My Ramblings

LOOK...................

..................what the lovely Gina sent me for leaving the 300th comment on her blog.......
Not one, not two, but THREE skeins of fabulous Knit Picks Bare yarn.  I have knit a pair of socks from this yarn, and really loved it.

And look at these lovely stitch markers,

   and this cute tape measure.  Thanks Gina for your generosity.

I have a couple of novelty tape measures now and love them.  I may even start a collection.............ah, here we go again, yet another collection.  First it was bells, then china duo's and trio's, now tape measures.  Wait a minute, the bells weren't the first thing I started collecting; that was miniature bottles of liquor (whisky, gin, brandy etc) and liqeuers (creme de menth, drambui etc), and that was going really well till I decided to drink them.   A few headaches in that lot I can tell you.  hehe.

Getting this lovely gift got me thinking that maybe I should join the comment prize, so as I'm past 100 comments now, I will make it for the person who posts the 150th comment.  I'll be looking forward to seeing who that is as much as you will.
Cheers for now.  Happy knitting.

To Knit, or not.......again.

I have always loved to read, and am usually a voracious and avid reader.  For the last 6 months however, I have read very sporadically, and usually only magazines etc.  Recently, I have been feeling almost bored, and thinking a lot about reading.  Then yesterday it was almost a desperate need, so I headed to the bookshelf to see if there were any books I could read.....again.  Lo and behold, I found 2 books that either I or #1 son had bought some time ago and hadn't read.  Obviously not read as they were still in pristine condition.  So, yesterday, not one stitch of knitting got done, instead I read.  And read.  And read.  And finished one of the books.  Thoroughly enjoyed it, yet at the same time was feeling almost guilty because I wasn't knitting. Someone on one of the blogs (can't remember who) once mentioned that her mother could knit and read at the same time.  Boy, I wish I had that talent, then I could have read without that bit of guilt.  I think I'll leave the other book for a few days.  Then again, maybe longer as I'm not going to have much time for knitting or reading for the next two or three days anyway.  Tomorrow is #3 son's engagement party, and he has asked me to make some caramel tarts.  Whist they are very easy to make, it is extremely time consuming, so I won't have time for anything else.  Then of course, the party tomorrow.  This week is the first round of the home and away games for our footy teams, and my team plays on Sunday.  As it's the first game, I doubt I'll be taking my knitting, unless I start another dishcloth.  The projects I'm working on right now require a certain degree of concentration that I'm sure I won't have during the match.  I'll get back to my knitting hopefully by Monday.
Take care, and happy knitting.

Well, I have started knitting for ISE4, but of course I can't show the progress in here just in case my "victim" happens to stumble across my site.  I suppose she won't realise it's for her, but you never know, so better to be safe rather than sorry.  I can however show you the finished green socks.................
  and                  
Sadly, they don't fit the MOTH.  I found his feet to be longer than I thought, and though I thought I'd knit them long enough, they are about 1 inch too short.  So, I'm wondering, perhaps it's a Freudian error as I really wanted these socks for myself?  hehe.  They fit me very nicely thankyou, and boy are they warm.  I tried them on for the photo then had to take them straight off as my feet were far too hot.  They'll be great in the winter, especially if we go for a trip to the snow.  So now I have to knit a larger pair for the MOTH, but it won't be in this yarn as I only have one ball left out of 3.  I do have other yarns, and he would probably prefer one of those as I'm the greeny in the house.  He prefers blue, which I have.
As well as doing the scarf, and another pair of socks, I'm considering what to do for my SP10's first package.  AND, I also have a one skein swap gift to work on too.  Gee, so much to do and so little time.  I must say though, I usually do my best work when I have to get it done.
Cheers folks, and happy knitting.

Tears:

But happy ones.  Look what my most beautiful daughter sent me.  I ordered some circs from her shop,
Crystal Palace Bamboo's in sizes 10/6mm, 7/4.5mm, 5/3.75mm and 2/2.75mm; all 26 inch.  Along with these she also sent some Crystal Palace Bamboo DPN's size 3/3.25mm.
These are the first bamboo needles I've ever had so I'm looking forward to using them.  The Brittany Birch needles I've had for several months I also bought from my daughter, and I love them.  She also sent me some beautiful yarn, Koigu KPPPM in shades of green, blue, white, red and purple, and in pinks, blues, yellows and orange.  Both are lovely, but I think I'll knit some socks for myself with the former one.   And finally, some Malabrigo in blue/green which I now need to find a pattern to go with.  As you guessed from the title of this post, I had tears in my eyes as I looked through this wonderful surprise package......softie that I am.  And of course, now my fingers are itching, itching, itching.
Recently I admired a little vest that my friend Katt  had knit.  She had put little pirate skulls around the lower part of the vest for a friends son, and it looked gorgeous.  I commented that I'd rather like to knit something similar but with Ariel (the little mermaid) for one of my granddaughters who is mad about her.  Look what she sent me.......
Isn't she just wonderful?    I don't think it will fit around as a border though, more as a one off design in the centre front of the jumper, and I might even do a back view on the back of the jumper.  Thanks so much Katt.

