A bit quiet around here

In blog land that is - not in my day to day life. There have been a number of things going on in the last fortnight which has meant there's been less time for blogging :)

1) There's the Knit-A-Long going on over on Rav for my series of patterns. Not long to go now if you were wanting to be in to win ;)

2) My beloved decided to download a game...great - except he's used up all our broadband for the next fortnight :{ It sure does waste a lot of time waiting for things to download, so I'm having to spend less time on the 'puter as I'm just getting frustrated with the amount of time everything takes

3) My brother became a Dad, and it's not as simple as it sounds.

4) Coco Kids has been accepted for a stall for the next Craft 2.0 on October the 30th - exciting!

5) Something pretty cool I was notified about today - I knit 2 of these jerseys last year in cream yarn (in 10 days too!) and they were dyed for this music video here for Luke Buda (again though, painful to watch with dial-up speed)

6) I've got testing for a new pattern underway - this one's a girly one called Teacher's Pet. This has almost had 2 waves, the first lot are almost finished but after a bit more tweaking I've roped a few more talented knitters in to give the next version a whirl. While I was hoping that it would be ready for release early in August, I'd rather put up a pattern that I'm 100% happy with so I'm going to just do a bit more checking first :)

Here are a few pics of it knit though - it has a variety of options within the pattern sized 3-6 months up to a size 8 (at the moment), 3 different skirts including 2 pleated versions and one full skirt, a hood option, and the instructions for adding a belt/belt loops or eyelet holes for a ribbon. I think that's about it?!

Full skirt version with picot style hem, hood and belt

Petal pleat version with hood, belt and contrast edging

Ali's gorgeous test knit (and model!), with the hood, petal pleat with ruffle and belt.

And I've got a lot more updating to do and some more lovely knitting to show off, but it will have to wait till after the 14th when our broadband speed returns

Fancy Joining a Knit-a-Long?

Over on Ravelry, there's a wonderful group called the Budding Designers Downunder group - it's a fab thread for finding out about the latest patterns released by downunder designers, as well as joining in test knits.

Every month we have a KAL (knit-a-long) for one of the designers patterns, and this month I was lucky enough to have my Little Rascal's patterns nominated and voted in.

So, this month, if you want to join in - you're more than welcome! You'll find all the information here in the thread, but the jist of it is if you knit up one of my patterns and load your pics/info into Rav then you'll have the chance to win one of 2 prizes. 1 is a refund of the pattern price, the other is for a pressie. I have decided a few things about it - 1 thing I know for certain is that it will contain some lovely Knitsch yarn :)

Busy...

That's the reason why I haven't updated my blog recently - busy, busy, busy.

What with the release of the patterns, and the answering of many messages regarding them, along with the custom knitting and the testing of the next pattern (it's due to be released on the 1st of August, it probably will be ready before then but I like the idea of releasing it on the 1st of a month) - and then there's being a wife and a mum to 2 children with my oldest almost 3 1/2, well I'm just a tad busy!

But I have managed to knit some items for my family - Blair was bemoaning that he didn't have a warm hat and that I never knit him anything so voila, I whipped him up a Hat Fit For A Boyfriend using TWC smoke in an evening. I did add an extra 1/2" to the length of it, but I think next time, I'd add another 1/2" again.

And I bought some gorgeous yarn through a co-op last year on TNN. It was Woolly Wumpkins 10ply/aran BFL that I had dyed especially in a blue/green colourway that was called 'Paradisiac' and a semi solid blue trim to match,. I did mean to knit it up last year, but never mind - this year Tim has a new Milo (the first for either of my own kids) and a pair of Looking Glass Longies.

Before and After

And Penny's going to get the dress I'm doing a final test of at the moment called 'Teacher's Pet' - and dyed in some gorgeous 8ply merino supplied by the lovelies at Wicked Knits.

And something for me - yep, about time. I decided that on release of the e-book of my patterns, that if I sold enough copies in the couple of days before Knitsch's Flights of Fancy yarn club started, that I would treat myself to my first spot in a yarn club. The good news was that thanks to the tremendous support of so many wonderful knitters I indeed was able to afford a spot. I arrived today and it's fabulous. I want to put up pics right now but can't because some people are still waiting for their yarn club packages so will have to edit this and add a picture next week when I get the all clear. As much as I love the pattern that came with the yarn, I think I'll knit the pattern - but using some other yarn I have in mind. The lovely yarn that came in the club was just sooo gorgeous (and 120gms, so a great amount) that I need to knit me something super super special with it. I even considered socks - but it's too nice for my feet!