Some Progress

I've managed to finish a patonyle sock while in Perth(only grafted the toe when I got home as needed a memory boost to remember the sequence) but Ive found Im short about 5 rows in foot length so my Mum will score a another pair of socks for Mums Day.
I love knitting with Patonyle as its so soft and knits well with 2.25mm needles! Maybe Patons will increase the colours and patterns a bit more if their popularity increases! I have some red stashed away as its not available anymore and am hoarding it for special,very special, patterns,I usually check Ebay as thats where I found the 6 or balls came from!
Havent done any spinning and wished I could find the peace and time to jump on but have settled into knitting the various UFOs hidden in several Bags.As well there's 6 balls of turquoise yarn sent by KOGO for scarves and beanies,charity knitting of course! I bought some baby wool to make some Premi sized baby things for another one,Knit4 Charity.
I didnt realise how difficult it was to find the small sizes! i think Ill be able to calculate to go down a size or two anyway!

Oh I spent ten mins in LWS on Friday and walked out with this bundle (saw Donnas new project and thought what a great between season item)not sure if it will work as the original yarn is a DK but its worked on 5mm needles so the finished top must be fairly soft!

Anyhow Im going to try it with Zivargo,with slightly longer sleeves though.....Ha Ha Ha ,I have so many UFO's,Hubby doesn't even comment anymore....
The weather is still gorgeous during the day but by late afternoon and night its nearly frosting already! My face was still pink yesterday from working in it at 5.30am blowing the school and I couldn t get warm last night after returning from a farewell dinner for a local, leaving for the big smoke. It should give me incentive at least to finish the Central Park Hoodie as Hockey is about to start too,brrrrr!

Oh ,heres another UFO, done(though ends need doing as usaul,with weather rapidly cooling id better get this one to its new owner!)

And some new reading,Im not sure about the Stolen Time one but thought it will be thought provoking at the least....and the Jean Sasson book should great,Ive read some of her previous books and they were an insight into how women live in other countries.

Both books are true stories,with Jean Sasson writing about the person in her book as told to her.Sunny Jacobs wrote her own book based on her own experiences.Ive started Sunnys book so if time permits I'll put up a short reveiw!

The Knitters Exchange Treat!!!

Its arrived, the Parcel from my treater, Random Meanderings, The treats were lovely and Amysue must have read quite a bit of my postings to pick up all my interests!! Take a look...

Theres two balls of so soft Knit Picks Palette wool(Peruvian) in Hyacinth, fine enough for sockies, Havent picked a pattern yet...

Not One BUT three gorgeous magazines which I havent had a chance to pour through yet but the SpinOff edition is actually one Id seen online and am extremely excited to see it!!

Some chocy(Hersheys Sao Tome') which ive managed to hide (so far)!!

Some gorgeous roving which will be interesting to see how the colours emerge!!

Berts Bees Hand cream,my hands really suffer as I usually forget to get my gloves!!!

And lastly ,three lots of patchwork fabric in a garden theme with butterflies ,WOW what can I say...

Cant wait for the next ExChange... Thanks heaps for a thoughtful and exciting parcel ,Amysue!

GTS

This is exciting for me,the White Anzac Bottlebush or Callistemon is at last starting to flower and show some sort of promise in the future of being what I hoped to achieve in this garden bed.Theres a flag pole at top of bed and its here that official ceremonies are performed such as Anzac Day and Remberance Day.Formally full of Aggies it was looking rather sick and the aggies were lime green and didnt flowers as they are capable of doing.They been moved to a new area and are already looking greener and happier!

This gives an idea of their current size,they will, if normal growth occurs,be up to 3 m wide and 1 m high.

These are another Favourite native family of mine,the others being the Grevilleas and of course, the Eremophilias....

Had to add this one,see the bees!!!!! They re hungry,a long dry has had a lot of natives dropping their flower buds so theres a limimted supply of pollen!

And this was my visitor for the day,he came out of the shed,within a few feet as I was having a quick cuppa,he was very fast and very,very cranky,he threw himself at me when I moved!!!

Here he had turned towards me when I followed him out the door mainly to race to my car to get the camera so I could record him for my reptile mad boys!!!!

