Garter Stitch Scarf

Firstly thank you all so much for your kind words of comfort to our family over losing Coco. I really think that Lachlan suffered the most as he just didnt feel hungry or very well at all. He seems to have improved since the weekend though so that's good. We buried Coco in the front garden so we will be reminded of her lively spirit when we are out there enjoying the sunshine. She will be very sorely missed.

As a way to pass the sadness we attended my BIL's and his wife's 40th birthday party on Saturday night. It was so good to catch up with everyone, although you never have enough time to speak to everyone with just a few hours there. Paul had to work on the Sunday so we had to leave by 9:30. The kids decided they wanted to be home with us too, so I stopped by my parents to pick them up on the way home. Poor Isabelle had fallen asleep so I had to wake her up to take her home. She is starting to feel much better too and the annoying cough is no longer going on through the night, so thank you too for the well wishes for her. She has now also lost 8 teeth in total, losing another a few days after the last. They always seem to come loose in pairs. Hopefully the tooth fairy can take a little holiday for quite a while now.

I have also been knitting away. Up above is a photo of Isabelle modelling my sister's scarf which I finished up a few days ago. I really love the colors, light blue, aqua, and royal blue, although they seem a bit dark in the pic. This is part of her Christmas present, and now I only have 2 more presents to buy. Hooray! I love buying for the kids, but the adults are always much more difficult I think. My dad of course is always last because I never know what to buy for him.

I have also finished knitting the back and 2 fronts of Isabelle's Sweet Pea cardigan and have started on the sleeves. I really love using the Sublime yarns, so smooth and soft and a pleasure to knit with too. I have ordered some yarn from Bendigo Woollen Mills too so I can knit Romy for my sister from the DB Cashmerino Book. I am hoping it wont take too long to knit as her birthday is the first week in January so perhaps it might be a bit late. If I dont knit on anything else whilst I am knitting it then perhaps I can finish it up. I will have to get a photo of her wearing it when I have finished it. I have knit so many items for her over the years, mainly sweaters but never took any pictures. Perhaps one day I can convince her to model them for me so I can show you them all. I also ripped out Lachlan's sweater as the size I had chosen was too large and I was starting to run out of yarn as well. I have decided to go down a size or two and see how that goes, but I am not motivated to knit it at the moment. Ripping out all the work makes me want to hide the yarn in the closet and do other things. So that is about it for the moment, and hopefully I can return with some knitting FO's to show too. I am off to knit for a while before picking the kids up from school so enjoy your day.

Coco - November 2006 to 2007

Goodbye our beautiful chocolate Coco. I hope you are chasing butterflies in heaven.

Some new projects

to start knitting on soon, although I must finish off a few Christmas gifts first. I have nearly finished my Christmas shopping too, only about 5 more presents to buy, and they are always the hardest ones too. So onto some new projects from the new DB Cashmerino Collection book which is full of gorgeous gorgeous patterns for children and women, (sorry no men's patterns). First up is Rebecca which I really really want to knit. It is a lacey pattern and we all know that I dont knit lacey patterns (first time for everything right) and it goes up to 6-7 years, so I can knit it for Isabelle, although the 5-6 years will have plenty of room so maybe that is a much better idea. It is so pretty too and I can see her wearing it over her dresses.

Next up is Lena from the same book. I really love this and I have some Bendigo yarn which was going to be another project but didnt quite work out, so I am sure I can use the yarn for this project. It looks so lovely and it is in my size which is always a bonus. There are lots of other patterns in this book that I really love, and I am considering knitting Romy for my sister, but not until next year as it will take a little while with all the cables in it. I bought my copy from the Wool Shack and they do show photos of all the projects in the book so sneak on over and take a peek. I did get some other books too. I bought the Jo Sharp Issue 5 which has some really beautiful patterns in it, much better than the last issue and I also bought the IK winter issue which has some nice projects too.

