Hats off to ya baby!

I'm really excited to say that hopefully very soon I will become a seller on a well known WAHM site!!


I've expressed my interest to the owners, who have in turn, said they are interested so I've been working hard on getting some stock built up.

I will most probably sell knitted baby wear - hats, MCN soakers, shorties and longies, coats etc.


Here are some of the hats modelled by my adorable son and his best friend "Teddy".

~*~Thom is wearing "Teddy Ears" (size 2years+); Teddy is wearing "Stripey Stocking Hat" (size 1-2 year old) ~*~

~*~Thom is wearing "Tassled Toque" (size 12 months); Teddy is wearing "Stripey Stocking Hat"~*~

~*~Newborn "Beanie Blooms"~*~

~*~Thom is wearing "Paper Bag Hat" (size 2 years+) ~*~

~*~Thom is wearing "Very Vertical Stripes" (size 1-2 years); Teddy is wearing "Beanie Blooms" (newborn)~*~

Just so I remember

For Lily's jumper -

Chest - 20 inches
Arm - 9.6 inches
Length - 12.8 inches

Size for Winter 08 - 2/3 years old

"Silly Stripes" - Toddler hat

Here it is :) The photo in my last post wasn't much chop but I'm so happy with the end result!

I will add more details of the pattern later but basically you knit 1 inch on circs as if to start a very simple hat. Then you pick up 8 stitches at a time and knit vertically to add the panels. You need to join the panels as you go which, to begin with, is pretty tricky, but not hard to pick up and remember.

It was a surprisingly fast knit too. It took me 3 days of knitting on and off when my son was asleep or otherwise occupied.

Whodunnit?

Oooh I wonder what this is and who it's for? Stay tuned!!

A professional painter I am NOT!

But Thom seems to like his new bed :-)

Berrocco Panache Poncho

In Christmas/New Year of 2006/2007 the three of us took a trip to Tassie to visit my parents-in-law. While we were there we visited an Alapaca farm and I was lucky enough to pick up some beautiful wool. I was only really starting out with serious knitting so I stashed it away to make something special with. I didn't want to just play with it because it was too nice, and too expensive!

I've always had the idea in the back of my mind to knit myself some sort of wrap/poncho out of it but I really didn't want anything plain. The wool is so lovely and I wanted to put some real effort into making something memorable and expand my skills at the same time.

I came across this pattern here and decided to add some other colours into the mix as well. The pattern stitch is actually a lot lot easier than it looks. I'm so happy with it so far and can't wait to wear it during our trip to Tassie this year :-)

The Alpaca wool is the ball in the bottom left hand corner of the first photo.

Longies for Nat

Here are some progress shots of a pair of longies I am making for Nat's little boy. So far I'm really happy with them and the wool is lovely to knit with.

I'm nearly ready to divide for the legs and they should be ready soonish :-)

**The darker colour is a jade green even though it has come out as a navy blue colour in the photo! The waist band is a mint green.

Thomas' big boy bed!

Last year I bought a simple, single, pine bed from Ebay. I've painted it up and it's going to be Thom's bed when we move him out of a cot. I'm hoping that will happen by this weekend!

The bed was "white washed" hideously and I gave it a gentle sand and got a-painting. Thom and I went to Bunnings and chose the colours together :) The photo is of the bed head. Since taking the photo, I've painted the white section green. I did intend to paint it yellow but had a masking tape mishap and the easiest way to fix it was to carry the colour through to the back panel.

While we were in Berrima, I managed to pick up some inexpensive wooden letters. One set of them spells "TOYS" and I'll somehow attach them to the toybox that I intend on painting. The others spell "SLEEP" and I'm going to mount them on little square canvases (that I will first paint with craft paint) and hang them just above his bed head.

Debbie Bliss Double Breasted Coat for Miss Jenna

A couple of nights ago I finished Jenna's coat and I am SO pleased with the results. It was a very easy pattern to follow and although the stitch pattern is a little fiddly, it's easy to get used to (it becomes automatic very quickly) and the results are very worth it. I hope Jenna enjoys it!! I'll start her brother's one soon!

I've sewn up Thom's as well and just need to knit the collar.

