The Many Shades of Stash

I've wanted to do one of these for a long time....



Hurrah!! :D

Ta Da!!

Well the anticipation for the contest has certainly been building these last *ahem* ten days... and I not only have a prize, but a lovely somebody to present it to also!

Thank you all so so very much for all the suggestions - there is such an amazing buffet of information out there to keep a novice quilter researching, bookmarking and craving for more!

Since I've already kept you all waiting for so long I shan't delay any longer in declaring the prize and prizee!

I assigned each recommendation a number and cruised over to random.org for my first ever random number generator experience!



4? Number 4 = ERIVEN!!

I was so delighted that Eriven's number came up since I had in mind sending a little thank you parcel independent of the contest anyway since she provided such an incredibley expansive tome of suggestions!! So clearly the gods of random also thought you deserved to take the booty home!

And what is the booty I hear you ask?

The main component is a skein of this delicious, delectable and delightful Handmaiden Sea Silk!


It is an absolute dream to knit with - I hope you enjoy it Eriven!

In keeping with the Quilty Theme I have a couple of fat quarters to pad the parcel and I'm sure I'll find some other goodies too ;)

Thank you again to everyone who contributed, sorry for the delay, congratulations to you Eriven and a big thank-you hug!!

p.s The delay has been so long I actually have some quilty style projects to share already!

Quilt Inferno

Lately I've become increasingly fascinated with quilts and patchwork. The feeling has been simmering for a while, but I always tried to leave it at bay since I seem to have limited time for my currant craft passions (and limited stash space!) so I couldn't fathom adding ANOTHER such obsession to my life!

But then we went down to stay with Mum in her lovely new home, kitted out with so many of the gorgeous elements she always spoke of when we would talk about dream houses etc.. In the lovely guest room the bed was all made up with bedspread and such, and laid across the top of the covers was a beautiful square quilt. I think that was the spark that has lit my quilt inferno!!


1. Quilted Gelati Log Cabin, 2. The 'Forever' Quilt---Finally Finished. . ., 3. Detail of "Spot On" Circle Quilt

I've been having a little squiz around at various books and things, trying to find inspiration and, perhaps more importantly, education. I'd like to have a few great books of colourful, textural quality magnificence to inspire me and fuel the fire, but I feel it's very important to get at least one decent book that will cover all the basic How-Tos, hot tips and so on.

After having a bit of a trawl around the internets, I thought I would put it to you, gentle reader, with your cumulative score of wisdom to share your suggestions of wonderful quilting and patchwork books and sources.

I'll be making this a little more fun, and encouraging the wall flowers out there to get involved, by adding a priiiiize!

I would love to hear your suggestions, so please leave a comment with firstly, your recommendation for inspiration or educational quilting/patchwork books or sources, and secondly what you love about that particular volume! I'll draw the prize from all suggestions received - and I'll try to cater the prize to suit the crafts of the prizee!

Let the inspirations roll!!

p.s. Forgot to give a closing date for prize entry! Let's say, have your suggestions in by the end of Sept 18th if you'd like to be in the draw for something lovely! But if it's past that date and you'd like to comment - please do!

Very Happy Very Rainbow

I have a wonderous FO to share!



Many months ago, perhaps even into the years stakes, Bekk of Bowerbird Knits sent me a most frabjulous skein of handspun!



It felt such a special skein to me, and the colours so vibrant, changeable and the yarn so finely and beautifully spun (look at the wee barberpoling!) that I lingered for a long time in contemplation.



Oohhh! It could be THIS or it could be THAT! Hmm... will that do justice to such a wonderous skein...? How about THIS!

And so it went on for some time..



Eventually I decided that the Lace Ribbon scarf would be lovely as the zig-zag bars of stockinette would show off the fabric of yarn, and the laddered bars would show of singular strands.



But the mojo never took off, though it started well.
While lovely and full of potential, this project was not the TRUE love of this yarn, so I frogged it out and sat for a good while longer, contemplating

Finally I decided to throw caution to the wind as this is a HAPPY rainbow yarn and shouldn't be tied down and caught in restraint by serious contemplation - it needs to LIVE!

And with that gusto in mind and the magic flutterings of a joyful project conception - I cast on and the creation began! It hibernated on and off for a little, but once complete I wasted no time in the magic blocking ceremony!



