Just One W.I.P

Empowered

2012-01-23T22:15:00.004+13:00

I've just been for a walk and I felt so fricken awesome I felt the need to blog...yes, me, who hasn't blogged since November.

See, I've been a little busy lately, what with the summer, Christmas, a three year old's birthday, the holidays, but I've also been investing some time on me. Yep that's right, I'm spending a little less time in front of the tv knitting and trying to make time every evening for me to exercise. I've been walking the dogs around where I live (it's definitely hilly!) and been trying out some Zumba and classes at the gym.

Tonight's walk, that's Wellington Harbour out there

Here it is again around sunset a couple of weeks ago

The best walking buddies ever! But sooo hard to photograph without them moving.

And today, my husband even commented that he could see I'd lost some weight. Mwah, thanks darling! There's nothing like hearing that. I've lost approx 8 kgs so far...I've got a lot more to lose. But I feel really positive I'll get there. There's no doubt in my mind that I can do it.

But here's where I get to the point of my blog entry. As I walked tonight, taking in the stunning view in my neighbourhood and the lovely cooling summer evening, I realised I felt great. Even after really pushing it going up the hill, frick I felt awesome. And that's because this is for me. I feel like for the first time since before getting pregnant and having kids (Penny turns 5 in a couple of weeks) I am actually looking after my body and in a way feeding my soul (gawd, sorry if that sounds terribly cliched).

I listen to my music as I walk, there are no demands for The Wiggles and Hi5, or I listen to an audiobook - undisturbed! Tonight my music on shuffle turned up a bit of Glee, Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Taylor Swift, Adele, Lady Gaga as well as something I have nooo idea what it was, but it was metalish with a great beat...it sure keeps you guessing what's going to be next! For the last couple of weeks I've also really really enjoyed listening to the series of The Hunger Games as I walked, I don't think I've finished 3 books back to back that fast since having kids.

I'm also being a bit mindful of what I eat, no more sitting down and polishing off half a block of chocolate or a packet of hokey pokey squiggle tops. I'm not saying I only eat lettuce and carrots, but I've swapped my choc fix for gingernuts and Eve apples (only Eve's, they are delicious). I'm using My Fitness Pal, it's a great free site!

And I have the most inspirational sister and friends, who have been there, done that and are still doing it too. There's nothing like seeing that they've lost 10-35 kgs. It hasn't happened overnight, obviously, but they've been so committed and so supportive.

So there you go, a memememe post, and I'm not going to apologise for it at all. I love my kids, wouldn't change a thing! But I think having a bit of time out, recognising that I'm worth investing a little time on too makes me a better wife and mum. One who hopefully will be around for many many years to enjoy seeing my kids grow.

Timothy, David and Penny, Dec 2011

Oh, and that doesn't mean I'm not knitting - I'm actually getting ready to test a couple more of my designs shortly...I'm just not spending as much time these days knitting. Quality, not quantity ;)

I spy with my little eye something beginning with P

2011-11-24T09:46:00.001+13:00

Today's entry is brought to you by the letter P.

P for Penny with the Pox

Penny got her first spot on Tuesday, gradually her chicken pox have spread over her torso and legs, we were happy that her face seemed to have missed spots - but she's woken up with them on her face and head today. I'm hoping she's fine by her first school visit in a weeks time! This pic is a pretty tame one of her spots, but it's G rated ;)

P is also for Present

This beautiful present arrived from my friend Hannah of Red Riding Hood Yarns yesterday evening. It's a skein of her 10ply hand-dyed in the colourway Green with Envy (which since playing Dingbats as a kid I always think of as Greenvy these days). Included was also a lovely note and a 'smiley happy people' LUSH (omg, I've never had lush stuff but it smells and looks soooooo good) package. Inside is a delcious looking soap, bodywash and emotibomb - so lovely! Thanks so much Hannah xxx

And finally - no pic for this, but P might also be for pattern development...but it's only at swatching and figuring out stage at the moment.

Enjoy your Thursday! xxx

Wednesday Snapshots

2011-11-17T10:26:00.000+13:00

I thought I might try and pop up some snapshots regularly - perhaps of things I'm working on, things the kids are up to, that kind of thing

These were taken yesterday at about 5pm. Known to many households with children as the arsenic hour.

At my place, I was making dinner while Timothy made a birthday cake, complete with candle.

Penny drew a picture. This one depicts what happened earlier in the morning. I was doing the kindy drop off with the three children, it was pouring with rain. When I finally got everyone buckled in to the car I found I must've locked my keys in the car. So here we are trapped in the car, with it raining outside while we waited for my husband to come home (after trying various doors and windows). The people you can see in the car are me, David and Penny. Penny said you can't see Timothy, he sits on the other side of the car - which is right.

And Mr 9 months old today was having a marvellous time trying out all the pizza toppings for the homemade pizzas I was making.

Sock Blocker Pre-Christmas Special

2011-11-15T19:32:00.002+13:00

Christmas is coming, what better way to treat a knitter you know, or buy some for your kids to wrap up for you for Christmas!

10% off all our sock blockers

Made of a lovely biscuity coloured kauri laminated ply (sourced locally), they are great for blocking those newly knit socks to just the right shape. The ply is smooth and thin, perfect for slipping into your socks with no snags.

Available in 5 different sizes:

* Kids (2 sizes - child or baby),
* Small (women's sizes 5-7NZ, 22.5cm)
* Medium (women's sizes 7.5-9NZ, 25.5cm)
* Large (women's and men's sizes 10+NZ, 27.5cm)

And the price is now even harder to beat!
~~$15 each~~ now $13.50 each
2 (they don't have to be 2 the same size) for ~~$28~~ $25.20...ok, let's make it a straight $25
3 for ~~$40~~ $36, that's $12 each!
Kids ones (child or baby sized) ~~$10 each~~ $9

If you'd like to order or ask further questions, email me - jstanfield@xtra.co.NZ

This special is for New Zealanders only, postage is additional ($7.50 for Nth Island, 12.50 for Sth Island). Pick up from Lower Hutt also available. Please be aware that Blair makes them to order, so they can take approx 2 weeks for delivery. Discount runs until the 15th of December.

Knitted Goodies For Sale

2011-10-29T20:40:00.000+13:00

I've just loaded sone items in the tab 'Items for Sale'. It's all discounted because I am running out of room for things! A great time of the year to pick up some pressies!

And here are a few of my personal favourites....

And the winner is....

2011-10-28T23:12:00.001+13:00

I've been running a little Rugby World Cup competition and I'm well overdue to picking a winner!

In the end there were 7 completed entries. In the order of completion they were:

By Odette

By kaaktus

By mychildrensmother

By Odette (this is the mini hotshot)

By Krissie

By Odette

By elpalchica

So, I listed them in a wee document, then asked my husband to pick any number between and including 1 and 7. His answer....

wait for it...

wait for it...

Still waiting...

Is this annoying?

Ok, my 7 entrants, it was the number 4 he selected...

Which turned out to be Odette. With 3 entries out of the 7 the odds were in Odette's favour! I'll be in touch Odette to organise your prize :) I'm pretty sure she was after a swift and fingers crossed it'll rain tomorrow so my beloved can get swift making instead of playing tennis lol.

A huge thank you to all the lovelies that took part and chatted during the RWC.

To finish, here's a beautiful image from the final game last weekend, boy it was stressful to watch, but go the AB's!

Confessions of a Yarnaholic Continued...The Stash

2011-10-26T17:00:00.003+13:00

I'm embarassed to have to admit that this is the kind of post that you can show to your significant other when they are complaining that your yarn stash is getting too big because the lid of the bin won't shut. In saying that, I know that there are many many Ravelers with much more than me, but when I laid my stash out in January 2010 it was a real eye-opener as to just how much yarn I had hiding in the wardrobes or living under the bed.

My aim since then was to destash the stuff I didn't like, knit up the yarn I do and to aim to buy way less yarn than I was knitting up over the year. In the end, I knitted 30,000m of yarn, that's 30kms worth.

So now, the yarn that remains from that pic looks more like this:

Actually, it's not like that at all as I've used some of the ones still pictured there, but seeing as there's still some in my stash I didn't want to just black it out. But it's a great improvement right?!

And we won't talk about the yarn that's been added to my stash since then

Blogtober the 19th, Pay It Forward

2011-10-19T18:00:00.002+13:00

A while ago, my friend Mary posted a Pay It Forward on her blog. I received my gorgeous package earlier this year, it contained delicious chocolate (ummm, one guess why it's not pictured!), handspun yarns (Mary knows I have a bit of a thing for brown yarn, but both of these are just beautiful), felt, gorgeous bulldog clips and a neat reusable shopping bag that now lives in the bottom of my handbag.

So, it's now my turn to Pay It Forward.

I will send a gift to a randomly selected someone who to leaves a comment on this post within the next 365 days.

I am willing to post anywhere in the world, so don't let that stop you commenting.

The catch is that you have to have a blog and be willing to do the same thing.

So if you'd like to participate, then leave me a comment and make sure to leave me a valid email address so that I can contact you for your address, etc.PLEASE also tell me what kind of things you'd love to receive or any allergies you might have.

Paying it forward is lots of fun! Go on, leave me a comment! And hey, if you're not selected it doesn't mean you can't still pay it forward to someone else anyway, post someone something you don't need anymore but think they might appreciate :)

Blogtober the 18th, Matariki

2011-10-18T22:09:00.001+13:00

I have to blog about this! I can't believe I haven't already.

Now, I can take no credit for the knitting of this most stunning jersey. It was knitted by my beautiful friend Fi and gifted to my family. I can't tell you how much I love this. Yes, I love the smooshy soft WOOLganics yarn and the cleverly designed pattern by my friend Sarah. Yes, I love too that it fits my Timothy as if it was knitted just for him.

But what I love the most is the generosity of such an amazing gift. I know it must've been hard to send this jersey to me after knitting it. It's the kind of jersey that I would find hard to give away, in fact, I don't think I'll be able to! And Fi has a little fella of her own that could've grown into it I'm sure (though shush, I don't want to give her any ideas)

It's amazing right? And we love it.

Thanks for being you Fi xxx

Blogtober the 17th, 8 months old today!

2011-10-17T19:12:00.002+13:00

It's true! My babe is 8 months old today! It's unreal that he's 2/3rds of a year old and yet what a doozy the first 6 months in particular were. But these days he's pretty chilled, he loves the big kids, doesn't get into too much mischief (because he can't move anywhere on his own yet) and eats everything I shovel into his little mouth, screaming for more when he finishes the first helping! He's sleeping much better at night too, but I'm a bit nervous to mention that for fear of jinxing things. Less than a fortnight ago he'd be waking 2-3 times in the 11-12ish hours that the other kids were sleeping overnight. In the last week or so, he's doing much longer 10-12 hour stretches! It's amazing the effect it's having on me. I've even felt like knitting lately.

This picture seems pretty fitting, the kids 'crowned' my David the other day. The crown was one Penny made at kindy for Timothy's pretend 3rd birthday.

Actually, I took this video today, I wonder if this link to watch it will work...

Less Than A Week Left!

2011-10-16T15:04:00.000+13:00

Not long now until the final of the Rugby Word Cup! That means that my competition to knit a rugby jersey using one of my patterns finishes soon

If you're interested, the blog entry here has all the details

And go the ABs tonight! But whichever team wins the semi final tonight out of the ABs or the Aussies I hope they thrash the French after their game against Wales last night!

HTML? Huh? Help???

2011-10-15T19:55:00.000+13:00

I hate things not working right on my blog. Hate it.

I have a 'visitors to my blog' button (ok, if you look closely there are two but the second one was added because the first wasn't working). So, halfway down the links on the right hand side there is the original 'visitors to my blog' button...and it's not working anymore.

So, I added another (it's the one at the top at the moment) in the hope that it would just continue with the blog hits. But no, it's starting from 1!

Who knows how I go about getting a blog counter with the right stats? Or how I fix the old one. The HTML is obviously bung, but I'll post it here in case someone can see the problem?

yasmin lawsuit

I'm all about 'Tomorrow' at the moment

2011-10-14T20:48:00.001+13:00

Tomorrow When the War Began series that is, by John Marsden.

The first book came out when I was at high school, I know I waited and waited to read it and then the queue at the library was so long for any others that that was where I stopped reading the series. But recently I've worked my way through the True Blood books (which I loved!) and felt the need to continue on reading another series, something light and easy.

And so, Tomorrow When The War Began it was. I've almost finished the 2nd book at the moment. Yes, it is written for teenagers, but it's super mindless reading. I'm watching the DVD as I type too, I'll let you know what I think later.

And so, what series should I read next? Something light, entertaining and part of a series is the criteria :)

Blogtober - The Best LYS Ever!

2011-10-13T21:55:00.001+13:00

I am so lucky! I have the best little local yarn shop! It's about 4kms from my house, stocks a fabulous range of gorgeous yarns at a variety of prices and is owned by Tash, a beautifully vibrant and knowledgeable knitter and yarn dyer (amongst many things). Oh, and it's called Holland Road Yarn Company, found on Jackson Street, Petone, Wellington

I've just come back from knitting night there, meeting up with other knit/yarnaholics and seeing what yarns/patterns people are knitting while eating nommy food and drinking a cuppa tea. It's my idea of fun. It's close enough to home if I get a call that one of the kids is beside themselves. And you can buy anything that speaks to you at the end of the night if you like. Dangerous! But the chance to sit there without children for a couple of hours and fondle yarn is wonderful.

Actually tonight I came home with some delicious hand-dyed DK, I think it's one of Tash's first batches and it's stunning. This particular skein is destined to become a Jane for my Penny. You can also buy Tash's yarn online at knitsch

Blogtober - I'm Rocking!

2011-10-11T20:13:00.001+13:00

I don't know if many people are really interested in what I'm blogging about, but besides being a day late for starting, I feel like I'm managing fine to blog every day, even amongst head colds and flus.

Today, I've got a beautiful little summer cardi/top to show you, this one is called 'Summer Days' by Elena Nodel and it's really cute. Perfect for summer days...and summer evenings.

I knitted this in some lovely soft Utiku 4 ply baby wool that has been in my stash for a year or two. I thought it would match a little dress Penny has and all my kids look great in blue, it's their fair hair and blue eyes.

The buttons are super cute little daisies, made by the talented Benji.

The pattern will be out soon!

Clutter Kills

2011-10-10T23:05:00.001+13:00

I hate clutter.

My house is cluttered at the moment. It's hard to get through the hallway. My dad would've said it was dangerous having blocked the main exit from the house in the event of a fire.

Looks like clutter can be deadly in other ways too

Las Vegas clutter article

Washington clutter article

Human mole article

These articles make me think of those programmes on telly of those serial hoarder type people. Where they live in a house with piles up to the ceiling everywhere and little tunnels through them to move around the house in. They always seems to find dead cats or something gross hiding in the piles too, ewwwww.

I love those programmes, they always make me feel better that my corners of stuff to sell/biff/give away are somewhat manageable in comparison.

Where's all the knitting?

2011-10-09T22:01:00.001+13:00

For someone that used to blog an awful lot about my fo's (finished objects), I've just done a look back at my posts this year to check that I won't repeat myself to find that I haven't really posted about my knitting since this post here which was pre-David!

So here are just a few things I've knitted this year, I've got plenty more to add so I'll just start with a few.

This Rainbow Dress was knitted for my daughter Penny's 4th birthday (in February!). The beautiful yarn was dyed by Shannon Passmore.

Since then, I've had a go dyeing a few rainbow gradients of my own.

I did these two for a couple of swaps, though I need to have another go soon, I owe one of my lovely sisters some as a belated birthday present ;)

Actually, speaking of Rainbow Dresses, I knitted another special little girl one for her 4th birthday (though yes, it's modelled here by my Penny)

And these Barbie sized ones were actually knitted recently, testing them for Georgie who is working on a plethora of dolly designs at the moment. The barbies are naked no longer.

If anyone's interested in me popping up a wee blog tute on how I did the rainbow gradents, leave me a comment and I'll get onto it :)

No pretty picture today...