Here are the photos of Jenna's. Photos of Thom's to follow.

Stitcheries - what am I thinking?!

Not that I don't already have a million and one craft projects on the go! We recently went on a family holiday to Berrima, on Sydney's sothern highlands, and I came across a fabulous craft shop.

Here are my purchases, and some family holiday snaps :)

New Fabric

We were lucky enough to get a lovely new lounge late last year and I've been keeping my eyes open for some nice fabric to make some cushions. The price of cushions is ridiculous (and they're not that nice!) so I had an attack of the "I can make that"s.

I've been very picky looking for material because I want it to be "just right" and I finally found some I love! I've been braver than usual and have bought some fabric that will add a shot of colour to our lounge. Our lounge is a nice safe tan colour (feels like suede) and we have a little green in a print we have on the wall, so green was my inspiration.

Christmas t-shirts for Thom

They WERE going to be a present, but Thom caught me sewing them!! He likes them, though, which is all that matters!!

Here they are (I didn't make the t-shirt, I just machine embroidered around the cut out shapes).

I'm most happy with the teddy one. There was one disaster though and one t-shirt sadly ended up in the bin :-(

**disclaimer - they need an iron!**

Rory the Lion

My little guy is going to find a new friend for him under the Christmas tree this year! I'm making him a lion from a Simplicity pattern 4222. The best thing is I've been able to find some left over fleece in my material stash so he's very inexpensive to make.

I'll get some photos up soon, but here are some photos from the pattern slip.

Christmas craft interrupting knitting!

I've really been looking forward to Christmas this year since it will be the first that Thom will really understand what's going on. Thom will be 2 in February and is really noticing all of the decorations etc that are around. He enjoys looking at the decorations on our tree and finds the santa and bear decoration straight away.

To make this Christmas special for Thom, I've been spending some time doing some craft to make our home look festive!

Here are some photos -

Mr and Mrs Claus panel that I'm making into a wall hanging.


The bells that I've added to the panel :)


Close up of the fabric of a tree skirt that I'm making. I'll put a photo of the finished product up once I've sewn on the braid.



I've also been busy working on a cross stitch for my mother in law, and of course knitting the jackets for Thom and Shan and Rose's little people!

We apologise for your break in transmission...

If you've followed a link from a user's profile on EB and you've found yourself here, be assured that user is not me. I suspect I know which sad individual it is.

On EB I am GlindaTheGoodWitch and have taken the link out of my profile.

Now back to our regular program!

From me to you :)

Thom's jacket is coming along nicely. I've done both sleeves, the back panel and I'm up to the raglan shaping on the front left panel. Then all I need to do is the front right, the collar and sew it up! I'm absolutely chuffed with it.

It seems that two of my online friends were chuffed with it too...so much so that I'm knitting coats for their kiddies! And the best part is that I get to knit for one little boy and two little girls. That means I get to knit pink! woohoo! It'll be a fun change from all of the blues that I usually knit with. Little J and Little L will get a lovely double breasted coat each in this wool:

"Cayene"

And little Mr D is getting a double breasted coat in this wool:

"Denim"

And last but not least, Miss L is getting this hoodie in these colours:

"Magnolia" & "Woodrose"

Progress shots of Debbie Bliss Double Breasted Coat

Progress of the back panel.

Close up of weave pattern.

Completed back panel.

Sleeves, back and front left panels

Double breasted knit coat

Here is my next project. The pattern is from "Easy Baby Knits - clothes & accessories for 0-3 year olds" by Claire Montgomerie.

I'm using "Cedar Fleck" 12ply from Bendigo Woollen Mills and it's really lovely to knit with. I'm also using size 8 needles.

So far I'm up to the raglan shaping on the back and once I've bound off, I'll take a photo.

I'm almost tempted to alter the pattern and and knit myself one - it's so snuggly and warm looking!

A spring vest for my little guy

I used Sweater Wizard to generate a pattern to knit Thom this little vest. From past experience I knew that I would have to alter the pattern, however, because Thom is quite tall and standard patterns for his age always knit up too small for him.