Hes about 35 to 40cm long,they mature at 50cm and is a Ringed Brown Snake,to be respected as venomous being of the Brown snake family.His big brothers are regard as one of the most poisonous in Australia,I cant remember the family name but will add later.Can you see his tongue flickin out?

That stripe on the nape is actually a bright glowing orange and hes such a beautiful specimum,and fast,we(my other half had called in and found me getting close and personal with my visitor taking these shots) guided him off to a safer part of grounds(for him amd me)

My sons have since conferred and came to the conclusion he could have been a male ruling his territory or a female about to lay eggs,personally I think he had shed his skin as his colour was just so bright. Never the less,the boys were dreadfully dissappointed to have missed out on the visit,LOL,

Green Thumb Sunday

Posted a bit of KnitteryContent below this post but to those following the Green sundays!I give you some photos of Flowering Gums ,Cant find theirs names but below is another of an unusual Hakea,forgive the somewhat fuzzy effects but its off my Phone,never have my camera when needed!!!!

I hope some of these flowers are still around for Anzac Day as the student councilers are making their own wreaths agian this year and I will be harvesting native flowers to help make up the extras needed!

A Chocolately Day

Happy Easter to all and may the day be full of Choccy goodness( I managed to knock some my boys eggs or portions of, Off) Cuppa in bed and choccy,hmmmmmm!

Been busy!

Dyed some Shetland,spun some plain as I wanted to dye it spun up to control the colour placements....

Knitted half the Jo Sharp Bolero in Sidar Luxury Soft Cotton,trying to finish it bfore Tuesday week when We have to go to Perth for kids to see a Neurologist as local Doc think the older of two may be developing Petite Mal Epilepsy like No 4 son,family history and all that!

No matter how I try to dress(or the family) I always feel we look like bushies when we go to the big lights,I just hope my bolero will be nice enough(hope its cool enough to use it!)Now get me wrong about being Bushies,its a stand out thing I dont like,I like to remain anonamous, and blend in, as its a place Im not familiar with and with four children in tow,hmmm..... I suppose I could wear my work hat, a Colly Akubra,huge felt hat,now that stands out,Ha Ha Ha

On the up side of trip,I will be within a stones throw from the Crossways Wool Shop in Subiaco!! I will,I will ,I will contrive a visit!!!!

I would love to go to a knitting group,SnB group if I could,anyone know of anything happening in Perth City Centre on the night of 17 18,19th April, though I presume we will be shopping our hearts out at The Galleria Shoping Centre,if not car/ute hunting for No ! son who is hours off getting his Ps,yikes MY SON on the Road WITHOUT me to guide HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I have a question(a different topic the one Im here for)

I started this pattern and found I have to make it in two pieces,but I cannot understand the pattern for the second part,it doesnt state the cast on sts for the lace leafy part,Im not bad at decipering patterns but this is bugging me,I ll go to Jo Sharps site and see if theres an alteration to directions.If anyone as made this tea cosy,please let me know how you went with it!! That Navojo plied alpaca wool and mohair is verrry Nice!!

Ive finished a pair of greeny Heirloom socks,humbly they have been sitting around for a while and Ive nearly done with the first of these colourful cabled ones

Sorry to use the same piccie as I havent had time to update a few things,maybe later as its quite windy and cooling off and with that change has come lots of low clouds,so not good for photos,which reminds me that its Green Thumb Sunday too,have to go visit School to check for any damge by naughty kids as all staff are away,may get some wind blown bits there!!!!

Ok off to sort out freshly dyed Shetland top and do a bit more!!!!

Knitters Treat ExChange

Knitters Treat ExChange
Im waiting to see if I was successful in joining this,but I think I was a bit late ,thought that just in case I would post the Questionaire anyway!

Knitters Treat Exchange Questionnaire

1. What's your favourite type of yarn? soft touch wool, especially sock wool (some feel so coarse!)

2. What's your least favourite type of yarn? cheap acrylics,anything harsh

3. What's the first thing you do when you visit a new yarn shop?Check the range and colours usually of natural fibres of all plys, especially 4ply!!!!! And on with the touch test,feel the sensation of beautiful fibres!