I also knit up a toddler sized hat yesterday from Adorable Knits for Tots. Someone on ravelry had knit the ear flap hat without the earflaps so I decided to omit them too and just knit the cabled hat section. I think it turned out wonderfully well. The color is washed out again (ugh) so it should be a nice olive color instead of the washed out gray color. This one will be a Christmas gift for my parent's neighbour's son. I used to babysit for her when I was a teenager, and now both her sons have little boys so I always knit them something for Christmas. She even asked my mum if I could make something for her grandson and she is going to pay me for it. She wants a hooded jacket so I am sure I can find something suitable to knit up for him.

I also should be able to finish off my garter stitch scarf for my sister today too as Isabelle is home sick with bronchitis and both ears are infected too. After having a small cough for nearly 2 weeks I knew we had to visit the doctor's today. She now has some antibiotics so hopefully by Monday she will feel better. We have a 40th to go to tomorrow night too which is Paul's brother's party and his wife's so I dont think I will be going anywhere with Isabelle not feeling well. She gets very clingy when she is sick so I dont think she will stay with my mum without me there. Perhaps I can drop Paul off and pick him up again later on after a few hours as his sister is going to be there and we dont get to see her very often. Oh and I nearly forgot to tell you that hopefully most of the bad luck is over with now as Lachlan's little skink Inky passed away. Lachlan looked in on him to feed him and he was dead. I didnt see him as Paul and Lachlan had already buried him when I got home. Now fingers crossed that nothing else pops up to disrupt us for the time being. I am off to the couch to sit and knit whilst Isabelle hopefully gets some much needed rest. Have a wonderful weekend!

I'm Back

Thank you for all the good wishes that you left for me to read. It really did help my anxiety calm down after reading all those wonderful words from you ladies, and things are hopefully back on track.
Now onto a more positive note, our kittens are 1 yr old this month. We never could determine what day they were born so they are classed as November babies. I will have to try and take an up-to-date pic later in the week, but it is just too hot to do so today, being windy and 31 degrees already. Coco is the chocolate brown one (although now she looks black unless she is in the sun) and Bella is the stripey one. They are such a joy to have and cuddle too as they have grown to be very affectionate and people loving too. Such sweet babies they are. Bella is currently asleep in the rocking chair in my bedroom which is her very favourite place to have a nap, unless I have a nap and then she will come and cuddle up to me too.
As for knitting, well I have finished a hat in some Lima yarn (from Lincraft) which is alpaca and so soft and beautiful. Lachlan modelled it for me but I have yet to put it onto the computer. He has requested a hat the same for himself, although he never wears beanies. I also finished one for my niece, which is magenta and white stripes,in a cotton, and a little stripey baby hat for my friend. I didnt take a pic of that one, but they are the usual stripey ones I made many months ago. I am also trying to finish my sister's 3 colored scarf which is nothing fancy but I really do love the colors together. Once it is finished I will show it to you, along with a gorgeous little cardigan I am knitting for Isabelle out of some beautiful Sublime yarn. The yarn is quite expensive so for the edging I am going to use some Zara yarn instead, and I really do hope that the bigger size is enough to last for at least a year for her to wear. I finished the back of it and the left front last night, so hopefully when the weather cools down I will be able to knit the other side of it. The kids both have tomorrow off due to a teacher's strike so they will be coming to get some exercise delivering the catalogues with me. Last week after all the awfulness going on, the manager rang and asked if I would like to do the area around my home so of course I said yes. It will save on petrol as I can just walk now instead of having to drive to the estate and deliver 270 papers and catalogues. Now I have 375 to deliver, but a more convenient spot too. It must have been fate with all those wonderful good feelings you sent to me. I also won a few bloggy goodies, (some still are on their way) and one I will blog about later on. I just find my time flying by at the moment so hopefully I can get back to a bloggy rhythm very shortly and try and not get sidetracked by ravelry either. Does anybody know why some people's posts show up on friend's blog tab and some other's do not. Do you need to enable your posts to show up automatically, or do some people choose not to show their posts on the updates. I find it much easier to go into friend's blogs and read all the current posts, but then discover that some dont do that so I need to go and check my list to see what they are up to. Anyway enough already with me gabbling on, I must go and sort my stash and try and reorganize some of it. I just delivered 2 garbage bags of acrylic yarns to my mum for her to knit some things out of, and now the plastic buckets are going to be sorted through too. Have a great week!

Polly Dolly!

