Backpack, Backpack!!

Does anybody know Dora the Explorer. I am sure that many of you with kids would know who she is. Well when I gave Isabelle the finished backpack, she said "Now I am like Dora". I dont know how many adventures she is going to go on with her backpack, but at least she can pretend when she watches the dvd's. Dora and her monkey friend Boots always seem to have fun, and the backpack is filled with wonderful things too. Isabelle has already filled hers with her knitting, and yes she does know how to knit, but cant sit still enough for more than 2 rows at a time. I have told her when she finishes her first scarf I will show it here for you all to see. Now dont go thinking that I have cranked out another FO for you all to see. No, my mum knit this and I had decided to do the sewing part of it (yes, I put my hand up for it as mum just whip stitches everything and the stitches always show up on the good side). I must teach her another method of sewing items up so that they look nice after she has done all that wonderful knitting.

Pattern: Backpack from Panda Learn to Knit book, No. 800

Yarn: Magnum 8 ply acrylic.

Time took to knit: Oh about 3 days, but she did do other things in between knitting all those squares.

The back side is stripes of all those colors you see in the picture. I think it looks nice and bright, and of course Isabelle chose the pink bag. You see at Spotlight they sell packs of Magnum yarn, which has about 5 different colors in it, and when mum decided to make one she let Isabelle pick the color. I knew it would be pink, or otherwise it would have been purple. After she bought it though, she thought it had the pattern in it too, so of course it was not in there, you have to buy the book separately so we went to Big W and grabbed one from there. I am glad that it will get some use, and thank you mum, although you dont read the blog or have a computer to do so. Maybe one day she will get one and be able to browse the blog! P.S. Thank you for all the wonderful compliments on the embroidered cardigan. I had great fun knitting it, and now am halfway through two other baby knits for people. I will update later on in the week as I have been busy combing Isabelle's hair for nasty head lice. Finally this morning there were no more little nasties, but in case she caught it from school I did not want her to get any more. Hopefully tonight I wont find any more of them either, and she can return tomorrow. She has her school fete on Thursday and I am helping in her classroom on Wednesday, so it should be lots of fun. Speak to you all later!

FO No. 14

Pattern: Jill from Classic Babies (Rowan)

Size: 6 to 12 months

Yarn: 8 ply wool, about 3 balls of burnt orange

Started: 23rd April Finished: 27th April

This is such a cute little cardigan, although my embroidery of flowers leaves a lot to be desired. There are red flowers in the baskets too, but it is hard to see them in the photo. The buttons are actually quite nice, with bits of pink and yellow sparkles through them, and it does look quite cute with all the colors. I wish my camera was working a bit better, but alas I did sort of drop it on the desk this morning and it went all funny. I thought it was broken but then it came back on, so I hope there is no permanent damage. I am off now to start a new project, but I will tell you what it is when I have at least one piece finished. Oh and some good news today, Isabelle's little friend now has a new baby brother, so I must go through the knitted goodies and see what I can give to baby Jack for a present. I am sure he is gorgeous and Isabelle will be quite excited to wrap up the pressie and post it off too!

Special Family Knits

I have finally received the Debbie Bliss Special Family Knits book from the Wool Shack. It is a beautiful book with patterns for the whole family, including hats, a scarf, a bag, socks, and lots of cardigans and jumpers too. On the left is one of my favourites, being the Patchwork Aran Jacket. It goes up to 117cm so it will fit me. I love it but it will have to wait as it does use quite a bit of yarn.

I am going to make the Striped Cardigan too for Isabelle, and this one looks nice and simple, and I already have some cotton I can use so I may start it very soon. I also love the pattern on the front cover which is pictured below, the Jacket with Ribbed Yoke. I looove this pattern, so simple yet stylish at the same time. Isabelle could wear this with a nice dress in the springtime, so all I have to do is decide which color to make it in. Perhaps a blue would be nice or a green. Oh I will decide later on when I start it. There is also a lovely zippered jacket which would be great to make for Lachlan, and a hooded guernsey which I could knit for my cousin's grandchild too. So many great patterns, and I want to make them all, I honestly do. I think this book is full of wonderful wonderful patterns. The Wool Shack actually has better photos of the patterns on their website, so if you like pop on over and have a look. By the way, thank you for the lovely comments on Isabelle's jacket, and for all your lovely thoughts and wishes for my health too. It must have worked because since Monday I have felt great, actually the best I have felt in a long time so hopefully that is the end of it for quite a while. Your thoughts made me feel so cared for too, so it is nice to have such lovely friends who can make you feel better just through a comment or an email too. I appreciate them all so much. Well that is it for now as I have some embroidery to do on a little cardigan, and hopefully I can show you all tomorrow.

