Saturday 15 December 2007

Dying to have some fun






My first attempt at dying wool and what I made from it!

I took some natural cream wool and tried 3 different dye techniques i thought up-lol. 1st I just tied into a hank and dyed in the microwave in the solution, 2nd I laid out on cling wrap and used a syringe to squirt dye over the piece allowing colours to bleed together and being darker in some and the 3rd I made very definite and deliberate gaps to leave some wool the natural colour and some light and dark. I used food dye and vinegar.

I then knit them into this soaker which still needs some finishing-cuffs and some embroidery on the tushy!

Logans hoodie is finished



Hi all, I had a few minutes to myself this morning and finally finished seaming Logans hoodie. It is Debbie Bliss hooded sweater from special knits in size 9-12 months. It is made from Cashmerino aran in Teal and it is SO nice and soft to snuggle him in.

Friday 30 November 2007

Logans new shortalls are finished




I LOVE these new shortalls, the pattern is Florence by Debbie Bliss and I made a few modifications to accommodate Logans cloth nappy. I added 6 short rows and 1.5 cm to front and back to give a higher rise. I also added a little to the bib height so they fit longer as Logan is almost 8 months and the pattern was for 6-9 months. I think they look fantastic and they match Logans striped cadigan, socks and beanie as well. They are made in Baby cashmerino

Some finished projects to show you.



Some finished items to show you all 1st we have the cream sheepypants longies for Logan- These are my 3rd pair and I love how easy the pattern is.

This is size Medium and is made from 85%merino and 15%angora so I am interested in how this works for waterproofing? They feel gorgeous and soft. I am thinking of dying them another colour though for crawling boy that Logan will be soon. I have an enclosed elastic waist and a rolled edge hemline

Thursday 22 November 2007

I got creative today


I on a spur of the moment whim decided to attempt to make a home made cloth fitted reusable nappy. I made my first attempt with 2 very worn out old cloth terry flats and voila here it is being modelled by Logan

Lost in Ravelry-Sorry





HI all,

Sorry I got lost in ravelry for a while there!!!

I have been knitting though and received some gorgeous yummy yarn from England as well.

My latest project is called Florence from Debbie Bliss cashmerino collection. I love these and I am making it in the same colour as Logan's striped cardigan, hat and socks so they will make a nice outfit together.

I have also been making sheepypants 70% complete and a cardigan for Bella for summer finished apart from seaming and picking up the neck and button bands as well as a hoodie for Logan which is finished and just needs seaming

Thursday 18 October 2007

Longies -sheepy pants #2 completed 13 October


Hi all,

Well they are finished, delay in uploading pics due to blogger being unable for some reason. These fit great and look nice as well. I am really happy with them. They have rib waist and basketweave cuffs made long enough to turn up and then let doiwn when Logan grows bigger. I also wove a twisted drawstring through them as well, which Logan loves playing with.

Regards, Mel

Tuesday 9 October 2007

Longie progress update




Hi, Just a quick update picture so you can see how my yarn is patterning. I am up to the kitchener and split for legs, Logan has grown so much recently his last sheepypants look short today- seriously tossing up between unpicking the hems and adding some length or letting them morph into shorties/capris? I am enjoying making these, but children just started term 4 of school and I need to do some catchup work on the house before my ravelry invite arrives and I am lost for a while.
Regards, Mel

Thursday 27 September 2007

A cute little vest for Logan



I just finished making this for Logan, My own pattern and 1st attempt at a v-neckline. He looks super cute! I really should have made it longer! O was worried about having enough wool, but had plenty, maybe some socks to match might turn up?

Wednesday 26 September 2007

Stash enhancement therapy-AKA shopping!!!



Hi all, I had to go into the big smoke for a Drs appointment yesterday so I made sure to leave nice and early and hop the tram into the wool store and lo and behold they had sale stock- So I just HAD to buy some-lol.
Longie and soaker fodder galore. I love the green but only 2 skeins so whether it will be enough for a small sheepy pants with contrast trim I dont know, other wise it will be a soaker. I have started already knitting as all this wool was talking to me! I had bubby in my arms and just picked up the wool and needles, I had no pattern and just played with it, this is the result. I cast on too wide so the side seams-yes I knitted it flat. are along the front and I also picked up a crochet hook( I dont crochet!) and I don't know what stitch it is but it looks ok and is the same all the way round, so I have a fully complete soaker in just a few hours, all done whilst holding Logan- I was truly desperate to knit-LOL. I am not sure whether to add a drawstring or not, but I had yarn left, so I could and this is like a medium/large?

Kind regards, Mel

Monday 24 September 2007

Day trip to Puffing Billy




HI all, We had a lovely trip to Puffing Billy today, We caught the old steam train at Belgrave station and headed up along the winding track to lakeside with the steam blowing and the children all hanging their legs out of the carriage. I even managed to knit a few rows on Logans little vest I am making! There was Myself, Rohan, Maddison, Alexander, Isabella and baby Logan. We met some lovely ladies called Linda and Marion who were so kind and friendly they truly made our day memorable and fun. WE then had a scrummy barbeque lunch , followed by a walk around the lake, fed the ducks and had a play on the lovely play equipment before heading back around to the barbeque area for some face painting by a fairy and balloons by a couple of clowns. Rohan and Alexander both choose pirate face painting and black balloon swords, Maddison was a fairy princess with a crown painted on her face and jewels and she was made a lovely balloon flower and then some wings which she later gave to Isabella. Isabella had a butterfly on her face and a flower balloon as well. After all this fun paddle pop lion arrived and provided a lovely assortment of icecreams to select from. After this we headed back up to catch the train back to Belgrave. At the souvenier shop, Maddison and Rohan both chose a wooden train whistle, Isabella wanted a PINK flag and Alexander got a magic colour changing pencil and a "Spencer " train from Thomas wooden railway. We then headed back up the hill to where our car was parked and headed home where we were greeted by dad(Keith) and Jennifer who had a delicious roast waiting for a very hungry family. The children then all went and played trains before bed.

