LOST

No, nothing to do with knitting or anything - but I've been following the series LOST since it started back in 2004 I think it was.

I always thought it was a bit weird, but interesting, and hey - it was one of the few programmes that both Blair and I were happy to sit and watch together (strangely ;) he's not a fan of Grey's Anatomy or Brothers and Sisters - though he does like Glee funnily enough).

Tonight, and the last couple of episodes were meant to be the big reveal. The 'everything will click into place episodes'. Now, it might've been because I was sitting with the 'puter on my lap, a calculator in my hands and a set of random needles with some projectless yarn fiddling - but it didn't make sense to me.

I feel lost - and not exactly satisfied.

I did wonder if I'd given it my complete attention if it would've made more sense, but Blair wasn't absolutely clear on what had happened either.

Speaking of LOST - before it was on tonight, I was in a wee panic...you see, I've a couple of projects on the go at the mo which hopefully will be revealed in June - but I couldn't find something vital. I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to saving and recording things...though my non-existant system for finding where I actually put them obviously needs an overhaul as I turned the place upside down searching. It did however turn up before LOST began, hence why I wasn't completely engrossed in it.

Any other LOST followers?

There are so many things I should be doing...

And yet here I am at half past 10, writing another blog entry - the second on here for today (and I've written 3 on Coco Kids, composed 2 posts on TNN and emailed various people regarding things that of course I've decided need doing today)

I've actually got a whole host of things I should be doing...like cleaning, knitting, paying the bills online, perhaps even going to bed at some stage but to be honest, I'm not particularly enthusiastic about any of that. Hence the procrastinating.

So, instead - I'll show off a few things I've knit up lately?

An Amy Pinafore for a friend, this was in Bendigo Luxury, Purple Storm as the main colour and Iris Mist as the contrast for the ruffles. I wish I had taken a photo of it on her little girl Rose when she came to pick it up because it really did look very cute!

I've also knit a Roaring Meg lately - but with a few modifications - let me just refresh your memory as to what my last one looked like...

                       

Here's the modified one - it has very short sleeves, no garter stitch and a moss stitch edge (and ok, it still needs buttons but finding the perfect ones has been hard). I've actually been to all the yarn and fabric shops in Lower Hutt and left them all without finding them yet.

And, while I'm showing a Justine Turner design, here's a wee test knit I've completed of hers recently - I hope she doesn't mind me sharing it already. The pattern is called 'Ember' and it's ingenious I tell you! Definitely got my brain working, but once I had it figured out I was very impressed by the construction and design of it, not to mention the speed with which it knit up. This one is destined for a special friend with a special babe.

I've actually knit a few more items up that I'm a bit 'shhh secret squirrel' about at the moment. It's for a pattern that I'm currently having tested - and man, it's a big and draining job. I don't know if I'll ever organise a pattern for testing the way it's currently being tested ever again, but here's hoping that early June I'll be able to tell you of my pattern release all going well.

I should be knitting up the next pattern in the series at the moment - the next pattern that will be tested and released - maybe that will suddenly become my priority tomorrow instead of the washing and bill paying.

Kids Handwarmers

Introducing another pattern that I love, and that I'd love to knit for you!

A friend of mine, Samantha Goodin has just developed a cute little handwarmers pattern that I was lucky enough to test - and I loved it so much (and more to the point, Penny loves her pair of handwarmers so much too) that I'm now able to knit these puppies for sale

You'll have to excuse the variety of colours Penny is wearing, she loves to dress herself

These practical little handwarmers are great for kids - they can still use all their fingers and thumb to play and manipulate things while keeping their hands toasty warm. They're also great for thumb and finger suckers, it means that they can still access their thumb/fingers while sitting in the stroller while you're out for a walk or in their carseat.

Penny's steering the 'pirate ship' here

These fit from approximately 1-5 years.

Contact me via email if you'd like to order - they are $12 a pair (or $16 including courier).

For any knitters out there, Sam's running a competition on her blog at the moment to celebrate the launch of her pattern - check out the link above for more information.

Milo Vests

I am licensed to hand knit Milo Vests under a tikki cottage license.

Owl Cable and XOXO Cable

 

Owl Cable (with beaded eyes) and Large Cable

A simple seamless vest knit in the round from the top down. A deviation from the classic vest; boxy, funky and relaxed.

Sizing range: 15 - 25 inch chest (newborn to size 6)

The pattern is written for 5 different cables. For more information, see tikki's blog entries here and here.

Please contact me for more information

The Lucky Dip Swap

I recently took part in a Lucky Dip Swap. It was during my weekend away (which was fab, and it won't be the last one seeing as we all had a great time)

We weren't quite sure how this was going to go, but we decided to each dye yarn (there was a separate 4 ply and an 8/10ply swap) in a colourway we liked, wrap it so that people knew the colour so that everyone could select a package they'd like.

Here's the colour I dyed - it's 10ply with the base as Chuckanut Bay Yarns which is soft and squishy

Also pictured are just a fat quarter I bought to match it to wrap it in and some stitch markers I had made. I did pop in some other goodies - promise!

It's funny, because I ended up receiving the swap package from the person who received mine!

Here is a pic of the yarn

This is dyed on a base of 8ply Utiku in lovely dark peacocky tones, I think it will be perfect to knit the boy something.

I also received a tin of green tea bags, a fabulous mug that I love, a block of fancy chocie and a healthy eating mag (which is just what I needed after the weekend of lazing around with friends and knitting and eating)

Leafy Shrugs

I knit this pattern earlier this year in a Budding Designers KAL on Rav and knew I wanted to have the Cottage License for it. I was going to put it off until the weather started warming up again, but recently someone enquired about me knitting it for their daughter's Christening - hey presto! I now have the CL for StitchyMama/Katherine Oxlade Knacks' Leafy Shrug which means I can knit this to sell.

  

 (These stunning pics are taken by a fab Wgtn photographer friend of mine - Rachael Brown)

This is a beautiful lacey shrug, great for summer BBQs as the weather cools in the evenings as well as spring & autumn days when another warmer layer is necessary. It makes a special one of a kind gift, perfect for birthdays and Christenings.

It can be knit in a range of sizes: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 18 months, 2T, 4T, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14

Providing the chest measurement for the child would ensure the right fit for the shrug

Please contact me if you would like to order or make an enquiry

(Click on image to see it close-up)

Helena Jackets

This is a lovely simple lace jacket, designed by Alison Green Will. I've knit this with both a more girly picot edge and a simpler garter stitch one as a matinee jacket for a baby boy.

Knit in Denim Blue Bendigo Luxury

It can be knit with either buttons or ties and comes in six sizes - 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2 years and 4 years

Knit in Stone Bendigo Luxury

Finished Measurements
Chest: 19.25[20, 21.5, 22.25, 24.5, 26] inches

I've knit 2 of these so far, both in Bendigo Luxury which happens to be a fabulously soft machine washable yarn that comes in a range of lovely colours.

Made with a matching Doodie Hat

Please contact me if you'd like more information or to order