2011-10-08T14:41:00.001+13:00

I'm full of the flu. But if I was to paint you a picture of things at my place it would include a mountain of tissues, boxes of cough lollies and nurofen, bottles of water and numerous pairs of pjs. I sweated through three pairs last night so they're currently in the washing machine ready for a repeat performance tonight.

Sorry for the pathetic mememe blogtoberfest entry today. I wish I had prewritten and scheduled more than the 2 donut posts when I started to feel a bit rotten.

Donuts - The Recipes

2011-10-07T06:00:00.005+13:00

Here they are, the recipes I've been using lately.

The donuts have come from this site, it's a yeast based recipe but also egg free (and probably easily dairy free if you used rice/oat milk)

And the recipes below are the ones from my mum. It might sound weird to have sauces with donuts, but they are yum. I used to love the nutmeg one, but the lemon might be my favourite these days. Either way, they're both gooooood.

MUM'S DONUTS
1 cup sugar
3 ½ teaspns baking powder
4 cups flour
½ teaspn cinnamon
½ teaspn nutmeg
2 eggs
1 cup milk
3 tblspns melted butter
½ teaspn salt
oil for deep frying

Mix dry ingredients. Beat eggs thoroughly and add. Add milk and melted butter. Roll about 1 cm thick on floured board and cut with donut cutter. Fry several at a time in hot oil until nicely browned. Dust with icing or caster sugar.

NUTMEG SAUCE
1 cup sugar
1 tblspn flour
1 cup boiling water
1 tblspn butter
1 teaspn nutmeg

Mix together sugar and flour and stir in boiling water, and cook, stirring constantly, until sauce bubbles and thickens slightly. Add butter and simmer gently 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in nutmeg.

LEMON SAUCE
⅓ cup sugar
1 tblspn cornflour
1 cup water
3 tblspns butter
½ teaspn grated lemon rind
1 ½ tblspns lemon juice
pinch salt

Mix sugar and cornflour together in a saucepan. Add water and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture bubbles. Simmer gently for a few minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in butter, lemon rind and fresh lemon juice and salt. Serve hot with pudding (donuts!)

Donuts - The Tradition

2011-10-06T06:00:00.012+13:00

Recently my friend Margaret pointed out a donut recipe she has stumbled across and been using successfully (I'll post recipes and links tomorrow) and it brought back a lot of childhood memories.

My mum is a great donut maker. When we were kids, my mum would let us choose whatever we liked for our birthday dinner. I always loved it when my sister Sarah's birthday came around because she pretty predictably chose donuts (I think I tended to pick lemon meringue pie, but my friend Ruth recently mentioned on Facebook that she remembers eating donuts at our place as kids, so I'm guessing that was my birthday and she was the chosen friend I was allowed to invite that year).

Mum would make a huge roasting dish batch of donuts and we'd drizzle these delicious homemade sauces over them and then gobble them down, licking the sauces from our fingers.

So when friends of mine started talking about donuts and making them, I thought I'd give it a go. I'd like donuts to be part of my kids happy childhood memories just as they are part of mine.

And for my first time ever deep frying, I think I did really well!

The first time I used the glazes that accompanied the recipes. They were goooood.

The second batch was to eat while we watched the All Blacks play France in the Rugby World Cup. Go the AB's! They were cinnamon-sugared and accompanied by the legendary lemon and nutmeg sauces.

And while I enjoyed them, I was relieved to find that they definitely are only a special occasions food. You can only eat a couple before feeling full so a batch goes a really long way. And I think I am sufficiently donut-ed for a while now.

Co-ops...once you start, it's a slippery slope

2011-10-05T10:00:00.003+13:00

Omg, co-ops are bad! I've been asked before what a co-op is, it's when a number of people join in together to buy something in bulk, normally saving on shipping and often getting a bulk order discount.

This is a pic from one of Hannah's recent Red Riding Hood Yarn co-ops. One that I avoided because I know it's either all or nothing with me, but one that afterwards I drooled over the pics of. I didn't think she'd mind me using her pic, all blog entries need one.

Co-ops suck me in. Where I hang out online someone will ask "Anyone keen on some *insert all kinds of random things*?" and all of a sudden I think, why yes, maybe I need one/ten of those, in every size/colour available (because that's a flaw of mine)

I've joined in on co-ops for all kinds of random things, off the top of my head I know I've bought:
- yarn (no surprises there, but from memory I've done Wool Company, 100purewool, Bendigo Woollen Mills, Woollywumpkins, Jolly Jumbuck, Lollytree, Family Roots)
- jigsaw puzzles
- merino (I had such good intentions making the kids all stuff for winter, I bought oodles, cut out none)
- summer weight long sleeved boys pj's...in sizes 3, 4 and 5. Anyone want some?! I'm thinking I might cut off the sleeves and rehem them...but they're in the 'to do' pile. I'll probably think about doing something when they're too small for both my boys.
- aluminum or stainless steel (I forget which!) drink bottles
- KP circular needles from Vintage Purls
- baby bobux boots
- mocka bike

I've tried hard to avoid accumulating stuff I won't use, I've been soooo tempted to buy a couple of the lazy Susan mechanisms on offer at the moment but I know they'll just gather dust in the garage!

Go on, others out there must've bought some random stuff from co-ops in the past? And if you are looking for good yarny co-ops near you, have a look at the company name group on Rav. I know places like Family Pendragon, Family Roots, Mosaic Moon, Lollytree have groups with co-op info.

Come to the dark side with me!

Hi my name is Julia and I'm a yarnaholic

2011-10-04T21:57:00.002+13:00

There it is. I've blogged it, it's official. Acknowledging it is phase one in dealing with my addiction.

If you stick around for a few more blog entries during blogtober you'll get to see some of my favourites in my stash, a pic of my disgustingly huge stash about a year ago (I really mean disgusting, it was such an eye opener it really made me feel ill) and preventative measures I'm taking to slow the growth of it any further. I do also knit what I think are some pretty nice garments/accessories too, so the plan is to show a few of those.

Part 1: The background of my addiction

I blame you TNN! I blame you totally for the threads about the new colours in The Wool Company and Ashford Tekapo *shudders*.

See, I had learned to knit as a kid. My mum very patiently taught me how to knit as a leftie, when she herself was a righty. I knitted stripey garter stitch scarves and numerous half finished toys. I eventually knitted myself a jersey (omg, I still have it, I might have to fish it out from the back of the wardrobe) and a homespun type jersey for one of my sisters while we were at uni (homespuns were pretty common at the time). And then I didn't knit for a long time. Not even when I was pregnant with my daughter! That's what nana's are for right :)

Probably not till my Dad was dying in 2007 did I consider knitting like my sisters and mum were while sitting at hospital. I think the first thing I knitted when picking up the needles again was a cardi and hat set for my sister's babe, who actually just turned 4 yesterday. I had bought the yarn off trademe (never again now, but at the time that's where I bought yarn!). I don't think I even knew what Raverly was then!

I don't have a photo, but this is my oldest project on Rav as far as I can see...I cringe now looking at my twisting leftie knitting! Again, using yarn bought from trademe. I was told it was DK but it definitely wasn't so I double stranded it. I still don't know how to do lazy daisies.

And so, my stash began. With yarn from trademe. But I yearned to join in some co-ops for this 'beautiful' yarn TNN'ers were knitting with. Yarn I'd never even known existed.

I'm happy to say, I definitely no longer have any trademe yarn left from my early days of knitting.

But I have accumulated an awful lot of yarn in the past 4 years!

Have you got pics of some of your earliest crafting? Or some pretty substantial stashes of fabric, scrap booking, art, yarn etc materials? Go on, share with me!

A Little Late to the Party

2011-10-03T06:00:00.000+13:00

But only a little. It's only the 3rd today. I even managed to blog on the 2nd!

Actually, it was when I was looking at my much neglected blog that I noticed that my friend Georgie has signed up for Blogtoberfest.

I've avoided Blogtoberfest in the past, but I really feel like I need to reclaim my blog. I've got a few things in my head I've been planning on blogging about, NON 'work' related (ie, not about my patterns) and so I thought I'd sign up for it.

Speaking of being late though, does anyone else find that since having kids they are always late? I used to always be on time for things, but these days I find I often don't even leave the house till the time I am meant to be somewhere (besides kindy pick ups, I'm never late for those. Can't stand the thought of my Penny being the last kid waiting on the mat with those big sad eyes of hers). I don't like being late, but it seems to be much less avoidable these days. I'm blaming the kids. It couldn't be anything to do with my time management or organisational skills ;)

In search of a knitter?

2011-10-02T21:44:00.000+13:00

I've just added a little directory page to my blog if you are in search of a knitter to knit you one of my patterns. There are fabulous knitters listed for NZ, Australia, US, UK and Ireland! And I know that some are definitely willing to knit and send to other countries too, I know of a couple of Kiwi's knitting for little Aussies at the moment!

Go and visit their shops and pages! Such beautiful knitting!

Here's an assortment (I apologise, this doesn't picture something from each 'shop' but it gives you an idea of the talented knitters)

Jaimie from Hot Off the Needles: Knits for Kids and Bubs

Nikki from Little Ladybug Handknits

Rachel from A Little Bit of Everything

Ali from Coco Kids

Kate from Coco Kids

And this cutey, well I'll take credit for him and his hooded cardy

I'm just about to add a page too for purchasing a cottage license, it's very easy and I think a very fair price - contact me if you'd like any more information regarding it.

Julia

Rugby World Cup Competiton

2011-09-23T19:47:00.003+12:00

As a bit of a hurrah for a few things I’d love to run a competition (because I love competitions!)

To celebrate:
- the update of The Little Rascals e-book
- the launching of my own Rav group (squeeeee)
- the Rugby World Cup, which just happens to be hosted in New Zealand this year.

To enter:
Knit a kids rugby jersey using one of my patterns in the colours of your favourite team(s).

I think the Hotshot with or without a collar is ideal and also very practical for this time of the year for both Hemispheres - Spring here in the Southern Hemisphere, Autumn/Fall for the Northern Hemisphere.

I knitted one for my Penny to wear for her kindy black-out days. Here she is modelling it, along with my Timothy. I was hoping to be able to whip one up for each of the boys too, but they're both still waiting!

Enter the details into in my group here, pop the picture up in the thread and tag your FO with j-j’sRWCcomp

You can start anytime now, the closing date is the same date as the final for the RWC which is the 23rd of October…but you’ll want to finish your FO before then I’m sure, so your kidlets can wear them while watching the games!

There’ll definitely be a prize…hmmm, it could include yarn, chocolate, perhaps even a swift if you live in NZ/Aus and need one and definitely some fabulous stitch markers made by my friend Deb. I’ll organise the details for deciding the winner/prize soon :)

Here are the entries so far!

The Little Rascals e-book, now updated!

2011-09-21T20:39:00.000+12:00

On the 1st of September I released the update of my The Little Rascals e-book. It's been a big job but it's done!

Here's the blurb from Ravelry:

The Little Rascals e-book is a collection of 3 unisex, easy to knit, seamless (topdown) and versatile patterns. They’re great for wearing out and about and for mucking around in the backyard.

The Little Rascals are all v-necked garments - Little Hoodlum (jersey), Hotshot (vestee), Young Einstein (jacket/cardigan) - making them easy to pop on a bib if necessary or for bigger kids who don’t like yarn up against their neck.

The e-book is a comprehensive, detailed pattern with almost every imaginable extra possible! The new improved pick-a-path style pattern has so many options to allow you to choose your own way through the pattern, creating your own unique garment for a loved one.

The updated e-book now contains instructions for:
Contrast colour edge
Moss or garter stitch edge
Hood
Collars in either rib, moss or garter stitch
Wide or tapered sleeves
Cables in the raglan, kangaroo pocket or hood
Kangaroo or patch pockets

As well as exclusive Watermellish embellishment charts for:
Bulldozers
Daisies
Ladybugs
Caterpillars

But wait! There’s more!

Also included is PupPup’s Mini Hotshot pattern (for teddies), so you can knit matching sets for beloved teds.

Sizings for the patterns range from newborn up to 10 years (15-28 inch chest)

The patterns can be knit in either DK (8ply) or worsted weight (10ply) as long as a 20sts gauge is achieved. Information is also provided for substituting yarns of other weights.

Now this update should’ve gone to everyone who has purchased this pattern in the past via Ravelry. If you haven’t got your copy and you purchased it there, click on ‘my notebook’. From the list of options, select ‘purchases’. In there you’ll find access to the latest version.

If you bought it directly from me, please contact me for an updated version. If you could tell me when you purchased it or have a copy of correspondence with me (if it makes searching through emails easier my email address is jstanfield at xtra dot co dot nz.)

This pattern is intended for personal home use only. Commercial use of this pattern is permitted only through a cottage license, please contact me if you're interested in a Cottage License.

If you'd like to buy a copy, for September and October it's at a special price of $10USD. If you click the button below you'll be taken to purchase it :)

A huge thank you to all my wonderful testers and collaborators xxx

Time For A Little Spring Clean

2011-09-20T11:09:00.001+12:00

Phew, that's better!

A new header, courtesy of the lovely Tanja of Watermellish. Thanks so much Tanja!

I've been working with Tanja lately on the update of my pattern which was released on the 1st of September, I'll blog about that later. If you're into knitting and embellishing though, you should definitely go check out her website, she's incredibly talented!

But with the update on the 1st of September came the first day of Spring, time to Spring clean! I've been feeling the need to declutter a bit later, simplify a few things since the testing is done and the pattern is updated. My house is awash with bags of things to rehome, my blog a little too busy with things that need updating and editing. I think it's easier to flick a few buttons on my blog than to tackle the grown out of baby clothes!

It's Gooooooood!

2011-08-30T22:22:00.000+12:00

I consider myself a bit of a chocolate connoisseur, I like it a lot (my backside doesn't thank me for my love of the sweet brown stuff)

I am in love though with a flavor I never thought I'd be suggesting. See, I don't normally like soft flavored centres, not gooey chocolate in the middle and definitely not orange (though, embarrassingly, if they are all that's left in the box of chocies, I'll still eat them! They're still chocolate!)

So when I decided to throw a block of Whittakers kiwifruit in the trolley a couple of months ago, I thought it would have a soft green sweet filling. I was soooo pleasantly surprised to find it has bits of dried apple and kiwifruit in it, it's delicious. So delicious that I had to share, just in case you haven't experienced the deliciousness of it yet.

And it's Whittakers, of course, Whittakers is the best!

There's No Place Like Home

2011-08-28T11:14:00.000+12:00

I've really neglected blogging lately, I write so many entries in my head, but actually finding the time to type them is tricky these days.

This week has been busier than most. My little 6 month old David ended up in Hutt Hospital for 4 days and nights due to a pretty rough bout of Bronchiolitis, poor wee mites 2nd one (but by far the worst of the 2) this winter.

I've 3 children, but David is the first ever to get bronchiolitis, it's pretty scary to be honest. At his worst, David's little chest was heaving so hard and fast, his wheezy breathing sounded like a harmonica and he was too weak to feed as it was all just too hard and tiring for him. My poor baby was put on oxygen and had a nasogastric tube for feeding put in almost as soon as we were admitted to hospital. I think the image of him all weak in my arms looking up at me with these big sad eyes will be forever imprinted on my memory.

But one night in hospital, instead of feeling utterly tired and over it all, I had a real sense of gratitude.

We have so much to be thankful for. Thank you to all the wonderful people who sent messages, texts and emails. I will apologise right now for not replying to them all, and I don't think I will ever catch up on them, but thank you.

