My Knitting Box

Percy's blog

2010-02-10T00:28:00.000-08:00

Have you ever visited Percy's blog??

He's a little toy pig I made and he's been over seas and around Australia. He's become so popular he has a baby sister to help him with visiting people who want to meet him and show him, where they live.

There is also a poll with 6 names for her and you can vote too. So if your feeling down or just want to have some fun ...please pop over and say hi to Percy and his baby sister.

Postcards From Percy

2009-07-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. I'm off to Melbourne and then overseas for a month.

If you want to follow my journey and see where I go.... check me out on my very own blog.

Hoping to be able to post about my travels while away.

Socks & Jumper

2009-06-14T16:58:00.001-07:00

Its been ages since I posted and its due to the lack of knitting. I had become lazy in the evenings and was vegging out on the lounge instead of knitting. I'm thinking of all the knitting I could have had finished and started in over the last month.

With the colder months here I got stuck into Debbie's sock yesterday afternoon and finished the first one off. If you remember I had a problem in the warmer months of a rash developing after I had been knitting with the yarn.

I put the sock away until now and the rash came back even with the long sleeve shirt on. Not as bad and I am thinking with the cooler weather, this stopped it irritating me as much as well.

I'll leave it a couple of days and then get stuck into the second sock, so its not a single sock for months on end.

I wore a pair of my home made socks up into the Barossa Valley on Saturday and my feet were so warm. So much warmer than the bought socks.

Yesterday it was wet and very cold here, I took the afternoon off and sat watching DVDs and knitted some of Pat's jumper after the sock was finished.

Now I know how my mum used to knock over our jumpers as kids so quickly. Firstly she's be knitting kids jumpers and they were stocking stitch like this one.

I knitted up 2 X 50 gram balls of "Jet" yarn yesterday and does my right arm know it today. After all these years of knitting Aran and heavy cable adult jumpers, boy this one is a walk in the park.

Said to Pat if I can knock over a ball minimum an evening, he will have this jumper in less than a month. Now that is scary stuff. Wonder if I can achieve this?

Sitting and watching the rain fall and a good movie on the TV on a Saturday afternoon is such a great tonic to get one's mojo back.

Until next time.....hoo roo

technorati tags: adult jumpers, hand knitting, men's jumpers, socks, stocking stitch, yarn

Pat's Jumper

2009-04-28T01:35:00.001-07:00

Finally Pat's 20th hand jumper is finished and ready for him to wear. By the time the cats laid on it, if left unguarded or me trying it on when sewing it together.

Pat doesn't like to be on the blog and that's okay, so I have modeled the finished jumper.

Big and warm and lovely to look at. Jumpers not too bad either... This pattern is also available in lady sizes.

Close up of the cable pattern.

Close up of the sleeve pattern.

Now this one is out the way I can concentrate on other knitting projects at night.

Until next time.... hoo roo

technorati tags: 8 ply, adult jumpers, cable knits, wool, yarn

Patrick's Jumper

2009-04-26T00:59:00.000-07:00

As far as I have gotten so far today with Pat's jumper. Amy called in and we went out for a few hours shopping. Lost a lot of this afternoon I was gong to use for sewing up the jumper.

All that is left to do is sew the sleeves and then sew those sleeves into the arm area. The Pat can wear his jumper.

Not sure if this will be done after dinner tonight or left until tomorrow.

Millie has been sticking close to the jumper and if given the chance..... she's on the knitted pieces that I am not yet using.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: 8 ply, adult jumpers, cable knits, wool, yarn

Now That it's Cold

2009-04-25T19:41:00.001-07:00

We've had over 2 inches of rain and its lovely and cold. So this means I can now sit a whole sheep and a couple of cats on my lap and not over heat.

The sweater neck line is easy as to finish off, just 11 rows of knitting and then sew it all together. With some help from the fur kids.

Nothing excites the cats more than a woolen project being worked on when its cold. Millie grabbed the lap spot first and made herself comfy. This left poor Harley out in the cold.

I need to turn my knitting without disturbing the Grand-kitty......... what is a Nanna to do???

Eight of the eleven rows are now knitted and Pat is getting excited about wearing his new jumper.

Hope to have a photo up tomorrow of the finished sweater.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: 8 ply, adult jumpers, cable knits, men's jumper

Couple Of Finished UFO's

2009-04-12T20:53:00.001-07:00

Finally finished tiding up the last sock of my "Raspberry" Monkey socks last night. So now they are ready for me to wear in the cooler months. Can't believe they sat in my knitting box for about 4 weeks.

Just love the colour and pattern of these socks. While they sat in my knitting box I was busy knitting at night and also sewing.

I also have finished off the "Cat's Paw" scarf for the stall.

Knitted with Moda Vera sentiments taking 2 skeins.