Finally pics of completed soaker for Logan


Hi all,
Well I finally finished another soaker for Logan. These have quite a high rise as the pure wool I used has felted quite short on previous soakers-hence the need for more. I can get going on some more longies now these are done, well after I finish his little vest I am making and his all in one long leg and long sleeve footed suit.

Friday 14 September 2007

Another soaker, almost finished!


Heres Logan modelling his next new soaker, It just needs the legs cuffs whuich is on the needles as we speak. They have a huge rise as this wool tends to felt and previous soakers have just gotten so short!

We have a soaker!!



Well, I have been working at these for a while, I finished them all but the leg cuffs and so they sat until I could get a few minutes to pick up the stitches. I can knit with bub in arms but I find picking up stitches neatly without being able to see them properly over Logan in his wrap sling a bit difficult. Especially with 4 needles-lol. They are in DK Cleckheatons machine wash crepe as I had it in my stash

Saturday 25 August 2007

Logans Longies completed last night



Logans new longies were completed last night! They fit great and match beautifully with jumper I previously made. I will get a picture when he has had his bath and got dressed properly for the day. Anyway, I am really happy with them, the look cute as and now I just have to lanolise them. I am attempting to knit cuffs on 2 soakers today and then they can all be lanolised together.
I also pulled out the blanket of Cassies and have resewn it so the pattern doesn't have any squares the same next to each other, just weaving in ends and then I'll post a picture of that as well.

Friday 24 August 2007

I have been knitting! Longies for Logan




Well I finally decided to order from Mandie in America her sheepypants longies pattern and I received it yesterday lunchtime, I printed it all out and sat and obediently read through the entire thing (21 pages) I then impatiently waited for Logan to fall asleep so I could start, he didn't oblige and so I started anyway! This is how far I got last night. I am using Patons Jet which is a merino and alpaca blend and feels lovely so far. I am anxious to finish the leg so I can try them on without all the pointy needles as he really wont stay still anymore.

More pictures later.

Saturday 18 August 2007

Logan wearing his new longies


This is Logan wearing his new Longies, He also has on a cute jacket made in Rowan wool/cotton. We think he looks ready for Christmas-lol.

Logan and friend on first meeting


This is Logan at 15 days old with his friend who is 5 and a half weeks. Hos little friend is wearing a pink cotton moss stitch border sweater I knit for her in 4 ply cotton and also a pretty flower hat in Cleckheatons country silk. Two much loved little babies!

Matching pair for 2 sweet babes



Matching jackets for Logan and his little friend. Made from Patons Inca yarn, these are lovely and warm and snugly to wear and wash up really nicely too.

Winter Woollies for Logan

Here are some little woollie vest I made for Logan to keep him nice and warm this winter, I have to make more in the next size now.

My first pair of longies

These are my 1st pair of longies made for my son from Bendigo woollen mills 100% pure wool. These look great on little Logan and fit well. Now I just need to make more-LOL

Cassies been busy learning to knit


My daughter Cassie has learnt to knit whilst she was sick and having lots of hospital trips for the chemo and I have been sewing up the squares she made to make a rug for her new baby brother. I mucked up the pattern though and have to undo the corner green square and then finish.

Wednesday 15 August 2007

THE KNITTING to do or have done list-LOL


Afghan
I-cord- Yes on an Baby Yoda sweater
Garter stitch- Yes
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl- Yes Debbie Bliss baby shawl in cashmerino
Stockinette stitch-Yes
Socks: top-down0Yes
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn- Eughh!
Mittens cuff up-Yes
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat -Yes
Knitting with silk- Only in Blends
Moebis band knitting
Participating in a KAL- Just joined my 1st
Sweater- Yes
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn- Yes, reused wool from childrens jumper
Slip stitch patterns- Yes
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (=modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns-Yes
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting-Yes
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan-yes
Toy/doll clothing-Yes
Knitting with circular needles-Yes
Baby items_ Many, many items
Knitting with your own hand-spun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns-Yes
Lace patterns-Yes
Publishing a knitting book
Participate in an exchange
Scarf-Yes
Teaching a child to knit-Yes
American/English knitting-Yes
Knitting to make money
Buttonholes- Yes
Knitting with alpaca- Yes
Fair Isle knitting-Yes
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on one or two circulars
Knitting with someone else’s hand-spun yarn
Knitting with dpns-Yes
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles- Yes
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton-Yes, Fantastic for baby clothing
Knitting smocking-Yes
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Knitting two socks on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool-Yes
Textured knitting-Yes
Kitchener stitch-Yes
Knitted flowers
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching-Yes
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards-Does this mean UNKNITTING? Yes
Machine knitting- Yes, once upon a time
Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegated yarn
Stuffed toys
Knitting with cashmere- Yes, in blends
Darning-Yes
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn-Yes, But hated it.
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies-Yes
Tubular CO
Free-form knitting
Short rows-Yes
Cuffs/fingerless mits/arm-warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an on-line knitting magazine-Yes
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift-Yes
Knitting for pets
shrug/bolero/poncho-Yes
Knitting with dog/cat hair- Gross
Knitting in public_ Yes, Always

Well I have finally made a blog!

I decided to make this blog to be able to share pictures of my knitting. Wish I had done this prior to my computer crashing and losing all my photos of finished pieces not to mention family photos.