FO No. 13

Pattern: Sport from Rowan Pipsqueaks

Size: 6 to 7 years, although it is still a bit short

Yarn: GGH, 8 balls of dark purple

Started: Last year and finished 25th April 2007

I made the buttonholes 10 rows apart so it does not have gaps showing through on the front band when it is buttoned up. I used 8 heart buttons which look oh so cute, but of course do not show up in the picture. It all looks so dark so you cannot see the rib pattern very well either. I had to coerce Isabelle to try it on and now she is wearing it outside and wont take it off. I thought knitting the larger size would make it long enough, but it should really be another 12 rows longer for her since she is so tall for her age. I loved knitting this again, as I made one for her 2 years ago too, and she loved wearing that one as well. The yarn was really nice to work with, although I have lost the band to it so I dont know exactly what type of GGH yarn it is. I have also been knitting on the Jill cardigan too, and now only have the sleeves and embroidery to finish off. Yay for quick knits for wee ones. Hope you all enjoy the rest of your week!

Stitching Away!

I have been sewing and knitting, trying to catch up with a few UFO's too, as last week I had gastro again. Third time in 3 weeks which is becoming a pain in the butt. I am sick of being sick so now I am hoping that the worse is over and I wont get it back again. Now onto the sewing - up above is a mini quilt that I stitched together this afternoon. I had 20 6" squares which I had purchased on a bus trip, ooh about 2 yrs ago now, and I decided to use them up and create a bit of room in the fabric stash too. I found some bird fabric for the back of the quilt which I turned over on the edges and stitched down. I am by no means great at making these, but it is okay for Isabelle to use for her dolls or herself in the cooler nights. I love the colors in this quilt, so I am hoping she will like it too. I am going to give it to her after school this afternoon. Maybe later on I will actually "quilt it" when I have some more time to do so.

Also I started a new baby knit (you should all know by now how much I love knitting them), and this one is called Jill from Classic Babies. It has some really gorgeous patterns in it. I pulled some yarn out of my stash (yay twice in one week), and knit the back up last night. Now seeing as though this is going to knit up quite quickly, fingers crossed, I might have it finished by the end of next week. This color is like a burnt red/orange which I am loving at the moment. I am going to make the flower baskets out of some nice yellow, but progress shots will be updated throughout the week. I also finished knitting the pieces for Isabelle's cardigan, so hopefully tomorrow I can get a photo.

It is Anzac Day tomorrow, so it is a public holiday. For all of us who have had people die in the war, may you never forget what they gave their lives up for. My grandfather's two brothers died in the war, and my uncle served in the Vietnam war, and is sadly still suffering from it today. I think the soldiers are so very brave but I do hope that my son never has to fight in one. I hear what my uncle has gone through in the past few years and I do wish that he never had gone to fight in the war, but you cannot rewind to the past can you. May you all have a wonderful Anzac Day fellow aussie bloggers, and everyone else have a beautiful day too!

The Bookshelf of Knitting Books Will Soon Overflow

I have one little shelf in my television unit which holds all of my knitting books. I am afraid I will now need to clear another shelf in the cabinet so that I can fit these ones in too.

