx. 2weeks.
The pattern is a lace weight which must be around a 4ply and knitted on 3.25mm. I used a 2ply with 2.5mm needles and cast on the same as per pattern and knitted 30 repeats instead of the stated 15 repeats, as it wasn't long enough at 15 repeats. 30 repeats maybe a bit too long as when blocked it is 6ft long.
I have for a while now wanted time to be home to catch up on some things, but the only time I can get time off at home is when I am sick and we all know that it is impossible to do much if anything while sick. I have been pushing myself though, in between resting, coughing, blowing my nose, sipping hot lemon and honey etc etc.

I got out the book Socks from the toe up and managed to turn the heel on one circular needle, not that the instructions were for one needle, but I managed it and I am now on the leg length.

Now that I have worn myself out by doing this post, I am heading back to the lounge for some more much needed rest and a hot lemon and honey drink.

What a wonderful weekend

The weather was just great for riding down the coast.... a whole 823.5ks rode on the weekend, and yes my wrists are sore, that is probably more from all the knitting I have been doing than the riding.

I love the ride down through Ulladulla, Bateman's Bay, Cobargo, then over Browns Mtn through Bemboka, Nimmitabell and Cooma, it was 14 degrees when we arrived just before 4pm. We had a two hour 'happy hour', beer, wine, bubbly, nibblies and then shower ready for dinner at the Ex-servicemen's club Cooma.

Sunday morning it was a crisp 3 degrees when we walked to the main street to have breakfast, it was nice as the sun was shining, with the fog hanging about the hills, the autumn leaves so thick on the main street and I love the mosaic pictures at the roundabout on the park, I forgot to take the camera to breakfast so no photos. The mosaic pictures remind me of the chalk drawings on the pavement in the Mary Poppins movie.

We then rode to Canberra through thick wet fog, which was from just out of Cooma's main street to Bredbo, then the sun shone. We rode to the War Memorial, had a very quick walk through some of the memorial, had morning tea then back on the bikes to ride to Gunning for lunch via Gundaroo, what a nice old, old town Gundaroo is, it has very nice and very old buildings, the pub looked so nice (and old). Gunning is where my dad was born, he lived in Wollongong in his teen age years and he and mum are still in the Illawarra in our family home. Some had lunch at the pub and some of us had lunch at the Merino Cafe, I have been there before with DH and it is very nice. There are some old shops with old things in them, a nice little gift type of shop and some cafes which were open today (sunday). I love the autumn colours and the main street of Gunning was spectacular, with yellows through to ruby reds, the leaves are just amazing. I love autumn. We rode the old Hume Highway back through Breadalbane to the now Hume Highway which was a nice but bumpy ride. It was nice with all the leaves over the road and as we rode through they seem to dance and tumble all over the road. I guess being the old road it doesn't have much traffic we passed 2 cars on the way and it is about 33ks from Gunning back to the highway.

Top photos: left - DH behind his bike. right - my bike.
Middle photos: left - Australia's White House (Parliament House old (in front) and new(at rear)where all those big children play. - A tree in Gunning's main street
Bottom photos: left - Tree's main street Gunning. right - DH laying in gutter fixing my loose pipes (main street Gunning) - gotta love him.

I haven't done any knitting since thursday night, and not sure if I will be awake long enough to do any tonight, I am pretty tired.

I have some photo's of some of the places we were today along with the socks I learnt to knit on 1 circular needle last weekend and a scarf I am hoping to finish for my Mum for Mothers Day it is the Luscious Lace Scarf and I am using the 2ply Merino I bought a few years back at a Knitters Guild camp. It is a Tasmanian Merino of which the company now operate out of Canberra (Canbra) and I can't remember the name.

Blogger is not playing nice and won't upload my photos, so I will try later to get uploaded.

Easy Riding...