Thank you to all the people who jumped into action to help support us. With a young family there was a fair bit of juggling to do. I had a baby in hospital, a 2.5 year old with the same virus miserable at home and unable to be brought to the hospital and a 4.5 year old having her last day at one kindy and starting a new one during the week

Thanks for all the offers of help! I had my friend Christine roped into looking after a sick Timothy while Blair took Penny to kindy for her happy last day. I had my sister Sarah looking after the kids one afternoon so that Blair could come up to hospital and relieve me so that I could come home, see the kids and shower at home. My sister Caroline offered some milk for David as soon as she heard he had an ng tube inserted. This was a huge relief, it's hard to keep ahead of expressing, so starting off with some in the bank was fabulous. I had my other sister Anna dropping off meals, cards and yummy treats that took care of the family at home for pretty much the week. One of my sister's mothers in laws came and looked after the kids one dinner time and evening again so I could come home that day, see the kids, shower and put the kids to bed. And then when my mother-in-law offered to come down to Wellington and stay for a bit that made life a whole lot easier. I know it put extra pressure on both mine and Blair's family, but thank you! We couldn't have done it (and still been sane at the end!) without you.

Amongst all that, I had some special visitors up at hospital trying to share the load with the clingy baby who just wanted his mama, bringing treats, mags and keeping me company. I found the hospital had wifi (yussss! Only in the children's ward too!) and was able to keep in touch with beautiful online friends and family which was a real boost for me, hospital can be so isolating otherwise I'm sure.

I'm also thankful that we live in the Hutt. Hutt Hospital really is awesome. Although I know that in the children's ward we were just another bronc. case, we were given such special care.

And in the middle of the night, when I should've been sleeping while my baby was finally sleeping in his hospital cot, I felt so lucky that this was just temporary. My baby would get better, he would have no long term health issues as a result of it, we would go home and we would all be able to catch up on sleep and go back to normal. It made me realise just how awesome those with kids constantly in hospital must be and how my own week of craziness really is nothing compared to what other families have to deal with.

Arohanui

Hope Osbourne Updates

2011-07-10T00:41:00.000+12:00

Earlier in the year I posted about the little 4 year old girl Hope and her family who were dealing with the news that her cancer had returned. The family were given a pretty scary prognosis.

I know that there are people who are wondering what's happened and how things are going. The VERY short version is that since then there have been ups and downs for the family. But Hope is still here, still doing ok and that those that love and care for her are still praying for that miracle.

Hope's family do post on their facebook page - Hope Osbourne Updates - so you should join/like the page to keep up to date.

xx

J

Coco Kids has a Felt shop

2011-07-10T00:32:00.000+12:00

Coco Kids has a Felt shop! At the moment it looks a little like this:

Yes, that's right, you no longer have to personally contact any of us regarding getting a custom knit, if there's something specific you're after but you don't want to wait - then simply visit our store and see if there perfect item is sitting there waiting just for you!

At the moment, there's a range of vests, dresses, cardigans, a few hats - well, you'll just have to pop over and have a look. We'll be adding items to it as we knit them, but we'll keep those that are our FB friends up to date when new items pop up.

Thanks! Stay warm!

And ooops! I wrote this post in June and it's been in my 'drafts' so I've only just noticed that I never actually posted it! But now's a great time to buy knitteds, it's freeeeezing out there. There are more things to be added also including sock blockers, my knitting patterns and a couple more special items.

Bugs Galore!

2011-07-10T00:24:00.003+12:00

Oh how I wish it had been little insecty bugs galore during the month of June! Caterpillars and ladybugs (I don't know if caterpillars actually are bugs) and creepy crawlies!

Instead, the month of June has been a month of sickies and germs. Like most people with kids we really took a hammering, but *touch wood* at this very second everyone in my household is feeling good and healthy.

It's interesting when people feel rotten (me included) of the changes you make to your normal routines in order to cope. We used the crockpot a lot (butter chickpeas anyone? A great meal for a family for around $4 I reckon...double it and it reheats nicely for another day too), the disposable nappies came out for my littlest (I love x a billion modern cloth nappies, but the washing was getting more than I could cope with so by reducing the nappy washing to just one helped a little) and we leaned on the one healthy person in the household a lot - that would be my hubby Blair.

Actually speaking of nappies, I was offered some Huggies Drynites to try out. I'm a bit of a doofus as I didn't realise that they were for bigger kids that are toilet trained and so on my 2 1/2 year old they looked a bit big. They didn't leak though, much as I thought they might and as much as I dreaded they would actually add to my washing if they did. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they didn't have little Winnie the Poohs on them and for the boys design they were 'jockey' styled like little gruts.

Anywho, back to the germs - it went like this -
Timothy: croup
Me: something grotty and undiagnosed but which felt like I'd been hit by a bus
Penny: cold
Timothy: croup - again (seriously, you wouldn't read about it)
David: bronchiolitis

Now why Blair remained well, I don't know but thank goodness he did. He's been brilliant. I've got a proper post brewing in my head about that that one day perhaps I'll get around to posting. June was also the month that we put out an SOS to people. I don't normally ask for help but after a month of sickies the going gets tough. We were so lucky last week to have wonderful people help us out with kindy picks up and visits. I might have even snaffled my sister's fabulous husband, father in law and mother in law, roping them into helping (they were wonderful!), along with Penny's BFF's nana across the road (who spoiled Penny rotten which she loved) and another of my sisters.

Thank you! Putting out the SOS and getting responses was a real relief.

I don't know anyone with kids that didn't have sick kidlets during June though, there are so many bugs going around including grotty V&D bugs that so far we've been lucky enough to avoid.

July, you're going to be the month for pattern updates, knitting with nice yarns, reading good books, playing boardgames, perhaps even a little bit of sewing, holidays from kindy and so no kindy run (yipppeeeee!). No more tissues, cough lollies, visits to the doctor (umm, there were 4 trips to the doc and 1 to the hospital in June...I wonder if you can buy shares in a Doctor's clinic?)

Stay healthy out there

Oh, and because every post needs a picture, here's my cutest littlest bunny... 4 1/2 months old now!

Oh dear!

2011-05-30T15:42:00.000+12:00

Close the window and walk away now if you don't want to spend any money on yarn!

And if you're intrigued, well I heard about this fab yarn site and an awesome sale today - it's offering 20%-50% off some delicious yarns (including mad tosh and mal rios) and the shipping is really reasonable at a capped rate of $12USD. Combine with that the additional 10% you can get off by typing 'WELCOME' in the coupon code spot and you can pick yourself up some mad tosh for the best price I've ever seen

If you do happen to stop by there and login, could you mention you read about it here on my blog? They have a nice 'gem reward' system. Thanks and happy knitting (or should I say shopping ;) )

Swifts and Sock Blockers Update

2011-05-19T14:19:00.003+12:00

So winter is on its way and knitters are trying to organise their queues and knit up their stashes!

There have been a lot of enquiries and orders regarding swifts and sock blockers lately so I thought I'd do a little update as to what's going on with them in the world of Just One W.I.P.

We've been on the look out for a long time now for the best materials possible to make our sock blockers in and we've finally sourced some that we're super happy with. It's a lovely thin kauri ply with a smooth finish on both sides (no snags with those precious hand knitted socks!) that we have sourced from a local supplier. The great news is that at the moment our prices for the new and improved sock blockers are able to stay much the same. That's $15 each, 2 for $28 or 3 for $40. We also offer children's sock blockers in 2 sizes, children's or babies which are $10 each. The kauri ply is a slightly browner more 'biscuity' coloured wood from our previous pine.

A trial pair of children's sized blockers in the new ply

Blair's swifts are proving so popular that he's making them regularly in the evenings and weekends, currently customers are told there is a 3 week wait when ordering due to the demand. Unfortunately because of the rise in the cost of materials in the last 6 months or so we are having to increase the price of swifts to $60 before postage. We still think that they are absolutely worth that and are really nicely made large swifts that can handle big skeins. The one below was on it's way to New Plymouth this week to make balling yarn easier for it's owner.

Feel free to contact me or leave a comment if you have any questions!

Happy Knitting!

Wonderous Woolly Winners

2011-05-11T22:28:00.000+12:00

It's just amazing what people can do with a basic pattern!

The Budding Designers Downunder Group on Ravelry has just hosted a knit a long of my patterns and I had the tough decision of choosing some winners. Man, it was hard alright, but here's a collage of the winners beautiful finished objects and their lovely models

This is only a smidgen of the fabulous items that were knitted over April! There are sooooo many more amazing ones and many more stunning children wearing them. I'm hoping to get my own children wearing one each this winter when I get a chance to knit them

Here's one that we've been gifted as well, I've been spamming everywhere with this pic as I love the cardy and the model so much! Thanks again Michaela!

And the horse hasn't bolted yet if you are wanting to join in with a KAL. There's a May one running at the moment over in the 'Knitting for Boys' group, I've got a prize in mind as well for that one :)

Come join us! Thanks again to all the wonderful people choosing to knit my patterns. It gives me such a buzz! Mwah!

It's Nice To Be Appreciated

2011-05-09T13:51:00.000+12:00

All mothers need a big hug and a 'thank you' on Mother's Day.

Not wanting to brag, but my husband did a superb job this year. Besides our plans for a lie-in being foiled by Timothy choosing to rip up DVD case inserts in the lounge which resulted in people being told off and crying before breakfast time, the rest of the day was lovely!

My husband must've given a great deal of thought to the gift, either that or he's got a winning formula which I'd be happy for him repeat annually, a BIG box of chocolates (fabulous!), a bunch of roses, the latest book in a series he knows I've read (with an exchange card), smellies, a bag of lollies, a fab container for putting my knitting in and best of all a beautiful card with nice stuff written inside.

Add to that him making breakfast, lunch and dinner and doing the dishes not to mention not complaining when I picked up my knitting or decided to dye some yarn and I feel pretty special. Pity that by the time I realised he'd done such a wonderful job all day he was in bed fast asleep after doing all the cooking, cleaning and kindy lunchbox making ready for Monday (I was busy going through all the KAL projects...I'm still not finished but that's another post)

Sorry to those that had stink mother's day - tell your significant others that it's not on and hope for better next year (and circle things in mailers, point out things you like, set the alarm in their phone for the day before with a comment about shopping for mother's day...you know, stuff like that)

A little update

2011-05-02T19:04:00.000+12:00

Just a quick post while I remember, I've just transferred $100 to the Red Cross account for Christchurch, thank you to all the people who purchased my Teacher's Pet pattern since the 18th of March, the money all went to Christchurch (I rounded it up to a nice tidy figure :) )

And just a reminder too that my knit-a-longs are close to coming to an end, all the details for your items need to be entered into Ravelry by the 8th of May

If you didn't get to take part but would still like to do a KAL of my Little Rascals, a knit-a-long of those is just underway over on Ravelry in the Knitting For Boys group (and I reckon you can still knit it for girls ;)

And here's a picture, just because every post needs one to look pretty. Mr 10 weeks just happens to be wearing a Young Einstein I knitted (it does have all the buttons, promise...I had just started taking the cardy off when Blair wanted to chat with baby David). Now just imagine cooing noises and inhaling squeals of laughter from the both of them, gorgeous!

A Belated Easter

2011-04-30T20:21:00.000+12:00

Easter didn't really happen at my house. The kids woke up and found they'd been visited by the Easter bunny but we didn't really get into the easter spirit beforehand like I would have liked. The build up was possibly overshadowed by Craft 2.0 and the fact that Coco Kids had a stall there on Saturday the 29th (the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday). On the Sunday I fed my babe and then got up early to take my lovely friend Kate to the airport so besides us consuming a bit of chocolate, it felt like any other Sunday following a very busy Saturday.

Craft 2.0 by the way was fabulous, exhausting but fabulous. I spent the day there with my colleagues Kate and Ali, along with baby David (9 weeks at the time), he was more than happy in my Unido sling or being cuddled by whoever could snaffle him away from me when he wasn't sleeping.

I had been meaning to make these Hot Cross muffins with my kids as soon as I found the recipe. I tried making Hot Cross buns with them a few times, but for some reason, the same recipe I had great success with last year was a flop (no it wasn't my yeast).

Today, we made the Easter muffins. I still haven't got around to the kids making little baskets or bunny ears or anything like that, but the muffins we did today. And they were yummy. We'll make them again, even if it's not easter!

Here's the recipe, I hope it's ok to post it on my blog!

Allyson Gofton's Easter Hot Cross Muffins

Ingredients:
3 c flour
2 T bkg pdr
1/2 c brown sugar
2 t mixed spice
1 1/2 c dried fruit (your choice, I used currants and sultanas)
1 apple, peeled and grated
2 eggs
1 1/2 c milk
125gms butter, melted and cooled

Crosses:
1/2 c flour
1/2 t bkg pdr
25gms soft butter
milk to mix

Method:
1. Sift the flour, bkg pdr, brown sugar and spice into a large bwol. Stir through the dried fruit and make a well in the centre.
2. In a jug mix grated apple, eggs, milk and mix into the dry ingredients along with the melted butter.
3. Pour into muffin pans and bake 220 degrees C for 10 mins. Open the oven dorr, pull the tray out, but keep the muffins in the oven. Pipe crosses on top of the muffins, then bake for another 5-7 mins until well risen and golden. Cool in tins for 5 mins before enjoying.

Crosses:
Sift the flour and bkg pdr, rub in butter. Stir in enough milk to make a thick batter. Fill piping bag ready to pipe onto muffins whilst they are cooking.
If you wish to glaze muffins (I didn't see this instruction until now) dissolve 1/4 cup sugar in 2 T water and simmer until sugar has dissolved. Brush the muffins with this and stand 2-3 mins before serving.

Oh dear though, I've done so little regarding the royal wedding - no crown making or princess dress ups and stories. Maybe that'll have to be next weekend!

Knitting for Craft 2.0

2011-04-14T06:00:00.002+12:00

Well, from my recent posts, you probably know that I have a new baby (sob, I don't think you can still call them newborns at 8 weeks can you). On top of that, I have 2 preschoolers aged 2 and 4. People often make comments about me knitting during the day - let's just get this straight now, I don't knit during the day! Unfortunately, sleeps and kindy in my household aren't timed so that I get a quiet moment - but that's ok, I love being part of the tea parties and tower building (not so much the cleaning, washing and meal making).

You may also know though that Coco Kids has a Craft 2.0 stall. Hmmm - how to knit lovely winter garments for it with a little baby?

Here you go...

I'm still getting some knitting time most evenings...well, except for the periods where he's unsettled or feeding or the house looks like all the clothes drawers in the house have exploded (there was no knitting time last night, the plunket nurse is due this morning)

For those of you that are going to be in the Wellington region over Easter, come and check out Craft 2.0! It's always fabulous - all the details are here on the Coco Kids blog. All the team with be there this time too (well, I might not be there for a long time...8 hours in craft fair heaven and a little baby don't really go together too well I don't think).

8 weeks already

2011-04-13T08:41:00.002+12:00

I can't believe it! Tomorrow my littlest one will be eight weeks old. I'm not sure where the time has gone, but we've fallen into a pretty steady routine at home with my 3 preschoolers now. Three's the perfect number for us I think (and just the right number for our little house).

Before David was born, we booked my extremely talented friend Rachael Brown to come and do a newborn photo shoot with us. When he was just 7 days old, Rachael came to take the photos. I really recommend having a newborn photo shoot done - the photos are just priceless and we've been having real camera issues lately, so it's nice to know that we had the family captured so beautifully when he was so new.

Here's just one of them, but Rachael took many more beauties...have a look at more of our pics over at her blog here

This one reminds me of just 2 years ago when we took this photo of the proud big sister and her little baby brother Timothy. Awww, they were so little!

Oh go on, here's just one more...(just picking another one different from over on Rachael's blog)

Does anyone else ever look at their children and wonder how they got so lucky to have such healthy and beautiful kids?

Thinking about setting up 'shop'?

2011-04-09T09:57:00.000+12:00

I'm often asked about cottage licenses (the rights to knit for sale/profit) for my Little Rascals patterns. Up until now I've been happy to sell them to people outside of New Zealand, but kept the exclusive rights to knitting them within New Zealand for the Coco Kids team (which I'm part of)

But, it's time to open it up to anyone who would like to purchase one - the demand for one of my patterns knitted up is more than our busy little team can supply these days.