1. Fitted Knits - I know a lot of people love this book, but I have only really found about 2 patterns that I like in this book. A few of the patterns look a bit chunky for me.
2. Easy Knits - Another great Debbie Bliss book. I like quite a few patterns in this book too, although for Isabelle I try and knit a size smaller so they dont end up too wide on her.
3. Sarah Dallas Knitting - I think out of all the books this is my absolute favourite one. I love all the blanket and pillow patterns. The sweaters are nice too and original. After seeing Alison from The Blue Blog knit up a few of the blankets I had to see the book for myself and I am so glad that I bought it. I will try and knit some patterns from this book in the near future.
4. Scottish Island Knits - I had not seen much of this book, but some of the patterns looked quite nice. There are a few patterns with colorwork too. I dont think I will be knitting any of those though they do look nice. There are 2 that I really like, but they will go onto the waiting in future knit list, not that I have any of those written down.

I have not been buying much yarn lately, apart from the sale at Kmart again, where I bought some brown Country Silk wool to knit a jacket for Lachlan. I think I will make it an adult size so if he does anymore growing it will still fit him. I am knitting away on some UFO's at the moment, (even though it does not look any emptier in the basket) so hopefully by next week I will be able to show you all some knitting progress!

FO No 12

Jenny Hat from the Jo Sharp Gathering Book.

Yarn Jo Sharp DK wool. Color - Green/Blue

Started: Tuesday 10th April

Finished: Wednesday 11th April

This is much bluer than in real life. I think the color is closest to the writing of this post. I knit this for Paul's grandmother who is going to be 87 years old this month. She is a very active person, going to outdoor bowls, drives her own car, goes swimming and still looks after her double block of land with lots of roses and vegies too. She makes nice slices too, and does wonderful crochet too. A few years ago she crocheted me some drawer runners and I still use them now. I thought this hat might be nice for her to wear whilst out in the garden when it gets a bit cold, so I hope she will like it. I must go and find something else nice for her birthday too.

And The Winners Are

Congratulations to Amanda J for being the first name chosen by Isabelle. I will be sending you 2 balls of Studio Mohair in a gorgeous rose color, and 2 balls of Hot Socks too. I also included a little Hello Kitty lolly too. I hope that you enjoy the gift and email me your details too so that I can post it off to you. It pays to delurk on people's blogs you know!

And the second prize winner is Corrie who is a wonderful blogger and mum too. I am sending you 3 balls of ribbon yarn in a teal colorway so I hope that you can knit something nice with it too. I have also included the little canvas holder as well. Please email me with your details so that I can post them to you by Friday. I hope that you enjoy your prize too. I had fun with Isabelle choosing the names out of the basket. I was so surprised that so many people commented, and I have to say it was a very lovely surprise too. Thank you so much for everything, including what I read on your blogs too. Some days just seem so much better after popping in to catch up with you too. Now I really do hope that the next year brings wonderful things for us all, and many new and exciting knitting and sewing projects too! Enjoy the day or night as the case may be.

FO No. 11

Thank you for all the wonderful comments on my blogiversary! You are all such wonderful friends to me, and I loved reading each and every one of them. It actually means a lot to me to have such wonderful blog friends like you. Tonight I will be drawing 2 names out and I will be posting the winners, so if you have not left a comment on the last post with your name do so now so I can include your name too.

Now onto the knitting!

Pattern: Basketcase socks

Started: Friday 6th March

Finished: Tuesday 10th March

Yarn: I think about 100 gms, 8 ply wool from The Knittery. I have not looked on the site to see what color it was that I ordered, and they did not have a label with them when I bought it so I will recheck the site and let you know what colorway it was if you would like to know. It is actually a mix of all different purples, which you cant really tell from the photo, and it was sunny in the room but the picture came out much darker than intended. I really enjoyed knitting these socks, but now have a small cut on my finger from pressing on the needle so much whilst knitting them, but I think these are going to be one of my favourites from now on when the weather cools down. So much for the Autumn weather, we are now back up to 27 degrees again, both yesterday and today so it does feel like Summer is still with us. I am sure from reading other blogs that you are having the same thing with snowy weather too. Now onto the next knitting project which will include some yellow yarn!

1st Year Blogiversary!!!