I am sitting here reading blogs of the people I knit with, whether that is often of once a year, I have them listed on the SNB site: www:stitchnbitchwollongong.blogspot.com so it is easy to check who has updated and I can see what people are doing.

I have been getting my ipod ready for the ride tomorrow and now sitting here listening to born on the bayou (??spelling) (now that is hinting at my age), I love this music. I should be going to bed and getting a good night sleep, but I never seem to be able to the night before going away.

DH is in bed, Ruby (dog) is on the lounge asleep under her blanket, she gets spoilt in cooler weather and before we go away as she has to look after herself overnight and outside.

I have all my warmer clothes ready to go, the unflattering dry rider pants and jacket, as it will be damn cold riding down the coast then over Brown Mtn to Cooma. We ride back via Canberra and this year a bit out of our way to have lunch at Gunning (my dad was born there - not why we are going there sunday though), then ride the old road home through Breadalbane, Goulburn, Robertson and then down my favourtie riding mountain Macquarie Pass. There will be about 35 of us and we always have a great time together. I will get photos and put some up here.

Listening to my favourite of all favourite bands INXS. This is my riding music so I had better turn it off before it is out of battery and I really need to go and get some sleep. Well just after this song - Bitter Tears.

A camping we shall go, hi ho the merryo a camping we shall go.....

well knitting retreat we shall go.
It was a great weekend being the 4th knitting retreat held and the 4th I have attended. Arriving just before dark on Friday afternoon, to an already nearly full lodge with people knitting, chatting, and looking at all the lovely yarn on offer.

This has been the most enjoyable of all the knitting retreats, and I have enjoyed each and everyone, but this year was so much better. A great mix of like minded people, of all ages and from varying background and occupations. It is wonderful that so many people can be together for 2 1/2 days and enjoy everything happening on the weekend.

People are so keen to talk to others about what they are doing themselves or what the other person is doing, some enjoyed dyeing yarn on the saturday, some enjoyed sitting outside in the beautiful autumn weather in a beautiful location. Everyone enjoyed talking, knitting, eating and getting to know a little about one another. You could sit and knit while chatting or just sit and knit, no-one minds if you are silent for a while.

We had a great theme night with dressing up in op-shop formal, it was so good that I didn't even notice while eating dinner on the saturday night that the table runners were old newspapers, I did notice that at breakfast sunday morning. I think I was so busy taking in all the different outfits that the newspaper went un-noticed. The trivia was one by "anyone who is anyone"??? and an enjoyable time we all had during trivia.

It is great that we have such dedicated people who own our local yarn store CR & K Daisy Designs, Daisy Street, Fairy Meadow (NSW), who each year have put on such a wonderful knitting retreat.

Many new friends were made and old ones enhanced. Shades of Grey, Bellsknits and a room of my own have written very nicely about our wondeful weekend and have some great photos. I did take my camera, I didn't take any photos. Too busy have a great time I guess.

I learnt something new also, for a very long time I have wanted to learn how to knit socks on one circular needle, I usually use two circulars. And thank you so much to Kylie, Jodie and Fiona for showing me how to do the cast on, invisible increases (grandmother and great grandmother), and knitting the socks on one circular.

And that is what it is all about, people getting together enjoying each others company, knitting, showing people how to learn new things, and having a good laugh, chatting, and the anticipation of the next knitting retreat.

Jumper all done....

and I am very happy with the way it turned out, just hope it fits OK. I will know next weekend when we visit.

I am going to have to rinse it as I must not have rinsed the yarn enough when dyeing as the darker border yarn did turn my fingers purple while knitting. I just have to remember if I use vinegar in the rinse to stop it from running. I did the 6 - 12 month sizes in number of stitches but the 1 - 2 year size in the lengths.

I have started a plain stocking stitch cardigan for my self from stash (not old stash) in Country Silk in the dark grey colour, it will go with most or any colour I wear. It is coming along nicely, at first I thought this plain knitting isn't growing very quickly but after 2 days since starting it I am just past the armhole cast off on the back, so not too bad. Although I am finding that all this plain knitting is making my wrists ache, not sure why that would be, maybe that few seconds longer for pattern stitches is enough rest for the wrists while knitting.