Only 6 rows of pattern to this scarf. And you can get the pattern free here .

Looking for a little lower in day temperature and I can spend the day in natural light, sewing up Pat's Aran jumper.

Next to finish off, is the little pink baby dress. In between I am slowly knitting Pat's sweater with "Jet" yarn.

Until next time.... hoo roo

technorati tags: craft stall, crafts, scarves, socks

Love It, Love It, Lurv It.

2009-03-09T18:46:00.001-07:00

Oh yeah baby, I lurv my new sock.

Pattern is called Monkey. Just love the look, colour, feel and comfort of this pattern and how well it knitted up.

This is going to be a pair of socks picked first in my smalls draw, trust me.

Front look of the sock.

Sole of the foot and heel.

What I found so addictive about knitting up this sock is that fact its fun, easy and fast to knit.

Started on the 7th and finished on the 9th.

Hope the other sock is just as quick to complete.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: socks, sock wool

Raspberry Monkey Socks

2009-03-08T18:02:00.000-07:00

Love knitting these Monkey socks. The pattern is very addictive. Very happy with the colourway and so can't wait until they are finished.

Even finding I am staying up late at night to knit my socks. If my knitting mojo had gone walk about.... its back now.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: socks, sock wool

Socks, Socks, Socks.

2009-03-07T19:32:00.000-08:00

Love knitting socks and as the Jaywalkers are all finished, I thought I would start on a pair for my sister Deb. Knitting the Thuja, as Deb found these to be very comfy over the winter months in the outback.

Looking like they have come from Ronald McDonald's wardrobe. I got to this stage after 1 evening's sitting that finished at about 11.30 pm. Had a quick shower and noticed my arms were stinging.

This is what came up overnight. Done some asking round as the only thing I have done different is knit with some different yarn that is still 100% wool by Patons. Wasn't itchy just hot and I could feel it on my arms.

So I am going to wait until its all cleared up, give it a couple of days clear and have another session with this yarn. If it happens again, we have the allergy pin pointed and I'll finish them off in the winter time when I am wearing long sleeves. It was suggested that the yarn may have more lanolin in it.

So what socks do I knit then??? A pair for me.

This yarn is by "Filatura Di Crosa" called "Maxine Print". The pattern I am knitting is called "Monkey". I have read a few posts about this pattern and thought when I went hunting for it, oh nice..........that'll do me just fine.

Easy as to knit, though I am wondering if the wool is going to be a bit heavy colour wise for it. I'll know more as it grows and then I'll see if I will continue or frog it.

I have some plain colours in cream sock wool..... maybe I could also knit a pair of these socks in 1 of those colour ways too.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: socks, sock wool

Finished Jaywalkers

2009-03-05T20:51:00.000-08:00

Finally finished my Jaywalker socks.

Not sure why it took just a dash over 4 months to knit? Maybe the hot weather had something to do with it and getting out of the habit of knitting at night.

I have been concentrating on my UFOs over the last couple of weeks. Feels great when a UFO is finished off. Allows me to head straight for the yarn stash and pick out some more yarn to turn into something fabulous.

Lovely and comfy and I think they so look snazzy on my feet. After wearing my own socks, I tend to find bought sock can be a tad on the tight side.

Rubbing hands together as I am about to start searching for another pattern, for the next pair of socks.

This is the yarn I will be knitting them with. I have started a thread over on Rav on the sock forum, hoping to hear of people's fav sock pattern.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: sock wool, socks, UFO's

Me & Ewe

2009-02-19T23:50:00.000-08:00

It's finished as of 5 pm this afternoon. All 4 pieces are knitted and packed away until the cooler weather kicks in.

No way I am sitting this ewe on me in this hot weather. I'm thinking late March to early April before I stitch it together and knit the neck up.

Until then it's packed away in a knitting box in the craft room. Pat is all smiles now that he knows the jumper is just about ready for this coming winter.

This time round I knitted the back, then sleeves and finally the front. Usually I knit the back, front then sleeves. By this time I arrived at the front neck area, knew the 28 rows of pattern off by heart.

I was mean and told Pat I couldn't find the sleeves, but found a pile of the yarn in a knitting box. Said I was sick of the jumper and so disappointed the jumper wasn't finished after all. Yeah, yeah I know a mean trick...... lol. Should of seen his face.

Anyway to make up for it, I gave him the men's Inca & men's Jet knitting books and he choose a pattern for his new wool I collected this week.

I'm going to start the blue colour way yarn in the Jet. Treating myself to a stocking stitch jumper as Pat liked it with a button collar.

Sorry about the flash reflection in the photo. The pattern can be found in....

Patons book 1266.......... Style 20 (Raglan Button Collar Sweater)

Completely different to what Pat usually picks out for a jumper. I'll be able to knit this while asleep. Stocking stitch......... hope I don't get bored. So used to heavy cables and Aran jumpers for him.

