it's a wrap

I started this project weeks, maybe months, ago. I struck some design challenges though that I couldn't figure out my way around. So I left it sitting on my desk which got piled with dumped mess and stayed that way for quite some time. However, today I woke feeling creative and crafty so my desk got cleared and I spent the morning happily working away.

I made this yarn work tools wrap from two lots of fabric I love together. Not the best for this project as it was some kind of stretchy stuff. I ended up with a lot of bumps and gatherings that I didn't plan but I don't care. ^^ To make it sturdier I put a firm liner between the fabric and to make it that much prettier I put brown ribbon around the edges to neaten it all up.

It has ten knitting needle slots and six crochet hook slots. Gotta have my crochet hooks in there too. The flap is to stop the knitting needles from sliding out when it's rolled up and being carted around. And I decided to put a little pocket in the left over space in case I get adventurous and try a pattern that requires stitch markers or such. Lastly, this evening after work and some errands, I made the tie to hold the roll together. I am quite satisfied with the end product and happy with a productive day. I love beautiful things that are practical--especially with the glee of knowing your own hands have made them.

clocked up

I borrowed my sister's exercise bike last week. I like this kind coz my hands are free to do stuff. So I've been multitasking...watching movies, knitting and exercising all at once. In the past four days I've clocked up 50kms and about four movies. I also began knitting my first shrug as you can see.

I also got the other Jeanan glove done too and they make a handsome pair. I'm really quite happy with the way they turned out.

We also got some long awaited sunshine. Beautiful day yesterday. In between jobs (playing outside with kids) I sat in my backyard, ate lunch, looked through some catalogues and knitted. I also clocked up my first sunburn for the season. I had started out in the shade...

The sun was thoroughly enjoyed by all. I looked up toward the house while relaxing and spotted my brother's dog sunbathing. Ha ha.

Oh, and I also got this scarf finished and listed in my online stores. (See store windows to the right.)It's knitted in accidental ribbing with crocheted paisley ends. Made out of Moda Vera Audrey so it's nice and thick and soft.

the jeanan special

I realised (a little too late) that it was my friend Danielle's birthday and I would see her in two days time. Drat! I'd like to get her something, or better yet, make her something. So on a visit to my sister's I gathered some specific scraps of wool. Danielle (Jeanan is her Chinese name) absolutely loves my arm warmers (aka. long fingerless gloves) in this wool so I thought maybe I had enough time to make her some short ones. One a day... Ha!! The problem with inventing a pattern as you go is that it always takes much longer than I expect as there a multiple faults to adapt too....like making it too small so how can I make it bigger without undoing it all and starting again. Well, success came, with one glove, in the two days. So when I saw her I gave her the wrapped present and told her she would have to give it back temporarily. She'd see why when she opened it. "I have to make the other one yet and I need this one to make sure they match." But of course she hesitated giving it back coz she loved it. That's a good sign though. Now to make the second. It's underway but I must get it done by Sunday when I see her again.

sporadic click clack

The click clack of my knitting needles has been just a bit less common lately. I've simply had other things to involve my time with lately. The spring holidays have just passed and I didn't have as much work as normal. But instead I planned some fun things to do including having a friend come visit for a few days whom I haven't seen in months, visiting my older bro and his family for a couple of days and also taking a couple of my friends on a day trip to the Otways to the Fly Tree Top walk which was a great adventure. It was a bit expensive to go on I think but still worth a visit. Lovely scenery. The cantilever was fun (a suspended arm you can walk out on if you're game) and a bit of a thrill to look back and see the main pole it swung on moving to and fro. And of course the whole expedition is much more fun in the company of friends.
As for the bit of creating I have been doing... I started a new scarf I'm going to place in my store. Of course, it's actually taking longer to complete than I expected. I've also done some more of my sock. I was told not to deviate from the pattern the first time I tried knitting a sock but... I do like to adapt and alter. In this case I couldn't understand the heel part of the pattern. Neither could my sister who's done more sock knitting than me. And when another friend (who knits way faster than me and already has this same sock completed) said the pattern is actually written wrong I opted to simply do short rows as my sister explained. First try has left fairly noticeable gaps but I don't mind. They're just for me anyway. So I'm onto the foot part now for rows and rows. Perhaps one day I'll get it finished. And then there's its pair to make....

adelaide beanikin

Gift received! So here's what I made for my friend's little girl, Adelaide, who arrived last week. I bought the pretty merino wool from the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show. I had a picutre in my head of what I'd like to do and set about transforming it from idea to reality. As my crocheting goes, I did stitch and frog a bit. I used my niece who is a little over 1 year old as my guide. I didn't think I'd quite have enough yarn to make it as long as it would need to be so I managed to find the plain orange/apricot colour and work it in. Good thing I did too coz I didn't end up with much merino left over at all. I started with this extra little notch which I later curled over and worked my way down with continual double crochet. It adds a cute little feature to the beanikin.

And then, once the length was good, I added earflaps coz they're cute and extra warm. I blanket stitched it all around the edge and attached long plaits so it can be tied under the chin. I made it on the larger size as it's nearing summer here so little Addie won't need to wear it until she's a bit bigger anyway.

time lapse

I know. It's been too long since I blogged. I have been working on some projects. Some are just progression (and moving slowly) and others are gifts not yet recieved so I can't show you yet.

I've also been working, putting together a soldier's box (parcel for an Aussie soldier working somewhere overseas), pulling the damn weeds from the garden, relaxing with some xbox36o games and enjoying the sunshine that's been more present lately. I also started making a wrap for my knitting needles and crochet hooks while they are not in use but I'm not quite sure how to put it together yet. So it's still just lying on my desk waiting for me to find a solution.

I'm also in the process of setting up an Etsy store to broaden my potential buyer audience. Ü Any tips for me??

crocheted mittens

This little kitten has finished her mittens and should always be able to find them. Yay! They're done. Two lovely mittens in bright, warm colours. The second one was actually a bit quicker to make than the first because there wasn't as much try and frog and try again. I'm so happy with my cute, cozy mittens. Oddly matching and warm. (One of the many started projects now finished!)

I also got inspired to clean my desk today. It's been needing it for weeks...months! I bought a cutting mat today. A big A2 size one. So I had to clean my desk to put it to use. Mmmm, it's all inspiring again now. A clean, organised desk just invites one to create!

And my cute little display of tools. Some essentials--scissors, pencils--plus some other interesting things like pen and ink, awl, holepunch and that wonderful funky container has coloured pencils inside. And I made one of my little kelgellcreation tags to hang there too. ^^