Tour De France KAL Progress

Jumper Progress,
originally uploaded by westozcaat.

With the start of Stage 4 tonight it is time to post a progress report. The Kate Gilbert Olive (for the green jersey) jumper is going nicely, have finished the armhole shaping on the back and am about to start on the armholes. I finally gathered momentum to start the mystery stole 2nd clue today and aim t have 25 rows done by the end of tonights stage.

The SSS is going well. I turned my first widdershins heel the other day- using the anticrafts vinnland pattern, and am about to work on the leg. In the cookieA thelonious sock I am also about to turn the heel although from the cuff down!

FInally I am having problems seeing any photos that are based in flika- both mine or other peoples- anyone else having that problem? anyone know how to fix it?

Clue One Done

Clue One Done,
originally uploaded by westozcaat.

Just in Time clue one is done- can you spot the mistake.

Also check out the oh my god cute baby bootees on my flika account!!

Clue One, Chart A Complete

Clue One, Chart A Complete,
originally uploaded by westozcaat.

Well its that time of the year again- yep mystery shawl time.

This year I have gone all out and actually ordered the lace yarn. Whoo hoo.

So here it is in its infancy- Chart A of Clue one done. I have the rest of the week to do chart B- aiming for 10 Rows a day.

Wish me luck

Overdye

Overdye,
originally uploaded by westozcaat.

The grey yarn overdyed blue- I haven't figured out how to post more than one picture at a time with flika but the other dyeing images are in my Hand Dyd set on flika.

Dye me!

Dyed in Skein,
originally uploaded by westozcaat.

I tried some hand dying the other day and here are the results- I am not worried at the poorness (is that a word) of the attempt I actually quite like it. The overdye lot of the grey wool didn't work out as planned- I wanted it all one colour- It didn't cook evenly so came out varigated but again I quite like the result.

I don't think I shall turn pro but it was fun!!

Op Shop Needles

I made a great find today

some old fashioned metal aero dpns (and one straight) from a pile of needles in an op shop. I love small needles (not the 15cm but about 20cm) and found the following: 2.25 dpns (4) in 22cm, 3mm dpn's (4) in 17cm, 3.25cm straights in 17cm, 3.25 cm dpns (4) in 22cm (3 needles in 22 and one in 17cm- they are op shop!!) , 4mm dpns 2 pairs- one in 17cm and one in 22cm.

They are a bit mismatched- some needles are slightly (1cm) longer than others but heh for AUS $10 for 6 pairs i am not complaining.

Ohhh and my zephyr arrived today- in a lovely light pewter colour !! whoo hoo happy mail day!

Exams Are Over

Whoo Hoo

exams are done! yes they were awful. So bad in fact that the only knitting I got done was some baby socks for friends to give other friends babies.

So this week its all about the knitting- 1st project is to finish the 1st sock of the nancy bush chalet sock, then the 2nd sidewinder, the 1st german stocking (which has to be frogged for 2 inches), then the 1st theolonus or however you say it (sorry cookie a- yes its that pattern from her) and by then the lace for my mystery stole should be here and that then goes on the needles. My aim for this holiday is to have SSS arriving on all 4 pairs of socks that I have on the go, a finished jumper and a stole.

Not much really!!!

ok photo time: 4 pairs of baby socks from debbie bliss simply socks, mainly done in lang merino 150, the bright one is the leftover zarina from the sock in the earlier post, and the coloured accent is the (hope it is) leftovers from the nancy bush sock, which is being done in STR scottish highlands. The one that looks all white is actually pink with white accents and the other one is white with lilac accents. I love this pattern- can't you tell. They are all the middle pattern done on 3mm needles- I think it gives a better fabric than the called for 3.25mm needles.

Exams are not fun

Have ya missed me?





I hate exams! Well haven't been doing much except studing- and exams. Yuk





Anyway you want the knitting! I finished, but forgot to take a picture of the lace-edged baby cardigan- the mum loved it and said it will be used for the babys christening in september- can't think of a higher compliment than that. Also made a little earflap hat from the new DB Soho yarn- pink of course. It was so quick! I was at the yarn shop buying the pattern at 2pm and it was made and gift ready at 5pm! Whoo hoo I see many more in the future. I would go up a needle size though. Its a paid pattern from my LYS so I can't tell you it here! its a secret hehe!






Also have been knitting the sindwinders with nona- a great pattern but I stuffed up. I got the wrong gauge- yes I did a swatch. But i must of tightened up during the cause of the knitting- so either I do the next one with the larger width, or use a thicker yarn on the 2.75mm needles. I didn't like the fabric the swatch made on the 3mm needles.