I decided to finally sew up the polly doll from the Softies book today. This is for my friend's daughter for Christmas so I really hope she likes it. Thank you too for all the lovely comments on the beetle bugs, I am so glad that you liked them that I hope the girls who receive them like them too. This pattern was another easy one to do.

I also have to have a little vent as the last 2 days have worn me down quite a bit, so if you wish to stop reading do so now.

• Lachlan is suspended from school after being in a nasty fight with 2 boys, luckily nothing broken.
• A bill from Centrelink advising that I need to pay back over $5,000 to them because Paul hasnt done his bloody tax return for that year. We can guess where Paul will be next week and what he will be doing. Hopefully that will clear the matter up.
• Paul rang me at 8:00 this morning to say that one of our friends, Mal, (who we didnt get to see much lately) passed away this week. He was only in his 50's. We have no idea what happened and we will find out tomorrow at the service. My mum will have Lachlan for the morning and Isabelle will be at school so I can go and attend the service. I really dont like taking children to funerals if I can help it, although my children have attended them and understand what they are about. I always feel so much for the family members that are left behind. He has 2 children and this year a new granddaughter which makes me sad knowing that she wont really get to know him as a person.

I apologise now for whining about everything, but sometimes things just pop up out of nowhere and then they seem to escalate all into the one week. I already suffer from anxiety and take medication for it, so this week is a bit testing for me. I think I need to take a big deep breath and a stiff drink (only joking) but it would be nice. I try and not talk about the anxiety too much as it is overwhelming at times, and some people dont understand unless they suffer with it themselves. Well I best go and get dinner prepared and I hope I havent scared any of you off with me talking about my little insecurities. Talk to you all later in the week

Christmas Presents!

I have been making Christmas presents for some little friends of ours from the Softies book. This design is by Carly Schwerdt called the Beetle Bug. I used some fat quarters that I had bought from Spotlight a while ago, and I have to say that their selection is improving. I hope the girls like these little bugs. I really love the blue one as it has some of my favourite fabrics in it. Now I just need to finish up some Polly dolls from the same book for a few other little girls.

Digging Sweater

Pattern: Digging Sweater by Louisa Harding (MIss Bea's Colors)
Yarn: 8 ply wool, light blue - 7 balls
Size: 3 to 4 years
I knit this sweater for my nephew Benjamin. The color seems to look gray in this picture but it is actually a nice light blue color. I wish my camera wouldnt wash it out. I really like the patterns in these books, and have plans to make some more for a few birthdays, as Isabelle is too big for them now. They will always be kept in my knitting library as I really do enjoy all of them. I also visited Highpoint today to go to Borders. I grabbed a few books for a birthday and a xmas present, and I also bought a book called Never Knit Your Man A Sweater, you know the curse thing about not knitting before you get married. I really dont believe in the curse and I have my reasons to prove it as I made Paul 2 sweaters before we were ever engaged. I bought this book for the plain simple fact that it has some really beautiful sweaters in it, plus some nice hats and scarves too. Since I need to knit some for presents I think this will be a great resource to use. I will try and post about it later on as I am a bit short on time to do so today. Happy knitting everyone!

Essential Baby book

I ordered some more books last week and they arrived today. The photos in this post are from one of my favourite books Essential Baby by Debbie Bliss. I will show you a picture of some favourites, although nearly everyone is a great pattern. Up above are the romper panties which go from a size 3-6 months up to 6-9 months. I love the bottom edging which is quite pretty and I think is worked like a picot edging. So cute. I think these would be the same as the soakers, but I much prefer these as they look so cute.

Another favourite is the pinafore dress which is knit in seed stitch or moss stitch as we call it over here. I really love the edging on this one too.

This is the crossover top which goes in sizes 0-3 months up to 9-12 months.

and these are the little pants to match the top above in the same sizes.