Had a great Easter away with DH and friends, 5 days away from home is a pretty good break from normal everyday stuff and it was nice and green, so nice to see they are getting some rain out south west.

Next weekend we will be visiting #1 son, daughter-in-law and grand-daughter, we can't wait until Thursday after work when we fly up there.

The beanies were really well received at the place I sent them, they were in their own words "blown away" by the beanies made with such care and love. They like the fact that there were different patterns, colours etc used as the homeless are individuals like us, and as they said it is the small things that matter. So you know me, even though I have a hectic knitting plan this year, I am thinking of different patterned beanies I can make and send in the near future. I will keep to my knitting plan too, I am a few weeks ahead of schedule with my knitting. Who knows by the end of 2010 I may be able to see the floor in my craft/computer room.

I am trying a new outlook on my housework this weekend, usually I bust myself up about doing a bit each night eg. dust monday night, clean kitchen tuesday, bathrooms wednesday, you get the idea, well it never seems to work and if I get behind, I think well there is next monday, tuesday or whatever. So now I am going to try doing all the housework on the saturday that DH is at work, I think it will work pretty well as with just the 2 of us at home now we don't seem to make much mess....well I don't make much mess...you know what DH's are like.....don't know how to close doors, toilet lids etc etc. And this new plan will leave time then just to dust over floors and tidy as I go through the week and have time to sit and relax and no more busting myself up over not feeling like doing housework each night after work.

This morning I have alreay nearly washed all the washing and hung it out, I have written all our addresses into a new address book, this time in pencil as the old one was such a mess with so many family/friends moving, changing phone numbers etc. and now updating my blog, then I will go dust and vacuum for the next lot of housework to do. Hopefully all will get done before DH gets home around 2pm and I can sit and knit. The only temptation is each time I went out to the clothes line I was tempted to pull some weeds and get stuck into getting the vegetable patch ready for winter plantings. I have to stop myself from gardening this morning until all housework done. Gee this is going to be hard for me.

Stash busting continues...

and it feels good.
I had not quite a full ball of Shepherd 3ply pink pure baby wool, so I got out the good old and I mean old (vintage) bootees book by Paragon and did the 'Fairyweb' bootees, still had wool left so I started on the 'Lullaby' bootees, when I had finished them I still had a bit of wool left, was pretty sure it wasn't enough for another pair of bootees so I did a pair of 'Pretty Pair' slippers from the same pattern book. I had some wool left but not enough to really do anything else. The 2 pairs of bootees can go towards my knitting for Albion Park Show. Gotta love stash busting especially when it is going towards show knitting. Knitting plan going well at the moment.

I started on a jumper for my grand-daughter, I am still waiting for her parents to measure her, but I don't think they have a tape measure, which I will rectify when we visit in April. I am knitting the 'Lacy Sweater' from the Zoe Mellor 'adorable knits for tots' book. Seeing as I haven't got her measurements I started to knit the 1 - 2 years (she is 20months) as I was doing the border I realised that it seemed as if it was going to be too wide, so I decided to do the 6-12months (yes she is tiny), as I was knitting up the back I wasn't sure if it was going to be long enough, so I am knitting the 6-12months size in width and the 1-2years in the length. I am hoping it will fit. Time will tell in a few weeks when we see her. I am knitting it in the yarn I dyed last year at Knitters Camp (only about 5 weeks to this year's camp). It is a really nice and easy knit. I am not sure that I like the reversed stocking stitch though, it should look better on the front with the flower pattern.


The weeks are just rolling into each other with lightening speed or so it seems for me. I think it is because we plan our lives so far in advance that the days just seem to fly by. Maybe I should give away diary's, list and anything that makes time seem to just fly quickly by.