I love this world of blogging.  I have found so many lovely and helpful friends in here, and of course got some lovely stuff via swaps etc.  Thanks again needs to go to my daughter for introducing me back into knitting and to blogging.  Thanks also to all my new friends who read my blog and make comments, and to all those whose blogs I read.  You really have enriched my life.
Happy knitting folks.

I Lied!!!!!

Not on purpous, but I lied nonetheless.   Instead of having a relaxing few hours as I said I was going to do, when I meant to have a nice LONG HOT soak in the bath with some nice candles and perhaps a glass of wine, I watched TV..............and of course, I can't watch TV and NOT knit.  So, I did about 1 inch of the cuff of the second sock (no photo yet; too boring) and finished these........................
This is the 3rd set of jumper/hat/booties I've knitted for the aids orpans in Malawi.  Oh, and see Natalie, Ron is looking after the plants well.  We also have the plants from your wedding in our front yard. 

As for that bath?  Well, I never did get around to having it (no, I'm NOT dirty, I DID shower hehe!).  I can still hear it calling me though, so soon I'll spoil myself.  Till then I'll satisfy myself with my knitting.  My fingers are itching to start another project, but I'm making myself stick to those already on the needles for now.  I know I will have to start a few new projects soon though as I have signed up for ISE4 and SP10 as well as a One Skein swap with Aussie knitter.  I'm a glutton for punishment, but as I've had very little work since Christmas, I have to do something or I will get fat and lazy................ooops, that's already happened. lol
Till later, happy knitting.

I

I recently left a comment on Gina's blog and it turned out mine was the 300th one so I get a prize for that.  That is such a lovely tradition that I think I will have to adopt it too, though first I have to figure out how to keep track of the numbers of comments.  Gina then went on to say that I am probably the furthest away of all her readers, and she posted this in her blog......... "Melbourne, Victoria  AUSTRALIA  is 13 872 km from Calgary,  Lurker lives 12 698 km away, and Innsbruck, AUSTRIA is relatively right next door at only 7 900 km"............so it seems that I am indeed the furthest away of her internet friends.  She went on to say....
"Check it out then come back and leave a comment to let me know how far it is from my home to yours.  I would love to see this on your blog too.   It's really fascinating to see the world wide reach of knit-bloggers"........and I agree.  I find it wonderful and amazing that I now have friends from all over the world and from all walks of life, friends that I wouldn't have met if it wasn't for the internet, and of course, knitting.  Gina gave me a link to a URL where you can check the distances between towns all over the world.   Have a look here  and calculate the distance between you and me and let me know.

Now for some knitting news........I've finished the first of the pair of socks for the MOTH, and as is suggested by Yarn Harlot in her book, I dutifully cast on straight away for the second sock.............
but sadly that's where it ends for today.   I had too much of a good time at my cousins last night, slept over (well, laid in the bed anyway) and got home about 1130 this morning.  Whilst I didn't have a hangover (surprising considering we drank 3 bottles of wind between the two of us), I am sure feeling very tired now, so it's just going to be a relaxing few hours, then bed.
Happy knitting everyone.

Happy Birthday Mum.

Yesterday, 14th March, was my mothers birthday, and tomorrow I will be going to have lunch with her, my dad and his sister and brother-in-law who are visiting from England.  This is a photo of (L to R)
Mum, Dad, Aunty Glenys and Uncle Bill, taken at Williamstown Beach.

  Today I finished the Morehouse Merino scarf I was knitting for mum which is the first thing I've knitted  in lace weight yarn.  I'm quite happy with it, and I   
hope mum likes it too.  It's not terribly long, so can be used as a decorative scarf as well as looping once around the neck to keep any draughts out.