These are the birch trees in the front garden with the birdhouse that I love to sit and watch when the weather is warm and sunny.
When I first started this blog a year ago today, I was a bit intimidated by what I was going to write. I must say though that now after having doing this blog for a year, that I am starting to write what I want to write and not think so much about what I am putting out there for you all to see. I have made some lovely special friends in blogland, and I really must say that reading your comments each morning makes me feel special and very very happy. I know that the people leaving comments know how I feel about what I create and eventually finish too. A project means a lot to us when we have put our heart and soul into it, and knowing that people appreciate your efforts is very much appreciated by me. I hope that the next year of blogging brings many more friendships, and continuing other friendships already established through this blog too. I sometimes wish that I could just jump into the screen of the wonderful blogs that I read too, and meet you all and see all the wonderful things that you too make for others to enjoy. Wouldnt that be great to just visit people on the other side of town, or the world for that matter. So a big THANK YOU goes out to you all and for being such wonderful people who read my blog I am going to give away something special to one or two of you. All you need to do is leave a comment here and say if you would like me to enter your name in this little contest, and during next week I shall draw out TWO names and then show what pressies I will be sending out to you. I have not finished putting the surprises together yet, so that will be a nice surprise for you all when I show whose names are drawn out. I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday today, spent with loved ones, and have lots of chocolates to enjoy too. I can feel a chocolate stash being hidden in the cupboard so I dont end up with a tummy ache later tonight. More knits tomorrow too, with hopefully one finished as well. Enjoy the day!

FO No. 10

I finally finished sewing up the cardigan that I started for Isabelle last year. I really like this pattern and it is quite easy to remember after you knit it for a while.
Pattern: Design F V-Neck Cardigan
Book: Sirdar The Snuggly Book of Baby & Toddler Knits.
Yarn: DK Gold, color white about 3 100g balls
Size: 3 to 4 years
I knitted an extra pattern into the length for Isabelle so it would fit her better. She tried it on and it fits perfectly, so hopefully she wont have any more growth spurts for a while. Now that she has it on she wants to wear it for the rest of the day. Thankfully I did not make the next size up or it would have been very wide on her, but this size the width is perfect.

I also finished up another baby hat from the Baby Cashmerino book which was started a while ago too. I cannot remember what yarn it is, I think a Kmart brand one. It is not scratchy at all and I love the colors together. It even has stripes in it which I was unaware of until I finished knitting it. I am so glad to have 2 projects finished out of the UFO basket. I have started a moss stitch cardigan from the Simply Baby book, and another cable jacket from one of the Bouton D'Or books too. They should knit up nice and quickly I hope. I am intending to knit some more on Paul's jacket today too, and I am even thinking of starting one for Lachlan. I might have to knit him an adult size one since he wears men's sizes now, and then at least I know he will get some wear out of whatever I knit for him. No way I am knitting him a Jethro Jacket though, maybe a simple ribbed one out of one of Debbie Bliss's books. Well that is about it for now, I will post again Sunday for my little contest. See you all then, and Happy Easter too!!!!

April Allready!

Good morning everyone! The school holidays have started and it seems that I may still be able to get my blogging and reading done on the computer in the mornings as the cartoons are being watched at the moment, so it leaves some free time for me.
Look at what arrived this morning, my sock yarn order from Katt. Isnt she just so clever with her dyeing. It all looks so beautiful doesnt it.
First up is the Self Striping Girls Denim, then Seashells, and then Jaffa. All gorgeous colors, and I do have plans for the Seashells but I will let you know about that later on in the week.


Katt also gave me a little pressie with the yarn too. See her gorgeous stitch markers, little amethyst heart markers. I think they look so pretty and will come in handy too. Thank you so much Katt, they were a lovely surprise.

Project Spectrum has changed their colors too, to green, yellow and pink. I think this has to be my favourite color choices, and all of the yarn above has those colors in them too. I cannot wait to get started on some new knits, although there are some languishing in the UFO basket from last month's color choices too. I am hoping to finish that other sock which will have to be knit short as well. Any future socks will be made a lot longer now with my sock blocker to measure them by. Oh and on Sunday it will be my one year blogiversary so I will be having a little prize giveaway to my wonderful commentors. I will draw a name out of everyone who leaves a comment on that post and then I will let you know who the winner is! Hope you all have a wonderful week!!!