4. What other crafts do you do / would like to do? I spin and dye my own wool/fibre,crochet blankets for my boys

5. What magazines do you currently subscribe to? None,buy what I can locally which isnt much but would love to subscribe to Wild Fibres ,Yarn and Simply Knitting

6. Put this type of magazine in order of preference:Knitting / Garden/ Crochet / Other Craft / Food / Home / Fashion / Celebrity Gossip /

7. What items do you like to knit / crochet? Anything but at moment its socks, jumpers and vests and of course dish cloths(and scarves for the Mothers Day Stall at School at moment)

8. Are you allergic to anything? Not really,unwashed alpaca makes me itch,though smoke gives me asthma/hayfever!

9.What do you like to* smell of?(*This is not a typo. The question is: What do you like to smell of) Nice perfume!and other floral fragrances,like lavender,vanilla!

10. What's your favourite way to relax? a good cuppa ,interesting TV show and my latest knitting project (knitting by the local pool in summer,by the fire in winter or on the sunny verandah)
11. You're stood in front of a Victorian style sweetshop, an Italian cafe, an old fashioned bakery and a dainty tea room. Where do you go first? Old fashion bakery ,hmmmm,yum!!!!!

12. What do you come out with? Apple turnover!!!

13. Where do you go next? The Italian Caffe for a Cappuchino(lots of chocy on top) and then the nearest LWS,what bliss!

14. Any other words of wisdom for your pal? Life is to be enjoyed and all gifts given are to be treasured for the thought behind them, (hope that doesnt sound corny), I do love all colours especially varigated ones and enjoy the feel of naturel fibres!

Edited late evening, Well it looks Im in the Exchange,yippee, This is going to be fun.......

Slacker

I just couldn't find time for much this week,though I did manage to get some spinning done.Its fun deciding which wheel I will use today! Theres merino/angora on Louet S10, and now cheviot on the Ashford with the Victoria lying idle in its case half full of merino! I hope to take the boys to the pool this weekend for a swim and will probably take the Vicky with me for a bit of get to know her lesson.Hopefully I won't have too many onlookers,most are used to me sitting in the shade knitting,a wheel might raise a few eyebrows!!!!
Ive been trying to round up some Icelandic roving but haven't heard boo from any of the supplers I found,maybe they aren't interested in seling to an Aussie. Just want to try a bit!!!!
Update,have replies from a couple of people and am to confirm if I can get any wool from them due to strict Quarrantine laws etc, I certainly dont want to import anything that is carrying nasties!
Im up to 5 scarves for the Mothers Day Stall and nearly finished a lone sock and the second of a pair Ive been working on for yonks,they were my portable now and then projects and at least Ill have a couple of new ones when the cold weather starts!
On the parcel side! Ive recieved the last Spin to Knit parcel from Brooke from k1p2ssk.blogger,will make that a link if I manage to get back onto here later! Hubbys on night shift shortly so will get a chance to do a bit more posting then,well thats theplan!!

The latest Simply Knitting,hope the Yarn issue is in the Newsagent in Kal when I take the boys in to see the Mr Bean Movie!

Following is a Debbie Bliss Book that I picked up at the Angus and Robertson Book Shop last week.Its a basic book that is very basic to me but for $20 it has some great edging patterns and a few good general patterns,there I think that justified the purchase,lol!

Wheels!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is the requested piccis of my "collection" so far,lovelies!

From the left is the Ashford Double Drive,Ive had this for nearly 20 yrs, its so familiar to use,I can rattle heaps out of her!

The middle is the most recent,a Louet S10,so finely tuned and a pleasure to treddle,I chose to get a single treddle as after initial trial on the Victora I found that at first anyhow I can't concentrate on getting the feet co ordinated let alone learn to spin on a new wheel(or should I say learn it habits) This Louet is however 2nd hand,I see no reason to spend nearly $800 on a new wheel with the extras when on searching, found a very good dealer in Holland who specialises in second renovated ones at 1/4 of the original price! Note this Louet has a skein winder(which is what I went looking for in the first place) and there was a set of hand carders in sale as well,kids have combed their hair so far, I doubt I will use them!

And lastly is the gorgeous little Louet Victoria.Its a gem, its has its own travelling case and in minutes can be set up to spin,just have to get the footies going in the right order!