In other news, I have joined the mystery stole along 3. I never finished the other one but am going to do this properly. I am getting some Jaggerspun Zephyr from Sarah's yarns - who are AUS$20 CHEAPER than the only aussie supplier- and that includes shipping!!! I aslo went to get some needles today to find that.... my LYS is getting in ADDI LACE NEEDLES!!! whoo hoo, so I have but my name down for them. When everything arrives its, pick the beads and we are off.

I currently have 4 other socks on the needles and now 2 single socks so I am going to abandon all of that, cast on some baby booties and do a little more on my jumper.

Yarn Porn Tuesday

I know its not friday but another yummy skein of yarn from an Australian supplier made its way into my hands today. Its sock yarn (of course) from That Spinning Place in the colourway "Camel Rides on the Beach". I love that name. The blue is more turquoise in RL but oh my, I do love it

.




Also I started a pair of jaywalkers but can hardly get them over my ankle- is this normal or do I need to rip and make the larger size?

I couldn't resist....

You can only stare at it for so long before tempation takes hold!

Yep the sea life skein is now a yarn ball- and I even knitted up a swatch. It was yummy. The cashmere made it soo soft and comfy on the hands. I can't wait to knit these up. Now to find a pattern....

To Frog Or Not To Frog

To Frog or Not to Frog....

That is the question.

Well, I have just finished the 1st ball of the gringisco bambi I am using to make the Millicent sock (see post below). However I am not 100% happy with it. It seems too big. Not fitted enough, and I am just not sure if I like the lace. So- do I frog or not.

All advice gladly taken.

A Weekend Project

Pattern: Fetching from Knitty

Yarn: Filatura Di Crosa Zara Plus (1 and 1/2 balls) Charcoal

Mods: Added more rows to the thumb.

For fingers: K1, K2Tog, K1, P1 Pattern to reduce stitches, K3, P1 Pattern for 4 Rows, Cable pattern with one stitch onto cable needle row, 8 more rows in rib pattern and then picot BO.

Perfect for walking the dog in the cold!

It Arrived!!!!

Whoo hooo
Aust post FINALLY delivered the cashmere merino sock yarn (colour is sea life) from the knittery today. FINALLY!! And its sooo pretty, and sooo soft. Its also quite thin for a 4-ply so i am thinking i might finally get around to making some Jaywalkers. After I finish the 2 pairs that are using up my 2.5mm dpns at the moment. I am hoping this is machine washable as it says handwash only on the label. oh you want pictures, well it is yarn porn friday so...

Also following (cause I am a following) the trend- here is the latest fun meme- stolen from Trillian42.

westozcaat -- [noun]: A hermit living in the big city 'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

hmmm well I do spend alot of time on the computer....

Craft Fair Haul

Today I went to Perth's sorry excuse for a craft fair. If you are a quilter, scrapbooker or beader its great- Knitting, not great. There were only a few yarn stalls and the only hand dyed yarn I saw was la fiesta silk- way outside my price range.

However, I still managed to spend $80 on these...

L-R, charcoal sock yarn for a pair of socks for dad, blue/tweed for something, bright colours cause I could and 3 balls of Stella, a 100% bamboo yarn from Naturally NZ. It is not quite DK so I don't think I could do Sahara (i know I will need more than 3 balls for that) with it so if that doesn't happen the 3 balls are enough for the Ogee skirt in the latest IK.

PS: No offence CookieA, I still love the millicent pattern, But I hate ribbing on dpns, and i am only 1/2" into it. Wish me luck

UFOs, Study and HELP

Well its that time of year again, yep the last minute rush to get assignments finished and exam study done. So what does that mean- well less knitting time for one!

So - what have I been up to. Well I have had startitis.

The sock pictured in the last post has been done and a pair of baby socks made from the leftovers. However sock number 2 has been put on hold for the start of these- the Nancy Bush Chalet Socks from Folk Socks in (gifted) STR Scottish Highlands. I don't mind that the pattern looks slightly invisible, I know its there, though they are a bit on the tight side as all the k tbl travelling stitches and ribbing really draw the sock in. I shall have to see how it goes but I think the 2nd sock may be done on 2.75mm needles not 2.5mm. Then its to the frog pond and a reknit.

I hate doing that. After all the effort I am a well suck it up and wear it anyway type of knitter. Which is why I normally stick to basic projects- Like the next shot. This is the back (or front) of the cover pattern on the Summer IK. Again not sure of how this is turning out. I seem to have a lot less cables on my jumper than theres does. I am using Jo Sharp Desert Garden Aran Cotton, but have the same gauge. Hmmm another mystery. I have 3 to the armhole- they seem to have 5.

The last thing on the needles I need some advise with. After listening to Lime and Violet ramble on about the Cookie sock patterns I headed over to the site and fell in love with the Millicent pattern.