I not only knit it according to his torso length but also pesonalised it to his own measurements around his arms as well. I was pretty pleased that I was able to alter the pattern without too much stress on my part!

I'm really happy with how it turned out and it should be perfect for this in between weather we've been having :-)

Long time no blog

My GOSH it's nearly been a month since my last blog entry!


I haven't really done anything major knitting wise. I have been plodding along with some little projects that I seem to get bored with easily (hence the number of projects!).

At the moment (and I'll get photos up later) I'm working on:

• A scarf for my mum (an overdue birthday present)
• Two Christmas decorations (a snowman and Mrs Claus)
• A crocheted string bag
• A coat for myself (for next Winter).

That's all ;)

Back later with photos.

Two jumpers for Thom

Here are the two jumpers that I've finished for Thom. The variegated one is bigger and Thom will get wear out of it next winter I hope. The first one, is almost too small for him NOW! I'm sure he's had a growth spurt!

It looks like it's destined to become a teddy jumper very soon. I don't mind too much. It was fantastic practice on a jumper that I've been meaning to knit for a long time.

I put 3 buttons either side of the neckline so that the neck size could be adjustable. It's a little too wide on Thom at the moment so it needed to be brought in some but I didn't want to sew it

Vancouver in Thom's Vestee

This is "Vancouver". He's from Canada, funnily enough! He's from Victoria, BC, but I don't think the name "Victoria" is very becoming to a boy bear. Yes, a boy. Can't you tell? :-P

Anyway, here he is modelling Thom's Vestee. I sewed the side seams together (that was agonising and I had to improvise) and it still needs blocking, but I wanted to see how the shawl collar sat and Vancouver was the closest teddy at hand ;-)

My tote arrived!!

After a disappointing experience with my first ITEIV pal, I was blessed by a knitting angel who made me another tote.

Here it is :)

Vestee nearly done!

Here are the latest progress shots of the vestee I'm knitting for my little guy. I only need to knit the shawl collar which I'll be able to do in an evening no worries.

It hasn't been drama free and I've had to make some improvisations here and there but I'm SO happy with how it's coming together!

Photos of our new house

We are homeowners :-D

Thom, his nanny (my mum) and I went to the house this afternoon with a few boxes. I was able to snap some photos before the truckloads and boxes and furniture get delivered!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Out the front door, looking left.

Front door and entrance.

Looking right from the front entrance towards the carport.

Looking out the front door.

Side of house (dark and spooky!)

Backyard (dining room windows on the left).


Looking left our of the laundry door.


Backyard. White gate through to carport (dining room windows on the left).


Carport.


Esuite (shower).

Ensuite (vanity and door through to toilet).


Hallway (front door behind me and Thom is heading into the bathroom/ensuite).


Kitchen.


Looking right out of the laundry door.


Thom checking out his "friend" in our wardrobe door.

Thom IN our walk in wardrobe.


Main bedroom (with my back to the ensuite).


Main bedroom from doorway.


Ensuite (bath side).



Loungeroom.

Loungeroom.


Loungeroom.


Loungeroom.


Main bedroom.


Thomas checking out the lightswitch in the 3rd bedroom.

Third bedroom.


Thom's bedroom.


Thom inspecting ANOTHER lightswitch.


And ANOTHER! (in main bedroom)


Hallway.

Dining Room.


Looking into the laundry from the dining room.


Kitchen.

The tote is ready to make a looooooong journey to Judy

I finally finished putting together my package for the ITE IV and it's ready to make a looooong flight to Judy's home in the US.

The vestee is va-va-vrooooooooming along

I don't know what's happened to me. Perhaps I'm just becoming a faster, more efficient knitter? I've now finished the front and back of the vestee and I'm half way through the first sleeve. Woohoo! Thom will actually get to wear his jumpie THIS winter. LOL!

Vestee progress shots

I've finished the back of Thom's jumper. Here are the progress shots so far.

Big Knits for Big Girls

Here is my new book. I love it!



I've changed my mind about what to knit for myself next. I want to knit this Natalie Coat.



Excuse the dodgy photos - I don't have a scanner.

An update on Thom's Vestee

I've started knitting Thom's Vestee and it's a good test of my patience and "stay-withedness"!!

