Search Results for: knitting

Can I officially call myself a knitter now?

A belated Merry Christmas! With all the festivities I didn’t get a chance to do my usual Christmas post.

I’ve been knitting. A lot. And loving it!

This is my first knitting success story. Most arty/crafty stuff comes pretty naturally to me, but not knitting – I’ve had to really work at it. But finally it’s paying off 🙂

The pattern is “Annie” by Tikki. The yarn is “luxury” in the colour lavender from Bendigo Woollen Mills.

I learned so much knitting this cardigan and the end result far surpasses what I thought I was capable of. Thanks be to God, my help and inspiration!

Isn’t the daisy stitch just beautiful. This is what I love about Tikki patterns – they are quite simple in design but have these little “highlights” to make it special. Most of her patterns are knit on circular needles, which I also love.

This cardi used just over 1x 200g ball of yarn and the buttons were from my stash, which makes the total cost about $15 AUD, what a bargain! OK, lots and lots of hours but so little money.

I’ve already ordered yarn for my next cardigan, this time for my eldest daughter and I must admit I’m feeling quite impatient for it to arrive so I can get started, I’m so loving knitting right now!

Stuff in progress…

by Kelly Leave a Comment

Thanks to Hilary’s help in finding me a suitable pattern – a lovely log cabin cot quilt. This for my sister’s first baby, due in January, very exciting!

She has painted the room a lovely green and the baby furniture is white, so the fabric colours I chose to compliment the existing colour scheme. I think it’s going to look gorgeous.

I’ve taken up my courage and am trying another knit. It’s so enjoyable to be knitting again and so far, so good – no mistakes! The pattern is “Little Annie” by Tikki. I’ll keep you updated on it’s progress, but don’t hold your breath, it’s pretty slow going for me.

I’m also waiting on a painfully slow supplier for some fabric to dye and sew into dresses for a custom order.

What are you working on this week?

Quick reminder – the giveaway will be drawn tomorrow so if you haven’t entered yet you still have time!

Sneak peek embroidery

by Kelly 2 Comments

I’m working on a new pattern.

It has lots of little stitches.

And lots of cuteness.

I’m almost done, so it will be available in my Etsy shop soon and there may even be a little giveaway!

Gosh I’ve missed stitching!

The cooler weather has me thinking about knitting as well, it might be a good time to try out Linda’s cat pattern – so cute!

Happy weekend and God bless you all 🙂

Lavender

by Kelly 2 Comments

The Lavender beret from Tikki is my second knit off the needles for this year. I’m starting to think that by the time I’m a Grandma I could be pretty decent at this (and yes, it probably will take that long!)

There are mistakes but overall I’m pretty happy with the result and once again, I’ve learned a lot.

The yarn is from Woolganics in Kundalini, it’s really lovely and I was able to get it in a swap with Zofia – thank you Zof!

Now what’s next? I’ve got my eye on this and this – knitting is very addictive!

Rest is good

by Kelly 2 Comments

I haven’t been well for a couple of days but in a few ways it’s been a good thing. My husband was able to stay home to care for the children. I was able to rest, like, actual bed rest! I even napped!

I knitted. I read. I dozed.

The children brought me flowers in bed. They climbed up and hugged me and told me stories and looked at me with smiling concern.

I’d almost forgotten how much I enjoy reading. I finished off Perelandra by C.S. Lewis and almost finished The Pilgrim’s Regress, also by Lewis (not to be confused with The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, which is also excellent). Did you know C.S. Lewis was a total genius?

It’s been a good reminder to me. I can’t go flat out all the time. I can’t always care for everyone else. I need to rest. And my family really, really loves me 🙂

A start on winter sewing

by Kelly 2 Comments

I’m right into the winter sewing now that my latest Crafty Mamas order is here and the biting cold weather is a great motivator. For the littlest one I used my trusty Ottobre 301 top pattern. Don’t you love that mushroom print?

I also did a new pair of leggings (Burda pattern) which my girls love to live in. Usually I’d put a skirt over the top, it looks so cute.
I’m a little excited about the cooler weather because I’m right into knitting this year and my skills are improving really fast. The hardest part is waiting on materials purchased online to arrive as sadly there are no wonderful knitting stores near me.

Is the cool weather motivating you to make certain things? A warm quilt or blanket perhaps? Knitted cardies or hats? Do tell!

Frogging!

by Kelly 5 Comments

It was all going so well, but after many hours of knitting (long after this photo was taken) it became apparent that I had stuffed up.

Allow me to explain. With my limited knitting capabilities (hey, my dishcloths look great!) I decided to set myself a challenge in the form of the Oriental Lily pattern by Tikki. No, I’d never knitted with increases, used circular needles or even stitch markers, but so many people are good at this knitting thing, how hard can it be?

Lets just say I’m humbled and am now familiar with the knitter’s term “frogging” and no, it doesn’t involve any lovely little amphibians but does involve a fair bit of heartache.

Back to the drawing board and thank God for youtube tutorials!

Craft container revamp

by Kelly 4 Comments

I tried to paint this wooden container ages ago and never liked how it turned out. It’s been holding my paint brushes and knitting needles. Not one to be fond of being reminded of crafty failures I thought I’d try something different. I gave it a couple of coats of Jo Sonja in white…..

Measured out a cute blue spotty fabric (that I’ve also had for ages), slapped on some Mod Podge, wrapped the fabric around, slapped on some more Mod Podge….

Added some Farbenmix ribbon that I’ve been harbouring for way too long, and glued on a little quirky sheep button. Now I don’t mind seeing it on my shelf!

Mmmm, chocolate cake…

I’ve been enlisted as chief photographer and editor for my boy’s latest Lego project. Sleepyhead needed a bed for this scene, so I made one out of polymer clay and a fabric scrap. The things we do for love.

Hope you’re having a great week, God bless.

Snippets of life

by Kelly 4 Comments

I received this week some very beautiful hand dyed cotton from Melissa at Rainbow Made. I’m knitting up some dishcloths using this famous pattern.

My heart flutters when I look at this photo.

We have so many tomatoes this year. These ones are partially oven dried and sitting in olive oil for sandwiches, salads, pasta etc.

The love affair with books continues.

Have you tried achachas yet? They’re really good! A little like a mangosteen in flavour and Australian grown. We’ve been getting them at an Asian market where everything is fresh and cheap.

Today I’m working on a dress for an out of sorts 6 year old, knitting dishcloths, then there is that unfinished painting, embroidery and pattern to write up. Wish me luck!

Strawberries and cream

by Kelly 4 Comments

That’s what she makes me think of. She is a custom order I’ve just finished for a little girl. I’m working on a doll for her sister now. I knitted her a little bolero shrug out of cashmere that turned out very nicely even though I don’t really know what I’m doing when I pick up the knitting needles.

A back view of the bolero shrug.

I like to always put a little surprise like this into my customer’s parcels. I want them to be really delighted when they open it up and get something extra that they don’t expect.

I hope her new owner likes her!