I'll also start knitting my lizard ridge again and get a few of my other UFOs finished. Now the brown jumper is finished, I'm ready to relax and pick and choose what I knit at night.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: adult jumpers, knitting, knitting patterns, men's jumpers, stocking stitch

Slowly Getting There.

2009-02-17T18:32:00.000-08:00

Fourteen rows left and them I start to decrease at the underarm area of the last piece for Pat's sweater. I started this sweater back in Nov 07 and I must admit I'll be glad when the cast off row is done. Mind you I have done a lot of knitting in other areas at the same time.

With all the hot weather we have had in Adelaide, its hard to knit. We've had temps that are cooler and so at night I am able to knit for a couple of hours. I am finding my arms ache by the time I put it down for the night.

I'm not sure what you do to keep track of your rows, I like to write it all down.

That way when I am able to make sure its spot on when it needs to be repeated on another piece, to match up.

I also photo copy the pattern, so I can "highlight" the rows if the pattern is "busy". Scribble notes and mark any areas on the paper, I need to be aware of.

Anyway, my mojo is back and the knitting box is next to my chair in the lounge room.

Until next time....hooo roo

technorati tags: 8 ply, adult jumpers, Aran knits, cable knits, men's jumper

I've Been Knitting.

2009-02-11T23:01:00.000-08:00

No your not seeing things, I was actually sitting with knitting needles in my hands last night.

Cool enough to break the needles out and so I have been taking full advantage of this. Plodding away with Pat's jumper and surprisingly my arms were sore when I stopped a couple of hours later.

I have so enjoyed sitting and knitting again, missed it so much.

Hot weather is coming in again......bugger.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: wool, knitting needles

Is It 2009 Already??

2009-01-25T22:03:00.000-08:00

OMG I can't believe its been so long since I posted here. Come to think of it, I haven't even been knitting either. Just so warm at the moment and so much happening here.

I have Pa visiting from Sydney, he's Pat's father. Such a lovely gentle man and we are sending so much time with him.

Been learning to sew and over on Stitch Selection, I have been busy.

Check out the crocheting book I won.

Yes!!!

I won 5 books all up valued at $170 in a sewing magazine I had bought to read and get ideas from.

How amazing is that!???!!!

I think you can tell I'm so excited about the win.

I have posted all 5 books over on my sewing blog if you'd like to see them all in their glory.

Christmas Swap.

2008-12-15T17:48:00.001-08:00

Today in the mail I received my Christmas swap we are doing over on Woolaholics.

Look what I got from Mazadaz. Just such a beautiful mixture of goodies.......

Mazadaz knew I had bought my first sewing machine and so along with a knitted angel that is already on our tree, a lovely collection of sewing goodies.

Plus a book on sewing...... I'll be using that for sure.....

Thank you so much for your Christmas swap gift, Mazadaz.

technorati tags: swaps, gifts

Another Dishcloth

2008-12-05T23:51:00.001-08:00

Another dishcloth knitted up for Amy to take when she leaves home in a fortnight. This one is a beautiful Vera Moda purple bamboo/cotton colourway. Knitted with 6.5 mm needles.

Figured if I knit the 4th and last dish cloth next weekend..... I'll have all 4 finished and ready for Amy to use. Three down and 1 to go.

This pattern is on Ravelry , which has so many cool patterns for free.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: dishcloths, bamboo cotton yarn

Sugar Plum Dress

2008-12-04T22:29:00.001-08:00

Now that the back or front of the sugar plum dress is finished I thought you would like to see it.

This dress has a yoke and after all 4 pieces are knitted, the yoke will complete the dress. Such a pretty pattern and the front and back part of the dress are identical.

The yarn I am knitting with is a stunning 4 ply "cocoon" brand by Cleckheaton. I have fallen I love with this yarn as its so soft and holds the pattern perfectly. The material in this yarn is 70% merino wool and 30% nylon. Love the pink colourway, its so pretty.

Pattern is 8 rows, very easy to read and not complicated to follow.

Here is the dress from the knitting book. There is a jacket/coat in this style as well.

Pattern is taken from this knitting book.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: 4 ply wool, cleckheaton, baby dress, knitting books

Two More Blocks

2008-12-03T17:07:00.001-08:00

With me ironing this morning, I ironed two more blocks for my lizard ridge. Turned my back and look what happened.

I knew there would be a few arguments when the afghan is finished, but not so while being knitted. I was packing away the ironing and came back into the room and look who I found trying out the blocks.

Lucky is such a sucker for wool and as soon as she sees Pat or I wearing a woolen jumper, she's our best buddy.

Trust me, she didn't stay long.

Blocked and now packed away from prying paws. Love how these colours are working together in these 2 blocks. I have now 6 blocks knitted up.

