Stitch n Purrl

Psst...I've Moved!

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 04:41:00 +0000

You can find me at my new home...please come by and visit :D

From The Dye Pot

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 04:49:00 +0000

It's Easter Monday, wet and a little chilly. The cats slept in, had breakfast, looked out the back door at the heavy rain, and went back to bed. Autumn is making its presence felt.

If you celebrate Easter, I hope you've had an enjoyable one. I've had a very quiet, uneventful Easter, as I've been under the weather with sinus :-( So under the weather that I couldn't knit until yesterday, Mum and I went out for a late afternoon coffee, and I worked on my second Honey Badger sock. No pictures of the sock, but I do have some pictures of my latest round of dyeing merino fibre.

Lemon Grass 100g Merino

Lilac Blues 50g Merino

Pink 100g Merino

I dyed these using a crock pot. The pink has a mottled effect which was achieved by heating the water and dye in the crock pot and then adding the fibre. I think it is going to spin up beautifully.

Bloglovin'

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:39:00 +0000

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

With the oncoming demise of Google reader, I'm now using Bloglovin'.

One Down, One To Go

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 01:53:00 +0000

The first Honey Badger sock is off the needles! It fits perfectly, and is so comfortable. I cast on for the second sock as soon as I finished the first. I'm already planning for my next pair of socks (and the ones after that ;P)

At Last!

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 07:13:00 +0000

2 years and 1½ months after she was cast on, Lady Kina is off the needles!!! One of my 2013 goals is realised, albeit a little over schedule. Mum is pleased with how she's turned out, and even more pleased to finally have possession of her :) Now, I can resume sock knitting and turn my attention to my next project,
Baileys Irish Cream, which is going to be for me, made from this yarn, or this yarn...I'm yet to decide.

The only valid reason I have for taking so long is that for the most part I didn't enjoy knitting with cotton. It doesn't have any give like wool, and as I am a firm knitter, moving the stitches along the needles became a real pain in the patootie. I loosened my tension slightly, switched to Knit Pro acrylic needle tips, and the knitting became much more enjoyable.I wouldn't rule out knitting with cotton again, but I have definitely ruled out a project that is solely stockinette stitch!

The yarn is Bendigo Woollen Mills Cotton, 8ply, in the discontinued Noir. It is a proper black, but for some reason it is looking a little charcoal in these pics...my quality control inspector is not at all pleased ;)

A Taste Of Honey

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:53:00 +0000

Introducing...my Honey Badger socks, which I cast on on Christmas night. I hadn't really knit them much until Sunday. It was hot outside (Sunday turned out to be the last day of a week long heat wave), and the only thing I could do was hug the A/C and watch cricket. I made great progress, finishing the cuff, and starting on the pattern, which is easy to memorise. I am also sticking to my goal of having Lady Kina off the needles by the end of January, she has grown 12cm since Sunday...phew!

Madeit To The Front Page!

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 06:30:00 +0000

My Blue Green Dime stitch markers were chosen to be on the front page of Madeit today :D

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 07:00:00 +0000

I love New Year. Shrugging off the old year and starting a brand spanking new one, full of hope and possibilty. I don't make New Years resolutions, but this year I am setting goals at the start of each month for things I want to achieve for that month. My first goals for January are knitting related. 2012 was not a great year for knitting achievements, and I'm blaming the following two culprits. Endless rows of stocking stitch does not a happy knitter make ;P

Lady Kina

Simple Spring Swing Cardigan

Both of these cardigans are for Mum, and I'm rather ashamed to say that the Lady Kina has been on the needles exactly two years today! The Simple Spring Swing Cardigan has been finished a while, but I have to frog and reknit the button bands. The bands are tight, as I didn't pick up quite enough stitches, and this makes the bottom corners of the cardigan turn upwards. Of course, I'll also have to frog the row around the neck, as it was the last to be knit :\. The frogging and knitting in total is 15 rows...but you'd think I have to start from the beginning, it just feels like such an effort. Getting these two off the needles is my goal for January.

Other knitting projects are for the first half of this year are...

...finding the perfect pattern for this gorgeous wool that was a birthday gift from Mum last year. I have been marking candidates on Ravelry.

Frogging this cardigan...

Ms Greenjeans

I knit it in Cascade 220 Heathers (Celery), and while I love how it turned out, I have never worn it. It just isn't me! So I have decided that instead of having perfectly good wool sitting around, off to the frog pond it goes. It's going to be re-knit as the Hampton Cardigan, a pattern I have adored ever since I bought the book :)

Country Fete

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 10:23:00 +0000

Mum and I went to a country fete today. About half hours drive from home, it was held at the community hall which is surrounded by farm land. Mum's parents and grandparents came from this area, so it holds a lot childhood memories for her.