If you're interested and would like me to email you the information pdf then send me an email but the basic information is that you purchase a lifetime license and it yours as long as you live (literally) and so you are able to knit for sale the patterns now, in 5 years time when your kids might all be at school, in 10 when they might no longer like wearing your knitting (god forbid!) and so on. It's the one payment to own the rights to knit it how and when you like, as long as I'm credited as the designer.

And because I love seeing any of my patterns being knitted, for the rest of April and May (and maybe longer, who knows!) I'll be gifting the cottage license of my Teacher's Pet pattern too to anyone buying The Little Rascals one.

The cost for the bundle of lifetime licenses is $65USD. If you'd like to know more about the patterns, you can find them on ravelry or here

If you've bought the cottage license already, flick me an email and I'll gift you the Teacher's Pet one also. As well, I'm going to be setting up a tab along the top of my blog linking to people licensed to knit The Little Rascals to make it easier for non-knitters to find someone to knit them one, so if you want to be included in there let me know your shop/selling details.

Happy Knitting!

xx

J

Pimp My Ride

2011-04-06T21:22:00.002+12:00

I have a number of crafty friends. I love seeing what they do and love hanging around them in the hope that their craftiness will rub off on me...not to say I'm not a little crafty myself - but my skills are pretty limited to knitting and sewing bibs!

Anyway, this post really is about the skills of one particular friend of mine. I am always in awe of just what she comes up with - she's a true jack (or jill!) of all trades and her skills aren't limited to amazing knitting and sewing, no! She's a pattern designer (sewing, knitting and crocheting!), mother and home schooler, amazing baker and meal maker as well as the queen of DIY - building beds and making cages for trailers. I love that she can always seem to spot the potential in something (or someone, I'm sure).

So, this brings me to the 'pimping my ride'. I would like everyone to know just how COOL my buggies are - courtesy of Esther and her amazing skills.

I believe Esther found my single Mountain Buggy at a place where rubbish goes to be disposed of...yep, correct me if I'm wrong Esther, but I think she bought it from the tip. It was missing the basket and I imagine it was looking a bit sad, sad enough for it's previous owner to have just biffed it. Now it's the coolest buggy ever (it almost sounds like a kids picture book doesn't it?). Esther MADE it a basket, sewed it a liner and added the same gorgeous black and white damask fabric to the inside of the sunshadey part. I don't know how many people have stopped me and commented on my 'designer' buggy - it sure is one of a kind! I love it as much as anyone can love a buggy (and Mountain Buggies are the best)

Oooh, and she even made a matching sleeping bag using gorgeously smooshy minky - modelled here by the most beautiful baby in my house lol

It definitely is all straight and everything, the sewing is impeccable! I just haven't straightened the zip up perfectly for the photo

But...lately, I've felt a bit sad for my poor boring old chocolate brown double Mountain Buggy. It's needed a bit of love (and perhaps a softer inside for David's head) - and so I asked Esther if she could make a couple of liners for it. And Esther, being Esther did! I popped them in today and they are sooooo cool! I'm sure there's a special name for the fabric (I know nothing about fabric designers and all that), but it's got streets and cars and houses...the liners look amazing and fit beautifully.

Am I a bit sad, writing a blog entry about how cool my buggies look? Well, as someone who lives a stone's throw from the local kindy and shopping centre, I walk pretty much daily in taking my oldest to kindy, or buying milk, or picking up my bebes medication, rain or shine. These buggies make my life easier - and it's nice that they are both functional and stylish. Maybe the awesomeness of them will mean that people don't notice that I haven't brushed my hair in my rush out the door with 3 preschoolers, or that I have baby spew down my front.

A typical day - the kindy run

Esther, you are amazing. Thanks for being you.

Having A Go At Substituting Yarns Of Different Weights - Little Rascals

2011-04-06T08:49:00.001+12:00

So the Knit-A-Long is off to a great start, it's such a wonderful feeling when people are knitting your patterns, I just love to see their WIP photos - as well as answer any questions people might have if they strike something a little different or difficult.

Here's my current WIP with it's buttons, just because every post needs a pretty photo

Anywho, the question I've been asked the most lately is what size people should knit if they want to cast on in 12ply etc. I had been looking at this myself as I'm planning on knitting a Young Einstein in 12ply for my 2 year old as a hooded jacket.

To work it out, you must know the gauge of the yarn and needle combination you are wanting to use. There's no way to work it out otherwise - don't just assume that the ball band suggestion for your yarn will come out right either!

So you might want to do a gauge swatch first. If you're a bit eager to start (like I often am), you might just start knitting the pattern but be prepared to have to rip it all back if your gauge is out when you check it.

Right, then the calculating.

So, you take your gauge, for example 16 stitches per 10cm/4inches. What you need to know to work this out is your gauge for 1 inch. So take your 10 stitch gauge and divide by 4
eg 16/4 = 4. So, in 1 inch, you'd have 4 stitches.

Then, you need to look at what size you are planning to knit, and here it helps to know a little bit more about the 'ease' in the pattern. My pattern is written with 3" of positive ease. So, a 22" chest has 25" in the pattern (this is to give it enough room to move about easily in and fit some warm layers underneath during winter). Take the size chest you are wanting to knit and add 3 (the inches of ease) to it.

Take your gauge inch (from my example it was 4) and times it by the total number of inches for the chest size (my other example was 25")
4 x 25 = 100

That '100' is the number of stitches you want when you are knitting the chest.

Regardless of whether you are wanting to knit a Hoodlum, Hotshot or Young Einstein, you now need to look on the left hand side of page 8 in the pattern. Above the astericks, there is a paragraph that says:
"You should now have...stitches"

Have a look in there and find the same number as you've calculated. I can see that my 100 stitches is there in the brown writing, the 3rd size in the pattern. I'd then double check with the info on page 3, and that tells me that I'm going to knit the 3-6 months/17" size pattern in 12ply, with my 16st gauge to get the right chest size for the 22" child I have. You then knit to the lengths in the pattern for the age of your child for the body, sleeves and hood.

If you can't find your number, it's because the size you are wanting to knit falls between the sizes in my pattern. That's when you decide whether you want to knit the size above or below it. And, just a head's up, with a 16 stitch gauge, the smallest size you can knit using my pattern is a 20" - which works out to the newborn in my pattern.

Now, this is all just a bit of easy calculating...it doesn't take into account the length of the raglan and so this is just if you want to give it a go. I've yet to try it myself, so can't tell you whether or not it makes the V too long for the hoodlum/hotshot or the arms too deep or anything...so if it works out looking terrible, I take no responsibility for it! But if it works out great, I'd love to see it on Rav!

Happy Knitting!

xx

Julia

April Knit-A-Long

2011-03-31T08:32:00.005+13:00

With the weather getting cooler and daylight savings coming to an end here in New Zealand this weekend it's the perfect time to start making sure that your little (and not so little!) ones have some lovely woollen clothes for winter.

It's funny, at my lovely knitting night tonight, 3 people were knitting my pattern (ok, well that was including me but my baby David was happier with me rocking him than working those needles). But I SO love seeing people knitting my patterns and so I thought I'd organise a knit-a-long of any of my garment patterns for the month of April.

For those unfamiliar with my patterns, I've got my 'Little Rascal's e-book' which comprises of the Little Hoodlum (the jersey), Young Einstein (the cardigan or jacket) and the Hotshot (the short sleeved vestee).

The e-book patterns have a range of options:

- a hood or collar
- moss/seed or garter stitch edge
- the option of knitting a contrast band around the edge
- wide sleeves or tapered

Sizings range from newborn up to 10 years (15-28 inch chest)

The patterns can be knit in either 8ply/DK or 10ply/worsted weight

I've also designed a girls dress pattern called 'Teacher's Pet' which has a number of options too:

- 3 different skirt options, a full skirt, a box pleat and a petal style pleat
- an optional hood
- belt and belt loops
- eyelet holes for a ribbon or i-cord
- a variety of hem options
- garter or moss stitch edges
- instructions for knitting a contrast edge

Sizings range from a 17” chest (3-6 months) up to a 23” chest (4 years) though instructions for a 25” chest (size 6) and 27” chest (size 8) are included, but not tested thoroughly.

The patterns can be knit in either DK (8ply) or worsted weight (10ply) as long as a 20 sts gauge is used.

And for my Teacher's Pet patterns all the money from the sale of this pattern during March and April will be donated to the Red Cross for Christchurch NZ following the devastating earthquake on 22nd Feb

So the knit-a-long details:

- Knit or finish one of my patterns during the month of April

- Load the details and photos into Ravelry, at the top of the notes section add 'This is an entry into the April Knit-A-Long' or something along those lines

- You can enter as many times as you like as long as the garments have been knitted in April 2011

The prize:

I was thinking of buying some delicious yarn and bits and pieces for the prize, but I know some people love 4ply, others worsted weight, some covet books, others - needles. And so I've decided the prize will be for a $75NZD voucher from your choice of either Knitsch or Holland Road Yarn Company (both owned and operated by the fabulous Tash, and she's just adding some deliciously smooshy hand-dyed worsted weight yarns at the moment). So this is open to anyone anywhere, I'm pretty sure Tash ships internationally!

On top of that I'll have 2 runners up who'll be credited the purchase price for whichever pattern they've won with. I'm just going to choose the projects I love the most - as simple as that!

STOP PRESS - Come and join us over at the Budding Designers Downunder group over on Ravelry to take part in the KAL! It's not just for designers, it's for all those that knit/like the downunder designs too :)

So, go choose your yarn and measure your kidlet! You can even cast on today - just as long as your item is knit and entered into Ravelry by Sunday the 8th of May (I figure that gives 1 month for knitting and a week to take photos and weigh yarn etc) If you need to purchase the pattern you'll find more info here or you can purchase via Ravelry here

One last thing - I've more plans for these patterns and I'd love any feedback or thoughts you may have, more than just 'I like it' or whatever. If you have some constructive feedback I'd love you to email it to me.

In search of a scarf knitter...

2011-03-19T10:44:00.000+13:00

Glassons are running a 'getting knitting NZ' promotion - you knit a scarf, take it to them, they add a badge and tag it ready for sale and sell them for $25 in their stores - with all the money going to the Christchurch appeal.

That font's probably a bit small, so the link to see it full size is here

Anywho, I have some lovely soft yarn that's screaming out to be made into a scarf - it's even red in honour of Christchurch's red and black colours (and seeing as so many people wear black in winter it'll be perfect ;) )

But with the arrival of my preciously delicious but needy baby, I just can't find the time to knit at the moment, much as it pains me! So, if you think you'd seriously be able to knit my yarn into a scarf to pass onto Glassons to be sold for Chch - then leave a comment.

And if there happens to be a huge number of people, I may even find some more yarn in my stash that would be lovely for another scarf or two to be knitted for Christchurch too (though I can't promise it'll be red - some green in my stash springs to mind as well tee hee)

For Christchurch

2011-03-18T13:52:00.000+13:00

On the 22nd of February 2011 at 12:51pm the Christchurch that we know was changed forever, as were the lives of many many Cantabrians when the earthquake caused the ground to shake so violently.

So to generate some funds to help support Christchurch I'll be donating 100% of pattern sales from my Teacher's Pet pattern to the Red Cross for Christchurch till the end of April 2011.

You can purchase it for $5.50USD through Ravelry here or through my 'patterns' tab here.

Teacher’s Pet is a simple and seamless (top-down) pattern for a gorgeous yet practical wee dress.

The Teacher’s Pet pattern contains a number of options -
- 3 different skirt options, a full skirt, a box pleat and a petal style pleat
- an optional hood
- belt and belt loops
- eyelet holes for a ribbon or i-cord
- a variety of hem options
- garter or moss stitch edges
- instructions for knitting a contrast edge

Sizings range from a 17” chest (3-6 months) up to a 23” chest (4 years) with instructions for a 25” chest (size 6) and 27” chest (size 8) to follow

The patterns can be knit in either DK (8ply) or worsted weight (10ply) as long as a 20 sts gauge is used.

The pattern also includes a printer friendly version at the end - so it’s possible to download the full pdf with all the info and pretty pictures, but if you prefer to save paper and ink simply print the last few pages of the pdf. You'll be sent a pdf of the pattern.

For those without a credit card and living in NZ, flick me an email and we can organise for a bank deposit and I can email you the PDF.

Yin-Yang

2011-02-27T20:50:00.001+13:00

On Thursday the 17th of February at 8:48pm we excitedly welcomed our third baby into the world. David John was born weighing 9 lbs 4 oz (or 4.205kgs) at Hutt Hospital after we arrived there about half an hour earlier. Both he and I were healthy and well, and after finding out that there was only a shared room at the hospital for the night we just decided to head home at about 11:30pm to sleep in our own bed (and probably to the relief of my lovely friend Nikki who was looking after our children, as it meant she didn't have to spend the night sleeping on our couch).

My Boys

Taken by Rachael Brown Photography, David 7 days old with his 2 year old brother Timothy

As the kids had been in bed when we headed to hospital, when they woke in the morning we called them into our room to show them their new brother. 'Have you been to the hospital Mummy?' Penny asked. Yup! And it was lovely to have gone home so quickly afterwards. There's no place like home.

On arriving home, approximately 3 hours old

The 'big' kids are thrilled with their little brother, they want to kiss him, stroke his head constantly or hold him. I love just how much they appear to love our new addition. These photos are a bit misleading of poor David, they make him look HUGE, but I think in these pics he's all puffy from the birth still (plus being wrapped like a mummy bulks him up a lot too)

David and his siblings, approximately 12 hours old

We all love David to bits.

Sadly though, while breastfeeding and snuggling with him there has been plenty to watch on the telly. Coincidentally, on his due date of the 22nd, New Zealand was shocked by the catastrophic earthquake that hit Christchurch. I can't even begin to summarise the damage and devastation that's been caused by the earthquake - but my friend Ali has managed to post about it and has some great photos on her blog here. I remember when the news of it started scrolling across the bottom of the programme I was watching on telly while feeding. It simply said something like 'Aftershock in Christchurch, more news to follow shortly' and I had just no idea of the enormity of the destruction of the earthquake. And when the news followed with it's unedited footage straight from Christchurch it had a mesmerizing affect - it was awful to watch, but we couldn't turn it off as it was just so unbelieveable.

When you look at some of these images with before and after pictures of the buildings, it's amazing that some people have been rescued from them - sadly though the death toll at the moment is 147 and rising. In September people were so thankful that the earthquake had occurred in the middle of the night, this time though the earthquake was at 12:51pm - lunchtime and so Christchurch was bustling.

The CTV building

The Pyne Gould Corporation Building

The Christchurch Cathedral

I can't even imagine the grief and loss people must be experiencing at the moment. And so this post seems a bit like yin and yang - on one hand we're thankful and thrilled with our new baby, and on the other we're so sad for the people of Christchurch and the loss...of lives, of homes, of water, power, of jobs - so much.

Hope Fundraiser Winner!

2011-02-23T21:52:00.001+13:00

I have a winner for the fundraiser!

I allocated every person as many 'tickets' as they'd purchased as numbers in my spreadsheet - eg, if Mr X bought the first 4, then he had slots 1-4. Then Mrs F bought 2, so she was allocated slots 5, 6 in the spreadsheet, and so on.

I'm thrilled to let you all know that 188 tickets sold - and there were donations that came in as well to my paypal account - all of which have been transferred in Hope's account.

The winning number was selected using random selector - and was the number 15. Matching this up with my spreadsheet, the person allocated the number 15 was *drumroll* Miss Shelley! I'll be in touch Miss Shelley.

Thanks again everyone for your support!

More Ways To Support Hope

2011-02-12T14:48:00.005+13:00

Besides the giveaway I'm running here to help support Hope Osborne and her family, there are a huge number of very generous people with other auctions running (let me know if I've missed any too, I'm happy to keep adding to the list) - please have a look at them and see if there's something that you'd like to bid on.

