Spun Yarn

 At last years retreat we were all given some dyed yarn to have a play with. I had a small bag of multi-coloured bits. I was unsure what to do with it but just combed it a bit just to fluff it and then spun it as it came trying to get all the different colour's through the bobbin.

Once I had finished I decided not to ply it on itself because I didn't have very much and I would have lost some of the colour change. I ply ed it with some sewing cotton. I have no idea what to knit out of it but a scarf or small shawl will be likely because it will show off the lovely colour's.    

Pink Socks

I told you all about our dyeing workshop we had late last year. One Of the girls who attended the workshop really wanted some socks out of her yarn but is only learning how to cast on so it will be a long while before she is up too sock herself. Some how I volunteered to knit them. I made them using the magic loop because I was unsure how many meters in the hank and she has a large foot.

Block of the month

I have wanted to try block of the month Quilts but they are very costly. Last month I found a hexagon one that runs for 8 months at $38 a month. I know its a lot but I just had to have it. The first month arrived on Monday and I have spent the last two days just looking at the fabric. 

Block of the month site

quilt as you go

cut backing and wadding a bit wider than the braid will be
sew on braid through all layers
press well.

Quilt as you go is the method that Melva ( a lady at quilting ) uses to make all her quilts for both nursing home's in town. I am making a quilt for our youngest son's girl friend. I was given a stack of 5" square samples and was planing on making a pioneer braid quilt. Melva explained how to make  it quilt as you go.

Back joining  strip sewn  one side by machine other side by hand

cut braid down to size sew on joining strips to  front and back 

Sock needle's

I have just finished making a little gift for the two ladies at craft who I am teaching how to knit socks. I go to Quorn every other Friday. Last week we started socks from the toe up. I saw these sock needle holders on the net some were but when I wanted the pattern I could not find them, I used #10 pearl cotton and cast on 24 stitches , then knitted in the round for 5 round of rib . then 4 rounds of knit , to decrease for the to I knit 3 , k 2 tog rep round , then knit a round , k 2  k2 tog rep round .next round k , k 1 , k 2 tog . Knit a round last round k 2 tog then run a thread through all stitches and end off by pulling thread inside hat. I made tiny pompoms . I made two hats for each holder. I used a cork in side the hat. I had problems witht he hat elastic staying were I wanted it and my dear hubby drilled a hole through the middle of the corks to thread the elastic through. I hope they work out helpful for the tow sock knitters

New book

I was reading a magazine that a girl friend gets very three months. Its called Inspirations, it has the most amazing needle work in it and is designed and made in Australia. The above book is there latest complete pattern book. I would love to make the house and all the stuff inside but it may be beyond me. I am planning to start the thimble case and tape measure cover first and just keep working.
Inspiration's web site.  

Lace Cardigan

 I found this cardigan pattern in a Knitter's magazine. I loved it but was not able to get the right wool for it here in Australia. I looked on the net for something and found Morrison's and son's . It is a lace weight but I started knitting and soon realized that I was making a small cardigan. So then I did what I should have done at the start , I looked up the yarn  used in the pattern. I found it was closer to a 4ply or sock yarn than lace yarn used for shawls. So I pulled undone all the knitting I had completed and doubled it, this has worked to make it measure the same as the pattern gives. i am very happy so far with the effect. Love to know what you all think.

Were has January gone

I have been a bit preoccupied this last month, We have had visitors and now we are getting ready for another trip to Cowell, (have a look)We are going with Wayne's brother and his wife and Wayne's parents. I finished a cardigan last year I don't know what I am going to take to do this year. I don't go out in the boat because they go all day and my back doesn't cope standing etc in the boat. I used to go fishing all the time with Wayne but that's just another thing I can't do now. 

Free Pattern Febuary

Square Doily