(plushie bread for size comparison)



Macro shots of blocking lace/knitting are my FAVOURITE!





It turned out much larger than I had anticipated so is wonderful to wear, and is a lovely light drapey article like a technicolour gossamer web - all things wonderous and delightful!



I am so very very happy with my very happy very rainbow knitkerchief!!


(Here making also making friends with my new winkle-pickin cowbies!)

Ishbel!

At last... Ishbel!

I have yearned for so very long to cast on for Ishbel, using the fabulous skein of Solis malabrigo sock yarn I've had marinating in my stash since being so kindly gifted to me byJolene.

I've always thought the yarn would knit up so beautifully into an Ishbel, with the lace resembling kelp fronds in shades of aqua and teal - delicious!



So now at least Ishbel is on my needles and I am LUFFING it! :D

Social Knitworking, - awesome!!

OH my goodness!!

I just love stumbling across these fantastic knitterly inventions, experiments and new gadgets!

Check out the Social Knitworking new to the scene and in development!

Forecast for spinning

I've had spinning on the brain lately, so this R&R the forecast was for spinning!



This fibre has been marinating in my stash for some time - it's the lovely Forecast from my time in the Spunky Eclectic Fibre of the Month club, and the subtle shades are just gorgeous!



Truth be told I started spinning it up last R&R but was glad to go back to it again this break to finish it up...



I still have a little to go though as I got sidetracked with other spinning projects (more on them later) and now I'm glad I was delayed actually, as the Spin Control I ordered has arrived - WOot WOot! SO now I can look through the book and figure out how I want to ply this up. I had been pondering attempting a Navajo Ply perhaps...

Settle

Where to start after such a long time of blog absence?
Well, with the biggest, juiciest, most exciting news of course!!

We..


are...


LAND OWNERS!!!



6 months ago we first saw this block and began our journey of research, deliberation, excitement and the roller coaster ride of finally reaching settlement! In March we flew over to view the property (blog post 'Trippin to Tassie') and found that every need, wish and possible imagined element was ticked off our checklist by the the joys this block has to offer!

It's a big commitment, and we've taken a mortgage which is something we never wanted to do, but after doing an extensive, far-reaching, no-money-limit search of the rural market in Australia we couldn't find anything else like this - so that sealed it.

The biggest issue to face us is moving states, moving all our gear across to the other side of the continent, and the biggest upheaval - moving away from family and friends. I'm a very family oriented person so it was a big decision but I've come to terms with it and made the conscious decision to take on board all that it involves - so now I'm happily looking forward to our times on our block!

We still have to build, so it will be at least a year before we can be working ex-Tassie, but we have finally taken that first step towards the life we aspire to, and it feels like coming home! Whoooot!! :D

Spin Control Pending!

How very exciting!

I've just placed my order for Amy King's much talked about Spin Control.

I've been wanting to invest some time into developing my spinning skills and technique and this may be just the book to get me on my way! :)

The Mystery of the Disappearing Knitter

Well it's not really a mystery, sorry to disappoint there - false advertising in the Post Title...



The main causes of the disappearance have been;

* 8 days in another state of the country.
* Working 11.5 hour days in the office - FLAT OUT for the entire time.
* No internet in camp (stupid Telstra) and no time (see point 2.) at work to blog.

The lack of new pictures in posts is due to;

* Work has brought in a new filtering system to stop people visiting dangerous non-work related sites such as.. *gasp* FLICKR *lady faints*
* Point 3. above

But I will do my best to update as soon as possible and in the best form possible on the following things;

* Fabulous trip over East to Canberra and the SNOW
* Finished knits and on-the-go spinning projects
* Update of 52 in 52 progress
* A most exciting and significant development..!!

For now, I leave with two links you've probably already discovered, but just in case you haven't checked them out yet or missed the reveal;

* Twist Collective is out! With MANY fabulous wonderous patterns, including a wonderful cardigan of interesting construction by the lovely Ysolda!
* And for more Ysolda, Whimsical Little Knits 2 is on the way! I'm over the moon as I'm very smitten with WLK1 :D

No Time to Blog!

We're in the SNOW and there's too much of this...



..going on!!

Toasty Moasty

I finally took some half decent shots of my Toasts!
It's remarkably difficult to take photos of one's own hands and forearms, however, even with a timer release...