On trademe:

For people in and around the Wellington region - a fabulous photograph shoot with Rachael Brown Photography and a disc of the images here

A gift card for a custom made/sized Unido Sling in your choice of fabric. Great for anyone with a baby or as a lovely gift for a family here

Some wonderful donations of yummy yarn that are hard to get in NZ - all with $1 reserves (I'm still trying to work out how I can bid on some of these myself! They're all delicious!)

2 x 4oz skeins of Mosaic Moon Licorice Twist - Colourway: Spice Chest. This is a gorgeous warm colourway, not often dyed on this base (and very hard to get), the base has lent itself wonderfully to take in such warm cherry and auburn tones. Donated by Belinda McKay in Australia and you'll find the auction here

2 x 4oz skeins of Shoestring Organic Merino (Gaia Worsted) - Colourway: Little colt (Ponies-Horsie Hybrid). This is an extremely hard to get yarn in NZ, and a very hard to get colourway, Very gender neutral and would make the most perfect newborn clothing or even a sweet little rainbow dress (Tikki - Georgie Hallam Pattern) for your gorgeous daughter. Donated by Belinda McKay in Australia and you'll find the auction here

A 150gm skein of Wollmeise Sockenwolle 80/20 Twin (a fabulous machine washable 4ply/fingering weight yarn) in the colourway Sabrina, donated by Lisa Scott here

A 4oz skein of Family Roots Kona Superwash DK/8ply in the colourway Yarnia, donated also by Lisa Scott here

Some beautiful and original artwork for children's rooms - painted by the talented Nikki. A butterfly here and a sailboat here

A slate Moby wrap, another fabulous way of babywearing - the auction is being run by the lovely Robyn of Scarecrow Farm here

A Seaspray Bonnet/baby hat handknit by Alison in beautifully soft yarn, perfect for a wee baby here

An Elite Cruiser Frontpack donated by Nikki here

An Amazing Game Book with 50 activities and games here

A Peke Moe in blue, with a freebie one thrown in too - donated by Gina here

A handcrafted Bells Stuff bear - donated by Sheryl here

A beautful handcrafted Oamaru stone carving by a talented Wellingtonian carver Tim White here

****************************

On individual blogs

Alison has a lovely skein of Old Maiden Aunt yarn here

The yarny giveaway running here on my blog, just $5 for an entry :)

Krissie and Hannah are teaming together to provide a custom knit in gorgeous hand-dyed yarn of your choice on Krissie's blog here - again, just $5 for an entry and it's a wonderful prize.

****************************

On The Nappy Network - anyone can join to have a look at the auctions! You'd be surprised at what bargains some of the auctions are at the moment! And there's something for everyone, all are brand new.

* A custom knitted Milo Vest, you choose the size and colour here

* A one of a kind Zig-Zag Quilt here

* Some cupcake stitch markers here

Of course you can donate directly to Hope's account - time is of the essence at the moment.

Hope Osborne

38-9009-0002097-00

I can also accept and pass on any paypal payments from people living internationally. My email address for that is jstanfield@xtra.co.nz

****************************

'I'd like to do something too'

Then do! There are a range of things you could do to help out.

* Start your own auction and sell something with the money going directly to Hope's family, or make a donation

* Talk to people at your work/church groups about perhaps supporting the Osborne family

* Pray and send positive thoughts the Osborne's way, ask others to also

* Wellington people - there is someone collecting meals/baking etc on behalf of the Osborne family, email me here for the contact details if you'd like to help with some meals for them. Dairy free meals and baking would be greatly appreciated

* Turn off the computer and go and spend some quality time with the people you love, not to sound soppy, but go and create some wonderful memories with your own kids, grandkids, parents, siblings, friends. Life is so precious.

Right...turning off the computer now

xoxo

Hope

2011-02-11T19:03:00.006+13:00

This February, as I wait for the arrival of my baby #3 and get over the 4th birthday of my daughter, Hope and her beautiful family have been dealt some heartbreaking news.

Hope, a little Wellington girl turning 4 in almost a week was diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago. Since then she’s gone through countless painful and difficult procedures and earned 900 beads. Rachael (who took the stunning photos) summed it up when she wrote “In New Zealand, when a child is diagnosed with cancer, they start receiving beads. The beads are part of their story and recognise and honour a child’s bravery throughout their journey with child cancer. They are collected at each hospital visit, and for each treatment they receive on their journey” And yes, Hope, 2 years on from her first diagnosis has 900 beads.

When all these beautiful photos were taken in October 2010, Hope had been in remission and had been treatment free for 5 weeks.

This week though we all learned that Hope’s cancer has returned and is spreading – sadly this time the only treatment will be palliative. Hope’s family have been given a terribly short time frame to enjoy her. It’s devastating news for any family to have to try and come to terms with.

And so this brings me to the giveaway. Wouldn’t we all like to do something to ensure that in the time Hope has remaining her family have to worry less about money and bills. Wouldn’t you like to help ease some financial pressure so that the family can spend as much quality time as possible together?

So, I’ve put together a prize for anyone with an interest in yarn and knitting on behalf of the Hope Osborne Society. It includes:

A handmade swift, carefully handcrafted by my husband. For more details on how to use/assemble see here

Yarn -
2 x 50gms balls of Noro Kureyon, 100% wool, colour no 124 – Reds, purples and pinks.

2 x 100gms skeins of Jolly Jumbuck 4ply/fingering on the Zeus base (60% merino, 20% cashmere, 20% nylon) – colourway ‘Ancient Mariner’

1 x 100gms skein of Touch 4ply/fingering Pure NZ merino – in a lovely pastel combination of pink, purple, yellow, green and blue

2 sets of professionally made (not by me) stitch markers. These come in a beautifully made stitch marker holder.

A Work in Progress bag

Postage anywhere in the world

STOP PRESS! Tash from Knitsch would like to add a skein of Hazel Knits in the very pretty pink colourway 'Tulip' to this raffle. The details of that skein are: Artisan Sock base: This superwash fingering weight merino wool, custom-milled exclusively for Hazel Knits, has a tight twist giving you beautiful stitch definition. The 10% nylon provides added strength making it perfect for socks, but in colors this pretty, it is a great choice for shawls, sweaters and mittens as well. 90% merino, 10% nylon.400 yards / 365 metres. 8-10 stitches per inch. US size 0-1.5 needle / metric 2.25 - 2.75mm. RRP $32

The value of this would be well over the $190 mark, and could be yours for the grand sum of $5NZD! Though of course you’re not limited to one entry!

Now, if you’re not into yarn and knitting but would like to help, feel free to give a donation directly to Hope’s account:

Hope Osborne
38-9009-0002097-00

To enter this giveaway:

* You must make a donation of $5 NZD to my bank account – Julia Stanfield, Westpac: 03 0502 0525982 002

* After you've made your donation pop back here and leave your receipt number/reference with your comment and way to get hold of you.

* You can enter as many times as you like, so if you want to deposit for example $20, then you'll have 4 entries

* This will close at midday on Tuesday February 22nd (to allow enough time for weekend deposits to clear)

* I will post out the prize to the winner free of charge anywhere. And for those of you not living in NZ and unable to make a deposit online, I am happy to accept Paypal payments on your behalf so you can enter. My paypal email is jstanfield@xtra.co.nz and obviously if you can cover any fees it means that I don't have to.

* I can assure you that 100% of all money will be passed on to Hope’s family. I will cover any postage costs.

A few things for the babe

2011-02-04T19:20:00.001+13:00

I've knitted a few things for the babe - I may as well share them!

First up, and first knitted as well were a pair of Pebble vests and a matching hat. This lovely yarn was hand-dyed by a gorgeous friend of mine Emma. I love them to bits and hope that the babe will get to wear them lots.

Next came a striped Young Einstein from my Little Rascal's e-book - I was a bit lazy with this and so just did 2 rows of each colour so I didn't need to sew in any ends on the completion of it, it worked fine so I'll do more like this one day.

And I made a little Tubey hat to match

Next came a little Helena matinee jacket in a lovely light grey merino.

Followed by a lazy soaker (i.e no leg cuffs/ribbing in the round)

I can't wait to try this Cabled Teddy Hat on him - it was lovely to knit and so cute. The chocolate brown melody from Bendigo Woollen Mills too means that it's beautifully soft and has great stitch definition

A 4ply/fingering weight 100purewool Eden's Adam singlet

And to use up the rest of the yarn I cast on a 4ply/fingering weight Garter Stitch Kimono Jacket....as lovely and practical as it appears, I don't think I'll EVER knit another of these. It felt like it took forever (even though it was 10 days in the end) and almost killled my will to ~~live~~ knit. Please excuse the terrible inside unblocked pics too *blush* - modelled photos will be far better I'm sure!

Oh, and I knitted this Snug last year...but I've only just added the buttons. I was going to dye it the appropriate colour after the 20 week anatomy scan, but I quite like it in cream I've decided.

I'm not sure just yet what he'll be wearing home from hospital (truth be told I couldn't tell you what my other children wore home!) but he's most likely to be in a capsule wrapped up in the Wool Leaves blanket I made especially for him. I know I've already blogged about it (and I will blog about it again as I am able to knit these to sell) but here's another photo or two

Not all of the knitting is newborn sized though, that would be a bit pointless seeing as he's a) of a reasonable size and b) due in February, so not necessarily going to be wearing layers and layers of wool.

I'm Having A Heffalump

2011-01-27T10:00:00.000+13:00

According to the scan I had yesterday, the babe is not petite, or even average - he's a Heffalump! In all the graphs he comes out around the 97th percentile, except for the diameter of his head which is off the scale! Fabulous!

No, I'm not worried - I know that the dates that they're using are out by about 6 days and that there's also a lot of discrepancies between scans and the actual sizes of babes. According to this, my 37ish week babe is currently the same size as his brother was at 40 weeks, and probably his big sister about a month after she was born!

Here's his face! Isn't modern technology amazing! (Can you see it? Turn your head sideways if you can't)

The good news is that the Heffalump appears to be head-down now too...I don't want to say too much for fear of jinxing things today but it seems a lot more promising than it was earlier this week. Now it's just a matter of keeping him head down till he decides to make his appearance. We're looking forward to him coming earlier rather than later now (I'm thinking that my wish for him to hang on till March might not be such a good idea now...he'll be completely humungous come March if the scan's anything to go by)

Oh, and while I'm at it - here's what he looks like from the outside at the moment. This was taken on the weekend with my sister who's due about a week out from me.

Not Rocket Science...

2011-01-26T21:36:00.000+13:00

Nope, nothing too exciting here, but I thought I'd share anyway.

I was after some new baby items without having to spend a fortune. I thought it would be nice to find some new items of clothing for this babe so that not everything he wears are hand-me-downs from his brother, but it's also a pretty tight time of the year for most people, right?

Anyway, I remembered that I had these lovely plain white tees I was given when preggers with Timothy. They were still lovely and white. I thought maybe I'd have a go appliqueing some pictures onto them. So off I trotted to Spotlight to buy some fabric with some suitable images that I could cut out and sew on by hand. Unfortunately, I wasn't having much luck but when looking at the buttons (for some knitting I've done for the babe) I noticed some iron on transfers in the same aisle. On enquiring about their cost, I learnt that they were the grand sum of 99c at the moment (normally around $10 each the staff member mentioned) and so I was sold! In fact, I wish I'd bought more (and I may go back and buy more as Timothy would probably quite like some on some of his clothes and it's a good way to fancy up pressies for others too)

Now, they've sat around on my dining room table for weeks now, along with the tees - but today was the day that I finally ironed them on. It says that they should be completely machine washable, we'll see (I can always sew a few stitches if need be - though NB clothes get worn so little anyway...and I'm meant to be having a giant baby)

Voila - the finished articles.

Now I know I didn't do anything particularly clever, but my babe does now have 3 pretty cool t-shirts.

!@#$%^&*

2011-01-23T07:58:00.000+13:00

*insert your choice of expletives as the title

Baby = breech...again

Phew!

2011-01-20T20:58:00.001+13:00

I feel sorry for anyone that knows me well - either in real life or online. For the past couple of weeks I've been totally obsessed with the fact that my baby was still breech. I realise now I've never really understood what it meant when other mums-to-be mentioned it to me, I have a new appreciation for how they must've been feeling now.

A breech baby makes things a little more complicated. It's because the baby is not head down in the uterus like it should be but instead has found it prefers a different position. My little baby was bottom down - I could feel his little lemon shaped head right at the top centre of my bump and I could follow his shoulder and backbone around and down with my hand.

For some, this is no big deal. Often (in NZ) breech babies are delivered by a c-section. That wasn't something I wanted at all after having had 2 great natural births with my other 2 kids. To me a c-section also means being unable to drive for an inconvenient period of time, a husband that would possibly need to take longer than we've budgeted for off work as well as a stay of at least 3 days in hospital...all of which are not ideal considering my other children and problems we'd have then with childcare.

So after picking the brains of anyone who had any experience with breech babies and spending a fair bit of time searching the internet (spinningbabies is great), I then started my mission to get this babe in a more favourable position.

This included various inversion techniques each night (you'll have to excuse me for using other people's pictures...there was NO way I'd be photographed demonstrating each of these as some were FAR from comfortable and difficult to get into with a belly the size of mine!)

But things like this...

And this...

And even this...(and anyone who knows me knows I'm not gymnastically talented)

On top of various positions, I was thinking positive thoughts, visualising, talking to our baby

Then there's been the nightly moxa burning (which we are still doing actually as the acupuncturist said it 'anchors' the baby into the right position) and the acupuncture.

And we were heading towards an ECV if baby wasn't going to move on his own. The music in this video is quite funny I think - I don't think there's anything pleasant about an ECV, but light hearted music sure helps a you tube video right? This video is probably more like it, it doesn't seem quite so Disney.

So, all in all, I was spending an awful lot of my time trying to be in a good position and worrying about the 'what if's' if our son decided to sit tight.

The GREAT news is that on Tuesday night at 36 weeks he swung around - and so now he's in the perfect position. I knew it had happened, not because I felt him move, but because his little head at the top of my uterus has been replaced with the smooth rounded shape of a bottom and his hiccups were coming from a different spot. My midwife confirmed my suspicions on Wednesday at her visit.

The good news for everyone else is that I am no longer completely consumed by my breech baby. Conversations with friends are no longer just me talking about it.

The good news for me is that I really feel like I can start to prepare and get excited about this baby's arrival rather than dread it. Phew! This baby is to be our last and I was feeling a little cheated that I couldn't enjoy the last trimester of being pregnant (I do love being pregnant!)

And so the countdown begins! Not too long till we meet the 3rd and final addition to my little family.

Tying Up Loose Ends

2011-01-11T20:22:00.002+13:00

Today I was inspired to get a few things tidied up and put away. It could be that Viv's blog was the culprit - or it could've been because of a conversation I had with my friend Alison today about how much I hate sewing on buttons...but whatever the reason it sure feels good now.

Today I sewed missing buttons on about 10 garments that have been sitting in a bag waiting for me to get around to them. Only 1 won't fit the child it was meant for now, though luckily it was a boys item and #3 will get to wear it. The others have gladly be reclaimed by the kids - they're all summer items that will be worn and worn.

Today I sewed the buttons on 4 jerseys for our bebe. 3 are new ones I've knitted, and another was a little blue one I was given for Penny that had beautiful girly buttons on it. I always planned to swap them when Timothy came along but it never happened.

Today I took out my handy-dandy sewing machine and repaired and altered a pile of clothing that was waiting for just such an occasion

It does feel good to tie up a few loose ends and get them out of the way.

NB - It does seem a little funny to be typing a post about such menial things when there are so many people in Queensland, Australia contending with that terrible flooding. I'm thinking of all those lovelies I know, as well as those I don't and hope that the water levels stop rising and that you and those you love are safe.

A New Baby

2011-01-09T20:21:00.001+13:00

Sorry to disappoint, this post isn't about our baby due in Feb...he's still cooking at the moment with his mummy (that would be me) giving plenty of instructions on turning out of his breech position into one more favourable for labour - and less likely to need an unwanted c-section. While I'm at it - we're still struggling to agree on a name...any thoughts on a name that would go with Penny and Timothy and without an S/th sound in it (our surname starts with a S)?