Thats it,now my secrets out...

Ps Have my eye on a carder in the next few months and next year I hope to add the Hitchhiker to collection!Found another interesting wheel , check out the Celtic Spinning Goddess Wheel, Habetrot!

To fello Knitters

There is a knitting post beneath greenery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Green Thumb

Sunday

Vegie patch!

Expanded!

Hubby has started the Kambalda Seed Savers,those who are living in the water deprived areas have actually sent seeds to him to keep supplies of varieties going until they can continue themselves(until it rains that is)

This zuchini is the last of my spring vegie patch along with some rhubarb that I raised from seed.they are currently battling powdery mildew abd Im not allowed to treat them for fear of damaging the organic seeds hes growing ,I don't worry too much, we've gotten enough zuchinis for a while!

Stay tuned and I will bring an update of the Kambalda Seed Savers plot later.........

PS A fello Blogger who is also a fantastic gardener is sending over some Sugar Loaf seeds as I haven't been able to get any here ,sooo looking forward to growing them.....

Navajo plying

Lots has happened this week,a new wheel has arrived, lots a spinning and the weather is looking very knitterly.....

This sock which I started a while ago is the regia stretch that Yarnivous had knitted a sock with and gifted to the lady they stayed with in Merridan,WA. I loved the colour and manged to find it on Ebay from somewhere in the States.It was only after knitting with it for half a sock that I realised that there is a fine elastic strand running through its centre,very observant of me! Its lovely to knit with but I am wondering how long the elastic will last!

The next is my first attempt at navajo plying,it was learnt in a matter of minutes albeit rough,skeined,dyed and kniting started in half a day.The fibre is from Bendigo mills in amix of merino,alpaca and mohair.This was a seconds batch as it really needs to be carded again as the fibres are all over the place. Its also makes for itchy spinning as I am partially allergic to the fine dust coming off it,no problem once washed ,thank heavons. This bag was 1.4kg for $16 roughly,Hubby came back after I had already made my purchases in the Mill shop holding it high like a fish just caught out of the river,thrilled at his find.It was relegated to the back of cupboard for couple of years but finally i dragge it out and with care its like an ugly duckling.

Im rather fond of the result,its heathery and reminds me of a Jo Sharp yarn though I don't remember which one,LOL As photos show the first lot is destined to be Jo Sharp tea cosy

This is some nobbly silk plyed with BFL that looked at me and said it wanted to be a different colour and so I obliged, its a mulberry sort of varigated result with more purple berry than pale tones and looks gorgeous.Not sure where it will go or what it will be ,all I know is that I couldn't get the camera to record the colour properly.

I tried the glad wrap dye method this time,normally I just dip dye and hope it comes out the way I want!!!!

Ill be back,Son No 1 has a flat tyre and needs a lift!

Green Thumb

This a bit late but I managed to get something,my other garden blog , Outback Flowers has more!

DH watering what used to be MY veggie patch but as hes started the Kambalda Seed Savers I let him,it keeps him out of my hair,ha ha ha!!!!