The fete was packed...a farmer had moved his cows from the paddock closest to the hall, so that it could be used for parking, (I know they were cows, because we had to be careful not to step in what they left behind ;p)

There were many things to look at and buy, my favourite being a stall selling vintage embroideries and china. I bought a couple of centerpieces. I thought they were a bargain at $5 a piece.

Ziggy's tail...he was determined to be in every shot ;)

Detail...the work is just beautiful!

The back is just as neat as the front!

The thread on this one is a little the worse for wear in a few places, but I have always loved these Crinoline Ladies, so home with me she came...

I also bought some plants...

Begonias, Lavender, and one determined Tabby!

Dwarf Dahlia...sans Tabby.

They've Multiplied!

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 10:36:00 +0000

The hexagon population has exploded over the last day or two...they're addictive little things once you get started on them. I purchased some solid yellow fabric on Saturday, and have cut enough pieces for the patches that I need. I bought 4 metres of fabric, and I would like to do the borders in one piece.

Fabric, paper templates and basted hexagons.

While Lucy rambled this afternoon, I took my tin of goodies out to the back verandah and sat down to baste...

...I have found a new way to hold the paper template in place...

...small bulldog clips hold it perfectly. No need for pins, I just finger press the fabric edges over and baste away.

Enough to keep me busy for a while ;)

Hexagon Love

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 02:37:00 +0000

Back in the early '80s, my high school textile & design teacher introduced us to English paper piecing. We were each given a cardboard hexagon template, shown how to make the paper pieces and cut the fabric using the same template with a small seam allowance added. I made two patchwork cushions, ever so carefully hand stitched, and my Mum still uses them to this day. They have faded, but the tiny stitches have held up to use and an untold amount of washing.Fast forward 31 years, and the hexagon bug has bitten once again :D...although, this time my templates are more durable than that little cardboard one.

Piecing on the go...housed in a cute biscuit tin my much loved Nan
gave me many years ago.

I am making a Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt, with a white background and solid yellow..I would normally go for pink, but for some reason yellow is the colour that appeals for this project. The hexagon measures 3" across (1½" edges).

My EQ plan!

For the flowers, I'm using 1930's reproduction fabrics, which I have been collecting over the years.

I love that it is portable...I can sit and stitch while I wait for the washing to finish, or while Lucy is having a ramble...

I love how whip stitch moves along so quickly, even though the stitches are tiny. Before I know it, a flower is finished!

One other thing I have discovered is that old issues of Frankie magazine make the best paper pieces. The pages are just the right weight...and they look rather pretty on the back :)

The Obsession Begins In Earnest

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:57:00 +0000

A much anticipated parcel finally arrived today. A sweet selection of 1930's reproduction prints...

...and a book I have coveted for so long...

I have admired the Jane A. Stickle quilt, both the original, and the many baby Jane's I have seen. So, now it is my turn. I have an ever growing collection of 1800's reproduction fabrics just waiting for such a project.

Spring, Storms, Sewing and Rainbow Lorikeets

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 04:52:00 +0000

The rainbow lorikeets were uncharacteristically quite in the trees outside my kitchen window. They are usually swooping about, chirping noisily, and difficult to photograph. This one sat there almost motionless for quite a while, making the odd noise, waiting for replies.

Spring has well and truly arrived. The May Bush is in full bloom, it's tiny blossoms delicately scattering tiny petals.

We were on standby for severe thunderstorms yesterday afternoon. The storm arrived around 4pm...but thankfully we were spared too much of her wildness. It has been very warm this morning, there are more storms forecast for this afternoon, and the clouds are building up.

Another Japanese knot bag, this time in a sweet green and navy acorn/floral print. The lining is gingham, green and white.

Butter Wouldn't Melt In Her Mouth

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 03:25:00 +0000

I'm making new knitting/crochet project bags for my Etsy shop, and my self-appointed overseer takes a very keen interest in the entire process. She even has her favourite crochet blanket set up at the back of my sewing machine for when she needs a break from her duties.

Japanese Knot Bag in progress using gorgeous 19th century repro fabrics.

Mind you, her role is strictly supervising, she's not a 'paws on' gal.

"Back to work hoomin!"

Her Name Is Helga

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 11:42:00 +0000

She is my new sewing machine!

Thursday of last week saw my much loved, 25 year old Singer in need of repairs. Living in a country area can have its drawbacks, and sewing machine repair is one of them! The two local repairers don't work on Singer machines, and the closest Singer dealer is 3 hours north. So after much thought and a night's sleep I decided to buy a new machine. I have put my Singer away in the hope that I might be able to get her fixed (the gears that drive the feed dogs is the problem).

