Christmas Stocking

For a long time, I have been interesting in sewing. My dear friend Kylie told me that it was fun, and much quicker than knitting. So, when my Mother In Law bought me a sewing machine for Christmas, I was quite pleased. It's a super cute little Elna, called "Sew Fun". It makes me smile whenever I see it's bright, happy colours.


My very first project was inspired by Christmas stockings that I saw in the window of Simply Stitches, my local yarn store. The one that I liked wasn't available in pattern anymore, so I chose this one instead.

So this is the finished product. I am ridiculously pleased with how it turned out. Of course, because it was my first project, I had a lot of help. I'd like to thank Faye from Simply Stiches for her help with teaching me how to use my sewing machine and her help with assembling the stocking. I'd also like to thank Patricia for her help with sewing on the chequered edging..... the part that almost drove me to tears!

I've learnt alot. How to use my machine, how to do blanket stitch (properly), how to do stem stitch, the joys of vleisofix and pellum and cutting material on the bias for elasticity. Ah, another addictive hobby. :)

We're Moving House

[Borrowing this from Kylie]

Well, it's that time of year again where we have to move. All my knitting, crocheting, sewing and beading stuff is stashed away in my suitcase and we're off to sunny Townsville for a month. Never fear, I shall return with plenty to show off. Bye for a while.

Love Kelly

Gail a.k.a Nightsongs

I finished knitting Gail!

Pattern: Gail a.k.a Nightsongs (Ravelry)
Yarn: Handmaiden Fine Yarn Seasilk (4ply)
Needles: 4.5mm Knitpicks Harmony 80cm long circular
6 Repeats of the body pattern knitted up
Skill Level: Intermediate

I started knitting this in July and she hibernated for a long long time, because I basically got it in my head that it was too hard to do. Well, I inserted stitch markers so that each repeat (or leaf) was marked and then it became a lot easier. I also joined a KAL in the Aussie Shawl Knitters group on Ravelry and that motivated me a lot. I knitted this shawl with a centre stitch because I didn't like the look of the double yarn overs in the centre and I am pleased with the end result. I would knit this again.... just not immediately. I think I need a break from shawls for a little bit.

Random

This is a Birthday present to my Mother in Law. She loves it! It took me a few hours to put together and it was a lot of fun. For the first time in a long time, all of the beads that I used cam from my stash. That means that I didn't actually need to buy anything to make it! Woohoo!


Here's a picture of my two favourite boys having a quick jam session. Aren't they adorable? :)

A mostly knitting post

I finished knitting my Nice 'n' Girly crochet project bag!

This was a lot of fun. It is the same as the one that I made for my sister, but this one is done in 8 ply. I really procrastinated when it came to sewing it up, because it took us so long to do last time.

Project Notes
Pattern: Nice 'n' Spicy
Yarn: 200g each of Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 8 ply baby pink and lavender
Hook: 4mm
Notions: 12 pink butterfly buttons
:12 purple butterfly buttons
:Bag handles (I actually used curtain tie backs for mine!)
:Cotton for sewing up (I used sock yarn)
:Fabric for lining

I had a few pink buttons left over, so I decided to do a triple button stack. Yes, it is a real thing, no I did not just make that up. ;) It's a "Feature"

I also tied the knots off on the outside of the bag (instead of inside) because I thought the little tails would look like butterfly wings. Cute, eh?

Secondly, here is the beginning of Jayden's blanket. I became obsessed with knitting granny squares, and I decided that a granny square blanket was the way to go. I am using a 5mm hook and Patons Zhivago yarn in blue and white.

Jayden's Rainforest Toddler Socks! He came home from daycare missing a pair of socks, so I decided that I would knit him a pair, just for fun.

Project Notes
Pattern: Easy Toddler Socks
Yarn: Opal sock yarn (about 1/5th of a ball)
Needles: 2.5mm addi turbo's

These knit up so fast! I would definitely make another pair.


The beginnings of a Gaenor shawl. This one is knit from tip to tip, with the edging knitted all in one go. It's certainly an experience in shawl knitting.


Oh, and Jayden rocking out. He loves this guitar, and I could not resist taking this photo of him posing. :)

A decidedly non knitty post

Yesterday, the local grocery store decided to have a "market day". A lot of things went on special just for the duration of the day.
* I scored 12 Chicken Jumbo's (sort of like a chicken burger patty but thicker) from Lenards for $6.
* I picked up a loaf of bread from Brumby's for $1 (we've eaten half the loaf already because it was so soft and fresh).
* I picked up 10kg of navel oranges for $1. Yes, they were 10c a kilo. Win!