A little spinning

This last week has probably been the best Ive had for a while,the new 5.30am start has been better for me (though the 2pm finish hasn't been so good) I have learnt to manage my chores so as to have the regulation 30mins lunch break at 1pm and that allows me to actually use the remaining 30mins to clean up equipment and fuel up the cans ready to start next day.its amazing how long it can take to put hoses away etc.
I have managed to finish the ''pink lemonade"roving that I ve been working for the last fortnight,the name was given for want of something to call it and that just cameto mind!! LOL ,I have photos but as DH has been fiddling with computors, I am drafting this first on my Xmas pressie, the laptop. Heres Fluffa checking out the fibre goods,he hopped up onto the chair beside me and climbed over for a sticky beak,seems to love my ratty old dressing gown(wouldn't normally appear but Fluffas the star not me!)
It means I can't as yet access the photos I took as I didn't want to store them on this computor as the rest on on the main one,so I will just type away and add later!
I've joined the My First Top Ups and have picked out some lovely BFL that I dyed in sombre sort of colours. I must be ready for Autumn as I seem drawn to those tones.
Speaking of which I had some raw(white) roving up on Ebay namely,
Masham,Shetland and Cheviot and before that ,BlueFaced Leicester ,
noone seemed interested ,I thought as they were rare /not available here in Aussie that some spinner out there would be interested! Maybe if I dyed some.I wasn't really out to make any money just to allow others to try what is available elsewhere.
As said in last post Im planning to get some Icelandic roving too and have found a good suppler in the States.Its supposed to be pretty good so when it arrives I will give my opinion of its spinworthyness!
Sort of thinking of joining the SP 10 this year mainly because its fun to send goodies as well as recieve them, anyone joined before?This year I intend to drag DH off to the local Policemens Ball which is held here i Kambalda each year as part of Bluey Day whic in this town was started in memory of Katie Karafilis who died of a childhood cancer a few years ago.Kamblada has managed to raise a lot of money in previous years and most of the time the highest in the state due to local efforts!
this year I have plans,The top is fine,a fitted black lace sleeveless round neck top,the shoes are called foxtrot and nicely match any ball room flings we may try,the skirt,well I have a short multilayered hankercheif style one so i am thinking of making something similiar in black chiffon,something floatly.
Now as it will be in May it will most likely be freezing and Im afraid that warmth is important ,as a teenager, fashion was more important than comfort but not now,LOL
which brings me to deciding to make either a shrug or a lacy sort of wrap,found the wrap just need to decide on what colour..... a rich wine colour,a cream or go classic in all black set, off with a bit of classy jewellry,hmm a shrug still looks good...
Maybe if I knit the wrap in a fine mohair or alpacca with a bit of sparkle running through it! I even wondered about a flapper style which means stick to the skirt already at home in cupboard and add a dropwaist top ,either way I get to knit the wrap!!!!!
Anyway this week end has been busy,particularly today as I have been trying to clean up my garden,its cool and this morning a bit drizzly but DH announced some Seed Savers were coming around to get some seeds from his stash so i had to quickly run up some cake for morning tea,for which i am still waiting for them to arrive(well after lunch)
It has also meant I am still in garden clothes ,no sign of a Nanna nap going to happen(read book ) and at this time no fibre happenings either. Oh well theres always next weekend,bugger DHs on night shift.....

PS my latest yarn stash enhancer $ 3 a ball, on special at Kmart,got ten to do a bell sleeve cardie style jacket out of a Studio Mohair book found at Kmart again a little while ago,kicking myself for not also grabbing some white Silk as well....

And a bit of weekend reading....

Hmmm

Haven't really got much to show,still spinning some dyed BFL top that I dyed with red yellow and pink,looks almost pink lemonade,don't know why it came to mind but when I finish plying I will show it off and ask for an opinion!
Not much knitting,too busy spinning in the only free time I have at moment,have to find the BFL that I have spun up for the Toe Up's , its hiding.....it knows I have to ball it up and being quite fine its going to tangle!!!!
Wow,saw news a short while ago(internet of course) Britney Spears has a new Tattoo....are we all so bored we want to know that!
On the work front ,things are looking a bit better,the boss has agreed to our starting time of 5.30am which means we(or I) finish at 2 pm now and just enough time for 30mins approx peace before th boys arrive home from school or to grab a bit of grocery shopping,now we all know kids and wallets don't match when it come to the budget grocery shopping!!I was starting at 5am and it was starting to really tell on me,I literally died on the bed fora anhour when the kids got home,the house was starting to fall a part.This last week has been better,its marvellous what an extra 30mins shuteye can do....
I really thought we were going to be in for a bit of a rough time with the new admin for various reasons including a previous employed person there leaving and being friends with some admin put me on guard to the point I was and maybe still looking at a different position elsewhere! Its so much relief to get a laugh and a smile from an admin person who could have very easily made it hard !
So hilarious on Thursday! I was removing some so called eco mulch that was donated to the school last year from a display bed near admin,I was wearing safety sunglasses the type that really seal around eyes and being hot was actually filled with sweat and it would dribble down my cheek as I spoke(the glasses would lift up my cheek and break seal ) Now my immediate boss came to speak to me about issues that the Big boss had raised and it could have been difficult for all of us and he tends to chop and change,anyhow to cut story short, she was telling me the latest and how I had to go see him....well she saw"tears" rolling down my cheeks and was alarmed that I was stressing.... I think it has worked in my favour LOL
I have come to the opinion that I have alot of roving to spin so have sacrficed a bit on Ebay in part to help pay for the post of the whole lot and to allow me to seek some more rare fibres from the states.I doubt even my mild mannered other Half will see my facination if any Quivet or Buffallo finds its way here but there are other interesting ones out there.
I aim to buy a little extra and put it up on the famous ebay again to help pay the post but also to allow other spinners to try a bit with out the problems of getting it here.Im at a point where I would rather start another blog like Yarnivorous has with her dyed yarn but I wondered if Blogspot might cut up a bit rough about any commercial ventures.
Maybe if I mention when I have some stuff and its details. That might work for people to contact me and work on from there,hmmmmm,I will think about it,feel free to comment!

