Ho hum….

Haven’t felt much like stitching this week, so I picked up my knitting instead.  It’s the candle flame pattern shawl I started back in August.  I’ve got ten balls of this yarn (a mohair blend) and I just started ball number 5.  No picture because it really doesn’t look any different than the last picture, just wider (300+ stitches) and longer

I think I will put a beaded fringe on it when it’s done.  I want to get it finished before footy season starts and I need something to keep me warm on those frosty footy mornings

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More free knitting goodies…

You can go here for some more free knitting patterns – afghans and throw rugs, clothing, accessories, home items.

I’ve found a few things to add to my ‘to do’ pile!

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I want to knit …

This.  I am seriously overwhelmed. 

Beautiful.

Now to search for the magazine!

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The promised pictures…

 This is the beginnings of the Candle Flame Shawl in 50% wool 37% mohair and some other stuff thrown in for good measure.  I am enjoying it – it’s quite a simple knit and the pattern is easy to remember

Just for good measure – here is a detail of the pattern for your viewing pleasure!

 

The Mead Scarf – same yarn as the shawl – different colour of course

 The Irish Hiking Scarf well over halfway

And just to prove that I do stitch still….if you look really closely you can see some progress on the last initial   I picked this up tonight as I’d like to finish something and this will probably stitch up in a few days

I got a parcel from Dragonflydreams today – it contained Victoria’s Quaker from AMAP (and the needlepoint silks to complete it), Faith, Hope, Love from The Workbasket and the latest issue of Sampler and Anqtique Needlework Quarterly, which I will save for my hospital trip on the 29th August (finally!)  I have decided to start both of these.  I have a lovely piece of R&R Reproductions in Apple Brown Bindy the perfect size for Victoria’s Quaker, and some Jobelan in Caramel for Faith Hope and Love.  I think I will just stitch this in plain black.

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Now Reversible!

Navigate Silver has created a Reversible Irish Hiking Scarf - my next one will be like this!

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Knitting A Shawl

The Irish Hiking Scarf is almost done and last night I started a mohair shawl.  It’s the Candle Flame Pattern designed by Dean Crane and notated by Linda Clark (whatever that means).

There is an error in one of the rows in the pattern and I will note it and post it here when I get around to it   It’s pretty obvious but I will mark it just in case!  If you decide you want to start this shawl – email me at GMAIL (Ausxser) and I will be happy to pass on the change

This is a really chunky pattern, but I’ve softened it a bit with a larger size needles, and I have already decided on a beaded fringe for it !

I’d really like someone to point me in the direction of a sock knitting pattern for sock knitting numpties.  I need a pattern that REALLY spells out what you have to do step by step – I am happy for it not to be a plain sock pattern, but it does need to be very clear as far as instructions go – I can knit but I’ve not done much in the way of shaping other than jumpers etc.  So if you know a good  one….I’d love to hear from you!

I know, I know I owe some pictures, but I’ve just been too weary to do them and when I do feel like it, it’s too dark, etc.  Soon, I promise

Oh and I stitched today.

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Cute knitted toys

If you are of the kind who loves to knit toys…..go here!  There are also some lovely little quick freebies to whip up as gifts too!  Mochimochiland……you can even knit GRASS

Bittersweet also has some cute freebies for both crochet and knitting – including cute peas in a pod which would be a great baby shower gift for an expecting mum perhaps!!  If you’re not knitty-or crochet-y then perhaps some of her recipes might take your fancy – Hannah notes that everything she cooks is 100% vegan and there are a couple of diabetic suitable and gluten free recipes in there as well   I guess it goes without saying that the knitted hot dogs are 100% calorie free too!

And while we are on the subject of free – Knitting Pattern Central seems to be the site every knitter links to – although at this particular point in time I still only consider myself a “sometimes knitter”, because if I could – I’d actually rather be stitching!

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New scarf

I’m now knitting an Irish Hiking Scarf.  I’ve started using a bulkier yarn and the suggested needles for that, but I think I am going to upsize the needles as the scarf feels a little ‘stiff’ already!  I’m really not sure so will knit another pattern repeat and see how it feels.  If I keep going it will be MIGHTY warm and I’m guessing that hiking in Ireland would call for that!

Googling in order to be able to link to the FREE pattern for you I also stumbled across an Irish Hiking Scarf Knitalong!   Obviously this is a popular little devil!  Click on over to look at everyone’s progress – there are literally hundreds of Irish Hiking Scarves to see!

