A True Jack Of All Trades

I was thinking this morning about how there's nothing my husband can't do.

He's been helping me work on some Christmas presents - he's been doing some fancy stuff with the computer that I'd have no idea how to do or end up in tears with when it doesn't work out right - so Blair = computer geek

But, he's also really practical - he knows how to fix 'stuff'.
Broken handle on my knitting bag - glued and screwed *tick*
Swift needed for my yarn hobby - made *tick*
Fence and retaining walls needed - built *tick*

What I both love and loathe sometimes is he's a bit of a perfectionist with a lot of things he takes on. The house has been in a state of being painted now for many many years because the first time he prepped, undercoated and painted the house the paint all bubbled up due to many years (prior to us living here) of shoddy paint jobs. So my hubby has been painstakingly scraping ALL the paint off the house and prepping and repainting so it's perfect (and so it doesn't need doing again any time soon). Needless to say - the novelty has long worn off and the house now looks awful - but back to my husband being priceless.

He's also the kind of Dad that will help out (although sometimes a little prompting is needed) with the kids and around the house. He'll make meals, feed and bath children, read stories, kiss boo-boos, fold washing, change nappies, help ice birthday cakes - all that kind of stuff.

Now all we need are some holidays - time to just 'do' stuff at home, garden, paint, hang out - bliss. Roll on some lazy summer days!

(Oh, and did I mention, that my handy husband has a VERY important job to do on Christmas Eve, and that's to put together our present for the kids so that they have it on Christmas Day....fingers crossed that all the pieces are in the box!)

Those Needles Are Buzzing

Man! It's all go at the moment on the knitting front! I've got a billion and one things that I am trying to knit my way through - but one project I have to finish before Christmas is my hubby's socks. I HAVE to finish them so that he continues to be ok with the amount of time I spend knitting! But also, I knitted him some slippers for his birthday that he just loves and that helped him to appreciate my knitting, so socks should be appreciated too.

Here's the pic of the yarn - it's actually not anything like I thought it would/should be and so really it can only ever be socks for Blair. It's 100purewool fingering weight superwash.

It was meant to be

BUT since knitting 20cms worth  of one leg in 3 x 1 rib, I've found out that it's not really sock yarn, so will be trying to knit woolly nylon with it while doing the toes and heels to ensure that they last as long as possible.

The only thing is - it breaks my just one work in progress plan as I can only knit these when he's not home....so I am trying to snatch moments when kids are asleep or when I am at my knitting night to get them done.

I also have knit a number of other items lately for custom knits. These are winging their way to the UK as I type for a wee girls Chrissie present.

Juliette Skirty Soaker

Along with

Confection Shrug

And...

      

Looking Glass Longies

Also sent was something knitted out of Anchor Magicline, a striping 100% cotton...but what the result was will stay a bit of a secret for now while the pattern is perfected ;) Here's a sneak peak:

I've actually cast off 4 other items in the last couple of weeks or so, but you'll have to wait till the 25th before I can pop up pics - don't want to ruin any surprises or anything (well just in case people check out my blog!)

Not A Knitting Post

But definitely sharing the news of someone I've discovered recently - an amazingly talented and generous spirit.

My sister and an online community recently lost a cherished member Jenny, far too quickly and sadly far too young. Jenny has an amazing miracle babe, who was 7 months old when she died. I know I didn't know Jenny, but the thought of any mother not being able to watch their little fellow grow up brings tears to the eyes of anyone with a pulse.

Beadz by Noelle is very generously selling lovely earrings as a 100% fundraiser for Jenny's family. They are not only VERY reasonably priced (seriously - $5 a pair!), but after admiring some of my sisters on the weekend I needed to order some myself as they are beautiful pieces of jewellery.

"Beadz By Noelle is a small design company located on the beautiful Kapiti Coast in New Zealand.
Led by designer Sara Noelle, the focus is on creating delicious and delectable designs that feel wonderfully magical to wear"

Gotta love those guilt free purchases :)

Items Available for Custom Knitting

These are the items that I can knit for you. There's really nothing like both being given and giving a carefully handknit item. And I'm sure you know already - but gorgeous woollen handknits are the height of fashion for babes at the moment, as well as being really practical. Pop a little knitted item on your child and just see how many comments you get!

To see more information on each item, just click the link in the title.

Cabled Hats - this is a lovely hat knit with a chunky style yarn in your choice of colour. This comes in 3 sizes - 3-9 months, 1-3 years and kid-adult. Prices start at $20

Aviatrix Hats - available in newborn through to 4 years plus sizes. Stylish winter hat (great too for kids that pull off their hats) starting at $20

Confection Shrugs - the cutest wee extra layer, so easy to pop on. Sizes newborn through to 24 months

Ruffled skirty or skirted soaker. The soaker is great as another layer over nappies (and fits over cloth nappies) or s a skirty for all year wear - without leggings in warm weather and with tights during winter. Sizes NB through to XL

A-Line Skirty or Skirted Soaker. Sizes NB through to XL

The March Sisters Series of Pinafore Dresses

Amy (with layers of ruffles at the bottom)
Beth (with lace pattern at the bottom)
Meg (with a cable design)
Jo (simple, plain design with fold over edge at the bottom)

Amy

Pinny for a Dolly - able to be knitted in a similar style to each of The March Sisters dresses

Beth, Jo and Meg

Vanilla Soaker - great over nappies (both MCN and sposies) to help prevent leaks. Sizes newborn through to XL

Looking Glass Longies - fabulous for 'whenever' wear, snuggly in bed, warm in winter, great for outdoors. You get the idea ;) Sizes NB through to XL

 

Tubey Hats - from premmie size upwards. Prices start around $20

Propeller Hats - from premmie size upwards. Prices start around $20

Daisy Clutch Bags - wee felted bags for children from $20

All Year Round Vest - can be worn as a summer top, under clothing as a singlet, or over a top as a vest. Sizes 0-3months through to 4-5 years

Cupcake Hat - a baby to child sized beanie with the option of adding knitted flowers

I love knitting little sets that go together too - nothing cuter than a child kitted out in matching hand knits. Here are a few sets that I've knit recently, but there are plenty of items that you can team together.
* a hat and longies
* shrug and skirty
* shrug and dress
* child pinafore and matching dolly sized dress
* vest and hat and longies
And a whole host of other combinations!

Can't find what you are looking for?Email me! I've got permission to knit a number of other items but haven't yet had the chance to knit them up. Email me and let me know what you are after and I can see if one of my unknitted items would fit the bill.

Prices
The prices in each post are only a guideline as it really depends upon the item selected and the yarn you'd like. I am able to knit with any yarn you'd like though the more special the yarn, obviously, the more expensive the item.

I can also knit with yarn you provide - though check with me as there are some yarns that would be unsuited to certain projects and the ply is important so email me if you'd like to supply yarn for a project.

I can email you a price list if you contact me - I do plan to post the full list here in the near future.