David's Jamaican Hat

The sudden realization that Dave was going on leave earlier that I'd thought brought a halt to the scarves and a frantic effort to get his hat finished by today. . . I made it, just barely.

Luckily I am not working Fridays this term.



This morning I finished the last few rows, bound off and frantically wove in all the ends while darling Jess made a batch of her melt-in-the-mouth shortbread for morning tea.

I made it to work as Jenni was putting out the food that everyone had brought in. Then Jenni, Janice & I sang 'Bye, Bye, Bye, Bye David Goodbye' (not the Bay City Rollers' song!). Though truthfully I didn't sing, more like accompanied and tried to keep in tune.

David loved the hat and even acquiesced to my request for photos of him wearing it.

The pattern is from the book Hip Knit Hats by Cathy Carron

Another year, another Christmas, more knitting

I found some lovely colour change yarn at Spotlight recently, and to make it even better, some of the colours of the yarn was just AUS $3.00 a ball. I bought some at that price, got some more free with a voucher and later bought more at 30% off sale.

It is a Spotlight yarn, Moda Vera Noemi; 88% Acrylic 12% Polyamide, made in Turkey; 100g, approx 250m per ball; recommended needle size 5mm

There are imperfections with the yarn & I have had balls with broken & knotted yarn - which is fair enough, but little effort was made to match the colour. So at times I have to cannabalise from another ball to match the colour sequencing correctly.

The thickness of the yarn can vary quite a bit and the colours vary, even among the same lot. I have mostly what is called Purple Mix, but most are predominantly orange & some have very little purple!

I am making scarves with Noemi for my friends at work, which I will hopefully have done them all in time to gift at our work lunch on Wed 19th Dec 2012. Since I am under time restraint the scarves are, so far, simple garter stitch which leaves the yarn to showcase colour & texture. I am varying the widths of the scarves as well, and slipping the first stitch purl-wise for a neater edge.

Scarf 1: 35 stitches; Col - Purple Mix - 04; started 19.10.12; finished 9.11.12

Scarf 2: 36 stitches; Col - Purple - 4; started 10.11.12; finished 16.11.12

Scarf 3: 30 stitches; Col - Purple Mix - 8; started 16.11.12; finished 24.11.12
(different to other Purple Mix - orange-green/aqua-purple, but more orange than purple)

Scarf 4: 25 stitches; Col - Purple Mix - 8; started 24.11.12;
(varied thickness, the red/orange is very thick.
Yarn was broken & knotted to a much thinner orange)

Knitting Christmas Presents for the family

This year is a bit leaner than previous, so I am trying to knit gifts for the family.

With time constraints that means little gifts!

I have found some great patterns on the internet, especially in Ravellry, which I will hopefully have time to make.

I have so far made a knitted turtle for my darling Jess, as she loves turtles. The pattern was from Little Knitted Creatures by Amy Gaines.
There were a few problems with the pattern, but not unsurmountable luckily, as I am not that experienced at following patterns....I have a distressing tendancy to wander off on my own in the middle. One reason why I rarely knit jumpers or other items except for scarves and rugs.

I will post a pic of the turtle when I remember to download it onto the computer!

Currently I am almost finished an Owl from the same book for Natalie. She has decorated her nursery with owls. The owl is also from the Amy Gaines book, without any problems. Though I am not fond of her invisible decrease....or perhaps I should say that I probably haven't done it correctly! My apologies Ms Gaines!

Dishclothes are not something I am familiar with here in Australia, but I think I will make some for Natalie to use when bathing Maiya. I do like some of the science fiction patterns I have found, especially the Dr Who ones for Jess.

Is it possible to use the pattern to make individual squares for a rug?
I think I will try it, if I get the time...or maybe that will be a birthday present for Jess, to go with the really long Dr Who scarf I knitted over a couple of years, finally giving it to her for her recent birthday.

Scrubbies are something I am having trouble with. The tulle I bought at Spotlight is too stiff to be useful, but if I knit it with acrylic I might be able to use it - I am hoping.
I have bought the softer (and more expensive!) bridal tulle, so maybe that will work on it's own - or again I might knit it with an acrylic yarn. The bridal tulle doesn't have the lovely colour of the other tulle, which is a shame.

Tawashis are another item I am going to try. I have some cotton yarn, though I was surprised at how hard it is to get 100% cotton at Spotlight. Most of the yarns are a mix, but with the help from a lovely lady in the yarn section, I did come home with a couple of balls.

I found some white cotton yarn at the op-shop a while ago and I am thinking of dying it, something simple like tea or coffee dye.
It might be worth investigating other dyes though. I have always wanted to dye my own yarn.

