Saturday, November 27, 2010

I'm no nanna!

Glancing back over my blog of the past year, I sense that the nanna within me have really come to the forefront. As quite frankly there has been too much knitting. One project after the other, and with very nanna-ish themes too - I mean, tea cozies? And jumpers that are too big for the intended wearer? And handmade socks? Gosh, think I've aged 50 years!

So to reinforce that I'm not a nanna, to make myself feel a little better about it all here is a very oddly amusing clip that was on Rage yesterday. Although I didn't pay much attention to the breadth of the lyrics, the key lines have been running over and over in my mind and have been making me chuckle!



I've got love for you...

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Woollen lovelies in the post...


More wool, more knitting. And some crochet too! I'm really getting into the woolly crafts. These balls are destined for lots of things, like bags, leg warmers, woolly mittens and probably something for a new little niece/nephew that is busting to pop out any time soon.

Yet again trusty Bendigo Woollen Mills has delivered. The wool took around 7 days to arrive, but I did order it over a public holiday (Cup Day). But postage is free if you spend over $30, and I bought 8 balls so easily spent over this amount. I find it great value for money (around $12 for 200 g), the product is made locally and thus is ethically and environmentally preferred by me. The range of colours is enough for most of your standard projects too. I'm happy to tout their products any time...

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Jesse's jumper...



The largest knitting project I have ever attempted is now complete! A jumper perfectly too large to a little nephew of mine. Just in time (well a little early really) for his birthday. Each year as he gets older, I knit him a larger jumper. One day I will be making a jumper from grown ups at this rate... The wool is trusty Bendigo Woollen Mills. I love that you are delivered big balls of wool, in 200 g lots. Two balls was more than enough for this 3 year old's jumper, and I have a little left over for some granny squares. The colour is more blue than the photos represent, with flecks of tan, cream and coffee throughout. The pattern is from a book that I bought a number of years ago - patern's probably... I've found it to be a good basics book for baby things, and this jumper is the fourth pattern I've used from it.

This project tested my persistence. I was able to work at and complete a project that took a number of weeks rather than a few days. Usually I will give up, become bored with the knitting and move on to something quick and more instantly satisfying. So I am really stoked about this. The project also solidified skills in cables. Nothing too fancy, just a plait style pattern which is effective and adds detail to a very plain jumper.

On to the next knitting thing now... More Christmas gifties to come.

What have you been making lately?

Monday, November 8, 2010

Beachy weekends...




Over the weekend we went away with friends. And it was wonderful. Drove down the Mornington Peninsular, to a little place called Blairgowrie. We were staying one street back from the surf beach, in a giant house. Aren't friends generous to organise such a holiday? Weather was wonderful, which meant going to the local monthly market was a must. Afterwards I went for a stroll along the bay beach while the fella went swimming.

I love wondering along the beach. I enjoy getting sandy and having the cuff of my jeans become a little wet. I hunt for shells, for tumbled glass, for worn pieces of wood. I snap photos, wrinkle my nose up a seaweed and dream of doing this every day.

It was a great time to catch up with some friends we simply have not seen for years. I am excited about renewing old friendships... and feel very chilled after my mini-break for the weekend.

How have you relaxed lately?

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Crocheted posie...



Sweet little broches?
Or sewen along the top of a bag?
Or placed on a little hat for a wee girl?
Or in a bowl, ready to be admired or picked up and touched?
Or incorporated into granny squares (I have to learn how to make these)?
Or tags and decoration for gifts?