Couple of other items I'd like to bring to your attention.

I have a new poll on the right of my blog. Love for you to take time to vote, if you do....thank you so much.
Also I have another blog as I am buying a sewing machine in the next week or two. So I have started a blog up about me learning to sew. Never used a sewing machine, so this should make for some interesting reading and more so interesting photos. As you know I post photos of the good, the bad & the down right ugly things that happens in my journey.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: lizard ridge

Stitch Marker Swap

2008-11-27T21:35:00.000-08:00

Joey-n has received her stitch markers I made for her in the Woolaholics "swap. So now I can show them off here.

I have never made them before, after asking some questions at the shop, I picked out what I wanted.

Loved the silver hearts with the pink bead on them. Had trouble getting the heart to sit properly and after swapping and changing the beads/heart around, I can up with these.

Took me all of Days Of Our Lives and Judge Judy to get the first one made.

I prettied up a craft bag for them to be stored in and into the mail they went.

I've heard from Joey and she's pleased with them.

My stitch markers came from Kelli and aren't they just FAB TAB??? I love how they are all able to be stored in the little bag. The pictures are on both sides and the little black cat is so cute. I think they are all cute and will love using them with my knitting.

Thanks so much Kelli.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: beads, swaps, gifts

Four Blocks Knitted

2008-11-25T21:52:00.000-08:00

This project is by far the most enjoyable I have done in a long time. Just can't get over how using 3 balls of different colourway has given me 4 different blocks.

While out shopping yesterday I picked up another 5 balls of this colourway.

Picked these up at Spotlight at $2.99 a ball. I was told by one woman a few weeks back, this was going to be sold for $6.00 a ball. Still no price on the wire baskets and so I decided to see if they would match Kmart's price. Imagine my delight when I was told they sell the yarn at $2.99 a ball.

So I picked up 5 balls that visit and will buy more next fortnight.

One thing I will be learning with the Lizard Ridge is how to block. Never done this and I am guessing to get the best affective result on the eye, it'll need blocking.

Already planning on knitting a Lizard Ridge for Amy, so I'll just keep collecting a few balls each payday.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: lizard ridge, vintage hue

While Your Knitting.

2008-11-20T22:57:00.000-08:00

Last night when I started knitting my Lizard Ridge I set "the scene" for knitting.

Learning a new pattern, I like to have the TV on with a DVD playing quietly in the background. Usually one I have watched enough, that I don't need to watch it, just listen. I find this to be relaxing for me as I get accustomed to a new pattern or technique.

Gone With The Wind kept me company as I started the afghan.

Do you have a special place where you like to knit or start a new project?

At times I also will stay up late into the night, to finish off an item. Just can't put it down, have to see what it looks like. Even been known to wake Pat up and show off the finished item.

Knitting can take over your life and drive you nuts....... great isn't it?

My cat Lucky has a wool fetish and loves winter time. She loves to snuggle up to Pat or myself when we have a pure wool knit on. I can see a few fights over my Lizard Ridge when it's finished.

Because I can.

Until next time....hoo roo

Lizard Ridge Started

2008-11-20T15:25:00.001-08:00

After fart arsing round last night I finally got to start my Lizard Ridge. The pattern is easier than what I thought it was going to be and in my first night I managed to knit half a block.

Very pleased with the look of the block. I can see this taking over my life and I must remember not to neglect my other UFOs.

I am wondering how it would go knitted in 8 ply as I have a pile of different colourways of green and cream yarn for a different blanket. Somehow I have lost interest in that style of blanket.....thank goodness I haven't started it yet.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: lizard ridge, vintage hues

Two More Dishcloths

2008-11-19T14:01:00.000-08:00

Due to there being a failed holdup and the robber being killed by police in the street next to us, I didn't start my Lizard Ridge last night.

Police were everywhere and we weren't allowed outside our houses. Very scary and very full on here.

So I finished off my pink dishcloth and tidied up Amy's as well. Just couldn't get myself to settle enough to look at the pattern.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: dishcloths

Blue Ruffled Booties Pattern

2008-11-18T20:00:00.000-08:00

Melissa asked me where I sourced the pattern for those little pink & blue ruffled booties I knitted up.

It's from a book that I was given to me when mum died back in 1994. I inherited all my mum's knitting books & needles. So it is an old pattern book. So old it doesn't have an IBN number.

I popped a scan of the book cover up to help you Melissa and other people who are interested in this booties pattern.

Melissa if you have problems finding the pattern, email me at my ducksrus address and I help you out.

From now on, when I start a pattern from one of my books, I'll pop as much info as possible with the cover to help you ID the book.

These little booties have attracted some attention here and on the knitting forums I post in.

Until next time....hoo roo

technorati tags: baby booties, baby patterns, knitting boots