I love LOVE these and wear them almost every day.
Perfect to keep my arms warm as if I'm wearing a jumper when really I'm not.
They're becoming more and more pilled from constant use and adoration, but are no less snuggly, warm or soft because of that - and with a quick de-pilling they'll be as good as new ;)

Crofters Crown

The beginnings of my Crofters Cowl in luscious malabrigo worsted-ness glory



I LUFF that it begins as a wee crown :)

Cowlibrigo

My goodness what a neglectful blogger I have been...
My only excuse is that it's so very hard to get decent internet access up here - in the morning we're scrambling to get ready for work, at work it's flat out and at knock off time when everyone descends upon the camp en masse the internet gets so choked up it's unusable!

So since I now have an opportunity to at last give an update - I'll waste no more time in excuses and simply get on to the GOOD sutff- the KNITTING stuff ;)

No posts certainly hasn't meant no action - I've been tarrying away on a few knits including the fabulous malabrigo cowls ready for snowboarding in... 2 weeks! :D

I wound up the luscious buttery softness of the malabrigo - the Pearl Ten really is a unique mixture of brown, grey and even the slightest tinge of purple - like the opalescent glimmer of purple in a duck or raven's feathers.



This next shot is an appalling representation of colour - ignore the shade completely! I took this photo at sunset and the no-flash camera and sunset combined give a truly inaccurate shade!



It does give an idea of how the cowl has come together though. Fully completed and very well received, the checkers work really well and show quite distinctly. The checkers were in repeats of 12 stitches, and I think I cast on 96 . To get the most snuggly height of cowl combined with that width I used almost an ENTIRE SKEIN! Mental, I know o.O

On to my own lovely Mmmmalabrigo cowl now and I'm loving it so far - just look at that ORANGE!


I'm still a huge fan of the these cowl colours together:



Maybe I'll have enough left over to combine to two in a matching hat or beret...?

Knit the City

Three great 'Huzzah's of congratulations and exultations to the Knit the City crew for this fabulous "yarnstorming"

(Follow this link!)

Most magnificent :D

Would You Like To Try?

An avid listener of Stash & Burn, I was cruising through the podcast's Ravelry boards a little while ago and ended up looking at the 'Would You Like to Try' posts. My GOODNESS what a fantastic idea!!

The lovely Kathy (Curlyknits) agreed to post the samples I was interested in, despite my being overseas, and without delay they arrived!



The Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn was swiftly utlised for a Dream Swatch Headband which I have since finished but have yet to take a good FO photo of.

I very much enjoyed using the yarn with it's tight twist, lovely hand and amazing colours. No wonder it's so addictive to people who see it in person!

Similarly addictive and perhaps even more etched onto my desires for stash enhancement, is Manos del Uruguay...

Oh so heavenly delicious.. I managed to knit up a rectangular swatch that might just do as another stubby holder beer cosy - I would so very much like if it does as I'd then be able to have the gorgeous tones of this Manos around me every evening as I unwind from work!

I can feel a few purchases creeping up on me after this wonderful tasting experience...

If you've always wanted to try a particular yarn I highly recommend the Would You Like To Try board - I'll definitely be ferreting through my stash for oddbods to put up there on offer too!

Skoot and I have booked an extremely exciting trip... we're going to the snow!
We'll be heading over East to the snow ad are both SO excited! Those of you from snowy northern hemispehere climes might not fathom it, but Skoot has never been in snow. My snow experience comes from a winter spent in Switzerland, but I was 12 so my skiing and such was limited and, well.. rather clusy to be honest, but I don't think that changes with age!! So we can hardly contain ourselves - imagining all the adventures we'll have, the snowboarding, the snowman building, the crunching around through drifts of snow...

So in anticipation of the snowy weather I decided to knit up a cowl each for Shweetie and I. Quick smart I ordered some delicious Malabrgo from wonderful Yarn and Kisses and VOILA! Magic delivery of two fabulously soft and sumptuous skins in no time!!


Complete with a little note and goodie! Feel very spoilt :)

So we chose Pearl Ten for the Shweetie - a nice grey/brown kind of colour


and I could NOT go past the vibrant amazing Glazed Carrot - YUM!


I love LOVE this colour, I'm on such an orange binge at the moment!