We have one specialist sewing shop in town, and that is where I purchased my machine. The ladies there are wonderful, and after told them about the kind of machine I was looking for, they took the time to show me all of the machines which fit the bill. I bought a Husqvarna Viking Tribute 140M, she's Swedish, hence the name Helga :)

An action shot!

I spent my spare time during the past week getting used to the many features, and sewing a couple of knitting project box bags.

I have also sewn two items which are a must for the sewing room...a tailor's ham and sleeve roll. I had thought of purchasing them, but it goes against the grain to buy something I can make, and while catching up on blog reading Wednesday night, I found a post on Tilly and the Buttons about making your own, and free downloadable patterns included :)

The pattern calls for canvas, but I was determined to use what I had on hand. So I used natural coloured home spun and a pretty 1930's repro quilting fabric. For the underside, I used two pieces of home spun, and for the top, one piece of home spun, and one of the quilting fabric.

I'm really pleased with how they turned out...and they're super cute too!

Miss Molly

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 06:43:00 +0000

What else can a girl do when the temperature plunges to the low teens, but snuggle under her quilt and wait for spring ;)

A Winter's Ramble

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 09:12:00 +0000

Winter has not been too pleasant the last few days, rain and extreme cold has made it unpleasant to do even simple tasks like taking out the garbage bins for collection. We had a brief respite today (the sun even tried to break through!) so I put Lucys' collar on, grabbed my camera and we headed out for a breath of fresh air.

Happy to be outside after being cooped up indoors for almost a week!

While Lucy rambled, I decided to check on a tomato plant which decided to thumb it's nose to mother nature, by sprouting out of season in our compost heap. I didn't think we would get any tomatoes off it, fearing the cold would put an end to the plant, but today I harvested 33 green/just turning tomatoes! The bush is still flowering and has a large number of smaller tomatoes left, so I'll leave it and see what happens.

The tomatoes are indoors to finish ripening, and for those that don't, they will end up as green tomato pickles.

Our winter garden is a little dismal. The only colour to brighten it up today was a dandelion...

...and I found this little chap in a terracotta pot, crawling over the moss...

...he's absolutely tiny!

Spinning Big Time

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Wed, 23 May 2012 04:48:00 +0000

For some time now, I have been impressed by those spinners on the Rav boards who spin enough yarn to make a sizeable garment like a cardigan or a jumper. I bought a kilo of undyed merino last year so I could try dyeing fibre, but I have only used small pieces of it to try different dyeing methods, so I still have the bulk of the kilo left. After finishing the perendale braid I have decided now is the time to start spinning for something major!

So soft and smooshy!

While Lucy had her outdoor time today, I started spinning and catching up on podcasts. I had already decided I want to spin a 3ply sport weight (12 wpi). I also decided to spin the undyed fibre, as I'm not sure what colour I want the yarn to be. I must say that spinning undyed fibre is a dream. It is so soft and drafts itself!

I am using the spindles I bought earlier this month. I have made a couple of adjustments to the hook, which I twisted to the shape I like, and the notch, which was very narrow, but a stanley knife and emery board soon made it more to my liking. There adjustments are personal preference only :) Anyone looking for value for money spindles, I can highly recommend The Knit Store ones. They are incredibly affordable and well made, and my spindles arrived 7 days after purchase, which is great from the US to Australia.

Hand-spun & A New WIP

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Mon, 21 May 2012 05:48:00 +0000

My hand-spun is finished, and it is the most consistent yarn I have spun yet :)

Perendale...Approx: 102m, 15 wpi & 80g

I started knitting my first shawl last night. It's plain, but it's easy knitting, which is a good thing sometimes. Using 12 ply and 6mm needles, I'm hoping for a quick knit. All details are on my Rav project page.

Plied

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Sat, 19 May 2012 07:19:00 +0000

I sat outside today and finished plying the perendale I started spinning at the start of this month. I am extremely happy with how it's turned out so far. Will have to wait until I wrap it on my niddy-noddy to know how much yardage there is.

Spindle Goodies & A WIP

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Wed, 02 May 2012 09:44:00 +0000

After thoroughly enjoying last years Tour de Fleece, and feeling encouraged by the activity on Ravelry, I have started planning my goals for this years tour. I have decided I want to spin a decent quantity of a plain coloured fleece. I honestly don't think I could spindle enough for a jumper or cardigan during the tour, but I have decided I want to spin a 3ply, sport or DK weight, and would like to set a respectable goal of maybe half. I realised achieving my goal would be easier if I had some spindles which were the same weight. That way, I can fill 3 spindles, ply from those, and still have a 'working' spindle. I found these drop spindles from The Knit Store on Etsy.