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Some new books, a finish and a work in progress

I ordered a book from Amazon.com (as you do) and just to make the delivery worthwhile I picked up a couple of needlework books also.  I bought the Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless for the LHM and the Little Princess (Marita – it’s a bit old for a three or four year old, but perfect for my 8 and 11!)

I picked up two Victorian needlework books and the Needlework of Mary Queen of Scots (in softcover).

 

As mentioned yesterday – Junette commented she liked the green yarn and the feather and fan…so here it is a green, feather and fan scarf!!  It does look lovely!  The pattern is from WendyKnits.

 

And here is my latest start.  It is the Mead Scarf by Elizabeth Morrison, a freebie which can be found here.   Of course I am using the wrong yarn, the wrong needles, but I think it looks nice anyhow.  I am using a mohair blend in a deep pink colour.  This is for another good pal Melza!

I am also going to start something that is NOT a scarf or wrap – it’s a freebie pattern also.  I can’t post a link or a pic because I think the eventual recipient may visit here sometimes

I also got a great package in the mail from DragonflyDreams yesterday a heap of charts by The Workbasket (a new favourite!)  I received Quaker Odds AND Evens, Humble Home, Woodlands, Old McMary’s and Village!  Those of you participating in Neighbourhood RRs should probably take a look at these – lots of lovely ideas

Sorry no kitty pictures today…perhaps tomorrow.

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Free knittingy goodness

I’ve been looking for a shawl pattern – I’ve looked in books, shops, etc but I’ve finally found LOTS online – here!

Also there are lots of really simple hats which will make fabulous offerings for the Wig, Hat and Scarf Library!  (If you feel so inclined to knit something as a donation – please do – I’d be happy to pass it on for you )

Oh and as suggested by Junette, I made a feather and fan scarf in the green variegated wool and it looks fabulous!  It has Junette’s name on it too! (Pic to come later today!)

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Yet another scarf….

  

All my friends are getting scarves as gifts……is this a bad thing?

This one is for a friend of LHM’s.

It’s knitted in Sean Sheep ‘Armytage’ – Frosty Glass, it took almost three skeins, I left about 1/3 of a skein for a fringe but then was told that it didn’t need one (boy’s apparently don’t like fringes!).

It was a really quick knit and a very easy pattern.  Just two knit rows, one row of knit one – yarn over twice, then on the next row, you knit one and slip the yarn overs off the needle, knit the next one.  Easy!

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Some piccies!

Here is the “Isobel” scarf from here! It’s turned out really nicely I think. Margie will love it!
 (I hope)!

The wrap pattern is from the Knitting Essentials Mag at Spotlight - it’s free online This is pattern number 37!

The feather and fan scarf is from Wendy Knits blog   This is not the only pattern that I will knit from there I suspect!

I like knitting.  Not more than stitching…..not even as much, but it I am enjoying it so much at the moment while stitching is beyond me!!

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Lots of Pictures to Share!

I have been busy…even though not ‘much’ of my business has been stitching related.

Firstly, I have to say a huge thankyou to Mel for the lovely gift that arrived in my mailbox last week – it’s a gorgeous little biscornu and some lovely threads hand-dyed by Mel herself – I am so lucky!  Go on over to her blog for a great loaf of bread…no…really…it’s there and looking yummy!

Secondly, I mentioned that Liam has started his very first cross stitch and here is his progress so far. He’s doing a great job!  I’ll be sure to post when he’s done!

 

Also he’s some jewellery I made recently – the first is Mum’s brithday necklace.  These are some lovely Swarovski pearls with a few Swarovski rondelles in between and silver clasp (that was a brooch but I modified it to be the clasp).  The second is a knitted chain with some lovely big black resin beads and some Indian silver accent beads on it.  This one is for me!  It’s a little longer than I want so I am going to shorten it.

Next on to the knitting.

     

Picture number one is the finished natural throw and number two is the almost finished red throw – the colour in this picture is a little ‘red’ for my liking – its much more muted than this picture shows.  I just love this cabled and lace diamond pattern AND the throws are beautiful and warm.

Pictures 3 and four show the free wrap pattern (my new train knitting project), I also included a close up of the pattern.  It’s knitting up very fast and I love how it’s looking so far! 