Now that I have finished this scarf, I can again concentrate on other projects, although today is another hot one, so I won't be doing any more today.  Come the weekend, I will get back to the other two scarves that I am knitting as well as more jumper/hat/booties sets for the African aids orphans.

Not much of a blog today sorry.  Will try to do better next time.  Happy knitting.

Happy Birthday Mum, and also Happy Anniversary for the 25th.  Love you both.

Beaut day out.

Today #1 son, his son and myself went to our football clubs family day.  There was quite a bit to see and do; and of course you could meet your favourite players and get their autographs, and perhaps even have a photo with them if you remembered your camera; which I did not.  #1 had his mobile phone though, so was able to get some photo's of his son with several players.  To obtain an autograph or get a photo oppotunity one had to stand in line: a LONG line.  So, what did I do while they were waiting in line?  Why, knit of course.  There I was, sitting in the front row of the stand, knitting away and minding my own business, when I was (not so) rudely interrupted by a woman and her husband.  She had seen me knitting and had to come over and comment on the fact that it had been years since she last saw someone knitting socks.  We got talking (as knitters do) and she told me that she was one of 11 children, and when she was a girl (just a couple of years ago) she and her sisters had to knit socks for their brothers.  ( I wonder what the boys had to do for their sisters, or is that being sexist? hehe).  Her husband then commented that when he was in the navy, back during WW11, one of the other sailors knitted socks; two together, one inside the other.  Now, that really has me intriqued as I cannot for the life of me figure out how that would be done.  If anyone knows I'd be interested in hearing about it, and perhaps even learning how to do it.  It was great chatting to another knitter and especially lovely when she told me what a lovely knitter I am........now, I don't know about you, but I know I always like to hear that what I am doing is good, so that really made my day.................until later I realised I'd dropped a stitch while I was busy chatting.  So, what do they say about pride??  Apart from the knitting, we spent money on "stuff".  I bought a little key ring laser light pointer that shines the club logo; every supporter should have one of these.  #1 bought his son a club footy, which he duly had signed by a couple of our players.  This is pretty good considering that he doesn't support out team, and in the past has always said that he hates my team.  Whilst I'm not going to be able to convert him, it's nice to think that he now concedes that it is a good team and that he actually likes it.  Now it would be his number 2 team, which is very fitting as HIS team is MY number two team..........I will always barrack for that other team to win, except when they play my team of course. 
I guess I should clarify what the hell I am talking about shouldn't I??  Well, of course I am talking about AFL (Australian Football League) Football.  Australian Rules Football is now a country wide league with 16 teams.  My team is the Western Bulldogs (previously known as the Footscray Bulldogs, or Footscray Football Club).  Most of my siblings, my parents, my husband, my daughter and #1 son also support this team.  My grandson, along with my other 3 son's and one of my foster son's, supports the Essendon Bombers.  I have always liked Essendon, and now with so many of my kids barracking for them, I have sort of adopted them as my second club.  I can only have real alliegance to one club though, and that is the Doggies.  I have a membership and try to go to as many games as I can.  Last year I was able to meet up with my daughter, but she is now interstate so cannot come to the games.  This year, the MOTH has re-joined as a member and #1 has signed up for the first time. Now all 3 of us will go to the games, and I'm really looking forward to the start of the season in a couple of weeks.......GO DOGGIES......WOOF, WOOF, WOOF.

Addit:  Thanks folks for leading me to the tutorial for double knitting.  I found it very interesting and intend giving it a go very soon.

SP10 Questionnaire, repeated.

I have just received an e-mail from my hostess, and as I did this last month, it probably won't be easy for my new pal to find, so for obvious reasons, here it is again.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
   I love silk yarns, alpaca and most natural fibres.  Not over keen on acrylics, but sometimes they are useful, like for the jumpers for African Aids babies.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
     I have a lovely Lantern Moon needle case, but that's just about overflowing now.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
   On and off, for most of my not so short life.  I believe my mother taught me when I was about 8.  I guess I'm about intermediate, though I'll tackle just about anything.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?  Oh yes, of course.