But this post IS about a new toy I got for Christmas. I must say, I do love it x a billion. Have you ever seen a machine as cool looking as this? It's got no bells or whistles, but I'm not scared of it at all - it's just a good sturdy basic machine. And it looks cool too.

I wrote a big long post about why I needed to use it today - but it was boring so I deleted it. The short version is that we've decided that blacking out the curtains in the kids room *might* get us a little more sleep in the morning.

So, after picking a very knowledgeable sewers brain, I headed to Spotlight today to purchase some blackout fabric with the intention of buying it and sewing it to the existing curtain, Can I say, that today I had the most helpful Spotlight employee that must exist. She not only helped me select the right fabric but showed me (twice in fact) about sewing the right curtain tape to the fabric so that it could be removed if necessary.

So, home I go - armed with fabulous info and excitement that today my pressie was going to come out of the box for more than 'oooohing' and 'aaaahing'.

And voila - the curtains are up (the blackout one is the one between the blue and the nets), and they are fabulous! It's so dark in there - if it gets me a bit more sleep then it's worth every cent.

While the machine was out and taking up a space on the table, I decided to whip up the bibs I finally got around to cutting out yesterday. I've another 10 or so planned, but good things take time, right ;)

And already snapped - ready to go! Reversible too if I wish with minky on the back

Modelled by my delicious kids. Now you see them...

Now you don't...

Is it odd now that I look at clothes that the kids have outgrown as fabric that I might be able to upcycle? Or that the packets of pink pjs that Penny never wore as not things to pass onto people now, but as bib fabric?

Oh yeah, and feel free to send some fab boys names our way

Soaking Up The Sun

2011-01-04T19:29:00.000+13:00

Summer is so fabulous for kids isn't it?

I loooooove that at the moment the kids are spending so much time outdoors that I'm not constantly having to pick up toys and clean up after them (picking up toys isn't that easy to do at the moment with my bump).

Just before Christmas though we added a few more things for the kids and they've been very popular. In the weekend before Christmas, Blair made a sandpit - this was because a lovely friend of mine had some surplus sand that needed a home - and our clam shell sandpit was a little on the small side for both kids anyway. So, Blair drew up some plans, went and bought some wood and then set to making the sandpit - with the intention to go and collect the sand from Nikki and Dane's driveway on Monday after work. The weather wasn't the nicest - but it was just annoying more than really wet I think (says me who watched the whole thing from the comfort of inside)

We also added a new (to us) playhouse that we purchased from another wonderful friend whose kids had outgrown it. The kids love being outside now - there seems to be plenty to keep them amused out there. It reminds me of my own childhood when we would spend all day outside and just come in to eat and find homemade lemonade.

Speaking of homemade lemonade, my mum has the best recipe that I've been meaning to both make with the kids and share the recipe with you. Whilst staying with my mum after Christmas I managed to snaffle a few lemons to bring back to Wellington with me - I love lemons and all things lemon flavoured. I'll get onto that tomorrow maybe.

Oh, and don't think I'm sitting in a stuffy house while I write this blog entry...nope, I've got extension cords to my 'puter and I'm sitting like a lady of leisure at the outside table under an umbrella.

STOP PRESS - my husband is the best when it comes to doing handyman stuff (well, when he's on holiday anyway). I've been ~~moaning to~~ asking him for ages about the swing in our backyard. He *may have* disposed of the brand new proper swing that went with it as we were using a baby swing on it and I've been asking him for ages to do something about it now that both kids have outgrown the baby one. Voila - he's just made another swing for the kids out of a plank of wood and some ropes - see...

A bit of a thing for chocolate

2011-01-03T07:09:00.001+13:00

Yes, it's true - I do have a bit of a thing for chocolate...both the edible kind and anything chocolate coloured.

So I've been doing a weeny bit of knitting with chocolatey coloured yarn too.

This was my first knit for our babe due in Feb. I loved the look of the pattern, and the idea of double stranded knitting appealed too as it says to me 'I knit up quickly'. I was originally going to knit it in WOOLganics Deep Earth but in the end I found 10 balls of gorgeous chocolate brown Bendigo Woollen Mills Melody (a cashmere, merino and microfibe blend) in my stash and so that's what I decided to go with.

Voila - 4 days after casting on - the blanket was done. And after blocking, looked like this:

It's lovely and squishy too - I can't wait to snuggle a new baby up in it.

The pattern is Jared Flood's 'Wool Leaves' and you can purchase it through Ravelry for what I thought was a very fair price, I think it was $3.50USD.

I did make a few minor modifications - the pattern is written to double strand 10ply, but my melody was 8ply (which I actually like, it's not too heavy in 8ply - especially once blocked) so I downsized my needles to the equivalent of a 7mm and cast on 91sts so there were 2 more repeats across. This worked out perfectly in my opinion.

I was also taking part in a Vintage Purls KAL - this was for a selfish knit and I thought it was about time I actually knitted something for myself. There was a lovely group of people taking part and after reading what others were knitting I cast on a Wispy in VP lace - 'Mmm, Brownie'

This took me significantly longer than most things I cast on - but it was satisfying to finish. From memory I cast it off the night before the KAL ended officially. I haven't got fabulous photos yet, but I managed to get my 3 year old daughter to snap this picture of me wearing it the next day (excuse the undried hair!)

And then finally, I had almost a skein of my chocolate lace left - and I really liked that Wool Leaves pattern, so decided to double strand my lace and downsize my needles to knit my midwife a scarf.

After looking at a few other lacy scarf patterns on Ravelry, I used the equivalent needles to a 3.75mm and cast on 41 sts and then just knit the pattern till I had had enough. The result - a lovely soft silky lacey leafy scarf.

Watch this space too - this isn't the last you'll see of the Wool Leaves pattern...I may have cast on something knit using it over the Christmas Holidays ;) But that'll need a post all of it's own.

A New Years 'Note To Self'

2011-01-02T19:12:00.000+13:00

Julia...seeing as you've been entering your knitting into that fabulous KnitMeter all year, why not have a look at the total before the new year clicks over - ok?

This is the first year I've used KnitMeter - this funky little thing (I've got it on the right hand column of my blog)

Unfortunately though, I had it adding up my yardage all year...but when it clicked over to 2011 it went back to 0 before I could add my last couple of items and perhaps record what I'd actually managed to knit up this year.

Never fear, of course all my entries were there and using a handy-dandy calculator I was able to add it up - I've knit a whopping 30,720m this year - over 30 kms of yarn.

This year, with the arrival of our precious babe number 3 though I'm guessing that the final figure for 2011 might be somewhat less with sleep and early nights becoming more of a priority.

And while we're at it, this cheeky fellow is currently still breech - if anyone has any great tips for getting him to move into a more desirable position I'd love to hear them! I've still got approx 6 weeks - but he's not giving any indication of budging at the moment.

Wishing you a Happy New Year and a wonderful 2011!

Giveaway Winners!

2010-12-17T22:05:00.000+13:00

Here you go! The winners (yes plural) to my Sew, Mama Sew! Christmas giveaway!

Firstly, using this random number selector I drew the number...

Can you see that? It's the number 4

And number 4 belongs to Alison - so Alison, I'll be contacting you about your prize! Alison mentioned she was keen on dishcloths or the Teacher's Pet pattern - I'll see what I can do!

Then I figured that seeing as I had 193 comments I really should draw another winner. This time the random selector drew number...

113.

This one belongs to Laura of Harvest Lane (next time I'm going to have to figure out how people add numbers to their comments...it wasn't a problem counting to find number 4, but number 113 took a bit longer, and I wanted to do it twice to check I had the right winner!) Laura is in the US and was after some red stitch markers - I'm sure I can accommodate that!

Congratulations winners, I'll be in touch shortly to organise your prizes with you!

Thanks so much to everyone that stopped by, especially all the new visitors to my blog! I hope perhaps some choose to stop by again.

I had a great time visiting so many new and wonderful blogs that I hadn't found before and entering all the giveaways. I'm looking forward to the next one!

Oh, and local Wellingtonian people, completely unrelated, but did you realise that there is a Craft 2.0 on at the Dowse tomorrow? A great chance for last minute Christmas shopping! I'll be there, but not selling Coco Kids things this time, instead I'm helping out on the Craft Cash :)

Bloggers Giveaway Day!

2010-12-13T09:00:00.002+13:00

Well, it's Bloggers Giveaway Day according to Sew Mama Sew!

You know what that means? I'm going to give something away!

Now, I couldn't decide what to give away, so here you can choose what you'd like! I'm happy to giveaway any of the knitted items in my 'Items for Sale' tab

Some of the items available to be won

If none of them take your fancy, you can choose a pack of 2 handknitted cotton dishcloths

(they might just be a couple of these ones even)

I've released a couple of series of knitting patterns - you can find more information HERE about my Teacher's Pet dresses and The Little Rascals series. I'm happy to gift the winner a full copy of both for their personal use if that's what you'd like!

Some handmade stitch markers...I wish I had a better picture of ones I've made in the past, but you can let me know what colour you like and I'll custom make a set of 6 just for you :)

I'll make a set of 2 matching bibs - let me know whether they're for a girl or boy (or unisex) and what age approximately and I'll make some specially (and carefully, promise!)

All you have to do is:
Comment on this post letting me know which item you'd like to win, a way to get hold of you (pref. email address) and where in the world you are. I'm happy to post anywhere, though of course, for some countries it won't get there till the New Year.

If you post about my giveaway on your own blog or post the link to my giveaway on Facebook or somewhere else, let me know in the same comment too and I'll give you an extra entry.

I'll close entries on Friday December the 17th at 9pm NZ time and announce the winner (drawn randomly) by 10pm on the 17th NZ time.

I'll have the package ready to post by the 20th! So if the winner is in NZ, the prize may even get there by Christmas!

Time for a new hat

2010-12-12T20:37:00.000+13:00

My son has only worn a hat that he inherited from his sister lately - it's been his firm favourite. It looks a bit like a watermelon or strawberry and is incredibly floppy, so much so that I don't know how he knows where he is going most of the time.

Now while he looks gorgeous in whatever, when I was invited to a night of catching up with some lovely playcentre mums I haven't seen for ages as well as learning how to sew a bucket hat (which could possibly replace the 'berry') I jumped at the chance.

The pattern that we were using was this one here by Sew Much Ado - it's fab for someone like me that needs pictures! I didn't use any interfacing, my fabric from Lewis' was quite heavy and so I hoped that would be enough to stop the flop factor.

So - although I cut out my fabric on the tute-night, it wasn't until today that I finally sewed it together.

And it seems to fit both my almost 2 and almost 4 year old just nicely (they both have 49cm heads) You'll have to excuse the just sewn together pics, it really does sit nicely even if the pictures of it on Tim's head look a little crooked. And it's reversible too!

It won't be the last hat I make I don't think! Now...to source me some Wiggle fabric, I have one obsessed little boy that's been asking Santa for Wiggly stuff in his stocking and at the moment I have a feeling he might be very disappointed!

A new hobby

2010-12-12T20:07:00.002+13:00

Well, here it is - it's official. I'm no longer scared of sewing and using a sewing machine.

In fact I love how quick it is! Here's my new toy (thanks again Christine)

This machine is a bit special actually. It's a Singer Touch-Tronic 2010 and they've never been sold in NZ or Australia...just one of the reasons why the couple of sewing machine servicemen I've visited have said that they won't service it. As well as that, it's made in the US (in 1983), so needed a special transformer. Oh, and I am yet to track down more bobbins for it, they don't appear to sell bobbins that fit it in NZ either. But it's a lovely old machine with fabulous stitches and a self winding bobbin and all that. VERY cool!

Right, onto the sewing...

The first things I attemped were a few bibs (my first ones are the ones on the left) - after these ones though I realised there were a few things I could do to hide where I'd turned them in the right way - and so then I whipped up the ones on the right (which are lined with towelling as well for extra absorbency) and fleece backed. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out!

Oh, and the ones below are actually for Timothy. It's true, for the last 2 years, his best best bibs have been ones with pink handbags on them. I decided it was time he had some slightly more masculine ones (funnily enough, although the blue minky one looked fabulous on him tonight he kept trying to rip it off as he couldn't tuck the bottom of it in under the edge of the table. The red cow ones are modelled on his handbag ones and so he was much happier wearing one of those).

I think I may have bibs sussed now! Thanks too Lisa for the loan of your snap press and all your snaps, and for the demonstration on how to use it Claire :)

Christmas giving

2010-12-11T09:16:00.001+13:00

I always struggle at Christmas time to give presents that are meaningful - both for me giving them, as well as the person receiving them (it's not much good giving people presents that you feel good about but that they don't want!).

I'm not sure if my family sees it exactly as a gift but for the last couple of years I've also tried to do something to ensure that I'll be around for many many many more Christmasses. I'm sure there are loads of simple things, but last year I decided to go for a much overdue smear, this year I've just had some moles removed. Who knows what it will be next year, but I reckon if there's something you've been putting off that you should go and do it.

Another thing I would definitely do if I could this Christmas is donate blood. Some of the ads they have played on telly here almost bring me to tears, I suppose just because it highlights the different kinds of people that need blood and blood products - I was a bit surprised from just looking at this that 21% goes to cancer patients.

And here are a few more interesting facts about blood donation...

• 42,000 patients are treated with blood or blood products in New Zealand each year

• Blood only lasts 35 days

• Only 4% of us currently roll up our sleeves and donate

• With each donation you can save up to 3 lives

• NZ requires 3,000 donations each and every week to meet hospital needs

• You can get tea, coffee, juice and chocolate biscuits after every donation!!

Obviously, there are tons of other things you can do at this time of the year for others - have you got anything special planned? There's nothing like the buzz you get when you choose to do something for others that is unexpected and that you don't have to do but choose to do.

Wishing you a relaxing run-up to the crazy Christmas season.

Christmas Pressies?

2010-12-02T08:36:00.000+13:00

Still after a few Christmas presents?

I've just popped a few of my pre-knitted items over on my 'Items for Sale' tab with 15% off. Just click on the tab and see if there's anything there that takes your fancy

If you're interested in sets of dishcloths and swifts keep an eye out, I'll be loading more of these shortly as well (or flick me an email and let me know and I'll be in touch)

The Auctions Are Live

2010-12-01T08:23:00.000+13:00

Just a follow on from my blog post the other day about the Kate Buntine Foundation auctions over at Woolly Butts - they're live now and postage is free/included for those in Aus and NZ :)

Here's the link

Kate Buntine Foundation Fundraising

2010-11-29T08:48:00.001+13:00

There are another round of auctions ready to go HERE for fundraising for the Kate Buntine Foundation.

Just a selection of the items being auctioned

The auctions are in Australia, so the prices are $AUD. There is free postage within Australia, but people in NZ may need to pay more to get it flown across the Tasman.

From the site:
The auctions will be held during the first week of December.

The auctions will preview for 48 hours before going live on Wednesday, 1st December when you will be able to bid.

They will all close for bidding on Friday, 3rd December with the first item ending at 5pm (AEST Victorian Daylight Savings Time).

Closing times are staggered at 10-minute intervals, with the last auction closing at 8.40pm.

Please familiarise yourself with the ending times of any items you may be interested in.

As usual all monies raised go to the Kate Buntine Foundation, which supports young children who have been diagnosed with Type I Juvenile Diabetes.

Baking Therapy

2010-11-22T21:41:00.004+13:00

When worried or stressed there are a couple of things I do...eat chocolate, knit and sometimes, if the mood strikes I'll bake (though never anything complicated...biscuits are a favourite, you can eat lots of them and no-one else ever really knows how many there were)

I've baked something every day since hearing the news of the 29 Pike River miners trapped 4 days ago. It wasn't until I sat to post the easy recipe I've recently discovered that I realised the relationship between the two. I have found myself watching the clock, making sure I'm by the tv when the media releases are due hoping for developments and progress. I know it's cliched, but my heart and thoughts go out to those who are waiting for news of a loved one. When they read the names and ages today of each of the 29 men, I couldn't help but feel a bit weepy when really realising that the '29 men' were each someone's son, husband, brother, father, uncle, best mate, cousin, neighbour, work colleague....all loved dearly by many I'm sure.