In contrast to the weather they're intended for - the colours tone in very wil with this Pibara sunset I captured the other day, don't you think?

Thermis Wenchis!

I finished this cowl a little while ago back in May but had some reservations about it - basically it didn't turn out quite as I had hoped. It's still workable and lovely and I'm still posting it off to my lovely friend for whom it's intended - but it's that sort of uneasy mild disappointment you feel when you imagine how something will be and it doesn't turn out that way. There might not be anything wrong with what DOES result, but since it's different than you imagined, it's hard to accept it entirely.



Knit with yarn I bought a long while ago when I was a very new knitter - handspun from the Yarn Wench - I accidentally cast on with a twist when I had intended it to be Thermis (non ralvelry link), I stuck with the moebius style as it would add a different design interest. Unfortunately it turned out a little too large to work as a cowl exactly, more like a neckwarmer.

Luckily the good friend I'm sending it to is a dab hand at the sewing machine, so she might add some buttons or change it up somehow to better suit what she would like for it to be.



I'm posting this off with TumTum the hippo - I always seem to spoil the little ones more than their mums and dads - well, now there's finally something more than a dishcloth knit for Zo!

p.s. sorry for the terrible photos! So hard to get photos in good light at the moment with long hours and early sunsets!

It's Showering Baby Knits!

Well! Do I have a parade of baby knits for YOU! I certainly do, let me warn you..

This R&R past I as able to catch up with a gorgeous close friend of mine and her edible little man Tom (aka Tomatoe).

I had knit the presto Chango cardigan for him a while back, but hadn't until that day been able to find buttons for it - so it is now all trim and button-able and even has a wonderful little person inside!

I'm very happy with the buttons despite feeling very uninspired at the giant craft store - pacing up and down the button section desperately picking up buttons and holding them against the lace panel, putting them back, plucking another sheet of buttons, putting them back..

These are little plastic buttons - not the wonderful wood or (humanely made) antler I had envisioned, but I think they're fantastic :) They shimmer ever-so-slightly, like mother of pearl and have turned out to be just the right colour to match the Malabrigo Cotton.

What a sweet heart!

The little booties, well ok not-so-little booties (!!) I knit up a short while ago - Blue Steps - with some left over Bernat cotton (which I found lovely to work with) were also gifted to Lizza and her little man. They're MUCH too big for him now and we giggled over the size, but they'll fit him perhaps between 1-2 years and be nice little slippers - good to prepare for the future, eh? ;P


Finally, the showering of knitted goods finished with two wee beanies - one I knit up on the fly, an Elfin Sprout beanie which reminds me of growing beanstalks

And the square tea-cosy crown style baby hat I knit up from some random pure wool yarn I had about - this one spent much more time hibernating than on the needles!!


So all in all I'm very happy with all those little knits and how they have turned out. Sir Tomatoe and his mama were equally delighted which made we even more thrilled! Mama Lizza has since told me that Tomatoe has worn his cardi and beanies almost continuously since they were bestowed - Hurrah!! Music to a knitter's ears!!

Stranded Bolt Cosy!

Whooops! I knit this little number up months ago and forgot to post about it!

So without further delay - I present to you Stranded Bolt Cosy!

Skoot and I both have gun licences and rifles (a controversial issue guns, isn't it?!) which we adore, and part and parcel of owning firearms are the rigourous safety and security controls.

A gun safe, a lock box, a separate ammunition case and so on and so on.. It's not compulsory, but we store the bolts separately to the rifles themselves. If you're not familiar with how a rifle works - without the bolt the worst you can do with a rifle is whack someone over the head with it. Removing the bolt turns a fire stick into just.. a stick.

But it's important to keep the bolts nice and cosy, safe and unscratched - enter the bolt cosy!

I knit this one up as a strip of stranded knitting in Shweetie's favourite colours (this one is for his .22) with a funny elbow in it to create the flap. Then with trusty Edward Sir Sewing Machine I attached some polar fleece lining and sewed it up!

I must admit my sewing leaves a little to be desired.. but it was quite diffiuclt sewing such a thick wad of fabric with the regular foot (I must get more familiar with my sewing machine so I can swap between feet and use all the fabulous features).

The bolt cosy is a huge success and I definitely see some more in mu future :)