5. What's your favorite scent?  Love vanilla, violets and many other flower scents, also woody and orientalls

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?   I have a very sweet tooth unfortunately.  It would be much easier to say what I DON'T like............black jelly beans or other black, aniseed flavoured sweets.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?  I don't spin or crochet.  I do scrapbook and occasionally cross-stitch embroidery.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)  I guess you'd call it soft rock, or pop.  Don't mind Country.  Some Hip Hop is ok.  Don't like Heavy Metal

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?  Love green (especially emerald) and purple.  Like creamy colours and earth tones.  Really do not like pink, for me at least.  I will buy/knit for others.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?  Married, with 5 natural children, 3 step children, 3 "foster" children (all now grown up) and 13 1/2 grandchildren.  1 Dog, Chihuahua/Mini Foxy X, who has just lactated to feed a stray kitten which has now adopted me too.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?  Not ponchos, too fat for them.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
      I have discovered the joy of socks, and I also like scarves, shawls, dishcloths.  I guess I'm sort of over larger items at the moment.  Have just discovered the joy of lace weight yarn.

13. What are you knitting right now?
     A pair of socks, 3 scarves., another jumper/hat/booties set for the African aids orphans.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?  Definitely.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
    Depends on the project.  For socks I prefer DPN's, preferably my Brittany Birch.  For larger projects, a circ (haven't tried 2 circs yet).  I love my Brittany Birch needles (straight and DPN's). Have yet to try bamboo or casien.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?   Neither.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?  About 6 weeks.

18. What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas, a great time to spend with family.

19. Is there anything that you collect?  Bells and china duos/trios (teacup/saucer/plate). 

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?  Lots from Knit Picks.......needles (really covet their Options needle set) and yarns.  Lots of books too......on my Amazon wish list.  Don't subscribe to any magazines at present time, and have never read a knitting magazine.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?   I guess using 2 circs, but I'm more than happy with my DPN's.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?  Yes, have discovered the joy of sock knitting.  My foot is UK size 6/7, but my foot is very wide (probably DDD or E fitting) with a high instep.  I have just measured.......9.5 inches long, 9.5 circumfrence at the base of the toe, and also over the instep.   Hmmm, maybe I should post a photo so that you can see my poor ungainly feet.

  Fugly, huh??  And with blisters from wearing shoes without hosiery last evening. :-(

23. When is your birthday?   24th April.

And about time too!!

I've been pretty lax lately about posting to the blog, but that's because I wanted to have something to show so it wouldn't be boring.  I have been busy, but not very productive if you know what I mean.  I h ave done two dishcloths from my new book (see previous post),
 

and have done part of a fine lace weight scarf in Morehouse Merino.  I'm really loving the scarf and will find it hard to part with it when the time comes, but that's what we do, right?  This is the first time I've knit with lace weight, so I'm really enjoying it.  For such fine yarn I'm amazed at how quickly it's growing.  Can't
remember where the pattern came from, but it's off the net.  Not Knitty I don't
think.  I have several other lace weight yarns waiting to be found projects for, so now I'm really looking forward to getting into those........but first I will have to finish the other projects I have started, like the socks (only done one) and the scarf for my friend and the one for me.  I also still have heaps of yarn for the aids orphans baby jumpers, so will need to knit up more of those.  For anyone who would like to see these jumpers in use, have a look here.  The kids are so cute you just feel you want to give them all a huge hug.
Well, not much is happening in my neck of the woods, so I will leave you now and get back to my knitting...............ah, but which project, now that's the BIG question.  Probably this lovely lace scarf, as that is the one that needs to be finished first, the others are not quite so important at this stage. 
Happy knitting.

P.S. Just received a parcel in the post.  I recently bought some wax tarts for use in my oil burners. When I opened the parcel, my goodness, the aroma was intoxicating, and as I sit here typing, with the box beside me, the scent is filling the room.  All that without even starting to melt them.  The MOTH who is also in the room is commenting on how strong the smell is, and saying I will need to store them outside, but he is always whinging about perfume etc.  I just tell him to put a peg on his nose, or put some cotton wool up there, or better yet, stop breathing........only joking. (He tells me I should comment on the SIZE of his nose, that he is unfavourably blessed and can take in more than most. lol)  The Yarnballs are soy and wax and I have 3 scents, Gingerbread, Cinnamon Bun and Gift Shoppe.  The

plain tarts are made of straight wax, and those I have in Sweet Love, Gardenia, Orange spice, Grandma's Kitchen,Winter Stress Relief (well, it IS approaching,
eventually), Lilac, Frangipani, Fresh Brewed Coffee, Hot Cocoa, Hot Fudge, Warm Vanilla Sugar, Very Vanilla and Vanilla Bean (do you get the idea that I love vanilla??)  These are only a few of the scents that Eunice has and you can see lots more, and get the description too, at her web site.  Unfortunately there seems to be a bit of a problem with her web site today, but apparently all will be ok by Friday, look her up here.