 

And lastly I have a little bit of progress on Rosemarkie to show you.  Just a little….I’m still having trouble stitching – especially after medication….I hope that goes away soon!

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An industrious household…and free stuff!

There has been knitting and stitching aplenty in the house this week.

LHM has learned to cross stitch and has started on a Workbasket Hedgehog in…wait for it…blue!  He has also re-learned his knitting skills and is working on a lovely scarf!

Grandma has knitted a footy scarf for LHM in gold and royal blue and has had a purple and pink striped one requested by the Little Princess.  This will happen today!

I am almost half-way through throw rug number two, but it’s now too big to carry on the train so I started something new.  While dragging my weary body through Spotlight the other day I threw a few balls of Cleckheaton wool in my shopping basket, picked up a free pattern and started to knit pattern number 37 from a great magazine called Knitting Essentials . 

The magazine is free!  free!  free! and is available on the Spotlight website along with loads of free pattern goodness and we love that!

For my overseas viewers, Spotlight seems to be kind of like Michael’s or Joanne’s perhaps my overseas Aussie friends can confirm this.

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An afghan finished…and other news!

Firstly, I finished afghan number 1 yesterday – fringe and all!  I will post a picture later!  Having my parents here and with them being old an all, (their words – not mine) means that the afghan has already had some use over laps in front of the telly!  Excellent – that is what it is for!

Secondly, news from the doctors was both good and bad.  Good – I don’t have anything sinister, bad is I have to go for some more of those yucky tests….I wont go into it here – but if anyone wants to know – just ask – am happy to email about it.

Thirdly, we decided to get Banjo (Some may believe that – others wont!!!)  some company!

Introducing “Champion Zwei Farbe Carra” isn’t she just the sweetest.  She’s off to be desexed this week (her owners are flooded in would you beleive) and she will join our little family after that!  We are very excited and it will be great for Banjo to have some company.  She is just gorgeous and we can’t wait!

Not much stitching done, although the Little Princess and I did make a start on her first project   We will post something when there is al ittle more to show.

Now if you wish to participate in the PIF phenomenom, please leave me a comment and email me your address, (ausxser at gmail dot com), the first five people to do so, will receive a little something from me sometime in the future – probably when you least expect it.  All you need to do is offer the same deal in your blog for five others   It’s lovely to receive unexpected mail surprises – we all know that – so lets spread the joy together!  Thanks Carol for encouraging me and a host of others by all the wonderful things you make and share.  You’re amazing!

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Primping and preening for princess party!

The party was a great success (I think – you never can tell).

6 little princesses arrived at home yesterday to celebrate the 8th birthday of MOTH’s DD.

After a last minute visit to Spotlight for a couple of extra beady goodies for the party bags, fashioning a princess hairdo and popping the obligatory Kylie CD in the player, The little princess – or Miss 8 as she will now be known on this blog – settled in to make jewelery with her friends.

     

Each girl made a necklace and bracelet from the myriad of beads provided and much fun was had by all!

 

This is what Banjo thought of it all!  Although everyone fell in love with him – and one of the little princesses’ sister loved him so much – her parents called the breeders to get a Banjo of their own!

The actual birthday was Sunday and there was more merriment happening at No8 with the gathering of MOTH’s nearest and dearest for HIS birthday on Monday- was fun.  Thank goodness for the entertaining area complete with open fire as it is bitterly cold here in Melbourne at the moment!!

As I mentioned previously – I’ve not been able to stitch much – wonky eyes – but here is a picture of the knitting effort!  I’ve done quite a bit more since this was taken on Saturday!  It’s a lovely pattern – not too difficult and I don’t need to have the pattern in front of me - only 16 rows to it and 8 of those are the first 8 in reverse   As I’m not a knitter (really) it’s a pretty easy one for me to do!    Knitting this has also been keeping me warm too!  Did I mention that it’s been getting really cold down here in Melbourne?

Thanks for all your comments – I really appreciate them. 

 

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A knitting finish….

It’s so cold here in the mornings now I decided that MOTH needed something to keep his neck warm during early Sunday morning football games.

This is a scarf I knitted for him out of two colours of Patons Zhivago which is wonderfully soft (and contains tencel).  It’s quite a long scarf so he can wrap and be nice and cosy!  It’s blue in the middle and the ends are knitted in the creamy colour.

Sorry, MOTH wouldn’t model it for the picture

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