It's made me think of my own Dad too, he was born and bred in Greymouth. No doubt he'd know a family name or two, he'd be really concerned and interested, he'd recognise streets and buildings the media are showing. Dad was also a fireman and later a volunteer fireman so understood about different gases and rescue procedures - and he was almost the same age as the oldest guy down there when he (my Dad) died. I heard the name of the 62 year old down there today and wondered how his wife, kids, grandkids, brothers and sisters were faring in particular.

While I'm waiting for the 10:30pm news update, hoping that the bore will have broken through the last 30m since the last update at dinner time, I thought I'd post this very simple recipe I've been overusing. The kids like them...and I've eaten more than my fair share too. I like that they don't need much butter, even if they do use 2 packets of highly artificially coloured sugar/gelatine!

Jelly Crystal Biscuits

Ingredients:
100 g butter
2x 85 gram packets
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2 Cream the butter, jelly crystals and sugar together in a mixer.
3 Add egg and beat well.
4 Add the sifted flour and baking powder and mix until well combined.
5 Place in teaspoonful sizes on a oven tray. Flatten slightly with a fork.
6 Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes. Leave on tray to cool a little before removing.

That's it - easy (and the tin was fuller...way way fuller by the time I thought to take a pic.These ones are blackcurrant ones, I've also made strawberry one...and I think blueberry ones would go down well with the kids too)

Up With The Larks

2010-11-21T11:14:00.000+13:00

For the last couple of weeks, my delightful children have been sharing a room. Let's just say that they've been less than delightful when they wake each other up before 6 now most mornings. Prior to them sharing, they both slept till about 7:15am - and when they did wake they just stayed in bed and chatted away to themselves for a wee while. But it's been a bit of a shock to the system, and I've thought about going to bed earlier - but haven't managed an early night yet.

This morning though, when I heard the rain falling outside, I wondered if it meant that they'd sleep for longer. And to our great relief when they woke and I felt around for my cellphone - I was thrilled to see it was after 7. And even more thrilled that today their father got up and took them into the lounge to watch Sunday morning tv programmes so I could sleep in, or lie in bed and read my book - bliss!

Who would've thought almost 4 years ago BC (before children) I would've cherished sleeping in till after 7 on a Sunday morning?

The kids playing Mummy and Daddy this morning in Timothy's bed.

Don't you love how angelic they look when pretending to be asleep?

Sew Excited

2010-11-13T21:13:00.000+13:00

I've been thinking about making a whole new stash of bibs for number 3. Since finding out we are having a boy, I've decided it really is high time I got rid of all the grotty and girly bibs (sorry Tim that you've been stuck wearing them!) and perhaps made some new ones. Having had really spilly kids, we've always gone through a bundle of bibs a day - and rather than spending $10-15 each on some lovely new ones, I'd like to try to make some myself.

But I've NEVER been a sewer. Although I like to think most teachers would remember me fondly, I think my sewing teachers would probably not remember me at all. I only took sewing in 3rd form for 1 term, and of course 2 terms over the course of my intermediate years. I seem to recall making things like pillowcases and drawstring bags, and perhaps the odd needlebook or pincushion. Perhaps even a pair of shorts? I also recall getting a bit frustrated and stuck.

But me and sewing never really went together that well. We should've. My grandmother was a seamstress and I think even now at 91 has a hard time realising she probably can't sew anymore (Mum, you might need to correct me on that - does she still sew? I remember hearing that she couldn't thread the needle anymore). And my Mum is an amazing sewer. She's made so many things that I just thought were fabulous - 2 tee pees when we were kids, complete with amazing appliqued scenes on the outside. As kids, we even had our own machine to sew with. I recall sitting at the big fold out of the table machine and sewing back and forth (and hollering for my mum when the material started to get eaten by it)

4 generations - ooooh, look at how cute the kids were!

August 2009 (G'ma's 90th)

So, I should be able to sew some bibs right? I've even found a tute that makes sense here. Isn't the internet a wonderful thing! Information at the touch of a button!

Tomorrow's mission - to find some left handed dressmaking scissors.

Taking Time To Smell The Roses - Part 2

2010-11-10T08:38:00.000+13:00

We're really excited to be expecting our baby #3 in February. This time around, I'm really hoping to knit baby items. I've just been through all the boxes of baby clothing (to pass on all the lovely girly things that we won't be needing and so don't need to keep storing - it's a little house!) and one thing I feel a little sad about is the distinct lack of any of my own knitting till my babies were around the 18 month mark.

It's probably due to both (and now all) my babies being summer babies, but I also remember getting to their first winter and struggling to find warm clothes for them. So this time around, I'm mentally making a list of the things I'd love to knit for this fella. I'm yet to cast on anything and haven't knitted anything for him yet, but I do plan to knit a couple of special items between now and February.

Which brings me to a wee announcement. From now till February, I'll only have 1 custom knitting slot available a month. If you know that you would like me to knit something for you, then the earlier to contact me, the better.

I'm unsure of when I'll be picking the custom knitting back up next year also. If #3 follows in the footsteps of his big brother and sister, I'm expecting to be dealing with reflux and so I'm not going to be booking any slots till after he's born that's for sure.

Coco Kids however is made of up 3 fabulous knitters - and so Ali and Kate will be available for custom orders. We do also aim to apply for Craft 2.0 stalls next year, I'd love to still be part of that - it really was so much fun.

Taking Time To Smell The Roses - Part I

2010-11-07T20:02:00.001+13:00

Sundays in our house are when we go visit the local library and get out new books and DVD's.

Today however, Whitcoulls was having a big 50% off promotion (off 1 fiction and/or kids book) and so instead we all went and bought a new book for summer reading.

I can't tell you how excited I am to rip into mine...in fact, I started this afternoon when we were all outside soaking up the sunshine.

I love summer and I love hanging out in the backyard with my kids, water trough and sandpit out, trikes and tramp ready to be played with, and a whole host of undiscovered treasures in the backyard - a bird's egg, snails, weeds - you get the picture.

And so, I'm really looking forward to knitting less (my wrist doesn't like it much at the moment, and I want to be a grandmother that can hold and cuddle her grandchildren 30 years from now without having to worry about painful wrists) and reading more. This book 'A Song in the Daylight' by Paullina Simons called to me the moment I saw it in the book shop. I'm a big fan of Paullina, I've loved most of her books since I read my first of hers - Tully and I'm look forward to getting back into reading a bit before bed every night.

And then what? What author(s) do you love? Who shall I line up to read next?

Oooh, and just one more thing...while we were out I had to buy some more electronic scales.

Mine got dropped (by me) this week and I use them a lot. I'd love to say for baking biscuits and cakes...but the reality is I use them more for testing fabulous knitting patterns from the talented designers I know. I was a girl on a mission today - and was chuffed to pick these ones up for $12 from The Warehouse. They even take 'normal' batteries too and weigh in 1gm increments Exciting I know!

Rainbow Dresses

2010-11-07T19:32:00.000+13:00

I am licensed to knit Rainbow Dresses - designed by Georgie Hallam, aka tikki.

The Rainbow Dress is designed to fit snugly, yet the clever design still allows plenty of room for movement and growth. In winter it looks great layered with long sleeved tops, in warmer weather - a short little tee or on it's own looks lovely.

I am able to knit it for you with a variety of options to invidualise your dress:
- picot cast off for the bodice shoulder straps
- eyelet rounds for the bodice (which I can thread a matching ribbon through)
- garter stitch hem
- ruffled hem
- lace hem
- picot hem

In essence, the rainbow dress is a simple dress with simple clean lines. It can be knit with a solid yarn bodice and variegated skirt (which is quite popular) or all in a solid or variegated yarn.

Sizes - NB - 10 years

Contact me via email to enquire or place an order

It's Up!

2010-11-04T20:43:00.001+13:00

Our birthday stocking is up over on the Coco Kids blog!

You'll find it here if you're interested in a having a nosy at what we've made and what I think are great prices!

Just a few more pics...little fellow in your life that needs a vest for this in between seasons weather?

Or not sure what to give your grandmother for Christmas? How about some hand-knitted dishcloths? Environmentally friendly even!

And how about a one of a kind summer dress - you won't find one like this on the rack at any store!

But there's so much more to see, go and pop over and check out the site - there are over 30 knitted items for sale!

Making Cupcakes

2010-11-02T22:10:00.001+13:00

Today on the walk home from kindy, my princess asked if we could make cupcakes. Normally, at 3 o'clock my thoughts are on getting the kids home, fed afternoon tea, the washing in and folded and then dinner on before we eat at half 5.

But the weather's been SO lovely here in Wellington lately that the washing was in, folded and tea was organised and easy - so it was such a great feeling to be able to say 'Why not? Let's make cupcakes!' As we walked, Penny said she'd like pink icing and sprinkles. I forget sometimes that the bottles and bottles of food colouring in the cupboard aren't just for dyeing yarn - I'm not a big fan of artifical colouring, but today I could make an exception.

The batter was mixed, the patty cakes filled and the beaters and scrapers licked while we made the pink icing. Then there was the icing, Penny was in charge of the sprinkles or chocolate hail.

And finally, they were done...but it was dinner time. They sure helped encourage the kids to eat up with the promise of a cupcake afterwards for dessert.

All this cupcake making fits in nicely too with the 1st Birthday of Coco Kids! We're busy organising to put up some items for sale over on our blog. We're still deciding on the final date and time, but I'll let you know once we've finalised the details.

3530 metres

2010-11-01T13:46:00.000+13:00

I can't quite believe it - I've just added all my projects into Ravelry and knitmeter and over the month of October I knit 3530 metres. That's a fair few projects isn't it? Just as an example, the 8ply baby merino I've been knitting with lately is almost 90 metres per ball, so that's equivalent to 40 x 50gm balls of yarn over October.

In fact, here's a pic of the projects I did knit up over October - there are a couple of test knits in there for my kids and the rest was for Craft 2.0

Thanks again to all the lovely people we met at Craft 2.0! Have a look at the Coco Kids blog too for some pictures Ali managed to take of our stall before we opened for business. We had a lovely day and we're just planning a big 'Happy 1st Birthday to Coco Kids' stocking for all those that couldn't make it on the day or are wishing that they'd bought something at the time.

We'll let you know with plenty of warning when they'll go up for sale - keep an eye out on our Facebook page for updates.

Yawn

2010-10-30T23:09:00.000+13:00

*Yawn* - great day today at Craft 2.0! What a lovely bunch of people at the fair!
Will be back with a more substantial post once I remove these matchbox sticks from propping up my eyelids and have a wee shuteye. Maybe tomorrow :)

Thanks all the lovelies that stopped by and complimented us on our knitting! And funny all the people that asked us if we machine knit it all - no way hose, handknit all the way.

Nuh-night.

Tomorrow's The Day!

2010-10-29T08:42:00.002+13:00

I apologise in advance for anyone (is that everyone but me?) completely bored with my posts about the countdown and preparation for Craft 2.0...but I'm really excited as well as completely consumed with thoughts about it! Never fear, I have a few posts in my head non-related that I'll type up next week sometime.

The last week sure has been busy. Last weekend we were in Wanga's for a friend's wedding - where I caught up with fellow Coco Kiddian Kate, who passed on her stash of knitting for the stall too (see here for her post). This week Ali and I met up and organised the stall and any other details - she's been busy knitting/creating/sewing some wonderful items too - see her blog here for what she's been up to too.

Anyway - Coco Kids' first stall at Craft 2.0 is tomorrow...and yesterday I managed to take a photo of what I've been working on for it.

Never fear mums of boys - although the table looks very pink and girly, there are definitely plenty of items for boys.

Last night was labelling night - and I had underestimated just how long it would take to get everything labelled - but it's done and they're all ready to be set up on our stall tonight in preparation for tomorrow.

Talk about a family affair too, while I was labelling, hubby was oiling the swifts he's made - so today they'll be packaged and labelled and then I think that's almost it! Phew!

What is Craft 2.0?

2010-10-21T08:25:00.000+13:00

I got an email the other day from one of my lovely friends asking me just what Craft 2.0 is.

These pics are in NO way a good indication of all the wondrous things you can find at Craft 2.0. Last time we were there as shoppers and took along a travelling mascot that wanted to visit it...hence why a little stuffed toy Wanda is in each pic. The pics of Penny outside are definitely at the end (see the cupcake...the bribe to get us around) when we were both a bit pooped!

I wondered if perhaps I've been going on and on and on about how thrilled and excited we are to have a stall there when others still haven't been introduced to what Craft 2.0 is.

To sum it up, it's a fabulous event, filled with lots of amazing stalls of handcrafted quality items. In fact, everything sold there must be handmade by the people running the stall - so there's no mass produced, made in Taiwan items. It's all carefully crafted from specially selected materials to ensure that it's a top notch product, and hence why it's a top notch event (both to pop along to and to be selling at). The application process ensures that it's high quality items covering a wide range of crafting at the stalls on the day (not everyone that applies gets a stall - there are a limited number of stalls and a much greater number of applicants than stallholders on the day)

There's a wide variety of sellers, this time around I think there are going to be more than ever before - but there are gorgeous handmade clothes using vintage fabrics, there is a wide range of jewellery, cupcakes, hand knitting ;), stationery, prints, toys, cupcakes, hand-dyed yarn, buttons, furnishings...and so so much more.

I love the fact that it's held at the Dowse too - a gallery with a fabulous cafe attached so that when you need a breather you can grab a good coffee before going for a second look.

I'm a little excited about our stall though because it was going along to Craft 2.0 over a year ago that helped me realise that there was indeed an opportunity for me to be part of a custom knitting business with my good friends and colleagues Ali and Kate. It feels like we've come full circle to be a stallholder at Craft 2.0 almost exactly a year since the launch of Coco Kids (an idea that was 'born' August/September 2009, but launched officially on the 1st of November 2009).

Just a note to those with kids - there is a fabulous 'Free Kids Crafting' stall (upstairs this time I think), where your kids can make their own creations.

If you have a babe in arms, an ergo/frontpac/backpac/sling/wrap is easier to get around in rather than a stroller - though this year with the fair being spread over two floors there may well be more room for moving a stroller around in :)

11 Sleeps To Go!

2010-10-19T10:52:00.001+13:00

Well it's not long now! 11 sleeps according to the calendar till Craft 2.0! And this year it sounds like it's going to be even bigger and better than previous ones (if that's even possible!)

In fact, it's so big and there are going to be so many stalls that Craft 2.0 is spilling up into the next floor of The Dowse in Lower Hutt. That's where you'll find the Coco Kids stall - upstairs (according to the draft layout, if there are any changes we'll let you know).

Never fear if you plan to bring kids in a stroller, there is a lift up to the next floor, and we imagine that there'll be a bit more space up there for breathing, than the crush you sometimes feeling trying to walk through the Lounge section of Craft 2.0. We'd love to see you! Come and say hello!

Handmade Wooden Swifts - see the link below for more information

One thing that hasn't been mentioned regarding our Coco Kids stall (due to it not exactly being a custom knitting item) is that our stall should also have items FOR knitters, rather than solely knitted items. If you are on the lookout for a swift (to help wind your newly purchased Knitsch yarn), or sock blockers and stitch markers - then we can help you with that too! All wooden items (swifts and sock blockers) are made by my hubby, and the stitch markers are carefully crafted by any of the Coco Kids team.

Sock blockers - small, medium, large and toddler sized

So mark your calendars - the 30th of October and we'll see you there!

Paige Babydoll

2010-10-12T08:00:00.002+13:00

Another testknit - I really am a sucker for test knits, especially when I should be knitting stock frantically at the moment, but I think there's always got to be some time for knits for my kids or else knitting becomes too much of a chore rather than something enjoyable.