Maple Top Whorl Spindles

I have already taken one for a spin, and it spins beautifully. The fibre is perendale, which I bought last year. It is fuchsia and orange, and the colours are combining beautifully when spun.

On the knitting side of things, I have finally finished the back of the Simple Spring Swing Cardigan, which has been on the needles for far too long!

The fronts and back are knitted separately, seamed at the shoulders, and then stitches are picked up along the edges of the garter stitch sections to knit the sleeves. To reduce seaming even further, I have left the stitches on either side of the back live, and will do the same with the fronts. I can then do a three needle bind off, and will only have to sew seams on the sides :)

I am knitting the fronts both at the same time, so to keep the yarn from the two balls of wool from getting tangled, I have come up with a rather nifty little idea...

...it's the little plastic bit from a spice bottle which I have attached to the snap lock bag with a locking stitch marker. It is very effective :D

Colour Lovers

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 06:19:00 +0000

Choosing yarn is always a thrill, and I'm usually decided in the weight and type of fibre I want, but when it comes to choosing the colour, it takes me quite a bit a time and deliberation before I decide on one. When I'm choosing the colour of yarn to knit garments, I find the my final choice is influenced by how that colour will look in the chosen pattern, and how it will fit in with my existing wardrobe. After spending time knitting a cardigan, I don't want to be limited by what it can be worn with. So I tend to choose more mellow colours. My Radiate cardigan, which I knit last year, is a perfect example...

...I wore it at every opportunity, and received many compliments on both the design and colour. It's washed and ready to go again for this coming winter.

An example of being influenced by the colour a pattern was knit in is my Puff Sleeved Feminine Cardigan...

The pattern showed the cardigan knit in red, a colour I like, and I was so smitten with it, that I didn't really give a lot of thought to the design, but the pattern just isn't me. Suffice to say, I have never worn it, and it has languished in my wardrobe ever since.

Crochet blankets are where I can really go wild with colours...

...my current project is a Granny Square blanket, made of scraps of acrylic, with each square edged in white.

Al Fresco Knitting

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 04:40:00 +0000

After a few quite chilly days this past week, today has seen a return to glorious autumnal weather. The kind which makes doing something as mundane as pegging out the washing a pleasing activity. Once the last load of washing finished, I put Lucy's collar on her, and we made our way outside.

She rambled, while I pegged, and then I spread an old blanket on the ground and took out my knitting, while she rambled some more.

I'm knitting my first pair of socks, and so far, so good. I love the yarn (Jitterbug by Colinette in the Morello Mash colourway) and the pattern is easy to follow, but with just enough to keep it interesting.

Shade for this outdoor crafting was provided by our tea tree, which is in full bloom at the moment...

...it is covered with these cute, fluffy flowers. The tree attracts a lot of butterflies, and it literally buzzes with bees...

New York Cardigan...Take Two

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 02:39:00 +0000

When I started knitting this cardigan, I had decided for the sleeve increases, I would do my favourite increase method as found in Elizabeth Zimmermanns' book 'Knitting Without Tears'. However, once I was well into the cardigan, I just wasn't happy with how they looked, so I frogged it, and started again. I'm doing the yarn over increases as described in the pattern, and I'm much happier with how it is looking. I'm also loving the colour...it is nice and neutral.

On the reading front, I am just getting my teeth into 'My Cousin Rachel' by Daphne du Maurier. It's the story of Philip Ashley, who, after being orphaned at a young age, is adopted and raised by his Uncle Ambrose. While travelling abroad, Ambrose marries and dies suspiciously. His widow arrives in England, and Philip isn't sure if she was responsible for his Uncles death. I have become quite a fan of du Maruiers' work, and this will be the fourth book that I have read (the others are: 'Rebecca', 'Frenchman's Creek', 'Jamaica Inn'. She is a first class story-teller. Her characters are well written, and the stories are well paced.

The other book I have is 'A Life In Stitches' by Rachael Herron. I knew as soon as I read a review of this book that I would have to buy it. What could be better than 20 essays written by a knitter ;)

Joining Ginny this week for Yarn Along.

Just Perfect

noreply@blogger.com (Kylie) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 10:48:00 +0000

We've had hints of Autumn recently, but as of this weekend, it has officially arrived. Friday night was downright cool, and Saturday saw me washing Granny, so she could be on the bed that night...

...and she was definitely needed, as last night got down to 12°C. The days have been gorgeous, neither hot nor cold, perfectly sunny...

Lucy has supervised time outside each afternoon, and I can always tell when it's time, as she starts following me around inside with a whiny meow. She loves the outdoors, and make the most of her time out side...

...most afternoons I have been taking my spinning out with me while she gallops about. I've been making progress on my laceweight...and as there is already talk on the Rav boards about preparing for this year's Tour de Fleece, I have decided I am now in training ;)