I cast on with some very thin 4 ply yarn after measuring my calf (14") and all that. Now I know it is meant to go over another layer but is it just me or does it look too big. HELP- do I frog and cast on for the 13" sock or press on and see how it develops. Any help gladly appreciated.

I also headed over to the knittery after listening to the same L&V episode. I had forgotton about this store. It is good- very nice and fast service. And it is great to have some nice sock yarn here in OZ that is affordable. (A store bought over CTH but It was A$45 a bit too much for me!) I ordered only one skein of the cashmere merino as I am going to wait for the june update to get more. Does anyone know if their plain merino sock yarn is machine washable. I don't hand wash my socks so need yarn that is superwash. It does say not reccommended for felting so hmmm- may email them and ask. I shall let you know what the yarn is like when it arrives.

So Have I actually finished anything you ask? Well only the Knitting Daily Vine Lace Hat. I made it out of leftover Lang Merino 150 and it took only a small amount of yarn. However even in the blue it is a bit girly so this may be given to charity.

I also have bad news- after spending soo much time on the baby jumper pictured in the last post it was too small for the intended recipient. I felt bad as I really put alot of work into it. They are planning on another kid though so it will go away for a year until number two is ready for it.

Well thats it for now- must stop procrastinating and head back to the study- The assignment is already late and unfortuently won't write itself!!!

I have been knitting- pic heavy.

I know- bad blogger

but between life and uni I have been able to knit some stuff.

Lots of calometries- including 2 headbands and another calometry not pictured.

I Finally seamed up the debbie bliss jumper- still not 100% satisfied with it.

The pink thing is the start of the lace edged cardigan also from debbie bliss

and the zarina sock- nice and bright to cheer me up.

so on the needles are the pink thing sleeves, the sock, a crochet arigumi toy (which is on hold due to running out of yarn, a broken hook and no stuffing) and I started the new knitting daily pattern. however not sure going to continue it as lace takes me forever and I need a quick knit baby boy hat.

so

thats it for now.

boring but heh- its still yarn!!

Copycat Kate

Finally I get round to copying every one else with the:

If your life was a movie, what would the soundtrack be?

Directions: 1. Open your mp3 library
2. Put it on shuffle.
3. Press Play.
4. For every question, type the song that’s playing.
5. When you go to a new question, press the Next button.
6. Don’t lie and try to pretend you’re cool.
7. Don’t skip songs.


My Movie:
1. Opening credits: Right Here Right Now- Fatboy Slim
2. Waking up: Suits are picking up the bill- Squirrel Nut Zippers
3. First day of school: With Arms Wide Open- Creed
4. Fight song: Walkin' Blues- Eric Clapton
5. Breaking up: Tired of being Alone- Tom Jones
6. Happiness: One Way Mule- Silverchair
7. Life’s okay: Endless Summer- Scooter
8. Mental breakdown: Walk on by- Gabrielle
9. Driving: Now Comest the Night- Rob Thomas
10. Flashback: Dream on Dreamer - Brand New Heavies
11. Getting back together: Every breath you take- Me first and the gimme gimmes
12. Wedding song: Living inside You- Earl Klugh
13. Birth of first child: Hope and Validation- Bernard Fanning
14. Final battle scene: Pyramid- Wolfmother
15. Death scene: Linger- Cranberries
16. Funeral song: Outta My Head- Spiderbait
17. End credits: I Know- Save Ferris

I dont think my Ipod was playing along. Granted there are 3362 choices.

Calorimetry

For a friend:

with matching wrist warmers.

(and button closeup)

The kiddy jumper is on hold due to too much frogging and the pain of having to redo it!! Also I got the domiknitrix book in the mail so its getting a work out. First up the devil snow hat- for above friend and then the swizzle vest

Yum Yum in my Tum

looky looky at all the yummy yummies
from germany


thanks gundel!!

and for those knittyheads who are wondering what i look like here is me smirking at the camera telling a friend not to take the photo whilst on the old desktop writing an assignment, as i cannot use my great new one as the referencing software is not compatable with vista. ahhhh the thrills of being an 'early adopter' of technology



on the baby jumper front- two sleeves done, casting on for the front tonight

new computer

no knitting over easter (happy easter by the way)
as I got a new toy- an HP 17" desktop replacement. its lots of fun and i am busy trying to input everything. I am in the process of knitting another baby jumper- so shots of that soon. I have done the back and decided to do the sleeves next. I had actually finished one when i realised i forgot to read the instructions and didn't increase the sleeve, so i ripped it all back, cast on the second sleeve and am now doing both at once. A nice change. So ta ta for now, lots of pics coming as soon as i figure out how to take photos with the INBUILT WEB CAM hehe.