So, this is a pattern by my friend Rachel Evans and has a number of options. This is the full skirt option and I still need to add a ribbon to the eyelet holes around the bodice - but it looks cute without it still in my opinion.

I knit it in some Woolly Wumpkins organic merino aran (UK) I had custom dyed in a co-op last year (the colour was Nebula minus the grey from memory) and it has sat in my stash waiting for me to come by the right 10ply pattern. Voila! It was a perfect amount for the test knit and although it pooled terribly when knit from one ball in the round, alternating 2 balls every 2nd row seemed to work ok.

Ignore the delicious ball of WOOLganics, I was hoping to use this as the contrast, but the shade of brown wasn't quite the right colour to use in the end

Watch this space, I'll let you know when she's released it :)

World Famous in New Zealand...

2010-10-11T12:00:00.001+13:00

(to borrow L&P's catch phrase)

Ok, possibly not even famous within New Zealand...but Coco Kids has featured on the Craft 2.0 blog over the weekend! Not long to go now :)

Good Clean Fun

2010-10-10T20:17:00.000+13:00

I do love Persil's (a laundry powder here in NZ) slogan - 'Dirt is good'. I agree wholeheartedly, and the kids having been having such a ball in the backyard in the last week or so, soaking up the sunshine and exploring all the things that have grown or appeared since autumn.

Had to add this pic - Tim is sporting his favourite hat at the moment. Last summer I couldn't get him to wear a hat, this year he loves this reject of Penny's. This is actually an unposed photo - the kids love to climb the steps and sit there together waving to me.

But, there's nothing like a bit of good clean fun too. You know, the kind where kids don't have to be bathed and dressed again following. We discovered a great outing the other day. Down the road at the bottom of 'our' hill is a fabulous reserve, Percy's Reserve. On Friday, the last day of the holidays, I had a sudden urge to take the kids somewhere and do something rather than letting them run wild in the backyard. We threw the trikes in the boot and grabbed the remainder of the bag of bread off the bench and off we went.

The kids jumped on their trikes the moment they were out of the car and proceeded to slowly inch their way up the hill to the entrance where we were greeted by a Mummy duck and her tribe of very cute and not so obedient ducklings (she had 10 of them, I wondered how she really was feeling trying to keep track of all of them). Anywho, we had a lovely time - the ducks and their ducklings were obviously hungry - and the kids really enjoyed having pretty much the run of the place and being able to bike along the paths.

And the fab thing was that Tim on a trike is SO much slower than Tim on foot. Though he did get off to do a bit of duck chasing with his sister...

Actually, we had such a lovely and peaceful time down there that today we headed back with Blair/Daddy (and the camera). The ducks seemed a whole lot less interested in us today - but on throwing our bread bag in the bin we saw it was overflowing with other bread bags and so know now that Friday is probably a good day to head to the Reserve...hungry ducks!

Wheeeeee - Tim just about to head down the path

'Grrr Mama! But I was hungry too!' (after mentioning to madam that the bread was really for the ducks)

September Round-up

2010-10-01T13:14:00.003+13:00

My needles have been working so hard lately that I've been expecting to see smoke coming off them! It's all working towards our Coco Kids stall at the next Craft 2.0 on the 30th of October (any stock not sold on the day will go up here too in my 'Items for Sale' tab in case you're after a few Chrissy pressies)

So, a collection of items you'll see at Craft 2.0:

A range of Eden's - these are little singlets/vests that can be worn on their own, under clothing or as a vest layer over the top. I've knit some in 4ply merino (great for babies) and 8ply wool and 10ply cotton, in a variety of colours and patterns

A range of Milo's - again a vest or singlet, this one is chunkier looking with a little cable pattern running down the front

Some Versa Vests

Dresses and tunics for girls? There'll be a variety of knitted dresses and tunics, ranging from:

Rainbow Dresses

Eden's Eve's

Versa Tunics

Teacher's Pets

and The March Sister's Pinafores

I've also got some Hotshot's lined up...

As well as some Young Einstein cardies (these ones I popped cables into the raglans)

A Roaring Meg and Poppy Hat set or two

And how about some shrugs? Both Confection Shrugs and Leafy Shrugs - perfect for that spring/summer weather

Perhaps maybe a Breezy or two

What else....well, all going to plan, there'll be some items for people without kids to buy for ;) These will be great for pressies for others too I think. You might have to watch the stall for these - or check in here following the 30th.

I'm trying to think of what else I should whip up between now and the 30th that I can offer? It's not really going to be hat weather is it?! If you've any thoughts or items you'd love to see on our stall let me know! Or size/colour requests? I'll see what I can do!

Coco Kids can guarantee that we have licenses or permission from the designers of ALL the patterns we knit. We respect the wishes of the designers regarding copyright and have either purchased the rights to knit their items or have written permission.

Deliciously Selfish

2010-09-30T14:26:00.002+13:00

This is still a work in progress, but after knitting like crazy lately to build up stock for Coco Kids' first ever Craft 2.0 stall (as well as being 20 weeks pregnant and looking after my other two preschoolers) I'm a little run down and have been battling feeling like I've been hit by a bus for the last week - unsuccessfully I might add.

I thought perhaps it was time I cast on something for myself (which is unheard of around here!) so I purchased some gorgeous lace yarn from Morag at Vintage Purls and the wispy pattern and have cast one on as part of the VP Sweater KAL. I probably won't finish it before I start knitting for Craft 2.0 again, but I thought it was about time for some 'me' knitting just to get me through a wee slump I can see on the horizon.

Here it was in the skein (photo borrowed from Morag's site)

Limited Edition 'Mmm, Brownie'

And here it is at the moment - don't be fooled, there's still A LOT of knitting to do.

Did I mention it's 2ply/lace? But it'll be a fabulous garment for this spring/summer once I get it completed. It might mean I do need to break my 1 work in progress rule though, I do have Craft 2.0 to keep making stock for when I find my mojo again.

Priceless

2010-09-12T18:59:00.004+12:00

Tonight I was drawing with Penny and her mega sketcher. She decided she wanted to draw my hand so asked me to put it down and she drew around it (a little generously, I may have short stumpy fingers, but they're not that bad). Anyway, I said 'How about some fingernails?' and then continued chatting about something with Blair.

'All done mumma' - and she proceeds to put the mega sketcher on my knees.

Look at the big hand in the centre, the little ones Blair and Penny added while I was fetching the camera

Oh how I wish it was drawn on paper, I love this so much.

Spring Has Sprung!

2010-09-10T09:19:00.000+12:00

It's officially Spring in the Southern Hemisphere now. Oh how I love Spring! The kids can get outside, plants and flowers grow, the house gets decluttered plus there are tons and tons of family birthdays to celebrate (like 7 in the next 3 weeks!)

We even all got out in the garden on the weekend (don't look at the state of my gardens, just notice the cute kids!)

To share my love of Spring I thought I'd discount my Teacher's Pet pattern for the rest of the month.

Last Chance

2010-09-09T14:06:00.002+12:00

Tonight the 3rd and final night of auctions closes over in Woolly Butts store. All the items up for auction have been lovingly made and donated by wonderful families in New Zealand and Australia to help fundraise for the Kate Buntine Foundation and Juvenille Diabetes. Because all the items have been donated, 100% of the funds raised go where they should.

I wish I'd thought to blog earlier, but tonight is the last night and there are still some stunning items left - check out this one of a kind quilt that's been made and donated, out of very special and impossible to get now fabrics.

This precious quilt made by Bel is just waiting for the right bidder - at the moment it's only had 1 bid and is sitting at $200AUD (which includes postage within NZ or Aus) which is a bargain for such a special and one of a kind item made with love. Have you a wee princess that would treasure it as a Christmas pressie?

And how about thisCitron - at the moment it's sitting at $44AUD (which includes postage within NZ or Aus)!

And a Milo for $17AUD

There are all kinds of things that will close tonight, including WIP bags and yarn:

Custom spinning slots for fibre you might have:

Yarn:

Handmade buttons:

Matching mother and daughter aprons:

And heaps heaps more! Pop over and have a look - it's feel-good spending and the prices are really reasonable! Did I mention that all prices include postage to either NZ or Aus, so there are no hidden postage surprises either

Flights of Fancy Yarn Club

2010-09-04T10:00:00.004+12:00

This year, after releasing my Little Hoodlum pattern I rewarded myself with joining my very first yarn club. Tash from Knitsch was running her very first yarn club too - and I loved the sound of it and the choices club members would be offered and so signed up. I've bought a few other skeins of 4ply Knitsch before and love them and was keen to add a few more of them to my stash.

So, now that it's all done and dusted (apart from me knitting them all up) I thought I'd share my gorgeous packages! I should mention too that Tash offered people a 'mystery escape' option, or a 'plan ahead' as each month she dyed 2 colourways, one semi-solid and one variegated. I'm a surprise me type person, but I do love semi-solids at the moment so just to be difficult asked if I could just get the semi solid option each month.

June - the first installment

A WIP bag, 2 supervery stitchmarkers, 120gms of 4ply merino in the semi-solid colurway 'Peacock in the Parlour' and a pattern for some fabulous handwarmers.

July - the second installment

A WIP bag, cool pencil, excellent sock pattern and 120gms of 4ply merino in the semi-solid colourway 'June' (it is more reddish than the colour shows)

August - the final installment

A WIP bag, 120gms of 4ply merino in the semi solid colourway 'Victoria' a pattern for what looks like a lovely shawl and

A 'certificate' ironed inside the bag for being a founding member of the yarn club

I am someone that normally suffers from things like food envy when we're out for a meal - but I have to say I LOVE all the yarns I was sent and am really really pleased with them. Tash has said she's going to be running the club a little differently next time around - but I'm hoping to have knit some of these beauties up so I can justify signing up again next time!

Versa

2010-09-03T08:55:00.003+12:00

I knew when I saw Shannon Passmore release this pattern that I wanted to knit it straight away. The Versa can be knit as a vest, tunic, dress or babydoll and is shaped to fit nicely around the torso.

I've knit both the tunic...

The pattern doesn't include the eyelet holes for the ribbon around the chest, but it's definitely an option if you'd like

And the vest...

This of course can also be knit in girly colours!

And have plans to knit a babydoll shortly, it's a great knit with lovely results. The Versa can be knit from NB up to a size 10 and is a very versatile piece of clothing - being able to worn on it's own or over a long or short sleeved top.

I am able to knit these for sale. Contact me via email if you'd like to make an enquiry about getting a Versa of your choice custom knit for you.

August and Everything After

2010-09-01T08:30:00.000+12:00

I don't really like August much. It's normally miserably cold and rainy - so the washing (we love using modern cloth nappies here but there's a weeny bit more washing because of them) starts to get on top of us.The backyard turns into a swamp and the kids and me all get a bit of cabin fever I'm sure.

But it's also a month that takes us back to 2007 when my Dad was dying of pancreatic cancer. In the past, we used to celebrate Dad's birthday on the 11th of August, and then Mum's exactly a week later on the 18th. My g'ma's birthday is a couple of days later as well (she turned the ripe old age of 91 this year, not bad at all for a woman still living on her own!).

Back in 2007 though all my family were at Ma and Pa's house for his birthday. There was a bit of fence fixing going on for his birthday - and me and Penny (6 months old at the time) hung out with Dad/Pop inside. That weekend was the last time I hugged my Dad. He died on the 28th of August, and his well-attended funeral was held on the 1st of September which happened to be Father's Day and Daffodil Day.

So, I know that my family often feels relieved when September rolls around. Spring is here, August is over.

Earlier in the month I was thinking about August and I thought of this CD 'August and Everything After'. I loved it and played it to death since I got it. I think it was back in 1995, my 7th form year - but I blasted it all through my Uni days, introducing many flatties to The Counting Crows (who sadly lots of people only know for a theme song on Shrek these days). Listen to good old 'Mr Jones' here or the 'Round Here' here.

Anywho, it's been played a lot during August. I feel like I've been reunited with a good friend.

And Spring, you know I'm always pleased to see you. August is another 11 months away now.

From The Dyepot

2010-08-31T10:07:00.001+12:00

I've been doing a bit of yarn dyeing lately, some for items for Craft 2.0 and others just because I didn't quite have the colour I wanted in my stash for knitting.

Firstly, I dyed this yarn and knit this Kaia Babydoll for one of my niece's 1st birthday

This sunshiney yellow was dyed up to test out Shannon's new breezy pattern which is still being tested

(I'm yet to take a better modelled picture sorry, the weather's been so terrible!)

Then these have been dyed up in the last week - I was going for subtle rather than bold and bright, each is a ball of 200gms.

You should see all of the bottom 4 knit up and for sale at Wellington's Craft 2.0 on the 30th of October.

Who Doesn't Like A Cable Or Two?

2010-08-27T10:13:00.002+12:00

I've got a bit of a thing for cables - and I recently tried popping them into the raglan of my Little Rascals pattern (these were both in the cardi version - Young Einstein)

This was the first one...the colour is all wrong, it's actually a much deeper raspberry red type colour, but you get the idea. To see more info on it you can pop here

And the back:

To do this one I used a C4B cable for the 1st and 3rd raglan and a C4F for the 2nd and 4th (to get mirrored ones on the front and back). I cabled every 6th row (starting with the 5th row)

I changed my raglan increasing with a KFB to 3 st from where the marker would be normally within the pattern. I moved my stitch markers to just after my first KFB for each raglan which worked fine I just needed to remember when dividing for the sleeves and checking stitch counts that I had moved them 2 stitches.

I thought I could make the cable pop a bit more - so this one was knit up in a lovely silky bamboo and wool blend - Bella Baby Layette.

I knit this one by using a yo for the raglan increases instead of the increasing used in the pattern. For the 1st and 3rd cables I used a C4F every 6th row and for the 2nd and 4th I used a C4B.

I do have more planned, perhaps in bigger sizes so I can pop in a bigger cable of some description, and I'm thinking this would look equally good on either a Hotshot or Little Hoodlum

Gotta Make You Smile

2010-08-20T13:08:00.001+12:00

You know when you are so focussed on something - and then looking back you find something that makes you crack up?

I was taking photos of Penny in this dress - an Eden's Eve designed by Georgie Hallam (and able to be knit by myself and any of the Coco Kids team for orders).

I used self striping magicline which is 100% cotton, and I was taking a few snaps on a day that the sun was finally shining in my conservatory. In fact it was still freezing outside, but it was nice enough to actually strip off Penny's woollen singlet and woollen layers and take a quick pic.

Anyway, I think the fit and colour of it is just lovely, but as I was going through the photos, I found this one:

I had to laugh - Tim was playing in the conservatory at the same time, but I hadn't realised he was even in the frame for this pic. It perfectly sums up my rascally little rogue.

Teacher's Pet

2010-08-10T22:23:00.003+12:00

Wahoo! My Teacher's Pet pattern has been released!

Teacher’s Pet is a simple and seamless (top-down) pattern for a gorgeous yet practical wee dress.

The Teacher’s Pet pattern contains a number of options:

3 different skirt options - a full skirt, a box pleat and a petal style pleat
the option of a hood
belt and belt loops
eyelet holes for a ribbon or i-cord
a variety of hem options
garter or moss stitch edges
instructions for knitting a contrast edge

Sizings range from a 17” chest (3-6 months) up to a 23” chest (4 years) with instructions for a 25” chest (size 6) and 27” chest (size 8) to follow

The patterns can be knit in either DK (8ply) or worsted weight (10ply) as long as a 20 sts gauge is used.

The pattern also includes a printer friendly version at the end - so it’s possible to download the full pdf with all the info and pretty pictures, but if you prefer to save paper and ink simply print the last few pages of the pdf.

If you wish to purchase it, click this link here or you can vist Ravelry here and see all the other lovely finished projects that have been loaded.

I am available to knit a Teacher's Pet in any of her variations for you, email me for more information or if you have any questions regarding the pattern.

A bit quiet around here

2010-07-28T10:22:00.000+12:00

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?

2010-07-08T20:34:00.000+12:00

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...

2010-07-04T21:10:00.001+12:00

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!