I went home and made orange juice.... and those 10kgs made up about 3.5 litres. It is the best tasting orange juice I have ever had! Jayden helped with the whole process, of course. :) Here he is lining them up in a nice neat row for me....


.....and then here he is eating the peel off one.


He kept pointing at them saying "Orange, orange". Occasionally, he would run off with an orange and hide it in with his toys, so whenever I saw him leave the room, I just knew what he was up to.

See how the oranges were halved, sitting in the bowl? Well that must have looked quite appealing to Jayden, because he kept helping himself. He LOVED it! He was super sticky afterwards, but DJ was the one to bathe him that night. Lol!


I went to Melbourne for the weekend and caught up with the In-Laws. Jayden loved all of the extra attention and he just had a blast.


We went shopping out at the Chadstone Shopping Centre, and it drove me a little nuts. Roadworks and other people driving on the road... makes for a very nervous me! I also got to meet my niece for the first time! My Brother-in-Law Andrew and his partner Rose had a little girl about 3 months ago, and the named her Tahliah. She's a sweet baby. It's amazing how quickly you forget how small they used to be. *sigh*


I also had the opportunity to make some memory wire crystal and pearl bracelets. The first one (purple) was for my Mother-in-Law. When she went home, her daughter Kat loved it so much that she started wearing it. Rose and I got onto the subject of beading, and she is a fan as well. I asked Dave if he could bring me down the other kits, and I made them both at the same time. I think that they turned out really well! I love beading, it's quick, fun and they make great presents. Beware though, it is really addictive.


When we returned home from Melbourne, I put Jayden's Birthday blanket in his cot. He absolutely loves it, 100%. I think it is because of all the lovely bright colours. It's lighter in weight than the blanket that he had on his cot, but really, it's perfect for this time of year.


Then we played peek-a-boo!


After that, Jayden saw Foofy, one of my childhood stuffed animals up on the top of his chest of drawers. I grabbed him down and let him have a play. I told Jayden that he needed to be very careful. So he gave Foofy a big cuddle and a kiss. It was so sweet!



Then I dressed Jayden for Santa photo's and headed off for that. Jayden was not particularly keen on the idea of Santa, and refused to be put down. In the end, I had a gold blanket draped over me and Jayden sat on my lap while I sat next to Santa. I hope that next year is a little better.


Then when we got home, Jayden crashed and went straight to sleep.


BTW, it's hot. 40 degrees + is not cool.

I have been doing knitting, and buying yarn, but I will save that for another post.

Of course, I get all of this done on the good days. On the bad days, well, it is just hard enough getting out of bed and getting dressed.

Baudelaire is finished!

I finally finished knitting Baudelaire! I am beyond pleased with how these socks turned out. Note to self: Do not put socks aside again. My tension was slightly tighter with the second sock, so the cuff is a little snugger than the first, but I am sure that it will stretch out with time.

I love these socks, and I am used to the toe up construction, but it does feel a bit weird not picking up gusset stitches.

Some finished knits

I've been busy knitting late into the night recently. Firstly is Baudelaire by Cookie A.

Notes: Try something a little different with these lacy toe-up socks. A simple 8 row repeat leaf lace pattern paired with some cables, gusset increases, short rowed round heel, and genuine heel flap – enough to keep you entertained without driving you batty.

This has been a very satisfying knit so far. The lace is charted, and I tackled it, no problems. :) I don't know why I was so afraid of lace charts! I cast on the second sock already, using knitty's magic cast on.

Yarn: 2 skeins Lorna's Lace's sock yarn in "Valentine"
Needles: 2x 2.5mm Addi Turbo's
Notions: Cable needle and yarn needle

I knit this in the largest size and it fits my foot wonderfully. Now, on with the second sock!




Secondly is Liesl. It is a gorgeous little feather and fan cropped cardigan that I knit up in 4 days.

Yarn: 3 skeins Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran
Needles: 7mm 80cm long circular

96.5cm bust measurement
Used a butterfly brooch to close the top

This yarn blocks like a dream!

Jayden just being a boy

We bought a small inflatable pool for Jayden last week, and I have some photo's of him having a play in it. It's been so hot up here in Queensland, it's a great way for him to have a splash and cool down.




Here is Jayden just chilling out on the couch. Don't you love how comfy he looks?

What I have been up to lately

Today I caught up with the Townsville Ravellers at the Coffee Club. It was really good, I got the opportunity to meet some knitters and crocheters from my home town for a chat and I got lots of knitting done. Bliss!


Here is a picture of me doing my two favourite things at once: Being a Mum and knitting. :) This is something that happens quite regularly, lol! Jayden was so cute, he wanted a cuddle while I was knitting my Liesl, so he hopped up on my lap and my little sister Joannabell took this photo. I love it!