Nearly forgot to mention crocheting the Chinese Zodiac mascots for the boys. Ben is year of hte Dragon, but I have to find out Tim's. The patterns for all are free at Knit.1 Magazine in Vogue Knitting free patterns http://www.vogueknitting.com/free_patterns/knit_1_chinese_zodiac.aspx

Am I going to have time for all this!!!!!????????

Probably not. Hopefully I will be able to make at least one thing for the kids, and the octagonal car blanket I am planning for Maiya, in bulky - which hopefully should be quick.

So why am I here instead of knitting or crochetting????

Bye!

Cataract Surgery oh joy!

Nothing like the early onset of age cataracts to make one feel old!

I have been struggling with my eyesight for a few years (cue picture of me wrestling with eyeballs). I have given up hand sewing, applique and anything fine, instead I have been knitting or crocheting as it doesn't require excellent sight. (Already have the rocking chair and the cat) I still go to my quilting meetings though!! They are my salvation, a source of laughter, the joy of friendship....a salve to the soul. My quilting friends are wonderful women, with great families. Love them all!

This photo I took in the day ward of the hospital, after having drops to enlarge my left pupil. I love the idea of putting a strip of tape over the eye to be operated on...just to make sure they have the right one! (Well, left one, in this case)

Thank heavens no-one is going to read this blog...could you get a more glamorous photo??? (Believe me, I have worse photos!! lol)

The left eye was my first op on 14Jan10. The op itself wasn't too bad, even though I was awake for it. They cover you with a blue fabric over the face, and have a patch to open for the eye they are operating on. So I am lying under a face-full of blue cloth. I couldn't see anything out of my left eye and my right eye only registered blue. Occassionally there would be something like ripples as they operated. Thankfully whatever they give you to keep calm really does work.

After the op you have a patch on the eye - until the next morning - they feed you a cuppa and a sandwich then send you home.

The day after I was mostly okay. Had to go in for a check in the morning with the opthalmologist, who was happy with the op. The rest of the day was spent mostly napping off and on...and that was a pattern for the next few days....with less napping as time goes on.

It is rather boring, and the temptation is to try and see/do things. You pay for it though.
Thankfully my darling daughter brought home some DVDs for me; Fringe, season 1; Criminal Minds, season 3; Bones, the box set, seasons 1-4. At least I could lie in bed and half listen and occassionally watch the shows.
I also have books on CD that have staved off boredom, and been handy when I couldn't watch the DVDs.

I have to restrict my time on the computer as it does strain the eyes......more later.....

Trees and sky at Dwellingup

The sense of peace, the quiet - except for bird calls, the river, leaves in the wind...

I had forgotten how lovely it is out in Lane Poole Reserve, and how close it is to Dwellingup.

Jess in August '09

Celebrating Jess's birthday at the Millhouse, Dwellingup

After all the worry of the emergency trip to the hospital, it was lovely to drive to Jess's favourite place, Dwellingup.

The green paddocks, often with pools of water, were populated with horses, cattle and alpacas. Some with their young nearby....and who doesn't love baby animals?

We were lucky with the weather, just a few light showers. Though there was some brief hail as we ate a late lunch at the Millhouse.

Jess always has me in stitches of laughter, she is a delightful companion.
When we arrived at the Millhouse a rooster was crowing. I called out to it that it was too late, but Jess gave me it's reply..."F**k you lady, I just got up".

The drive through Lane Poole Reserve was a bit muddy, but couldn't detract from the lush greenery and the quiet. Very few cars or people, mostly sunshine, with the river running strong, and the sound of the leaves in the light breeze. I loved the light green colour of the new leaves against the blue of the sky, with the blackened trunks of the trees still showing from the fires.

After a late afternoon devonshire tea at the Millhouse we drove home contentedly discussing Dr Who, movies and anything that crossed our minds.

Why am I thinking about work when I am not there?

An excellent example of being not quite sane is thinking about work when you have a day off.

The dangers of getting a new camera for your birthday and then taking it to work. Then playing around in Picasa trying out some of the features like collage.

Work has been on my mind a lot lately. Mostly I enjoy it, especially the people. The students are fun/interesting/weird & interesting/ lovely/ occasionally rude/ inspiring/ exasperating..... etc.

Coming home needing a Ben Cousins with scotch is not fun though.....

People are such complicated critters.

I think I will look at posting pictures of my kitten - less complicated, more relaxing - except when Sam decides to wake me up in the early hours of the morning wanting attention.

Work is a neccessary evil when you want money