The Shawl Collar Sweater is just so cute and also goes up to 9-12 months as most of the patterns in the book do. There is also a baby beanbag which is great and wont sag, a pair of baby cabled socks, a little vest, a lamb toy, a change mat which ties up into a carry bag, a dressing gown, a hooded carrying sleeping bag, a beautiful patchwork knitted blanket, a duffle coat, a reversible hat, felted slippers which are very cute, a beautiful lacy shawl, some baby shorts and a first coat which I think I will make first up. There are also some really cute heart motifs too which would be nice to hang in your baby's room. Just seeing this book makes me wish it was printed when my children were young. At least I can knit them for gifts, and hopefully one day some grandchildren which is a long way off yet. I cant wait to sit down and knit some of these beautiful patterns up. I also bought a cookbook Apples For Jam which I have seen on a few blogs. It has some lovely nice recipes, nothing too fancy. It is like reading a story actually as Tessa writes stories on each chapter, shows some beautiful photos and has some children's drawings in it too. I cant wait to sit down and read some of it today. It really is a beautiful book.

Now for the knitting update. I am going to pull out the duffle coat and knit the yarn into another pattern. I really dont like the color differences as they are too obvious. I will find some other yarn to knit the duffle coat in and make sure that I have enough of it too. The green yarn will become something for my nephew who is 6 in March so it will look nice on him. Nothing too fancy, just a nice simple sweater. I have also finished the front of the digging sweater so I just need to knit the sleeves and the neckband and it will be completed. I am thinking of popping it into his birthday present as part of his gift along with a book as he is 4 and has enough toys as it is. My nephews get all the toys that ours grow out of so they have a whole room full of them and I am sure my SIL would appreciate a few things that take up less space too. I am also going to try and sew up a few Polly dolls from the Softies book for my friend's girls for Christmas today. I like it when I can get some things on my Christmas list finished up. I must start my Christmas postcard swap too as I have 10 to make. Last year's was so much fun so when Nikkishell suggested it again I joined up. It would seem that I will be quite busy crafting in the weeks before Christmas so fingers crossed I can get everything done.

Melbourne Zoo Trip

Thursday was a nice busy day with a trip to the Melbourne Zoo with all the prep kids from Isabelle's school. There were 2 parent helpers picked to assist with each class and I was lucky enough to go. The kids behaved really well and were so excited although with a busy schedule we didnt get to see every animal, so I have promised Isabelle that we as a family will do a trip and spend most of the day there and have lunch too. Here are just a few of the animals that we saw - Fairy Penguins which are just so cute. Soon they will move into the seal enclosure so they have a bigger area, which should be in January next year.
We saw lots and lots of peacocks around the zoo, and only one female one. Isabelle asked why they were different colors and I told her the males were pretty to attract a girlfriend. She thought it was hilarious. They are so noisy too screeching away, and sometimes your sure they are yelling out "help, help" to everyone. This one was perched in amongst the elephant trail path.

We also saw my favourite animals which I think are just so beautiful, the giraffes. This is the male one, and there are also 2 females as well. They always look so grand just walking around.

Another of my favourite animals which I think look just so beautiful is the tree kangaroo. Isnt it so cute. It was the only we could see. We also saw lots of meerkats, baboons (which smell really bad), lemurs which were quite funny and entertaining to us. We also saw the orangutans too in their new building. They came right up to the glass but it was too dark to photograph.

After all the excitement the kids went to the zoo school where they learnt about the animals, a snake, a bearded dragon, two little monkeys which are very rare and have been with the zoo for 28 years, and they would probably fit in your hand, and a hippopotamus skull. They dont have anymore hippos at the zoo as the male one has been taken to Taronga Zoo for breeding and the other hippo passed away a while ago. They are hoping that if the breeding program works they can get some more hippos in the future. That would be nice wouldnt it. Then just before we left we got to see the bears who were quite cute. I was so glad to go home though as Isabelle and some of the others were just exhausted from all the walking. We came home and slept for an hour and felt much better afterwards, as it is quite stressful making sure you dont lost 19 kids from our group.

Knitting Progress - I have been knitting a new baby jacket, and the duffle coat is up to the hood. I had to use 2 different dyelots though as the garter stitch just used up so much yarn and I didnt have enough in the color, so the hood and the cuffs of the sleeves are a bit darker, but I am hoping it will turn out okay. I really dont want to rip all that work out although I will wait until the end to see how it looks.

I do hope that everyone has a lovely enjoyable weekend and I am to knit!