continental style

Brrrrr, suddenly winter is here. You can always tell when it starts snowing in the mountains because the air gets a chilly bite, but the sun is shining again so the days are bright and clear and lovely.

I've been commanded to knit this hat on Ravelry for Miss A with wool we chose a while ago. Because I felt like knitting last week and didn't have right needles for this though I started this gathered scarf too. Such cute patterns, that Ravelry is a very dangerous site!

On the weekend I ventured into the city to a real knitting shop, Morris and Sons in York Street where I bought these great new needles, the silver ones in the photo, they are Knit Pro circulars with interchangeable tips. Unfortunately I was too overwhelmed by all the yarn and didn't buy even one ball, I get so confused by all the plys and things and, well, I do have a couple of balls left in the stash!

 The new circulars are as wonderful as I hoped, lovely sharp smooth needles which slip through the wool so easily. The cable is perfectly bendy too. To celebrate this innovation I decided to finally try Continental knitting which has been intriguing me since I discovered knitting videos on the net. All I've read tells me this is a much faster technique and less hassle to interchange between knit to purl so I wanted to see how it felt. Of course I'm not that fast and I'm not enjoying it quite as much as my old style yet - but I've only been at it a day! Despite that I think its quite easy to pick up and feels like less work/movement. Have any of you made the change? Do you find it much quicker? I'm thinking my knitting is much looser and I actually read somewhere that some people have to knit on smaller needles to allow for that. We'll see.

For any of you wondering about the new Show & Tell interview I've put it off a week due to sickness, holidays and general busy-ness. No hints I'm afraid, but I know you are going to really love this one!! Come back next Tuesday and see - actually I have three more lined up now and I'm looking forward to each one so much :-)

p.s. The collage at the top is from Master J who whipped it up the other night in secret! How sweet, I was so very touched and emotional when he presented it! I think I'm going to have to frame it!

the chicken spots

I've had a little helper this week, Master D, despite being vaccinated, came out in chicken pox last Saturday. We've had a slow week recuperating, watching Deadly 60 on ABC 3, working on his public speaking piece, feeding the goldfish, lunch together, a bit of work for me, two get well parcels from his Granny and his Aunty (so spoilt) with colouring, mags, textas, good chocolate (and a card directing him to share it with Mum!).

With time to play I've been having a bit of fun making repeat patterns in Photoshop, easy once you get the hang of it. The first one is inspired by the chicken spots which are slowly fading. I took the colours from this pic. The second is a design that popped in my head the other day and I drew straight into the computer, I'm not sure about the colours but I love the shapes. The third is a simple but effective design I'm making for Miss A's ongoing biscuit project, part of the packaging she has designed for her banana biscuits.

Its been a nice week, I needed it, my cold has dragged its way to two weeks and it was time to give up and let myself be sick. And Mr D is lovely company, so sweet, a good laugh and a great patient.

I don't think its too disloyal to say that I hope the vaccination does its work with the other two. I didn't get much done this week and I'm hoping this is the end of the spots!

p.s Good luck to South Africa for the World Cup! It looks like its going to be an amazing time there, I'm excited for them. And I really hope the Socceroos do well in their games!

oktak

About a month ago the lovely Aki put my bottle towel into the most fantastic treasury (below) on Etsy. That led me to her great shop oktak where I immediately fell in love with her bright and graphic pieces. I started to wonder what my fabric would look like in her hands and on a whim emailled her and asked if she'd like some RickRack to play with.
Fast forward to yesterday and these photos landed in my inbox. Isn't she clever! I just love the way she's put the purses together, and see the little click purse, she's sending it to me! Thank you Aki! She has another couple that will be in her store, along with all her other beautiful wares.

 I think the thing I like the very most about our collaboration though is this drawing she sent by her 5 year old daughter - who was inspired by my fabric to draw her own version. Aaaaah I love it :-)

Oh and if you can speak Japanese you could read about it all on Aki's blog here.