The main pattern stitch is "garter rib" which is k2, p1 and I looooooooooooooathe too much ribbing. I'm going to stick with it though because it is a nice pattern (I'll post progress shots once I've done more) and I've been wanting to knit this jumper for so long. I'm also sick of starting things and not finishing them! lol.

Also, I'm not liking the way the wool is knitting. It's very different to the wool I usually get from Bendigo. I usually get 100% hand wash only wool but I'm using 100% machine wash wool. Since it's going to be a jumper for Thom I thought it was a no-brainer to use machine washable wool but it's just not as nice :-( The ply keeps splitting and the stitches are just not sitting nice and straight and neat. I am a little persnickety at the best of times though ha! It'll be nice though and I know I'll be super proud when I finish it (which will be by 2009 at the rate I'm going!) :-D

Some update photos

The Bendigo wool for my jumper and Thom's.

The lining sewn into my tote.

Mum's cat, Lucy, who sat with my while I sewed in the lining.

The garter stitch jumper I'm knitting Thom.

Hello Megan!

Yesterday, Thom, hubby and I had the pleasure of meeting one of my EB (Essential Baby) friends, Megan. It was so nice to meet her and her two children after chatting for so long! We had a lovely day at the zoo, chatting and walking. I'll pop some photos up soon.

Wooly mail and woolly lit

My woolly parcel from Bendigo arrived yesterday. I'm pretty happy with it. The colour of the wool for my top is just what I was after - it's a lovely cherry red. The wool for Thom's is nice, it's called "Chilli", and it's a bit more rusty than I thought it was going to be. Sort of like a burnt orange. It'll be nice though.

I also receveived a knitting book yesterday from The Book Depository which I'm really chuffed with. It's got patterns for 0-3 year olds and, Mon, funnily enough IS the same as the one you have!

There are some gorgeous newborn things in there and since hubby and I will be having another baby at some stage I'm hoping to knit some in anticipation. I need to lose some weight beforehand (to try to avoid gestational diabetes again) so a little pair of booties might be some nice motivation.

Homemade stitch markers

My next large project....

Once I get my pal's tote mailed off I'm going to embark on my next big project - and the wool is already on it's way!

Ever since Mon and I first started talking about knitting, we both drooled over this pattern for our little people. As soon as I saw it was ribbing I decided against it but since, now, I've tackled a few things knitting wise, I'm confident enough to try it. I did start that vest for Thomas but it was just a disaster. The sizing was all wrong despite following a pattern from Sweater Wizard. Thom is pretty tall and the vest ended up being too short, despite adding length to it. But I did come away from that project understanding the basics of knitting a vest so I'll be able to tackle another one when the mood takes me.

Anyway!

I have some Classic Wool from Bendigo Woollen Mills in "Chilli" on it's way for Thom's Vestee Jumper and I have some Classic Wool in Tuscan on it's way for this pullover for me.

I'm really looking forward to getting started on them soon!

A simple baby hat for Thom

Here is the hat for Thom - modelled by me :-P

It's made from Rustic Wool in Damson from Bendigo Woollen Mills .

I am such a chuffed craftymummy this morning!

In under 24 hours I have achieved 2 great knitting feats for myself!

1. I completed a hat for Thom in the correct gauge and it fits! (yet to add a pompom and knitted stars)

2. I taught myself how to do magic loop!

And to think I thought knitting a hat was a major project! hehe

Fancy felted tote Mark II

Here are some progress shots of my little tote (1/4 the size of the big one) that I felted today. I love it!

It's made from Rustic Wool in Damson from Bendigo Woollen Mills

Look, I know this is a knitting blog...

but, my GOSH, how much of a spunk is my little man!?

This is definitely my bag baby!

I've enjoyed knitting my pal's tote so much that I've begun one of my own with a ball of wool I have left over. It's a lovely purple colour (with flecks of blue and red if you look closely) and is going to be a quarter of the size of my pal's tote.

I went to Spotlight today (20% off sale - woohoo!) and bought some lovely quilters material to line my pal's tote with and some to line mine with.

Here are some piccies.

Lining for my pal's tote:




Lining for my bag and a progress shot: