2009 - FO No 20, 21 and 22

I know there are 3 hats and having them as separate FO's is a bit of cheating, but I did realise that not really that many FO's have been churned out compared to last year's efforts.

These 3 hats are all different sizes and are based on one of the patterns from the Baby Beanies book by Amanda Keely. The light pink one is adult sized, the pink one is Isabelle sized and the little purple and pink one at the bottom is for my 1 year old god-daughter (she has nearly the same sized head as Isabelle). I used 8 ply Spotlight yarn with some fuzzy yarn and away I went. Using up stash is always great isnt it. Tomorrow I will hopefully have a picture of the poncho my mum just finished for Isabelle.

Wrapped In Love

I discovered a new book at Angus & Robertson last week and couldnt resist (when can I) and thought I would give you all a little look. Wrapped in Love is written and designed by an aussie girl who lives in Hobart, Tasmania. Her name is Felicity Dawson and she really does design some pretty patterns. So for you all here are a few of my faves.


Wrap with Side Ties









Bobble Jumper

Cable Vest - absolutely love this one!

There are quite a few designs but I didnt show you them all. A pinafore, stroller blanket, felted booties, stripey jumper, fisherman's jumper are just a few of the other patterns. They are all sized up to 12 months and are absolutely delightful patterns.

Thank you all so much for the lovely comments on my sister's quilt. I will be seeing her tonight so shall be passing on your lovely words to her. Annie who designed it actually emailed me and loved it so my sister will be one happy lady!

My Sister's Quilt

This is a picture of my sister's beautiful quilt, An Angels Story by Annie Downs (Im pretty sure that is who designed it). It has taken my sister 4 years to stitch every one of those pictures and handquilt and finish it off. My sister finished it at my house Monday afternoon so I took a picture to show you all how wonderful it is. She has done a lot of other projects in between (including my 40th quilt) so I think she has done it in amazing time. I am eager now to see what project is going to be started next. Sorry for the poor photo but I couldnt fit it all in properly.
Now onto the knitting around here (sorry no pics as yet). I have been knitting lots and trying to reduce stress levels (as is the norm for now). I have knitted half of my god-daughter's jacket, half a blanket for a new baby due THIS MONTH (oh my goodness), and half of the Textured Jacket from the Vintage book from the last post. I have to say that those patterns are very addictive and the one I am knitting is quite simple too.
Isabelle had another sleep over last night at her friend's house, so that makes 2 in two weeks which is great considering a few months ago she wouldnt stay anywhere. Unfortunately the little brother of the first sleepover friend had a terrible cough so now Isabelle has caught it. A quick trip to the doctor's and we have 2 different medicines to take. I really am starting to think that I should visit with the naturopath instead of visiting the doctor all the time as my sister goes to one and really benefits from it. Perhaps a visit is on the books soon for the kids and I to see what we can learn. It always happens that on school holidays one of us is sick. Paul seems to miss out on most of the germs as he is away at work so isnt around it all the time. I am hoping she feels better by the weekend so we can do some nice things on the holidays, like perhaps see a movie. I really want to see the Harry Potter movie but it isnt on until the kids are back at school. I am sure Isabelle will want to see the Hannah Montana movie as she loves her music. Okay that is about it, time for some sleep around here and relaxation.

Vintage Baby Knits!

Now here is one of my latest purchases in knitting books, and I do have to say that I absolutely love it. Kristen Rengren has developed patterns for us modern knitters from the booklets produced in the 1920's to the 1950's and she has done a remarkable job! I own a few vintage booklets which my mum didnt want and I graciously bought home, and I really do love those patterns.

Kristen writes a little introduction to each period of time and has some remarkable patterns in each one. Most are in fine wool but that is what most people use for baby knits. Even sock wool is a great one for the yellow shawl at the bottom and the twin set pictured in the green and white. I think Kristen has really developed a special book here and I am definately going to knit up some of these. The only hard part is to choose

which one to knit up first! Enjoy browsing some of my favourites from the book.

Photos:

Betty Lou Lace Cardigan

Felix Cardigan and Pants Set

Rufus Textured Cardigan
Milo Soakers

Violet Sacque and the Frances Nursing Shawl.

Socks!!

Hi all! I hope everyone in Melbourne has been staying warm as it has been so very cold this month hasnt it. I can feel my throat getting sore from it in the last few days and I am hoping it will go away soon, otherwise another trip to the doctor. So onto better things.....
Socks, as the heading says is what I shall be knitting very soon. The Wool Shack had a little sale on last week for patterns and other things, so I bought myself 4 of Cookie A's socks. Now I have never knit any of her patterns but I do love them when I see other people's socks on their blogs so I thought why not. I bought these 4 sock patterns - Django (pictured above), Stricken, Twisted Flower and Trystero. I think they all have cables in them which I love knitting! I am going to knit the first pair for my auntie's birthday which is in September. She is turning 60 then, I just need to be sneaky to find out how long her foot is though as she is up in Qld at the moment. Might need mum to do some investigating on the phone! On the weekend my sister informed me that her handknit socks I made her a few years ago now have worn through so she needs another pair for Christmas. I have just ordered some lovely yarn from Kate after just ordering some for my auntie's socks. For some reason the photo wont let me type next to it so you will have to go to the bottom of this post to see the lovely yarns that Kate dyes herself. The lilac one is for my auntie and I couldnt resist the beautiful bronze/coppery one for myself. I will try and start my auntie's pair this week, and have to still finish off Isabelle's red ones. She has been asking when they will be finished too but I need to concentrate on those ones without interruptance so perhaps whilst they are at school. So that is about it for the time being.... bye!

2009 - Fo No 19

Pattern: Tretta Hat by Grumperina

Yarn: Vera Moda Merino Blend, 1 ball dark teal color

Started: 13th June and finished 14th June 2009

I really loved this hat pattern and wanted to try and knit it for myself. Excuse the crappy photo taken this morning of me wearing it as the kids had already left for school and werent home to accomodate the photo session! I omitted the beads as I didnt have any on hand to knit into the pattern. I really do love it though, apart from the fact that hats never really suit me but with the cold weather last week I knew I needed one. I also knitted about 10 extra rows at the start so my ears would be kept warm (or otherwise I have a really big head) and apart from that the pattern is the same. I really enjoyed knitting this one.