Louet

!

Louet! Its here in my grasp,Donna from Random knits was the closest guess! Must have been the last hint !

My DH is amused as the Electric Roberta was to be my travelling wheel..... the "bycicle" style treddling is interesting and although its also teemed a good beginners one,I think the good old Ashford would be more ideal as you have to concentrate at first to "memorise" the feet action and handle the drafting at the same time!

I look forward to this weekend to play! (still have a bobbin to fill on Roberta too but that doesn't take long!)

Another hint?

One of you who commented is close to the mark,I will post photos shortly but this the last hint!

*it goes round and round..........

It s really hot today,I went with DH to deliver the schools Ride On Mower to the shop in Kal for repairs and service.The ute had no air conditioner and being a bit ancient it was also slow!
He still has the two way radio so we heard a truckie go crook at our speed and when we pulled over to let them pass,we were abused again for apparently throwing rocks!!! I have my only two Uncles as truckies and they do long k,s so Im not ignorant at the conditions that they operate under. These were just cowboys as they were speeding as well!
Well Iv had my winge,
Happy Valentines everyone!
@>)<------ @>)<------ @>)<----- @>)<----- @>)<----- @>)<------ @<)>----

Another hint!

I think this will give it away!
Its the makers name and it rhymes with an Australian well known beer,
Its arrived ,I've had a play and I'm estatic........

A box

Im so excited! A very special Thing is arriving in the day or so,garanteed by Feb 14th,its something i ve had my eye on for a while and tempation got too much!
It also means I have to curb yarn spending for a while but what the heck,I reackon I will make good use of it, a couple of hints

*Its little
*portable
*wooden
*and starts with L...
But to get in early before yarn diet starts ,I ordered and recieved some( read, that lots) roving in BFL,Cheviot,Masham ,Shetland and incredably soft Angora bunny!!!!! (in natural of course)......

The first parcel has arrived

I went to the post office to pick up the box! Theres another story in why our parcel are not delivered to the door!

Anyway! Inside this box is the most gorgeously soft baby alpacca yarn spun for me by my
Spin to Knit Pal who will not reveil herself until the next parcel arrives sometime in February!This is so exciting to see the spinning efforts of someone else, I haunt those blogs who spin, for ideas not only for supplies, but for techniques (even though I appear to be stuck in my own way of doing things)


Inside the box with this ever so soft,(I can't believe how buttery it feels), alpacca is a beautiful butterfly that you can light up,its taken residence in the African violet pot on window ledge!And a cut glass bottle to strike cuttings in, its decorated with lots of beads and flowering beads as well!Sorry its not a great piccy its lovely yellow that won't standout clearly against the cleanest thing in my house at moment,my table!
This Pal must have been checking my journal out to get it so right!
















Heres a close up of the yarn, it has around 115 yards and I am thinking hard of what I can knit with it to show up the soft nature and beautiful dove grey colour,a pair of Fetching with maybe some beads? Maybe I should seek out some roving to match so I can spin a bit of contrast and that will open up some possibilities! A friend I showed it to was under its spell as well,even though shes not a knitter as such(she can but doesn't have time),she suggested I just knit a square with it to hold and cuddle!!!
Thank you so much Secret Pal, I am so looking forward to what you are spinning up next,from somewhere in California!
Edit,I sent my spun goodies to this lady! It was hard to part with them but I think she likes my efforts!!!!